In Silico Investigation of Aristolochia longa Anticancer Potential against the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) in the Tyrosine Kinase Domain

This study employed in silico methods to identify potential therapeutic targets for the inactive EGFR tyrosine kinase domain in complex with Erlotinib (PDB: 4HJO) which is known to cause cancer, using natural extracts from Aristolochia longa root. A library comprising five natural compounds (Luteolin, 4-hydroxycinnamic acid, Kaempferol, ferulic acid, citric acid, and quinic acid) and the standard Erlotinib (control) were subjected to Lipinski's rule of five, ADMET parameter analyses, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. Results revealed comparable pharmacological responses between the five compounds and the standard drug, demonstrating promising outcomes without limitations. Notably, Luteolin, Kaempferol, and quinic acid exhibited higher binding energies than the reference molecule, with binding affinities of -9.083 kcal/mol, -8.260 kcal/mol, and -5.857 kcal/mol, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the stability of the most effective EGFR protein-ligand, displaying consistent interaction profiles, favorable molecular properties, and a stable trajectory (RMSD, RMSF). Overall, these in silico analyses highlight the potential of aromatic and medicinal plant-derived compounds to inhibit EGFR protein associated with cancer development, emphasizing the need for further in vitro and in vivo investigations to explore their therapeutic applications in cancer patients

Study of the RET gene and his implication in thyroid cancer: Morocco case family

BACKGROUND: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN 2A) is an autosomal dominant inherited cancer syndrome that affects multiple tissues derived from the neural crest. Inheritance of MTC is related to the presence of specific mutations in the RET proto-oncogene. Almost all mutations in MEN 2A involve one of the cysteines in the extracellular domain of the RET receptor. AIMS: The objective of the present study was the biochemical and molecular characterization of the first Moroccan clinically established MEN 2A patient and at-risk family members. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This is a study on a family presented with MTC referred to our institute in 2004. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Peripheral blood leukocyte DNA samples were isolated and amplified by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction enzyme analysis and DNA sequencing. RESULTS: We identified a heterozygous germ line missense mutation at codon 634 of exon 11 in the RET gene that causes a cysteine to arginine amino acid substitution in the DNA of the proband; this mutation was not found in the DNA of the parents or relatives. CONCLUSIONS: The detection of mutated MEN 2A gene carriers enables us to differentiate high-risk members from those who bear the wild-type gene. Occasionally, application of RET proto-oncogene testing may lead to the detection of unexpected de novo mutation that could be transmitted to children

Performance and seed quality of Moroccan sunflower varieties and Spanish landraces used for confectionery and snack food

Sunflower seeds are one of the most important sources of vegetable oil in the world. Additionally, they are used for confectionery and snack food, as well as for bird and pet food. Sunflower germplasm used for food differs between Morocco and Spain. Whereas sunflower seeds used for food in Morocco are mainly obtained from oilseed-type cultivars with black achenes and low hull proportion, those used in Spain derive from confectionery-type cultivars with black and white striped achenes and high hull proportion. The objective of this research was to evaluate the performance and seed quality of Moroccan and Spanish sunflower germplasm used for food. Six cultivars from Morocco and six landraces from Spain were evaluated in replicated field trials in Aïn Taoujdate (Morocco) and Córdoba (Spain) in 2009. Seed yield, hundred-achene weight, hundred-kernel weight, achene oil content, kernel oil content, and fatty acid profile were measured. The results showed that confectionery-type and oilseed-type cultivars did not differ in seed yield, hundred-kernel weight and kernel oil content. Since confectionery-type cultivars from Spain performed similarly to local oilseed-type cultivars, they could be introduced to diversify the offer of in-shell sunflower seed snack in Morocco.The research was partially supported by Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Spain and Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique et Technique (CNRST), Morocco, project number 2007MA0059.Peer Reviewe

DETERMINATION OF KINETICS OF DEGRADATION AND MOBILITY OF DITHIOCARBAMATES FUNGICIDES IN AQUEOUS MEDIA AND IN MOROCCAN SOIL

Contribution analysis of dithiocarbamates pesticides used on tomatoes treatment has been reported. The study is focused on analysis and determination of some dithiocarbamates like, Maneb, Mancozeb, Zineb and Propineb, in order to achieve accurate impact of theses pesticides on water and soil. Analysis method is based on decomposition of dithiocarbamate by heating under acidic attack to give carbon disulfide complexed with copper acetate solution in presence of diethanolamine. Complex formed is dosed spectrophotometrically at 435 nm. Degradation kinetic of dithiocarbamate in aqueous media have been realized and proved that dithiocarbamate are degraded by simple air exposition. In the other hand, pH affects also dithiocarbamate degradation by increasing hydroxyl ions to participate for dithiocarbamate instability. Dithiocarbamate mobility on Moroccan soils samples have been realised and don’t have the same degradation mode

Performance and seed quality of local Moroccan sunflower varieties and Spanish landraces used for confectionary and snack food

Trabajo presentado en el International Symposium on Sunflower Genetic Resources, celebrado en Kusadasi (Turquía) del 16 al 20 de octubre de 2011.Sunflower seeds are one of the most important sources of vegetable oil in the world. Additionally,they are used for confectionary and snack food as well as for bird and pet food. Sunflowergermplasm used for food differs between Morocco and Spain. Whereas sunflower seeds used forfood in Morocco are mainly obtained from oilseed cultivars with black achenes and high oil content,those used in Spain derive from confectionary cultivars and landraces with black and white stripedachenes and low oil content. The objective of this research was to evaluate the performance andseed quality of Moroccan and Spanish sunflower germplasm used for food. Six cultivars from Morocco and six landraces from Spain were evaluated in replicated field trials in Meknès (Morocco) and Córdoba (Spain) in 2009. Seed yield, oil content, achene weight, kernel percentage, fatty acid profile, tocopherol content and profile, and phytosterol content and profile were measured.Differences between cultivars were observed for most of the traits, though such differences were notalways related to the cultivar type, i.e. oilseed vs. confectionary.Peer Reviewe

Modulation of T-type Ca2+ channels by Lavender and Rosemary extracts

Medicinal plants represent a significant reservoir of unexplored substances for early-stage drug discovery. Of interest, two flowering Mediterranean plants have been used for thousands of years for their beneficial effects on nervous disorders, including anxiety and mood. However, the therapeutic potential of these plants regarding their ability to target ion channels and neuronal excitability remains largely unknown. Towards this goal, we have investigated the ability of Lavender and Rosemary to modulate T-type calcium channels (TTCCs). TTCCs play important roles in neuronal excitability, neuroprotection, sensory processes and sleep. These channels are also involved in epilepsy and pain. Using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique, we have characterized how Lavender and Rosemary extracts, as well as their major active compounds Linalool and Rosmarinic acid, modulate the electrophysiological properties of recombinant TTCCs (CaV3.2) expressed in HEK-293T cells. Both the methanolic and essential oil extracts as well as the active compounds of these plants inhibit Cav3.2 current in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, these products also induce a negative shift of the steady-state inactivation of CaV3.2 current with no change in the activation properties. Taken together, our findings reveal that TTCCs are a molecular target of the Lavender and Rosemary compounds, suggesting that inhibition of TTCCs could contribute to the anxiolytic and the neuroprotective effects of these plants