Syzygium aromaticum: Traditional uses, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activities and photo-protective properties

Syzygium aromaticum (L.) communément appelé clou de girofle appartient à la famille des Myrtacées utilisées en médecine traditionnelle marocaine comme diurétiques, analgésiques, anti-inflammatoires et pour traiter les problèmes dentaires.L'objectif de cette étude est d'évaluer les activités biologiques des huiles fixées des bourgeons de Syzygium aromaticum .Le spectrophotomètre UV-Visible a été utilisé pour évaluer l'activité photo-protectrice de l'huile fixée à travers le test d'absorbance UV. Nous avons prouvé que l'huile fixe et l'extrait d'acétate d'éthyle de clou de girofle ont une haute capacité d'absorption des UVB.L'étude de l'huile fixée in vitro a montré qu'elle possède une capacité antioxydante importante en inhibant les radicaux libres DPPH. A noter que la valeur maximale de cette activité est de 95,13 % (IC50 = 0,163 mg/ml.).L'activité anti-inflammatoire de l'huile fixée de Syzygium aromaticum a été évaluée chez le lapin par le test d'inflammation induit par l'injection de carraghénane. Les résultats montrent que l'effet inhibiteur maximal de l'huile fixe sur l'inflammation était de 87,7% atteint à la cinquième heure

Ethnobotanical use, phytochemical study, and antioxidant activity of Globularia alypum

This work aimed to highlight the biological effects of Globularia alypum L., a medicinal plant widely used in phytotherapy.Globularia alypum L. is a plant used in traditional medicine in Morocco, the crude extracts prepared from the leaves were obtained using maceration in methanol, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water. The content of total polyphenols was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, the first range was for the ethyl acetate extract, followed by butanol, methanol, and aqueous extracts, respectively. The flavonoids amount was determined using the aluminum chloride colorimetric method, the methanolic extract presented the highest content of flavonoids, followed by the one of butanol, then the ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts. The antioxidant activity was carried out using the anti-free radical method based on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyle (DPPH), the IC50 values were estimated for methanolic, ethyl acetate, butanol and aqueous extracts while that of BHT and ascorbic acid. The high phenolic and flavonoid amounts as well as the antioxidant potential of the extracts indicated that the G. alypum could be exploited as a source of natural antioxidants

An ethnobotanical investigation of medicinal and aromatic plants used in Al Hoceima National Park

In the northern region of Morocco, specifically in the Province of Al Hoceima, the establishment of the Al Hoceima National Park (ANP) serves as a designated protected area. The primary purpose of this park is to promote the conservation, protection, and sustainable development of the diverse natural resources present. The ANP boasts a significant variety of flora, particularly medicinal and aromatic plants (AMP). This research aimed to identify and highlight the AMP the local rural population utilizes. Conducted between August 2020 and March 2021, an ethnobotanical survey engaged herbalists, traditional healers, and rural residents through structured questionnaires. These surveys elicited specific information about the informants and details regarding the plants in use. This survey revealed the identification of 47 taxa based on vernacular names, which were subsequently matched with their scientific names according to available literature. These taxa are distributed among 29 botanical families, with notable prevalence in Lamiaceae, comprising 8 species, followed by Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Rosaceae, and Solanaceae, each with 3 species. The study further indicates that the most utilized parts of these plants are the foliage and leafy stems, with decoctions being the predominant method of preparation for remedies. The investigation into the diseases treated revealed that digestive infections rank highest, followed by respiratory infections. Sociodemographic characteristics analysis indicated a slightly higher usage of medicinal plants by women than men. The insights gleaned from this research offer valuable information for the studied region and contribute to the broader understanding of the national medicinal flora

Phytochemical, Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities of Pistacia lentiscus L. Leaves from Ajdir, Al Hoceima Province, Morocco

Pistacia lentiscus L. (PL) is a shrub belonging to the Anacardiaceae family, used in traditional medicine to treat various disorders in the Commune of Ajdir from Al Hociema province. The conducted study focused on determination of the polyphenols and flavonoids contents by spectrophotometric and in vitro evaluation of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity. Determining total polyphenols shows the aqueous extract with a higher concentration of 125.04±0.01mg EAG/g ES, followed by the ethanolic extract of 108.16±0.02 mg EAG/g ES. Determination of flavonoids revealed that the hexanoic extract contains a maximum of flavonoids with a level of 90.60±0.01mg EQ/g ES. The antioxidant activity of different extracts was determined through two methods: DPPH and FRAP. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts showed a high antioxidant capacity. Further, regarding anti-inflammatory activity, the ethanolic extract has good activity inhibition (92.65±0.67) followed by aqueous extract (94±0.29) at 1000 μg/mL concentration. This study found that the ethanolic extracts from P L leaves are a powerful natural antioxidant and effective anti-inflammatory agent. The results indicate the extract's effectiveness and highlight the importance of medicinal plants from the Commune of Ajdir

Mineral composition, principal polyphenolic components, and evaluation of the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties of Cytisus villosus Pourr leaf extracts

Cytisus villosus Pourr. (C. villosus) is a medicinal plant belonging to the Fabaceae family, which grows in the Mediterranean area. It is used in traditional medicine against diseases related to inflammation. The objective of the present study was to identify the mineral and polyphenolic composition as well as to evaluate some biological properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities of C. villosus leaf aqueous extract. The chemical constituents were identified and quantified using ultra performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS) methods. The antioxidant properties of C. villosus leaves were tested using reducing power (RP), 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), and 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. The anti-inflammatory potency was evaluated in vitro and in vivo using the albumin denaturation test and the carrageenan test, respectively. Furthermore, the analgesic effect was performed in vivo using tail flick, acetic acid-induced contortion, and plantar tests. Mineralogical analysis revealed that potassium and calcium were the most abundant minerals. The analysis and quantification of the phytochemical composition using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS showed that quinic acid (57.478 ± 1.72 mg/kg) was the major compound of the aqueous extract, followed by salicylic acid (17.38 ± 0.2 mg/kg), isoquercetin (16.895 ± 1.01 mg/kg), and gallic acid (15.914 ± 1.51 mg/kg). The extracts showed potent antioxidant activity for all tests used. The highest antioxidant activity was recorded for the DPPH, ABTS and RP methods, with an IC50 of 3.94 ± 0.09, 2.88 ± 0.07, and 1.94 ± 0.10 μg/mL, respectively. Additionally, using the most frequent analgesic assays, the aqueous extract at a dose of 500 mg/kg exhibited a potent analgesic activity. Notably, an interesting inhibition of albumin denaturation was recorded with an IC50 of 383.94 μg/mL, corroborating the in vivo test. Overall, the results presented here may represent a scientific basis for the traditional use of C. villosus in the treatment of inflammation-related diseases

Ionomic analysis, polyphenols characterization, analgesic, antiinflammatory and antioxidant capacities of Cistus laurifolius leaves: in vitro, in vivo, and in silico investigations

Abstract This study aims to investigate the chemical and mineral composition, antioxidant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects of the aqueous extract of Cistus laurifolius var. atlanticus Pit. (Cistaceae). Additionally, molecular docking interactions of various ligands with antioxidant protein target urate oxidase (1R4U) and anti-inflammatory protein target cyclooxygenase-2 (3LN1), revealing potential dual activities and highlighting specific residue interactions. The chemical characterization focused at first glance on the mineral composition which showed that C. laurifolius extract is a mineral-rich source of potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na), phosphorus (P), and zinc (Zn). We next performed, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) analysis, the latter showed various polyphenols in C. laurifolius extract including Gallic acid as the predominant polyphenol. Isoquercetin, Taxifolin and Astragalin were also among the major flavonoids detected. The antioxidant capacity of C. laurifolius leaves was tested using 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and reducing power (RP) assays. In vitro analysis of the anti-inflammatory property of C. laurifolius leaves was conducted by the albumin denaturation test and the in vivo was assessed in the sequel by carrageenan-induced paw edema test. The analgesic activity was evaluated in vivo using tail flick, acetic acid-induced contortion, and plantar tests. The findings showed that the leave extract had a powerful antioxidant activity with an IC50 values of 2.92 ± 0.03 µg/mL (DPPH) and 2.59 ± 0.09 µg/mL (in RP test). The studied extract strongly abolished the induced inflammation (82%). Albumin denaturation test recorded an IC50 value of 210 µg/mL. Importantly, the oral administration of C. laurifolius extract considerably reduced the nociceptive effect of acetic acid in rats, showing a significant analgesic effect in a dose-related manner. Altogether, our results showed that C. laurifolius can be a promising source of phytochemicals for drug development potential