Anti-platelet aggregation effects of extracts from Arbutus unedo leaves

It is well known that platelet hyperactivity is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, stroke and myocardial infarction. This study aimed to examine the effects of extracts enriched in flavonoids obtained from Arbutus unedo leaves on platelet aggregation. Rat platelets were prepared and incubated in vitro with different doses of the tested extracts, and aggregation was trigged by physiological agonists. Platelet treatment with increasing concentrations (0.1 - 1 mg/ml) of diethyl ether extract (genins = free flavonoids) or ethyl acetate extract (hetrosidic flavonoids) inhibited platelet aggregation evoked by thrombin in a concentration-dependant manner. The IC50 values were 0.22 ± 0.03 and 0.36 ± 0.05 mg/ml for genins and heterosidic flavonoids respectively. Treatment with Arbutus unedo extracts also significantly reduced the initial rate of platelet aggregation. At 1 mg/ml, the rate inhibition was 97.8 ± 0.74 and 90.8 ± 1.55 % for genins and heterosidic flavonoids respectively. In addition, flavonoids significantly inhibited platelet aggregation induced by ADP, collagen or epinephrine. We conclude that Arbutus unedo extracts show antiaggregant effects due mainly to flavonoids. These results may partly explain the traditional use of Arbutus unedo leaves for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders such as hypertension

Antiulcer activity of Moroccan Artemisia campestris L. subsp. glutinosa against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in Mice.

Artemisia campestris L. subsp. glutinosa is a plant growing in Morocco and widely used in traditional medicine as a beneficial remedy for the digestive system. The present study was carried out to evaluate the antiulcer activity of aqueous extract (AEAc) and ethanolic extract of this plant (EEAc) using an experimental model not previously tested against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer and acute toxicity in mice. The gastric lesion was assessed by ulcer area, ulcer index, prevention index, histopathological examination, and malondialdehyde (MDA) determination. Administered of AEAc and EEAc at a dose of 100, 200, 400 mg/kg before ethanol ingestion significantly inhibited gastric ulcers. AEAc and EEAc induced a significant decrease in the ulcer area compared to the control group. The preventive index of different doses of both extracts is almost similar to that of Omeprazole. These results were confirmed by a decrease in mucosal thickness in the group treated with the plant in the histological study and the decrease in MDA level in the group treated with the plant compared to the control ulcer group. The acute toxicity study revealed no abnormal sign or death to the mice treated with 4g/kg and 8 g/kg of both extracts. These findings confirm the traditional use of Artemisia campestris L. subsp. glutinosa as a gastro-protective agent

Argania spinosa Leaves and Branches: Antiaggregant, Anticoagulant, Antioxidant Activities and Bioactive Compounds Quantification

Thrombocytes, also known as platelets, are crucial in maintaining the balance between blood clotting. Platelet hyperactivity and oxidative stress are the primary factors contributing to cardiovascular complications. Antithrombotic therapy remains one of the most effective treatments, but various potential side effects hinder its effectiveness, including the risk of haemorrhage. Intense research has been conducted on medicinal plants to discover the natural antithrombotic compounds. Argania spinosa, commonly known as the argan tree or argan oil tree, is a native species of southwestern Morocco. This study evaluated the primary and secondary hemostasis and antioxidant activity of leaf and branch aqueous extracts of A. spinosa and also assessed the phytochemical composition of these extracts. Platelet aggregation assay was performed using washed platelets stimulated with thrombin. For plasmatic coagulation, activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time were measured using the poor plasma method. Bleeding time was evaluated by inducing bleeding at the tip of a mouse tail. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was determined through the DPPH, β-carotene, and FRAP methods. The presence or absence of the secondary metabolites was carried out with the help of specific reagents, and the quantitative analysis was carried out using spectrophotometric and colorimetric methods. The study results revealed the presence of phenols, total flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, tannins, and coumarins type of secondary metabolites in both types of aqueous extracts and a higher concentration of these was recorded in the leaves extracts. Both aqueous extracts significantly reduced in vitro thrombin-induced platelet aggregation, extended tail bleeding time, prolonged activated partial thromboplastin and prothrombin time and exhibited remarkable antioxidant activity. The leaf extract of A. spinosa exerts significant effects against thrombotic manifestations and could be a promising source of new antithrombotic compounds

Evaluation of toxicity, nephroprotective and hepatoprotective activities of Argan oil on CCl4-induced nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats

In traditional therapy, Argania spinosa L. seeds oil used as a nephroprotective and hepatoprotective agent. The present work aims to investigate the acute toxicity of unroasted Argan oil, and studied the nephroprotective and the hepatoprotective activity of both oils Roasted (Roil) and unroasted Argan oil (UnRoil) on CCl4-induced liver and kidney damages in Wistar rats. Animals were divided into five equal groups; Control and CCl4 groups are received only distilled water (10 mL/Kg/day). Control positive group received 50 mg/Kg/day of Silymarin. Roil and UnRoil groups treated with 2 mL/Kg/day of Roil and UnRoil. One week after each pretreatment, the rats are injected intraperitoneally with 1 mL/kg/week of CCl4. The treatment has lasted for 15 days. The body weight, urinary volume, water, and food intake were measured at the end of the treatment. Then, the animals are sacrificed; the blood and the liver samples were collected for determining the liver weight ratio and biochemical parameters. UnRoil did not show any sign of toxicity up to 5 mL/Kg. In Roil and UnRoil groups the water intake, ALT, AST, total and direct bilirubin, triglycerides, LDL, plasmatic creatinine, urea, uric acid, and MDA levels are reduced significantly as compared with the CCl4 group. However, body weight,liver weight ratio, food intake, urine urea, urinary creatinine, hepatic glycogen, and GSH levels showed a significant increase compared to the CCl4 group. Roil and UnRoil showed important nephroprotective and hepatoprotective effects against CCl4. Although, the roasting process does not influence the ability of Argan seed oils towards these activities.Keywords

Chemical composition, vasorelaxant, antioxidant and antiplatelet effects of essential oil of Artemisia campestris L. from Oriental Morocco

Background: Artemisia campestris L. (Asteraceae) is a medicinal herb traditionally used to treat hypertension and many other diseases. Hence, this study is aimed to analyze the essential oil of A. campestris L (AcEO) and to investigate the antiplatelet, antioxidant effects and the mechanisms of its vasorelaxant effect. Methods: The chemical composition of AcEO was elucidated using GC/MS analysis. Then, the antioxidant effect was tested on DPPH radical scavenging and on the prevention of β-carotene bleaching. The antiplatelet effect was performed on the presence of the platelet agonists: thrombin and ADP. The mechanism of action of the vasorelaxant effect was studied by using the cellular blockers specified to explore the involvement of NO/GC pathway and in the presence of calcium channels blockers and potassium channels blockers. Results: AcEO is predominated by the volatiles: spathulenol, ß-eudesmol and p-cymene. The maximal antioxidant effect was obtained with the dose 2 mg/ml of AcEO. The dose 1 mg/ml of AcEO showed a maximum antiplatelet effect of, respectively 49.73% ±9.54 and 48.20% ±8.49 on thrombin and ADP. The vasorelaxation seems not to be mediated via NOS/GC pathway neither via the potassium channels. However, pretreatment with calcium channels blockers attenuated this effect, suggesting that the vasorelaxation is mediated via inhibition of L-type Ca2+ channels and the activation of SERCA pumps of reticulum plasma. Conclusion: This study confirms the antioxidant, antiplatelet and vasorelaxant effects of A.campestris L essential oil. However, the antihypertensive use of this oil should be further confirmed by the chemical fractionation and subsequent bio-guided assays

Role de la creatine kinase myofibrillaire dans la contraction cardiaque : etude des proprietes mecaniques des fibres cardiaques pelees de rat

SIGLECNRS T Bordereau / INIST-CNRS - Institut de l'Information Scientifique et TechniqueFRFranc

Evaluation of antidiabetic properties of cactus pear seed oil in rats

Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (Cactaceae)) is a medicinal plant widely used to treat diabetes. This work investigates the hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effect of cactus pear seed oil (CPSO), its mechanism of action, and any toxic effects

Beneficial Effect of Thymelaea hirsuta on Pancreatic Islet Degeneration, Renal Fibrosis, and Liver Damages as Demonstrated in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rat

Objective. In Morocco, Thymelaea hirsuta (T. hirsuta) (Thymelaeacea) is a medicinal plant widely used to treat and prevent diabetes. The present study aimed to evaluate the medium-term antidiabetic effect of aqueous extract (AqTh) and ethyl acetate fraction (EaTh) of Th and to investigate their putative protective effect on pancreatic islet degeneration, diabetic nephropathy, and liver damages in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. Methods. Experimental diabetes in rats was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg of STZ. During the treatment period (4 weeks), 200 mg/kg AqTh and 50 mg/kg EaTh were orally administrated daily to STZ-diabetic rats. A group of parameters including fasting blood glucose, biochemical parameters, and intestinal α-glucosidase inhibition were studied. Furthermore, histological study of the pancreas, kidney, liver, and aorta was also realized. Results. At the end of the treatment, both AqTh and EaTh had normalized fasting blood glucose to 1.08 and 1.25 g/l, respectively. AqTh has also reduced urinary creatinine and HbAc1. The EaTh showed inhibitory activity against intestinal α-glucosidase, whereas AqTh did not have this inhibitory effect. Furthermore, pancreas hematoxylin and eosin staining showed that AqTh or EaTh prevents pancreatic islet cell degeneration. As the same kidney, Masson’s trichrome staining has shown a significant prevention of renal fibrosis in AqTh- or EaTh-treated diabetic rats. On the other hand, liver hematoxylin and eosin staining showed that AqTh and EaTh prevent liver damage. Conclusion. We conclude that medium-term administration of AqTh and EaTh exerts significant antihyperglycemic effect in STZ-diabetic rats possibly through intestinal α-glucosidase inhibition and protection against pancreatic islet cell damage. Moreover, AqTh and EaTh treatment prevent nephropathy and liver complications in STZ-diabetic rats

Antihyperglycemic potential of the Lavandula stoechas aqueous extract via inhibition of digestive enzymes and reduction of intestinal glucose absorption

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a widespread metabolic disorder affecting global populations. Lavandula stoechas from Moroccan traditional medicine is used for its potential anti-diabetic effects. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the antihyperglycemic impact of the aqueous extract of L. stoechas (AqLs) and explore its mechanisms. Methods: The study employed a glucose tolerance test (OGTT) on normal and diabetic Wistar rats, administering AqLs at 150 mg/kg. In vitro, AqLs was tested against α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities, confirmed in vivo using normal and Allx-diabetic rats. The extract’s impact on intestinal d-glucose absorption was assessed using the jejunum segment perfusion technique at 250 mg/kg in situ. Albino mice were used to assess toxicity. Results: AqLs significantly reduced postprandial hyperglycemia (P < 0.001) due to glucose overload. It inhibited pancreatic α-amylase (IC50: 0.485 mg/mL) and intestinal α-glucosidase (IC50: 168 µg/mL) in vitro. Oral AqLs at 150 mg/kg reduced hyperglycemia induced by sucrose and starch in normal and diabetic rats. It also lowered (P < 0.001) intestinal glucose absorption in situ at 250 mg/kg. Oral acute toxicity tests on Albino mice indicated no adverse effects at different doses. Conclusion: to summarize, L. stoechas has evident antihyperglycemic effects attributed to inhibiting intestinal glucose absorption and key monosaccharide digestion enzymes like α-amylase and α-glucosidase

Evaluation of Hepatoprotective Activity of Caralluma europaea Stem Extract against CCl4-Induced Hepatic Damage in Wistar Rats

The present study aims to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of stem aqueous extract of Caralluma europaea (AECe) on carbon tetrachloride- (CCl4-) induced hepatic damage in Wistar rats. The animals were daily treated with the aqueous extract of C. europaea at a dose of 250 mg/kg body weight for 14 days. CCl4 was injected (1 ml/kg, i.p.) two times, on the 7th and 14th days. At the end of the experimental period, all rats were anesthetized to collect blood for the assessment of biochemical parameters and then sacrificed to collect the liver for weighing. Hepatotoxicity was evaluated by measuring the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin (total and direct), malondialdehyde (MDA), total protein (TP), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL-c ), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c), urea, creatinine, and uric acid. Based on the results obtained in this study, the administration of C. europaea before exposure to the administration of CCl4 conferred favorable hepatoprotective effect in rats. The treatment with AECe (250 mg/kg) exhibits a significant hepatoprotective effect by ameliorating CCl4-induced alterations of these biochemical parameters. Hence, C. europaea could be a potential medicinal herb that can be used in the future to prevent liver intoxication