Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of Eriobotrya japonica leaves extracts

Background: In the present work we determined phenolic and flavonoids content of Eriobotrya japonica leaves extracts and fractions and their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Objectives: To evaluate the inhibition of inflammatory PLA2 and antioxidant effects of extracts and fractions from Eriobotrya japonica leaves Methods: Antioxidant activity was evaluated with DPPH radical scavenging assay and anti-inflammatory effect of fractions was measured by their inhibition potency on the human pro-inflammatory phospholipase A2 (group IIA). Results: The EtOH/EtOAc 2:1 extract exhibited a potent inhibition of the hG-IIA with an IC50 values of 8 \u3bcg/ml. It also shows an antioxidant activity measured on DPPH with an IC50 of 42 \u3bcg/ml. Fractionation shows that CH2Cl2/MeOH 0:1 fraction was the rich one on flavonoids compounds (4.3 mg/g dry weight) and demonstrates a high antioxidant activity with an IC50 of 12 \u3bcg/ml. The anti-inflammatory evaluation demonstrates that the same fraction was the best one to inhibit the pro-inflammatory phospholipase A2 group IIA with an IC50 of 4 \u3bcg/ml. Conclusion: Study conducted on Eriobotrya japonica shows that CH2Cl2/MeOH 0:1 fraction inhibits efficiently the hGIIA phospholipase.which is considered as pro-inflammatory enzyme

In vitro study of the PLA2 inhibition and antioxidant activities of Aloe vera leaf skin extracts

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In the present work we determined the total phenolic content of <it>Aloe vera </it>leaf skin (AVLS) extracts by using various solvents (hexane, chloroform-ethanol (1/1), ethyl acetate, butanol and water). We have also evaluated the antioxidant and the anti-PLA2 properties of these extracts by measuring their inhibition potency on the human pro-inflammatory phospholipase A2 (group IIA).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The water extract exhibits the highest inhibitory effect with an IC₅₀= 0.22 mg/ml and interestingly no effect was observed on the digestive phospholipase A2 (group IB) even at a concentration of 5 mg/ml. Antioxidant activities were also analyzed and the most active extracts were observed when using chloroform ethanol (1/1) and ethyl acetate (IC₅₀= 0.274 and 0.326 mg/ml, respectively). Analysis of the total phenolic content reveals that the water extract, with the best anti-PLA2 effect, was poor in phenolic molecules (2 mg GAE/g). This latter value has to be compared with the chloroform-ethanol and the ethyl acetate extracts (40 and 23.8 mg GAE/g, respectively), mostly responsible for the antioxidant activity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A significant correlation was established between the total phenolic content and the antioxidant capacity but not with the anti PLA2 activity. Results from phytochemical screening suggest that the anti PLA2 molecules were probably catechin tannins compounds.</p

SemAssist : assistance and assessment tools for semantic memory rehabilitation

International audienceSemantic memory, which is responsible for the acquisition and maintenance of knowledge, plays an essential role in most cognitive functions and thus in activities of daily living (ADL). One rehabilitation approach, with patients presenting semantic memory deficits, is to help them maintain their residual knowledge or relearn lost knowledge through the execution and repetition of ADLs. During a therapy session, a caregiver supervises and assists a patient performing a predefined ADL. But this rehabilitation process is difficult to put into practice outside therapy sessions and data are lacking to assess patient progress with respect to everyday routine. SemAssist is a cognitive assistance system implemented to fill this gap. On the one hand, SemAssist guides the patient through the steps of a predefined ADL at home, providing semantic information about objects involved in this ADL. SemAssist records interactions with the patient, providing ecological data on the rehabilitation proces

Epidemiology of heart failure and long-term follow-up outcomes in a north-African population: Results from the NAtional TUnisian REgistry of Heart Failure (NATURE-HF)

International audienceThe NATURE-HF registry was aimed to describe clinical epidemiology and 1-year outcomes of outpatients and inpatients with heart failure (HF). This is a prospective, multicenter, observational survey conducted in Tunisian Cardiology centers. A total of 2040 patients were included in the study. Of these, 1632 (80%) were outpatients with chronic HF (CHF). The mean hospital stay was 8.7 ± 8.2 days. The mortality rate during the initial hospitalization event for AHF was 7.4%. The all-cause 1-year mortality rate was 22.8% among AHF patients and 10.6% among CHF patients. Among CHF patients, the older age, diabetes, anemia, reduced EF, ischemic etiology, residual congestion and the absence of ACEI/ ARBs treatment were independent predictors of 1-year cumulative rates of rehospitalization and mortality. The female sex and the functional status were independent predictors of 1-year all-cause mortality and rehospitalization in AHF patients. This study confirmed that acute HF is still associated with a poor prognosis, while the mid-term outcomes in patients with chronic HF seems to be improved. Some differences across countries may be due to different clinical characteristics and differences in healthcare systems