Polyphenols contents and antioxidant Activity of extracts from Leaves and flowers of Thymelaea hirsuta

Thymelaea hirsuta  is a medicinal plant, belonging to the genus Thymelaea (Thymelaeaceae) widely used in Mediterranean countries especially in Algeria. In this study, we have evaluated the total polyphenols and flavonoids contents of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Leaves and flowers of Thymelaea hirsuta as well as its antioxidant activity using the DPPH (2'2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl) and β-carotene /linoleic acid bleaching assays. The yield of the methanolic and aqueous extract was 11, 55% and 13, 25% respectively. The total polyphenols content of the methanolic extract was 295, 22 µg GAE/ mg extract and flavonoids was 09, 40 µg QE/mg and 26, 42 µg RE/ mg extract. The total polyphenols content of the aqueous extract was 57, 95 µg GAE/ mg extract and flavonoids was 4.59 µg QE/ mg and 10.66 µg RE/ mg extract. In the DPPH assay, methanolic extract showed the higher scavenging capacity (IC50 = 0.03 ± 0.004 mg/ml), followed by aqueous extract with IC50 of 0.275 ± 0.019 mg/ml. In the test of β-carotene /linoleic acid, the percentage of inhibition was 39.1±1.33% for the aqueous extract and 41.05±2.72% for methanolic extract. Keywords: Thymelaea hirsuta, antioxidant activity, polyphenols, DPPH scavenging, β-carotene

Long term condition monitoring of tapestries using image correlation

Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is used to extract non-contact full-field three-dimensional displacement and in-plane strains from an historic tapestries. A DIC-based approach is devised that allows the effect of RH variations on a tapestry to be quantified. A historical tapestry has been monitored in a closely controlled environment and in the natural environment. The results revealed that very small variations in RH can have significant effects on strain. An automated long term monitoring approach has been devised to allow strain data to be extracted in real time from tapestries in remote locations. The results show that DIC provides better understanding of the effect of RH fluctuations on strain which will ultimately lead to more insight into the degradation process of historical tapestries. The paper demonstrates the potential for using DIC as a condition monitoring tool

Polyphenolic content, Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory activities of Melon (Cucumis melo L. var. inodorus) Seeds

The aim of this study was to estimate the content of polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins compounds and to evaluate the antioxidant activity and  the  in vitro anti-inflammatory  of    the ethanolic extract of  melon (Cucumis melo L.  var inodorus) seeds. The Folin-Ciocalteau and AlCl3 methods were applied in order to quantify the polyphenolic and flavonoids contents, respectively. However, DPPH and  β-carotene bleaching  method were applied  to evaluate the  in vitro antioxidant activity. The polyphenolic  and flavonoids contents  of    seeds  extract  were  found to be 37,10 ± 1,11 mg GAE/g of dry extract and 0,43 ± 0,27 mg QE/ g  of dry extract, respectively. Whereas the amount of tannins was  48, 30 ±  0,90 mg TAE/ g of dry extract. The scavenger effect of  seeds extract against DPPH radicals showed IC50 value of  4,13 ± 0,07 mg/ ml. The β-carotene bleaching assay indicated a strong inhibition percentage of the lipid peroxidation with value of 69,47 %. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using the inhibition of   proteins denaturation revealed that the seeds extract had a moderate anti-inflammatory activity which is estimated at 49,09 % compared to the aspirin (97,73  %) at 1 mg/ ml.  Finally, melon seeds may be considered as a promising source of natural antioxidants which possess remarkable therapeutic action as inflammatory activity and may serve as food ingredients. Keywords: Cucumis melo var. inodorus, Polyphenols, Flavonoids, Tannins, Oxidative stress,  Anti-inflammatory activity

Identification and quantification of fruit phenolic compounds of Malus communis

Malus communis (apple) is fruits belong to family Rosaseae. Apple is important source of phytochemicals substance, which has good effect in human health and antioxidant activity. The aim of this work is to identify the polyphenols compounds and the antioxidant activity of Malus communis. The analyses phytochemicals of polyphenols is estimated by UPLC method. The flavonoids content were determinate by the Aluminum chloride method.  The antioxidant activity was evaluated by the DPPH, ABTS and reducing power. The results suggested that Malus communis have high content of sugars, tannin (795  ± 0.05 mg D- glucose equivalents per gram dry weight, 31.38 ± 0.006 mg tannic acid equivalents per gram dry weight and important amount of flavonoids 5.08 ±  0.001 mg quercetin equivalents per gram of dry weight) respectively. The chromatogram of apple demonstrated that this fruits contain various substances such as Gallic acid and Chlorogenic acid. The extract exerted good effect in antioxidant activity. Apple can scavenge free radicals ABTS and DPPH with values of IC50 (0.64 ± 0.02, 0.60 ± 0.03 mg/ml respectively). Finally the consumption dietary of fruits can reduce the risk the chronic disease.    Keywords: Malus communis, UPLC, tannin, flavonoids, antioxidant activity

Progress in strain monitoring of tapestries

This paper reports interdisciplinary research between conservators and engineers designed to enhance the long-term conservation of tapestries (tapestry-weave hangings) on longterm display. The aim is to monitor, measure and document the strain experienced by different areas of a tapestry while it is hanging on display. Initial research has established that damage can be identified in the early stages of its inception, i.e., before it is visible to the naked eye. The paper also reports initial results of strain data visualisation that allows curators and conservators to examine how strain develops, thereby facilitating predictions about the changes in the form or condition of the tapestry. Strain data visualisation also allows the strain process to be recorded, thereby facilitating the effective documentation of display methods and conservation interventions. The paper reports the use of point measurements (using silica optical fibre sensors) and full-field monitoring (using 3-D photogrammetry with digital image correlation (DIC))

Acute Toxicity Study of Aqueous Extracts of Thymelaea hirsuta Leaves And Flowers in Rabbits

Thymelaea hirsuta is a medicinal plant known for its therapeutic virtues in traditional medicine. The objective of this study was to evaluate the acute toxicity of aqueous extract of leaves and flowers of Thymelaea hirsuta in rabbit. Aqueous extract was administered to rabbit in single doses of 2.5, 4, 5.5 and 7 g/kg given by gavage. General behavior, adverse effects and mortality were determined for up to 7 days. Biochemical parameters aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), cholesterol (CHOL) and glucose (GLU) were determined after 7 days. The results showed no mortality was observed during the 7 days of the observation period, an increase in AST and  ALT in treated groups at the doses of 4, 5.5 and 7 g/kg, and a decrease in both cholesterol and glucose levels in treated groups compared to control. Keywords: Thymelaea hirsuta, Acute toxicity, Biochemical parameters, adverses effects

Strain monitoring of tapestries: results of a three-year research project

The outcomes of an interdisciplinary research project between conservators and engineers investigating the strain experienced by different areas of a tapestry are described. Two techniques were used: full-field monitoring using digital image correlation (DIC) and point measurements using optical fibre sensors. Results showed that it is possible to quantify the global strain across a discrete area of a tapestry using DIC; optical fibre and other sensors were used to validate the DIC. Strain maps created by the DIC depict areas of high and low strain and can be overlaid on images of the tapestry, creating a useful visual tool for conservators, custodians and the general public. DIC identifies areas of high strain not obvious to the naked eye. The equipment can be used in situ in a historic house. In addition the work demonstrated the close relationship between relative humidity and strain

Fractionation, Phytochemical Screening and Free Radical Scavenging Capacity of Different Sub-Fractions from Pituranthos scoparius Roots

The purpose of this study was to prepare three sub-fractions from Pituranthos scoparius roots (PSR), characterize their phytochemicals contents and to investigate their free radical scavenging activity by 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and hydroxyl scavenging activities. Tannins, flavonoids, steroids, and other bioactive compounds were found in the different sub-fractions. The Ethyle acetate extract (EAE) and chloroform extract (ChE) exhibited the highest antioxidant activity using ABTS (17.8 ± 0.87 µg/mL and 18.15 ± 0.68 µg/mL), respectively. Whereas, Crude extract (CrE) have been presented strong hydroxyl scavenging activity (14.9 ± 0.8 µg/mL). This study indicates that PSR extracts has potent free radical scavenging, and may prove to be of potential health benefit as well as additional resources for natural antioxidants. Keywords: Medicinal plant; phytochemical screening; sub-fractions, free radical scavenging

Antioxidant and antimicrobial effect of alkaloid bulbs extract of Polianthes tuberosa L. (Amaryllidaceae) cultivated in Algeria

Polianthes tuberosa L. (Amaryllidaceae) is an ornamental and medicinal plant. Its flowers and bulbs are used traditionally as a diuretic, emetic, against rashes and gonorrhea. The aim of this work was, to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of bulbs and bulbils alkaloid extracts of P. tuberosa. Antiradical effect was assessed against DPPH radical. However, antimicrobial activity was measured through the disc diffusion method against Escherichae coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Staphylococcus aureus resistant to Methicillin (MRSA) and Candida albicans ATCC 90028. The scavenging effect against DPPH showed that the bulbs and bulbils alkaloids extracts exhibited an antiradical effect with IC50 = 0.231±0.017 mg/mL and 0.233±0.093 mg/mL respectively, less than the effect of vitamin C with IC50 = 0.0194±0.0002 mg/mL. Antimicrobial activity results reveal that both alkaloid bulbs extracts at 50 mg/mL did not have any inhibitory effect against the studied strains using the disc diffusion method. According to this work, bulbs and bulbils alkaloid extracts show a moderate antioxidant effect; that could be recommended as a natural antioxidant. Although tuberose bulbs were used traditionally as a soap substitute; bulbs alkaloid extract has no antimicrobial effect. Keywords: Polianthes tuberosa L., bulbs, bulbils, alkaloids, antiradical activity, antimicrobial activity

PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILES, ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY AND PROTECTIVE EFFECT AGAINST AAPH-INDUCED MOUSE ERYTHROCYTE DAMAGE BY DAPHNE GNIDIUM L. SHOOTS EXTRACTS

Objective: Various biological activities have been reported for Daphne gnidium, the aim of the present study was to determine polyphenols and some biological activities of extracts from the shoots of this plants.Methods: Phenolic and flavonoids contents of D. gnidium extracts (DGE) were determined by Folin-Ciocalteau and identified by HPLC–DAD/MS. Free radical scavenging and antioxidant potential of the crude (CE), chloroform (CHE) and ethyl acetate (EAE) extracts of D. gnidium shoots were investigated using several in vitro and ex vivo assays, including 2, 2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, superoxide anion scavenging (by both enzymatic and nonenzymatic methods) and hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity methods. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was measured using the xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity, reducing power and ß-carotene-linoleic bleaching assays. Inhibition of lipid peroxidation and oxidative hemolysis were also performed to confirm the protective effect of these extracts.Results: It was found that values of phenolics varied between 130.84±5.99 and 137±7.66 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry extract. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of cinnamic acid derivatives and other metabolites from the flavonoids family. All extracts exhibited a superoxide scavenging capacity. The EAE had the highest antioxidant activity as measured by DPPH radical and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. The extracts showed an inhibitory effect on xanthine oxidase, the IC50 rangesfrom 0.021±0.001 to 0.061±0.001 mg/ml. The EAE showed also potent reducing power ability. CHE possess an inhibition ratio of (92.11%) in the linoleic acid oxidation assay close to that of BHT (96.77%). All extracts exhibited antioxidant activity in the linoleic acid emulsion system (3.87-61.11 %). Under the oxidative action of AAPH, EAE and CE showed higher protective effect against erythrocytes hemolysis than the CHE. The percentage of hemolysis (H%) determined for EAE and CE after 1 h of incubation were 0% and 1.9%, respectively.Conclusion: This study indicates that DGE contains relevant antioxidant compounds responsible, at least in part, for its antioxidant and radicals scavenging activity. Flavone derivatives were determined as the main active component of the shoots part and the CHE was the most active extract.Â