Evaluation of the Mycorrhizal Potential of Date Palm (<i>Phoenix dactylifera</i> L.) Rhizosphere Soils in the Figuig Oasis (Southeastern Morocco)

Date palm, an important crop in Morocco and many other arid regions around the world, faces significant challenges from wind, water shortages, and salinization, which contribute to vegetation loss and soil degradation in the harsh environmental conditions of oasis ecosystems with low soil fertility. Protecting and regenerating these degraded lands is crucial for sustainable agriculture and improving the dryland ecosystem. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) comprise a vital element in this dynamic within the microflora of the soil rhizosphere. This study evaluated the potential in mycorrhizal soil and identified AMF in date palm rhizospheres in eight locations within the Figuig oasis (southeastern Morocco). This study found that Extension and Zenaga had more mycorrhizal propagules than other locations. Replanted maize (Zea mays L.) in these soils exhibited higher mycorrhization rates (91–93%) compared to that in other locations, with the Lamaiz site registering the lowest rate (39%). The phosphorus content was negatively correlated with the AMF spore frequency, intensity, and density, while a positive correlation was detected between the soil pH and the AMF spore frequency and density. The morphological identification of spores revealed Glomus as the predominant species, along with Acaulospora and Sclerocystis. This study represents an initial step toward the potential application of these fungi in environmental conservation and sustainable agriculture in arid regions

DPPH free radical scavenging activity of two extracts from agelanthus dodoneifolius (Loranthaceae) leaves

Agelanthus dodoneifolius (Loranthaceae) commonly named African mistletoe is traditionally used in Burkina Faso as a decoction for the treatment of asthma, stomach-ache and cardiovascular diseases. The current study was designed to assess the DPPH free radical scavenging effect and the flavonoid and phenolic contents of the decoction and maceration extracts from Agelanthus dodoneifolius leaves. Moreover, the phytochemical analysis was also carried out. The decoction and maceration were prepared in water. Phytochemical analysis was realized according to the standard protocols. The scavenging activity was determined using the radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The flavonoid and phenolic contents were assessed using the Neu and Folin-Ciocalteu reagents, respectively. The phytochemical investigation showed the presence of flavonoid, tannins, steroids, triterpenes, carotenoids, anthocyanins and sugars in Agelanthus dodoneifolius dried and powdered leaves. Both decoction and maceration exhibited a significant dose-dependent radical scavenging activity with EC50 values of 8.20 ± 0.25 and 13.20 ± 0.37 μg/mL, respectively. This significant radical scavenging effect may be attributed to their richness in flavonoid and phenolic compounds. This study enhances the ability of Agelanthus dodoneifolius leaves as excellent natural source for antiradical scavenging. Therefore, the results may be taken account for the development of an herbal medicine to treat diseases related to an oxidative damage.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Novel glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives with non toxic anti-migratory activity in human cancer cells.

7ième éditioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublishe

Quercetin inhibits a large panel of kinases implicated in cancer cell biology.

Flavonoids are polyphenolic secondary metabolites from plants that possess a common phenylbenzopyrone structure (C6-C3-C6). Depending upon variations in their heterocyclic C-ring, flavonoids are categorised into one of the following groups: flavones, flavonols, flavanones, flavanols, anthocyanidins, isoflavones or chalcones. Flavonols include, among others, the molecules quercetin, myricetin and kaempferol. The anticancer activity of flavonols was first attributed to their electron-donating ability, which comes from the presence of phenolic hydroxyl groups. However, an emerging view is that flavonoids, including quercetin, may also exert modulatory actions in cells by acting through the protein kinase and lipid kinase signalling pathways. Data from the current study showed that 2 μM quercetin, a low concentration that represents less than 10% of its IC50 growth-inhibitory concentration as calculated from the average of eight distinct cancer cell lines, decreased the activity of 16 kinases by more than 80%, including ABL1, Aurora-A, -B, -C, CLK1, FLT3, JAK3, MET, NEK4, NEK9, PAK3, PIM1, RET, FGF-R2, PDGF-Rα and -Rß. Many of these kinases are involved in the control of mitotic processes. Quantitative video microscopy analyses revealed that quercetin displayed strong anti-mitotic activity, leading to cell death. In conclusion, quercetin partly exerts its anticancer activity through the inhibition of the activity of a large set of kinases. Quercetin could be an interesting chemical scaffold from which to generate novel derivatives possessing various types of anti-kinase activities.Comparative StudyJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tSCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

The waste of saffron crop, a cheap source of bioactive compounds

The present study aimed to estimate the biological valorization potential of food saffron by-products through biological activities of phenol content in alcoholic and ethyl acetate extracts of five by-products of Crocus sativus L. leaves, tepals, spaths, corm, and tunics. The results evidence the presence of products with bioactive capacities in cheap by-products like spaths, leaves and corms. The LC-MS/MS analysis showed methanolic fraction of stigmas contained as major products the crocins while fractions of spaths and leaves contained predominantly flavonoids. We also showed the presence of flavonols and flavones which exhibit antioxidant capacities, activate proteasome in human dermal fibroblast cells from aged donors and inhibit the growth and proteasome activity of cancer cells. Altogether, our data indicate that compounds present in saffron's by-products, such as the leaves or spaths, might be valuable for food valorization and should be studied as a useful biological product for its anti-aging and anti-cancer abilities.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Synthesis and plasma pharmacokinetics in CD-1 mice of a 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid derivative displaying anti-cancer activity

Objectives The plasma pharmacokinetic profile in CD-1 mice of a novel 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) derivative, which displays in vitro anti-cancer activity, was assessed. Methods This study involved an original one-step synthesis of N-(2-{3-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ureido}ethyl)- glycyrrhetinamide, (2) a compound that displays marked anti-proteasome and anti-kinase activity. The bioselectivity profile of 2 on human normal NHDF fibroblasts vs human U373 glioblastoma cells was assessed. Maximal tolerated dose (MTD) profiling of 2 was carried out in CD1 mice, and its serum pharmacokinetics were profiled using an acute intravenous administration of 40 mg/kg body weight. Key findings Compound 2 displayed IC50 in vitro growth inhibitory concentrations of 29 and 8 μm on NHDF fibroblasts and U373 glioblastoma cells, respectively, thus a bioselectivity index of ∼4. The intravenous pharmacokinetic parameters revealed that 2 was rapidly distributed (t1/2dist of ∼3 min) but slowly eliminated (t1/2elim = ∼77 min). Conclusions This study describes an original and reliable nanoemulsion of a GA derivative with both anti-proteasome and anti-kinase properties and that should be further tested in vivo using various human xenograft or murine syngeneic tumour models with both single and chronic intravenous administration. © 2012. Royal Pharmaceutical Society.SCOPUS: ar.jFLWINinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

New polyol vanilloyl esters with anti-tumor effects.

info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublishe