Triterpenoid saponins from the roots of Silene cucubalus

A new triterpenoid saponin was isolated from the roots of Silene cucubalus and its structure was determined on the basis of one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy as gypsogenin 3-O-beta-xylopyranosyl-(1-->3)-[beta-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-beta-glucuronopyranoside. A known saponin, quillaic acid 3-O-beta-xylopyranosyl-(1-->3)-[beta-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-beta-glucuronopyranoside, was also isolated

Chemical Composition and Phytotoxic and Antibiofilm Activity of the Essential Oils of Two Moroccan Retama Species

This study reports chemical composition, phytotoxic and antibiofilm activities of essential oils (EOs) of R. dasycarpa and R. sphaerocarpa from Morocco. EOs were analyzed by GC/MS and their phytotoxicities were evaluated against germination and seedling growth of Lolium multiflorum, Sinapis alba and Raphanus sativus. The antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities were studied against Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter baumannii) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes). Both EOs were abundant in oxygenated monoterpenes (40.01% and 23.57 %, respectively). Carvacrol is the predominant component in R. dasycarpa EO (17.80 %), and it also represents an appreciable amount in R. sphaerocarpa (8.96 %). R. sphaerocarpa showed total inhibition at high doses against all seeds. S. alba seeds were the most sensitive to all EOs. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values indicated significant inhibition for R. sphaerocarpa, between 24 and 30 mu g/mL, with a remarkable antibacterial potential and biofilm formation inhibition. R. sphaerocarpa EO showed significant biofilm inhibition with variable efficacy depending on the strain and concentration, except for S. aureus. R. dasycarpa exhibited activity against all bacterial strains and effect on metabolism with activity also on mature biofilms. Results suggest that Retama EOs could have potential applications in the fields of food and health

Antioxidant activity and enzymes inhibitory properties of several extracts from two Moroccan Asteraceae species

The present work reports investigation on phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibitory activities (acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, tyrosinase, α-amylase and α-glucosidase) of different extracts from two Moroccan Asteraceae species; Bubonium imbricatum Cav. and Cladanthus arabicus (L.) Cass. B. imbricatum extracts contained the highest amounts of phenolics and flavonoids, and also exhibited higher antioxidant activity. In this species, the highest total phenolic (1611.13 ± 14.23 μmolGAE/gextract) and flavonoid (376.11 ± 8.22 μmolQE/gextract) contents were observed in aqueous-methanol extract obtained by maceration. Further, UHPLC–MS analysis of C. arabicus and B. imbricatum extracts revealed the presence of several flavonoids (diosmetin, luteolin, apigenin 7-glucoside, and apigenin) and phenolic acids (benzoic, protocatechuic, p-coumaric, gallic, vanillic, caffeic, ferulic and isochlorogenic acids). The antioxidant activity of the extracts was dependent of the extraction process and solvent used. Aqueous-methanol extract of B. imbricatum prepared by maceration showed the highest activity with DPPH, ABTS and FRAP tests (respectively: IC50 = 8.53 ± 0.38 μg/ml, 3461.8 ± 9.38 μmolTE/gextract and 3281.6 ± 47.43 μmolAAE/gextract). The results indicated that most of the tested extracts or essential oils exhibited activity towards the tested enzymes. Overall, the results obtained in this work indicated the two Moroccan species studied, particularly B. imbricatum, as valuable sources of natural agents beneficial for human health

Exploring Caralluma europaea (Guss.) NEBr. as a potential source of bioactive molecules: In vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic properties, and phenolic profile of crude extracts and fractions

Caralluma europaea (Guss.) N.E.Br is a succulent medicinal species used in the Moroccan traditional medicine for its anticancer and antidiabetic properties. In this work, this species was explored for the in vitro antidiabetic and antioxidant properties of crude methanol and dichloromethane extracts, and obtained fractions, from its aerial organs. In vitro antidiabetic properties were evaluated towards baker's yeast and rat's intestinal alpha-glucosidase, and alpha-amylase. Four in vitro methods were used to appraise the antioxidant potential, namely radical scavenging activity (RSA) on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), and iron and copper chelating assays. Finally, the profile of the main phenolic compounds present in the samples was assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with diodearray detection (HPLC-DAD). The highest inhibition of baker's yeast alpha-glucosidase was obtained with the methanol extract (87%), and its fractions, with a maximum inhibition of 83% at the concentration of 10 mg/ml. The most significant inhibition of mammalian alpha-glucosidase was obtained with the dichloromethane crude extract (85%), and corresponding fractions at 10 mg/ml. Moderate activity was achieved with the two extracts against a-amylase (52-53%) at 10 mg/ml, but no relevant activity was detected for most fractions. Crude extracts had a significant RSA against DPPH and ABTS, with range values of 83-98% (methanol extracts) and 53-80% (dichloromethane extracts). Fractions from the methanol extract were more active against tested radicals. Crude extracts had chelating activity on both metals, and the highest copper chelation was achieved with the methanol extract, while the dichloromethane extract and the majority of fractions from both extracts presented the highest iron chelation at 10 mg/ml. A total of 21 phenolic compounds were identified and quantified by HPLC-DAD in the samples, and the main compounds detected were catechine hydrate and salicylic and caffeic acids. Our results suggest that C. europaea extracts contain compounds with in vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic properties with potential applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries.Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)Portuguese Foundation for Science and TechnologyPortuguese National Budget [CCMAR/Multi/04326]FCT Scientific Employment Stimulus [CEECIND/00425/2017]FCTPortuguese Foundation for Science and Technology [SFRH/BD/116604/2016]FCT Investigator Programme [IF/00049/2012

Characterization of the phytochemical composition and bioactivities of Anacyclus maroccanus Ball. and Anacyclus radiatus Loisel aerial parts. Preliminary evidence for the possible development of Moroccan plants

In the present study, the phytochemical composition and bioactivities of A. maroccanus (AM) and A. radiatus (AR), two ecotypes collected in the Demnate road and Essaouira regions, respectively, were studied to highlight a pharmacological interest and to enable possible pharmaceutical development. To this end, methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts were prepared for each ecotype by fractionation; next, their phytochemical composition was evaluated by spectrophotometric and chromatographic analysis. Moreover, in line with the available evidence for Anacyclus spp. and their traditional use, a screening of bioactivities, including antioxidant, hypoglycemic, antiglycative, chelating, and antibacterial activities, was performed. The extracts were characterized by high amounts of polyphenols, tannins, and flavonoids, especially in the methanolic extracts; these samples were also enriched in carotenoids despite a lower chlorophyll content. Chlorogenic acid and rutin were the major identified compounds. The extracts also showed interesting hypoglycemic, antiglycative, and antibacterial properties, although with differences in efficacy and potency. Present results provide more scientific basis to the ethnopharmacological uses of Anacyclus spp. and suggest a further interest in AM and AR ecotypes as natural sources of bioactive compounds and/or phytocomplexes for possible pharmaceutical and nutraceutical developments