7 research outputs found
Exploration of hypoglycemic effect of an extract from leaves of a plant from Tunisian pharmacopeia: Artemisia campestris (Asteraceae)
Background and objectives: A lot of research has been directed towards
medicinal plants which are considered as a source of multiple
phytotherapic substances endowed with hypoglycemic activities that
could be used to treat diabetes and its complications. Our study was
carried out in Wistar rats to investigate the hypoglycemic effect of
n-Butanol Fraction from Artemisia campestris leaf Methanolic Extract
(BFACME). Methods: Two experimental models were used in rats: orally
induced hyperglycemia (OGTT) and isolated perfused liver (IPRL).
Results: BFACME at 550 mg/kg BW dose significantly reduced fasting
glucose level in normal rats as compared to controls. The decrease of
glycaemia was 12.6% more significant than that obtained with the
standard drug glibenclamide (10 mg/kg BW), an oral antidiabetic
preparation belonging to sulfonylurea class. In OGTT model, BFACME at
the highest doses of 550 and 400 mg/kg BW significantly reduced the
postprandial hyperglycemic peak compared to controls. In the IPRL
model, treatment with BFACME significantly decreased glucose
concentrations after 30 min of perfusion with 30 mM glucose solely when
insulin was present. The higher doses of BFACME lead to glucose
concentration at basal level as early as 90 min, while the lowest dose
does not restore this concentration even to t = 120min. The best
initial glucose concentration retrieval was obtained with 0.7 mg
BFACME/mL/g liver. At this dose, BFACME improves the decrease of
glucose level caused by only insulin by about 18%. Conclusion: The
BFACME appears to exert a hypoglycemic activity by potentiating the
insulin action
Effet de l'hexachlorobenzène sur certains paramètres de la fonction de reproduction mâle chez <i>Meriones unguiculatus</i>
Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potentials of Seed Oil from Carthamus tinctorius L. in the Management of Skin Injuries
Infection of skin injuries by pathogenic microbial strains is generally associated if not treated with a lasting wound bed oxidative stress status, a delay in healing process, and even wound chronicity with several human health complications. The aim of the current study was to explore the antioxidant and antimicrobial potentialities of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) extracted oil from seeds by cold pressing which would be beneficial in the management of skin wounds. Antioxidant capacity of the oil was evaluated (scavenging ability against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)). Total phenolic, total flavonoid, total carotenoid, and total chlorophyll contents were determined. Antimicrobial activities of safflower oil were tested against 10 skin pathogenic microorganisms: 4 bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus agalactiae), 3 yeast species strains (Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida sake), and 3 fungi species (Aspergillus niger, Penicillium digitatum, and Fusarium oxysporum). A notable antioxidant capacity was demonstrated for the tested oil that exhibited moreover high antibacterial effects by both bacteriostatic and bactericidal pathways including lysozyme activity. An antifungal effect was further observed on the spore’s germination. Safflower oil could be considered as a good natural alternative remedy in the management of skin wounds and their possible microbial infections