Pharmacological effects of Lavandula officinalis Chaix and its polyphenols: Focus on their in vivo estrogenic and anti-inflammatory properties

Ethnopharmacological relevancy: Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP) are a valuable legacy for human health care and subsistence. Among these MAP, Lavandula officinalis Chaix is traditionally renowned for its ability to treat digestive problems, inflammation, coughing, and to elicit sedative and diuretic effects. Aim of the study: This investigation aimed to assess the effects of Lavandula officinalis Chaix extracts in vivo on the levels of proteins, cholesterol, and estradiol, and study their sub-acute toxicity and anti-inflammatory properties. Materials and Methods: The chemical composition of the hydro-ethanolic (H.E.) extract of Lavandula officinalis Chaix plant was analyzed using HPLC. To check sub-acute toxicity, the H.E. extract at both 300 and 600 mg/kg doses were administered to female rats by daily gavage for 28 days, and animals’ weights, biochemical analyses (AST, ALT, ALP, urea and CREA), and histopathological examinations of kidneys and livers were checked. Furthermore, the in vivo estrogenic and anti-inflammatory activities were examined using H.E. and polyphenols (100 and 200 mg/kg) extracts (P.E.) based on serum and ovarian cholesterol, serum estradiol, uterine proteins levels, and edema inhibition using indomethacin (10 mg/kg) and clomiphene citrate (10 mg/kg) as reference drugs. Results: The results showed that the H.E. extract of Lavandula officinalis Chaix contains some phenolic compounds mainly gallic acid, ferulic acid, catechin, quercetin, and myricetin and showed no evidence of nephrotoxicity nor hepatotoxicity. Additionally, both extracts reduced edema in treated rats by 56–76%. Also, significant estrogenic effects were evidenced by 16–35% increase in serum estradiol, but at less extent than the reference drug treated group. As for cholesterol level, it decreased by 20–60% all extracts included. Moreover, significant influence was noticed on uterine proteins using the hydro-ethanolic extract. Lastly, serum estradiol level increased by 16–64% comparatively to control group. Conclusion: Our findings bring new insights on the role of Lavandula officinalis Chaix extracts as beneficial herbal remedies for female infertility disorders and related inflammation symptoms.Peer reviewe

The Anti-urolithiatic effect of the roots of Saussurea costus (falc) Lipsch agonist ethylene glycol and magnesium oxide induced urolithiasis in rats

Phytotherapy, which involves the use of plant extracts and natural compounds for medicinal purposes, is indeed a promising alternative for managing urinary lithiasis. Many plants have been studied for their potential to prevent and treat kidney stones, and they may offer a more natural and potentially less harmful approach compared to conventional treatments. Additionally, phytotherapy may be more cost-effective. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antilithic potential of extracts and essential oils of Saussurea costus (Falc) Lipsch in two in vivo models, one on ethylene glycol-induced calcium oxalate crystal formation and the other to assess the effects of these extracts on magnesium oxide-induced struvite crystal formation. The experiment involved the administration of different doses of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of S. costus (200 and 400 mg/kg) and essential oils (25 and 50 mg/kg) to male Wistar rats, followed by the evaluation of various physiological, biochemical and histopathological parameters. The results demonstrated that the administration of S. costus essential oils and extracts had significant effects on the rats, influencing body weight, urine volume, crystal deposition, cytobacteriological examination of urine, and serum biochemical parameters. Histopathological examinations revealed varying impacts on the kidneys and livers of the treated rats. The findings suggest that S. costus extracts and essential oils may hold promise in inhibiting calcium oxalate crystal formation in vivo and influencing various physiological and biochemical parameters in rats. Overall, the 200 mg/kg ethanolic extract of S. costus demonstrated antilithiatic efficacy, did not exhibit signs of toxicity and reduced the number of crystals in the kidneys. Furthermore, the study did not find a significant effect on reducing struvite crystals

Assessment of in vivo estrogenic and anti-inflammatory activities of the hydro-ethanolic extract and polyphenolic fraction of parsley (Petroselinum sativum Hoffm.)

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Since the dawn of time, medicinal and aromatic plants (AMPs) represent a precious heritage for humanity, especially in developing countries, who exploit their virtues in traditional pharmacopoeia to cope with health problems such as diabetes, kidney stones, ulcer, and digestive disorders. Petroselinum sativum Hoffm. belongs to Apiaceae family. It is traditionally used to treat arterial hypertension, diabetes, cardiac disease, renal disease, and recently reported as a plant endowed with a female anti-infertility effect. Aim of the study: This study aims to evaluate the in vivo effect of hydro-ethanolic extract and polyphenols of Petroselinum sativum Hoffm. on cholesterol, protein and estrogen levels, and characterize the chemical composition of polyphenolic fraction. In addition, acute toxicity and anti-inflammatory activity of tested extract was also investigated. Materials and methods: Chemical composition of polyphenolic fraction was determined using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode-Array Detection (HPLC-DAD). First, toxicological investigations including sub-acute toxicity were performed by measuring animals' weights daily for four weeks. Afterwards, histopathological examination of livers and kidneys, and serum assay of ASAT and ALAT were also checked. Next, the acute in vivo anti-inflammatory study of the hydro-ethanolic extract and polyphenols of Petroselinum sativum Hoffm. versus Indomethacin was conducted. Furthermore, we evaluated the estrogenic effect of its hydroethanolic extract and the polyphenolic fraction following biochemical assays for the determination of proteins, cholesterol and estrogen levels. Results: The results revealed the presence of some phenolic compounds mainly ferulic acid, gallic acid and quercetin. Petroselinum sativum Hoffm. extracts also showed no evidence of hepatotoxicity nor nephrotoxicity, with remarkable anti-inflammatory activity, as well as a significant estrogenic effect compared to negative control. Conclusion: This study provides a scope of the potential use of Petroselinum sativum Hoffm. extracts in counteracting female infertility issues.Peer reviewe