Alzheimer Disease and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors

Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD) or Alzheimer\u27s is a is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder. It\u27s characterized by loss of neurons and synapses in the cerebral cortex and certain subcortical regions. AD patients are identified by problems with memory and language, getting lost and desorientation. AD affects about 6% of people 65 years and older but 4% to 5% of cases are younger.1 It is one of the most costly diseases in the world. In 2015, there were about 48 million people worldwide with AD. To prevent AD, intellectual activities such as reading and playing chess are recommended. In muslim countries, learning quran is linked to a reduced risk of AD. The cause for most Alzheimer\u27s cases is still mostly unknown except for 1% to 5% of cases linked to genetic factors AD has been identified as a protein misfolding disease (proteopathy), caused by plaque accumulation of abnormally folded amyloid beta protein in the brain.2 However, there is another hypothesis which proposes that AD is caused by reduced synthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.3 The enzyme Acetylcholinesterase breaks acetylcholine down after acetylcholine is used in the brain. Galanthamine, a natural product isolated from Galanthus nivalis, G. woronowii and some other Amaryllidaceae plants and rivastigmine which is a natural derived compound and Donepezil which is a synthetic compound are used as cholinesterase inhibitors. Polyphenols which have been shown to possess antioxidant activity are the principal constituants of the mediterranean diet which is known to decrease the risk of AD. Antioxidants may slow the progression of AD and minimise neuronal degeneration.4 The compounds that exhibit anticholinesterase activity are also related to radical scavenging activity.5 Polyphenols and terpenoids from Lamiaceae plants possess antioxidant and anticholinesterase activitie

Proteomic analysis of sweet algerian apricot kernels ( Prunus armeniaca L.) by combinatorial peptide ligand libraries and LC-MS/MS

An investigation on the proteome of the sweet kernel of apricot, based on equalisation with combinatorial peptide ligand libraries (CPLLs), SDS-PAGE, nLC-ESI-MS/MS, and database search, permitted identifying 175 proteins. Gene ontology analysis indicated that their main molecular functions are in nucleotide binding (20.9 %), hydrolase activities (10.6 %), kinase activities (7 %), and catalytic activity (5.6%). A protein-protein association network analysis using STRING software permitted to build an interactomic map of all detected proteins, characterised by 34 interactions. In order to forecast the potential health benefits deriving from the consumption of these proteins, the two most abundant, i.e. Prunin 1 and 2, were enzymatically digested in silico predicting 10 and 14 peptides, respectively. Searching their sequences in the database BIOPEP, it was possible to suggest a variety of bioactivities, including dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) and angiotensin converting enzyme I (ACE) inhibition, glucose uptake stimulation and antioxidant properties

[Cp*Ru]-catalyzed selective coupling/hydrogenation

International audienc

Antibacterial Activity and Chemical Composition of Essential Oil of Athamanta sicula L. (Apiaceae) from Algeria

Essential oil extracted from fresh aerial parts of Athamanta sicula L. (syn. Tingara sicula) was analysed by gas phase chomatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The main constituents were: germacrene B (88.5%) and apiol (4.9%). Comparing with the tested bacteria, the growth of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains was more inhibited by the essential oil of A. sicula

Antibacterial activity and chemical composition of essential oil of Ammi visnaga L. (Apiaceae) from Constantine, Algeria.

Abstract: Essential oil extracted from fresh aerial parts of Athamanta sicula L. (syn. Tingara sicula) was analysed by gas phase chomatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The main constituents were: germacrene B (88.5%) and apiol (4.9%). Comparing with the tested bacteria, the growth of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains was more inhibited by the essential oil of A. sicula

Proteomic analysis of Algerian apricot sweet kernels using combinatorial peptide ligand libraries and LC-MS/MS

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.), a plant famous for its delicious fruits, is widely cultivated in the Mediterranean area. Italy and Algeria are important producers, since in 2012 the yields have been 247,146 and 269,308 tonnes, respectively (http://faostat.fao.org). Although in most varieties the kernel is not edible owing to the presence of amygdalin, a toxic cyanogenic glycoside, there are some selected sweet kernel varieties. In this case, kernels are consumed alone as snacks or in combination with almond in traditional recipes. This kernel is nutritionally interesting, since it is a rich source of dietary protein, oil and fiber, as well as polyphenols, phytosterols, carotenoids, and volatile compounds.1 If it would not be discarded by food processing industry, its use would help to maximize available resources and result in generating innovative foods. Interestingly, folk medicine has employed it as a remedy for various diseases. The beneficial effects are primarily attributed to unsaturated fatty acids.2 An accurate knowledge of the protein composition would be useful for a better exploitation of apricot kernel in human nutrition, including the identification of potential allergens. We have therefore undertaken a proteomic investigation on the sweet kernel of an Algerian apricot variety, in the framework of an international collaboration, with the goal to update the P. armeniaca data bank including also minor protein components. A proteomic approach based on combinatorial peptide ligand library technology coupled to mass spectrometry has permitted to obtain an extensive proteomic map of apricot kernel, identifying 178 gene-products. Bioinformatics analysis using Gene Ontology (GO) allowed a classification of their biological functions. A preliminary investigation using the open-access tool BIOPEP suggested that tetra and tripeptides encrypted in the two most abundantly expressed proteins, i.e. Prunin1 and Prunin2, may potentially function as inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), antioxidants, and stimulators of the vasoactive substance release

Ene‐yne cross‐metathesis for the preparation of 2,3‐diaryl‐1,3‐dienes

International audienc

Components and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and antinociceptive activities of the endemic species Stachys mialhesi de Noé

One diterpenoid, horminone 1, two flavonoid glycosides, apigenin-7-O-(6″-E-p-coumaroyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside 2, isoscutellarein-7-O-(6″′-O-acetyl-β-d-allopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-glucopyranoside) 3, were isolated from n-butanolic extract of the aerial parts of Stachys mialhesi de Noé (BESM). Their structures were established on the basis of physical and spectroscopic analysis, and by comparison with the literature data. Antioxidant activity of this extract and the compound 3 was evaluated by the use of the Electron Spin Resonance method in order to visualize the inhibition of the DPPH radical. In this study, we also investigated the anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and antinociceptive activities of the BESM in experimental animal models at different doses. Our results showed that the BESM showed a strongest antioxidant activity. It decreased acetic acid induced writhing times; inhibited carrageenan-induced hind paw edema. All of these results suggested that the BESM possesses significant antioxidant, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities