Cedrus atlantica (Endl.) Manetti ex Carrière Essential Oil Alleviates Pain and Inflammation with No Toxicity in Rodent

Cedrus atlantica (Endl.) Manetti ex Carrière is an endemic tree with spiritual value, and it was used since immemorial time in folk medicine. The present study aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory (carrageenan-induced paw edema and formalin tests) and analgesic effects (hot plate and acetic acid writhing tests) of the cedarwood essential oil, as well as inspect any toxicity (acute toxicity), using several in vivo assays. Following the acetic acid writhing test and the hot plate test, the EO presented an excellent analgesic effect compared to the controls, especially with the dose of 50 mg/kg. Similar results were found while assessing the anti-inflammatory potential in the carrageenan-induced paw edema and formalin assays. The acute toxicity assessment and the subsequent monitoring of the animals, the biochemical analysis, and the relative organ weight, demonstrated a total safety of the EO. The GC/MS analysis of the composition revealed that the major compounds contained in this EO are beta-himachalene (51.95%), followed by alpha-himachalene (15.82%), and gamma-himachalene (12.15%). This study supports the usage of this tree EO to alleviate pain and inflammation

Cedrus atlantica (Endl.) Manetti ex Carrière Essential Oil Alleviates Pain and Inflammation with No Toxicity in Rodent

Cedrus atlantica (Endl.) Manetti ex Carrière is an endemic tree with spiritual value, and it was used since immemorial time in folk medicine. The present study aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory (carrageenan-induced paw edema and formalin tests) and analgesic effects (hot plate and acetic acid writhing tests) of the cedarwood essential oil, as well as inspect any toxicity (acute toxicity), using several in vivo assays. Following the acetic acid writhing test and the hot plate test, the EO presented an excellent analgesic effect compared to the controls, especially with the dose of 50 mg/kg. Similar results were found while assessing the anti-inflammatory potential in the carrageenan-induced paw edema and formalin assays. The acute toxicity assessment and the subsequent monitoring of the animals, the biochemical analysis, and the relative organ weight, demonstrated a total safety of the EO. The GC/MS analysis of the composition revealed that the major compounds contained in this EO are beta-himachalene (51.95%), followed by alpha-himachalene (15.82%), and gamma-himachalene (12.15%). This study supports the usage of this tree EO to alleviate pain and inflammation

The Potential of Parsley Polyphenols and Their Antioxidant Capacity to Help in the Treatment of Depression and Anxiety: An In Vivo Subacute Study

Depression and anxiety are major mental health problems in all parts of the world. These illnesses are associated with a number of risk factors, including oxidative stress. Psychotropic drugs of a chemical nature have demonstrated several side effects that elevated the impact of those illnesses. Faced with this situation, natural products appear to be a promising alternative. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of the Petroselinum sativum polyphenols in vivo, as well as its correlated antioxidant properties in vitro. Anxiolytic activity of the extract (50 and 100 mg/kg) was evaluated using the open field and the light-dark chamber tests, while the antidepressant activity was evaluated using the forced swimming test. The antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical test and the FRAP (iron-reducing capacity) test. The phenolic extract showed very powerful anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects, especially at a dose of 100 mg/kg, decreasing the depressive behavior in mice (decreased immobility time) and also the anxiolytic behavior (tendency for discovery in the center and illuminated areas) better even than those of paroxetine and bromazepam (classic drugs) concomitant with those results the extract also showed an important antioxidant capacity. These preliminary results suggest that Petroselinum sativum exhibits anxiolytic and antidepressant potential for use as a complement or independent phytomedicine to treat depression and anxiety

The Impact of Apple Variety and the Production Methods on the Antibacterial Activity of Vinegar Samples

Apple vinegar is a natural product widely used in food and traditional medicine as it contains many bioactive compounds. The apple variety and production methods are two factors that play a major role in determining the quality of vinegar. Therefore, this study aims to determine the quality of apple vinegar samples from different varieties (Red Delicious, Gala, Golden Delicious, and Starking Delicious) prepared by three methods using small apple pieces, apple juice, and crushed apple, through determining the physicochemical properties and antibacterial activity of these samples. The antibacterial activity was studied against five pathogenic bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli (ATB: 57), Escherichia coli (ATB: 97), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, using two methods, disk diffusion and microdilution, for determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations and the minimum bactericidal concentrations. The results of this study showed that the lowest pH value was 3.6 for Stark Delicious, obtained by liquid fermentation, and the highest acetic acid values were 4.7 and 4% for the vinegar of Red Delicious and Golden Delicious, prepared by solid fermentation, respectively. The results of the antibacterial activity showed considerable activity of apple vinegar on the tested strains. Generally, the Staphylococcus aureus strain appears less sensitive and Pseudomonas aeruginosa seems to be very sensitive against all samples, while the other strains have distinct sensitivities depending on the variety studied and the method used. A higher antibacterial activity was found in vinegar obtained by the apple pieces method and the Red Delicious variety, with a low MIC and MBC recorded, at 1.95 and 3.90 µL/mL, respectively. This study has shown that the choice of both apple variety and production method is therefore an essential step in determining and aiming for the desired quality of apple vinegar

An Insight into the Anxiolytic and Antidepressant-Like Proprieties of Carum carvi L. and Their Association with Its Antioxidant Activity

Depression and anxiety are widespread illnesses whose consequences on patients’ social and professional lives are becoming ever more dangerous and severe. The study’s objective is to explore the antidepressant-like and anxiolytic activity of the polyphenolic extract of Carum carvi L. as well as its antioxidant power as they were recently associated. The predictive antidepressant activity was evaluated using the forced swimming and tail suspension test in mice, a preclinical behavioral model widely used to determine the efficacy of antidepressant drugs. As for anxiolytic-like activity, two models were used, namely the light/dark chamber test to measure the animal’s degree of anxiety and the open field test to evaluate both anxiolytic and locomotor activity. The tests results indicate a remarkable antidepressant and anxiolytic-like effect after oral administration of the polyphenolic fraction of C. carvi and interesting antioxidant property. In the extract it has been confirmed the presence of 6 molecules belonging to polyphenols, identified with HPLC analysis. This study confirms and encourages the traditional use of the extract and appeals to further studies to understand its action mechanism

An Insight into the Anxiolytic and Antidepressant-Like Proprieties of Carum carvi L. and Their Association with Its Antioxidant Activity

Depression and anxiety are widespread illnesses whose consequences on patients’ social and professional lives are becoming ever more dangerous and severe. The study’s objective is to explore the antidepressant-like and anxiolytic activity of the polyphenolic extract of Carum carvi L. as well as its antioxidant power as they were recently associated. The predictive antidepressant activity was evaluated using the forced swimming and tail suspension test in mice, a preclinical behavioral model widely used to determine the efficacy of antidepressant drugs. As for anxiolytic-like activity, two models were used, namely the light/dark chamber test to measure the animal’s degree of anxiety and the open field test to evaluate both anxiolytic and locomotor activity. The tests results indicate a remarkable antidepressant and anxiolytic-like effect after oral administration of the polyphenolic fraction of C. carvi and interesting antioxidant property. In the extract it has been confirmed the presence of 6 molecules belonging to polyphenols, identified with HPLC analysis. This study confirms and encourages the traditional use of the extract and appeals to further studies to understand its action mechanism

Lavandula pedunculata (Mill.) Cav. Aqueous Extract Antibacterial Activity Improved by the Addition of Salvia rosmarinus Spenn., Salvia lavandulifolia Vahl and Origanum compactum Benth

Lavender aqueous extracts are widely used in the Moroccan traditional medicine for their antibacterial properties. However, previous research have generally focused on investigating the antibacterial activity of lavender essential oils. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the Moroccan Lavandula pedunculata (Mill.) Cav. aqueous extract, alone, as well as in combination with extracts of other plant species known for their antibacterial activity: Salvia rosmarinus Spenn., Salvia lavandulifolia Vahl. and Origanum compactum Benth. We have tested the antibacterial activity of L. pedunculata, S. rosmarinus, S. lavandulifolia and O. compactum aqueous extracts individually and in combination against 34 strains using the agar dilution method. The combination effect was evaluated using the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC). Polyphenol and tannin contents were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, and then some phenolic compounds were identified using UHPLC-MS. All the extracts displayed a large spectrum of antibacterial activity, especially against staphylococci, streptococci, Mycobacterium smegmatis and Proteus mirabilis. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values reached 0.15 ± 0.00 mg/mL for Staphylococcus warneri tested with S. lavandulifolia and 0.20 ± 0.07 mg/mL for Staphylococcus epidermidis tested with L. pedunculata or S. rosmarinus. Association of the L. pedunculata extract with S. rosmarinus, S. lavandulifolia and O. compactum showed synergistic effects (FIC ≤ 1). Moreover, the association of L. pedunculata with S. lavandulifolia was active against most of the Gram-negative strains resistant to the individual extracts. Determination of polyphenol and tannin contents showed the richness of the studied plants in these compounds. Additionally, chromatographic analysis demonstrated the high presence of rosmarinic acid in all the studied plant extracts. To our knowledge, this is the first study that shows the enhancing effect of the antibacterial activity of L. pedunculata aqueous extract combined with S. rosmarinus, S. lavandulifolia and O. compactum. These results confirm the effectiveness of the plant mixtures commonly used by traditional healers in Morocco and suggest that L. pedunculata might be used as an antibacterial agent either alone or, more efficiently, in combination with S. rosmarinus, S. lavandulifolia and O. compactum

Lavandula pedunculata (Mill.) Cav. Aqueous Extract Antibacterial Activity Improved by the Addition of Salvia rosmarinus Spenn., Salvia lavandulifolia Vahl and Origanum compactum Benth

Lavender aqueous extracts are widely used in the Moroccan traditional medicine for their antibacterial properties. However, previous research have generally focused on investigating the antibacterial activity of lavender essential oils. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the Moroccan Lavandula pedunculata (Mill.) Cav. aqueous extract, alone, as well as in combination with extracts of other plant species known for their antibacterial activity: Salvia rosmarinus Spenn., Salvia lavandulifolia Vahl. and Origanum compactum Benth. We have tested the antibacterial activity of L. pedunculata, S. rosmarinus, S. lavandulifolia and O. compactum aqueous extracts individually and in combination against 34 strains using the agar dilution method. The combination effect was evaluated using the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC). Polyphenol and tannin contents were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, and then some phenolic compounds were identified using UHPLC-MS. All the extracts displayed a large spectrum of antibacterial activity, especially against staphylococci, streptococci, Mycobacterium smegmatis and Proteus mirabilis. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values reached 0.15 ± 0.00 mg/mL for Staphylococcus warneri tested with S. lavandulifolia and 0.20 ± 0.07 mg/mL for Staphylococcus epidermidis tested with L. pedunculata or S. rosmarinus. Association of the L. pedunculata extract with S. rosmarinus, S. lavandulifolia and O. compactum showed synergistic effects (FIC ≤ 1). Moreover, the association of L. pedunculata with S. lavandulifolia was active against most of the Gram-negative strains resistant to the individual extracts. Determination of polyphenol and tannin contents showed the richness of the studied plants in these compounds. Additionally, chromatographic analysis demonstrated the high presence of rosmarinic acid in all the studied plant extracts. To our knowledge, this is the first study that shows the enhancing effect of the antibacterial activity of L. pedunculata aqueous extract combined with S. rosmarinus, S. lavandulifolia and O. compactum. These results confirm the effectiveness of the plant mixtures commonly used by traditional healers in Morocco and suggest that L. pedunculata might be used as an antibacterial agent either alone or, more efficiently, in combination with S. rosmarinus, S. lavandulifolia and O. compactum

Lipids Fraction from Caralluma europaea (Guss.): MicroTOF and HPLC Analyses and Exploration of Its Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Anti-Inflammatory, and Wound Healing Effects

Caralluma europaea is a medicinal plant used in Morocco to cure a variety of illnesses. This study was conducted to determine the chemical composition, the antioxidant, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing activities of C. europaea lipids. The chemical composition of C. europaea was analyzed using time-of-flight mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. The antioxidant potential was determined using the 2,2-di-phenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) tests. The antiproliferative effect was evaluated by MTT assay against HL60, K562, Huh-7 cancer cells, and normal Vero cells. The anti-inflammatory potential was conducted against carrageenan-induced paw edema. The wound healing effect was evaluated against skin burns for 21 days. The identified phytochemical compounds were docked for their effect on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase, caspase-3, lipoxygenase, glycogen synthase kinase-3-β, and protein casein kinase-1. The results showed the presence of some lipids, such as linoleic acid and vitamin D3. The DPPH (IC50 = 0.018 mg/mL) and FRAP (EC50 = 0.084 mg/mL) of C. europaea lipids showed an important antioxidant effect. For the anti-inflammatory test, an inhibition of 83.50% was recorded after 6 h of treatment. Our extract showed the greatest wound retraction on the 21st day (98.20%). C. europaea lipids showed a remarkable antitumoral effect against the K562 cell line (IC50 = 37.30 µg/mL), with no effect on Vero cells (IC50 > 100 µg/mL). Lignoceric acid was the most active molecule against caspase-3 (−6.453 kcal/mol). The findings indicate the growing evidence of C. europaea as a potential treatment for several diseases