Conceptual Architecture for Agent-Based Modelling of Supplier Selection Conducted by a Supply Chain Dyad

Within the fourth stage of industrialization, artificial intelligence and in particular the multi-agent systems paradigm is highly adopted. Within the agent approach, the industrial resources are defined as intelligent agents that negotiate with each other to implement dynamic reconfiguration and reach agility and higher customer satisfaction. In this paper a smart configuration of the agent-based system for multi-product dyadic supplier selection is proposed. The objective is to select suppliers for multiple products simultaneously in a vertical collaboration context while involving the customer of the purchasing company and considering its preferences. Negotiation experiments are conducted for initial validation of the proposed conceptual architecture

Advanced optimization model of resource allocation in B2C supply chain

Resource allocation plays a critical role in the strategic, tactical, and operational planning of the supply chain. The study focuses on aspects of resource allocation in the case of pure players, manufacturers, and Clicks & Mortars that have launched online sales. These e-retailers offer a wide selection of customized services and so need an efficient management on every level and process. The goal of the research was to explore a concrete approach to improve customer satisfaction, reduce costs and risks and to maintain the benefits of e-retailers and of its collaborators. Our contribution is a decision support system and a tool to improve operational resources allocation in B2C supply chains. Hence, we started by modeling operations and the different scenarios. Then we introduced an optimization model founded on the analysis of resource allocation in B2C supply chains and applicable on any B2C e-retailer. It helps in choosing the most optimal resources for each order. The model is based on a multi-objective optimization approach that takes into consideration the collaboration of resources throughout the supply chain operations process including dynamic costs and collaborator capabilities as well as associated risks and the quality of delivered services

Advanced supplier selection: A hybrid multi-agent negotiation protocol supporting supply chain dyadic collaboration

This paper proposes a novel form of supplier selection involving the supply chain dyad as the buyer and the suppliers as sellers. The main proposed contribution is a multi-attribute decision hybrid protocol for supplier selection based on collaboration and negotiation, adapted to dyadic collaboration in a supply chain context. Suppliers and the purchasing dyad can reach an agreement on the details of the products simultaneously and exploit the preferences of the customer dyadic partner to enlarge the criteria choices of the products. For this, the proposed protocol combines a one-to-one bilateral dyadic collaboration protocol inside the purchasing dyad along with a one-to-many multi-bilateral bargaining protocol between the purchasing dyad and suppliers. Illustrative multi-agent simulation experiments were carried out to prove the effectiveness of the proposed protocol. The protocol implementation shows better negotiation results than the classic supplier selection process, along with expected higher customer partner satisfaction and a more embedded dyadic relationship

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

Insight into biological activities of chemically characterized extract from Marrubium vulgare L. in vitro, in vivo and in silico approaches

Aqueous extracts of Marrubium vulgare L. (M. vulgare) are widely used in traditional medicine for their therapeutic effects. Hence, this study aims to evaluate in vitro, in vivo, and in silico the biological activities of M. vulgare aqueous extract to further support their traditional use. Qualitative phytochemical tests of M. vulgare extracts showed the presence of primary and secondary metabolites, while quantitative analyses recorded revealed the contents of total phenols, flavonoids, and tannins, with values of 488.432 ± 7.825 mg/EAG gallic acid extract/g, 25.5326 ± 1.317 mg/EQ Quercetin extract/g and 23.966 ± 0.187 mg/EC catechin extract/g, respectively. Characterization of the phytochemical constituents of the extract revealed the presence of catechin and maleic acid as the most abundant while the evaluation of the antioxidant power revealed that the extract possesses significant antioxidant capacity, antimitotic potential, and antimicrobial properties against Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus epidermidis among many others. The antidiabetic activity of the extract showed a potent antihyperglycemic effect and a significant modulation of the pancreatic α-amylase activity as revealed by both in vitro and in vivo analysis, while an in silico evaluation showed that chemicals in the studied extract exhibited the aforementioned activities by targeting 1XO2 antimitotic protein, W93 antidiabetic protein and 1AJ6 antimicrobial protein, which revealed them as worthy of exploration in drug discovery odyssey. Conclusively, the result of this study demonstrates the numerous biological activities of M. vulgare and gives credence to their folkloric and traditional usage

Comparative Analysis of the Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Four Moroccan North Middle Atlas Medicinal Plants’ Essential Oils: Rosmarinus officinalis L., Mentha pulegium L., Salvia officinalis L., and Thymus zygis subsp. gracilis (Boiss.) R. Morales

Medicinal plants represent an inexhaustible source of traditional and effective remedies thanks to the various active ingredients they contain. Secondary metabolites present in plant extracts, such as essential oils (EO), have remarkable pharmacological properties, including antimicrobial effects. Here, the chemical composition and antimicrobial effects of four Moroccan medicinal plants, Rosmarinus officinalis L. (R. officinalis), Mentha pulegium L. (M. pulegium), Salvia officinalis L. (S. officinalis), and Thymus zygis subsp. gracilis (Boiss.) R. Morales (T. zygis), traditionally used in Morocco to treat microbial infections, were addressed. EO were extracted using the hydrodistillation method, and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). EO yields were of 3.64 ± 0.12, 3.53 ± 0.06, 2.48 ± 0.06, and 2.34 ± 0.08%, respectively, for M. pulegium, R. officinalis, S. officinalis, and T. zygis. The main bioactive components present in these EO were piperitenone (32.9%) and pulegone (32.8%) for M. pulegium, 1,8-cineol (43.8%) and camphor (18.7%) for R. officinalis, 1,8-cineole (16.8%) and trans-thujone (15.9%) for S. officinalis, and thymol (36.4%), carvacrol (24.1%) and cymene (23.5%) for T. zygis. These EO showed, according to the results of their antimicrobial activities, good effectiveness against bacteria and fungi. Moreover, the T. zygis EO showed the most potent activity against all bacteria studied, while that of R. officinalis, M. pulegium, and S. officinalis showed moderate activity against the Enterobacter cloacae of Streptococcus agalactiae and Escherichia coli. The antifungal activity tests revealed a strong antifungal activity for the T. zygis EO and a moderate activity for the S. officinalis EO. On the other hand, the EO of R. officinalis, and M. pulegium were found to be inactive at the doses used against the selected strains. In conclusion, our results show that the medicinal plants studied contain biologically active molecules with antimicrobial effects. They can replace synthesized molecules, especially in the formulation of additives, and for therapeutic, cosmetic, and food-processing purposes

Comparative Analysis of the Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Four Moroccan North Middle Atlas Medicinal Plants’ Essential Oils: <i>Rosmarinus officinalis</i> L., <i>Mentha pulegium</i> L., <i>Salvia officinalis</i> L., and <i>Thymus zygis</i> subsp. <i>gracilis</i> (Boiss.) R. Morales

Medicinal plants represent an inexhaustible source of traditional and effective remedies thanks to the various active ingredients they contain. Secondary metabolites present in plant extracts, such as essential oils (EO), have remarkable pharmacological properties, including antimicrobial effects. Here, the chemical composition and antimicrobial effects of four Moroccan medicinal plants, Rosmarinus officinalis L. (R. officinalis), Mentha pulegium L. (M. pulegium), Salvia officinalis L. (S. officinalis), and Thymus zygis subsp. gracilis (Boiss.) R. Morales (T. zygis), traditionally used in Morocco to treat microbial infections, were addressed. EO were extracted using the hydrodistillation method, and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). EO yields were of 3.64 ± 0.12, 3.53 ± 0.06, 2.48 ± 0.06, and 2.34 ± 0.08%, respectively, for M. pulegium, R. officinalis, S. officinalis, and T. zygis. The main bioactive components present in these EO were piperitenone (32.9%) and pulegone (32.8%) for M. pulegium, 1,8-cineol (43.8%) and camphor (18.7%) for R. officinalis, 1,8-cineole (16.8%) and trans-thujone (15.9%) for S. officinalis, and thymol (36.4%), carvacrol (24.1%) and cymene (23.5%) for T. zygis. These EO showed, according to the results of their antimicrobial activities, good effectiveness against bacteria and fungi. Moreover, the T. zygis EO showed the most potent activity against all bacteria studied, while that of R. officinalis, M. pulegium, and S. officinalis showed moderate activity against the Enterobacter cloacae of Streptococcus agalactiae and Escherichia coli. The antifungal activity tests revealed a strong antifungal activity for the T. zygis EO and a moderate activity for the S. officinalis EO. On the other hand, the EO of R. officinalis, and M. pulegium were found to be inactive at the doses used against the selected strains. In conclusion, our results show that the medicinal plants studied contain biologically active molecules with antimicrobial effects. They can replace synthesized molecules, especially in the formulation of additives, and for therapeutic, cosmetic, and food-processing purposes

Identification of Compounds of <i>Crocus sativus</i> by GC-MS and HPLC/UV-ESI-MS and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Anticoagulant, and Antidiabetic Properties

In order to valorize the species Crocus sativus from Morocco and to prepare new products with high added value that can be used in the food and pharmaceutical industry, our interest was focused on the phytochemical characterization and the biological and pharmacological properties of the stigmas of this plant. For this purpose, the essential oil of this species, extracted by hydrodistillation and then analyzed by GC-MS, revealed a predominance of phorone (12.90%); (R)-(-)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-methanol (11.65%); isopropyl palmitate (9.68%); dihydro-β-ionone (8.62%); safranal (6.39%); trans-β-ionone (4.81%); 4-keto-isophorone (4.72%); and 1-eicosanol (4.55%) as the major compounds. The extraction of phenolic compounds was performed by decoction and Soxhlet extraction. The results of the determination of flavonoids, total polyphenols, condensed tannins, and hydrolyzable tannins determined by spectrophotometric methods on aqueous and organic extracts have proved the richness of Crocus sativus in phenolic compounds. Chromatographic analysis by HPLC/UV-ESI-MS of Crocus sativus extracts revealed the presence of crocin, picrocrocin, crocetin, and safranal molecules specific to this species. The study of antioxidant activity by three methods (DPPH, FRAP, and total antioxidant capacity) has proved that C. sativus is a potential source of natural antioxidants. Antimicrobial activity of the aqueous extract (E0) was investigated by microdilution on a microplate. The results have revealed the efficacy of the aqueous extract against Acinetobacter baumannii and Shigella sp. with MIC ≤ 600 µg/mL and against Aspergillus niger, Candida kyfer, and Candida parapsilosis with MIC = 2500 µg/mL. Measurements of pro-thrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) in citrated plasma obtained from routine healthy blood donors were used to determine the anticoagulant activity of aqueous extract (E0). The anticoagulant activity of the extract (E0) studied showed that this extract can significantly prolong the partial thromboplastin time (p 0) showed strong in vitro inhibitory activity of α-amylase and α-glucosidase compared with acarbose. Thus, it very significantly inhibited postprandial hyperglycemia in albino Wistar rats. According to the demonstrated results, we can affirm the richness of Crocus sativus stigmas in bioactive molecules and its use in traditional medicine