Drugs and herbs in two divergent lines of benign prostatic hyperplasia therapy

Prostatic adenoma, or benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH), is a natural and common disease in elderly men. Its etiology is multifactorial. BPH is associated with annoying symptoms and morbid complications. The treatment of BPH with drugs, or synthetic chemicals, damages hepatic and renal tissues developing cirrhosis and kidney failure. As an alternative, there has been recourse to the use of medicinal plants or natural health. Pumpkin seeds, nettle leaves and soybeans have been proven to be potent against pain and discomfort in BPH patients. Moreover, plants used at high doses during a long period as treatment, may be toxic and complicate the lifestyle of BPH patients. Both, drugs and plants, used without precaution is a dilemma of prevention and toxicity. The patients simultaneously consume the drug and plants to anticipate healing. Combined drug-plant therapy could have harmful effects on health due to an accumulating antagonistic synergy of chemical and natural.

Development of chitosan microspheres through a green dual crosslinking strategy based on tripolyphosphate and vanillin

Microencapsulation procedures have recently focused attention on designing novel mi-crospheres via green synthesis strategies. The use of chitosan (CS) as an encapsulating material has increased interest due to its unique bioactive properties and the various crosslinking possibilities offered by their functional groups. The consolidation of the microspheres by physical crosslinking using sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) combined with chemical crosslinking using vanillin (VA) open new opportunities in the framework of green dual crosslinking strategies. The developed strategy, a straightforward technique based on an aqueous medium avoiding complex separa-tion/washing steps, offers advantages over the processes based on VA, mostly using water-in-oil emulsion approaches. Thus, in this work, the combination of TPP crosslinking (3, 5, and 10 wt.%) via spray-coagulation technique with two VA crosslinking methods (in situ and post-treatment using 1 wt.% VA) were employed in the preparation of microspheres. The microspheres were characterized concerning morphology, particle size, physicochemical properties, thermal stability, and swelling behavior. Results revealed that the combination of 5 wt.% TPP with in situ VA crosslinking led to microspheres with promising properties, being an attractive alternative for natural bioactives encapsulation due to the green connotations associated with the process.Financial support by national funds FCT/MCTES to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020). National funding by the FCT—Foundation for Science and Technology, through the institutional scientific employment program—contract with I.P.F. Further support was obtained through the Valor Natural project (Mobilized Project Norte-01-0247-FEDER-024479) and the GreenHealth project (Norte-01- 0145-FEDER-000042).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Polyphenols Content and Antimicrobial, Antioxidant and Hemolytic Activities of Essential Oils from Four Selected Medicinal Plants Growing in Algeria

The Saharan and steppe spontaneous plants are very characteristic because of their particular adaptation to the desert and extreme environment. Some species have pharmacological properties that give them a medicinal interest. The aim of the present work was to determine the polyphenol contents of essential oils obtained from four endemic plants growing in Algeria (Pituranthos scoparius, Myrtus nivellei, Rosmarinus officinalis and Mentha piperita), and study its biological activity, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, and hemolytic. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the microdilution method against twelve strains. The antioxidant activity was carried out by two methods (DPPH radical scavenging and reducing power). However, the hemolytic effect has been evaluated against the red blood cells. P. scoparius and M. piperita showed yields of essential oils higher than 1%. All the strains showed sensitivity against the essential oils tested with the exception of the C. albicans treated by R. officinalis essential oils. The most sensitive strain was C. albicans treated by P. scoparius essential oils by MIC of 0.0781 mg/mL, it was the same plant that shows the highest polyphenol content (14.78 ± 0.72 g GAE/g DS). The antioxidant activity by the DPPH method was greater for all essential oils tested by IC50 ranging from 0.69 ± 0.07 (R. officinalis) to 30.67 ± 2.12 mg/mL (M. nivellei). The R. officinalis essential oils reported more antioxidant power than the positive control (ascorbic acid). In reducing iron, it was the R. officinalis essential oils which were found to be the most active with an EC50 concentration of 9.67 ± 1.36 mg/mL. After 120 min incubation, minimal haemolysis (10%) was obtained with essential oils of R. officinalis at a concentration of 0.39 mg/mL. We conclude that P. scoparius essential oils showed the high content of polyphenols and R. officinalis essential oils reported more antioxidant power than the positive control (ascorbic acid)

Chemical profile and bioactive properties of the essential oil isolated from Ammodaucus leucotrichus fruits growing in Sahara and its evaluation as a cosmeceutical ingredient

Ammodaucus leucotrichus is a medicinal plant commonly used in Algeria by the indigenous populations, especially due to its therapeutic effects. In this context, the aim of the present study was to chemically characterize the essential oil of A. leucotrichus fruits (EOALF) growing in Algerian Sahara, and to evaluate its bioactive properties (antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory). Considering the interest of the cosmetic industry for natural ingredients, and taking into account the obtained biological properties, the essential oil was also evaluated by incorporation in a base cosmetic (cream). The essential oil was extracted with a yield of 2.58 ± 0.17%, being perilla aldehyde identified as the main component, accounting for 85.6% of the total composition. Concerning the tested bioactivities, EOALF presented antioxidant potential, a strong anti-inflammatory activity, and was effective against the tested microbial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Eschericia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), being S. aureus the most sensitive bacteria. After incorporation in a base cosmetic, the developed formulation was able to preserve the EOALF bioactivities along 28 days under storage. The obtained results, with relevance for the strong-anti-inflammatory activity, pointed out the interest to exploit this essential oil as a cosmeceutical ingredient in the cosmetic industry.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Program PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2013), S.A. Heleno (SFRH/ BPD/101413/2014) and P. Costa (SFRH/BPD/101413/2014). This work was also financially supported by Project POCI-01-0145-FEDER- 006984–Associate Laboratory LSRE-LCM funded by FEDER through COMPETE 2020 – Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI) – and by national funds through FCT and project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000006, supported by Norte Portugal Regional Operational Program (NORTE 2020), under the Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Antimycotoxigenic and antifungal activities of Citrullus colocynthis seeds against Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus ochraceus contaminating wheat stored

Plant extracts and their constituents have a long history as antifungal agents, but their use in biotechnology as preservatives, due to the increasing resistance of fungi to fungicides, has been rarely reported. The aim of this study was to assess in vitro antifungal and antimycotoxigenic power of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Citrullus colocynthis seeds, an aromatic and medicinal plant, of Algerian flora, against two toxigenic species of the genera Aspergillus responsible of contamination of wheat stored. The antifungal and antimycotoxigenic activity of methanolic and aqueous extracts were screened against Aspergillus ochraceus and Aspergillus flavus. Dillution method was used to investigate the antimicrobial and antimycotoxigenic activity. These bioassays are preceded by a phytochemical screening. The phytochemical analysis of seeds extracts revealed the presence of some chemical groups (polyphenols, steroids and alkaloids) which can express the desired activities. The results suggest that the extracts showed a very good antifungal activity against A. ochraceus, but for A. flavus any antifungal activity was recorded. The extracts have good antiochratoxigenic power in liquid medium. This evaluation confirms that the extracts of C. colocynthis seeds used at low concentration may have significant potential for biological control of fungi and theirs toxins.Keywords: Citrullus colocynthis, methanolic extract, aqueous extract, phytochemical screening, antifungal activity, antimycotoxigenic activity, antiochratoxigenic activity

Dietary Patterns and Oxidative Stress in a Population of Women with Breast Cancer in the North-Western Regions of Algeria (Saida and El-Bayadh)

Objective: The aim of this work is the study of risk factors for breast cancer in a population of women in the north-western regions of Algeria (Saida and El-Bayadh) Methodology: A case-control study was carried out on 40 women including 20 cancerous women and 20 control women, in order to determine the dietary patterns and general characteristics of the population studied and to compare the hematological and biochemical parameters, and markers of oxidative/antioxidant status between control women and breast cancer women. Results: The results obtained show that there is no significant difference in the average age however the body mass index was significantly increased in cancer women, revealing overweight (p <0.05), compared to control women. The marital status of the target population is predominantly a married woman status and the level of education shows a relatively low level in breast cancer cases compared to women controls. The illiteracy rate is exceptionally high in cancer women compared to controls (35% versus 20%). In addition, the levels of glucose, creatinine, HDL and ALAT are similar between the two groups of women. The contents of urea, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, ASAT, malondialdehyde and uric acid are significantly increased in women with breast cancer compared to women controls. But the vitamin C content is significantly reduced in cancer women compared to control women. Conclusion: We conclude from this study that there is an association between breast cancer and lipid alteration, oxidative stress, age, increase in BMI, socio-demographic data, professional situation, age, means of menstruation and menopause, and ultimately the lifestyle. All these factors are risk factors for breast cancer in the region of Saida and El-Bayadh. Keywords: Breast Cancer, Risk Factors, Dietary Patterns, Oxidative Stress

Vitamin B12 Content in Lamb Meat: Effect of Cooking and Freezing Temperatures

The meat industry has taken several measures to expand its shelf life, such as frozen storage and thermal treatments. Hence, the valuable content in red meat, such as vitamin B12, could be affected by this handling. This study aimed to assess the vitamin B12 losses in Algerian Hamra lamb meat caused by frozen storage (06 months at -18 °C) and boiling for 45 minutes at 80 °C with regard to modifications in water-holding capacity (WHC). Samples of Longissimus lumborum (LL) and Longissimus thoracis (LT) were utilized to assess this micronutrient using microbiological assay (VitaFast®). In comparison with Fresh Raw Meat (FeRM), Frozen Raw Meat (FoRM) was marked by a reduced difference in B12 content (1.36 ± 0.14 vs. 1.19 ±            0.12 µg/100 g, respectively). However, the values of B12 decreased significantly in Fresh Boiled Meat (FeBM)   (0.78 ± 0.40) and Frozen Boiled Meat (FoBM) (1.00 ± 0.07) compared to FeRM. The recorded values of cooking loss (CL) and forced drip loss (FDP) appeared identical. The B12 vitamin content in Hamra lamb meat is generally affected by cooking processes (longer time and higher temperature treatments) than short freezing storage (less than 06 months at – 18 °C).Keywords: B12 vitamin; Cooking; Freezing storage; Lamb meat; Microbiological assay

Vitamin B12 Content in Lamb Meat: Effect of Cooking and Freezing Temperatures

The meat industry has taken several measures to expand its shelf life, such as frozen storage and thermal treatments. Hence, the valuable content in red meat, such as vitamin B12, could be affected by this handling. This study aimed to assess the vitamin B12 losses in Algerian Hamra lamb meat caused by frozen storage (06 months at -18 °C) and boiling for 45 minutes at 80 °C with regard to modifications in water-holding capacity (WHC). Samples of Longissimus lumborum (LL) and Longissimus thoracis (LT) were utilized to assess this micronutrient using microbiological assay (VitaFast®). In comparison with Fresh Raw Meat (FeRM), Frozen Raw Meat (FoRM) was marked by a reduced difference in B12 content (1.36 ± 0.14 vs. 1.19 ±            0.12 µg/100 g, respectively). However, the values of B12 decreased significantly in Fresh Boiled Meat (FeBM)   (0.78 ± 0.40) and Frozen Boiled Meat (FoBM) (1.00 ± 0.07) compared to FeRM. The recorded values of cooking loss (CL) and forced drip loss (FDP) appeared identical. The B12 vitamin content in Hamra lamb meat is generally affected by cooking processes (longer time and higher temperature treatments) than short freezing storage (less than 06 months at – 18 °C).Keywords: B12 vitamin; Cooking; Freezing storage; Lamb meat; Microbiological assay

Cosmetics Preservation: A Review on Present Strategies

Cosmetics, like any product containing water and organic/inorganic compounds, require preservation against microbial contamination to guarantee consumer’s safety and to increase their shelf-life. The microbiological safety has as main goal of consumer protection against potentially pathogenic microorganisms, together with the product’s preservation resulting from biological and physicochemical deterioration. This is ensured by chemical, physical, or physicochemical strategies. The most common strategy is based on the application of antimicrobial agents, either by using synthetic or natural compounds, or even multifunctional ingredients. Current validation of a preservation system follow the application of good manufacturing practices (GMPs), the control of the raw material, and the verification of the preservative effect by suitable methodologies, including the challenge test. Among the preservatives described in the positive lists of regulations, there are parabens, isothiasolinone, organic acids, formaldehyde releasers, triclosan, and chlorhexidine. These chemical agents have different mechanisms of antimicrobial action, depending on their chemical structure and functional group’s reactivity. Preservatives act on several cell targets; however, they might present toxic effects to the consumer. Indeed, their use at high concentrations is more effective from the preservation viewpoint being, however, toxic for the consumer, whereas at low concentrations microbial resistance can develop