Insight on propolis from Mediterranean countries: Chemical composition, biological activities and application fields

This review updates the information upon the chemical composition of propolis from all Mediterranean countries as well as their biological properties and applications. The non-volatile fraction of propolis was characterized by the presence of phenolic acids and their esters and flavonoids. Nevertheless, in some countries, diterpenes were also present: Sicily (Italy), Croatia, Malta, Creta (Greece), Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, Libya, Algeria and Morocco. The volatile fraction of propolis was characterized by the presence of benzoic acid and its esters, mono- and sesquiterpenes, being the oxygenated sesquiterpene beta-eudesmol characteristic of poplar propolis, whereas the hydrocarbon monoterpene alpha-pinene has been related with the presence of conifers. Regardless the chemical composition, there are common biological properties attributed to propolis. Owing to these attributes, propolis has been target of study for applications in diverse areas, such as food, medicine and livestock.Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia [UID/BIA/04325/2013]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Phytochemical, antioxidant and antibacterial study of essential oils of the leaves and fruits of Juniperus Phoenicea

Extracts from aromatic and medicinal plants contain a variety of phenolic compounds as well as essential oils (EOs) which are believed to have antioxidant and microorganism inhibiting activities.Essential oils of leaves and fruits of Juniperus Phoenicea collected in the region of Midelt (Morocco) were obtained by the technique of hydrodistillation and analyzed by Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS).The yield of essential oil is variable depending on the part of the plant studied; it is 0.5% for leaves and 0.14% for fruits. The main compounds of the essential oil of the leaves are α- pinene, Caryophyllene and β- phellandrene while the EO of the fruits is largely dominated by α- pinene.These EOs have a marked antioxidant activity but still remains lower than that of the decocted leaves and fruits of the same plant studied, this activity measured by the DPPH method. An antibacterial activity of these EOs was also demonstrated by the aromatogram method, with a strong inhibitory activity for the fruit EO compared to that of the leaves.   

Chemical characterization and biological properties of royal jelly samples from the mediterranean area

Royal jelly (RJ) is a bee product that has high nutritional value and is beneficial for the human health, earning importance as a functional food. Thus, the characterization of its main biological properties is with high importance. In this work, 6 RJ samples obtained in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain were evaluated in terms of total phenol and flavone/flavonol contents; total protein; 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA); volatiles composition; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; and inhibition of tyrosinase, xanthine oxidase (XO), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities. Total phenolic content ranged from 3 to 9 mg gallic acid equivalent/g RJ, and flavone/flavonol content from 0.1 to 0.5 mg quercetin equivalent/g RJ. 10-Hydroxy-2-decenoic acid content varied from 0.9% to 1.2% and total protein from 5.5% to 29.7%. Gas chromatography-flame ionization detector and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed RJ volatiles dominated by linolenic acid, 2-decenoic acid, and octanoic acid in variable amounts. The antioxidant activity was monitored through nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activity and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging capacity, where the IC50 ranged from 2.3 to 3.4 and 0.2 to 1.5 mg/mL, respectively. Anti-AChE activity IC50 ranged from 0.7 to 4.6 mg/mL, while XO inhibition IC50 ranged from 3.3 to 11.9 mg/mL. The results showed that phenols and flavonoids highly contributed to the RJ biological properties in contrast to 10-HDA and proteins.UID/AMB/50017/2019 UIDB/05183/2020info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Moroccan propolis: a natural antioxidant, antibacterial, and antibiofilm against Staphylococcus aureus with no induction of resistance after continuous exposure

This study was performed to evaluate the total phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activities of twenty-four propolis samples from different regions of Morocco. In addition, two samples were screened regarding the antibacterial effect against four Staphylococcus aureus strains. Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectra (GC-MS) analysis was done for propolis samples used in antibacterial tests. The minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentration (MIC, MBC) were determined. The potential to acquire the resistance after sequential exposure of bacterial strains and the impact of adaptation to propolis on virulence using the Galleria mellonella were evaluated. Additionally, the effects of propolis extract on the bacterial adherence ability and its ability to inhibit the quorum sensing activity were also examined. Among the twenty-four extracts studied, the samples from Sefrou, Outat el Haj, and the two samples marketed in Morocco were the best for scavenging DPPH, ABTS, NO, peroxyl, and superoxide radicals as well as in scavenging of hydrogen peroxide. A strong correlation was found between the amounts of phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activities. Propolis extract at the MIC value (0.36 mg/mL) significantly reduced (p < 0.001) the virulence potential of S. aureus ATCC 6538 and the MRSA strains without leading to the development of resistance in the sequence of continuous exposure. It was able to impair the bacterial biofilm formation. The results have revealed that sample 1 reduces violacein production in a concentration dependent manner, indicating inhibition of quorum sensing. This extract has as main group of secondary metabolites flavonoids (31.9%), diterpenes (21.5%), and phenolic acid esters (16.5%).Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) - Pest-OE/QUI/UI4023/2011info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES AND TOTAL PHENOLIC AND FLAVONOID CONTENT VARIATIONS OF LEAF EXTRACTS OF LAURUS NOBILIS L. FROM MOROCCO

Objective: The present study was undertaken to determine antioxidant activity and total phenolic and flavonoid content of ethanol, methanol, ethyl acetate, and aqueous extracts of the leaves of Laurus nobilis L.Methods: Antioxidant properties were measured using three tests: Free radical scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), reduction of molybdate, and reducing (Fe3+/Fe2+) power. Total phenolic and flavonoid content was measured by Folin–Ciocalteu and rutin reagent, respectively.Results: The results showed that both the ethanol and water extracts had greater antioxidant activity than ethyl acetate. Aqueous extract exhibited a higher DPPH radical scavenging and reducing molybdate 545.83±5.89 mg equivalent to ascorbic acid/g dry extract. The strong antioxidant activity of water extract was probably due to its high content of phenols. Furthermore, ethanol and water extracts showed higher total flavonoid content with the values: 153.33±3.59 and 127.25±2.60 mg equivalent rutin/g dry extract, respectively.Conclusion: Our results suggested a potent and excellent antioxidant activity of L. nobilis L. extracts of Morocco. Further research has to be done to isolate the pure bioactive compound and could be considered as a potential source of biomolecules for pharmaceutical and food industry

Antioxidant activity of thyme waste extract in O/W emulsions

Thymus vulgaris (thyme) is an aromatic plant and its essential oil has been applied as antimicrobial and antioxidant due to the presence of phenolic compounds. However, after steam distillation, the deodorized plant material is rejected, despite the possible presence of bioactive compounds. Ethanolic thyme waste extract revealed the presence of benzoic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, and sinapic acid. This waste thyme extract had the capacity for preventing the formation of primary and secondary lipid oxidation products in emulsions O/W (oil in water), constituted by diverse proportions of wheat and almond oils, without interfering with the viscosity parameters, for 10 weeks, at 37 °C. The increasing proportion of almond oil (≥50%) in the emulsion increases its resistance to oxidation, which is improved with the presence of an optimal concentration of tested thyme waste extract (0.02% and 0.04%). The waste thyme extract can, therefore, be used as an antioxidant either in food or pharmaceutical emulsions O/W, replacing the synthetic antioxidants.Agência financiadora Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia-FCT; Portugal UID/BIA/04325/2013-MEDTBIO UID/MAR/00350/2013info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

IMPACT OF INSTANTANEOUS CONTROLLED PRESSURE PROP (DIC) TECHNOLOGY ON EXTRACTION OF TOTAL PHENOLS OF MOROCCAN SALVIA OFFICINALIS

The main objective of this study was to intensify the extraction of total phenols from Salvia officinalis L. using instant controlled pressure drop (DIC) as a texturing pre-treatment. The effect of solvent type on Total Phenolic Content (TPC) was also studied. TPC was determined using spectrophotometric Folin-Ciocalteau method and external calibration with Gallic acid. The obtained results showed that water was the most efficient solvent to extract total phenols from Salvia officinalis L. Moreover, texturing and expansion by DIC pretreatment had a great impact on polyphenol yields and revealed greater extraction kinetics. Likewise, drying kinetics of DIC-treated sage was enhanced compared to the raw material. DIC-assisted extraction can be considered as a promising technology to use in the case of the Moroccan Salvia officinalis L. as an important Mediterranean source of natural phenols

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF ESSENTIAL OILS FROM VITEX AGNUS-CASTUS L. GROWING IN MOROCCO AND ITS IN VITRO ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY AGAINST CLINICAL BACTERIA RESPONSIBLE FOR NOSOCOMIAL INFECTIONS

Objective: The aim of the current study is to determine the chemical composition and evaluate antibacterial activity of Vitex agnus-castus L. (VAC) essential oils against some bacteria causing nosocomial infections in the neonatal and intensive care rooms at the university hospital center of Fez Morocco. Methods: The phytochemical screening of essential oils was determined using gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry analysis. The antibacterial test was evaluated against Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative bacteria species (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus mirabilis) using disc diffusion method. Results: Twenty-nine components were identified in the fruits' oil representing 93.1% of total oil. The major components in the fruits oil are 1,8-cineole (11.6%), α-thujene (9.3%), phyllocladene (8.2%), α-pinene (7.9%), caryophyllene (5.9%), and cubenol (5%). Furthermore, 28 components were identified in the leaf essential oil. The main component was caryophyllene (9.5%), followed by 1,8-cineole (8.7%), manoyl oxide (7.3%), eugenyl acetate (7.1%), phyllocladene (6.8%), and α-pinene (5.2%). Antibacterial activity of both oils showed a strong activity against nosocomial bacteria tested. Conclusion: Essential oils of Moroccan VAC could be exploited as natural drugs for bacteria, especially those who have acquired resistance to conventional antibiotics

Evaluation of cytotoxic effects and acute and chronic toxicity of aqueous extract of the seeds of Calycotome villosa (Poiret) Link (subsp. intermedia) in rodents

Objective: The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the safety of an aqueous extract of the seeds of Calycotome villosa (Poiret) Link (subsp. intermedia) by determining its cytotoxicity and potential toxicity after acute and sub-chronic administration in rodents. Materials and Methods: Cytotoxic activity was tested in cancer and non-cancer cell lines HeLa, Mel-5, HL-60 and 3T3. Acute toxicity tests were carried out in mice by a single oral administration of Calycotome seed-extract (0 - 12 g/kg) as well as intraperitoneal doses of 0 - 5 g/kg.  Sub-chronic studies were conducted in Wistar rats by administration of oral daily doses for up to 90 days. Changes in body and vital organ weights, mortality, haematology, clinical biochemistry and histologic morphology were evaluated. Results: The lyophilized aqueous extract of C. villosa exhibited a low cytotoxicity in all cell lines tested with an IC50 > 100 µg/ml. In the acute study in mice, intra-peritoneal administration caused dose-dependent adverse effects and mortality with an LD50 of 4.06 ± 0.01 g/kg.In the chronic tests, neither mortality nor visible signs of lethality was seen in rats. Even AST and ALT were not affected while a significant decrease in serum glucose levels, at 300 and 600 mg/kg was detected.  Histopathological examination of the kidney and liver did not show any alteration or inflammation at the end of treatment. Conclusion: In conclusion, the aqueous extract of C. villosa seed appeared to be non-toxic and did not produce mortality or clinically significant changes in the haematological and biochemical parameters in rats