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Introduction: This study investigates the potential effects of cannabis seed oil (CSO) on the wound healing process. The aim was to assess the efficacy of CSO in treating skin wounds using an animal model and to explore its anti-inflammatory properties through in silico analysis. Methods: Eighteen male albino Wistar rats, weighing between 200 and 250 g, were divided into three groups: an untreated negative control group, a group treated with the reference drug silver sulfadiazine (SSD) (0.01 g/mL), and a group treated topically with CSO (0.962 g/mL). The initial wound diameter for all groups was 1 cm. In silico studies were conducted using Maestro 11.5 to evaluate the antiinflammatory effects of phytoconstituents against cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Results: CSO and SSD treatments led to a significant reduction (p <0.05) in the size of burned skin wounds by day 5, with contraction rates of 53.95% and 45.94%, respectively, compared to the untreated negative control group. By day 15, wounds treated with CSO and SSD had nearly healed, showing contraction rates of 98.8% and 98.15%, respectively. By day 20, the wounds treated with CSO had fully healed (100%), while those treated with SSD had almost completely healed, with a contraction rate of 98.97%. Histological examination revealed granulated tissue, neo-blood vessels, fibroblasts, and collagen fibers in wounds treated with CSO. In silico studies identified arachidic acid, γ-linolenic acid, and linolenic acid as potent inhibitors of COX-1 and COX-2. Serum biochemical parameters indicated no significant changes (p > 0.05) in liver and kidney function in rats treated with CSO, whereas a significant increase (p < 0.01) in ALAT level was observed in rats treated with SSD. Discussion: The findings demonstrate that CSO has a promising effect on wound healing. The CSO treatment resulted in significant wound contraction and histological improvements, with no adverse effects on liver and kidney function. However, the study's limitations, including the small sample size and the need for detailed elucidation of CSO's mechanism of action, suggest that further research is necessary. Future studies should focus on exploring the molecular pathways and signaling processes involved in CSO's pharmacological effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical characterization of the essential oil of the endemic Moroccan species, Calendula maroccana, was achieved by GC and GC-MS methods. The antioxidant, antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of this essential oil were also studied. Eighty-one compounds were identified in the essential oil, representing 94.82% of the total. Sesquiterpenes predominate in the essential oil; 2-Methoxy-4-vinylphenol (16.13%), δ-amorphene (13.56%), α-cedrene (6.23%), γ-curcumene (5.10%) and α-bisabolol (4.94%) were the main constituents. The antioxidant potential was evaluated by DPPH, FRAP and ABTS assays: the essential oil exhibited antioxidant effectiveness with IC50 values of 0.92, 0.3 and 1.7 mg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the essential oil showed potent antimicrobial activity as revealed by inhibition zone values against selected clinically important pathogenic microorganisms. Inhibition zone values of 15.33 ± 0.19, 23 ± 0.05 and 15.33 ± 0.33 mm were observed against Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and C. tropicalis, respectively. The maximal and minimal inhibition concentration values were in the range of 0.25 ± 0.17 - 4.68 ± 0.10 mg/mL for bacteria and 0.06 ± 0.03 - 0.12 ± 0.14 mg/mL, for Candida. The essential oil showed potent anti-biofilm activity with dual actions, inhibiting (69 - 88%) and eradicating (75 - 92%) the biofilms formed by the three tested bacteria strains. Based on these results, this essential oil can be considered as a natural antioxidant, antibacterial and antibiofilm agent that could be applied in phytotherapy, pharmaceutical and food sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thymus leptobotrys and T. maroccanus are endemic Moroccan medicinal species that are intensively exploited from the wild because of their wide ranging therapeutic properties. In order to preserve these valuable medicinal plants from risk of extinction, the cultivation (with and without N, P, and K fertilizer) and its consequent effect on oil chemical composition and biological activities were studied. Carvacrol (64.1–78.1%) was found as the major constituent in oil samples, followed by p-cymene (4.7–12.4%) and γ-terpinene (3.2–7.9%). Cultivation without using N, P, and K fertilizer caused a slight decrease in carvacrol content against an increase of its main precursor p-cymene. However, application of N, P, and K fertilizer increased the carvacrol content of 3.9% for T. maroccanus and 9.4% for T. leptobotrys oils compared with unfertilized plants. Regarding the antioxidant activity, wild thyme oils showed the highest potency in all assays, while oils from cultivated plants fertilized with N, P, and K had greater activity than oils from plants not receiving fertilizer. Concerning the antimicrobial activity, oils from fertilized plants exhibited the highest inhibitory effect against most tested strains with MIC values ranged from 0.03 to 31.68 mg/mL. From this work, it can be concluded that cultivation could be a promising solution to ensure the sustainable utilization of these endemic and threatened medicinal thyme species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mentha suaveolens subsp. timija is a strict Moroccan endemic species that is intensively exploited from the wild because of its wide ranging medicinal and culinary properties. This has resulted in the species becoming rare or threatened with risk of extinction in the wild. In order to ensure the conservation and sustainable utilization of this valuable medicinal and aromatic plant, its cultivation has been suggested as a promising solution. However, many uncontrolled factors can affect this cultivation including salinity. Thus, the present work aims to evaluate the effects of saline conditions simulated by different NaCl concentrations (0, 50, 100 and 150mM) on growth (fresh and dry weights), mineral content, essential oil (EO) quantity and quality of M suaveolens subsp. timija. The experiment was conducted inside a shade house at the experimental garden at the Faculty of Sciences, Semlalia-Marrakech during the growing season (February-May) of the year 2010. The results showed that increasing NaCl levels to 150mM reduced significantly the fresh and dry biomass production by 47.558% and 69.324%, respectively, in comparison to the control. Application of NaCl induced also an increase in Na+ content, while K+ content and K+/Na+ ratio decreased with increasing salt stress. The EO yield decreased by 38.9% and 50.6% at 100 and 150mM NaCl, respectively, compared with the control (0.77±0.14%). Pulegone, menthone and isomenthone were found to be the principal components of M suaveolens subsp. timija EO. The relative abundance of menthone in particular was affected by salt stress. Based on the present results, it can be concluded that mint timija is a salt sensitive crop and cannot be cultivated in salt-affected areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Oil composition and biological activities of Thymus maroccanus at different growth stages were investigated. [•] Oils from different growth stages showed in general the same chemical profile. [•] Carvacrol is a predominant compound in T. maroccanus essential oils. [•] Oil from flowering and vegetative stages showed higher biological activities. [•] Flowering and vegetative stages are the optimal harvest times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Thymus broussonetii, Thymus maroccanus and Thymus satureioides, are endemic Moroccan species that are intensively utilized because of their wide ranging medicinal and culinary properties. In an effort to preserve these over-exploited species, the effect of cultivation on the essential oil chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were investigated. The hydrodistilled oils obtained from wild and cultivated thyme species were analyzed by GC–MS. In total, 41 components were identified representing more than 98% of the oils, with carvacrol (26.0–71.6%), borneol (5.0–20.1%), γ-terpinene (4.0–8.9%) and p-cymene (5.2–10.3%) as the main constituents. Similar oil profiles were obtained from wild and cultivated T. maroccanus, whereas some quantitative differences were noted between oils obtained from wild and cultivated T. broussonetii and T. satureioides. The antioxidant and antimicrobial assays revealed that all oils tested from wild and cultivated studied thyme species showed strong activities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this study, the chemical composition, antioxidant potential and antimicrobial interactions with a conventional antibiotic of essential oil (EO) isolated from Andryala pinnatifida subsp. mogadorensis aerial parts were assessed. Twenty eight compounds were identified. Farnesene (14.92%), Decanal (9.51%) and Tetradecanoic acid (7.44%) were the main compounds. The antibacterial potential was evaluated against two bacterial strains identified as resistant to antibiotics: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, as well as two sensitive bacterial strains: S. aureus and E. coli. The results obtained reveal that no bacterial strain tested was resistant to the studied EO, with MIC values in the range of (1.56-3.12) mg/mL. However, the combination of the studied EO with gentamicin showed a complete synergism against S. aureus. Furthermore, EO was screened for its antioxidant activity using three methods. IC50 values were 4.34 ± 0.06 mg/mL, 1.16 ± 0.1 mg/mL and 1.94 ± 0.09 mg/mL, respectively, for DPPH, Ferric reducing and β-carotene/linoleic acid assays. The data indicate that the essential oil of this Moroccan endemic plant proved to be an important source of antioxidant and antibacterial products and may be used for the treatment of pathogenic bacteria and could be also implicated in food industries as preservative of foodstuffs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Withania (Solanaceae) species are known to be a rich source of withanolides, which have shown several biological properties. Objective: To identify the compounds responsible for Withania adpressa Coss. antioxidant activity and further test them for their NF-κB inhibition and antiproliferative activity in multiple myeloma cells. Materials and methods: Compounds were obtained from the EtOAc extract of W. adpressa leaves. Structure elucidation was carried out mainly by 1D- and 2D-NMR, and mass spectrometry. Isolated compounds were tested in a dose-response for their in vitro NF-κB inhibition and antiproliferative activity in multiple myeloma cells after 5 and 72 h treatment, respectively. Results: The fractionation resulted in the isolation of a new glycowithanolide named wadpressine (5) together with withanolide F, withaferin A, coagulin L, and nicotiflorin. The latter showed a moderate ability to scavenge free radicals in DPPH (IC50 = 35.3 µM) and NO (IC50 = 41.3 µM) assays. Withanolide F and withaferin A exhibited low µM antiproliferative activity against both multiple myeloma cancer stem cells and RPMI 8226 cells. Furthermore, they inhibited NF-κB activity with IC50 values of 1.2 and 0.047 µM, respectively. The other compounds showed a moderate inhibition of cell proliferation in RPMI 8226 cells, but were inactive against cancer stem cells and did not inhibit NF-κB activity. Discussion and conclusions: One new glycowithanolide and four known compounds were isolated. Biological evaluation data gave further insight on the antitumor potential of withanolides for refractory cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chenopodium ambrosioides var. ambrosioides is used in the folk medicine as analgesic, antipyretic, antioxidant and to cure gastrointestinal disease, typhoid and dysentery. The chemical composition of the aerial part essential oil was assessed by GC/MS analysis and the main constituents found were: α-terpinene (23.77%), ascaridole (14.48%), p -cymene (12.22%), neral (8.08%), geraniol (5.60%), isoascaridole (2.96%) and 2-carene (2.77%). The antioxidant assays using (DPPH) free radical, β-carotene-linoleic acid and reducing power assays showed that C. ambrosioides var. ambrosioides essential oil presents a moderate antioxidant effect using DPPH assay and a high effect using both β-carotene/linoleic acid bleaching (IC 50 = 3.03 μg/ml) and reducing power assay (IC 50 = 6.02 μg/ml). The antimicrobial properties of the essential oil against a large panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and Candida strains showed an inhibitory effect against all tested strains. Gram-positive bacteria ( Bacillus cereus , Micrococcus luteus ) were generally found to be more sensitive than Gram-negative ones. Moreover, Candia albicans was the most sensitive for Candida strains. The in vitro association of essential oil and some commercial antibiotics showed a synergistic effect between studied essential oil and antibiotics. The lowest FICi values observed were obtained with the combination essential oil and cefixime (FICi = 0,37–0,50) and essential oil-ciprofloxacin (FICi = 0,28–0,75), respectively, for Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Whereas, the association essential oil-fluconazole showed total synergistic effect for the most used yeast. These results showed that the essential oil exhibited a high antimicrobial and antioxidant activities and a synergistic interaction between antibiotics. These findings are very promising and it can be useful for pharmaceutical treatment and natural therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thymus saturejoides is a perennial shrub widely distributed in the arid and semi arid parts of the Moroccan mountains. Essential oils (EOs) of this species are used extensively in food and pharmaceutical industries because of their wide biological and pharmacological properties. To our knowledge, no data are available on the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of T. saturejoides EOs in relation to the chemical variability of the species. Also, the potential synergistic interaction of EOs from this species as natural antimicrobial agent with conventional antibiotics against food-borne bacteria has not been investigated. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine the volatile oil constituents of EOs from three wild Moroccan T. saturejoides populations collected from Northwest–Southeast of Morocco (June, 2011). Antioxidant activity and their antibacterial potency (singly and in combination with cefixime) against selected food-borne bacteria was then determined. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis revealed 30 compounds, representing 98.6 to 99.5% of the total oils. The major constituents identified were carvacrol (45.3%), p -cymene (8.9%), linalool (8.4%), and borneol (7.5%) in oil from the Er-Rich population (arid site); carvacrol (26.5%), borneol (20.1%), camphene (8.0%), and γ-terpinene (5.6%) in oil from Ourika population (medium arid site) and carvacrol (25.3%), borneol (19.7%), camphene (7.6%), and p -cymene (6.6%) in oil from Taws population (less arid site). Essential oil obtained from Er-Rich population showed the highest antioxidant activity as measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging ability, reductive potential, and β-carotene/linoleic acid assays with IC 50 values of 44.54 ± 0.92 μg/mL, 22.90 ± 0.16 μg/mL and 19.17 ± 0.01 μg/mL, respectively. Antibacterial tests showed that the oils from this species had a high inhibitory activity against tested bacteria, with the exception of Pseudomonas aeruginosa . The most potent activity was observed with oil obtained from the Er-Rich population with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of 0.14 to 0.55 mg/mL and 0.28 to 0.55 mg/mL, respectively. Out of 21 combinations tested between EOs and cefixime, 67% showed total synergism, 19% had partial synergistic interaction and 14% showed no effect. Oil from the Er-Rich population exhibited the highest synergistic effect with antibiotic (FIC index values of 0.29 to 0.5). The synergy displayed by this combination of EO and cefixime may be of potential benefit for control of food-related bacteria, consequently permitting the use of lower doses of standard antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Oils composition and biological activities of wild and cultivated Moroccan sage (Salvia aucheri subsp. blancoana) were investigated. [•] Camphor was more dominant in wild Moroccan sage oil. [•] Camphene and α-pinene were more abundant in the cultivated Moroccan sage oil. [•] Cultivated Moroccan sage oil showed the highest antioxidant activity. [•] Wild Moroccan sage oil was the most effective against adults of T. castaneum. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Context: Withania species are a rich source of interesting phytochemical substances (withanolides) which have shown several biological properties. Objective: To investigate the cytotoxic potential of Withania frutescens (L.) Pauquy (Solanaceae) leaf extracts and isolated active compounds against cultured tumor cell lines. Materials and methods: The crude methanol extract of W. frutescens leaves was partitioned with dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. MeOH extract and its fractions were tested for their cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines (HepG2 and HT29) using the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay. Bioassay-guided fractionation was performed for the active CH2Cl2 fraction employing column chromatography and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. Structural elucidation of the isolated active compounds was carried out mainly by 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectrometry. The compounds were then tested for their cytotoxic activity. Results: The CH2Cl2 fraction was the most active against HT29 cell line. The fractionation procedure resulted in the isolation of 4β,17α,27-trihydroxy-1-oxo-22- R-witha-2,5,24-trienolide ( 1), 5β,6β-epoxy-4β,17α,27-trihydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,24-dienolide ( 2) and 2,3-dihydroxywithaferin A-3β- O-sulfate ( 3). The latter exhibited the strongest cytotoxic activity against HT29 cancer cell lines (IC50 of 1.78 ± 0.09 µM) which was comparable to that of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) used as the positive antimitotic control. Discussion and conclusion: Compounds 2 and 3 were isolated from W. frutescens for the first time. Data obtained suggest that the sulfated steroidal lactone ( 3) can be considered as a compound with potential application in the new anticancer drugs development field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate Senecio anteuphorbium, an endemic plant growing in West Morocco and widely used in local folk medicine. The essential oil (EO) extracted from the aerial parts was analyzed by gas chromatography and tested for allelopathic activity. The quantitation of the volatiles was carried out by means of GC-FID with response factors, which were validated through reliable calibration procedures, based on external and internal standardization. This analytical approach allowed to define the real concentration of each constituent (weight%, g/100 g) alongside the conventional relative percent. On the other hand, the identification process was supported by a dual matching based on both mass spectra and retention indices. The essential oil resulted in being rich in sesquiterpenes, with the predominant constituents being bicyclogermacrene (22.75 g/100 g), spathulenol (25.26 g/100 g), epi-γ-eudesmol (6.8 g/100 g), and selina-4,11-diene (5.08 g/100 g). The allelopathic effect was evaluated by studying the inhibition of the germination and growth of Lactuca sativa seeds. A potent allelopathic effect was recorded by the essential oil at a dose of 0.281 mg/mL, with almost a total inhibition of germination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]