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Given the increase in antibiotic resistance phenomena and the undesirable effects of synthetic drugs. Medicinal plants are used as a direct or indirect source of the active ingredients. Our research constitutes a development of essential oils from Artemisia herba alba Asso cultivated in the Mascara region. A hydrophobic ointment has been formulated based on this essential oil and tested against five strains of Candida albicans. Several physicochemical and microbiological tests were used to verify the quality and the toxicity of the product. Then, the determination of the antifungal activity of this preparation was assessed against five strains of Candida albicans (S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5) by the disk-diffusion agar method. The results revealed that this preparation was devoid of total aerobic germs, yeasts and molds. However, the pH value was found equal to 5.98. In addition, the irritation primary index was marked less than 0.5. The ointment was powerful against S1, S3, S4 and S5 strains with inhibition diameters ranging from 16± 4 mm to 23 ± 2 mm. The Nystatin ointment was observed active against strains S2, S4 and S5 with diameters of the zones of inhibition; 21 ± 2 mm, 21± 1 mm and 20 ± 3 mm respectively. The ointment formulated with essential oil from Artemisia herba alba asso has proven useful against candidiasis caused by Candida albicans species.

Background: The objective of this study was to test the toxicology and microbiological of methanolic extract of Marrubium vulgare "MEMV" in rat and its efficiency in the treatment of systemic candidiasis. Methods: Forty (40) male rats (Wistar type) were divided into four groups (10 rats /group) where the toxicological, microbiological and histological studies were applied. Later, the infection with 107 cells /ml of Candida albicans and the curative treatment were applied by the daily administration with a gavage of 800 mg/kg of MEMV. Results: The toxicology studies indicated that the dose of MEMV at 800 mg/kg of body weight was not harmful. The microbiological and histological analysis showed that the treatment with MEMV of rat colonized with 107 cells/ml of Candida albicans limits the multiplication of the yeast in the intestine and colon of the colonized rat. The translocation of Candida albicans in liver, spleen and lungs in rat which was treated with 800 mg/kg of MEMV was significantly lower than in controls to seven post-infection days. However, we did not detect yeast in the kidneys and hearts of the infected treated groups and the infected untreated ones. Conclusion: Our results suggest that MEMV limits the gastrointestinal colonization and dissemination of Candida albicans in the other organs.

Childhood malnutrition is a severe disease that kills 3.1 million children under the age of five worldwide yearly. Our objectives are to comparethe clinical profile and the intestinal microbiota of malnourished children and healthy ones residing in the city of Mascara (Algeria), and to specify the impact of the administration of renutrition milk on the improvement of their gut microbiota.40 children in total, aged between 2 and 36 months were chosen for this study. A clinical examination and a microbiological analysis of fecal matter were performed. The first results showed that the malnourished children included in the study suffer from severe malnutrition characterized by stunting and remarkable underweight and that their intestinal flora is quantitatively and qualitatively differentfrom that of healthy children. Moreover;the administration of the renutrition milk has a positive influence on the composition of the intestinal flora in these malnourished children.

Ficus carica L. have always been known by their power to cure various diseases. This study aims to evaluate the antioxidant activity of twelve different extracts of three samples of dried figs. First, the extracts were tested for their polyphenolic, flavonoid and tannin contents by the Folin–Ciocalteu, the aluminium trichloride and vanillin methods and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for more characterisation. The antioxidant activity was performed by using thre different methods; the 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). The results showed that the methanolic extract of Sidi Bendjebbar sample presented a higher TPC value (458 mg GAE /g) while the acetonic and aqueous extracts of El-Keurt presented a higher values of TFC and CTC. In other hand, the methanol extract of El-Keurt sample exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity with an IC50 of 0.078 mg/ml. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts against various Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria was screened by the inhibition zone using the disc and diffusion assay, minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) by micro-well method allonwing to calculate the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC). The ethanolic extracts of the two samples El-Keurt and Sidi Bendjebbar were the most effective extracts being able to inhibit the growth of the majority of the strains tested. Our study supported the use of these fruit as supplements for nutrient deficiencies and for combating diseases associated with oxydative damage or some microbial infection for better drug alternatives.

According to WHO, osteoporosis is the second most important public health problem after cardiovascular disease. About 200 million women in the world have osteoporosis; it is the second leading cause of death in women after breast cancer. In Algeria, 4 million people suffer from osteoarthritic diseases and 40% of those are women. The ultimate objective of our study was to evaluate the impact of dietary fiber from carrots and wheat bran on biochemical markers of bone remodeling in postmenopausal hemodialysis women. The study population consisted of 30 postmenopausal women (61.39 ± 8.44 years) receiving hemodialysis treatment as well as diets high in dietary fiber to assess the state of their bones. Biochemical markers of osteoresorption: pyridinoline LP and hydroxypyridinoline HP in urine were measured by the HPLC method, as well as the biochemical markers of osteoformation: total alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and calcium balance. This population was divided into four groups, T-controls who followed a regular diet, GC group: a high-carrot diet, GS group: hard wheat bran (100 g/day), and the GCS group: a mixture of these two foods (50/50 g/day). And the three groups GC, GS, and GCS receive a calcium intake (800 g/day) of calcium carbonate orally for 1 month. Urine and blood samples were taken weekly: T0, T7, T15, T21, T30, and T45. Our results show that women under carrot diet excreted significantly (p < 0.05) the highest values of hydroxypyridinolines (HP) and pyridinolines (LP), in their different forms, as well as calciuria and PAL. While the wheat diet shows lower levels of HP and no effect on other markers of osteoresorption and osteoformation.

The mucosal surfaces of the intestinal tract harbor a complex microbiota. Bacteria enter in contact with intestinal cells and bestow important nutritional, metabolic and protective functions which benefit the host. Various factors are able to alter the balances between different intestinal bacteria. Dysbiosis has been described in various pathologies and metabolic diseases in humans, such as cancer. Colorectal cancer pathology can benefit from gut microbial imbalance. Its overgrowth may lead to acute symptoms. An alternative strategy to restore this balance is the use of plant extracts which exhibit a prebiotic activity by stimulating of probiotic bacteria and antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria colonization. The present study aims to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activity of phenolic extracts (Aqueous extract "AE" and Methanolic extract "ME" ) from Zizyphus lotus. It aims also to investigate the effect of this extract as a prebiotic on the aggregation of probiotic and inhibitory effects of pathogenic bacteria isolated from faeces of patients with colorectal cancer. Phytochemical analysis of different extracts from Zizyphus lotus by HPLC showed that all are rich in phenolic compounds ( 225.40 mgAGE/gDW for AE and 63.04 mgAGE/gDW for ME extracts ). Moreover, all extracts showed an important antioxidant activity (227 µg/ml for AE and 195 µg/ml for ME). These extracts also exhibited a significant prebiotic effect and antibacterial activity. C haracterization of the in vitro effect of the aqueous extract showed that the percentage of autoaggregation and adhesion of probiotic and inhibitory effects of pathogenic bacteria increased in the presence of aqueous extracts.

Thymus serpyllum is an aromatic and medicinal plant widely used in Algerian folk medicine. It was collected from Mascara region North West of Algeria and studied in the aim to provide more knowledge about chemical composition, antioxidant and photo-protective activities of essential oil, ethanolic and infusion extracts. The chemical analysis of investigated T. serpyllum EO was performed for the first time in this research work. It was carried out by GC/MS for identifying 25 components where the dominated compounds were Carvacrol (66%) and γ–Terpinene (11.5%). The phenolic profile of ethanolic and aqueous infusion extracts was performed using HPLC chromatography and the data showed the Benzoic acid and Rosmarinc acid were found as major compounds. Extracts showed an excellent source of total phenols and flavonoids. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH, Galvinoxyl radical (GOR), CUPRAC, reducing power and O-phenanthroline approaches. All extracts showed a significant antioxidant capacity with different mechanisms. However, ethanol and infusion extracts showed stronger capacity than EO. Moreover, the photoprotective activity of T. serpyllum extracts was explored for the first time in our study. Extracts exhibited high values of sun protective factors (SFP) with 38.34±2.29 and 38.82±2.23 for ethanol and infusion extract respectively. Results of our study may encourage the pharmacologic, food and cosmetic sectors to use the wild thyme as natural and healthy source of active compounds.

The imbalance of the intestinal microbiota is link, by several diseases such as celiac disease, which causes inflammation in the small intestine. This inflammation is due by the digestion of gluten present in some type of cereals. In this work, fecal and duodenal biopsy samples were collected to characterize by conventional culture technique the composition of the Enterobacteries group in intestinal mirobiota of celiac children and were compared with control children. A significant difference detected in the intestinal flora of celiac children compared to controls children concerning the Enterobacteries group. We found an increase of E.coli, Enterobacter aerogeneses, and Klebsiella with presence of Salmonella sp, Shigella sp in biopsy and fecal samples of celiac children and a relationship between the increase of Enterobacter cloacea and the presence of positive anti-transglutaminase value.

Background: The plants represent an important source of various chemical structures known for their therapeutic activities in folk medicine. Our study aimed to exploit natural bioactive components from well-known medicinal plants "Rosmarinus officinalis and Populus alba". Methods: The study of acute toxicity of essential oils of Rosemary and White poplar was carried out on Wistar rats. Then, the effect of these essential oils was studied in the treatment of experimental models induced by knee osteoarthritis. A radiographic and Histologic analysis was carried out to monitor the efficiency of essential oil. The choice of the model of osteoarthritis turned to unilateral intra-articular injection of a mono-iodo acetic acid. Results: The results revealed that the action of the essential oil showed a significant decrease in the Mankin score compared to the group of untreated rats. Conclusion: The essential oils of R. officinalis, P. alba presented an protective effect against osteoarthritis with difference degrees.

BACKGROUND: In front of the polymorphic bacterial ecology and antibiotic resistance in diabetic patients with foot infections and good patient care, collaboration between clinicians and microbiologists is needed to improve assessment and management of patients with this pathology. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to characterize the bacterial ecology of diabetic foot infection (DFIs) and to determine the different mechanisms of resistance involved. METHODS: In this study bacterial strains and antibiotic resistance profiles were determined from diabetic foot infections patients (n = 117). The identification of resistance mechanisms, such as penicillinase and/or extended-spectrum β-lactamase production (ESBL), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and efflux pump over-expression were performed. RESULTS: A high prevalence of Gram-negative bacteria (61%) with Escherichia coli, and other Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa being the predominant isolates. Gram positive bacteria mainly represented by Staphylococcus aureus accounted for 39% of the isolates. 93.5% of the Enterobacteriaceae were resistant to, at least, one molecule in the β-lactam family, while the majority of the Staphylococci were resistant to penicillin G and tetracycline (93.3% and 71.7%). The majority of non-fermenting Gram negative bacteria were also resistant to fluoroquinolones. β-lactamase detection tests revealed the presence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase in 43.5% of the Enterobacteriaceae, while methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus represented 18.2% of the isolates. Additionally, 50.9% of non-fermenting Gram negative bacteria were overproducing efflux pumps. CONCLUSION: All Acinetobacter Baumannii were Multidrug-Resistant (MDR), as the majority of Staphylococci, and Enterobacteriaceae. These results should be taken into account by the clinician in the prescription of probabilistic antibiotic therapy in this context.

International audience; Modulation of the membrane permeability through a decrease in porin-mediated antibiotic entry and/or an increase in antibiotic efflux is one of the resistance mechanisms to antibiotics evolved by Gram-negative bacteria. To assess whether the outer membrane porin OprD and Resistance-Nodulation-Division (RND) efflux pumps were similarly expressed in 33 ciprofloxacin-resistant clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and in 30 non-clinical strains originating from the hospital environment (mainly waterborne Pseudomonas aeruginosa), the expression of oprD, mexB, mexF, and mexY genes was investigated. Overall, the expression of oprD was not detected by RT-qPCR in 14 (22%) strains and underexpressed in 35 (56%) more. No significant difference in oprD expression was detected between clinical and non-clinical strains. As for efflux pumps, 23 (70%) of the clinical strains overexpressed at least one of the tested RND genes. Overexpression of mexB, mexF and mexY was detected in 27, 12, and 45% of the clinical strains, respectively. In the 30 non-clinical strains, no overexpression could be found for mexB, mexF, or mexY. On the contrary, a global underexpression of the tested efflux pump genes was recorded. In both clinical and environmental strains, a positive correlation was found between the expressions of oprD and mexB. Similarly, the expressions of oprD and mexF were positively correlated. This result contrasts with the inverse correlation between both MexAB-OprM/MexEF-OprN and OprD previously described in carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa strains. The only positive correlation between phenotypic ciprofloxacin minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and the expression of efflux pump gene was witnessed with mexY (analysis on pooled results for clinical and environmental strains). However, in clinical strains, no statistically significant link could be found between the degree of reduction in ciprofloxacin MICs witnessed with Phenylalanine-Arginine beta-naphthylamide (PA beta N) and the expression of any of the 3 RND genes tested.

This study aimed to investigate the possible hepatoprotective effect of the Ficus carica dried fruits, extra virgin olive oil and their phenolic fractions on CCl4-induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in rats. Administration of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) (3.0 g/kg/day) per oral (p.o.) and their methanol extract (MEEVOO) (2.1 mg/kg/day) intravenously (i.v.) for 7 days significantly prevented CCl4-induced elevation of levels of serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The methanol dried fig extract (MEDF) (38.07 mg/kg/day, i.v.) was found to be more hepatoprotective than the dried figs (DF) (4 g/kg/day, p.o.). Administration of MEEVOO with the MEDF significantly prevented CCl4-induced elevation of levels of serum GPT, GOT and ALP. Treatment of rats with CCl4 led to a marked increase in lipid peroxidation as measured by malondialdehyde (MDA). Hepatic antioxidant enzyme, Catalase (CAT) was significantly decreased in all treated animals. Practical Applications Dried fig (Ficus carica L.) fruit is an important part of traditional Mediterranean Algerian diet since antiquity and widely consumed with extra virgin olive oil because of their nutritional importance along with their medicinal value. Obtained results suggest a synergistic functionality of dried figs and extra virgin olive oil extracts. The observed hepatoprotective effect is believed to occur due to antioxidant properties of the contents of extra virgin olive oil and dried figs extract, which may provide a new drug to be used for prophylaxis against liver diseases and it validates its folkloric use by Algerian people.

An ethno botanical survey of 40 individuals in the Wilaya of Mascara identified 40 medicinal plants used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Among these plants, Malva sylvestris, Olea europea sylvestris, Citrus aurantium have been selected. The objective of our work is the phytochemical study and the antioxidant activity of the 3 plants selected. The raw methanolic extracts of Malva sylvestris and their stems, Olea europea sylvestris and Citrus aurantium were obtained by the extraction method maceration. The quantitative determination of total polyphenols by the Folin Ciocaltieu method and the flavonoids in the presence of AlCl3, the total polyphenol content in Malva sylvestris and their stems, Olea europea sylvestris and Citrus aurantium represents 556.33 μg EAG/g MS and 443.33ug EAG/G Ms; 557.66 g EAG/g Ms 447.77 μg EAG/gMS. The content of flavonoids is 1032.33 μg EQer/g Ms 898.66ug EQer/g Ms 894.33, μg EQer/g Ms 1428.33 μgEQer/g MS. Antioxidant activity of the extracts prepared was measured by two methods. The first is the use of free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and the second reducing power of FRAP iron. These methods show that these plants have good antioxidant activity.

The present study deals with the evaluation of the in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of four different extracts of two varieties (Azendjar and Taamriout) of dried figs (Ficus carica L.) by using the 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical and agar diffusion methods and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)-determination. Moreover, the extracts were investigated for their polyphenolic, flavonoidal and tannin content by using the Folin–Ciocalteu assay, the aluminium trichloride method and precipitation with casein, respectively. The results showed that the highest antioxidant capacity was exhibited by the methanol extract of Azendjar variety with IC50 of 0.080 mg/mL. All extracts possessed more or less antimicrobial activity against the tested Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Candida albicans was the most susceptible microorganism to all extracts. Pronounced antimicrobial activity was observed by the methanolic extract of Taamriout variety (MIC values 32–128 μg/mL). Moreover, the results showed that the phenolic compounds and flavonoids were abundant in acetone and aqueous extracts. Practical Applications Dried Fig (Ficus carica L.) fruit is an important part of traditional Mediterranean Algerian diet since antiquity. Obtained results revealed great antioxidant and antimicrobial activities as well as high content of phenolic compounds of two varieties growing in Algeria namely Azendjar and Taamriout varieties. This study highlights the importance of Algerian dried figs as a source of antioxidants and antimicrobial agents to be used in traditional medicine to treat or protect humans against infections as well as other chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and different inflammations. Therefore, the F. carica extracts have the potential to be developed into dietary supplements and nutraceuticals.

The intestinal flora called the intestinal microbiota, consists of different bacteria and other microorganisms which occur naturally in the gastrointestinal tract organs components. These tract bacteria are present in their millions and help the functioning of the body in particular allowing aid to degradation of certain molecules into absorbable substrates. They also protect against invasion of the gut by other pathogenic bacteria, that is to say which may be responsible for disease. Factors like stress, antibiotics and diet can affect the balance of intestinal flora and in case of imbalance, digestive disorders type bloating, diarrhoea or vomiting may occur. Rattus norvegicus of weights 100 kg, from Algerian West Firm are scarified and isolation of their ileum and colon respectively. Two strains of bacteria, Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus are then purified and identified.

To relieve respiratory problems such as apnea in newborns, caffeine citrate is the drug of choice because of its good tolerance and therapeutic index. However, its impact on the intestinal microbial ecosystem and on bacterial translocation in the neonatal period remains insufficiently investigated. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of caffeine citrate on the establishment of the intestinal microflora and bacterial translocation in rats from birth to the 30th day of life. Newborn Wistar rats were divided into four groups of 14 animals, each subdivided into a control group receiving a placebo (12mL tap water/kg/day) and another treated with caffeine citrate (12mg/kg/day). The animals were nursed by their mothers and weighed daily. A group of 14 rats was killed at birth and after 10, 20, or 30 days of life. Organs in which translocation was assessed (liver, lungs, spleen, and kidneys) and various fragments of intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon) were surgically removed. The bacteriological analysis performed involved enumeration of the total microflora, staphylococci, enterobacteria, and lactobacilli. From the 10th day, caffeine was shown to significantly decrease the weight of treated animals as compared with controls (P

Celiac disease (CD) is enteropathy autoimmune induced by the ingestion of gluten in genetically predisposed subjects. The ingestion of gluten is responsible for the symptoms of CD, and a disturber of the intestinal microbiota. In this study, 13 Samples of intestinal biopsy, 15 fecal samples from celiac children, and 10 from controls children respectively were collected and analyzed by conventional culture technique to characterize the microbial profile intestinal of celiac children. There was 24 celiac children (8 boys), Mean age at diagnosis was 9.52 years, all have clinical manifestations, positive anti-transglutaminase antibodies and mucosal lesions suggestive of CD (Marsh Classification).We found a difference in intestinal microbiota, between celiac and controls children for example the Enterobacteria, Clostridium sp and Staphylococcus sp were remarkably higher in biopsy and fecal samples of celiac children than in controls. Inversely the Enterococcus sp, Lactobacillus sp and Clostridium sp were slightly lower in celiac children. Our results indicate an imbalance in intestinal microbiota for celiac children as reduction in the numbers of Lactobacillus sp, Enterococcus sp and increases in the numbers of Enterobacteria, Staphylococcus sp and Clostridium sp.Keywords: Celiac disease, Intestinal Microbiota, Anti-transglutaminase, Lacobacillus sp.

Le cancer colorectal est le troisieme cancer dans le monde chez les deux sexes confondus. Quatre cents mille deces par cancer colorectal sont enregistres chaque annee. Ce type de cancer constitue de plus en plus un probleme majeur de sante publique en Algerie. Notre travail repose sur une etude retrospective dans le but de determiner les cas de cancer colorectal a travers l’Ouest algerien. L’etude epidemiologique a ete realisee sur une periode allant de 2000 a 2006. L’echantillonnage comporte 501 patients atteints de cancer du colon (272 hommes, soit 54 % et 229 femmes, soit 46 %). Les resultats obtenus ont revele une legere predominance masculine avec un sex-ratio de 1,2, une frequence elevee de l’atteinte maligne du colon gauche (61,8 %) par rapport au colon droit (38,2 %), respectivement. Selon la classification de Dukes, 58 % des patients presentent des tumeurs aux stades C et D. En conclusion, le type colon gauche domine dans les deux sexes par rapport a la localisation du colon droit et cela au niveau des differentes wilayas (Oran, Sidi-Bel-Abbes, Mascara, Ain-Temouchent et Relizane). Les resultats obtenus a l’issue de cette etude nous renseignent seulement sur la situation epidemiologique du cancer du colon a travers l’Ouest algerien. A cet effet, il serait fort interessant de realiser une enquete nutritionnelle afin de determiner le role important de l’alimentation dans l’etiologie de ce type de cancer.

Aims: To investigate the effects of whey retentate from Bifidobacteria fermented milk. Methods and Results: The simulator of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem (SHIME) was used. The composition of the microbiota and its metabolic activities were analysed. Changes in the microbial composition became apparent within 15 days of the treatment in the vessels representing the ileum and the large intestine. The whey retentate favoured the growth of endogenous bifidobacteria and induced a decrease in Bacteroides fragilis and in sulfipho-reducing clostridia, especially Clostridium perfringens. After the administration was stopped, these populations tended to revert to their original levels, except for the streptococci and the staphylococci populations. The treatment also led to an increase in acetic acid, CH4 and CO2 production, suggesting overgrowth of some anaerobic bacteria. Ammonium, generally considered as undesirable, declined. Conclusions: The whey retentate clearly altered the microbial community in the SHIME. Significance and Impact of the Study: Whey retentate appears to exert a beneficial effect on the in vitro gastrointestinal system; these findings warrant confirmation by in vivo studies.

The effects of mesenteric ischemia on ileal colonization, intestinal integrity, and bacterial translocation (BT) in newborn piglets were investigated in 36-2-day-old Pietrain piglets. Group I, controls were not operated upon; group II underwent a sham laparotomy; and group III underwent ligation of the mesenteric vessels in the distal ileum. After 3 days, the kidneys, spleens, livers, and ileal segments were harvested for microbial and histologic analyses. Two piglets in the ischemic group died; microscopic examination showed severe histologic lesions of the ischemic area. Escherichia coli counts were increased in the ischemic segment compared to the upper loop (P < 0.05). Ischemia favoured staphylococcal colonization, whereas in the sham group a drastic reduction of these organisms was observed (P < 0.005). BT to the kidneys, spleen, and liver occurred normally in the control group. Ischemia significantly increased the total microflora in the spleen and liver (P < 0.05) and furthered dissemination of Clostridium perfringens in the kidneys (P < 0.05); 50% of ischemic animals had proteolytic clostridia in this organ (P < 0.05). Moreover, the incidence of E. coli in the kidneys, spleen, and liver was significantly higher in the sham and ischemic groups than in the controls (P < 0.05). Ileal ischemia thus induced significant histologic lesions, and surgery rather than gut microflora controls translocation.

Aristolochia longais widely used in traditional medicine in Algeria to treat breast cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the response of bone resorption markers toA. longaintake by Algerian breast cancer postmenopausal women. According to theA. longaintake, breast cancer patients were grouped intoA. longagroup (Al)(n=54)and non-A. longagroup (non-Al)(n=24). 32 women constituted the control group. Bone resorption markers (from urine) pyridinoline (PYD) and deoxypyridinoline (DPD) were determined by HPLC. Serum and urinary creatinine, uric acid, and urea were measured. 1 g ofA. longaintake resulted in significant rise of renal serum markers and a pronounced increase of bone resorption markers. The intake ofA. longaroots is detrimental for kidney function and resulted in high bone resorption, maybe due to the reduction in renal function caused by the aristolochic acids contained in the roots.

The present study deals with the evaluation of the in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activity of phenolic extracts and essential oils of two medicinal and aromatic plants Zygophyllum album and Myrtus communis by using the 2,2- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical ,total antioxidant power and agar diffusion methods and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination.Moreover,the extracts were investigated for their polyphenolic,flavonoids,tannins and anthocyans content by using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay,the aluminium trichlorid method,reaction with vanillin and colometer method based on differentiation of absorbance,respectively.The results showed that the highest antioxidant capacity was exhibited by the aqueous extract of Myrtus communis with IC 50 = 29,080mg/ml.All extracts possessed more or less antibacterial activity against the tested Gram- positive and Gram –negative bacteria Bacillus subtilis and E.coli were the more susceptible microorganisms to all extracts and essential oils. Pronounced antibacterial activity was observed by the methanolic extract of Zygophylum album (MIC value=25 µg/ml).Morever,the results showed that the phenolic compounds and flavonoids were abundant in Myrtle aqueous extracts.

With the emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms, combining medicinal plants with synthetic medicines against resistant bacteria becomes necessary. In this study, Synergism between plants extracts (methanolic extract, essential oils) of Inula viscosa and Anacyclus valentinus and two commonly used antibiotics: gentamycin and oxacillin were investigated on three bacterian strains Escherichia. coli , Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus . In the first time, the antibacterial effect of extracts alone was tested against 7 strains by disc diffusion and microdilution methods. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of methanolic extracts ranged between 6.25 and 50mg/ml while that of the essential oils varied between 12.5 and 100μL/mL. The inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics varied between 125 and 31.25 μg/ml. Interactions extracts /antibiotics and extracts/extracts were determined by disc diffusion agar and by checkboard. The results show that the synergistic effect of combinations plant extracts/antibiotics was more important than extracts/extracts. Keywords: antibiotic resistant; Inula viscosa ; Anacyclus valentinus ; synergy

Ethnopharmacological relevance Salvadora persica L. (miswak) is traditionally used to ensure oral hygiene Muslim people in developing countries where it is growing. The antibacterial properties of Salvadora persica L. originating from various geographic areas have already been reported. However, they have never been tested for samples originating from Hoggar, where extreme weather conditions could lead to different properties for this Salvadora persica L. ecotype. Aim of the study To assess the in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activities of methanolic extract of Algerian Hoggar Salvadora persica L. (miswak) on some isolated and identified strains from the oral cavity of school children aged from 6 to 12 with ( n =20) and without ( n =20) caries. Materials and methods After a qualitative and quantitative analysis of dental plaque samples from the selected children, the effect of methanolic extract of Hoggar miswak against oral bacterial and fungal strains isolated from the oral cavity of children with caries was tested by both agar disc diffusion and microdilution methods. The stability and physicochemical parameters of Hoggar Salvadora persica L. mouthwash were also assessed compared. The in vivo antimicrobial effect of Hoggar miswak rinse on dental plaque samples was also tested over a week. Results Four bacterial genera (Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Escherichia and Lactobacillus ) were commonly identified in all subjects at different colonization levels. A statistically significant difference in colonization levels between the two groups of children was recorded. Hoggar miswak extract more significantly inhibited the growth of Gram negative bacteria from the dental plaque than Gram positive ones. Hoggar Salvadora persica L. mouthwash was stable at 4 °C and 25 °C over the period of conservation (one week) while a temperature of 40 °C induced variations in the physicochemical parameters and considered not suitable for preservation. The in vivo study revealed a significant reduction in bacteria of the oral cavity using miswak mouthwash as compared to placebo. Conclusion Hoggar miswak extract displayed a strong antimicrobial effect both in vitro and in vivo . Its use as a mouthrinse could therefore be recommended as a preventive measure to preserve from tooth decay.

A rat animal model of left colostomy was found to significantly impair the growth curve of rats. Assessment of the intestinal flora showed that colostomy mostly affects the cecal but not colonic microflora. Generally, the number of enterococci was increased in both ileum and cecum; cecal lactobacilli also rose, accounting for a promotion of lactic acid bacteria in colostomised rats. No significant differences between colostomised, laparotomised and control rats could be observed for the translocation of intestinal bacteria to internal organs of rats (i.e. spleen, kidneys, lungs or liver), whatever their diet. Heat-killed Lactobacillus acidophilus strain LB administration (dead probiotic bacteria) tended to exhibit a stimulatory effect on bifidobacteria, probably affecting the culture-medium fermentation substances included in the pharmaceutical product. This effect was abolished by laparotomy and colostomy. A trend towards a probiotic-like effect, not susceptible to colostomy, was also witnessed as counts of lactobacilli tended to increase in both cecum and colon of all animals fed with L. acidophilus LB.