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Daphne gnidium L. (Thymeleacees) is a famous Moroccan plant with cancer-related ethnobotanical use. Previously, we demonstrated that ethyl acetate extract of D. gnidium had antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic potential on human breast tumor MCF-7 cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate if the antiproliferative effect of this extract was similar for different human cancer cell lines such as A549 lung cancer and SMMC-7721 hepatoma cells. Moreover, this work essentially focused on the intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway. Antiproliferative activity was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide on A549 and SMMC-7721 cells. The characterization of the mechanisms involved in this effect was determined by lactate dehydrogenase test, apoptosis assays and western blot analyses. Our present study has shown that this extract strongly inhibited proliferation of A549 (IC50: 213 ± 15 μg/ml) and SMMC-7721 (IC50: 170 ± 13 μLg/ml) cells. The characterization of antiproliferative effect demonstrated that this extract was an apoptosis inducer in both cell lines tested. The results of western blot analyses have shown in SMMC-7721 cells that this extract activated caspase signaling triggered by the modulation of Bcl-2 family proteins. These findings suggest that this natural extract-induced effects may have novel therapeutic applications for the treatment of different cancer types.

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., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Bryonia dioica Jacq. is a climbing perennial herb with tuberous roots which is widely used in traditional medicine in Algeria for the treatment of cancers; it belongs to the genus Bryonia (Cucurbitaceae)., Aim of the Study: To investigate the cytotoxic and apoptogenic activities, the phytochemical composition and acute toxicity of the aqueous extract of Bryonia dioica roots growing in Algeria., Materials and Methods: Dried roots of Bryonia dioica were extracted with water (decoction). The cytotoxic effects of the aqueous extract in the Burkitt's lymphoma BL41 cell lines were evaluated by flow cytometry. Apoptosis induction was assessed by two corroborative assays; propidium iodide (PI) staining of cell DNA and flow cytometric light scatter analysis. The mitochondria membrane potential was investigated using a fluorescent dye DIOC6. The expression of caspases-3, -8, -9 and PARP was assessed by Western blot. The phytochemical screening of the roots of Bryonia dioica was performed using qualitative phytochemical standard procedures., Results: The Bryonia dioica aqueous extract induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner. The IC50 of Bryonia dioica aqueous extract was estimated to be approximately 15, 63μg/ml. This was accompanied by induction of apoptosis, activation of caspase-3 and -9, cleavage of PARP and loss of mitochondria membrane potential. Furthermore, the phytochemical screening of roots of Bryonia dioica showed the presence of various bioactive such as polyphenols, sterols and triterpenes, alkaloids, c-heterosides, carbohydrates and saponins., Conclusion: The aqueous extract of Bryonia dioica induces apoptosis in the Burkitt's lymphoma BL41 cell lines via the mitochondrial pathway. The flavonoids, sterols and triterpens detected could be responsible for the cytotoxic and apoptogenic activities of the aqueous extract of Bryonia dioica. These findings suggest that Bryonia dioica could be considered as a promising source for developing novel therapeutics against Burkitt's lymphoma., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aim of the Study: Nigella sativa L. (Ranunculaceae) seeds have been used traditionally for centuries, notably for treating diabetes., Materials and Methods: We studied the effects of the crude aqueous extract of Nigella sativa seeds on intestinal glucose absorption in vitro using a short-circuit current technique and in vivo using an oral glucose tolerance test., Results: The aqueous extract of Nigella sativa (0.1 pg/ml to 100 ng/ml) exerted dose-dependent inhibition of sodium-dependent glucose transport across isolated rat jejunum. Maximal inhibition exceeded 80% and IC50 was close to 10 pg/ml. An oral glucose tolerance test was carried out in rats after the initial dose and after a 6-week treatment of Nigella sativa (2 g/(kg day)), and compared to metformin (300 mg/(kg day)). Chronic Nigella sativa treatment improved glucose tolerance as efficiently as metformin. Nigella sativa and metformin also reduced body weight without any toxic effect., Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that Nigella sativa directly inhibits the electrogenic intestinal absorption of glucose in vitro. Together with the observed improvement of glucose tolerance and body weight in rats after chronic oral administration in vivo, these effects further validate the traditional use of Nigella sativa seeds against diabetes.