Search

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: The present study evaluates the effect of essential oils of Rosmarinus officinalis and Populus alba on experimentally cutaneous heat-induced burn injury in rat. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, the acute toxicity test was carried out on Wistar rats that received intraperitoneally gradual doses (0.5to 7 ml/Kg) of the both essential oils. Then, Second-degree burn wounds were induced in five groups (N=5 in each). The percentage of wound healing were assessed on 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 days. In the other hand, wound surface was monitored and photographed during the period of treatment. Results and Conclusion: The essential oil of Populus alba and even Rosmarinus officinalis have no acute toxicity in rats. The treated rats with essential oils of Rosmarinus officinalis and Populus alba presented a high level in healing percentage in comparison to the other groups (4.99 ± 2.3, 4.22 ± 0.19, 36.48 ± 1.12, 29.99 ± 0.8 and 84.82 ± 6.41% for the untreated, placebo, Rosmarinus officinalis, Populus alba and Madecassol® group respectively). Moreover, the results of wound surface at the 25 day presented a value of 6.65 ± 0.16, 6.7 ± 0.01, 4.44 ± 0.07, 4.9 ± 0.05 and 1.06 ± 0.44 cm² respectively for the Untreated, Placebo, Rosmarinus officinalis, Populus alba and Madecassol® groups. These essential oils have a marked healing effect during the proliferative phase of wound healing process induced in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aloe vera is widely used in conventional medicine in Algeria to treat various diseases. This study aims to evaluate the chemical composition and biological activities of Aloe vera collected from western Algeria. Two extracts of ethanolic (EEA) and aqueous (AEA) were used to determine the total phenolic and flavonoid content. HPLC was applied to determine the amount of 15 compounds they contain, while the antioxidant activity was determined by the DPPH method. The antimicrobial activity experiment was conducted against five selected bacterial strains. Finally, an in vivo study on Swiss albino mice was conducted to discover the toxicity using Lorke’s method and anti-inflammatory activity using the Carrageenan method. The EEA extract shows the highest total phenol content of 37.00±0.37mg GAE/g and total flavonoid content of 9.14±0.19 mg CE/g. The AEA contains hydroxybenzoic and benzoic acid with other ingredients (0.84 and 0.82 mg/g, respectively). The EEA contains 0.93 mg/g of benzoic acid. Aloe vera has antioxidant activity with IC50 values equal to 0.821 mg/ml for EEA and 1.993 mg/ml for AEA. The AEA inhibits E. coli and S. aureus with a bacteriostatic effect; EEA is the best inhibitor of S. aureus and S. mutans with the bactericidal effect. Aloe vera is practically nontoxic (LD50 is 3800 mg/kg of the AEA and superior to 5000 mg/kg of EEA). The AEA gives the best inhibition of edema, 85.96% at (100 mg/kg). Aloe vera leaves are an important resource of polyphenols, which have interesting antioxidant power, and antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7274997

This study was conducted to examine chemical compositions, the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of methanolic and aqueous extracts from aerial parts of Juniperus oxycedrus subsp oxycedrus growing in Mascara, Algeria. The quantitative assessment indicated that methanol extract was the most concentrated in phenolic, flavonoid and tannin contents (167.77±5.12 mg GAE/g DW, 90.56±2.23 mg QE/g DE and 110.21±2.38 mg CE/g DE respectively). The chromatographic analysis by HPLC showed quantitative differences in phenolic constutents, noting that Chlorogenic acid was the major compound of both extracts. Moreover, methanolic extract exhibited the highest antioxidant activity than the aqueous extract when tested by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (IC50 4.45±0.001 μg/mL) and phosphomolybdenum (328.52±0.071 mg of GAE/g DW) assays. Furthermore, the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity showed a strong inhibition of albumin denaturation by the methanolic extract at different concentrations when compared to standard drug diclofenac sodium. These findings confirm the richness of Algerian Juniperus oxycedrus extracts in bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities. These results are compatible with the use of the plant in traditional medicine. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7135281

Aristolochia longa is 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 to A. longa intake by Algerian breast cancer postmenopausal women. According to the A. longa intake, breast cancer patients were grouped into A. longa group (Al) (n = 54) and non-A. longa group (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 of A. longa intake resulted in significant rise of renal serum markers and a pronounced increase of bone resorption markers. The intake of A. longa roots 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.