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Purpose This study paper aims to evaluate the Phytochemical Composition, anti-obesity, anti-antipyretic and analgesic effect of Ephedra alata (Ea) extracts. Design/methodology/approach Obesity was induced in male Wistar rats through a high-fat/fructose diet (HF/FD). Control rats received a standard diet. Findings Results of this study showed that the Ea methanol extract (MEEa) exhibited a prominent selective inhibitory effect against lipase activity (IC50 = 1.29 mg/ml) as compared to water and ethyl acetate extracts (with IC50 = 1.63 and 1.89, respectively). Also, MEEa exert antipyretic and analgesic activities. In high-fat-high-fructose diet rats, the administration of MEEa inhibited lipase activity in the intestine, pancreas and serum by 53%, 40% and 53%, respectively. It was found to significantly decrease body weight by 20% (p = 0.09) and delay the absorption of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and increase HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C). In addition, MEEa efficiently decreased a-amylase activity in the intestine, pancreas and serum by 43%, 26% and 46%, respectively, and blood glucose level by 35% (p = 0.06). Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study demonstrates for the first time that MEEa are efficient in preventing obesity and hyperglycemia, pain and fever.

In this study, we attempted for the first time to determine the phytochemical compositions and biopharmaceutical properties of Globularia alypum methanol extract (GAME) and Globularia alypum water extract (GAWE). High-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) analysis was performed to establish the chemical profile of the investigated extracts. Chemical composition analysis was taken in the presence of various bioactive compounds such as quercetin 7-O-glucoside and apigenin 7-O-glucoside in GAME. In GAWE, various abundant compounds were found in the extract such as quercetin 7-O-glucoside, apigenin, quercetin, apigenin 7-O-glucoside, and cinnamic acid. This study showed that the administration of GAWE and GAME to type 1 diabetic rats decreased fasting blood glucose, protected pancreas β-cells from death and injury, increased liver glycogen rate, and ameliorated oral glucose tolerance test. Moreover, GA reduced weight loss, and diabetes decreased basic physical activity. In addition, the administration of GA extracts in diabetic rats protected from diabetes-induced liver, kidney, testes, heart, and bone toxicities. Conclusion. GAWE has possible value for antidiabetic oral medication.

Methanol and methanol/water extracts of olive stones and seeds from Olea europaea var. meski were analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode array detection and mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A total of 28 metabolites were identified; among them are hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, phenolic alcohols, flavonoids and flavonoid glucosides, secoiridoids, and terpenes. All the extracts were screened for the inhibitory effect of key enzymes related to diabetes and obesity, such as α-amylase and lipase. An in vitro study revealed that Olea meski stone ethanol (MSE) and methanol (MSM) extracts and Olea meski seed ethanol (MSE1) and methanol (MSM1) extracts exert an inhibitory action against lipase and α-amylase. The most potent activity was observed in the StM extract with IC50 equal to 0.19 mg/ml against DPPH oxidation, 1.04 mg/ml against α-amylase, and 2.13 mg/ml against lipase. In HFFD rats, the findings indicated that the increase of body weight, LDL, TC, and glucose levels and then the decrease in HDL-C were significantly suppressed in the MSM-treated group than those in HFFD rats. Moreover, the MSM extract exhibited a prominent selective inhibitory effect against intestinal lipase and α-amylase activities. The MSM extract was also able to protect the liver-kidney functions efficiently, which was evidenced by biochemicals and histological studies.

Methanol and methanol/water extracts of olive stones and seeds from Olea europaea var. meski were analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode array detection and mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A total of 28 metabolites were identified; among them are hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, phenolic alcohols, flavonoids and flavonoid glucosides, secoiridoids, and terpenes. All the extracts were screened for the inhibitory effect of key enzymes related to diabetes and obesity, such as α-amylase and lipase. An in vitro study revealed that Olea meski stone ethanol (MSE) and methanol (MSM) extracts and Olea meski seed ethanol (MSE1) and methanol (MSM1) extracts exert an inhibitory action against lipase and α-amylase. The most potent activity was observed in the StM extract with IC50 equal to 0.19 mg/ml against DPPH oxidation, 1.04 mg/ml against α-amylase, and 2.13 mg/ml against lipase. In HFFD rats, the findings indicated that the increase of body weight, LDL, TC, and glucose levels and then the decrease in HDL-C were significantly suppressed in the MSM-treated group than those in HFFD rats. Moreover, the MSM extract exhibited a prominent selective inhibitory effect against intestinal lipase and α-amylase activities. The MSM extract was also able to protect the liver-kidney functions efficiently, which was evidenced by biochemicals and histological studies.

In this present study, phytochemical screening, anti-obesity, anti- antipyretic and analgesic effect of Ephedra alata (EA) extracts were evaluated. Results of this study showed that the methanol EA extract (MEAE) had a stronger inhibition activity on key enzyme related to obesity as lipase (IC50 = 1.296 mg/ml) as compared to water and ethyl acetate extracts ( with IC50 = 1.639 and 1.897 respectively). Also results revealed that ethyl acetate extract depicted high activity toward key enzyme related to hyperglycemia as α-amylase (IC50 = 0.284 mg/mL) while water and methanol extracts showed good to moderate inhibitory activity (IC50 = 1,525 and 1,103 mg/ml respectively). In HFFD rats, the administration of MEAE at 200 mg/kg inhibited key enzyme related to fat digestion and absorption as lipase in the intestine, pancreas and serum by 53, 40 and 53% respectively,which leads to decrease in body weight by 20% and also modulation of lipid profile. In addition, the administration of MEAE to HFFD-rats exerts an inhibitory effect on α-amylase activity in the intestine, pancreas and serum by 43, 26 and 46% respectively and this leads to decrease in blood glucose level by 35%. Also, MEAE exert antipyretic and analgesic activities. This study demonstrates for the first time that MEAE are efficient in preventing obesity and hyperglycemia and liver toxicity. This data generated during study shows antipyretic and analgesic activities of MEAE.

In vitro, this study showed that unfermented soy milk (USM) and kefir fermented soy milk (FSM) inhibited pancreas lipase with (IC50 = 52.17 and 39.37 μg/mL) and α-amylase activities with (IC50 = 72.60 and 52.71 μg/mL respectively). The most powerful lipase and α -amylase inhibitory activity was observed around 16 h of fermentation. In HFFD rats, the supplement of FSM increased locomotor performance; and decreased intestinal and pancreas lipase activity by 34 and 35% as compared to untreated HDF-rats. This leads to decrease in TC and LDL-c by 24 and 66%; and increase in HDL-c rates of HFFD-rats by 32%, which helped to decrease in body weight by 20%. Moreover administration of FSM to HFFD-rats inhibited intestinal and pancreas α-amylase activity by 26 and 31% as compared to untreated HFFD-rats, and consequently decrease of blood glucose by 36%. In addition, FSM efficiently was protected from hepatic and kidney tissues toxicities.