Artemisia Herba-alba Research Articles

Molecular characterization of enterotoxin and antibiotic resistance genes-producing Staphylococcus aureus derived from imported meat: Artemisia herb‐alba extract as an antibacterial agent

Staphylococcus aureus is a major foodborne pathogen in raw and ready-to-eat meat products. In this study, the effectiveness of methanolic extracts of Artemisia herbal-alba in inhibiting pan-resistant and enterotoxic Staphylococcus aureus was investigated. The first analysis showed a high prevalence (33%) of coagulase-positive staphylococci in imported meat samples from retail stores. Examination of antibiotic resistance patterns revealed that staphylococcal antibiogram resistance profiles were diverse: five strains demonstrated resistance to at least one antimicrobial agent, fourteen isolates demonstrated multidrug resistance (MDR) and one resistant to all test antibiotics (PAN). Multiplex PCR of pan-Staphylococcus strains revealed positive serotypes for the enterotoxin genes seb, seg and sei at 665.05 bp, 277.99 bp and 460.74 bp, respectively, and a positive serotype for the mec-A gene at 538.45 bp. Compared to the tetracycline effect, methanolic extracts of Artemisia herba-alba showed significant inhibitory effects against pan-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Real-time quantitative PCR data analysis showed that Artemisia herba-alba methanolic extracts caused a significant decrease in the expression levels of the genes mecA, mecC, sei, seg and seb. Therefore, the methanolic extract of Artemisia herba-alba has the potential to be a promising natural product to control foodborne pathogens and could be valuable for food safety applications.

Artemisia herba-alba sesquiterpenes: in silico inhibition in the ATP-binding pocket.

To identify antimicrobial leads for medical applications, metabolites from the aerial part of Artemisia herba-alba were extracted and chromatographically purified. Two new sesquiterpenes, 1β,8α-dihydroxyeudesm-4-en-6β,7α,11βH-12,6-olide (1) and 1β,6α,8α-trihydroxy, 11α-methyl-eudesma-4(15)-en-13-propanoate (2) along with a known eudesmanolide 11-epi-artapshin (3) were identified. Structures were determined by spectroscopic methods including 1D- and 2D-NMR as well as mass spectroscopy. Compound 3 inhibited Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus and exhibited antifungal activity against the pathogenic fungus F. solani. The mode-of-action of these antimicrobial sesquiterpenes as bacterial type II DNA topoisomerase and/or DNA gyrase B inhibitors were examined via in silico studies. Such molecular-docking studies were also employed to examine antifungal activity against an N-myristoyl transferase (NMT) target. Compound 3 had the greatest gyrase B binding affinity in the ATP-binding pocket and was found to possess an inhibitory action against non-invasive micro-test technology (NMT).

Effectiveness of Essential Oils from Three Medicinal Plants Against Bayoud Disease (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis) of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

Plant extracts and essential oils are promising new sources of non-toxic alternatives to chemicals substances. They are used for their antimicrobial properties against plant diseases of fungal origin, against bacterial, and those of virus origin. This study was carried out to study the antifungal activity of Artemisia herba-alba, Foeniculum vulgare and Citrus sinensis essential oils against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis. Essential oil was extracted by steam distillation. Antifungal activity of essential oil was investigated by macro-broth method of dilution by a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay against this pathogen. The yield of essential oil obtained by steam distillation of Foeniculum vulgare samples was 2.31% greater than that obtained from Citrus sinensis sample which was 1.8%, followed by Artemisia herba alba samples 1.22%. Regarding antifungal activity, the results revealed a better inhibitory activity of Artemisia herba alba against the tested strainsat the lowest LC50 values (0.1 µl/ml). On the other hand, Foeniculum vulgare, Artemisia herba alba and Citrus sinensis essential oils show similar MICs of mycelial growth against this pathogen. The value of the MIC and CMF is greater than 50 µl/ml for the three essential oils.

Comparative evaluation of chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, and some contaminants in six Moroccan medicinal and aromatic plants

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) are an important source of nutrients and natural remedies. Some MAPs become industrial crops grown worldwide for their nutritional and medicinal values. Here, we aimed at comparing six MAPs in terms of mineral composition, crude protein, antioxidant activity, essential oil composition, and some contaminants (heavy metals and pesticides). The investigated MAPs belong to two botanical families namely Asteraceae (Artemisia herba-alba) and Lamiaceae (Lavandula dentata, Mentha spicata, Origanum vulgare, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Thymus vulgaris). Our outcomes revealed that the studied MAPs are rich in minerals (especially K, Ca, and Mg) and proteins (10.5 ± 0.3–15.0 ± 0.4%). Heavy metals and pesticides were found to be lower than the permissible limits in plants. Regarding essential oil composition, camphor was found to be the major compound in A. herba-alba and L. dentata, borneol in O. vulgare and T. vulgaris, d-carvone in M. spicata, and 1,8-cineole in R. officinalis. The studied plants had high total phenolic (up to 35.01 mg GAE/g DM) and flavonoid content (up to 54.38 mg GAE/g DM) important antioxidant capacity as revealed by DPPH (up to 35.02 ± 0.17 mg AAE/g DM) and FRAP (up to 774.85 ± 0.88 μmol TE/g DM). This study provides scientific data that could be exploited for better use of these plants for several applications.

Study of the Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activities of The Methanolic Extract of The Leaves of Artemisia herba-alba on an Animal Model

Study of the Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activities of The Methanolic Extract of The Leaves of Artemisia herba-alba on an Animal Model

Ethnoveterinary practices of medicinal plants among the Zemmour and Zayane tribes, Middle Atlas, Morocco

The widespread usage of medicinal plants in native nations' healthcare practices is a foundation for creating natural drugs. The current study sought to establish thorough ethnoveterinary knowledge of medicinal plants utilized for therapeutic reasons. The field investigation was carried out from January 2016 to December 2020 in the Zemmour and Zayane tribes (Middle Atlas). Three hundred local informants were interviewed, using open-ended and semi-structured interviews. The advantages, coverage, and significance of ethnoveterinary were quantified using a variety of parameters such as informant consensus factor, fidelity level, relative popularity level, rank-order priority, and Jaccard index. A total of 150 species and subspecies belonging to 129 genera and 56 families were employed in ethnoveterinary preparations. The study area's most commonly used ethnoveterinary plant species was Allium sativum L. (16.7%). Leaves are the most frequent plant part used (46.5%). The highest factor informant consensus value was 0.9 for digestive diseases. Artemisia herba-alba Asso and Asparagus officinalis L. Both show a 100% fidelity level for diarrhea and rabies, respectively. Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (rank-order priority = 74) was shown to be the most preferred plant species for fever remedies. The present study demonstrates that local communities in the Middle Atlas have consistent knowledge of ethnoveterinary plants. In this inquiry, we invite the attention of chemists and pharmacologists to further phytochemical and pharmacological studies of medicinal plants having high rank-order priority, fidelity level, and factor informant consensus significance. • Traditional veterinary medicine refers to the collective knowledge of an indigenous community about relationships between people and nature. • The field study was carried out from January 2016 to December 2020 in the Zemmour and Zayane tribes. • A total of 150 plant species belonging to 129 genera and 56 families were found to be used in ethno-veterinary practices • The present study showed that local communities in the Middle Atlas have consistent knowledge of ethno-veterinary plants.

Use of Medicinal Plants during Pregnancy, Childbirth and Postpartum in Southern Morocco.

Southern Morocco, particularly the Guelmim-Oued Noun region, is rich in a wide diversity of plant species. Pregnant women in this region use medicinal plants during pregnancy and childbirth for various purposes; however, the use of these plants has never been documented. The objectives of this study are threefold: to estimate the prevalence of medicinal plant uses by pregnant women in the province of Guelmim, Morocco, to describe the traditional practices of self-medication and to determine the associated factors. This is a multicenter cross-sectional study with descriptive and analytical approaches. Data were collected using an interview questionnaire, which was administered to pregnant women at health care centers and hospitals in the province of Guelmim. A total of 560 women participated in this study. The prevalence of medicinal plant use was 66.96%. Artemisia herba-alba Asso, Thymus maroccanus Ball., Trigonella foenum-graecum L., Aloysia citriodora Palau, Lepidium sativum L. and Cuminum cyminum L. were the plants with the highest UV. Pain, the induction and facilitation of childbirth, flu syndrome and anemia were the most listed reasons for use. The use of medicinal plants was significantly associated with the level of education (chi-square = 15.651; p = 0.004), and pregnancy monitoring (chi-square = 5.283; p = 0.028). In the province of Guelmim, the prevalence of the use of medicinal plants by women during pregnancy and childbirth is high. Further research is necessary in order to explore potential associated risks and complications.

Diversity in Elemental Content in Selected Artemisia L. (Asteraceae) Species from Gilgit-Baltistan Region of Pakistan Based on Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrophotometry (ICP-AES).

Diversity in eleven Artemisia species from northern Pakistan was assessed based on as per suitability of their elemental contents with thermal conductivity detection and ICP-AES procedures. Results indicated the presence of 13 major elements in the Artemisia species with varied concentrations including Carbon (45.7%, 45,7000ppm-49.8%, 49,8000ppm), Nitrogen (2.03%, 20,300ppm-3.50%, 35,000ppm), Phosphorus (0.168%, 1680ppm-0.642%, 6420ppm), Potassium (2.38%, 23,800ppm-4.72%, 47,200ppm), Sulphur (1920ppm, 0.192%-4780ppm, 0.478%), Boron (23.8ppm, 0.00238%-71.7ppm, 0.00717%), Calcium (0.733%, 7330ppm-2.249%, 22,490ppm), Magnesium (0.116%, 1160ppm-0.267%, 2670ppm), Zinc (27.7ppm, 0.00277%-47.9ppm, 0.00479%), Manganese (25.7ppm, 0.00257%-93.8ppm, 0.00938%), Iron (353ppm, 0.0353%-1532ppm, 0.1532%), Copper (14.1ppm, 0.00141%-26.2ppm, 0.00262%) and Sodium (105ppm, 0.0105%-587ppm, 0.0587%). Cluster analysis distributed the Artemisia species into two major groups (G1 and G2) on the basis of their elemental content where G1 contained species like, Artemisia herba alba Asso., A. tournefortiana Rachb., A. rutifolia Steph. ex Spreng., and A. vulgaris L., with the presence of all elements with the maximum amount of S, Zn, P, Ca, and Mg, while G2 contained species like Artemisia biennis Willd., A. chamaemelifolia Vill., A. capillaris, L., A. gmelinii Weber ex Stech., A. indica Willd., A. maritima L., and A. verlotiorum Lamotte., with all elements but significant concentrations of B, N, C, K, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Na. PCA analysis displayed maximum species diversity in the axes two, while axes one showed lower diversity. Additionally, the elevated levels of elements recorded as compared to the threshold levels recommended in the literature for medicinal plants require extraordinary precautionary measures before or during using Artemisia as medication to avoid metal toxicity.

Origanum vulgare ethanolic extracts as a promising source of compounds with antimicrobial, anti-biofilm, and anti-virulence activity against dental plaque bacteria.

Dental caries and periodontal diseases remain a challenge for oral health, especially given the lack of effective and safe treatment options that are currently available. Against the backdrop of an ongoing antimicrobial resistance crisis, a renewed interest in traditional medicinal plants as a potential source of new bioactive compounds has surfaced. In this context, we systematically screened the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities of both ethanolic and aqueous extracts of nine Algerian medicinal plants (Artemisia herba alba, Centaurium erythraea, Juglans regia, Laurus nobilis, Matricaria recutita, Mentha pulegium, Mentha piperita, Origanum vulgare and Taraxacum officinale). To evaluate the activity spectrum of the extracts, the screening was carried out against an extensive collection of Streptococcus, Enterococcus and Lacticaseibacillus isolates recovered from dental plaques of Algerian patients. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties were observed, especially among ethanolic extracts, which marks them as a promising source for bioactive compounds to control oral biofilms. The ethanolic extract of O. vulgare, which showed the most promising effects in the initial screening, was further characterized. We first verified the biocompatibility of this extract using human oral keratinocytes and selected a range of non-cytotoxic concentrations (0.195-0.781 mg/ml) to further validate its anti-biofilm and anti-virulence potential. At these concentrations, the extract not only prevented biofilm formation (10.04 ± 0.75-87.91 ± 9.08% of reduction) of most dental plaque isolates on a polystyrene surface, but also significantly reduced their adherence to hydroxyapatite (34.58 ± 9.09-62.77 ± 0.95%). Moreover, the extract showed curative potential against mature biofilms grown under conditions mimicking the oral niche. In addition to its anti-biofilm properties, we observed an inhibition of glucosyltransferase activity, a reduction in acidogenesis and a downregulation in the expression of multiple virulence-associated genes for extract-treated samples. Since anti-virulence properties are more robust to the development of resistance, they provide an attractive complementation to the antimicrobial activities of the extract. Thymol was identified as an important active compound of the extract using GC-MS analysis, but synergy with other compounds was also detected, suggesting a potential advantage of using the whole extract over purified thymol. Further research into the bioactive compounds of the O. vulgare ethanolic extract could yield novel products to fight dental caries.

Insecticidal and repellent activities of Artemisia herba alba Asso, Juniperus phoenicea L and Rosmarinus officinalis L essential oils in synergized combinations against adults of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Using essential oil (EO) mixtures to improve their single effectiveness aids to minimize insect resistance to synthetic insecticides and reduce the amounts of the applied bio-products. This study seeks to identify the chemical compositions of nine binary combinations of EOs of Artemisia herba alba Asso (A), Juniperus phoenicea L (B), and Rosmarinus officinalis L (C), by Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) side to side with the evaluation of their toxicity and repellency effectiveness against adults of Tribolium castaneum Herbst by fumigation and repellent tests. GC-MS results revealed that each mixture was dominated by one of the following compounds: Car-3-en-5-one, α-pinene, exo-2,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-, and Camphor. After 24 h of treatment, the most toxic mixtures were H (3C:1A), L (1B:1C), with K (1B:3C) (LD50 = 64.99, 68.98, and 74.76 μL/L air, respectively). After 96 h, synergistic mixtures K, I (1C:1A), and L seemed to be the most potent (LD50 = 55.6, 57.63, and 58.46 μL/L air, respectively) throughout the period of treatment. LT90 values at the concentration of 83.66 μL/L air did not exceed the limit of 19.20 h for the less potent blend. The most repellent mixtures were F, D, E, and H, showing RD90 values of 1.25, 2.99, 3.46, and 3.83 nL/cm2, respectively. All samples showed synergistic effects, except the combinations I and G (1C:3A). The synergistic mixtures might be suitable as alternatives to chemical treatments for the control of T. castaneum, but tests at a larger scale are necessary to confirm our results.

English

Historically Artemisia herba alba (AHA) is widely used in traditional Moroccan medicine. Few studies have been carried out to confirm its traditional use, in particularly immunological studies and to the authors’ knowledge; no study has treated the in vivo immunomodulatory effect of AHA aqueous extracts. This work was established to assess the immunological effects of AHA, including the humoral and cellular immunity effects in vivo. The immunomodulatory effect was assessed by measuring the titer of specific antibodies by the agglutination technique after immunization of Wistar rats with sheep red blood cells, while the pro-inflammatory effect was performed using a carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model. Administered AHA’s aqueous extract (AE) appears to have significantly (p < 0.01) stimulated the production of anti-SRBC antibodies with a dose-dependent effect compared to the control. These results were confirmed by a significant increase in the levels of white blood cells in particular neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes and eosinophils (p<0.05) for the doses 0.5 and 1 g/ml/bw. For the same doses of the extract, a proinflammatory effect was observed by the size of edema and the presence of very dense inflammatory infiltrate made up of lymphocytes, plasma cells and polymorphonuclear neutrophils. The AHA’s AE have shown an important immunomodulatory and pro-inflammatory activities in vivo by enhancing the production of antibodies and the inflammatory reaction. Key words: Artemisia herba alba, Immunomodulatory effect, In vivo, pro-inflammatory effect, antibodies production, aqueous extract.

Artemisia herba alba Essential Oil: GC/MS analysis, antioxidant activities with molecular docking on S protein of SARS-CoV-2

This study was conceived to work on Artemisia herba alba essential oils (EOs) originating from Eastern Morocco. We investigated the chemical properties and determined the antiradical scavenging activity. The GC-MS technique was used to elucidate the chemical composition of the two studied regions. Jerada Eo was distinguished by the existence of 1,6-Dimethylhepta-1,3,5-triene (36.44%), Camphor (22.50%), and Thujone (7.21%). While, Taourirt EO was found to be rich in Camphor (55.31%), Eucalyptol (14.64%), and Camphene (9.95%). Moreover, the free radical scavenging ability (DPPH•), and ferric reducing power assay (FRAP) were conducted. The EOs tested are found to be weakly active and to have important antioxidant potential. The docking study was also carried out by theoretical investigation with molecular docking of four active predominating components (1,6-dimethylhepta-1,3,5-triene; Chrysanthone; Eucalyptol; Alpha-pinene) against S protein of SARS-CoV‑2, and all the four ligands were found to bind to the S protein 6CS2 of SARS-CoV-2 differently and that the stable complex formed as a result of these interactions may prevent the binding of ACE2 with the spike S protein of SARS-CoV-2.

Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants Used against COVID-19.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Moroccan population, like the entire population of the world, used medicinal plants to treat or cure symptoms of SARS-CoV-2. The present work was designed to identify the medicinal plants used by the Moroccan population in the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. To achieve this goal, a survey was conducted to collect data on plants along with the sociodemographic parameters of users. The outcome of this work showed that 1,263 people were interviewed with 63.5% male, aged between 18 and 82 years. Most plant users were between 20 and 40 years, which constituted 80.1% of the study population. The level of education of participants was 70.9% university and 27.6% secondary. The most useful plants were eucalyptus, cloves, lemon, and garlic. Notably, 61.9% of interviewed people used plants for preventing or treating COVID-19: 30.6% of them declared one-time use from the beginning of the pandemic, and 47.8% declared frequent daily use until recovery, while 17.4% declared single daily use. Five out of twenty-one plants used in the treatment are known for their potential toxicity, including Artemisia herba-alba and oleander (Nerium oleander). The findings of the present work could serve society by providing potential medicinal plants to control COVID-19.

Comparison of the effect of aqueous extract of Artemisia herba alba and procaine penicillin on healing induced defect of the ear cartilage

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of Artemisia herba alba (Asteraceae) and procaine penicillin on healing induced defect of the ear cartilage. A total of (25) female rats which used in this study were distributed randomly into five treatment group(five animals per each). Under routine surgery, all rats had circular holes in the elastic cartilage of their ears. All treatment groups were treated with local application daily for one week. Control group(C) treated with normal saline only. First treatment group(T1) treated with 5% Artemisia aqueous extract, second treatment group(T2) treated with 10% Artemisia aqueous extract, third treatment group(T3) treated with 15% Artemisia aqueous extract, fourth treatment group(T4) treated with procaine penicillin. The results showed that there was no significant differences between all treatment group except between (T3) and other treatment groups (1.857± 0.293). It could be concluded that concentration of aqueous extract at 15% (T3)affected significantly on reduce the diameter of ear defect after three weeks of treatment, the result of histo pathological test reveal that complete healing, absence of scar tissue, both edges of cartilage and fused together with marked fibrosis and formed large blood vessels.

Characterization and insecticidal activity of two natural formulation types against the scale insect (Parlatoria ziziphi) and their biochemical effects on Citrus aurantium

BackgroundThe scale insect, Parlatoria ziziphi (Lucas) (Diaspididae: Hemiptera), is one of the most serious insects in citrus orchards in Egypt. The efficiency of two different formulation types (emulsifiable concentrates (EC) and nanoemulsions) based on the essential oils Artemisia herba-alba (Asso.) (Asterales: Asteraceae) and Laurus nobilis (L.) (Laurales: Lauraceae) at two concentrations of 3 and 5%, compared with the commercial mineral oil, Active Cable, was examined against P. ziziphi. The green formulations were named Artemisia and Laury relative to A. herba-alba and L. nobilis, respectively. The physicochemical properties of the tested formulations have been studied.ResultsAll the EC formulations of the essential oils (EOs) as well as the nanoemulsions with ratios of EOs to Tween 1:1.5 (Artemisia) and 1:2 (Laury) passed all the tested characteristics. The droplet sizes of the successful nanoemulsions’ formulations by the ultrasonic emulsification were 153.7, 113.4 nm for Artemisia and 139.3, 89.4 nm for Laury at 3 and 5% concentrations, respectively. Laury EC caused average reductions of 92.79 and 94.94% (nymphs and females) when applied at 3 and 5%, respectively, while the same oil prepared as nanoemulsions caused average reductions of 50.02 and 55.32% at the same concentrations, compared with 91.74% reduction resulted from spraying Active Cable. Moreover, Artemisia caused reduction percentages of 74.97, 91.52 for EC and 43.7, 54.01 for nanoemulsions, sprayed at 3 and 5%, respectively. Although EC emulsions were more effective in reducing insect populations than nanoemulsion formulations, the efficiency of nanoemulsions gradually increased with time elapsed. The antioxidant activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and polyphenol oxidase enzymes were researched. It is recognized that insect infestations increase plant enzyme activity to defend them against insect attack. The results revealed a significant reduction of all the examined enzymes which were more obvious for EC emulsions than nanoemulsions.ConclusionsThe EC formulations originated from the EOs, especially Laury 3% EC and Artemisia 5% EC, could be an alternative to the traditional insecticides for controlling the scale insect, P. ziziphi.

Chromatography analysis, in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activities of essential oil of Artemisia herba-alba Asso of Boussaâda, Algeria

Abstract. Kadri M, Yahia A, Goubi S, Mekhedmi NE, Selmane M, Chemsa AE. 2022. Chromatography analysis, in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activities of essential oil of Artemisia herba-alba Asso of Boussaâda, Algeria. Biodiversitas 23: 4424-4431. Artemisia herba-alba Asso (Asteraceae family) is widespread in the semi-arid and arid steppes of North Africa. This plant is used for traditional treatment. The present study aims to investigate the chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of A. herba-alba essential oil found in southwest Algeria (Boussaâda region). Artemisia herba-alba essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation method, and its chemical composition was identified by using GC/MS analysis. In addition, the antioxidant activity of the extracted essential oil was determined using the DPPH assay. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was determined by the agar disc diffusion method. The essential oil extracted from the aboveground portions by hydrodistillation was analyzed by GC/MS. 38 components were identified, making up 69.37% of the oil, the most important of which is thujone (9.875%), camphor (3.762%), cis-p-menthadien-1-of (3.572%), and isoborneol (2.334%). The observed IC50 values of the DPPH assay were 7.31 ± 0.088 mg/mL. On the other hand, this oil was active against all strains tested, this activity varied from 12.77 ± 0.510 mm on Listeria innocua CIP 74915. These results demonstrate that the plant tested could be a potential source of natural antioxidants and antimicrobial agents.

Protective effects of Artemisia herba-alba in diabetic peripheral artery disease mediated via inhibition of advanced glycation end products

The rationale for undertaking this study is lethality of diabetes mellitus as predicted by 6.7 million deaths in 2021 and immense pharmacological potential of Artemisa herba-alba. The current research examined how Artemisia herba-alba extract (AHE) affects the peripheral artery disease in diabetic rats through lowering of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The in-vitro AGE inhibiting potential of AHE was determined by spectrofluorimetric method. The blood glucose levels and HbA1c (A1C) of the rats from each group were determined by automatic analyser. The levels of AGEs in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of different rat groups were observed through western blotting. Expression of COX-1 and COX-2 were determined by qRT-PCR. The AHE inhibition of AGEs formation was reported in vitro and exhibited an IC50 of 45 μg/mL which was significantly lower than that of standard AGEs inhibitor aminoguanidine (IC50: 60 μg/mL). Analysis of metabolic profiles revealed that AHE normalised the blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides with no apparent changes on Hb1Ac levels. Western blot analysis showed that AHE exhibited protective effects in VSMCs of diabetic rats by inhibiting fabrication of AGEs. Moreover, the manifestation of COX-2 was inhibited by AHE in diabetic rats. However, the expression of COX-1 remained unaltered. Collectively, the results revealed AHE inhibits AGEs formation in vitro and in VSMCs of diabetic rats. These findings point towards the prospective of AHE applications towards the management of diabetic peripheral artery disease.

Ethnobotanical survey of herbs used in the preservation of food products in Fez, Morocco

Morocco has a rich plant biodiversity and an ancient ethnobotanical knowledge influenced by the ethnic diversity of the Moroccan population. This heritage has been preserved from generation to generation by traditional herbalists. In this study, data were collected via a survey of herbalists based on the direct interview technique. Questions addressed the herbalists’ age and education level as well as the vernacular names and parts of the plants used for the preservation of food. The species use value was used to identify the most important species recommended by herbalists. The average age of the participants was 52.55 years, and the illiteracy rate was 46%. A total of 32 plant species representing 16 families were identified as being used in the preservation of various food products. The most important family was Lamiaceae, followed by Apiaceae and Rosaceae. The most frequently used parts of the plant were the leaves (26.37%), followed by the fruit (24.7%), and the whole plant (12.7%). The highest use values were recorded for Citrus limon (0.16), Thymus vulgaris (0.14), Rosmarinus officinalis (0.12), Artemisia herba alba (0.11) and Lavandula dentata (0.1). Meat, vegetables and fish were the most commonly preserved food products. This ethnobotanical survey on the preservation of food products is the first of its kind conducted in Morocco and has implications for meeting consumer demands and understanding the potential uses of plants in the preservation of food products.

Analysis of the chemical compositions of six essential oils and evaluation of their antioxidant and antibacterial activities against some drug-resistant bacteria in aquaculture

Introduction: The extensive use of chemicals and antimicrobial agents in aquaculture has decreased the immune mechanisms of cultivated species and promoted the emergence of drug-resistant microorganisms leading to diseases among cultivated fish, affecting consumers’ health. Thus, the investigation of natural antibacterial and anti-stress agents is crucial. In the current study, we focused on the evaluation of the potential use of essential oils (EOs) as an antioxidant and antimicrobial agents in aquaculture. Methods: The EOs, obtained by hydrodistillation from clove (Syzygium aromaticum), cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), artemisia (Artemisia herba-alba), cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) and oregano (Origanum compactum) were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Their antibacterial activities were carried out against five bacteria, pathogenic to fish in aquaculture, using the well diffusion and microatmosphere methods. The pathogens used were Vibrio anguillarum, Photobacterium damselae subsp damselae, Aeromonas salmonicida, Edwardsiella tarda, and Lactococcus garvieae. Then, the minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations of each EO were determined. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity was performed in vitro. Results: The investigated EOs were effective against the pathogenic strains. They showed variable constituents such as phenols, sesquiterpenes, and monoterpenes. Regarding the antioxidant activity, cinnamon, clove, and oregano EOs showed their abilities to donate hydrogen to 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazy (DPPH) radical and scavenge free radicals produced by 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), respectively. Conclusion: These results gave insight into the potential use of phytobiotics in aquaculture as a safe strategy to substitute antibiotics to protect fish from oxidative stress and inhibit the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria for safer consumption of cultivated fish.

Profile of Medicinal Plants Traditionally Used for the Treatment of Skin Burns.

Moroccan folk healers use medicinal plants to treat several diseases including skin burns. The traditional knowledge of wound healing is not common among the general population. Only one ethnobotanical survey was carried out in Rabat, Morocco, to track the traditional use of medicinal plants in wound healing. Therefore, our report aimed to study the medicinal plants used in Taza region to treat wound healing. In total, 218 individuals participated in this survey. More than 40 medicinal plants belonging to 30 botanical families were cited as anti-burn remedies. The most commonly used medicinal plants were Agave sisalana L., Nerium oleander L., Tetraclinis articulata Benth., Lawsonia inermis L., Artemisia herba-alba Asso., and Trigonella foenum-graecum L. Most of the used medicinal plants belong to Asteraceae family. Comparing our results with the previous survey, we noted that twelve plants were reported for the first time as wound healing agents. The ethnomedicinal use showed that plants leaves are the most commonly used parts. Pulverization was the selected method of preparation. The direct application of powder to the burns was the most common way of treatment. Our study revealed, for the first time, the importance of medicinal plants to treat skin burns in Taza region. Our results could be considered as the stepping stone for creating a database of wound healing medicinal plants to promote scientific studies on these plants revealing their constituents and side effects.