Berry-derived polyphenols are bioactive compounds synthesized and secreted by several berry fruits. These polyphenols feature a diversity of chemical compounds, including phenolic acids and flavonoids. Here, we report the beneficial health effects of berry-derived polyphenols and their therapeutical application on gut-microbiota-related diseases, including inflammation and cancer. Pharmacokinetic investigations have confirmed the absorption, availability, and metabolism of berry-derived polyphenols. In vitro and in vivo tests, as well as clinical trials, showed that berry-derived polyphenols can positively modulate the gut microbiota, inhibiting inflammation and cancer development. Indeed, these compounds inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria and also promote beneficial bacteria. Moreover, berry-derived polyphenols exhibit therapeutic effects against different gut-microbiota-related disorders such as inflammation, cancer, and metabolic disorders. Moreover, these polyphenols can manage the inflammation via various mechanisms, in particular the inhibition of the transcriptional factor Nf-κB. Berry-derived polyphenols have also shown remarkable effects on different types of cancer, including colorectal, breast, esophageal, and prostate cancer. Moreover, certain metabolic disorders such as diabetes and atherosclerosis were also managed by berry-derived polyphenols through different mechanisms. These data showed that polyphenols from berries are a promising source of bioactive compounds capable of modulating the intestinal microbiota, and therefore managing cancer and associated metabolic diseases. However, further investigations should be carried out to determine the mechanisms of action of berry-derived polyphenol bioactive compounds to validate their safety and examinate their clinical uses.

Hinokitiol is a natural bioactive compound found in several aromatic and medicinal plants. It is a terpenoid synthetized and secreted by different species as secondary metabolites. This volatile compound was tested and explored for its different biological properties. In this review, we report the pharmacological properties of hinokitiol by focusing mainly on its anticancer mechanisms. Indeed, it can block cell transformation at different levels by its action on the cell cycle, apoptosis, autophagy via inhibiting gene expression and dysregulating cellular signaling pathways. Moreover, hinokitiol also exhibits other pharmacological properties, including antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. It showed multiple and several effects through its inhibition, interaction and/or activation of the main cellular targets inducing these pathologies.

Zizyphus lotus L., espèce méditerranéenne, est commune au Maroc. Elle est utilisée dans la phytothérapie traditionnelle pour traiter la lithiase urinaire. Cette dernière représente au Maroc la deuxième cause d’hospitalisation en urologie après l’adénome de la prostate. Dans le but de valoriser et d’évaluer l’efficacité des fruits de Zizyphus lotus L. sur la dissolution des calculs, nous avons dosé les polyphénols totaux et les flavonoïdes puis évalué l’effet de l’extrait aqueux du fruit de Zizyphus lotus L. sur la dissolution de deux types de calculs rénaux. Les teneurs des polyphénols varient entre 34,63 et 40,49 mg EAG (équivalent acide gallique)/mg d’extrait pour l’extrait organique et 285,19 mg EAG/mg d’extrait pour l’extrait aqueux. Alors que celles des flavonoïdes varient entre 16,60 et 33,44 mg EQ (équivalent quercétine)/mg d’extrait pour l’extrait organique et 2,66 mg EQ/mg d’extrait pour l’extrait aqueux. L’extrait n-hexane présente la teneur la plus élevée, 33,44 mg EAG/mg d’extrait. Quant à l’étude in vitro, nous avons observé que l’extrait aqueux a un effet de dissolution plus important sur les calculs d’acide urique (10 %) que sur les calculs d’oxalate de calcium. Alors que l’effet du citrate et de NaCl sur la réduction de la masse des calculs est faible. Zizyphus lotus L., a Mediterranean plant, is commonly found in Morocco. It is used in traditional herbal medicine to treat urolithiasis. This disease is the second cause of hospitalization in urology after prostate adenoma in Morocco. In order to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of fruit Zizyphus lotus L. on the dissolution of kidney stone, we have firstly dosed the total polyphenols and flavonoids. On the other hand, we have evolved the effect of aqueous extract of the fruit Zizyphus lotus L. on two types of kidney stones. The total phenol content of the four extracts of Zizyphus lotus L. ranged between 34.63 and 40.49 mg GAE(Gallic acid equivalent)/mg extract for organic extracts and 285.19 mg GAE/mg extract for water extracts. The flavonoid content ranged between 16.6 and 33.44 mg QE(Quercetin equivalent)/mg extract for organic extracts and 2.66 mg QE/mg extract for water extracts. Hexanic extract has the highest content of 33.44 mg GAE/mg of extract. With in vitro study, we observed that the aqueous extract has a better effect on dissolution of uric acid stones (10%) than on the calcium oxalate stones. While with citrate and NaCl, the reduction in the mass of kidney stones is small.

Petroselinic fatty acid (PeFA) is considered a rare fatty acid and one of the most important fatty acids in the Apiaceae family. Its content varies depending on plant species, geographical origin, extraction method, ripeness, etc. Indeed, reported levels of petroselinic fatty acid range from 10.4 to 75.6% (in anise seed oil), 1 to 81.9% (in coriander seed oil), 28.5 to 57.6% (in caraway seed oil), 49.4 to 75.6% (in celery seed oil), 41.3 to 61.8% (in caraway seed oil), 79.9 to 87.2% (in dill seed oil), 43.1 to 81.9% (in fennel seed oil), and 35 to 75.1% (parsley seed oil). In this review, we also show current knowledge about genes encoding biosynthesis, from the desaturation of 16:0-ACP to petroselinic acid stored in triacylglycerol in the seeds. Furthermore, petroselinic acid is not related to the synthesis of ABA. PeFA was successfully isolated from Apiaceae family plant seeds in order to study their reactivity and biological activities. Several investigations showed that this fatty acid has a wide range of biological potentials, including antidiabetic, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. In cosmetics, PeFA alone or in association with other active compounds has interesting applications as an anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of skin, hair, and nail disorders.

Résumé Une étude ethnobotanique des plantes médicinales utilisées traditionnellement dans le traitement de la lithiase urinaire a étémenée en 2013–2014 sur la population de Rabat, de Salé et de Témara. Cette étude a permis de dresser un catalogue de ces plantes et de réunir toutes les informations concernant l’usage thérapeutique pratiqué par les populations de la région étudiée. L’analyse des résultats, obtenus à partir des fiches questionnaires, a permis de relever 35 espèces végétales qui se répartissent en 23 familles botaniques. Nos recherches ont montré que la famille des Caryophylaceae (24,1 %) est la plus citée, avec une représentation importante des espèces suivantes : Herniaria hirsuta (21,6 %), Petroselium crispum (12,4%), Zizyphus lotus (10,5%) et Citrus limon (9,7 %). Nous avons noté aussi que parmi les organes des plantes, le feuillage constitue la partie la plus utilisée, avec un pourcentage de 34 %. Le mode de préparation le plus utilisé est la décoction (56 %). Toutes ces informations constituent une ébauche importante pour réaliser des recherches expérimentales ultérieures dans le but de déterminer les principes actifs responsables de la dissolution des calculs.