Cytisus villosus Pourr. (C. villosus) is a medicinal plant belonging to the Fabaceae family, which grows in the Mediterranean area. It is used in traditional medicine against diseases related to inflammation. The objective of the present study was to identify the mineral and polyphenolic composition as well as to evaluate some biological properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities of C. villosus leaf aqueous extract. The chemical constituents were identified and quantified using ultra performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS) methods. The antioxidant properties of C. villosus leaves were tested using reducing power (RP), 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), and 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. The anti-inflammatory potency was evaluated in vitro and in vivo using the albumin denaturation test and the carrageenan test, respectively. Furthermore, the analgesic effect was performed in vivo using tail flick, acetic acid-induced contortion, and plantar tests. Mineralogical analysis revealed that potassium and calcium were the most abundant minerals. The analysis and quantification of the phytochemical composition using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS showed that quinic acid (57.478 ± 1.72 mg/kg) was the major compound of the aqueous extract, followed by salicylic acid (17.38 ± 0.2 mg/kg), isoquercetin (16.895 ± 1.01 mg/kg), and gallic acid (15.914 ± 1.51 mg/kg). The extracts showed potent antioxidant activity for all tests used. The highest antioxidant activity was recorded for the DPPH, ABTS and RP methods, with an IC₅₀ of 3.94 ± 0.09, 2.88 ± 0.07, and 1.94 ± 0.10 μg/mL, respectively. Additionally, using the most frequent analgesic assays, the aqueous extract at a dose of 500 mg/kg exhibited a potent analgesic activity. Notably, an interesting inhibition of albumin denaturation was recorded with an IC₅₀ of 383.94 μg/mL, corroborating the in vivo test. Overall, the results presented here may represent a scientific basis for the traditional use of C. villosus in the treatment of inflammation-related diseases.

This study aims to investigate the chemical and mineral composition, antioxidant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects of the aqueous extract of Cistus laurifolius var. atlanticus Pit. (Cistaceae). Additionally, molecular docking interactions of various ligands with antioxidant protein target urate oxidase (1R4U) and anti-inflammatory protein target cyclooxygenase-2 (3LN1), revealing potential dual activities and highlighting specific residue interactions. The chemical characterization focused at first glance on the mineral composition which showed that C. laurifolius extract is a mineral-rich source of potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na), phosphorus (P), and zinc (Zn). We next performed, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) analysis, the latter showed various polyphenols in C. laurifolius extract including Gallic acid as the predominant polyphenol. Isoquercetin, Taxifolin and Astragalin were also among the major flavonoids detected. The antioxidant capacity of C. laurifolius leaves was tested using 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and reducing power (RP) assays. In vitro analysis of the anti-inflammatory property of C. laurifolius leaves was conducted by the albumin denaturation test and the in vivo was assessed in the sequel by carrageenan-induced paw edema test. The analgesic activity was evaluated in vivo using tail flick, acetic acid-induced contortion, and plantar tests. The findings showed that the leave extract had a powerful antioxidant activity with an IC₅₀ values of 2.92 ± 0.03 µg/mL (DPPH) and 2.59 ± 0.09 µg/mL (in RP test). The studied extract strongly abolished the induced inflammation (82%). Albumin denaturation test recorded an IC₅₀ value of 210 µg/mL. Importantly, the oral administration of C. laurifolius extract considerably reduced the nociceptive effect of acetic acid in rats, showing a significant analgesic effect in a dose-related manner. Altogether, our results showed that C. laurifolius can be a promising source of phytochemicals for drug development potential.

This study aims to assess the chemical composition of the aqueous extract of Cistus albidus L. leaves, as well as the potential of aqueous and hydroethanol extracts of the leaves and seeds as analgesic, anti--inflammatory, and antioxidant agents. The contents of phenolics and inorganic constituents were determined in C. albidus seeds and leaves; antioxidant capacity was assessed by 3 complementary and diverse tests. The carrageenan-induced paw edema technique was used to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect in vivo , and albumin denaturation to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect in vitro . The acetic acid-induced contortion test, the tail-flick test, and the plantar test were used to assess the analgesic effi cacy in vivo . Chemical analysis was performed by UPLC-MS/MS to quantify several phenolic compounds including catechin (1,627.6 mg kg ⁻¹ ), quercitrin (1,235.8 mg kg–1) and gallic acid (628. 2 mg kg ⁻¹ ). The ICP analysis revealed that potassium and calcium were the main inorganic components in the seeds and leaves of C. albidus . The hydroethanolic extract of the leaves showed the highest content of polyphenols/flavonoids, whereas the highest value of proantho cyanidins was detected in the aqueous extract of the seeds. All extracts showed potent antioxidant activity related to different phenolic compounds (quercetin, gallic acid, astragalin, catechin, and rutin). The aqueous extract of the leaves strongly inhibited paw edema (76.1 %) after 6 h of treatment and showed maximal inhibition of protein denaturation (191.0 µg mL ⁻¹ for 50 % inhibition) and analgesic activity in different nociceptive models. The presented data reveal that C. albidus extracts potentially show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities that could confirm the traditional use of this plant.

Diabetes, a prevalent metabolic disorder, has prompted extensive research into natural remedies with hypoglycemic potential and minimal side effects. The aim of this study was to examine phenolic compounds using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Acute toxicity was assessed in mice following OECD 423 criteria, and anti‐diabetic potential was tested by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150 mg/kg) to induce experimental diabetes. Acute toxicity assessment found no adverse effects, while chemical analysis revealed various phenolic compounds like rutin, quercetin, and gallic acid, known for their therapeutic properties. In vitro experiments with the aqueous extract showed significant inhibition of pancreatic α ‐amylase enzyme activity (IC ₅₀ value: 119.813 ± 3.827 μg/mL). In vivo studies demonstrated the extract's efficacy in mitigating body weight loss, promoting hypoglycemic effects, and improving oral glucose tolerance. Additionally, the extract regulated biochemical parameters including total cholesterol, triglycerides, liver enzymes, and renal markers. These findings suggest that Cistus albidus leaf polyphenols possess anti‐hyperglycemic and α‐amylase inhibitory properties, supporting its traditional use in diabetes treatment and potential incorporation into future antidiabetic medications. Molecular docking analysis further supported the interaction of extract constituents with relevant target proteins, offering insights into potential therapeutic interventions.

Cytisus villosus and Cistus laurifolius , traditionally used in Mediterranean herbal medicine for metabolic disorders, remain insufficiently characterized for their antidiabetic activity. This study investigated polyphenol-rich aqueous extracts using integrated in vitro , in vivo , and in silico approaches. HPLC analysis, based on comparison with authentic standards, identified gallic acid, hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, p -coumaric acid, rutin, quercetin, and catechin in both extracts; syringic acid was detected only in C. villosus , whereas salicylic acid was specific to C. laurifolius . In pancreatic α -amylase inhibition assays, IC ₅₀ values were 125.73 ± 3.23 μg/mL and 113.10 ± 2.14 μg/mL, respectively. In alloxan-induced diabetic rats ( n = 6 per group), daily oral administration of 500 mg/kg for 28 days significantly reduced fasting blood glucose from day 7 onward ( P < 0.05), with final decreases of 47.07 % and 50.95 %, compared to 41.75 % in the glibenclamide group. Improvements in lipid profile and reductions in ASAT, ALAT, creatinine, and urea were observed. No acute toxicity was detected at 2000 mg/kg. Molecular docking supported α -amylase inhibition as a contributing mechanism. These findings indicate significant antidiabetic potential of both extracts and support further pharmacological investigation.

Cannabis sativa L. seeds have been traditionally used in Moroccan folk medicine and are increasingly recognized as a valuable source of nutrients and bioactive phytochemicals with promising therapeutic properties. Despite their widespread traditional and nutritional use, scientific evidence supporting their toxicological safety remains limited. This study aimed to characterize the phenolic profile of a hydroethanolic extract of Cannabis sativa L. seeds and to evaluate its acute and 28-day repeated-dose oral toxicity in mice following the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidelines. The phenolic composition of the extract was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD). Acute oral toxicity was assessed according to OECD Guideline 423 after a single oral administration of 5000 mg/kg body weight. Repeated-dose oral toxicity was evaluated following OECD Guideline 407 by administering the extract orally at doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day for 28 consecutive days. Clinical observations, body weight, food and water intake, relative organ weights, hematological and biochemical parameters, and histopathological examinations of the liver and kidneys were performed. HPLC-DAD analysis identified seven major phenolic compounds, namely catechin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, vanillin, p-coumaric acid, quercetin, and kaempferol. No mortality, behavioral abnormalities, or treatment-related clinical signs were observed during either the acute or repeated-dose studies. The extract produced no significant alterations in body weight gain, food and water consumption, relative organ weights, liver and kidney histology, or most hematological and biochemical parameters. A significant reduction in serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels was observed in treated animals, while platelet counts were significantly reduced only in female mice receiving 1000 mg/kg/day. Under the experimental conditions employed, the hydroethanolic extract of Cannabis sativa L. seeds exhibited a favorable oral safety profile, with an estimated LD₅₀ greater than 5000 mg/kg. These findings support the traditional use and potential nutraceutical applications of Cannabis sativa seeds and provide a scientific basis for further pharmacological investigations and long-term safety studies.