Ammi majus (L.) is commonly used to cure many diseases in Moroccan folk medicine, especially vitiligo. This research tries to evaluate the phytochemical constituents of two aqueous extracts (E1; Maceration; 48 h) and (E2: Infusion; 1h) and three organic fractions (F1: Cyclohexane), (F2: Ethyl acetate (EtOAc)) and (F3: Ethanolic (EtOH)) of A. majus (L.) seeds, as well as to study the antioxidant and analgesic activity of the species. Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant activity (DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, and TAC tests), and analgesic activity (writhing and tail immersion were induced by Acetic acid tests) were analyzed according to the literature. A quantitative phytochemical study indicate that the E1 had the highest content of total polyphenols (26.95 ± 0.53 mg GAE/g extract) and flavonoids (37.92 ± 0.46 mg QE/g extract), while F3 showed a promising flavonol content (24.26±0.08 mg QE/g extract). Tannins were found to be high in F1 (59.27 ± 0.16 mg CE/g extract) and F2 (57.65 ± 1.18 mg CE/g extract). Antioxidant results reveals that DPPH (IC50 = 179.68 ± 0.47 μg/mL) and FRAP (EC50 = 367.03 ± 0.12 μg/mL) show to E1 a high antioxidant activity. Regarding the analgesic activity of the different studied extracts, it was found that E1 has a high peripheral analgesic effect with 62.32 % and a high central analgesic potential throughout the experimentation at 500 mg/kg. Our studies demonstrated for the first time that A. majus seeds extracts have high antioxidant and analgesic activities through different analysis techniques.

Echinops spinosus, belonging to Asteraceae family, is used in folk medicine as an abortifacient and diuretic and for blood circulation, diabetes, stomach pain, indigestion and spasmolytic problems. The objective of this work is the study of acute toxicity, the content of phenolic compounds (polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins), antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, H2O2 and xanthine oxidase) and antidiabetic (α-amylase, α- glucosidase and lipase) in vitro and ex-vivo by studying the starch tolerance test. The phytochemical assay showed that the ethanolic extract is the richest in polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins with 77.01 mg GEA/g extract; 544.33 mg RE/g extract, and 32.20 mg EC/g extract, respectively. The ethanolic extract showed better antioxidant activity compared to the aqueous extract with (IC50=13±0.25 µg/mL; IC50=75.11±0.34 mg TE/g extract; IC50=51.1±1.2 mg AAE/g extract; IC50=28.2±2.87 µg/mL and 16.83 ± 0.72 µg/mL) in DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, H2O2 and xanthine oxidase. Extracts of E. spinosus have shown a remarkable inhibitory effect α-amylase and interesting inhibitory effect of α-glucosidase and lipase. The aqueous and ethanolic extract also lowered blood sugar levels to 0.96 and 0.93g/L, respectively, after 90 minutes in starch-loaded rats. Acute toxicity results indicate that E. spinosus extracts are non-toxic with an LD50 greater than 2 g/kg in female Swiss mice. Therefore, the antioxidant and anti-diabetic activity may be at the origin of the bioactive compounds contained in the plant E. spinosus. However, in vivo studies on the mechanism of action are needed against oxidative stress associated with diabetes.

The main purpose of the present work was to determine the chemical composition, safety, and antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic activities of an aqueous extract of Teucrium takoumitense. Phytochemical analysis (total phenolic, total flavonoid, and total hydroxycinnamic acid contents), antioxidant activity (ferric-reducing antioxidant power, 2,2ʹ-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil, and total antioxidant capacity tests), acute toxicity, and antihyperlipidemic activity were evaluated according to established models. In addition, the phytochemical profile was determined by methylation followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The aqueous extract of T. takoumitense had a high content of total polyphenols (87.01 ± 0.31 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g extract) and hydroxycinnamic acid (2.28 ± 0.1 g/100 g Powdered Material) and a low content of total flavonoids (2.99 ± 0.16 mg GAE/g extract). In addition, the extract demonstrated remarkable antioxidant activity (DPPH IC₅₀ = 76.67 ± 0.56 μg/mL, ABTS IC₅₀ = 89.65 ± 0.27 μg/mL, FRAP EC₅₀ = 296.32 ± 0.86 μg/mL, TAC value = 43 ± 0.27 mg EAA/g extract). The main compounds were identified as benzene, (hexyloxy)- (19.32%), 2,6a-methano-6aH-indeno[4,5-b]oxirene, octahedro-(1a.alpha., 2.beta., 3a.alpha., 6a.beta., 6b.alpha.)- (32.42%), d-fucose (5.47%), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5.47%) and guaiacol (3.19%). The LD₅₀ was estimated to be between 500 and 2000 mg/kg. Furthermore, at 500 and 250 mg/kg, the aqueous extract of T. takoumitense exhibited good antihyperlipidemic activity in vivo. T. takoumitense extract has significant pharmacological potential and a varied chemical composition.

Introduction: Pinus halepensis is a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine for treatment of various pathologies including diabetes. The objective of this study is to perform a phytochemical study and to evaluate the antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of extracts of the bark of P. halepensis. Methods: Total polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins were determined by the Folin Ciocalteu method, aluminum trichloride reagent (AlCl3) and vanillin assay. Evaluation of the antioxidant activity was carried out using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azinobis- (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and ferric reducing agent (ferric reducing). The antidiabetic activity was first revealed by enzymatic inhibition tests through measuring the residual activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, and then, by oral tolerance tests of glucose and starch in male Wistar rats. To verify the safety of plant extracts, acute oral toxicity was determined. Results: The phytochemical analysis showed that the extracts of P. halepensis were rich in phenolic compounds. The anti-oxidation activity tests revealed a significant reducing power towards the radicals tested. In addition, P. halepensis inhibited the enzymes involved in diabetes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) at very low concentrations. These effects were verified in the in vivo approach, in particular by using the starch tolerance test. Conclusion: P. halepensis extracts showed remarkable antioxidant and antidiabetic effects. However, further investigations are necessary to identify the main compounds of P. halepensis and to evaluate their antioxidant and antidiabetic effects.

Kaoutar Benrahou, Otman El Guourrami, Hanae Naceiri Mrabti, Yahia Cherrah, My El Abbes Faouzi. J Pharmacopuncture 2022;25:242-9. https://doi.org/10.3831/KPI.2022.25.3.242

Introduction: Albuca amoena is a Moroccan-Algerian endemic medicinal plant with various implications. The aim of this study is to identify phytochemical compounds of the plant, check its acute toxicity, and test its anti-depressive, anxiolytic, and analgesic effects on the central nervous system (CNS). Methods: The estimation of chemical compounds was carried out according to coloring and precipitation reactions. The Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development guidelines 423 and 402 made it possible to verify the acute toxicity of the plant orally and dermally. The sedative activity was performed according to 4 tests: rotarod, hole-board, traction, and chimney tests. The anti-depressive, anxiolytic, and analgesic effects were evaluated by forced swimming, light/dark, and writhing tests, respectively. Results: The phytochemical analysis showed that A. amoena contained a mixture of phytochemical compounds like terpenes, alkaloids, and polyphenols. According to the acute toxicity tests, the lethal dose of 50% (LD50) of A. amoena hydroalcoholic extract was between 300 and 2000 mg/kg orally and higher than 2000 mg/kg dermally. Moreover, the result of the behaviour tests of sedative and analgesic activities revealed that A. amoena hydroalcoholic extract exerted positive effects on the CNS. Conclusion: These results show the anti-depressive, anxiolytic, and analgesic effects of the bioactive substances present in A. amoena on the CNS and provide access to further investigations to highlight the main compounds of this plant and their mechanisms of actions.