Introduction: The leaves of Moroccan bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) have been used in several forms of extracts to cure rheumatic pain due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Our work aimed to evaluate the effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts, as well as the essential oil (EO) from laurel, on the microbicidal activity of human neutrophils when compared to the effect of eucalyptol. Methods: The extracts (ethanolic and aqueous) were subject to phytochemical profiling and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses. The EO obtained by hydrodistillation from laurel was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The immunomodulatory effects on neutrophil microbicidal activity of the extracts, EO, and eugenol were carried out by 3-(4,5-diméthylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphényltétrazolium (MTT) assay. Results: The phytochemical analysis of the extracts revealed the presence of flavonoids, coumarins, phenols, flavone aglycones, and tannins. HPLC analysis showed the presence of numerous phenolic molecules such as syringic acid, ferulic acid, gallic acid, caffeine, and quercetin. The chemical composition of EO revealed that the major components were eucalyptol (44.14%), α-terpinyl acetate (11.11%), and β-phellandrene (6.74%). Aqueous and ethanolic extracts and EO revealed a significant and dose-dependent ability to inhibit neutrophils microbicidal activity with maximal inhibition at 200 µg/mL concentration with 30.42%, 24.7%, and 38.13%, respectively (P<0.001). Conclusion: The obtained results revealed the immunomodulatory properties of laurel as a potential natural anti-inflammatory agent that would also allow the development of new anti-inflammatory drugs.

Caralluma europaea is a medicinal plant used in Moroccan popular medicine, which has been employed as a remedy attributed to its anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antinociceptive, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, and antiparasitic properties. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antitumor activity of both the methanolic and aqueous extract of C. europaea. The effects of increasing concentrations of aqueous and methanolic extracts on human colorectal cancer HT-29 and HCT116 cell lines and human prostate cancer PC3 and DU145 cell lines were examined on cell proliferation using MTT assay and cell cycle analysis. The induction of apoptosis was also assessed by determining protein expression of caspase-3 and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage by western blot. The methanolic extract of C. europaea exerted significant antiproliferative effects on HT-29 (IC₅₀ values 73 µg/ml), HCT116 (IC₅₀ values 67 µg/ml), PC3 (IC₅₀ values 63 µg/ml) and DU145 cells (IC₅₀ values 65 µg/ml) after 48 hr treatment. Further, incubation with methanolic extract of C. europaea induced cell cycle arrest in G1 phase and an apoptotic process for all treated cell lines. In conclusion, the present results suggest that C. europaea, exhibited that these natural compounds are significant apoptosis inducers which may have considerable potential for development of effective natural product anticancer agents.

Introduction: The use of pomegranates in Moroccan pharmacopeia is due to their healing and nutritional properties because of their richness in secondary molecules. The following study analyses the composition of the aqueous extract of Punica granatum peel and evaluates in vivo and in vitro antioxidant effects, hemolytic protection, and acute toxicity. Methods: Quantification of the plant extract was realized by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The hemolytic assay was used for erythrocyte protection, while the in vitro antioxidant effect was evaluated by 2, 20-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoneline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and reducing ferric power (RFP) assays. The in-vivo antioxidant activity was tested by measuring levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in serum. The toxicological study was tested by oral administration of the extract to four groups of mice for 21 days, followed by a histopathological examination of the spleen. Results: HPLC analysis showed the presence of some phenolic compounds such as coumarin, caffeic, gallic and syringic acids. The IC50 of the antioxidant assays were 254.49 ± 62.17 μg/mL and 40.265 ± 2.9 μg/mL for ABTS and reducing power, respectively. Furthermore, the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay showed the lowest levels at 150 mg/mL concentration. All of the concentrations used for hemolytic protection did not exceed 15% of hemolysis. Moreover, the toxicity test showed no sign of mortality, signs of weakness, or weight loss; also the histopathological examination of the spleen tissues showed the absence of any damage. Conclusion: The peel extract of P. granatum showed good potential and could be exploited as a natural antioxidant and antihemolytic remedy, leading to the development of new drugs.