Introduction: The current study aimed to explore the in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and dermatoprotective properties of lemon peel essential oil (EO). Methods: The chemical composition of lemon EOs extracted from the lemon of three cities in Morocco was investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The antioxidant property was estimated by two complementary tests: Ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by the inhibition of albumin denaturation and proteinase. Inhibitory properties of α-glucosidase and α-amylase were used to reveal the antidiabetic activity of lemon peel EOs. Dermatoprotective property was evaluated by the tyrosinase inhibition method. Results: In addition to high amounts of polyphenols and flavonoids, GC-MS analysis of lemon peel EOs demonstrated the presence of D-limonene, β–pinene, and γ-terpinene as the main compounds in the three samples studied. Lemon peel EOs exhibited significant antioxidant activities by IC50 values ranging from 40.57 µg/mL to 100.22 µg/mL and 113.63 µg/mL to 180.90 µg/mL obtained by DPPH and FRAP tests, respectively. in vitro inhibition of enzymes involved in inflammatory response revealed that lemon peel EOs presented remarkable inhibitory activities against albumin denaturation (230.48 µg/mL>IC50IC50IC50>4000 µg/mL and 1021.58 µg/mL>C50<2467.62 µg/mL), respectively. These EOs also revealed significant inhibition of tyrosinase with IC50 values ranging from 248.42 μg/ mL to 378.02 μg/mL. Conclusion: These results revealed that lemon peel EOs might constitute a new product with beneficial biological abilities against the mentioned complications.

Objectives: Several epidemiological data indicate that chronic hyperglycemia is associated with behavioral changes such as anxiety and depressive symptoms. Date seeds, one of the most potent products with potential antioxidant activities and possess many benefits against hyperglycemia and its complication. The aim of the current study was to explore the potential effect of date seeds extract on biochemical and behavioral changes (anxiety and depression) in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. Methods: Rats were divided into four groups as follows: normal control, diabetic control, diabetic treated with the lyophilized aqueous extract of the date seed (2,000 mg/kg) (LAE-DS) and diabetics treated with insulin (4 UI/day). Experimental diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg). After 24 days treatment period, anxiety and depressive behaviors were evaluated using four behavioral tests. After sacrifice, blood samples were collected to evaluate lipid parameters. In addition, rat organs (kidney, liver and brain) were dissected out in order to estimate lipid peroxidation levels as oxidative stress marker. Results: Oral administration of the lyophilized aqueous extract of date seeds and insulin injection for 30 days significantly decreased blood glucose levels in STZ-diabetic rats and protected them against undesirable changes in lipid parameters, including cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol and atherosclerosis index. Compared to untreated diabetic rat, a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation levels in kidney, liver and brain (Hippocampus and prefrontal cortex) were observed after treatment with insulin or LAE-DS in diabetic rats. Furthermore, insulin and LAE-DS administration prevented anxiety-related behaviors in STZ-diabetic rats. Conclusions: Therefore, it would be possible to combine this extract with insulin and use it as an antioxidant supplement for type 1 diabetic patients.

Nowadays, food systems are undergoing major transformations to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, there are a lack of comprehensive reviews on this topic in developing countries. This work highlights food systems’ transition towards sustainability, focusing on Morocco. It was carried out through searching, selecting, evaluating, and synthesizing existing relevant scholarly and gray literature. In Morocco, a meaningful transition towards sustainability is being guided and carried out on several levels, despite numerous challenges, e.g., inability to cope with the detrimental effects of climate change and escalating water scarcity constitute fundamental problems. However, there are conflicting views on the outcomes of food system transformation. Some studies showed that Morocco has increased its agri-food export and reduced poverty to less than 5% of the population over the past decade; the proportion of wasted and malnourished children has declined from 25 to 15% and 4 to 3%, respectively, and the 2023 Global Hunger Index (GHI) showed a score of 9.0. Other studies showed that North Africa has entered a food security crisis; specifically, food inflation has reached unprecedented levels in Morocco. This paper provides valuable insights for policymakers and planners to design evidence-based policies and strategies to boost sustainable development in Morocco.

Introduction: The current study aimed to investigate if insulin supplemented with phenolic fraction concentrates (PFC) improves chronic hyperglycemia-related behavioral changes by mitigating oxidative stress in diabetic rats exposed to chronic mild stress (CMS). Methods: Experimental type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) was established by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 65 mg/kg). After diabetes confirmation, rats were treated with insulin supplemented with PFC and exposed to two unpredictable mild stressors per day for 12 weeks. Body weight changes, fasting blood glucose (FBG), and corticosterone levels were evaluated. The behavioral tests were performed to evaluate anhedonia, anxiety, and depressive-like behaviors. Twenty-four hours after behavioral tests, all rats were anesthetized, and the blood was collected for the analysis of lipid, hepatic, and renal parameters. Finally, the brain areas (striatum, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex), pancreas, and adrenal glands were dissected for the analysis of oxidative stress markers. Results: The results of this study revealed that treatment with insulin supplemented with PFC for 12 weeks significantly enhanced antioxidant defenses (catalase [CAT] and superoxide dismutase [SOD]) and reduced oxidative stress damage (nitric oxide and malondialdehyde [MDA]), especially in brain regions (prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum) in stressed diabetic rats (P < 0.001). This combination also ameliorated the corticosterone level (P < 0.001) as well as glucose homeostasis (P < 0.001) and lipid parameters (P < 0.001), which are markedly altered in T1D associated with stress. Conclusion: The associated treatment possesses important anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects in this rat model, which might be mainly mediated by its capacity to protect brain cells against reactive oxygen species (ROS) triggered by T1DM and/or chronic stress.

In order to contribute to the reduction of nutritional deficiencies in Morocco, this study was undertaken to develop a healthier tortilla with higher iron and protein, while maintaining adequate technological and sensory qualities. Composite durum wheat flour enriched with 20, 25, 30, and 35% chickpea flour was assessed for nutritional, functional, and technological properties. Then, we selected two composite blends of 75:25 and 70:30 of durum wheat and chickpea flours for making tortillas to study nutritional, technological, and sensorial qualities. In addition, we studied the effects of making and cooking process and storage time. Kruskal–Wallis and Mann—Whitney tests were used for data analysis, and GraphPad Prism was used to create graphs. The results showed that composite tortilla had significantly higher nutritional value than durum wheat tortilla, and the best ratio was 30% chickpea flour. At this ratio, the results showed the best cooking time and the best yellowness, but tortilla fluffiness and puffiness decreased. Tortilla processing significantly increased protein at 30% chickpea flour, while minerals except sodium, weight, and diameter decreased. Adding 30% chickpea flour to durum wheat tortilla improved flavor. Then, storage decreased the weight resulting in decreased flexibility, and sanitary quality was lost early for 30% chickpea flour. In conclusion, adding 30% chickpea flour to durum wheat flour results in a healthier and tastier tortilla, which should be consumed fresh.

Context: The beneficial effects of natural polyphenolic compounds are increasingly emerging as powerful antioxidants and digestive boosters. Phoenix dactylifera seeds are recently identified as a healthy functional food with rich amounts of phenolic compounds. Aims: To analyzing the phenolic profile obtained from Moroccan variety of date seeds and evaluating the inhibitory capacity against digestive enzymes and the antioxidant potential of phenolic fraction concentrate (PFC) of date seeds as a promising antihyperglycemic agent. Methods: Lineweaver–Burk plot analysis was performed to evaluate PFC inhibitory effect against digestive enzyme activity in the presence of different doses of a substrate. Wistar rats were recruited to determine the acute and sub-acute oral toxicity of PFC. Finally, the optimal dose of PFC was selected and its effects on metabolic, hematological and biochemical parameters were determined. Results: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that PFC contains abundant amounts of phenolic acid: Caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and 3-hydroxybenzoic acid. PFC showed powerful antioxidant activity as determined by scavenging and reducing assays. PFC significantly inhibited alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase enzymes by 87.3% and 78.7%, respectively, via mixed manipulation of Km and Vmax. Acute toxicity examinations revealed PFC to be practically non-toxic with LD50 > 5000mg PFC/kg for both sexes of rats. The no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) and lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) for oral administration of PFC were 1000 and 2500 mg/kg for both sexes. Finally, the sub-acute study showed that a PFC dose of 50 mg/kg did not cause any changes in metabolic, biochemical and hematological parameters and was considered to be the optimal healthy dose for rats. Consequently, it induces improvement in glucose concentration in rats. Conclusions: The rational use of phenolic date seeds fraction presents powerful antioxidant and blood glucose regulating nutraceutical that could aid in diabetes mellitus management.