Analysis of trace elements and heavy metals in honey is essential for honey quality and safety and also monitoring environmental pollution. This study aimed to evaluate the composition of thirty‐seven honey samples of different botanical origins (14 multifloral and 23 unifloral) obtained from beekeepers located in the west region of Algeria. Inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) methods were used to determine the levels of 19 elements in honey (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn, V, Cr, Co, As, Ru, Rh, Cd, W, Pt, Au, and Pb). Ru, Rh, Pt and, Au were not detected in any of the tested honey samples. The most abundant minerals were K, Ca, Na, and Mg ranging within 153.00–989.00 mg/kg, 33.10–502.00 mg/kg, 13.30–281.00 mg/kg, and 20.80–162.00 mg/kg, respectively. Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu were the most abundant heavy metals while Pb, V, Cr, W, Co, and Cd were the lowest ones (<1 mg/kg) in the honey samples surveyed. Several honey types, lavender, rosemary, mild white mustard, thyme, milk thistle, carob tree, orange tree, Euphorbia, Eucalyptus, camphor, jujube tree, sage, and harmal, were studied, and the statistical analysis was carried out using principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) techniques to evaluate the data. The results showed that the analyses of mineral content were sufficient to determine the floral origin and their variability may be related to geochemical and geographical differences. On other hand, all elements detected were at levels below safe thresholds.

The spread of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the lack of specific treatment and the urgent situation requires use of all resources to remedy this scourge. In the present study, using molecular docking, we identify new probable inhibitors of COVID-19 by molecules from Nigella sativa L, which is highly reputed healing herb in North African societies and both Islamic and Christian traditions. The discovery of the Mpro protease structure in COVID-19 provides a great opportunity to identify potential drug candidates for treatment. Focusing on the main proteases in CoVs (3CLpro/Mpro) (PDB ID 6LU7 and 2GTB); docking of compounds from Nigella Sativa and drugs under clinical test was performed using Molecular Operating Environment software (MOE). Nigelledine docked into 6LU7 active site gives energy complex about -6.29734373 Kcal/mol which is close to the energy score given by chloroquine (-6.2930522 Kcal/mol) and better than energy score given by hydroxychloroquine (-5.57386112 Kcal/mol) and favipiravir (-4.23310471 kcal/mol). Docking into 2GTB active site showed that α- Hederin gives energy score about-6.50204802 kcal/mol whcih is better energy score given by chloroquine (-6.20844936 kcal/mol), hydroxychloroquine (-5.51465893 kcal/mol)) and favipiravir (-4.12183571kcal/mol). Nigellidine and α- Hederin appeared to have the best potential to act as COVID-19 treatment. Further, researches are necessary to testify medicinal use of identified and to encourage preventive use of Nigella Sativa against coronavirus infection.

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) is precious spice used over the world in cuisine and medical treatment. Essential clove oil contains many bioactive molecules which have therapeutic interest. In this work we study interactions of DPP-4 enzyme (responsible of diabetes type 2) with main molecules contained in clove essential oil using molecular mechanic, molecular dynamics and molecular docking (method which predicts the preferred orientation of one molecule to a second when bound to each other to form a stable complex). Molecular Operating Environment software was used. The obtained results show that Acetyleugenol molecule is the best inhibitor of DPP-4 enzyme according to score energy. As a conclusion we can say that clove has a significant influence on diabetes treatment.

Background: Diabetes type II is one of the most serious metabolic diseases in the world attracting the attention of many researchers who predict that diabetes will be one of the top major causes of disability or death in the coming few decades. To tackle this disease several classes of synthetic molecules were developed to target certain enzymes that are involved in sugar metabolism. Herbal extracts targeting diabetes have witnessed renascence in the last few decades with the introduction of highly effective herbal remedies that effectively regulate sugar levels in the blood. Methods: In this work, we studied the interaction of molecules from the Zygophyllum sp. with the main enzymes involved in sugar metabolism (alpha-amylase and DPP-4) using Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) as a molecular docking technique. The choice of Zygophyllum sp. was based on an ethnopharmacological local survey. Results: The calculated scores of molecules from Zygophyllum sp. were better than those calculated with the known inhibitors. The results demonstrated that many molecules showed good affinity to two important enzymes involved in type II diabetes, suggesting that these molecules may possess potential hypoglycemic and antidiabetic effects. These results added further scientific evidence supporting the folk use of Zygophyllum sp. in targeting diabetes and suggested its potential as a valuable source of antidiabetic drug leads. Conclusion: The calculated scores of molecules from Zygophyllum sp. were better than those calculated with the known inhibitors. The results demonstrated that many molecules showed good affinity to two important enzymes involved in type II diabetes, suggesting that these molecules may possess potential hypoglycemic and antidiabetic effects. These results added further scientific evidence supporting the folk use of Zygophyllum sp. in targeting diabetes and suggested its potential as a valuable source of antidiabetic drug leads.