Afaf MEHIOU

Dr. Afaf MEHIOU


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
12 August 2025 in Plants
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
AMAfaf MEHIOU
Afaf MEHIOU
CAChaimae Alla
Chaimae Alla
ZAZachee Louis Evariste AKISSI
Zachee Louis Evariste AKISSI
IDIkram Dib
Ikram Dib
SASanae Abid
Sanae Abid
SSSevser Sahpaz
Sevser Sahpaz
Wild blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius Schott) is a culinary and medicinal plant traditionally used to treat various ailments, including hypertension. This study evaluated the vasorelaxant effects of five crude leaf extracts of R. ulmifolius (hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and aqueous), as well as the hypotensive and antioxidant activities of its methanolic extract (MERu), and analyzed its phytochemical profile. Crude extracts, obtained using a Soxhlet apparatus, were tested in vitro on isolated rat aortic rings precontracted with phenylephrine. The hypotensive effect of MERu was examined in vivo in normotensive rats, and its antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH assay. Total phenolic and tannin contents were quantified by the Folin–Ciocalteu and hide powder methods, respectively, while UHPLC-MS was used to identify its phytochemicals. All crude extracts induced concentration-dependent vasorelaxation, with MERu showing the strongest effect (59.31% relaxation at 10−1 g/L). Intravenous MERu induced significant blood pressure reductions in rats, starting at 1 mg/kg. At 20 mg/kg, systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures dropped by 38.61%, 51.58%, and 45.19%, respectively. MERu also demonstrated potent antioxidant activity and was rich in polyphenols, particularly tannins. Sixteen compounds were identified, notably rubanthrone A, a galloyl-bis-HHDP glucose derivative, ellagic acid, and quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucuronide. These results suggest that R. ulmifolius may have therapeutic potential for hypertension and exhibits promising characteristics as a functional food.

16 November 2024
Verified
Book Chapter
Closed access
PDF file
AMAfaf MEHIOU
Afaf MEHIOU
IDIkram Dib
Ikram Dib
ABAli Berraaouan
Ali Berraaouan
AZAbderrahim Ziyyat
Abderrahim Ziyyat
MEMostafa Elachouri
Mostafa Elachouri
Rainer W BussmannRainer W Bussmann
Rainer W Bussmann

16 November 2024
Verified
Book Chapter
Closed access
PDF file
AMAfaf MEHIOU
Afaf MEHIOU
AZAbderrahim Ziyyat
Abderrahim Ziyyat
MEMostafa Elachouri
Mostafa Elachouri
Rainer W BussmannRainer W Bussmann
Rainer W Bussmann

8 September 2023
Verified
Book Chapter
Closed access
PDF file
MEMostafa Elachouri
Mostafa Elachouri
AIAissa Idrissi
Aissa Idrissi
AMAfaf MEHIOU
Afaf MEHIOU
BABerraaouane Ali
Berraaouane Ali
AZAbderrahim Ziyyat
Abderrahim Ziyyat


1 July 2024
Verified
Book Chapter
Closed access
PDF file
AMAfaf MEHIOU
Afaf MEHIOU
AZAbderrahim Ziyyat
Abderrahim Ziyyat
MEMostafa Elachouri
Mostafa Elachouri
Rainer W BussmannRainer W Bussmann
Rainer W Bussmann