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.

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.

Background: The fruit of Ziziphus Lotus L. (ZL) is rich in bioactive components. It is known for its high content in polyphenols which gives it its immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Objective: The intent of the current study was to evaluate, in vivo, the effect of the aqueous extract of ZL fruit’s pulp on humoral immune response as well as its effect on neutrophils’ bactericidal activities, hemolytic and antioxidant and activities. Methods: The antioxidant activity of ZL’s aqueous extract’s was evaluated using DPPH. Hemmagglutination titer assay was used to evaluate the effect of the extract on humoral immune response. ZL extract’s hemolytic activity was assessed by enumerating hemoglobin rates. The effect of ZL extract on the bactericidal activity of Neutrophils was evaluated using MTT colorimetric assay. Results / Discussion: A significant (P<0.05) immunosuppressive effect on humoral immunity (6-fold) was observed. Significant suppression (P<0.05) of the bactericidal activity of neutrophils treated with 0.5 and 1 g/ml of the extract was observed compared to untreated neutrophils. The extract exhibited a high antioxidant activity determined by DPPH test with an IC50 value 10-fold higher (P<0.05) than the IC50 of ascorbic acid. The highest hemolytic activity was found with the lowest concentration of the extract while the higher concentrations tested seem to have an anti-hemolytic activity with a dose dependent effect. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of ZL’s fruit pulp possesses an immunosuppressive activity on both the innate and adaptive immunity responses. Our results demonstrate an anti-oxidative activity as well as an ability to decrease neutrophil bactericidal hemolytic activities as well as humoral immune responses.