The present study aims to study the chemical composition of the essential oils from needles of three pine species: Pinus halepensis Mill., P. pinaster Aiton. and P. pinea L., and the evaluation of their in vitro anti-radical and antibacterial properties. GC-MS analysis showed that the essential oils were characterized by the abundance of monoterpene hydrocarbons (61.55-86.72 %). α-pinene, β-pinene, α-terpinolene, α-fenchene, and β-caryophyllene were the most plentiful components in P. halepensis. Limonene, α-pinene, and β-caryophyllene were particularly abundant in P. pinea and P. pinaster essential oils. The strongest DPPH-radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ = 73.03 μg/mL) was observed for the limonene-rich essential oils of P. pinea. The three essential oils were effective against the Gram+ bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Listeria monocytogenes and the Gram- bacteria Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli. These results suggest that P. halepensis, P. pinaster, and P. pinea could constitute a consolidated source of natural bioactive ingredients with anti-radical and antimicrobial properties.

The present study was conducted to investigate the protective action of Salvia officinalis flowers aqueous extract (SOFAE) against combined gastro-intestinal (GI) disorders-induced by ethanol and castor oil administration in rats. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups of ten each and various doses of SOFAE (50, 100, and 200 mg kg⁻¹, b.w., p.o.) and sulfasalazine (100 mg kg⁻¹, b.w., p.o.) were daily administrated during 15 days. After, animals were intoxicated with a single oral administration of ethanol (4 g kg⁻¹, b.w., p. o.) and castor oil (5 mL kg⁻¹, b.w., p.o.). We found that SOFAE contains several phytoactive compounds with a strong ABTS scavenging ability. In vivo, we showed that SOFAE protected against EtOH/CO-induced macroscopic and histological alterations in GI tract accompanied by intestinal fluid accumulation and gastric juice decrease. SOFAE significantly counteracted lipoperoxydation increase and reversed the depletion of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. More importantly, SOFAE significantly reduced the levels of inflammatory markers (CRP and ALP) in plasma and mucosal GI tract. In conclusion, our data clearly indicate that the SOFAE exerted a potential protective effect against EtOH-induced peptic ulcer combined with CO-induced diarrhea in rats. These effects could be associated with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

This paper aimed to investigate and analyse the diametric and spatial distribution of Prunus avium populations in Tunisia. This study may help us document better information about the ecological processes and its functioning. Dendrometric and ecological data were collected on four square plots of an area of 1 ha each within two forests, Tabarka and Ain Draham, in northwest Tunisia. The results presented in this work show that P. avium individuals present a diametrical structure in the form of an "inverted J" translated by the dominance of the seedlings compared to the other classes. The analysis of the spatial distribution shows that wild cherry is identified by its aggregates and variable size (approximately 5 m and 20 m). It is coherent with the mode of vegetative propagation by suckering and the dispersal of fruits by birds. This investigation opens insight into other species to ensure good sustainable management of natural resources.