Fructose consumption is associated with the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in human and animal models.This study investigates the ability of an aqueous extract of Artemisia he...

In the present study, we chemically characterised the aqueous leaf extract of Limoniastrum guyonianum by HPLC-TOF/MS and evaluated its effects on fructose-induced metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Wistar rats. MetS groups were given (10% w/v) fructose solution to drink ad libitum for 9 weeks, whereas, normal animals received ordinary water. LG extract was administrated to treated groups by gavage for the last 6 weeks of the experimental period. Fructose feeding as a liquid solution increased body weight, reduced insulin sensitivity, raised blood glucose level and provoked atherogenic dyslipidemia associated with renal oxidative stress and structural damage. Treating MetS rats with LG extract at doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg b.w./day considerably ameliorated the fructose-induced alterations. From this study, it was concluded that aqueous leaf extract of L. guyonianum possesses hypoglycaemic, hypolipidemic, antioxidant and renoprotective abilities against fructose-induced metabolic syndrome in rats.

Sonchus maritimus belongs to Asteraceae family. It is a well-known medicinal plant for its phytochemicals and therapeutic values. This paper aimed to investigate the phytochemicals, Gas chromatography analysis of leaves aqueous extract of Sonchus maritimus and to estimate its anti inflammatory propriety. Quantitative and qualitative phytochemical including GC analysis were carried out using studied protocols. Anti-inflammatory activity of extract was also evaluated using inhibition of protein denaturation and anti-hemolysis assays. The phytochemical screening of the leaves aqueous extract of S. maritimus demonstrated the presence of phenols, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, sponins, unsaturated steroids and derived steroids whereas the absence of alkaloids and reducing compounds. The results of quantitative analysis showed that S. maritimus has significant amounts of flavonoids and condensed tannins in addition to a reasonable amount of phenols. In addition to important content of phytominerals including sodium, potassium, calcium, iron and magnesium, copper, zinc and manganese. GC results showed that the leaves extract of S. maritimus contained a large number of different molecules, among abundant volatile compounds; 1-Hexanol, 2-ethyl-, Ethylene glycol - Adipate - Diethylene glycol, Cyclotrisiloxane, and hexamethyl. The extract of S. mritimus was exhibited an important activity to inhibit the albumin denaturation (IC50 334.369±29 µg/mL) and to protect erythrocytes against hemolysis (IC50 53.539 ± 4.64 µg/ mL). In conclusion, the abundance of volatile phytocompounds in the leaves aqueous extract of S. maritimus could indicate distinct biological activities while the therapeutic molecules are used as new pharmaceutical products to treat diverse diseases in the future

This investigation aimed to characterize the green synthesized selenium nanoparticles using Sonchus maritimus L. extract and evaluate their antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Moreover, acute toxicity of nanoparticles was performed in Wistar rats. The synthesis of SeNPs was confirmed by Ultraviolet-visible, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis. Antioxidant activities of S. maritimus and SmE-SeNPs were determined by DPPH and FRAP assays. Antibacterial activities were tested against Gram positive and negative pathogen bacteria. The SEM results showed that SeNPs had a spherule-like structure reaching up to 26.48 nm. In addition, S. maritimus and SmE-SeNPs had DPPH scavenging activity and reducing power. SeNPs exhibited activities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The intraperitoneal toxicity test of SeNPs showed no mortality and minor behavioral variations. In conclusion, S. maritimus can be considered as biocatalyst stabilizers for the biosynthesis of SeNPs which might be used in several applications due to their biological efficiency.