A critical overview of the traditional, phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of Rhamnus alaternus: a Mediterranean shrub

Genoprotective, antimutagenic, and antioxidant effect of methanolic leaf extract of Rhamnus alaternus L. from the Bissa mountains in Algeria

Rhamnus alaternus L. is a Rhamnaceae shrub and a popular traditional medicine in Algeria. The present research objective was to investigate the antioxidant, genotoxic, and antigenotoxic properties of R. alaternus methanolic leaf extract. Antiradical scavenging activity was tested by α, α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging and β-carotene bleaching method. DNA damage and repair were measured by the Allium cepa test with sodium azide as a mutagenic agent. Mitotic index and chromosomal aberrations were calculated by microscopy of meristem roots stained with 2% carmine acetic. The methanolic extract of R. alaternus leaves inhibited the free radical DPPH (IC50 = 0.74 ± 0.3 mg/mL) and prevented the oxidation of β-carotene (50.71 ± 4.17%). The root phenotyping showed that sodium azide changed their color and shape, decreased their stiffness, and significantly reduced their length. The roots treated with both R. alaternus leaf extract and sodium azide demonstrated a better root growth. The roots treated with the methanolic extract were much longer than the control roots (P < 0.001). The microscopy images of root meristem treated with the sodium azide mitodepressant agent showed significant chromosomal aberrations, which indicated a disruption of the cell cycle. The R. alaternus leaf extract appeared to have a beneficial effect on cytotoxicity. The antioxidant properties of R. alaternus L. makes this plant an excellent genoportector.

Rhamnusalaternus Plant: Extraction of Bioactive Fractions and Evaluation of Their Pharmacological and Phytochemical Properties

Rhamnus alaternus, is a wild-growing shrub, belonging to the Rhamnaceae family. Widely distributed in the Mediterranean basin, R. alaternus is used in the usual medicine in numerous countries, mostly Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Spain, France, Italy, and Croatia. A large number of disorders-including dermatological complications, diabetes, hepatitis, and goiter problems-can be treated by the various parts of R. alaternus (i.e., roots, bark, berries, and leaves). Several bioactive compounds were isolated from R. alaternus, including flavonoids, anthocyanins, and anthraquinones, and showed several effects such as antioxidant, antihyperlipidemic, antigenotoxic, antimutagenic, antimicrobial, and antiproliferative. This review summarizes the updated information concerning the botanical description, distribution, extraction processes applied on R. alaternus, and its ethnopharmacology, toxicity, phytochemistry, and pharmacological effects.

Antihypernociceptive, Anxiolytic, and Antidepressant Properties of Aqueous and Ethanol Extracts of Dissotis thollonii Cogn. (Melastomataceae) in Mice

Diabetic neuropathy, which affects 7 to 9% of the world's population and that is usually accompanied by anxiety and depression, is chronic pain that results from impaired function of the central or peripheral nervous system. This study aimed at evaluating the antihypernociceptive, antiallodynic, anxiolytic, and antidepressant effects of Dissotis thollonii extracts. Diabetic neuropathy was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (200 mg/kg) in mice. The aqueous and ethanol extracts (250 and 500 mg/kg) were administered orally. Hyperalgesia (thermal and chemical), allodynia (mechanical and thermal), anxiety (high plus labyrinth, light-dark box, and social interaction), and depression (open field test, suspension test tail, and forced swimming test) were evaluated, and then the levels of some cytokines and growth factors were determined. The aqueous and ethanol extracts of Dissotis thollonii demonstrated significant antihypernociceptive (inhibition of hyperalgesia and allodynia), anxiolytic, and antidepressant activities in mice made diabetic by STZ. The extracts also significantly inhibited (p < 0.001) the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the blood as well as the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IGF, and NGF in the sciatic nerve. This study shows that the extracts of Dissotis thollonii have antihypernociceptive and neuroprotective effects which could be linked to the inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines and growth factors in the blood and the sciatic nerve.