Phytochemical study and antioxidant activity of the most used medicinal and aromatic plants in Morocco

Phytochemical screening of Zanthoxylum armatum roots and exploring its polyphenol content and antioxidant activity

The objective of the article is to investigate the chemical composition of Zanthoxylum armatum roots methanolic extract and to evaluate the polyphenol content and antioxidant potential. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography - Photo Diode Array (HPLC-PDA) techniques were used to characterize chemical composition of methanolic extract of roots. The GC-MS analysis extract resulted in the isolation of thirty-seven phytochemical constituents in methanol extracts. The root extracts were strongly characterized by 1-Propene, 2-nitro-3-(1-cyclooctenyl), (2E,4E)-N-Isobutyldodeca-2,4-dienamide, (+)- Seasmin and Paulowin. The phenolic composition of the root extract quantified by using HPLC revealed Ascorbic acid as most abundant polyphenol, followed by Gallic acid, Chlorogenic acid, Epigallocatechin gallate, Vanillic acid and p-hydroxybenzoic acid, while Caffeic acid was the recorded as least. In addition, root extract also showed the presence of antioxidant activity (DPPH Free radical scavenging, Metal Chelating and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Activity) and polyphenol content (Total Phenol, Flavonoid, and Tannin Content).

Antimicrobial activity of essential oils (Citrus bergamia Risso & Poiteau, Melaleuca alternifolia and Chenopodium botrys) on pathogen strains isolated in milk samples from mastitic sheep

The aim of this investigation was to study in vitro antibacterial activity of essential oils (EOs) (Citrus bergamia Risso & Poiteau, Melaleuca alternifolia and Chenopodium botrys) on pathogenic strains isolated in milk samples from mastitic sheep. The in vitro antibacterial activity showed that EOs induced higher bacterial inhibition against pathogens isolated in mastitic milk (Staphylococcus xylosus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus salivarius, Enterococcus faecium, Streptococcus agalactiae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) than common antimicrobial agents used in veterinary medicine, with Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) values significantly lower, excepted for P. Aeruginosa. The antibacterial activity of EOs has been attributed to the chemical composition of each phyto-complexes, constituted by monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and their associated alcohols, identified by GC-MS analysis, with a synergic action in the bacterial cells. The results obtained confirmed in vitro antimicrobial activity of these EOs and their potential use in the treatment of sheep mastitis infection.

The Bright and Dark Sides of Herbal Infusions: Assessment of Antioxidant Capacity and Determination of Tropane Alkaloids

Herbal infusions are highly popular beverages consumed daily due to their health benefits and antioxidant properties. However, the presence of plant toxins, such as tropane alkaloids, constitutes a recent health concern for herbal infusions. This work presents an optimized and validated methodology based on the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) extraction procedure followed by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography combined with Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-ToF-MS) for the determination of tropane alkaloids (atropine, scopolamine, anisodamine, and homatropine) in herbal infusions, in accordance with criteria established by Commission Recommendation EU No. 2015/976. One of the seventeen samples was contaminated with atropine, exceeding the current European regulation regarding tropane alkaloids. In addition, this study evaluated the antioxidant capacity of common herbal infusions available on Portuguese markets, indicating the high antioxidant capacity of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), and peppermint (Mentha x piperita).

Novel Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Monitoring of Immune Thrombocytopenia

Lower-than-normal platelet counts are a hallmark of the acquired autoimmune illness known as immune thrombocytopenia, which can affect both adults and children. Immune thrombocytopenia patients' care has evolved significantly in recent years, but the disease's diagnosis has not, and it is still only clinically achievable with the elimination of other causes of thrombocytopenia. The lack of a valid biomarker or gold-standard diagnostic test, despite ongoing efforts to find one, adds to the high rate of disease misdiagnosis. However, in recent years, several studies have helped to elucidate a number of features of the disease's etiology, highlighting how the platelet loss is not only caused by an increase in peripheral platelet destruction but also involves a number of humoral and cellular immune system effectors. This made it possible to identify the role of immune-activating substances such cytokines and chemokines, complement, non-coding genetic material, the microbiome, and gene mutations. Furthermore, platelet and megakaryocyte immaturity indices have been emphasized as new disease markers, and prognostic signs and responses to particular types of therapy have been suggested. Our review's goal was to compile information from the literature on novel immune thrombocytopenia biomarkers, markers that will help us improve the management of these patients.

Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don. from Central Europe

Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don. is one of the most important cosmetic and medicinal plants originating from the Mediterranean region of Europe. The aim of this study was to assess the chemical profile as well as antioxidant and antibacterial potential of the species cultivated in the temperate climate of Central Europe. The analyses were carried out using herbs and inflorescences. The content of essential oil ranged from 0.25 g × 100 g⁻¹ in the herb to 0.31 g × 100 g⁻¹ in the inflorescences. Neryl acetate, accompanied by α-pinene in the herb (10.42%), and nerol in inflorescences (15.73%) were the dominants here. Rutoside, as well as rosmarinic, chlorogenic, neochlorogenic, isochlorogenic b and cichoric acids, were detected in both raw materials using HPLC-DAD. Within this group, cichoric acid was the dominant (2647.90 mg × 100 g⁻¹ in the herb, 1381.06 mg × 100 g⁻¹ in the inflorescences). The herb appeared to be more abundant in phenolics in comparison with the inflorescences. When given antioxidant activity (determined using DPPH and ABTS assays), both methanolic extract and essential oil obtained from the herb indicated higher potential than those originating from the inflorescences (74.72, 61.38 and 63.81, 58.59% in the case of DPPH, respectively). In turn, regarding antimicrobial activity, the essential oil from inflorescences was distinguished by stronger bacteriostatic power than the herb essential oil. Gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive to both essential oils in comparison with Gram-negative ones, with S. aureus ATCC 25923 as the most susceptible (MIC 1; MBC 16 mg × mL⁻¹) among tested strains.