Effect of growing area on tocopherols, carotenoids and fatty acid composition of Pistacia lentiscus edible oil

Multiplicative Effects of Essential Oils and Other Active Components on Skin Tissue and Skin Cancers

Naturally derived essential oils and their active components are known to possess various properties, ranging from anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-cancer activities. Numerous types of essential oils and active components have been discovered, and their permissive roles have been addressed in various fields. In this comprehensive review, we focused on the roles of essential oils and active components in skin diseases and cancers as discovered over the past three decades. In particular, we opted to highlight the effectiveness of essential oils and their active components in developing strategies against various skin diseases and skin cancers and to describe the effects of the identified essential-oil-derived major components from physiological and pathological perspectives. Overall, this review provides a basis for the development of novel therapies for skin diseases and cancers, especially melanoma.

Effects of sub-acute co-exposure to WIFI (2.45 GHz) and Pistacia lentiscus oil treatment on wound healing by primary intention in male rabbits

Background

The bioeffects of WIFI on cutaneous wound healing remains unexplored. In addition, several medicinal plant products including lentisk oil have been shown to interfere with wound healing process. Since the use of this oil is increasing, the co‐exposure (WIFI‐Lentisk oil) assessment is of paramount importance.

Objectives

We aimed in the present study to investigate the effects of WIFI exposure as well as the application of Pistacia lentiscus oil on sutured wounds (SW).

Methods

New Zealand male rabbits (n = 24) were used and randomly divided into four groups of six animals each: a control group (SW) and three experimental groups (i) a first group exposed to WIFI (2.45 GHz, 6 h/day) during 16 days (SWW); (ii) a second group exposed to WIFI (2.45 GHz, 6 h/day) during 16 days and treated with lentisk oil (SWWL) and (iii) a third group not exposed to WIFI but treated with lentisk oil (SWL). The wound healing was evaluated by monitoring clinical parameters (temperature, food intake, relative weight variation, and macroscopic aspect) and histology.

Results

The mean food intake was higher in the SWWL group compared to the three other groups (p < 0.001) and higher in the SWL group compared to the SW group (p = 0.014). The exposition to WIFI (SWW group) or lentisk oil application (SWL group) can promote the collagen deposition and ameliorate the general aspect of wounds. By contrast, the co‐exposure to WIFI and lentisk oil (SWWL) results in antagonist effects and extends the inflammatory phase of wound healing.

Conclusions

Wounds treated topically with Pistacia lentiscus oil should not be exposed to WIFI.

Ethnobotanical investigation of Pistacia lentiscus L. grown in El Kala (Algeria), and phytochemical study and antioxidant activity of its essential oil and extracts

Ethnobotanical investigation was carried out using questionnaires among majority of El Kala (Algeria) inhabitants. The investigation found that lentisk (Pistacia lentiscus L.) is widely used in traditional therapy, especially in gastrointestinal and dermatological problems. Bioactive phytochemicals were determined by LC-MS/MS, and 14, 13, and 12 compounds were identified in leaves, stems and seeds, respectively. Flavonoids and phenolic acids were the most abundant compounds. Moreover, total phenols (306.5 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (95.25 mg RE/g), and condensed tannins (170.75 mg CE/g) contents were determined in leaves. Also, essential oil composition was investigated using GC/MS and 27 aroma compounds were identified. Monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were the most abundant. Besides, antioxidant activity was performed by DPPH, β-carotene bleaching, and ferrous ions chelating tests; and leaves extracts were more effective (IC₅₀ of 2.75, 3.45, 13.5 µg/ml), than essential oils (IC₅₀ of 10.5, 70.5, 157.25 µg/ml), and standards (trolox, 4.75; BHT, 5.25 µg/ml), respectively.

Formulation of liposomes loading lentisk oil to ameliorate topical delivery, attenuate oxidative stress damage and improve cell migration in scratch assay

Pistacia lentiscus L. is a sclerophyllous shrub capable of growing under harsh climatic conditions especially in the Mediterranean Basin. Different products can be obtained from this plant, such as essential oil, mastic gum or even fixed oil. The last is well known for its flavor which is mainly exploited in the food industry. Additionally, it has been traditionally used in the treatment of skin diseases, but, at the moment, any suitable formulation for skin delivery has been formulated and its biological effects was not deeply confirmed. Given that, in the present study, the lentisk oil has been formulated in liposomes at different concentrations (10, 20, 30 mg/ml) and their physicochemical, technological and main biological properties have been evaluated. Vesicles were prepared by using natural soy lecithin and a green and organic solvent free method, thus obtaining spherical, small (~ 118 nm), homogeneously dispersed (0.27) and highly negatively charged (~ -62 mV) vesicles. The used amount of oil loaded in liposomes (10, 20, 30 mg/ml) modulated the penetration ability of vesicles in the skin, favoring the deposition of the payload in the deeper strata. The loading in the vesicles potentiated the ability of oil to counteract the damaging effects caused by hydrogen peroxide in keratinocytes and fibroblasts and facilitate their migration in a cell monolayer lesion. Overall findings suggested that the incorporation of lentisk oil in liposomes made from soy lecithin can be an alternative and natural approach to exploit it in pharmaceutical ad cosmetical applications and manufacturing natural products suitable for the treatment of skin lesions.

Antibacterial Activity of a Fractionated Pistacia lentiscus Oil Against Pharyngeal and Ear Pathogens, Alone or in Combination With Antibiotics

Previous studies have clearly demonstrated that the addition of lentisk oil (LO) to streptococcal cultures makes it possible to differentiate Streptococcus spp. into three categories with Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus intermedius sensitive, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Streptococcus mutans partially sensitive, and Streptococcus salivarius insensitive to the product. We have investigated here whether the winterization of LO, an easy and cheap procedure that removes some of the fatty substances contained within, resulted in a better antimicrobial effect on human pathogens affecting the pharyngeal mucosa and middle ear such as S. pyogenes, S. pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Haemophilus influenzae, without affecting, or minimally affecting, S. salivarius strains, oral probiotics commonly used to reduce oral and middle ear infection recurrence, especially in children. Our results not only demonstrated a stronger antimicrobial action of winterized LO (WLO) on S. pyogenes, compared to what was seen with LO, but also demonstrated a strong antimicrobial action vs. S. pneumoniae and M. catarrhalis and a very limited effect on S. salivarius (strains K12 and M18). Moreover, WLO demonstrated a co-acting action when tested along with the antibiotics amoxicillin (A) and amoxicillin clavulanate (AC), effects clearly visible also on H. influenzae. Our results also showed that at least part of the antimicrobial effect observed was due to the presence of anacardic acids (AAs). Finally, WLO, when tested with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (h-PBMCs), reduced the release of IL-6 and TNF-α and, in the case of cells stimulated by LPS, the release of IFN-γ. In conclusion, our study highlights an enhanced antimicrobial role for LO when winterized, suggests a co-acting effect of this when given with antibiotics, identifies AAs as possible active ingredients, and proposes a possible anti-inflammatory role for it.

Variability of the chemical compositions of fatty acids, tocopherols and lipids antioxidant activities, obtained from the leaves of Pistacia lentiscus L. growing in Algeria

BACKGROUND: One of the objectives of food industry is to seek new resources of oil that preferably presents nutritional values. For human health, fats and particularly vegetable oils are considered as an important source of energy when glucose is not available. In addition, the search for effective, natural compounds with antioxidant activity has been intensified in recent years to replace the synthetic products. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present work was to determine the fatty acids profile (and variability) of the lipid fractions extracted from five different populations of the leaves of Pistacia lentiscus L. growing in Algeria. In addition, the antioxidant activities of the lipidic fractions were also determined. METHODS: The chemical compositions of tocopherols were also analyzed by HPLC for the first time for this plant part. The chemical percentage variability (presence of two main distinguished clusters) of the fatty acids was discussed using statistical analysis methods (Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering “AHC” and principal component analysis “PCA”). The antioxidant activity of the dewaxed lipid fractions were investigated in vitro using two different assays: DPPH (1,1-diphenyl, 2-picrylhydrazyl) free radicals scavenging activity and β-carotene bleaching test. RESULTS: For the overall samples, the main saturated fatty acids components were capric acid (C10:0 = 2.49–13.88%), myristic acid (C14:0 = 4.71–9.12%) and palmitic acid (C16:0 = 5.31–9.03%). Alternatively, the main unsaturated fatty acids were oleic acid (C18:1w9 = 3.42–4.85%), linoleic acid (C18:2w6 = 10.94–16.99%) and most importantly α-linolenic acid (C18:3w3 = 20.92–48.92%), which is known for its multiple dietary, pharmaceutical and clinical benefits. CONCLUSION: The results of fatty acids methyl esters identification using GC and GC-MS showed a clear variability in the composition of fatty acids. The main result of this study illustrate the nutritional potential (richness in MUFA such as C18:1w9, presence of essential fatty acids such as C18:2w6 at all the stages of maturation, richness in omega-3 fatty acids such as C18:3w3. of the oil of P. lentiscus leaves, which can provide opportunities for rational exploitation for medicinal purposes and in the food industries. Regarding tocopherols HPLC analysis, the samples were rich in α-tocopherol (58.51–89.17% of the total tocopherols identified). Finally, and for antioxidant activity measured by β-carotene assay, the obtained values suggested good antioxidant activities when compared with antioxidants of reference.

Pistacia lentiscus oil attenuates memory dysfunction and decreases levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress induced by lipopolysaccharide in rats

Pistacia lentiscus L. is a well-known medicinal plant that has been used for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective effects. However, the neuroprotective effect of Pistacia lentiscus oil (PLo) of has not been reported. The present study was designed to examine the neuroprotective and hepatoprotective effects of PLo aigainst lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced memory impairment and oxidative damage in rats. Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were equally divided into three groups. The first group was kept as a control. In the second group, LPS was given at the single dose of 1 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.). In the third group, PLo (3.3 mL/kg; per orally (p.o.)) was administered daily for 15 days, and challenged with LPS (1 mg/kg; i.p. injection two h before behavioral test). Thereafter, memory was assessed using spatial object recognition test. Cholinesterase activity and oxidative stress response were estimated in brain tissues and liver. PLo attenuated LPS-induced memory impairment in spatial object recognition test (p < 0.05). LPS treatment caused significant oxidative damage via induction of lipid peroxidation and reductions antioxidant defense system potency in the brain tissue and liver. Moreover, LPS increased brain activity of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activity in the liver. The present results suggest that the beneficial effects of PLo on memory impairment of LPS-treated rats may be due to its protective effects against oxidative stress damage presumably via its antioxidant property.

Phenolic profile and effect of growing area on Pistacia lentiscus seed oil

In this investigation, we aimed to study, for the first time, the phenolic composition of Pistacia lentiscus seed oils from different growing areas. Extraction of the phenolic fraction from oils was done by methanol/water. Phenolic profiles were determined using chromatographic analysis by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC-DAD/MSD) and its quantification was done using an internal standard which is unidentified in the studied oil (syringic acid). Forty phenolic compounds were quantified and only eighteen of them were identified. The eight studied oils showed different phenolic profiles. The total phenols amount varied from 538.03 mg/kg oil in Jbel Masour oils to 4260.57 mg/kg oil in oils from Kef Erraai. The highest amount of secoiridoids was reached by Bouchoucha oil containing 366.71 mg/kg oil of Oleuropein aglycon. Oils from Kef Erraai locality contained the highest concentrations in flavonols (377.44 mg/kg oil) and in phenolic acids (2762.67 mg/kg oil).

The healing effect of Pistacia lentiscus fruit oil on laser burn

CONTEXT

Since antiquity, Pistacia lentiscus L. (Anacardiaceae) fruit oil (PLFO) has been used as a remedy for primary health care such as burn treatment.

OBJECTIVE

This study assesses the healing effect of PLFO on CO₂ laser fractional burn in a rat model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was carried out on 18 adult male Wistar rats. A second-degree laser burn (wound area = 2.2 cm²) was inflicted in the dorsal region by the application of CO₂ fractional laser within the following parameters; Energy level: 25 MJ and Depth level: 4. After applying laser, the rats were divided into three groups: the first was treated with saline solution, the second with a reference cream 'CYTOL BASIC^®' (0.13 μg/mm²) and the third with PLFO (0.52 μL/mm²). All treatments were topically administered for eight days. The healing effect was assessed using macroscopic, histological and biochemical parameters.

RESULTS

After eight days, the higher percentage of wound healing contraction was observed among the PLFO-treated group (100%) followed by the 'CYTOL BASIC^®' treated group (61.36%) and untreated group (32.27%). During the treatment, the PLFO-treated group showed less erythema, less crusting/scabbing, higher general wound appearance scores and a high content of collagen (220.67 ± 7.48 mg/g of tissue) than the other groups.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The current study has shown, for the first time, the healing effect of PLFO on CO₂ laser fractional burn. Their wound healing effect could be attributed to their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

The Selective Interaction of Pistacia lentiscus Oil vs. Human Streptococci, an Old Functional Food Revisited with New Tools

Pistacia lentiscus berry oil (LBO) represents a typical vegetal product of the Mediterranean basin that has been formally used in traditional cuisine for 100s of years. In addition to its interesting alimentary properties, this product could represent an interesting candidate in the field of research on the study of new anti-infective agents. In fact, in Mediterranean countries, lentisk oil still continues to be widely used in folk medicine for oral and skin affections, in particular, acute gingivitis, pediatric skin infections such as impetigo and foot plaques, and biofilm related infections often associated with Streptococcus spp. Following these observations, we have hypothesized a “lentisk oil-bacteria” interaction, placing particular emphasis on the different Streptococcal species involved in these oral and skin diseases. In accordance with this hypothesis, the use of standard antimicrobial-antibiofilm methods (MIC, MBC, MBIC) allowed the interesting behavior of these bacteria to be observed and, in this context, the response to lentisk oil appears to be correlated with the pathogenic profile of the considered microorganism. Two probiotic strains of S. salivarius K12/M18 appeared to be non-sensitive to this product, while a set of five different pathogenic strains (S. agalactiae, S. intermedius, S. mitis, S. mutans, S. pyogenes) showed a response that was correlated to the fatty acid metabolic pathway of the considered species. In fact, at different times of bacteria development, selective High Performance Liquid Chromatography analysis of the growth medium containing LBO detected a significant increase in free unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) in particular oleic, palmitic and linoleic acids, which are already known for their antibacterial activity. In this context, we have hypothesized that LBO could be able to modulate the pathogen/probiotic rate in a Streptococcal population using the fatty acid metabolic pathway to help the probiotic strain. This hypothesis was strengthened by performing antibacterial testing with oleic acid and an in silico evaluation of the Streptococcal MCRA protein, an enzyme involved in the production of saturated fatty acids from UFA. These results show that LBO may have been used in ancient times as a “natural microbial modulating extract” in the prevention of biofilm- associated diseases.

Chemical characterisation and biological activity of leaf essential oils obtained from Pistacia terebinthus growing wild in Tunisia and Sardinia Island

In the present work the chemical compositions, measured by GC and GC-MS, of the essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from leaves of Pistacia terebinthus collected in Bizerte (Tunisia) and Baunei (Italy) are reported. Both essential oils possessed high content of monoterpene hydrocarbons (86.3% and 90.9%, respectively), being α-pinene (62.4 vs. 35.0)%, camphene (3.0 vs. 2.4)%, β-pinene (12.1 vs. 4.5)%, terpinolene (1.7 vs. 35.2)% and β-phellandrene (3.8 vs. 4.5)% the main components. The Tunisian essential oil exhibited higher antifungal activity than the Italian one. Cryptococcus neoformans and the majority of dermatophyte strains showed more sensitivity to the Tunisian oil, when compared to Candida strains, in particular Trichophyton rubrum, Microsporum canis and Epidermophyton floccosum, with MIC and MLC values in the range (0.16-0.32) μL/mL. The results obtained support the use of the oil from Tunisia for the treatment of dermatophytosis.

Evaluation of Wound Healing Properties of Grape Seed, Sesame, and Fenugreek Oils

Background. Medicinal plants have proved at all times to be a powerful remedy for health care. Accordingly, grape seed, sesame, and fenugreek extracted oils with pharmacological properties are investigated as wound treatments. This study assesses the potential of our oils for healing wounds induced on rats. Methods. Phytochemical analyses of oils have involved: quality value, polyphenol, chlorophylls, carotene, and fatty acids. Antibacterial activity was carried out. Antioxidant activity was evaluated: the scavenging effect on DPPH radicals, the reducing power, and β-carotene discoloration. Uniform wound excision was induced on rats dorsum randomly divided into five groups: groups treated with "CICAFLORA®" and tested oils and untreated one. The posthealing biopsies were histologically assessed. Results. Wound biopsies treated with oils showed the best tissue regeneration compared to control groups. Groups treated with our oils and "CICAFLORA" had higher wound contraction percentage. Polyunsaturated fatty acids in oils act as inflammatory mediators increasing neovascularization, extracellular remodeling, migration, and cell differentiation. Wound healing effect was attributed to antibacterial and antioxidant synergy. Conclusion. According to findings, oils showed better activity in wound healing compared to "CICAFLORA" due to a phytoconstituents synergy. However, clinical trials on humans are necessary to confirm efficacy on human pathology.