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Chroho M, Bailly C, Bouissane L. Ethnobotanical Uses and Pharmacological Activities of Moroccan Ephedra Species. PLANTA MEDICA 2024; 90:336-352. [PMID: 38423032 DOI: 10.1055/a-2269-2113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Ephedra species are among the most popular herbs used in traditional medicine for a long time. The ancient Chinese medical book "Treatise on Febrile Diseases" refers to the classic traditional Chinese medicine prescription Ge Gen decoction, which consists of seven herbs, including an Ephedra species. Ephedra species are utilized all over the world to treat symptoms of the common cold and coughs, and to combat major human diseases, such as asthma, cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular and digestive disorders, and microbial infections. This study aimed at identifying specific Ephedra species used traditionally in Morocco for therapeutic purposes. The plant parts, their preparation process, and the treated pathologies were identified and analyzed. The results revealed five ethnobotanically important species of Ephedra: Ephedra alata Decne, Ephedra altissima Desf., Ephedra distachya L., Ephedra fragilis Desf., and Ephedra nebrodensis Tineo. These species are used traditionally in Morocco for treating people with diabetes, cancer, rheumatism, cold and asthma, hypertension, influenza virus infection, and respiratory ailments. In addition, they are occasionally used as calefacient agents, to regulate weight, or for capillary care. Few studies have underlined the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of some of these Moroccan Ephedra species, but little information is available regarding the natural products at the origin of the bioactivities. Further phytochemical investigations and clinical data are encouraged to better support the use of these plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mounia Chroho
- Molecular Chemistry, Materials and Catalysis Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni-Mellal, Morocco
| | - Christian Bailly
- OncoWitan, Scientific Consulting Office, Lille, France
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry Albert Lespagnol, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lille, France
| | - Latifa Bouissane
- Molecular Chemistry, Materials and Catalysis Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni-Mellal, Morocco
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Lurgain JG, Ouaarab-Essadek H, Mellouki K, Malik-Hameed S, Sharif A, Brotons M, Bruni L, Peremiquel-Trillas P. Exploring self-care and cervical cancer prevention attitudes and practices among Moroccan and Pakistani immigrant women in Catalonia, Spain: a comparative qualitative study. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:388. [PMID: 38321465 PMCID: PMC10845717 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17445-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Self-care and preventive health strategies may trigger health inequities when individuals' cultural values and health beliefs are not fully understood and considered. In the case of cervical cancer (CC) screening programs immigrant women have shown lower attendance compared with native women, which increases the risk of late diagnosis and, consequently, a lower probability of survival. HPV self-sampling for CC screening has been recently added to the World Health Organization's (WHO) list of self-care interventions as a promising tool to reduce this disparity and improve screening coverage. In Catalonia, Spain, the introduction of HPV self-sampling as a part of the new population-based CC screening program, is a significant step. However, there is a lack of research addressing self-care and prevention among immigrant populations in this region. This study aims to fill this gap exploring self-care and prevention attitudes and practices among Moroccan and Pakistani women. METHODS We conducted focus groups and individual interviews with 36 Moroccan and 37 Pakistani women in Barcelona, Spain. The topic guide of the focus groups included case vignettes to stimulate the discussion and a semi-structured questionnaire was used for the interviews. RESULTS Our findings show that most Moroccan and Pakistani women do not prioritize self-care and prevention. They seek care for symptom treatment rather than disease prevention. In this sense, they reported not having the habit of doing regular check-ups and their self-care and prevention attitudes and practices seemed to be conditioned by cultural values. The implementation of an effective call and recall system could enhance the engagement of these populations with CC screening services. CONCLUSION This study provides evidence on how universal concepts of self-care and prevention may not aligned with more collectivist societies, emphasizing the limited applicability and motivation of global self-care interventions guidelines for individuals with different cultural backgrounds and values. Therefore, the successful implementation of CC screening programs or any other self-care intervention requires the adoption of culturally appropriate strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jone G Lurgain
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, WC1E 7HT, London, UK.
| | - Hakima Ouaarab-Essadek
- Community & Public Health Team (ESPIC), Drassanes-Vall d'Hebron Centre for International Health and Infectious Diseases, Carrer de Sant Oleguer, 17, 08001, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Khadija Mellouki
- Community & Public Health Team (ESPIC), Drassanes-Vall d'Hebron Centre for International Health and Infectious Diseases, Carrer de Sant Oleguer, 17, 08001, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sumaira Malik-Hameed
- Community & Public Health Team (ESPIC), Drassanes-Vall d'Hebron Centre for International Health and Infectious Diseases, Carrer de Sant Oleguer, 17, 08001, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andleeb Sharif
- Community & Public Health Team (ESPIC), Drassanes-Vall d'Hebron Centre for International Health and Infectious Diseases, Carrer de Sant Oleguer, 17, 08001, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Brotons
- Cancer Epidemiology Research Programme, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Av Gran Via 199-203, 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute - IDIBELL, Av Gran Via 199-203, 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health - CIBERESP, Carlos III Institute of Health, Av. De Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laia Bruni
- Cancer Epidemiology Research Programme, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Av Gran Via 199-203, 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute - IDIBELL, Av Gran Via 199-203, 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health - CIBERESP, Carlos III Institute of Health, Av. De Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paula Peremiquel-Trillas
- Cancer Epidemiology Research Programme, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Av Gran Via 199-203, 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute - IDIBELL, Av Gran Via 199-203, 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health - CIBERESP, Carlos III Institute of Health, Av. De Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, C/ Casanova, 143, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
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Fan Y, Gu R, Zhang R, Wang M, Xu H, Wang M, Long C. Protective effects of extracts from Acer truncatum leaves on SLS-induced HaCaT cells. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1068849. [PMID: 37007019 PMCID: PMC10050454 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1068849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction:A. truncatum Bunge (Sapindaceae or formerly Aceraceae) is a tall deciduous tree native to China. Traditionally, the leaves of A. truncatum are decocted and used by Chinese Mongolians, Koreans, and Tibetans to treat skin itching, dry cracks, and other skin ailments, which indicates A. truncatum leaves may have a potential inhibitory effect on various skin inflammations.Methods: To examine the protective effect against skin inflammations of A. truncatum leaf extract (ATLE), an in vitro dermatitis model was established using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SLS)-induced HaCaT cells. The anti-inflammatory effect of ATLE was evaluated by analyzing cell viability, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels.Results: Orthogonal experiments showed that the pretreatment with ATLE can reduce the IL-6 levels, PGE2 levels, and apoptosis increased in SLS-stimulated HaCaT cells, which indicates that ATLE has positive efficacy for dermatitis. Furthermore, three flavonoid compounds kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnoside, quercetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside, kaempferol-3,7-di-O-α-L-rhamnoside, and 1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucopyranose (PGG) were isolated and identified. Among them, kaempferol-3,7-di-O-α-L-rhamnoside was isolated from this plant for the first time. These compounds have been proven to have an anti-inflammatory effect. They may contribute to the efficacy of A. truncatumin treating skin inflammation.Discussion: The results revealed that ATLE has the potential to be used as an additive in various skin care products to prevent skin inflammations and may be incorporated in formulations for topical application as a therapeutic approach against dermatitis.
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