Protective Effect of Chemically Characterized Polyphenol-Rich Fraction from Apteranthes europaea (Guss.) Murb. subsp. maroccana (Hook.f.) Plowes on Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Injury in Mice

Phenolic Composition of Crataegus monogyna Jacq. Extract and Its Anti-Inflammatory, Hepatoprotective, and Antileukemia Effects

Crataegus monogyna (C. monogyna) is a prominent plant used in Moroccan traditional medicine. This study investigated the phenolic composition and the anti-inflammatory, the hepatoprotective, and the anticancer activities of a hydroethanolic extract of C. monogyna leaves and stems. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography identified the phenolic profile. The in vitro anticancer activity was evaluated using the MTT assay on HL-60 and K-562 myeloleukemia cells and liver (Huh-7) cell lines. The anti-inflammatory effect was assessed in vivo using carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. The hepatoprotective effect at 300 and 1000 mg/kg doses against the acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity on rats was studied for seven days. Additionally, molecular docking simulations were performed to evaluate the extract's inhibitory potential against key targets: lipoxygenase, cytochrome P450, tyrosine kinase, and TRADD. The extract exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against K-562 and HL-60 cells, but not against lung cancer cells (Huh-7 line). The 1000 mg/kg dose demonstrated the most potent anti-inflammatory effect, inhibiting edema by 99.10% after 6 h. C. monogyna extract displayed promising hepatoprotective properties. Procyanidin (-7.27 kcal/mol), quercetin (-8.102 kcal/mol), and catechin (-9.037 kcal/mol) were identified as the most active molecules against lipoxygenase, cytochrome P450, and tyrosine kinase, respectively. These findings highlight the untapped potential of C. monogyna for further exploration in treating liver damage, inflammation, and leukemia.

Evaluation of the toxicity of Caralluma europaea (C.E) extracts and their effects on apoptosis and chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer cells

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a disease with no effective treatment. Chemo-resistance contributes to the dismal prognosis for patients diagnosed with the disease. This study aims to evaluate the toxicity and the effect of Caralluma europaea (C.E) extracts on cancer cell survival, apoptosis, chemo-resistance, and pro-cancer pathways, in pancreatic cancer. The acute and subacute toxicities of C.E extracts were evaluated. The cytotoxic effect on pancreatic cancer cell survival and apoptosis was determined by MTT assay and DNA fragmentation. The expression of cancer stemness markers was measured using Western blot. A molecular docking was used to test the possible effects of C.E compounds in inhibiting the Hedgehog and activating caspase-3. The hydroethanolic extract's DL50 was over 5000 mg/kg. During the subacute toxicity, only saponins extract showed some hepatic toxicity signs. Cells treated with C.E extracts combined with gemcitabine revealed an additive anti-survival activity. C.E extracts sensitized resistant MIA-PaCa-2 to gemcitabine treatment. Most of the C.E extracts downregulated the expression of cancer stemness-associated genes. Luteolin-7-O-glucoside presented the highest docking Gscore on human Smoothened. Isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside induced apoptosis via activation of caspase-3. C.E extracts can be considered safe in inhibiting pancreatic cancer cell survival, inducing apoptosis, and sensitizing cells to chemotherapy via Hedgehog inhibition and caspase-3 activation.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Lipids Fraction from Caralluma europaea (Guss.): MicroTOF and HPLC Analyses and Exploration of Its Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Anti-Inflammatory, and Wound Healing Effects

Caralluma europaea is a medicinal plant used in Morocco to cure a variety of illnesses. This study was conducted to determine the chemical composition, the antioxidant, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing activities of C. europaea lipids. The chemical composition of C. europaea was analyzed using time-of-flight mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. The antioxidant potential was determined using the 2,2-di-phenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) tests. The antiproliferative effect was evaluated by MTT assay against HL60, K562, Huh-7 cancer cells, and normal Vero cells. The anti-inflammatory potential was conducted against carrageenan-induced paw edema. The wound healing effect was evaluated against skin burns for 21 days. The identified phytochemical compounds were docked for their effect on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase, caspase-3, lipoxygenase, glycogen synthase kinase-3-β, and protein casein kinase-1. The results showed the presence of some lipids, such as linoleic acid and vitamin D3. The DPPH (IC50 = 0.018 mg/mL) and FRAP (EC50 = 0.084 mg/mL) of C. europaea lipids showed an important antioxidant effect. For the anti-inflammatory test, an inhibition of 83.50% was recorded after 6 h of treatment. Our extract showed the greatest wound retraction on the 21st day (98.20%). C. europaea lipids showed a remarkable antitumoral effect against the K562 cell line (IC50 = 37.30 µg/mL), with no effect on Vero cells (IC50 > 100 µg/mL). Lignoceric acid was the most active molecule against caspase-3 (−6.453 kcal/mol). The findings indicate the growing evidence of C. europaea as a potential treatment for several diseases.

Phenolic Composition, Wound Healing, Antinociceptive, and Anticancer Effects of Caralluma europaea Extracts

Caralluma europaea (Guss.) is an important medicinal plant widely used in Morocco for various traditional purposes. Our work aimed to evaluate the phenolic composition, wound healing, antinociceptive, and anticancer activities of C. europaea extracts. Moreover, this study assessed the beneficial effect of C. europaea phytocompounds on the TRADD, cyclooxegenase-2, Wnt/β-catenin, and tyrosine kinase signaling pathways. The wound healing effect of C. europaea formulations against skin burn was evaluated for 21 days. The cytotoxic effect of the C. europaea extracts was evaluated against human leukemic (K562 and HL60) and liver cancer cell lines (Huh-7) using the MTT test. All the phytoconstituents identified by UHPLC in the polyphenols were docked for their inhibitory power on protein casein kinase-1, glycogen synthase kinase-3-β, cyclooxegenase-2, tyrosine kinase, and TRADD. Luteolin and kaempferol are the main compounds identified in C. europaea polyphenols. The group treated with polyphenols showed the greatest wound contractions and all tested extracts presented a significant antinociceptive effect. Polyphenols showed a remarkable antitumoral activity against the K562, HL60 and Huh-7 cell lines. Saponins exerted an important cytotoxic effect against the Huh-7 cell line, whereas no cytotoxicity was observed for the hydroethanolic and flavonoids extracts. Hesperetin and trimethoxyflavone presented the highest docking G-score on tyrosine kinase and cyclooxygenase, respectively.

Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Analgesic Properties of Chemically Characterized Polyphenol-Rich Extract from Withania adpressa Coss. ex Batt

The current work was undertaken to investigate the chemical composition, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties of a polyphenol-rich fraction from Withania adpressa Coss. ex Batt. After being extracted, the polyphenol-rich fraction was chemically characterized through use of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Antioxidant potency was assessed through the use of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Inflammatory and analgesic properties were assessed in vivo through the use of carrageenan and heat stimulus assays, respectively. Chromatographic analysis of polyphenol-rich fraction revealed the presence of potentially bioactive phenols including epicatechin, apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, and rosmarinic acid. The polyphenol-rich fraction showed interesting anti-free-radical potency with a calculated IC₅₀ value of 27.84 ± 1.48 µg/mL. At the highest dose used (1000 µg/mL), the polyphenol-rich fraction scored good total antioxidant capacity with a calculated value of 924.0 ± 28.29 µg EAA/mg. The polyphenol-rich fraction strongly alleviated the inflammatory effect of carrageenan injected into the plantar fascia of rats resulting in inhibition up to 89.0 ± 2.08% at the highest tested dose (500 mg/kg). The polyphenol-rich fraction showed a good analgesic effect wherein the delay in reaction time to a thermal stimulus caused by 500 mg/kg had a highly similar effect to that induced by Tramadol used as a positive control. The findings of the current work highlight the importance of polyphenol-rich fractions from W. adpressa Coss. ex Batt. as an alternative source of natural antioxidant, inflammatory, and analgesic drugs to control relative diseases.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of polyphenolics from Withania adpressa (Coss.) Batt. against selected drug-resistant bacterial strains

Withania adpressa (Coss.) Batt. (W. adpressa) is a wild medicinal plant in the family Solanaceae, which is used as an alternative medicine. The present study aims to investigate the chemical composition, antioxidant, and antibacterial potentials of polyphenol-rich fraction from the leaves of W. adpressa. Polyphenol-rich fraction was characterized by use of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Antioxidant potency was determined by use of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assays. Antibacterial activity was assessed against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria by use of disc diffusion and microdilution assays. Chromatographic analysis by HPLC showed four compounds in the polyphenol-rich fraction including 1-O-Caffeoyl glucose, Luteolin-7-diglucuronide, Apigenin-O-pentoside, and Quercetin-3-O-glucuronide. Polyphenol-rich fraction exhibited important antioxidant activity as assessed by DPPH and FRAP assays, with IC50 and EC50 values of 14.27 ± 0.43 and 39.48 ± 0.81 µg/mL, respectively, while butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and Quercetin exhibited IC50 values of 28.92 ± 0.24 and 22.48 ± 0.54 µg/mL. Results of TAC showed that the polyphenol-rich fraction scored 781.74 ± 2.83 µg AAE/mg. Polyphenol-rich fraction showed an important antibacterial effect vs gram-positive and gram-negative strains recording inhibition zone diameters varying from 19.5 to 29.2 mm, while antibiotics were almost ineffective toward all strains except for E. coli. It can be concluded that W. adpressa polyphenol-rich fraction possesses promising phenols with strong antioxidant and antibacterial properties, which may help fight pathogenic bacteria and free radicals.

Pharmacological Potential of Avicennia alba Leaf Extract: An Experimental Analysis Focusing on Antidiabetic, Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic, and Antidiarrheal Activity

Avicennia alba is a mangrove plant that is extensively used to treat severe health issues. This focus of this study was to investigate the antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antidiarrheal activities of methanolic extract of A. alba leaves in Swiss albino mouse model. The antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antidiarrheal activities of the leaf extract were performed using alloxan-monohydrate, carrageenan-induced paw edema, acetic acid-induced writhing test and the hot plate method, and castor oil-induced method, respectively. The extract was used at doses ranging from 200 to 500 mg/kg to conduct the investigation. Leaf extract at 400 and 500 mg/kg showed potent antidiabetic activity in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Advanced research is needed to control blood glucose levels and carrageenan paw edema-based anti-inflammatory effects. Both tests showed statistically significant result in a dose-dependent manner. The maximum dose (500 mg/kg) demonstrated potent analgesic activity in both writhing test and hot plate method. The plant extract also showed significant antidiarrheal activity at 400 and 500 mg/kg in experimental mice. However, more research is needed to explore the possible mechanisms and isolate the compounds associated with these bioactivities from the leaf extract of A. alba.

Traditional medicinal knowledge of plants used for cancer treatment by communities of mountainous areas of Fez-Meknes-Morocco

Since their existence on earth, humans have used herbal medicine to meet their requirements for medication. The aim of the study: This work refers to a study conducted to carry out an ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal plants used for the treatment of cancer in Fez-Meknes region of Morocco. Material and Methods: To achieve this goal, 300 informants including 237 local people and 63 herbalists. They were requested to fill a survey related questionnaire aiming at the collection of data about the addressed objective. Informants were asked about the vernacular names, parts of medicinal plants used, mode of preparation, route of administration, reference area as well as the ecological distribution. The Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) and Fidelity Level (FL) were calculated to identify the most effective plants recommended by informants for disease treatment. Results: The findings obtained in the present survey revealed that 94 species belonging to 47 families have been used for cancer treatment in the region of Fez-Meknes. Fruits, leaves, and seeds are the most commonly used plant parts, by the time powder and infusion arethe most common methods used fordrug preparations. Conclusion: This work may contribute towards the society as it provides interesting data on traditional medicinal knowledge of medicinal plantsused to fight cancer.