Phytochemical, Antioxidant Activity, and Toxicity of Wild Medicinal Plant of Melitotus albus Extracts, In Vitro and In Silico Approaches

Morocco is known for its high plant biodiversity, but many plants are poorly valorized. For this reason, this study aims to valorize the methanolic and aqueous extracts of Melitotus albus leaves by studying their antioxidant activity and toxicity. The extracts' antioxidant activity is assessed using the FRAP, DPPH, CAT, and ABTS methods. The chemical composition was determined using LC-MS analysis and evaluated using in silico studies. The results revealed that the total polyphenol content of the aqueous extract, 259.26 ± 7.79 (mg GAE/g), is higher than that of the methanolic extract, 131.41 ± 12.64 (mg GAE/g). The antioxidant activity by the methods of DPPH, ABTS, and phosphor molybdenum of aqueous extracts (0.087 ± 0.015, 0.014 ± 0.001 and 6.157 ± 1.050 mg eq vit C/g, respectively) is greater than that of methanolic extracts (0.107 ± 0.02, 0.167 ± 0.03, and 0.453 ± 0.014 mg eq vit C/g, respectively). The reducing power of iron (FRAP) shows that the methanolic extract has a greater reducing power than that of the aqueous extract with a low IC50 (0.011 ± 0.003 and 0.199 ± 0.016 mg/mL, respectively). The study of acute and subacute toxicity shows that the administration of the aqueous extract of M. albus at different doses increases the body weight of rats without modifying their general behavior. The M. albus extract had a 99.99% total phenolic content, as determined by LC-MS, consisting of 12 different components. The primary constituents of the extract are chlorogenic acid (43.68%), catechin/epicatechin (24.82%), quercetin-3-O-glucuronic acid (9.91%), naringin (7.64%), and p-hydroxybenzoic/salicylic acid (2.95%). The in-silico study showed that these compounds can passively permeate through the blood and have a beneficial effect on various organs of the body. Based on these results, M. albus can be used as a medicinal plant in phytotherapy, cosmetics, or as a dietary supplement. The bioactive compounds of these plants will require a lot of further effort in terms of isolation and characterization.

Elemental Composition of PM2.5 Aerosol in a Residential-Industrial Area of a Mediterranean Megacity

Very little is known about the elemental composition and possible sources of fine aerosol particles from Mediterranean megacities. Fine aerosol particles were collected at a residential-industrial area in Greater Cairo, Egypt, during the period from October 2010 to May 2011. The elemental compositions of the collected samples were quantified by using a homemade energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometer, whereas black carbon was quantified by a black smoke detector. Fifteen elements have been quantified. Of these constituents, Ca, C, Cl, S, and Fe had the highest concentrations: greater than 1 µg m^-3. The overall mean mass concentration of the collected samples equals 70 µg m^-3; this value exceeds the European Union annual Air Quality Standard levels. The individual elemental concentrations of the fine particles were found to be dominated by elements linked to mineral dust. Most of the monthly variations of elemental concentrations can be attributed to seasonal meteorological conditions. Other possible sources were vehicle-exhaust and industrial activities. The results pinpoint the problem of identifying different sources when one source, in this case, the nearby deserts, is dominant. The results from this study contribute to the growing knowledge of concentrations, composition, and possible sources of ambient fine particulate matter.

Thymoquinone ameliorates Pachycondyla sennaarensis venom-induced acute toxic shock in male rats

BACKGROUND

For many decades, the sting of Samsun ant (Pachycondyla sennaarensis) has been a serious clinical challenge for the people living in some of the major Middle East and Asian countries. In the present study, the therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa derived plant extract component, thymoquinone (TQ) has been tested against the Samsun ant venom (SAV) at the toxic dose in the rats.

METHODS

The adult male rats were divided into four groups (n = 10): control, SAV treated, SAV + TQ treated and TQ alone treated. It was found that the sub-lethal dose of SAV alters not only many of the kidney and liver function markers but also induces oxidative stress in the animals. Moreover, the SAV also disturbs various immunological parameters including expression of PMNs, CD-80, CD-86, interleukins and other cytokines compromising the affected organism towards mild to severe allergic reactions including life-risking anaphylaxis.

RESULTS

The plant extract, TQ, effectively restores many of the biochemical and oxidative stress parameters comparable to the normal concomitant with improving the immunological aspects that might attributive in relieving from SAV-induced toxicity and allergic reactions in the affected organism to a greater extent.

CONCLUSION

Hence, TQ has an excellent antidote property against SAV-induced toxicities in vivo. Although the study is a vivid indication of the potential therapeutic potential of TQ against the SAV induced in vivo toxicity, yet the actual mechanism of interaction translating the toxicity amelioration warrants further investigations.