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Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Masters (TA), a member of the Cupressaceae family, is frequently used in traditional medicine to treat various health problems in Al Hoceima Province. Our study aimed to determine the content of polyphenols and flavonoids, and to evaluate the biological antioxidant activities using DPPH and FRAP tests. At the same time, we assessed the anti-inflammatory activity of various extracts of TA from Al Hoceima, using the BSA method for each of the extracts studied. The results reveal that ethyl acetate extracts (28.11 mg EAG/g ES), followed by ethanolic extracts (22.42 mg EAG/g ES), show higher quantities than the other extracts. Regarding flavonoids, ethyl acetate extract (90 mg EQ/g ES) and ethanolic extracts (64 mg EQ/g ES) showed the highest concentrations. For antioxidant activity, ethyl acetate and ethanolic extracts showed significant activity, while for anti-inflammatory activity, ethyl acetate and hexanolic extracts showed more marked activity than ethanolic and dichloromethanic extracts. This study reveals that Tetraclinis articulata leaf extracts are an effective antioxidant and natural anti-inflammatory agent. The results indicate the efficacy of TA leafs extracts from the province of Al Hoceima.

The aim of the study was to investigate the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of Lavandula mairei and Thymus leptobotrys essential oils against Extended spectrum β-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae, responsible of nosocomial infections. PCR and sequencing methods detected three different resistance genes (blaSHV-42, blaSHV-12 et blaCTXM-15) in the studied strains. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis highlighted the predominance of carvacrol in both Lavandula mairei and Thymus leptobotrys essential oils. Their antibacterial activity was conducted by disk diffusion and microdilution methods. Great sensitivity of the multidrug resistant strains was noted for the two essential oils with inhibition zones' diameters ranging from 13.3±2.3 to 32.3±1.4 mm (Thymus leptobotrys) and from 22 to 34.66±0.57 mm (Lavandula mairei), and low minimal and bactericidal concentrations varying from 1.56 to 6.25 mg/mL (CMI) and from 1.56 to 12.5 mg/mL (CMB) for both essential oils. Four strains out of six, considered as the strongest biofilm producers by congo red agar and crystal violet methods, were chosen to evaluate biofilm inhibition and eradication effects of Lavandula mairei and Thymus leptobotrys essential oils. In most cases, these latter inhibited considerably the biofilm formation of the targeted strains with proportions greater than 80%. The eradication effect was lower, with rates not higher than 50%. Thus, these essential oils could be used as an effective alternative approach to prevent biofilm formation of multidrug resistant Enterobacteriaceae. To our knowledge, no previous works have reported the antibiofilm activity of Lavandula mairei and Thymus leptobotrys essential oils against these multidrug resistant bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the levels of Cd, Cu and Pb in the sentinel bivalve Donax trunculus collected from two touristic Moroccan sandy beaches, namely Agadir and Taghazout, in Morocco. The results revealed higher metal contamination in D. trunculus specimens collected from Taghazout compared to those from Agadir. Among the metals analyzed, Pb was found to pose the greatest risk to human health, followed by Cd and Cu. The study also investigated the presence of the trematode parasite Bacciger bacciger in D. trunculus specimens. The parasite was found only in female D. trunculus from Taghazout, with infection rates ranging from 11% to 46%. Furthermore, significantly higher levels of oxidative stress biomarkers were observed in specimens from Taghazout, where positive correlations were observed between Cu, Cd, Glutathione S-Transferase, and parasite prevalence, as well as between Pb and Catalase. In the case of D. trunculus collected from Agadir, Malondialdehyde levels were positively correlated with Cd and negatively correlated with Pb, while Catalase levels were negatively correlated with Cu. Complex interactions emerged between metal pollution, parasitic infection, and oxidative stress biomarkers in D. trunculus from two Moroccan coastal sites. Evaluating biotic stress synergies with biomarkers shows promise for integrating biological implications of coastal contamination., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)