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The principal objective of the present study is to evaluate both the chemical composition and antibacterial effectiveness of essential oil of Clinopodium nepeta subs ascendens (CNEO) against three Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, and Bacillus subtilis) and three Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae). Additionally, this research aims to explore potential synergies between CNEO and established antibiotics. The phytochemical composition of CNEO was thoroughly examined via gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), revealing neoisomenthol (37.89%), pulegone (20.11%), and dihydrocarvone (19.01%) as the primary bioactive molecules. CNEO exhibited substantial antibacterial activity, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 0.10 against E. coli to 1 mg/mL against K. pneumoniae. This promising antimicrobial activity, especially noteworthy against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, prompted an evaluation of CNEO's synergistic potential with antibiotics using the Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (FICI). The FICI analysis, especially with ampicillin against P. aeruginosa, uncovered an optimal synergistic interaction at a FICI of 0.31. Notably, observed reductions in MIC values for CNEO and antibiotics, ranging from 2-7 folds, highlight the heightened efficacy of these combinations. These findings hold significance for developing new approaches to address the increasing challenges of bacterial infections resistant to conventional treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new trend of almond planting intensification aims for better profitability at the expense of biodiversity, which will lead to forsaking of local Beldiecotypes. Indeed, European late-flowering cultivars, especially Ferragnes and Ferraduel, were recently largely planted in northeastern Morocco. In parallel with our studies on these new almond crops, which are profitable in favorable areas, this research aims to conserve local almond biodiversity. Thus, it seeks added value for products from Beldialmonds, particularly for defective kernels (Doubles, malformed, split, and broken almonds). Therefore, these defective kernels could be used as raw materials for almond oil extraction to be used in cosmetology or even in food industry. in addition, this study is the first that has been conducted to determine the characterization of the Beldi ecotype has been carried out in this region. Low acidity and peroxide indexes values, which are respectively 0.44% and 2.67 meq O2/Kg, and a medium oxidative stability value (19 hours)were recorded for the studied almond oils obtained from seeds by mechanical pressing extraction. Total tocopherols content showed significant values 528.28 mg/Kg, with α-tocopherol as dominant. The total phenolic content of the analyzed Beldi almond oil is 147.59 mg/kg,The analyzed fatty acid profiles show that their composition is mainly constituted by oleic acid (64.68%). Finally, it should be noted that despite its low production, the Beldiecotypes will continue to spread in the marginal agro-ecological zones due to their remarkable resistance to drought and their almond oils highly valued in cosmetic, especially for skin and hair care products.

Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus indica), is a Cactaceae plant with a great economic relevance in the world. Nowadays, nopal cactus industry is active and rapidly expanding.In fact, the seeds oil sector is the best exploitation due to the high price of this oil. Moisture content, oxidative stability, quality index, total phenol, flavonoids, chlorophyll and carotenoid contentof prickly pear seed oil were analyzed.The seeds used in this study were provided by a cooperative DAR ATABIAA located in Chouihia (Eastern region of Morocco) during the harvesting season 2020. The samples were obtained from wild trees grown in this region. Results showed that moisture content of prickly pear seeds was 9.12%, whereas the acidity and peroxide index value was 1.11% and 4.44 meq O2/kg respectively, andan oxidative stabilityof 17.31 hours. The total phenolic and the flavonoid content values for theseseed oilsare 260.07 mg/kg and 65.99 mg/kg, respectively. Furthermore, the results show a carotenoid contentof 0.61 mg/kg and total chlorophyll of 1.52 mg/kg.

In the North-Eastern Mediterranen coast of Morocco, the establishment of seaside resorts built as part of the Plan Azur, substantially degraded the coastal matorral of Juniperus phoenicea L. Nonetheless, the species remains an important resource for the ecological balance. The estimation of the changes in land cover is a suitable method to evaluate the degradation rate of the matorral. The aim of the current study is to warn about the degradation of J. phoenicea in Saidia coastline by quantifying the inter-years dynamic of J. phoenicea matorral in 1965 (before the Plan Azur) in 2004 and 2021(after the Plan Azur). Estimation of changes in matorral cover rate was achieved by photo-interpretation. Analysis indicates that J. phoenicea matorral ecosystem of Saidia has been affected by a drop of 63% in land area, over a period of time not exceeding 17 years. Currently the picture of the coastal matorral of J. phoenicea is rather bleak; the vulnerability of this valuable resource has prompted us to raise the alarm in order to preserve remaining up shrubs to the present time.

The fig tree (Ficus carica L.) is one of the earliest fruit trees cultivated in Morocco, especially in the north-eastern region; which is growing inextricably linked to our social and cultural heritage. This study concerns morpho-pomological and chemical parameters of five local fig varieties, namely: Aounk Hmam “AH”, Chetoui “CH”, Bounacer “BN”, Ghoudane “GH”, and Malha “MA”. Significant differences were observed among the studied fig cultivars for some of the parameters investigated. In particular, the average fruit weight that ranged from 29.72 g to 58g for MA and AH respectively. At the ripening stage, fruits “MA” show the best skin cracks, while fruits “AH” are distinguished by their ease of peeling.In terms of titratable acidity, “AH” has the lowest value, while “CH” has the highest level. For the sweetest and tastiest variety of figs, Brix readings (expressed as total soluble solids content) registred range between 27 - 35% respectively for the MA and GH . According to the results of the parameters evaluated, particularly the acidity and the Brix index, the best varieties worthy of consideration from an agricultural and industrial point of view are “AH” and “CH” cultivars.

Almond oil (AO) has both food and non-food uses, but the most profitable niche market is its non-food applications for cosmetic (Skincare, Body oil, Hair oil, Soap). In the last decade, two almond varieties Ferragnes and Ferraduel, with the dominance of Ferragnes, became to be crucial due to their suitability to the agro-ecological conditions of some regions of almond production in Morocco. This study focuses on characterization of AO of Ferragnes, which is the main cultivar among foreign almond varieties introduced in eastern Morocco. Chemical parameters’ fatty acid (FA) composition, minor compounds mainly tocopherols and phenols were analyzed, and the oxidative stability (OSI) of AO related to their shelf life was determined. Results show low acidity (0.38%) and low peroxide value (1.92 meq/kg). FA profile shows predominance of unsaturated FA principally oleic acid (C18:1; 68.9 %) and linoleic acid (C18:2; 21.88%). Tocopherol (Vitamin E) and phenol contents are, respectively, 456.43 mg/kg and 138 mg/kg. In addition, due to its richness in natural antioxidants, this oil exhibits high oxidative stability (OSI = 24.09 h); thus, these results prove the high quality of Ferragnes AO that can be recommended as edible oil, but notably for cosmetic applications which are more profitable.

Numerous studies on perennial crops have shown that almond has a low tolerance to climate change, which led to detailed study for its adaptation by focusing on selecting heat-tolerant almond varieties. The long period of perennial agriculture creates particular challenges in a changing climate. The risk complicates the choice of a variety that the best variety for the current climate may be poorly suited for future climates. Hence the interest of having a large variability of tolerant genotypes. In the eastern Mediterranean region of Morocco, seedling almond trees are largely grown, which created an important gene pool, both for breeding programs and the selection of superior genotypes adapted to difficult pedo-climatic conditions. For the conservation of crop biodiversity in these almond groves, micropropagation is considered a feasible technique for producing and regenerating superior planting materials. Zygotic embryos of several local ecotypes of the almond native population known as ''Beldi'' were cultivated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of auxins and cytokinins. The results showed multiple shoot initiation from zygotic embryos on MS medium containing 1mg/L of 6-Benzyl-aminopurine (BAP) combined with 0.5 mg/L of Indole butyric acid (IBA). A high rooting rate was obtained on a half-strength MS medium supplemented with 1mg/L of IBA.

Almonds harvesting, along with precleaning, hulling, shelling, and sorting, generate recoverable co-products such as double, malformed, or damaged almonds. The common way that generates more benefit is the extraction of almond oil for food and cosmetic uses. The aim of this study is to compare composition and nutritional value of almond meals of the main varieties from eastern Morocco, Marcona (M), Fournat de Breznaud (FNB), FerragnesandFerraduel (FF) and Beldi a local ecotype (B), during three consecutive crop years (2016-2018). Significant differences were observed, which mainly concern the residual oil in almond cakes and especially their fibres, sugars, and proteins. Differences depend on the quality of the raw material and the effects of the crop year on the variety. Besides, from a nutritional point of view, analysed almond meals still contain significant amounts of residual oil and the major constituents of almond seeds (sugars, fibres, and proteins). The amino acid profile presents eight essential amino acids (Cysteine, Methionine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, and Lysine Valine) and the Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) ranges between 24.78% for (M) and 62.17% for (FF). We conclude the analysed almond meals present interesting nutritional values as a specific ingredient for gluten-free culinary preparations and light foodstuffs.

The edible and tasty almond {Prunus amygdalus [syn. P. dulcis (Mill.) D.A.Webb]} kernel is not anymore the main reason for its production and uses, other properties related to its by-products, especially the sweet edible almond oil, which is mainly used as a salad dressing or as an ingredient in a highly appreciated Moroccan almond-based recipes. The studied almond populations are derived from seedling, the trees of these plantations are very heterogeneous in terms of vigor and flowering time and are facing a genetic bottleneck due to an attack by an insect ’bark beetle’, as well as the introduction of new foreigner cultivars. Our preliminary study concerns the evaluation of fruits quality of locally commercializedalmond ecotypes, with a shelling rate ranging from 22.37% to 34.21%and it comparison with the introducedFrench cultivars couple Ferragnes/Ferraduel (Fg/Fd) grown in the same region, that presents higher commercial values but yet lowest nutritional traits compared to local populations.Since Beldi almonds showed higher total tochopherols content with avalue equal to 511.64 mg/kg, while for Fg/Fd cultivars it presents only 433.1 mg/kg. Hence the interest of a detailed study to prove both the genetic variability of local Beldi almond populations for the conservation of biodiversity, and also the biochemical propertiesof almond oils and cakes lead to post-harvest recovery of these products by increasing it commercial value in favour of local farmers and cooperatives.

Opuntia (Cactaceae) species are native to arid and semi-arid regions of Mexico and the southern United States and grow in various climatic zones. Opuntia dillenii is a cactus fruit with many beneficial properties, and it is used as a medicinal plant in various countries. This review paper provides updated information on the phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of O. dillenii . The fruit contains valuable compounds such as flavonoids, phenolics, ascorbic acid, betanin, and essential elements, which have been isolated and identified. The fruit also exhibits diverse pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, hypotensive, anti-diabetic, antifungal, and anticancer effects. Moreover, molecular docking and ADMET predictions were performed to evaluate the antibacterial potential of the fruit against Escherichia coli protein. This paper suggests that O. dillenii has significant potential as a complementary therapy for various pathological conditions., Competing Interests: 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., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

Introduction: Liver diseases represent a significant global health challenge, with primary causes including excessive alcohol consumption, infections, chemotherapy, and autoimmune disorders. Medicinal plants, due to their natural bioactive compounds, hold promise for developing effective treatments and preventive measures against liver ailments. This study aimed to document the use of herbal remedies in northeastern Morocco for liver diseases and correlate these uses with scientific evidence through a bibliometric analysis., Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in remote communities of northeastern Morocco from October 2020 to January 2022. A total of 189 informants were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires to gather information on local medicinal plants used for liver ailments. The data were analyzed using four ethnobotanical quantitative indices: use value (UV), familial use value (FUV), informant consensus factor (ICF), and fidelity level (FL). Additionally, a bibliometric analysis was performed to evaluate the scientific support for the ethnopharmacological uses documented., Results: The survey identified 45 plant species from 26 different families used in the treatment of liver diseases. The most frequently utilized species were Cuminum cyminum L. (UV = 0.1065), Allium sativum L. (UV = 0.1015), Salvia officinalis L. (UV = 0.0761), Asparagus officinalis L. (UV = 0.0558), and Ziziphus lotus (L.) Lam. (UV = 0.0457). The Apiaceae family showed the highest familial use value (FUV = 0.1066), followed by Alliaceae (FUV = 0.1015). Liver congestion had the highest informant consensus factor (ICF = 0.83), followed by hepatic colic (ICF = 0.80). Bibliometric analysis revealed that 61% of the plants identified had documented pharmacological effects related to liver health., Discussion: The study demonstrates that traditional knowledge in northeastern Morocco encompasses a rich diversity of medicinal plants used to treat liver diseases. The high ICF values indicate a strong consensus among informants on the efficacy of these remedies. The correlation between ethnopharmacological use and scientific validation for a significant portion of these plants suggests their potential as reliable therapeutic agents for liver conditions. However, further scientific investigations are necessary to confirm their efficacy and safety in clinical settings. This research contributes valuable information for future studies on the therapeutic potential of these plants., Conclusion: This ethnobotanical survey provides a comprehensive database of medicinal plants used in northeastern Morocco for liver diseases. The findings highlight the potential of these plants in developing novel treatments for hepatic conditions, although further research is essential to substantiate their therapeutic claims., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Bencheikh, Elbouzidi, Baraich, Bouhrim, Azeroual, Addi, Mothana, Al-Yousef, Eto and Elachouri.)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties of thymol, carvacrol, and their equimolar mixture. Antioxidant activities were assessed using the DPPH, ABTS, and ORAC methods. The thymol/carvacrol mixture exhibited significant synergism, surpassing the individual compounds and ascorbic acid in DPPH (IC 50 = 43.82 ± 2.41 µg/mL) and ABTS (IC 50 = 23.29 ± 0.71 µg/mL) assays. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by inhibiting the 5-LOX, COX-1, and COX-2 enzymes. The equimolar mixture showed the strongest inhibition of 5-LOX (IC 50 = 8.46 ± 0.92 µg/mL) and substantial inhibition of COX-1 (IC 50 = 15.23 ± 2.34 µg/mL) and COX-2 (IC50 = 14.53 ± 2.42 µg/mL), indicating a synergistic effect. Anticancer activity was tested on MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and MDA-MB-436 breast cancer cell lines using the MTT assay. The thymol/carvacrol mixture demonstrated superior cytotoxicity (IC 50 = 0.92-1.70 µg/mL) and increased selectivity compared to cisplatin, with high selectivity indices (144.88-267.71). These results underscore the promising therapeutic potential of the thymol/carvacrol combination, particularly for its synergistic antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties against breast cancer. This study paves the way for developing natural therapies against breast cancer and other conditions associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, leveraging the synergistic effects of natural compounds like thymol and carvacrol.

The optimization of existing natural antioxidants that are highly effective is crucial for advancements in medicine and the food industry. Due to growing concerns regarding the safety of synthetic antioxidants, researchers are increasingly focusing on natural sources, particularly essential oils (EOs). Combining EOs might enhance antioxidant activity due to increased chemical diversity. This study investigates, for the first time, the antioxidant properties of EOs from Lavandula dentata , Rosmarinus officinalis , and Myrtus communis , both individually and in combination, using the augmented-simplex design methodology. The in vitro evaluation of the antioxidant activity was performed using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays. Chromatography gas-mass spectrometry (CG-MS) revealed that 1,8-cineol (37.27%) and pinocarveol (12.67%) are the primary components of L. dentata ; verbenone (16.90%), camphor (15.00%), and camphene (11.03%) are predominant in R. officinalis ; while cineol (43.32%) is the main component of M. communis. The EOs showed varying scavenging activities against ABTS and DPPH radicals, with DPPH assay values ranging from 194.10 ± 3.01 to 541.19 ± 3.72 µg/mL and ABTS assay values ranging from 134.07 ± 1.70 to 663.42 ± 2.99 µg/mL. These activities were enhanced when the EOs were combined. The optimal antioxidant blend for DPPH IC50 consisted of 20% L. dentata , 50% R. officinalis , and 30% M. communis . For the highest ABTS radical scavenging activity, the best combination was 18% L. dentata , 43% R. officinalis , and 40% M. communis . These results highlight the potential of EO combinations as new natural formulations for use in cosmeceutical, food, and pharmaceutical sectors.

The aim of this study was to determine the phytochemical composition and evaluate the antifungal and insecticidal properties of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil (EO). GC-MS was employed to analyze the phytochemical profile of the EO. The antifungal activity of the EO was assessed by calculating growth inhibition rates for Alternaria alternata , Fusarium oxysporum , and Botrytis cinerea . Repellent capacity and toxicity were evaluated through inhalation and contact tests on Callosobruchus maculatus . Molecular docking techniques were utilized to test the insecticidal and antifungal activities of rosemary EO. The analysis revealed a total of sixteen components in R . officinalis EO, with 1,8-cineole (40.80%) being the major constituent, followed by α -pinene (26.18%) and camphor (19.53%). Antifungal evaluation demonstrated a significant inhibitory impact on the mycelial growth of the tested fungi, with complete inhibition observed against B. cinerea . In terms of insecticidal capacity, the EO induced complete mortality of C. maculatus adults at a concentration of 1  μ L/L air, with an inhalation test LC 50 value of 0.62  μ L/L air. Concentration-dependent reductions were observed in the number of both laid eggs and emerged insects, reaching a 99.36% reduction. The EO also exhibited a moderate effectiveness in repelling insects, with an average repellency rate of 50.83%. In silico analysis identified borneol as the most active molecule against insect acetylcholinesterase (PDB: 6ARY) with a Glide score of -7.254 kcal/mol. α -Caryophyllene showed the highest activity against B. cinerea β -tubulin (PDB: 3N2G) with a Glide score of -7.025 kcal/mol. These findings suggest that the EO derived from Moroccan Rosmarinus officinalis has potential as an effective natural agent against pathogenic fungi and could serve as a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative as a bioinsecticide., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Ghizlane Houzi et al.)

Mining activities produce waste materials and effluents with very high metal concentrations that can negatively impact ecosystems and human health. Consequently, data on soil and plant metal levels are crucial for evaluating pollution severity and formulating soil reclamation strategies, such as phytoremediation. Our research focused on soils and vegetation of a highly contaminated site with potentially toxic metals (Pb, Zn, and Cu) in the Touissit mining districts of eastern Morocco. Vegetation inventory was carried out in three mine tailings of the Touissit mine fields using the "field tower" technique. Here, 91 species belonging to 23 families were inventoried: the most represented families were Poaceae and Asteraceae , and the biological spectrum indicated a predominance of Therophytes (55.12%). From the studied areas, 15 species were selected and collected in triplicate on the tailings and sampled with their corresponding rhizospheric soils, and analyzed for Pb, Zn, and Cu concentrations. Reseda lutea , lotus marocanus , and lotus corniculatus can be considered as hyperaccumulators of Pb, as these plants accumulated more than 1000 mg·kg -1 in their aerial parts. According to TF, these plant species could serve as effective plants for Pb phytoextraction.

The aim of this study is to explore the pharmacological properties of the essential oil derived from Ptychotis verticillata Duby (PVEO), a medicinal plant native to Morocco, focusing on its antidiabetic, anti-tyrosinase, and anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, the study aims to characterize the phytochemical composition of PVEO and evaluate its potential as a natural therapeutic alternative for various health conditions. To achieve this, phytochemical analysis was conducted using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Furthermore, in vitro assessments were conducted to investigate PVEO's antidiabetic activity by inhibiting α-amylase, xanthine oxidase, and α-glucosidase. Tests were also undertaken to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of PVEO on RAW 264.7 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as well as its efficacy as an anti-tyrosinase agent and its lipoxygenase inhibition activity. The results of the phytochemical analysis revealed that PVEO is rich in terpene compounds, with percentages of 40.35 % γ-terpinene, 22.40 % carvacrol, and 19.77 % β-cymene. Moreover, in vitro evaluations demonstrated that PVEO exhibits significant inhibitory activity against α-amylase, xanthine oxidase, and α-glucosidase, indicating promising antidiabetic, and anti-gout potential. Furthermore, PVEO showed significant anti-tyrosinase activity, with an IC50 of 27.39 ± 0.44 μg/mL, and remarkable lipoxygenase inhibition (87.33 ± 2.6 %), suggesting its candidacy for dermatoprotection. Additionally, PVEO displayed a dose-dependent capacity to attenuate the production of NO and PGE 2 , two inflammatory mediators implicated in various pathologies, without compromising cellular viability. The findings of this study provide a solid foundation for future research on natural therapies and the development of new drugs, highlighting the therapeutic potential of PVEO in the treatment of gout, diabetes, pigmentation disorders, and inflammation., Competing Interests: 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., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Introduction: This study investigates the biological activities of Lavandula pinnata essential oil (LPEO), an endemic lavender species from the Canary Islands, traditionally used in treating various ailments. Methods: LPEO was extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed using GC-MS. Antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH radical scavenging and total antioxidant capacity assays. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by disc diffusion, MIC, MBC, and MFC determination against bacterial ( Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ) and fungal ( Candida glabrata, Rhodotorula glutinis, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium digitatum ) strains. Antidiabetic and anti-gout potential were investigated through α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and xanthine oxidase inhibition assays. Antityrosinase activity was determined using a modified dopachrome method. Cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT assay against breast (MCF-7, MDA-MB-468), liver (HepG2), colon (HCT-15) cancer cells, and normal cells (PBMCs). Results and discussion: LPEO exhibits potent antiradical activity (IC50 = 148.33 ± 2.48 μg/mL) and significant antioxidant capacity (TAC = 171.56 ± 2.34 μg AA/mg of EO). It demonstrates notable antibacterial activity against four strains ( Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ) with inhibition zones ranging from 18.70 ± 0.30 mm to 29.20 ± 0.30 mm, along with relatively low MIC and MBC values. LPEO displays significant antifungal activity against four strains ( Candida glabrata, Rhodotorula glutinis, Aspergillus niger, and Penicillium digitatum ) with a fungicidal effect at 1 mg/mL, surpassing the positive control (cycloheximide), and MIC and MFC values indicating a fungicidal effect. It exhibits substantial inhibition of xanthine oxidase enzyme (IC50 = 26.48 ± 0.90 μg/mL), comparable to allopurinol, and marked inhibitory effects on α-amylase (IC50 = 31.56 ± 0.46 μg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC50 = 58.47 ± 2.35 μg/mL) enzymes.The enzyme tyrosinase is inhibited by LPEO (IC50 = 29.11 ± 0.08 mg/mL). LPEO displays moderate cytotoxic activity against breast, liver, and colon cancer cells, with low toxicity towards normal cells (PBMC). LPEO exhibits greater selectivity than cisplatin for breast (MCF-7) and colon (HCT-15) cancer cells but lower selectivity for liver (HepG2) and metastatic breast (MDA-MB-468) cancer cells. These findings suggest the potential of LPEO as an antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-gout, antidiabetic, and anticancer agent., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Haddou, Elbouzidi, Taibi, Baraich, Loukili, Bellaouchi, Saalaoui, Asehraou, Salamatullah, Bourhia, Nafidi, Addi, Guerrouj and Chaabane.)

In this investigation, the study focused on the chemical constitution and the antioxidative as well as anti-inflammatory characteristics of oils and pulpy variants (Imatchan (IM), Harmocha (HA), and Aknari (AK)) sourced from O. dillenii. This inquiry encompassed both in vitro and in silico analyses. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to ascertain the phenolic constituents, while gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methodologies. were applied to discern the volatile makeup. The appraisal of antioxidant potential was conducted via the deployment of assays such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and ferric ion chelating (FIC) techniques. The anti-inflammatory activity was examined using BSA and LOX. Molecular docking methods assessed the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. According to HPLC findings, the most abundant compounds detected in AKO and IMO cultivars were quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucoside followed by vanillic acid, ferulic acid and tyrolsol. Concerning headspace GC-MS analysis E-11-hexadecenal and (E)-2-undecenal contribute to the major compounds detected in Opuntia HA, IM, and AK pulp and oil. The DPPH IC 50 for AK, HA and IM were 38.41±1.54, 42.24±0.29 and 15.17±1.28 mg/mL, respectively. The FRAP IC 50 capacity of AK, HA and IM was determined to be 30.23±0.6, 55.96±0.08 and 23.41±1.83 mg/mL, respectively. AK, HA and IM displayed significant FIC activity, with IC 50 values of 42.75±0.63, 39.54±0.59 and 35.31±1.38 mg/mL, respectively. The AK, HA and IM O. dillenii oils were effective in their anti-inflammatory activity. Molecular docking of O. dillenii oils phenolic compounds was conducted to determine the possible targeted proteins by the phenolic compounds in O. dillenii's compounds. Overall, these fruits demonstrated the potential for new ingredients for culinary or pharmaceutical applications, providing value to these natural species that can flourish in arid conditions., (© 2024 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Cistus albidus : L., also known as Grey-leaved rockrose and locally addressed as šṭab or tûzzâla lbîḍa, is a plant species with a well-established reputation for its health-promoting properties and traditional use for the treatment of various diseases. This research delves into exploring the essential oil extracted from the aerial components of Cistus albidus (referred to as CAEO), aiming to comprehend its properties concerning antioxidation, anti-inflammation, antimicrobial efficacy, and cytotoxicity. Firstly, a comprehensive analysis of CAEO's chemical composition was performed through Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Subsequently, four complementary assays were conducted to assess its antioxidant potential, including DPPH scavenging, β-carotene bleaching, ABTS scavenging, and total antioxidant capacity assays. The investigation delved into the anti-inflammatory properties via the 5-lipoxygenase assay and the antimicrobial effects of CAEO against various bacterial and fungal strains. Additionally, the research investigated the cytotoxic effects of CAEO on two human breast cancer subtypes, namely, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. Chemical analysis revealed camphene as the major compound, comprising 39.21% of the composition, followed by α-pinene (19.01%), bornyl acetate (18.32%), tricyclene (6.86%), and melonal (5.44%). Notably, CAEO exhibited robust antioxidant activity, as demonstrated by the low IC 50 values in DPPH (153.92 ± 4.30 μg/mL) and β-carotene (95.25 ± 3.75 μg/mL) assays, indicating its ability to counteract oxidative damage. The ABTS assay and the total antioxidant capacity assay also confirmed the potent antioxidant potential with IC 50 values of 120.51 ± 3.33 TE μmol/mL and 458.25 ± 3.67 µg AAE/mg, respectively. In terms of anti-inflammatory activity, CAEO displayed a substantial lipoxygenase inhibition at 0.5 mg/mL. Its antimicrobial properties were broad-spectrum, although some resistance was observed in the case of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus . CAEO exhibited significant dose-dependent inhibitory effects on tumor cell lines in vitro . Additionally, computational analyses were carried out to appraise the physicochemical characteristics, drug-likeness, and pharmacokinetic properties of CAEO's constituent molecules, while the toxicity was assessed using the Protox II web server., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elbouzidi, Taibi, Laaraj, Loukili, Haddou, El Hachlafi, Naceiri Mrabti, Baraich, Bellaouchi, Asehraou, Bourhia, Nafidi, Bin Jardan, Chaabane and Addi.)

Prickly pear serves as a significant source of income for farmers worldwide, with production taking place in temperate, subtropical, and cold regions. The objective of the present investigation is to explore the morphological parameters of Opuntia robusta and Opuntia dillenii which are resistant to the white cochineal ( Dactylopius opuntiae ), as well as the local prickly pear that is currently threatened with extinction. This investigation aims to evaluate the feasibility of replacing the endangered local prickly pear with the recently introduced species O. robusta and O. dillenii . This analysis is based on a comprehensive assessment of 26 qualitative and 25 quantitative traits pertaining to cladodes and fruits. In terms of species differentiation and the selection of discriminative features, this study demonstrates the effectiveness of various statistical methods, as well as the analysis carried out according to the descriptors recommended by the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). Of the 51 parameters evaluated, 13 qualitative and 23 quantitative characters are significant in differentiating the species under study. This underscores the importance of quantitative traits in distinguishing different prickly pear species. Furthermore, color is identified as a crucial characteristic for discriminating between the studied samples. O. robusta is characterized by its high fruit weight, large size, greater pulp content, and high pulp-to-peel ratio, all of which are desirable traits for fresh consumption. Additionally, O. robusta has the highest number of fully developed seeds, making it an attractive option for use in the cosmetic industry. This characteristic renders the O. robusta a potential substitute for the endangered ecotype . However, O. robusta is distinguished by its short stalk, which poses a challenge for fruit harvesting and leaves it susceptible to physical damage and quality loss. Conversely, O. dillenii displays a low pulp content, which serves as a critical indicator of fruit quality. The only desirable agronomic trait of this species is its elevated seed content, which has the potential for utilization in oil production for the cosmetic industry., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Ahmed Marhri et al.)

Our research focused on assessing essential oils (MSEO) and aqueous extracts (MSAE) derived from M. subtomentella leaves, with a primary focus on evaluating their properties. From 1 kg of leaves, we successfully obtained 18 mL of essential oil. Upon conducting GC/MS analysis, we identified eleven compounds within the oil, collectively accounting for 100% of the constituents identified. Notably, the predominant compounds in the leaf oil were p-Menth-48) -en-3-one (50.48%), 9-Ethylbicyclo (3.3.1) nonan-9-ol (10.04%) (E)-3,3-Dimethyl-delta-1, alpha-cyclohexaneacetaldehyde (8.53%), and D-Limonene (7.22%). Furthermore, utilizing HPLC/DAD, we explored the phenolic profile of MSAE, extracted through decoction. This analysis revealed the presence of fifty-eight compounds, with five major components collectively constituting 61% of the total compounds identified, rosmarinic acid as the major one. We evaluated the antimicrobial effectiveness of the MSEO against ten different strains, observing its notable efficacy against A. Niger (MIC = 0.09%), P. digitatum (MIC = 0.5%), and G. candidum (MIC = 1%). However, the essential oil demonstrated comparatively lower efficacy against bacteria than fungi. In contrast, the MSAE did not exhibit any antimicrobial activity against the tested strains. Regarding antioxidant activity, the aqueous extract displayed a significantly higher antioxidant capacity than the essential oil, which exhibited relatively lower antioxidant activity. The IC 50 values were determined to be 0.04 ± 0.01 mg/mL, 0.17 ± 0.01 mg/mL, and 13% ± 0.01% (V/V), for ascorbic acid MSAE and MSEO, respectively. We used a computational method called molecular docking to investigate how certain plant compounds affect antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. This involved analyzing the interactions between these compounds and specific protein targets known for their roles in these activities., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Brahmi, Bentouhami, Rbah, Elbouzidi, Mokhtari, Salamatullah, Ibenmoussa, Bourhia, Addi, Asehraou and Legssyer.)

This study investigates the impact of dietary nonindustrial Moroccan hemp seed (HS) on the fatty acid profile, cholesterol, and tocopherol levels, in the liver of 120 Lohmann brown laying hens aged 22 weeks during 12 weeks of treatment. The hens are randomly allocated into four treatment groups, each subdivided into six replicates with five birds in each replicate. The dietary treatments consist of 0% HS (control), 10% HS, 20% HS, and 30% HS. Results indicate a substantial increase ( p < 0.01) in polyunsaturated fatty acids, including omega 3 (n-3) and omega 6 (n-6) types, with the inclusion of HS in the diet. The n-6/n-3 ratio is significantly reduced ( p < 0.01), and there is a significant reduction ( p < 0.01) in saturated fatty acids only for the 30% HS treatment, indicating a more favorable fatty acid composition. Cholesterol levels remain largely unaffected by HS inclusion, except for the 10% HS group, which shows a significant decrease ( p < 0.05). Moreover, hepatic tocopherol levels are significantly elevated ( p < 0.01) in subjects receiving the HS diet, with the 30% HS group exhibiting the highest tocopherol content. In summary, incorporating HS into the diet up to 30% appears to offer promising benefits for hepatic lipid composition, particularly in terms of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, the n-6/n-3 ratio, and tocopherol levels, while having minimal impact on cholesterol levels., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Youssef Rbah et al.)

Juncus acutus , acknowledged through its indigenous nomenclature "samar", is part of the Juncaceae taxonomic lineage, bearing considerable import as a botanical reservoir harboring conceivable therapeutic attributes. Its historical precedence in traditional curative methodologies for the alleviation of infections and inflammatory conditions is notable. In the purview of Eastern traditional medicine, Juncus species seeds find application for their remedial efficacy in addressing diarrhea, while the botanical fruits are subjected to infusion processes targeting the attenuation of symptoms associated with cold manifestations. The primary objective of this study was to unravel the phytochemical composition of distinct constituents within J. acutus , specifically leaves (JALE) and roots (JARE), originating from the indigenous expanse of the Nador region in northeastern Morocco. The extraction of plant constituents was executed utilizing an ethanol-based extraction protocol. The subsequent elucidation of chemical constituents embedded within the extracts was accomplished employing analytical techniques based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). For the purpose of in vitro antioxidant evaluation, a dual approach was adopted, encompassing the radical scavenging technique employing 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assay. The acquired empirical data showcase substantial radical scavenging efficacy and pronounced relative antioxidant activity. Specifically, the DPPH and TAC methods yielded values of 483.45 ± 4.07 µg/mL and 54.59 ± 2.44 µg of ascorbic acid (AA)/mL, respectively, for the leaf extracts. Correspondingly, the root extracts demonstrated values of 297.03 ± 43.3 µg/mL and 65.615 ± 0.54 µg of AA/mL for the DPPH and TAC methods. In the realm of antimicrobial evaluation, the assessment of effects was undertaken through the agar well diffusion technique. The minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration, and minimum fungicidal concentration were determined for each extract. The inhibitory influence of the ethanol extracts was observed across bacterial strains including Staphylococcus aureus , Micrococcus luteus , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa , with the notable exception of Escherichia coli . However, fungal strains such as Candida glabrata and Rhodotorula glutinis exhibited comparatively lower resistance, whereas Aspergillus niger and Penicillium digitatum exhibited heightened resistance, evincing negligible antifungal activity. An anticipatory computational assessment of pharmacokinetic parameters was conducted, complemented by the application of the Pro-tox II web tool to delineate the potential toxicity profile of compounds intrinsic to the studied extracts. The culmination of these endeavors underpins the conceivable prospects of the investigated extracts as promising candidates for oral medicinal applications.

Thirteen satellite precipitation products (SPPs), re-gridded to 1 km resolution, were evaluated in terms of the structural similarity index (SSI) over the Pra catchment in Ghana. Three SPP scenarios were considered: Scenario one (S1) was the original SPPs; Scenario two (S2) was bias-corrected SPPs; and Scenario three (S3) was the better of S1 and S2 for each wet day. For each scenario, the best SPP was selected to constitute the 14th SPP referred to as the BEST SPP. Each SPP was evaluated in terms of SSI against the rain gauge rainfield for each wet day. For S1, the top three SPPs were TMPA, GSMAP and CMORPH; for S2, CMORPH, PERCCS and MSWEP were the top three; and for S3, CMORPH, PERCCS and TMPA came out on top in order of decreasing performance. Bias correction led to improvement in the overall SSI measure (SSIM) for 73% of wet days. The BEST SPP increased the SSIM of the best individual SPP by over 50% for S1, and over 30% for both S2 and S3. Comparing the BEST SPP of the three scenarios, S2 increased the SSIM statistic by 20% over that for S1, and SSIM was further improved by 4% for S3. It is highly recommended to use BEST SPP (S3) to generate the required 1 km × 1 km rainfields for the Pra, or other catchments around the world with a sparse rain gauge network, through conditional merging with rain gauge data as demonstrated., (© 2023. Springer Nature Limited.)

Breast cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of malignant cells in breast tissue, and oxidative stress activated by an accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is associated with its development and progression. Essential oils from medicinal plants, known for their antioxidant and therapeutic properties, are being explored as alternatives. Ptychotis verticillata , also known as Nûnkha, is a medicinal plant native to Morocco, belonging to the Apiaceae family, and used for generations in traditional medicine. This study focuses on the phytochemical characterization of P. verticillata essential oil (PVEO) from the province of Oujda, Morocco, for its therapeutic properties. The essential oil was obtained by hydro-distillation, and its volatile components were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results revealed the presence of various aromatic and terpene compounds, with carvacrol being the most abundant compound. PVEO showed antioxidant properties in several tests, including β-carotene bleaching, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). It also demonstrated cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, with higher selectivity for MDA-MB-231. The results reveal that Ptychotis verticillata essential oil (PVEO) could be a promising natural alternative for the treatment of breast cancer.

The mastic tree, scientifically known as Pistacia lentiscus , which belongs to the Anacardiaceae family, was used in this study. The aim of this research was to analyze the chemical composition of this plant and assess its antioxidant and antibacterial properties using both laboratory experiments and computer simulations through molecular docking, a method that predicts the binding strength of a small molecule to a protein. The soxhlet method (SE) was employed to extract substances from the leaves of P. lentiscus found in the eastern region of Morocco. Hexane and methanol were the solvents used for the extraction process. The n-hexane extract was subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to identify its fatty acid content. The methanolic extract underwent high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) to determine the presence of phenolic compounds. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH spectrophotometric test. The findings revealed that the main components in the n-hexane extract were linoleic acid (40.97 ± 0.33%), oleic acid (23.69 ± 0.12%), and palmitic acid (22.83 ± 0.10%). Catechin (37.05 ± 0.15%) was identified as the predominant compound in the methanolic extract through HPLC analysis. The methanolic extract exhibited significant DPPH radical scavenging, with an IC50 value of 0.26 ± 0.14 mg/mL. The antibacterial activity was tested against Staphylococcus aureus , Listeria innocua , and Escherichia coli , while the antifungal activity was evaluated against Geotrichum candidum and Rhodotorula glutinis . The P. lentiscus extract demonstrated notable antimicrobial effects. Additionally, apart from molecular docking, other important factors, such as drug similarity, drug metabolism and distribution within the body, potential adverse effects, and impact on bodily systems, were considered for the substances derived from P. lentiscus . Scientific algorithms, such as Prediction of Activity Spectra for Substances (PASS), Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion (ADME), and Pro-Tox II, were utilized for this assessment. The results obtained from this research support the traditional medicinal usage of P. lentiscus and suggest its potential for drug development.

The botanical species Ceratonia siliqua L., commonly referred to as the Carob tree, and locally as "L'Kharrûb", holds significance as an agro-sylvo-pastoral species, and is traditionally utilized in Morocco for treating a variety of ailments. This current investigation aims to ascertain the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic properties of the ethanolic extract of C. siliqua leaves (CSEE). Initially, we analyzed the chemical composition of CSEE through high-performance liquid chromatography with Diode-Array Detection (HPLC-DAD). Subsequently, we conducted various assessments, including DPPH scavenging capacity, β-carotene bleaching assay, ABTS scavenging, and total antioxidant capacity assays to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the extract. In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial properties of CSEE against five bacterial strains (two gram-positive, Staphylococcus aureus , and Enterococcus faecalis ; and three gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli , Escherichia vekanda , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ) and two fungi ( Candida albicans , and Geotrichum candidum ). Additionally, we evaluated the cytotoxicity of CSEE on three human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and MDA-MB-436) and assessed the potential genotoxicity of the extract using the comet assay. Through HPLC-DAD analysis, we determined that phenolic acids and flavonoids were the primary constituents of the CSEE extract. The results of the DPPH test indicated a potent scavenging capacity of the extract with an IC 50 of 302.78 ± 7.55 µg/mL, which was comparable to that of ascorbic acid with an IC 50 of 260.24 ± 6.45 µg/mL. Similarly, the β-carotene test demonstrated an IC 50 of 352.06 ± 12.16 µg/mL, signifying the extract's potential to inhibit oxidative damage. The ABTS assay revealed IC 50 values of 48.13 ± 3.66 TE µmol/mL, indicating a strong ability of CSEE to scavenge ABTS radicals, and the TAC assay demonstrated an IC 50 value of 165 ± 7.66 µg AAE/mg. The results suggest that the CSEE extract had potent antioxidant activity. Regarding its antimicrobial activity, the CSEE extract was effective against all five tested bacterial strains, indicating its broad-spectrum antibacterial properties. However, it only showed moderate activity against the two tested fungal strains, suggesting it may not be as effective against fungi. The CSEE exhibited a noteworthy dose-dependent inhibitory activity against all the tested tumor cell lines in vitro. The extract did not induce DNA damage at the concentrations of 6.25, 12.5, 25, and 50 µg/mL, as assessed by the comet assay. However, the 100 µg/mL concentration of CSEE resulted in a significant genotoxic effect compared to the negative control. A computational analysis was conducted to determine the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic characteristics of the constituent molecules present in the extract. The Prediction of Activity Spectra of Substances (PASS) test was employed to forecast the potential biological activities of these molecules. Additionally, the toxicity of the molecules was evaluated using the Protox II webserver.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how cannabis-derived nonindustrial hemp seed (HS) inclusion in laying hen diets, as well as treatment duration, affected the fatty acid (FA) profile, cholesterol level, and tocopherol composition of egg yolks. Ninety-six ( n = 96) Lohmann Brown classic laying hens were randomly assigned to one of the four groups: control (standard diet) and HS-containing diets (10% HS, 20% HS, and 30% HS). The study was conducted for a period of 4 months. The findings demonstrated that the FA profile and the tocopherol composition are strongly impacted by the addition of HS to the diet of laying hens ( p < 0.05), but the cholesterol content remained unaffected. The increase in the dose of cannabis incorporated into the hen's diet (HS-30% group) led to a significant increase in the amounts of the polyunsaturated fatty acids n-3 and n-6 content of egg yolk. This enrichment was accompanied by a considerable decrease in the n-6/n-3 ratio ( p < 0.001) from 8.19 to 4.88, on day 84 of the experiment. The total tocopherol content significantly increased ( p < 0.05) from 281.44 (control) to 327.02  μ g/g yolk (HS-30%) on day 84. Finally, in the context of warfare, these seeds might be used as a feed additive for laying hens to produce higher nutritive value eggs with affordable prices., Competing Interests: The contact author has declared that none of the authors has any competing interests., (Copyright © 2023 Yassine Taaifi et al.)

Ptychotis verticillata Duby, referred to as Nûnkha in the local language, is a medicinal plant that is native to Morocco. This particular plant is a member of the Apiaceae family and has a longstanding history in traditional medicine and has been utilized for therapeutic purposes by practitioners for generations. The goal of this research is to uncover the phytochemical makeup of the essential oil extracted from P. verticillata , which is indigenous to the Touissite region in Eastern Morocco. The extraction of the essential oil of P. verticillata (PVEO) was accomplished through the use of hydro-distillation via a Clevenger apparatus. The chemical profile of the essential oil was then determined through analysis utilizing gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The study findings indicated that the essential oil of P. verticillata is composed primarily of Carvacrol (37.05%), D-Limonene (22.97%), γ-Terpinene (15.97%), m -Cymene (12.14%) and Thymol (8.49%). The in vitro antioxidant potential of PVEO was evaluated using two methods: the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical trapping assay and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) method. The data demonstrated considerable radical scavenging and relative antioxidative power. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus , Listeria innocua , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the most susceptible bacterial strains tested, while Geotrichum candidum , Candida albicans , and Rhodotorula glutinis were the most resilient fungi strains. PVEO had broad-spectrum antifungal and antibacterial properties. To elucidate the antioxidative and antibacterial characteristics of the identified molecules, we applied the methodology of molecular docking, a computational approach that forecasts the binding of a small molecule to a protein. Additionally, we utilized the Prediction of Activity Spectra for Substances (PASS) algorithm; Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion (ADME); and Pro-Tox II (to predict the toxicity in silico) tests to demonstrate PVEO's identified compounds' drug-likeness, pharmacokinetic properties, the anticipated safety features after ingestion, and the potential pharmacological activity. Finally, our findings scientifically confirm the ethnomedicinal usage and usefulness of this plant, which may be a promising source for future pharmaceutical development.

The foremost objective of this work is to assess the microcapsules composition (polymer-based and polymer/clay-based) effect, on the release of rosemary essential oil into w/o medium and evaluate their antioxidant activity. Calcium alginate (CA) and calcium alginate/montmorillonite hybrid (CA-MTN) microcapsules were developed following an ionotropic crosslinking gelation and were used as host materials for the encapsulation of rosemary essential oil. The unloaded/loaded CA and hybrid CA-MTN microcapsules were characterized by Fourier transform infra-red (FT-ATR) spectroscopy, thermal analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and DPPH assay. The evaluation of the microcapsule's physicochemical properties has shown that the clay filling with montmorillonite improved the microcapsule's properties. The encapsulation efficiency improved significantly in hybrid CA-MTN microcapsules and exhibited higher values ranging from 81 for CA to 83% for hybrid CA-MTN and a loading capacity of 71 for CA and 73% for hybrid CA-MTN, owing to the large adsorption capacity of the sodic clay. Moreover, the hybrid CA-MTN microcapsules showed a time-extended release of rosemary essential oil compared to CA microcapsules. Finally, the DPPH assay displayed a higher reduction of free radicals in hybrid CA-MNT-REO (12.8%) than CA-REO (10%) loaded microcapsules. These results proved that the clay-alginate combination provides microcapsules with enhanced properties compared to the polymer-based microcapsules.

The main objective of the present study is to estimate, through differential analysis, various biological activities of total phenolics content in alcoholic extracts of three date palm varieties sensitive or resistant to Fusarium oxysporum. sp Albidinis . Here, stilbene products with antioxidant and bioactive capacities were evidenced in resistant variety Taabdount (TAAR). Furthermore, the methanolic fraction of the TAAR-resistant date palm variety contains a significant product, determined by LC-MS/MS and 1H, 13C NMR, belonging to the family of hydroxystilbenes, which exhibits antioxidant capacities, inhibits the mushroom tyrosinase activity, and activates and exerts a protective effect on hypochlorite-induced damage in 20S proteasome of human dermal fibroblast aged cells. Altogether, the present results indicate that hydroxystilbene present in resistant Phoenix dactylifera L. should be studied to understand the way that the stilbene could exert anti-aging ability.

Accurate and rapid crop type mapping is critical for agricultural sustainability. The growing trend of cloud-based geospatial platforms provides rapid processing tools and cloud storage for remote sensing data. In particular, a variety of remote sensing applications have made use of publicly accessible data from the Sentinel missions of the European Space Agency (ESA). However, few studies have employed these data to evaluate the effectiveness of Sentinel-1, and Sentinel-2 spectral bands and Machine Learning (ML) techniques in challenging highly heterogeneous and fragmented agricultural landscapes using the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud computing platform. This work aims to map, accurately and early, the crop types in a highly heterogeneous and fragmented agricultural region of the Tadla Irrigated Perimeter (TIP) as a case study using the high spatiotemporal resolution of Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, and a Random Forest (RF) classifier implemented on GEE. More specifically, five experiments were performed to assess the optical band reflectance values, vegetation indices, and SAR backscattering coefficients on the accuracy of crop classification. Besides, two scenarios were used to assess the monthly temporal windows on classification accuracy. The findings of this study show that the fusion of Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data can accurately produce the early crop mapping of the studied area with an Overall Accuracy (OA) reaching 95.02%. The scenarios prove that the monthly time series perform better in terms of classification accuracy than single monthly windows images. Red-edge and shortwave infrared bands can improve the accuracy of crop classification by 1.72% when compared to only using traditional bands (i.e., visible and near-infrared bands). The inclusion of two common vegetation indices (The Normalized Vegetation Index (NDVI), the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI)) and Sentinel-1 backscattering coefficients to the crop classification enhanced the overall classification accuracy by 0.02% and 2.94%, respectively, compared to using the Sentinel-2 reflectance bands alone. The monthly windows analysis indicated that the improvement in the accuracy of crop classification is the greatest when the March images are accessible, with an OA higher than 80%.

The present work was aimed to study the toxicity of the essential oils of three aromatic and medicinal plants on the tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta and the Medfly Ceratitis capitata as an alternative to conventional pesticides. We carried out a phytochemical and insecticide study of T. zygis L., S. officinalis L. and M. suaveolens Ehrh. essential oils (EOs) through the study of their chemical composition and their toxicity on C. capitata adults and T. absoluta larvae. The extraction of the EOs by hydrodistillation showed yields of 3.87 ± 0.03, 4.09 ± 0.23 and 4.35 ± 0.11 for T. zygis , S. officinalis L. and M. suaveolens Ehrh., respectively. The identification of the chemical composition of the EOs by GC/MS showed that oxygenated monoterpenes constituted the most abundant group for all the extracted EOs. The major compounds were rather diversified depending on plant species. In fact, the S. officinalis L. EO mainly contained trans-thujone (21.80 %), the M. suaveolens Ehrh. EO mainly contained piperitenone oxide (71.19%), and carvacrol (61.60%) was the main component of the T. zygis L. EO. An insecticidal effect was observed for the three studied EOs on C. capitata adults and T. absoluta larvae. The observed LD 50 values were 0.80 µL/mL and 11.04 µL/mL for M. suaveolens and S. officinalis , respectively, on T. absoluta larvae. For C. capitata adults, the obtained LD 50 values were 0.9 µL/mL and 11.78 µL/mL for M. suaveolens and T. zygis , respectively. The presented findings could contribute to the development of biopesticides for plants as a component of integrated pest management strategies in citrus and tomato crops.

Cancer is one of the major medical challenges, with an unacceptably high death toll worldwide. In Morocco, medicinal plants continue to play a pivotal therapeutic role despite the development of modern sanitation systems. In the current study, an ethnobotanical survey was carried out at the Moroccan national institute of oncology, Rabat, and we aimed at (1) establishing an exhaustive inventory of indigenous knowledge of Moroccan medicinal plants used to manage cancer and (2) confirming the reported ethnopharmacological uses through bibliometric review. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted with 291 cancer patients at the Moroccan National Institute of Oncology, Rabat, during a period of 4 months, from February to May 2019, through semistructured interviews. Ethnobotanical indices, including informant consensus factor (FIC), use report (UR), relative frequency citation (RFC), botanical family use value (FUV), fidelity level (FL), and index of agreement on remedies (IAR), were employed in data analyses. The survey revealed that 39 medicinal plants belonging to 27 botanical families and 38 genera were used to treat cancer. The most used ethnospecies were Aristolochia longa with the highest RFC value (0.096), followed by Nigella sativa , Ephedra alata , Euphorbia resinifera , and Lavandula dentata , éwith RFC values of 0.072, 0.054, 0.044, and 0.044, respectively. In regard to the plant families, Lamiaceae contributed the highest number of plants with five species (FUV = 0.034), followed by Asteraceae (4 species; FUV = 0.020), and Fabaceae (4 species; FUV = 0.020). The leaves are the most popular plant part used by the studied population against cancer; otherwise, decoction was the most commonly used method for remedy preparation and the highest FIC was noticed for uterine cancer treatment (0.86). Considering these findings, further investigations into the recorded plant species should be performed to assess phytochemical constituents and pharmaceutical benefits in order to identify their active compounds for any drug formulations., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Naoufal El Hachlafi et al.)