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Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes, commonly used as food, is loaded with biochemicals that fend diabetes, cancer, high cholesterol and it improves the general human health. The present study aimed at evaluating the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of leaves, flesh and peel extracts of B. oleracea var. gongylodes cultivated in Tunisia. Besides, biochemical, phenolic and nutritional composition was investigated. Phenolics and ascorbic acid were detected and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method, while fatty acids and sugars were identified by gas chromatography flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Nutritional composition was determined for each plant part. Antioxidant activities were estimated by DPPH, ABTS and reducing power assays. Agar disk diffusion and micro-dilution methods were adopted to determine antibacterial activity. Leaves showed significantly high antiradical (EC50 = 0.26–0.32 mg/mL), antioxidant (EC50 = 0.46 mg/mL) and antibacterial (MIC = 0.625 mg/mL) activities. Chlorogenic acid, catechol, epigallocatechin and epicatechin 3-O-gallate were present in leaves. Isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside was detected in peel and flesh. Gallic acid was present only in flesh. Peel showed higher ascorbic acid content (223.2 mg/100 g DW) than flesh and leaves. Hemicellulose, chlorophylls, proteins, Na, P and microelements amounts were significantly elevated in leaves. Sucrose is the main sugar in stem tissues. Linoleic, palmitic and oleic acids were the major fatty acids in this species. The present study provides important data on phytochemical, nutritional composition, bioactivities and emphasizes B. oleracea var. gongylodes as a potential nutraceutical and functional food. Moreover, this species can be employed as an alternative and complementary therapy for the running of related diseases of oxidative stress.

The antiproliferative, antityrosinase, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities and phenolic, fatty acids and sterols profile of Schinus terebinthifolius growing in Tunisia were evaluated....

This work presents the volatile compounds and phenolic profile investigation of the leaves of Brassica oleracea L. growing in Tunisia, together with antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Volatile constituents were determined by HS-SPME coupled to GC/MS, and the results showed that α-pinene (31.6%) and limonene (16.9%) were the main volatiles. The phenolic profile was determined by HPLC analysis, the methanol extract revealed the presence of four hydroxycinnamic acids (chlorogenic, ferulic, p-coumaric and sinapic acids), two hydroxybenzoic acids (syringic and gallic acids), and four flavonoids (catechol, catechin hydrate, epigallocatechin and epicatechin 3-O-gallate). The methanol extract showed the best significantly antiradical activity by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS ((2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) antioxidant assays, with EC50 of 0.32 and 0.45 mg/mL, respectively. For antibacterial activity, the methanol extract inhibits all the tested strains. It can be concluded that kohlrabi leaves are rich in bioactive compounds and are a potential source of natural antioxidants and antibacterials.

The in-vitro antioxidant activity of Rhaponticum acaule essential oil (RaEO) was evaluated using β-carotene/linoleic acid bleaching, chelating activity, and lipid peroxidation inhibition (TBARS) assays. The antimicrobial activity of RaEO was assessed by disc diffusion and microdilution methods against 8 bacteria and 4 yeast. Finally, the allelopathic activity of RaEO on the seed germination and the shoot and root elongation of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) seedlings were investigated. According to our results, the RaEO exhibited significant antioxidant activity, similar to those of standards (BHT and ascorbic acid) with IC50 values of 0.042 and 0.045 mg/mL obtained by β-carotene bleaching and TBARS assays, respectively. On the other hand, despite its interesting ferrous chelating activity, RaEO possesses moderate IC50 value (0.35 mg/mL) as compared with that of EDTA (0.015 mg/mL). RaEO exhibited a strong antimicrobial activity against all the tested microorganisms, with IZ, MIC and MBC values being in the range of 7.67 ± 0.58 to 13.33 ± 0.58 mm, 1.25 to 5.00 and 5.00 to 10.00 mg/mL, respectively. The results reveled also that RaEO inhibited the shoot and root growth of Lactuca sativa L. seedlings. Our data suggested that the RaEO had pharmaceutical benefits and could be used as a potential natural herbicide resource.

Large series of novel N-bis-1,2,3-triazolo-linked-1,5-benzodiazepin-2-ones (BZD) have been synthesized under microwave irradiation through a Cu(I)-catalyzed double 1,3-dipolar alkyne-azide coupling reaction. This process is of considerable synthetic advantages in terms of time saving and remarkable yields. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds have been elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic methods including 1D & 2D NMR, IR and HRMS. All the synthesized compounds have been evaluated for their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. In vitro antimicrobial environment, almost all of compounds have shown an interesting activity. Among the dimers of 1,5-benzodiazepine-1,2,3-triazole compounds tested, the results revealed that the potent antibacterial was recorded to compounds 3g,l for Gram-positive (within MIC = 31.25 and 125 μg/mL), and 3h,k for Gram-negative (within MIC = 31.25 and 125 μg/mL). Besides, the results demonstrate that compounds 3h,k have demonstrated the strongest potential against all the tested fungus (within MIC = 62.5 and 125 μg/mL). The antioxidant evaluation indicated that most compounds exhibited a moderate to good biological activity.

Objective: To investigate the antioxidant and α-glucosidase properties and phytochemical constituents of roots, stems, leaves and flowers extracts and aerial parts oil of Chrysanthoglossum trifurcatum (Desf.) (C. trifurcatum). Methods: For extraction from roots, stems, leaves and flowers of C. trifurcatum, methanol, ethyl acetate and petroleum ether solvents were used. Phenols, flavonoids, flavonols and tannins contents were evaluated. More, C. trifurcatum aerial parts oil composition was determined using chromatography/mass spectrometry. The antioxidant effect was estimated by DPPH, ABTS and reducing power test systems. The α-glucosidase inhibition was determined by colorimetric assay using the enzyme from Aspergillus niger and the p-nitrophenyl glucopyranoside (pNPG) as substrate. Results: The highest amounts of polyphenols, flavonoids, flavonols and tannins were shown by the methanolic extract of leaves. The main components of the aerial parts oil were limonene (29.21%), γ -terpinene (12.96%), 4-terpenyl acetate (12.18%) and α -pinene (5.76%). The activity evaluated by DPPH, ABTS and reducing power tests was important for stems (IC50=0.68 mg/mL) and flowers (IC50=0.67 mg/mL) methanolic extracts and essential oil (IC50=0.72 mg/mL). Findings of α-glucosidase activity revealed that petroleum ether extracts of leaves and roots together with aerial parts oil showed a highest activity with IC50 of 0.044, 0.045 and 0.049 mg/mL, respectively. Conclusions: Observed antioxidant and α-glucosidase activities of oil and extracts are attributed to the presence of the active phytochemicals in C. trifurcatum organs. Thus, the C. trifurcatum can be used as a source of antioxidant compounds and dietary supplement to treat patients with type 2 diabetes.

The chemical composition of essential oil isolated from the flowerheads of Chrysanthemum trifurcatum (Desf.) Batt. and Trab. var. macrocephalum (viv.) Beg. (Asteraceae) by hydrodistillation was analysed by GC and GC/MS. A total of 56 compounds representing 97.48% of the oil were identified: limonene (20.89%), γ-terpinene (19.13%), 1,8-cineole (10.64%), β-pinene (8.77%), α-pinene (5.32%), 2-hexenal (4.85%), 4-terpenyl acetate (3.42%), β-myrcene (2.31%), germacrene-B (2.01%), β-spathulenol (1.62%), longifolene (1.39%), α-cadinol (1.39%), α-thujene (1.23%) and β-bourbobene (1.06%) were found to be the major components. Essential oil of flowerheads of C. trifurcatum was tested for antibacterial activity against eight strains, using a microdilution method, and for cytotoxicity and antiviral activity against Herpes simplex virus type 1 using a neutral red incorporation method. The oil showed a great potential of antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Bacillus subtilis, in the inhibition range of 64–66% and IC50 ranging from 62.5 to 125 μg/ml. On Vero cells, the CC50 of the oil was 735.9 μg/ml and it did not exhibit a significant antiviral activity.

Fifteen species of Tunisian traditional medicinal plants, belonging to 10 families, were selected for this study. They were Inula viscosa (L.) Ait and Reichardia tingitana (L.) Roth ssp. discolor (Pom.) Batt. (Asteraceae), Mesembryanthemum cristallinum L. and M. nodiflorum L. (Aizoaceae), Arthrocnemum indicum (Willd.) Moq., Atriplex inflata Muell., A. parvifolia Lowe var. ifiniensis (Caball) Maire, and Salicornia fruticosa L. (Chenopodiaceae), Cistus monspeliensis L. (Cistaceae), Juniperus phoenicea L. (Cupressaceae), Erica multiflora L. (Ericaceae), Frankenia pulverulenta L. (Frankeniaceae), Hypericum crispum L. (Hypericaceae), Plantago coronopus L. ssp. eu-coronopus Pilger var. vulgaris G.G. (Plantaginaceae) and Zygophyllum album L. (Zygophyllaceae). Fifty extracts prepared from those plants were screened in order to assay their antiviral activity against Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), using neutral red incorporation. Extracts from eight plants among these 15 showed some degree of antiviral activity, while the methanolic extract of E. multiflora was highly active with EC(50) of 132.6 microg mL(-1). These results corroborate that medicinal plants from Tunisia can be a rich source of potential antiviral compounds.

The effect of the methanolic extract of flowers of Chrysanthemum trifurcatum (Desf.) Batt. and Trab. Var. macrocephalum (viv.) Beg. on the rat duodenum smooth muscle motility was examined in vitro. The extract has shown dose-dependent stimulator effects on the amplitude of the spontaneous contractions. With 0.1 g/ml of extract, maximal stimulation was obtained. With that dose, the variation (%) was significantly 1050 +/- 13 (P

The essential oils from the leaves, stems and roots of Chrysanthemum trifurcatum (Desf.) Batt. and Trab. var. macrocephalum (viv.) were obtained by hydrodistillation and their chemical compositions were analysed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), in order to get insight into similarities and differences as to their active composition. A total of fifty compounds were identified, constituting 97.84%, 99.02% and 98.20% of total oil composition of the leaves, stems and roots, respectively. Monoterpene hydrocarbons were shown to be the main group of constituents of the leaves and stems parts in the ratio of 67.88% and 51.29%, respectively. But, the major group in the roots oil was found to be sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (70.30%). The main compounds in leaves oil were limonene (26.83%), γ-terpinene (19.68%), α-pinene (9.7%) and α-terpenyl acetate (7.16%). The stems oil, contains mainly limonene (32.91%), 4-terpenyl acetate (16.33%) and γ-terpinene (5.93%), whereas the main compounds in roots oil were α-calacorene (25.98%), α-cedrene (16.55%), β-bourbobene (14.91%), elemol (7.45%) and 2-hexenal (6.88%). The crude organic extracts of leaves, stems and roots, obtained by maceration with solvents of increasing polarity: petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanol, contained tannins, flavonoids and alkaloids. Meanwhile, essential oils and organic extracts were tested for antibacterial activities against eight Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains, using a microdilution method. The oil and methanolic extact from C. trifurcatum leaves showed a great potential of antibacterial effect against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus epidermidis, with an IC50 range of 31.25-62.5 µg/ml.

Tunisian Chrysanthemum species are known to have medicinal activity and some of the species are used in traditional medicine. We have earlier shown the use of C. trifurcatum flowerheads in Tunisian traditional medicine to treat constipation. In the present study we investigated the anti microbiol activity of four Tunision Chrysanthemum species.Different parts (flowers, leaves, stems, roots, leaves and flowers and leaves and stems) of four Tunisian Chrysanthemum species, were extracted with solvents of increasing polarity to obtain aqueous and organic extracts. These extracts were tested in vitro for their antimicrobial activity against 14 bacteria and four yeasts, using agar diffusion and microdilution methods. Activity was evaluated by measuring the zones of inhibition against the tested organisms and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined from the lowest concentrations of extracts to inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Cytotoxity and antiviral activities against Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), were evaluated using the neutral red incorporation method.Extracts of the 4 Chrysanthemum species showed some degree of activity against one or more of the microbial strains with MIC ranging from 0.625 to 1.25 mg/ml. Most of the extracts were well tolerated by Vero cells with CC(50)500 microg/ml. The petroleum ether extract of C. trifurcatum stems and leaves protected infected cells with EC(50) of 100 microg/ml.Our findings showed that some Chrysanthemum extracts exhibited antimicrobial and/or anti-HSV-1 activities. Further studies aimed to the isolation and identification of active substances from the extracts which exhibited interest activities, need to be done.

The effect of the methanolic extract of flowers of Chrysanthemum trifurcatum (Desf.) Batt. and Trab. Var. macrocephalum (viv.) Beg. on the rat duodenum smooth muscle motility was examined in vitro. The extract has shown dose-dependent stimulator effects on the amplitude of the spontaneous contractions. With 0.1 g/ml of extract, maximal stimulation was obtained. With that dose, the variation (%) was significantly 1050 +/- 13 (P0.001) compared with control and represented 80 +/- 5.83% (P0.001) of the maximum effect of acetylcholine. Atropine (2 microg/ml) reduced by 81 +/- 4% (P0.05) the spasmogenic effects of C. trifurcatum and by 92 +/- 3% (P0.05) the acetylcholine effects, while papaverine (2 microg/ml) completely inhibited the spasmogenic effects of extract. With a fixed dose of acetylcholine added (20 microg/ml), the extract increases its effect, but acetylcholine decreases its action. These results suggested that the methanolic extract of C. trifurcatum could stimulate duodenal smooth muscle contractions through muscarinic receptors. Thy explain the respective traditional use of plant in gastrointestinal problems, especially constipation.

The cytotoxicity of 30 cyclopentanone derivatives was studied in vitro, in a clonogenic assay using murine leukemia L1210. Results are compared to those obtained with reference medicaments. 17 derivatives exhibit activities against L1210 cells.