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The ethyl acetate, ethanol, methanol, and water extracts of cypress from three Tunisian regions (Bizerte, Ben Arous, and Nabeul) were reported for their phenolic content, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities. Cypress extract had an important antiradical and antibacterial potential which was strongly related to the organoleptic quality of the extract which appeared strongly region dependent. The highest contents of polyphenols were obtained in the methanol extract at the region of Bizerte (315.75 mg GAE/g DW). Cupressuflavone was the major compound with high proportions in methanol extract of Bizerte (68%). Amentoflavone also constituted an important flavonoid compound presented in higher proportion in the ethyl acetate extract of Ben Arous (21.2%). For Gram-positive bacteria strains, Staphylococcus aureus was sensitive to the ethanol extract of Nabeul with IZ = 40 mm. This study suggests cypress as potential natural source of antioxidants and antibacterial agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study endeavoured to capitalize on prickly pear by-products for the optimization of molasses formulation, targeting elevated antioxidant capacities and superior sugar contents. Through robust statistical modelling, the optimal cooking parameters—temperature (70-80 °C) and duration (60–90 min)—were determined, guided by responses of antioxidant activity and Brix value. A D-Optimal mixture design further delineated the ideal proportions of molasses components (pulp, peel, and seeds). Characterization revealed that peel harboured the highest concentrations of total polyphenols (396.41 mg GAE/100g FW) and flavonoids (234.26 mg CE/100g FW), emphasizing its antioxidant potential (DPPH inhibition IC50: 12.72 µg/ml). The optimal cooking conditions were established at 78.35 °C for 79.70 min, with predictive equations guiding ingredient proportions (0.265 g pulp, 0.710 g peel, 0.025 g seed). Intriguingly, while peel inclusion enhanced total sugar content and antioxidant activity, seed incorporation exerted a contrasting effect by reducing total sugar content and limiting antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The young and old leaves of bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) were examined for their essential oil (EO) compositions, anticancer, antimicrobial, and antiviral activities. The EO yields were 0.77% in young leaves and 0.26% in old leaves. The EO composition showed the predominance of sabinene (37.17%), E-β-ocimene (8.21%), δ-3-carene (7.71%), linalool (7.35%), and limonene (5.43%) in young leaves while of sabinene (47.47%), β-sinensal (5.71%), E-β-ocimene (4.98%), δ-3-carene (4.11%), and β-caryophyllene (4.06%) in old leaves. The EOs of both young and old leaves showed potent cytotoxic activities against human lung carcinoma (A549) and colon adenocarcinoma (DLD-1) cells with IC50 < 0.1 µg/mL. The young leaf EO had higher antibacterial activity than the old leaf EO for all bacterial strains with inhibition zones (IZ) varying from 17 to 45 and 8 to 36 mm, respectively. The EOs of both young and old leaves had strong antifungal activity against all fungal strains with IZ = 90 mm. The young leaf EO was found to be the most active in protecting cells against Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) infection during the protection, absorption, and direct periods as compared to the untreated and treated Vero cells except the replication phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this work was to investigate the chemical composition of Aloysia citriodora essential oil and its biological activities as antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory potentials depending on the collection region. The highest essential oil yields were in Gabes and Kairouan at the Arid bioclimatic zone. Sixty volatile compounds were identified by GC-FID-MS. The major compounds were limonene and spathulenol in Gabes at the Middle Arid. However, (E)-citral (known as geranial) was the major compound of Belli and Kairouan belonging to the Upper Semi-Arid and Upper Arid areas, respectively. The essential oil extracted from the inferior sub-humid bioclimatic zone (Boussalem) had spathulenol and caryophyllene oxide as predominant components. Inversely to DPPH and ABTS, the antioxidant activities using reducing power assay of A. citriodora essential oils significantly increased from the inferior sub-humid (Boussalem) to the Upper Arid (Kairouan) bioclimatic areas. Independently of region, A. citriodora essential oil exhibited an interesting antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the antioxidant, anticancer and antiviral properties of the methanolic extracts from bigarade (Citrus aurantium L.) leaves at two development stages. Ferulic acid, naringin and naringenin were the principal phenolic components of young and old leaves. The highest total antioxidant capacity was obtained in young leaf extracts (YLE). These latter also exhibited the highest antiradical DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) activities, while the highest iron chelating and reducing power activities were observed in old leaf extracts (OLE). The potent anticancer activity was observed in YLE for human lung carcinoma (A-549) and in OLE for colon adenocarcinoma (DLD-1) cells. YLE showed the highest virucidal effects as compared to OLE and the positive control acyclovir against herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) propagation in Vero cells during the absorption and replication periods. The young and old leaves might be a source of natural antioxidants and protective agents against oxidative damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aerial parts of cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.) of three collect regions (Bizerte, Ben-Arous and Nabeul) were reported for their essential oil (EO) compositions, antioxidant, antimicrobial and insecticidal activities. Results showed that the higher EO yields were observed in Bizerte and Ben Arous (0.56%), followed by Nabeul (0.49%). The EO composition showed the predominance of α-pinene with 36.72% in Bizerte, 30.22% in Nabeul and 30% in Ben-Arous. Cypress EO of Bizerte showed higher antiradical capacity (IC50 = 55 µg/mL) than Ben-Arous (IC50 = 97.50 µg/mL) and Nabeul (IC50 = 155 µg/mL). E. faecalis was the most sensitive strain to cypress EO of Bizerte with the largest inhibition zone (IZ = 65 mm). Regarding the insecticidal activity, cypress EO of Bizerte had the highest mortality of Tribolium castaneum with a lethal concentration of LC50 = 164.3 µL/L air after 24 h exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The organic solvent extracts (hexane, chloroform, acetone, methanol and water) of coriander fruits were reported for their antioxidant and repellent activities. The methanol and acetone extracts revealed the highest antiradical activity as compared to the other solvent extracts. HPLC analysis revealed that phenolic acids were the major compounds in chloroform and acetone extracts, whereas flavonoids in methanol and water extracts. The methanol extract of coriander fruits exhibited the highest repellent effect against coleopteran insects. Additionally, the hexane extract of coriander fruits also exhibited potent repellent and toxic activities against rice weevil. It appeared that coriander fruit extract obtained with the apolar solvent had more repellent potential against Sitophilus oryzae as compared to Tribolium castaneum. For Lasioderma serricorne, the methanol extract of coriander fruits reduced in a very significant way the adults followed by the chloroform and hexane extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The methanolic extracts of cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.) collected at three phenological stages were evaluated for their cytotoxicity on Vero cells by MTT test as well as on Herpes simplex (HSV-2) and coxsackie (CVB-3) viruses by plaque reduction assay. The methanolic extract exhibited the highest cytotoxicity against HSV-2 (IC50 = 20.40 µg/mL) and CVB-3 (IC50 = 47.50 µg/mL) at the flowering stage. This extract also exhibited a virucidal action both during the entry of viruses and the release of newly formed virions. The methanolic extract bioguided purification showed that the ethyl-acetate fraction was responsible for virucidal activity. This fraction was endowed with more important selectivity index of 8.15 for HSV-2 and 4.40 for CVB-3. The ethyl acetate fraction was subjected to thin layer chromatography fractionation and identification by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn. Results showed that the condensed tannin procyanidin B2 was identified for the first time responsible of the antiviral activity of cypress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lycium europaeum is used as a medicinal herb in many countries. In this study, cyclohexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water were used as solvents in the extraction of L. europaeum fruits. The contents of total phenolics, total flavonoids, total tannins and condensed tannins as well as the biological activities of these extracts were investigated using various in vitro and ex vivo assays. Results showed that all solvent extracts of L. europaeum had no anticancer activity against cancerous (A-549 and DLD-1) and non-cancerous (WS-1) human cells. Methanol and ethyl acetate were the most effective solvent for extraction of phenolic compounds and also exhibited the highest antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The methanol extract of L. europaeum fruits was the richest in phenolic compounds with the predominance of ferulic acid, catechin and narengin. These results supported the use of L. europaeum fruit as natural source of bioactive compound for pharmaceutical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the antibacterial, antifungal and allelopathic activities of Pistacia lentiscus essential oils (EOs) isolated at the vegetative, flowering and fructification stages. The chemical composition of EOs varied according to both the phenological stages and the used mix plant parts. The main chemical class was sesquiterpene hydrocarbons with the predominance of germacrene D, δ-cadinene and β-caryophyllene. The antibacterial activity was evaluated against five collection strains. At the vegetative stage, P. lentiscus EO was the most effective against Listeria monocytogenes and Echerchia coli as compared to the other stages. P. lentiscus EO also exhibited significant antifungal activity against the phytopathogenic strain Botrytis cinerea. Microscopic observation showed that EO induced swelling and crumbling of B. cinerea conidia. Moreover, P. lentiscus EO at the vegetative stage possessed significant allelopathic activity by inhibiting low concentration the germination and radical elongation of Raphanus sativus and radical elongation of Lepidium sativum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antifungal effects of laurel, myrtle and peppermint essential oils and their combinations were investigated in vitro on two strains of Alternaria alternata mycelial growth and in vivo on detached Citrus leaf disease incidence. Myrtle essential oil was rich in α-pinene and 1,8-cineole while peppermint essential oil in menthol and menthone. 1,8-Cineole was the main component of the essential oils from laurel, laurel + myrtle and peppermint + laurel. The combined peppermint and myrtle essential oil was characterized by the predominance of menthol and 1,8-cineole. All tested essential oils, incorporated in potato-dextrose agar, inhibited A. alternata mycelial growth and had a fungistatic effect at concentration 3 mg/mL of medium. A great synergism was detected between peppermint and laurel essential oils against the two strains of A. alternata. The combined laurel and peppermint essential oil reduced mycelial growth rates of inoculated detached leaves at concentration above 1.5 mg/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the antioxidant, anthelmintic and antibacterial activities of essential oil obtained from red juniper (Juniperus phoenicea) leaves. Red juniper essential oil yield was 0.80%. The GC-MS analysis of this essential oil showed that α -pinene (74.14%) was the predominant component. The anthelmintic activity assay of red juniper essential oil was performed on Haemonchus contortus using egg hatch assay (EHA) and adult worm's motility assay (AWMA). In the AWMA, essential oil induced inhibition of 76.18% at 1 mg/mL. The antibacterial activity of red juniper essential oil was effective against six human pathogenic bacteria including Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli). These results suggested that red juniper essential oil could also be employed for developing new anthelmintic, antimicrobial and antioxidant agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]