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IntroductionLiver 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.MethodsAn 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.ResultsThe 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.DiscussionThe 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.ConclusionThis 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.

ABSTRACT: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a significant pollutant found in food and feed, posing a threat to public health. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LACP) against AFB1 in growing rabbits by investigating growth, serum metabolites, immunity, antioxidant capacity, and inflammatory response. A total of 60 growing male rabbits (721.5 ± 2.68g) were allocated to 4 experimental groups. The control group receiving only a basal diet, the AFB1 group (0.3 mg AFB1/kg diet), the LACP group (1 × 109 cfu/g /kg diet), and the combination group (1 × 109 cfu/g + 0.3 mg AFB1/kg diet; AFB1+ LACP) for 8 wk. The administration of AFB1 alone significantly decreased the final body weight, body gain, and feed intake, while significantly increasing the feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05). A significant decline in total proteins and globulins, along with elevated levels of hepatic enzymes (AST, ALP, ALT, and GGT) and renal function markers (creatinine and uric acid), were observed in the AFB1-contaminated group (P < 0.05). Immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM) were significantly decreased, alongside a significant elevation of triglycerides, direct bilirubin, and indirect bilirubin in growing rabbits fed diets with AFB1 (P < 0.05). Supplementing the AFB1 diet with LACP restored the growth reduction, improved liver (AST, ALP, ALT, and GGT) and kidney (creatinine and uric acid) functions, and enhanced immune markers in rabbit serum (P < 0.05). Antioxidant indices (SOD, GSH, and CAT) were significantly decreased in the AFB1 group (P < 0.05). However, the addition of LACP to the AFB1-contaminated diets improved antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonylation (PC) in hepatic tissues of rabbits (P < 0.05). Serum interlukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon gamma (IFN‐γ) levels were significantly increased in the AFB1 group (P < 0.05), but the addition of LACP significantly reversed this elevation. AFB1 downregulated the expression of immune-inflammatory genes such Nrf2, IL-10, and BCL-2 genes, while up-regulating the caspase-3 (CASP3) gene (P < 0.05). Supplementing AFB1 diet with LACP significantly decreased the expression of immune-inflammatory genes (Nrf2, IL-10, and BCL-2) and reduced the expression of the apoptotic-related gene CASP3. This study highlights the potential of L. plantarum (1 × 109 cfu/g /kg diet) as a protective agent against AFB1 in growing rabbits by enhancing antioxidant and immune function and reducing apoptosis and inflammation pathways.

Abstract Background and Objective The most frequently seen intra-oral soft tissue is the gingiva. Most often, it is seen as coral-pink tissue that surrounds the neck of the teeth. Gingiva that encircles the tooth necks and covers the alveolar processes of the jaws is an intra-oral tissue that exhibits biomimetic features. The wide range of colors of the gingiva depends on the configuration of gingival vascularity, the degree of epithelial cornification, level of melanogenesis, and the depth of epithelialization. However, the color of the gingiva varies depending on the degree of melanin pigmentation. The current study aimed to identify the different distribution patterns of gingival color and determine the correlation between skin color, gender, and geographical area of origin. Materials and methods A total of 839 subjects were involved in the study where the gingival color and skin tone were measured using the Dummett-Gupta Oral pigmentation Index (DOPI) combined with VITA VMK MASTER and skin shade method developed by Revlon (USA) and L’Oreal (France) for makeup foundation shades. One investigator was calibrated for the examination of the colors after being tested for normal color vision and color aptitude using the line test. Results A significant association was found between skin color and gingival pigmentation (χ2 value (6) = 114.48; P = 0.001). It was also found that females (67.1%) significantly had darker gingiva than males (58.3%). The study statistics display that location of the individual was also statistically associated with melanin pigmentation of the gingiva (χ2 value (57) = 559.33; P = 0.001). Conclusion The study concluded that gender, skin color, and individual location are significantly associated with gingival melanin pigmentation.

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and preservative efficacy of Thymus broussonetii Boiss. essential oil (EO) in a topically applied formulation using a challenge test.MethodsThe essential oil was extracted from the aerial part of T. broussonetii using hydrodistillation, and the obtained EO was further analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The antioxidant effect of the EO was evaluated using three methods: the inhibition of free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), β-carotene–linoleic acid, and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods. The antimicrobial activity and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of this EO were assayed by the disk-diffusion method and the broth microdilution method, respectively. The preservative efficacy of T. broussonetii EO was assayed at 1% and 2% (v/w) in a topical cream formulation using a challenge test against standard-specific microorganisms recommended by the European Pharmacopoeia. Furthermore, the identified phytochemical compounds were docked for their effect on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase, human casein kinase 1 alpha 1 (CSNK1A1), glycogen synthase kinase 3, Staphylococcus aureus nucleoside diphosphate kinase, Escherichia coli beta-ketoacyl-[acyl-carrier protein] synthase, Pseudomonas aeruginosa LasR ligand-binding domain, and sterol 14-alpha demethylase (CYP51) from Candida albicans. The ADME/toxicity was predicted by analyzing the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion parameters.Results and discussionchemical composition of the EO revealed the presence of thymol (63.09%), p-cymene (11%), and γ-terpinene (8.99%) as the major components. The antioxidant assays revealed that the essential oil exhibited strong antioxidant activity, as indicated by the minimum inhibitory concentration IC50 (IC50 = 210 ± 0.3 μg/mL for the DPPH assay, IC50 = 145 ± 0.1 μg/mL for the β-carotene assay, and IC50 = 84 ± 0.21 μg/mL for the FRAP assay) when compared to quercetin and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as controls. The investigated essential oil exhibited important antimicrobial activity against all the tested microorganisms, and the MICs of the EO against bacteria and fungi were 0.02%–1%. Moreover, the EO of T. broussonetii evaluated at 2% (v/w) in a cream formulation succeeded in satisfying the A criteria for preservation efficacy against S. aureus, E. coli, and Aspergillus brasiliensis but exhibited less efficacy against P. aeruginosa (1.78 log reduction in the number of CFU/g after 7 days of evaluation) and C. albicans (1.09 log reduction in the number of CFU/g after 14 days of evaluation) when compared to the synthetic preservative phenoxyethanol 1% (v/w). In silico results showed that the antimicrobial activity of T. broussonetii EO is mostly attributed to thymol, terpinen-4-ol, and aromadendrene, while the antioxidant activity is attributed to thymol. These results indicate that the EO of T. broussonetii possesses important antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and can, therefore, be used as a natural preservative ingredient in the cosmetic industry.

The current study evaluated the biogenic synthesis of nickel oxide nanoparticles (SP-NiONPs) from the root extract of (Salvadora persica) S. persica and their biological properties. The nanoparticles were characterized using spectroscopic and microscopic techniques and then evaluated for their antimicrobial properties against 10 oral pathogens. The ultraviolet-visible (UV–Vis) spectra exhibited a distinctive resonance spectrum at 334 nm for the SP-NiONPs produced from S. persica. The fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis revealed the presence of functional groups of biomolecules of S. persica that served as reducing and capping agents of the SP-NiONPs. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses showed that the nanoparticles were spherical-shaped, tightly packed, and ranged in size from 18.20 nm to 45.12 nm. The energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) analysis confirmed 69.9% of the nickel (Ni) content by weight, and the X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed the face-centered cubic (FCC) crystalline structure of the formed SP-NiONPs. The antioxidant activity of the SP-NiONPs exhibited a dose-dependent profile with an IC50 value of 51.45 ± 0.65 and a 54.13 ± 0.98 DPPH• and ABTS•+ radical scavenging activity, respectively. The SP-NiONPs showed an antibacterial activity against all the test strains; however, E. cloacae was found to be the most sensitive strain, with an inhibition zone of 31 ± 0.50 mm. The SEM image of the E. cloacae cells treated with SP-NiONPs showed irregular shapes and ruptured, destroyed cell membranes. Our findings revealed that SP-NiONPs could be used as excellent antibacterial agents against oral pathogens.

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 (IC50 = 43.82 ± 2.41 µg/mL) and ABTS (IC50 = 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 (IC50 = 8.46 ± 0.92 µg/mL) and substantial inhibition of COX-1 (IC50 = 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 (IC50 = 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.

Amaç: Önceki çalışmalarımızda adipokinetik hormonun (AKH) farelerde antidepresan, anksiyolitik, analjezik etkilerini, nörotrofik faktörleri ve nörojenezi artırdığını gösterdik. Önceki çalışmamızda, AKH’nun sıçanlara intraperitoneal uygulanmasından sonra diğer çalışmalarla desteklendiği şekilde piroglutamil peptidleri içeren AKH metabolitlerinin kan-beyin bariyerini geçtiğini hipotez ettik. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Bu çalışmada, iki piroglutamil peptidin öğrenme-bellek üzerine etkisini modifiye yükseltilmiş artı labirent testinde (mYAL) ve pasif sakınma testinde hem naif farelerde hem de skopolaminle indüklenen bellek bozukluğu üzerine etkisini incelemeyi amaçladık. Skopolamin (1 mg/kg) ile piroglutamil peptid olarak piroglutamik asid-valin (pGlu-Val; 10 ve 20 mg/kg), piroglutamik asid-lösin (pGlu-Leu; 10 ve 20 mg/kg) kullandık. Bulgular: mYAL testinde dipeptidlerin naif farelerde geçiş süresi-2 üzerine anlamlı etkisi yoktu. Skopolamin kısmi olarak ikinci denemede geçiş süresi-2’yi artırırken, bu etki pGlu-Leu (10 ve 20 mg/kg; p

يهدف البحث إلى التأسيس لإعادة صياغة المادة 7 من قانون الجنسية الكويتي؛ لتفادي الإبهام الذي شابها فيما يتعلق بالأثر القانوني (وهو فقدان الجنسية الكويتية) المترتب على اختيار الأولاد القصّر للكويتي المتجنس لجنسيتهم الأصلية "الأجنبية". ولتحقيق هذا الهدف، تبنّى البحث منهج التحليل والنقد، فتناول في المبحث الأول موقف المشرع الكويتي نحو رفض الازدواج والتعدد، وبيان إخفاقه في منعهما في الوقت ذاته. وتناول المبحث الثاني أحد أهم تطبيقات المشرع الكويتي لمنع الازدواج والتعدد، وهي المادة 7 من قانون الجنسية الكويتي، وبيّن أنه قد قصرت صياغة النص عن تحقيق غاية المشرع. وخلص البحث إلى أهمية التعديل التشريعي لنص المادة 7 لإنهاء الإبهام وإرساء الحكم القانوني الواضح للأثر القانوني المترتب على اختيار هؤلاء الأولاد لجنسيتهم الأجنبية. حيث إن أثر اختيارهم لجنسيتهم الأجنبية لا يختلف فيما إذا تم خلال المهلة المحددة في المادة 7، أو بعد انقضائها. وتظهر قيمة هذا البحث في ظل تفرد الإدارة بتطبيق وتفسير أحكام هذا القانون دونما رقابة من القضاء. حيث إنه ليس هناك مصدر آخر لتفسير، أو الرقابة على تطبيق الإدارة لهذا القانون بما يتوافق وحقيقة إرادة المشرع. فقد اعتُبرت جميع مسائل الجنسية من مسائل السيادة وفقا للتشريع الكويتي (القانون رقم 20 لسنة 1981 بإنشاء المحكمة الإدارية) وأحكام محكمة التمييز الكويتية.

The emergence of drug-resistant microorganisms presents a substantial global public health threat. The increase in pathogens resistant to commonly prescribed antibiotics underscores the urgent requirement to explore alternative treatment strategies. This study adopts a novel approach by harnessing natural resources, specifically essential oils (EO), to combat bacterial pathogenicity. The primary aim of this research was to analyze the chemical composition of the aerial part of the Matricaria aurea (M. aureas) EO and evaluate its potential for inhibiting quorum sensing (QS) and disrupting biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) analysis unveiled that α-bisabolol oxide A constituted the predominant portion, comprising 64.8% of the total, with β-bisabolene at 6.3% and α-farnesene at 4.8% following closely behind. The antibiofilm efficacy was observed at concentrations of 0.3, 0.15, and 0.08 mg/mL, demonstrating negligible effects on cell viability. Furthermore, the EO from M. aurea effectively inhibited the formation of P. aeruginosa biofilms by diminishing aggregation, hydrophobicity, and swarming motility. Significantly, the EO treatment resulted in a conspicuous decrease in the production of pyocyanin, rhamnolipid, and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), along with a reduction in the enzymatic activity of protease and chitinase. The EO effectively hindered QS by disrupting QS mechanisms, resulting in a marked decline in the secretion of N-Acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) molecules and the expression of phazA1 and aprA genes. This investigation offers compelling evidence supporting the potential of M. aurea EO as a promising therapeutic candidate for addressing infectious diseases induced by biofilm formation.

The study aims to reveal the perceptions of King Abdullah II School for Excellence teachers about the importance of using flipped learning in developing the reflective thinking of their students in Jordan. The population of the study consists of 227 male and female teachers. The sample of the study consists of 180 teachers: 87 males and 93 females selected using simple random method from the study society during the second semester of 2016/2017 session. The study tool, questionnaire used containing 50 items was divided into 5 stages: critical vision, detection of fallacies, give of convincing explanations, and suggestion of solutions. The study showed that the teachers' perception of using flipped learning in developing their students' reflective thinking was high in different disciplines; and there were significant differences in their perceptions based on their gender and experience. Lack of differences in their perceptions depends on specialization variable. From the findings of the study, the researchers presented a set of recommendations.

يدرّس مقرر علم التدليك في كلية التربية الرياضية بجامعة تشرين لطلاب السنة الرابعة بكلا جزئية النظري والعملي ليقدم للطلبة ثقافة علمية مهنية طبية غير تقليدية. تم التعرف على أبرز وأهم حركات التدليك في مختلف الشروط المناسبة، ويهدف من هذا البحث إلقاء الضوء على طريقة توظيف مفردات المقرر وطريقة تدريسه وفقاً لمتطلبات الجودة والاعتمادية ومعايير NARS. حيث خضع للبحث عن طريق الاستبيان 38 طالباً وطالبة وكانت النتائج ملائمة لمحتوى المنهج الدراسي وطرق تدريسه وتلاؤمه مع المتطلبات الذهنية للطلبة.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine risk factors for delayed response in patients with neurogenic and idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB) after intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxin A injection. Subjects and Methods: This is a retrospective study that included 87 patients who underwent onabotulinumtoxin A intradetrusor injection from October 2011 to November 2019. Patients were followed up at 2, 4, and 12 weeks post intervention in the outpatient clinic and over the phone. The data of patients with early response were compared with those with late response using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: The study included 87 patients. The mean age was 41 ± 15.3 standard deviation, and 69% of the participants were female. Fifty-one percent were diagnosed with neurogenic OAB. A median response time to onabotulinumtoxin A injection of 7 days was demonstrated, and patients who responded during the first 7 days post procedure were considered early responders. Independent predictors for late response include diabetes (Relative risk: 3.89, P = 0.018, and 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.26–11.98), >1 BTX-A session (Relative risk: 4, P = 0.011, and 95% CI: 1.38–11.6), and wet OAB (RR: 9.94, P = 0.002, and 95% CI: 2.31–42.17). Conclusions: The median time of onset post intradetrusor injection of onabotulinumtoxin A was found to be 7 days. Diabetes mellitus, wet OAB, and

Context: Rhamnetin is a naturally occurring methylated derivative of quercetin. This flavonoid is abundant in Syzygium aromaticum, Coriandrum sativum Prunus cerasus, and Rhamnus spp. Aims: To evaluate the effects of rhamnetin on HMG-CoA reductase and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene and protein expressions in the HepG2 hepatoma cell line. Methods: The expression of HMG-CoA reductase and LDLR genes and proteins were studied in HepG2 liver cancer cell line by PCR, Western blot, and indirect ELISA, as well as their antioxidant activity. Results: Rhamnetin was non-toxic up to 200 μM on HepG2 at 24, 48, and 72 h. Rhamnetin (25 µM) upregulated LDLR gene expression by 1.66 folds compared to 3.12 folds exerted by the well-known hypocholesterolemic drug simvastatin. Rhamnetin (100 µM) increased the expression of LDLR protein at the cell membrane, while the other concentrations produced no significant change from the control (vehicle-treated). In HepG2 cell lysate, LDLR was increased by 50 µM of rhamnetin. Also, rhamnetin increased SOD activity significantly by 100.98, 86.28, and 100.98% by the concentrations 25, 50, and 100 µM, respectively. Using the same concentrations, rhamnetin reduced H2O2 levels by 50, 67, and 76.34%, respectively. Conclusions: This study demonstrated for the first time that rhamnetin reduced HMG-CoA reductase gene expression and increased LDLR in HepG2 cells.

Abstract Background The use of complementary alternative medicines (CAMs) has risen globally in recent times. Such medications are exclusively and readily available in the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia through community pharmacies and other retail outlets, exposing the consumers to various risks like harmful drug interactions. These situations take pharmacists to a responsible position where they should provide evidence-based information to help consumers make safe consumption. The consumption of CAMs can be ensured safe if pharmacists have appropriate knowledge and training about their use, dosing, side effects, etc. This study aimed to investigate and evaluate the pharmacist's factual knowledge, perception and dispensing practice related to various aspects of CAMs based on gender and experience. Methods The study followed a structured self-administered questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey design. Out of 200, with a response rate of 89.5%, 179 pharmacists (115 males; 64 females) from the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia participated in this study. The knowledge scores of male and female pharmacists were compared using an unpaired t-test. The correlation between pharmacists’ knowledge and their work experience was determined using Pearson's correlation coefficient test, keeping the significance value at p

In recent investigations, secondary bacterial infections were found to be strongly related to mortality in COVID-19 patients. In addition, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria played an important role in the series of bacterial infections that accompany infection in COVID-19. The objective of the present study was to investigate the ability of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles from strawberries (Fragaria ananassa L.) leaf extract without a chemical catalyst to inhibit Gram-negative P. aeruginosa and Gram-positive Staph aureus isolated from COVID-19 patient’s sputum. A wide range of measurements was performed on the synthesized AgNPs, including UV–vis, SEM, TEM, EDX, DLS, ζ -potential, XRD, and FTIR. UV-Visible spectral showed the absorbance at the wavelength 398 nm with an increase in the color intensity of the mixture after 8 h passed at the time of preparation confirming the high stability of the FA-AgNPs in the dark at room temperature. SEM and TEM measurements confirmed AgNPs with size ranges of ∼40-∼50 nm, whereas the DLS study confirmed their average hydrodynamic size as ∼53 nm. Furthermore, Ag NPs. EDX analysis showed the presence of the following elements: oxygen (40.46%), and silver (59.54%). Biosynthesized FA-AgNPs (ζ = −17.5 ± 3.1 mV) showed concentration-dependent antimicrobial activity for 48 h in both pathogenic strains. MTT tests showed concentration-dependent and line-specific effects of FA-AgNPs on cancer MCF-7 and normal liver WRL-68 cell cultures. According to the results, synthetic FA-AgNPs obtained through an environmentally friendly biological process are inexpensive and may inhibit the growth of bacteria isolated from COVID-19 patients.

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the composite P(4ClAni)/CuO, which consists of Poly(4-Chloroaniline) P(4ClAni) and copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles, was successfully synthesized utilizing a chemically oxidative polymerization approach to be applied in optoelectronics. Both FTIR and EDX analyses showed that CuO has been successfully integrated into the P(4ClAni) matrix. The SEM micrographs reveal uniform loading and distribution of CuO throughout the P(4ClAni) polymeric chains. The UV–Vis absorbance, the Urbach energy, the band edge and a number of carbon clusters were determined. The Tauc relationship was used to determine the band gaps, which revealed a decrease as the CuO concentration increased. The band gap drops from 3.84eV for P(4ClAni) to 3.09, 2.85, and 2.64eV, correspondingly for P(4ClAni)/CuO-1, P(4ClAni)/CuO-2, and P(4ClAni)/CuO-3. While, the Urbach tail is increased from 1.66eV for P(4ClAni) correspondingly to 1.81, 1.85, and 1.93eV. The results show composites made of P(4ClAni)/CuO have better optical characteristics than pure polymer P(4ClAni), suggesting that they can use these composites in optoelectronics devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 (IC50 = 43.82 ± 2.41 µg/mL) and ABTS (IC50 = 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 (IC50 = 8.46 ± 0.92 µg/mL) and substantial inhibition of COX-1 (IC50 = 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 (IC50 = 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constitutional BRCA1-methylation is a cancer risk factor for breast (BC) and ovarian (OC) cancer. MiR-155, regulated by BRCA1, is a multifunctional microRNA that plays a crucial role in the immune system. The present study assessed the modulation of miR-155-5p expression in peripheral white blood cells (WBCs) of BC and OC patients and cancer-free (CF) BRCA1-methylation female carriers. Additionally, we investigated the potential of curcumin to suppress miR-155-5p in BRCA1-deficient breast cancer cell lines. MiR-155-5p expression was measured using a stem-loop RT-qPCR method. Gene expression levels were determined using qRT-PCR and immunoblotting. MiR-155-5p was more highly expressed in the BRCA1-hypermethylated HCC-38 and UACC-3199 BC cell lines than in the BRCA1-mutated (HCC-1937) and WT BRCA1 (MDA-MB-321) cell lines. Curcumin suppressed miR-155-5p in the HCC-38 cells but not in the HCC-1937 cells via the re-expression of BRCA1. Elevated levels of miR-155-5p were detected in patients with non-aggressive and localized breast tumors and in patients with late-stage aggressive ovarian tumors, as well as in CF BRCA1-methylation carriers. Notably, IL2RG levels were reduced in the OC and CF groups but not in the BC group. Together, our findings suggest opposing effects of WBC miR-155-5p, according to the cell and cancer type. In addition, the results point to miR-155-5p as a candidate biomarker of cancer risk among CF-BRCA1-methylation carriers.