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Chenopodium ambrosioides aerial parts have been historically employed in traditional medicine for addressing various ailments such as headaches, abdominal discomfort, joint issues, and respiratory disorders, alongside treatments for lice and warts. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive phytochemical analysis of C. ambrosioides and assess the acute and subacute toxicity of oral treatments using fractions in preclinical trials. Spectrophotometric analysis via LC–MS/MS was used to characterize the plant’s chemical composition. Acute toxicity evaluation followed Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development code 42 guidelines, conducted on adult male and female Wistar strain mice. Subsequently, Swiss mice were divided into six groups for the subacute toxicity study, receiving oral doses of 200 mg/kg extracts and fractions for 28 days. Daily observations and biochemical analyses were performed, with LC–MS/MS revealing a diverse array of compounds including organic acids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, rutin, hesperidin, nicotiflorine, and fumaric acid. Results indicated no lethality or alterations in body weight in treated groups, though some organ weight changes were noted. Biochemical analyses demonstrated values within the normal range for all groups, suggesting that the treatments did not induce adverse effects. Acute and subacute treatments with fractions did not result in lethality or toxic alterations at therapeutic doses, implying the safety of the product at appropriate levels. This study underscores the potential of C. ambrosioides as a safe therapeutic option warranting further exploration.

Chenopodium ambrosioides, a member of the Chenopodiaceae family, is renowned for its toxic properties. Despite its toxicity, it has been traditionally utilized in various communities, particularly in pediatric contexts, for its vermifuge, antispasmodic, and antipyretic attributes. This study aims to unravel the phytochemical composition present in organic fractions and aqueous extracts obtained from the aerial components of C. ambrosioides. Furthermore, our objective is to evaluate the antioxidant activity of these extracts and fractions, coupled with a comprehensive examination of their toxicological effects. Polyphenols were quantified using the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent, flavonoids via the aluminum trichloride reagent AlCl3, and tannins using the vanillin method. Identification of bioactive compounds within the plant specimen was accomplished through GC-MS spectrophotometric analysis. The assessment of antioxidant activity employed DPPH, ferric (Fe3+) ion antioxidant reducing power (FRAP), ABTS, and TAC methods, with quercetin, catechin, and ascorbic acid serving as standards. Dermoprotective activity was studied using the ultraviolet absorption test. The GC-MS analysis conducted on the aqueous extracts (EAI and EAM) and assorted fractions (FCH, FE, FB, and FA) revealed the presence of diverse chemical families encompassing alcohols, acids, terpenes, steroids, and phenolic compounds. The components identified in the investigated samples, including trans-ascaridol glycol, palmitic acid, phenol, octadecadienoic acid, isoascaridol, eicosanoic acid, 2-methoxy-4-vinyl phenol, mexiletine, and thymol, are postulated as potential contributors to the observed antioxidant activity inherent in the plant extracts and fractions. Our findings highlight the remarkable antioxidant potential of Chenopodium ambrosioides, with the ethyl acetate fraction exhibiting the highest activity (IC50 = 0.54 mg/ml) in the DPPH test. In the FRAP and ABTS tests, the n-butanolic and ethyl acetate fractions demonstrated superior activity (IC50 = 4.43 mg/ml, 12.9 mg/ml and IC50 = 1.6 mg/ml, 4.54 mg/ml, respectively). Conversely, the TAC test revealed that the macerated aqueous extract displayed the highest activity (316.33 mg Eq AG/g), followed closely by the n-butanolic fraction (250.67 mg Eq AG/g). These outcomes can be attributed to the abundant presence of phenolic compounds in the n-butanolic and ethyl acetate fractions, as well as the macerated aqueous extract, playing a pivotal role in the observed antioxidant activity. Additionally, our investigation of the dermoprotective activity demonstrated robust efficacy in the ethyl acetate fraction (FE) and the n-butanolic fraction (FB) compared to the standard agents employed (ZnO and methyl salicylate). Overall, our comprehensive studies affirm that the extracts and fractions derived from C. ambrosioides manifest moderate antioxidant activities alongside significant dermoprotective potential, elucidated by the presence of phenolic compounds in moderate quantities within the plant.

This research is dedicated to investigating the antioxidant potential and phytochemical composition of three distinct extracts derived from Vitex agnus-castus L. These extracts, prepared through aqueous (EXA), ethanolic (EXE), and methanolic (EXM) maceration, were chosen based on prior assessments of total polyphenol content in extracts obtained from five solvents with differing polarities: water, methanol, ethanol, acetone, and butanol. The study initiated with a comprehensive phytochemical analysis focusing on the determination of total polyphenols and flavonoids. The quantification of total polyphenols was carried out using the Folin–Ciocalteu method, while the AlCl3 method was employed to assess flavonoids. In evaluating the in vitro antioxidant activity, we employed two well-established methods, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The preliminary tests, gauging the efficacy of solvents, demonstrated that the order of optimal solvent selection was as follows: aqueous, methanolic, ethanolic, butanolic, and acetone. Consequently, the first three solvents were chosen for the preparation of the extracts. The phytochemical analysis unveiled that EXA exhibited the highest total polyphenol content, with an impressive value of 126.84 ± 1.24 mg EAG/g extract, whereas EXE exhibited the lowest concentration of total polyphenols, measuring at 117.26 ± 0.18 mg EAG/g extract. In contrast, EXM showcased a notably high flavonoid content, registering at 33.65 ± 1.04 mg EQ/g extract, while EXA displayed a comparatively lower flavonoid content at 14.93 ± 0.14 mg EQ/g extract. When assessing antioxidant properties, EXA emerged as the most potent against both DPPH and FRAP, recording values of 78.94 ± 1.84 and 203.27 ± 0.17 μg/ml, respectively. In contrast, the ethanolic extract exhibited relatively lower antioxidant activity, with values of 204.16 ± 1.87 μg/ml for DPPH and 307.10 ± 1.15 μg/ml for FRAP.

Cedrus atlantica is a Mediterranean medicinal plant used traditionally for the treatment of urinary tract infections and cancer. This study aims to evaluate the toxicity and analgesic properties of the stem extracts of Cedrus atlantica. Powdered stem of Cedrus atlantica was extracted successively with cyclohexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol, in a Soxhlet apparatus, to yield extracts F1, F2, and F3, respectively. An aqueous extract (F4) was obtained by maceration of the residue at room temperature. Acute oral toxicity of the extracts was assessed in mice according to OECD guidelines. Analgesic activity of the extracts (500 mg/kg) was evaluated using the writhing and tail immersion tests, with aspirin (125 mg/kg), and morphine (0.1 mg/kg) as positive controls, respectively. Acute toxicity studies showed that Cedrus atlantica stem extracts have no significant toxic effects at a dose of 2000 mg/kg. In the writhing test, the aqueous extract (F4) demonstrated the highest analgesic activity with 18.33±1.55 writhes (50.66% inhibition), followed by the ethyl acetate extract (F2) with 19.33±1.77 writhes (47.97% inhibition). F2 and F4 were more effective than aspirin which caused 21.66±1.88 writhes (41.70% inhibition). In the tail immersion test, F2 and F4 showed significant central analgesic activity, both extracts significantly increased the reaction times, with F2 peaking at 5.02±0.45 seconds and F4 at 4.92±0.30 seconds, compared to morphine with reaction time of 7.70±0.18 seconds. These findings therefore suggest that Cedrus atlantica stem extracts are relatively safe on acute oral administration, and have potential for use as analgesic agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cedrus atlantica is a Mediterranean medicinal plant used to treat a number of ailments including cancer and urinary tract infections. This study is aimed to analyze the phytochemical constituents and evaluates the antioxidant activity of Cedrus atlantica stem extracts. Powdered stem of Cedrus atlantica underwent successive extraction with cyclohexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol using Soxhlet apparatus to obtain cyclohexane (F1), ethyl acetate (F2), and ethanol (F3) extracts. The marc was macerated with water to obtain the aqueous extract (F4). Phytochemical screening was performed following standard procedures. Total phenolic, flavonoid, flavonol, and tannin contents were also determined. The extracts were subjected to gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and TAC assays. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, anthocyanins, tannins, quinines, coumarins, terpenoids, anthraquinones, sterols, and saponins in the plant. F3 showed the highest content of total polyphenols (237.23±1.61 mgGAE/g extract) and tannins (189.4±0.76 mgCE/g extract), while F2 exhibited the highest content of total flavonoids (81.53±1.13 mgQE/g extract) and flavonols (33.4±0.16 mgQE/g extract). F3 also demonstrated the most potent antioxidant efficacy in the DPPH (IC50 = 19.40±0.01 µg/mL), ABTS (IC50 = 21.24±0.002 µg/mL), FRAP (EC50 = 94.36±2.51 µg/mL), and TAC (780.97±4.86 µg AAE/g extract) assays. GC-MS analysis identified acids, phenolic compounds, terpenes, and steroids in the extracts, suggesting their contribution to the antioxidant activity exhibited by the plant extracts. These observations underscore the therapeutic potential of the plant and justify its traditional medicinal application across various diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Morocco, traditional medicine utilizes many toxic plants for cancer treatment, despite a lack of scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness. Further research may be able to explore and discover the potential therapeutic effects of these plants' bioactive molecules with antioxidant and anticancer properties. Based on our review, we have determined that the 13 plants under examination possess various pharmacological and biological activities due to their diverse phytochemical composition. Despite their toxicity, these plants have a history of traditional use in Morocco for treating multiple diseases. Further research, including preclinical and clinical trials, should be conducted to investigate the potential therapeutic benefits of these plants. Moroccan cuisine commonly incorporates gruels, herbal drinks, and spicy beverages, which possess significant health benefits, including chemo-preventive properties and natural inhibitors against certain infections. These properties may aid in reducing the incidence of cancer and potentially have therapeutic effects in various human pathologies when consumed in appropriate amounts and in combination with a healthy lifestyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]