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Argan, olive, and milk thistle seed oils are characterized by high levels of tocopherols, mainly α-tocopherol. They are also rich in oleic acid (C18:1 n-9) and linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6) and contain small quantities of several polyphenols. As tocopherols and polyphenols have antioxidant properties and are able to cross the blood-brain barrier, it is suggested that argan, olive, and milk thistle seed oils could be useful in the prevention of neurodegenerative disorders since these are characterized by an enhancement of oxidative stress leading to neurodegeneration. This hypothesis is supported by the antioxidant properties of these oils determined by different assays KRL (Kit Radicaux Libres), FRAP (ferric-reducing antioxidant power), and DPPH [2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl)] and by cytoprotective properties of these oils which are able to prevent major side effects associated with oxysterols-induced neurodegeneration such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell death of nerve cells.

The oldest caryopses of alfa (9 years) are quite as viable as the least old ones (3 years) by recording better capacities of germination. The treatment of these capacities obtained under our experimental conditions, by PCA shows that germination is favoured on the one hand in the presence of daylight, in an interval of temperature of 18 °C at 20 °C, alone or associated to a cold preprocessing of 5 °C during 24 h at 72 h and on the other hand by scarification. Indeed, at daylight, a maximum of germination (90.66% to 94.66%) is reached after a cold preprocessing of 5 °C in particular during 72 h. Scarification results in an improvement of the capacity of germination at the continuous optimal temperature of 20 °C and to the darkness, a better speed of germination, a shorter latency time. These results can be put in connection with the fall of the contents of certain substances known to be inhibiting germination like total phenols, the flavonoides, the tannins condensed and hydrolized, after removal ...