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Background: Hammada scoparia (Pomel) Iljin (HS), is commonly used by traditional healers in Morocco against microbial and fungal infections. We studied antimicrobial, antifungal and antiradical effects of organic extracts in vitro in order to confirm traditional utilization after phytochemical screening. Materials and methods: Aerial parts of HS have been extracted by hydro-distillation using Clevenger-type apparatus, and the chemical composition was realized by Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectroscopy (GC/MS). The antioxidant activity has been evaluated using DPPH test, while the antimicrobial tests of HS extract were conducted on twenty-eight bacterial strains and antifungal on twelve fungal strains. Results: Chemical characterization of HS essential oils (EO) confirmed the presence of carvacrol (82,28%), p-cymene (2,52%), γ-terpinene (2,18%) and Z-caryophyllene (2,04%). Antimicrobial tests of HS extract showed a moderate antibacterial activity without antifungal effect. In addition, HS exhibited a very powerful antiradical activity with IC50 = 1,2 mg/ml compared to that of ascorbic acid (IC50 = 0,5 mg/mL) and butylated hydroxyanisole (0,8 mg/mL). Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that HS directly inhibits the growth of microorganisms in vitro, and further validates its traditional use as an antiseptic by traditional Moroccan healers.

Lavandula pedunculata (Mill.) Cav. (LP) is one of lavender species traditionally used in Morocco to prevent or cure diabetes, alone or in the form of polyherbal preparations (PHP). Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to test the antihyperglycemic effect of the aqueous extract of LP, alone and in combination with Punica granatum L. (PG) and Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (FGK). The secondary objective was to explore some mechanisms of action on the digestive functions. The antihyperglycemic effect of the aqueous extract of LP, alone and in combination with PG and FGK, was studied in vivo using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). In addition, LP extract was tested on the activities of some digestive enzymes (pancreatic α-amylase and intestinal α-glucosidase) in vitro and on the intestinal absorption of glucose ex vivo using a short-circuit current (Isc) technique. Acute and chronic oral administration of LP aqueous extract reduced the peak of the glucose concentration (30 min, p < 0.01) and the area under the curve (AUC, p < 0.01). The effect of LP + PG was at the same amplitude to that of the positive control Metformin (MET). LP aqueous extract inhibited the pancreatic α-amylase with an IC50 almost identical to acarbose (0.44 ± 0.05 mg/mL and 0.36 ± 0.02 mg/mL, respectively), as well as the intestinal α-glucosidase, (IC50 = 131 ± 20 µg/mL) and the intestinal glucose absorption (IC50 = 81.28 ± 4.01 µg/mL) in concentration-dependent manners. LP aqueous extract exhibited potent actions on hyperglycemia, with an inhibition on digestive enzymes and glucose absorption. In addition, the combination with PG and FGK enhanced oral glucose tolerance in rats. These findings back up the traditional use of LP in type 2 diabetes treatment and the effectiveness of the alternative and combinative poly-phytotherapy (ACPP).

Ethnopharmacological relevance Origanum majorana L. (Lamiaceae) was usually used in Moroccan folk medicine to treat infantile colic and abdominal discomfort. Materials and methods The essential oil from the aerial part of the dry Origanum majorana L. (EOOM) was obtained through hydro distillation and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The effect of EOOM on muscle relaxation was measured on rabbit and rat intestinal smooth muscle mounted in an isotonic transducer. Results 1) The main compounds obtained from the aqueous extract of this plant were alpha Terpineol, L-terpinen-4-ol and Beta.-Linalool. 2) EOOM inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner spontaneous contraction of rabbit jejunum, with an IC50 = 64.08 ± 2.42 μg/mL. 3) In rat intestine, EOOM induced the relaxation of the tissue in concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 = 39.70 ± 2.29 μg/mL when the tissue was pre-contracted with CCh 10-6 M, and 48.70 ± 2.26 μg/mL when the tissue was pre-contracted with 25 mM KCl. 4) The relaxation effect induced by EOOM was more important than that obtained in the presence of atropine, hexamethonium, Nifedipine, L-NAME and Blue of methylene. Conclusion the present result indicates that essential oil of Origanum majorana L. exhibit an effect on intestinal relaxation in vitro. This effect further validates the traditional use of Origanum majorana L. to treat infantile colic and abdominal discomfort.

In this work, we are interested in both the study of the phenolic compounds and the evaluation of the antioxidant properties of the extracts of Ammi visnaga L. collected from the Middle Atlas in Morocco. Phytochemical screening was carried out to highlight the qualitative composition of the secondary metabolites contained in this plant. Also, the extraction of total polyphenols was carried out by maceration using hydromethanolic and hydroacetonic mixtures. Then, the fractionation of the crude extracts was conducted by liquid-liquid extraction using successively two organic solvents with different polarities: ethyl acetate and n-butanol. The polyphenols contents were spectrophotometrically estimated using the Folin-Ciocalteau method. It showed that the ethyl acetate fraction is more abundant in phenolic compounds than the other fractions. The qualitative analysis was performed by high-pressure liquid chromatography with U.V. and electrospray ionization coupled to mass spectrometry (HPLC/UV-ESI-MS), which confirmed the richness of this species in polyphenols and particularly in flavonoids, especially by the identification of kaempferol, rhamnetin, biochanin A, ammiol. These molecules belong to flavones, flavonols, and furochromones, which are also identified both in the form of genin and of heteroside. The antioxidant activity of the different fractions was evaluated by diphenyl-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH●). The IC50 is equal to 12.87 μg / mL for the ethyl acetate fraction, against 8.8 μg / mL for ascorbic acid and 10.8 μg / mL for BHA which are used as reference compounds.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Arbutus unedo L., (Ericaceae) is one of the most traditional plants commonly used to treat diabetes in people living in Eastern Morocco region particularly in Taza and Beni Mellal. Aim of the study The aim of the study was to find if there is a scientific support to the ethnopharmacological relevance use of Arbutus unedo L., roots bark (AU) to treat diabetes. Materials and methods We studied the effects of crude aqueous extract of AU on intestinal glucose absorption using short-circuit current technique in vitro and oral glucose tolerance test in vivo. Results The aqueous extract of AU (10 µg/mL to 1 mg/mL) induced concentration-dependent inhibition of sodium-dependent glucose transport across isolated mouse jejunum. The maximal inhibition was obtained with 1 mg/mL, which exhibited more than 80% of the Phloridzin inhibition with an IC50 close to 216 µg/mL. A 6-week AU ingestion (2 g/(kg day)), improved oral glucose tolerance as efficiently as metformin (300 mg/(kg day)). Arbutus unedo L. and metformin also reduced body weight. Conclusions Arbutus unedo L. roots bark aqueous extract directly inhibited the electrogenic intestinal absorption of glucose in vitro. In addition it improved oral glucose tolerance and lowered body weight in rats after chronic oral administration in vivo. These results add a scientific support to the ethnopharmacological relevance use of Arbutus unedo L. roots bark to treat diabetes.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Origanum majorana L. (Lamiaceae) is commonly used in Moroccan folk medicine to treat infantile colic, abdominal discomfort and diarrhea. Liquid stools and abdominal discomfort observed in acute infectious diarrhea are the consequences of imbalance between intestinal water secretion and absorption in the lumen, and relaxation of smooth muscle surrounding the intestinal mucosa. Aim of the study The objective of our study was to see if aqueous extract of Origanum majorana L. (AEOM) may exhibit an effect on those deleterious mechanisms. Materials and methods The effect of AEOM on electrogenic Cl- secretion and Na+ absorption, the two main mechanisms underlying water movement in the intestine, was assessed on intestinal pieces of mice intestine mounted, in vitro, in Ussing chambers. AEOM effect on muscle relaxation was measured on rat intestinal smooth muscle mounted in an isotonic transducer. Results 1) AEOM placed on the serosal (i.e. blood) side of the piece of jejunum entirely inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner the Forskolin-induced electrogenic chloride secretion, with an IC50 = 654 ± 8 µg/mL. 2) AEOM placed on the mucosal (i.e. luminal) side stimulated in a concentration-dependent manner an electrogenic Na+ absorption, with an IC50 = 476.9 ± 1 µg/mL. 3) AEOM (1 mg/mL) inhibition of Forskolin-induced electrogenic secretion was almost entirely prevented by prior exposure to Ca++ channels or neurotransmitters inhibitors. 4) AEOM (1 mg/mL) proabsorptive effect was greater in the ileum and progressively declined in the jejunum, distal colon and proximal colon (minimal). 5) AEOM inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner smooth muscle Carbachol or KCl induced contraction, with an IC50 = 1.64 ± 0.2 mg/mL or 1.92 ± 0.8 mg/mL, respectively. Conclusion the present results indicate that aqueous extract of Origanum majorana L. exhibit positive cooperative effects on the main mechanisms that are involved in acute infectious diarrhea.

Human ceruloplasmin (Cp) has been purified from cryoprecipitate-poor plasma as a by-product of the C1-inhibitor production chain. Highly purified Cp was obtained by subsequent ion-exchange chromatography on sulfate-Fractogel EMD and TMAE-Fractogel EMD. Treatments for viral safety included application of the solvent-detergent method and two nanofiltration steps using 35- and 15-nm pore size filters at the end of the process. Overall antigen yield was 95 (+/-5) %. Purified human ceruloplasmin was studied by electron spin resonance (ESR) to characterize its different types of copper complexes and to check its antioxidant properties. We distinguished three types of complexes: one type-2 Cu(II) with g// = 2.25 and A// = 180 G and two type-I Cu(II) exhibiting different narrow hyperfine splitting (A// = 72 G and A// = 90 G) with close g// (2.20 and 2.21). Purified Cp has a specific activity of 24.5+/-0.2 mU/mg of proteins. This process provides a method for Cp purification that could be easily integrated into modern plasma fractionation.