Search

Adouani I, Boulaacheb N. 2022. An Algerian endemic species in danger to disappear due to pandemic, Origanum vulgare subsp. glandulosum (Desf.) Letsw. Biodiversitas 23: 3147-3155. Algeria is known for its rich flora, and the traditional use of medicinal plants is very ancient. The use of medicinal plants is extremely intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. To enumerate the most used species by the Algerian population, two ethnobotanical surveys have been conducted from October to December 2021. Thirty herbalists were interviewed, and 165 respondents participated in an online survey. The results showed that a total of 25 species belonging to 16 botanical families had been reported to be used in different modes of preparation to prevent or treat the infection. One of the locally used species is Origanum vulgare subsp. glandulosum (Desf.) letsw. Generally, Algerians internally use this species as a tea or as a powder preparation with honey or only the powder with water to treat many health problems such as diarrhea, colds, coughs, respiratory infections, rheumatism, and menstrual symptoms. Otherwise, the powder of the plant is externally used alone or with olive oil to cure several illnesses such as rheumatism, and skin irritations. Due to the extensive use of this species during the pandemic, the demand in the market has increased, as also the price. Herbalists reported that they have received between 30-300 people affected or not by COVID-19 per day. The price went from 1500-5000 DA per kg (10.33-34.42 USD). Therefore, the increase rate is expected to be 50-80% for the demand, and 50-90% for the price. This increase in demand during COVID-19 has led to an exaggerated and random collection of species at different stages of the development of the plant. Although O. vulgare subsp. glandulosum is a common species, but it can be rare or even disappear due to the extensive collection without protective measures due to COVID-19. Therefore, it is important to engage policies for the conservation and cultivation of O. vulgare subsp. glandulosum.

This prospective study aims to measure and compare the level of umbilical cord blood and venous blood procalcitonin (PCT) for a better and more rapid prediction of maternofetal infections in Algerian newborns. The study was conducted at the hospital of child and mother of Setif in Algeria from 2016 to 2018. 164 Algerian term suspected newborns born alive to mothers with Maternofetal infection (MFI) risk factors were included. 69 non-infectious newborns born alive to mothers without MFI risk factors served as the control group. The venous blood and cord blood in each group were collected. PCT levels were determined and compared to CRP levels. Receiver operating curves (ROC) were generated to detect the best cut-off values for sensitivity and specificity. Levels of both cord blood and venous blood procalcitonin were significantly higher in the suspected group than those in the control group (P

Diosmin is one of the most widely used phlebotonic drugs, but its poor bioavailability has restricted its usage. The aim of this study was to formulate a complex Diosmin with phospholipids (75% in PC, in 1:2 molar ratios) and to evaluate for solubility, drug content, X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and in vitro dissolution study. Further to test the bioavailability of both the complex and Alvenor⌖ in beagle dogs and compare pharmacokinetic parameters. Diosmin herbosome was found to be more soluble than both pure diosmin and Alvenor⌖. The complex contained 71.94% drug content. DSC thermograms and XRD also proved the claim of the complexation. The dissolution profile of diosmin herbosome and Alvenor⌖ in water-ethanol medium showed an increase of the dissolution for diosmin herbosome. Comparison of plasma concentration and main pharmacokinetic parameters of diosmin herbosome treated and Alvenor⌖ treated dogs showed a higher C

Six related substances were detected in diosmin bulk drug substances and products by a newly developed gradient reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with UV detection. The chromatographic system consisted of an Intersil Wondasil TM ODS (C 18) column (250 × 4.6 mm; 5 μm). The mobile phase consisted of water/acetic acid 66:6 v/v (solvent A) and methanol (solvent B) using a gradient program at a flow rate of 0.8 mL min−1 with 345 nm detection and an injection volume of 20 μL. In addition, the linearity, quantitation limit (QL), accuracy, selectivity, robustness and precision were determined. Good linearity was obtained over the concentration range 0.5–200 μg mL−1 with the coefficient of determination (r 2) of 0.999. The QL was 0.125 μg mL−1 (relative standard deviation