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An examination and study were carried out in order to investigate the beneficial advantages of Drimia maritima aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts (DmAE/DmHE). The chemical profile was determined using rapid ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry analysis, revealing the presence of 31 bioactive components. Four different methodologies were employed to conduct a series of antioxidant testing. The DmAE and DmHE have exhibited a noteworthy antioxidant capacity, as evidenced by their significant half maximal inhibitory concentration values across several activities, comparable to the performance of DmAE. However, D. maritimia does not exhibit any reduction in power activity. Furthermore, a notable suppression of the critical enzyme (urease), which serves a role in various health conditions, including hyperpigmentation and pathological functional abnormalities, was discovered for the first time. A significant inhibition of the urease enzyme was observed for DmAE at a value of 122.04 ± 1.42. D. maritima had strong sun protection properties and demonstrated effective anti-inflammatory effects. The pharmacological activities of DmAE and DmHE were also conducted in vivo using analgesic and anti-inflammatory tests, and the oral toxicity was determined in accordance with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development 425 Guideline. Intoxication symptoms were not observed in any of the treated animals following oral administration of DmAE and DmHE at 2,000 mg/kg. Conversely, the oral administration of DmAE and DmHE at varying concentrations inhibits the development of paw edema at different concentrations, which results in a substantial reduction in the acetic acid-induced writhing test. Chemical and spectroscopic investigation of D. maritima flowers resulted in the isolation of sucrose, and it was never isolated in this plant species and Scilliphäosidin-3-O-β-d-glucoside, using proton nuclear magnetic resonance and carbon 13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. As indicated by these findings, D. maritima has the potential to be utilized in a wide range of applications, including as a nutritional supplement, as an alternative treatment for a variety of physiological conditions and pathologies, and as a preventive and healing agent.

In the Algerian desert, individuals often enjoy a soothing cup of herbal tea made from Ephedra alata Decne before bedtime; this aids in their relaxation. Our previous and earlier investigations demonstrated the richness of the shrub in terms of polyphenols and flavonoids and their effective medicinal properties. In the light of that fact, our interest has been aroused to check for other types of metabolites and for the protective ability of the shrub crude extract (SCE) regarding chemically induced edema and subacute toxicity (following a formalin-induced paw edema model and using a carbamate pesticide “pirimicarb” as a toxic agent, in Wistar male rats, respectively). Evidently, the SCE was used as a preventive agent. Swelling of formalin-injected foot was measured, and the anti-edematous ability was expressed as a percent of paw edema. At the end of induced subacute toxicity procedure, many investigations were carried, namely, checking for biochemical several parameters (hepatic, renal), hematological parameters, oxidative stress status (OSS), and histological examining of liver, spleen, and kidney tissues. The results revealed a remarkable anti-edematous effect. Furthermore, the association of the SCE effect has clearly minimized the OSS, the tissue aberrations, and the disturbance of the other metabolic parameters, along with a reduced immunodepression that was provoked under the effect of pirimicarb. In conclusion, pirimicarb has an important deleterious impact on metabolic and immune functions, and the studied shrub has exhibited an amazing protective potential against chemically induced inflammation and toxicity.

Prickly pear seed is a source of the most expensive oil in the world, which is rich in vitamins and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Its extraction generates a large quantity of press cake. These two by-products need to be valued. The current study aimed to assess the fatty acid composition of oil and the phytochemical composition of press cake. In addition, the antioxidant and the inhibition of thermal protein denaturation effects of both Algerian seed by-products were evaluated with their inhibitory action against the activities of urease, tyrosinase, α-amylase, and cholinesterase enzymes. The GC MS analysis result revealed the richness of our oil in linoleic (74%) and palmitic (13%) acids methyl esters, respectively. The chemical composition of press cake was characterized by a high value of dry matter (94.94 ± 0.05%), especially the carbohydrates (85.13 ± 0.94%). The results of antioxidant activity presented by IC50 and A0.5 ranged from 7.51 ± 0.03 to 88.10 ± 0.92 µg/mL. Furthermore, the IC50 values were 40.19 ± 1.21 and 61.18 ± 0.03 µg/mL in thermal protein denaturation assay, and ranging from 22.97 ± 0.72 to 385.99 ± 0.27 µg/mL for the inhibition of enzymatic activities. These results indicate that the studied oil can be one of the strongest oils for its impressive effects and also encourage us to reuse its press cake in feed livestock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thymus numidicus Poir. (Lamiaceae) is a native plant of northern Algeria and Tunisia. It is used in traditional medicine in Algeria to treat respiratory and digestive diseases, and as a spice in food preparations. This study aimed to characterize the chemical constituents and to evaluate antibacterial and antioxidant activities of 1-butanol (BuOH) extract of aerial parts of T. numidicus. A total of 15 phenolic compounds were identified using HPLC-TOF/MS analysis, among them eight phenolic acids, five flavonoids and a stilbenoid glycoside named polydatin, which were reported for the first time from the species. Antibacterial effects of BuOH extract were determined using the disc diffusion method against four bacteria strains, where it has displayed a weak activity against three of them. In addition, BuOH extract showed significant antioxidant activity, which was measured using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assays for free radical scavenging activity, and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity assay. Our results suggest the use of T. numidicus as a natural antioxidant in food and pharmaceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation aimed to explore the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects of Cade oil and its efficacy within a Wistar allergic asthma model. The antioxidant activity was assessed through various in vitro tests using chain-breaking antioxidant effects (radical scavenging and reducing abilities assays).  In vivo experiments involved Wistar rats categorized into four groups: negative control group, Ovalbumin-sensitised/challenged group, Cade oil-treated group, and Ovalbumin-sensitised/challenged Cade oil-treated group. These experiments aimed to evaluate oxidative stress parameters in the lungs and erythrocytes. The results indicated that the Cade oil exhibited significant antioxidant capabilities, evidenced by its radical scavenging activity against DPPH, ABTS, and Galvinoxyl radicals, with IC50 values ranging from 21.92 to 24.44 µg/mL. Besides, the reducing abilities methods showed A0,5 value ranging from 11.51 to 30.40  µg/mL for reducing power, Cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity, and O-phenanthroline assays. Additionally, the IC50 value for β-carotene scavenging was found to be (8.2 ± 0.25 µg/ml). Analysis revealed high levels of polyphenols and flavonoids in Cade oil, indicating rich polyphenol (275.21 ± 3.14 mg GAE/g DW) and flavonoid (28.23 ± 1.91 µg QE/mg) content. In vivo findings highlighted Cade oil's efficacy in reducing inflammatory cell recruitment, enhancing antioxidant status, reducing lipid peroxidation, and improving histopathological alterations within the allergic asthma model. These results demonstrated that Cade oil has a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-asthmatic properties, suggesting its potential therapeutic application in asthma treatment.

Background: Traditionally, the Algerian medicinal plant Elaeosilenum thapsioides (Desf.) Maire has been used for many diseases. The present research work aims to explore the chemical and biological characterization of its essential oil., Methods: The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation of different Elaeosilenum thapsioides (Apiaceae) aerial parts samples collected from two different regions (Mahouane and Megres) from Setif, Eastern Algeria. The chemical characterization of the obtained essential oils is reported here for the first time. Besides, they were evaluated for their in vitro Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity involved in Alzheimer's disease using Ellman's spectrophotometric method., Results: Additionally, their in vitro antimicrobial activity was assessed by the disc diffusion method. Both activities were performed at various oil concentrations. The GC/MS analysis of the essential oils from aerial parts (leaves, stems, flowers, and seeds) of E. thapsioides identified 47 constituents. Monoterpene hydrocarbons were the main components, ranging from 72.78 to 99.13%. Oxygenated monoterpenes and oxygenated sesquiterpenes ranged between 1.37 and 17.25% and 0.12 and 3.53% in essential oils from leaves and stems. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were present in small to large quantities in the essential oils of both populations, ranging from 0.69 to 13.44%. The presence of m-Methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate was recorded in stems essential oils from Mahouane and leaves essential oils from Merges, which was 9.73% and 3.72%, respectively., Conclusion: The stems essential oils obtained from plants collected in Mahouane showed the highest AChE inhibitory activity. The highest anti-bacterial activity was shown by the essential oil obtained from Megres leaves against Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778. The oils exhibited a moderate inhibitory activity in both tests., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)