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Background: Silver nanoparticles (Ag/Ag₂O NPs) have garnered attention for their potent antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, showing promise for therapeutic applications, particularly in mitigating chemical-induced toxicity. Objective: This study aimed to synthesize Ag/Ag₂O NPs using Olea europaea (olive) leaf extract as a green, eco-friendly reducing agent and evaluate their protective effects against metribuzin-induced toxicity in Wistar rats, focusing on oxidative stress, hematological parameters, and lipid profiles, with specific dose optimization. Methodology: Ag/Ag₂O NPs were synthesized using Olea europaea leaf extract, and their properties were confirmed via XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDS, and UV-visible spectroscopy. Wistar rats exposed to metribuzin (110 mg/kg/day) were treated with two doses of Ag/Ag₂O NPs (0.062 mg/kg and 0.125 mg/kg). Hematological and biochemical markers were assessed to evaluate the NPs' protective effects. Results: Physicochemical characterization confirmed the successful formation of Ag/Ag₂O NPs loaded with phytochemicals, exhibiting crystallite sizes of 23 nm and 19 nm, a particle size of 25 nm, and significant peaks in XRD, FTIR, and UV-Vis spectra indicating the formation of Ag/Ag₂O. Metribuzin exposure led to significant hematological disruptions (elevated WBC, reduced RBC and hemoglobin) and worsened lipid profiles (increased cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides). The lower NP dose (0.062 mg/kg) improved WBC, RBC, hemoglobin, and platelet counts, normalized lipid levels, and positively influenced biochemical markers such as serum creatinine and uric acid. In contrast, the higher NP dose (0.125 mg/kg) showed mixed results, with some improvements but an increase in triglycerides and continued elevation of ASAT and ALAT enzyme levels. Conclusion: Ag/Ag₂O NPs synthesized via green methods using olive leaf extract effectively mitigated metribuzin-induced toxicity, especially at lower doses, by improving oxidative stress markers and hematological and biochemical profiles. Dose optimization is crucial to maximize therapeutic benefits and minimize adverse effects, underscoring their potential in treating chemical-induced toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peptic ulcer disease remains a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder worldwide. Current treatments often have limitations, sparking interest in alternative therapies from medicinal plants. This review examines the gastroprotective potential of 54 North African medicinal plants against peptic ulcers. An extensive literature search was conducted, focusing on plants with preclinical and clinical evidence of anti‐ulcer efficacy and documented use in North African traditional medicine. The review identified several promising plant species, such as licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), olive (Olea europaea), pomegranate (Punica granatum), Aloe vera, and black seed (Nigella sativa), along with their bioactive constituents, including flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids. These compounds exhibit gastroprotective properties through multiple mechanisms, such as enhancing the gastric mucosal barrier, inhibiting acid secretion, displaying antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects, promoting ulcer healing, and combating Helicobacter pylori infection. The evidence presented includes in vitro assays, animal models, and some clinical studies. While many of the 53 plants reviewed demonstrated significant anti‐ulcer effects compared to standard drugs, further clinical research is needed to establish efficacy and safety in humans. The synergistic actions of phytochemical mixtures in medicinal plant extracts likely contribute to their therapeutic potential. This review highlights the role these North African medicinal plants may play in the prevention and treatment of peptic ulcers and identifies promising candidates for further research and development of evidence‐based botanical therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the therapeutic efficacy of Helianthemum lippii and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) synthesized using a H. lippii extract to alleviate cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats. Sub-acute toxicity assessments of H. lippii (100 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg, and 4000 mg/kg) and Ag NPs (2 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) did not find any significant difference, compared with untreated control rats (n = 3 animals/group). Then, the adult Wistar rats were divided into one control (untreated/unexposed) and six experimental groups (n = 5/group): Ag NPs alone, H. lippii alone, exposure to 50 mg/kg CdCl2 in drinking water for 35 days, exposure to CdCl2 for 35 days followed by treatment with 0.1 mg/kg/day Ag NPs (intraperitoneal injection) and/or 100 mg/kg/day H. lippii by gavage for 15 days. In the CdCl2-exposed group, body weight decreased; urea, creatinine, and uric acid concentrations increased (p < 0.05 vs. control), indicative of nephrotoxicity, antioxidant defenses (SOD, GSH, and CAT) were reduced, and malondialdehyde concentration increased. Moreover, the kidney's architecture in CdCl2-exposed rats was altered: fibrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, glomerular destruction, and tubular dilatation. Treatment with H. lippii and/or Ag NPs after CdCl2 exposure improved some of the renal function and architecture alterations induced by CdCl2, and also increased body weight. This study underscores the potential therapeutic applications of H. lippii and Ag NPs to decrease oxidative stress and promote xenobiotic detoxification, in line with the growing emphasis on environmentally conscious practices in scientific research and healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine the phytochemical content and biological activities of Astragalus gombo (endemic species). We conducted an HPLC analysis to identify the secondary metabolites. Antioxidant (DPPH and FRAP), anti-inflammatory, anti-hemolytic and antibacterial activities were evaluated. For the HPLC analysis, we obtained 65 peaks and identified six major bioactive compounds. The total concentration of polyphenols, flavonoids and condensed tannins varied, respectively, from 66.3±0.9 mg GA eq/g, 34.31±1.4 mg Q eq/g and 5.3±2.7 mg Ca eq/g. In terms of antioxidant activity, the extract exhibited high inhibitory activity, equivalent to IC50 = 62.81±0.01 µg/mL for DPPH and IC50 = 19.37±0.04 µg/mL for FRAP. The anti-inflammatory activity was estimated to be high at 1615.8±2.8 µg/mL, the anti-hemolytic activity was weak and the antibacterial activity against the five strains under study was moderately strong. This study demonstrated that the aqueous extract of A. gombo from El Oued region has remarkable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and antibacterial capacity of crude extract and bioactive compounds from the aerial parts of Helianthemum lippii. The antioxidant activities of the crude extract and fractions (dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and anthocyanins) were assayed by Diphenyl 2-pycril hydrazine (DPPH), reducing power (RP), Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) and linoleic acid/ß - carotene bleaching assay. Their antibacterial activity against six bacterial strains was evaluated by Agar diffusion and a modified broth macro-dilution method was used to measure the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Its phenolic content was also verified by quantitative estimations. The results demonstrated this plant and its fractions have an excellent capacity antioxidant, as dichloromethane fraction exhibited the highest antioxidant activity in tested DPPH, RP assays, and TAC with IC50 and effective concentration (EC50) values of 2.404 µg/mL, 0.592 µg/mL, 1.58 mg Ascorbic acid/g of extract respectively. In addition, dichloromethane fraction showed promising antibacterial activity, with strong efficiency against six strains bacteria with the inhibition zone reaching even 26.67 mm, while the MIC was very similar in all fractions and much better than the crude extract so that it ranged in values from 0.1563 to 0.9375 mg/mL. Finally, it is worth noting this plant and its fractions is a promising source of medicinal uses that could be applied in the treatment of many diseases caused by oxidative stress and bacterial infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the wound-healing potential of Euphorbia guyoniana latex (EGL) in male Wistar rats, along with its biochemical composition and biological activities. Phytochemical analysis identified moderate levels of phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins, with HPLC revealing five phenolic compounds. EGL demonstrated strong antioxidant activity in DPPH assays, surpassing ascorbic acid in protecting red blood cells. Its performance in the ß-carotene-linoleic acid assay was robust, though its FRAP assay results were weaker. EGL also exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity, comparable to Acetylsalicylic acid, and showed antibacterial effects against Listeria innocua. In Vivo, EGL-infused ointments accelerated wound healing, reducing epithelialization periods to 12-16 days, with a higher wound contraction rate compared to controls. The study concludes that EGL, rich in bioactive compounds, holds potential as a promising natural agent for wound healing, owing to its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties., (© 2024 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Background: Silver nanoparticles (Ag/Ag₂O NPs) have garnered attention for their potent antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, showing promise for therapeutic applications, particularly in mitigating chemical-induced toxicity., Objective: This study aimed to synthesize Ag/Ag₂O NPs using Olea europaea (olive) leaf extract as a green, eco-friendly reducing agent and evaluate their protective effects against metribuzin-induced toxicity in Wistar rats, focusing on oxidative stress, hematological parameters, and lipid profiles, with specific dose optimization., Methodology: Ag/Ag₂O NPs were synthesized using Olea europaea leaf extract, and their properties were confirmed via XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDS, and UV-visible spectroscopy. Wistar rats exposed to metribuzin (110 mg/kg/day) were treated with two doses of Ag/Ag₂O NPs (0.062 mg/kg and 0.125 mg/kg). Hematological and biochemical markers were assessed to evaluate the NPs' protective effects., Results: Physicochemical characterization confirmed the successful formation of Ag/Ag₂O NPs loaded with phytochemicals, exhibiting crystallite sizes of 23 nm and 19 nm, a particle size of 25 nm, and significant peaks in XRD, FTIR, and UV-Vis spectra indicating the formation of Ag/Ag₂O. Metribuzin exposure led to significant hematological disruptions (elevated WBC, reduced RBC and hemoglobin) and worsened lipid profiles (increased cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides). The lower NP dose (0.062 mg/kg) improved WBC, RBC, hemoglobin, and platelet counts, normalized lipid levels, and positively influenced biochemical markers such as serum creatinine and uric acid. In contrast, the higher NP dose (0.125 mg/kg) showed mixed results, with some improvements but an increase in triglycerides and continued elevation of ASAT and ALAT enzyme levels., Conclusion: Ag/Ag₂O NPs synthesized via green methods using olive leaf extract effectively mitigated metribuzin-induced toxicity, especially at lower doses, by improving oxidative stress markers and hematological and biochemical profiles. Dose optimization is crucial to maximize therapeutic benefits and minimize adverse effects, underscoring their potential in treating chemical-induced toxicity., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision., (Copyright © 2024 Azzi, Laib, Bouafia, Medila, Tliba, Laouini, Alsaeedi, Cornu, Bechelany and Barhoum.)