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This work focuses on the leaves and stems of Euphorbia nicaeensis All. to confirm its historical use by the Moroccan population. The phytochemical profile of the plant by HPLC-UV-MS/MS was identified for the first time, and the biological activities of each plant organ was evaluated separately by maceration and ultrasonic-assisted extraction. The evaluation of antioxidant activity based on DPPH assay and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay showed that leaves could be used as a natural source of antioxidants as they provide a potent antioxidant effect (DPPH IC50 = 23.47±0.62 µg/ml), (H2O2 IC50 = 110.27 ± 3.59 µg/ml) compared to stems. These results were proven by HPLC-UV-MS/MS analysis and revealed that E. nicaeensis leaves are richer in phenolic compounds, especially quercetin and derivatives, known for their antioxidant properties. In contrast, the stems could be considered a potential anti-inflammatory agent considering their solid anti-inflammatory activity. The most potent effects were obtained at a concentration of 2 mg/ml, which induced 83.98% and 82.04% inhibition against bovine albumin and egg albumin denaturation, respectively, compared to the control. In addition, the stem phytochemical profile indicated the presence of some compounds with anti-inflammatory effects, such as fargesin and nuciferine. Likewise, the findings showed that ultrasound-assisted extraction was more effective than maceration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI), dietary habits, physical activity, and health perception among female university students in Morocco., Methods: The study was conducted at a Moroccan university among female students from the Faculty of Sciences Ain-Chock in Casablanca. Participants were given a self-administered questionnaire that evaluated sociodemographic factors, dietary habits, food group consumption, physical activity, and self-assessed health status. Data collection took place from February 2023 through the end of April 2023., Results: A total of 335 students aged 18 to 29 years participated in the survey. The study revealed that 72.5% of the participants were within the normal weight range (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m²), while 15.9% were classified as overweight and 3.9% as obese. Additionally, 47.9% of the participants engaged in physical activity, with 30.2% dedicating more than 45 minutes to their activities. The health perception was found to be related to weight classification, with poor health perception most commonly associated with the "18.5-25" BMI range (57.8%)., Conclusion: The study sheds light on the intricate interaction between weight, health, and lifestyle in Morocco. The frequency of normal-weight persons and active participation indicates university students' health awareness. The prevalence of overweight and obesity, on the other hand, need ongoing health measures. These findings help to build focused methods for promoting healthier lives in Morocco, utilizing educational institutions as health promotion platforms.

The geographical location of Morocco and the diversity of its topography ensure a high variability of climate conditions, ranging from humid to Saharan, and extending through subhumid, arid, and semi-arid stages. This variability offers a high floristic diversity, while the medical use of these phytochemicals has not been fully explored. Advanced computer-aided drug discovery utilizes chemical biology to accelerate the study of phytochemicals at the molecular level and discover novel therapeutic pathways. Currently, there is no online resource for phytochemicals in Morocco. Therefore, it is of interest to describe the Moroccan Phytochemicals Database (MPDB), accessible, featuring over 600 phytochemicals derived from journal articles and other reports. The web interface of the database, which is simple and easy to use, provides each phytochemical's reference, plant sources, 3D structures, and all related information. Furthermore, we provide direct links to commercially available analogs from Mcule. In addition, we provide the results of the first virtual screening against cardiovascular targets. We present these data to facilitate further exploration and exploitation of Morocco's rich phytochemical resources, and to contribute to the global understanding and application of these compounds in the medical and scientific communities., (© 2023 Biomedical Informatics.)