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Abstract Rodents are the synanthropic mammals that are existing in close proximity to humans and their belongings and have the potential to act as the reservoir for a variety of parasites having zoonotic potential. Present study was designed to report the molecular prevalence and phylogenetic evaluation of Toxoplasma gondii in the blood samples of four wild rodent species [Rattus rattus (N = 122), Mus musculus (N = 64), Rattus norvegicus (N = 57) and Dryomys nitedula (N = 1)] that were trapped during May 2022 till July 2023 from three districts in Punjab (Jampur, Dera Ghazi Khan and Multan) and three districts (Upper Dir, Mardan and Bunar) in Pakistan. Results revealed that 44/244 (18%) rodents amplified ITS-1 gene of Toxoplasma gondii through PCR. Parasite prevalence varied between the rodent species. Highest rate of infection was found in Rattus norvegicus followed by Rattus rattus and Mus musculus. For both rat species, Toxoplasma gondii infection significantly varies between the sampling districts. DNA sequencing and BLAST analysis confirmed the presence of Toxoplasma gondii in rodent blood samples. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Pakistani isolates were genetically diverse and clustered with the isolates that were reported from worldwide countries. Complete blood count analysis revealed that parasite infected rodents had disturbed lymphocyte, mean platelet volume, mean corpuscular volume (and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. Markers of oxidative stress analysis revealed that infected rodent had elevated malondialdehyde levels in liver and kidney while disturb catalase concentrations in kidney and heart as compared to uninfected animals. In conclusion, we are reporting a relatively high prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Pakistani rodents. Infection leads to disturbed complete blood count and markers of oxidative stress in the vital organs. We recommend large scale studies in various geo-climatic regions of Pakistan to report the incidence and prevalence of this pathogen among the rodents in order to prevent their infections in local people as well as in livestock.

Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the most prevalent cancers with a high mortality rate. Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to CRC development. This study aimed to assess the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the fatty acid binding protein-2 (rs1799883), Cytochrome P450 2E1 (rs3813865), TP53 (rs1042522), and Murine double minute 2 (rs1042522) genes with CRC. A cross-sectional case–control study was conducted at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from May 2020 to March 2021, involving CRC patients (N = 100) and controls (N = 100) recruited from the Multan district in Pakistan. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) and tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) were employed to investigate the studied SNPs. The association of SNPs in all genes with CRC was examined either individually or in various combinations. Genotypes at three SNPs, rs1799883 in FABP2, rs3813865 in CYP2E1, and rs1042522 in TP53, were found to be associated with the development of CRC, while rs1042522 in MDM2 was not. Patients who were married, smoked, lacked exercise habits or had a family history of CRC were at a greater risk of acquiring the disease. FABP2 gene rs1799883, CYP2E1 gene rs3813865, and TP53 gene rs1042522 polymorphisms are significant in the development of CRC in Pakistani participants.

Vetiveria zizanioides, known as vetiver grass, is renowned for its ecological significance in soil erosion control and the restoration of lands polluted by heavy metals. Additionally, this plant is extensively harvested for vetiver oil, widely utilized in both medicine and perfumery. The study was designed to investigate the phytochemicals, antilipase, hemoglobin antiglycation, antihyperglycemic, antifungal, and antibacterial properties of V. zizanioides. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of various volatile compounds, among which the most predominant ones, which are, 4,6,6-Trimethyl-2-(3-methylbuta-1,3-dienyl) −3-oxatricyclo [5.1.0.0(2,4)] octane, Cycloisolongifolene (8,9-dehydro-), and 9 H-Cycloisolongifolene (8-oxo-). It is noteworthy that this essential oil has shown significant inhibitory activity against α-amylase, α-glucosidase, pancreatic lipase, and glycation, with respective IC50 values of 0.47 ± 0.01, 0.42 ± 0.004, 0.58 ± 0.008, and 0.49 ± 0.005 mg/mL. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity of EoVZ was assessed against a diverse spectrum of Gram+ and Gram- bacteria, as well as fungi, using both disc-diffusion and broth-microdilution techniques. The results showed significant antimicrobial effects against all tested microorganisms, with inhibition zones ranging from 28.33 ± 1.66 mm to 9.0 ± 0.0 mm for bacteria and from 22.5 ± 1.7 mm to 14.0 ± 0.3 mm for fungi. Moreover, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC), and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFC) were determined, with values ranging from 0.0625% to 2.0% (v/v) for bacteria and from 2.0% to 8.0% (v/v) for fungi. The MBC/MIC and MFC/MIC ratios indicated bactericidal and fungicidal mechanisms. This study underscores the prominent attributes of EoVZ, particularly its antimicrobial and antidiabetic properties, suggesting its potential as a natural and effective agent ensuring high safety standards for public health.

Opuntia ficus-indica, also known as the prickly pear, is a cactus belonging to the Cactaceae family. For centuries, this remarkable plant has been valued for its medicinal, environmental, and culinary uses. The primary objective of this research is to examine and contrast the chemical composition, functional attributes, and nutritional significance of Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes sourced from three distinct regions in Morocco: Oulad Boubker, Imzouren, and Skoura. According to the results, moisture content differs significantly between the three sites, from 88.21 ± 0.20% to 92.11 ± 0.10%, with an acid pH value. While the ash content remained consistent across all three samples. Carbohydrate content ranging from 55.40 ± 0.08% to 55.90 ± 0.60%, fat content from 2.30 ± 0.21 to 2.62 ± 0.09, protein from 7.54 ± 0.03% to 9.07 ± 0.16%, crude fibers from 20.52 ± 1.87% to 21.00 ± 0.20%, and soluble fibers from 15.08 ± 0.16% to 16.33 ± 1.25%. Additionally, total chlorophyll content varied between 102.64 ± 8.93 and 144.80 ± 3.08 mg.100 g−1 DM. The functional properties showed considerable differences between the three samples: the water holding capacity ranged from 109.58 ± 0.11 to 174.95 ± 0.06 g water.100 g−1 DM, the oil holding capacity from 129.27 ± 0.39 to 146.51 ± 0.39 g oil.100 g−1 DM and the solubility index from 25.75 ± 0.60 to 33.18 ± 0.15 g solids.100 g−1 DM. Mineral analysis revealed significant differences based on location. The concentrations of potassium exhibited a considerable elevation compared to those of magnesium, calcium, sodium, iron, and zinc. Moreover, the existence of diverse organic functional entities, including alcohols, ketones, and acids, was authenticated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. A differential distribution of the chemical composition of cladodes according to region was confirmed by nutritional, mineral and functional characterization and functional groups of cladodes.

Abstract The distribution and composition of the vegetation are greatly affected by the edaphology and topography of an area. The current study explores the vegetation structure of the herbaceous layer at various habitats of district Kohat for the first time. A survey was conducted during the spring seasons of 2021, 2022 and 2023 selecting 40 sites on the basis of edaphology, topography, altitude, aspect and status. Data was collected via quadrat approach to establish plant communities by species Importance Value (IV), point out dominant species by Total IV (TIV) and dominant families via Total Family IV (TFIV). The quantitative biological spectrum was also calculated. Communities’ phytosociological characteristics were analyzed via various diversity indices (Shannon’s Index (H), Simpson’s Index (D), Species Richness (SR), Evenness (E) and Maturity index (Mi)) while similarity between the communities was calculated by using Sorensen’s Index. The findings revealed a total of 253 species belonging to 57 families having the dominant species Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. (TIV, 484.3) followed by Saussuria heteromalla (D. Don) Hand. (TIV, 360.4), Anagallis arvensis L. (TIV, 353.2) and Aristida adscensionis L. (TIV, 349.65). Among 40 plant communities, Poaceae (TFIV, 2706.6), Asteraceae (TFIV, 2018.8), Fabaceae (TFIV, 1071.5) and Brassicaceae (TFIV, 825.9) were the dominant families. Therophytes (TIV, 7882) class was the dominant life form class followed by hemicryptophytes (TIV, 2517) while microphylls (TIV, 4669) class was the dominant leaf size class followed by nanophylls (TIV, 5469). Environmental factors i.e. topography and edaphic characteristics, showed significant effects on the diversity of the communities. The study concludes in a diverse pattern of distribution with a rich flora in the area warranting its documentation which will preserve the valuable species opening vistas for future research.

Abstract The study was designed to explore the corrosion prevention capabilities of Citrullus colocynthis seeds alkaloid-rich extract (CSEA) on MS in a 1 M HCl environment by use of electrochemical and theoretical methods. Notably, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization were used to probe the impact of immersion time and temperature. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and spanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to confirm the presence of a protective layer on the substrate surface. Density functional theory (DFT) method was used to optimize the investigated species by use of B3LYP/6–31 + G(d, p) level of theory. The global and local quantum chemical reactivity descriptors were calculated to explore the inhibition corrosion efficiency and to identify the most favorable sites for electrophilic and nucleophilic attacks. Monte Carlo (MC) and molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) methods were used to study the interactions between corrosion inhibitor and metal surface. Noteworthy, results showed that CSEA exhibited an impressive inhibition efficiency, which reached 94.3% with a concentration of 2 g/L at 298 K. Potentiodynamic polarization revealed that the extract acted as a mixed-type inhibitor. Nyquist graphs showed that charge-transfer resistance and dæouble-layer capacitance both rised with increasing CSEA concentration, suggesting better inhibition efficiency. Notably, the Langmuir adsorption isotherm is well-aligned with the adsorption of inhibitor compounds. Importantly, all aforementioned theoretical methods were in agreement with the experimental findings. The outcome of the present work supported using Citrullus colocynthis seeds alkaloid-rich extract as ecofriendly agents to prevent corrosion.

Abstract Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, is an intracellular pathogen posing a significant global public health threat. There is a pressing need for dependable and effective treatments, alongside an urgency for further research into the molecular characterization of its genome. Within the genomic landscape of Coxiella burnetii, numerous hypothetical proteins remain unidentified, underscoring the necessity for in-depth study. In this study, we conducted comprehensive in silico analyses to identify and prioritize potential hypothetical protein of Coxiella burnetii, aiming to elucidate the structure and function of uncharacterized protein. Furthermore, we delved into the physicochemical properties, localization, and molecular dynamics and simulations, and assessed the primary, secondary, and tertiary structures employing a variety of bioinformatics tools. The in-silico analysis revealed that the uncharacterized protein contains a conserved Mth938-like domain, suggesting a role in preadipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis. Subcellular localization predictions indicated its presence in the cytoplasm, implicating a significant role in cellular processes. Virtual screening identified ligands with high binding affinities, suggesting the protein’s potential as a drug target against Q fever. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the stability of these complexes, indicating their therapeutic relevance. The findings provide a structural and functional overview of an uncharacterized protein from C. burnetii, implicating it in adipogenesis. This study underscores the power of in-silico approaches in uncovering the biological roles of uncharacterized proteins and facilitating the discovery of new therapeutic strategies. The findings provide valuable preliminary data for further investigation into the protein’s role in adipogenesis.

Abstract Currently, several studies have demonstrated the benefits of medicinal plants in managing type 2 diabetes. In this work, we evaluated the beneficial effects of the polyphenolic extract (PESB) from Salvia blancoana subsp. mesatlantica in the management of hypercaloric-feeding and small-dose alloxan-brought type 2 diabetes in rats. We analyzed the chemical constituents of the extract, including flavones and flavonols content, to understand its biological action. The antioxidant activities were evaluated by total antioxidant action, scavenging effect of the free radical DPPH, and reducing power. The obtained results showed that the value of TFC was estimated at 31.90 ± 0.34 mgEQ/g in the PESB extract. The total antioxidant capacity was estimated at 593.51 ± 4.09 mg (EAA)/g, the value of DPPH IC50 was 7.3 ± 0.00 μg/mL, and the value of EC50 of reducing power was estimated at 6.43 ± 0.01 μg/mL. In total, 14 phenolic compounds were identified and the naringin was the most dominant (63.19%) while the vanillin was the less recorded (0.10%). Serum glucose decreased significantly (p

Abstract The global scientific community is deeply concerned about the deterioration of water quality resulting from the release of industrial effluents. This issue is of utmost importance as it serves to safeguard the environment and combat water pollution. The objective of this work is to elaborate a biomaterial of vegetable origin, based on the twigs of Aleppo pine, and to use it as an abundant and less expensive material for the treatment of wastewater. For this reason, the twigs were treated physically to get the powder called biomaterial FPA (Aleppo pine fiber), which was characterized by physicochemical, and spectroscopic analyses namely scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The crystallinity index of FPA was evaluated by the peak height method. The findings indicate that the FPA powder has an acidic nature, exhibiting a porous structure that promotes the adsorption and binding of molecules. Additionally, it has a zero charge point of 5.8 and a specific surface area of 384 m2.g−1. It is primarily composed of hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amine functional groups, along with mineral compounds and organic compounds, including cellulose and other mineral elements such as Ca, Mg, Fe, Na, P, Al, K, Ni, and Mo. Combining these characteristics, FPA biomaterial has considerable potential for use as an effective adsorbent biomaterial for various wastewater pollutants. Its abundance and relatively low cost make it an attractive solution to the growing challenges of water pollution worldwide. Graphical Abstract

Abstract The pharmacological effects of limonene, especially their derivatives, are currently at the forefront of research for drug development and discovery as well and structure-based drug design using huge chemical libraries are already widespread in the early stages of therapeutic and drug development. Here, various limonene derivatives are studied computationally for their potential utilization against the capsid protein of Herpes Simplex Virus-1. Firstly, limonene derivatives were designed by structural modification followed by conducting a molecular docking experiment against the capsid protein of Herpes Simplex Virus-1. In this research, the obtained molecular docking score exhibited better efficiency against the capsid protein of Herpes Simplex Virus-1 and hence we conducted further in silico investigation including molecular dynamic simulation, quantum calculation, and ADMET analysis. Molecular docking experiment has documented that Ligands 02 and 03 had much better binding affinities (− 7.4 kcal/mol and − 7.1 kcal/mol) to capsid protein of Herpes Simplex Virus-1 than Standard Acyclovir (− 6.5 kcal/mol). Upon further investigation, the binding affinities of primary limonene were observed to be slightly poor. But including the various functional groups also increases the affinities and capacity to prevent viral infection of the capsid protein of Herpes Simplex Virus-1. Then, the molecular dynamic simulation confirmed that the mentioned ligands might be stable during the formation of drug-protein complexes. Finally, the analysis of ADMET was essential in establishing them as safe and human-useable prospective chemicals. According to the present findings, limonene derivatives might be a promising candidate against the capsid protein of Herpes Simplex Virus-1 which ultimately inhibits Herpes Simplex Virus-induced encephalitis that causes interventions in brain inflammation. Our findings suggested further experimental screening to determine their practical value and utility.

In the present work, we assessed the antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities of chemically defined Artemisia mesatlantica Maire (EOAM) essential oils. The GC-MS analysis of EOAM showed the presence of active promising active compounds. EOAM showed important antioxidant capacity through DPPH, FRAP and TAC assays. The in vitro antimicrobial screening showed that EOAM had antibacterial activity, with inhibition zones ranging from 20.67 to 38.35 mm on solid media and inhibitory doses of 2.34 to 4.78 µg/mL on liquid media. It also exhibits antifungal activities, with inhibition diameters ranging from 15.67 to 61.57 mm at doses from 2.90 to 12.54 µg/mL. EOAM was resistant to Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus). In addition, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and ADMET analyses validated in vitro activities. This research suggests that A. mesatlantica (EOAM) may fight drug-resistant bacteria. These results demonstrate the potential of EOAM to produce novel antioxidant and antibacterial solutions.

The aim of this study is to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of volatile compounds derived from clove bud in vivo and in silico. Clove bud essential oil was obtained through hydrodistillation and subsequently analyzed using GC–MS. The analysis identified ten compounds, which were then subjected to molecular docking with Cyclooxygenase II (PDB ID: 3LN1). From these docking studies, two active compounds were selected for further investigation using a mouse ear edema model induced by DNFB. The results revealed that eugenol was the predominant compound in the essential oil constituting 68.51 %. The docking simulations demonstrated effective binding affinities for eugenol and acetyleugenol, with energies of -7.3 and -8.1 Kcal/mol, respectively, which were comparable to aspirin (-7.5 Kcal/mol). Additionally, both selected ligands exhibited non-toxic and non-carcinogenic properties based on ADMET predictions. In the in vivo experiments, significant anti-inflammatory activity was observed for both tested compounds. Notably, 48 h after the challenge, the presence of acetyleugenol resulted in a more pronounced reduction in ear swelling compared to eugenol. These findings hold promise for potential applications in future clinical studies aimed at harnessing the therapeutic benefits of clove bud derived compounds for anti-inflammatory purposes.

This work aims to add value to the Lavandula genus by identifying the chemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of two species lavender from Oulmès in Morocco; Lavandula abrialis and Lavandula stoechas. The uniqueness lies in the integrated approach that combines in vitro and in silico analyses to assess the biological properties of the essential oils (EO). The objective of this study is to enhance the significance of the Lavandula genus by analyzing the chemical composition, antioxidant properties, and antimicrobial effects of two lavender species found in Oulmès, Morocco: Lavandula abrialis and Lavandula stoechas. The distinctiveness is in the comprehensive methodology that merges in vitro and in silico investigations to evaluate the biological characteristics of the essential oils (EO). The extraction of essential oils (EO) by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts of Lavandula abrialis gave a high yield of essential oils (2.9%) compared to Lavandula stoechas (2.3%). A GC-MS analysis of the chemical composition revealed 56 chemical compounds, with some variation in the predominant components, representing between 99.98% and 100% of the EOs of the studied lavenders. Their antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH test. This method revealed that L. stoechas EO has a higher percentage of free radical inhibition than L. abrialis. The IC50 values demonstrate that the antioxidant activity of ascorbic acid is higher (1.62 g/mL) than the EOs of tested plants. Noteworthy, the EO of L. stoechas is more potent (12.94 g/mL) than that of Lavandula tibialis (34.71 g/mL). Regrading, the antibacterial tests, the EO of L. abrialis was particularly active against Staphylococcus aureus BLACT, which is inhibited at a concentration of 6.25 g/mL, while L. stoechas EO has a strong effect on Escherichia coli, with a MIC of 1.56 g/mL. Concerning the antifungal activity of the EOs, yeasts showed sensitivity toward EOs extracted from both L. tibialis and L. stoechas. Moreover, an in silico study was conducted targeting sarA protein of S. aureus (PDB ID: 2fnp) and NADPH oxidase from Lavandula sanfranciscensis (PDB: 2CDU) and results showed that Ishwarone and Selina-3,7 (11)-diene exhibited highest binding energy with −9.8 and −10.8 kcal/mol respectively. Therefore, these two compounds could be used as an antibacterial and antioxidant agents however more experimental and molecular study should be required.

This study focused on developing an innovative, straightforward, and economical method utilizing a mixture of readily available solvents to extract arborescin (C2OH2OO8) crystals from Artemisia absinthium L. (A. absinthium). The structural elucidation and characterization were conducted using a suite of techniques including IR spectroscopy, CNHSO elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and mass spectroscopy (MS). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to determine the molecular properties. Antioxidant activity was measured using the DPPH radical scavenging assay and the β-carotene bleaching test. Antimicrobial efficacy was assessed against four bacterial strains and three fungal strains. The molecular docking approach was employed to predict the probable binding patterns and affinities of arborescin with specific target biomolecules. Employing an array of analytical techniques, examination of the isolated crystal from A. absinthium. led to its comprehensive structural elucidation. IR spectroscopy revealed the presence of distinctive functional groups, including a carbonyl group within the γ-lactone and an epoxy group. CNHSO elemental analysis verified that the crystal contained only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, a finding corroborated by SEM-EDS analysis, consistent with the molecular structure of arborescin. Additionally, mass spectrometry confirmed the identity of the compound as arborescin, with a molecular ion with a mass m/z = 248. Quantum-Chemical Descriptors revealed that arborescin is resistant to elementary decomposition under standard conditions. Although arborescin demonstrates a relatively low antioxidant capacity, with an IC50 of 5.04 ± 0.12 mg/mL in the DPPH assay, its antioxidant activity in the β-carotene bleaching test was found to be 3.64%. Remarkably, arborescin effectively inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria innocua at low concentrations (MIC = 166 µg/mL). Additionally, it exhibits significant antifungal activity against Candida glabrata, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of 83 µg/mL and 166 µg/mL, respectively. In this study, arborescin exhibited a robust docking score of −8.1 kcal/mol, indicating a higher affinity compared to ciprofloxacin. This suggests that arborescin has significant potential as a potent antibacterial agent.

Our research focused on assessing essential oils (MSEO) and aqueous extracts (MSAE) derived from M. subtomentella leaves, with a primary focus on evaluating their properties. From 1 kg of leaves, we successfully obtained 18 mL of essential oil. Upon conducting GC/MS analysis, we identified eleven compounds within the oil, collectively accounting for 100% of the constituents identified. Notably, the predominant compounds in the leaf oil were p-Menth-48) -en-3-one (50.48%), 9-Ethylbicyclo (3.3.1) nonan-9-ol (10.04%) (E)-3,3-Dimethyl-delta-1, alpha-cyclohexaneacetaldehyde (8.53%), and D-Limonene (7.22%). Furthermore, utilizing HPLC/DAD, we explored the phenolic profile of MSAE, extracted through decoction. This analysis revealed the presence of fifty-eight compounds, with five major components collectively constituting 61% of the total compounds identified, rosmarinic acid as the major one. We evaluated the antimicrobial effectiveness of the MSEO against ten different strains, observing its notable efficacy against A. Niger (MIC = 0.09%), P. digitatum (MIC = 0.5%), and G. candidum (MIC = 1%). However, the essential oil demonstrated comparatively lower efficacy against bacteria than fungi. In contrast, the MSAE did not exhibit any antimicrobial activity against the tested strains. Regarding antioxidant activity, the aqueous extract displayed a significantly higher antioxidant capacity than the essential oil, which exhibited relatively lower antioxidant activity. The IC50 values were determined to be 0.04 ± 0.01 mg/mL, 0.17 ± 0.01 mg/mL, and 13% ± 0.01% (V/V), for ascorbic acid MSAE and MSEO, respectively. We used a computational method called molecular docking to investigate how certain plant compounds affect antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. This involved analyzing the interactions between these compounds and specific protein targets known for their roles in these activities.

Caralluma europaea (Guss.) N.E.Br.: (C. europaea) is a wild medicinal plant belonging to the family Apocynaceae. It is commonly used in traditional medicines for treating several diseases. The present work aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal potentials of C. europaea fractions including hydro ethanol (ET CE), n-butanol (But CE), and polyphenol (Poly CE). The chemical composition of hydroethanol, n-butanol, and polyphenol-rich fractions from C. europaea were determined using GC-MS after silylation. The anti-inflammatory effect of hydroethanol, n-butanol, and polyphenol-rich fractions was studied by carrageenan-induced paw edema. Antibacterial and antifungal activities of hydroethanol, n-butanol, and polyphenol-rich fractions against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and yeasts were assessed using the disc diffusion and micro-dilution assays. The findings of the chemical characterization affirmed the presence of interesting bioactive compounds in C. europaea fractions. The polyphenol-rich fraction was the best inhibitor of edema by75.68% after 6 h of treatment. The hydroethanol fraction was the most active against both bacteria and yeasts. This study contributes to society as it provides potential bioactive compounds in C. europaea extract, which may help in fighting nosocomial antibiotic-resistant microbes.

Background: Anacyclus pyrethrum (A. pyrethrum) is a wild species belonging to the family Asteraceae, which is used in traditional medicines. Aim of the study: This work was undertaken to study the chemical composition, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing properties of hydroalcoholic extracts of different parts (roots, seeds, leaves, and capitula) of A. pyrethrum. Material and Methods: The phytochemical analysis of the studied extracts was conducted by GC-MS. The analgesic activity was evaluated in mice using acetic acid and formaldehyde methods. The anti-inflammatory activity was tested using the inhibitory method of edema induced in rats. The healing activity of the hydroethanolic extracts was explored by excision and incision wound healing models in rats. Results: The phytochemical analysis of the studied plant extracts affirmed the presence of interesting compounds, including some newly detected elements, such as sarcosine, N-(trifluoroacetyl)-butyl ester, levulinic acid, malonic acid, palmitic acid, morphinan-6-One, 4,5.alpha.-epoxy-3-hydroxy-17-methyl, 2,4-undecadiene-8,10-diyne-N-tyramide, and isovaleric acid. The extracts of different parts (roots, seeds, leaves, and capitula) exhibited promising anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and wound healing effects, with percentages of inhibition up to 98%, 94%, and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: This study might contribute towards the well-being of society as it provides evidence on the potential analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing properties of A. pyrethrum.

Withania frutescens (W. frutescens) is a medicinal plant widely used to treat several diseases. This work aims to study phytochemical composition as well as acute and subacute toxicity of W. frutescens hydroethanolic extract in mice. The phytochemical composition of W. frutescens extract was performed using gas chromatographic analysis. Acute toxicity was studied in vivo with oral administration of single doses 400 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg, and 2000 mg/kg for 14 days. Subacute toxicity was studied with the administration of repeated doses of 400 mg/kg/day and 2000 mg/kg/day for 28 days. Phytochemical analysis of W. frutescens hydro-ethanolic extract confirmed the presence of interesting chemical compounds. Acute toxicity results showed no toxic symptoms in mice treated with an increasing dose up to a maximum of 2000 mg/kg. Alongside acute toxicity, subacute data showed no clinical symptoms nor biochemical or histological alteration in mice treated with an increasing dose up to a maximum of 2000 mg/kg compared to the control group (p < 0.05). This study shows no toxic effects in animals treated with W. frutescens extract, and, therefore, this plant can be considered safe in animals up to 2000 mg/kg under both acute and subacute toxicity conditions.