ABSTRACT
Moroccan medicinal plants exhibit several pharmacological properties such as antimicrobial,anticancer,antidiabetic,analgesic,and anti-inflammatory effects,which are related to the presence of numerous bioactive compounds,including phenolic acids,flavonoids,and terpenoids.In the present review,we systematically evaluate previously published reports on the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Moroccan medicinal plants.The in vitro investigations revealed that Moroccan medicinal plants inhibit several enzymes related to inflammatory processes,whereas in vivo studies noted significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects as demonstrated using different experimental models.Various bioactive compounds exhibiting in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects,with diverse mechanisms of action,have been identified.Some plants and their bioactive compounds reveal specific secondary metabolites that possess important anti-inflammatory effects in clinical investigations.Our review proposes the potential applications of Moroccan medicinal plants as sources of anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents.
ABSTRACT
The synergistic effect of five potential essential oils from each of the following plant species: Thymus vulgaris, Lamiaceae, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Lauraceae, Eugenia aromatica, Myrtaceae, Eucalyptus globulus, Myrtaceae and Zingiber officinalis, Zingiberaceae was assessed in combination with the antifungal agent amphotericin B. The oils were analysed and their main components identified using GC/FID and GC/MS. The antifungal activities of the oils were investigated against two clinical isolates of the fungal species; Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the individual oils were evaluated using the agar disc diffusion assay while the synergetic effects between each of the oils and amphotericin B were evaluated using the agar dilution checkerboard micro titer test. The results indicated significant synergetic effects between thyme oil and amphotericin B against C. albicans and A. niger with FIC indices of 0.25 and 0.13 respectively. Moreover, cinnamon oil acted synergistically with amphotericin B against C. albicans with an FICI value of 0.28, however when tested against A. niger, an additive effect was observed (FICI = 1). The combination of thyme oil and to a less extent, cinnamon oil with amphotericin B is suggested for the treatment of infections caused by C. albicans and A. niger.
ABSTRACT
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and double contrast barium radiology were compared prospectively in 45 Ugandan patients with AIDS and upper gastrointestinal oesophageal symptoms. Both investigating techniques were normal as was the histopathology in 5 patients. In 40 cases a definite pathological diagnosis (candidiasis; non-specific inflammation; malignancy) was made. Endoscopic examination provided a correct disgnosis in 38 cases; while only 15 cases were diagnosised from barium studies. Radiology was normal in 2 cases later proved to have definite pathology on endoscopy and histopathologic examination (oesophageal candidiasis). Endoscopy in this series was found to have 95sensitivity in diagnosing oesophageal disorders in AIDS patients; compared to a sensitivty of 37.5for radiology. The difference between the two procedures regarding sensitivity was statistically significant (p0.005). A combination of oral thrush and dysphagia was strongly associated with oesophageal candidiasis (positive predictive value 95; p0.0025). Endoscopy would be the ideal diagnostic procedure for oesophageal candidiasis. The above finding; however; provide a basis for empirical antifungal theraphy especially in places where diagnostic facilities are limited