Ammodaucus Leucotrichus Seed Extract as a Potential Therapy in Animal Models of Rheumatoid Arthritis Induced by Complete Freund Adjuvant and Chicken Cartilage Collagen.

This study assessed the efficacy of an Ammodaucus leucotrichus seed extract to treat rheumatoid arthritis in rat models of this disease. Rheumatoid arthritis was induced in rats using two methods: immunization with 100 µL of Complete Freund Adjuvant (CFA) and immunization with 100 µL of a 3 mg/ml solution of type II collagen (CII) from chicken cartilage. The therapeutic potential of the extract was assessed at different doses (150, 300, and 600 mg/kg/day for 21 days in the CII-induced arthritis model and for 14 days in the CFA-induced arthritis model) and compared with methotrexate (MTX; 0.2 mg/kg for the same periods), a commonly used drug for rheumatoid arthritis treatment in humans. In both models (CII-induced arthritis and CFA-induced arthritis), walking distance, step length, intra-step distance and footprint area were improved following treatment with the A. leucotrichus seed extract (all concentrations) and MTX compared with untreated animals. Both treatments increased the serum concentration of glutathione and reduced that of complement C3, malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase. Radiographic data and histological analysis indicated that cartilage destruction was reduced already with the lowest dose of the extract (100 mg/kg/dose) in both models. These results show the substantial antiarthritic potential of the A. leucotrichus seed extract, even at the lowest dose, suggesting that it may be a promising alternative therapy for rheumatoid arthritis and joint inflammation. They also emphasize its efficacy at various doses, providing impetus for more research on this extract as a potential therapeutic agent for arthritis.

Anti-urolithiatic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Erica arborea flowers and leaves hydromethanolic extracts: An ethnopharmacological study.

Erica arborea L. is a medicinal plant vastly used in therapeutic purposes in several parts of the world for antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic purposes, and in treating urinary infections and kidney stones. The current investigation aimed to evaluate the medicinal use of E. arborea in Algeria's Bejaia region, and to examine the anti-urolithiatic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory (in vivo), analgesic, and toxicity effects of E. arborea hydromethanolic extracts from leaves (EALE) and flowers (EALE) to give a justification for its use in the traditional medicine. The in vitro anti-urolithiathic activity of E. arborea leaf and flower hydromethanolic extracts nucleation and aggregation of crystals were measured using spectrophotometric methods. The agar disk diffusion assay and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination were employed to estimate the antibacterial effect of EAME against three Gram-positive and three Gram-negative bacterial strains in vitro. In addition, the xylene and croton oil-induced ear edema methods in mice were used to examine the topical and oral anti-inflammatory potential of the extracts. Similarly, the analgesic effect of the extract was assessed via the acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction in mice, whereas the acute toxicity of EAME was conducted following OECD guidelines. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted among 171 informants with 212 questionnaire cards. Results indicated that 28.04 % of people in the studied region used E. arborea in traditional folk medicine. Additionally, results revealed the presence of epicatechin, palmitic acid, and kaempferol-3-O-glucoside in the plant extracts. Results also showed that EAME exhibits significant and dose-dependent anti-urolithiatic activity in nucleation and aggregation assays. Furthermore, results revealed that the extracts exhibit significant antibacterial activity. The E. arborea flower extract (EAFE) showed maximum antibacterial activity, especially against P. aeruginosa, E. coli, S. gallinarum, and B. cereus. In addition, a greater minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in this extract was found at 1.60 mg/mL against M. luteus strain compared to the positive control. Moreover, the EAME caused a significant inhibition influence in the xylene and croton oil-induced edematous in mice. In contrast, the topical anti-inflammatory potential showed that extracts exhibit a considerable anti-edematogenic effect in both animal models. In the writhing reaction induced by the acetic acid model, the two extracts significantly reduced abdominal contractions. Finally, results of the toxicity assay showed that EAME is safe and no deaths or changes in mice behavior were observed even when doses as high as 5 g/kg DW were used. From the ethnopharmacological studies, our consequences endorse the benefit of E. arborea in folk medicine. Results of this investigation suggest that the leaf and flower extracts of E. arborea exhibit notable anti-urolithiatic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antibacterial activities and are safe as a natural source of drugs with the above effects.

Ethnomedicinal documentation and anti-inflammatory effects of n-butanol extract and of four compounds isolated from the stems of Pituranthos scoparius: An in vitro and in vivo investigation.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Pituranthos scoparius is a medicinal plant belonging to the Apiaceae family. It thrives in North Africa, and is widely distributed in the high plateau of most parts of the Sahara in Algeria. This plant is widely used in the Algerian traditional medicine to treat numerous infectious diseases, dermatoses, nervous breakdowns, digestive disorders, and calm abdominal pain. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the present work was to examine the ethnomedicinal uses of Pituranthos scoparius in Setif region, Algeria, isolate and identify the chemical constituents of the n-butanol stem extract of P. scoparius (BEPS), and to determine the toxicity and anti-inflammatory effects of these compounds in addition to the extract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anti-inflammatory effects of BEPS and the four compounds isolated from the extract were evaluated using the in vitro protein denaturation assay, whereas the topical anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using the croton oil-induced ear edema in mice. Toxicity was determined based on assessment of in vitro cytotoxicity using hemolytic activity against human red blood cells (RBCs). RESULTS: Four compounds, identified as the rare isorhamnetin-3-O-ß-apiofuranosyl (1 â†’ 2)-ß glucopyranoside (2), in addition to three known compounds, namely isorhamnetin-3-O-ß-glucoside (1), D-mannitol (3), and isorhamnetin-3-O-ß-glucopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 6)-ß-glucopyranoside (4) were isolated from BEPS. These compounds were characterized by means of NMR and high-resolution mass spectral (HRMS) data. These four compounds were isolated for the first time from this traditional Algerian medicinal plant. Screening of the extract indicated the presence of alkaloids, polyphenols, flavonoids, free quinones, coumarins and tannins. Topical anti-inflammatory effect showed that the four isolated compounds, as well as BEPS, exhibit a significant (p < 0.05) dose-dependent (0.5 and 1 mg/ear) anti-inflammatory effect. At a dose of 1 mg/ear, compounds 1, 2, and 4, exhibited remarkable anti-inflammatory effect with a percentage inhibition of 85.50 ± 2.78, 79.78 ± 4.68, and 75.78 ± 2.98%, respectively. Results from in vitro cytotoxicity showed that the % lysis of the extract, along with isolated compounds was found to be virtually nontoxic. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that BEPS and isolated compounds are safe, nontoxic, and exert remarkable anti-inflammatory effects, and can be new sources of natural anti-inflammatory agents.

Anti-inflammatory, analgesic activity, and toxicity of Pituranthos scoparius stem extract: An ethnopharmacological study in rat and mouse models.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Pituranthos scoparius is a medicinal plant that is used in traditional medicine in Algeria and other North African nations to treat several diseases such as asthma, rheumatism, measles, dermatoses, jaundice, and digestive disorders. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present investigation was designed to investigate an ethnobotanical survey about Pituranthos scoparius in Setif region, Algeria, and assess the acute toxicity, in vivo anti-inflammatory potential and analgesic effect of Pituranthos scoparius hydromethanolic stem extract (PSSE) in rats and mice models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Acute toxicity of PSSE was carried out based on OECD guidelines 425. Both possible death and signs accompanying toxicity of animals were monitored for 14 days to establish the median lethal dose (LD50) of PSSE. Anti-inflammatory effect of the extract was evaluated using the xylene, croton oil-induced ear edema, and carrageenan-induced paw edema, whereas the analgesic activity was evaluated using acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction in mice model. RESULTS: Data from the ethnopharmacological survey showed that 24.47% of people used this plant in traditional (folk) medicine. Results also revealed that PSSE contains high amounts of polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins, and that the extract did not cause any deaths or changes in the behavior of treated animals; LD50 values were found to be higher than 5 g/kg BW. Additionally, no significant variations were observed in the alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) enzymes, or in the levels of urea and creatinine. Oral administration of PSSE at the doses of 100, 300, and 600 mg/kg produced a significant dose-dependent inhibition effect in both xylene and croton oil-induced ear edema in mice. Administration of PSSE at a dose of 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg significantly (P < 0.05) exhibited anti-edematogenic effect in the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema after 3 h. In acetic acid-induced writhing model, PSSE significantly (P < 0.05) reduced writhing at a dose of 500 mg/kg with 69.92% of inhibition. CONCLUSIONS: Taken all together, PSSE is non-toxic, and exhibits potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Through the ethnomedicinal study, our findings highlight the medicinal use of PSSE in traditional medicine and as an additional source of natural and safe anti-inflammatory agents.

Multifunctional PLA Blends Containing Chitosan Mediated Silver Nanoparticles: Thermal, Mechanical, Antibacterial, and Degradation Properties.

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is one of the most commonly employed synthetic biopolymers for facing plastic waste problems. Despite its numerous strengths, its inherent brittleness, low toughness, and thermal stability, as well as a relatively slow crystallization rate represent some limiting properties when packaging is its final intended application. In the present work, silver nanoparticles obtained from a facile and green synthesis method, mediated with chitosan as a reducing and stabilizing agent, have been introduced in the oligomeric lactic acid (OLA) plasticized PLA in order to obtain nanocomposites with enhanced properties to find potential application as antibacterial food packaging materials. In this way, the green character of the matrix and plasticizer was preserved by using an eco-friendly synthesis protocol of the nanofiller. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results proved the modification of the crystalline structure as well as the crystallinity of the pristine matrix when chitosan mediated silver nanoparticles (AgCH-NPs) were present. The final effect over the thermal stability, mechanical properties, degradation under composting conditions, and antimicrobial behavior when AgCH-NPs were added to the neat plasticized PLA matrix was also investigated. The obtained results revealed interesting properties of the final nanocomposites to be applied as materials for the targeted application.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of Asphodelus microcarpus methanolic extracts.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Asphodelus microcarpus is an important medicinal plant belonging to family Liliaceae. This plant is used in traditional medicine to treat abscesses by local application of the powder; the roots are used against white spots, and specifically used for ear pain. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the present study was to assess the in vitro antioxidant effects and the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of the different parts methanolic extracts of the Asphodelus microcarpus: aerial part (APME), leaf (LME), stem flowers (SFME) and root (RME). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The antioxidant potency of extracts was evaluated by DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS, ß-carotene bleaching assays, iron chelating, free hydroxyl radicals (HO•) assays, and reducing power. The anti-inflammatory effect of the extracts was evaluated using the carrageenan induced rat paw edema and xylene-induced ear edema in mice. RESULTS: The estimation of polyphenols and flavonoids showed that the leave methanolic extract contains a high amount of polyphenols and flavonoids: 755.3 ±â€¯0.036 mg Gallic acid equivalent and 42.2 ±â€¯0.043 mg Rutin equivalent/g of dried material, respectively. Oral administration of the APME and RME extract produced significant (p < 0.05) anti-edematogenic effect with a dose of 500 mg/kg in the carrageenan induced paw edema after 6 h (58.04%, 58.75%, respectively). APME, LME; SFME and RME extracts at 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg, exhibited significant (p < 0.05) inhibition of xylene induced ear edema. CONCLUSION: the present study confirms the use of A. microcarpus in traditional medicine as anti-inflammatory agent.

Chromatographic fractionation, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Urginea maritima methanolic extract.

The present work concerns a phytochemical study of Urginea maritima L. from Algeria, and an evaluation of antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract (UMME) and its chromatographic fractions. UMME was fractionated using open glass chromatography on silica gel and antioxidant effects were evaluated using DPPH and ß-carotene/linoleate assays. The phytochemical screening revealed that the bulb of plant contains flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, reducing compounds, anthraquinones combined, anthocyanins, mucilage, triterpenes and steroids. DPPH method showed that the UMME has a scavenger effect on radical DPPH with an IC50=57.83±1.59µg/ml. The fractions isolated from U. maritima (L.) presented an IC50 ranging between 499.23 and 39.68µg/ml. In ß-carotene/linoleate test, UMME and fractions give an I% =69.56±0.08% and between 31.29±0.49% and 90.79±0.29%, respectively. UMME showed a high inhibitory effect on the xanthine oxidase (IC50=0.67±0.01 mg/ml) and on the cytochrome c reduction (IC50=0.68 mg/ml). Wide range of phytochemical constituents in Urginea maritima were detected in methanolic extract which exhibited antioxidant and antibacterial activity. This plant could serve as pilot for the development of novel agents for pathological disorders.

Algerian propolis extracts: Chemical composition, bactericidal activity and in vitro effects on gilthead seabream innate immune responses.

Propolis has been used as a medicinal agent for centuries. The chemical composition of four propolis samples collected from four locations of the Sétif region, Algeria, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was determined. More than 20 compounds and from 30 to 35 compounds were identified in the aqueous and ethanolic extracts, respectively. Furthermore, the antimicrobial activity of the propolis extracts against two marine pathogenic bacteria was evaluated. Finally, the in vitro effects of propolis on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) leucocyte activities were measured. The bactericidal activity of ethanolic extracts was very high against Shewanella putrefaciens, average against Photobacterium damselae and very low against Vibrio harveyi. The lowest bactericidal activity was always that found for the aqueous extracts. When the viability of gilthead seabream head-kidney leucocytes was measured after 30 min' incubation with the different extracts, both the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of one of the propolis samples (from Babor) and the aqueous extract of another (from Ain-Abbassa) provoked a significant decrease in cell viability when used at concentrations of 100 and 200 µg ml-1. Furthermore, significant inhibitory effects were recorded on leucocyte respiratory burst activity when isolated leucocytes where preincubated with the extracts. This effect was dose-dependent in all cases except when extracts from a third propolis sample (from Boutaleb) were used. Our findings suggest that some of Algerian propolis extracts have bactericidal activity against important bacterial pathogens in seabream and significantly modulate in vitro leucocyte activities, confirming their potential as a source of new natural biocides and/or immunomodulators in aquaculture practice.

Antioxidant Potentials and Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Effect of Two Furanocoumarins Isolated from Tamus communis L.

In this investigation, the screening of two furanocoumarins; 5,8- dimethoxypsoralen (1) and heraclinin (2), isolated from the methanol root-extracts of Tamus communis L for their antioxidant activity and xanthine oxidase inhibitory effect was carried out, using different assays such as DPPH free radical scavenging effect, ß- carotene / linoleic acid, xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition and in addition to blood total antioxidant capacity. Results revealed that the two compounds have significant DPPH radical scavenging activity and effective inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation in a dose-dependent manner; 5,8-dimethoxypsoralen exhibited the highest activity with an I% = 72.69 ± 1.88%. These results indicate that the isolated compounds inhibit xanthine oxidase activity and scavenge superoxide radicals with heraclinin (2) as the more potent xanthine oxidase inhibitor, and 5,8-dimethoxypsoralen (1) as the more effective on cytochrome c reduction, the two tested compounds can effectively protect erythrocytes against hemolytic injury induced by AAPH. These results are promising for further studies of the biological and pathological effects of these natural products.

Free radical scanvenging and antioxidant effects of some anthraquinone derivatives.

In this study, the screening of five anthraquinones (purpurin, xanthopurpurin, rubiadin, kermisic acid and flavokermisic acid), for their free radical scavenging and antioxidant effects was carried out, using three complementary methods. DPPH (2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) revealed that purpurin has a scavenging effect with IC50 = 3.491 ± 0.014 µg/ml. Results of ß-carotene/linoleic acid assay showed that kermisic and flavokermisic acids have significant inhibition of lipid peroxidation with I % = 76.1 ± 1.5% and 68.6 ± 2.5%, respectively. In addition, the ferrous ion chelating test showed that only purpurin, with small concentrations, interferes in a dose dependant manner with the formation of Fe2+-ferrozine complex. These results are promising for further studies of the biological and pathological effects of these natural products.

Comparison of xanthine oxidase levels in synovial fluid from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other joint inflammations.

OBJECTIVE: To search whether xanthine oxido-reductase (XOR) present in the synovium is also liberated, to determine its activity in synovial fluid and to establish a possible relationship between XOR levels in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and non-RA patients. METHODS: This study was carried out in the Laboratory of Immunology, University Ferhat Abbas, Setif, Algeria from 2001-2008. This study is a retrospective controlled study matching cases with RA to non rheumatoid joint inflammations. Synovial fluid (SF) samples were collected with consent of the patients, at Setif University Hospital, from adults suffering from RA (n=36) or only with joint inflammations (n=52). After its detection in SF with indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and dot-immunobinding, using anti-bovine XOR as first antibodies, XOR was assayed with capture ELISA. RESULTS: Xanthine oxidoreductase is found in all studied SF. Capture ELISA showed levels up to 0.762 and 0.143 mg/mL in SF of RA and other joint inflammations patients, respectively. In most cases, more than 50% of synovial XOR is present as oxidase form. Positive correlation was observed between enzyme level and the disease severity since RA patients had a significantly high enzyme amount compared to patients with other less severe arthritic pathologies. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the enzyme could well be involved in joint inflammation probably by producing reactive oxygen species.

Anti-xanthine oxidase antibodies in sera and synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other joint inflammations.

OBJECTIVE: To study anti-bovine milk xanthine oxidoreductase XOR antibody levels in synovial fluid as well as in serum of patients suffering from rheumatoid affections to assess a possible correlation between antibody titres and severity of disease. METHODS: Sera and synovial fluids were collected from volunteer donors at Setif University Hospital, Setif, Algeria from 2001--2007 with the consent of patients. Human IgG and IgM levels of free and bound anti-bovine milk XOR antibodies were determined using bovine XOR as antigen, with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ELISA. RESULTS: Serum IgG anti-bovine milk XOR titres in 30 healthy normal subjects 2.74+/-2.31 microgram/mL are in agreement with that reported in the literature. Immunoglobulin G and IgM anti-bovine milk XOR antibody titres were found to be significantly higher in serum from patients with rheumatoid arthritis RA, and latex positives subjects. Synovial IgM antibody titres to bovine XOR were found to be significantly higher in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to patients with other joint inflammations. CONCLUSION: In rheumatoid arthritis patients, high concentrations of antibodies against XOR were noticed. These antibodies may play a major role in RA by inhibiting both xanthine and NADH oxidase activities of XOR. They may also play a key role in eliminating XOR from serum and synovial fluid positive role but unfortunately, immune complex formation could also activate complement and participate in self maintenance of inflammation.