Tunisian Artemisia campestris L.: a potential therapeutic agent against myeloma - phytochemical and pharmacological insights.

BACKGROUND: Artemisia campestris L. (AC) leaves are widely recognized for their importance in traditional medicine. Despite the considerable amount of research conducted on this plant overworld, the chemical composition and the biological activity of the leaves grown in Tunisia remains poorly investigated. In this study of AC, a successive extraction method was employed (hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol) to investigate its bioactive constituents by LC-MS analysis, and their antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities. RESULTS: Data analysis revealed diverse compound profiles in AC extracts. Methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts exhibited higher polyphenolic content and antioxidant activities, while Hexane showed superior phytosterol extraction. Ethyl acetate extract displayed potent antibacterial activity against multi-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Additionally, all extracts demonstrated, for the first time, robust antifungal efficacy against Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. Cytotoxicity assays revealed the significant impact of methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts on metastatic breast cancer and multiple myeloma, examined for the first time in our study. Moreover, further analysis on multiple myeloma cells highlighted that the ethyl acetate extract induced apoptotic and necrotic cell death and resulted in an S phase cell cycle blockage, underscoring its therapeutic potential. CONCLUSIONS: This investigation uncovers novel findings in Tunisian AC, notably the identification of lupeol, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, stigmasterol and ß-sitosterol. The study sheds light on the promising role of AC extracts in therapeutic interventions and underscores the need for continued research to harness its full potential in medicine and pharmaceutical development.

Olea europaea L. leaf extract mitigates oxidative and histological damage in rat heart tissue exposed to combined noise and toluene: An experimental study.

In many occupational settings, workers are frequently exposed to toluene and noise. However, the individual and combined effects of these exposures on the cardiovascular system have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of simultaneous exposure to toluene and noise on the rat heart, while also evaluating the potential preventive effect of olive leaf extract (OLE). Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to eight groups (n = 6/group): control group (C), control group that received OLE (C + OLE), group exposed to noise (N), group exposed to noise and receiving OLE (N + OLE), group exposed to toluene (T), group exposed to toluene and receiving OLE (T + OLE), group co-exposed to noise and toluene (NT), and group co-exposed to noise and toluene and receiving OLE (NT + OLE). The rats in this study were subjected to simultaneous exposure to toluene and noise for a duration of six weeks, within a custom-built plexiglass chamber. Toluene was administered at a concentration of 300 ppm, while the noise level was set to 85 dB(A). The exposure chamber was equipped with a generation system, an exposure system, and a monitoring system, ensuring precise and accurate exposure conditions. After the six-week period, heart and blood samples were collected from the rats for subsequent analysis. Plasma levels of cholesterol (CHOL), triglycerides (TG), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase (CK) were measured, and histopathological investigation was conducted using HE staining. Additionally, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in heart tissue were measured. Our results showed that simultaneous exposure to noise and toluene altered CHOL, TG, LDH, and CK levels, and also caused an increase in lipid peroxidation levels and superoxide dismutase activity, along with a decrease in catalase activity in the heart. A significant alteration in the myocardium was also observed. However, treatment with OLE was found to modulate these oxidative and histological changes, ultimately correcting the deleterious effects induced by the combined exposure to noise and toluene. Therefore, our study suggests that OLE could be a potential preventive measure for individuals exposed to toluene and noise in industrial settings.

Polar and neutral lipid composition of the copepod Lernaeocera lusci and its host Merluccius merluccius in relationship with the parasite intensity.

Parasitic copepod Lernaeocera lusci is a common mesoparasite of the hake Merluccius merluccius. Although widely distributed throughout the Mediterranean, little is known about this pathogen. The current study was designed to assess the impact of different L. lusci infection loads on lipid classes and their fatty acid (FA) composition in both parasite and the host organs (gills, liver, and muscle). Results showed a significant decrease in total lipid, neutral lipid (NL), and polar lipid (PL) contents in all analyzed host's organs in relationship with parasite intensity. Gills appeared to be the most impacted organ under the lowest parasite intensity (loss of 50% of NL and PL amounts). At the highest parasitic infection, a loss of about 80% of lipid moieties was recorded in all analyzed organs. Simultaneously, no significant differences were found for the parasite reflecting its ability to sustain an appropriate lipid amount required for its survival and development. Significant changes in the FA composition were recorded in both host and parasite. Particularly, we have noticed that for L. lusci, the intraspecific competition has resulted in an increased level of some essential FA such as C22:6n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA), C20:5n-3 (eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA), and C20:4n-6 (arachidonic acid, ARA). This probably reflects that in addition to a direct host FA diversion, L. Lusci can modulate its FA composition by increasing the activity of desaturation. Within the host, liver PL appeared to be the less impacted fraction which may mirror an adaptive strategy adopted by the host to preserve the structural and functional integrity of this vital organ.

Protective and Curative Effects of Aqueous Extract of Terfezia Boudieri (Edible Desert Truffle Specie) against Paracetamol Acute Toxicity in the Rat.

The current study was aimed to evaluate the protective and curative effect of aqueous extract of edible desert truffle specie (Terfezia boudieri) against rat's liver and kidney injuries induced by paracetamol (PCM). Terfezia boudieri was genetically identified by PCR and then sequencing (Genbank NCBI: LT718236.1). Terfezia boudieri aqueous extract (TBAE) was characterized by antioxidant capacity evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl test (EC50 = 0.415 mg/ml). LC-MS analysis shows that TBAE contains several actives biomolecules such as B3 vitamin (2.73 ± 0.3 mg/100g dm), quinic acid (2 ± 0.22 mg/100g dm), chlorogenic acid (0.18 ± 0.02 mg/100g dm) and quercetin-3-o-rhamonoside (0.09 ± 0.01 mg/100g dm). Liver and kidney Biochemical parameters showed no significant variation in rat's plasma treated with PCM and/or TBAE. However, the histological studies showed that the liver injuries induced by PCM were characterized by hemorrhage and inflammation. The pretreatment by TBAE showed preservation of normal liver and kidney architecture, this finding suggests its protective effects on these two organs. The co-treatment by TBAE reduced the PCM hepatotoxicity proved by normal central vein and small vacuols. In addition, TBAE reduced kidney PCM toxicity proved by less area inflammation and normal glomerulus. Therefore, TBAE is promoting eventual protective and curative drug against acute toxicity.

The mycotoxin patulin: An updated short review on occurrence, toxicity and analytical challenges.

Patulin (PAT) is a common mycotoxin in fruit products, especially in apples and apple-based products. The European Commission has set maximum levels for PAT in food. Nevertheless, worrying PAT levels were recently recorded in diverse foods across the world. Therefore, a worldwide follow-up of PAT-levels in foods should be considered. Because of PAT's high probability in food products, the toxicological implications for humans need to be addressed as well. Recent studies proved adverse health effects of PAT, such as hepatotoxicity, gastrointestinal alterations and inmunotoxicity. In comparison to the toxicity of other mycotoxins such as ochratoxin A, PAT's immunotoxicity can be even more outspoken destructive. In addition, PAT is a low-molecular-weight and highly polar molecule, resulting in many analytical challenges for its detection. As the analytical techniques are continuously improving, PAT determination in multi-mycotoxin analysis has advanced using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) during the last year. Finally, the presence and toxicity of PAT requires a biomarker method to assess its exposure among the population. To date, however, there is no information regarding PAT biomarkers in biological samples. This short review highlights the PAT-occurrence profile, toxicological discoveries and analytical challenges of 2014 until to date.

Penicillium tunisiense sp. nov., a novel species of Penicillium section Ramosa discovered from Tunisian orchard apples.

Two similar Penicillium isolates could not be identified as previously described species in a survey of orchard apples from Tunisia for patulin-producing fungi. These isolates are described as novel species using multilocus DNA sequence analysis of partial ß-tubulin, calmodulin and nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer regions; and morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics. The isolates were considered negative for patulin production since the IDH gene fragment was not detected and the compound detected at the same retention time of patulin (14.9 min) showed a different UV spectrum using U-HPLC/UV-DAD. In terms of phylogeny, the two isolates clustered with Penicillium section Ramosa and are closely related to Penicillium chroogomphum, Penicillium lenticrescens and Penicillium soppii. Furthermore, their macro- and micromorphological traits differed from these species. Hence, the isolates represent a novel species in Penicillium section Ramosa and the name Penicillium tunisiense sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain MUM 17.62T (=ITEM 17445T).

Risk of female breast cancer and serum concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls: a case-control study in Tunisia.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between serum concentrations of a group of organochlorine pesticides/polychlorinated biphenyls with xenoestrogenic potential and the risk of breast cancer in a female population from Tunisia. The relationship between serum levels of the pollutants and the risk of cancer was assessed using logistic regression analyses. In the unadjusted models, ß-hexachlorocyclohexane (ß-HCH), hexachlorobenzene, heptachlor, polychlorinated biphenyl congeners 138, 153, and 180, and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE) were positively associated with breast cancer risk. However, when the models were further adjusted for the selected covariates, only ß-HCH and p,p'-DDE remained statistically significant, and heptachlor was borderline significant. In addition, analyses using POP concentration tertiles corroborated a positive dose-response relationship that was significant for p,p'-DDE (p-trend=0.020) and borderline significant for heptachlor (p-trend=0.078). A similar trend was also confirmed for ß-HCH, in which concentrations≥limit of detection were positively associated with breast cancer risk (vs. concentrations

Aflatoxin determination in commonly consumed foods in Tunisia.

BACKGROUND: To investigate natural aflatoxin occurrence, a total of 180 samples of different foods widely consumed in Tunisia were analysed by an in-house-validated high-performance liquid chromatography method including affinity column clean-up and post-column bromination techniques. RESULTS: The method used appeared to be rapid, selective and reproducible, and its performances were established. Detection limits were 0.05 ng g(-1) for aflatoxin B1 and 0.025 ng g(-1) for aflatoxins B2, G1 and G2. Aflatoxins were detected in all investigated commodities except rice, with an overall contamination frequency of 34.4% and concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 40.6 ng g(-1). Aflatoxin B1 was found in all contaminated samples. Sorghum, spices and nuts were most contaminated. CONCLUSION: This study has provided an effective analytical method for the reliable determination of aflatoxins in food samples. Over one-third of the samples investigated were contaminated with aflatoxins. Sorghum, spices and nuts were most contaminated, whereas rice showed no contamination.

Fumonisin determination in tunisian foods and feeds. ELISA and HPLC methods comparison.

A survey for fumonisins B1 and B2 (FB1 and FB2, respectively) was performed on 180 samples of high-consumption food commodities and 15 feed samples randomly collected from various regions of Tunisia. The determination of fumonisin level was performed by an in-house validated high-performance liquid chromatography and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. Detection limit by ELISA for fumonisins sum was 25 microg/kg, and those by HPLC were 50 microg/kg for FB1 and 70 microg/kg for FB2. Recoveries of fumonisins spiked at 130 microg/kg ranged from 68.5 to 75.6% by ELISA, whereas those by HPLC for FB1 at 400 microg/kg and for FB2 at 300 microg/kg varied from 75.2 to 90.5%. Naturally occurring fumonisins were found in 10.5% of food samples with levels ranging from 70 to 2130 microg/kg. All contaminated samples contained FB1, and 31.5% of them contained FB2. In addition, the most contaminated commodities were corn foods and sorghum, whereas no fumonisin contamination was found in any nut or rice samples. For analyzed feed samples, fumonisins were detected in 86.6% of them with concentrations ranging from 50 to 2800 microg/kg. In addition, the performance of analytical methods was investigated in a comparison between ELISA and HPLC results for samples analyzed by both methods.