Antioxidant activity and Inhibitory effects of Cydonia oblonga Miller. leaves extracts against calcium oxalate stones.

Urinary stone disease is a widespread health problem in both adults and children, and its prevalence has been increasing worldwide. Various plants preparations have already been used since ancient times in order to treat urolithiasis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antioxidant capacity and litholytic effect on kidney stones of Cydonia oblonga Miller. leaves. The infusion, methanol and acetone extracts were made from Cydonia oblonga Miller. leaf at different concentration. Estimation of mass fractions of total polyphenol, flavonoid, and flavonol contents, as well as the in vitro radical scavenging potential on 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH·) of the investigated extracts was carried out using colorimetric methods. The litholytic property of the extracts was performed by an in-vitro model using experimentally prepared kidney stones- calcium oxalate. As results, the quince leaf extracts revealed stronger antioxidant properties in the DPPH assay, which was proved by the semi-maximal inhibitory concentration values, being about 36.06 ± 3.55, 74.15 ± 6.29, and 142.35 ± 5.09 µg/ml for methanol, acetone and infusion extracts respectively. Furthermore, the tested extracts were found to be more effective in dissolving calcium oxalate stones compared to the control solutions, the mass loss is about 15.13 ± 1.10% with methanol extract, while it is 14.77 ± 1.74% and 11.14 ± 2.86% for acetone and infusion extracts respectively. These findings confirm the quince leaf's richness in phyto-components, offering anti-oxidant property and being able to be used as a remedy for the management of kidney stones by dissolving calcium oxalate stones in the kidneys.

Effect of COVID-19 on the Generation of Waste in Marrakech, Morocco.

BACKGROUND: The production of solid waste continues to increase as the population and standard of living increases. In addition, changes in living conditions can induce significant variation in the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of waste. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of the lockdown period on the generation of solid waste produced in the city of Marrakech. METHODS: The tonnage of household waste, construction and demolition waste and green waste was collected from the landfill and an analysis was made during the lockdown period in 2020 in comparison with the same period in 2019. RESULTS: The analysis of solid waste tonnage in 2019 and 2020 showed that the lockdown had a significant impact on the various wastes; with a 27.61% decrease for household waste, 6.27% decrease in the case of green waste, and 57.40% decrease for construction and demolition waste. DISCUSSION: The degree to which the tonnage of household waste decreased depended on the standard of living in each district which was defined by housing type. The tonnage of construction and demolition waste was influenced by the halt in construction activity in the city. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study showed that the tonnage of household waste and demolition and construction waste decreased during the lockdown period. COMPETING INTERESTS: The authors declare no competing financial interests.