Oxidative stress plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. Long term exposure to increased ...levels of pro-oxidant factors can cause structural defects at a mitochondrial DNA level, as well as functional alteration of several enzymes and cellular structures leading to aberrations in gene expression. The modern lifestyle associated with processed food, exposure to a wide range of chemicals and lack of exercise plays an important role in oxidative stress induction. However, the use of medicinal plants with antioxidant properties has been exploited for their ability to treat or prevent several human pathologies in which oxidative stress seems to be one of the causes. In this review we discuss the diseases in which oxidative stress is one of the triggers and the plant-derived antioxidant compounds with their mechanisms of antioxidant defenses that can help in the prevention of these diseases. Finally, both the beneficial and detrimental effects of antioxidant molecules that are used to reduce oxidative stress in several human conditions are discussed.
Chlorhexidine (CHX), one of the most effective drugs administered for periodontal treatment, presents collateral effects including toxicity when used for prolonged periods; here, we have evaluated ...the bactericidal potency and the cytocompatibility of Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb essential oil (EO) in comparison with 0.05% CHX. The EO was extracted from berries by hydrodistillation and components identified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Bacterial inhibition halo analysis, quantitative cell viability 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulphophenyl)-5-(phenyl amino) carbonyl-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide assay (XTT), and colony forming unit (CFU) count were evaluated against the two biofilm formers Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Streptococcus mutans. Finally, cytocompatibility was assessed with human primary gingival fibroblasts (HGF) and mucosal keratinocytes (HK). The resulting EO was mainly composed of monoterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated monoterpenes. An inhibition halo test demonstrated that both bacteria were sensitive to the EO; XTT analysis and CFU counts confirmed that 10-fold-diluted EO determined a statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction in bacteria count and viability towards both biofilm and planktonic forms in a comparable manner to those obtained with CHX. Moreover, EO displayed higher cytocompatibility than CHX (p < 0.05). In conclusion, EO exhibited bactericidal activity similar to CHX, but a superior cytocompatibility, making it a promising antiseptic alternative to CHX.
Plants and their corresponding botanical preparations have been used for centuries due to their remarkable potential in both the treatment and prevention of oxidative stress-related disorders. Aging ...and aging-related diseases, like cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders, which have increased exponentially, are intrinsically related with redox imbalance and oxidative stress. Hundreds of biologically active constituents are present in each whole plant matrix, providing promissory bioactive effects for human beings. Indeed, the worldwide population has devoted increased attention and preference for the use of medicinal plants for healthy aging and longevity promotion. In fact, plant-derived bioactives present a broad spectrum of biological effects, and their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and, more recently, anti-aging effects, are considered to be a hot topic among the medical and scientific communities. Nonetheless, despite the numerous biological effects, it should not be forgotten that some bioactive molecules are prone to oxidation and can even exert pro-oxidant effects. In this sense, the objective of the present review is to provide a detailed overview of plant-derived bioactives in age-related disorders. Specifically, the role of phytochemicals as antioxidants and pro-oxidant agents is carefully addressed, as is their therapeutic relevance in longevity, aging-related disorders, and healthy-aging promotion. Finally, an eye-opening look into the overall evidence of plant compounds related to longevity is presented.
In the present investigation, ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological research of the traditional use of plants to cure antirheumatic and antineuralgic diseases was carried out in Lebanon.
The ...information was collected from different cities and villages of the twenty-six districts “aqdya or qadaa” of the six governorates “mohaafazah” of Lebanon. The knowledge on the medicinal use of plants has been recorded directly on the basis of a detailed survey on herbalists “Attarin or dabbous”, folk healers, on older experienced people and midwives “daye”. This research was carried out for 5 years (2002–2007).
In this survey, 231 species of which 5 are endemic, distributed in 79 botanical families, currently used as antirheumatic herbal remedies, were collected and identified. Among them 53.3% are indigenous, 19.2% are cultivated and 17.5% are imported. Their latin names, local names, local medicinal uses, the used parts of the plant and the preparations and the ways of administration are described. The anti-inflammatory properties due to the plant compounds have been demonstrated and discussed.
The current study explored the hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory effects of Linalool (Lin) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced toxicity in mice. Four study groups (n = 8 each) were used: ...(1) a negative control group and (2) a toxicity control group (single dose of CCl4 administered on day 14 as 1 mL/kg of CCL4 in 1% olive oil). Intraperitoneally (i.p.)), and two experimental groups where mice were treated with either (3) Lin (25 mg/kg b.w., orally, daily for 15 days) or (4) pretreated with Lin (25 mg/kg b.w., orally, daily for 14 days) and intoxicated with CCl4 (1 mL/kg of CCL4 in 1% olive oil. i.p.) on day 14. The levels of the anti‐inflammatory cytokine interleukin 10 (IL‐10), the proinflammatory cytokines TNF‐α, IL‐6, and TGF‐1β, and the histopathology of the liver were assessed. According to our findings, IL‐10 concentrations were significantly increased in Lin‐treated groups, while other cytokine levels were marked by a considerable decrease in the toxicity model group (CCl4‐treated group). Histopathological examinations of liver tissues showed that the Lin‐treated groups had an almost normal structure. The current findings showed that Lin could inhibit CCl4‐induced liver injury in mice, which warrants further investigation of Lin as a potential protective and therapeutic agent against hepatotoxicity.
The current study was designed to investigate the hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory effects of Linalool (Lin) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced toxicity in mice. In the experiment, Four study groups (n = 8 each) were used. The anti‐inflammatory profiles were also evaluated using interleukine‐10 (IL‐10) and other cytokine levels (TNF‐α, IL‐6, and TGF‐1β). An histopathological diagnosis was done in order to detect liver damage.
The chemical composition of Lebanese
essential oil (EO) was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GG-MS). Its antimicrobial activity was evaluated by ...determining its minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against a Gram-negative and a Gram-positive bacterium, one yeast, and five dermatophytes.
EO was most active on filamentous fungi (MIC values of 32-64 µg/mL). Synergy within the oil was investigated by testing each of the following major components on
:
-pinene, limonene, myrcene,
-pinene and nonane, as well as a reconstructed EO. The antifungal activity of the natural oil could not be reached, meaning that its activity might be due, in part, to minor constituent(s). The interactions between
EO and commercially available antifungals were assessed by the checkerboard test. A synergistic effect was revealed in the combination of the EO with amphotericin B.
The Lebanese flora is known for its biodiversity and high rate of endemism. The data found in the literature between January 2010 and October 2021, about the extracts and essential oils of Origanum ...ehrenbergii Boiss., Origanum syriacum L., Stachys nivea Labill., Stachys ehrenbergii Boiss., Cousinia libanotica DC., Salvia fruticosa Miller and Berberis libanotica C.K. Schneider, were gathered. These plants are considered to be endemic in many countries of the Levantine area. The aim of the present review is to investigate the therapeutic actions, biological activities (in vitro and in vivo) and phytochemical composition of the seven plants. The scientific content and accurate information of this review have been gathered from accessible journals available in many databases such as Medline/Pubmed, Scopus, Sci-finder and Science Direct. The search terms being the scientific name of each plant, around sixty articles were investigated. The chemical profile of the plants revealed the presence of phenolic acids, tannins, vitamins, flavonoids, fatty acids, alkaloids, triterpenes, phytosterols, diterpenes, phenylpropanoid glucosides, acetophenones, phenylethanoid glucosides and polysaccharides. The majority of the plant species are used in folk medicine to treat rheumatism with the exception of S. ehrenbergii and S. nivea. Moreover, they have several pharmacological applications. The O. ehrenbergii dichloromethane extract exhibited a significant antibacterial activity against Listeria monocytogenes (MIC=4 μg/mL). The ethanol extract of O. syriacum showed a high cytotoxic activity against the MCF-7 cell line (IC50=6.4 μg/mL). The S. nivea-dichloromethane extract inhibited the growth of the THP-1 cell line and presented an IC50 of 15.7 μg/mL. Interestingly, the B. libanotica-MeOH extract induced a noticeable discoloration of ß-carotene (IC50=3.1 μg/mL). The S. fruticosa-water extract registered a very interesting anti-hyperglycemic activity (IC50 =167.4 μg/mL). It is important to highlight that some chemical compounds were detected for the first time in plants extracts, which underlines the originality of these plant materials.
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•Phytochemical description of plant species endemic to the Mediterranean region.•Utilization of the plants in folk medicine and agri-food sector.•Assessment of the antioxidant and antimicrobial potency of the plants.•Evaluation of some biological activities mainly, the anti-Alzheimer and cytotoxic ones.
Curcumin, a yellow polyphenolic pigment from theCurcuma longaL. (turmeric) rhizome, has been used for centuries for culinary and food coloring purposes, and as an ingredient for various medicinal ...preparations, widely used in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine. In recent decades, their biological activities have been extensively studied. Thus, this review aims to offer an in-depth discussion of curcumin applications for food and biotechnological industries, and on health promotion and disease prevention, with particular emphasis on its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anticancer, hepatoprotective, and cardioprotective effects. Bioavailability, bioefficacy and safety features, side effects, and quality parameters of curcumin are also addressed. Finally, curcumin's multidimensional applications, food attractiveness optimization, agro-industrial procedures to offset its instability and low bioavailability, health concerns, and upcoming strategies for clinical application are also covered.
Many Lamiaceae species are consumed in the Lebanese cuisine as food or condiment and are largely used in the traditional medicine of Lebanon to treat various diseases, including microbial infections. ...In this article we report the traditional medicinal uses of eleven Lamiaceae species: Coridothymus capitatus L., Lavandula stoechas L., Lavandula angustifolia Mill., Mentha spicata L. subsp. condensata, Origanum syriacum L., Rosmarinus officinalis, Salvia fruticosa Miller., Satureja cuneifolia Ten., Satureja thymbra L., Thymbra spicata L., and Vitex agnus-castus L. and study the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of their essential oils (EOs). Our survey showed that Lamiaceae species are mainly used against gastrointestinal disorders and microbial infections. Chemical analysis of the EOs obtained from these plants allowed us to identify seventy-five compounds describing more than 90% of the relative composition of each EO. Essential oils with high amounts of thymol and carvacrol possessed the strongest antimicrobial activity. As expected, these two compounds demonstrated an interesting antifungal efficacy against the filamentous fungus T. rubrum. Our results confirmed that some of the Lamiaceae species used in Lebanon ethnopharmacological practices as antimicrobial agents do possess antibacterial and antifungal potential consistent with their use in alternative or complementary medicine.
In this research, the chemical composition and biological properties of Tunisian Myrtus communis (McEO) flowers were investigated. The antibacterial effect of McEO toward some bacteria was assessed, ...alone and in combination with nisin. The major components of McEO were α‐pinene, 1,8‐cineol, limonene, and linalool. McEO exhibited cytotoxicity toward HepG2 and MCF‐7 cell lines. The microbiological data showed that Gram‐positive bacteria were more susceptible to McEO. McEO had a bactericidal effect against L. monocytogenes. McEO is able to prevent lipid oxidation, microbial development at noncytotoxic concentrations, when used alone or in combination with nisin. It can improve sensory attributes within acceptable limits and improve the conservation of shelf life of minced beef meat during the 4°C storage period. The most potent preservative effect was obtained with the mixture: 0.8% McEO with 500 IU/g of nisin. This combination may be a good alternative for the development of natural preservatives.
This research investigates the capacity of essential oils extracted from the Tunisian Myrtus communis (McEO) flowers as a natural alternative to preserve minced beef.
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