Centaurium Erythraea Extracts Exert Vascular Effects through Endothelium- and Fibroblast-dependent Pathways.

Centaurium erythraea is a plant used in traditional medicine for several cardiovascular disorders, namely hypertension, but there is no scientific evidence able to provide a molecular basis for its claimed antihypertensive effects. After a preliminary screen of extracts obtained from sequential extraction of C. erythraea aerial parts, effects of the methanolic fraction (MFCE) on changes in perfusion pressure of isolated rat mesenteric vascular bed (MVB) and in rat cardiac fibroblasts proliferation were investigated, gathering information on the mechanisms involved in endothelium-dependent effects and their dependence on a pro-proliferative stimulus. The HPLC-DAD determination of the phenolics content of MFCE revealed the presence of 22 phenolic compounds. MFCE reduced (63.3 ± 3.9%; n = 4) perfusion pressure in MVB and almost completely abrogated the Ang II-induced increase in cardiac fibroblasts proliferation. Reduction of the perfusion pressure caused by MFCE was endothelium-dependent and occurred in parallel with an increase in NO release. These effects were inhibited by muscarinic receptor antagonists, by L-NAME (a NO synthase inhibitor), and by ODQ (a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor). Experiments revealed that effects required the involvement of K+ channels, being inhibited by tetraethylamonium (TEA; a Ca2+ activated K+ channels inhibitor) and by glibenclamide (an ATP-sensitive K+ channels inhibitor). In conclusion, extracts from C. erythraea, particularly the compounds present in the MFCE, induce endothelium-dependent vasodilation and prevent fibroblast proliferation induced by angiotensin II, which can account for the claimed antihypertensive effects of C. erythraea in traditional medicine.

Prevalence of and risk factors for overweight and obesity among adolescents in Morocco.

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity among children and adolescents is a major public health concern and their prevalence is increasing worldwide at an alarming rate in both developing and developed countries. AIMS: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity in a representative sample of 12-18-year-old schooled adolescents in Fez, Morocco, and to investigate the possible risk factors associated with adolescent obesity. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2014 and March 2015 in public secondary schools. Data were collected from a questionnaire. Weight and height were measured, and body mass index was calculated. Weight was classified according to the reference curves of WHO (2007). Data on 1818 adolescents aged 12-18 years were used. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight was 7.69% and that of obesity was 3.41%. Overweight and obesity in adolescents were positively correlated to having a father (odds ratio (OR) = 1.58, P = 0.008) or a mother with higher education (OR = 1.56, P = 0.009). High family income (OR = 2.115, P = 0.028), motorized transport to school (adjusted OR = 1.77, P = 0.017), using a computer for > 4 h/day (OR: 2.56, P = 0.004) and frequent consumption of soda and soft drinks (OR = 1.42, P = 0.04) were also correlated with an increased risk for overweight and obesity. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides useful findings that could be elaborated on and expanded in studies on overweight and obesity among adolescents in Morocco.

Acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies of the aqueous extract from leaves of Cistus ladaniferus L. in mice and rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cistus ladaniferus L. (C.ladaniferus) (Cistaceae) is an aromatic shrub native to the Mediterranean region. The leaves are widely used in traditional medicine throughout Morocco for the treatment of various diseases including, diabetes, diarrhea, inflammation, and skin ailments. However, to the best of our knowledge, no systematic study concerning its toxicity profile has been reported. AIM OF THE STUDY: The study carried out evaluates the potential toxicity of the aqueous extract from leaves of the C.ladaniferus (CL extract) shrub, through the method of acute and sub-chronic oral administration in mice and rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the acute toxicity study, male and female mice were orally administrated with CL aqueous extract at single doses of 500, 1000, 2000, 3000 and 5000mg/kg (n = 5/group/sex). Abnormal behavior, toxic symptoms, weight, and death were observed for 14 consecutive days to assess the acute toxicity. During the sub-chronic toxicity study, the aqueous extract was administered orally at doses of 500, 700 and 1000mg/kg (n = 6/group) daily to Wistar rats of both sexes for 90 days. The general behavior of the rats was observed daily, and their body weight was recorded weekly. A urinalysis, biochemical analysis, hematological analysis, macroscopic examination and histopathological examination of several organs were conducted at the end of the treatment period. RESULTS: During the acute toxicity test, when mice were administered doses of 3000 and 5000mg/kg, the CL extract produced a 10-30% mortality rate, respectively, and induced signs of toxicity. However, no mortality or adverse effect was noted at the doses of 1000 and 2000mg/kg. The median lethal dose (LD50) of the extract was estimated to be more than 5000mg/kg. In the subchronic study, the CL extract induced no mortality or treatment-related adverse effects with regard to body weight, general behavior, relative organ weights, urine, hematological, and biochemical parameters. Histopathological examination of vital organs showed normal architecture suggesting no morphological alterations. Moreover, the CL extracts improved lipid profile and exhibited a significant hypoglycemic effect in all doses tested in rats. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that treatment with the CL extract for 13 weeks does not appear to produce significant toxicity, except at high dose. Therefore, the use of appropriate levels of the CL extract as a traditional medicine remedies should have a wide margin of safety for its therapeutic use.