Bioactivity and applications of saffron floral bio-residues (tepals): a natural by-product for the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

Saffron "Crocus sativus" is a plant of the Iridaceae family. Its therapeutic virtues have been known since antiquity; it is used in traditional medicine and culinary preparations. It is also known for its use in cosmetics because of its beneficial pharmacological activities for human skin. In particular, saffron tepals are the main by-product of saffron processing; they contain several bioactive compounds such as mineral agents, anthocyanins, monoterpenoids, carotenoids, flavonoids, and flavonols (kaempferol). This review aims to describe the different properties of saffron flower tepals, including their botanical characteristics, phytochemical composition, biological activities, and cosmetology and perfumery uses.

Hemostatic, inflammatory, and oxidative markers in pesticide user farmers.

The aim of this work was to investigate inflammatory, oxidative, and thrombotic parameters as biomarkers in farmers exposed to pesticides. Fifty farmers using chemical pesticides and 60 unexposed control men participated in this study. The Mediterranean diet compliance, the duration of pesticide use, and personal protection for pesticides handling were recorded using self-administered questionnaires. Serum biochemical parameters, oxidant/antioxidant, inflammatory, and thrombosis markers were determined. Our findings showed oxidative stress reflected by an increase in malondialdehyde, carbonyl proteins and superoxide anion levels and a decrease in vitamins C and E, glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities in farmers. Serum C-reactive protein, prothrombin, and fibrinogen levels were enhanced in these farmers. In conclusion, inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic perturbations reflected the possibility of the effects of pesticides to farmers.

Thrombosis factors and oxidant/antioxidant markers in obese and hypertensive women during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the oxidative profile and thrombotic markers in obese and hypertensive mothers. METHODS: Thirty obese, 28 hypertensive and 34 healthy control mothers were recruited from Tlemcen Hospital, Algeria. Plasma vitamin C, nitric oxide, superoxide anion, erythrocyte glutathione, malondialdehyde, carbonyl proteins and erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities and coagulation markers [protein C, protein S, fibrinogen, prothrombin, antithrombin, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), lupus anticoagulants (LACs)] were measured. Changes in plasma urea, creatinine, uric acid, glucose and lipid levels were also determined. RESULTS: Plasma glucose concentrations were high in obese mothers, and plasma urea, uric acid and creatinine levels were increased in hypertensive compared with healthy mothers. Obese and hypertensive mothers had low vitamin C and glutathione values, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, and high triglyceride, superoxide anion, malondialdehyde and carbonyl protein levels compared with control mothers. Plasma nitric oxide levels were enhanced in obese mothers but reduced in hypertensive mothers. Fibrinogen and prothrombin levels were significantly enhanced in obese and hypertensive mothers. Protein C, protein S, antithrombin and APTT values were significantly higher in hypertensive mothers. Only hypertensive mothers were positive for LACs. CONCLUSION: Obese and hypertensive mothers presented oxidative stress and a pro-thrombotic state. Their oxidative and hemostasis profile should be carefully considered and appropriate management organized.

Alterations of hepatocyte function with free radical generators and reparation or prevention with coffee polyphenols.

Liver diseases are linked in the majority of cases to oxidative stress that antioxidants could neutralize with reducing liver injury. Chlorogenic acid, a coffee polyphenol, possesses antioxidant prosperities. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro preventive and corrective effects of cholorogenic acid in hepatocyte toxicity induced by free radicals. Hepatocytes were isolated from adult male Wistar rats. To determine corrective effects and reparation, cells were first exposed to two free radical generators (hydrogen peroxide/iron sulfate for hydroxyl radical formation, and phenazine methosulfate/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide for superoxide anion formation) for 12H and thereafter treated by chlorogenic acid (1 and 10 µM final concentration) for another 12H. To show preventive effects, cells were pretreated by chlorogenic acid and thereafter exposed to free radical generators. Hepatocyte proliferation, glucose uptake, ATP contents, membrane fluidity and integrity, and intracellular redox status were investigated after 24H culture. The results showed that chlorogenic acid reversed the decrease in cell proliferation, glucose uptake and ATP levels, the increased LDH release and the reduced membrane fluidity and restored the oxidant/antioxidant status under oxidative stress. When pre-treated with chlorogenic acid, hepatocytes became very resistant to oxidative conditions and cellular homeostasis was maintained. In conclusion, chlorogenic acid displayed not only corrective but also preventive effects in hepatocytes exposed to oxidative stress and could be beneficial in patients with or at risk of liver diseases.

Relationship between NADPH and Th1/Th2 ratio in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma who have been exposed to pesticides.

The effect of pesticides on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen (NADPH), including its level and relationship with the T helper 1 (Th1)/Th2 ratio, in patients suffering from non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) was investigated. One hundred newly diagnosed patients with aggressive NHL (53 men, 47 women) and 40 healthy age-, sex-, and body mass index-matched controls (23 men, 17 women), exposed or not to pesticides, were recruited for a cross-sectional study conducted at the Clinical Hematology Departments of Tlemcen and Sidi Bel-Abbès University Medical Centers in the northwest of Algeria. NADPH levels were significantly increased in patients compared with controls; and in exposed patients compared with those not exposed, and controls (one-way analysis of variance; P=0.000). Albumin, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase activity, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity levels were significantly decreased in patients compared with in the control group. Oxygen radical absorbance capacity levels were significantly decreased in exposed patients compared with in unexposed patients; however, malondialdehyde levels were significantly increased in exposed patients when compared with controls and unexposed patients. Protein carbonyl and xanthine oxidase levels were significantly increased in exposed patients compared with controls; meanwhile, there were no significant differences between the two patient groups or between unexposed patients and controls. The Th1/Th2 ratio was significantly decreased in patients when compared with controls; the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was significantly increased (for both comparisons, P<0.001). In addition, NADPH was strongly associated with NHL (Mantel-Haenszel common odds ratio estimate =5.55; 95% confidence interval, 2.22-13.88; P=0.000). Moreover, NADPH levels were significantly negatively related to the Th1/Th2 ratio, either in exposed patients or in unexposed patients (respectively, r=-0.498 [P=0.004] and r=-0.327 [P=0.006]). In conclusion, pesticide exposure was strongly associated with NADPH alteration in NHL. The relationship between NADPH and Th1/Th2 ratio should focus on new therapeutic strategies for the disease.