Antioxidant polysaccharide-enriched fractions obtained from olive leaves by ultrasound-assisted extraction with α-amylase inhibition, and antiproliferative activities.

Polysaccharide-rich materials were extracted from the alcohol-insoluble solids of Olea europaea l. **leaves. Structural characteristics were determined by colorimetric techniques, FT-IR, GC-MS, SEC/MALS/VD/DRI, and NMR (1H,13C). The extract and its main macromolecular components were characterized to assess their ability toward antioxidant, α-amylase inhibition, and antiproliferative activities. Results revealed that the ultrasound olive leave extract comprises polysaccharides with uronic acid, galactose, arabinose, and glucose in molar percentages of 11.7%, 11.3%, 7.5%, and 4.9% respectively, constituting 41% of the total mass. In addition, polyphenols (21%) and proteins (9%) are associated with these polysaccharides. Further, the extract showed noticeable ORAC and free radical scavenging abilities, in addition to high in vitro antiproliferative activity against Caco-2 colon carcinoma cell lines. Similarly, the extract exhibited a strong, uncompetitive inhibition of α-amylase by 75% in the presence of the extract with 0.75 µg/mL of concentration. This research concludes that ultrasound extraction method can be used for the extraction of polysaccharide-polyphenol-protein complexes. These conjugates exhibit the potential for combined biological activities resulting from a synergistic effect of its compounds, making them promising ingredients for the development of functional food.

Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of a hexane extract of Tunisian caprifig latex from the unripe fruit of Ficus carica.

CONTEXT: The plant kingdom has become a target in the search for new drugs and biologically active lead compounds. The common Jrani Tunisian caprifig Ficus carica L. (Moraceae) is one of the large number of plant species that are used in folklore medicine yet to be investigated for the treatment of many diseases, including those of infectious nature. OBJECTIVE: Hexane extract of the Tunisian common Jrani caprifig latex was assayed for antibacterial activity against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Chemical composition of the extract was also investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The hexane extract was obtained from Tunisian Jrani caprifig latex by maceration, and then analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The extract was tested in vitro for antibacterial activity by the disc diffusion method and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was also determined for all the test cultures. RESULTS: Thirty-six compounds of the extract were identified, 90.56% of the total area of peaks were coumarins. A strong bactericidal effect was demonstrated. The most sensitive bacteria were Staphylococcus saprophyticus clinical isolate, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, with a MIC of 19 µg/mL. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate an effective in vitro antibacterial activity of the hexane extract of caprifig latex.

Phytochemical content, Fatty acids composition and antioxidant potential of different pomegranate parts: Comparison between edible and non edible varieties grown in Tunisia.

Few comparative studies were interested between edible and non-edible pomegranate varieties. In the present study, flowers, leaves, juice and peel of two pomegranate varieties, ornamental variety "Nana" (NV) and sweet variety "Tounsi" (TV) were compared for their phenolic contents and antioxidant activity. Seeds oils were compared also for their fatty acids (FA) composition.Results showed that peel and juice of NV contained higher content in tannins, Flavonoids and anthocyanins. In contrast, peel and juice of TV were more concentrated in carotenoids and polyphenols. Flowers extracts of TV contained more polyphenols and flavonoids. However leaves from NV provided more polyphenols, flavonoids and anthocyanins. Flowers and leaves proved to be the strongest antioxidants for both varieties. For FA composition, NV was more concentrated in Mono-unsaturated FA (MUFA) however TV contained more Di-unsaturated FA (DiUFA). cis-γ-Linolenic acid was the major FA in NV. Contrariwise punicic acid was the predominant in TV.

Oil Characterization and Lipids Class Composition of Pomegranate Seeds.

This study aims to investigate the physicochemical characteristics, phenolics content, and oil composition of pomegranate oil seeds (PSO). Quality indices, pigments, phenolics content, and antioxidant activity were determined. PSO was fractioned into polar lipids: glycolipids (GL) and phospholipids (PL). Sterols profile and fatty acids composition of total lipids (TL), GL, and PL were determined by GC/FID. The free acidity, the peroxide value, and the specific extinction coefficients were, respectively, 1.69%, 3.42 in milliequivalents of active oxygen per kilogram of oil, 4.15, and 3.95. PSO is rich in phenols (93.42 mg/Kg) but poor in pigments. The sterols markers were ß-sitosterol (77.94%), Δ5-avenasterol (7.45%), and campesterol (6.35%). Oil content was 12.2%, wherein 23.9% were GL and 24.35% were PL. TL were rich in unsaturated fatty acids (63.17%), while saturated fatty acids were more present in PL and GL (71.97% and 66.29%, resp.). Conjugated fatty acids were about 13.30%, 2.03%, and 4.91%, respectively, in TL, PL, and GL. The cis/trans ratio of TL, PL, and GL was, respectively, 49.82%, 42.91%, and 27.39%. Monounsaturated fatty acids were more bound in PL, whereas polyunsaturated fatty acids were more bound in GL. PSO is a good source of essential fatty acids, phenolics compounds, phytosterols, and lipid-soluble fractions.

In vitro cytotoxic and antiviral activities of Ficus carica latex extracts.

The latex of fig fruit (Ficus carica) is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of skin infections such as warts and also diseases of possible viral origin. Five extracts (methanolic, hexanic, ethyl acetate, hexane-ethyl acetate (v/v) and chloroformic) of this species were investigated in vitro for their antiviral potential activity against herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1), echovirus type 11 (ECV-11) and adenovirus (ADV). To evaluate the capacity of the extracts to inhibit the replication of viruses, the following assays were performed: adsorption and penetration, intracellular inhibition and virucidal activity. Observation of cytopathic effects was used to determine the antiviral action. The hexanic and hexane-ethyl acetate (v/v) extracts inhibited multiplication of viruses by tested techniques at concentrations of 78 µg mL(-1). These two extracts were possible candidates as herbal medicines for herpes virus, echovirus and adenovirus infectious diseases. All extracts had no cytotoxic effect on Vero cells at all tested concentrations.