Phytochemical Analysis and Evaluation of the Antioxidant, Antiproliferative, Antibacterial, and Antibiofilm Effects of Globularia alypum (L.) Leaves.

Globularia alypum L. (GA) is a Mediterranean plant of the Globulariaceae family which is widely used in traditional Tunisian medicine. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antibiofilm activities, and the antiproliferative potential of different extracts of this plant. The identification and the quantification of the different constituents of extracts were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antioxidant activities were evaluated using spectrophotometric methods and chemical tests. The antiproliferative study was based on the use of colorectal cancer SW620 cells, including an antibacterial assessment with the microdilution method and analysis of the antibiofilm effects via the crystal violet assay. All extracts presented several components, mainly sesquiterpenes, hydrocarbon, and oxygenated monoterpenes. The results revealed that the maceration extract had the most important antioxidant effect (IC50 = 0.04 and 0.15 mg/mL), followed by the sonication extract (IC50 = 0.18 and 0.28 mg/mL). However, the sonication extract demonstrated significant antiproliferative (IC50 = 20 µg/mL), antibacterial (MIC = 6.25 mg/mLand MBC > 25 mg/mL), and antibiofilm (35.78% at 25 mg/mL) properties against S. aureus. The results achieved confirm the important role of this plant as a source of therapeutic activities.

Analysis of Pathogens of Urinary Tract Infections Associated with Indwelling Double-J Stents and Their Susceptibility to Globularia alypum.

Ureteral double-J stents are frequently used to prevent urinary obstruction. They can develop bacterial colonization and encrustation, which leads to persistent infections that seldom respond to antibiotic treatment. Thus, the goal of this study was to evaluate the local spectrum of bacterial pathogens and their susceptibility to natural compounds. A total of 59 double-J ureteral stents from 59 consecutive patients were examined. The samples were inoculated on agar culture mediums. Extracts of Globularia alypum L. were evaluated for their antibacterial activity with the diffusion and broth dilution methods; for antibiofilm activity, the crystal violet assay was used. The identification and the quantification of the different constituents of extracts were determined by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Bacterial growth was found in three patients (5.1%). Enterococcus faecalis (1.7%), Acinetobacter baumanii (1.7%), and Pseudomonas putida (1.7%) strains were more commonly detected. They were resistant to several common antibiotics. All extracts presented several components, mainly nepetin-7-glucoside and trans-ferulic-acid, and they had antibacterial activity (MIC = 6.25 mg/mL and MBC = 6.25 mg/mL), and antibiofilm (59.70% at 25 mg/mL) properties, especially against Acinetobacter baumanii. The results achieved confirm the important role of this plant as a source of therapeutic activities.

HPLC-DAD Analysis and Investigation of Biological Properties of the Leaves of Globularia alypum (L.), Infusion Extract.

Globularia alypum L. (GA) belonging to the Globulariaceae family is a Mediterranean plant which is widely used in traditional Tunisian medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant, anti-arthritic, antiproliferative, antibacterial and antibiofilm potential of aqueous GA leaf extracts (AGAL). Quantitative analyses of the different constituents of extracts were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode-array detection (HPLC-DAD). Spectrophotometric methods and chemical tests were used for antioxidant and anti-arthritic activities. The antiproliferative study was evaluated using colorectal cancer SW620 cells, while the antibacterial assessment and analysis of the antibiofilm effects were determined by the microdilution method and the crystal violet assay, respectively. AGAL extracts presented several components, mainly Nepetin-7-Glucoside and trans-ferrulic acid. The results showed that they had an important antioxidant (IC50 = 0.34; 0.38 and 1.20 mg/mL) and anti-arthritic (IC50 = 2.94 mg/mL) properties, and these effects are displayed in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, this extract demonstrated significant antiproliferative (IC50 = 50 µg/mL), antibacterial (MIC = 6.25 mg/mL and MBC = 6.25 mg/mL), and antibiofilm (59.70% at 25 mg/mL) properties especially against S. aureus. The results achieved confirm the important role of this plant as a source of therapeutic activities.

Phytochemical profile, cytotoxic, antioxidant, and allelopathic potentials of aqueous leaf extracts of Olea europaea.

Although bioactivities of Olea europaea (OE) have been widely described, most of them were related to its methanolic extracts or its essential oils, While data related to aqueous extracts still very scarce. Thus, in this study, the phytochemical composition, the antioxidant activity, the cytotoxic potential, and the allelopathic potential of aqueous leaf extracts from two varieties of Olea europaea were investigated and compared. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to identify and quantify the constituents of the tested plants, and spectrophotometric methods to evaluate antioxidant activities. The cytotoxic potential was investigated using murine oligodendrocytes (158N) while germination seeds' test was used for allelopathic activity. HPLC analysis showed the presence of 10 phenolic compounds in both extracts. Chemlali variety showed the highest antioxidant and allelopathic activities. Regarding the cytotoxicity effect, a significant increase in cell viability was observed with both of our extracts compared to untreated cells. These results confirm that aqueous extracts from OE produce a range of substances with potential antioxidant, antifungal, and allelopathic effects without toxic effects. Thus, they could be used as an alternative of chemical compounds.

Phytochemical Analysis and Assessment of Biological Properties of Essential Oils Obtained from Thyme and Rosmarinus Species.

BACKGROUND: The plant species Thymus algeriensis (TA); Thymus capitatus (TC) and Rosmarinus officinalis (RO), are widely used in traditional medicine in Tunisia. The bioactivities of their essential oils have also been reported previously. The main objective of this work was to assess the phytochemical composition, the antioxidant activity, cytotoxic potential and the antibacterial, antifungal, of the essential oil (EO) of these plants. METHODS: Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify and quantify the constituents of the tested EO. Chemical tests, and spectrophotometric methods were used for antioxidant activities and for the screening and quantification of phytochemicals. The cytotoxic potential of the EO was checked using HCT 116 cultures. The extracts were evaluated for their antibacterial potential by the microdilution method. Antifungal activities were tested using the Poisoned food technique against Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus. RESULTS: The EO of tested plants presented several components, mainly monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. The results revealed that T. capitatus EO is not toxic compared to the other tested samples. Phenolic compounds were detected and this EO showed excellent antioxidant activity presenting dosedependent relationship. Regarding antimicrobial activity, T. capitatus EO, also had the highest inhibition against all tested bacteria and fungi. CONCLUSION: This study showed the importance of the bioactivities (antioxidant, antimicrobial, and safety potential) of EOs of the plant species TC, RO, and TA used in traditional medicine.

Chemical composition, Fatty acids profile and Biological properties of Thymus capitatus (L.) Hoffmanns, essential Oil.

T. capitatus is widely used in traditional medicine in Tunisia. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical composition, the fatty acids profile, the antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities as well as the cytotoxic potential of the essential oil (EO) of this plant. The identification and the quantification of the different constituents of the tested EO was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antioxidant activities were evaluated by spectrophotometric methods and chemical tests. HCT 116 cells were used to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of the EO. The microdilution method was conducted to evaluate the antibacterial activity. Poisoned food method was used to test the antifungal activities against fungi species such Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus. The EO presented several components, mainly monoterpenes. Results revealed that T. capitatus EO is not cytotoxic and showed excellent antioxidant activity with a dose dependent manner. Regarding antimicrobial activity, T. capitatus EO was efficient against all tested bacteria and fungi.

Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and the Phenolic Content of Infusion, Decoction and Methanolic Extracts of Thyme and Rosmarinus Species.

BACKGROUND: The plant species Rosmarinus officinalis (RO), Thymus algeriensis (TA) and Thymus capitatus (TC) are widely used in traditional medicine in Tunisia. Their bioactivities have been reported before and particularly referred to their essential oils. The main objective of this work was to assess the phytochemical composition, the antioxidant activity, the antibacterial, antifungal, and cytotoxic potential of these 3 plants. METHOD: The High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), chemical tests and spectrophotometric methods were used for screening, quantification of phytochemicals and for antioxidant activities. Extracts were evaluated for antibacterial potential by the microdilution method. Antifungal activities were tested using the Poisoned food method against: Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus. The cytotoxic potential of the plant extracts was checked using HCT 116 cultures. RESULTS: Results revealed that aqueous extracts are not toxic compared to the methanolic extracts. Phenolic compounds were detected and these extracts showed excellent antioxidant activity presenting dose-dependent relationship. For antibacterial potential, all tested strains are more sensitive to Thymus extracts than Rosmarinus extracts. However, for antifungal activities, only Rosmarinus extracts inhibited mycelial growth. HPLC analysis allowed the identification of ten compounds with the abundance of gallic acid. CONCLUSION: This study showed important bioactivities (antioxidant, antimicrobial, and safety potential) of the plant species RO, TA and TC used in traditional medicine.