Indispensable Amino Acid Digestibility of Moroccan Fava Bean Using the Dual Isotope Method in Healthy Adults.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of protein quality is necessary to satisfy the nutritional needs of populations across the world. In addition to indispensable amino acid (IAAs) composition, protein digestibility is a major component of IAA bioavailability, playing a crucial role in human health and affecting the linear growth of children. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate IAA digestibility of fava beans, a legume widely consumed in Morocco using the dual-tracer method. METHODS: 2H-intrinsically labeled Fava beans supplemented with 12 mg/kg BW of 13C spirulina were given to 5 healthy volunteers (3 men and 2 women), aged 25.8 ± 3.3 y, with a mean BMI of 20.0 kg/m2. The meal was spread in small portions and was given hourly throughout 7 h. Blood was sampled at baseline and hourly from 5 to 8 h after meal ingestion. IAA digestibility was evaluated by gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry using the 2H/13C ratio in plasma IAA. Digestible indispensable amino acid ratios (DIAAR) were calculated using the scoring pattern for people older than 3 y. RESULTS: Fava beans had an adequate level of lysine but were limiting in several IAAs, especially methionine. Under our experimental conditions, the average IAA digestibility of fava bean was 61.1% ± 5.2%. Valine had the highest digestibility (68.9% ± 4.3%) and threonine had the lowest (43.7% ± 8.2%). In consequence, the lowest DIAAR was 67% for threonine and only 47% for sulfur amino acids (SAA). CONCLUSIONS: The present study is the first to determine the digestibility of fava bean amino acids in humans. The mean IAA digestibility was moderate, and consequently, we conclude that fava bean provides a limited amount of several IAAs, especially SAA, but adequately for lysine. Preparation and cooking methods of fava beans should be improved to increase digestibility. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT04866927.

Phytochemical Analysis, Cytotoxic, Antioxidant, and Antibacterial Activities of Lichens.

BACKGROUND: Lichens present a complex symbiotic relationship between a filamentous fungus, photoautotrophic partner (algae or cyanobacteria), and bacterial community. The Objective of the Study. This study aimed at investigating the chemical composition and cytotoxic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of acetone extracts of Moroccan Evernia prunastri (E. prunastri), Ramalina farinacea (R. farinacea), and Pseudevernia furfuracea (P. furfuracea). Materials and Methods. The phytochemical analysis was carried out by HPLC-UV. The cytotoxic effect was assessed on human prostate cancer (22RV1), human colon carcinoma (HT-29), human hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep-G2), and Hamster ovarian cancer (CHO) cells lines by WST1 assay. The antioxidant power was assessed by DPPH and FRAP assays. The antibacterial effect was obtained using the broth microdilution method. RESULTS: The findings of phytochemical analysis showed that the lichens studied possess interesting bioactive molecules such as physodalic acid, evernic acid, and usnic acid, as well as protocetraric acid. According to the American National Cancer Institute guidelines, the WST-1 test showed that all crude extracts did not show significant cytotoxic effects against all concerous cell lines, and IC50 values ranged from 42.30 to 140.24 µg/mL. Regarding the antioxidant activity, P. furfuracea extract showed the highest free-radical-scavenging ability (IC50 = 498.40 µg/mL). The most potent antibacterial extract was recorded for P. furfuracea extract with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 0.039 to 0.31 mg/mL. CONCLUSION: In this research work, we report that the studied lichen extracts exhibit an important biological effect, supporting that lichens represent a hopeful source of original natural products for the research of new bioactive molecules having a pharmaceutical interest.

Phytochemical Study on Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities of Moroccan Caralluma europaea Extract and Its Bioactive Compound Classes.

BACKGROUND: Caralluma europaea (C. europaea) is a medicinal plant used in Moroccan popular medicine. Objective of the Study. The present work was aimed at identifying the chemical composition and the antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of hydroethanolic and bioactive compound classes of C. europaea) is a medicinal plant used in Moroccan popular medicine. Materials and Methods. The chemical composition was analyzed using HPLC. The antioxidant power was determined using both DPPH and FRAP assays. The antiproliferative activity was effectuated against cancerous cells using WST-1. RESULTS: The chemical analysis showed the presence of bioactive constituents such as quercetin, myricetin, and hesperetin. The polyphenol and flavonoid contents were estimated at 51.42 mg GA/g and 20.06 mg EQ/g, respectively. The EC50 values of FRAP assay of hydroethanolic, flavonoid, saponin, and mucilage extracts were 5.196 mg/ml, 4.537 mg/ml, 3.05 mg/ml, and 6.02 mg/ml, respectively. The obtained IC50 values with the DPPH test were 1.628 mg/ml, 1.05 mg/ml, 1.94 mg/ml, and 9.674 mg/ml, respectively. Regarding MDA-MB-231, saponins were highly effective even with the lowest concentration (15.62 µg/ml). The flavonoids decreased the cell viability with IC50 values of 43.62 ± 0.06 µg/ml). The flavonoids decreased the cell viability with IC50 values of 43.62 ± 0.06 µg/ml). The flavonoids decreased the cell viability with IC50 values of 43.62 ± 0.06 . CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that C. europaea) is a medicinal plant used in Moroccan popular medicine.

Combined consumption of a single high-dose vitamin A supplement with provision of vitamin A fortified oil to households maintains adequate milk retinol concentrations for 6 months in lactating Moroccan women.

In Morocco, postpartum women systematically receive a single, high dose of vitamin A (VA; 200 000 IU) within the first month of giving birth and vegetable oil is fortified to increase the VA intake. The efficacy of this combined approach of supplementation and fortification for increasing maternal VA status during lactation is not known. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of postpartum high dose VA supplementation and provision of VA fortified oil for household consumption on plasma and milk retinol concentrations of lactating Moroccan women during the first 6 months after giving birth. Postpartum women aged 19-40 years received a VA supplement and thereafter were randomly assigned to one of two groups to receive weekly vitamin A fortified oil (FO) or non-fortified oil (NFO) for 6 months. Serum retinol concentration was higher in the FO group than in the NFO group at 6 months after giving birth (p < 0.0001). Milk retinol per gram fat at baseline did not differ by group; by 3 months after giving birth, milk retinol per gram fat was higher in the FO group than in the NFO group (p = 0.02) and remained higher throughout the 6 months (p < 0.0001). The combination of supplementation and fortification has a more sustained impact on milk retinol concentrations than supplementation alone, which did not have a sustained impact on milk VA concentrations. The fortification approach seems to be more effective for maintaining adequate milk VA concentrations among lactating Moroccan women. Fortification seems to be a long-term solution for the problem of VA deficiency, especially among women in low-income communities.

Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities of Bioactive Compounds Contained in Rosmarinus officinalis Used in the Mediterranean Diet.

BACKGROUND: Rosmarinus officinalis (R. officinalis) is a medicinal plant called rosemary, largely used in the Mediterranean diet for many decades ago. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the polyphenolic content, the antioxidant activity, and the antiproliferative effect against human prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP) of carnosol and carnosic acid as bioactive compounds contained in R. officinalis growing in Morocco. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Polyphenolic content of R. officinalis ethanolic extract was studied using colorimetric assay. Carnosol and carnosic acid contained in R. officinalis extract were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The antiproliferative effect of the studied extracts on LNCaP was evaluated by WST-1 bioassay, and the antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH assay. RESULTS: The extracts of R. officinalis showed an important polyphenolic content ranging from 74.15 µg·GAE/mg to 146.63 µg·GAE/mg. The percentage of carnosol and carnosic acid in rosemary crops ranges from 11.7 to 17.3% and 1.09% to 3%, respectively. The extracts of R. officinalis exhibited a promoting antioxidant activity with IC50 ranging from 0.236 mg/mL to 0.176 mg/mL. Regarding the antiproliferative effect, the WST-1 assay revealed that all the tested extracts reduced notably the cell viability with IC50 values ranging from 14.15 to 15. 04 µg/mL. CONCLUSION: In the current work, carnosol and carnosic acid exhibit antioxidant and antiproliferative activities in a concentration-dependent manner.

Phytochemistry, Antioxidant Activity, Antiproliferative Effect, and Acute Toxicity Testing of Two Moroccan Aristolochia Species.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Aristolochia baetica (A. baetica) and Aristolochia paucinervis (A. paucinervis) have been largely used in Moroccan folk medicine. The objective of the study was to investigate the phytochemical composition, the antioxidant activity, the antiproliferative effect, and the acute toxicity of the methanolic extract of A. baetica and A. paucinervis roots. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Phytochemical composition of the methanolic extract of A. baetica and A. paucinervis roots were studied using qualitative and quantitative methods, the antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH assay, the antiproliferative effects against human cancer cell lines (T-24, HT-29, and Hep G-2) was assessed using WST1 assay, and the acute toxicity was carried out orally by gavage of single dose 2000 mg/kg to mice for 14 days. RESULTS: The two studied plants have different classes of secondary metabolites. The concentrations of the total polyphenolic content of A. baetica and A. paucinervis root extracts were estimated at 360 ± 20 mg GAE/g and 280 ± 27 mg GAE/g, respectively. The total flavonoids content of A. baetica and A. paucinervis extracts were estimated at 35 ± 8 mg QE/g and 235 ± 7 mg QE/g, respectively. A. baetica and A. paucinervis extracts exhibited promising DPPH activity with IC50 values of 150 ± 8 µg/ml and 160 ± 10 µg/ml, respectively. The extracts exerted also antiproliferative effects on all tested cancer cell lines (T-24, HT-29, and Hep G-2) with IC50 values ranging from 6 ± 1 µg/ml to 380 ± 7 µg/ml. Regarding the results of acute toxicity study, no signs of toxicities nor mortalities were observed on the oral treated mice with 2000 mg/kg of the two investigated exacts. CONCLUSION: The methanolic extracts of A. baetica and A. paucinervis possess several phytochemicals that exhibited promising free radical scavenging activity and antiproliferative effects.

Low plasma vitamin A concentration is associated with tuberculosis in Moroccan population: a preliminary case control study.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin A plays numerous roles in immune system. Its deficiency alters both the innate and adaptive immunity. Previous results reported that the micronutrients deficiency, particularly vitamin A, is observed in patients with tuberculosis. Thus, we aimed in this study to assess vitamin A concentrations in Moroccan patients with tuberculosis to set up a large efficacy study of vitamin A supplementation for TB infected patients. Plasma retinol concentration was measured by HPLC in 44 recently diagnosed TB patients and 40 healthy controls. RESULTS: We showed that plasma vitamin A is significantly lower in tuberculosis patients as compared to healthy controls (p < 0.0001). Moreover, no significant association was found between vitamin A deficiency and, TB severity and patients' ages. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms the association between low vitamin A levels and tuberculosis disease.

Inula Viscosa Extracts Induces Telomere Shortening and Apoptosis in Cancer Cells and Overcome Drug Resistance.

Telomerase is activated in human papillomavirus (HPV) positive cervical cancer and targeting telomeres offers a novel anticancer therapeutic strategy. In this study, the telomere targeting properties, the cytotoxic as well as the pro-apoptotic effects of hexane (IV-HE) and dichloromethane (IV-DF) fractions from Inula viscosa L. extracts were investigated on human cervical HeLa and SiHa cancer cells. Our data demonstrate that IV-HE and IV-DF extracts were able to inhibit cell growth in HeLa and SiHa cells in a dose-dependent manner and studied resistant cell lines exhibited a resistance factor less than 2 when treated with the extracts. IV-HE and IV-DF extracts were able to inhibit telomerase activity and to induce telomere shortening as shown by telomeric repeat amplification protocol and TTAGGG telomere length assay, respectively. The sensitivity of fibroblasts to the extracts was increased when telomerase was expressed. Finally, IV-HE and IV-DF were able to induce apoptosis as evidenced by an increase in annexin-V labeling and caspase-3 activity. This study provides the first evidence that the IV-HE and IV-DF extracts from Inula viscosa L. target telomeres induce apoptosis and overcome drug resistance in tumor cells. Future studies will focus on the identification of the molecules involved in the anticancer activity.