The genus Polygonum: An updated comprehensive review of its ethnomedicinal, phytochemical, pharmacological activities, toxicology, and phytopharmaceutical formulation.

Polygonum is a plant genus that includes annual and perennial species and is found at various temperatures, from northern temperate regions to tropical and subtropical areas. The genus Polygonum has been used for centuries for various disorders, including hypertension, intestinal and stomach pain, dysuria, jaundice, toothaches, skin allergies, hemorrhoids, cardiac disorders, kidney stones, hemostasis, hyperglycemia, and others. Various databases, including Google Scholar, Scifinder, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, ResearchGate, and Web of Science, were utilized to collect pertinent scientific literature data. According to bibliographic studies, the Polygonum genus possesses various compounds from different families, including phenolic acids (gallic acid, caffeic acid, quinic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, and many other compounds), flavonoids (quercetin, catechin, epicatechin, quercitrin, kaempferol, myricetin, etc.), tannins, stilbenes (polydatin and resveratrol), terpenes (α-pinene, ß-caryophyllene and ß-caryophyllene oxide, bisabolene, ß-farnesene, etc.), fatty acids (decanoic acid, lauric acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, dodecanoic acid), polysaccharides, and others. Various chemical and biological activities (in vitro and in vivo), such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antiparasitic, hepatoprotective, neuropharmacological, gastroprotective, diuretic, antipyretic, and others, have been described in several biological studies involving this species. An updated summary of Polygonum species and their ethnomedicinal, phytochemical, toxicological, pharmacological, and phytopharmaceutical formulations is necessary. Considering the numerous potentialities of the Polygonum species and their wide-ranging use, it is extremely essential to provide knowledge by compiling the accessible literature to identify the topics of intense investigation and the main gaps to better design future studies. The objective of this review is to give readers a better understanding, greater comprehension, and in-depth knowledge of the genus Polygonum's traditional applications, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicological features, and galenic formulation. Several species of this genus have been detailed in this review, including those that were frequently used in traditional medicine (P. minus, P. aviculare, P. hydropiper, P. cuspidatum, and P. multiflorum) and many of the genus' therapeutic species, like P. equisetiforme, which do not get enough attention.

Phenolic Profiling, Antioxidant, and Antibacterial Activities of Selected Medicinal Plants from Tunisia.

Phytochemical screening of aqueous extract from six medicinal wild plants grown in South-eastern of Tunisia: Atriplex halimus, Teucrium polium, Moricandia arvensis, Deverra tortuoa, Haplophyllum tuberculatum and Polygonum equisetiforme were evaluated. Both decoction and ultrasound assisted extraction were used. Antioxidant, antibacterial proprieties, and phenolic profiling, using LC-ESI-MS method, were assessed. Total polyphenols, flavonoids, and condensed tannins contents ranged from 7.47±0.19 to 22.25±0.49 mg GAE/g Dw, 5.47±0.06 to 7.55±0.07 mg RE/g Dw, and 0.33±0.02 to 19.43±0.64 mg TAE/g Dw, respectively. Moreover, the reducing power and DPPH tests showed that P. equisetiforme (EC50 : 12.50±0.50 µg/ml; DPPH⋅+ : 213.49±4.24 mg TEAC/g DW), T. polium (EC50 : 25.00±1.00 µg/ml; DPPH⋅+ : 181.39±9.47 mg TEAC/g DW) as well as H. tuberculatum (EC50 : 56.25±0.25 µg/ml; DPPH⋅+ : 177.83±5.85 mg TEAC/g DW) extracts were the most effective natural antioxidants. For anti-bacterial activity, the ultrasonic extract of H. tuberculatum showed the highest activity against both P. aeruginosa (13.50±0.71 mm) and S. aureus (13.00±0.00 mm) at 10 mg/ml. Furthermore 24 phenolic compounds were identified, with predominance of quinic acid, gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, trans-ferulic acid, catechin (+), trans-cinnamic and silymarin. These results were further consolidated by to heatmap clustering with P. equisetiforme, H. tuberculatum, T. polium as the main antioxidant and antibacterial sources which supports their domestication and industrial use.

Date Seeds (Phoenix dactylifera): Antioxidant Potential and Profile of Free and Bound Polyphenols from Different Cultivars.

In this study, the antioxidant activities and detailed phenolic profiling of extracts from seven cultivars of date seeds were investigated. Significant differences were detected among cultivars. Total phenolic content (TP) ranged between 135.9±12.1 and 284.86±21.9 mg GAE/g DM. The total flavonoid value varied between 34.20±0.34 and 94.46±1.04 mg RE/g DM. The condensed tannin ranged from 24.17±1.13 to 201.60±9.95 mg CTE/g DM. Phloroglucinolysis was used to depolymerize the bound polyphenols. Results show the presence of phenolic acids: Hydroxybenzoic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid, and a high amount of flavan-3ols (monomers, dimers, and trimers). Before depolymerization, the highest amount of total polyphenols was identified in Kenta (8.48 g/kg) and the lowest was detected in Hessa (4.74 g/kg). After depolymerization, the flavan-3-ols increased significantly, ranging between 46.91g/kg in Hessa and 72.38 g/kg in Deglet Nour, with a high degree of polymerization (DP) in all cultivars. It can be concluded that date seeds represent a good source of bioactive compounds.

Advances on Antiviral Activity of Morus spp. Plant Extracts: Human Coronavirus and Virus-Related Respiratory Tract Infections in the Spotlight.

(1) Background: Viral respiratory infections cause life-threatening diseases in millions of people worldwide every year. Human coronavirus and several picornaviruses are responsible for worldwide epidemic outbreaks, thus representing a heavy burden to their hosts. In the absence of specific treatments for human viral infections, natural products offer an alternative in terms of innovative drug therapies. (2) Methods: We analyzed the antiviral properties of the leaves and stem bark of the mulberry tree (Morus spp.). We compared the antiviral activity of Morus spp. on enveloped and nonenveloped viral pathogens, such as human coronavirus (HCoV 229E) and different members of the Picornaviridae family-human poliovirus 1, human parechovirus 1 and 3, and human echovirus 11. The antiviral activity of 12 water and water-alcohol plant extracts of the leaves and stem bark of three different species of mulberry-Morus alba var. alba, Morus alba var. rosa, and Morus rubra-were evaluated. We also evaluated the antiviral activities of kuwanon G against HCoV-229E. (3) Results: Our results showed that several extracts reduced the viral titer and cytopathogenic effects (CPE). Leaves' water-alcohol extracts exhibited maximum antiviral activity on human coronavirus, while stem bark and leaves' water and water-alcohol extracts were the most effective on picornaviruses. (4) Conclusions: The analysis of the antiviral activities of Morus spp. offer promising applications in antiviral strategies.

Jujube (Zizyphus lotus L.): Benefits and its effects on functional and sensory properties of sponge cake.

Jujube (Ziziphus lotus L.) fruit has multiple functional properties and represents an interesting source of bioactive compounds. The purpose of this study was to improve the functionality and the sensory properties of sponge cake enriched with Z. lotus fruit. The polyphenols and flavonoids levels in the sponge cake and its antioxidant potential increased with the addition of 0-10 g of jujube powder/100 g of wheat flour. The crumb color parameters, L* and b*, decreased with the addition of jujube powder, whereas the a* value increased. In the texture analysis, addition of jujube powder resulted in an increase of the hardness and chewiness, but the springiness was reduced. The sensory evaluation showed that supplementation of jujube powder did not manifest any undesirable organoleptic response and showed satisfactory consumer acceptability. Overall, the addition at 5% jujube powder showed the finest sensory properties of the sponge cake.

An in vitro study of the effect of carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) leaf extracts on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) leucocyte activities. Antioxidant, cytotoxic and bactericidal properties.

Carob leaves, the main residues of the carob tree, were investigated as a renewable and abundant source of bioactive compounds for fish aquaculture. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts obtained from carob leaves were characterized in terms of biochemical composition, antiradical and cytotoxic effects and immunostimulant and antibacterial activities. The ethanolic extract showed higher levels of total phenolics, flavonoids and condensed tannins and higher antioxidant activity than the aqueous extract. No significant immunostimulant effects were observed on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) head kidney leucocytes (viability, phagocytosis and respiratory burst activities and peroxidase content) after incubation for 24 h with different extracts. Furthermore, the ethanolic extracts used at 0.5, 0.75 and 1 mg mL-1 and aqueous extracts at 1 g mL-1 had a cytotoxic effect on PLHC-1 cells. When the bactericidal activity was tested against three fish pathogenic bacteria (Vibrio harveyi, Vibrio anguillarum and Photobacterium damselae) notable activity of the different extracts was detected against P. damselae at all three concentrations. A similar effect was demonstrated against V. haryeri when ethanolic extracts were used in the same range of concentrations. This work demonstrates interesting in vitro effects of carob leaf extracts and suggests it could be used as an alternative to chemical compounds with farmed fish. The concentration and nature of the extracts were very important in terms of any positive results.

Oil, protein, antioxidants and free radical scavenging activity of stone from wild olive trees (Olea europaea L.).

The wild olive trees or oleaster (var. sylvestris) and the cultivated olive trees (var. europaea) constitute the two botanical varieties of Olea europaea L. from Mediterranean. In this study, a partial chemical profile was conducted including the total lipids, the fatty acid profiles, soluble proteins, polyphenols, flavanoids contents and antioxidants activities of stone from six oleaster trees. The comparison was made by two olive cultivars cultivated in the same region. The oleaster and cultivar stones were richer in oil content having an average of 8.99 and 7.38 % dry weight basis (DW), respectively. Qualitatively, all studied oils have the same fatty acids profile with the oleic acid C18:1n-9 as the major fatty acid. The oleaster stone oils were richer in monounsaturated fatty acids having an average of 64.87%. They, also, richer in protein content with an average of 198.86 mg/g DW.The globulin is the major fraction, followed by the albumin, the prolamin and the glutemin fractions. The oleaster stone extracts contain polyphenols, flavonoids with an average of 151.14 and 11.91 mg gallic acid equivalent/100g of DW, respectively. The studied extracts showed antioxidant activity using the free radical scavenging activity determined by DPPH and ABTS. The unexploited oleaster stone seems to be a source of oil with good fatty acids balance, in protein and antioxidants metabolites and would be useful for the formulation of supplements and/or pharmaceutical ingredients.

Minor lipid components of some Acacia species: potential dietary health benefits of the unexploited seeds.

BACKGROUND: Oilseed samples from four Acacia species ( A. cyclops, A. ligulata, A. salicina and A. cyanophylla) were analyzed in order to evaluate the potential nutritional value of their unexploited seeds. METHODS: Samples were collected from different Tunisian geographic locations. Seed oils were extracted and carotenoids, tocopherols and sterols were analyzed using chromatographic methods. RESULTS: The studied Acacia seeds seem to be quite rich in lipids (from 6% to 12%). All Acacia species contain mainly the xanthophylls zeaxanthin and lutein compounds: from ca. 38 mg.kg⁻¹ of total lipids (A. cyclops) to ca. 113 mg.kg⁻¹ of total lipids (A. cyanophylla). Total tocopherols varied from ca. 221 mg.kg⁻¹ of total lipids (A. cyclops) to ca. 808 mg.kg-1 of total lipids (A. ligulata). Sterols are highly present and their contents ranged between ca. 7 g. kg⁻¹ of total lipids (A. salicina) and 11 g. kg⁻¹ of total lipids (A. cyclops). CONCLUSION: This study highlights that these unexploited seeds might have a potential nutritional value and encourages researchers to more explore and find developments for these plants for healthy purposes.

Unexploited Acacia cyanophylla seeds: potential food sources of ω6 fatty acids and antioxidants?

BACKGROUND: In order to investigate new sources of dietary phytochemicals, recent studies have focused on underexploited seeds. In this study the total lipid contents, fatty acid profiles and levels of soluble proteins, minerals and antioxidants in seeds from 12 Acacia cyanophylla ecotypes commonly grown in Tunisia were determined. RESULTS: Total lipids averaged 101.7 g kg(-1) on a dry weight basis. Linoleic (61.11-65.45% of total fatty acid content), oleic (19.67-22.85%) and palmitic (9.18-9.98%) acids were the principal fatty acids. Smaller proportions of stearic (1.49-1.82%), vaccenic (1.13-2.05%) and palmitoleic (0.34-0.58%) acids were also quantified. Proteins (by Kjeldahl assay) averaged 107.2 g kg(-1) on a dry weight basis. Total phenolics averaged 1.91 g gallic acid equivalent kg(-1) dry weight (DW) and total flavonoids averaged 0.40 g rutin equivalent kg(-1) DW. The free radical-scavenging activity determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay averaged 0.59 mmol L(-1) Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), while that determined by 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assay averaged 0.28 mmol L(-1) TEAC. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study confirm the presence of ω6 fatty acids at high levels in A. cyanophylla seeds. These metabolites could be used as such and/or extracted for the formulation of supplements and/or ingredients to provide a ratio close to the ideal for the ω3/ω6 balance.

Chemical compounds from Phoenician juniper berries (Juniperus phoenicea).

Natural chemical compounds are a widely researched topic worldwide because of their potential activity against cerebrovascular diseases. Chemicals from Juniperus phoenicea berries are reported in this study. Lipids (11%) from seeds are mainly unsaturated (86%). Minerals are also quantified like Na (63.8 mg per 100 g DW) or K (373.9 mg per 100 g DW). Total reduced sugars are ca 192.6 mg g(-1) DW. Polyphenols and flavonoids from berries are highly present with an average of 1764 ± 174.3 mg gallic acid per 100 g DW and 890 ± 47.6 mg rutin per 100 g DW, respectively. Mean free radical scavenging activities, determined by DPPH and ABTS, are 1337 ± 126.2 mM TEAC per 100 g DW and 1105.7 ± 95.9 mM TEAC per 100 g DW, respectively. All findings improve the possible presence of biologically active fractions in phytocomplex that could be used as such and/or extracted for the formulation of supplements and/or ingredients for the pharmaceutical industry.

Fatty acids from Tunisian and Chinese pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) seeds.

Pomegranate seed oil is considered a powerful health-benefiting agent due to its anti-oxidative and anticarcinogenic properties. Lipids from 21 pomegranate cultivars (15 Tunisian and 6 Chinese) were extracted and fatty acids were identified. Total lipids (16% on a dry weight basis) are mainly unsaturated (ca. 88%). Qualitatively, the pomegranate fatty acid composition is identical. Quantitatively, the predominant fatty acid was linolenic acid (44.51-86.14%), followed by linoleic acid (3.57-13.92%), oleic acid (3.03-12.88%), palmitic acid (3.13-11.82%), stearic acid (1.68-15.64%), gadoleic acid (0.50-4.91%), lignoceric acid ( < 2.53%), arachidic acid ( < 1.70%) and myristic acid ( < 0.85%). Statistical methods revealed how Chinese and Tunisian pomegranate fatty acid contents may be affected by the sampling location.

The caper (Capparis L.): ethnopharmacology, phytochemical and pharmacological properties.

Caper (Capparis L.), a shrub plant with a large natural distribution, is used in traditional medicines to cure various illnesses. Phytochemicals studies have shown the presence of many beneficial compounds such as spermidine, rutin, quercetin, kaempferol, stigmasterol, campesterol, tocopherols, and carotenoids. Biological studies reveal important antimicrobial, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antiviral properties. The presented review summarizes information concerning the morphology, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and biological activities of caper plants.

Antioxidant capacities of phenolic compounds and tocopherols from Tunisian pomegranate (Punica granatum) fruits.

This article aims to determine the phenolic, tocopherol contents, and antioxidant capacities from fruits (juices, peels, and seed oils) of 6 Tunisian pomegranate ecotypes. Total anthocyanins were determined by a differential pH method. Hydrolyzable tannins were determined with potassium iodate. The tocopherol (α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, and δ-tocopherol) contents were, respectively, 165.77, 107.38, and 27.29 mg/100 g from dry seed. Four phenolic compounds were identified and quantified in pomegranate peel and pulp using the high-performance liquid chromatography/ultraviolet method: 2 hydroxybenzoic acids (gallic and ellagic acids) and 2 hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic and p-coumaric acids). Juice, peel, and seed oil antioxidants were confirmed by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) methods. The highest values were recorded in peels with 25.63 mmol trolox equivalent/100 g and 22.08 mmol TE/100 g for FRAP and ORAC assay, respectively. Results showed that the antioxidant potency of pomegranate extracts was correlated with their phenolic compound content. In particular, the highest correlation was reported in peels. High correlations were also found between peel hydroxybenzoic acids and FRAP ORAC antioxidant capacities. Identified tocopherols seem to contribute in major part to the antioxidant activity of seed oil. The results implied that bioactive compounds from the peel might be potential resources for the development of antioxidant function dietary food.

Physico-chemical properties and DPPH-ABTS scavenging activity of some local pomegranate (Punica granatum) ecotypes.

Peels and fresh pomegranate extracts were used in the present study for the determination of the physic-chemical properties and DPPH-ABTS scavenging activities. Total sugars of juice are fructose (ca. 7 g/100 ml) and glucose (ca. 8 g/100 ml). Contents of soluble proteins in juice extracts are about 7 g/l (Bradford assays) and 22% (Kjeldhal assays) from dry pulp. Minerals in peel and juice are respectively 9.43+/-0.93 and 9.46+/-1.05 mg/100 ml for posphorus and 210.86+/-10.70 and 271.94+/-60.59 mg/100 g for potassium. The sodium contents are nearly 7 mg/100 ml in both peel and juice. Highly antioxidant contents in peels were confirmed. Free radical scavenging is about 3.58+/-0.38 microg/ml in peel. The antioxidant capacity value determined by ABTS was 7.364+/-0.403 mM Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity/100 g dry weight. These findings implied that bio-active compounds from the peel might be potential resources for the development of antioxidant function dietary food.