Tolerance Mechanisms of Olive Tree (Olea europaea) under Saline Conditions.

The olive tree (Olea europaea L.) is an evergreen tree that occupies 19% of the woody crop area and is cultivated in 67 countries on five continents. The largest olive production region is concentrated in the Mediterranean basin, where the olive tree has had an enormous economic, cultural, and environmental impact since the 7th century BC. In the Mediterranean region, salinity stands out as one of the main abiotic stress factors significantly affecting agricultural production. Moreover, climate change is expected to lead to increased salinization in this region, threatening olive productivity. Salt stress causes combined damage by osmotic stress and ionic toxicity, restricting olive growth and interfering with multiple metabolic processes. A large variability in salinity tolerance among olive cultivars has been described. This paper aims to synthesize information from the published literature on olive adaptations to salt stress and its importance in salinity tolerance. The morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms of olive tolerance to salt stress are reviewed.

Ethnopharmacological Knowledge and Antioxidant Propensities of Argania spinosa L. from Morocco.

This work aims to merge ethnopharmacological knowledge with biochemical analysis to enrich our understanding of the significance of the argan tree (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) and to valorize its crucial role in the province of Essaouira (Morocco). First, a survey was conducted using semistructured interviews with 325 informants from Essaouira province between February and April 2023. The interviews covered sociodemographic data and information on argan tree uses, whether for therapeutic, cosmetic, or food purposes (i.e., applications, parts used, preparation, and administration). Second, phenolic extracts were prepared from various parts of the argan tree (i.e., leaves, kernels, nut shells, press cake, and oil) and then assessed for their antioxidant potential to scientifically validate their traditional uses. The evaluation of antioxidant activity focused on their free radical scavenging and reducing capacities, using DPPH and FRAP assays. Findings confirmed the cultural significance of the argan tree for the local population, as well as their strong dependence on its products. Indeed, it was noted that argan-based products are widely favored in traditional cuisine, with a prevalence of 83.4%; Amlou is the most commonly consumed food. Therapeutic and cosmetic applications accounted for 48.6% and 28.0%, respectively, predominantly for treating skin and subcutaneous issues (69.5%) and diabetes (19.7%). Argan oil was the most cited argan product used, often consumed raw (97.5%), followed by almonds (22.8%). Cataplasm (26.1%) and maceration (24.6%) were preferred for argan derivative preparation. External application (50.1%) was the primary administration method, followed by oral consumption (38.1%) and massage (27.7%). For in vitro assays, the argan tree could prove to be a promising source of phenolic compounds, especially in the leaves (>4 times richer than other parts, 231.046 ± 5.090 mg GAE/g DW). DPPH and FRAP tests demonstrated notable antiradical potential and reducing power, concentration-dependent. Leaf-derived phenolic extracts exhibited the highest free radical scavenging potential (IC50 = 0.589 ± 0.005 mg/ml) and the best reducing capacity (IC50 = 0.420 ± 0.005 mg/ml), although these potencies remained below the standard used. This study represents valuable documentation that can serve to preserve information on the use of argan products while exploring their phytochemical and pharmacological properties.

Therapeutic activity of sarpogrelate and dopamine D2 receptor agonists on cardiovascular and renal systems in rats with alloxan-induced diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Dopamine D2 receptor agonists, bromocriptine and cabergoline, are notable medications in the treatment of Parkinsonism, hyperprolactinemia, and hyperglycemia. An affiliation was found between the initiation of myocardial injury ailment and long term treatment with dopamine D2 agonist drugs identified with the partial activation of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2 A (5-HT2A). The investigation aimed to examine the activity of sarpogrelate (a 5-HT2A receptor blocker) in reducing myocardial injury prompted by extended haul utilisation of D2 receptor agonists in rats with alloxan-induced diabetes. METHODS: Both bromocriptine and cabergoline were managed independently and combined with sarpogrelate for about a month in diabetic nephropathy rats. Both tail-cuff blood pressure and the BGL were recorded weekly. For all animals, the kidney hypertrophy index, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, alanine transaminase, and aspartate transaminase levels were measured after one month of treatment. The severity of the cardiac injury was assessed by the estimation of lactate dehydrogenase-1 (LDH-1), cardiac troponin I, and tumor necrosis factor alpha 1 (TNF1). The triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining method was used to determine the experimental myocardial infarction (MI) size. RESULTS: Bromocriptine and cabergoline created a significant reduction in BGL, BP, and kidney hypertrophy index in diabetic nephropathy rats. Administration of bromocriptine and cabergoline, alone, or in combination with sarpogrelate fundamentally diminished the blood concentrations of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), urea, and creatinine. Bromocriptine and cabergoline alone showed a noteworthy increase in the LDH-1, Troponin I, and TNF1 levels in the serum (p < 0.05). Paradoxically, utilising bromocriptine or cabergoline with sarpogrelate treatment altogether decreased the levels of the myocardial biomarkers in the serum. A mix of bromocriptine or cabergoline with sarpogrelate diminished the level of the myocardial infarct size in the heart assessed through the TTC staining method. CONCLUSIONS: The examination demonstrated that the combined use of sarpogrelate with bromocriptine or cabergoline decreased the potential adverse effects of these two drugs on the myocardial tissues.

Genotypic and Environmental Variations in Kernel Color Indices in the Main Almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb) Cultivars Grown in North-Eastern Morocco.

Color indices are important quality traits that define the consumer visual acceptance and agroindustrial preferences. Little is known regarding these properties in the commercial almond cultivars grown in Morocco. This work aimed at investigating kernel color indices in five cultivars, namely, "Fournat de Brézenaud," "Tuono," "Ferragnès," "Ferraduel," and "Marcona." Color indices consisted in the following: brightness (L ∗), redness index (a ∗), yellowness index (b ∗), chroma (C ∗), hue (H ∗), and metric saturation (S ∗). Measurements were performed over three consecutive growing seasons (2016-2018) across five different sites from northern (Aknoul, Bni Hadifa, and Tahar Souk) and eastern (Rislane and Sidi Bouhria) Morocco. All factors (cultivar, growing season, and site) affected significantly studied color properties; however, genotype was the main variability source. Wide variabilities were found among cultivars. "Marcona" showed the highest L ∗, while "Ferragnès" and "Ferraduel" displayed greater scores of a ∗, b ∗, C ∗, and S ∗. Sidi Bouhria presented the lowest L ∗ but higher a ∗, H ∗, and S ∗. Moreover, Bni Hadifa displayed higher L ∗, b ∗, and C ∗. 2016 (drier growing season) had the highest values of most indices. Principal component analyses (PCA) discriminate all factors through the first three components: PC1 (61%, genetic component) and PC2 (30%) and PC3 (7%) which were of environmental nature since they separate sites and growing seasons, respectively. Despite environmental effects, we suggested a possible discrimination among the studied cultivars based on their kernel color indices. Drought conditions during fruit development seemed to improve kernel quality via synthesis of pigments resulting in higher a ∗ and b ∗.

Physicochemical and microbiological characterization of olive mill wastewater (OMW) from different regions of northern Morocco.

This work examined the influence of crop season, extraction system and production site on the composition of fresh olive mill wastewater collected from northern Morocco. ANOVA analysis showed that most of the traits were largely affected by the extraction system (≥60% of total variance). Comparison among extraction systems showed significant differences for all traits, except for chlorides. Three phase centrifugation system (C3) displayed the highest value of total phenols, while all the remaining traits were higher in two phase centrifugation system (C2). Concerning crop seasons, we noticed a general decrease in values of total solids, chemical oxygen demand, chlorides, C/N ratio and total aerobic mesophilic flora, from 2014 to 2016 season; in contrast, an increase in suspended solids, total kjeldahl nitrogen and proteins was detected. OMW with highest total phenols content and then more acidic were collected during 2015 season. Between production sites, Bni Frassen produced OMW with the highest values for salt and total phenols, but the lowest ones were obtained for microbiological traits. OMW from Taza were rich in total kjeldahl nitrogen and proteins. An increase in organic load indicators was observed in Bouchfaa. Principal component analysis (PCA) explained about 82% of total variability: 58%, 16% and 8% for principal component 1 (PC1), PC2 and PC3, respectively. Extraction system fitted the variability of PC1. PC2 was mainly explained by production sites, while PC3 separated crop seasons. Correlation studies showed significant relationships especially among the traits expressing organic load, while microbiological counts were largely associated to total phenols and pH.