Assessment of Histopathological Alterations and Oxidative Stress in the Liver and Kidney of Male Rats following Exposure to Aluminum Chloride.

The study aims to investigate the residual and histopathological effects of chronic aluminum chloride (AlCl3) toxicity in the kidney and liver of male rats. After 30-, 60-, and 90-day exposure period, analyses were conducted to assess the toxicity in the kidney and liver. The results showed that the concentration of AlCl3 in the kidney and liver increased significantly in 30-, 60-, and 90-day periods. The effects of oxidative stress on the kidneys and liver were dose- and time-dependent. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) significantly increased when exposed to AlCl3 groups. Conversely, the activity of antioxidant parameters, including reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), significantly decreased in the AlCl3 exposed groups, indicating compromised oxidant mechanisms. Both the kidney and liver exhibited severe tissue damage, including necrosis, fibrosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration, in rats exposed to AlCl3. Kidney sections showed hyperplasia of the epithelial cells lining the renal tubules, resembling finger-like structures. Liver sections displayed severe lobular hyperplasia and an increase in mitotic figures. Our study suggests that AlCl3 has a detrimental impact on these vital organs and emphasizes the importance of monitoring and mitigating aluminum exposure, particularly where it is present in high concentration.

Biochemical Profiling and Physicochemical and Biological Valorization of Iraqi Honey: A Comprehensive Analysis.

Our study aimed to analyze five monovarietal honeys from the Salah Eddine region in Iraq, focusing on physicochemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties and polyphenolic compounds. Our objective was to evaluate the strengths and qualities of Iraqi honeys, ensuring compliance with the Codex Alimentarius standard for honey. The spectrophotometric analysis included assessments of reduced sugar (75.8-77.7%), fructose-to-glucose ratio (0.7-0.9%), sucrose (2.2-2.9%), HMF (17.23-18.87 mg/kg), and melanoidin content (0.25-0.44), which were all determined. The electrical conductivity (0.39-0.46 mS/cm) using a conductivity meter, pH (4.02-4.31), and mineral composition were determined in all samples using atomic absorption spectrometry. Antioxidant activities were spectrophotometrically determined, through DPPH free radical scavenging (7.87-95.62 mg/mL), as was the total antioxidant activity (14.26-22.15 mg AAE/g), with correlations established with biochemical constituents such as the total phenol content, highlighting the significant presence of Coumaric acid (0.38-2.34 µg/mL), Catechin (1.80-2.68 µg/mL), and Quercetin (0.30 µg/mL) using HPLC. The study also observed notable antimicrobial activities using Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans on Mueller-Hinton agar as well as through diffusion technique. In conclusion, our findings, including the antioxidant and antimicrobial strengths, underscore the substantial potential of Iraqi honeys in mitigating damage and preventing the onset of various diseases, affirming their good quality and adherence to international honey standards.

Antioxidant activity and protective effect of propolis against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver and kidney injury by modulation of oxidative parameters.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Propolis has a protective effect against cellular damage caused by toxic agents such as drugs, metals, xenobiotics, and chemicals. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant activity and the effect of ethanolic extract of propolis on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced oxidative stress on kidney and liver injury in rat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study quantified phenol, flavone, and flavonol in propolis and assessed antioxidant activity using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and molybdate. The investigators used four groups of rats to study the effect of propolis on CCl4-induced toxicity. Propolis extract was given orally (500 mg/kg) for 12 days, and CCl4 (1 mL/kg) was administered intraperitoneally on day 5 of the experiment. Blood and tissue samples of the liver and kidney were collected on day 13 to measure biochemical and oxidative parameters. The parameters included malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl formation (PCO), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), and ascorbic acid (AA). Biochemical parameters included liver enzymes, blood urea (BU), creatinine, and uric acid (UA). RESULTS: CCl4 decreased antioxidant agents, including CAT, GPx, GSH, and AA in the liver and kidney tissues. The oxidative agents' levels, including MDA, PCO, and AOPP, increased by CCl4 compared to the control group. CCl4 increased liver enzymes, UA, BU, and creatinine in the blood samples. Propolis significantly alleviated liver and kidney function, improved antioxidant parameters, and decreased levels of oxidative agents. CONCLUSION: The data showed for the 1st time that Moroccan propolis has a protective effect against CCl4-induced kidney and liver toxicity by maintaining the activity of the antioxidant defense system, which was most likely due to its antioxidant activity.

Correction to: The genome sequence of the grape phylloxera provides insights into the evolution, adaptation, and invasion routes of an iconic pest.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

The genome sequence of the grape phylloxera provides insights into the evolution, adaptation, and invasion routes of an iconic pest.

BACKGROUND: Although native to North America, the invasion of the aphid-like grape phylloxera Daktulosphaira vitifoliae across the globe altered the course of grape cultivation. For the past 150 years, viticulture relied on grafting-resistant North American Vitis species as rootstocks, thereby limiting genetic stocks tolerant to other stressors such as pathogens and climate change. Limited understanding of the insect genetics resulted in successive outbreaks across the globe when rootstocks failed. Here we report the 294-Mb genome of D. vitifoliae as a basic tool to understand host plant manipulation, nutritional endosymbiosis, and enhance global viticulture. RESULTS: Using a combination of genome, RNA, and population resequencing, we found grape phylloxera showed high duplication rates since its common ancestor with aphids, but similarity in most metabolic genes, despite lacking obligate nutritional symbioses and feeding from parenchyma. Similarly, no enrichment occurred in development genes in relation to viviparity. However, phylloxera evolved > 2700 unique genes that resemble putative effectors and are active during feeding. Population sequencing revealed the global invasion began from the upper Mississippi River in North America, spread to Europe and from there to the rest of the world. CONCLUSIONS: The grape phylloxera genome reveals genetic architecture relative to the evolution of nutritional endosymbiosis, viviparity, and herbivory. The extraordinary expansion in effector genes also suggests novel adaptations to plant feeding and how insects induce complex plant phenotypes, for instance galls. Finally, our understanding of the origin of this invasive species and its genome provide genetics resources to alleviate rootstock bottlenecks restricting the advancement of viticulture.

Expression Analysis of Pyrenophora teres f. maculata-Responsive Loci in Hordeum vulgare

Abstract Pyrenophora teres f. maculata is the causal agent of barley spot form net blotch (SFNB), a major stubble-borne disease in many barley-growing areas worldwide. In plants, the Nucleotide-Binding Site-Leucine-Rich Repeat (NBS-LRR) gene family functions in immunity against a variety of pathogens and pests. From a pre-established set of NBS-type resistance gene candidates, we have selected three candidate genes, HvNBS10, HvNBS72 and HvNBS85, to analyze their possible involvement in P. teres f. maculata resistance. The studied genes were mapped on chromosomes 5H and 7H. Expression profiles using qRT-PCR, 48 hours after infection by P. teres. f. maculata, revealed that the transcription of all genes acted in the same direction (down-regulation) in both resistant and susceptible cultivars, although they showed a variation in transcript dosage. This result suggests that coordinated transcriptional responses of multiple barley NBS genes would be required to an efficient response against P. teres f. maculata. Moreover, the phylogenetic analysis revealed that the studied barley candidate R genes were characterized by a high homology with the barley Nbs2-Rdg2a gene conferring resistance to the fungus Pyrenophora graminea, suggesting a common origin of P. graminea and P. teres resistance genes in barley, following pathogens evolution. The genes characterized in the present study hold potential in elucidating the molecular pathways and developing novel markers associated with SFNB resistance in barley.

Phylogeny and Classification of Human Papillomavirus (HPV)16 and HPV18 Variants Based on E6 and L1 genes in Tunisian Women with Cervical Lesions

Background: High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types are the main etiological factors for cervical cancer. HPV16 and HPV18 are generally the most common forms associated with development of high-grade cervical lesions. This study was undertaken to identify intratypic variants of HPV16 and HPV18 among women with cervical lesions in Tunisia. Materials and Methods: DNA was extracted from cervical samples collected from 49 women. using a PureLinkTM Genomic DNA mini Kit (Invitrogen). E6 and L1 open reading frames (ORF) were amplified by PCR and viral DNA amplicons were subjected to automated sequencing using Big Dye Terminators technology (Applied Biosystems). The obtained sequences were analyzed using an appropriate software program to allow phylogenetic trees to be generated. Results: HPV16 and HPV18 were detected in 15 and 5 cases, respectively. HPV16 E6 sequences clustered with the European German lineage (A2) whereas one isolate diverged differently in the L1 region and clustered with the African sub-lineage (B1). HPV 18 E6 sequences clustered with the European sub-lineage (A1) but L1 sequences clustered as a new clade which diverged from A1-A5. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the distribution of HPV16 and HPV18 sequences in women with cervical lesions in Tunisia is mainly related to European epidemiological conditions and point to the presence of recombinant HPV forms.

Genome-wide identification, characterization, and evolutionary analysis of NBS-encoding resistance genes in barley.

In this study, a systematic analysis of Nucleotide-Binding Site (NBS) disease resistance (R) gene family in the barley, Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Bowman, genome was performed. Using multiple computational analyses, we could identify 96 regular NBS-encoding genes and characterize them on the bases of structural diversity, conserved protein signatures, genomic distribution, gene duplications, differential expression, selection pressure, codon usage, regulation by microRNAs and phylogenetic relationships. Depending on the presence or absence of CC and LRR domains; the identified NBS genes were assigned to four distinct groups; NBS-LRR (53.1%), CC-NBS-LRR (14.6%), NBS (26%), and CC-NBS (6.3%). NBS-associated domain analysis revealed the presence of signal peptides, zinc fingers, diverse kinases, and other structural features. Eighty-five of the identified NBS-encoding genes were mapped onto the seven barley chromosomes, revealing that 50% of them were located on chromosomes 7H, 2H, and 3H, with a tendency of NBS genes to be clustered in the distal telomeric regions of the barley chromosomes. Nine gene clusters, representing 22.35% of total mapped barley NBS-encoding genes, were found, suggesting that tandem duplication stands for an important mechanism in the expansion of this gene family in barley. Phylogenetic analysis determined 31 HvNBS orthologs from rice and Brachypodium. 87 out of 96 HvNBSs were supported by expression evidence, exhibiting various and quantitatively uneven expression patterns across distinct tissues, organs, and development stages. Fourteen potential miRNA-R gene target pairs were further identified, providing insight into the regulation of NBS genes expression. These findings offer candidate target genes to engineer disease-resistant barley genotypes, and promote our understanding of the evolution of NBS-encoding genes in Poaceae crops.

Antioxidant Activity and Protective Effect of Carob Honey in CCl4-induced Kidney and Liver Injury.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Various honey samples exhibited protective effect against drug and chemical induced toxicity. The study was designed to determine the antioxidant content and activity of carob honey and to investigate its hepato-renal protective effect in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced kidney and liver injury in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Phenolic, flavone and flavonol in carob honey were quantified. DPPH, ABTS•+, ferric reducting antioxidant power, and total antioxidant activity were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity. Rats were used for the experiment, and received either intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 (1 mL/kg.b.wt); honey (orally, 2 g/kg.b.wt) and CCl4; or honey. Liver and kidney function parameters were assessed. Oxidative parameters including lipid peroxidation (MDA), protein carbonyl formation (PCO), advanced protein oxidation products (AOPP), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), and ascorbic acid were measured in the kidney and liver tissues. RESULTS: CCl4 caused a significant elevation of liver enzymes, lactic acid dehydrogenase, blood glucose, uric acid, blood urea and serum creatinine as compared to the control group. Also, it significantly increased MDA, PCO and AOPP level, and markedly decreased GHS, ascorbic acid, CAT and GPx in the liver and kidney tissues. These changes were significantly ameliorated by carob honey before and after CCl4 administration. Honey alone did not cause significant changes as compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The data showed for the first time that carob honey has high antioxidant content, antioxidant property, and protective effect against CCl4 induced kidney and liver toxicity by maintaining the activity of antioxidant defense system.

Positive selection and climatic effects on MHC class II gene diversity in hares (Lepus capensis) from a steep ecological gradient.

In natural populations, allelic diversity of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is commonly interpreted as resulting from positive selection in varying spatiotemporal pathogenic landscapes. Composite pathogenic landscape data are, however, rarely available. We studied the spatial distribution of allelic diversity at two MHC class II loci (DQA, DQB) in hares, Lepus capensis, along a steep ecological gradient in North Africa and tested the role of climatic parameters for the spatial distribution of DQA and DQB proteins. Climatic parameters were considered to reflect to some extent pathogenic landscape variation. We investigated historical and contemporary forces that have shaped the variability at both genes, and tested for differential selective pressure across the ecological gradient by comparing allelic variation at MHC and neutral loci. We found positive selection on both MHC loci and significantly decreasing diversity from North to South Tunisia. Our multinomial linear models revealed significant effects of geographical positions that were correlated with mean annual temperature and precipitation on the occurrence of protein variants, but no effects of co-occurring DQA or DQB proteins, respectively. Diversifying selection, recombination, adaptation to local pathogenic landscapes (supposedly reflected by climate parameters) and neutral demographic processes have shaped the observed MHC diversity and differentiation patterns.

Genetic diversity of the toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) in hare (Lepus capensis) populations from Tunisia.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a major group of proteins that recognize molecular components of infectious agents, known as pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). The structure of these genes is similar and characterized by the presence of an ectodomain, a signal transmembrane segment and a highly conserved cytoplasmic domain. The latter domain is homologous to the human interleukin-1 receptor (IL1R) and human IL-18 receptor (IL-18R) and designated TIR domain. The latter domain of the TLR genes was suggested to be very conservative and its evolution is driven by purifying selection. Variability and evolution of the TIR sequences of TLR2 gene were studied in three hare populations from Tunisia with different ecological characteristics (NT-North Tunisia with Mediterranean, CT-Central Tunisia with semi-arid, and ST-South Tunisia with arid climate). Sequencing of a 372bp fragment of TIR2 revealed 25 alleles among 110 hares. Twenty variable nucleotide positions were detected, of which 7 were non-synonymous. The highest variability was observed in CT, with 16 polymorphic positions. In ST, only 4 polymorphic nucleotide positions were detected with all diversity values lower than those recorded for the other two populations. By using several approaches, no positive selection was detected. However, evidence of purifying selection was found at two positions. The logistic models of the most common TIR2 protein variant that we run to examine whether its occurrence was affected by climatic variation independent of the geographic sample location suggested only a longitudinal effect. Finally, the mapping of the non-synonymous mutations to the inferred tertiary protein structure showed that they were all localized in the different loop regions. Among all non-synonymous substitutions, three were suggested to be deleterious as evidenced by PROVEAN analysis. The observed patterns of variability characterized by low genetic diversity in ST might suggest that the TIR region was more affected, than other markers, by genetic drift or/and that these patterns were shaped by different selective pressures under different ecological conditions. Notably, this low diversity was not detected by other (putatively neutral) microsatellite markers analysed in the course of other studies. But low diversity was also found for two MHC class II adaptive immune genes. As expected from functionally important regions, the evolution of the TIR2 domain is mainly driven by purifying selection. However, the occurrence of deleterious non-synonymous substitutions might highlight the flexible evolution of the TIR genes and/or their interactions with other proteins.

Citrus limon from Tunisia: Phytochemical and Physicochemical Properties and Biological Activities.

Natural plant extracts contain a variety of phenolic compounds which are assigned various biological activities. Our work aims to make a quantitative and qualitative characterization of the Zest (ZL) and the Flesh (FL) of lemon (Citrus limon), to valorize the pharmacological uses of lemon, by evaluating in vitro activities (DPPH, free radical scavenging and reducing power). The antibacterial, antifungal, and antiproliferative activities were sought in the ability of Citrus limon extracts to protect DNA and protein. We found that the ZL contains high amounts of phenolics responsible for the important antioxidant properties of the extract. However, the FL is richer in flavonoids than the ZL. The FL extract was also found to be more effective than the ZL in protecting plasmid DNA against the strand breakage induced by hydroxyl radicals. We also concluded that the FL extract exhibited potent antibacterial activity unlike ZL. Analysis by LC/MS-MS identified 6 compounds (Caffeoyl N-Tryptophan, Hydroxycinnamoyl-Oglucoside acid, Vicenin 2, Eriocitrin, Kaempferol-3-O- rutinoside, and Quercetin-3-rutinoside). These preliminary results showed that Citrus limon has antibacterial and antioxidant activity in vitro. It would be interesting to conduct further studies to evaluate the in vivo potential in an animal model.

Ceratonia siliqua honeys from Morocco: Physicochemical properties, mineral contents, and antioxidant activities.

Physicochemical properties, main mineral content, and antioxidant activity were determined for eight floral carob honeys collected from different geographical regions of Morocco. Moroccan honeys showed good chemical and nutritional qualities, fulfilling the criteria described in the standard codex for honey. The percentages obtained for ashes were (0.13-0.69%), electrical conductivity (0.36-1.35 mS/cm), water content (17.30-22.80%), pH (4.17-5.05), free acidity (11.0-42.50 meq/kg), lactone acidity (4.0-16.50 meq/kg), and for total acidity (16.50-59.50 meq/kg). In addition, minerals such as K, Na, Mg, Cu, Zn, and Ca of honey samples were determined and potassium was the major mineral in all samples. The antioxidant activities based on the free radical scavenging, reducing power, and total antioxidant activity were investigated, and the antioxidant capacity of the honey samples was correlated with their biochemical constituents such as total phenol and flavonoids content, and the best antioxidant capacity was confirmed by the honey from Taounate.

Occurrence of target-site resistance to neonicotinoids in the aphid Myzus persicae in Tunisia, and its status on different host plants.

BACKGROUND: The R81T mutation conferring target-site resistance to neonicotinoid insecticides in Myzus persicae was first detected in France and has since spread across much of southern Europe. In response to recent claims of control failure with neonicotinoids in Tunisia, we have used a molecular assay to investigate the presence and distribution of this target-site mutation in samples collected from six locations and six crops attacked by M. persicae. RESULTS: The resistance allele containing R81T was present at substantial frequencies (32-55%) in aphids collected between 2014 and 2016 from northern Tunisia but was much rarer further south. It occurred in aphids collected from the aphid's primary host (peach) and four secondary crop hosts (potato, pepper, tomato and melon). Its absence in aphids from tobacco highlights complexities in the systematics of M. persicae that require further investigation. CONCLUSION: This first report of R81T from North Africa reflects a continuing expansion of its range around the Mediterranean Basin, although it remains unrecorded elsewhere in the world. Loss of efficacy of neonicotinoids presents a serious threat to the sustainability of aphid control. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Assessment of the potential of the multi-enzyme producer Bacillus amyloliquefaciens US573 as alternative feed additive.

BACKGROUND: Recently, probiotics have increasingly been used as feed additives in poultry diets as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters fostering resistance development. RESULTS: This study was aimed at assessing the potential of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens US573 as a direct-fed microbial. The US573 strain was found to be free of harmful enzymatic activities and sensitive to antibiotics. In addition, it showed a good acid and bovine bile tolerance, high adhesion efficacy to chicken enterocytes, and an ability to form biofilms, which may favor its survival and persistence in the animal gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, besides the previously described extremely salt-tolerant and highly thermostable phytase, the US573 strain secretes xylanase, ß-glucanase and amylase activities useful in neutralizing antinutritional factors and maximizing the absorption of nutrients. The secretion of such enzymes may be responsible for the good performance of the US573 isolate in the digestibility of wheat in vitro. Indeed, using the vegetative cells, a yield of wheat dry matter digestibility of approximately 48% was achieved, which is slightly lower than the commercial feed additive Rovabio used as a reference (56.73% digestibility). CONCLUSION: The obtained results illustrate the potential of US573 strain as a promising direct-fed microbial candidate for application in the poultry industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Diversity and evolution of mariner-like elements in aphid genomes.

BACKGROUND: Although transposons have been identified in almost all organisms, genome-wide information on mariner elements in Aphididae remains unknown. Genomes of Acyrthosiphon pisum, Diuraphis noxia and Myzus persicae belonging to the Macrosiphini tribe, actually available in databases, have been investigated. RESULTS: A total of 22 lineages were identified. Classification and phylogenetic analysis indicated that they were subdivided into three monophyletic groups, each of them containing at least one putative complete sequence, and several non-autonomous sublineages corresponding to Miniature Inverted-Repeat Transposable Elements (MITE), probably generated by internal deletions. A high proportion of truncated and dead copies was also detected. The three clusters can be defined from their catalytic site: (i) mariner DD34D, including three subgroups of the irritans subfamily (Macrosiphinimar, Batmar-like elements and Dnomar-like elements); (ii) rosa DD41D, found in A. pisum and D. noxia; (iii) a new clade which differs from rosa through long TIRs and thus designated LTIR-like elements. Based on its catalytic domain, this new clade is subdivided into DD40D and DD41D subgroups. Compared to other Tc1/mariner superfamily sequences, rosa DD41D and LTIR DD40-41D seem more related to maT DD37D family. CONCLUSION: Overall, our results reveal three clades belonging to the irritans subfamily, rosa and new LTIR-like elements. Data on structure and specific distribution of these transposable elements in the Macrosiphini tribe contribute to the understanding of their evolutionary history and to that of their hosts.

Extraction optimization and in vitro and in vivo anti-postprandial hyperglycemia effects of inhibitor from Phoenix dactylifera L. parthenocarpic fruit.

Phoenix dactylifera L. plays an important role in social, economic, and ecological Tunisian sectors. Some date palms produce parthenocarpic fruit named Sish. The aqueous ethanolic extract from P. dactylifera parthenocarpic dates demonstrated a potent inhibition of the enzymes related to type II diabetes. In this work, extraction optimization of amylase inhibitors was carried out using Box-Behnken Design. Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the 70% aqueous ethanol extract was performed to identify the active compounds. The physicochemical results by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis showed the presence of 13 phenolic compounds. The in vitro study showed that the extract exhibited a more specific inhibitor of α-glucosidase than α-amylase with an IC50 value of 0.6 and 2.5mg/mL, respectively. The in vivo study of this extract effect on the postprandial hyperglycemia activity showed a decrease in plasma glucose levels after 30min stronger than the Acarbose effect. These results confirmed the anti-postprandial hyperglycemia activity of the aqueous ethanolic extract from P. dactylifera parthenocarpic dates, which could lend support for its pharmaceutical use.

Molecular Evolution of piggyBac Superfamily: From Selfishness to Domestication.

The piggyBac transposable element was originally isolated from the cabbage looper moth, Trichoplusia ni, in the 1980s. Despite its early discovery and specificity compared to the other Class II elements, the diversity and evolution of this superfamily have been only partially analyzed. Two main types of elements can be distinguished: the piggyBac-like elements (PBLE) with terminal inverted repeats, untranslated region, and an open reading frame encoding a transposase, and the piggyBac-derived sequences (PGBD), containing a sequence derived from a piggyBac transposase, and which correspond to domesticated elements. To define the distribution, their structural diversity and phylogenetic relationships, analyses were conducted using known PBLE and PGBD sequences to scan databases. From this data mining, numerous new sequences were characterized (50 for PBLE and 396 for PGBD). Structural analyses suggest that four groups of PBLE can be defined according to the presence/absence of sub-terminal repeats. The transposase is characterized by highly variable catalytic domain and C-terminal region. There is no relationship between the structural groups and the phylogeny of these PBLE elements. The PGBD are clearly structured into nine main groups. A new group of domesticated elements is suspected in Neopterygii and the remaining eight previously described elements have been investigated in more detail. In all cases, these sequences are no longer transposable elements, the catalytic domain of the ancestral transposase is not always conserved, but they are under strong purifying selection. The phylogeny of both PBLE and PGBD suggests multiple and independent domestication events of PGBD from different PBLE ancestors.

Antimicrobial effect of the Tunisian Nana variety Punica granatum L. extracts against Salmonella enterica (serovars Kentucky and Enteritidis) isolated from chicken meat and phenolic composition of its peel extract.

Punica granatum L. is widely recognized for its potency against a broad spectrum of bacterial pathogens. The purpose of this study was to explore the inhibitory and the bactericidal activities of Punica granatum against Salmonella strains. The effect of extracts obtained from different parts (peels, seeds, juice and flowers) of pomegranate and using different solvents against Salmonella enterica serovars Kentucky and Enteritidis isolated from chicken meat was thus investigated. Salmonella strains were identified with the standard API-20E system and confirmed by real time PCR. The obtained results showed that the highest antibacterial activity against Salmonella strains was observed with the peels ethanolic extract giving MIC values ranging from 10.75 to 12.5mg/mL. The ethanolic extract of P. granatum Nana peels at 0.8 and 1.6mg/g significantly inhibited the growth of Salmonella Kentucky in chicken meat stored at 4°C. The phenolic composition of the ethanolic peel extract was explored by HPLC coupled to both DAD and ESI/TOF-MS detections. The obtained results allowed the detection of 21 phytochemical compounds among which various phenolic compounds have been identified on the basis of their UV and MS spectra as well as with literature data. Among the detected compounds, anthocyanins, ellagitannins, ellagic acid derivatives and flavanols were further characterized through MS-MS analysis. Our results showed thus that the Tunisian variety Nana pomegranate constitutes a good source of bioactive compounds with potent antimicrobial activity on the growth of Salmonella strains suggesting that the studied pomegranate cultivar could be a natural remedy to minimize the emergence of Salmonella enterica strains which is often involved in food borne illness.

Evaluation of anti-diabetic and anti-tumoral activities of bioactive compounds from Phoenix dactylifera L's leaf: In vitro and in vivo approach.

Among various chronic disorders, cancer and diabetes mellitus are the most common disorders. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of hydroalcoholic extract of Phoenix dactylifera L. leaves (HEPdL) in animal models of type II diabetes in vitro/in vivo and in a human melanoma-derived cell line (IGR-39). A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis was also performed to determine the amount of phenolic and flavonoid compounds in this plant. The physicochemical results by LC-MS/MS analysis of HEPdL showed the presence of 10 phenolic compounds. The in vitro study showed that the extract exhibited a more specific and potent inhibitor of α-glucosidase than α-amylase with an IC50 value of 20±1µg/mL and 30±0.8µg/mL, respectively. More importantly, the in vivo study of the postprandial hyperglycemia activity with (20mg/kg) of HEPdL showed a decrease in plasma glucose levels after 60min in resemblance to the glucor (acarbose) (50mg/kg) effect. The oral administration of HEPdL (20mg/kg) in alloxan-induced diabetic mices for 28days showed a more significant anti-diabetic activity than that of the drug (50mg/kg). Moreover, cytotoxicity effects of HEPdL in IGR-39 cancer cell lines were tested by MTT assay. This extract was effective in inhibiting cancer cells growth (IGR-39) at dose 35 and 75µg/mL. These results confirm ethnopharmacological significance of the plant and could be taken further for the development of an effective pharmaceutical drug against diabetes and cancer.