Effect of regional disparities and solvent variations on the phenolic composition, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial efficacy of Cupressus sempervirens extracts.

The ethyl acetate, ethanol, methanol, and water extracts of cypress from three Tunisian regions (Bizerte, Ben Arous, and Nabeul) were reported for their phenolic content, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities. Cypress extract had an important antiradical and antibacterial potential which was strongly related to the organoleptic quality of the extract which appeared strongly region dependent. The highest contents of polyphenols were obtained in the methanol extract at the region of Bizerte (315.75 mg GAE/g DW). Cupressuflavone was the major compound with high proportions in methanol extract of Bizerte (68%). Amentoflavone also constituted an important flavonoid compound presented in higher proportion in the ethyl acetate extract of Ben Arous (21.2%). For Gram-positive bacteria strains, Staphylococcus aureus was sensitive to the ethanol extract of Nabeul with IZ = 40 mm. This study suggests cypress as potential natural source of antioxidants and antibacterial agents.

Potential bio-functional properties of Citrus aurantium L. leaf: chemical composition, antiviral activity on herpes simplex virus type-1, antiproliferative effects on human lung and colon cancer cells and oxidative protection.

This study examined the antioxidant, anticancer and antiviral properties of the methanolic extracts from bigarade (Citrus aurantium L.) leaves at two development stages. Ferulic acid, naringin and naringenin were the principal phenolic components of young and old leaves. The highest total antioxidant capacity was obtained in young leaf extracts (YLE). These latter also exhibited the highest antiradical DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) activities, while the highest iron chelating and reducing power activities were observed in old leaf extracts (OLE). The potent anticancer activity was observed in YLE for human lung carcinoma (A-549) and in OLE for colon adenocarcinoma (DLD-1) cells. YLE showed the highest virucidal effects as compared to OLE and the positive control acyclovir against herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) propagation in Vero cells during the absorption and replication periods. The young and old leaves might be a source of natural antioxidants and protective agents against oxidative damage.

Antioxidant, antibacterial and insecticidal activities of cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.) essential oil.

The aerial parts of cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.) of three collect regions (Bizerte, Ben-Arous and Nabeul) were reported for their essential oil (EO) compositions, antioxidant, antimicrobial and insecticidal activities. Results showed that the higher EO yields were observed in Bizerte and Ben Arous (0.56%), followed by Nabeul (0.49%). The EO composition showed the predominance of α-pinene with 36.72% in Bizerte, 30.22% in Nabeul and 30% in Ben-Arous. Cypress EO of Bizerte showed higher antiradical capacity (IC50 = 55 µg/mL) than Ben-Arous (IC50 = 97.50 µg/mL) and Nabeul (IC50 = 155 µg/mL). E. faecalis was the most sensitive strain to cypress EO of Bizerte with the largest inhibition zone (IZ = 65 mm). Regarding the insecticidal activity, cypress EO of Bizerte had the highest mortality of Tribolium castaneum with a lethal concentration of LC50 = 164.3 µL/L air after 24 h exposure.

Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities of Lycium europaeum fruits.

Lycium europaeum is used as a medicinal herb in many countries. In this study, cyclohexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water were used as solvents in the extraction of L. europaeum fruits. The contents of total phenolics, total flavonoids, total tannins and condensed tannins as well as the biological activities of these extracts were investigated using various in vitro and ex vivo assays. Results showed that all solvent extracts of L. europaeum had no anticancer activity against cancerous (A-549 and DLD-1) and non-cancerous (WS-1) human cells. Methanol and ethyl acetate were the most effective solvent for extraction of phenolic compounds and also exhibited the highest antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The methanol extract of L. europaeum fruits was the richest in phenolic compounds with the predominance of ferulic acid, catechin and narengin. These results supported the use of L. europaeum fruit as natural source of bioactive compound for pharmaceutical applications.

Phytochemicals and antioxidant activities of Rhus tripartitum (Ucria) fruits depending on locality and different stages of maturity.

The phytochemical content (total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids, condensed tannins and phenolic composition) and the antioxidant potential of Rhus tripartitum fruits collected from different localities were screened during maturity. Significant variability was detected. HPLC analyses revealed the presence of 24 compounds with notable differences. Flavone and betulinic acid, which have numerous benefits, were the main detected compounds (more than 73%). This work highlights the importance of R. tripartitum fruits as dietary sources of natural antioxidants, and might be appropriate for the development of reliable index to estimate fruit richness with bioactive molecules.

Effect of drought on safflower natural dyes and their biological activities.

Drought is the main abiotic constraint that affects crop species behaviour regarding bio-chemical responses. The current study was conducted to examine the effect of water deficit on growth, phenolic and carotenoid contents as well as the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of two Carthamus tinctorius varieties (Jawhara and 104) flowers. Hence, plants were treated with different levels of water deficit: control (100 %), moderate water deficit (50 %) and severe water deficit (25 %). Obtained results showed that plant growth was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced under 50 %. Drought increased flower phenolic acids contents especially gallic acid where they increased significantly (p < 0.05) by 2.73 fold (104) and by 2.87 fold (Jawhara) with respect to controls under 50 %. However, the amounts of this major compound were reduced at 25 % by 9.66 % (104) and 3.83 % (Jawhara). Similar to phenolic compounds, total carotenoid content was at its highest level especially for Jawhara with an increase by 35.19 % at 50 %. On the other hands, C. tinctorius flowers extracts exhibited high antiradical activity as compared to BHT. A gradual increase by 35.29 % (Jawhara) and 33.33 % (104) especially under 25 % was observed. Moreover, under 50 %, the antimicrobial activity increased significantly (p < 0.05) by 30 % and 10.05 % against Aspergillus carbonarus and Pseudomonas aerogenosa, respectively. Taken together, our findings suggest that C. tinctorius could be a raw material for production of natural dyes under moderate salinity conditions.