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Medicinal and aromatic plants represent an outstanding source of green active ingredients for a broad range of real-world applications. In the present study, we investigated the insecticidal potential of the essential oils obtained from three medicinal and aromatic plants of economic importance in Algeria, Artemisia campestris, Pulicaria arabica, and Saccocalyx satureioides. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to study the essential oil chemical compositions. The three essential oils were tested against a mosquito vectoring filariasis and arboviruses, i.e., Culex quinquefasciatus, a fly pest acting also as pathogens vector, Musca domestica, and an agricultural moth pest, i.e., Spodoptera littoralis, using WHO and topical application methods, respectively. The essential oil from A. campestris, containing β-pinene (15.2%), α-pinene (11.2%), myrcene (10.3%), germacrene D (9.0%) (Z)-β-ocimene (8.1%) and γ-curcumene (6.4%), showed remarkable toxicity against C. quinquefasciatus (LC 50 of 45.8 mg L −1) and moderate effects (LD 50 of 99.8 μg adult −1) against M. domestica. Those from P. arabica and S. satureioides, containing epi-α-cadinol (23.9%), δ-cadinene (21.1%), α-cadinol (19.8%) and germacrene D-4-ol (8.4%), and thymol (25.6%), α-terpineol (24.6%), borneol (17.4%) and p-cymene (11.4%), respectively, were more active on S. littoralis showing LD 50 values of 68.9 and 61.2 μg larva −1 , respectively. Based on our results, the essential oil from A. campestris may be further considered a candidate ingredient for developing botanical larvicides.

Research ArticleHPLC analysis, anti HPLC analysis, anti HPLC analysis, anti---oxidant activity oxidant activity oxidant activity of of of Genista ferox Genista ferox Genista ferox and its anti and its anti and its anti---proliferative effect proliferative effect proliferative effect in in in HeLa HeLa HeLa cell cell cell line line line BJP IntroductionPlants used in ancient times as medicines to alleviate symptoms of various ailments (Saeed et al., 2012). In spite of the great progress in modern medicine in recent decades, but the herbal medicine still make an important contribution in the health care. Many medicinal and aromatic plants contain huge amounts of antioxidants such as polyphenols. These substances can have an important role in the absorption and neutralize free radicals, and the extinction of the shirt and triple oxygen or peroxide decomposing. Many of these phytochemicals have anti-oxidant capabilities so they contribute significantly to the fight against many human diseases and thus contribute to the reduction of mortality (Djeridane et al., 2006). Phenolic compounds such as flavonoids and phenolic acids have different biological effects, such as the effects of anti-atherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer, as a result of the anti-oxidant activity (Krishnaiah et al., 2011).The Fabaceae family contains approximately 700 genera, in Algeria there are about 53 genera and 337 species (Quezel and Santa, 1963). Genista genus has about 150 species in Europe and the Mediterranean region (RE, 1987). A literature survey shows that this genus is a good source of phenolic compounds, in particular isoflavonoids, which are known for their diverse biological activities. The recent studies on the species of the Genista genus showed pharmacological interest (Belle et al., 1995;Herrera et al., 1992).In the present study, the qualitative and quantitative analysis, the identification and quantification of phenolic acids and flavonoids in chloroform, ethyl AbstractThe prevention and treatment of the cancer using plants have attracted increasing interest. The present study was aimed to determine the phenolic compounds of Genista ferox using HPLC-TOF/MS and the anti-oxidant activity associated with anti-cancer activity against human cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa) cell line. Total anti-oxidant capacities of different extracts of G. ferox were assessed by DPPH assay, and their total phenolic and flavonoids contents measured by Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum trichloride assays. The amounts of total phenolic (105.2 ± 0.6 -308.5 ± 5.7 mg/g) of extract measured as gallic acid equivalent and flavonoids (8.1 ± 0.1 -124.0 ± 0.7 mg/g) of extract measured as quercetin equivalent varied from chloroform to n-butanol extract of the two parts of the plant (leaf and stem). The ethyl acetate extract of G. ferox exhibited the most powerful effect on the DPPH scavenging activity with 94% from the leaf and 93% from the stem, while the chloroform extract from the leaf exhibited the most effective anti-proliferative activity against H...

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Background/Aim:This work aimed an ethnobatanical study on the galactogenic plants used in the Berhoum region (East of M’sila, Algeria) as a part of different studies on the medicinal plants related to M’sila region.Methods:The fieldwork was undertaken as an ethnobotanical survey involving 76 informants (mean age: 50; 64% women, 36% men). Used the medicinal plants were identified, and the results were analyzed according to literature investigation dealing with ethnobotany. Use value (UV), fidelity level, and informant consensus factor (ICF) were used to analyze the obtained data.Results:A total of 29 plant species belonging to 29 genera and 12 families (mainly, Apiaceae and Fabaceae) have been registered. Fruits and seeds were the most commonly used plant parts (80%). The used plants are mainly prepared as an infusion and decoction (69%). Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (UV = 0.58) were the species most commonly used by local healers. The FIC factors ranging from 0.45 to 0.89 for the six uses categories retained for this study. The ICF (0.65) was registered for the use galactogenic category with 29 species.Conclusion:This work showed that the population of the Berhoum District uses various medicinal plants for galactogenic purposes. Furthermore, ethnobotanical analysis will provide data on sustainable use and valorization of this plant heritage for ethnopharmacological and phytochemical studies.

The phytochemical investigation of both chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts of Centaurea microcarpa Coss. & Dur. led to the isolation of a new cyanogenicglucoside 6'-methacrylate prunasin (3) together with seven known compounds: hydroxy-11β,13-dihydro onopordaldehyde (1), β-sitosterol (2), daucosterol (4), nepetin (5), prunasin (6), astragalin (7) and 7-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl centaureidin (8). Their structures were established by spectral analysis, mainly UV, IR, ESI-MS, 1D & 2D-NMR experiments (COSY, HSQC, HMBC and ROESY).

The study was performed on the dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EAc) and n-butanol (Bu) fractions (F) obtained from the 80% ethanol extract of Linaria scariosa Desf. aerial parts, collected in the North Eastern region of Algeria. Remarkable total phenolic and flavonoid contents were obtained, mainly for EAcF. These results were in accordance with the antioxidant activity of EAcF against DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC and reducing power tests.DCMF and BuF exhibited significant cholinesterase activity inhibition of BChE and AChE.Moreover, EAcF displayed only moderate antibacterial activities, especially against S. aureus.The biological results were correlated to the chemical components, deduced by both GC-MS analysis of the fractions and the isolation of hemipholin, pectolinarigenin, antirride, antirrinoside, pectolinarin and linarioside, some of which known to exhibit potent effects on the tested biological activities. The study provides the first biological and chemical investigation on Linaria scariosa Desf (unresolved name).

The study of phytotherapy in dentistry holds great relevance because of the scarcity of research conducted on the treatment of oral pathologies, specifically, caries and periodontal disease. Therefore, this research aimed to analyze the chemical composition of extracts from Couroupita guianensis Aubl. leaves, evaluate their toxicity, and assess their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, and Candida albicans. Three extracts were prepared using assisted ultrasound and the Soxhlet apparatus, namely, Crude Ultrasound Extract (CUE), Crude Soxhlet Extract (CSE), and the Ethanol Soxhlet Extract (ESE). Flavonoids, tannins, and saponins were detected in the chemical analysis, while LC-DAD analysis revealed the presence of caffeic acid, sinapic acid, rutin, quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, and apigenin in all extracts. GC-MS analysis identified stigmasterol and β-sitosterol in the CUE and CSE. The ESE showed higher antioxidant activity (2.98 ± 0.96 and 4.93 ± 0.90) determined by the DPPH• and ABTS•+ methods, respectively. In the toxicity evaluation, the CUE at 50 μg/mL and the ESE at 50 μg/mL stimulated the growth of Allium cepa roots, while all extracts inhibited root growth at 750 μg/mL. None of the extracts exhibited toxicity against Artemia salina. Antibacterial activity was observed in all extracts, particularly against the microorganisms S. aureus and S. mutans. However, no antifungal activity against C. albicans was detected. These results suggest that extracts of C. guianensis have therapeutic potential for controlling microorganisms in the oral microbiota.