This study was conducted to search for xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitors from the root extracts of Tamus communis L. traditionally used in folk medicine in Algeria. Root extracts with different solvents were screened for purified milk xanthine oxidase inhibition. The root extracts (methanol, chloroform and ethyl acetate) and proteins, obtained in distilled water, inhibited bovine, sheep and human milk XO from three species in a concentration-dependent manner, with an additional superoxide scavenging capacity, which reached its highest level with ethyl acetate extract (IC(50) = 0.15, 0.04 and 0.09 g/L) for bovine XO, sheep XO and human XO, respectively. The antioxidant potential was confirmed with the non-enzymatic method, total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP) assay, which showed that the Tamus communis L. extracts have a potential antioxidant activity in the same order obtained by using the reduction of cytochrome c, an enzymatic method, in which the antioxidant activity followed a decreasing order: ethyl acetate extract > chloroform extract > protein.
Since a long time, Leishmania major and L. infantum foci in Algeria were geographically separated by the mountains of the Tell Atlas which represent a natural barrier. Recently, a new focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has emerged in the village of El M'hir, located on the north side of the chain of the Tell Atlas, in the basin of the Soummam. During the period 2004-2010, 152 CL cases have been registered and 12 isolates were obtained from patients who declared never having been outside the village the last years. The identification of the parasites showed that all strains belonged to L major MON-25. Investigations on the reservoir hosts showed the presence of the sand rat (Psammomys obesus), for the first time, in this locality. Five strains isolated from this rodent belonged to L. major MON-25. The sand rat, which is usually observed around the chotts in the Saharan and steppe areas, acts as the main reservoir of L. major in Algeria. Its presence in the new focus of El M'hir is reported for the first time. Entomological surveys carried out in 2009 showed the predominance of two sandfly species: Phlebotomus papatasi and P. perniciosus. The first one is known as a vector of L major in the Algerian Sahara. This study highlights the spread of L. major from the arid zones towards the semi arid areas, particularly in the Soummam valley. Climate changes and desertification observed in the steppe area northern Sahara could play a role in the extension of the disease.
Capparis spinosa aerial part and root extracts were prepared using solvents of varying polarity. Results showed that ethyl acetate extract (EAE) of the aerial part contains the highest concentration of phenolic compounds and flavonoids followed by the chloroform extract (CHE) of roots. The enzymatic methods were realised by the production of uric acid and reduction of cytochrome c. Result showed that all plant extracts were effective either in inhibiting the activity of XO or Cyt C. The IC50 ranges from 0.0226 ± 0.00019 to 4.32 ± 0.15g/l. The non enzymatic methods were conducted using in vitro techniques: In DPPH test, the radical scavenging activity for the root and aerial part extracts decreased in the following order CHE> EAE> CE and EAE> CE> CHE, respectively. In general the aerial part extracts had an antioxidant activity through ß-carotene-linoleate model system and ferric reducing ability greater than that of root part. In conclusion, Capparis spinosa appears to be a valuable plant and could be used to treat conditions where inhibition of XOR and free-radicals scavenging action are warranted.
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