Percorrer por autor "Adouni, Khaoula"
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- Preclinical evaluation of asparagus stipularis in a rat model of metabolic syndrome and development of its nanoencapsulated formPublication . Adouni, Khaoula; Zouaoui, Olfa; Brandão, Pedro; Rijo, Patrícia; Lima, Sofia A. Costa; Reis, Salette; Achour, Lotfi; Fonte, PedroContext: Asparagus stipularis Forssk decoction (ASD) has shown potential metabolic and antioxidant benefits, yet its effects on pancreatic dysfunction associated with metabolic syndrome remain insufficiently explored. Objective: The aim of this work was to assess the pancreatic protective properties of ASD in high-fructose diet (HFrD)-fed rats and to characterize ASD-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) as a delivery system to enhance its therapeutic potential. Methods: Rats were fed an HFrD and treated with ASD at two dose levels. Serum α-amylase and lipase activities were measured to assess digestive enzyme modulation. Pancreatic lipid peroxidation was quantified using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), while antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, were determined. Histopathological examination was performed to evaluate structural alterations in pancreatic tissues. ASD was encapsulated into PLGA NPs, and particle size, polydispersity index (PdI), zeta potential (ZP), and encapsulation efficiency (EE) were analyzed. Results: ASD significantly reduced serum α-amylase activity to 2285.3 ± 256.6U/L (low dose) and 1846.4 ± 82.8U/L (high dose) compared to HFrD controls. Serum lipase activity decreased by 13% and 18% at the respective doses. TBARS levels were markedly reduced, and antioxidant enzyme activities were restored to near-control levels. Histological analysis revealed improved β-cell morphology and reduced acinar degeneration. ASD-loaded PLGA NPs exhibited a mean size of 248 ± 5nm, PdI of 0.13 ± 0.01, ZP of −24.7 ± 1.3mV, and an EE of 75.5 ± 3.2%. Conclusion: ASD demonstrates significant pancreatic protective effects, and nanoencapsulation enhances its therapeutic promise for metabolic disorders.
- Roots and rhizomes of wild Asparagus: nutritional composition, bioactivity and nanoencapsulation of the most potent extractPublication . Adouni, Khaoula; Júlio, Ana; Santos-Buelga, Celestino; González-Paramás, Ana M.; Filipe, Patrícia; Rijo, Patricia; Costa Lima, Sofia A.; Reis, Salette; Fernandes, Ângela; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Fernández-Ruiz, Virginia; Morales, Patricia; Flamini, Guido; Achour, Lotfi; Fonte, PedroThe nutritional composition and bioactive properties of roots and rhizomes of Asparagus stipularis were evalu- ated. Antioxidant activity of extracts obtained by infusion was evaluated using free radicals scavenging and reducing power methods. Porcine liver primary cell was used to check the hepatotoxicity of infusions. Results revealed that Asparagus samples are likely a source of nutrients, such as dietary fibre and essential fatty acids. HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS characterization of infusions allowed the identification and quantitation of 7 phenolic compounds, all hydroxycinnamoyl derivatives, with caffeic acid as the most abundant. Roots infusion contained the highest amounts of these compounds. It also exhibited the highest antioxidant activity in all assays, with EC50 values of 0.44 ± 0.01, 0.98 ± 0.03 and 0.64 ± 0.01 mg/mL for DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays, respectively, with no toxicity towards PLP2 primary cell cultures (GI50 > 400 μg/mL). PLGA nanoparticles loaded with root extract were prepared using solvent-evaporation double emulsion method. Nanoparticles size was about 260 nm and a polydispersity index around 0.1, with a zeta potential of about -36 mV, as well as a good encapsulation efficiency of approximately 83%. Their morphology was analysed by SEM and spherical polymeric nanoparticles with a smooth surface were observed. FTIR and DSC were also performed, which allowed corroborating the efficacy of the encapsulation and to confirm the production of a stable and robust system to load Asparagus extracts. The developed nanoparticles are expected to be used as delivery systems for bioactive compounds of A. stipularis and they could be used as an innovative dietary supplement.