Browsing by Author "Boutoub, Oumaima"
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- Antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibitory potential of Euphorbia resinifera and E. officinarum honeys from Morocco and plant aqueous extractsPublication . Boutoub, Oumaima; EL-Geundouz, Soukaina; Estevinho, Leticia M.; Paula, Vanessa B.; Aazza, Smail; El Ghadraoui, Lahsen; Rodrigues, Brígida; Raposo, Sara; Carlier, Jorge; Costa, Maria Clara; Miguel, MariaNatural products may be applied in a wide range of domains, from agriculture to food and pharmaceutical industries. In this study, the antioxidant properties and the capacity to inhibit some enzymatic activities ofEuphorbia resiniferaandEuphorbia officinarumaqueous extracts and honeys were assessed. The physicochemical characteristics were also evaluated. Higher amounts of iron, copper and aluminium were detected inE. officinarumhoney, which may indicate environmental pollution around the beehives or inadequate storage of honey samples. This honey sample showed higher amounts of total phenols and better capacity for scavenging superoxide anion free radicals and DPPH free radicals as compared withE. resiniferahoney, but poorer capacity for inhibiting lipoxygenase, acetylcholinesterase, tyrosinase and xanthine oxidase. The ratio plant mass:solvent volume (1:100) and extraction time (1 - 2 h) were associated with higher total phenols and better antioxidant activities and lipoxygenase, acetylcholinesterase and tyrosinase inhibitory activities, regardless of the plant species. The aqueous extracts had systematically higher in vitro activities than the respective honey samples.
- Biochemical characterization of Euphorbia resinifera floral cyathiaPublication . Boutoub, Oumaima; Jadhav, Sagar; Zheng, Xiongjie; El Ghadraoui, Lahsen; Al Babili, Salim; Fernie, Alisdair R.; Figueiredo, Ana Cristina; Miguel, Maria; Borghi, MonicaEuphorbia resinifera O. Berg is a plant endemic to the Northern and Central regions of Morocco known since the ancient Roman and Greek times for secreting a poisonous latex containing resiniferatoxin. However, E. resinifera pseudo -inflorescences called cyathia are devoid of laticifers and, therefore, do not secrete latex. Instead, they exudate nectar that local honey bees collect and craft into honey. Honey and cyathium water extracts find a broad range of applications in the traditional medicine of Northern Africa as ointments and water decoctions. Moreover, E. resinifera monofloral honey has received the Protected Geographic Indication certification for its outstanding qualities. Given the relevance of E. resinifera cyathia for bee nutrition, honey production, and the health benefit of cyathium-derived products, this study aimed to screen metabolites synthesized and accumulated in its pseudo -inflorescences. Our analyses revealed that E. resinifera cyathia accumulate primary metabolites in considerable abundance, including hexoses, amino acids and vitamins that honey bees may collect from nectar and craft into honey. Cyathia also synthesize volatile organic compounds of the class of benzenoids and terpenes, which are emitted by flowers pollinated by honey bees and bumblebees. Many specialized metabolites, including carotenoids, flavonoids, and polyamines, were also detected, which, while protecting the reproductive organs against abiotic stresses, also confer antioxidant properties to water decoctions. In conclusion, our analyses revealed that E. resinifera cyathia are a great source of antioxidant molecules and a good food source for the local foraging honeybees, revealing the central role of the flowers from this species in mediating interactions with local pollinators and the conferral of medicinal properties to plant extracts.
- Biological properties of latex, aqueous extracts and bee products of Euphorbia Officinarum L.: a short reviewPublication . Boutoub, Oumaima; Ghadraoui, Lahsen El; Miguel, Maria GracaEuphorbia officinarum L. is a Moroccan endemic plant known as “Tikiout” and “Daghmus” that can also be found in Mauritania, Western Sahara, and Algeria. In the present review, “Euphorbia officinarum”, “metabolites” “hemisynthesis” were the keywords used for the research in the Web search engine Google Scholar and in the database Web of Science. Triterpenes, phytosterols and ingol diterpenes were isolated and identified in the latex of Moroccan E. officinarum. More than sixty triterpenes were obtained by hemisynthesis from natural triterpenes. Some of these derivatives had insecticidal and antimicrobial activity (phytopathogenic bacteria). The total phenol content and the antioxidant and anti-α-glucosidase activities were dependent on the time and temperature of extractions and also on the plant solvent ratio. The antioxidant activity of monofloral honey of E. officinarum origin was attributed to the phenol fraction (this fraction, previously isolated from honey samples, had better activity than the entire honey).
- Chemical characterization and biological properties assessment of Euphorbia resinifera and Euphorbia officinarum Moroccan PropolisPublication . Boutoub, Oumaima; El-Guendouz, Soukaina; Matos, Isabel; El Ghadraoui, Lahsen; Costa, Maria Clara; Carlier, Jorge; Faleiro, Maria Leonor; Figueiredo, Ana Cristina; Estevinho, Letícia M.; Miguel, MariaAlthough the plants of the genus Euphorbia are largely exploited by therapists in Morocco, the composition and antibacterial activities of propolis from these plants are still unknown. To address this gap, this study aimed to characterize the pollen type, the volatile compounds, and the phenolic and mineral profiles of three Euphorbia propolis samples collected in Morocco and evaluate their antimicrobial activities. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the propolis samples was determined by the microdilution method, and the anti-adherence activity was evaluated by the crystal violet assay. The examination of anti-quorum-sensing proprieties was performed using the biosensor Chromobacterium violaceum CV026. Pollen analysis revealed that Euphorbia resinifera pollen dominated in the P1 sample (58%), while E. officinarum pollen dominated in the P2 and P3 samples (44%). The volatile compounds were primarily composed of monoterpene hydrocarbons, constituting 35% in P1 and 31% in P2, with α-pinene being the major component in both cases, at 16% in P1 and 15% in P2. Calcium (Ca) was the predominant mineral element in both E. resinifera (P1) and E. officinarum (P2 and P3) propolis samples. Higher levels of phenols, flavonoids and dihydroflavonoids were detected in the E. officinarum P2 sample. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value ranged from 50 to 450 µL/mL against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Euphorbia propolis displayed the ability to inhibit quorum sensing in the biosensor C. violaceum CV026 and disrupted bacterial biofilm formation, including that of resistant bacterial pathogens. In summary, the current study evidences the potential use of E. officinarum propolis (P2 and P3) to combat important features of resistant pathogenic bacteria, such as quorum sensing and biofilm formation.
- Comparative study of the antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities of two types of Moroccan Euphorbia entire honey and their phenolic extractsPublication . Boutoub, Oumaima; EL-GUENDOUZ, Soukaina; Manhita, Ana; Dias, Cristina Barrocas; Estevinho, Letícia M.; Paula, Vanessa B.; Carlier, Jorge; Costa, Maria Clara; Rodrigues, Brígida; Raposo, Sara; Aazza, Smail; El Ghadraoui, Lahsen; Miguel, Maria GraçaHoney is a natural food product very famous for its health benefits for being an important source of antioxidant and phenolic compounds. Euphorbia honeys obtained from different regions of Morocco were evaluated for their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase, lipoxygenase, tyrosinase and xanthine oxidase activities. Their antioxidant properties were evaluated using the: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging capacity, nitric oxide scavenging activity (NO) and scavenging ability of superoxide anion radical. Then, the phenolic extracts of the same entire honey samples were evaluated by liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection and mass spectrometry (LC-DAD-MS) and tested for the biological activities previously evaluated on the entire honeys, in order to conduct a comparative study between both (honey and phenolic extracts). The chromatographic profiles for the studied Euphorbia honey extracts were different. Phenolic compounds gallic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and p-coumaric acid were detected in all samples, whereas kampferol was only present in two samples. Physicochemical parameters and total phenolic content were also determined. Entire honey that recorded the highest rate of phenols was sample M6 (E. resinifera) = 69.25 mg GAE/100 g. On the other hand, the phenolic extracts had better antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities than the entire honeys, regardless the monofloral honey type. In conclusion, the studied Euphorbia honeys may have a great potential as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tyrosinase sources for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.
- Response surface methodology (RSM) for optimization of Euphorbia resinifera and Euphorbia officinarum extracts with antioxidant and anti-diabetic activitiesPublication . Boutoub, Oumaima; AAZZA, Smail; EL-GUENDOUZ, Soukaina; El Ghadraoui, Lahsen; Miguel, MariaBackground: Euphorbia is one of the plants most used by herbalists and therapists in Morocco. Objectives: The aerial part of two plant samples (Euphorbia resinifera and Euphorbia officinarum) collected in Morocco was examined for the solvent effect, extraction time, and plant concentration in order to determine the best extraction conditions. Materials and Methods: To achieve this goal, a response surface methodology (RSM) using a full three-level factorial design was used to optimize the conditions for the extraction of antioxidants and a-glucosidase inhibitors. Temperature, time, and plant-to-solvent ratio (PSR) and their linear and quadratic interactions on TPC (total phenol concentration), TFC (total flavonoid concentration), DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) trapping activity, and a-glucosidase inhibiting activities were studied. Results: According to desirability functions, the optimum operating conditions to achieve a higher extraction yield of phenols and higher antioxidant and anti-diabetic activity were found by using extraction during 60 min at 30 degrees C using a PSR of 20 mg/mL, whereas a longer extraction time (270 min) was needed for E. resinifera and a higher extraction temperature (50 degrees C), with a lower PSR (10 mg/mL) for E. officinarum. Conclusion: In order to find the best conditions to extract secondary metabolites with biological activity and application in phytotherapy, the appropriate solvent generally used by populations, water in this case, should be used, but the best extraction conditions have to be found in order to enhance the pharmacological actions.
- Study of chemical composition and biological activities of Euphorbia resinifera and Euphorbia officinarum and their honeysPublication . Boutoub, Oumaima; Miguel, Maria da Graça CostaEuphorbia officinarum and Euphorbia resinifera are two species found in Morocco. They have been used in traditional medicine. Reports indicate the use of Euphorbia officinarum for the treatment of wounds, skin infections and abscesses and the aerial parts of Euphorbia resinifera in combination with honey or extracts obtained by decoction have been used by patients in Morocco to treat cancer. The “Morocco Green Plan” has played an important in terms of sustainable development of the agricultural sector, helping to increase its benefit, through the promotion of specific products from different territories. One of these products is honey. Propolis (a natural substance produced by bees from plant resins, sap and other botanical sources) is beginning to attract the interest of Moroccan beekeepers thanks to its biological properties. This work does not focus on latex, but on the aerial parts of E. officinarum and E. resinifera, the inflorescence part called cyathium of E. resinifera, which do not secrete latex; monofloral honey of E. officinarum and E. resinifera; as well as propolis from E. officinarum and E. resinifera. The solvent for extracting the aerial parts of both species was water, because it is the liquid used by the population to treat their illnesses. The extraction temperature; extraction time; and plant/solvent ratio are the parameters chosen to obtain extracts with the highest quantities of phenols and with the best in vitro antioxidant properties, chelating activity and capacity to inhibit α-glucosidase activity using response surface methodology (RSM). The best extraction conditions detected were using 1 g/50 mL during 60 minutes at 30 ºC for E. resinifera and for E. officinarum; the best conditions were temperature of 50 ºC, using1 g/100 mL for 270 minutes. Euphorbia resinifera cyathium releases a nectar that bees collect and transform into honey, currently labeled as a Protected Geographical Indication, due to its qualities. Additionally, flower cyathium honey and water extracts have been used in traditional medicine in Morocco. Several compounds belonging to different metabolite classes were identified in the present investigation. Concerning the primary metabolites: in hexoses, glucose followed by fructose predominates; in organic acids, citrate and α-ketoglutarate were the most abundant; amino acids were also found in abundance, notably asparagine (Asn); and vitamins such as niacin, vitamin B3, threonate (a metabolite of vitamin C), and the antioxidants ascorbate and dehydroascorbate. Regarding secondary metabolites: lutein was dominant in the pigments identified; flavonoids were dominated by the flavonol glycosides quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin; polyamines were also identified. The scavenging capacity of DPPH and superoxide radicals by the floral extracts corresponded to two thirds and half of the capacity of pure compounds used respectively as positive control. Out of seven honey samples, two were of floral origin from E. resinifera and after pollen analysis, the other five were found to have high percentages of E. officinarum pollen grains. The potassium (K) was the most important mineral element in in all samples with an average content of 409 mg/kg. The chromatographic profiles evaluated by liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection and mass spectrometry (LC-DAD-MS) of Euphorbia honey extracts were quite different. In all samples, it was possible to detect gallic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and p-coumaric acid, although in different proportions. Naringenin was identified in all but one sample. Abscisic acid was detected in five of seven honey samples, being the major compound detected in in one E. resinifera honey. The antioxidant properties of E. officinarum and E. resinifera as well as their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase, lipoxygenase, tyrosinase, and xanthine oxidase enzymes were evaluated and compared. At the same time, the in vitro biological activities of the entire honey and the extracts obtained from the respective honey were also evaluated and compared. Generally, the methanolic extracts of the honey recorded better activities in all the biological activities, than the corresponding entire honey. The antioxidant properties and the capacity to inhibit some enzymatic activities of E. resinifera and E. officinarum aqueous extracts and honeys were assessed. The aqueous extracts were obtained by decoction and two extraction parameters were chosen: extraction time (1 h, 2 h, and 8 h); and PSR (plant solvent ratio) of 1 g/20 mL; 1 g/50 mL, and 1 g/100 mL. The physicochemical characteristics of the honey were also evaluated and were within the range of the quality standards, E. officinarum honey showed higher amounts of total phenols and better capacity for scavenging superoxide anion free radicals and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radicals than E. resinifera honey, but poorer capacity for inhibiting lipoxygenase, acetylcholinesterase, tyrosinase, and xanthineoxidase. Moreover, the aqueous extracts had systematically higher in vitro activities than the respective honey samples. Concerning propolis samples, the study aimed to characterize the pollen type, the volatile compounds, the phenolic and mineral profiles of three Euphorbia propolis samples collected in Morocco. In addition, it was intended to evaluate its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, as well has the enzymatic inhibition potential. Pollen analysis revealed that E. resinifera pollen dominated in the P1 sample (58%), while E. officinarum pollen dominated in the P2 and P3 samples (44%). The volatile compounds were primarily composed of monoterpenes hydrocarbons, with α-pinene being the major component. Calcium (Ca) was the predominant mineral element in all propolis samples. Higher levels of phenols, flavonoids, and dihydroflavonoids were detected in the E. officinarum which corresponded to superior antioxidant activity. This was determined by its ability to scavenge DPPH and nitric oxide (NO) free radicals, superoxide anion radicals, and to prevent lipid peroxidation. P1 and P3 exhibited the best inhibitory effects on glucosidase activity, while the P2 sample demonstrated the highest efficacy in inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, lipoxygenase, tyrosinase, and xanthine oxidase activities. Euphorbia propolis displayed the ability to inhibit quorum sensing in the biosensor Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 and disrupted bacterial biofilm formation, including that of resistant bacterial pathogens.