Dominique Guillaume

Ethnoeconomical, ethnomedical, and phytochemical study of Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels

Populations of the South-western part of Morocco traditionally use the fruits of Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels to prepare an edible oil whose obtainment furnishes, as side product, a cake used to feed the cattle and complemented the forage furnished by the leaves and fruits of this same plant. However, the wood of A. spinosa is also used for fuel and the subsequent induced deforestation is nowadays accelerated since populations are generally eager to replace argan-groves by cultures of higher and immediate benefits. Recently, argan tree, that is particularly well adapted to grow in arid lands, has been proposed by several agencies to slow down the desert progress in Northern Africa. In order to promote argan tree reintroduction by the South-western Morocco dwellers, a program aimed to increase the industrial value of A. spinosa is currently carried out in Morocco. A phytochemical study is included in this program. Traditional knowledge as well as the most recent results concerning A. spinosa are described in this review.

Spore Photoproduct: A Key to Bacterial Eternal Life

4.4. Formation Mechanism of SPDNA 1219 5. Factors Influencing SPDNA Formation in Spores 1220 5.1. Small Acid-Soluble Spore Proteins 1221 5.2. Dipicolinic Acid 1222 5.3. Pressure/Hydration Level 1222 5.4. Temperature 1222 5.5. Conclusions 1222 6. Artificial Production of SPDNA, SPTIDE, and SPSIDE 1223 6.1. UV Irradiation of Bacterial Vegetative Cells 1223 6.2. UV Irradiation of Isolated DNA 1223 6.2.1. Isolated DNA 1223 6.2.2. Isolated DNA Complexed with R/ -Type SASP 1224

Steroidal and triterpenoidal glucosides from passiflora alata

Five glycosides were isolated from leaves of P. alata. The structures 1-5 were obtained through extensive spectral analyses as 3-O- β-D-glucopyranosyl-stigmasterol (1), 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyloleanolic acid (2), 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-oleanolic acid (3), 3-Oβ-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-oleanolic acid (4) and 9,19-cyclolanost-24Z-en3β,21,26-trihydroxy-3,26-di-O-gentiobiose (5). Comparison of the TLC profiles of the hydroethanolic extracts from leaves of other Passiflora species found in the south of Brazil (P. actinia, P. caerulea, P. edulis var. flavicarpa, P. elegans, P. foetida, P. misera and P. tenuifila) showed that only P. alata presented saponin accumulation.

Matesaponin 5, a highly polar saponin from Ilex paraguariensis

The structure of matesaponin 5, a novel saponin isolated from the leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis, was established as ursolic acid-3-0-{beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1->3)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1->2)]-alpha-L- arabino pyranosyl}-(28->1)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 ->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl] ester.

Should the amazigh diet (regular and moderate argan-oil consumption) have a beneficial impact on human health?

Virgin argan oil, cosmetic or dietary grade, is prepared by cold-pressing the kernels of argan fruits. Both types of oil, traditionally used by the amazighs (the argan grove traditional dwellers), are now available on the shelves of the most-developed country stores. Argan oil contains a high level of oleic and linoleic acid and is also particularly rich in phenols. Since these metabolites are currently considered as essential to explain some of the protective effects against cancer and coronary heart disease attributed to other oils, similar effects can be expected from argan oil consumption as suggested by the amazigh medicine claims. Interestingly, argan oil content in γ -tocopherol is much higher than that of any other oils. γ -Tocopherol has recently been shown to possess strong chemopreventive and anti-inflammatory properties. This indicates that argan oil should readily find a place of choice amid the most profitable oils for human health. Because of its reduced geographical origin, the chemical composition (major as well as minor components) of argan oil is also highly reproducible. Therefore argan oil consumption should confer health benefits in a reliable and efficient manner.

Introduction of the 4-(4 bromophenyl)benzenesulfonyl group to hydrazide analogs of Ilomastat leads to potent gelatinase B (MMP-9) inhibitors with improved selectivity

Hydrazide derivatives of Ilomastat, carrying either aryl groups or distinct alkyl and arylsulfonyl moieties were synthesized and evaluated for their MMP inhibitory activity. Potent and selective MMP-9 inhibition (IC(50)=3 nM) was observed for compound 3m (arylsulfonyl group: 4-(4-Br-C6H4)-C6H4-SO(2)-). Interaction with the S2 enzyme subsite is mainly responsible for the inhibitory properties of this derivative as confirmed by molecular docking computation.

Secondary metabolites from Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels

Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels is a tree that plays a crucial role in the rural and urban economy of Morocco. Not only is the tree used in traditional medicine but its fruits contain almonds used to prepare an edible oil, its leaves are utilized to feed cattle, and its wood is used as fuel. In addition the tree is particularly well-adapted to arid lands and could hence be used to limit the desert progression that is threatening subtropical African countries. Consequently a program aimed at a better understanding of all the aspects and uses of the argan tree is currently being carried out in Morocco. This review summarizes the results gathered so far on the phytochemical and pharmacological activity of A. spinosa.

Triterpenoid glycosides and a triterpene from Ilex brevicuspis

Two saponins and a sapogenin were isolated from the leaves of Ilex brevicuspis. Their structures were established by means of spectroscopic methods as brevicuspisaponin 1 (3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-20(S)-19 alpha,24-dihydroxyursolic acid), brevicuspisaponin 2 (3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-20(S)-19 alpha,23,24-trihydroxyursolic acid) and 23-methylester of 20(S)-3 beta,19 alpha,24-trihydroxyurs-12-en-23,28-dioic acid.

Antimycobacterial activity of the fractions and compounds from Scutia buxifolia

The antimycobacterial activity of Scutia buxifolia Reissek, Rhamnaceae, leaves extracts and fractions were evaluated for the first time. Four compounds were identified, flavonoids (quercetin and quercitrin) and phenolic acids (gallic and caffeic acids) and quantified by HPLC-DAD. Promising anti-Mycobacterium smegmatis activity was observed with ethyl acetate extract (MIC 312.50 µg/mL) and their fractions (MIC values ranging from 78.12 to above 312.50 µg/mL). The fractions III and VI of S. buxifolia leaves showed a high level of activity against M. smegmatis (MIC 78.12 and 156.25 µg/mL, respectively), M. tuberculosis (MIC 156.25 µg/mL) and M. avium (MIC 312.50 µg/mL), whereas to the other fractions the values varied from 312.50 to 1250.00 µg/mL against these strains. The better MIC result was associated with two fractions that contain bigger amounts of quercetin, quercitrin, gallic and caffeic acids. The results provided evidence that the studied plants fractions might be potential sources of new antimicrobial drug.

First asymmetric synthesis of carnosadine

Abstract The first asymmetric synthesis of the naturally-occurring cyclopropane amino acid carnosadine, 1 , has been carried out. Starting from the previously available chiral intermediate 2 , appropriate amine protection and side-chain modifications permitted introduction of the key guanidyl substituent in a short and efficient synthesis to give the title compound in five steps and 45% overall yield.