Hanaa Zbakh

Physicochemical characteristics, nutritional properties, and health benefits of argan oil: a review

The argan tree (Argania spinosa L. Skeels), an endemic tree in Morocco, is the most remarkable species in North Africa, due to its botanical and bioecologic interest as well as its social value. Argan oil is traditionally well known for its cardioprotective properties and it is also used in the treatment of skin infections. This paper gives an overview of scientific literature available on nutritional and pharmacologic properties of argan oil. Owing to its unique organoleptic properties associated with its cardioprotective properties, argan oil has found, recently, its place in the highly competitive international edible oil market. This success is a very positive sign for the preservation of the argan tree, the argan forests and, therefore, in general, the biodiversity.

The Algal Meroterpene 11-Hydroxy-1′-O-Methylamentadione Ameloriates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Mice

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex class of immune disorders. Unfortunately, a treatment for total remission has not yet been found, while the use of natural product-based therapies has emerged as a promising intervention. The present study was aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of the algal meroterpene 11-hydroxy-1′-O-methylamentadione (AMT-E) in a murine model of dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced colitis. AMT-E was orally administered daily (1, 10, and 20 mg/kg animal) to DSS treated mice (3% w/v) for 7 days. AMT-E prevented body weight loss and colon shortening and effectively attenuated the extent of the colonic damage. Similarly, AMT-E increased mucus production and reduced myeloperoxidase activity (marker for anti-inflammatory activity). Moreover, the algal meroterpene decreased the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-10 levels, and caused a significant reduction of the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Our results demonstrate the protective effects of AMT-E on experimental colitis, provide an insight of the underlying mechanisms of this compound, and suggest that this class of marine natural products might be an interesting candidate for further studies on the prevention/treatment of IBD.

Cystoseira usneoides: A Brown Alga Rich in Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Meroditerpenoids

Twelve new meroditerpenoids, 1-12, along with eight known compounds, have been isolated from the brown alga Cystoseira usneoides collected off the coast of Tarifa (Spain). The structures of the new metabolites have been established by spectroscopic techniques. All of the new compounds consist of a toluhydroquinone-derived nucleus linked to a regular diterpenoid moiety, which can either be acyclic or contain an ether ring. Most structural diversity arises from the presence of different oxygenated functionalities and unsaturations along the two terminal isoprenoid units of the diterpene backbone. Twelve of the isolated meroditerpenes have been tested in antioxidant assays. All of them have shown radical-scavenging activity. The most active compounds were cystodiones G (1) and H (2), 11-hydroxyamentadione (15), and amentadione (16), which exhibited antioxidant activities in the range of 77-87% that of the Trolox standard. In anti-inflammatory assays, cystodiones G (1) and M (6), cystone C (9), 11-hydroxyamentadione (15), and amentadione (16) showed significant activity as inhibitors of the production of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α in LPS-stimulated THP-1 human macrophages.

On the occurrence of three red algal species new to the Mediterranean Sea in Al-Hoceima National Park (Morocco)

Abstract The occurrence in Morocco of three species of red algae new to the Mediterranean Sea is reported: Polysiphonia havanensis sensu Børgesen (Ceramiales, Rhodomelaceae), Diplothamnion jolyi (Ceramiales, Wrangeliaceae), and Champia compressa (Rhodymeniales, Champiaceae). All were collected in Al-Hoceima National Park, a protected area of the Mediterranean coast of Morocco.

Ceramium cornutum and Ceramium pallidum (Rhodophyta: Ceramiales) two new records for Morocco: morphology and reproductive structures

Abstract Two macroalgal taxa are reported for the first time from Morocco: Ceramium cornutum and Ceramium pallidum (Ceramiaceae: Ceramiales). The last species is also reported for the first time from Africa. Specimens of both taxa were collected in the lower intertidal to subtidal zones from different localities in northwest Morocco. These new records, are examined in detail and compared with congeners such as Ceramium cimbricum, Ceramium diaphanum, Ceramium tenerrimum and Ceramium virgatum. Both morphological features and reproductive structures are given; illustrations, habitat, geographic distribution and taxonomic remarks for each species are also provided. In this paper new data are provided for C. cornutum, especially number of periaxial cells and type of rhizoids.