Nadhir Gourine

Chemotypes of essential oil of unripe galls of Pistacia atlantica Desf. from Algeria.

The essential oils (EOs) of unripe galls (from male and female plants) of a total number of 52 samples of Pistacia atlantica collected from different regions in Algeria were analysed by GC/MS and GC. The yields of the extraction of the EO by hydrodistillation vary from low to high values (0.08–1.89% v/w). The results of both methods of principal component analysis and hierarchical ascendant classification revealed the presence of two different chemotypes: α-pinene chemotype and α-pinene/sabinene/terpinen-4-ol chemotype.

Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Unripe Galls of Pistacia atlantica Desf. from Algeria

The essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of unripe galls of Pistacia atlantica and collected from both male and female trees yielded 0.53% and 0.46% v/w, respectively. The essential oils were analyzed by GC and GC-MS showing the occurrence of a new  3 -carene rich chemotype showing a content of 75.34%. The second is the well known chemotype � -pinene/� -pinene, which is rich in � -pinene (59.01%) and � -pinene (13.26%).

Fatty acid profile, tocopherols content and antioxidant activity of algerian pumpkin seeds oil (Cucurbita pepo L)

Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) is a plant which is traditionally used to treat a wide variety of diseases, and through scientific investigation most of the properties have been validated. However, more scientific data is needed to support the various health claims. The aim of this study was to determine the fatty acids (FA) and Triacylglycerols (TAG) composition, tocopherols content and to evaluate the antioxidant activity of eight pumpkin seeds oil cultivated in Algeria. The results indicated that pumpkin seeds were rich in oil (15.8–33.5%) and the major unsaturated fatty acids were linoleic acid (42.1–48.5%) followed by oleic acid (18.4–39.6%), while the main saturated fatty acids were palmitic (13.91–20.00%).Unsaturated FA showed a preference for the internal position. Linoleic and oleic acids occurred predominantly in the sn-2 position as generally found in vegetable oils. The main TAGs were triunsaturated GU3 and monosaturated GSU2 as majorities compounds. The tocopherol content of the oils ranged from 7.7 to 31.9 mg/kg of oil for -tocopherol, from 39.3 to 155.1 mg/kg for ( + )-tocopherol, and from 39.0 to 103.0 mg/kg for δ-tocopherol. The capacity that would be suitable for food and industrial applications, as well as high unsaturation FA and tocopherol content that could potentially improve the nutrition of human diets.The data of antioxidant power determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and phosphomolybdenum (PPM) complex methods show that the level of the antioxidant activity by two used assays was significantly compared to synthetic antioxidants. Also, it was demonstrated for the first time that the studied oils possessed a good antioxidant activity which may be associated with their alleged health benefits.

New chemotype of essential oil of Achillea santolina L. collected from different regions of Algeria

Chemical composition of essential oil (EO) obtained by hydrodistillation of the aerial parts of Achillea santolina L. was analysed using GC and GC–MS. Especially, this study involved a large scale investigation, using different regions in which, five flowering wild growing populations collected from the high plateau of Algeria were engaged. Unlike previous reports, the current investigation showed very high EO yields for this plant (up to 1.7% w/w “dw”). The main result of the current study was the occurrence of a new chemotype rich in camphor (39.54–67.86%) and 1,8-cineole (7.14–8.57%).

Essential oils composition of different Achillea santolina L. plant parts growing in Algeria

The essential oils (EOs) of leaves, flowers and stems of Achillea santolina L. (Asteraceae) collected at complete flowering stage from Southwest of Algeria, were isolated by hydrodistillation and subsequently analyzed by means of GC and GC/MS. Quantitative and qualitative differences in chemical compositions between the studied parts of this plant were observed. The EOs were rich in oxygenated monoterpenes (65.91–79.94%). The major constituents in the flowers, leaves and stems were: camphor (68.12, 65.17, 55.72%), 1,8-cineole (8.22, 4.77, 0.7%) and α-terpineol (2.84, 5.35, 2.76%). The highest EO yields were obtained for the leaves and the flowers (0.59 and 0.49% “v/w”, respectively), whereas, the stems were characterized by very weak yield value (0.05%).

Synergistic antinociceptive activity of combined aqueous extracts of Artemisia campestris and Artemisia herba-alba in several acute pain models

Abstract In this study, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, acute toxicity and the antinociceptive activity of Artemisia campestris and Artemisia herba-alba, individually and in combination, were investigated using multiple forms of pain in animals. Our results have been shown that plants are relatively safe without clinical signs of toxicity in animals. Thus, extracts were presented high levels in phenolic and flavonoid contents. Artemisia decoctions with 100, 200, 400 mg/kg b-w studied dose, clearly attenuate chemical and thermal noxious stimuli in writhing, formalin and hot-plate tests, and significantly reduced paw oedema in formalin test. Additionally, binary combination forms exhibited a great improvement in intensity and amplitude of antinociceptive activity in comparison with both plants used individually by a relative interference with opioid system. Our findings suggested the central and peripheral analgesic properties and confirmed the folkloric medicinal use of these plants in pain symptom treatment.

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Essential Oils of Three Algerian Lamiaceae Species

Background: The present work investigates the chemical composition, the antioxidant and the antimicrobial activities of the Essential Oils (EOs) of three species of the Lamiaceae family gowning in Algeria: Thymus vulgaris L., Thymus algeriensis Boiss. & Reut. and Mentha pulegium L. Methods: Essential Oils (EOs) obtained by hydrodistillation of the aerial parts of the studied plants were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The antioxidant activity of the EOs was determined using two different assays: free radical scavenging activity of DPPH• (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and Phosphomolybdenum reducing power. The EOs were also tested for their antibacterial and antifungal activities against eight pathogenic bacteria (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin resistant strain of S. aureus “MRSA” and Enterococcus faecalis); a yeast (Candida albicans); and a fungi (Fusarium oxysporum). Results: For DPPH assay, T. vulgaris presented very interesting activity. At the opposite, T. algeriensis (Aflou) and M. pulegium, were the most active EOs in term of Phosphomolybdenum assay. The antimicrobial activity of T. vulgaris was found to be the most active EO and exhibited important resistance against most of studied bacteria. For disc diffusion test, the most active EO plant was T. algeriensis. Alternatively, and for antifungal activity, T. vulgaris presented the highest value of MFC. Conclusion: The antioxidant activity test’s results showed that the EOs exhibited important reducing powers but weak scavenging activities. On the other hand, it was found that some EO samples have shown very interesting antimicrobial activities. Actually, among the investigated EOs, T. vulgaris presented the strongest antibacterial and antifungal activities.

Lipid Classes, Fatty Acids, Tocopherols Compositions and Antioxidant Activity of Lawsonia alba Seed Oils Growing in Algeria

Background: Lawsonia alba seed oils are not widely used commercially even though they have characteristics that well suit for industrial applications and can contribute to healthy human diets. The most important aim of the present work is the evaluation of the tocopherols composition of these oils. Moreover, lipid classes, fatty acids compositions and antioxidant activity of the seed oils were also investigated. Methods: Lawsonia alba seed oils were extracted with Soxhlet device using n-hexane and chloroform/methanol. Tocopherols were analyzed by HPLC, and then their antioxidant activities were determined using two different assays: DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), and Phosphomolybdenum. Results: The content of the oils ranged from 7.52 to 10.45%. Polyunsaturated fatty acids dominated all the studied samples. Linoleic, followed by palmitic and oleic, were the major fatty acids found in the crude seed oils and their lipid classes. Results of tocopherols identification showed that the seed oils were rich in tocopherols, especially γ- and δ- tocopherols. For DPPH assay, the antioxidant powers varied from medium to low values (IC50 = 0.11 to >31.96 mg/mL). The results of the Phosphomolybdenum assay showed very important activities of the oils that were decreasing in the following order: polar lipids > neutral lipids (Chloroform/Methanol) > total lipids > neutral lipids (n-hexane). Conclusion: this current report reveals the richness of the Lawsonia alba seeds in tocopherols, which in fact is studied for the first time. Moreover, cluster analysis revealed that fatty acid composition of the seed oils of Lawsonia alba were very close to those of Walnut.