Preliminary Characterization of the Vasorelaxant Effect of Thymus atlanticus (Ball) Roussine Using Optical Methods.

Background: Thymus atlanticus (Ball) Roussine is a Moroccan endemic thyme species that is traditionally used as an aromatic and medicinal plant. Several studies have demonstrated its pharmacological significance and therapeutic value.

Objective: The current study aimed to assess the vasorelaxant effect of the aqueous extract of this species.

Risk-reducing surgeries for breast cancer in Brazilian patients undergoing multigene germline panel: impact of results on decision making.

Purpose: To assess the behavior change of high-risk breast cancer patients regarding the intention to undergo risk-reducing mastectomies (RRM) before and after genetic testing results and to identify the main influencing factors in decision-making.

Methods: Prospective cohort study conducted between November 2021 and October 2022 with women under follow-up at the high-risk outpatient clinic of the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP). Patients were referred for genetic testing, followed by counseling according to the test result.

Hypolipidemic activity of phytochemical combinations: A mechanistic review of preclinical and clinical studies.

Hyperlipidemia, a condition characterized by elevated levels of lipids in the blood, poses a significant risk factor for various health disorders, notably cardiovascular diseases. Phytochemical compounds are promising alternatives to the current lipid-lowering drugs, which cause many undesirable effects. Based on in vivo and clinical studies, combining phytochemicals with other phytochemicals, prebiotics, and probiotics and their encapsulation in nanoparticles is more safe and effective for managing hyperlipidemia than monotherapy.

Investigation of accordance between nutritional assessment tools, and bio-electrical impedance-derived phase angle, with the global leadership initiative on malnutrition criteria in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Malnutrition (MN) is a major health concern for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who receive maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). These patients are particularly vulnerable to MN due to their compromised health status, which in turn increases the risk of morbidity and mortality. However, there is limited evidence on the use of reliable and effective tools for assessing MN in this population.

(Ball) Roussine Aqueous Extract Exerts Lipid-lowering and Anti-atherosclerotic Effects in Hyperlipidemic Guinea Pigs.

Background: Thymus atlanticus (Ball) Roussine (T. atlanticus) is traditionally used in the Moroccan high Atlas Mountains to treat several disorders, including cardiovascular disease. In the present study, the lipid-lowering and anti-atherosclerotic activities of the traditionally used aqueous extract of T.

: A Source of Nutrients with Numerous Health Benefits and Important Therapeutic Potential for Age-Related Diseases.

(Lamiaceae) is a plant endemic to the Mediterranean basin that is found in significant quantities in the arid regions of Morocco. is used in traditional medicine to treat infectious and non-infectious diseases. It is also used for the isolation of essential oils and for the seasoning of many dishes in the Mediterranean diet.

Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant, and antihyperlipidemic activities of .

Objective: The main purpose of the present work was to determine the chemical composition, safety, and antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic activities of an aqueous extract of .

Methods: Phytochemical analysis (total phenolic, total flavonoid, and total hydroxycinnamic acid contents), antioxidant activity (ferric-reducing antioxidant power, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil, and total antioxidant capacity tests), acute toxicity, and antihyperlipidemic activity were evaluated according to established models. In addition, the phytochemical profile was determined by methylation followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS).

Presence of CD163 macrophages in DCD kidneys with high DGF reduces the risk for acute cellular rejection in 6 months after kidney transplantation.

Acute cellular rejection (ACR) occurs in 10% of renal allograft recipients and is characterized by leukocyte infiltration as observed in needle biopsies. ACR onset is subject to several risk factors, including delayed graft function (DGF). As the impact of DGF on the etiology of ACR remains unclear, this study analyzed the association between presence of leukocyte subsets and ACR onset, in DCD kidney biopsies with extensive DGF following transplantation.

The Antispasmodic Effect of Essential Oil in Experimental Models and its Mechanism of Action.

With several medicinal and aromatic species, the Asteraceae family is one of the largest angiosperm families. The genus is represented in this family by only one species, . In Moroccan traditional medicine, this species is widely used to treat gastrointestinal problems.

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb) Lindl.): Evaluation of nutritional value, polyphenol composition, antidiabetic effect, and toxicity of leaf aqueous extract.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.) is an evergreen tree native to China, which is introduced in many Mediterranean countries.

Effect of supplementation with polyphenol extract of Thymus atlanticus on paraoxonase-1 activity, insulin resistance, and lipid profile in high-fat diet-fed hamsters.

Thymus atlanticus has been used by Moroccan people to treat a variety of health problems, particularly metabolic disorders. In this study, hamsters fed a high-fat diet daily received distilled water (a positive control) or a single dose of Thymus atlanticus polyphenols (Pp) for 63 days. The negative control was fed a normal diet and received distilled water.

Recent Advances in Liposomal-Based Anti-Inflammatory Therapy.

Liposomes can be seen as ideal carriers for anti-inflammatory drugs as their ability to (passively) target sites of inflammation and release their content to inflammatory target cells enables them to increase local efficacy with only limited systemic exposure and adverse effects. Nonetheless, few liposomal formulations seem to reach the clinic. The current review provides an overview of the more recent innovations in liposomal treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, vascular inflammation, and transplantation.

Protective Effect of L. Seeds against Paracetamol-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats: A Comparison with Vitamin C.

L. (date palm) seeds have been mentioned in the Moroccan pharmacopoeia as efficient remedies against a wide range of diseases including hepatic and gastrointestinal disorders and countless infections. The current work was performed to assess the phenolic profile and hepatoprotective potential of two date seed varieties, locally known as and , aqueous extracts against paracetamol- (PCM-) driven liver toxicity in 42 Wistar rats.

polyphenol-rich extract regulates cholesterol metabolism by inhibiting its biosynthesis without affecting its excretion in hamsters fed a high-fat diet.

Context: has been reported to have significant hypolipidaemic effect in animal models. However, the mechanism of this hypolipidaemic action still unknown.

Objective: To determinate the possible mechanism(s) of hypolipidaemic action of a polyphenol-rich extract (PRE).

Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant, Antiperoxidative, and Antihemolytic Properties Investigation of Three Species Grown in the Southeast of Morocco.

For a long time, species have been widely employed in the southeast of Morocco for culinary and folk healing purposes. In the current study, we investigated three herbs known as coriander (), celery (), and parsley () for their antioxidant, antiperoxidative, and antihemolytic properties. The HPLC-DAD has been used to classify and measure phenolic compounds.

Effect of Phoenix dactylifera seeds (dates) extract in triton WR-1339 and high fat diet induced hyperlipidaemia in rats: A comparison with simvastatin.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Date seeds are widely used in Moroccan traditional medicine for treating obesity and related diseases.

Aim Of The Study: Two date seed varieties (Jihel and Majhoul) were assessed for their phenolic profile and lipid-lowering activity.

Materials And Methods: The polyphenolic profile was determined using HPLC-DAD.

Effect of Aqueous Extract and Polyphenol Fraction Derived from Leaves on Acute Hyperlipidemia in the Syrian Golden Hamsters.

, an endemic plant of Morocco, is traditionally used as a liniment or a drink to treat various diseases. However, there are few available scientific data regarding its biological effects. In this connection, the present study aimed to investigate the hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of aqueous extract and polyphenol fraction of in Syrian golden hamsters treated with Triton WR-1339 (triton, 20 mg/100 g body weight).

Phenolic profile and anti-inflammatory activity of four Moroccan date ( seed varieties.

Date ( L.) seeds are seen as good drug to cure rheumatoid arthritis and asthma in Moroccan traditional medicine. The present research aimed to study the anti-inflammatory effect, of methanol extract of different date seed varieties using membrane stabilizing effect, nitric oxide radical scavenging activity, inhibition of protein denaturation, carrageenan-induced paw edema and croton oil induced ear edema.

Liposomal Delivery Improves the Efficacy of Prednisolone to Attenuate Renal Inflammation in a Mouse Model of Acute Renal Allograft Rejection.

Background: Systemic exposure to high-dose corticosteroids effectively combats acute rejection after kidney transplantation, but at the cost of substantial side effects. In this study, a murine acute renal allograft rejection model was used to investigate whether liposomal-encapsulated prednisolone (LP) facilitates local exposure to enhance its therapeutic effect.

Methods: Male BalbC recipients received renal allografts from male C57BL/6J donors.

Anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant effects of polyphenol-rich extracts from Thymus atlanticus: An in vitro and in vivo study.

Ethnopharmacological Evidence: Thymus atlanticus (TA) is used in traditional medicine in Morocco to treat chronic inflammatory diseases, after local and oral treatment.

Aim Of Study: This study aimed to investigate the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant activities of an aqueous extract (AE) and polyphenol fraction (PF) derived from TA.

Materials And Methods: The effect of AE and PF on monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) production by naïve and LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages isolated from C57Bl/6 mice was assessed by ELISA assay.

Antioxidant and Lipid-Lowering Properties of Crude Aqueous Extract and Methanolic Fraction: A Follow-Up Study.

Over the past decades, cardiovascular diseases have become the leading cause of death all over the world, and among these diseases there is atherosclerosis caused mainly by an increase in plasmatic cholesterol levels and by strong oxidation caused by free radicals. For these reasons and others, we explored in this report the hypolipidemic and the antioxidant effects of crude aqueous and methanolic extract. The hypolipidemic study was carried out in high-fat-fed mice model.

Contribution of bone marrow-derived cells to in situ engineered tissue capsules in a rat model of chronic kidney disease.

Tissue engineered blood vessels (TEBVs) hold great promise for clinical use in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring vascular access for hemodialysis. A promising way to make TEBVs is to exploit foreign body response (FBR) of polymeric rods used as templates. However, since the FBR predominantly involves bone-marrow (BM) derived cells and ESRD coincides with impaired function of BM, it is important to assess the generation of TEBVs in conditions of renal failure.

Design of a solar dryer for small-farm level use and studying fig quality.

Background: In the mountain areas of south-east Morocco, farmers are engaged in the solar drying of figs using traditional processes. However, this practice leads to losses in quality. This study aims to improve this drying method by designing and studying the performance of a natural convection solar dryer and the quality of fresh and dried figs.

Origanum majorana L. extract exhibit positive cooperative effects on the main mechanisms involved in acute infectious diarrhea.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Origanum majorana L. (Lamiaceae) is commonly used in Moroccan folk medicine to treat infantile colic, abdominal discomfort and diarrhea. Liquid stools and abdominal discomfort observed in acute infectious diarrhea are the consequences of imbalance between intestinal water secretion and absorption in the lumen, and relaxation of smooth muscle surrounding the intestinal mucosa.

Relaxin receptor deficiency promotes vascular inflammation and impairs outward remodeling in arteriovenous fistulas.

The pathophysiology of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) maturation failure is not completely understood but impaired outward remodeling (OR) and intimal hyperplasia are thought to be contributors. This adverse vascular response after AVF surgery results from interplay between vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), the extracellular matrix (ECM), and inflammatory cells. Relaxin (RLN) is a hormone that acts on the vasculature via interaction with RLN/insulin-like peptide family receptor 1 (RXFP1), resulting in vasodilatation, ECM remodeling, and decreased inflammation.