A review of Tunisian medicinal plants with anticancer activity.

Cancer is a major public health problem in the world. The use of the medicinal plants in cancer prevention and management is frequent in Africa, especially in Tunisia, and it is transmitted from generation to generation within cultures. Many previous studies showed that a wide range of Tunisian medicinal plants exerted cytotoxic and anticancer activity.

Relation between salt tolerance and biochemical changes in cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) seeds.

In this study, the effects of salinity on growth, fatty acid, essential oil, and phenolic composition of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) seeds as well as the antioxidant activities of their extracts were investigated. Plants were treated with different concentrations of NaCl treatment: 0, 50, 75, and 125 mmoL.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial phenolic compounds from extracts of cultivated and wild-grown Tunisian Ruta chalepensis.

The antioxidant and antibacterial activities of phenolic compounds from cultivated and wild Tunisian Ruta chalepensis L. leaves, stems, and flowers were assessed. The leaves and the flowers exhibited high but similar total polyphenol, flavonoid, and tannin content.

Fatty acids, essential oil and phenolics composition of Silybum marianum seeds and their antioxidant activities.

The presentstudydescribes the biochemical evaluation of Silybum marianum seed. The analysis of essential oil composition of Silybum marianum seed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry GC-MS showed the presence of14 volatile components with the predominance of γ-cadinene (49.8%) and α-pinene (24.

Characterization of myrtle seed (Myrtus communis var. baetica) as a source of lipids, phenolics, and antioxidant activities.

This study aimed to characterize the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the oil and the methanolic extract of Myrtus communis var. baetica seed. The oil yield of myrtle seed was 8.

Effects of cadmium on lipids of almond seedlings (Prunus dulcis).

Background: Cadmium uptake and distribution, as well as its effects on lipid composition was investigated in almond seedlings (Prunus dulcis) grown in culture solution supplied with two concentrations of Cd (50 and 150 μM).

Results: The accumulation of Cd increased with external metal concentrations, and was considerably higher in roots than in leaves. Fourteen days after Cd treatment, the membrane lipids were extracted and separated on silica-gel thin layer chromatography (TLC).

Variations in Tunisian borage essential oil profiles and their antioxidant activities during flowering.

This study was conducted to examine the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the essential oils (EOs) of Borago officinalis stem during its flowering stage. The EO composition was characterised by high proportions of E,E-decadienal, the main compound of monoterpene hydrocarbon class, with values varying from 47.08% to 55.

Effect of drought on safflower natural dyes and their biological activities.

Drought is the main abiotic constraint that affects crop species behaviour regarding bio-chemical responses. The current study was conducted to examine the effect of water deficit on growth, phenolic and carotenoid contents as well as the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of two Carthamus tinctorius varieties (Jawhara and 104) flowers. Hence, plants were treated with different levels of water deficit: control (100 %), moderate water deficit (50 %) and severe water deficit (25 %).

Comparison of Different Extraction Methods for the Determination of Essential oils and Related Compounds from Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.).

The volatile oil of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) obtained from the fruits by soxhlet-dynamic headspace (S-DHS), solvent extraction (SE), steam distillation (SD), hydrodistillation (HYD) and supercritical CO2 extraction (SC-CO2) were analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. The SC-CO2 offered a higher yield (4.

Characterization of bioactive compounds in Tunisian bitter orange (Citrus aurantium L.) peel and juice and determination of their antioxidant activities.

Citrus aurantium peel and juice aroma compounds were investigated by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), whereas phenolic compounds analysis was performed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Limonene was the major volatile compound of bitter orange peel (90.25%) and juice (91.

Coupled extruder-headspace, a new method for analysis of the essential oil components of Coriandrum sativum fruits.

A new method involving concurrent single screw extruder combined with continuous headspace dynamic for the extraction and identification of the essential oil of Coriandrum sativum L. fruit was developed. The effect of six different nozzle diameters (5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 mm) on the content and chemical composition of the essential oil of coriander fruit was studied.

Culture conditions and salt effects on essential oil composition of sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana) from Tunisia.

O. majorana shoots were investigated for their essential oil (EO) composition. Two experiments were carried out; the first on hydroponic medium in a culture chamber and the second on inert sand in a greenhouse for 20 days.

Salt effect on phenolics and antioxidant activities of Tunisian and Canadian sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) shoots.

Background: Two varieties of Origanum majorana (Canadian and Tunisian) were evaluated for their phenolic, flavonoid and tannin contents, individual phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities under NaCl constraint.

Results: The results showed a significant variability in phenolic composition and antioxidant behavior between the two varieties under salt stress. The phenolic composition of methanolic extracts was determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

Polyphenol composition and antioxidant activity of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) seed extract under drought.

This research evaluated the effect of drought on total and individual polyphenol contents as well as the antioxidant activities of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) seeds of 2 geographic origins, Tunisia (TCS) and India (ICS). Plants were treated with different levels of water deficit: control.

Volatile constituents of two Hypericum species from Tunisia.

The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts of the Tunisian Hypericum perforatum and H. ericoides ssp. roberti was elucidated by a combination of GC and GC-MS analyses.

Physiological changes, phenolic content and antioxidant activity of Salvia officinalis L. grown under saline conditions.

Background: Hydroponic culture was used to investigate the effect of NaCl concentrations on the growth, nutrient uptake, phenolic content and antioxidant activity of Salvia officinalis L. leaves. The antioxidant capacity of the methanolic extract of S.

Cytotoxic activity of withanolides isolated from Tunisian Datura metel L.

Withanolide-type steroids, withametelin Q (1) and 12α-hydroxydaturametelin B (2) along with three known withanolides, were isolated from leaves of Datura metel L. (Solanaceae). The respective structures, characterized mainly by NMR spectroscopy, were identified as (20R,22R,24R)-21,24-epoxy-1α,3β-dihydroxywitha-5,25(27)-dienolide-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1) and (20R,22R,24R)-12α,21,27-trihydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,5,24-trienolide-27-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2).

Salt effects on Origanum majorana fatty acid and essential oil composition.

Background: The effects of salt on the essential oil yield and fatty acid composition of aerial parts of two marjoram varieties were investigated. Plants with 6 leaves were treated with NaCl (75mM).

Results: Salt treatment led to a reduction in aerial part growth.

Essential oils and fatty acids composition of Tunisian and Indian cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) seeds: a comparative study.

Background: Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) seeds of two geographic origins, Tunisia (TCS) and India (ICS), were studied regarding their fatty acid and essential oil composition.

Results: Oil yields were 17.

Variation in phenolic composition and antioxidant activity during flower development of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.).

This work was aimed to study the effect of extraction solvent system with varying polarities on polyphenol, flavonoid and proanthocyanidin contents and DPPH scavenging activity. Obtained results showed that phenolic contents and antioxidant activities varied considerably as function of solvent polarity. The extraction with acetone/water (2:8) showed the highest flower polyphenol content (15.

Thermal stability of corn oil flavoured with Thymus capitatus under heating and deep-frying conditions.

Background: The thermal stability of corn oil flavoured with thyme flowers was determined and compared with that of the original refined corn oil (control). The oxidative stability index (OSI) was measured and samples were exposed to heating (30 min at 150, 180 and 200 °C) and deep-frying (180 °C). Changes in peroxide value (PV), free fatty acid (FFA) content, specific absorptivity values (K(232) and K(270)), colour and chlorophyll, carotenoid and total phenol contents were monitored.

Water-deficit impact on fatty acid and essential oil composition and antioxidant activities of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) aerial parts.

This study is designed to examine the effect of water deficit on growth, fatty acid and essential oil composition, and antioxidant activities of Cuminum cyminum aerial part extracts. Plants were treated with different levels of water deficit: control (C), moderate water deficit (MWD), and severe water deficit (SWD). Plant growth (height, fresh and dry matter weights) as well as yield components were significantly increased under moderate water deficit and conversely reduced at severe level.

Fatty acids, essential oil, and phenolics modifications of black cumin fruit under NaCl stress conditions.

This research evaluated the effect of saline conditions on fruit yield, fatty acids, and essential oils compositions and phenolics content of black cumin (Nigella sativa). This plant is one of the most commonly found aromatics in the Mediterranean kitchen. Increasing NaCl levels to 60 mM decreased significantly the fruits yield by 58% and the total fatty acids amount by 35%.