Antioxidant and Anti‑inflammatory Properties of Algerian Thymelaea microphylla Coss. and Dur. Extracts
Khadidja Dehimi1, Antonio Speciale2★, Antonina Saija2, Saliha Dahamna1, Roberto Raciti2, Francesco Cimino2, Mariateresa Cristani2★ Corresponding author
- 1Department of Biology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Nature Sciences and Life, Laboratory of Phytotherapy Applied to Chronic Diseases, University Setif, 19000 Setif, Algeria, Italy.
- 2Department of Drug Sciences and Health Products, University of Messina, Viale Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy.
CORRESPONDENCE
Antonio Speciale
Department of Drug Sciences and Health Products, University of Messina, Viale Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy.
Received: 18-06-2015; Revised: 22-07-2015.
Volume 12, Issue 47 · pp. 203–210 · PUBLISHED 14 July 2016 · DOI: 10.4103/0973-1296.186345
View on Pharmacogn. Mag. original site ↗
ABSTRACT
Background: Thymelaea microphylla Coss. et Dur. (Thymelaeaceae) (TM) is a rare medicinal plant endemic to Algeria. Leaves decoction is used in folk medicine for anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic properties. Objective: Herein, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of different extracts from leaves and flowers of Algerian TM were evaluated. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out by in vitro cell-free assays (antioxidant/radical properties), ex vivo experiments (inhibition of prostaglandin E2 and thromboxane B2 release in human whole blood) and in vitro experiments on cell systems (cytotoxicity on peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and protective effects on human vein endothelial cells exposed to TNF-α). Results: The acetone TM extract showed significant antioxidant properties and excellent anti‑inflammatory and cyclooxygenase‑inhibitory activity, together with lack of toxicity on normal human blood cells; furthermore, it was able to protect endothelial cells against dysfunction induced by TNF-α, as shown by decrease in cell death, e-selectin expression and leukocyte adhesion. Conclusion: On these bases, TM leaves and flowers appear to be a good source of bioactive compounds with significant antioxidant and antiinflammatory capability, and potentially effective in prevention and treatment of pathological conditions related to oxidative stress and inflammation, such as endothelial dysfunction.
KEYWORDS
REFERENCES
As publishedShowing references and in-text citations exactly as published.
Cite this article
SELECT FORMAT
Dehimi, K., Speciale, A., Saija, A., Dahamna, S., Raciti, R., Cimino, F., & Cristani, M. (2016). Antioxidant and Anti‑inflammatory Properties of Algerian Thymelaea microphylla Coss. and Dur. Extracts. Pharmacognosy Magazine, 12(47), 203–210. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-1296.186345