Protective effect assessment of Moringa oleifera against cadmium-induced toxicity in HCT116 and HEK293 cell lines

The cadmium (Cd) is considered one of the widespread toxic metals in the aquatic and terrestrial environments, which is due to its long half-life, non-degradable characteristic, and toxicity. Aqueous extract of freeze-dried Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae family) leaves was examined for protective effect and antioxidant power against Cd toxicity. The results revealed that Moringa aqueous extract (MAE) has contents of total polyphenols and flavonoids about 30.14 mg GAE/g and 18.35 mg QE/g respectively. Furthermore, phenolic compounds in leaves of Moringa were studied using a high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Results showed that the largest number of phenolic compounds determined in leaves of Moringa belongs to flavonoids. Moreover, biological properties were determined by radical scavenging capacity (DPPH) and ferric-reducing power (FRAP). Cytoprotective effect and antioxidant power of Moringa extract were assessed using the mitochondrial activity testing method (MTT test), malondialdehyde (MDA), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Results indicate that Moringa aqueous extract have a significant (i) proliferative, (ii) antioxidant, and (iii) cytoprotective effect on HCT116 and HEK293 cells against metal toxicity.

The phlebotomine fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae) of the eastern coast of Tunisia

To identify the phlebotomine sand fly populations of the eastern coast of Tunisia, an entomological survey was carried out between September and October 2005 at 71 sites located in three districts. CDC light traps and sticky papers were used to collect a total of 2,138 phlebotomine sand flies representing nine species. The predominant species occurring on the eastern coast of Tunisia are, in order of abundance, Phlebotomus longicuspis Nitzulescu, 1930 (40%); Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli, 1786 (21%); Sergentomyia minuta Parroti Adler & Theodor, 1927 (19%); Phlebotomus perniciosus Newstead, 1911 (9.5%); Phlebotomus chabaudi Croset, Abonnenc & Rioux, 1970 (9%); Sergentomyia fallax Parrot, 1921 (1.5%); Sergentomyia dreyfussi Parrot, 1933 (0.23%); Phlebotomus langeroni Nitzulescu, 1930 (0.05%); and Phlebotomus perfiliewi Parrot, 1930 (0.05%). Species involved in the transmission of Leishmania, namely P. papatasi and P. perniciosus, represent 31% of the total number of flies captured. In the central sites (district of Monastir), P. longicuspis predominates, P. perniciosus predominates in the northern sites (district of Sousse) and P. papatasi in the southern sites (district of Mahdia), which is consistent with the distribution of Leishmania infantum and L. major in this region. Analysis of the degree of presence (D) revealed that Phlebotomus papatasi was the most common species and showed the broadest distribution (D = 95%), followed by P. longicuspis and S. minuta parroti (D = 90%) and P. perniciosus and P. chabaudi (D = 86% and 68% respectively).

Gm, Am and Km immunoglobulin allotypes of two populations in Tunisia

Gm, Am and Km allotypes were investigated in two Tunisian populations (236 samples from Mahdia and 142 samples from Sfax). These populations descend from immigrants and, therefore, the results were compared with those obtained in other populations living in the Near East and in North Africa. The subclass heavy chain allotypes G1m, G2m, G3m and A2m are inherited in fixed combinations. There were five main and four minor Gm-Am haplotypes that could be deduced from the phenotypes. This led to the conclusion that the populations studied are Caucasoids with some African admixture (about 10%) and a very low oriental contribution. Furthermore, there were 11 samples which showed 8 uncommon Gm-Am phenotypes. These could be explained by the assumption of five different uncommon Gm-Am haplotypes. Four of these may have arisen by equal crossing over of prevalent haplotypes. The fifth may be the result of unequal crossing over of prevalent haplotypes. The fifth may be the result of unequal crossing over, since it was proven, by family study, that more markers are transmitted together than are present in the prevalent haplotypes.