HPLC-DAD-MS Characterization, Antioxidant Activity, α-amylase Inhibition, Molecular Docking, and ADMET of Flavonoids from Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) has a great beneficial health effect; it has been used in traditional medicine by many cultures. Likewise, the α-amylase inhibitors are potential compounds in the development of drugs for the treatment of diabetes. The beneficial health effects of fenugreek lead us to explore the chemical composition of the seeds and their antioxidant and α-amylase inhibition activities. The flavonoid extraction from fenugreek seeds was achieved with methanol through a Soxhlet apparatus. Then, the flavonoid glycosides were characterized using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS analysis. The antioxidant capacity of fenugreek seed was measured using DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, and CUPRAC assays. Finally, the α-amylase inhibition activity was carried out using in vitro and in silico methods. The methanolic extract was found to contain high amounts of total phenolics (154.68 ± 1.50 μg GAE/mg E), flavonoids (37.69 ± 0.73 μg QE/mg E). The highest radical-scavenging ability was recorded for the methanolic extract against DPPH (IC50 = 556.6 ± 9.87 μg/mL), ABTS (IC50 = 593.62 ± 9.35 μg/mL). The ME had the best reducing power according to the CUPRAC (A 0.5 = 451.90 ± 9.07 μg/mL). The results indicate that the methanolic extracts of fenugreek seed best α-amylase inhibition activities IC50 = 653.52 ± 3.24 μg/mL. Twenty-seven flavonoids were detected, and all studied flavonoids selected have good affinity and stabilize very well in the pocket of α-amylase. The interactions between the studied flavonoids with α-amylase were investigated. The flavonoids from fenugreek seed present a good inhibitory effect against α-amylase, which is beneficial for the prevention of diabetes and its complications.

Chemical composition, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and toxicityactivities, of the essential oil of <em>Fortunella margarita</em> peels

The purpose of this study was to identify the principal components of the essential oil extracted from Fortunella margarita peels via hydrodistillation and to evaluate in vitro its anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and toxicity properties. Among the detected compounds were limonene, D-germacrene, β-myrcene, and α-pinene. Method of inhibiting the denaturation of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) was utilized to assess the anti-inflammatory properties of Fortunella margarita. At a concentration of 400g/mL, a high anti-inflammatory effect was observed. The percentage of BSA protection against heat increased with increasing concentration. Also, the evaluation of antidiabetic activity by glucose uptake by yeast cells revealed that Fortunella margarita was more effective than the standard drug novoformine in the presence of 5 mM glucose. The antioxidant potential of the essential oil was evaluated using the DPPH free radical scavenging, reducing power and β-carotene/linoleic acid tests, where the essential oil had much lower antioxidant activity. A bioassay on the lethality of brine shrimp was conducted to determine the toxicity of the essential oil. The study reveals that the essential oil is a possible source of important bioactive compounds and that its constituents may exhibit synergistic effects. Our findings suggest that the essential oil from Fortunella margarita could be used in the future as a substitute for synthetic anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant agents with potential applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries.  

Prevalence of erectile dysfunction in patients consulting urological clinics: multi-centric survey in the algerian west

AIM

to make an inventory of the prevalence, the severity, the reasons for the patient's consultation and the therapeutic measures indicated by urologists for erectile dysfunction (ED) in the west of Algeria.

METHODS

This survey was conducted among 4 urologists. All male patients, aged over 18 years, presenting to clinics during the study period of 2 months were included. Data collection was based on a self-administered questionnaire on socio-demographic data, comorbidities especially urological and sexual health history. The evaluation of ED was achieved by the single question of John B. McKinlay. One more question was asked to evaluate trouble reported by the patient's partner.

RESULTS

This survey included 185 patients. It showed a high prevalence of ED (59.5%), correlated with age. The mean age was 61 ± 13 years. Thirty four percent of patients had severe ED. The reason for consultation was dominated by prostatic diseases (70%), the ED accounted for only 9% of the reasons for consultation. Only 26% of patients reported having talked previously to a doctor about their ED. These disturbances were "unacceptable" for 25% of patients and "moderately acceptable" for 30%. A minority of patients (16%) was treated medically for their ED (half of them received PDE5 inhibitors alone or in combination).

CONCLUSION

This first survey in the urological Algerian community emphasizes the importance of sexual dysfunction in patients consulting in urology. Although the prevalence of ED is important, few patients consult specifically for this reason. As a result, treatment is limited. Better physician awareness of the problem of ED is recommended.

Rapid changes in leaf elongation, ABA and water status during the recovery phase following application of water stress in two durum wheat varieties differing in drought tolerance

This study aims to investigate the role of Abscisic acid (ABA) in water potential and turgor variations as well as growth recovery during the first phase of a rapid water stress induced by PEG6000. Two wheat varieties (Triticum durum L.), MBB (more tolerant) and OZ (less productive under drought), were grown in aerated nutrient solutions. Leaf elongation kinetics of the growing leaf 3 was estimated using LVDT. Water potential was measured using a pressure chamber; osmotic potential was estimated from expressed sap of elongation zone, turgor pressure of the same zone of leaf three was estimated directly by pressure probe. Growth rapidly ceased for a period of about one hour after the addition of PEG, gradual recovery was then observed for about 2 h. A significant difference was found in the % recovery of Leaf Elongation Rate (LER) and ABA between the two varieties, leading to better water status in MBB compared to OZ. The results of this study showed the possible role of ABA on growth resumption by the increase of relative water content and turgor via osmotic adjustment during the stress period in the leaves, which indicates the importance of OA in the resumption of LER even in the short term under conditions of water deficit. Full recovery of turgor but not of LER at the end stress period suggested the possible effect on cell wall extensibility (hardening) even at short term resulting from the rapid accumulation of ABA.