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SUMMARY:The reproductive biology of the European hake (Merluccius merluccius, Linnaeus, 1758) was studied on the eastern central Atlantic Moroccan coast from November 2001 to December 2003. The sex ratio was close to 1:1 for the specimens with a total length of less than 45 cm. European hake spawned all year round, though two spawning peaks were recorded with a certain interannual variability: the first and main peak in winter and a secondary intermittent peak in summer. Length at first maturity was estimated as 28.6 cm and 33.8 cm total length for males and females, respectively. These values are closer to Mediterranean than Atlantic hake values. The mean batch fecundity was 299872 eggs ind -1 . The relative batch fecundity was estimated as 228 eggs per gram of gutted weight. Batch fecundity increased proportionally with fish length and weight. The batch fecundity of European hake in the Moroccan Atlantic area is higher than that in northern Atlantic and northwestern Mediterranean areas.Keywords: Merluccius merluccius, sex ratio, reproductive cycle, length at first maturity, fecundity.RESUMEN: Madurez y fecundidad parcial de la merluza europea (Merluccius Merluccius, Linnaeus, 1758) en el Atlántico Oriental central. -Se ha estudiado la biología reproductiva de la merluza europea (Merluccius merluccius, Linnaeus, 1758) en la zona central del Atlántico Oriental de la costa de Marruecos durante el período de noviembre de 2001 a diciembre de 2003. La proporción sexual fue cercana a 1:1 para los individuos de talla total menor de 45 cm. La merluza europea se reproduce durante todo el año. Se han detectado dos picos de puesta con una cierta variabilidad interanual: el primero y más importante en invierno y otro pico secundario intermitente en verano. La talla de primera madurez se estimó en 28.6 cm y 33.8 cm de longitud total para machos y hembras respectivamente. Estos valores son más cercanos a los observados para la merluza en el Mediterráneo que a los del Atlántico. La fecundidad parcial media fue de 299872 huevos ind -1 . La fecundidad parcial relativa se estimó en 228 huevos por gramo de hembra referido al peso eviscerado. La fecundidad parcial se incrementó proporcionalmente a la longitud y peso del pez. La fecundidad parcial de la merluza europea en el área atlán-tica de Marruecos, muestra valores más altos que en las áreas del Atlántico situadas más al norte y del NW Mediterráneo.Palabras clave: Merluccius merluccius, proporción sexual, ciclo reproductivo, talla de primera madurez, fecundidad. 2011, 447-454, Barcelona (Spain) Scientia Marina75(3) September

Introduction:The extracts of the Pistacia species are known for their anti-inflammatory activity, including fruits and oil of P. atlantica. However, the inflammatory effect of the methanolic extract of P. atlantica leaves has not been studied. This work aimed at assessing the antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities of P. atlantica leaves extract in relation to phytochemical studies of flavonoids. Methods: The extract was obtained using sonication of leaves powder in 80 % methanol. The analysis of phenolic compounds was carried out using thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays. The anti-inflammatory activity was determined by the reduction of carrageenaninduced hind paw edema in mice. Results: The TLC revealed 3 glycosylated flavonoids and gallic acid derivatives. The flavonoids identified corresponded to rutin, quercetrin and other heterosides of quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin. Total phenolics and flavonoids contents were comparable for the male and female trees. The antioxidant activity did not show a significative difference between the two sexes, except for that evaluated by the FRAP assay which was significantly greater for the male tree leaves extract. The leaves extract permitted significative reduction of the edema at h3 and 6 in a dose-dependent manner (100 and 250 mg/kg), while diclofenac used as control reduced the edema at h 1.5. This difference could be explained by the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of diclofenac and P. atlantica leaves compounds. Conclusion: P. atlantica has a strong anti-inflammatory activity and constitutes a potential source for the development of new treatments. Key words: Antioxidant activity, Flavonoids, Methanolic extract, Plantar edema, TLC. Oukacha ulcers.4 This has led to the search for alternative treatments. In this regard, secondary metabolites of various medicinal plants have been shown to be effective in the treatment of inflammation and pain.5 Among these plants, the species of Pistacia genus are of interest. Indeed, this genus includes 11 species that are widely distributed on the different continents of the terrestrial globe. They are found in temperate forests, tropical hardwoods and boreal conifers.6 P. atlantica is one of the most widespread wildlife species. It is the most characteristic plant of the arid and semi-arid zones of the northern part of Africa.7 In traditional medicine, P. atlantica is used for the treatment of pain and other conditions such as upper abdominal discomfort, dyspepsia and peptic ulcer.8 Several studies reported that the different parts of the plant as fruits, galls and oil, have biological effects including anti-inflammatory activities.9-12 However, as far as we know, no work has been devoted to the study of the anti-inflammatory effect of the methanolic extract of P. atlantica leaves (MEPaL). Thus, this study aimed at assessing the anti-inflammatory activity of DPPH scavenging activityThe antiradical power of substances was measured ...

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