This paper reports an investigation of the ability of propolis extract (a resinous substance collected by honeybees from various plant sources) to restore the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential induced by ferulenol, a sesquiterpene prenylated coumarin derivative isolated from the plant Ferula vesceritensis . We show that ferulenol was able to induce the permeability transition pore (PTP) opening. This effect is caused by the interaction of the compound with the mitochondrial respiratory chain, more particularly by the fall of membrane potential and the inhibition of complex II. We have previously demonstrated that this inhibition results from a limitation of electron transfers involved in the respiratory chain and initiated by the reduction of ubiquinone. We hypothesized that the protective effect of propolis could be due to a direct action on mitochondrial functions. So we have investigated in vitro the mitochondrial effects of Algerian propolis using rat liver mitochondria, by analysing their effects on membrane potential, mitochondrial respiration and mitochondrial swelling. We show that propolis extract was able to restore the fall of mitochondrial membrane potential. Taken together these data reveal that propolis extract may be an interesting inhibitor of PTP and provide an additional mechanism by which the natural product propolis extract may restore the mitochondrial membrane potential and to prevent apoptotic process.

No abstract

Mercury chloride is one of the most dangerous metals for health due to its volatility and its rapidity to pass through the human body. We undertook this study with the aim of investigating the detoxification of mercury chloride by the Calotropis procera plant taken from the Algerian Sahara. In this study, the toxicity of mercury chloride affected the kidney weights of male and female rats through increased weight. On the other hand, the plant Calotropis procera demonstrated a beneficial effect by restoring the weight of the kidneys. The results of this study demonstrated that the plant Calotropis procera. procera has a beneficial effect on the liver, which was able to restore its weight affected by the mercury chloride. Treatment of male and female rats with mercury chloride has also been found to lower blood urea levels, uric acid, proteins total, alkaline phosphatase and direct, indirect, total bilirubin levels. This toxicant caused an increase in blood sugar levels, blood creatinine, in male and female rats. Our results demonstrated no effect of mercury chloride and of the plant on cholesterol levels and triglycerides in female rats. No change in albumin levels was found in male and female rats. However, mercury chloride was found to increase cholesterol and triglyceride levels in male rats. The Calotropis procera plant restored cholesterol and triglycerides in male rats. This study can help to clarify that the detoxification of mercury chloride by Calotropis procera act directly on liver and kidney by ameliorating uric acid, blood sugar, creatinine, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, urea, total protein.