To assess the effects of Curcuma longa aqueous extract (CE) on fertility in male rats exposed to Aluminum chloride (AlCl3), Twenty four male rats, 3 months old, divided into 4 groups (n=6) were used. Animal from the first group received, by the oral route, water-containing AlCl3 at the dose of 34 mg/kg body weight (BW). Rats from the second group received both AlCl3 at the same dose in combination with oral treatment of CE at a dose of 200 mg/kg BW. The third group received only an oral administration of CE with the same dose. Rats from the fourth group, without any treatment, served as control. After 4 weeks of experimentation, AlCl3 exposure showed a significant decrease in sperm concentration (4.58±0.65 × 106 cells /ml), and percentage of viability (61.53±23.63 %), and an increase of morphological abnormalities (26.11±17.84 %). A significant decreased in serum testosterone levels (0.31±0.26 ng/ml) and an increase of testicular malondialdehyde (MDA) level (0.16±0.015 μM/g) were also observed. Histological examination of the testes showed degeneration of the seminiferous tubules, germ line cells, and interstitial cells. However, CE treatment concomitant to AlCl3 showed that the rate of morphological abnormalities (19±2.65 %) is significantly decreased compared to AlCl3 group, with a significant increase in serum testosterone (1.17±0.24 ng/ml) and a significant decrease in MDA (0.11±0.003μM/g) level. Microscopic examination revealed a significant regeneration of seminiferous tubules and interstitial cells. This study demonstrated an ameliorative effect of Curcuma longa aqueous extract in testicular tissue and sperm quality. Keywords: Curcuma longa, Aluminum, fertility, testosterone, malondialdehyde (MDA), sperm.

Objectives: To assess the potential influence of lifestyle changes during the first month of COVID-19 lockdown on body weight gains (WG) in an Algerian population cohort. Subjects and Methods: A sample survey, carried out using a self-administered questionnaire, sent on social networks to a random sample (172 participants). Anthropometric measurements were obtained as well as lifestyle factors including physical activity, diet habits, sleep, and screen time. Results: The average WG was; 1.02 ± 3.36, 1.18±2.15, and 0.95±3.79 (kg) for the total sample, men and women respectively. Δ-BMI (body mass index difference before and after one month of lockdown period) increased as following; 0.42±1.43, 0.39±0.68, and 0.43±1.66 (Kg/m²) for the total sample, men and women respectively. WG induced slightly changes from the normal BMI category to the overweight category for the total cohort (24.87±6.74 vs 25.28±7.19 kg/m²), women (25.13±7.65 vs 25.56±8.19 kg/m²) whereas no effect was reported in men (24.28±4.03 vs 24.67±4.15 kg/m²). A significant difference (p < 0.001) was revealed in men and women for sport practicing (53.33 vs 40.90 % respectively) and nighttime snacking (56.60% for men against 43.55% for women). Positive correlation between body WG and number of meals/day in men (r=0,341, p=0,012), while for women there was a positive correlation between WG change and both food intake (r=0.170, p=0.066) and nighttime snacking (r=0,228, p=0,013). Furthermore, a negative correlation between WG and sport practicing was found in women (r =-0.221, p=0.016). Conclusions: Significant WG was found during a short COVID-19 lockdown. The WG results presented herein were positively associated with certain lifestyle variables during the COVID-19 lockdown. Keywords: Algerian population, BMI, COVID-19, lifestyle changes, lockdown, weight gain.

In the present study, phytochemical profiling of Camellia sinensis methanolic extract was carried out using liquid chromatography (LC-UV) analysis. Then the antibacterial potential of this extract was evaluated in vitro against Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 using the conventional agar well diffusion method. While the compounds identified by LC-UV were tested for their potential DNA-gyrase inhibitory and drug-likeness properties using computer-aided methods. LC-UV analysis revealed the presence of four major compounds namely: Caffeic acid, (-)-Epicatechin, Syringic acid, and (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate. The extract showed powerful antibacterial activity at the concentration of 5000 µg/ml with an inhibitory zone of 25.38 ± 2.75 mm, and 22.78 ± 1.22 mm against B. cereus ATCC 11778, and E. coli ATCC 25922 respectively. (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate exhibited the best docking score (-8.1 kcal mol-1) outperforming the other phenolic compounds but also Clorobiocin and Novobiocin. According to their molecular parameters, all tested compounds revealed an important drug-likeness property by obeying Lipinski's rule of five and the Ghose filter. This analysis revealed that C. Sinensis has strong antibacterial activity due to its high phenolic component content, and it may be considered a promising option for natural plant sources of antibacterial drugs with high value.

Despite the popular use and the biological effects of Anvillea radiata, there are no studies or data about its safety. The aim of the present study was to assess the acute toxicity of A. radiata aqueous extract in vivo. A single dose of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2.5 or 5 g/kg was administered to female rats by gavage. Body weight gain, general behavior and mortality were monitored for up to 2 weeks. Selected biochemical parameters, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and blood creatinine levels were determined, as well as, liver and kidney histology. Results showed no significant changes in body weight gain and organ indexes with no mortality during the experimentation period. A significant increase in AST and ALT levels were observed in 2.5 and 5 g/kg extract treated groups, and a significant decrease in BUN and creatinine levels in 1, 1.5, 2.5 or 5g/kg extract treated groups compared to control. Microscope examination of liver sections showed several anomalies in rats exposed to high concentrations (1.5, 2.5 and 5 g/kg) including fatty changes, glycogen accumulation and ballooning degeneration hepatocytes. Renal parenchyma anomalies were also observed in rats exposed to 2.5 and 5g / kg of plant extract including shrunken renal corpuscles with marked hypo-cellularity and atrophied glomeruli, large interstitial space, and renal tubules with dilated lumina which appear completely distorted. From this study, it can be concluded that Anvillea radiata aqueous extract at high concentration (higher than 1 g /kg b.w.) may be toxic and affect sensitive organs function such liver and kidney. Keywords: Anvillea radiata, Acute toxicity, Biochemical parameters, Histology.

Fatty acid and phytosterol vegetable oils were extracted from seeds of Cucurbita pepo (or pumpkin) into (v/v) hexane. The extract obtained was characterized by the contents of sterols, unsaturated and saturated fatty acids. The content of the bioactive compounds was determined by gas-chromatography FID method. Pumpkin seed oil extracts showed higher content of poly-unsaturated fatty acids (49.10%) than that from saturated fatty acids (28%). Sterols exhibited different molecules dominated by β-sistostérol (47%), Stigmastérol (23.6%) and campesterol (21.5%). Several peaks were present on the FID GC chromatogram of two extracts (fatty acids and sterols respectively). GC spectra confirmed the presence of the predominant bioactive compounds (PUFA, β-sistostérol , Stigmastérol and campesterol). The composition of pumpkin seed oil extract was characterized by FID-GC spectra with maximum at 280 nm.