Plant-derived compounds have recently been gaining popularity as skincare factors due to their ability to absorb ultraviolet radiations and their anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. In this light, this work aimed to evaluate in vitro the pharmacological activities of the butanolic extract prepared from the aerial parts of Astragalus gombiformis Pomel, an endemic species to southern Algeria. The sun protection factor was used to assess the photoprotective effect (SPF), the protein denaturation method to determine the anti-inflammatory activity, and brine shrimp nauplii and OxHLIA assay, respectively, to assess the cytotoxicity and antioxidant capacity of A. gombiformis. In addition, LC–ESI–MS analysis was employed for the characterization of the phenolic constituents of A. gombiformis. The results showed that A. gombiformis had high capacity for absorbing UV radiations with an SPF of 37.78 ± 0.85 and significant anti-inflammatory activity with a percentage inhibition of 75.38% which is close to that of diclofenac and ketoprofen. In addition, A. gombiformis was found to have effective cytotoxicity against Artemia nauplii with a DC50 value of about 44.7 µg/mL, but a weak hemolytic effect against human erythrocytes. LC–ESI–MS results detected the presence of 17 phenolic compounds with a predominance of cirsiliol, silymarin, quercitrin (quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside), and kaempferol. Taken together, these results suggest that A. gombiformis extract could be used as a skincare agent in cosmetic formulations, providing excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protection, allowing the treatment of skin conditions, as well as a pharmaceutical agent with multidimensional applications.

<p>Beta-glucan, such as barley-derived beta-glucan (BBG), are homopolysaccharides that have attracted attention by their nutritional and therapeutic properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant power of BBG extracted from local Algerian variety of barley (SAIDA 183), and its acetylcholinesterase, alpha glucosidase inhibitory activity as well as its prebiotic potential by fermentation with lactic acid bacteria isolated from camel’s milk, namely <em>lactococcuslactisssplactis</em> (Lc.l.l) and <em>leuconostocmesenteroidesspmesenteroides</em> (Ln.m.m). The results revealed that BBG exhibited low activity against DPPH and ferric-reducing power (IC₅₀ 4018.61 ± 656.69 and A_0.5at 359.88 ±63.64 µg/mL respectively), in contrast to other antioxidant tests (ABTS, Beta-carotene and CUPRAC) where BBG demonstrated a moderate activity (IC₅₀ 529.91 ±26.37, IC₅₀ 161.013±13.322, A_0.5529.79 ± 48.65 µg/mL). The scavenging ability of hydroxyl radical and superoxide radical by BBG with an IC₅₀ at 2268.38±101.57 µg/mL and IC₅₀ 345.26± 62.32 µg/mL, respectively, while enzymatic inhibition by  BBG exhibited for AChE at IC₅₀ 859.164 ±64.46 μg/mL , BChE at IC₅₀ at 725.470 ±30.95 , α-Amylase inhibitory activity at IC₅₀ 2986.785 ± 37.046  . The bacterial growth of the two strains used in this study is favorably affected by the use of BBG as the only carbon source, in comparison with glucose as a control. In light of these findings, it can be concluded that BBG have shown moderate antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities and can be used as a prebiotic by acting synergistically with probiotics in functional food matrices.</p>

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This study aimed to investigate the functional properties of four Algerian propolis collected from El-Menia, Oum el Bouaghi, El Harrouch and Collo regions. The total bioactive content, antioxidant, anti-enzymatic and antimicrobial effects of the four propolis methanolic extracts were evaluated using in vitro assays. The highest amount of total phenolic (561.99 ± 3.50 μg GAE/mg E) and flavonoid content (76.98 ± 0.26 μg QE/mg E) was found in propolis from El-Menia. Antioxidant tests (DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC and ferric reducing power) revealed the strong scavenging and reducing abilities of the extracts. Anti-enzymatic assays against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and α-glucosidase showed that all extracts possessed a potent inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase better than acarbose and revealed the ability of extracts to inhibit BChE more effectively than AChE. However, the extract of propolis from El Menia was the best inhibitor of the three key enzymes with IC 50 values of 11.40 ± 0.58 µg/mL 16.06 ± 0.85 µg/mL and 71.29 ± 2.73 µg/mL against α-glucosidase, BChE and AChE, respectively. The antimicrobial assay indicated that all extracts were mainly active against Gram-positive bacteria and yeast and had bactericidal action in certain bacteria and bacteriostatic action in other ones. However, they had all fungistatic effect on C. albicans ATCC 10231. According to these results, Algerian propolis can be considered as a source of natural bioactive principles for dietary, pharmacological and medicinal applications.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is currently the most favorable target for the symptomatic treatment and reduction of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In order to identify new potent inhibitors of this enzyme, we describe herein a new structure‐based virtual screening (SBVS) using the Institut Curie‐CNRS chemical library (ICCL), which contained at the screening date 14307 compounds. The strategy undertaken in this work consisted of the use of several docking programs in SBVS calculations followed by the application of a consensus method (vSDC) and a scrupulous visual analysis. It allowed us to obtain a high degree of success, with a yield of almost 86 %, since 12 hits were identified among only 14 molecules tested in vitro. Still more remarkably, 6 of these hits were more active than galantamine, the reference inhibitor. These hits were predicted to have good ADMET properties. The two most promising compounds can serve as leads for AD treatment.