Background: Metribuzin (Mtz) a pesticide often used on vegetable crops to control broadleaf and grassy weed species has shown significant toxicity to humans and animals. Many plant extracts have been reported to have multiple biological properties. Ephedra alata extract might be useful in preventing and protecting the population from getting affected by metribuzin toxicity. Objective: The current study evaluates the protective effect of Ephedra alata aqueous extract against metribuzin (Mtz) pesticide induced adverse effects on biochemical parameters as well as oxidative stress in various tissues of rats. Method : This study was conducted on 24 Albino rats, which were divided into three groups; the first served as a control, the remaining groups were respectively treated with metribuzin 1/5 of the LD50 (440 mg/kg b.w.) and a combination of Mtz and Ephedra alata aqueous extract at the dose level of 200 mg/kg b.w. for 50 days. Results: After 50 days of treatment, a significant increase in glucose levels noticed in the metribuzinexposed group compared to the control. Mtz exposure resulted in the increase in plasma urea and creatinine in rats, suggesting renal failure and caused also a significant induction of oxidative damage in tissues as evidenced by increased activities of AST, ALT and ALP, increased levels of malondialdehyde, decreased levels of reduced glutathione in Mtz group compared to the control. Conclusion: Ephedra alata aqueous extract at the dose level of 200 mg/kg b.w. supplementation has significantly reduced the adverse effects of metribuzin. These findings suggest that Ephedra alata extract may have protective effects by improving the antioxidant status in tissues and ameliorating the harmful effects induced by Mtz.

Obesity is a chronic disease responsible for comorbidity and excess mortality, and is considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular pathology development. Most cardiovascular disease can be prevented by tackling behavioural risk factors, such as a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, and obesity. Taraxacum officinal is a perennial plant belonging to the Asteraceae family, commonly used for these medicinal characteristics. It has diuretic, anti-tumour, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and immunostimulant properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the lipid-lowering and cardioprotective effect of Taraxacum officinal aqueous extract in Wistar rats on hyperfatty diets. A total of 24 rats weighing 200 ± 6.8 g were divided into three lots: healthy control (HC) receiving a standard diet, obese control (OC) receiving a cafeteria diet without treatment and the third load (TL) receiving a cafeteria diet and treated for 20 days with 200 mg/kg Taraxacum officinal aqueous extract. The results showed that the cafeteria diet induced obesity in rats compared to the control group, characterized by hyperglycaemia (148.75 mg/ dL), hypertriglyceridemia (59 mg/dL) and hypercholesterolemia (160.67 mg/dL) with an increase in total lipids (0.39 g/g of tissue) associated with a state of oxidative stress in the cardiac tissue. Oral administration of the aqueous extract of Taraxacum officinal improved the lipid profile in serum and tissue. The findings showed a drop in blood sugar (1.02 mg/dL), total cholesterol (135 mg/ dL), LDL cholesterol, (67 mg/dL), triglycerides (36 mg/dL), total lipids (1.37g/g of tissue), and lipid peroxidation MDA (0.25 ± 0.02 μmoL/g protein), and an increase in the level of GSH (0.51 nM /mg protein) in treated rats compared to the controls. In conclusion, the results obtained showed the effectiveness of the aqueous extract of Taraxacum officinal against dyslipidemia, obesity, and hyperglycaemia. The plant was shown to have both cardioprotective and antioxidant effect.

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Background:: Liver is one of the largest organs of the human body and the main site for intense metabolism and excretion. Liver injury or dysfunction is recognized as a serious worldwide health problem. Daphne gnidium L., medicinal plant widely distributed in Algeria and used by populations in traditional medicine in the treatment of hepatitis and other diseases. Objective:: Protective and curative effects of aqueous extract of Daphne gnidium L. leaves were investigated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatic damage in rats (Wistar Albino). Method:: This study was conducted on 32 Albino rats, which were divided into four groups; the first served as control. Group II animals were treated intraperitoneally with CCl4 solution (3ml/kg). Group III animals were treated intraperitoneally with CCl4 solutions (3ml/kg) in the first day, and given aqueous Daphne extract orally at a dose level of (300 mg/kg) daily for 7 days (curative activity test). Animals of group IV were orally administered aqueous Daphne extract at a dose level of (300 mg/kg) daily, and on the seventh day treated intraperitoneally with CCl4 solution (3ml/kg) 3 hours after the latest extract administration (preventive activity test). Results:: Our results show that CCl4 significantly increases the relative liver weight, serum values of ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, and Total bilirubin, as well as the hepatic rate of oxidative stress parameters; MDA, CAT activities, and significantly decreases hepatic GSH levels compared to the control group. These results were confirmed by liver lesions observed in histological analyses. Pre-treatment and curative treatment of dose 300 mg / kg of aqueous Daphne gnidium L. extract significantly reduced relative weight, serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, GGT and Total bilirubin liver rate, CAT activity and increases GSH level. In addition, normal liver architecture has been restored. Conclusion:: The present study demonstrates the hepatoprotective and curative effects of aqueous extract Daphne gnidium leaves against CCl4-induced liver injury in rats by improving the antioxidant status in tissues (liver) and ameliorating the harmful effects induced by CCl4.