Therapeutic Effects of Lycopene Alone or in Combination with Cephalexin on Chronic Prostatitis Caused by <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> in a Rat Model

\ua9 2025 by the authors.Chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) is caused by bacterial infection, commonly treated with fluoroquinolones. Due to rising antibiotic resistance, alternative therapies such as phytotherapy are being explored. Lycopene, a potential antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties, is a candidate for such therapy. This study aims to evaluate lycopene’s therapeutic effects alone or with cephalexin against chronic prostate infections induced by Staphylococcus aureus using the Wistar rat model. The CBP model was established by introducing S. aureus through the urethra into the prostatic duct in 25 rats, confirming infection via uriculture and spermoculture analysis. Infected rats (n = 21) were grouped randomly: G1 (control), G2 (lycopene), G3 (cephalexin), and G4 (lycopene/cephalexin), in addition to negative control (G5) with healthy rats. Treatments were administered intragastrically, two times per day for 2 weeks: lycopene (10 mg/kg), cephalexin (2.5 mg/kg), or both. Biological samples (blood, urine, and prostate specimens) were collected for microbiological and histological analysis. The results showed a significant reduction in bacterial counts in urine and prostate (p &lt; 0.01), especially in the group treated with both lycopene and cephalexin. This group also exhibited notable anti-inflammatory effects compared to single-treatment and control groups. In conclusion, lycopene combined with cephalexin demonstrated a beneficial synergistic effect, indicating its potential as an effective treatment for CBP caused by S. aureus

Anti-acetylcholinesterase, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antityrosinase and antixanthine oxidase activities of Moroccan propolis

Biological properties of Moroccan propolis have been scarcely studied. In the present work, the total phenols and flavonoids from 21 samples of propolis collected in different places of Morocco or 3 supplied in the market were determined, as well as the invitro capacity for inhibiting the activities of acetylcholinesterase, -glucosidase, -amylase, lipoxygenase, tyrosinase, xanthine oxidase and hyaluronidase. The results showed that samples 1 (region Fez-Boulemane, Sefrou city) (IC50=0.065, 0.006, 0.020, 0.050, 0.014mgmL(-1)) and 23 (marketed) (IC50=0.018, 0.002, 0.046, 0.037, 0.008mgmL(-1)) had the best invitro capacity for inhibiting the -amylase, -glucosidase, lipoxygenase, tyrosinase and xanthine oxidase activities, respectively. A negative correlation between IC50 values and concentration of phenols, flavones and flavanones was found. These activities corresponded to the generally higher amounts of phenols and flavonoids. In the same region, propolis samples have dissimilar phenol content and enzyme inhibitory activities

Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant effects, and bioaccessibility of Tigzirt propolis

This work aims to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of Tigzirt propolis native to Algeria. We divided 48 male Wistar rats into 8 groups. We orally administered ethyl acetate extract of propolis (EAP), pure polyphenols compounds, or diclofenac 5 days before induction of inflammation by of carrageenan (100 μg/ml, i.p.). We determined the development of paw edema, biological parameters, myeloperoxidase activity, TNF-α, and prostaglandin E2 and measured the oxidative status parameters, as well. Finally, we analyzed the absorption and bioaccessibility of propolis in rats’ plasma using GC–MS after orally dosing rats (250 mg/kg). The pretreatment by 200 and 250 mg/kg of propolis significantly reduced the edema rates after the third hour. Propolis can restore the disruption of homeostasis as well as markers of inflammation induced by carrageenan in Wistar rats, and an increase of the enzymatic activities. Furthermore, the inflammation was better resolved in rats that received propolis than in those treated with pure polyphenols. Practical applications: Propolis is a natural mixture that bees produce by mixing gathered resin and gums to bee saliva and wax. Our research investigated the effect of Tigzirt propolis on the inhibition of biomarkers of inflammation and the development of paw edema. Propolis extract helped to reduce PGE2, TNF-α, myeloperoxidase, and malondialdehyde levels and increase the total antioxidant levels in plasma. Our findings emphasized the use of phenolic extract of propolis in industries such as nutraceuticals for the prevention of inflammatory diseases. It can also protect the body against damage under oxidative stress.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

STUDY OF CYNARA CARDUNCULUS (ARTICHOKE) STEM AND LEAVE AQUEOUS EXTRACT EFFECTS ON BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN RATS FED WITH HIGH-FAT-DIET AND VITAMIN C-SUPPLEMENT

Cynara cardunculus (CC), belonging to the family of artichokes, is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids. This medicinal plant has shown its preventive effects against metabolic disorders. This study aimed to assess the effects of CC stems (CCS) and CC leaves (CCL) decoctions on metabolic parameters in rats fed with High-Fat-Diet and Vitamin C-supplement. This study underwent on 30 male adult rats divided into 5 groups; Controls, HFD, HFD-VC, HFD-CCS and HFD-CCL. Body weight and biochemical parameters such as blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and hepatic transaminases (GOT &amp; GPT) were measured by spectrophotometric analysis methods during an experimental period (30 days). Decreased body weights were observed in HFD-CCS (176.93 g) and HFD-CCL (173.2 g) compared to HFD-VC (216.63 g). Significant changes were observed regarding blood glucose, total cholesterol, cholesterol-HDL and triglycerides in HFD-CCS (0.84±0.03, 1.01±0.07, 1.21±0.05 and 0.64±0.03 g / L respectively) and HFD-CCL (0.85±0.02, 0.89±0.03, 1.42±0.05 and 0.52±0.02 g / L) compared to HFD-VC (1.32±0.02, 1.3±0.05, 0.76±0.02 and 0.86±0.08 g / L). Liver function was characterized by decreased transaminase activities of GOT and GPT in HFD-CCS (22.6 and 19.6 IU / L) and HFD-CCL (12.6 and 10.3 IU / L) compared to HFD-VC (112 and 73.6 IU / L). Cynara cardunculus showed beneficial effects against biochemical disorders induced by high-fat-diet better than vitamin C supplement. Stem and leave decoctions showed complementary activities respectively hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic.</jats:p