Hichem Sebai

• Professor in Nutrition and Animal Physiology
• Rector at University of Jendouba

BACKGROUND This study aimed to analyze the advantageous effects of the decoction aqueous extract of Arbutus unedo fruits (AUFDE) against ulcerative colitis (UC) caused by acetic acid (AA) in rats, along with the processes involved in this protective effect. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: control (H2O), AA, AA combined with var...

Background and Aim Diarrhea is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder with significant global health implications, often associated with disruptions in intestinal motility, barrier function, and fluid homeostasis. This study investigates the anti‐diarrheal potential of three medicinal plants: Moringa oleifera, Cynara scolymus (artichoke), and Allium...

Background Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) is well known for its medicinal uses, particularly in managing gastrointestinal disorders. This study investigates the protective effects of fresh red beet juice (FBRJ) on gastrointestinal complications caused by co‐administration of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and loperamide (LOP), which induce ulcerative co...

Background Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including ulcerative colitis, are characterized by chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches. This study explores the therapeutic potential of snail mucus derived from snails fed different concentrations of carob (SSCS) and compares its efficacy to aqueous car...

Leishmaniasis and Chagas disease are parasitic diseases considered to be among the most important neglected diseases, with implications for both developed and developing countries. Currently, there are no effective therapeutic treatments for these diseases due to challenges in drug administration, high toxicity, high costs, and drug resistance. In...

BACKGROUND This study investigates the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of leaf extracts from Moringa oleifera, Cynara scolymus and Allium fistulosum, and explores the role of quercetin, a bioactive compound found in these plants. Antioxidant efficacy was evaluated through DPPH (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethy...

Constipation represents a common gastrointestinal disorder that has various adverse effects on the gastroin-testinal tract. As a result, various civilizations have developed phytomedicines in order to treat and relieve its symptoms. In the current study, we evaluated the effect of Crataegus azarolus L. leaves decoction extract (CALDE) against loper...

The present study evaluated the hepato‐nephronal protective properties of Crataegus azarolus berries decoction extract (CAB‐DE) on acetic acid (AA)‐induced oxidative stress and metabolic disorders in rats. Animals (60 rats) were randomly divided into six groups (n = 10), with groups 1 and 2 being controls and groups 3, 4, and 5 given increasing dos...

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF), is a chronic interstitial lung disease, characterized by changes in the alveoli, excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix, persistent inflammation, and oxidative stress. In this study, we aimed to explore the therapeutic effects of avocado oil (Ao) on bleomycin (BLM)‐induced PF. Four this, 24 male rats were divided in...

Urtica dioica L. has been used as a natural remedy due to its healing properties for over 2000 years. The aim of this study is to investigate the chemical composition, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antitumor properties in vitro of the aqueous extract of Urtica dioica leaves (AEUD). The chemical composition was assessed by an ultra-high-performanc...

Ethno-veterinary medicine is a field that focuses on animal health and production. Currently, there is a growing interest in researching how to preserve ancestral practices and optimize their use. Investigations were carried out with individual respondents and focus groups who use aromatic and medicinal plants in regions of northwestern Tunisia to...

Introduction In the aim to investigate the possible influence the variation of the food composition on ruminant performances, several approaches was based on medicinal plants for their beneficial effects on digestibility. Our study was oriented to determine the phytochemical screening, the antioxidant activity, and the in vitro digestibility of Cra...

Damage to intestinal epithelial cells is present in obesity and other diseases because of inflammatory and oxidative processes. This damage compromises the gastrointestinal barrier, killing enterocytes, altering intestinal permeability, and eliciting abnormal immune responses that promote chronic inflammation. Recent evidence shows that spirulina i...

Introduction: At the interface between man, animal and environment, the use of phytobiotics in agroecology practices has been developed as one of the most effective nutritional strategies for animal performance, health, and well-being. This study aimed to determine the effect of extracts from different parts (leaves, flowers and fruits) of a medici...

Background Chronic constipation is a gastrointestinal functional disorder which affects patient quality of life. Therefore, many studies were oriented to search herbal laxative agents. In this study, we investigated the phytochemical composition of beetroot juice (BJ) and its laxative potential in an experimental model of constipation and colonic d...

Background The prompt development of obesity/constipation is the most serious problem for both children and adults. Limited studies suggested an association between them but lacked preclinical studies. This study allows to evaluate their crosslink and to compare the aqueous extracts laxative actions of two edible wild fruits of Arbutus unedo (AUAE)...

The present study was performed to evaluate the therapeutic impact of Diospyros kaki fruit aqueous extract (DKFAE) on ethanol induced peptic ulcer. The phytochemical studies of DKFAE were investigated using colorometric analysis. Gastric ulcer was induced by one dose of ethanol (5 ml/Kg, b.w) on 24 h empty stomach. Then, the plant extract (200, 400...

Phytotherapy is one of the oldest medicines in the world. Indeed, humans have tested and selected the best medicinal plants to treat themselves. In this regard, ancient civilisations have described several wild or cultivated plants as a remedy for several diseases. Nowadays, this ancestral medicine remains massively deployed, especially in developi...

Background Between food and medicine, nutraceuticals are widely used in human health for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. This study aims to determine the cytoprotective effects of Anethum gravelons fruit extract (AGFAE) on castor oil‐induced diarrhea in rats due to its phytochemical and antioxidant properties. Methods Male rats w...

The present study aims to investigate the antioxidant and anti-constipation activities of the derived phenolic extracts in ribs wild cardoon (Cynara sylvestris). Analysed extracts (acetone, methanol and aqueous) exhibited high level of phenolic compounds and excellent antioxidant activities with significant IC 50 values (p≤0.05), as assessed by the...

This study aimed to investigate the ability of aqueous extract of Lepidium sativum seeds (LSE) to improve the wound healing process in rat models. The gelatin, extracted from the skin of smooth-hound shark using citric acid, was used as a support material for ointment. Animals were divided into four groups of six rats each: an untreated control gro...

Appel à contribution dans la conférence internationale: Intersections artistiques et ambiguïté des frontières نداء ترشح لمؤتمر علمي دولي

In the present study, sulfated polysaccharides (SPs) from smooth hound shark were extracted using different precipitation agents, the cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) or ethanol, named SHSP-I and SHSP-II, respectively. The UV–visible scan demonstrated the absence of nucleic acids or proteins in the extracted SHSPs. The antioxidant, anticoagulant and...

A B S T R A C T Objective: The cafeteria diet (CD), designed as an experimental diet mimicking the obesogenic diet, may contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). This study delves into the influence of spirulina (SP) on obesity associated with colitis in Wistar rats. Methods: The amino acids composition of SP was analyzed...

Eucalyptus cinerea F. Muell. ex Benth (Myrtaceae) is used in traditional Tunisian medicine to treat gastrointestinal disorders and other diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition of essential oils of Eucalyptus cinerea (ECEO) and their antioxidant and toxicological capacities. The EO was extracted by steam distillati...

BACKGROUND The shortcomings of synthetic pesticides are becoming increasingly evident. In the pursuit of looking for alternative, environmentally friendly pesticides, the potential use of two naturally occurring sesquiterpenes, α‐bisabolol and bisabolol oxide A, as bactericides or acaricides, was investigated against three gram‐positive and three g...

In cattle, Hyalomma scupense serves as an important vector of several pathogens resulting in diseases, subsequently affecting the agricultural field as well as the economy. Resistance to chemical acaricides has become widespread affirming the need for new drugs to tick control. The goal of this study was to investigate the acaricidal, repellent act...

A growing interest has been drawn to the use of traditional medicinal plants for the treatment of human diseases and, in particular, infertility and reproductive toxicity associated with environmental factors. The Mediterranean basin area is a recognized source of plant species with therapeutic interest. In this frame, Eruca sativa (ES) is an annua...

The present study aims to evaluate the protective effect of Crataegus azarolus berries decoction extract (CAB-DE) against acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis as well as the mechanisms implicated in such protection. Adult male Wistar rats were separated into seven groups: Control (H 2 O), acetic acid (AA), AA + various doses of CAB-DE (100, 200,...

Plants contain a considerable reservoir of secondary metabolites (flavonoids, tannins, and essential oils). These molecules exhibit variations in chemical structure as well as a very wide range of biological activities. Essential oils (EOs) are secondary metabolites produced by aromatic plants. EOs contain bioactive molecules, mainly represented by...

The present study aims to investigate the antioxidant and anti-constipation activities of the derived phenolic extracts in ribs wild cardoon (Cynara sylvestris). Analysed extracts (acetone, methanol and aqueous) exhibited high level of phenolic compounds and excellent antioxidant activities with significant IC 50 values (p≤0.05), as assessed by the...

The present study aims to investigate the antioxidant and anti-constipation activities of the derived phenolic extracts in ribs wild cardoon (Cynara sylvestris). Analysed extracts (acetone, methanol and aqueous) exhibited high level of phenolic compounds and excellent antioxidant activities with significant IC 50 values (p≤0.05), as assessed by the...

Keywords: Pinus Halepensis; Peptic Ulcer; Oxidative Stress; Intracellular Mediators; Mice Background and objectives: Pinus halepensis Mill. (Pinaceae) is commonly used in Tunisian traditional medicine to treat gastro

Essential oils, called volatile oils or ethereal oils, are natural metabolic secretions widespread in the most varied organs of the plant. Some of these natural products are extremely potent and precise as action due to their complex molecular substances, in which mono- and sesquiterpenes constituents predominate, and contain aromatic compounds. Th...

The current study investigated the possible mechanisms of aqueous extract Salvia officinalis flowers (SF‐AE) and its protective effects against hepatorenal toxicities produced by simultaneous acute administration of ethanol (EtOH)/castor oil (CO). Healthy male rats ( N = 50) were separated into five equal groups: control, Ethanol (EtOH) + Castor oi...

Background and Objectives: Urtica dioica, a source of bioactive functional compounds, provides nutritional and gastrointestinal therapeutic benefits. This study attempted to investigate the prophylactic coloprotective action of an aqueous extract of Urtica dioica (AEUD) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC). Materials and...

Background and Objectives: Obesity is currently a major health problem due to fatty acid accumulation and excess intake of energy, which leads to an increase in oxidative stress, particularly in the liver. The main goal of this study is to evaluate the protective effects of spirulina (SP) against cafeteria diet (CD)-induced obesity, oxidative stres...

Industrial waste still present an environmental danger for the nature and survival of all living beings. Among these toxic products, the focus has been on liquid effluents from the baker's yeast industry that cause real environmental problems mainly due to their pollutant load and the release of unpleasant odors. In order to minimize these hazards...

Les recherches pharmacologiques actuelles contribuent continuellement à découvrir les vertus thérapeutiques des plantes médi-cinales et les modalités d'action de leurs composés actifs. Les propriétés authentiques de ces molécules ont été utilisées dans le traitement et la prévention de nombreuses pathologies. Dans ce contexte, nous avons réalisé un...

Anthocyanins are the major polyphenols in myrtle berries seeds aqueous extract (MBSAE). This study investigates the protective potentials of MBSAE against obesity lipotoxicity and inflammation induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). It also describes the underlying mechanisms involved in its protective effects, with special attention to myocardial reacti...

Introduction: The goal of the current study is to evaluate the acaricidal and repellent properties of the ethanolic extract, essential oil, and primary component eugenol from Syzygium aromaticum against Hyalomma scupense cattle ticks. Their potential mechanisms of action were also examined, using an in vitro assay. Methods: Clove essential oil w...

The nematicidal activity of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) on the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita was tested. Dried plant methanol extract presented higher nematicidal activity than fresh plant extracts with an EC50 = 62.6 ± 26.0 and 40.8 ± 26.1 μg/ml after 48 and 72 hours of immersion, respectively. GC-MS analysis showed the pres...

Currently, herbal medicine has proven its effectiveness and undeniable benefits in our daily lives, confirming that plants can prevent and treat. In this context, we are interested in carrying out an ethno-pharmacological survey on the traditional use of Melissa officinalis in the Tabarka region as well as phytochemical screening and the study of a...

Arbutus unedo and Crataegus monogyna are widely distributed throughout the Mediterranean basin and commonly used in folk medicine against a wide range of diseases. Therefore, the present study has been designed to evaluate the anti-obesity potential of two aqueous extracts of the fruits of A. unedo (AUAE) and C. monogyna (CMAE). Male Wistar rats we...

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic and progressive respiratory disease whose diagnosis and physiopathogenesis are still poorly understood and for which, until recently, there were no effective treatments. Over the past few decades, many studies have demonstrated that marine macroalgae such as red seaweeds are potential alternative sources o...

The present study deals with the toxicity of Pinus sylvestris essential oil against red poultry mites Dermanyssus gallinae and Hyalomma scupense cattle ticks in laboratory condition. Individual essential oil components identified using a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer, namely α-pinene (44.92%), β-pinene (17.51%), δ-3 carene (16.18%) and D-Limo...

Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with multiple extraintestinal disorders, including hepato-nephrological disruptions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepato-nephroprotective effect of Salvia officinalis leaf decoction extract (SLDE) on acetic acid (AA)-induced colitis accompanied with liver and kidney injuries. Wistar albinos rats...

The present study aims to study chemical composition and antioxidant capacity of the essential oils isolated from the aerial parts of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) cultivated in northwestern of Tunisia. Chemical composition of isolated rosemary essential oil was determined by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antioxi-dant act...

The nematicidal activity of radish bulb ( Raphanus sativus ) methanol (RME) and aqueous extracts (RAE) was tested against the second stage (J 2 ) root knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita model. The EC 50 of RME after 3 d of J 2 immersion in test solutions was 312 ± 65 μg/ml. However, no activity was noted for RAE (EC 50 > 1,000 μg/ml). The chemical...

Ginger ( Zingiber officinale) rhizomes are commonly used in foods and employed for many ailments including gastrointestinal disorders. Our main objective was to evaluate the effect of Zingiber officinale aqueous extract (ZOAE) on gastrointestinal (GI) physiological motility and colonic dysmotility. Thereby, Wistar rats were given loperamide (LP, 3...

Several scientific researchers have focused on biological activities of edible plants such as radish. However, there are no researches on the anticancer effect of this plant in human glioblastoma. Thus, aims of this study were to evaluate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant and anticancer activities of Raphanus sativus bulbs aqueous and meth...

Effluents from textile industry using wool pose serious environmental nuisances in Tunisia that are mainly due to their pollutant load and the release of unpleasant odors. In order to minimize these hazards and to take advantage of these wastes for the sake of our environment, the present work consists on valuating wool wax from washing effluent on...

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) remains one of the most serious pneumopathies whose diagnosis and physiopathogenesis are still poorly understood and no treatment has been shown to be effective. Recently, many studies have shown a renewed interest in plants thanks to their pharmacological potentials, like horehound, known, for its anti-inflammatory and anti...

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a fibrous interstitial pneumonia that causes damage to the lung tissue and thus alters all respiratory functions. In this study, we aim to investigate the therapeutic effects of fresh leaves of Eucalyptus globulus extracts on bleomycin (BLM)-induced (PF). Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups. The control group r...

Essential oils-(EOs) are organic compounds derived from aromatic plant sources such as roots, bark, flowers, leaves and seeds. Essential oils were obtained via two different methods of extraction: steam distillation (SD) and water distillation (WD). EOs-therapy, refers to a range of traditional, alternative or complementary therapies that use essen...

Medicinal plants are known by pharmacological relevance and were used for long time to prevent/treat numerous gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. The current study focuses on the phytochemical/antioxidant characteristics of sage aqueous extract (SAE), as well as its pharmacological actions on altering motor function in the intestine and related disrup...

Located at the crossroads of the human-Nature sciences, ethno-pharmacology is a discipline that is interested in traditional medicines whose objective is the search for new treatments of tomorrow. In this context, we conducted an ethno-pharmacological survey on the traditional use of aneth (Anethum graveolens L.) in some regions of the North-West o...

The present study evaluated the acaricidal and anthelmintic action of Ocimum basilicum essential oil and its main components against ticks and helminth parasites as well as to relate these activities to acetylcholinesterase inhibition. The in vitro acaricidal activity against Hyalomma scupense was evaluated by Adult Immersion Test (AIT) and Larval...

The present study was conducted to investigate the protective action of Salvia officinalis flowers aqueous extract (SOFAE) against combined gastro-intestinal (GI) disorders-induced by ethanol and castor oil administration in rats. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups of ten each and various doses of SOFAE (50, 100, and 200 mg kg À1...

Trigonella foenum graecum (Fenugreek) is used in traditional phytomedicine for its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antidiabetic, and several other therapeutic virtues. The current study was intended to investigate the protecting effects of fenugreek seeds' aqueous extract (FSAE) using experimentally ethanol (EtOH)-induced gastric peptic ulcer in rat...

This investigation tested the in vitro acaricidal activity of essential oils and raw extracts of Juniperus communis and Origanum majorana compared with the synthetic acaricide amitraz against various stage of Hyalomma scupense cattle tick. The hydrodistilation technique was used to extract essential oils, while chemical components in the plants wer...

Pectin is a polysaccharide attached to carbohydrates. These are substances exclusively of plant origin. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the laxative effects of orange peel pectin extract (OPPE) against constipation induced by loperamide (LOP) in rats. Rats were equally divided into six groups and treated daily 1 week as follows: Control...

ABSTRACT This study assessed the hepato-and nephroprotective effects of Salvia officinalis flowers decoction extract (SODE) against ethanol (EtOH)-induced oxidative stress in rats as well as the possible mechanism implicated in such protection. Animals were divided into four groups: control, EtOH, and EtOH+SODE. Wistar rats were pretreated with SOD...

A series of nine new 6-aryl-7-alkyl/aryl-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a][1,3,5]triazine-5(6H)-thiones (2a-i) were synthesized by a reaction of N-triazol-3-yl imidates (1) with three different isothiocyanate derivatives (RNCS) in refluxing toluene. The structures of the final heterocyclic compounds were confirmed by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, FT-IR, elemental analysis...

The adulticidal, larvicidal, and repellent effects of Cupressus sempervirens, Mentha pulegium, and their combination (C. sempervirens and M. pulegium) against Hyalomma scupense were investigated, as well as their putative mode of action. The evaluation on H. scupense was performed with the adult immersion test at concentrations ranging from 2.5 to...

Quercus ilex fruit is widely used in the treatment of various gastrointestinal disorders, including diarrhea, for its bioactive compounds and astringent property. The current study focuses on the phytochemical characterization of the Q. ilex-aqueous extract (QIAE) and its protective effect against gastroduodenal (GD) ulcer (GDU) produced by absolut...

Globularia alypum (GA), a plant of the Globulariacea family, has long been used as a traditional cure for inflammatory and metabolic illnesses. In addition to various in vitro model studies, the current work focuses on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of GA in human colon biopsies. The phenol components in GA aqueous extract (GAAE)...

Background: Globularia alypum L. is a Mediterranean plant of the Globulariaceae family which has been used in folk medicine to cure several diseases. Different studies have been done in vitro and in vivo using diverse G. alypum extracts to understand this traditional use. Methods: In this study, Tunisian G. alypum leaf methanol extract (GAME) was c...

The current study assayed the toxicity of Laurus.nobilis essential oil and crude extracts obtained using solvents of increasing polarity (cyclohexane, acetone and ethanol), on two ectoparasites of veterinary importance, i.e., Hyalomma scupense and Dermanyssus gallinae. The major components detected in bay laurel essential oil were dominated by 1.8-...

We aimed in the present research to evaluate the ameliorative effect of Salvia officinalis leaves decoction extract (SOLDE) against ulcerative colitis (UC) induced by acetic acid intoxication in rat as well as the mechanisms implicated in such protection. The RP-HPLC-DAD analysis revealed the presence of 8 phenolic compounds with rosmarinic acid be...

Medicinal plants were used to prevent and treat numerous gastrointestinal disorders owing, in part, to their antioxidant capacity. The protective effects of Diospyros kaki fruit aqueous extract (DKFAE) against castor oil (CO)-induced diarrhea was studied. The in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial properties were investigated using colorimetric and...

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the carob powder (CP) and sweet whey powder (WhP) inclusion into weaning feed on the gut morphology, hemato-biochemical parameters, and antioxidant biomarkers. The addition of 10 g/kg (basal diet +10 g/kg of CP, of WhP) or the mixture (5 g/kg of CP and 5 g/kg of WhP) in the rabbit's standard di...