Widad Benbakrim

• Phd in phytochemistry and pharmacology
• PostDoc Position at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University

This study investigated the biodiversity of macroalgae along the southern Atlantic coast of Morocco and explored the relationship between their distribution and the physicochemical properties of seawater. The study identified a total of 21 macroalgal species, classified into 19 genera, 14 families, and 9 orders. The distribution of these species al...

Tribolium castaneum can inflict significant harm to stored grains. The use of novel, harmless, and effective biopesticides is needful to avoid the hazardous effects of chemical insecticides. On the other hand, saponins are antinutritional metabolites with large biological properties, and quinoa husk is one of the richest biomasses in these compound...

Revegetation emerges as a promising approach to alleviate the adverse impacts of mining residues. However, it is essential to evaluate the characteristics of these materials and select suitable plant species to ensure successful ecosystem restoration. This study aimed to investigate the effects of phosphate-mine residues (MR) on the growth, biochem...

Drought and salinity are environmental factors that negatively impact crop productivity in arid and semi-arid climates. Plant growth promoting rhizobia (PGPR) can help mitigate the harmful effects of drought and salinity on plant growth and productivity. This systematic review aims to summarize studies on PGPR and their mechanisms for reducing the...

Introduction Cubeb, Piper cubeba L., has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and culinary practices, with a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities. Objective Herein, we determined the phytochemical profile, mineral, fatty acids, and amino acid contents of P. cubeba berries and assessed the dermacosmeceutical properties...

Petroselinum sativum, known as parsley, is a fragrant herb that possesses a rich heritage of utilization in traditional medicinal practices. In this study, we annotated the phytocontents of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of P. sativum and investigated their antioxidant, cytoprotective, antiaging, wound healing, and antibacterial activities. LC–...

The phytoconstituents of the aqueous extract from Syzygium jambos L. (Alston) leaves were defined using HPLC-PDA-MS/MS and the antioxidant, anti-aging, antibacterial, and anti-biofilm activities of the extract were in silico and in vitro investigated. The antioxidant activities were performed using in vitro DPPH and FRAP assays as well as H2-DCFDA...

The phytoconstituents of the aqueous extract from Syzygium jambos L. (Alston) leaves were defined using HPLC-PDA-MS/MS and the antioxidant, anti-aging, antibacterial, and antibiofilm activities of the extract were in silico and in vitro investigated. The antioxidant activities were performed using in vitro DPPH and FRAP assays as well as H2-DCFDA a...

Plant extracts and their individual components have been used to manage skin aging for several decades. Recently, the discovery of new natural bioactive agents, that not only enhance the skin health but also offer protection against various deleterious factors, such as free radicals, ultraviolet radiation, and microbial infections, has been a poten...

Sesquiterpenoids constitute the largest subgroup of terpenoids that have numerous applications in pharmaceutical, flavor, and fragrance industries as well as biofuels. Bergamotenes, a type of bicyclic sesquiterpenes, are found in plants, insects, and fungi with α-trans-bergamotene as the most abundant compound. Bergamotenes and their related struct...

For many decades, natural resources have traditionally been employed in skin care. Here, we explored the phytochemical profile of the aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Cupressus arizonica Greene and assessed their antioxidant, antiaging and antibacterial activities in vitro. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis led to th...

Piper cubeba L.f. (Piperaceae), known as cubeb, is a popular traditional herbal medicine used for the treatment of many diseases, especially digestive and respiratory disorders. The plant is rich in essential oil, found mainly in fruits, and this makes it economically important. Many traditional utilizations have been also validated from the plant...

Simple Summary The wild scale insect Dactylopius opuntiae is one of the major insect pests of prickly pear Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) in Morocco. The present study investigated the insecticidal potential of the aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of Atriplex halimus (leaves), Salvia rosmarinus (leaves), and Cuminum cyminum (seeds) to control nymphs...

Heavy metals (HMs) are one of the major problems worldwide, limiting plant productivity and menacing human health. In this study, we aim to investigate the effects of three HMs (cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb)) with three levels (100, 200, and 300 µM) on Origanum majorana L. (Marjoram) and Peganum harmala L. (Harmal) germination and antiox...

Caper (Capparis spinosa L.) is a perennial shrub of the family Capparaceae, endemic to circum-Mediterranean countries. Caper carries a renowned nutritional value, especially in terms of vitamins and antioxidants related to the occurrence of flavonoids, alkaloids, and glucosinolates as main secondary metabolites. Caper extracts have also shown to di...

The myrtle family, Myrtaceae, constitutes over 5500 species, and Syzygium is considered the largest genus of the flowering plants within the family. The watery rose apple, Syzygium aqueum, is a traditional medicinal plant with various bioactive compounds distributed in all plant parts. These include phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoi...

Growing concern for public health has increased the need to change the paradigm towards a healthcare system that advocates holistic practices while reducing adverse effects. Herbal therapy is becoming an integral part of the therapeutic arsenal, and several successful plant-derived compounds/molecules are being introduced into the market. The medic...

Salinity is a severe abiotic problem that has harmful impacts on agriculture. Recently, biostimulants were defined as bioprotectant materials that promote plant growth and improve productivity under various stress conditions. In this study, we investigated the effect of Crataegus oxyacantha extract as a biostimulant on tomato plants (Solanum lycope...

We previously annotated the phytochemical constituents of a root extract from Ximenia americana var. caffra and highlighted its hepatoprotective and hypoglycemic properties. We here extended our study on the leaf extract and identified its phytoconstituents using HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS. In addition, we explored its antioxidant, antibacterial, and antia...

Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms, commonly known as water hyacinth, is one of the world’s most invasive aquatic plants of the Pontederiaceae family occurring in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Although, E. crassipes causes significant ecological and socioeconomic issues such as a high loss in water resources, it has multipurpose ap...

Ethnopharmacological relevance The genus Warburgia (family Canellaceae) is widely distributed over Afrotropical and Neotropical realms. Traditionally, W. salutaris (G. Bertol.) Chiov., and other Warburgia species are used as anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antimicrobial, and for wound healing, and treating several skin complaints as well. Specific...

The proliferation of the invasive Water hyacinth (WH) plant leads to ecological, economic, public health, and agricultural problems. Several efforts have been deployed to control its spread, but no concreate results have been obtained. Only few studies dealing with systematic approaches for the WH control have been conducted. To establish a road ma...

The present study aimed to investigate Senecio anteuphorbium, an endemic plant growing in West Morocco and widely used in local folk medicine. The essential oil (EO) extracted from the aerial parts was analyzed by gas chromatography and tested for allelopathic activity. The quantitation of the volatiles was carried out by means of GC-FID with respo...

Citation: Ouhaddou, S.; Aghraz, A.; Ben Bakrim, W.; Sissi, S.; Larhsini, M.; Markouk, M.; Bekkouche, K.; Arrigo, S.; Cicero, N.; Costa, R.; et al. Analysis of Volatiles in Senecio anteuphorbium Essential Oil with a Focus on Its Allelopathic Effect by Means of Gas Chromatography. Separations 2022, 9, 36. https://doi.org/10.3390/separations9020036

Genus Mentha is represented in Morocco by 10 species including hybrids. The species of this genus are used as herbal teas and condiments, due to their distinct aroma. In this study, infusions of the fresh aerial parts of three Mentha spp., commonly cultivated and used in Morocco, were evaluated for phenolic contents and antioxidant activity. Antiox...

Medicinal plants have been used since ancient times for human healthcare as drugs, spices, and food additives. The progress in technology and medicine observed, the last decades, has improved the quality of life and healthcare but with worrisome drawbacks. Side effects caused by synthetic drugs for instance originate sometimes irreversible health d...

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes L.) was introduced as an invasive plant in freshwater bodies more particularly in Asia and Africa. This invasive plant grows rapidly and then occupies a huge layer of freshwater bodies. Hence, challenges are facing many countries for implementing suitable approaches for the valorization of the world’s worst aqua...

Natural substances have long served as sources of therapeutic drugs against various pharmacological targets. Neurodegenerative diseases especially Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects the central nervous system causing progressive degeneration of neurons. Withanolides, isolated from Withania species, have shown acetylcholinesterase inhibition activity...

Context: Withania (Solanaceae) species are known to be a rich source of withanolides, which have shown several biological properties. Objective: To identify the compounds responsible for Withania adpressa Coss. antioxidant activity and further test them for their NF-κB inhibition and antiproliferative activity in multiple myeloma cells. Materials a...

Introduction Drugs resistant Plasmodium falciparum is a recurring issue that threatens public health. New antiplasmodial drugs are needed to overcome this problem. The aim of this study was to characterize in vitro antiplasmodial activity of Withania frutescens (Solanaceae) against chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strain. Methods The in...