Anti-endometriotic Effects of Ceratonia Siliqua L. Pod on Endometrial Mesenchymal Stromal/stem Cells Isolated from Women with Endometriosis-associated Infertility

This study investigated the effects of carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) pod extract (CPE) on human endometrial stem cells (ESCs) viability and to examine its impact on mRNA expression of methyltransferase (DNMT-1, DNMT-3A and DNMT-3B), histone deacetylase-1 (HDAC-1), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in endometriotic patients. The ESCs were derived from endometrium of patients with endometrioma (OMA-ESCs) and deep infiltrative endometriosis samples of 10 women with endometriosis associated infertility (E-ESCs) were compared to the ESCs derived from endometrium of endometriosis free, normal women as control group (C-ESCs). The metabolic activity of control and case groups was evaluated by treating them with different concentrations of CPE. In the E-ESCs, treatment with 0.8 and 2 µg/mL of CPE resulted in downregulation of COX-2 and HDAC-1 compared to the control group (p = 0.02 and p = 0.02, respectively). Treatment with 0.8 µg/mL of CPE decreased MMP-2 and DNMT-3B genes expression (p = 0.02 and p = 0.03, respectively). Furthermore, COX-2 and DNMT-3A genes were significantly upregulated after treatment with 2 µg/mL of CPE. Expression of the COX-2, HDAC-1, DNMT-1, DNMT-3A, and DNMT-3B peptides decreased in E-ESCs, OMA-ESCs and C-ESCs after treatment with 0.8 and 2 µg/mL concentrations of the CPE. The GC analysis of the CPE resulted in 14 compounds with interactions with the target proteins through the docking process. In vitro CPE treatment significantly downregulated cell inflammatory pathway involved in the pathophysiology of endometriosis and may be a potential agent for treatment of endometriosis.

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of the Ceratonia Siliqua L. Seeds Oil

In this work, we are interested in the antioxidant activity of Ceratonia Siliqua L. seeds oil. After extraction of seeds oil by Soxhlet, we characterized by GC-MS and evaluated the antioxidant activity by DPPH• and ABTS+•. The obtained results show that the seeds oil of Ceratonia Siliqua L. contains various organic compounds, the majority of which are fatty acids. Furthermore, the determination of IC50 by the DPPH• and ABTS+• methods show that cyclohexane has good IC50 compared to hexane.

Evaluation of Physicochemical, Functional and Sensory Properties of Carob Pulp Beverage (Ceratonia Siliqua L)

In Morocco, carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is of considerable socio-economic importance, helping to improve the income of rural populations and to develop the economy of mountain areas. However, the primary use of the carob’s pulp is generally limited in Morocco to animal feed. As a result, the current research suggests a novel pulp-based product designed for human consumption. The main purpose of this work is to characterize a new formulated carob beverage and assess its physicochemical, biochemical, and sensory quality. Two formulas of carob beverages were prepared with two different sugar concentrations (formula A:5 g/100 mL sugar; formula B: 10 g/100 mL sugar). Measurements of pH, titrable acidity, and colour were performed to assess the physicochemical parameters. Total polyphenols and tannins contents were determined as important functional and biochemical parameters. Regarding sensory analysis, preference test, triangle test, hedonic test, and descriptive test, were evaluated. The colour of the two formulations was dark red orange, as determined by chromameter method. For formulae A and B, the titrable acidity was (1.450±0.025) g Citric Acid Equivalent (CAE) /L and (1.450±0.031) CAE g/L, respectively, and the Brix was (11.67±0.22) °Bx and (15.33±0.22) °Bx, respectively. The polyphenols content was (98.8±0.0019) mg Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE) /100 mL for formula A and (97.7000±0.0017) mg GAE/100 mL for formula B. The tannin level was (24.500± 0.027) mg Catechin (CE)/100 mL and (25.400±0.017) mg CE/100 mL for the formula A and formula B samples, respectively. The sensory analysis tests revealed a distinct difference between the two formulae. In fact, the formula B was highly preferred compared to formula A, also the most prominent features in the drink were colour, smell, flavour, and sweetness.

Polyphenols leaching and seed dormancy in carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) in relation to hot water treatment

Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is a relevant element of the Mediterranean spontaneous vegetation. Moreover, it is useful in reforestation, and it is currently re-valued for sustainable agriculture in dryland areas. However, the difficulties tied to carob propagation (mainly seed dormancy) hamper its large-scale cultivation. In this paper, the effects of four seed treatments (no treatment [control], soaking at 70 °C and 90 °C in water, or in 96% sulphuric acid) on five carob genotypes germination were studied. As compared to the very low germination of untreated seeds (0–13% germination), sulphuric acid (93–100% germination) and 90 °C water soaking (from 72 to > 90% germination in four out the five genotypes) were effective in promoting germination. Soaking at 90 °C resulted in the leaching of a higher amount of total polyphenols from the genotypes seed coat as compared to soaking at 70 °C. A significant correlation (0.75**) was ascertained between polyphenol leaching of the different genotypes and germination. These results suggest that dormancy in this species is not primarily associated with seed coat hardness, as it is generally thought, but also with the release of polyphenols. Polyphenols determination of the dormant and the few non-dormant seeds of the different genotypes also seem to confirm this hypothesis since these last showed an almost halved total polyphenols content (on average 17.0) as compared to dormant ones (34.8 mg g−1 of seed FW). Further studies may determine the polyphenols involved, but also assess new, easier to carry out, seed treatments. The important role of the galactomannans on seed germination of carob is also discussed. Finally, similar studies may enhance the knowledge of dormancy processes in other Fabaceae species whose germination is positively affected by hot water treatments.