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Lead (Pb) is one of the most common heavy metals with toxicological effects on many tissues in humans as well as animals. In order to counteract the toxic effects of this metal, the administration of synthetic or natural antioxidants is thus required. The aim of this study was to examine the beneficial effect of the aqueous extract of Ononis natrix (AEON) against lead acetate-induced damage from a behavioral, biochemical, and histological point of view. Forty-eight male mice were divided into four equal groups: Ctr (control); Pb (lead acetate 1g/l); Pb + On 100 mg/kg (lead acetate 1 g/l + AEON 100 mg/kg); Pb + On 500 mg/kg (lead acetate 1 g/l + AEON 500 mg/kg). AEON was administered orally from day 21 after the start of lead exposure up to the end of the experiment. The results revealed that lead induced behavioral disorders, increased serum levels of liver markers (AST, ALT, and bilirubin), as well as kidney markers (urea and creatinine). At the same time, levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) increased significantly. Moreover, Pb caused structural changes in the liver and kidneys of Pb-exposed mice. However, AEON administration significantly improved all lead-induced brain, liver, and kidney dysfunctions. Our results suggest that AEON could be a source of molecules with therapeutic potential against brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities caused by lead exposure.

The genus has important value as traditional drugs and foods. In the present work, we aimed to assess the chemical profiles and biological effects of subsp. extracts (ethyl acetate, methanol, and water). For chemical profile, total and individual phenolic components were detected. For biological effects, antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, FRAP, phosphomolybdenum, and metal chelating assays), enzyme inhibitory (against cholinesterase, tyrosinase, α-amylase and α-glucosidase), antimicrobial, DNA protection and cytotoxic abilities were tested. The predominant phenolics were apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin in the tested extracts. Generally, the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were noted as the most active in the antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory assays. Water extract with different concentrations indicated high level of DNA protection activity. Methanol and ethyl acetate extracts showed antibacterial effect against to and strains. The cytotoxic effects of subsp. extracts on the survival of HeLa and PC3 cells were determined by MTT cell viability assay. Water and methanol extracts caused initiation of apoptosis for PC3 cell line. Furthermore, molecular docking was performed to better understand interactions between dominant phenolic compounds and selected enzymes. Our results clearly indicate that subsp. could be considered a potential candidate for designing novel pharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals.

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) attract considerable attention for their promising applications in the biomedical field, driven by their unique properties and antioxidant activities. However, their practical use is often hindered by issues such as instability and aggregation. In this study, a polysaccharide, P2, extracted from Ononis natrix, was used to stabilize SeNPs to address these limitations. P2-SeNPs were prepared through a green synthesis method involving sodium selenite, P2, and ascorbic acid, and characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). P2-SeNPs exhibited a smaller particle size and enhanced stability compared to unmodified SeNPs. UV-Vis spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) demonstrated the presence of Se–O bonds, suggesting effective stabilization by covalent bonding between SeNPs and P2. Stability tests revealed that P2-SeNPs maintained good dispersion under various conditions, with optimal stability observed at refrigerated temperatures and neutral pH. Moreover, P2-SeNPs exhibited better antioxidant activities than unmodified SeNPs, as evidenced by higher DPPH radical scavenging, ABTS radical scavenging, and metal chelation ratios. This difference is attributed to both the reduced aggregation and smaller size of P2-SeNPs. Therefore, it is concluded that P2-SeNPs exhibit significant potential as an effective antioxidant agent for biomedical applications.

Polysaccharides were extracted from Ononis natrix leaves using various methods, including hot water maceration (HWM), ultrasound-assisted extraction (USE), enzyme-assisted extraction (ENE), combined enzyme-ultrasound (EUS) and combined maceration-ultrasound (MUS) treatment. The extracted crude polysaccharides were characterized in terms of physicochemical, structural, techno-functional features, and biological activities. HWM extraction showed the highest yield (13.7 ± 0.3%), carbohydrate content (54.1 ± 1.4%), and uronic acid content (23.7 ± 0.8%) compared to other methods. The various polysaccharides were characterized using SEM, FT-IR, NMR, and TGA. All polysaccharides obtained using different methods present similar structural characteristics and exhibit outstanding techno-functional properties (solubility, water-holding capacity, and emulsifying properties). The antioxidant and antibacterial activities of polysaccharides were evaluated using DPPH radical-scavenging capacity, ferric reducing activity power (FRAP), iron chelating capacity, total antioxidant activity, and agar diffusion test, respectively. The results indicate that HWM polysaccharides present the best overall biological activities. It is thus concluded that polysaccharides from O. natrix leaves could be a promising natural source as functional foods or potential therapeutic agents. Graphical Abstract

PurposeMining areas are low-quality habitats for macro- and microorganisms’ development, mainly due to the degradation of the soil quality by metal pollution. The present work aimed to analyze the influence of metal contamination and of plant species on the rhizospheric microbial communities of four indigenous metallophytes (Ononis natrix, Haloxylon scoparium, Peganum harmala, and Aizoon canariense) growing along a metal contamination gradient in Kettara mine near Marrakech, Morocco.Materials and methodsIn pyrrhotite mining areas (Kettara mine, Morocco), rhizosphere soil samples were collected from four predominant indigenous metallophytes (O. natrix, H. scoparium, P. harmala, and A. canariense) growing along a metal contamination gradient (ZC, control zone; Z1, high metal contamination; Z2, moderate metal contamination; Z3, low metal contamination). Microbial communities were analyzed by using microbial counts and by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The physicochemical properties (pH, conductivity, total organic carbon, nitrogen, P Olsen, and metal concentrations) of soils were also determined.Results and discussionThe physicochemical analysis revealed that rhizospheric soils from Z1, Z2, and Z3 were relatively poor in nutrients as they presented low levels of total organic carbon and nitrogen, organic matter and available P. Moreover, these rhizospheric soils showed high concentrations of metals, especially Cu and Pb, which significantly reduced the abundance of the different groups of soil microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes) and the activity of soil dehydrogenase. The analysis of bacterial communities by DGGE revealed that bacterial diversity was not negatively affected by metal contamination being higher in the most contaminated area (Z1).ConclusionsOverall, the microbial abundance, the composition, and the diversity of rhizospheric bacterial communities were more influenced by the environmental factors in sampling zones than by plant cover. Microbial counts and enzymatic activity were both systematically affected throughout the metal gradient, evidencing as good indicators of the harmful effects of anthropogenic disturbances in soils. H. scorparium and P. harmala proved to be good candidates for the development of phytotechnological programs aiming the revegetation of mining degraded areas.