Objective: To evaluate the antifungal activity of four honeys of different types from Algeria against pathogenic yeast i.e. Candida albicans (C. albicans) and Rhodotorula sp. Methods:Four Algeria honeys of different botanical origin were analyzed to test antifungal effect against C. albicans, and Rhodotorula sp. Different concentrations (undiluted, 10%, 30%, 50%and 70%w/v) of honey were studied in vitro for their antifugal activity using C. albicans and Rhodotorula sp. as fungal strains. Results:The range of the diameter of zone of inhibition of various concentrations of tested honeys was (7-23 mm) for Rhodotorula sp., while C. albicans showed clearly resistance towards all concentrations used. The MICs of tested honey concentrations against C. albicans and Rhodotorula sp. were (70.09-93.48)%and (4.90-99.70)%v/v, respectively. Conclusions:This study demonstrates that, in vitro, these natural products have clearly an antifungal activity against Rhodotorula sp. and C. albicans.

Objective: To evaluate the additive action of ginger starch on the antifungal activity of honey against Candida albicans (C. albicans). Methods: C. albicans was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of four varieties of Algerian honey. Lower concentrations of honey than the MIC were incubated with a set of concentrations of starch and then added to media to determine the minimum additive inhibitory concentration (MAIC). Results: The MIC for the four varieties of honey without starch against C. albicans ranged between 38% and 42% (v/v). When starch was incubated with honey and then added to media, a MIC drop was noticed with each variety. MAIC of the four varieties ranged between 32% honey (v/v) with 4% starch and 36% honey (v/v) with 2% starch. Conclusions: The use of ginger starch allows honey benefit and will constitute an alternative way against the resistance to antifungal agents.

Objective:To evaluate the in vitro activity and synergism of the combinations of natural honey and curcuma starch against Rhodotorula mucilaginosa in correlation with total phenolic, flavonoid contents, and diastase activity.
Methods:The Folin-Ciocalteu test was used to determine the total polyphenols content and the flavonoid content was analyzed using by the aluminum chloride method. The antifungal activity of the natural honey, determined by an agar well diffusion assay and agar incorporation method. Results:Total phenolic content varied from (63.93±0.11) to (95.36±6.08) mg GAE/100 g honey as gallic acid equivalent. Total flavonoids content varied from (5.41±0.04) to (9.94±0.54) mg CE/100 g. Diastase activity values were between (7.3±2.8) and (26±2.8). The zone inhibition diameter for the six honey samples without starch ranged between 6 and 20 mm. When starch was mixed with honey and then added to well, a zone inhibition increase diameter 7 and 21 mm. The percentage increase was noticed with each variety and it ranged between 5% and 62.5%. The minimal inhibitory concentrations for the six varieties of honey without starch against Rhodotorula mucilaginosa ranged between 28%and 36%(v/v). When starch was incubated with honey and then added to media, a minimal inhibitory concentration drop has been noticed with each variety. It ranged between 6.66%and 20%(w/v). No significant correlation was established between diastase activity and bioactive compounds.
Conclusions:The mixture of curcuma starch and honey could lead to the development of new combination antibiotics against Rhodotorula infections.

Objective: To evaluate the methanolic extracts of aerial parts of Hypericum scabroides (HSM) (200 mg/kg, p.o.) for in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. Methods: The anti-inflammatory activity of HSM was tested in mice weighting (25±5) g. Either vehicle (control group), the methanolic extracts (200 mg/kg) or diclofenac (50 mg/kg), was administered (p.o.) for 60 min before an edema was induced in the mice paw by subcutaneous injection of carrageenin. The mouse-paw volume was measured 1 h, 3h and 6 h after injection of carrageenin. Results: The HSM showed significant reduction of edema in carrageenan induced mice paw edema model at 1 h and 3 h for (78.03±15.54)% and (40.44±16.36)%, respectively. The diclofenac 50 mg/kg exhibited % reduction in paw volume (31.00±11.52)%, (0.80±0.09)% and (9.39±1.99)% after 1 h, 3 h and 6 h, respectively compared to control group. The obtained results revealed that HSM has significant anti inflammatory activity. Furethermore, the chemical composition of HSM was analyzed by using high performance liquid chromatography-diode array dedector. The plant contained pseudohypericin (trace) hypericin (trace), chlorogenic acid (0.0140±0.0005)%, rutin (0.0050±0.0006)%, hyperoside (0.016±0.005)%, isoquercitrin (0.0340±0.0005)% and kaempferol (trace). Conclusions: The obtained results of the present investigation revealed that methanol extract of Hypericum scarbroides has significant anti-inflammatory activity.