Gamal Soliman

The aim of the present study was to evaluate both prophylactic and curative anti-ulcerative colitis activity and the possible mechanism of action of seven desert plant extracts. Seven desert plants from different families; Conyza dioscoridis (L.) Desf. (Asteraceae), Euphorbia hirta L. (Euphorpiaceae), Origanum syriacum L. and Salvia lanigera L. (Lamiaceae), Sisymbrium irio L., Solanum nigrum Linn. (Solanaceae) and Solenostemma arghel (Del.) Hayne. (Asclepiadaceae) were separately evaluated at three doses (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) using the acetic acid-induced colitis model. The investigated extracts possessed prophylactic and curative anti-ulcerative colitis activities in a dose-dependent manner, where Salvia lanigera (87.9) and Solenostemma arghel (89.2) were the most effective extracts whereas the dexamesathone produced 68%. These extracts were further investigated for estimation of their mechanism of action. The in vitro potential radical (DPPH) scavenging activities of the investigated extracts were well supported with the reduction of colonic MDA content for both extracts. Suppression of the inflammatory mediator TNF-α and inhibition of both PLA2 and protease enzymes may play an important role in the anti-ulcerative colitis activities. The investigated extracts were safe for use up to 5 g/kg and the total alcohol extracts of Salvia lanigera and Solenostemma arghel (400 mg/kg for 35 d) showed no alteration on liver and kidney functions. Phytochemical screening of the investigated extracts revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, unsaturated sterols, and proteins which could be responsible for the activities.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential hepatoprotective activity of Rumex pictus (R. pictus) in a rat model of paracetamol (PCM)–induced liver damage. Liver injury was induced by PCM administration as a single dose (2 g/kg, orally). Wistar albino rats were administered with total ethanolic extract of R. pictus (100, 200 and 400 mg/ kg, p.o.) for 7 days. The animals were evaluated for various biochemical and histopathological studies. PCM administration caused severe hepatic damage in rats as evidenced by elevated serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and γ-glutamyl transferase (γ- GT) and serum level of total bilirubin (BRN), while decreased serum level of total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB). In liver homogenates, PCM elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) but decreased glutathione (GSH) level as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) activities. Administration of total ethanolic extract of R. pictus at100, 200 and 400 mg/ kg for 7 days before PCM inhibited the acute elevation of the serum activities of ALT, AST, ALP and γ-GT enzymes and level of BRN. Both doses of the extract increased the serum level of TP and ALB and attenuated PCM-induced lipid peroxidation. The tested extract increased the activities of the antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx and CAT) in the liver homogenates in addition to GSH concentration. Liver histopathology supported the biochemical findings. It was concluded that R. pictus possesses hepatoprotective activity that could be partly attributed to its antioxidant effect.

The present study was carried to explore the potential antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activity of Ferula assa-foetida L. and Ferula tenuissima Hub-Mor & Pesmen extracts in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Furthermore, phytochemical screening, in vitro antioxidant activity and acute toxicity study of both plants were performed. Both extracts showed considerable antioxidant potential in vitro. In diabetic rats, F. assa-foetida (200 and 400 mg/kg) and F. tenuissima (400 mg/kg) showed significant elevation in plasma insulin level, total hemoglobin (Hb) and decrease in Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Significant elevations in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and level of reduced glutathione (GSH) in liver and pancreas homogenates were observed in diabetic animals following F. assa-foetida (200 and 400 mg kgG1) and F. tenuissima (400 mg kgG1) treatments. The antihyperlipidemic effect of F. assa-foetida extract was demonstrated by a significant reduction in plasma triglycerides (TG), Total Cholesterol (TC), Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) and the increase of High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C). Plasma activities of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and levels of Total Protein (TP) and bilirubin (BIL) in diabetic rats were recovered significantly after F. assa-foetida and F. tenuissima treatment in comparison with diabetic controls. The present data suggest that F. assa-foetida have both antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects with enhancement of insulin-secreting activity.

In the present study, DPPH radical scavenging assay and ferric-reducing antioxidant assay were used to evaluate in vitro antioxidant potential of the methanol extract of Ferula duranii (F. duranii). The antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activities of F. duranii extract were evaluated in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. F. duranii showed considerable antioxidant potential in the DPPH radical scavenging assay and minimum reducing power in ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay. A meaningful reduction in the concentrations of Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb A1c), triglycerides (TG), Total Cholesterol (TC) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL-C) in plasma and an elevation in the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) in hepatic and pancreas homogenates were observed in diabetic animals medicated with F. duranii extract in comparison with diabetic control rats. The level of insulin raised significantly in plasma of diabetic groups received F. duranii in respect to diabetic control one. Levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, total protein and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL-C) in plasma and malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver and pancreas homogenates were recovered significantly in F. duranii-medicated diabetic rats in comparison with diabetic controls. The present data suggest that F. duranii has both antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects.

The present study was designed to investigate the antihyperglycemic effect of Atriplex farinosa (A. farinosa) and Atriplex nummularia (A. nummularia) extracts in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. Glibenclamide was taken as the standard drug. Diabetes was induced in adult male albino rats, weighing 160-175 g, by administration of STZ (45 mg/kg of body weight) intraperitoneally. Diabetic rats showed an increase in levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in addition to serum levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in their pancreas homogenates. They showed a decrease in levels of plasma insulin, hemoglobin (Hb), and serum level of high density lipoprotein (HDL-C)and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) in pancreas homogenates. Oral administration of A. farinosa and A. nummularia (200 and 400mg/kg) extracts and glibenclamide (0.6 mg/kg) decreased the FBG and elevated insulin levels after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment in STZ-diabetic rats in a dose-dependent manner. A meaningful reduction in the concentrations of HbA1c, TG, TC, LDL-C in serum and elevations in the activities of SOD, GPx, CAT and GSH in pancreas homogenates were observed in diabetic animals medicated with A. farinosa and A. nummularia extracts. Levels of HDL-Cin serum and MDA in pancreas homogenates were recovered significantly in A. farinosa and A. nummularia-medicated diabetic rats. Thus, our results show that A. farinosa and A. nummularia (200 and 400 mg/kg) possesses a promising antihyperglycemic effect that is comparable with glibenclamide.

In the present study, DPPH radical scavenging assay and ferric-reducing antioxidant assay were used to estimate the potential in vitro antioxidant effect of the methanol extracts of Ferula drudeana Korovin (F. drudeana) and Ferula huber-morathii Peşmen (F. huber-morathii). The antidiabetic activity of both extracts was evaluated in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Glibenclamide was taken as the standard drug. Both extracts showed considerable antioxidant potential in the DPPH radical scavenging assay and minimum reducing power in ferric-reducing antioxidant assay. Oral administration of F. drudeana (400 mg/kg) and F. huber-morathii (200 and 400 mg/kg) extracts to diabetic rats produced a marked reduction in Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) and elevation in insulin levels after 14 and 28 days of treatment. A meaningful reduction in the concentrations of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglycerides (TG), Total Cholesterol (TC), Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) in plasma and elevations in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) in liver and pancreas homogenates were observed in diabetic animals medicated with F. drudeana (200 and 400 mg kgG1) and F. huber-morathii (400 mg kgG1) extracts. Levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, total protein and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) in plasma and malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver and pancreas homogenates were recovered significantly in F. drudeana and F. huber-morathii-medicated diabetic rats. Besides, biochemical results were supported by histopathological findings. These findings showed the significant antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities of F. drudeana and F. huber-morathii extracts in diabetic rats.

In present study, methanolic extracts of Brassica nigra L. and Sinapis alba L. (Brassicaceae) were prepared and administered orally to Swiss albino mice at doses of 150 mg/Kg and 5 mg/Kg respectively, to evaluate the diuretic activity. The diuretic effect of the extracts was evaluated by measuring the urine volume, pH & excretion of sodium, potassium, and chloride ions in urine. Diuretic activity was confirmed by an increase in urine volume in B. nigra (1.52 fold) and S. alba (1.66 fold) extracts treated group as compared to control mice. The urinary electrolytes (Na+, K+ and Cl-) excretion was also found to be increased in drug treated groups. On the basis of above results, we can conclude that the methanolic extracts of B. nigra and S. alba produced notable diuretic effect and provides a quantitative basis for explaining the folkloric use of B. nigra and S. alba as a diuretic agents.
Keywords: Brassicaceae; Brassica nigra; Sinapis alba; Sodium Ion.

Achillea fragrantissima is a perennial herb grown in Egypt and traditionally employed medicinally for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties among Sinai inhabitants. Non-polar and polar extracts were obtained by successive foliar extraction with dichloromethane: methanol (1:1) and 70% aqueous methanol, respectively. Achillea extracts were assayed in rodents for anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcerogenic and analgesic activities.
Materials and methods: Acute toxicity of non-polar and polar extracts of A. fragrantissima was evaluated in mice. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed in carrageenan-induced rat-paw edema test while analgesic activity was explored centrally and peripherally using hot plate and writhing tests, respectively. In addition, antiulcerogenic activity was assayed in colon and gastric tissues. Results: Foliar extracts of A. fragrantissima exhibited anti-inflammatory, central and peripheral analgesic activities. Moreover, both non-polar and polar fractions revealed protective effects against rat ulcerative colitis and gastric ulcers. Conclusion: A. fragrantissima extracts possess anti-inflammatory, central and peripheral analgesic activities in addition to protective properties in colonic and gastric tissues.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential hepatoprotective and hepatotherapeutic activities of propolis against D-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide (D-GaIN/LPS)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Methods: Hepatotoxicity was induced in rats by intra peritoneal injection of GalN (300 mg/kg) and LPS (30 μg/kg). In the hepatoprotection experiment, propolis was administered orally for 10 days before induction of hepatoxicity. In another experiment (hepatotherapy), propolis was dosed immediately after GalN/LPS injection. Results: Injection of GalN/LPS to rats induced hepatic damage that was manifested by a significant increase in the activities of aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and total bilirubin in serum. Liver homogenate of intoxicated animals had the lower content of reduced glutathione with increased levels of the hepatic malondialdehyde and caspase-3 enzyme. Histological data presented marked damage in liver sections of intoxicated rats. Oral dosing of propolis before or once immediately after intoxication reversed these altered parameters near to normal values. Conclusion: Liver apoptotic events such as DNA fragmentation and increased caspase-3 activity observed during intoxication were prevented by pre and post- propolis treatment. These results suggest that propolis could afford significant protection and therapy in alleviation of hepatotoxicity.

The objective of this study was to investigate the potential hepatoprotective effect of the ethanol extracts of Astragalus kurdicus Boiss. var. kurdicus (A. kurdicus) and Astragalus cinereus Willd. (A. cinereus) in a rat model of paracetamol (PCM) induced liver damage. Paracetamol administration caused severe hepatic damage in rats as evidenced by elevated serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) and serum level of total bilirubin (BRN) while decreased serum levels of total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB). In liver homogenates, PCM elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) but decreased glutathione (GSH) levels as well as glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities. Administration of A. kurdicus and A. cinereus extracts (200 and 400 mg kgG1) for 7 days before PCM inhibited the elevation of the serum activities of ALT, AST, ALP and γ-GT enzymes and serum level of BRN. Moreover, they elevated the serum level of TP. Paracetamol-induced lipid peroxidation was also reduced by both extracts. Likewise, both extracts increased the activities of the antioxidant enzymes (GPx, SOD, CAT) in the liver homogenates and reduced GSH concentration. The results of the in vitro antioxidant effect revealed marked antioxidant activity for both extracts. The histopathological analysis suggested that both extracts obviously alleviated the degree of liver damage due to PCM administration. The present study suggests that A. kurdicus and A. cinereus possess hepatoprotective activities that could be partly attributed to their antioxidant effects.

The study was designed to investigate the active phytochemicals present in the methanolic extract (ME) of Pulicaria crispa (P. crispa). The antimicrobial and antioxidant activities were also explored. These investigations were carried with an aim to use this plant in future. The morphological, microscopical and physicochemical investigation was carried out before the investigation of phytochemicals for authentication purpose. The antimicrobial activity was tested against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. Ampicillin was used as a standard for comparing the zone of inhibition. The in vitro 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Ferric reducing ability (FRAP) models were used for the investigation of antioxidant activity. The results of the authenticated plant, phytochemical examination was shown the presence of biological active compounds. Marked antimicrobial and antioxidant activities were observed which may be due to the presence of tannins, phenols and flavonoids in the ME. The outcome of the present finding was suggested that it may be a good source of active antibacterial and antioxidant phytochemicals.

In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory activities of essential oils of Pituranthos triradiatus and Anthemis deserti against the carrageenan induced rat paw edema. Thirty-six adult male rats weighting 180-200g were divided into six groups of six rats each. Group I (control) received the vehicle (0.25% gum acacia solution) while group II received indomethacin (0.2 mg/kg) orally, and served as reference. Animals of groups III and IV received essential oil of P. triradiatus at 25 and 50 mg/ kg, respectively. Groups V and VI received essential oil of A. deserti at 25 and 50 mg/ kg, respectively. Inflammation was induced by injecting 100 uL of 1% suspension of carrageenan into the subplantar surface of the left hind paw of the rats. The edema was quantified by measuring the paw volume at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 h after carrageenan injection. After one hour of carrageenan injection, indomethacin (0.2 mg/kg) and the oils of P. triradiatus (50 mg/kg) and A. deserti (25 and 50 mg/kg) reduced the mean increase of paw volume as compared to the control paw volume. The mean differences (compared to control group) of reduction of paw swelling in case of 50 mg/kg of P. triradiatus and A. deserti oils after 5h of carrageenan injection were 22.92 and 27.38%, respectively corresponding to 49.68% in indomethacin. The better anti-inflammatory effect was recorded for P. triradiatus and A. deserti oils (26.15 and 31.38% inhibition, respectively) at a dose of 50 mg/kg 4h after carrageenan injection.

Purpose: To evaluate the acticonvulsant activity of Cichorium intybus (C. intybus) and Taraxacum serotinum (T. serotinum) in maximal electroshock (MES), as well as pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)- and strychnine nitrate (STN) - induced seizure models in rats. Methods: For each model, 8 groups of Swiss albino rats (n=10) were used. The 1st group was kept as control, 2nd as standard (diazepam, 7.5 mg/kg); 3rd - 5th were treated with C. intybus ethanol extract (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg); and 6th - 8th treated with T. serotinum extract (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg). After 30 min of administration, the rats were exposed to a shock of 150 mA by a convulsiometer, via ear electrodes for 2 s (in MES test) or sc injection of PTZ (85 mg/kg) or STN (2.5 mg/kg). Anticonvulsant activity was confirmed by abolition of hind limb tonic extension (HLTE) in MES test and by measuring the latency to PTZ or STN-induced threshold seizures, and the duration of seizures in the rats. Results: In MES model, 500 mg/kg of C. intybus and T. serotinum resulted in complete abolition of HLTE in 70 and 50 % of the rats, respectively, compared to 80 % in diazepam-medicated animals. Both extracts at 500 mg/kg prolonged latency to seizure onset in PTZ model to 144.7 and 114.7 s, respectively (vs 55.2 s in control group; p < 0.05). Both extracts failed to protect rats against STNinduced seizures. Conclusion: C. intybus and T. serotinum possess anticonvulsant effect as they both abolish HLTE induced by MES and delay the latency of seizures produced by PTZ.

Present study was aimed to investigate in vitro antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of the ethanolic extracts of Astragalus subrobustus (A. subrobustus) and Astragalus woronowii (A. woronowii) on PCM induced liver damage in rats. The antioxidant activities of both extracts were assayed and their activities were compared to standard antioxidants, ascorbic acid and pyrogallol. Liver injury was induced by PCM administration (2 g/kg, orally) as a single dose. The results revealed that the EC50 values of A. subrobustus and A. woronowii extracts, ascorbic acid and pyrogallol were calculated to be 2535, 0.8408, 75.62 and 0.0000248 μg/mL, respectively. PCM administration showed hepatic damage and oxidative stress in rats as indicated by elevated serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) and serum level of total bilirubin (BRN). At the same time, PCM decreased the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymes, content of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver homogenates. A. subrobustus (400 mg/kg) and A. woronowii (200 and 400 mg/kg) extracts or silymarin administration prevented the toxic effect of PCM on the above parameters. Liver histopathology supported the biochemical findings. The data obtained in the present study suggests that A. subrobustus and A. woronowii have potent antioxidant activities and afford significant hepatoprotective activity against PCM induced hepatotoxicity.

The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Allium paniculatum L. (A. paniculatum) and Capparis spinosa L. (C. spinosa) extracts in rats. Adult rats were divided into seven groups (n=6). The 1st (control) and 2nd (hepatotoxic) groups received the vehicle. The 3rd group received silymarin. The 4th - 7th groups received A. paniculatum and C. spinosa extracts at 2 dose levels (200 and 400mg/kg, respectively). Rats were administered the vehicle, silymarin or extracts orally for 21 days and simultaneously administered thioacetamide (TAA), one h after the respective assigned treatments(except the 1st group), every 72 h. At the end of the experimental period, all animals were sacrificed, blood samples were collected and serum was separated. Livers were dissected out for determination of their antioxidant status and for histopathological examination. Injection of thioacetamide elevated serum activities of liver enzymes; alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and ã-glutamyl transferase (ã-GT) in hepatotoxic group compared to normal controls. In the liver, significantly elevated level of malondialdehyde (MDA), lowered levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were observed in hepatotoxic group. Treatment of rats with both extracts displayed hepatoprotective effect as evident by reduced serum activities of liver enzymes, as well as higher CAT, GPx, SOD activities and GSH concentration. The histopathological analysis suggested that both extracts obviously alleviated the degree of liver damage induced by TAA. In conclusion, A. paniculatum and C. spinosa attenuate hepatotoxicity induced by TAA.

Exposure to insecticides is most considerable due to their untoward effects on the production and reproduction in human and animals. The aim of our study was to assess the teratogenic potential of Emamectin benzoate (EMB) insecticide in rats. Pregnant rats were separated into four equal groups; the first one kept as a control group. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th groups were orally administered EMB on Gestation Day (GD) 6 through GD 15 at doses of 4.4, 8.8 and 17.6 mg kgG1 dayG1, respectively. All pregnant rats were exposed to caesarean section on GD 21 and their fetuses were examined for morphological, visceral and skeletal abnormalities.
Decreased maternal weight gain, fetal and placental weight and number of viable fetuses and elevated rate of fetal resorptions and post-implantation deaths were recorded in groups exposed to EMB at 8.8 and 17.6 mg kgG1. The percentage of morphological, visceral and skeletal abnormalities were significantly increased in the fetuses of dams of EMB-exposed rats at 8.8 and 17.6 mg kgG1. The retardation in growth of viable fetuses, hydrocephaly, anophthalmia, lung hypoplasia, incomplete ossification of cranial bones, aplasia of metacarpals, metatarsals, phalanges and caudal vertebrae were the important fetal anomalies. The present study concluded that EMB is teratogenic when given orally to pregnant rats.

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