abeer elsayed

As ongoing investigation of Huernia saudi-arabica D.V.Field (Asclepiadaceae), a new steroidal pregnane glycoside (Huernioside A) was isolated from dichloromethane fraction (DCM); it was identified as 3β, 11, 14β, 20(R)-tetrahydroxy-pregna-5,9(11)-diene-3-O-β-D-thevetopyranosyl-(1-4)-β-D-cymaropyranoside(HCP) through analysis of 1D, 2D NMR besides ESI-MS data. The alcoholic extract of the aerial part (ALE), DCM and HCP showed inhibitory potential against pancreatic lipase compared to orilstat. Among the tested samples, the ALE and HCP exhibited a promising pancreatic lipase inhibitory commotion through IC values of 0.61 ± 0.15, 1.23 ± 0.07 mg/ml (equivalent to 88.8 μM), respectively. HCP was prevailed to have a mixed mode of inhibition as exposed by enzyme kinetic studies. Hydrophobic interactions were the major forces involved in ligand enzyme interactions. In contrast, moderate α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were evidenced for ALE and HCP (% inhibition: 24.8 ± 1.8 and 26.6 ± 2.5, respectively) compared to acarbose. This investigation is the first to report on the possible in vitro anti-obesity and anti-diabetic impact of H. saudi-arabica.

As ongoing investigation of Huernia saudi-arabica D.V.Field (Asclepiadaceae), a new steroidal pregnane glycoside (Huernioside A) was isolated from dichloromethane fraction (DCM); it was identified as 3β, 11, 14β, 20(R)-tetrahydroxy-pregna-5,9(11)-diene-3-O-β-D-thevetopyranosyl-(1-4)-β-D-cymaropyranoside(HCP) through analysis of 1D, 2D NMR besides ESI-MS data. The alcoholic extract of the aerial part (ALE), DCM and HCP showed inhibitory potential against pancreatic lipase compared to orilstat. Among the tested samples, the ALE and HCP exhibited a promising pancreatic lipase inhibitory commotion through IC values of 0.61 ± 0.15, 1.23 ± 0.07 mg/ml (equivalent to 88.8 μM), respectively. HCP was prevailed to have a mixed mode of inhibition as exposed by enzyme kinetic studies. Hydrophobic interactions were the major forces involved in ligand enzyme interactions. In contrast, moderate α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were evidenced for ALE and HCP (% inhibition: 24.8 ± 1.8 and 26.6 ± 2.5, respectively) compared to acarbose. This investigation is the first to report on the possible in vitro anti-obesity and anti-diabetic impact of H. saudi-arabica.

The objective of our study is to highlight the therapeutic effect and mechanism of action by which purified Flaxseed hydrolysate (PFH) which is a lignan rich fraction exerts its anticancer activity on a human breast cancer cell line (T47D) and in mice bearing tumor. HPLC analysis of PFH of six flaxseed cultivars had shown that PFH of the cultivar Giza 9 (PFH-G9) contains the highest concentration of SDG (81.64 mg/g). The in vitro cytotoxic potentiality of PFH's of six flaxseed cultivars was screened against a panel of human cancer cell lines. PFH -G9 showed the most significant cytotoxic activity against ER-receptor positive breast cell lines MCF7 and T47D with IC50 13.8 and 15.8 µg/ml, respectively. Moreover, PFH-G9 reduced the expression of the metastasis marker, 1-α, metalloproteinases and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), one of the most potent stimulators of angiogenesis, while it increased the caspase-3 dependent apoptosis. Our study also showed that dietary intake of 10% of Giza 9 Flaxseeds (FS), fixed oil (FSO) or Flax meal (FSM) twice daily for 3 weeks in mice-bearing solid Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) resulted in reducing the tumor volume, the expression of estrogen, insulin growth factor, progesterone, VEGF and MMP-2, but enhanced expression of caspase-3.

Yucca aloifolia, Y. aloifolia variegata, Y. elephantipes and Y. filamentosa were investigated. DNA sequencing was performed for the four plants and a genomic DNA fingerprint was obtained and provided. The cytotoxic activities against four human cancer cell lines were investigated. The ethanolic extracts of leaves of Y. aloifolia variegata prevailed, especially against liver cancer HepG-2 and breast cancer MCF-7. In vivo assessment of hepatoprotective activity in rats also revealed the hepatoprotective potential of the ethanolic extracts of the four plants against CCl4- induced rats' liver damage. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the flavonoid and phenolic content of the promising species was performed using HPLC. The analysis identified and quantified 18 flavonoids and 19 phenolic acids in the different fractions of Y. aloifolia variegata, among which the major flavonoids were hesperidin and kaemp-3-(2-p-coumaroyl) glucose and the major phenolic acids were gallic acid and protocatechuic acid.

Background: Ferula tingitana L. (Apiaceae) has been considered to have abortive and menstruation-inducing properties. It used to treat sore throat, fever, indigestion, and pains.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to establish the chemical composition of the essential oil of flower, leaves of F. tingitana, and to throw light on antimicrobial, cytotoxic activities of Libyan plant.

Materials and Methods: The chemical composition of the essential oil of flower (0.06% w/v) and leaves (0.1% w/v) of F. tingitana was comparatively analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry using nonpolar column DB-5.

Results: A total of 28-32 components were identified, 15 being common in both samples. The main constituents of both flower- and leave-derived oil samples were α-thujene (13.5%-2.3%), elemol (8.9%-8.3%), eudesmol (0.6%-9.7%) and cadinol (2.2%-13.8%), respectively. The principle difference was a considerably more pronounced sesquiterpenes presence in the leaves-oil, amounting to 74.0%, than in the flower counterpart (39.9%). Caryophyllene (5.6%) and elemol (8.9%) were the major sesquiterpenes detected in flower-oil while leaves-oil showed less amounts of sesquiterpenoid hydrocarbons (27.7%) and represented by eudesmadiene (9.0%). On the contrary, while remaining the dominant group in both oil samples, monoterpenoids are relatively more abundant in flower-derived oil constituting 57.7% versus 24.5% detected in leaves.

Conclusion: Leaves-oil sample being mostly efficient as antibacterial against Bacillus subtilis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae with potency 48.3, 41.9% compared to tetracycline standard antibacterial drug. The essential oil samples revealed marked in vitro cytotoxicity against breast (MCF7), cervical (HELA) and liver(HEPG2) carcinoma cell lines with IC50% (6.9, 4.8), (8.6, 10.9), and (4.4, 4.2) for the flower-, leaves-derived oil sample, respectively.

SUMMARY: Comparative analysis of the investigated oil samples indicates more pronounced monoterpene contents in Ferula tingitana flower. The principle monoterpenoid constituents of both oils are α-thujene. Sesquiterpenes presence is considerably more pronounced in the leaves-derived oil sampleElemol, cadinol, α-thujene and a-terpinoline, the major components of the flower- and leaves-derived oil in the present work and were not detected in the Turkish sample. The differences may be due to climatic and other extrinsic conditions such as where and when the samples were collectedWhen screened for antimicrobial activity, the flower- and leaves-derived oil of F. tingitana exhibited a mild effect against all tested Gram-negative and Gram-positive microorganisms. However, not displayed growth inhibitory effect against the fungus Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicansOn assessing the cytotoxic activity, the flower- and leaves-derived oil exhibited specific and significant effects on the viability of the selected human cell lines, viz., hormone-responsive breast carcinoma cell line (MCF7), cervical carcinoma cell line (HELA), and liver carcinoma cell line (HEPG2). Abbreviations used: F: Flower-derived oil of F. tingitana; L: Leaves-derived oil of F. tingitana; IPP: Isopentenyl pyrophosphate or also isopentenyl diphosphate; DMAPP: Dimethylally pyrophosphate or also dimethylallyl diphosphate; GPP: Geranyl pyrophosphate; GGPP: Geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate; MEP: Methylerythritol phosphate pathway; FPP: Farnesyl pyrophosphate; GC/MS: Analysis gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy; SRB: Sulforhodamine B.

We investigated the cytotoxic potential of the cardenolide glycoside acovenoside A against non-small-cell lung cancer cells. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality and the second most common cancer diagnosed. Epidemiological studies revealed a direct correlation between the regular administration of cardiac glycosides and a lower incidence of various cancers. Acovenoside A, isolated from the pericarps of Acokanthera oppositifolia, potently inhibited proliferation and induced cytotoxicity in A549 non-small-cell lung cancer cells with an IC50 of 68 ± 3 nM after 48 h of exposure. Compared to the antineoplastic agent doxorubicin, acovenoside A was more potent in inhibiting the viability of A549 cancer cells. Moreover, acovenoside A exhibited selectivity against cancer cells, being significantly less toxic to lung fibroblasts and nontoxic for peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Analysis of the cell cycle profile in acovenoside A-treated A549 cells revealed mitotic arrest, due to accumulation of the G2/M regulators cyclin B1 and CDK1, and cytokinesis failure. Furthermore, acovenoside A affected the mitochondrial membrane integrity and induced production of radical oxygen species, which resulted in induction of canonical apoptosis, manifested by caspase 3 activation and DNA fragmentation. Based on our results, acovenoside A warrants further exploration as a potential anticancer lead.

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) is a multipurpose crop with health promoting potential. This study was undertaken to investigate the fatty acid profile and yield of fixed oil of six Egyptian flaxseed cultivars. The selected cultivars with the highest content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (G9 and G10) were assessed for their antidepressant-like effect in rat model of postpartum depression (PPD) induced by hormone-simulated pregnancy followed by hormone withdrawal and compared to fluoxetine. As compared to control group, administration of G9 and G10 (270 mg/kg/day, p.o) for two weeks during the postpartum period can alleviate anxiety and depressive-like behaviors and biochemical changes in PPD-induced rats. This was confirmed by evaluation of anxiety-like behaviors (elevated plus maze, open field test, and forced swim test tests), in addition to biochemical analysis (brain monoamine oxidase-A, corticosterone level, proinflammatory cytokines, and hippocampal redox state). In conclusion, flaxseed oil of Egyptian cultivars G9 and G10 exhibited significant antidepressant-like effect in rat model of PPD without affecting locomotor activity. At the treatment doses, the antidepressant-like activity of Giza 9 oil is comparable to fluoxetine.