Plant extracts have attracted scientists’ interest as natural source of safe anti-bacterials to offer alternatives for conventional antibiotics. Ethanolic extracts of bark, wood, leaves of Thespesia populnea L., and fractions of the most bioactive extract were screened for anti-bacterial activity. This was tested against Gram-positive(Staphylococcus aureus & Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative(Escherichia coli & Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria by agar well diffusion method using ciprofloxacin(standard drug). Furthermore, minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration(MBC) were determined using resazurin-based 96-well plate microdilution method. Ethanolic bark extract(EBE) exhibited the strongest activity against all tested bacteria with MIC range of 2.5–5mg/ml and MBC range of 5–10mg/ml. Methylene chloride fraction(Met-B) of EBE showed potent bacteriostatic and bactericidal actions on all tested bacteria, particularly against P. aeruginosa with high potency (MIC and MBC; 0.63 & 2.5mg/ml, respectively). Consequently, further investigation was conducted to identify and isolate bioactive constituents from Met-B. This led to isolation of six compounds(cryptolepine, quinodolinone, quinodoline, cryptoheptine, scopoletin and aescultin) using flash chromatography. Moreover, five compounds(quercetin, kaempferol, daidzein, caffeic and tannic acids) were identified using TLC/MS technique. Furthermore, molecular docking study was implemented on proteins that play crucial roles in virulence and pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa(DNA gyrase, Fab A, QS-LasR and QS-PqsR). The results demonstrated that cryptolepine, quinodolinone, quinodoline, cryptoheptine showed the strongest binding affinity to all targets confirming their role in inhibiting P. aeruginosa pathogenesis. These findings highlight T. populnea L. as a potential anti-bacterial agent against P. aeruginosa in traditional medicine and as a source for developing therapeutics against drug-resistant bacterial infections.

Thespesia populnea L., known for its diverse pharmacological properties, has been identified as a potential mitigator of oxidative stress and cognitive impairment. A bioassay guided study was performed on ethanolic extracts of different organs (bark, wood and leaves) of the plant to determine the most active organ through both in-vitro and in-vivo tests. Through in-vitro studies, ethanolic leaves extract (ELE) showed the highest activity as acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and anti-oxidant in increasing mitochondrial complex I & III, hence, these studies were further performed on the successive fractions of ELE. Petroleum ether fraction of the leaves (Pet-L) exhibited the highest activity in nearly all tests. Thus, in-vivo testing; including behavioral, biochemical and histopathological studies was performed on two doses level (100 and 200 mg/kg b.wt.) and the highest dose showed potent activities. The highly bioactive Pet-L was subjected to phytochemical study which led to the isolation of fourteen compounds (L1-L14), Diosgenin-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside, betulinic acid, catacerebroside, Mansonone C, Mansonone E & thespesenone were the major isolated compounds. Molecular docking study of the isolated and identified compounds on acetylcholinesterase enzyme revealed that thespesenone, mansonone C and mansonone E exerted the strongest binding affinity to the enzyme, where thespesenone and mansonone C displayed a mixed-type inhibition via binding both peripheral anionic site “PAS” as well as catalytic active site “CAS”. Our findings highlighted Thespesia populnea L. ELE together with its Pet-L fraction to be considered as promising candidates in the management of memory impairment caused by oxidative stress in Alzheimer's disease.

The present study provides an evaluation for the wound healing activity of the ethanolic extract of Thespesia populnea L. bark (EBE) and its successive fractions in two doses level (1&2%), designed for determining the most bioactive fraction and the suitable dose. Furthermore, development of the most convenient formulation for these bioactive fractions through either their direct incorporation into hydrogel formulations or incorporation of chitosan-loaded nanoparticles with these bioactive fractions into hydrogel formulations. The highest excision wound healing activity was observed in petroleum ether (Pet-B) followed by ethyl acetate (Etac-B) fractions at the high dose (2%). The most suitable formulation designed for the Etac-B fraction was found to be the chitosan-loaded nanoparticles incorporated in the hydrogel formulation, while the conventional hydrogel formulation was observed to be the highly acceptable formulation for Pet-B fraction. Further phytochemical studies of the bioactive fractions led to the isolation of many compounds of different chemical classes viz; beta-sitosterol and lupeol acetate isolated from the Pet-B, in addition to cyanidin and delphinidin from the Etac-B. Our results revealed that EBE and its bioactive fractions (Pet-B & Etac-B) could be considered as strong wound healers through their anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, in addition to stimulating collagen synthesis.

Paracetamol overdose is the leading cause of drug-induced hepatotoxicity worldwide. Because of N-acetyl cysteine's limited therapeutic efficacy and safety, searching for alternative therapeutic substitutes is necessary. This study investigated four citrus juices: Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck var. Pineapple (pineapple sweet orange), Citrus reticulata Blanco × Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck (Murcott mandarin), Citrus paradisi Macfadyen var. Ruby Red (red grapefruit), and Fortunella margarita Swingle (oval kumquat) to improve the herbal therapy against paracetamol-induced liver toxicity. UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS profiling of the investigated samples resulted in the identification of about 40 metabolites belonging to different phytochemical classes. Phenolic compounds were the most abundant, with the total content ranked from 609.18 to 1093.26 μg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/mL juice. The multivariate data analysis revealed that phloretin 3',5'-di-C-glucoside, narirutin, naringin, hesperidin, 2-O-rhamnosyl-swertisin, fortunellin (acacetin-7-O-neohesperidoside), sinensetin, nobiletin, and tangeretin represented the crucial discriminatory metabolites that segregated the analyzed samples. Nevertheless, the antioxidant activity of the samples was 1135.91-2913.92 μM Trolox eq/mL juice, 718.95-3749.47 μM Trolox eq/mL juice, and 2304.74-4390.32 μM Trolox eq/mL juice, as revealed from 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, ferric-reducing antioxidant power, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity, respectively. The in vivo paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity model in rats was established and assessed by measuring the levels of hepatic enzymes and antioxidant biomarkers. Interestingly, the concomitant administration of citrus juices with a toxic dose of paracetamol effectively recovered the liver injury, as confirmed by normal sections of hepatocytes. This action could be due to the interactions between the major identified metabolites (hesperidin, hesperetin, phloretin 3',5'-di-C-glucoside, fortunellin, poncirin, nobiletin, apigenin-6,8-digalactoside, 6',7'-dihydroxybergamottin, naringenin, and naringin) and cytochrome P450 isoforms (CYP3A4, CYP2E1, and CYP1A2), as revealed from the molecular docking study. The most promising compounds in the three docking processes were hesperidin, fortunellin, poncirin, and naringin. Finally, a desirable food-drug interaction was achieved in our research to overcome paracetamol overdose-induced hepatotoxicity.

BACKGROUND:The development of alopecia areata is suggested to be influenced by intestinal permeability and gut dysbiosis. Claudin-3, an essential component of tight junctions which may act as an indicator of intestinal barrier integrity. AIMS:The study's objective was to evaluate the plasma concentration level of Claudin-3 in alopecia areata patients and its relationship to the severity of the condition. PATIENTS AND METHODS:In this case-control study, 50 alopecia areata patients and 30 healthy age and sex controls were involved. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the concentration of claudin-3 in the blood. RESULTS:Patients with alopecia areata had significantly higher plasma claudin-3 concentrations than healthy controls [median (interquartile range), 7.73 ng/ml (4.49-33.7) vs. 6.14 ng/ml (4.45-15.6), p < 0.005]. Positive relations were found between claudin-3 and SALT score (r = 0.675 & p-value < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:Claudin-3, a gut permeability biomarker, is elevated in alopecia areata and correlates with disease severity.

Our study aimed to test the potential of Citrus oils in protecting against paracetamol (PAR)-induced hepatotoxicity. The essential oils of Pineapple sweet orange (OO), Murcott mandarin (MO), Red grapefruit (GO), and Oval kumquat (KO) were investigated using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Twenty-seven compounds were identified, with monoterpene hydrocarbons being abundant class. d-Limonene had the highest percentage (92.98 %, 92.82 %, 89.75 %, and 94.46 % in OO, MO, GO, and KO, respectively). Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal components analysis (PCA) revealed that octanal, linalool, germacrene D, and d-limonene were the principal discriminatory metabolites that segregated the samples into three distinct clusters. In vitro antioxidant capacities were ranged from 1.2-12.27, 1.79-5.91, and 235.05-585.28 μM Trolox eq/mg oil for 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic (ABTS), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), respectively. In vivo, citrus oils exhibited a significant reduction in alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and nitric oxide (NO). Additionally, there was an increase in glutathione reductase (GSH), and the liver architecture was nearly normal. Molecular docking revealed that d-limonene exhibited a good inhibitory interaction with cytochrome P450 (CYP450) isoforms 1A2, 3A4, and 2E1, with binding energies of -6.17, -4.51, and -5.61 kcal/mol, respectively.

Punica granatum L. var. nana is an ornamental plant, yet it is underestimated medicinally compared to edible pomegranate. In this study, the ethanolic extract of the leaves(TEL)and its successive fractions were evaluated for anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant and anti-hyperlipidemic potentials in nicotinamide/streptozotocin(NA/STZ)-diabetic rats. Blood was measured for glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin(HbA1c%) and insulin levels.Anti-oxidant activity was assessed via measuring malondialdehyde(MDA), nitric oxide(NO), total anti-oxidant activity(TAC) and reduced glutathione(GSH). Anti-hyperlipidemic activity was evaluated via monitoring triglycerides(TG), total cholesterol(TC), low density lipoproteincholesterol(LDL-c), very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol(VLDL-c), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-c) and atherogenic index(AI). Both TEL and ethyl acetate fraction(EAL) reduced glucose, HbA1c%, MDA, NO, TG, TC, LDL-c, VLDL-c and AI but increased plasma insulin, TAC, GSH and HDL-c. Therefore, the potent effect of TEL could be attributed to EAL, from whichseven phenoliccompounds were isolated.Nutritional composition was also investigated. Finally, leaves of the studied plant played a beneficial role in management of diabetes, controlling oxidative stress and improvement of lipid abnormalities.

Volatile constituents isolated from the stems (S) and leaves (L) of Pimenta dioica (PD) and Pimenta racemosa (PR) during the four seasons were analyzed using GLC/FID (Gas liquid chromatography - flame ionization detector) and GLC/MS (Gas liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry). Eighty-nine compounds were identified in all samples, in which oxygenated monoterpene represented by eugenol was the major constituent in PDS-S3 (autumn) (88.71%) and PDS-S2 (summer) (88.41%). Discrimination between P. dioica and P. racemosa leaves and stems in different seasons was achieved by applying chemometrics analysis comprising Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchal Cluster Analysis (HCA). For P. dioica, they were partially segregated where leaves collected from spring and autumn were superimposed, and similarly for P. dioica stems collected in summer and autumn. For P. racemosa leaves, the PCA score plot showed that all seasons were completely segregated from each other, with the winter and autumn samples being in very close distance to each other. P. racemosa stems collected in autumn and spring exhibited significant variation, as they were completely detached from each other. Moreover, summer and winter fell in a near distance to each other. An in vitro cell viability assay was done to evaluate the variation in the cytotoxicity of the isolated essential oils against breast (MCF-7), hepatic (HepG-2), and cervical (HeLa-2) cancer cell lines using the MTT assay. The maximum cytotoxic effect was observed by PDL against HeLa, HepG-2 and MCF-7 cells with IC50 values equal to 122.1, 139.6, and 178.7 μg mL-1, respectively. An in silico study was done to assess the cytotoxic effect of the major compounds detected in the oils by determining their inhibitory effect on human DNA topoisomerase II (TOP-2), human cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK-2) and matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13). o-Cymene followed by eugenol showed the highest fitting with all of the examined proteins approaching doxorubicin. It can be concluded that GC coupled with chemometrics provide a strong tool for the discrimination of samples, while Pimenta could afford a natural drug that could alleviate cancer.

Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd. is an ornamental plant cultivated in tropical, subtropical regions and other places as Egypt. The present study aimed to perform bioassay guided fractionation and isolation of some of the bioactive compounds from the Egyptian cultivate. The total ethanol extracts of the leaves (T.ET.L.), stems (T.ET.S.) and flowers (T.ET.F.) were screened for some pharmacological activities viz. in vivo anti-oxidant and anti-hepatotoxic, in addition to in vitro cytotoxic activities. The anti-oxidant effect was assessed by measuring serum glutathione level (GSH) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The anti-hepatotoxic activity was evaluated via measuring serum markers level viz . alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. In vitro cytotoxicity of the different extracts was estimated for liver cancer cell line (HEPG2) adopting Sulforhodamine B stain assay. T.ET.L. exhibited significantly potent anti-oxidant and anti-hepatotoxic activities, while T.ET.S. showed the highest cytotoxic activity. Through biological guided fractionation, leaves and stems were subjected to successive solvent extraction, whereas the leaves ethyl acetate (Et.Ac.L.) and the stems ethanol 70% (Et.70%S.) extracts showed highly potent activities. Thus, different chromatographic techniques were performed on Et.Ac.L. and Et.70%S. extracts leading to the isolation of five bioactive metabolites. Three flavonoids were isolated from Et.Ac.L.; genistein-7-O-rutinoside (1) , formononetin-7-O-rutinoside (2) and myricetin (3) , while orobol-7-O-glucoside (4) and hesperidin (5) were isolated from Et.70%S. This work demonstrated the importance of the plant as a promising anti-oxidant, anti-hepatotoxic and cytotoxic product for nutraceutical use.

The purpose of this study was to develop an efficient wound healing PVA-biopolymer composite hydrogel using the polysaccharide derived from Egyptian Avena sativa L. The prepared polysaccharide showed high β-glucan content which accelerates wound healing. The β-glucan content was 13.28% and GC analysis revealed that glucose was the major sugar component (71.19%). Different PVA-polysaccharide hydrogels combined with different polymers and loaded with 0.3% bacitracin zinc were developed using the freezing-thawing method. The used polymers were; polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), Carbopol 940 (CP), hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (Na CMC). The prepared hydrogels were characterized by determination of gel fraction, swelling ratio, mechanical and bioadhesive properties. The results revealed that hydrogels prepared using anionic (NaCMC and CP) and more hydrophilic (HEC) polymers showed better swelling ratio, bioadhesive and mechanical characters compared with hydrogels prepared using cationic (PVP) or less hydrophilic (HPMC) polymers. For two selected formulations containing HEC (F7) and NaCMC (F9), disk diffusion method and In vitro microbial penetration were performed for microbiological assessment. In addition, In vivo evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and wound healing activity compared with conventional products were performed on rats. The results showed higher anti-inflammatory activity of F7 (21.4% edema reduction) compared with F9 (19.8% edema reduction). Similarly, F7 showed better healing (99% relative wound size reduction) than F9 (75%). The current study revealed the potential of using the prepared Egyptian Avena sativa L. polysaccharide and HEC for development of an efficient wound healing dressing with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities.

This study aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of the rind of Punica granatum var. nana. Acute oral toxicity test revealed the safety profile of its ethanolic extract. The extract was administered at 200 mg/kg b.wt to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Serum diagnostic markers of diabetes (insulin, glucose and glycated hemoglobin), inflammatory mediators (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and nitric oxide), and oxidative stress (total antioxidant capacity and reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde) were assayed. The ethanolic extract was further fractionated and assessed for the aforementioned bioactivities at two different doses (100 and 200 mg/kg b.wt). The results revealed that the ethyl acetate fraction of rind exhibited the highest activities. Using different chromatographic techniques, four compounds were isolated and identified as rutin, gallic acid, nictoflorin, and tulipanin. In conclusion: The ethyl acetate fraction of the rind of Punica granatum var. nana may provide a potential therapeutic approach for hyperglycemia.

As in vitro plant cultures are used extensively to produce bioactive metabolites, our goal was to establish calli from Tulbaghia violacea Harv. flowers and assess the tissue phytochemically and biologically. Murashige & Skoog medium(MS)+22.6M 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid+2.2M benzylaminopurine induced callus from flowers. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry(GC/MS) analyses of n-hexane extracts of calli(HC) and flowers(HF) revealed 33 and 32 components(92.6 and 98.5%, respectively). Hydrocarbons were predominant in HC (55.0%), whereas a higher percentage of oxygenated compounds was found in HF(74.6%). Trans(E)-anethole(39.1%) and 16-hentriacontanone (30.3%) dominated in HF and HC, respectively. However, sulphur compounds were only detected in HF. Quantitative estimation of thiosulphinates, phenolics, flavonoids and saponins in ethanolic extracts of calli(EC) and flowers(EF) showed much higher contents in EF. Antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic screening of extracts demonstrated that EF was the most potent, followed by HF and EC; conversely, HC was inactive. Although HC and EC were less biologically active, these calli could be an alternative source of bioactive metabolites. [GRAPHICS] .

Back ground: Information about female sexuality is limited in Egypt and many other Islamic countries due to traditions. The current study is an effort to evaluate some aspects of libido in women in order to shed some light on this ignored item in this area of the world. Participants and Methods: A self-report questionnaire was given to 200 women attending the andrology and gynecology outpatient clinics, Benha University, Egypt. The questionnaire covered demographic data and some factors that may affect female libido.Results: Most women reported no change in libido related to menstruation timing, obesity, menopause, diabetes or use of hormonal contraceptives. Pregnancy had a negative effect on libido. Stress either in work or within the family or with husband resulted in a decrease in libido. Sea foods followed by eggs were the most commonly reported foods producing an increase in libido (93.7%, 71%). On the other hand, liquorice followed by garlic were the most common types of foods that produced a decrease in libido (85.7%, 64.9%). Almost 70% of genitally cut women reported either a medium or a high libido.Conclusion: Libido in most studied women seems to be negatively affected by pregnancy but bot by menstruation or hormonal contraceptive agents. The effect of food needs further study.

The effect of the time of collection on the phenolic content of the flowers of Oenothera speciosa Nutt., cultivated in Egypt, was studied. Samples collected at the early (March) and late (July) flowering periods were analyzed. Flavonoids (expressed as aglycones) and phenol acids were determined by HPLC in the hydrolyzed extracts. Samples gathered in March showed a relatively high percentage of flavonoids (407.05 mg/100g dry wt.) which decreased in the July sample, amounting only to 180.20 mg/100g dry wt. On the contrary, an increase was observed in the phenol acid content which reached 201.89 and 548.59 mg/100g dry wt. in the two samples, respectively; however, the qualitative pattern appeared the same for all constituents. In addition, gravimetric and spectrophotometric determinations of tannins and proanthocyanidins revealed that both were higher at the late flowering period (10.53 g% and 23.35g%, respectively) than at the early one (8.67g% and 19.03g%, respectively). Two flavonol glycosides; hyperoside (quercetin-3-O--β-D galactoside) and rutin (quercetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnose-β-D-glucoside) and the aglycone, quercetin, as well as a phenol acid, chlorogenic acid, were isolated via chromatographic fractionation of the ethyl acetate extract. (+) Catechin, isolated from the acetone extract, constituted the major component of the tannin fraction. Characterization of the isolated compounds was achieved through physical, chemical, chromatographic and spectral analyses, as well as, by comparison with available authentic samples. Moreover, the carbohydrate content was investigated by PC and HPLC. Rhamnose, arabinose and glucose were identified as free sugars. Analysis of the hydrolyzate of the cold extracted mucilage (CEM) revealed the presence of galacturonic, glucuronic acids and galactose in addition to the aforementioned sugars. Likewise, the hydrolyzate of the hot extracted mucilage (HEM) differed from that of (CEM) in containing xylose and appearing free from arabinose. The aqueous and alcoholic extracts, as well as, the hot extracted mucilage (HEM), were subjected to biological evaluation as compared to standard drugs. Their safety was ascertained through determination of their LD50. The alcoholic extract exhibited more potent antiinflammatory, analgesic, anti-oxidant and antiulcer activities as compared to the aqueous extract. Meanwhile, HEM exerted a more pronounced anti-hyperglycemic action than the alcoholic extract. The alcoholic extract, moreover, revealed noticeable antibacterial and antifungal activities, while those observed for the aqueous extract were only moderate. Finally, the macroand micromorphological characters of the flowers are described with the aim to provide useful data for identification and differentiation of the plant from other allied species either in the entire or powdered form.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the hypolipidemic activity of Egyptian Tropaeolum majus L. leaves on lipid parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoproteins, high density lipoproteins, atherogenic index and cardiac risk ratio) of hyperlipidemic rats as well as its effect on vital body organs (aorta, heart and liver). In addition to, the histopathological examinations and x-vivo relaxant test of the hyperlipidemic aortic strip. LC /MS/MS analysis was carried out to screen the biologically active compounds that may contribute to the activity. Results showed that all lipid parameters were significantly reduced after administration of the hydroalcoholic extract of Tropaeolum majus for 5 consecutive weeks, and the histopathological pictures were improved. While, LC /MS/MS analysis revealed that flavonoids contribute the highest percentage (91.9%) of the relative area of the hydroalcoholic extract of Tropaeolum majus L. leaves. Isoquercetrin was the main flavonoids (67%), in addition to isorhamntein3-o- glycoside and quinic acid derivatives. Tropaeolum majus L. could be used as a new promising plant against the progress of cardiovascular diseases.

Zingiber officinale commonly called ginger is being used in Arabian folk medicine for treatment of different diseases including improvement of memory impairment. The present study was designed to evaluate the role of ginger in management/treatment of Alzheimer's disease in-vitro and in-vivo. The phytochemical study was carried out using different chromatographic methods including semi-preparative HPLC. Ginger methanolic extract (GME), the isolated pure compounds and ginger essential oil (GEO) were tested for their inhibiting activity in-vitro against acetyl cholinesterase enzyme (AChE) using a multi-well plate Ellman's assay and the antioxidant activity was tested with diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. In addition, the methanolic extract and the essential oil were studied in-vivo using Alzheimer's disease model induced in rats using oral AlCl3. Six known compounds were isolated from the methanolic extract and identified as 6-gingerol(1), methoxy-[6]-gingerol(2), methoxy-[10]-gingerol(3), 6-shogaol(4), 8-shogaol(5) & diacetoxy-[6]-gingerdiol (6). All compounds showed antioxidant activity against the DPPH free radical. However, none of these compounds showed inhibitory activity against AChE in-vitro at 200 mu g/ml. GME showed more antioxidant power than GEO in scavenging DPPH free radical. GME and GEO showed moderate AChE inhibitory activity in-vitro. On the other hand, the treatment with GME and GEO showed improvement in the learning and memory in Alzheimer model induced in rats also they showed significant inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase as compared to Alzheimer's disease group (positive control group). Moreover, they showed an improvement of the morphological structure of the brain tissue with disappearance of most amyloid plaques.

Tulbaghia violacea Harv. (Alliaceae), is a small bulbous herb known as “sweet or society garlic broadly consumed in traditional medicine. The composition and antimicrobial activity of leaf (L) and flower (F) volatiles, obtained by hydro-distillation and solvent extraction, were investigated. The hydro-distilled (decanted oil, DO; and recovered water-soluble oil, RO) and hexane extracted (HE) samples were analysed via GC/FID and GC/MS. A total of 64 components, representing 90.63-99.15% of the overall sample compositions, were identified. Sulfur compounds were predominant in all hydro-distilled samples with major 2, 3, 5-trithiahexane and 2, 4, 5, 7-tetrathiaoctane. Meanwhile, oxygenated compounds prevailed in HE being dominated by fatty acids and their esters, mainly hexadecanoic and 9,12-octadecadienoic acids, in addition to an aliphatic ketone (16-hentriacontanone, F). Limonene, 1, 8-cineole, I±-terpineol, eugenol, carveol, I²-ionone, I±-bisabolol and caryophyllene oxide were detected in all samples. All DO and HE samples together with RO of F demonstrated remarkable antimicrobial efficiency. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined. Obviously, both composition and bioactivity of the investigated volatiles were clearly influenced by the extraction process applied. Finally, T. violacea could be proposed as flavoring agent and a safe preservative in food industries to prevent the growth of foodborne bacteria and fungi and extend the shelf-life of food products.

The methanolic extract of the leaves of Liquidambar styraciflua L. (Altingiaceae) (LSE) was evaluated for hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities in carbon tetrachloride liver-damaged rats. Hepatotoxicity was induced via intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 1:9 in olive oil, at a dose of 0.5ml/kg b.wt. The animals received the extract, orally, at two dose levels (250 and 500mg/kg b.wt.) The administration regimen was twice a week, for six consecutive weeks. LSE exhibited a significant dose-dependent protective effect by lowering the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), malondialdehyde (MDA) and ameliorating the level of serum protein. In addition, LSE showed antioxidant activity through improving the levels of blood glutathione (GSH), vitamin C, vitamin E and hepatic total protein contents. The LSE revealed activity approached that of silymarin, a known hepatoprotective agent. These biochemical observations were supported by examination of the histopathological features of the liver. Chromatographic fractionation of LSE afforded seven phenolic compounds. These were identified on the basis of chromatographic, chemical and spectroscopic analyses as: gallic acid (1), isorugosin B (2), casuarictin (3), quercetin-3-O-β-d-4C1-glucopyranoside (4), myricetin-3-O-α-l-1C4-rhamnopyranoside (myricetrin) (5), quercetin (6) and myricetin (7). The isolated phenolics probably account for the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects exhibited by the parent extract. Furthermore, a validated RP-HPLC method was devised for standardization of LSE, in view to fulfill the requirements of efficient research methodology for evaluation of bioactive herbal drugs. The above findings suggested that LSE could be considered as a standardized herbal product with antifibrotic, hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential.

The hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of the hydroalcoholic extract (PE) of pea (Pisum sativum L.) by-product were evaluated, using CCl4-induced oxidative stress and hepatic damage in rats. These activities were assessed via measuring alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein and albumin, malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), protein thiols (PSH), nitrite/nitrate levels, glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities, as well as, histopathological evaluation. PE revealed significant hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities mostly found in n-butanol fraction. Chromatographic fractionation of this active fraction led to the isolation of five flavonoid glycosides namely, quercetin-3-O-sophorotrioside (1), quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (2), quercetin-3-O-(6″″-O-E sinapoyl)-sophorotrioside (3), quercetin-3-O-(6″″-O-E feruloyl)-sophorotrioside (4) and quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5). The isolated compounds were quantified in PE, using a validated HPLC method and the nutritional composition of pea by-product was also investigated. Our results suggest that pea by-product contained biologically active constituents which can be utilised to obtain high value added products for nutraceutical use.

Volatiles of Spathodea campanulata buds and expanded flowers were isolated by hydrodistillation / solvent extraction and direct solvent extraction. Products analysed included: primary and recovered oils (PO/RO) derived from distillates, chloroform extractives (CE) of the non-distilled fractions, and hexane concretes (HC). Number of components identified by GC-MS varied from 35-60 (88.56 - 98.17 % of the total composition). PO/RO showed close amounts of hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds; yet, the latter prevailed in CE and HC samples. Hydrocarbon fraction was the least in buds CE (15.36 %) and greatest in flowers PO/RO (48.04 %); meanwhile, oxygenated constituents dominated flowers HC (74.04 %). Chief hydrocarbons were: alkanes and alkenes (flowers CE, 32.46 %; major phytane 16.41 %), and terpenoids (PO/RO: buds 22.44 %, major α-pinene 9.34 % vs. flowers 19.91 %, major β-selinene 8.51 %). Oxygenated constituents included: carbonyl compounds (flowers CE 31.83 %; major 6-benzofurancarboxyaldehyde 27.75 %); acids (HC: flowers 52.16 %, major hexadecanoic acid 32.47 % vs. buds 51.64 %, major 9, 12-octadecadienoic acid 30.19 %); esters and lactones (buds CE, 66.24 %; major 1, 2-benzenedicarboxylic acid diisooctyl ester, 38.99 %; and PO/RO, buds 31.52 % vs. flowers 28.01 %). The volatiles exhibited variable cytotoxic activities against (MCF7) and (HCT116) cell lines. Buds HC demonstrated the lowest IC50 (4.2 µg/ml). In conclusion, the stage of development and isolation techniques obviously influenced yield, composition and bioactivity.