Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Abd El-Mawla

Benzoic acid biosynthesis in cell cultures of Hypericum androsaemum

Abstract. Biosynthesis of benzoic acid from cinnamic acid has been studied in cell cultures of Hypericum androsaemum L. The mechanism underlying side-chain shortening is CoA-dependent and non-β-oxidative. The enzymes involved are cinnamate:CoA ligase, cinnamoyl-CoA hydratase/lyase and benzaldehyde dehydrogenase. Cinnamate:CoA ligase was separated from benzoate:CoA ligase and 4-coumarate:CoA ligase, which belong to xanthone biosynthesis and general phenylpropanoid metabolism, respectively. Cinnamoyl-CoA hydratase/lyase catalyzes hydration and cleavage of cinnamoyl-CoA to benzaldehyde and acetyl-CoA. Benzaldehyde dehydrogenase finally supplies benzoic acid. In cell cultures of H. androsaemum, benzoic acid is a precursor of xanthones, which accumulate during cell culture growth and after methyl jasmonate treatment. Both the constitutive and the induced accumulations of xanthones were preceded by increases in the activities of all benzoic acid biosynthetic enzymes. Similar changes in activity were observed for phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and the xanthone biosynthetic enzymes benzoate:CoA ligase and benzophenone synthase.

Protective Effect of Zinc (Zn) on the Histology and Histochemistry of Liver and Kidney of Albino Rat Treated with Cadmium

The protective effect of zinc (Zn) on the liver and kidney of albino rats exposed to intraperitoneal injection of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) was studied. Light microscopic examination for rats which were injected intraperitonealy with of 0.16 mg CdCl2/kg of body weight for 8 weeks indicated severe histological changes in both liver and kidney. In liver, a blurred trabecular structure, vacuolar degeneration and increased density of nuclear chromatin with very compact nuclear structure were found in hepatocytes. Moreover; mononuclear cell infiltrations and necrosis of single cells were also observed. In the kidney tubules, degeneration and hypertrophy of epithelial cells and dilation in the glomeruli were also observed. The effects of cadmium on the ultrastructures of both organs were studied. There are ultrastructural damages appeared in both organs as nuclear membrane damage, chromatin condensation, swelling of the mitochondria with regression of mitochondrial cristae, degranulation and disintegration of protein-synthesizing structures such as rough endoplasmic reticulum, increased number of lysosomes and ultimately cell death. Zn partially alleviated the damage observed in both the liver and kidney and differences in histological structure has been observed between the Zn-Cd and the control groups. Our results demonstrate the protective effect of ZnCl2 in prevention CdCl2- induced significant toxic pathological changes in the liver and kidney of the albino rats.

Production of cycloartane triterpene glycosides in shoot cultures of Astragalus sieberi DC.

Shoot tips of the germinated seeds of Astragalus sieberi DC. were cultured on MS-medium supplemented with 0.1 mg L−1 each of naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and benzyl adenine (BA) for establishment of shoot cultures. The effect of different concentrations of growth regulators on saponin content was studied and optimised. Saponin content was monitored by HPLC analysis. The most appropriate growth regulator with which to produce the highest content of saponins in shoot cultures was 0.5 mg L−1 each of NAA and BA. The isolated cycloastragenol-3-O-glucoside was identified by spectral analysis and compared with an authentic sample.

Cardiac glycosides from shoot cultures of Cryptostegia grandiflora.

Cardiac glycosides in shoot cultures of Cryptostegia grandiflora were identified when grown in modified MS medium. The change in shoot segments and cardiac glycosides content was followed between day zero and day 12 at 2-day intervals. The content of cardiac glycosides in leaves and shoot cultures of Cryptostegia grandiflora was monitored by HPLC. Two major compounds were detected and isolated from shoot cultures extract, named oleandrigenin 3-O-β-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-cymaropyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-digitoxopyranoside (cryptostigmin I) and oleandrigenin 3-O-β-glucopyranosyl-(1  4)-α-rhamnopyranoside (cryptostigmin II). The structures of the isolated compounds were verified by means of MS and NMR spectral analysis, as well as by comparison with authentic samples. The leaves and shoot cultures were analyzed for their cardiac glycosides content. The shoot cultures inoculated into MS-based culture media supplemented with 0.1 mg L -1 BA, 30 g L -1 sucrose, 0.1 g L -1 myo -inositol and 0.1 g L -1 ascorbic acid were found to contain a quantity of cardiac glycosides that was about four fold the cardiac glycosides content of leaves extract.Cardiac glycosides in shoot cultures of Cryptostegia grandiflora were identified when grown in modified MS medium. The change in shoot segments and cardiac glycosides content was followed between day zero and day 12 at 2-day intervals. The content of cardiac glycosides in leaves and shoot cultures of Cryptostegia grandiflora was monitored by HPLC. Two major compounds were detected and isolated from shoot cultures extract, named oleandrigenin 3-O-β – glucopyranosyl-(1→4) – β-cymaropyranosyl-(1→4)-β-digitoxopyranoside (cryptostigmin I) and oleandrigenin 3-O-β – glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-rhamnopyranoside (cryptostigmin II). The structures of the isolated compounds were verified by means of MS and NMR spectral analysis, as well as by comparison with authentic samples. The leaves and shoot cultures were analyzed for their cardiac glycosides content. The shoot cultures inoculated into MS-based culture media supplemented with 0.1 mg L-1 BA, 30 g L-1 sucrose, 0.1 g L-1 myo-inositol and 0.1 g L-1 ascorbic acid were found to contain a quantity of cardiac glycosides that was about four fold the cardiac glycosides content of leaves extract.

Effects of Gum acacia aqueous extract on the histology of the intestine and enzymes of both the intestine and the pancreas of albino rats treated with Meloxicam.

Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause gastrointestinal damage both in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract, in addition to their undesirable side effects on the pancreas. Meloxicam like all NSAIDs has damaging effects on the gastrointestinal tract including perforations, ulcers and bleeding. Objective: The present work describes the effects of Gum acacia aqueous extract on the histology of intestine and enzymes of both intestine and Pancreas of albino rats treated with Meloxicam. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on four groups of equally weighed male rats, each group included ten animals; the first group was received a diet containing 0.2 mg/kg bw meloxicam per day; the second was given 1gm Gum acacia per day in its diet; the third was given meloxicam followed by gum in the same doses per day; while the fourth group (control rats) was placed on a normal diet and water. All rats were received their diet for a period of 21 days. Results: A considerable protective effect of Gum acacia aqueous extract on the histology of intestine of albino rats treated with meloxicam was recorded. In addition, the study displayed a significant increase (P < 0.001) in the intestinal enzymes; lipase, amylase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the 1st and 3rd groups animals while these enzymes were significantly decreased (P < 0.001) in the 2nd group when compared with the 4th control group. Conclusion: This study concluded that Gum acacia provides a protection and defense against the harmful effects of meloxicam therapy used as one of the novel anti-Cox-1 and Cox-2 NSAIDs.

Cinnamyl alcohols and methyl esters of fatty acids from Wedelia prostrata callus cultures

Two methyl esters of fatty acids, namely octadecanoic acid methyl ester (methyl stearate) (1) and hexadecanoic acid methyl ester (methyl palmitate) (2), in addition to four cinnamyl alcohol derivatives, sinapyl alcohol (3), coniferyl alcohol (4), p-coumaryl alcohol (5) and coniferyl alcohol 4-O-glucoside (coniferin) (6), were isolated from callus cultures of Wedelia prostrata. The structure of coniferin was established by spectroscopic and chemical methods, while the other compounds were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and thin layer chromatography in comparison with standards.

Prevalence and treatment of Alopecia areata in Taif area, KSA

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is one type of hair loss that typically causes patches of baldness. In some cases, total baldness develops. There are no adequate studies concerning AA on the Taif area residents, KSA. Aim: The present study conducted for the first time prevalence, causes and treatment of AA in Al-Taif area, KSA. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire employed to determine the prevalence of AA in patients attending dermatology clinics in Al-Taif area. The doctors questioned about the number of patients attend dermatology clinics and suffering from AA. Doctors also were asked about types, causes of AA and the treatment/responsiveness. The data collected and analysed statistically. Results: The obtained results showed a noticeable prevalence of AA in Al-Taif area; 6.750% in males and 6.375% in females. Localized AA was the most common (88.75%) as well as the most responsive to the treatment. The emergence of disease was mostly related to the immune system (85%). The Doctors preferred topical corticosteroids or minoxidil plus systemic vitamins and minerals treatment more than others due to its effectiveness (90%, 40% responsiveness in localized and diffused respectively). Conclusion: We concluded that, the incidence of AA disease in Al-Taif area, exceeded expectations and the autoimmune condition is the most predominance reason for its occurrence. The most effective treatment was topical corticosteroids plus systemic vitamins and minerals. Recommendations: We recommend a vitamin-rich diet as well as an increased emphasis on the use of topical rubefacient herbs in addition to the above mentioned treatments of AA.

Phytochemical analysis of the essential oil of the flowers of Pancratium maritimum L. growing in Egypt

SUMMARY Aim: The present study aims to isolate and analyse the essential oil of the flowers of Pancratium maritimum. Methods: The n-hexane extract of the flowers of Pancratium maritimum was analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Essential oil components were identified by interpretation of their MS spectra and comparing them with the reported data. Results: Twenty components, representing about 94.10 % of the total composition of the oil, were identified. The predominant constituents were Methyl palmitate (31.030%), Octadecanoic acid methyl ester (12.620%), Caryophylline (10.520%), Phenyl ethyl alcohol (9.444%) and P-methyl anisole (8.167%). Conclusion: The resulting oil components showed the impact of the environment and area where the plant grew on the components of the essential oil.