Mahmoud F. Moustafa

Triterpenes from Euphorbia rigida.

Phytochemical studies of the aerial parts of Euphorbia rigida afforded three triterpenes: betulin (1), cycloart-23Z-ene-3, 25-diol (2) and cycloartan-3, 24, 25-triol (3), firstly isolated from this plant. The structures and relative stereochemistry were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR experiments (1H NMR, 13C NMR, COSY, NOESY, HMQC and HMBC).

In vitro antifungal activity of Argemone ochroleuca Sweet latex against some pathogenic fungi

The in vitro antifungal activities of crude latex of Argemone ochroleuca Sweet against four clinical isolates of Candida (Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei and Candida tropicalis) and six isolates of plant pathogenic fungi (Alternaria alternate, Drechslera halodes, Fusarium oxysporum, Macrophomina phaseolina, Pythium ultimum and Rhizoctoina solani) were assessed using well diffusion method. The chemical compounds of the hexan extract of A. ochroleuca latex were investigated using Perkin-Elmer Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry. The latex of A. ochroleuca showed antifungal activity against D. halodes (10.60 mm) and Candida spp. (15.06 to 20.16 mm). GC-MS analysis of the hexan extract of A. ochroleuca latex revealed that the latex contains diethyl phthalate (81.57%), 6-Nitro-imidazo(1,2-a)pyridine compound (8.833%), cyclohexasiloxane, dodecamethyl(5.607%), 4-(2,2-Dimethyl-6-methylenecyclohexylidene)-3-methylbutan-2-one compound (2.410%) and cycloheptasiloxane, tetradecamethyl- (1.574%). These findings indicate that the latex of A. ochroleuca could be a good source of antifungal agent against D. halodes and Candida spp. and the phytocomponents present in the latex could be used against fungal pathogens.

Colorimetric Sensing of Toxic Metal and Antibacterial Studies by Using Bioextract Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles

Here, we report the simple and cost effective colorimetric technique for the determination of toxic metals (Hg2+) in aqueous sample by using bioextract silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The indigenous AgNPs were synthesised by green and ecologically friendly style using extract of fig (Ficus carica) leaf. The synthesized AgNPs were confirmed by UV–vis spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy methods. The synthesis of AgNPs was observed by its colour changing from light yellow to dark brownish. The existence of furanocoumarins bioactive materials in the fig leaf extract, which act as bio-reducing and capping agent, help in the formation of stabilized silver nanoparticles. In addition, the bacterial activity of the synthesized silver nanoparticles was tested against gram-negative (Klebsiella oxytocam, Pseudomonas aeruginosam, Shigella flexneri and Proteus mirabilis), gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus) and one Candida (Candida albicans) human pathogen and the results showed moderate activity.

Variations in genetic and chemical constituents of Ziziphus spina-christi L. populations grown at various altitudinal zonation up to 2227 m height

Altitudinal gradient-defined specific environmental conditions could lead to genetics and chemical variations among individuals of the same species. By using RAPD, ISSR, GC–MS and HPLC analysis, the genetic and chemical diversity of Ziziphus spina-christi plants at various altitudinal gradient namely; Abha (2227.86 m), Dala Valley (1424 m), Rakhma Valley (1000 m), Raheb Valley (505 m) and Al-Marbh (147 m) were estimated. RAPD markers revealed that the highest similarity value (40.22%) was between Raheb Valley and Al-Marbh while the lowest similarity (10.08%) was between Abha and Raheb Valley. Based on ISSR markers the highest similarity value (61.54%) was also between Raheb Valley and Al-Marbh, while the lowest similarity (26.84%) was between Abha and Rakhma Valley. GC–MS results showed the presence of various phytochemical constituents in each population. The dendrogram based on chemical compounds separated the Z. spina-christi grown at the highest elevations (Abha) from the populations in lower elevations. HPLC analysis showed that the leaves of Z. spina-christi plant contain considerable amount of vitamins including B1, B12, B2 and folic acid. In conclusion, there is a close relation between altitudinal gradients, genetic diversity and chemical constituents of the leaves of Z. spina-christi plants.

An application of genetics-chemicals constituents to the relatedness of three Euphorbia species

Abstract Genetics and chemicals relatedness among three Euphorbia species (Euphorbia prostrata Aiton, Euphorbia peplus L. and Euphorbia terracina L.) were analysed by RAPD, ISSR markers and GC-MS technique. RAPD profiling pattern revealed that E. peplus and E. terracina in one cluster with similarity value (44.37%) while the lowest value (29.14%) between E. prostrata and E. terracina. ISSR profiling pattern revealed that E. prostrata and E. terracina in one cluster with similarity value (46.75%) and the lowest similarity value (37.87%) between E. prostrata and E.peplus. The sum results of RAPD and ISSR data revealed that E. peplus and E. terracina in one cluster with similarity value (44.69%) while the lowest value (36.88%) between E. prostrata and E. peplus. Sixty-eight chemicals pattern revealed that E. prostrata and E. peplus in one cluster with similarity value (39.71%) while the lowest value (25.0%) between E. prostrata and E. terracina. Super tree (RAPD, ISSR and phytocomponents) revealed that E. peplus and E. terracina in one cluster with similarity value (43.04%) while the lowest value (36.08%) between E. terracina and E. prostrata. In conclusion, biosystematics tools including biomarkers and chemical compounds can be applied to investigate relatedness of Euphorbia species and probably to other plant taxa.

Ultrastructural changes induced by Solanum incanum aqueous extract on HCT 116 colon cancer cells

ABSTRACT Medicinal plants have recently gained increasing scientific interest as an important source of molecules with different therapeutic potentials. Accordingly, the present study was carried out to investigate ultrastructural changes induced by the aqueous extract of Solanum incanum (SI) fruit on human colorectal carcinoma cell line (HCT 116 cells). Examination of SI-treated HCT 116 cells with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) demonstrated numerous ultrastructural changes in the form of loss of the surface microvilli, mitochondrial damage and dilatation of cristae, and formation of autophagic vacuoles and increasing numbers of lipid droplets. Also, majority of the treated cells showed nuclear shrinkage with chromatin condensation and nucleolar changes. Moreover, some cells showed focal areas of cytoplasmic degeneration associating with formation of myelin figures and fatty globules. In conclusion, TEM was able to verify cytotoxicity of SI aqueous extract against HCT 116 colon cancer cells.