Mortada M. El-Sayed

Antioxidant properties of methanolic extracts of the leaves of seven Egyptian Cassia species

Antioxidant properties of methanolic extracts of the leaves of seven Egyptian Cassia species In the present study, antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts of the leaves of seven Egyptian Cassia species was investigated using two methods, the phosphomolyb-date method and 1,1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging activity method.· The results revealed that C. glauca is the most potent species and that the activity of other plant species decreases in the following order: C. grandis > C. nodosa > C. fistula > C. didymobtrya > C. occidentalis > C. sophera. Defatted methanolic extract of the most active plant C. glauca was subjected to fractionation using different organic solvents such as CHCl3, EtOAc and BuOH. Antixidant activities of the fractions were investigated and the results showed that ethyl acetate fraction possessed high activity. Total phenolic and flavonoid concentrations of each plant extract were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and aluminum chloride. Correlation between radical scavenging capacities of extracts and total phenolic concentration was observed. Antioksidativno djelovanje metanolnih ekstrakata listova sedam egipatskih vrsta roda Cassia U radu je ispitano antioksidativno djelovanje metanolnih ekstrakata listova sedam egipatskih vrsta roda Cassia koristeći fosfomolibdatnu metodu i metodu vezanja slobodnih 1,1-difenil-2-pikrilhidrazil radikala (DPPH). Rezultati pokazuju da C. glauca ima najveć u aktivnost te da se djelovanje smanjuje sljedećim redom: C. grandis > C. nodosa > C. fistula > C. didymobtrya > C. occidentalis > C. sophera. Odmašćeni metanolni ekstrakt najaktivnije biljke C. glauca frakcioniran je pomoću različitih organskih otapala kao što su CHCl3, EtOAc i BuOH. Ispitivanje antioksidativnog djelovanja pojedinih frakcija pokazuje da je etil-acetatna frakcija najaktivnija. Pomoću Folin-Ciocaltuovog reagensa i aluminijevog klorida određena je ukupna koncentracija fenola i flavonoida svakog pojedinog ekstrakta. Uočena je korelacija između sposobnosti hvatanja slobodnih radikala i ukupnog sadržaja fenola.

Molluscicidal steroidal saponins and lipid content of Agave decipiens

Abstract GLC analysis of the petrol extract of the leaves of Agave decipiens revealed that n-hexacosane was the main hydrocarbon, β-sitosterol the main sterol and oleic acid the main fatty acid. Two spirostanol and two furostanol saponins have been isolated from the methanolic extract. The structures of these saponins were established as 3-O-α- l -rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α- l -rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β- d -glucopyranosyl-26-O-β- d -glucopyranosyl-22α-methoxy-(25R)-furost-5-ene-3β,26-diol (1), neoruscogenin 1-O-β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-[α- l -rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β- d -galactopyranoside (2), 1-O-α- l -rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α- l -rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β- d -glucopyranosyl-26-O-β- d -glucopyranosyl-22-O-methylfurosta-5,25(27)–diene-1β,3β,22,26–tetraol (3) and neohecogenin 3-O-β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-[β- d -xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-β- d -xylopyranosyl-(1→2)]–β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β- d –galactopyranoside (4). Saponins 2 and 4 showed high molluscicidal activity against B. alexandrina snails (LC90=13 and 6 ppm, respectively), whereas saponins 1 and 3 were inactive up to 50 ppm.

Bioactive chemical constituents of Curcuma longa L. rhizomes extract inhibit the growth of human hepatoma cell line (HepG2).

Abstract The present study was designed to identify the chemical constituents of the methanolic extract of Curcuma longa L. rhizomes and their inhibitory effect on a hepatoma cell line. The methanolic extract was subjected to GC-MS analysis to identify the volatile constituents and the other part of the same extract was subjected to liquid column chromatographic separation to isolate curcumin. The inhibition of cell growth in the hepatoma cell line and the cytopathological changes were studied. GC-MS analysis showed the presence of fifty compounds in the methanolic extract of C. longa. The major compounds were ar-turmerone (20.50 %), β-sesquiphellandrene (5.20 %) and curcumenol (5.11 %). Curcumin was identified using IR, 1H and 13C NMR. The inhibition of cell growth by curcumin (IC50 = 41.69 ± 2.87 μg mL-1) was much more effective than that of methanolic extract (IC50 = 196.12 ± 5.25 μg mL-1). Degenerative and apoptotic changes were more evident in curcumin- treated hepatoma cells than in those treated with the methanol extract. Antitumor potential of the methanolic extract may be attributed to the presence of sesquiterpenes and phenolic constituents including curcumin (0.051 %, 511.39 μg g-1 dried methanol extract) in C. longa rhizomes.

Antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of polyphenolic compounds isolated from the leaves of Leucenia leucocephala

Context: Cancer is a serious clinical problem to the health care system. Anticancer drugs have been extracted from plants containing phenolic compounds. Leucenia species (Fabaceae) contain a variety of bioactive components of numerous biological and pharmacological properties. Objective: This study explored the constitutive polyphenols of Leucenia leucocephala Lam. growing in Egypt and evaluated the antioxidant and cytotoxic activity. Materials and methods: Chemical structures of the isolated compounds from the leaves of L. leucocephala were established by spectral techniques (UV, 1H, and 13C NMR, MS). Results: Chromatographic separation of 80% MeOH extract of the leaves of L. leucocephala have resulted in a novel flavonoid-galloyl glycoside [myricetin 3-O-(2′,3′4′-tri-O-galloyl)-α-l-rhamnopyranoside] with three known polyphenolic compounds isolated for the first time from this species (apigenin 7-O-β-d-glucuronopyranoside methyl ester, luteolin 7-O-β-d-glucuronopyranoside methyl ester, and 1,3,6-tri-O-galloyl-β-d-glucopyranose) and seven known previously isolated compounds. Also, 80% methanol extract exhibited high antioxidant activity (SC50 = 3.94 µg/ml), which is correlated with its phenolic content. The extract also showed cytotoxic activity against Hep G2 (IC50 value 1.41 µg/ml) confirming its anticancer activity against hepatocellular carcinoma. Among the tested compounds (4–8) for antioxidant property, compound 7 was the most active compound (SC50 = 2.49 µg/ml). Also compounds 7 and 8 exhibited high cytotoxic activity (IC50 = 2.41 and 2.81 µg/ml, respectively). Discussion and conclusion: These findings demonstrate that the leaves of L. leucocephala contain a considerable amount of polyphenolic compounds with high antioxidant properties, thus it has great potential as a source for natural health products.

Non-Phenolic Antioxidant Compounds from Buddleja asiatica

The methanol extract of the leaves of Buddleja asiatica Lour. (Loganiaceae) showed antioxidant activity toward the well known in vitro antioxidant tests such as total antioxidant capacity by the phosphomolybdenum method, free radical scavenging activity by the 1,1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl scavenging assay (DPPH assay) and hydrogen peroxide scavenging methods. Due to the high scavenging activity of the n-butanol successive fraction toward DPPH and H2O2 (SC50 = 11.99 and 18.54 μg/ml, respectively), this extract was subjected to chromatographic separation and isolation. Four non-phenolic compounds were isolated and identified on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical analyses: 1-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl- 2-methoxy-3-(2-hydroxy-triaconta-3,12-dienoate)-glycerol (1), 3-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl- (1→4)-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-[ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)]-ß-d-fucopyranosyl-olean- 11,13(18)-diene-3ß,23,28-triol (2), 3-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-ß-d-glucopyranosyl- (1→4)-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-ß-d-fucopyranosyl-olean-11,13(18)-diene-3ß,23,28-triol (3), and 3-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-[ß-d-xylopyranosyl- (1→2)]-ß-d-glucuronopyranosyl-acid-olean-11,13(18)-diene-3ß,23,28-triol (4). The four compounds were evaluated as antioxidant agents using the three antioxidant bioassay tests.

Phytochemical Investigation and in vitro Antioxidant Activity of Different Leaf Extracts of Salix mucronata Thunb.

The present study was aimed to determine the phytochemicals constituents of Salix mucronata Thunb. leaf extracts and their antioxidant activities. Dried leaf powders were extracted with MeOH, MeOH (85%), MeOH (70%) and distilled water. The different extracts were monitored for phytochemical screening. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were measured by Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride assays. The antioxidant potential of tested extracts was evaluated using DPPH, ABTS and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assays. The results showed that, MeOH (85%) extract exhibited high total phenolic and flavonoid contents (TPC=131.39±2.49 mgGAE /g ext. and TFC= 67.69±1.47 mg RE /g ext.). Also, MeOH (85%) extract showed high antioxidant activities (DPPH SC50= 98.76±0.46 (µg/ml), ABTS= 45.83±0.32 mm Trolox® eq. /100 gm extract and TAC= 199.18±2.19 mg equivalent of ascorbic acid /g ext.). On other hand, EtOAc fraction derived from MeOH (85%) extract exhibited the highest antioxidant activity; DPPH SC50= 50.19±0.24 (µg/ml), ABTS= 76.22±1.61 (mm Trolox® eq. /100 gm ext.) and TAC= 249.86±3.74 (mg equivalent of ascorbic acid /g ext.). This study demonstrated that, S. mucronata leaf is a good source of natural antioxidants. Also, there is a high correlation between the total phenolic content and the antioxidant activity.

Induction of apoptosis in HepG2 by Vitex agnus-castus L. leaves extracts and identification of their active chemical constituents by LC-ESI-MS

Abstract Objective To evaluate the cytotoxic activity and cytopathological changes of Vitex agnus-castus L. (V. agnus-castus) leaves extracts and characterize their bioactive chemical constituents. Methods The dried leaves powder of V. agnus-castus was extracted using 85% methanol (MeOH). The methanolic extract was defatted using petroleum ether and fractionated using ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and butanol (BuOH). The anticancer potential of different extracts was evaluated by neutral red assay, cytopathological changes of apoptosis and caspase-3 expression in hepatoma cell line (HepG2). The chemical constituents of most active extracts were identified using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry analysis. Results The butanolic fraction was the most active in inhibiting the proliferation of HepG2 cells [IC50 = (13.42 ± 0.17) mg/mL] compared with MeOH extract [IC50 = (17.61 ± 0.15) mg/mL) and EtOAc fraction [IC50 = (22.51 ± 0.26) mg/mL]. The cytopathological examinations demonstrated the morphology of apoptosis and caspase-3 expression was more evident in HepG2 cells treated with BuOH than cells treated with MeOH and EtOAc. The liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry analysis exhibited that the defatted MeOH extract and BuOH fraction had different bioactive secondary metabolites, such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, and iridoids. Conclusions The butanolic fraction has higher contents of secondary metabolites than the defatted methanolic extract. The cytotoxic activities, apoptotic changes, and caspase-3 activation may be due to the presence of these bioactive secondary metabolites (iridoids, flavonoid, and phenolic acids) in these extracts. These results would suggest V. agnus-castus to be used as an adjuvant in cancer therapy.

HPLC-ESI-MS Characterization of Certain Polyphenolic Compounds of Carica papaya L. Fruit Extracts and Evaluation of Their Potential Against Murine Schistosomiasis mansoni

The in vivo antischistosomal activities of Carica papaya L. extracts were evaluated and the characterization of the active secondary metabolites of the defatted methanolic extract was performed using HPLC-ESI-MS. The plant fruit powders were extracted with 85% methanol and fractionated using organic solvents. The in vivo antischistosomal effects of the methanolic extracts and its fractions, as well as the assessment of the relationship between the antischistosomal activity of these plant extracts and oxidative stress, was determined. In addition, the defatted methanolic extract was characterized by HPLC-ESI-MS analysis. The number of worms, ova, and the Oogram pattern displayed typical Schistosoma mansoni pathology 8 weeks after infection in mice. Treatment of the infected group with the defatted methanolic extracts significantly decreased worm burden, immature ova and mature ova, while increasing the percentage of dead ova in vivo. The butanol fraction was the most effective fraction reducing worm burden by 77%, ova count in the intestine by 76% and in the liver by 80%, and significantly decreased immature and mature ova (P<0.001) compared to the infected group. Additionally, the defatted methanolic extracts improved the reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde levels in hepatic tissues in the treated groups compared to the infected group. The HPLC-ESI-MS analysis of the Carica papaya defatted methanolic extract revealed the presence of several polyphenolic compounds. Carica papaya fruit extracts are rich with phenolic acids and flavonoids and show a significant effect against S. mansoni infections which may be used alternative to PZQ as anti-schistosomal drug against schistosomiasis.