Salah M. El-kousy

A new gorgostane derivative from the Egyptian Red Sea soft coral Heteroxenia ghardaqensis

Chemical investigation of the chloroform extract of the Egyptian Red Sea soft coral, Heteroxenia ghardaqensis (Family Xeniidae), led to the isolation of three gorgostane derivatives, namely gorgosten-5(E)-3β-ol (1), gorgostan-3β,5α,6β, 11α-tetraol (sarcoaldosterol A) (2) and gorgostan-3β,5α,6β-triol-11α-acetate (3). To our knowledge, sterol 3 is reported in this article for the first time. The structure elucidation of these compounds was deduced by 1-D and 2-D NMR as well as ESIMS. Sterol 1 showed moderate activity as growth inhibitor of human colon tumour cell lines.

Analysis of the essential oil from the aerial parts of Psoralea pubescence (Miq.) Standl and its antibacterial activity.

The essential oil from aerial parts of Psoralea pubescence (Miq.) Standl (Leguminoseae) was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and GC/mass spectroscopy systems. The major components identified were psoralen (24.8%), bakuchiol (21.3%), β-caryophyllene (8.5%), germacrene D (6.8%), and α-humulene (4.6%). The major volatiles released by β-glucosidase treatment of the aqueous plant residue were δ-pinene (28.3%), germacrene D (13.6%), and tricyclene (10.2%). The oil showed significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, while the β-glucosidase-liberated fraction was inactive.

The reaction of carbon disulfide with diethyl 3-amino-2-cyano-2-penten-1,5-dicarboxylate: A convenient synthesis of polyfunctionally substituted thiophenes and their fused derivatives

SummaryCarbon disulfide added to the active methylene group in1 in basicDMF at room temperature to yield the non-isolable 1:1 adduct2.In-situ cyclization of the latter with some α-bromo compounds afforded the corresponding polyfunctionally substituted thiophenes5. The reactivity of5 towards a variety of reagents was studied. Chemical and spectroscopic evidences for the structure of the new compounds are provided.ZusammenfassungDie Addition von Schwefelkohlenstoff an die aktive Methylengruppe von1 in basischemDMF bei Zimmertempeatur ergab das nicht isolierbaren 1:1-Addukt2.In situ-Cyclisierung des letzteren mit einigen α-Brom-Verbindungen führte zu den entsprechenden polyfunktionell substituierten Thiophenen5. Die Reaktivität von5 gegenüber verschiedenen Reagentien wurde untersucht. Die Strukturen der neuen Verbindungen wurden chemisch und spektroskopisch abgesichert.

Biochemical and molecular study on interleukin-1β gene expression and relation of single nucleotide polymorphism in promoter region with Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) assumes a centric role in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses and thus has been recognized in immune mediated diseases like type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We aimed to investigate expressed level of IL‐1β and its relation with IL‐1β −511T>C polymorphism in T2DM patients. This study enrolled 80 subjects (50 patients with T2DM and 30 healthy control subjects). Laboratory investigations included fasting (FBG) and 2 h postprandial blood sugar (2 h PBG), HBA1c, lipid profile, and renal function tests. Genotyping of IL‐1β −511T>C (rs16944) SNP assay by real‐time PCR and relative quantitation of IL‐1β gene expression transcript by real‐time PCR. Results: T2DM patients had significantly higher FBG and 2 h PBG, HBA1c, LDLc, TC, TG, systolic, and diastolic BP while lower HDLc compared with control group. IL 1‐ β −511 T>C, CC genotype and C allele were significantly associated with risk of T2DM with odds ratio (OR) 4.73, 95%CI (1.21‐18.39) and OR 2.27, 95%CI (1.72‐4.40), respectively. Moreover, diabetic patients had significantly higher IL 1‐ β gene transcript compared with control group (P < 0.001). CC genotype of IL 1‐ β −511 T > C had the highest significant level of IL 1‐ β gene transcript demonstrated compared with C/T and T/T genotypes (P < 0.001) in patients. Conclusion: C allele of IL‐1 β −511 T >C could be considered risk factor contributor to T2DM and excess level of IL‐1 β transcript may disclose to some degree the inflammatory role of cytokines in T2DM.

A preliminary study of the relation between IL-4 and hypertension in type II diabetes mellitus

Clinical outcome of T2DM can be influenced by a polymorphism of different cytokines. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of genetic variation and gene expression of IL-4 in T2DM patients. This study was carried out on type II diabetic patients and healthy people served as controls. All subjects were submitted to estimation of IL-4 gene polymorphism using VNTR PCR method and gene expression by real-time PCR. There was a significant decrease of IL-4 gene expression and serum IL4 levels in subjects with B2B2 genotypes. A significant positive correlation was found between IL-4 gene expression and the HDL-c levels and negative correlation between serum IL4 levels and LDLc. Also, a negative correlation was found between serum IL4 and gene expression with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels in patients group. It can be concluded that IL-4 gene expression and serum IL4 reduction in patients with B2B2 genotypes has a relation to dyslipidemia and hypertension in the patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The clinical impact of miRNA34a and P53 gene expression in colon cancer

Objective To study the potential role of miRNA34a gene expression and its relationship with P53 gene expression, fate, stage, metastasis and overall survival of colorectal cancer. Patients and methods This study was carried out 30 patients with colon adenocarcinoma, 30 patients with benign colon polyp and 30 apparently healthy persons served as controls. All participants were subjected to full history taking, general clinical examination. Complete blood count, liver and kidney function, determination of serum tumor markers were done. Estimation of microRNA 34a and P53 Gene expression by real-time PCR were done. Results There was a significant negative relationship between serum tumor markers and micro RNA 34a gene expression in cancer patients. Also, there was a statistically significant positive relationship between miRNA34a gene expression and P53 gene expression in both patients groups. The diagnostic accuracy of miRNA34a gene expression was both sensitive and specific for colon cancer. MiRNA34a and P53 gene expression had statistically significant relation with tumor stage and presence of metastases. Conclusion It can be concluded that the level of miRNA34a can be used to differentiate between colon cancers and begin adenomas. MiRNA34a can be used as a prognostic marker in colon cancer.

Metformin, an Anthropogenic Contaminant of Seidlitzia rosmarinus Collected in a Desert Region near the Gulf of Aqaba, Sinai Peninsula

A phytochemical investigation of Seidlitzia rosmarinus collected along the shoreline of the Gulf of Aqaba in the remote southern desert region of the Sinai peninsula has revealed the presence of the registered drug metformin (4). However, analysis of the 14C content revealed the drug to be an anthropogenic contaminant. Consequently, natural product researchers should be aware that compounds isolated from plants might originate from environmental contamination rather than biosynthesis. The new natural product N-(4-hydroxyphenylethyl)-α-chloroferuloylamide was isolated as a mixture of the E and Z isomers along with a number of other well-established secondary metabolites.