Zeinab Y. Ali

A Profile of Bioactive Compounds of Rumex vesicarius L.

The present study was designed to investigate the bioactive compounds in extracts of Rumex vesicarius L. (Polygonaceae), a wild edible herb growing in Egypt. Ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions of leaves of R. vesicarius were conducted by HPLC-PDA-MS/MS-ESI in the negative mode to analyze phenolics content. Results revealed the identification of 13 phenolic compounds: 8-C-glucosyl-apigenin, 8-C-glucosyl-luteolin, 6-C-hexosyl-quercetin, 3-O-rutinosyl-quercetin, 7-O-rhamno-hexosyl-diosmetin, 7-O-rhamno-acetylhexosyl-diosmetin, catechin, epicatechin, ferulohexoside, 6-C-glucosyl-naringenin, epicatechin gallate, 6-C-glucosyl-catechin, and epigallocatechin gallate. Quantification of the identified compounds revealed that 6-C-glucosyl-naringenin was the major compound. Also, qualitative and quantitative analysis of the hydro-ethanolic extract of leaves was carried out for ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, β-carotene. The essential oil as well as lipids analysis of saponifiable and unsaponifiable matters. The biochemical studies were conducted to evaluate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential of roots (REE), leaves (LEE), and fruits (FEE) ethanolic extracts of R. vesicarius (100 mg/kg b.wt., p.o., each) against hepatotoxicity induced by CCl(4) (0.5 mL/kg b.wt., p.o., 3 times a week) compared with silymarin (50 mg/kg b.wt., p.o.) as standard drug. The results confirmed that coadministration of the tested extracts or silymarin with CCl(4) for 4 wk exhibited a marked hepatoprotective activity, attributed to their antioxidant potential, membrane stabilizing effect, and antifibrogenic activities. Practical Application:  Investigation of the effect of hommad as a safe hepatoprotective diet that prospectively directs the attention to a valuable therapeutic natural herb rich in bioactive constituents.

The Cardenolide Glycoside Acovenoside A Affords Protective Activity in Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Mice

The current study aimed to investigate the protective effect of the cardenolide glycoside acovenoside A (AcoA) against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in mice. AcoA was isolated from the pericarps of Acokanthera oppositifolia to chemical homogeneity and characterized by means of one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. AcoA exhibited relatively low toxicity in mice (LD50 = 223.3 mg/kg bw). Repeated administration of doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity manifested by reduced activity of myocardial membrane-bound ion pumps and elevated serum biomarkers of myocardial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Pretreatment of doxorubicin-exposed mice with AcoA (11.16 or 22.33 mg/kg bw, i.p.) for 2 weeks after 2 weeks of combined administration of AcoA and doxorubicin protected the animals dose dependently against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity as indicated by normalization of the levels of different myocardial markers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, total antioxidant capacity, and cardiac glutathione), serum myocardial diagnostic marker enzymes (serum cardiac troponin T, creatine kinase isoenzyme MB, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase), and inflammatory markers (c-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6), as well as myocardial Na+/K+-ATPase activity. These effects were attributed to the negative impact of AcoA on transcription factors nuclear factor κB and interferon regulatory factor 3/7. Thus acovenoside A might act as a cardioprotective agent to prevent doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

Phenolic content and anti-hyperglycemic activity of pecan cultivars from Egypt.

Abstract Context: Pecans are commonly used nuts with important health benefits such as anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic effects. Objective: A comparative investigation of the antihyperglycemic and total phenolic content of the leaves and shells of four pecan cultivars growing in Egypt was carried out. The selected cultivars (cv.) were Carya illinoinensis Wangneh. K. Koch. cv. Wichita, cv. WesternSchely, cv. Cherokee, and cv. Sioux family Juglandaceae. Materials and methods: Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the leaves and shells of pecan cultivars were carried out using Folin–Ciocalteu’s and aluminum chloride assays, respectively. Moreover, HPLC profiling of phenolic and flavonoid contents was carried out using RP-HPLC-UV. In addition, in vivo anti-hyperglycemic activity of the ethanolic extracts (125 mg/kg bw, p.o.) of C. illinoinensis cultivars was carried out using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in Sprague–Dawley rats for 4 weeks. Results and discussion: Phenolic contents were higher in shells than leaves in all studied cultivars, while flavonoids were higher in leaves. Leaves and shells of cv. Sioux showed the highest phenolics (251.7 µg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g), and flavonoid contents (103.27 µg rutin equivalent (RE)/g and 210.67 µg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g), respectively. The HPLC profiling of C. illinoinensis cultivars resulted in the identification of eight flavonoids (five of these compounds are identified for the first time from pecan), and 15 phenolic acids (six are identified for the first time from pecan). Leaves of cv. Sioux revealed the most potent decrease in blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c%) (194.9 mg/dl and 6.52%, respectively), among other tested cultivars. Moreover, leaves of cv. Sioux significantly elevated serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and reduced glutathione (GSH) (0.33 mMol/l and 30.68 mg/dl, respectively), and significantly suppressed the markers of both lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, MDA) and protein oxidation (protein carbonyl, PC) (14.25 µmol/ml and 3.18 nmol/mg protein, respectively). Conclusion: Different pecan cultivars showed significant variation in its phenolic and flavonoid contents and consequently their antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemic effects.

Anti‐arthritic activity of 11‐O‐(4′‐O‐methyl galloyl)‐bergenin and Crassula capitella extract in rats

Isolation and identification of phytochemicals of Crassula capitella (Thunberg), evaluation of the anti‐arthritic potential of the extract and the major isolated compound; 11‐O‐(4′‐O‐methyl galloyl)‐bergenin and underlying their mechanism on rat model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Potential value of circulating microRNA-126 and microRNA-210 as biomarkers for type 2 diabetes with coronary artery disease

Abstract Background: Macrovascular complications are the main cause of morbidity and mortality among the diabetic patients. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a family of small non-coding RNAs, play vital roles in the regulation of blood glucose level and the concurrent cardiovascular complications of type 2 diabetes. We hypothesized that plasma miR-126 and miR-210 are linked to coronary artery disease (CAD) in these diabetes patients. Methods: Fasting blood samples were collected from 20 healthy volunteers and 100 patients with diabetes (54 patients without CAD and 46 patients with CAD). Plasma miR-126 and miR-210 expressions were assessed by quantitative real time PCR. Specificity and sensitivity of miR-126 and miR-210 to discriminate CAD with diabetes was determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Correlations between miR-126 and miR-210 and studied characteristics in diabetes patients with and without CAD were compared. Results: Plasma relative expressions of miR-126 and miR-210 were 0.38 ± 0.03 and 5.3 ± 0.56 in diabetes alone vs. 0.08 ± 0.03 and 21.44 ± 0.97 in diabetes with CAD, respectively (both p < 0.0001). Levels of miR-126 and miR-210 significantly correlated with certain glycemic and lipid indices. The miRNAs significantly discriminated between diabetes with and without CAD at cut-off values of 0.055 (sensitivity 91.3%, specificity 100%) for miR-126 and of 17.59 (sensitivity 93.5%, specificity 100%) for miR-210. Conclusion: Plasma miR-126 and miR-210 levels may be biomarkers for diabetes with or without CAD.

Antidepressant-Like Effect of Selected Egyptian Cultivars of Flaxseed Oil on a Rodent Model of Postpartum Depression

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) is a multipurpose crop with health promoting potential. This study was undertaken to investigate the fatty acid profile and yield of fixed oil of six Egyptian flaxseed cultivars. The selected cultivars with the highest content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (G9 and G10) were assessed for their antidepressant-like effect in rat model of postpartum depression (PPD) induced by hormone-simulated pregnancy followed by hormone withdrawal and compared to fluoxetine. As compared to control group, administration of G9 and G10 (270 mg/kg/day, p.o) for two weeks during the postpartum period can alleviate anxiety and depressive-like behaviors and biochemical changes in PPD-induced rats. This was confirmed by evaluation of anxiety-like behaviors (elevated plus maze, open field test, and forced swim test tests), in addition to biochemical analysis (brain monoamine oxidase-A, corticosterone level, proinflammatory cytokines, and hippocampal redox state). In conclusion, flaxseed oil of Egyptian cultivars G9 and G10 exhibited significant antidepressant-like effect in rat model of PPD without affecting locomotor activity. At the treatment doses, the antidepressant-like activity of Giza 9 oil is comparable to fluoxetine.

Flaxseed Oil Effectively Reduces the Risk of Development of Atherosclerosis in Rats Fed on High Cholesterol Diet

Background : The quantity and type of dietary fatty acids play an important role in the risk development of cardiovascular disease. Aims: The current study was designed to investigate fatty acid profile of flaxseed oil (FO) and assessment the possible cardiovascular protective potentials of FO on Sprague-Dawley rats fed on high cholesterol diet (HCD) for 12 weeks and explores the possible mechanism of action. Methodology: Fatty acid profile of FO was investigated by Gas ChromatographyFlame Ionization Original Research Article Ali et al.; ARRB, 14(3): 1-17, 2017; Article no.ARRB.34617 2 Detector (GC/FID). Animals were divided randomly into equal five groups as follows: Group 1: fed on the basal diet and served as control group. Group 2: fed on HCD for 12 weeks. Group 3-4: fed on HCD along with FO at two doses of 270 and 540 mg/Kg b.w/day, respectively. Group 5: fed on HCD and received a human equivalent dose of rosuvastatin, approved drug that slow plaque buildup in arteries. Results: GC/FID analysis revealed that FO has a unique and healthy fatty acid profile with 67.4 percent as α-linolenic acid (ALA), giving a very favorable omega-6:omega-3 ratio of 0.147:1. HCD is effective in triggering hyperlipidemia with elevation of serum myocardial diagnostic enzymes, and enhancement of myocardial inflammatory response and alteration in the redox state. However, daily co-administration of FO at two doses and HCD for 12 weeks significantly preserved all these biochemical changes in dose dependent manner. The histopathology examination of the aortic tissue was in parallel with the biochemical results. This beneficial cardioprotective effect was more pronounced in rosuvastatin followed by FO at a dose of 540 mg/Kg/day, which equivalent to human recommended doses of 6 g of flaxseed oil containing 4.04 g of ALA supplements per day. Histological examination of aortic tissues supports our biochemical results. Conclusion: Flaxseed oil enriched with ALA, an omega-3 fatty acid effectively reduces the risk development of atherosclerosis in a dose dependent manner in rats through anti-inflammatory mechanism. Further studies still needed to standardize the flaxseed oil to justify its use in a suitable pharmaceutical form to choose the appropriate dose for human.