UNDERSTANDING MARKETS IN AFGHANISTAN: A CASE STUDY OF CARPETS AND THE ANDKHOY CARPET MARKET

Industrial Organization,

PHYTOCHEMICAL, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, ANTIOXIDANT, CYTOTOXIC AND ANTIBACTERIAL STUDY OF CAPPARIS CARTILAGINEA DECNEFROM YEMEN

Objective: To investigate phytochemicals and biological activities of Capparis cartilaginea extracts.Methods: The methanolic extracts of leaves, stem and twigs of C. cartilaginea were screened for their phytochemicals. The essential oil of the leaves was hydrodistilled by a Clevenger apparatus and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The leaves extract of C. cartilaginea was evaluated for its anti-inflammatory effect, using formalin-induced paw edema. The leaves, stem and twig extracts were assessed for their antioxidant activity, using free radical scavenging assay, cytotoxic activity, using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and antibacterial activity, using the microdilution method.Results: All extracts of C. cartilaginea contained alkaloids, carbohydrates, protein, coumarin, phytosterols, bitter principles, phenols and tannins. The essential oil of the leaves was mainly composed of isopropyl isothiocyanate (69.4%), butane,1-isothiocyanate (26.97%) and isobutyl isothiocyanate (3.26%). The leaves extract at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, significantly inhibited paw edema at the 3rd h (49.1%, 54.0%, respectively) and this effect was comparable to that of diclofenac (58.87%). The leaves extract showed the highest antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 91.71 µg/ml. The twigs extract exhibited the highest cytotoxic activity against human lung carcinoma (A549) with IC50 of 57.5 µg/ml. The leaves and stem extracts exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 5.0 mg/ml. Conclusion: The leaves extract of C. cartilaginea is a potential source of bioactive compounds that could have a role in anti-inflammation. Twigs extract of the C. cartilaginea possesses a potential cytotoxic effect on human lung cell line

Cyclodextrin enhances corneal tolerability and reduces ocular toxicity caused by diclofenac

With advances in refractive surgery and demand for cataract removal and lens replacement, the ocular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has increased. One of the most commonly used NSAIDs is diclofenac (Diclo). In this study, cyclodextrins (CDs), α-, β-, γ-, and HP-β-CDs, were investigated with in vitro irritation and in vivo ulceration models in rabbits to reduce Diclo toxicity. Diclo-, α-, β-, γ-, and HP-β-CD inclusion complexes were prepared and characterized and Diclo-CD complexes were evaluated for corneal permeation, red blood cell (RBCs) haemolysis, corneal opacity/permeability, and toxicity. Guest- (Diclo-) host (CD) solid inclusion complexes were formed only with β-, γ-, and HP-β-CDs. Amphipathic properties for Diclo were recorded and this surfactant-like functionality might contribute to the unwanted effects of Diclo on the surface of the eye. Contact angle and spreading coefficients were used to assess Diclo-CDs in solution. Reduction of ocular toxicity 3-fold to16-fold and comparable corneal permeability to free Diclo were recorded only with Diclo-γ-CD and Diclo-HP-β-CD complexes. These two complexes showed faster healing rates without scar formation compared with exposure to the Diclo solution and to untreated groups. This study also highlighted that Diclo-γ-CD and Diclo-HP-β-CD demonstrated fast healing without scar formation

SECONDARY METABOLITES FROM RICE CULTURE OF ASPERGILLUS SP. ISOLATED FROM MELALEUCA SUBULATA (CHEEL) CRAVEN LEAVES AND THEIR ANTICANCER ACTIVITY

Objective: Aspergillus fungus is a rich source of natural products with broad biological activities. This study was conducted to identify secondary metabolites from the rice culture of Aspergillus species isolated from Melaleuca subulata leaves and evaluated their anticancer activity. Methods: Ethyl acetate extract was fractionated on silica gel and Sephadex columns. Structures of the compounds were established using physical and chemical methods. Cytotoxic activities of the extract and pure compounds against two human cancer cell lines (Mcf-7and Hep G2) were evaluated using microculture tetrazolium assay as well as the mode of the cytotoxicity was evaluated. Molecular docking studies have been performed using the Hsp 90 enzyme as an anticancer target. Results: Methyl linoleate (1), arugosin C (2), ergosterol (3), sterigmatocystin (4), diorcinol (5), alternariol-5-O-methyl ether (6), averufin (7), averufanin (8), and alternariol (9) were identified from ethyl acetate extract. All tested compounds exhibit week activity against MCF-7 and Hep G2 cell lines but a mixture of compounds 7 and 8 is considered to be more active towards both MCF-7 and Hep G 2 in comparison to other compounds. Compound 4 exhibits moderate activity against Hep G2 only as well as the ethyl acetate extract exerts moderate activity against MCF-7 cell line Moreover, compound 4 and a mixture of 7 and 8 caused a decrease in the number of Hep G2 cancer cells due to apoptotic and necrotic processes. Most active anticancer candidates 7 and 8 showed binding to the active site similar to geldanamycin reference ligand. Conclusion: Secondary metabolites identified from Aspergillus sp. and their anticancer activity were evaluated. Molecular docking suggested active candidates as Hsp 90 inhibitors

ALOE IRAFENSIS AN ENDEMIC PLANT OF YEMEN: PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, ANTIBACTERIAL, ANTIOXIDANT, AND WOUND-HEALING ACTIVITIES

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to determine the phytochemical constituents and assess the antibacterial, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties of the methanol extracts of Aloe irafensis. Methods: Methanol extracts of A. irafensis’s latex, gel, and green skin were screened for their phytochemical constituents. All three extracts were investigated regarding their antibacterial potential using disc diffusion and microdilution assays, and their antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl free-radical scavenging assay. Histopathological study of wound healing area was performed for the latex extract in male albino rats. Results: The methanol extracts of A. irafensis revealed the presence of carbohydrates, steroids, phenols, tannins, and anthrones. The latex extract showed greater inhibition zones against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (24 and 17 mm, respectively) and minimum inhibitory concentration values of 1.25 and 2.50 mg/ml, respectively. The latex extract showed the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 of 65.54 μg/ml), followed by green skin (IC50 of 89.48 μg/ml). The latex extract significantly accelerated the rate of wound healing in rats (p<0.01), compared to fucidin ointment, a reference control. Histological findings showed remarkably less scar width at wound closure site in the latex extract-treated wounds. Granulation tissue contained fewer inflammatory cells and more fibroblasts in wounds treated with the latex extract compared to those treated with the vehicle. Conclusion: A. irafensis latex extract is a potential source of bioactive compounds that can be used as antioxidant, antibacterial, and wound healing agents

IN VITRO ANTI-LEISHMANIAL ACTIVITY AGAINST CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIA PARASITES AND PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF FOUR YEMENI MEDICINAL PLANTS

Objective: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is one form of leishmaniasis that chiefly infected the poor sections of the society. The prototypical therapeutic interventions in vogue are handicapped due to toxicity and an alarming increase in drug resistance. Furthermore, the absence of vaccines has raised the quest for alternative therapies. So, the aim of our study was to assess the anti-leishmanial activity of Euphorbia cactus Ehrenb, Euphorbia ammak Forssk, Euphorbia inarticulate Schweinf, and Pergularia tomentosa L. Methods: The extracts of plants were prepared by maceration method and by Soxhlet extractor. The extracts were dried and re-dissolved in 2% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) 1% solvent.  Leishmania spp. cells were then tested with serial concentrations (15.6 μgml-1 to 500 μg ml-1 ) of the extracts, using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthazolk-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. All experiments were performed in triplicate and analyzed by ANOVA test. The optical density values as measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) were used to calculate the IC50 values.  Results: The results indicated that the methanolic latex extract of Euphorbia cactus Ehrenb, Euphorbia ammak Forssk had potent anti-leishmanial activity against the promastigotes of Leishmania spp. based on a dose-dependent response analysis. The IC50 values for Euphorbia cactus Ehrenb and Euphorbia ammak Forssk after 24h incubation against Leishmania spp. promastigotes were less than <15.6 μgml-1. Furthermore, the phytochemical analysis of methanolic extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, phytosterols, phenols, saponins, and flavonoids in which these components have been proven previously to be the active compounds against Leishmania parasite. Conclusion: In conclusion, the present study reveals that latex extract of Euphorbia cactus Ehrenb and Euphorbia ammak Forssk contain active compounds that have anti-leishmanial activity, which could serve as an alternative agent in the treatment of Cutaneous leishmaniasis, but further studies would, therefore, be needed to assess the activity of these materials of this plants in vivo clinical response and study their toxicity on cell lines. Peer Review History: Received 26 July 2018;   Revised 19 August; Accepted 5 September, Available online 15 September 2018 Received file:        Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 8.5/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Dr. Lucky Llegbosi Nwidu, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, [email protected] Dr. George Zhu, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, [email protected] Similar Articles: COUMARIN ANALOGUES AS A POTENTIAL INHIBITOR OF LEISHMANIASIS: A MULTI-TARGETING PROTEIN INHIBITION APPROACH BY MOLECULAR DOCKIN

HPLC–DAD–ESI-MS/MS screening of bioactive components from Rhus coriaria L. (Sumac) fruits

This research was partly funded by the European Union under the ENPI CBC MED Program and is a collaborative international project ref. no. I-B/1.1/288. This work was also supported by the project AGL2011-29857-C03-02 (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation), as well as P10-FQM-6563 and P11-CTS-7625 (Andalusian Regional Government Council of Innovation and Science), and A1/041035/11 (Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation).Rhus coriaria L. (sumac) is an important crop widely used in the Mediterranean basin as a food spice, and also in folk medicine, due to its health-promoting properties. Phytochemicals present in plant foods are in part responsible for these consequent health benefits. Nevertheless, detailed information on these bioactive compounds is still scarce. Therefore, the present work was aimed at investigating the phytochemical components of sumac fruit epicarp using HPLC–DAD–ESI-MS/MS in two different ionisation modes. The proposed method provided tentative identification of 211 phenolic and other phyto-constituents, most of which have not been described so far in R. coriaria fruits. More than 180 phytochemicals (tannins, (iso)flavonoids, terpenoids, etc.) are reported herein in sumac fruits for the first time. The obtained results highlight the importance of R. coriaria as a promising source of functional ingredients, and boost its potential use in the food and nutraceutical industries.European Union (EU)Spanish Government AGL2011-29857-C03-02Andalusian Regional Government Council of Innovation and Science P10-FQM-6563 P11-CTS-7625Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation A1/041035/1

Designing chitosan-tripolyphosphate microparticles with desired size for specific pharmaceutical or forensic applications

Chitosan (CS) is a natural cationic polymer obtained by the partial N-deacetylation of chitin. Chitosan microparticles can be prepared by cross-linking with tripolyphosphate (TPP) via the ionic interaction between positively charged amino groups (CS) and negatively charged counter ions (TPP). This can be controlled by the charge density of CS and TPP, which depend on the pH and ionic strength of the solution. The purpose of this study is to investigate the combined effects of three independent variables (pH, ionic strength and CS: TPP ratio) on three important physico-chemical properties (viscosity, zeta potential and particle size) during the preparation of microparticles. CS: TPP microparticles were prepared using experimental design and equations were generated and used to predict relative viscosity, zeta potential and particle size under different conditions. This gives us the ability to design tuneable CS-TPP microparticles with desired size for specific pharmaceutical or forensic applications e.g. latent fingerprint visualisation

Appraisal on the Wound Healing Potential of Deverra tortuosa DC. and Deverra triradiata Hochst Essential Oil Nanoemulsion Topical Preparation

Deverra tortuosa (Desf.) DC. and Deverra. triradiata Hochst. ex Bioss are perennial desert shrubs widely used traditionally for many purposes and they are characteristic for their essential oil. The objective of the present study was to investigate the in vivo wound healing activity of the essential oil (EO) of D. tortuosa and D. triradiata through their encapsulation into nanoemulsion. EO nanoemulsion was prepared using an aqueous phase titration method, and nanoemulsion zones were identified through the construction of phase diagrams. The EO was prepared by hydrodistillation (HD), microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD), and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and analyzed using GC/MS. D. tortuosa oil is rich in the non-oxygenated compound, representing 74.54, 73.02, and 41.19% in HD, MADH, and SFE, respectively, and sabinene represents the major monoterpene hydrocarbons. Moreover, D. triradiata is rich in oxygenated compounds being 69.77, 52.87, and 61.69% in HD, MADH, and SFE, respectively, with elemicin and myristicin as major phenylpropanoids. Topical application of the nanoemulsion of D. tortuosa and D. triradiata (1% or 2%) exhibited nearly 100% wound contraction and complete healing at day 16. Moreover, they exhibit significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and a significant increase in growth factors and hydroxyproline levels. Histopathological examination exhibited complete re-epithelialization accompanied by activated hair follicles and abundant collagen fibers, especially at a concentration of 2%. Therefore, the incorporation of the two Deverra species into nanoemulsion could professionally endorse different stages of wound healing

K-variant BCHE and pesticide exposure: Gene-environment interactions in a case-control study of Parkinson's disease in Egypt

Pesticide exposure is associated with increased risk of Parkinson's disease (PD). We investigated in Egypt whether common variants in genes involved in pesticide detoxification or transport might modify the risk of PD evoked by pesticide exposure. We recruited 416 PD patients and 445 controls. Information on environmental factors was collected by questionnaire-based structured interviews. Candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 15 pesticide-related genes were genotyped. We analyzed the influence of environmental factors and SNPs as well as the interaction of pesticide exposure and SNPs on the risk of PD. The risk of PD was reduced by coffee consumption [OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.43-0.90, P = 0.013] and increased by pesticide exposure [OR = 7.09, 95% CI: 1.12-44.01, P = 0.036]. The SNP rs1126680 in the butyrylcholinesterase gene BCHE reduced the risk of PD irrespective of pesticide exposure [OR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.20-0.70, P = 0.002]. The SNP rs1803274, defining K-variant BCHE, interacted significantly with pesticide exposure (P = 0.007) and increased the risk of PD only in pesticide-exposed individuals [OR = 2.49, 95% CI: 1.50-4.19, P = 0.0005]. The K-variant BCHE reduces serum activity of butyrylcholinesterase, a known bioscavenger for pesticides. Individuals with K-variant BCHE appear to have an increased risk for PD when exposed to pesticides