BIOACTIVE MARINE-DERIVED COMPOUNDS AS POTENTIAL ANTICANCER CANDIDATES

Objective: The objective of this research was to evaluate for the 1st time the anticancer activities of sarcophytol M (1), alismol (2), alismoxide (5), 7β-acetoxy-24-methylcholesta-5-24(28)-diene-3,19-diol (7), erythro-N-dodecanoyl-docosasphinga-(4E,8E)-dienine (8), and 24 methylcholesta- 5,24(28)-diene-3β,7β,19-triol (9). Compounds were isolated from the soft coral Lithophyton arboreum and tested in liver (HepG2), lung (A549), and breast (MDA) cancer cell line.Methods: Anticancer activities of the compounds were tested using (XTT) 2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro- 5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide, Na2) in vitro assay in order to estimate the cytotoxicity and to determine the IC50s. The free radical scavenging activity of the compounds were measured by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH•). All compounds were screened at 100 μg/ml while the most potent active compounds were assayed at lower concentrations.Results: Compounds (7) and (9) showed a strong cytotoxic effect with IC50 of 6.07, 8.5 μg/ml in HepG2, 6.3, 5.5 μg/ml in MDA cells, and 5.2, 9.3 μg/ml in A549 cancer cell lines, respectively. In addition, moderate cytotoxicity was shown by compound (2) (IC50 16.5, 15, and 13 μg/mL) in HepG2, MDA, and A549 cancer cell lines, respectively.Conclusion: The results obtained in this research work indicated a promising potential cytotoxicity of compounds (7) and (9) compared to its safety margins in Vero cells, and the expected cytostatic effect of compound (2) can be used in drug cocktails for the treatment of the major cancer types' lung, breast, and liver cancer.Â

CLEMASTINE, THE H1 HISTAMINE RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST, ALTERS THE HUMAN SEX AND THYROID HORMONAL PROFILES

  Objective: Clemastine is widely used as an antihistaminic drug. However, clemastine effectively acts as an antagonist of H1 histamine receptor, it has significant burden adverse effects causing common nervous system, psychiatric, and gastrointestinal ailments, as well as rare cardiac and immune system disorders. The objective of this study is to investigate whether there is a remarkable impact of clemastine administration on the human hormonal pituitary-thyroid-adrenal axis.Methods: To achieve that, hormonal profile was tested in the sera of males and females treated and untreated individuals with clemastine. This is to measure serum estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, thyroid-stimulating hormone, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, fasting insulin, and cortisol levels. The circulating hormonal levels were measured quantitatively using enzyme-link immunosorbent assay.Results: We resulted that there were significant differences of the human hormonal profile on clemastine treatment.Conclusion: Hormonal profiling showed that there were remarkable signatures could be of great interest to underline some recommendations and guidelines optimizing the clemastine dosage to avoid burdens associated with the administration of this drug as well as maintain the physiological and psychological performances of both sexes exposing to clemastine during the period of allergic treatment

SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION, AND IN VIVO IMMUNOMODULATION OF CCR2 AND VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR ANTAGONISTS-LOADED PEGYLATED NANOPARTICLES

Objective: Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), a candidate of cytokines, orchestrates immune cell recruitment to inflamed organs. CCL2 has been shown to have direct angiogenic effects, so providing an anti-angiogenic agent, Avastin (AV), to be combined with the CCR2 antagonist (concentration ratio [CR]) plays an essential role in the hemostatic strategy for immunomodulation. Lack of targetability and the adverse effects of chemical treatments are the main obstacles led scientists to develop novel strategies using nano-delivery approaches such as pegylated nanoparticles (NPs) which exhibits reduced drug clearance rates. The rationale of the current study is to test the in vivo immunomodulatory effects of AV and/or CR in their NPs or free counterparts.Methods: These NPs were synthesized and characterized using different physicochemical techniques. Males Wistar rats (n=114) were used and divided into 7 groups treated with vehicle, AV, AVNP, CCR2 antagonist (CR), CCR2 antagonist NPs (CRNP), AV-CCR2 antagonist (AVCR), and AV-CCR2 antagonist NPs (AVCRNP). Groups were subdivided into three subgroups according to the administrated dose. Blood was taken from rats for differential leukocyte and platelet profile measurements. Sera were collected to test vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels. Autopsy samples from liver were taken for histopathological investigation.Results: The morphology of the NPs was spherical and had sizes ranging from 89.89 nm to 146 nm. Monocytes and lymphocytes accumulated in the blood circulation and VEGF levels were inhibited after AV and CR administrations. In addition, large platelets concentration ratio was elevated in the blood circulation.Conclusion: We concluded that AV ad CR therapeutic regimens have an immunomodulatory role through induction of monocyte-platelet aggregation and inhibition of VEGF

CORN SILK OFFERS MULTIMECHANISTIC APPROACHES IN MITIGATING OBESITY IN RODENTS

ABSTRACTObjective: The current study aimed to investigate the effect of corn silk extracts (aqueous and methanolic) against obesity in an animal model.Methods: Animals were fed high-cholesterol diet (HCD) for 12 W to induce obesity and then treated either with Orlistat, corn silk extracts (aqueous andmethanolic) for 6 W. Anthropometric measurements (abdominal circumference [AC], thoracic circumference [TC], and body mass index [BMI]) wererecorded. Biochemical parameters including lipid profile (serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, andlipase), glucose, insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of basal insulin resistance were assayed. Inflammatory cytokines visfatin, haptoglobin(Hp), afamin, endothelin-1, calprotectin, and protein S100B levels were quantified.Results: Significant decrease in TC, AC, and BMI was detected in HCD-fed groups treated with corn silk extracts with respect to HCD-fed group.Biochemical analyses indicated marked hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects of corn silk extracts. Treatment of HCD-fed groups with corn silkextracts experienced significant regression of visfatin, Hp, endothelin-1, calprotectin, and protein S100B levels relative to HCD-fed group.Conclusion: In conclusion, the current findings revealed the antiobesity potential of corn silk extracts. This effect may be attributed to its hypolipidemic,hypoglycemic, and anti-inflammatory properties of the active phytochemicals present in the extracts.Keywords: Obesity, Corn silk, Insulin resistance, Hyperlipidemia, Inflammation, Rodents

POTENTIAL IMPACT OF COQ10 AND VITAMIN E AGAINST (STZ) INDUCED METABOLIC DETERIORATION IN THE ALBINO RATS

Objective: This study evaluates the hypoglycemic effect of COQ10 and Vitamin E are determined using STZ induced diabetic rats.Methods: Rats selected for this study were divided into five groups of ten rats each as follows: first group Normal control rats, the second is considered as diabetic groups, injected intraperitoneal with a single dose of STZ (60 mg/kg B. wt). the third group Diabetic rats orally administered glibenclamide drug 10 mg/kg B. wt daily for 30 d 4th. And 5th groups were treated orally glibenclamide combined with vitamin E (2% concentration added to the normal basal diet), or coenzyme Q10 at the dose of 10 mg/kg i. p. daily for 30 consecutive days in addition histological examinations of liver, kidney and brain were carried out to confirm the biochemical changes of the diabetic group of rats.Results: All liver enzymes activities alanine and aspartate transferases and alkaline phosphatase (AST, ALT and ALP respectively), kidney function tests; creatinine and total urea, inflammatory biomarkers; CRP, IL-10 and TNF-α. Neurotransmitters; acetylcholine and acetylcholine esterase were enhanced with the highest degree in groups treated with COQ10 or vitamin E in addition to glibenclamide dug, almost restore the normal histological architecture of liver, kidney and brain.Conclusion: Orally supplemented glibenclamide with coenzyme Q10 or vitamin E showing significantly reduced blood glucose levels in STZ induced diabetic rats. It also showed hypolipidemia as well as hepatoprotective effects, enhance histological feature of liver, kidney and brain.Â

QUERCETIN AND ELLAGIC ACID IN GASTRIC ULCER PREVENTION: AN INTEGRATED SCHEME OF THE POTENTIAL MECHANISMS OF ACTION FROM IN VIVO STUDY

  Objective: The present study was initiated to describe the gastroprotective role of quercetin (Qu) and ellagic acid (EA) on aspirin-induced gastric ulcer (GU) in rats.Methods: Forty adult female albino rats of Wistar strain were distributed into: Control group, GU group, Omeprazole group, Qu group, and EA group. Gross examination, biochemical analyses including serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), serotonin (ST), ferritin, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), interleukin-2 (IL-2), advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs), and fibronectin (FN) levels were estimated. Moreover, histopathological and histochemical examinations of stomach tissue samples were carried out.Results: Gross examination of gastric mucosa of rats in GU group revealed hyperemia of the stomach mucosa. Furthermore, rats in GU group experienced a significant rise in serum ACTH, ferritin, HO-1, IL-2 and AGEs levels accompanied with significant drop in serum ST and FN levels versus control counterparts. Pre-treatment of GU group with Omeprazole, Qu or EA caused marked improvement in the measured biochemical parameters. Histopathological and histochemical examinations of stomach tissue samples documented the protective action of Omeprazole, Qu and EA with different degrees against GU caused by aspirin.Conclusion: As a conclusion to this study, we can state that both Qu and EA have gastroprotective effect against aspirin-induced GU in rat model. Of note, Qu showed superior impact than EA as an antiulcer agent in this study. The corresponding mechanisms are speculated to be associated with inhibiting stress-induced gastric lesion, attenuating the oxidative stress, iron chelation and blunting ferritin level, modulating inflammatory cascade, and promoting the healing process

INSIGHTS INTO THE ROLE OF MORUS ALBA IN REVERSING OBESITY-ASSOCIATED HEPATIC STEATOSIS AND RELATED METABOLIC DISORDER IN RATS

ABSTRACTObjective: The goal of the present study was to examine the viability of Morus alba (M. alba) ethanolic extract in repression of obesity-associatedhepatic steatosis and related metabolic disorder; dyslipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, and glycemic status.Methods: Adult female albino rats were randomly assigned into four groups, eight rats each as follows: Group (1) control group received standardrodent diet for 24 weeks. The other three groups administered high cholesterol diet for 12 weeks and served as obese group, M. alba-treated group,and simvastatin-treated group.Results: The current results showed an increment in thoracic circumference (TCX) and abdominal circumferences (AC) as well as body mass index(BMI) in obese group. In addition, dyslipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance have been elucidated in obese group.Moreover, hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and bilirubinvalues were significantly increased in obese groups versus control group. On the other hand, administration of ethanolic extract of Morus alba orsimvastatin could significantly lessen BMI and in addition to improve dyslipidemia in obese group. Glucose, insulin levels, and insulin resistance valuein serum samples demonstrated a significant reduction in obese group upon treatment with M. alba ethanolic extract or simvastatin. Furthermore,noticeable depletion in hepatic MDA, NO contents, serum ALT, AST activities, and serum bilirubin level was recorded as a result of treatment witheither ethanolic extract of M. alba or simvastatin. Histopathological examination of liver tissue showed ballooning degeneration in the hepatocytes(hepatic steatosis) associated with inflammatory cells penetration in portal zone in obese group. Meanwhile, the treatment of obese groups withethanolic extract of M. alba or simvastatin was found to restore the structural organization of the liver.Conclusion: The present findings provide a novel aspect for understanding of the role of M. alba against obesity-associated liver diseases and relatedmetabolic disorder. The mechanisms underlying these effects seem to depend on the hypolipidemic potential, anti-inflammatory property, andantioxidant activity of its phytochemicals.Keywords: Obesity, Morus alba, Dyslipidemia, Hyperinsulinemia, Hyperglycemia, Hepatic steatosis

Five Bivalve Species from the Recently Discovered Coral Reef in the Marine Coastal Waters of Iraq

In the present report five bivalve species are newly recorded from the recently discovered coral reef in the coastal waters of Iraq, North West Arabian Gulf. The bivalves were inhabit a hard coral substratum as well as sand and mud substrata, at depth ranging from 7-10 m. The region is characterized by high temperature subtropical climate (temperature range: 14-34 C˚). The identified mulluscan bivalves namely Chlamys livida, Pinna bicolor, Malvifundus normalis, Barbatia decussate, and Lithophaga robusta. All the present specimens bivalves were living animals and they classified according to morphological characteristics. Specimens were deposited at the Genetic Legacy Laboratory and Museum of the Marine Science Center/ University of Basrah

HARNESSING THE ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTY OF CERIUM AND YTTRIUM OXIDE NANOPARTICLES TO ENHANCE MESENCHYMAL STEM CELL PROLIFERATION

Objective: This work was designed to explore if cerium oxide (CeO2) and yttrium oxide (Y2O3) nanoparticles as antioxidant agents could potentiate the proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from human dental pulp (hDPSCs).Methods: Nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, particle size and zeta potential, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) along with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry. Furthermore, MSCs were isolated from human dental pulp, propagated and characterized by flow cytometry. Thereafter, the proliferative impact of the suggested nanoparticles on hDPSCs was investigated by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiazol)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay.Results: Different sizes (14.09–26.50 nm and 18.80–31.31 nm) for CeO2 and Y2O3 respectively, morphology, charges, and proliferative efficacy in hDPSCs were recorded for both nanoparticles.Conclusion: Generally speaking, the tested nanoparticles heightened the proliferative response of hDPSCs with the most prominent effect exerted by 15 μg/ml of CeO2 and 5 μg/ml of Y2O3. It is reasonable to assume that the antioxidant property of CeO2 and Y2O3 be involved in strengthening the proliferation process of hDPSCs

Design of a modified natural egyptian solar house

The rate of increase in energy consumption and high costs in addition to the depletion of existing resources has a significant impact on our standard of living for next generations. In this case, the priority is to develop alternative cost-effective sources for powering the residential and non-residential buildings. This paper proposes and develops a design of a modified small two-story residential solar house for a medium-sized family located in Cairo, Egypt. This modified solar house meets almost all its energy demands including space heating by using solar air collector with a pebble storage unit in winter and a summer cooling system using wind catcher theory. Hot water is obtained throughout the day by using a steel sheltered water storage tank with a capacity of 1000 liter. Finally, the proposed heating system of the solar house is sized and modeled