CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITY OF VARTHEMIA IPHIONOIDES ESSENTIAL OIL AGAINST VARIOUS HUMAN CANCER CELL LINES

Varthemia iphionoides is a perennial plant that belongs to Asteraceae family. This study investigates the cytotoxic effect of V. iphionoides essential oil on breast (MCF7), prostate (PC3), and chronic myelogenous leukemia (K562) and normal human fibroblast cell lines using MTT assay and flow cytometric analysis. In addition, GC-MS of the oil was carried out. The IC50 values for PC3, MCF7, K562 and fibroblast were 145.3, 188.8, 87.88 and 173.3 µg/ml, respectively. V. iphionoides essential oil was most effective against K562. Flow cytometric results for IC50 dose of V. iphionoides oil on K562 cells showed 32.2 % apoptosis in 24 h. GC-MS analysis resulted in the identification of 25 compounds. 1,8-Cineole, borneol, and α-cadinol were the major constituents of V. iphionoides volatile oil. In conclusion, this study reveals for the first time the cytotoxic activity of V. iphionoides essential oil on K562 cell line which may occur through apoptosis induction

Effect of fiber loading on the mechanical and physical properties of “green” bagasse–polyester composite

The main aim of this work is to fill unsaturated polyester resin with bagasse agricultural waste, as reinforcement, to prepare green wooden–polymer composites. Bagasse fibers were treated with 5% sodium hydroxide and then with dilute sulfuric acid. Bagasse–polyester composites were prepared by addition of 5, 10 and 15% of untreated and alkali treated bagasse fibers to polyester. The crosslinking reaction was performed using methyl ethyl ketone peroxide as a catalyst and cobalt octoate as an accelerator. The prepared composites were then exposed to post-curing at elevated temperature for completely crosslinking. The flexural behavior of the prepared composites was studied. An enhancement in the mechanical properties was achieved after chemical treatment. In addition, water absorption and chemical resistance were conducted showing that the produced bagasse–polyester composite with appreciable mechanical and physical properties is a new partner and cost effective material for many advanced industrial applications in addition to their environmental friendly behavior

Gastroprotective activity of Loranthus acaciae flower extract in a rodent model of ethanol-induced ulcer

Loranthus acaciae (Loranthaceae) is a perennial green semi-parasitic plant used in ethnopharmacological medicine for healing wounds. The protective effect of L. acaciae on gastric ulcer induced by ethanol was investigated in a rat model. Ulcer index and total glutathione level were measured, histological and immunohistochemical studies for the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 were performed. Furthermore, chemical constituents of the flower extract were analyzed. Ulcer index was significantly lowered in L. acaciae treated groups. Protection ratios were 75.9%, 98.9% and 70.7% for L. acaciae 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and esomeprazole 40 mg/kg, respectively. Histological examination revealed fewer hemorrhage in mucosa and less edema in submucosa in L. acaciae treated groups compared to control. In esomeprazole-treated group, there was mild disruption in the surface epithelium and mild hemorrhage. However, edema and leucocytes infiltration in the submucosa layer were present. Immunohistochemical staining of stomach sections for cyclooxygenase-2 was negative in control group as well as in L. acaciae treated groups. Total glutathione level in mucosa layer of the stomach was higher in L. acaciae treated groups compared to control. LC-MS analysis revealed the presence of loranthin and rutin as the major constituents. It can be concluded that L. acaciae imparted a gastroprotective action against ethanol induced ulcer in rats. Novelty - 500 mg/kg L. acaciae protected the stomach by 98.9% from ulcerogenic effect of ethanol. - L. acaciae increased total glutathione level but not COX-2 expression in gastric mucosa. - Loranthin and rutin were the major constituents in L. acaciae flower extract.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Resveratrol pretreatment reduces circulating inflammatory interleukins in CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity rats

Liver diseases represent one of major health burdens worldwide, both oxidative stress and inflammation play crucial roles in the development of liver diseases. Resveratrol (RSV), a naturally occurring compound, has recently been shown to exert anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory actions. This work aimed to investigate the prophylactic effect of RSV against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in experimental rats in terms of inflammatory interleukins and histopathological changes. Twenty-four adult male rats were divided into three equal groups: group A: Negative control, received oral vehicle, group B: Positive control, received oral vehicle for 6â¯days and on 6th day injected with single dose of CCl4, and group C: RSV-treated group, received oral RSV (25â¯mg/kg/day) for 6â¯days and on 6th day injected with single dose of CCl4. 24â¯h after induction of hepatotoxicity by CCl4, all rats were sacrificed; liver was excised for histopathological studies and blood samples were collected. ALT, AST, ALP, total bilirubin, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 were determined in plasma while total GSH, MDA, GPx, and SOD were assayed in liver homogenate. Plasma levels of ALT, AST, ALP, total-bilirubin, IL-1β, and IL-6 were significantly increased 24â¯h after induction of hepatotoxicity by CCl4 while IL-10 decreased. Pretreatment of rats with RSV prevented these changes. The histopathological changes were less obvious in livers of RSV-treated rats in comparative to positive control. In conclusion, RSV has a prophylactic effect against hepatotoxicity induced by CCl4 through decreasing the inflammatory interleukins level. Keywords: Resveratrol, Hepatotoxicity, Interleukins, Inflammatio

Chemical Profile, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Anticancer Activities of the Water-Ethanol Extract of Pulicaria undulata Growing in the Oasis of Central Saudi Arabian Desert

Pulicaria undulata (L.) C. A. Mey has multiple uses as part of the traditional medicament, and several biological activities of the plant have been corroborated in the scientific literature. The current work evaluates the phytochemical constituents and biological properties of the water-ethanol extract of the P. undulata growing in Qassim, the central arid regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Qualitative UPLC-ESIQ-TOF analysis identified 27 compounds belonging to the phenolics, flavonoids, triterpenes, coumarins, and of fatty acids chemical classes. The quantitative analysis exhibited 33.3 mg/g GAE (Gallic Acid Equivalents), and 10.8 mg/g QE (Quercetin Equivalents) of the phenolics and flavonoids in the plant’s concentrated (to dryness) water-ethanol extract. The trace elements analysis of the plant’s dry powder established the presence of copper (20.13 µg/kg), and zinc (68.2 µg/kg) in the higher levels of occurrences. In terms of the antioxidant potential of the plant’s extract, the ferric-reducing, and free-radicals scavenging activities were recorded at 47.11 mg/g, and 19.13 mg/g equivalents of the concentrated to dryness water-ethanol extract of the plant. The water-ethanol extract of P. undulata also exhibited antimicrobial activity against the tested Gram-positive bacteria, while no activity was observed against the tested Gram-negative bacteria, or the fungi. The MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) values were in the range of 49 to 1563 µg/mL, whereas the MBC (minimum bactericidal concentration) values ranged from 49 to 3125 µg/mL, against the tested Gram-positive bacteria. The P. undulata water-ethanol extract also exhibited potent cytotoxic effects with the IC50 value at 519.2 µg/mL against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell-lines, followed by the anticancer activity of erythroleukemic cell-lines, K562 at 1212 µg/mL, and pancreatic cell-lines, PANC-1, at 1535 µg/mL, as compared to the normal fibroblast cells (4048 µg/mL). The Annexin-V assay demonstrated that, as the P. undulata extract’s dose increased from IC50 to twice of the IC50, the percentage of the necrosis was found to be increased in the late apoptosis stage of the cancer cells. These data confirmed the P. undulata extract’s ability to inhibit several human cancer cell lines’ growth in comparison to other local halophytes. The antimicrobial activity of the plant was also confirmed

Comparative Phytochemical Profile and Biological Activity of Four Major Medicinal Halophytes from Qassim Flora

Four halophytic plants, Lycium shawii, Anabasis articulata, Rumex vesicarius, and Zilla spinosa, growing in the central Qassim area, Saudi Arabia, were phytochemically and biologically investigated. Their hydroalcoholic extracts’ UPLC-ESIQ-TOF analyses demonstrated the presence of 44 compounds of phenolic acids, flavonoids, saponins, carbohydrates, and fatty acids chemical classes. Among all the plants’ extracts, L. shawii showed the highest quantities of total phenolics, and flavonoids contents (52.72 and 13.01 mg/gm of the gallic acid and quercetin equivalents, respectively), along with the antioxidant activity in the TAA (total antioxidant activity), FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power), and DPPH-SA (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-scavenging activity) assays with 25.6, 56.68, and 19.76 mg/gm, respectively, as Trolox equivalents. The hydroalcoholic extract of the L. shawii also demonstrated the best chelating activity at 21.84 mg/gm EDTA equivalents. Among all the four halophytes, the hydroalcoholic extract of L. shawii exhibited the highest antiproliferative activity against MCF7 and K562 cell lines with IC50 values at 194.5 µg/mL and 464.9 µg/mL, respectively. The hydroalcoholic extract of A. articulata demonstrated better cytotoxic activity amongst all the tested plants’ extracts against the human pancreatic cancer cell lines (PANC1) with an IC50 value of 998.5 µg/mL. The L. shawii induced apoptosis in the MCF7 cell lines, and the percentage of the necrotic cells changed to 28.1% and 36.5% for the IC50 and double-IC50 values at 22.9% compared with the untreated groups. The hydroalcoholic extract of L. shawii showed substantial antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus ATCC 10876 with a MIC value of 12.5 mg/mL. By contrast, the A. articulata and Z. spinosa exhibited antifungal activities against Aspergillus niger ATCC 6275 with MIC values at 12.5 and 50 mg/mL, respectively. These findings suggested that the L. shawii is a potential halophyte with remarkable biological properties, attributed to its contents of phenolics and flavonoid classes of compounds in its extract

Consensus and Diversity in the Management of Varicocele for Male Infertility: Results of a Global Practice Survey and Comparison with Guidelines and Recommendations

Varicocele is a common problem among infertile men. Varicocele repair (VR) is frequently performed to improve semen parameters and the chances of pregnancy. However, there is a lack of consensus about the diagnosis, indications for VR and its outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore global practice patterns on the management of varicocele in the context of male infertility

Consensus and diversity in the management of varicocele for male infertility: Results of a global practice survey and comparison with guidelines and recommendations

Purpose: Varicocele is a common problem among infertile men. Varicocele repair (VR) is frequently performed to improve semen parameters and the chances of pregnancy. However, there is a lack of consensus about the diagnosis, indications for VR and its outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore global practice patterns on the management of varicocele in the context of male infertility. Materials and Methods: Sixty practicing urologists/andrologists from 23 countries contributed 382 multiple-choice-questions pertaining to varicocele management. These were condensed into an online questionnaire that was forwarded to clinicians involved in male infertility management through direct invitation. The results were analyzed for disagreement and agreement in practice patterns and, compared with the latest guidelines of international professional societies (American Urological Association [AUA], American Society for Reproductive Medicine [ASRM], and European Association of Urology [EAU]), and with evidence emerging from recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Additionally, an expert opinion on each topic was provided based on the consensus of 16 experts in the field. Results: The questionnaire was answered by 574 clinicians from 59 countries. The majority of respondents were urologists/uro-andrologists. A wide diversity of opinion was seen in every aspect of varicocele diagnosis, indications for repair, choice of technique, management of sub-clinical varicocele and the role of VR in azoospermia. A significant proportion of the responses were at odds with the recommendations of AUA, ASRM, and EAU. A large number of clinical situations were identified where no guidelines are available. Conclusions: This study is the largest global survey performed to date on the clinical management of varicocele for male infertility. It demonstrates: 1) a wide disagreement in the approach to varicocele management, 2) large gaps in the clinical practice guidelines from professional societies, and 3) the need for further studies on several aspects of varicocele management in infertile men