Mangifera indica peels: A common waste product with impressive immunostimulant, anticancer and antimicrobial potency

The volatile components of 3 mango cultivars were investigated by means of GC, and GC-MS. Two hundred and forty compounds were identified, of which eighty five compounds were found for the first time in mango fruit. Terpene hydrocarbons were the major volatiles of all cultivars, the dominant terpenes in the 3 mango cultivars were ?-3-carene (2.784-14.904%), ?-terpinolene (4.825-15.879%), ?-copaene (2.281-8.097%), and caryophyIlene (3.390-10.897%). peel essential oils of M. indica cultivar zebdeya and M. indica cultivar cobaneya showed appreciable non specific immunostimulant activity measured by low Macrophage migration index. M. indica cultivar zebdeya and M. indica cultivar cobaneya had higher phagocytic indices up to 1.47and 1.06 respectively. The cytotoxicity of the essential oils were studied invitro against MCF-7, HCT-116 and Hep-G2 cancer cell lines using MTT assay showed significant effect with IC50 = 1.62-1.77, 2.95-5.56 and 2.76-3.14 µl/ml for respectively. Interestingly, M. indica cultivars zebdeya, cobaneya and hindi expressed a valuable cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 breast carcinoma cell line as compared to standard antitumor drug. The essential oils M. indica cultivars were tested by Kirby-Bauer method showing a wide range of antibacterial and antifungal activities. Generally, essential oils of the M. indica cultivars showed a moderate to high antibacterial activity with M. indica cultivar hindi being the most active showing broad spectrum activity against Gram-positive (18-21 mm) and Gram-negative bacteria (16-19 mm). It also showed significant antifungal activity against Candida albicans (16 mm); however, data revealed that all tested cultivars were ineffective and have no antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus. The MIC of the three M. indica cultivars essential oils revealed that although essential oils didn’t show antimicrobial activities against Aspergillus flavus the peel essential oils demonstrated variability in the inhibitory concentrations of each essential oil for the given microorganisms. The essential oils of peels showed activities in the range (concentrations) from 116 to 142 ?l/ml for M. indica cultivar zebdeya, 58 to 89 ?l/ml for M. indica cultivar hindi and from 121 to 172 ?l/ml for M. indica cultivar cobaneya. The present investigation proved the possibility of using M. indica peel waste as a source of low-cost natural immunostimulant, anticancer and antimicrobial. Key words: Mangifera indica peels; waste product; immunostimulant, anticancer; antimicrobia

Influence of Cultivar Type of Strawberry Fruits on Its Volatile Constituents

Five strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa. Duch.) cultivars (Festival, Red Merlin, Suzana, Tamar and Winter Dawn) were analysed using solvent-solvent extraction method and GC/MS system to compare between the volatile constituents responsible for the aroma in different fresh and frozen cultivars. The main identified compounds were Tetradecene (15.41%), 2E-dodecene-1-ol (13.78%), Nerolidol (11.37%), E-14-hexadecenal (17.27%) and Octadecanol (17.65%). The present study explains the effect of freezing on aroma content for different strawberry cultivars. Nutritional value contents of the fruits were also estimated which illustrate the importance of fruits as a main source of vitamin C and potassium. The antimicrobial activity of the volatile constituents were estimated and were exhibited a significant results (20-32mm zone of inhibition) against number of human pathogenic microorganisms, compared with the standard antibiotic (20-22 mm zone of inhibition) using the agar well diffusion method. Keywords:Fragaria x ananassa, antimicrobial, cultivars, volatile constituents

Serum interferon-alpha level in first degree relatives of systemic lupus erythematosus patients: Correlation with autoantibodies titers

Background and objectives: Interferon-a (IFN-a), a cytokine with both antiviral and immune-regulatory functions, was suggested as a useful tool which can evaluate current systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity and identify patients whoare at risk of future disease flares. In the current study, serum IFN-a levels and associated demographic, and serological features in Egyptian SLE patients and their first degree relatives (FDRs) in comparison to unrelated healthy controls (UHCs) were examined, in order to identify individuals at the greatest risk for clinical illness.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, blood samples were drawn from 54 SLE patients, 93 of their FDRs who consented to enroll into the study and 76 UHCs. Measurement of serum IFN-a by a modified ELISA was carried out. Data were analyzed for associations of serum IFN-a levels with autoantibodies titer.Results: Meanserum IFN-a inFDRswas statistically higher than theUHCsand lower than inSLE patients (P < 0.0001) and it was correlated with ANA titer (r = 0.6, P < 0.0001) and anti ds DNA titer (r = 0.62, P < 0.0001).Conclusion: IFN-a is a crucial player in the complicated autoimmune changes that occur in SLE and serum IFN-a can be a useful marker identifying persons who are at risk of future disease development.Keywords: Interferon-a; Systemic lupus erythematosus; First degree relatives; Autoantibodie

Factors affecting cellulase production by trichoderma koningii

Because of the need for renewable energy resources, cellulose, which can be enzymatically hydrolyzed to glucose, has drawn lot of attention during the past decade. However, the process of cellulose conversion using cellulase is not yet economically feasible because of the high cost of enzymes. Factors influencing the cellulase production of Trichoderma koningii using both acid and steam treated sugar cane bagasse and rice straw as carbon sources were investigated. The highest levels of cellulase activities were obtained using a culture medium containing urea and (NH4)2SO4 together as nitrogen sources at 0.217% and 0.241% for both carbon sources. When the culture medium was supplemented either with 0.5% Tween 60 or Tween 80, the rate of cellulase production was increased considerably. Maximum levels of both filter paper and CMC-ase activities produced on both media were obtained at 25 °C and 100 r.p.m., while the highest level of â -glucosidase production was obtained at 30 °C and 200 r.p.m

CHEMICAL PROFILE OF TWO JASMINUM SAMBAC L. (AIT) CULTIVARS CULTIVATED IN EGYPT–THEIR MEDIATED SILVER NANOPARTICLES SYNTHESIS AND SELECTIVE CYTOTOXICITY

Objective: Evaluation of two Jasminum sambac L. (Ait) cultivars; Arabian Nights (JSA) and Grand Duke of Tuscany (JSG) ethanolic leaves extracts as reducing agents for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and evaluation of their cytotoxicity against MCF-7 breast cancer and 5637 bladder cancer cell lines and chemical profiling of the two cultivars. Methods: The synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by the two cultivars and characterization of AgNPs by ultraviolet (UV)–visible spectroscopy, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Additionally, the use of The high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array-mass-mass-spectroscopy (HPLC-PDA-MS/MS) for chemical profiling of both cultivars and evaluation of total leaves extracts and corresponding nanoparticles towards MCF-7 and 5637 cell lines compared to aneuploidy immortal keratinocyte (Ha Cat) normal cells by neutral cell assay. Results: The green synthesized AgNPs (of an average size range of 8.83 and 11.24 nm for JSA and JSG, respectively) exhibited cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and 5637 cell lines. The IC50 was determined for each total extract JSA (15.29±2.16 μg/ml) and JSG (20.28±1.20 μg/ml) and corresponding AgNPs 17.32±2.22 μg/ml and 6.32±1.01μg/ml for JSA and JSG, respectively. The IC50 of JSA and JSG against 5637 bladder cancer cell line were 13.76±1.11 μg/ml and 50.69±3.75 μg/ml, while the corresponding AgNPs showed IC50 of 5.54±0.88 μg/ml and 27.89±2.84 μg/ml, respectively. The HPLC-PDA-MS/MS allowed the identification of 59 compounds; 10 simple phenols, 17 flavonoids; quercetin and kaempferol glycosides, 2 lignans, and 30 secoiridoids; oleuropein, molihauside, and sambacoside. Conclusion: This study proved that JSA is an excellent source for the synthesis of AgNPs with optimum characters and enhanced activities toward MCF-7 and 5637 cell lines in correlation to identified compounds

HPLC-DAD-MS/MS profiling of phenolics from Securigera securidaca flowers and its anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic activities

AbstractSecurigera securidaca (L.) Degen & Döefl., Fabaceae, has been widely used in the Iranian, Indian and Egyptian folk medicine as antidiabetic and anti-hyperlipidemic remedy. Phenolic profiling of the ethanolic extract (90%) of the flowers of S. securidaca was performed via HPLC-DAD-MS/MS analysis in the positive and negative ion modes. The total polyphenols and flavonoids in the flowers were determined colorimetrically, and the quantification of their components was carried out using HPLC-UV. Total phenolics and flavonoids estimated as gallic acid and rutin equivalents were 82.39±2.79mg/g and 48.82±1.95mg/g of the dried powdered flowers, respectively. HPLC-DAD-MS/MS analysis of the extract allowed the identification of 39 flavonoids and eight phenolic acids. Quantitative analysis of some flavonoids and phenolics (mg/100g powdered flowers) revealed the presence of isoquercetrin (3340±2.1), hesperidin (32.09±2.28), naringin (197.3±30.16), luteolin (10.247±0.594), chlorogenic acid (84.22±2.08), catechin (3.94±0.57) and protocatechuic acid (34.4±0.15), in the extract. Moreover, the acute toxicity, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of the extract were investigated using alloxan induced diabetes in rats in a dose of 100, 200, and 400mg/kgbwt. The ethanolic extract was safe up to a dose of 2000mg/kg. All tested doses of the flower extract showed marked decrease in blood glucose level by 31.78%, 66.41% and 63.8% at 100, 200 and 400mg/kgbwt, respectively, at p<0.05. Regarding the anti-hyperlipidemic effect, a dose of 400mg/kg of the flower extract showed the highest reduction in serum triacylglycerides and total cholesterol levels (68.46% and 51.50%, respectively at p<0.05). The current study proved the folk use of the flowers of S. securidaca as anti-diabetic and anti-hyperlipidemic agent which could be attributed to its high phenolic content

FORMULATION AND ASSESSMENT OF A HERBAL HAIR CREAM AGAINST CERTAIN DERMATOPHYTES

Objective: Developing an herbal antifungal formulation containing eruca and garlic oils against highly resistant dermatophytes (Malassezia fufur AUMC No. 5173, Microsporum canis bodin AUMC No. 5490 and Trichophyton mentagrophytes AUMC No. 5501. 5501) and assessment of garlic oil thiosulfonates during the ex vivo percutaneous permeation through albino rat skin.Methods: Assay of antifungal activity was performed by filter paper disc method and agar well diffusion method. The components of volatile constituents and fixed oil of eruca seeds were studied using GC/MS. Thiosulfinates in garlic oil were analyzed by HPLC/UV. Both oils were incorporated into hair cream using span 60 and brij 58 at three different concentrations (2, 4 and 6% w/w) and alliin, was ex vivo evaluated using albino rat skin mounted on Franz diffusion cells.Results: The two oils have a synergistic effect on the first and additive effect on the second and the third fungi. The main constituents in eruca are 4-(methyl thio) butyl isothiocyanate (82%) for volatile constituents and erucic acid (40%) for the fixed one. The highest flux for alliin (0.337±0.0015 mg/cm2/hr) was obtained at a 4% surfactant concentration.Conclusion: Combination of oils has a high activity on the selected dermatophytes. Formulation of an herbal hair cream using span 60 and Brij 58 with a concentration 4% gives the highest permeation rate for alliin in garlic oil.Keywords: Eruca, Garlic, Dermatophytes, Quantitative determination and Ex-vivo permeatio

DNA Fingerprinting, Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oil isolated from the Fruits of Serenoa repens W. Bartram

The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from the fruits of Serenoa repens W. Bartram by hydrodistillation has been studied by GC/MS analysis. The analysis of the essential oil revealed the presence of 60 identified compounds (monoterpene and sesquiterpene) oxygenated and non-oxygenated compounds in the oil sample including about 53 compounds which were not reported in GC/MS analysis of the essential oil before. GC/MS analysis revealed 4-(1-methylethyl)-Benzaldehyde to be the major constituent of the essential oil of the fruits 58.56% followed by 2-Caren-10-al and 3-Caren-10-al (11.83% and 2.87%, respectively). So far nothing could be traced concerning the oil biological activity. The antimicrobial sensitivity as well as the MIC against different fungal, gram positive and gram negative strains was carried out. The antimicrobial snsitivity was higher as antifungal followed by the Gram-positive strains, and Gram-negative bacteria strains compared to the positive controls. The essential oil showed high selective antimicrobial potential (MIC 1.95–62.5 μg/mL for bacteria; and MIC 3.9–31.25 μg/mL for fungi). DNA fingerprinting of the cultivated leaves were carried out for authentication of the plant. Keywords: Serenoa repens, essential oil, 4-(1-methylethyl)-Benzaldehyde, Antimicrobial, GC/MS, DNA

Preliminary communications. Cellulase production and conversion of rice straw to lactic acid by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation

Factors affecting the cellulase production of Aspergillus niger using sugar cane bagasse as carbon source were investigated. The highest enzyme activities were obtained, when the culture medium was supplemented with 0.133% tryptone as nitrogen source. The rate of cellulase production was considerably increased when 0.5% Tween 60 was added to the production medium. For FPA and b-glucosidase production pH 5.0, while for CMC-ase pH 5.5 was found to be optimal. The highest cellulase activities were obtained at 30 °C and 300 r.p.m. The highest saccharification degree was achieved, when alkali treated rice straw was used as substrate. The main objective of the present study was to examine the possibilities of lactic acid production from alkali treated rice straw using simultaneous saccharification and fermentation technique with T. koningii cellulases and L. delbrueckii. The highest conversion of cellulose was obtained using 6% alkaline treated rice straw supplemented with 1.2 mg enzyme/g substrate at pH 4.8 and 45 °C

Metabolic profling of cytotoxic metabolites from five Tabebuia species supported by molecular correlation analysis

Tabebuia is the largest genus among the family Bignoniaceae. Tabebuia species are known for their high ornamental and curative value. Here, the cytotoxic potential of extracts from the leaves and stems of fve Tabebuia species was analyzed. The highest activity was observed for T. rosea (Bertol.) DC. stem extract against HepG2 cell line (IC50 4.7 µg/mL), T. pallida L. stem extract against MCF-7 cell line (IC50 6.3 µg/mL), and T. pulcherrima stem extract against CACO2 cell line (IC50 2.6 µg/mL). Metabolic profiling of the ten extracts using liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry for dereplication purposes led to annotation of forty compounds belonging to diferent chemical classes. Among the annotated compounds, irridoids represent the major class. Principle component analysis (PCA) was applied to test the similarity and variability among the tested species and the score plot showed similar chemical profling between the leaves and stems of both T. pulcherrima and T. pallida L. and unique chemical profling among T. rosea (Bertol.) DC., T. argentea Britton, and T. guayacan (Seem.) Hemsl. leaf extracts and the stem extract of T. rosea (Bertol.) DC. Additionally, a molecular correlation analysis was used to annotate the bioactive cytotoxic metabolites in the extracts and correlate between their chemical and biological profles