Antibacterial and cytotoxic properties of isoprenoids from the red sea soft coral, Lobophytum sp

Purpose: To evaluate the antibacterial and cytotoxic activities of the secondary metabolites of Lobophytum sp.Methods: Maceration with methanol: chloroform (1:1) was applied to extract the coral material. Chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques were employed for fractionation, isolation and elucidation of pure compounds. Antibacterial activities were performed by well diffusion method against three Gram-positive and four Gram-negative bacteria. Brine shrimp lethality test was employed to predict toxicity, while antitumor activity were tested by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method against Ehrlich carcinoma cells.Results: Four sesquiterpenes, one cembranoid type diterpenes and two steroids were isolated. 1 exhibited significant antibacterial activity against four tested bacteria (P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, S. epidermis, and S. pneumonia) with MIC value of 15 μg/mL. Moreover, 1 showed high diameter zone of inhibition ranging from 16 - 18 mm against test bacteria. Compounds 4 and 5 displayed moderate antibacterial activity against all test bacteria with inhibition zone diameter (IZD) ranging from 11 – 15 mm and MIC values of 30 μg/mL. 2, 3, 6 and 7 exhibited weak antibacterial activity (IZD, 7 - 11 mm; MIC ≥ 30 μg/mL). In addition, only diterpene compound (4) showed high toxicity against A. Salina and antitumor activity against Erhlich carcinoma cells with the LD50 of 25 and 50 μg/mL, respectively.Conclusion: This study reveals the strong antibacterial activity of sesquiterpene alismol (1) and the potential antibacterial and antitumor activity of cembranoid type diterpene, cembrene A (4).Keywords: Soft coral, Lobophytum sp., Red Sea, Antibacterial, Cytotoxicity, Sesquiterpene Alismol, Cembranoid, Diterpene, Cembren

Antiproliferative effects of isoprenoids from Sarcophyton glaucum on breast cancer MCF-7 cells

Purpose: To evaluate the anticancer activity of isoprenoids of Sarcophyton glaucum on MCF-7 cells and to investigate the potential synergistic effect of doxorubicin.Methods: Isolation and purification of isoprenoids were performed by applying different planar chromatographic methods (CC and PTLC). Further analyses of the isoprenoids by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS) carried out to identify the compounds. Sulforhodamine- B (SRB) assay was used to determine the cytotoxic activity of the compounds against the MCF-7 human cell line. Flow cytometric analysis was used to assess their impact on cell cycle of  MCF-7. Combination index (CI), when the compounds were combined with  doxorubicin, was calculated to determine possible synergism. The isoprenoid  compounds were also incubated at ¼ or ½ of their respective half-maximal  concentration (IC50) with equimolar concentrations of doxorubicin.Results: Four known isoprenoid derivatives (1-4) were identified as 10(14)-aromadendrene (1), sarcophinediol (2), ent-deoxysarcophine (3) and sarcotrocheliol acetate (4). It was observed that cells accumulated in pre-G phase as well. CI of compound 3 with doxorubicin was 0.67 and 0.79, respectively, at ¼ and ½ of IC50, indicating overt synergism. This was confirmed by re-assessing the cell cycle stages of MCF-7 cells.Conclusion: The results indicate that compound 3 exhibits promising cytotoxicity as well as synergism with doxorubicin in MCF-7 cells. This is attributed, at least partly, to its ability to generate intercellular apoptosis induction.Keywords: Sarcophyton glaucum, Combination index, Antiproliferation, Isoprenoidal derivatives, 10(14)-Aromadendrene,Sarcophinediol, Deoxysarcophine,  Sarcotrocheliol acetate, Doxorubici

Fracture Classification Associated with the Orthopaedic Trauma

This study aimed at exploring the fracture classification associated with the orthopaedic trauma as the provision of care associated with orthopedic trauma shares an important goal, which is to restore and preserve function. A focused assessment that embodies subjective and objective data will assist the healthcare professional to determine a patient’s needs and deliver the most appropriate level of care. Learning to collect data about factors associated with an orthopedic injury is an integral part of providing care for individuals who have sustained an orthopedic trauma. Fracture classification is the categorization of a fracture. It is used for documentation and research and gives surgeons and patients information about treatment options and prognosis. The process of obtaining this documentation is the process of diagnosis

Flexible Bench-Scale Recirculating Flow CPC Photoreactor for Solar Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue Using Removable TiO 2

TiO2 immobilized on polyethylene (PET) nonwoven sheet was used in the solar photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB). TiO2 Evonik Aeroxide P25 was used in this study. The amount of loaded TiO2 on PET was approximately 24%. Immobilization of TiO2 on PET was conducted by dip coating process followed by exposing to mild heat and pressure. TiO2/PET sheets were wrapped on removable Teflon rods inside home-made bench-scale recirculating flow Compound Parabolic Concentrator (CPC) photoreactor prototype (platform 0.7 × 0.2 × 0.4 m3). CPC photoreactor is made up of seven low iron borosilicate glass tubes connected in series. CPC reflectors are made of stainless steel 304. The prototype was mounted on a platform tilted at 30°N local latitude in Cairo. A centrifugal pump was used to circulate water containing methylene blue (MB) dye inside the glass tubes. Efficient photocatalytic degradation of MB using TiO2/PET was achieved upon the exposure to direct sunlight. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) analyses reveal the complete mineralization of MB. Durability of TiO2/PET composite was also tested under sunlight irradiation. Results indicate only 6% reduction in the amount of TiO2 after seven cycles. No significant change was observed for the physicochemical characteristics of TiO2/PET after the successive irradiation processes

The potential therapeutic effect for melatonin and mesenchymal stem cells on hepatocellular carcinoma

Background/aim: Herein, we investigated the potential therapeutic effect of Melatonin (Mel) and/or mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on rat model of HCC. Materials and Methods: Female mature rats were divided into 5 groups (n = 10/group): normal (Nor), HCC group intraperitoneally injected with 200 mg/kg DEN, and 3 treated groups; HCC + Mel (Mel) group given Mel intraperitoneally 20 mg/kg, twice a week, HCC + MSCs (MSCs) group intravenously injected by 1 × 106 cells, and HCC + MSCs (Mel +MSCs) group. Results: Rats in HCC group showed most deteriorated effect in form of increased mortality and relative liver weight, elevated serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, AFP and GGT in addition to increased pre-neoplastic nodules in liver tissues. Liver tissues of HCC group also exhibited lower level of apoptosis as indicated by decreased DNA fragmentation and expression of p53 caspase 9 and caspase 3 genes and increased PCNA immunoreactivity. Moreover, in this group the expression of IL6 and TGFβ1 genes was significantly upregulated. All these deleterious effects induced by DEN were reversed after administration of Mel and/ or MSCs with best improvement for the combined group (MSCs + Mel). Conclusions: These findings reveal a better therapeutic effect for MSCs when given with Mel and we attribute this beneficial effect, at least in part, to triggering apoptosis and targeting inflammation in HCC. Therefore, combined treatment with Mel and MSCs is recommended to enhance the therapeutic potential against HCC

Recycling and photodegradation processes of organic hazardous materials on polyaniline-titanium dioxide quantum dots catalyst

A photo-catalyst with conducting polymers doped with titanium dioxide, known as TiO2 quantum dots (TiO2 QDs), has a high efficiency for photocatalytic usage. The organic hue methyl orange was broken down in the current study using polyaniline (PANI) and polyaniline titanium dioxide quantum dots (PANI-TiO2 QDs) polymers. PANI and PANI-TiO2 QDs have been produced by chemical oxidative polymerization in an aqueous solution. By characterization of PANI-TiO2 QDs nanocomposites using ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), it was demonstrated that the chemical structure of polymer composites had not changed after being doped with TiO2 QDs. To determine the form, size, surface area, and thermal analyses of the produced PANI-TiO2 QDs samples, EDX, BET, and TGA were used. The photocatalytic activity of the PANI-TiO2 QDs in the photo-degradation of methyl orange dye as an organic hazardous chemical in an aqueous medium was assessed using a 50-watt xenon lamp light source and direct sunlight. PANI-TiO2 QDs demonstrated high photocatalytic properties, with a 93% efficiency, as opposed to 35% and 60.1%, respectively, for PANI and TiO2 QDs. When PANI, titanium dioxide quantum dots, and PANI-TiO2 QDs are present during the recycling processes in the presence of all created samples up to four times, the photo-degradation rate decreases by about 50.2%, 15.4%, and 17.4%, respectively

Gastro-Protective Effects of Albizia anthelmintica Leaf Extract on Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulcer in Wistar Rats: In Silico and In Vivo Studies

We have previously reported that the leaf extract of Albizia anthelmintica exhibited substantial antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic properties in vivo. We also comprehensively characterized the active phytoconstituents and found several flavonoids and galloyl glucosides derivatives. In the current work, we explored the gastroprotective effects of the leaf extract in an indomethacin-induced ulcer model and the mechanisms involved. The rats being pretreated with the tested extract (100 and 200 mg kg−1) significantly prevented gastric lesions by 87.4% and 92.3%, respectively, and they had no structural derangements in the gastric mucosa. The extract significantly reduced the elevated levels of IKκB, NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS, and lipid peroxidation; increased the reduced level of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity; and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the indomethacin-induced ulcer model. The protective activities of the extract were similar in most aspects to those exerted by the known anti-ulcer drug famotidine. These activities might be attributed to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, and the reduction of iNOS levels. In conclusion, Albizia anthelmintica is a potential candidate for management of gastric ulcers with antioxidant properties

The effect of CdO content on the crystal structure, surface morphology, optical properties and photocatalytic efficiency of p-NiO/n-CdO nanocomposite

Pure NiO nanoparticles and NiO-CdO nanocomposite were prepared with different content of CdO by simple chemical precipitation method at 800 °C for 3 h. Crystal structure, surface morphology, elemental composition and function groups present in the prepared samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDX, Raman and FTIR analysis, respectively. From XRD, preparation of pure NiO and formation of nanocomposite samples confirmed by the presence of characteristic diffraction peaks of cubic phase structure of NiO and CdO. The particle size increases from 26 to 34 nm with the increase of CdO content in the prepared samples. SEM images show the spherical shape of NiO and plate like shape of nanocomposite samples. The EDX analysis revealed that the absence of any impurity peaks indicates the high quality of prepared samples. Raman and FTIR spectra show the fundamental peaks of NiO and CdO in the samples. The best photodegradation efficiency of methyl orange dye i.e. 60% was achieved as a result of the decrease in the energy band gap from 3.42 to 2.92 eV at the optimum content of CdO (0.12 wt%). Keywords: Nanocomposite, XRD, Raman analysis, Optical properties, Photocatalytic efficienc