Ahlam Hasham - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Ahlam Hasham

Research paper thumbnail of Comparative GC/MS Analysis, Antioxidant and Anticholinesterase Study for the Alcoholic Extracts of Leaves, Flowers and Bark of Terminalia arjuna (Roxb)

Pharmaceutical chemistry journal, May 15, 2024

Research paper thumbnail of Phytochemical constituents and biological activity of selected genera of family Crassulaceae: A review

South African Journal of Botany, Sep 1, 2021

Background: Strobilanthes crispus is a well-known herb in Malaysia with various pharmaceutical pr... more Background: Strobilanthes crispus is a well-known herb in Malaysia with various pharmaceutical properties. S. crispus is known to contain several biologically active chemical constituents which are responsible for its pharmaceutical quality. Methods: Strobilanthes crispus leaves grown in three different locations in Malaysia [Kelantan (North-east), Selangor (Central), and Penang (North)], were investigated for differences in the content of secondary metabolites [total phenolics content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC), and total saponins content (TSC)] as well as for their antioxidant and anticancer properties. Phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC). Ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant activities. The anticancer activity of extracts against HeLa cancer cell line was evaluated using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Results: Samples from the three different locations when extracted with two solvents (aqueous and ethanol extracts) yielded significantly different results for TPC, TFC, and TSC as well as for antioxidant activity. Aqueous extract of S. crispus leaves collected from Kelantan exhibited the highest values: TPC [12.62 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry matter (DM)], TFC (7.44 mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/g DM), TSC (44.7 mg diosgenin equivalents (DE)/g DM), DPPH (73.8 %), and FRAP (267.5 μM of Fe (II)/g) activity with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50) of 44.1 μg/mL compared to the extracts of leaves collected from the other two locations. The most important secondary metabolites identified in this study, based on concentration, were phenolics classified as followed: caffeic acid>ferulic acid>gallic acid>chlorogenic acid>trans-cinnamic acid; flavonoids: quercetin>rutin>catechin>apigenin>naringenin>kaempferol. Extracts of leaves collected from Kelantan exhibited better anticancer activity against HeLa cancer cell line with an IC 50 of 182.5 μg/mL compared to the extracts of leaves from Selangor (IC 50 = 266.4 μg/mL) and Penang (IC 50 = 331.5 μg/mL) and to tamoxifen (IC 50 = 63.4 μg/mL). S. crispus leaves with the highest content of secondary metabolites exhibited the most potent antioxidant and anticancer activity. Conclusions: Therefore, based on the potent antioxidant and anticancer activity of leaves extracts, it appears that S. crispus grown in the Northeast of Malaysia (Kelantan) is a potential source of anticarcinogenic therapeutic compounds.

Research paper thumbnail of Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Oxidant, GC-MS Profiling and Molecular Docking Analyses of Non-Polar Extracts from Five Salsola Species

Separations, Jan 19, 2023

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Research paper thumbnail of Multi-target action of Garcinia livingstonei extract and secondary metabolites against fatty acid synthase, α-glucosidase, and xanthine oxidase

Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal

Research paper thumbnail of Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Oxidant, GC-MS Profiling and Molecular Docking Analyses of Non-Polar Extracts from Five Salsola Species

Separations

Genus Salsola (family Amaranthaceae) is one of the most prevailing genera in Saudi Arabia. Althou... more Genus Salsola (family Amaranthaceae) is one of the most prevailing genera in Saudi Arabia. Although several species were reported for their traditional uses, the majority of Salsola species still need to be phytochemically and biologically explored. The current study presents the GC-MS profiling as well as an in vitro investigation of the bioactivities of the n-hexane extracts from the five Salsola species: Salsola arabica, S. cyclophylla, S. imbricata, S. incanescens and S. villosa. Additionally, the compounds identified in the most active extracts were screened for their interaction with the active sites of cyclooxygenase enzyme isoforms (COX-1 and COX-2). GC-MS analysis of the n-hexane extracts from the five species resulted in the identification of 67 constituents. Oleic acid (75.57%), 1-octadecene (14.46%), cinnamaldehyde α-hexyl (57.15%), octacosyl heptafluorobutyrate (25.36%) and hexadecanoic acid methyl ester (26.15%) represent the major constituents in S. arabica, S. cyclop...

Research paper thumbnail of Metabolomic Profiling and Cytotoxic Activity of Launaea nudicaulis: Molecular Docking with Topoisomerases

Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia

Launaea nudicaulis (L.) Hook. f., Asteraceae, is a wild plant growing in Egypt, used traditionall... more Launaea nudicaulis (L.) Hook. f., Asteraceae, is a wild plant growing in Egypt, used traditionally for treatment of many diseases. LC-HRMS analysis of different polarity soluble extracts allowed the annotation of fifteen compounds: three alkaloids, four flavonoids, three phenolic acids, three coumarins, one sphingolipid, and one triterpene. Chemical investigation led to isolation and identification of caffeic acid, luteolin, luteolin7-O-glucoside, lupeol, β-sitosterol, and palmitic acid. Cytotoxic evaluation for hexane, CH2Cl2, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol extracts using MTT assay against three cancer cell lines HL-60, HT-29, and MCF-7 showed a remarkable cytotoxic activity for the CH2Cl2-soluble extract against HL-60 and HT-29 with IC50 5.8 and 8.26 µg/ml, respectively, as well the n-butanol extract showed good activity against HL-60 and HT-29 with IC50 11.6 and 9.6 µg/ml, respectively. Docking study was performed on topoisomerase enzymes (I, IIα, and IIβ) and provided a rationale ...

Research paper thumbnail of GC-MS Analysis and Bioactivities of the Essential Oil of Suaeda aegyptiaca

Separations

Suaeda aegyptiaca is a halophytic plant widely growing in northeast Africa and Asia. The current ... more Suaeda aegyptiaca is a halophytic plant widely growing in northeast Africa and Asia. The current study reports on the GC-MS analysis of S. aegyptiaca essential oil. The essential oil was prepared using three different methods: cold n-hexane extraction (CHE), hot n-hexane extraction (HHE), and hydro-distillation extraction (HDE). The GC-MS analysis detected twenty-eight compounds in both CHE (97.28%) and HHE (97.35%) and twenty compounds in HDE (98.65%). 2-methyloctacosane (48.72%); 11-decyldocosane (29.20%); and 1, 2-benzenedicarboxylic acid diisooctyl ester (57.87%) were the main constituents in CHE, HHE, and HDE, respectively. Free radical scavenging activity testing using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) revealed the notable anti-oxidant potential of HDE (IC50 0.358 mg/mL) compared to ascorbic acid (IC50 0.264 mg/mL). Moreover, in vitro anti-inflammatory activity testing using COX-1 and COX-2 showed the notable activity of HDE (IC50 5.50 µg/mL and 2.59 µg/mL, respectively). T...

Research paper thumbnail of Characterization of Possible α-Glucosidase Inhibitors from Trigonella stellata Extract Using LC–MS and In Silico Molecular Docking

Plants

The current study accentuates the significance of performing the multiplex approach of LC-HRESIMS... more The current study accentuates the significance of performing the multiplex approach of LC-HRESIMS, biological activity, and docking studies in drug discovery, taking into consideration a review of the literature. In this regard, the investigation of antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of Trigonella stellata collected from the Egyptian desert revealed a significant antioxidant capacity using DPPH with IC50 = 656.9 µg/mL and a moderate cytotoxicity against HepG2, MCF7, and CACO2, with IC50 values of 53.3, 48.3, and 55.8 µg/mL, respectively. The evaluation of total phenolic and flavonoid contents resulted in 32.8 mg GAE/g calculated as gallic acid equivalent and 5.6 mg RE/g calculated as rutin equivalent, respectively. Chemical profiling of T. stellata extract, using LC-HRESIMS analysis, revealed the presence of 15 metabolites, among which eleven compounds were detected for the first time in this species. Interestingly, in vitro testing of the antidiabetic activity of the alcoholic ex...

Research paper thumbnail of Secondary metabolites of Livistona decipiens as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2

RSC Advances

, a pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, China and spread all over the ... more , a pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, China and spread all over the globe. One of the promising therapeutic techniques of viral infection is to search for enzyme inhibitors among natural phytochemicals using molecular docking to obtain leads with the least side effects. The COVID-19 virus main protease (M pro) is considered as an attractive target due to its pivotal role in controlling viral transcription and replication. Metabolic profiling of the crude extract of Livistona decipiens Becc. (Arecaceae) leaves and fruit dereplicated twelve metabolites using LC-HRESIMS. Molecular docking simulation and in silico ADME profiling of these annotated compounds proposed that tricin is a promising lead against COVID-19 virus M pro. The alcoholic extract was shown to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 through in vitro culture and RT-PCR testing with EC 50 ¼ 0.122 and 1.53 mg mL À1 for leaves and fruit extracts, respectively, when compared with that of the FDA-approved anti-COVID-19 remdesivir (0.002 mg mL À1). Preliminary steps were also performed including the 3CL-protease inhibition assay and cytotoxicity study. It is worthwhile to find a cheap, safe, natural source for promising anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents that can be further tested in vivo against the COVID-19 virus M pro. This study provides scientific basis for demonstrating beneficial effects of L. decipiens application on human health during the corona pandemic.

Research paper thumbnail of Terminalia arjuna flowers: Secondary metabolites and antifungal activity

Pharmaceutical Sciences Asia

The current increased incidence of fungal infections could be attributed to the increased number ... more The current increased incidence of fungal infections could be attributed to the increased number of immunocompromised patients who usually suffer from fungal infection. Accordingly, the development of antifungal agents with wide spectrum of activity or new mechanism of action is a crucial need. Yeasts such as Candida sp., filamentous fungi such as; Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp. and Rhizopus sp., as well as the dermatophytes Trycophyton sp., Microsporum sp. and Epidermophyton sp. are considered as the most frequent fungal pathogens. Among all invasive fungal infections, Candida represents 70-90% while Aspergillus represents 10-20% 1. In immunosuppressed patients receiving chronic corticosteroid treatment, A. fumigatus is responsible for over 70% of all cases of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Recently, pulmonary aspergillosis was also noted as a secondary complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), especially among critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) 2. Candidiasis is the infection with overgrowth of Candida species, especially C. albicans, in the mucous membranes such as oral cavity and vagina 3. Oral candidiasis occurs in children, patient on antibiotic or steroid therapy, or immunodeficient patients, while in women Candida infection causes vaginitis, white vaginal discharge and itching 3. Plant kingdom offers a wide diversity of species with different enzyme systems and biochemical patterns. This provides a wide and undepletable source of chemical chemical moieties with variable biological activities. Testing the antifungal activity of plant extracts, using

Research paper thumbnail of Antitrypanosomal activity of new semi‐synthetic bergenin derivatives

Chemical Biology & Drug Design, 2021

Bergenin and 11‐O‐(4'‐O‐methyl galloyl)‐bergenin, previously isolated from Crassula capitella... more Bergenin and 11‐O‐(4'‐O‐methyl galloyl)‐bergenin, previously isolated from Crassula capitella extract, were used as starting materials for the synthesis of eight derivatives; four derivatives 2a–2d were synthesized from bergenin through the formation of ester derivatives and four alkyl derivatives 4a–4d were synthesized from 11‐O‐(4′‐O‐methyl galloyl)‐bergenin. The structures of the synthesized analogues were confirmed upon 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic elucidation. Antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activities of the synthesized derivatives were evaluated, compounds 11‐O‐(3′,5′ di‐benzyl, 4′‐O‐methyl galloyl)‐8,10‐di‐O‐benzyl‐bergenin (4c) and 11‐O‐(3′,5′di‐4‐chlorobenzyl,4′‐O‐methyl galloyl)‐8,10di‐O‐4‐chlorobenzyl bergenin (4d) showed potent antitrypanosomal activity with IC50 values of 0.52 and 0.5 μM, respectively and IC90 values of 0.66 μM against T. brucei compared with IC50 and IC90 values of 21.7 and 50.3 μM for the positive control difluoromethylornithine.

Research paper thumbnail of Phytochemical content and biological activity of the genus Cycas, Family Cycadaceae: A review

Pharmaceutical Sciences Asia, 2021

Genus Cycas, Cycadaceae family, contains about 117 species. Nevertheless, few species have been p... more Genus Cycas, Cycadaceae family, contains about 117 species. Nevertheless, few species have been phytochemically and pharmacologically studied. To date Eighty-eight secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, terpenoids, lignans, aromatic acids and sterols were isolated and identified from nineteen Cycas species. Among the isolated compounds flavonoids are the most prevalent metabolites. The extracts as well as pure compounds isolated from Cycas species were reported to exhibit a wide range of biological activities including; antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, antidiabetic, cytotoxic, anthelmintic, analgesic, anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory and thrombolytic activities. The present review highlights the reported phytochemical content as well as the pharmacological potential of Cycas species. Interestingly, it indicates that; almost all the previous investigation of the biological activity of pure compounds isolated from this genus was directed towards its flavonoid content. Accordingly, more biological studies are needed to figure out the possible role of other isolated compounds in the observed biological activities and/or the reported traditional uses of different Cycas species. Moreover, further studies are required to investigate other unexplored species.

Research paper thumbnail of In-vitro Cyclooxygenase Inhibitory, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Phytochemicals Isolated from Crassula arborescens (Mill.)Willd

Summary. Seven phenolic compounds, one sterol and mixture of triterpenes were isolated from the C... more Summary. Seven phenolic compounds, one sterol and mixture of triterpenes were isolated from the Crassula arborescens extract. The isolated compounds were identified on the basis of Mass and NMR spectroscopic methods and identified as, vanillic acid (1), methyl gallate (2), p -hydroxy benzoic acid (3), procatechuic acid (4), gallic acid (5), Isorhamentin (6), quercetin (7), α , β amyrin as a mixture (8a, 8b), and β -sitosterol (9). In-vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial and cyclooxygenase inhibitory activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated. The antioxidant activity using DPPH radical scavenging assay showed that quercetin and gallic acid were the most potent antioxidant with 93.6%, 92.2 % inhibition of DPPH respectively. Antimicrobial activity against some pathogenic microorganisms clear that vanillic acid, procatechuic acid and isorhamentin showed a potent antimicrobial activity with MIC range from 12.5 to 100 µg/ml against Enterococcus faecalis , Sarcina lutea , Mycobacteri...

Research paper thumbnail of Nutritional Evaluation and GC/MS Analysis of Lipophilic Fractions of Livistona australis Leaves and Fruits

Egyptian Journal of Chemistry, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Silymarin content in Silybum marianum fruits at different maturity stages

Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, Jun 17, 2013

Silymarin is one of the most investigated plant extracts with known mechanism of action. It is us... more Silymarin is one of the most investigated plant extracts with known mechanism of action. It is used for oral treatment of toxic liver damage. Silybin, isosilybin, silychristin and silydianin are the main flavonolignan components of silymarin isolated from the fruits of Silybum marianum. A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for determination of flavonolignans was developed. The method depended on an isocratic solvent system comprising acetonitrile and water containing 0.5% (v/v) phosphoric acid. The method was used for analysis of the flavonolignans content in the fruits of S. marianum at different maturity stages. A correlation between fruits color, maturity stage and silymarin content is demonstrated.

Research paper thumbnail of Enhanced accumulation of flavonolignans in Silybum marianum cultured roots by methyl jasmonate

Phytochemistry Letters, 2012

Root cultures of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (Asteraceae) were established from in vitro germin... more Root cultures of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (Asteraceae) were established from in vitro germinated sterile plantlets. The cultures grew in hormone-free Murashige and Skoog medium. The flavonolignan content in the cultured roots was determined by HPLC using 30% acetonitrile in acidified water (0.5% phosphoric acid). The major flavonolignans produced by the cultured roots were silychristin (74.2 mg g À1 fresh weight (FW)) and silydianin (8.1 mg g À1 FW). The flavonolignan precursor taxifolin was also detected in the cultured roots (40.8 mg g À1 FW). Addition of methyl jasmonate to 7-days-old root cultures for 48 h increased the content of the produced flavonolignans and taxifolin to approximately 300% of the control cultures. Methyl jasmonate also enhanced about sixfold the accumulation of a compound identified as 3,3 0 ,5,5 0 ,7-pentahydroxyflavanone.

Research paper thumbnail of Studies on flavanolignans from cultured cells of Silybum marianum

Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 2012

Callus and cell suspension cultures of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (Asteraceae) were establishe... more Callus and cell suspension cultures of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (Asteraceae) were established from in vitro germinated sterile plantlets. The cultures grew in Murashige and Skoog medium containing 1 mg l-1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 0.1 mg l-1 kinetin. A reversed phase-high performance liquid chromatography method for determination of flavanolignans in plant material was developed using an isocratic solvent system comprising acetonitrile and water containing 0.5% (v/v) phosphoric acid. Silychristin was the major flavanolignan produced by the cultured cells followed by silydianin. Elicitation of cultured S. marianum cells with 100 lg ml-1 yeast extract increased silychristin production from 0.11 to 0.23 mg g-1 fresh weight. Free radical scavenging activity was tested for the cultured cells using 1,1-diphenyl picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical. Extract prepared from the cultured cells of S. marianum showed 48% inhibition compared to 55% inhibition of the extract prepared from the fruits. Cytotoxic activity was tested using liver carcinoma cell line (HEPG2). Cultured cells and fruit extracts showed a significant cytotoxic activity of IC 50 = 1.01 and 0.47 lg, respectively. Extract of S. marianum cultured cells ameliorated the adverse effects of carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic injury in rats and returned the altered levels of biochemical markers to near normal levels.

Research paper thumbnail of Anti-arthritic activity of 11-O-(4′-O-methyl galloyl)-bergenin and Crassula capitella extract in rats

Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 2016

Objectives Isolation and identification of phytochemicals of Crassula capitella (Thunberg), evalu... more Objectives Isolation and identification of phytochemicals of Crassula capitella (Thunberg), evaluation of the anti-arthritic potential of the extract and the major isolated compound; 11-O-(4′-O-methyl galloyl)-bergenin and underlying their mechanism on rat model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Different fractions were subjected to column chromatography giving fourteen compound identified by mass and NMR spectroscopic techniques. RA was induced by intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant into the right hind paw of rats. Influence of tested samples in comparable to methotrexate on paw oedema, body weight gain, serum diagnostic markers, cartilage and bone degeneration enzymes, pro-inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress biomarkers in arthritic rats. Key findings Fourteen phenolic compounds were isolated and identified for the first time from C. capitella. The major compound identified as 11-O-(4′-O-methyl galloyl)-bergenin. Treatment of arthritic rats with ext...

Research paper thumbnail of Comparative GC/MS Analysis, Antioxidant and Anticholinesterase Study for the Alcoholic Extracts of Leaves, Flowers and Bark of Terminalia arjuna (Roxb)

Pharmaceutical chemistry journal, May 15, 2024

Research paper thumbnail of Phytochemical constituents and biological activity of selected genera of family Crassulaceae: A review

South African Journal of Botany, Sep 1, 2021

Background: Strobilanthes crispus is a well-known herb in Malaysia with various pharmaceutical pr... more Background: Strobilanthes crispus is a well-known herb in Malaysia with various pharmaceutical properties. S. crispus is known to contain several biologically active chemical constituents which are responsible for its pharmaceutical quality. Methods: Strobilanthes crispus leaves grown in three different locations in Malaysia [Kelantan (North-east), Selangor (Central), and Penang (North)], were investigated for differences in the content of secondary metabolites [total phenolics content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC), and total saponins content (TSC)] as well as for their antioxidant and anticancer properties. Phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC). Ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant activities. The anticancer activity of extracts against HeLa cancer cell line was evaluated using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Results: Samples from the three different locations when extracted with two solvents (aqueous and ethanol extracts) yielded significantly different results for TPC, TFC, and TSC as well as for antioxidant activity. Aqueous extract of S. crispus leaves collected from Kelantan exhibited the highest values: TPC [12.62 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry matter (DM)], TFC (7.44 mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/g DM), TSC (44.7 mg diosgenin equivalents (DE)/g DM), DPPH (73.8 %), and FRAP (267.5 μM of Fe (II)/g) activity with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50) of 44.1 μg/mL compared to the extracts of leaves collected from the other two locations. The most important secondary metabolites identified in this study, based on concentration, were phenolics classified as followed: caffeic acid>ferulic acid>gallic acid>chlorogenic acid>trans-cinnamic acid; flavonoids: quercetin>rutin>catechin>apigenin>naringenin>kaempferol. Extracts of leaves collected from Kelantan exhibited better anticancer activity against HeLa cancer cell line with an IC 50 of 182.5 μg/mL compared to the extracts of leaves from Selangor (IC 50 = 266.4 μg/mL) and Penang (IC 50 = 331.5 μg/mL) and to tamoxifen (IC 50 = 63.4 μg/mL). S. crispus leaves with the highest content of secondary metabolites exhibited the most potent antioxidant and anticancer activity. Conclusions: Therefore, based on the potent antioxidant and anticancer activity of leaves extracts, it appears that S. crispus grown in the Northeast of Malaysia (Kelantan) is a potential source of anticarcinogenic therapeutic compounds.

Research paper thumbnail of Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Oxidant, GC-MS Profiling and Molecular Docking Analyses of Non-Polar Extracts from Five Salsola Species

Separations, Jan 19, 2023

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Research paper thumbnail of Multi-target action of Garcinia livingstonei extract and secondary metabolites against fatty acid synthase, α-glucosidase, and xanthine oxidase

Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal

Research paper thumbnail of Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Oxidant, GC-MS Profiling and Molecular Docking Analyses of Non-Polar Extracts from Five Salsola Species

Separations

Genus Salsola (family Amaranthaceae) is one of the most prevailing genera in Saudi Arabia. Althou... more Genus Salsola (family Amaranthaceae) is one of the most prevailing genera in Saudi Arabia. Although several species were reported for their traditional uses, the majority of Salsola species still need to be phytochemically and biologically explored. The current study presents the GC-MS profiling as well as an in vitro investigation of the bioactivities of the n-hexane extracts from the five Salsola species: Salsola arabica, S. cyclophylla, S. imbricata, S. incanescens and S. villosa. Additionally, the compounds identified in the most active extracts were screened for their interaction with the active sites of cyclooxygenase enzyme isoforms (COX-1 and COX-2). GC-MS analysis of the n-hexane extracts from the five species resulted in the identification of 67 constituents. Oleic acid (75.57%), 1-octadecene (14.46%), cinnamaldehyde α-hexyl (57.15%), octacosyl heptafluorobutyrate (25.36%) and hexadecanoic acid methyl ester (26.15%) represent the major constituents in S. arabica, S. cyclop...

Research paper thumbnail of Metabolomic Profiling and Cytotoxic Activity of Launaea nudicaulis: Molecular Docking with Topoisomerases

Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia

Launaea nudicaulis (L.) Hook. f., Asteraceae, is a wild plant growing in Egypt, used traditionall... more Launaea nudicaulis (L.) Hook. f., Asteraceae, is a wild plant growing in Egypt, used traditionally for treatment of many diseases. LC-HRMS analysis of different polarity soluble extracts allowed the annotation of fifteen compounds: three alkaloids, four flavonoids, three phenolic acids, three coumarins, one sphingolipid, and one triterpene. Chemical investigation led to isolation and identification of caffeic acid, luteolin, luteolin7-O-glucoside, lupeol, β-sitosterol, and palmitic acid. Cytotoxic evaluation for hexane, CH2Cl2, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol extracts using MTT assay against three cancer cell lines HL-60, HT-29, and MCF-7 showed a remarkable cytotoxic activity for the CH2Cl2-soluble extract against HL-60 and HT-29 with IC50 5.8 and 8.26 µg/ml, respectively, as well the n-butanol extract showed good activity against HL-60 and HT-29 with IC50 11.6 and 9.6 µg/ml, respectively. Docking study was performed on topoisomerase enzymes (I, IIα, and IIβ) and provided a rationale ...

Research paper thumbnail of GC-MS Analysis and Bioactivities of the Essential Oil of Suaeda aegyptiaca

Separations

Suaeda aegyptiaca is a halophytic plant widely growing in northeast Africa and Asia. The current ... more Suaeda aegyptiaca is a halophytic plant widely growing in northeast Africa and Asia. The current study reports on the GC-MS analysis of S. aegyptiaca essential oil. The essential oil was prepared using three different methods: cold n-hexane extraction (CHE), hot n-hexane extraction (HHE), and hydro-distillation extraction (HDE). The GC-MS analysis detected twenty-eight compounds in both CHE (97.28%) and HHE (97.35%) and twenty compounds in HDE (98.65%). 2-methyloctacosane (48.72%); 11-decyldocosane (29.20%); and 1, 2-benzenedicarboxylic acid diisooctyl ester (57.87%) were the main constituents in CHE, HHE, and HDE, respectively. Free radical scavenging activity testing using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) revealed the notable anti-oxidant potential of HDE (IC50 0.358 mg/mL) compared to ascorbic acid (IC50 0.264 mg/mL). Moreover, in vitro anti-inflammatory activity testing using COX-1 and COX-2 showed the notable activity of HDE (IC50 5.50 µg/mL and 2.59 µg/mL, respectively). T...

Research paper thumbnail of Characterization of Possible α-Glucosidase Inhibitors from Trigonella stellata Extract Using LC–MS and In Silico Molecular Docking

Plants

The current study accentuates the significance of performing the multiplex approach of LC-HRESIMS... more The current study accentuates the significance of performing the multiplex approach of LC-HRESIMS, biological activity, and docking studies in drug discovery, taking into consideration a review of the literature. In this regard, the investigation of antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of Trigonella stellata collected from the Egyptian desert revealed a significant antioxidant capacity using DPPH with IC50 = 656.9 µg/mL and a moderate cytotoxicity against HepG2, MCF7, and CACO2, with IC50 values of 53.3, 48.3, and 55.8 µg/mL, respectively. The evaluation of total phenolic and flavonoid contents resulted in 32.8 mg GAE/g calculated as gallic acid equivalent and 5.6 mg RE/g calculated as rutin equivalent, respectively. Chemical profiling of T. stellata extract, using LC-HRESIMS analysis, revealed the presence of 15 metabolites, among which eleven compounds were detected for the first time in this species. Interestingly, in vitro testing of the antidiabetic activity of the alcoholic ex...

Research paper thumbnail of Secondary metabolites of Livistona decipiens as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2

RSC Advances

, a pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, China and spread all over the ... more , a pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, China and spread all over the globe. One of the promising therapeutic techniques of viral infection is to search for enzyme inhibitors among natural phytochemicals using molecular docking to obtain leads with the least side effects. The COVID-19 virus main protease (M pro) is considered as an attractive target due to its pivotal role in controlling viral transcription and replication. Metabolic profiling of the crude extract of Livistona decipiens Becc. (Arecaceae) leaves and fruit dereplicated twelve metabolites using LC-HRESIMS. Molecular docking simulation and in silico ADME profiling of these annotated compounds proposed that tricin is a promising lead against COVID-19 virus M pro. The alcoholic extract was shown to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 through in vitro culture and RT-PCR testing with EC 50 ¼ 0.122 and 1.53 mg mL À1 for leaves and fruit extracts, respectively, when compared with that of the FDA-approved anti-COVID-19 remdesivir (0.002 mg mL À1). Preliminary steps were also performed including the 3CL-protease inhibition assay and cytotoxicity study. It is worthwhile to find a cheap, safe, natural source for promising anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents that can be further tested in vivo against the COVID-19 virus M pro. This study provides scientific basis for demonstrating beneficial effects of L. decipiens application on human health during the corona pandemic.

Research paper thumbnail of Terminalia arjuna flowers: Secondary metabolites and antifungal activity

Pharmaceutical Sciences Asia

The current increased incidence of fungal infections could be attributed to the increased number ... more The current increased incidence of fungal infections could be attributed to the increased number of immunocompromised patients who usually suffer from fungal infection. Accordingly, the development of antifungal agents with wide spectrum of activity or new mechanism of action is a crucial need. Yeasts such as Candida sp., filamentous fungi such as; Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp. and Rhizopus sp., as well as the dermatophytes Trycophyton sp., Microsporum sp. and Epidermophyton sp. are considered as the most frequent fungal pathogens. Among all invasive fungal infections, Candida represents 70-90% while Aspergillus represents 10-20% 1. In immunosuppressed patients receiving chronic corticosteroid treatment, A. fumigatus is responsible for over 70% of all cases of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Recently, pulmonary aspergillosis was also noted as a secondary complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), especially among critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) 2. Candidiasis is the infection with overgrowth of Candida species, especially C. albicans, in the mucous membranes such as oral cavity and vagina 3. Oral candidiasis occurs in children, patient on antibiotic or steroid therapy, or immunodeficient patients, while in women Candida infection causes vaginitis, white vaginal discharge and itching 3. Plant kingdom offers a wide diversity of species with different enzyme systems and biochemical patterns. This provides a wide and undepletable source of chemical chemical moieties with variable biological activities. Testing the antifungal activity of plant extracts, using

Research paper thumbnail of Antitrypanosomal activity of new semi‐synthetic bergenin derivatives

Chemical Biology & Drug Design, 2021

Bergenin and 11‐O‐(4'‐O‐methyl galloyl)‐bergenin, previously isolated from Crassula capitella... more Bergenin and 11‐O‐(4'‐O‐methyl galloyl)‐bergenin, previously isolated from Crassula capitella extract, were used as starting materials for the synthesis of eight derivatives; four derivatives 2a–2d were synthesized from bergenin through the formation of ester derivatives and four alkyl derivatives 4a–4d were synthesized from 11‐O‐(4′‐O‐methyl galloyl)‐bergenin. The structures of the synthesized analogues were confirmed upon 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic elucidation. Antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activities of the synthesized derivatives were evaluated, compounds 11‐O‐(3′,5′ di‐benzyl, 4′‐O‐methyl galloyl)‐8,10‐di‐O‐benzyl‐bergenin (4c) and 11‐O‐(3′,5′di‐4‐chlorobenzyl,4′‐O‐methyl galloyl)‐8,10di‐O‐4‐chlorobenzyl bergenin (4d) showed potent antitrypanosomal activity with IC50 values of 0.52 and 0.5 μM, respectively and IC90 values of 0.66 μM against T. brucei compared with IC50 and IC90 values of 21.7 and 50.3 μM for the positive control difluoromethylornithine.

Research paper thumbnail of Phytochemical content and biological activity of the genus Cycas, Family Cycadaceae: A review

Pharmaceutical Sciences Asia, 2021

Genus Cycas, Cycadaceae family, contains about 117 species. Nevertheless, few species have been p... more Genus Cycas, Cycadaceae family, contains about 117 species. Nevertheless, few species have been phytochemically and pharmacologically studied. To date Eighty-eight secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, terpenoids, lignans, aromatic acids and sterols were isolated and identified from nineteen Cycas species. Among the isolated compounds flavonoids are the most prevalent metabolites. The extracts as well as pure compounds isolated from Cycas species were reported to exhibit a wide range of biological activities including; antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, antidiabetic, cytotoxic, anthelmintic, analgesic, anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory and thrombolytic activities. The present review highlights the reported phytochemical content as well as the pharmacological potential of Cycas species. Interestingly, it indicates that; almost all the previous investigation of the biological activity of pure compounds isolated from this genus was directed towards its flavonoid content. Accordingly, more biological studies are needed to figure out the possible role of other isolated compounds in the observed biological activities and/or the reported traditional uses of different Cycas species. Moreover, further studies are required to investigate other unexplored species.

Research paper thumbnail of In-vitro Cyclooxygenase Inhibitory, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Phytochemicals Isolated from Crassula arborescens (Mill.)Willd

Summary. Seven phenolic compounds, one sterol and mixture of triterpenes were isolated from the C... more Summary. Seven phenolic compounds, one sterol and mixture of triterpenes were isolated from the Crassula arborescens extract. The isolated compounds were identified on the basis of Mass and NMR spectroscopic methods and identified as, vanillic acid (1), methyl gallate (2), p -hydroxy benzoic acid (3), procatechuic acid (4), gallic acid (5), Isorhamentin (6), quercetin (7), α , β amyrin as a mixture (8a, 8b), and β -sitosterol (9). In-vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial and cyclooxygenase inhibitory activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated. The antioxidant activity using DPPH radical scavenging assay showed that quercetin and gallic acid were the most potent antioxidant with 93.6%, 92.2 % inhibition of DPPH respectively. Antimicrobial activity against some pathogenic microorganisms clear that vanillic acid, procatechuic acid and isorhamentin showed a potent antimicrobial activity with MIC range from 12.5 to 100 µg/ml against Enterococcus faecalis , Sarcina lutea , Mycobacteri...

Research paper thumbnail of Nutritional Evaluation and GC/MS Analysis of Lipophilic Fractions of Livistona australis Leaves and Fruits

Egyptian Journal of Chemistry, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Silymarin content in Silybum marianum fruits at different maturity stages

Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, Jun 17, 2013

Silymarin is one of the most investigated plant extracts with known mechanism of action. It is us... more Silymarin is one of the most investigated plant extracts with known mechanism of action. It is used for oral treatment of toxic liver damage. Silybin, isosilybin, silychristin and silydianin are the main flavonolignan components of silymarin isolated from the fruits of Silybum marianum. A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for determination of flavonolignans was developed. The method depended on an isocratic solvent system comprising acetonitrile and water containing 0.5% (v/v) phosphoric acid. The method was used for analysis of the flavonolignans content in the fruits of S. marianum at different maturity stages. A correlation between fruits color, maturity stage and silymarin content is demonstrated.

Research paper thumbnail of Enhanced accumulation of flavonolignans in Silybum marianum cultured roots by methyl jasmonate

Phytochemistry Letters, 2012

Root cultures of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (Asteraceae) were established from in vitro germin... more Root cultures of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (Asteraceae) were established from in vitro germinated sterile plantlets. The cultures grew in hormone-free Murashige and Skoog medium. The flavonolignan content in the cultured roots was determined by HPLC using 30% acetonitrile in acidified water (0.5% phosphoric acid). The major flavonolignans produced by the cultured roots were silychristin (74.2 mg g À1 fresh weight (FW)) and silydianin (8.1 mg g À1 FW). The flavonolignan precursor taxifolin was also detected in the cultured roots (40.8 mg g À1 FW). Addition of methyl jasmonate to 7-days-old root cultures for 48 h increased the content of the produced flavonolignans and taxifolin to approximately 300% of the control cultures. Methyl jasmonate also enhanced about sixfold the accumulation of a compound identified as 3,3 0 ,5,5 0 ,7-pentahydroxyflavanone.

Research paper thumbnail of Studies on flavanolignans from cultured cells of Silybum marianum

Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 2012

Callus and cell suspension cultures of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (Asteraceae) were establishe... more Callus and cell suspension cultures of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (Asteraceae) were established from in vitro germinated sterile plantlets. The cultures grew in Murashige and Skoog medium containing 1 mg l-1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 0.1 mg l-1 kinetin. A reversed phase-high performance liquid chromatography method for determination of flavanolignans in plant material was developed using an isocratic solvent system comprising acetonitrile and water containing 0.5% (v/v) phosphoric acid. Silychristin was the major flavanolignan produced by the cultured cells followed by silydianin. Elicitation of cultured S. marianum cells with 100 lg ml-1 yeast extract increased silychristin production from 0.11 to 0.23 mg g-1 fresh weight. Free radical scavenging activity was tested for the cultured cells using 1,1-diphenyl picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical. Extract prepared from the cultured cells of S. marianum showed 48% inhibition compared to 55% inhibition of the extract prepared from the fruits. Cytotoxic activity was tested using liver carcinoma cell line (HEPG2). Cultured cells and fruit extracts showed a significant cytotoxic activity of IC 50 = 1.01 and 0.47 lg, respectively. Extract of S. marianum cultured cells ameliorated the adverse effects of carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic injury in rats and returned the altered levels of biochemical markers to near normal levels.

Research paper thumbnail of Anti-arthritic activity of 11-O-(4′-O-methyl galloyl)-bergenin and Crassula capitella extract in rats

Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 2016

Objectives Isolation and identification of phytochemicals of Crassula capitella (Thunberg), evalu... more Objectives Isolation and identification of phytochemicals of Crassula capitella (Thunberg), evaluation of the anti-arthritic potential of the extract and the major isolated compound; 11-O-(4′-O-methyl galloyl)-bergenin and underlying their mechanism on rat model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Different fractions were subjected to column chromatography giving fourteen compound identified by mass and NMR spectroscopic techniques. RA was induced by intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant into the right hind paw of rats. Influence of tested samples in comparable to methotrexate on paw oedema, body weight gain, serum diagnostic markers, cartilage and bone degeneration enzymes, pro-inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress biomarkers in arthritic rats. Key findings Fourteen phenolic compounds were isolated and identified for the first time from C. capitella. The major compound identified as 11-O-(4′-O-methyl galloyl)-bergenin. Treatment of arthritic rats with ext...