Ramzi Mothana - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Ramzi Mothana

World journal of pharmaceutical research, 2016

Five methanol extracts obtained from five plant species selected according ethnobotanical data we... more Five methanol extracts obtained from five plant species selected according ethnobotanical data were screened for their antiprotozoal activity against Plasmodium falciparum, Leishmania infantum, Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei. Cytotoxicity was evaluated on MRC-5 cells. Withania somnifera methanol extract showed low activity against P. falciparum (IC50 17.7 μg ml -1 ), but with non-selective antimalarial activity. Most of the extracts tested against L. infantum exhibited low activity with IC50 ranging from 20 to 32 μg ml -1 , except W. somnifera which showed a remarkable but non-selective leishmanicidal activity (IC50 of 2.0 μg ml -1 ). W. somnifera methanol extract also exhibited a marked activity against T cruzi (IC50 0.6 μg ml -1 , SI=3.5).

Plants, 2021

Several studies have demonstrated the possible synergistic effect as an effective strategy to boo... more Several studies have demonstrated the possible synergistic effect as an effective strategy to boost the bioactivity of essential oils. Using this framework, this study was conducted to effectively establish the ideal combination of six essential oils from different plants (Origanum compactum, Origanum majorana, Thymus serpyllum, Mentha spicata, Myrtus communis, and Artemisia herba-alba) that would express the best antioxidant activity. Each mixture was optimized using a mixture design approach to generate the most effective blend. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging method was used as a reference method to assess the antioxidant activity. Each essential oil’s composition was identified using the GC/MS method. The single essential oil activities demonstrated variable antioxidant effects, and following the mixture design approach, the optimal antioxidant blend was revealed, as two mixtures demonstrated the best antiradical activity with 79.46% obtained with the mixtur...

Molecules, 2022

The main objective of the current study was to determine the physicochemical properties, antioxid... more The main objective of the current study was to determine the physicochemical properties, antioxidant activities, and α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition of apple vinegar produced by artisanal and industrial methods. Apple vinegar samples were analyzed to identify their electrical conductivity, pH, titratable acidity, total dry matter, Brix, density, mineral elements, polyphenols, flavonoids, and vitamin C. The antioxidant activity of apple vinegar samples was evaluated using two tests, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and DPPH radical scavenging activity. Finally, we determined α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities of artisanal and industrial apple vinegar. The results showed the following values: pH (3.69–3.19); electrical conductivity (2.81–2.79 mS/cm); titratable acidity (3.6–5.4); ash (4.61–2.90); °Brix (6.37–5.2); density (1.02476–1.02012), respectively, for artisanal apple vinegar and industrial apple vinegar. Concerning mineral elements, potassium was the most ...

Plants, 2022

Ilex dipyrena Wall (Aquifoliaceae), is a traditional medicinal plant abundantly found in India an... more Ilex dipyrena Wall (Aquifoliaceae), is a traditional medicinal plant abundantly found in India and Pakistan. In the current research work, initially, the anatomical characteristics were recorded through microscopic examination of selected plant parts, such as leaf, petiole, and midrib. Then, the quantitative phytochemical screening was performed using standard tests reported in literature. The whole-plant powdered sample was then soaked in methanol to obtain crude extract, which was then fractionated into solvents of different polarities to obtain ethyl acetate, chloroform, butanol, hexane, and aqueous extracts. The phytochemical composition of the crude ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts (being the most active fractions) was then confirmed through HPLC analyses, where the possible phytochemical present were predicted through comparison of retention time of a given compound peak with the available standards. The extracts were also evaluated for their in vitro antioxidant and ani-...

Piper Cubeba (L.) is used as a remedy for various ailments. However, the scientific basis for its... more Piper Cubeba (L.) is used as a remedy for various ailments. However, the scientific basis for its medicinal use, especially as anti-inflammation remains unknown. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of Piper cubeba essential oil (PCEO) in laboratory rodent models. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of PCEO at three doses (150, 300 and 600 mg /kg, p.o) was tested in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, cotton pellet granuloma and carrageenan-induced pleurisy. The mechanism of inflammation using carrageenan-induced pleurisy in rat was further studied. The in vitro antioxidant activity was examined using DPPH. In parallel to that the oil was analyzed using GC/MS. PCEO at 600 mg/kg reduced the paw edema considerably (65%) and the weight of cotton pellet granuloma (46%). The pretreatment with PCEO also reduced exudate volume. The number of Polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells was reduced. Furthermore, dose dependent reduction in mye...

Molecules, 2022

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is prevalent and continues to be a global health concern. In th... more Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is prevalent and continues to be a global health concern. In this study, we determined the anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) potential of the Socotra-endemic medicinal plant Dracaena cinnabari and isolated and characterized the responsible constituents. A bioassay-guided fractionation using different chromatographic techniques of the methanolic extract of D. cinnabari led to the isolation of two chalcone derivatives. Using a variety of spectroscopic techniques, including 1H-, 13C-, and 2D-NMR, these derivatives were identified as 2,4’-dihydroxy-4-methoxydihydrochalcone (compound 1) and 2,4’-dihydroxy-4-methoxyhydrochalcone (compound 2). Both compounds were isolated for the first time from the red resin (dragon’s blood) of D. cinnabari. The compounds were first evaluated for cytotoxicity on HepG2.2.15 cells and 50% cytotoxicity concentration (CC50) values were determined. They were then evaluated for anti-HBV activity against HepG2.2.15 cells by assessing...

Copyright © 2013 Mohammed Al-Yahya et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Cr... more Copyright © 2013 Mohammed Al-Yahya et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The present study was undertaken to investigate the possible protective effect of Saudi Sidr honey (SSH) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4) induced oxidative stress and liver and kidney damage in rat. Moreover, the antioxidant activity and the phenolic and flavonoidal contents were determined. The hepatorenal protective activity of the SSH was determined by assessing biochemical, hematological, and histological parameters. Serum transaminases, ALP, GGT, creatinine, bilirubin urea, uric acid, and MDA level in liver and kidney tissues were significantly elevated, and the antioxidant status of nonprotein sulfhydryls, albumin, and total protein levels in liver and kidney were declined significantly in CCl 4 alone treated animals. Pretrea...

Separations, 2020

The cytotoxic effects of the crude extract of Loranthus acaciae Zucc. and its n-hexane, chlorofor... more The cytotoxic effects of the crude extract of Loranthus acaciae Zucc. and its n-hexane, chloroform, and n-butanol fractions were assessed against three cancer cell lines using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. Cell apoptosis was determined using an annexin V-phycoerythrin/7-aminoactinomycin kit. We observed that the L. acaciae n-hexane extract (LAHE) could inhibit cancer cell growth, particularly of MCF7 and A549 cells. Chromatographic purification of LAHE and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis led to the identification of two compounds from this plant species, namely, betulinic acid and β-sitosterol, for the first time. Flow cytometry study suggested that betulinic acid induced cell death via apoptosis, as a distinguished marked enhancement in the early and late apoptosis of human lung (A549) and breast (MCF-7) cancer cell lines. The isolated compounds were further estimated concurrently in LAHE using a validated high-performance thin-layer c...

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012

The objective of the study is to investigate the anti-snake venom activities of a local plant,Hib... more The objective of the study is to investigate the anti-snake venom activities of a local plant,Hibiscus aethiopicusL. TheH. aethiopicuswas dried and extracted with ethanol. Different assays were performed according to standard techniques, to evaluate the plant’s acute toxicity and its antivenom activities. The results of evaluating the systemic acute toxicity of theH. aethiopicusextract using “oral and intra-peritoneal” route were normal even at the highest dose (24 g/kg) tested. All guinea pigs (n=3) when treated with venomsE. c. sochureki(75 μg) alone induced acute skin haemorrhage. In contrast, all guinea pigs (n=18) treated with both venom and the plant extract at a concentration between 500 and 1000 mg/kg showed no signs of haemorrhage. Moreover, all guinea pigs (n=18) treated with venom and the plant extract below 400 mg/kg showed acute skin haemorrhage. All guinea pigs treated with venomE. c. sochureki(75 μg) alone induced acute skin haemorrhage after both 24 and 32 hours. In ...

Open Chemistry, 2020

The essential oil of Ducrosia ismaelis Asch. (Apiaceae) that grows wild in Saudi Arabia was inves... more The essential oil of Ducrosia ismaelis Asch. (Apiaceae) that grows wild in Saudi Arabia was investigated utilizing gas chromatography (GC), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Fifty constituents were characterized, representing 96.1% of the total oil. The D. ismaelis essential oil (DIEO) was distinguished by a high composition of oxygenated monoterpenes (51.6%). Decanal (40.6%), α-pinene (15.1%) and dodecanal (13.7%) were the fundamental components. Additionally, DIEO was evaluated for its cytotoxic, antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activities. DIEO revealed a great cytotoxic effectiveness against the tested cancer cell lines with IC50 values between 66.2 and 137.3 μg/mL particularly against MCF-7 cancer cells. Furthermore, the induction of apoptosis against MCF-7 cells has been asserted using staining assay (annexin VFITC and/or propidium iodide (PI) dyes) and flow cytometry technique. The DIEO possessed a strong antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacterial...

Die Pharmazie, 2009

Four abietane diterpenoids were isolated from the methanolic extract of the roots of Meriandera b... more Four abietane diterpenoids were isolated from the methanolic extract of the roots of Meriandera benghalensis and tested for their biological activity. Cryptotanshinone (2) and 17-hydroxycryptotanshinone (4) are known metabolites however the occurrence of tanshinone IIA (1) and przewaquinone A (3) from Meriandera benghalensis is reported for the first time. The four diterpenoids were identified by MS and one- and two dimensional NMR experiments. The isolated compounds were tested for their in vitro antiproliferative activity against three human cancer cell lines (a lung cancer (A-427), a urinary bladder cancer (5637) and a breast cancer (MCF-7) cell line) and for their antibacterial effect against three Gram-positive bacterial strains. All four abietanes showed potent cytotoxic effect against all cancer cell lines (IC50 between 1 and 8 microM) as well as antibacterial effect against the bacteria tested (MIC values between 33 and 70 microM).

Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences, 2016

This study was designed to investigate the possible antiniciceptive, antipyretic and antimicrobia... more This study was designed to investigate the possible antiniciceptive, antipyretic and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil obtained from the fruits of Piper Cubeba (L.). To assess the antinociceptive and antipyretic activities, three doses (150, 300 and 600 mg/kg, i.p.) were tested in acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, tail flick reaction and hot-plate and Brewer's yeast-induced hyperpyrexia test models in animals. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity was examined using agar diffusion method and broth micro-dilution assay for minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC). The Piper Cubeba essential oil (PCEO) showed a marked antinociception (17, 30 and 54%) and an increase in reaction time in mice in the flick tailed and hot-plate tests. The brewer's yeast induced hyperpyrexia was decreased in a dose dependent manner. PCEO also exhibited a strong antimicrobial potential. These findings confirm the traditional analgesic indications of P. cubeba oil and provide persuasi...

The present study was conducted to determine whether an ethanolic extract of Citrus medica ‘Otroj... more The present study was conducted to determine whether an ethanolic extract of Citrus medica ‘Otroj’ (EEOT) can possibly exert nephroprotective and antioxidant activity against gentamicin-induced renal toxicity in rats. Wistar albino rats of either sex were divided into four groups. Group-1 received normal saline. Group-2 received gentamicin (GM) (80 mg/kg/d, for 8 days intraperitoneally). Group-3 and 4 received EEOT (250 and 500 mg/kg/d, for 21 days orally) plus gentamicin simultaneously. The rats were sacrificed on the twenty first day and kidneys were collected for histopathological assessment. Renal activities were determined in serum for gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), creatinine, urea and uric acid. Moreover, non-protein sulfhydryl (NP-SH) malondialdehyde (MDA) and total protein (TP) were determined in renal tissues. Additionally, in vitro protection against 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein-induced human nephrotoxicity was carried out with HEK293 cells using MTT assay. GM caused an e...

European review for medical and pharmacological sciences, 2011

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The present study was performed to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial ... more BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The present study was performed to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of various extracts of Verbascum (V.) pinetorum, a member of Scrophulariaceae family. While the antimicrobial activity of various extracts of V. pinetorum was determined with agar-well diffusion method, the antioxidant activity was examined with two complementary test systems, namely 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and beta-carotene/linoleic acid test systems. RESULTS The hexane extract exhibits antimicrobial activity against few microorganisms. However, dichloromethane, direct methanol and methanol/chloroform extracts are effective on a broad range of microorganisms. Among the tested bacteria Haemophilus influenzae was found to be the most sensitive bacterium. The 50% (IC50) inhibition activity of the methanolic extract of V. pinetorum on the free radical DPPH was determined as 13.04 mg/ml. In the case of the linoleic acid system, ...

The present work evaluated the anticancer activity of methanol extracts from 24 plants used in Ye... more The present work evaluated the anticancer activity of methanol extracts from 24 plants used in Yemeni traditional medicine. To evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic potency of the investigated extracts, an established microtiter plate assay based on cellular staining with crystal violet was used with 5 human cancer cell lines: two lung cancer (A-427 and LCLC-103H), two urinary bladder carcinoma (5637 and RT-112) and one breast cancer (MCF-7) line. The methanolic extracts of Dendrosicyos socotrana, Withanina aduensis, Withania riebeckii, Dracena cinnabari and Buxus hildebrandtii exhibited the highest toxicity on all tumor cell lines with IC50 values ranging between 0.29 and 5.54 microg/ml. The extracts of Jatropha unicostata and Punica protopunica showed a moderate potency on the most tumor cell lines.

In traditional Yemeni medicine, various preparations of Loranthus regularis (L. regularis), such ... more In traditional Yemeni medicine, various preparations of Loranthus regularis (L. regularis), such as powder, decoctions and infusions are commonly used to treat diabetes, kidney stone formations and inflammation. In the present study, we evaluated the antinephrotoxic effects of L. regularis extract in experimentally-induced diabetes in male Wistar rats. A single dose (60 mg/kg/day) of Streptozotocin (STZ) was used to induce type 1 diabetes. Animals were then treated for four weeks with L. regularis extract (150 or 300 mg/kg/day) by oral gavage. Renal and blood samples were subsequently harvested. Several biochemical indices, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers were assessed. Additionally, histological alterations in the renal tissue were examined. Serum glucose levels were significantly (p < 0.01) lowered while insulin levels were enhanced in L. regularis-treated diabetic animals. The increased renal markers in diabetic rats were decreased by L. regularis treatment. Serum el...

Piper Cubeba (L.) is used as a remedy for various ailments. However, the scientific basis for its... more Piper Cubeba (L.) is used as a remedy for various ailments. However, the scientific basis for its medicinal use, especially as anti-inflammation remains unknown. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of Piper cubeba essential oil (PCEO) in laboratory rodent models. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of PCEO at three doses (150, 300 and 600 mg /kg, p.o) was tested in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, cotton pellet granuloma and carrageenan-induced pleurisy. The mechanism of inflammation using carrageenaninduced pleurisy in rat was further studied. The in vitro antioxidant activity was examined using DPPH. In parallel to that the oil was analyzed using GC/MS. PCEO at 600 mg/kg reduced the paw edema considerably (65%) and the weight of cotton pellet granuloma (46%). The pretreatment with PCEO also reduced exudate volume. The number of Polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells was reduced. Furthermore, dose dependent reduction in myel...

Die Pharmazie, 2006

The methanolic extracts of 20 medicinal plants from the island Soqotra/Yemen were screened with r... more The methanolic extracts of 20 medicinal plants from the island Soqotra/Yemen were screened with respect to their inhibitory potency against angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), neutral endopeptidase (NEP) and aminopeptidase N (APN). Eight extracts did not show significant inhibitory activity against the enzymes tested, only Kalanchoe farinacea, Boswellia elongata and Cissus hamaderohensis inhibited all three enzymes. The most active extract was prepared from Kalanchoe farinacea characterized by low IC50 values especially for NEP and APN.

World journal of pharmaceutical research, 2016

Five methanol extracts obtained from five plant species selected according ethnobotanical data we... more Five methanol extracts obtained from five plant species selected according ethnobotanical data were screened for their antiprotozoal activity against Plasmodium falciparum, Leishmania infantum, Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei. Cytotoxicity was evaluated on MRC-5 cells. Withania somnifera methanol extract showed low activity against P. falciparum (IC50 17.7 μg ml -1 ), but with non-selective antimalarial activity. Most of the extracts tested against L. infantum exhibited low activity with IC50 ranging from 20 to 32 μg ml -1 , except W. somnifera which showed a remarkable but non-selective leishmanicidal activity (IC50 of 2.0 μg ml -1 ). W. somnifera methanol extract also exhibited a marked activity against T cruzi (IC50 0.6 μg ml -1 , SI=3.5).

Plants, 2021

Several studies have demonstrated the possible synergistic effect as an effective strategy to boo... more Several studies have demonstrated the possible synergistic effect as an effective strategy to boost the bioactivity of essential oils. Using this framework, this study was conducted to effectively establish the ideal combination of six essential oils from different plants (Origanum compactum, Origanum majorana, Thymus serpyllum, Mentha spicata, Myrtus communis, and Artemisia herba-alba) that would express the best antioxidant activity. Each mixture was optimized using a mixture design approach to generate the most effective blend. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging method was used as a reference method to assess the antioxidant activity. Each essential oil’s composition was identified using the GC/MS method. The single essential oil activities demonstrated variable antioxidant effects, and following the mixture design approach, the optimal antioxidant blend was revealed, as two mixtures demonstrated the best antiradical activity with 79.46% obtained with the mixtur...

Molecules, 2022

The main objective of the current study was to determine the physicochemical properties, antioxid... more The main objective of the current study was to determine the physicochemical properties, antioxidant activities, and α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition of apple vinegar produced by artisanal and industrial methods. Apple vinegar samples were analyzed to identify their electrical conductivity, pH, titratable acidity, total dry matter, Brix, density, mineral elements, polyphenols, flavonoids, and vitamin C. The antioxidant activity of apple vinegar samples was evaluated using two tests, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and DPPH radical scavenging activity. Finally, we determined α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities of artisanal and industrial apple vinegar. The results showed the following values: pH (3.69–3.19); electrical conductivity (2.81–2.79 mS/cm); titratable acidity (3.6–5.4); ash (4.61–2.90); °Brix (6.37–5.2); density (1.02476–1.02012), respectively, for artisanal apple vinegar and industrial apple vinegar. Concerning mineral elements, potassium was the most ...

Plants, 2022

Ilex dipyrena Wall (Aquifoliaceae), is a traditional medicinal plant abundantly found in India an... more Ilex dipyrena Wall (Aquifoliaceae), is a traditional medicinal plant abundantly found in India and Pakistan. In the current research work, initially, the anatomical characteristics were recorded through microscopic examination of selected plant parts, such as leaf, petiole, and midrib. Then, the quantitative phytochemical screening was performed using standard tests reported in literature. The whole-plant powdered sample was then soaked in methanol to obtain crude extract, which was then fractionated into solvents of different polarities to obtain ethyl acetate, chloroform, butanol, hexane, and aqueous extracts. The phytochemical composition of the crude ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts (being the most active fractions) was then confirmed through HPLC analyses, where the possible phytochemical present were predicted through comparison of retention time of a given compound peak with the available standards. The extracts were also evaluated for their in vitro antioxidant and ani-...

Piper Cubeba (L.) is used as a remedy for various ailments. However, the scientific basis for its... more Piper Cubeba (L.) is used as a remedy for various ailments. However, the scientific basis for its medicinal use, especially as anti-inflammation remains unknown. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of Piper cubeba essential oil (PCEO) in laboratory rodent models. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of PCEO at three doses (150, 300 and 600 mg /kg, p.o) was tested in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, cotton pellet granuloma and carrageenan-induced pleurisy. The mechanism of inflammation using carrageenan-induced pleurisy in rat was further studied. The in vitro antioxidant activity was examined using DPPH. In parallel to that the oil was analyzed using GC/MS. PCEO at 600 mg/kg reduced the paw edema considerably (65%) and the weight of cotton pellet granuloma (46%). The pretreatment with PCEO also reduced exudate volume. The number of Polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells was reduced. Furthermore, dose dependent reduction in mye...

Molecules, 2022

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is prevalent and continues to be a global health concern. In th... more Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is prevalent and continues to be a global health concern. In this study, we determined the anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) potential of the Socotra-endemic medicinal plant Dracaena cinnabari and isolated and characterized the responsible constituents. A bioassay-guided fractionation using different chromatographic techniques of the methanolic extract of D. cinnabari led to the isolation of two chalcone derivatives. Using a variety of spectroscopic techniques, including 1H-, 13C-, and 2D-NMR, these derivatives were identified as 2,4’-dihydroxy-4-methoxydihydrochalcone (compound 1) and 2,4’-dihydroxy-4-methoxyhydrochalcone (compound 2). Both compounds were isolated for the first time from the red resin (dragon’s blood) of D. cinnabari. The compounds were first evaluated for cytotoxicity on HepG2.2.15 cells and 50% cytotoxicity concentration (CC50) values were determined. They were then evaluated for anti-HBV activity against HepG2.2.15 cells by assessing...

Copyright © 2013 Mohammed Al-Yahya et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Cr... more Copyright © 2013 Mohammed Al-Yahya et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The present study was undertaken to investigate the possible protective effect of Saudi Sidr honey (SSH) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4) induced oxidative stress and liver and kidney damage in rat. Moreover, the antioxidant activity and the phenolic and flavonoidal contents were determined. The hepatorenal protective activity of the SSH was determined by assessing biochemical, hematological, and histological parameters. Serum transaminases, ALP, GGT, creatinine, bilirubin urea, uric acid, and MDA level in liver and kidney tissues were significantly elevated, and the antioxidant status of nonprotein sulfhydryls, albumin, and total protein levels in liver and kidney were declined significantly in CCl 4 alone treated animals. Pretrea...

Separations, 2020

The cytotoxic effects of the crude extract of Loranthus acaciae Zucc. and its n-hexane, chlorofor... more The cytotoxic effects of the crude extract of Loranthus acaciae Zucc. and its n-hexane, chloroform, and n-butanol fractions were assessed against three cancer cell lines using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. Cell apoptosis was determined using an annexin V-phycoerythrin/7-aminoactinomycin kit. We observed that the L. acaciae n-hexane extract (LAHE) could inhibit cancer cell growth, particularly of MCF7 and A549 cells. Chromatographic purification of LAHE and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis led to the identification of two compounds from this plant species, namely, betulinic acid and β-sitosterol, for the first time. Flow cytometry study suggested that betulinic acid induced cell death via apoptosis, as a distinguished marked enhancement in the early and late apoptosis of human lung (A549) and breast (MCF-7) cancer cell lines. The isolated compounds were further estimated concurrently in LAHE using a validated high-performance thin-layer c...

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012

The objective of the study is to investigate the anti-snake venom activities of a local plant,Hib... more The objective of the study is to investigate the anti-snake venom activities of a local plant,Hibiscus aethiopicusL. TheH. aethiopicuswas dried and extracted with ethanol. Different assays were performed according to standard techniques, to evaluate the plant’s acute toxicity and its antivenom activities. The results of evaluating the systemic acute toxicity of theH. aethiopicusextract using “oral and intra-peritoneal” route were normal even at the highest dose (24 g/kg) tested. All guinea pigs (n=3) when treated with venomsE. c. sochureki(75 μg) alone induced acute skin haemorrhage. In contrast, all guinea pigs (n=18) treated with both venom and the plant extract at a concentration between 500 and 1000 mg/kg showed no signs of haemorrhage. Moreover, all guinea pigs (n=18) treated with venom and the plant extract below 400 mg/kg showed acute skin haemorrhage. All guinea pigs treated with venomE. c. sochureki(75 μg) alone induced acute skin haemorrhage after both 24 and 32 hours. In ...

Open Chemistry, 2020

The essential oil of Ducrosia ismaelis Asch. (Apiaceae) that grows wild in Saudi Arabia was inves... more The essential oil of Ducrosia ismaelis Asch. (Apiaceae) that grows wild in Saudi Arabia was investigated utilizing gas chromatography (GC), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Fifty constituents were characterized, representing 96.1% of the total oil. The D. ismaelis essential oil (DIEO) was distinguished by a high composition of oxygenated monoterpenes (51.6%). Decanal (40.6%), α-pinene (15.1%) and dodecanal (13.7%) were the fundamental components. Additionally, DIEO was evaluated for its cytotoxic, antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activities. DIEO revealed a great cytotoxic effectiveness against the tested cancer cell lines with IC50 values between 66.2 and 137.3 μg/mL particularly against MCF-7 cancer cells. Furthermore, the induction of apoptosis against MCF-7 cells has been asserted using staining assay (annexin VFITC and/or propidium iodide (PI) dyes) and flow cytometry technique. The DIEO possessed a strong antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacterial...

Die Pharmazie, 2009

Four abietane diterpenoids were isolated from the methanolic extract of the roots of Meriandera b... more Four abietane diterpenoids were isolated from the methanolic extract of the roots of Meriandera benghalensis and tested for their biological activity. Cryptotanshinone (2) and 17-hydroxycryptotanshinone (4) are known metabolites however the occurrence of tanshinone IIA (1) and przewaquinone A (3) from Meriandera benghalensis is reported for the first time. The four diterpenoids were identified by MS and one- and two dimensional NMR experiments. The isolated compounds were tested for their in vitro antiproliferative activity against three human cancer cell lines (a lung cancer (A-427), a urinary bladder cancer (5637) and a breast cancer (MCF-7) cell line) and for their antibacterial effect against three Gram-positive bacterial strains. All four abietanes showed potent cytotoxic effect against all cancer cell lines (IC50 between 1 and 8 microM) as well as antibacterial effect against the bacteria tested (MIC values between 33 and 70 microM).

Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences, 2016

This study was designed to investigate the possible antiniciceptive, antipyretic and antimicrobia... more This study was designed to investigate the possible antiniciceptive, antipyretic and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil obtained from the fruits of Piper Cubeba (L.). To assess the antinociceptive and antipyretic activities, three doses (150, 300 and 600 mg/kg, i.p.) were tested in acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, tail flick reaction and hot-plate and Brewer's yeast-induced hyperpyrexia test models in animals. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity was examined using agar diffusion method and broth micro-dilution assay for minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC). The Piper Cubeba essential oil (PCEO) showed a marked antinociception (17, 30 and 54%) and an increase in reaction time in mice in the flick tailed and hot-plate tests. The brewer's yeast induced hyperpyrexia was decreased in a dose dependent manner. PCEO also exhibited a strong antimicrobial potential. These findings confirm the traditional analgesic indications of P. cubeba oil and provide persuasi...

The present study was conducted to determine whether an ethanolic extract of Citrus medica ‘Otroj... more The present study was conducted to determine whether an ethanolic extract of Citrus medica ‘Otroj’ (EEOT) can possibly exert nephroprotective and antioxidant activity against gentamicin-induced renal toxicity in rats. Wistar albino rats of either sex were divided into four groups. Group-1 received normal saline. Group-2 received gentamicin (GM) (80 mg/kg/d, for 8 days intraperitoneally). Group-3 and 4 received EEOT (250 and 500 mg/kg/d, for 21 days orally) plus gentamicin simultaneously. The rats were sacrificed on the twenty first day and kidneys were collected for histopathological assessment. Renal activities were determined in serum for gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), creatinine, urea and uric acid. Moreover, non-protein sulfhydryl (NP-SH) malondialdehyde (MDA) and total protein (TP) were determined in renal tissues. Additionally, in vitro protection against 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein-induced human nephrotoxicity was carried out with HEK293 cells using MTT assay. GM caused an e...

European review for medical and pharmacological sciences, 2011

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The present study was performed to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial ... more BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The present study was performed to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of various extracts of Verbascum (V.) pinetorum, a member of Scrophulariaceae family. While the antimicrobial activity of various extracts of V. pinetorum was determined with agar-well diffusion method, the antioxidant activity was examined with two complementary test systems, namely 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and beta-carotene/linoleic acid test systems. RESULTS The hexane extract exhibits antimicrobial activity against few microorganisms. However, dichloromethane, direct methanol and methanol/chloroform extracts are effective on a broad range of microorganisms. Among the tested bacteria Haemophilus influenzae was found to be the most sensitive bacterium. The 50% (IC50) inhibition activity of the methanolic extract of V. pinetorum on the free radical DPPH was determined as 13.04 mg/ml. In the case of the linoleic acid system, ...

The present work evaluated the anticancer activity of methanol extracts from 24 plants used in Ye... more The present work evaluated the anticancer activity of methanol extracts from 24 plants used in Yemeni traditional medicine. To evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic potency of the investigated extracts, an established microtiter plate assay based on cellular staining with crystal violet was used with 5 human cancer cell lines: two lung cancer (A-427 and LCLC-103H), two urinary bladder carcinoma (5637 and RT-112) and one breast cancer (MCF-7) line. The methanolic extracts of Dendrosicyos socotrana, Withanina aduensis, Withania riebeckii, Dracena cinnabari and Buxus hildebrandtii exhibited the highest toxicity on all tumor cell lines with IC50 values ranging between 0.29 and 5.54 microg/ml. The extracts of Jatropha unicostata and Punica protopunica showed a moderate potency on the most tumor cell lines.

In traditional Yemeni medicine, various preparations of Loranthus regularis (L. regularis), such ... more In traditional Yemeni medicine, various preparations of Loranthus regularis (L. regularis), such as powder, decoctions and infusions are commonly used to treat diabetes, kidney stone formations and inflammation. In the present study, we evaluated the antinephrotoxic effects of L. regularis extract in experimentally-induced diabetes in male Wistar rats. A single dose (60 mg/kg/day) of Streptozotocin (STZ) was used to induce type 1 diabetes. Animals were then treated for four weeks with L. regularis extract (150 or 300 mg/kg/day) by oral gavage. Renal and blood samples were subsequently harvested. Several biochemical indices, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers were assessed. Additionally, histological alterations in the renal tissue were examined. Serum glucose levels were significantly (p < 0.01) lowered while insulin levels were enhanced in L. regularis-treated diabetic animals. The increased renal markers in diabetic rats were decreased by L. regularis treatment. Serum el...

Piper Cubeba (L.) is used as a remedy for various ailments. However, the scientific basis for its... more Piper Cubeba (L.) is used as a remedy for various ailments. However, the scientific basis for its medicinal use, especially as anti-inflammation remains unknown. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of Piper cubeba essential oil (PCEO) in laboratory rodent models. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of PCEO at three doses (150, 300 and 600 mg /kg, p.o) was tested in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, cotton pellet granuloma and carrageenan-induced pleurisy. The mechanism of inflammation using carrageenaninduced pleurisy in rat was further studied. The in vitro antioxidant activity was examined using DPPH. In parallel to that the oil was analyzed using GC/MS. PCEO at 600 mg/kg reduced the paw edema considerably (65%) and the weight of cotton pellet granuloma (46%). The pretreatment with PCEO also reduced exudate volume. The number of Polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells was reduced. Furthermore, dose dependent reduction in myel...

Die Pharmazie, 2006

The methanolic extracts of 20 medicinal plants from the island Soqotra/Yemen were screened with r... more The methanolic extracts of 20 medicinal plants from the island Soqotra/Yemen were screened with respect to their inhibitory potency against angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), neutral endopeptidase (NEP) and aminopeptidase N (APN). Eight extracts did not show significant inhibitory activity against the enzymes tested, only Kalanchoe farinacea, Boswellia elongata and Cissus hamaderohensis inhibited all three enzymes. The most active extract was prepared from Kalanchoe farinacea characterized by low IC50 values especially for NEP and APN.