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The present study evaluates the physicochemical attributes, antibacterial efficacy, and antioxidant capacities of four distinct varieties of honey from the West Bank region of Palestine: Assal Barsem (Medicago sativa) AB, Assal Morar (Centaurea dumulosa Boiss) AM, Assal Horfesh (Silybum) AH, and Assal Sader (Ziziphus spina-christi) AS. The analysis encompassed parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, Total Flavonoid Content (TFC), and Total Phenolic Content (TPC). Furthermore, the antioxidant potential was gauged through Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) determination and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. In addition, the antibacterial effectiveness of the honeys was measured against a spectrum of bacterial strains including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Bacillus subtilis, utilizing minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations (MBC). The outcomes of the physicochemical analysis adhered to the quality benchmarks outlined by the European Union Commission and the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The MIC and MBC values exhibited notable variance across the tested honey varieties, with MIC values ranging from 0.024% w/w to 1.56% w/w, and MBC values ranging from 0.048% w/w to 3.15% w/w. Particularly, AH demonstrated superior efficacy against all seven bacterial strains, with MIC values spanning from 0.1 to 0.6% w/w, and MBC values ranging from 0.3% w/w to 0.8% w/w. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were notably susceptible to all honey samples. Collectively, our findings underscore the therapeutic potential of Palestinian honey varieties, highlighting their multifaceted health-promoting attributes. Further exploration is warranted to elucidate the mechanistic underpinnings of bioactive constituents and explore their potential applications in healthcare.

The phenolic compounds of four Palestinian honey samples (PH1-PH4) and their antibacterial effects as well as their cytotoxic, cytostatic, and antimigration effects in human breast cancer cell line (MDA) were evaluated here. HPLC analysis of PH2 (Cornflower), PH3 (Milk thistle), and PH4 (Ziziphus) revealed 15 phenolic compounds, namely, caffeic acid, carvacrol, chrysin, ellagic acid, galangin, gallic acid, kaempferol, p-coumaric acid, pinobanksin, pinocembrin, protocatechuic acid, quercetin, rutin, salicylic acid, and silydamin. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method applied to Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and Escherichia coli (E. coli). A strong positive correlation was detected between antimicrobial activity (E. coli) and p-coumaric acid, quercetin, and silydamin. IC50 values for DPPH neutralization varied from 0.19 w/w% to 10 w/w%. The potential anticancer properties of the honey samples were evaluated on MDA cells. Samples PH2 and PH3 demonstrated cytostatic activity, reducing cell viability by about 43% at non-toxic concentration of 4 mg/mL. The cytostatic effects were strongly correlated with the presence of caffeic acid, chrysin, protocatechuic acid, rutin, and salicylic acid (p < 0.01). Moreover, the cell migration rate was significantly reduced (by up to 85%) with PH2 and PH3 compared to untreated cells (p < 0.05). A strong positive correlation was observed between the cytostatic effects of the concentration of carvacrol and Pinocembrin (p < 0.01). Our findings validate honey’s antibacterial properties and suggest its anticancer benefits may stem from cytostatic and antimigration effects.

Wound healing is a multifaceted process necessitating the collaboration of numerous elements to mend damaged tissue. Plant and animal-derived natural compounds have been utilized for wound treatment over the centuries, with many scientific investigations examining these compounds. Those with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties are particularly noteworthy, as they target various wound-healing stages to expedite recovery. Thymoquinone, derived from Nigella sativa (N. sativa)—a medicinal herb with a long history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Unani, Ayurveda, Chinese, and Greco-Arabic and Islamic medicine—has demonstrated a range of therapeutic properties. Thymoquinone exhibits antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic activities, positioning it as a potential remedy for skin pathologies. This review examines recent research on how thymoquinone accelerates wound healing and the mechanisms behind its effectiveness. We carried out a comprehensive review of literature and electronic databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, and MedlinePlus. Our aim was to gather relevant papers published between 2015 and August 2023. The main criteria for inclusion were that the articles had to be peer reviewed, original, written in English, and discuss the wound-healing parameters of thymoquinone in wound repair. Our review focused on the effects of thymoquinone on the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in wound healing. We also examined the role of cytokines, signal transduction cascades, and clinical trials. We found sufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of thymoquinone in promoting wound healing. However, there is no consensus on the most effective concentrations of these substances. It is therefore essential to determine the optimal treatment doses and the best route of administration. Further research is also needed to investigate potential side effects and the performance of thymoquinone in clinical trials.

The production of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well as adipocyte differentiation and fat accumulation in the 3T3-L1 mouse embryo fibroblast cell line and the human monocytic cell line THP-1 were measured to determine the anti-inflammatory and antiadipogenic effects of ethanolic extracts of verjuice (unripe grape juice (Vitis vinifera L.)), Salvia officinalis L., and Alchemilla vulgaris L. On both cell lines, the three extracts had much greater cytostatic effects than cytotoxic effects. With an IC50 of 505 μg/mL, S. officinalis had the highest cytostatic effect on THP-1-derived macrophages. After treatment with 125 μg/mL, the three extracts dramatically reduced the LPS-induced NO generation in THP-1-derived macrophages from 80 μM to control values after treatment with 125 µg/mL. Furthermore, the extracts reduced the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 production in a dose-dependent manner with the highest effects reached at 250 µg/mL. The production of TNF-α decreased at higher levels compared to IL-6 production. V. vinifera, S. officinalis, and A. vulgaris extracts improved the production levels of IL-10 from 32 pg/mL to 86 pg/mL, 98 pg/mL, and 80 pg/mL at an extract concentration of 125 µg/mL, respectively. The adipocyte differentiation and fat accumulation in 3T3-L1 were decreased to 20% of control values after treatment with plant extracts. Taken together, these results suggest that V. vinifera, S. officinalis, and A. vulgaris likely exert their anti-obesity effects through cytostatic actions and modulation of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine production, as well as by reducing adipocyte differentiation and fat accumulation.

Obesity, defined by excessive fat mass and its associated low-grade chronic inflammation, leads to insulin resistance, diabetes, and metabolic dysfunctions. The immunomodulatory properties of natural agents have gained much interest in recent decades. Some of the plant-derived agents are known to be immunomodulators that can affect both innate and adaptive immunity, e.g., thymoquinone, curcumin, punicalagin, resveratrol, quercetin, and genistein. Natural immunomodulators may contribute to the treatment of a number of inflammatory diseases, as they have significant efficacy and safety profiles. The immunomodulatory effects of traditional Greco-Arab and Islamic diets and medicinal plants are well acknowledged in abundant in vitro studies as well as in animal studies and clinical trials. This review highlights the role of Greco-Arab and Islamic diets and medicinal plants in the management of inflammation associated with obesity. Although previously published review articles address the effects of medicinal plants and phytochemicals on obesity-related inflammation, there is no systematic review that emphasizes clinical trials of the clinical significance of these plants and phytochemicals. Given this limitation, the objective of this comprehensive review is to critically evaluate the potential of the most used herbs in the management of obesity-related inflammation based on clinical trials.

Nigella sativa, Conyza bonariensis, and Alchemilla vulgaris are highly recommended in Greco-Arab traditional medicine as anti-hemorrhoid medicinal plants. The efficacy and safety of a topical cream (HPC) consisting of water–ethanol extracts of these three plants were evaluated here in vitro and in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (RDBPC). HPC showed no significant cytotoxic effects in fibroblast cell line 3T3 (LDH-release and MTT assay); it inhibited the nitric oxide production by cultured monocyte cell line THP-1 in a dose-dependent manner (reaching the control levels of untreated cells at a concentration of 100 μg/mL). HPC showed a dose-dependent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (60% inhibition compared to Ampicillin at 5 mg/disc) and a significant vasoconstriction effect on intestinal vein rings (40% increase compared to phenylephrine). In a RDBPC with 77 hemorrhoidal disease (patients ages 19–61 years with a median grade of hemorrhoids of 2.0), we determined the anti-hemorrhoid efficacy and safety of HPC. The patients were randomly assigned to the HPC group (54 patients) or the placebo group (23 patients). They were asked to apply 2–3 mL of HPC or placebo twice daily for 6 days. The degree of hemorrhoidal disease severity, hemorrhage severity, pain, and itching served as an evaluation of the HPC efficacy. Compared to the placebo group, the obtained results showed that 6 days of treatment with HPC reduced the indexes of hemorrhage severity, severity of pain, and severity of itching to 0–1, 1, and 1 after 6 days, respectively. In conclusion, patients treated with HPC had a significant clinical improvement in all disease severity parameters compared to placebo. In vitro evaluations proved HPC to have significant antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and vasoconstriction effects. Therefore, HPC represents an interesting alternative treatment for hemorrhoidal disease.

Inflammation is a crucial factor in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Cardiac remodeling in the presence of persistent inflammation leads to myocardial fibrosis and extracellular matrix changes, which reduce cardiac function, induce arrhythmias, and finally, cause heart failure. The majority of current CVD treatment plans concentrate on reducing risk factors such as hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. One such strategy could be inflammation reduction. Numerous in vitro, animal, and clinical studies indicate that obesity is associated with low-grade inflammation. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of medicinal plants and phytochemicals to cure and prevent obesity and inflammation. In comparison to conventional therapies, the synergistic effects of several phytochemicals boost their bioavailability and impact numerous cellular and molecular targets. Focusing on appetite, pancreatic lipase activity, thermogenesis, lipid metabolism, lipolysis and adipogenesis, apoptosis in adipocytes, and adipocyte life cycle by medicinal plants and phytochemicals represent an important goal in the development of new anti-obesity drugs. We conducted an extensive review of the literature and electronic databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, and MedlinePlus, for collecting data on the therapeutic effects of medicinal plants/phytochemicals in curing obesity and its related inflammation and CVD diseases, including cellular and molecular mechanisms, cytokines, signal transduction cascades, and clinical trials.

Diet therapy is one of the oldest methods of prevention and healing of all types of known diseases and built a substantial part of Greco-Arab medical system in maintaining healthy body, soul, and spirit. According to a statement by Al-Razi (Rhazes, 864-930) "As long as you can heal with food, do not heal with medication". Therefore, in the Greco-Arab medical system, the patients are treated through a scheme starting with diet and physiotherapy; if these failed, simple drugs were used, and then compound drugs, and at last, surgery would be used. The past twenty years have witnessed significant progress in studying the cellular and molecular interactions between intake of healthy foods (e.g., edible wild plants, nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables as well as olive oil) and reduced rate of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, common cancers, degenerative diseases and ageing. This is attributed to the fact that these foods may provide an optimal mix of dietary fiber, natural antioxidants, vitamins, essential fatty acids and minerals. Various active compounds in the food can control the physiological functions of the body, and supporting immune responses. Immune functions are indispensable for defending the body against attack by pathogens or cancer cells, and thus play a pivotal role in the maintenance of health. Hence, the ingestion of foods with immune-modulating activities is considered as an efficient way to prevent immune functions from declining and reduce the risk of infection or cancer. This review focuses on food therapy in the Greco-Arab and Islamic medicine and its role in preventing and curing diseases on the daily basis.

Naturally derived drugs and plant-based products are attractive commodities that are being explored for cancer treatment. This in vitro study aimed to investigate the role of Hypericum triquetrifolium (50% ethanol: 50% water) extract (HTE) treatment on apoptosis, cell cycle modulation, and cell cycle arrest in human colon cancer cell line (HCT-116). HTE induced cell death via an apoptotic process, as assayed by an Annexin V-Cy3 assay. Exposing HCT-116 cells to 0.064, 0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 mg/mL of HTE for 24 h led to 50 ± 9%, 71.6 ± 8%, 85 ± 5%, and 96 ± 1.5% apoptotic cells, respectively. HCT-116 cells treated with 0.25 and 0.5 mg/mL HTE for 3 h resulted in 38.9 ± 1.5% and 57.2 ± 3% cleavage of caspase-3-specific substrate, respectively. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the HTE extract had no effect on mRNA levels of Apaf-1 and NOXA. Moreover, the addition of 0.125 mg/mL and 0.25 mg/mL HTE for 24 h was clearly shown to attenuate the cell cycle progression machinery in HCT-116 cells. GC/MS analysis of the extract identified 21 phytochemicals that are known as apoptosis inducers and cell cycle arrest agents. All the compounds detected are novel in H. triquetrifolium. These results suggest that HTE-induced apoptosis of human colon cells is mediated primarily through the caspase-dependent pathway. Thus, HTE appears to be a potent therapeutic agent for colon cancer treatment.

Computer security depends mainly on passwords to protect human users from attackers. Therefore, manual and alphanumerical passwords are the most frequent type of computer authentication. However, creating these passwords has significant drawbacks. For example, users often tend to choose passwords based on personal information so that they can be memorable and therefore weak and guessable. In contrast, it is often difficult to remember if the password is difficult to guess. We propose an intelligent security model for password generation and estimation to address these problems using the ensemble learning approach and hand gesture features. This paper proposes two intelligent stages: the first is the password generation stage based on the ensemble learning approach and the proposed S-Box. The second is the password strength estimation stage, also based on the ensemble learning approach. Four well-known classifiers are used: Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest Tree (RFT), and AdaBoost applied on two datasets: MNIST images dataset and password strength dataset. The experimental results showed that the hand gesture and password strength classification processes accurately performed at 99% in AUC, Accuracy, F1-measures, Precision, and Recall. As a result, the extracted features of hand gestures will directly impact the complexity of generated passwords, which are very strong, hard to guess, and memorable.

Anticancer peptides (ACPs) are short protein sequences; they perform functions like some hormones and enzymes inside the body. The role of any protein or peptide is related to its structure and the sequence of amino acids that make up it. There are 20 types of amino acids in humans, and each of them has a particular characteristic according to its chemical structure. Current machine and deep learning models have been used to classify ACPs problems. However, these models have neglected Amino Acid Repeats (AARs) that play an essential role in the function and structure of peptides. Therefore, in this paper, ACPs offer a promising route for novel anticancer peptides by extracting AARs based on N-Grams and k-mers using two peptides’ datasets. These datasets pointed to breast and lung cancer cells assembled and curated manually from the Cancer Peptide and Protein Database (CancerPPD). Every dataset consists of a sequence of peptides and their synthesis and anticancer activity on breast and lung cancer cell lines. Five different feature selection methods were used in this paper to improve classification performance and reduce the experimental costs. After that, ACPs were classified using four classifiers, namely AdaBoost, Random Forest Tree (RFT), Multi-class Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP). These classifiers were evaluated by applying five well-known evaluation metrics. Experimental results showed that the breast and lung ACPs classification process provided an accurate performance that reached 89.25% and 92.56%, respectively. In terms of AUC, it reached 95.35% and 96.92% for both breast and lung ACPs, respectively. The proposed classifiers performed competently somewhat equally in AUC, accuracy, precision, F-measures, and recall, except for Multi-class SVM-based feature selection, which showed superior performance. As a result, this paper significantly improved the predictive performance that can effectively distinguish ACPs as virtual inactive, experimental inactive, moderately active, and very active.

هذا البحث يختص بالحياة الفكرية لأهل الذمة في بلاد الكٌرد من خلال إسهامهم في دراسة العلوم العقلية والنقلية، فالعلوم العقلية تتضمن: الطب والصيدلة والرياضيات والهندسة والفلك والفلسفة وعلوم أخرى. بينما تشمل العلوم النقلية: اللغة والنحو والادب والتاريخ والجغرافية والفنون.وكان لكل من أتباع أهل الذمة من اليهود والنصارى والصابئة دور في تطويربعض من هذه العلوم المذكورة آنفاً حسب أهميتها بالنسبة لهم، أي بعبارة أخرى حسب ما تتطلبه أوضاعهم الدينية والاجتماعية والثقافية والاقتصادية، وبما يلائم أوضاعهم السياسية في بلاد الكٌرد في العصر العباسي. أولاً: دور أهل الذمَّة في العلوم العقلية. تشمل العلوم العقلية: الطب والصيدلة والرياضيات والهندسة والفلك والفلسفة وعلوم أخرى. وكان علماء أهل الذمة قد إنصبَّ إهتمامهم بدراسة تلك العلوم والترجمة لها، لاسيما من اللغات الاغريقية(= اليونانية) والسريانية الى اللغة العربية، فترجموا عدداً لا بأس به من الكتب التي تخص الأمم الأخرى كاليونان والسريان وغيرهم، ولم يقتصروا على ذلك، بل أضافوا اليها شروحاً ومتوناً تتناسب وعقيدتهم النصرانية التي لا تتلاءم في الكثير من ركائزها مع الفلسفة اليونانية، وإن كانت قد استقت الكثير من معالمها، وحاولت المواءمة بينهما. وبخصوص بلاد الكٌرد، فانها كبقية أقاليم الخلافة العباسية، لم تكن مستثناة في هذا المجال، فأهل ذمتها من سائر الاديان كان لهم دور لا يستهان به في هذا الإطار. فضلاً عن سياسة التسامح الديني والتعايش الاجتماعي التي تميز بها الكٌرد المسلمين وبما جاء في عقيدتهم الاسلامية أكثر من غيرهم فقد كان لهم دور مهم في إفساح المجال أمام أهل الذمة للاهتمام بالعلوم المختلفة، علاوة على اهتمام الأمراء الكٌرد بالإنجازات التي حققوها، فكانت العلاقة بين الطرفين علاقة طردية، تتناسب وأهمية الانجاز، ومن أبرز العلوم العقلية:

Providing ownership on relational database is a crucial issue in today internet-based application environments and in many content distribution applications.This paper provides the effective watermarking technique to protect valuable numeric relational data from illegal duplications and redistributions as well as to claim ownership,the robustness of proposed system depending on using new hybrid techniques ,first technique MAC(Message Authentication Code) that used one way hash function SHA1 ,second technique is threshold generator base on simple combination of odd number of register and by using secret key in proposed system. Detecting the watermark neither requires access to neither the original data nor the watermark. The watermark can be detected even in a small subset of a watermarked relation as long as the sample contains some of the marks. The finally stage is the analysis of technique that used, our extensive analysis shows that the proposed technique is robust against various forms of malicious attacks and updates to the data