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The antimicrobial resistance of pathogenic microorganisms against commercial drugs has become a major problem worldwide. This study is the first of its kind to be carried out in Egypt to produce antimicrobial pharmaceuticals from isolated native taxa of the fungal Chaetomium, followed by a chemical investigation of the existing bioactive metabolites. Here, of the 155 clinical specimens in total, 100 pathogenic microbial isolates were found to be multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria. The Chaetomium isolates were recovered from different soil samples, and wild host plants collected from Egypt showed strong inhibitory activity against MDR isolates. Chaetomium isolates displayed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against C. albicans, Gram-positive, and Gram-negative bacteria, with inhibition zones of 11.3 to 25.6 mm, 10.4 to 26.0 mm, and 10.5 to 26.5 mm, respectively. As a consecutive result, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of Chaetomium isolates ranged from 3.9 to 62.5 µg/mL. Liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis was performed for selected Chaetomium isolates with the most promising antimicrobial potential against MDR bacteria. The LC-MS/MS analysis of Chaetomium species isolated from cultivated soil at Assuit Governate, Upper Egypt (3), and the host plant Zygophyllum album grown in Wadi El-Arbaein, Saint Katherine, South Sinai (5), revealed the presence of alkaloids as the predominant bioactive metabolites. Most detected bioactive metabolites previously displayed antimicrobial activity, confirming the antibacterial potential of selected isolates. Therefore, the Chaetomium isolates recovered from harsh habitats in Egypt are rich sources of antimicrobial metabolites, which will be a possible solution to the multi-drug resistant bacteria tragedy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achillea fragrantissima Forssk. (Family: Asteraceae) has been used as a natural remedy in the Arabian region for its antihyperglycemic activity. As a result of the intensive demand for this plant in folk medicinal uses, its scarcity has become problematic. This study has explored methods that produce an efficient in vitro culture protocol for the conservation of this plant as well as the enhancement of its hypoglycemic activity. A. fragrantissima cultures on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 3.6 µM/L of 6-benzyl aminopurine (BAP) for a two month period resulted in maximum in vitro shoot proliferation (12.33 shoots/explant) while MS medium supplemented with 2.4 µM/L 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) provided maximum in vitro adventitious root formation (2.46 roots/shoot tip explant). Callus induction was favored by leaf explants cultured on MS medium and supplemented with 3 µM/L BAP and 3 µM/L IAA media in dark conditions. Further in vivo study of some selected feedings determined that the best hypoglycemic activity was obtained in either indole-3-butyric acid (IBA)-fed plants (24%) or NAA-fed plants (22%). Both treatments enhanced insulin-like activity in STZ-treated diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats when compared with the wild plant (10%). Moreover, the IBA-fed plants showed significant antioxidant activity while the NAA-fed plants inhibited salivary alpha amylase. The framework of this study provides in vitro culture methods that can sustain the cultivation of this over-exploited A. fragrantissima plant as well as increase its antioxidant and insulin-like activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cynara scolymus L. (Family: Compositae) or artichoke is a nutritious edible plant widely used for its hepatoprotective effect. Crude extracts of flower, bract, and stem were prepared and evaluated for their in vitro antioxidant activity and phenolic content. The flower crude extract exhibited the highest phenolic content (74.29 mg GAE/gm) as well as the best in vitro antioxidant activity using total antioxidant capacity (TAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FEAP), and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhyazyl (DPPH) scavenging assays compared with ascorbic acid. Phenolic fractions of the crude extracts of different parts were separated and identified using high-performance liquid chromatography HPLC-DAD analysis. The silver nanoparticles of these phenolic fractions were established and tested for their cytotoxicity and apoptotic activity. Results showed that silver nanoparticles of a polyphenolic fraction of flower extract (Nano-TP/Flowers) exhibited potent cytotoxicity against prostate (PC-3) and lung (A549) cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 0.85 μg/mL and 0.94 μg/mL, respectively, compared with doxorubicin as a standard. For apoptosis-induction, Nano-TP/Flowers exhibited apoptosis in PC-3 with a higher ratio than in A549 cells. It induced total prostate apoptotic cell death by 227-fold change while it induced apoptosis in A549 cells by 15.6-fold change. Nano-TP/Flowers upregulated both pro-apoptotic markers and downregulated the antiapoptotic genes using RT-PCR. Hence, this extract may serve as a promising source for anti-prostate cancer candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different parts of Cynara scolymus L. and their green synthesized eco-friendly silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were screened for their cytotoxicity and apoptotic activity. Results showed that flower extract AgNPs exhibited more potent cytotoxicity compared to the normal form against PC-3 and A549 cell lines with IC50 values of 2.47 μg/mL and 1.35 μg/mL, respectively. The results were compared to doxorubicin (IC50 = 5.13 and 6.19 μg/mL, respectively). For apoptosis-induction, AgNPs prepared from the flower extract induced cell death by apoptosis by 41.34-fold change and induced necrotic cell death by 10.2-fold. Additionally, they induced total prostate apoptotic cell death by a 16.18-fold change, and it slightly induced necrotic cell death by 2.7-fold. Hence, green synthesized flower extract AgNPs exhibited cytotoxicity in A549 and PC-3 through apoptosis-induction in both cells. Consequently, synthesized AgNPs were further tested for apoptosis and increased gene and protein expression of pro-apoptotic markers while decreasing expression of anti-apoptotic genes. As a result, this formula may serve as a promising source for anti-cancer candidates. Finally, liquid chromatography combined with electrospray mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) analysis was assessed to identify the common bioactive metabolites in crude extracts of stem, flower, and bract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phragmanthera austroarabica (Loranthaceae), a semi-parasitic plant, is well known for its high content of polyphenols that are responsible for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Gallic acid, catechin, and methyl gallate are bioactive metabolites of common occurrence in the family of Loranthaceae. Herein, the concentrations of these bioactive metabolites were assessed using high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). Methyl gallate, catechin, and gallic acid were scanned at 280 nm. Their concentrations were assessed as 14.5, 6.5 and 43.6 mg/g of plant dry extract, respectively. Phragmanthera austroarabica extract as well as the three pure compounds were evaluated regarding the cytotoxic activity. The plant extract exhibited promising cytotoxic activity against MDA-MB-231 breast cells with the IC50 value of 19.8 μg/mL while the tested pure compounds displayed IC50 values in the range of 21.26–29.6 μg/mL. For apoptosis investigation, P. austroarabica induced apoptotic cell death by 111-fold change and necrosis by 9.31-fold change. It also activated the proapoptotic genes markers and inhibited the antiapoptotic gene, validating the apoptosis mechanism. Moreover, in vivo studies revealed a significant reduction in the breast tumor volume and weight in solid Ehrlich carcinoma (SEC) mice. The treatment of SEC mice with P. austroarabica extract improved both hematological and biochemical parameters with amelioration in the liver and kidney histopathology to near normal. Taken together, P. austroarabica extract exhibited promising anti-cancer activity through an apoptosis-induction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cichorium endivia L. (Asteraceae) is a wide edible plant that grows in the Mediterranean region. In this study, a phytochemical investigation of C. endivia L. ethanolic extract led to the isolation of stigmasterol (1), ursolic acid (2), β-amyrin (3), azelaic acid (4), vanillic acid (5), (6S, 7E)-6-hydroxy-4,7-megastigmadien-3,9-dione (S(+)-dehydrovomifoliol) (6), 4-hydroxy phenyl acetic acid (7), vomifoliol (8), ferulic acid (9), protocatechuic acid (10), kaempferol (11), p. coumaric acid (12), and luteolin (13). In addition, the total phenolic content as well as the in vitro antioxidant activity of C. endivia L. extract were estimated. Moreover, we inspected the potential gonado-protective effect of C. endivia crude extract, its phenolic fraction, and the isolated coumaric, vanillic, and ferulic acids against methotrexate (MTX)-induced testicular injury in mice. There were seven groups: normal control, MTX control, MTX + C. endivia crude extract, MTX + C. endivia phenolic fraction, MTX + isolated coumaric acid, MTX + isolated vanillic acid, and MTX + isolated ferulic acid. MTX was given by i.p. injection of a 20 mg/kg single dose. The crude extract and phenolic fraction were given with a dose of 100 mg/kg/day, whereas the compounds were given at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day. A histopathological examination was done. The testosterone level was detected in serum together with the testicular content of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated x protein (Bax), p53, and miR-29a. C. endivia crude extract, the phenolic fraction, and the isolated compounds showed significant elevation in their levels of testosterone, CAT, SOD, Bcl-2 with a significant decrease in their levels of MDA, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB, Bax, P53, and miR-29a compared to those of the MTX control group. In conclusion, C. endivia mitigated MTX-induced germ cell toxicity via anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a comparison between two mistletoe plants—P. acacia and P. curviflorus—regarding their total phenolic contents and antioxidant and anticancer activities. P. curviflorus exhibited a higher total phenolics content (340.62 ± 19.46 mg GAE/g extract), and demonstrated higher DPPH free radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 48.28 ± 3.41µg/mL), stronger reducing power (1.43 ± 0.54 mMol Fe+2/g) for ferric ions, and a greater total antioxidant capacity (41.89 ± 3.15 mg GAE/g) compared to P. acacia. The cytotoxic effects of P. acacia and P. curviflorus methanol extracts were examined on lung (A549), prostate (PC-3), ovarian (A2780) and breast (MDA-MB-231) cancer cells. The highest anticancer potential for the two extracts was observed on PC-3 prostate cancer cells, where P. curviflorus exhibited more pronounced antiproliferative activity (IC50 = 25.83 μg/mL) than P. acacia (IC50 = 34.12 μg/mL). In addition, both of the tested extracts arrested the cell cycle at the Pre-G1 and G1 phases, and induced apoptosis. However, P. curviflorus extract possessed the highest apoptotic effect, mediated by the upregulation of p53, Bax, and caspase-3, 8 and 9, and the downregulation of Bcl-2 expression. In the pursuit to link the chemical diversity of P. curviflorus with the exhibited bioactivities, its metabolomic profiling was achieved by the LC-ESI-TOF-MS/MS technique. This permitted the tentative identification of several phenolics—chiefly flavonoid derivatives, beside some triterpenes and sterols—in the P. curviflorus extract. Furthermore, all of the metabolites in P. curviflorus and P. acacia were inspected for their binding modes towards both CDK-2 and EGFR proteins using molecular docking studies in an attempt to understand the superiority of P. curviflorus over P. acacia regarding their antiproliferative effect on PC-3 cancer cells. Docking studies supported our experimental results; with all of this taken together, P. curviflorus could be regarded as a potential prospect for the development of chemotherapeutics for prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants are widely used in folk medicine to treat various diseases. Thonningia sanguinea Vahl is widespread in African traditional medicine, and exhibits antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer activities. T. sanguinea is a source of phytomedicinal agents that have previously been isolated and structurally elucidated. Herein, gas chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) was used to quantify epipinoresinol, β-sitosterol, eriodictyol, betulinic acid, and secoisolariciresinol contents in the methanolic crude extract and its ethyl acetate fraction for the first time. The ethyl acetate fraction was rich in epipinoresinol, eriodictyol, and secoisolariciresinol at concentrations of 2.3, 3.9, and 2.4 mg/g of dry extract, respectively. The binding interactions of these compounds with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were computed using a molecular docking study. The results revealed that the highest binding affinities for the EGFR signaling pathway were attributed to eriodictyol and secoisolariciresinol, with good binding energies of −19.93 and −16.63 Kcal/mol, respectively. These compounds formed good interactions with the key amino acid Met 769 as the co-crystallized ligand. So, the ethyl acetate fraction of T. sanguinea is a promising adjuvant therapy in cancer treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sonchus cornutus (Asteraceae) is a wild. edible plant that represents a plentiful source of polyphenolic compounds. For the first time, the metabolic analysis profiling demonstrated the presence of anthocyanidin glycosides, coumarins, flavonoids and their corresponding glycosides, and phenolic acids. The total phenolic compounds were determined to be 206.28 ± 14.64 mg gallic acid equivalent/gm, while flavonoids were determined to be 45.56 ± 1.78 mg quercetin equivalent/gm. The crude extract of S. cornutus exhibited a significant 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging effect with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 16.10 ± 2.14 µg/mL compared to ascorbic acid as a standard (10.64 ± 0.82 µg/mL). In vitro total antioxidant capacity and ferric reducing power capacity assays revealed a promising reducing potential of S. cornutus extract. Therefore, the possible protective effects of S. cornutus against hepatic and renal toxicity induced by cisplatin in experimental mice were investigated. S. cornutus significantly ameliorated the cisplatin-induced disturbances in liver and kidney functions and oxidative stress, decreased MDA, ROS, and NO levels, and restored CAT and SOD activities. Besides, it reversed cisplatin-driven upregulation in inflammatory markers, including iNOS, IL-6, and IL-1β levels and NF-κB and TNF-α expression, and elevated anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels and Nrf2 expression. Additionally, the extract mitigated cisplatin alteration in apoptotic (Bax and caspase-3) and anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) proteins. Interestingly, hepatic, and renal histopathology revealed the protective impacts of S. cornutus against cisplatin-induced pathological changes. Our findings guarantee a protective effect of S. cornutus against cisplatin-induced hepatic and renal damage via modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptotic pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Red Sea marine fungus Penicillium chrysogenum (Family: Ascomycota) comprises a panel of chemically diverse natural metabolites. A meleagrin alkaloid was isolated from deep-sediment-derived P. chrysogenum Strain S003 and has been reported to exert antibacterial and cytotoxic activities. The present study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of meleagrin on pulmonary fibrosis. Lung fibrosis was induced in mice by a single intratracheal instillation of 2.5 mg/kg bleomycin. Mice were given 5 mg/kg meleagrin daily either for 3 weeks after bleomycin administration in the treatment group or 2 weeks before and 3 weeks after bleomycin administration in the protection group. Bleomycin triggered excessive ROS production, inflammatory infiltration, collagen overproduction and fibrosis. Bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis was attenuated by meleagrin. Meleagrin was noted to restore the oxidant–antioxidant balance, as evidenced by lower MDA contents and higher levels of SOD and catalase activities and GSH content compared to the bleomycin group. Meleagrin also activated the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant signaling pathway and inhibited TLR4 and NF-κB gene expression, with a subsequent decreased release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IFN-γ). Additionally, meleagrin inhibited bleomycin-induced apoptosis by abating the activities of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and caspase-3 while elevating Bcl2. Furthermore, it suppressed the gene expression of α-SMA, TGF-β1, Smad-2, type I collagen and MMP-9, with a concomitant decrease in the protein levels of TGF-β1, α-SMA, phosphorylated Smad-2, MMP-9, elastin and fibronectin. This study revealed that meleagrin's protective effects against bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis are attributed to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and antifibrotic properties. Notably, the use of meleagrin as a protective agent against bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis was more efficient than its use as a treatment agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artemisia judaica L. (Family: Asteraceae) exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of A. judaica ethanolic extract was screened against a panel of cancer cell lines. The results revealed its cytotoxic activity against a lung cancer (A549) cell line with a promising IC50 of 14.2 μg/mL compared to doxorubicin as a standard. This was confirmed through the downregulation of antiapoptotic genes, the upregulation of proapoptotic genes, and the cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. Further in vivo study showed that a solid tumor mass was significantly reduced, with a tumor inhibition ratio of 54% relative to doxorubicin therapy in a Xenograft model. From a chemical point of view, various classes of natural products have been identified by liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The docking study of the detected metabolites approved their cytotoxic activity through their virtual binding affinity towards the cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK-2) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) active sites. Finally, A. judaica is a fruitful source of polyphenols that are well-known for their antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. As such, the previously reported polyphenols with anti-lung cancer activity were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Rutin, quercetin, kaempferol, and apigenin were detected at concentrations of 6 mg/gm, 0.4 mg/gm, 0.36 mg/gm, and 3.9 mg/gm of plant dry extract, respectively. It is worth noting that kaempferol and rutin are reported for the first time. Herein, A. judaica L. may serve as an adjuvant therapy or a promising source of leading structures in drug discovery for lung cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different classes of phytochemicals were previously isolated from the Red Sea algae Hypnea musciformis as sterols, ketosteroids, fatty acids, and terpenoids. Herein, we report the isolation of three fatty acids—docosanoic acid 4, hexadecenoic acid 5, and alpha hydroxy octadecanoic acid 6—as well as three ceramides—A (1), B (2), and C (3)—with 9-methyl-sphinga-4,8-dienes and phytosphingosine bases. Additionally, different phytochemicals were determined using the liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-HRMS) technique. Ceramides A (1) and B (2) exhibited promising in vitro cytotoxic activity against the human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cell line when compared with doxorubicin as a positive control. Further in vivo study and biochemical estimation in a mouse model of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) revealed that both ceramides A (1) and B (2) at doses of 1 and 2 mg/kg, respectively, significantly decreased the tumor size in mice inoculated with EAC cells. The higher dose (2 mg/kg) of ceramide B (2) particularly expressed the most pronounced decrease in serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor -B (VEGF-B) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) markers, as well as the expression levels of the growth factor midkine in tumor tissue relative to the EAC control group. The highest expression of apoptotic factors, p53, Bax, and caspase 3 was observed in the same group that received 2 mg/kg of ceramide B (2). Molecular docking simulations suggested that ceramides A (1) and B (2) could bind in the deep grove between the H2 helix and the Ser240-P250 loop of p53, preventing its interaction with MDM2 and leading to its accumulation. In conclusion, this study reports the cytotoxic, apoptotic, and antiangiogenic effects of ceramides isolated from the Red Sea algae Hypnea musciformis in an experimental model of EAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2 responsible for the ongoing pandemic which has claimed the lives of millions of people. This has prompted the scientific research community to act to find treatments against the SARS-CoV-2 virus that include safe antiviral medicinal compounds. The edible green algae U. lactuca. is known to exhibit diverse biological activities such as anti-influenza virus, anti-Japanese encephalitis virus, immunomodulatory, anticoagulant, antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Herein, four new ceramides in addition to two known ones were isolated from Ulva lactuca. The isolated ceramides, including Cer-1, Cer-2, Cer-3, Cer-4, Cer-5 and Cer-6 showed promising antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 when investigated using in silico approaches by preventing its attachment to human cells and/or inhibiting its viral replication. Cer-4 and Cer-5 were the most effective in inhibiting the human angiotensin converting enzyme (hACE)–spike protein complex which is essential for the virus to enter the human host. In addition to this, Cer-4 also showed an inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 protease (Mpro) that is responsible for its viral replication and transcription. In this study, we also used liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectroscopy (LC-ESI-HRMS) to identify several metabolites of U. lactuca, including metabolites such as fatty acids, their glyceride derivatives, terpenoids, sterols and oxysterols from the organic extract. Some of these metabolites also possessed promising antiviral activity, as previously reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plicosepalus acacia (Fam. Loranthaceae) has been reported to possess hypoglycemic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. Liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis revealed the presence of a high content of polyphenolic compounds that are attributed to the therapeutic effects of the crude extract. In addition, methyl gallate and quercetin were detected as major phytomedicinal agents at concentrations of 1.7% and 0.062 g%, respectively, using high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). The present study investigated the effect of the P. acacia extract and its isolated compounds, methyl gallate and quercetin, on hind limb ischemia induced in type 1 diabetic rats. Histopathological examination revealed that treatment with P. acacia extract, methyl gallate, and quercetin decreased degenerative changes and inflammation in the ischemic muscle. Further biochemical assessment of the hind limb tissue showed decreased oxidative stress, increased levels of nitric oxide and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and enhancement of the levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the groups treated with methyl gallate and quercetin. Expression levels of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), VEGF, fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), and miR-146a were upregulated in the muscle tissue of methyl gallate- and quercetin-treated groups along with downregulation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). In conclusion, P. acacia extract and its isolated compounds, methyl gallate and quercetin, mediated therapeutic angiogenesis in diabetic hind limb ischemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thalassodendron ciliatum (Forssk.) Den Hartog is a seagrass belonging to the plant family Cymodoceaceae with ubiquitous phytoconstituents and important pharmacological potential, including antioxidant, antiviral, and cytotoxic activities. In this work, a new ergosterol derivative named thalassosterol (1) was isolated from the methanolic extract of T. ciliatum growing in the Red Sea, along with two known first-reported sterols, namely ergosterol (2) and stigmasterol (3), using different chromatographic techniques. The structure of the new compound was established based on 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) and by comparison with the literature data. The new ergosterol derivative showed significant in vitro antiproliferative potential against the human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) and human breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines, with IC50 values of 8.12 and 14.24 µM, respectively. In addition, docking studies on the new sterol 1 explained the possible binding interactions with an aromatase enzyme; this inhibition is beneficial in both cervical and breast cancer therapy. A metabolic analysis of the crude extract of T. ciliatum using liquid chromatography combined with high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-HR-MS) revealed the presence of an array of phenolic compounds, sterols and ceramides, as well as di- and triglycerides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]