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Background: A variety of factors influence the prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and leukemic stem cells (LSCs) are one key prognostic factor that predicts poor prognosis over the course of the disease. G protein–coupled receptor 56 (GPR56) was presented as a new human LSC marker in AML patients. The engraftment potential of GPR56+ cells selected from AML specimens helps the spread of leukemia in mice, which supports the concept of using it as an LSC marker. Aim of the Work: The objective of this study was to use flow cytometry to investigate GPR56 expression in newly diagnosed AML patients. The results of GPR56 expression were linked to the patients' clinical outcomes. Subjects and methods: Forty AML patients and 20 healthy control subjects were evaluated for GPR56 expression on myeloblasts. At the end of induction treatment, bone marrow aspirates were obtained for assessment of morphological remission and minimal residual disease analysis. Results: GPR56 levels were significantly higher in control subjects than in AML patients. AML patients who failed to achieve complete remission were more likely to show high levels of GPR56. However, a relationship to long term follow up data was not evident in our results. Conclusion: Despite the lack of a direct prognostic influence of GPR56 on patient outcome or a relationship to prognostic cytogenetic subgroups, the association of GPR56 with a poor prognostic marker, early response to therapy, can be regarded an evidence of the speculated bad prognostic impact of GPR56.

Background: There are currently few biomarkers to assist in early diagnosis of dementias. Objective: To distinguish between different dementias: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), and Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) using simple neurophysiologic (P300) and laboratory markers (transforming growth factor β1 “TGF-β1”). Methods: The study included 15 patients for each type of dementia and 25 age- and sex-matched control subjects. Dementia patients were diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th edition-revised (DSM-IV-R). Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS), Memory Assessment Scale (MAS), P300, and TGF-β1 were examined for each participant. Results: There were no significant differences between groups as regard to age, sex, and education, social, and economic levels. Significant differences between groups were observed in registration and naming variables of the 3MS. Compared with the control group, P300 latency was prolonged in all groups, although to a greater extent in AD and PDD than in VaD. A serum level of TGF-β1 was significantly elevated in all groups but was significantly higher in AD and VaD than in PDD. 3MS tended to correlate with P300 more than TGF-β1, and to be stronger in AD than the other groups. Conclusion: Measurements of P300 latency and serum levels of TGF-β1 can help distinguish AD, PDD, and VaD. P300 was more prolonged in AD and PDD than VaD whereas TGF-β1 was significantly higher in AD and VaD than PDD. Thus P300 and TGF-β1 may be useful biomarkers for detection and evaluation of the extent of cognitive dysfunction.

Gmelina philippensis CHAM is an ornamental plant that is distributed in South Asia and warm regions of the Mediterranean area. The plant is traditionally applied in folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes.To evaluate the cytotoxic and the antidiabetic activities of the ethanolic extract of G. philippensis aerial parts. To isolate the metabolite(s) responsible for these activities and to elucidate the mechanism of action by molecular docking study.Compounds (1-11) were isolated using various chromatographic techniques and their structures were determined by NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometric analysis. The cytotoxic effect was tested using viability test and MTT assay. Antidiabetic activity was evaluated by measuring the inhibitory activity of the ethanolic extracts and compounds against α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities. Modeling and docking simulations were performed using Molecular Operating Environment software and the crystal structure of protein kinases CDK2, (1PYE) and AKT1 (4GV1), in addition to α-glucosidase (3TOP) and α-amylase (2QV4).Compounds 2, 3 and 8 were isolated for the first time from the plant and identified as: gmelinol (2), apigenin (3) and tyrosol (8). While β-sitosterol-3-O- β-D-glucopyranoside (4) vicenin-II (7), rhoifolin (9), isorhoifolin (11) were isolated for the first time from the genus, along with and the new iridoid 6-O-α-L-(2″-O-benzoyl-4″-O-trans-p-methoxycinnamoyl)rhamnopyranosyl-1α- β-D-glucopyranoside catalpolgenin (6). In addition, to the previously reported compounds: mixture of β -sitosterol and stigmasterol (1), and 6- O- α-L-(2″,3″,4″-tri-O -benzoyl)rhamnopyranosylcatalpol (5) and 6-O-α-L-(2″-O-trans-p-methoxycinnamoyl)rhamnopyranosylcatalpol (10). The cytotoxic activity against hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2) cell lines for compounds 2, 5, 7, 9 and 11 was conducted using cisplatin as a standard. Gmelinol (2) exhibited strong cytotoxic activity against HepG-2 cell lines with ICThe ethanolic extract of G. philippensis CHAM aerial parts is effective against HepG-2 cell lines, α-amylase and α-glucocidase activities. Biologically guided isolation indicated that compounds 2 and 5 are responsible for these activities. These results were supported by DMF calculations that detected the molecular areas responsible for protein interactions shown via docking studies.

Background: To evaluate antimicrobial activity of ten plant extracts on antimicrobial resistant organisms and investigate interactions of these extracts with antimicrobials against resistant organisms. Methods: The antimicrobial potential of ethanolic leaf extract of Aberia caffra Hook. f. & Harv., Azadirachta indica L., Dodonaea viscosa L., Ficus nitida L., Lanatana camara L., Myrtus communis L., Olea europaea L., Ruta graveolens, Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi and Vitex agnus-castus L. was investigatedagainst eleven drug resistant organisms by agar well diffusion method. The interaction of these extracts with antimicrobials was assessed. Results: Ethanolic extracts of Dodonaea viscosa leaves had antibacterial activity against ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) quinolone resistant Salmonella typhi (S. typhi) andESBL and carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumonia (K. pneumonia).Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi leaves showed antibacterial activity against ESBL and carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae and fluconazole resistant C. albicans. Myrtus communis leave extracts demonstrated activity against ESBL-producing E. coli and fluconazole resistant A. fumigatus. Ruta graveolens L. revealed activity against quinolone resistant S. typhiand fluconazole resistant A. fumigatus. Vitex agnus-castus, Aberia caffra Hook. f. &Harv.andAzadirachta indica L. leaf extracts had activity against ESBL-producing E. coli. Olea europaea L. had activity against quinolone resistant A. baumannii. Ruta graveolens L. and Myrtus communis L. were the only extracts showing synergistic effect in association with voriconazole against fluconazole resistant A. fumigatus. Conclusion: Tested plant leaf extracts had great potential as antimicrobial agents against at least one drug resistant microorganism. Isolation of active components and further studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of these products.

Two new polycyclic pyrroloquinazoline alkaloids with unprecedented skeleton, anisulcusines A (1) and B (2), along with four known compounds (3-6), were identified from the aerial parts of Anisotes trisulcus (Forssk.) Nees. To our knowledge, anisulcusines A and B are the first polycyclic pyrroloquinazoline alkaloids that possess a unique N-methyl-1,2-dihydro-1'H-spiro[benzo[d][1,3]oxazine moiety. The chemical structures of the new compounds were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic analyses and high-resolution mass spectroscopy. Anisulcusine B (2) exerted moderate cytotoxic effect on cultured human hepatoma (HuH7) cells, whereas compounds 1 and 3-5 exhibited mild cell proliferative or growth stimulatory activity. HIGHLIGHTS Two new polycyclic pyrroloquinazoline alkaloids from Anisotes trisulcus. Structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D- and 2D-NMR and HR-ESI-MS spectra. Compound (2) exerted moderate cytotoxic effect against human hepatoma (HuH7) cells. Compounds (1, 3-5) exhibited mild cell proliferative or growth stimulatory activity.

Gmelina philippensis Cham. Family Lamiaceae, sometimes placed in family Verbenaceae, is one of the ornamental and medicinal plants, known as parrot’s peak, as it produces yellow flowers from a long tube-shaped structure comprised of overlapping bracts. It is a sprawling thorny shrub that was formerly taxonomically classified to family Verbenaceae. It is native to Philippines, Burma and distributed in tropical and subtropical countries. The present investigation attempts to study the pharmacognostical features of the aerial parts (leaves, stems and inflorescence) of Gmelina philippensis Cham. which could be helpful in authentication of the plant and establishing pharmacognostical standard measurements which help in its identification in both entire and powdered forms.

Two new polycyclic pyrroloquinazoline alkaloids with unprecedented skeleton, anisulcusines A (

This study was designed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of the different successive extractives of the aerial parts of Cassia occidentalis L., on carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) induced hepatotoxicity in adult Wistar rats. Sixty-six male albino rats were divided into eleven groups. First group received Tween only and served as control group. The second group injected with CCL4 (1:1) in olive oil, at a dose of 2 ml/kg B.W. The third group injected with CCL4 in the same dose and Silymarin (25 mg /kg) orally for 7 days and served as reference group. Groups from four to eleven served as test groups injected with CCL4 in the same previous dose in addition to oral daily administration by one of either 200 or 400 mg /kg B.W. from each of the four extractives of Cassia occidentalis (total methanolic, chloroform, ethyl acetate and n- butanol extracts). Treatment started one day after the injection of CCl4 and extended for two weeks. Parameters for liver function tests: Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Bilirubinas as well as kidney function tests: Serum urea and Creatinine were determined spectrophotometrically. The different extractives of C. occidentalis L. showed improvement in both liver and kidney function indices, while ethyl acetate exteractive either in 200 or 400 mg/kg B.W., showed the best results. Histopathology of liver tissue specimens supported these results. The biologically guided fractionation of C. occidentalis L. methanolic extract, revealed that the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited a significant dose dependant protective effect on both liver and kidney. The ethyl acetate fraction revealed activity approached that of silymarin (a known hepatoprotective agent). Chromatographic fractionation of the ethyl acetate fraction afford 6 purified compounds, identified on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic analysis as: naringenin (1), quercetin (2), 1,8-dihydroxy anthraquinone (3), 1,3,8-trihydroxy anthraquinone (4), chrysoeriol-7-O-rutinoside (5) and rutin (6). The isolated phenolics probably account for the hepatoprotective effect of the extract.

Bio-guided fractionation of the total MeOH extract (TME) of the aerial parts of Blepharis ciliaris (L.) B.L. Burtt. (Acanthaceae) growing in Saudi Arabia was carried out to evaluate its hepatoprotective activity against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Successive chromatographic separations of the potent hepatoprotective n-BuOH fraction afforded two new flavonol glycosides, blepharisides A (1) and B (2), along with quercetin 3-O-rutinoside (3). Their structures were established by UV, IR, 1D, 2D NMR, and HRESIMS spectral data, in addition to comparison with literature data. Co-treatment of CCl4 hepatic injured rats with the total MeOH extract (TME) and its fractions significantly restored the hepatic marker enzymes and total bilirubin to near-normal values compared to silymarin (reference drug). The isolated compounds were evaluated for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. They displayed significant antioxidant activity (DPPH assay) in relation to propyl gallate (positive control) (% inhibition of 88.2, 87.9, and 74.2, respectively). Compounds 1 and 2 demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in the carrageenin induced paw edema method at a dose of 10 mg/kg.

A radical scavenging guided phytochemical study on the leaf of Simmondsia chinensis afforded ten flavonoids (1–10) and four lignans (11–14). The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidences and correlated with known compounds. Among isolated compounds, flavonoid aglycones (1–4) showed stronger antioxidant activity than their glycosides (5–10) whilst lignan glycosides (11–14) showed moderate to weak antioxidant activity using DPPH and β-carotene methods in relation to BHT (positive control). The inhibitory potential against enzyme lipoxygenase was also evaluated for isolated compounds exhibiting variable potency. For flavonoids, glycosides are less potent inhibitors than free aglycones. Quercetin is the most potent inhibitor with an IC50 of 5.6 μM. Lignoid glycosides exhibited moderate to weak inhibitory effect against lipoxygenase enzyme. Luteolin was used as a positive control in lipoxygenase inhibiting assay.

As a continuation of the work on EtOAc fraction of the Indonesian sponge Acanthostrongylophora ingens, 2 new alkaloids: one pyrimidine-β-carboline alkaloid named ingenine A (2) and one pyrimidine-γ-carboline alkaloid named ingenine B (3), along with annomontine (1) were isolated. Their structures were unambiguously established on the basis of NMR spectroscopy ((1) H, (13)C, (1) H-(1) H COSY, HMQC, and HMBC) and mass spectral data. This is the first report of isolation pyrimidine-γ-carboline alkaloid from natural source. Compounds 1 and 3 showed pronounced cytotoxicity against the murine lymphoma L5178Y cancer cell line with ED50 7.8 and 9.1 μg/mL respectively, while compound 2 showed weak activity.

A new stigmasterol ester: stigmasterol tetracosanoate (3), along with 7 compounds: β-sitosterol (1), stigmasterol (2), (2S,3S,4R)-2[(2'R)-2'-(hydroxyeicosanoyl amino) octadecane-1,3,4-triol (4), apigenin (5), β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), stigmasterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranose (7), and apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (8) were isolated from Blepharis ciliaris aerial parts. Compounds 1, 2, and 5-7 are reported here for the first time from the plant and 4 for the first time from the family. GCMS analysis revealed the presence of 45 fatty acids, 53 hydrocarbons, and 24 sterols. The different fractions exhibited mild cytotoxic in brine shrimp assay and anti-hyperglycaemic activities. The EtOAc fraction and TME (total MeOH extract) showed weak anti-malarial activity against P. falciparum. The CHCl3 fraction gave potent -anti-inflammatory activity compared with indomethacin.

Re-investigation of the methanolic extract of Anisotes trisulcus (Forssk.) Nees aerial parts led to the isolation of two new tricyclic quinazoline alkaloids, 8-amino-7,8,9,11-tetrahydro-6H-pyrido[2,1-b]- quinazoline-2,6-diol (4) and 8-amino-3,6-dihydroxy-7,8,9-trihydro-6H-pyrido[2,1-b]quinazoline- 11-one (5), and two quaternary ammonium compounds, (dimethylamino)-N-(hydroxymethyl)-N,Ndimethyl methanaminium chloride (6) and N-[(carboxyamino)methyl]-N,N-dimethyl ethanaminium chloride (7), together with three known compounds, peganine (1), vasicinone (2), and anisotine (3). The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of physical, chemical, and spectral data (UV, IR, MS, 1D and 2D NMR), as well as by comparison with authentic samples. GC-MS analysis of the fatty acid methyl esters and unsaponifiable matter revealed the presence of 46 fatty acids, 53 hydrocarbons, and 18 sterols. The different extracts were evaluated for their antihyperglycaemic activities. The MeOH, n-hexane, and EtOAc extracts exhibited a significant hypoglycaemic effect

Two new noncyanogenic cyanoglucoside dimers, simmonosides A and B (1 and 2), were identified from the aqueous extract of jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) leaves. Compounds 1 and 2 are the first examples of noncyanogenic cyanoglucoside dimers containing a unique four-membered ring, representing novel dimerization patterns at α,β-unsaturated carbons of a nitrile group in 1 and γ,δ-unsaturated carbons in 2. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic evidence and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibit promising COX-2 inhibition activity, with IC50 values of 13.5 and 11.4 μM, respectively.

Euphorbia peplus L. belongs to Family Euphorbiaceae which includes about 283 genera with almost 7500 species. They are distributed all over the world mainly tropical countries. Some species of the genus Euphorbia showed antiviral and anticancer activities. It was reported to be used in folkloric medicine as purgative and in treatment of skin diseases, gonorrhea, liver disorders, chest diseases, and gout. Some phytochemical studies have been carried out abroad on different species. The authors carried out phytochemical and biological studies on the studied plant and here in we undertake macro- and micromorphological studies with the aim of finding out the diagnostic features by which the plant could be identified in both entire and powdered forms.

A phytochemical study of the aerial parts of Blepharis ciliaris (L.) B.L. Burtt. led to the isolation of one new isoflavone glycoside caffeic acid ester: genistein-7-O-(6″-O-E-caffeoyl-β-d-glucopyranoside) (4), along with seven known compounds: methyl veratrate (1), methyl vanillate (2), protocatechuic acid (3), naringenin-7-O-(3″-acetyl-6″-E-p-coumaroyl-β-d-glucopyranoside) (5), naringenin-7-O-(6″-E-p-coumaroyl-β-d-glucopyranoside) (6), apigenin-7-O-(6″-E-p-coumaroyl-β-d-glucopyranoside) (7), and acteoside (8). Their structures were established on the basis of detailed analyses of physical, chemical, and spectral data. Compounds 1, 2, 3, 6, and 8 were isolated for the first time from this plant. The antioxidant activity of the different extracts as well as for some of the isolated compounds was evaluated.

Background: Alhagi maurorum, commonly used in folk medicine, has been reported to have several biological activities. Objective: We have studied the antioxidant chemical components from A. maurorum to determine their in vitro antiproliferative and hepatoprotective activities. Materials and Methods: The alcoholic extract of A. maurorum root was subjected to a successive solvent fractionation and various chromatographic techniques guided by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay to isolate their antioxidant active compounds. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified through the extensive use of nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy coupled with correlation to known compounds. The antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds were quantified using DPPH and 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assays, respectively. The hepatoprotective activity of each extract and the total flavonoid fraction were assessed quantitatively on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Results: Fourteen flavonoids, including four aglycones (1–4) and ten glycosides (5–14), were isolated. The flavonoid glycosides (6–14) are being reported for the first time to our knowledge. The free aglycones, those of the flavonol type, exhibited strong antioxidant and antiproliferative activities. The flavonoid glycosides exhibited weak cytotoxic activity against the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line. The total flavonoid fraction showed the strongest hepatoprotective activity against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. Conclusion: A total of 14 flavonoids were identified from A. maurorum; nine of them were isolated for the first time. Flavonoids were the main chemical group identified from the A. maurorum root extracts, and they are responsible for the hepatoprotective activity. The findings set up a scientific explanation for the folkloric administration of A. maurorum in the treatment of hepatic disorders.

Further phytochemical study on the aerial parts of Cyperus rotundus L. led to the isolation of a fructose-amino acid conjugate, N-(1-deoxy-alpha-D-fructos-1-yl)-L-tryptophan (16) and its tautomers, in addition to n-butyl-beta-D-fructopyranoside (1), ethyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (2), adenosine (3), (-)-(E)-caffeoylmalic acid (4), vitexin (5), isovitexin (6), orientin (7), epiorientin (8), myricetin 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside (9), luteolin 7-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside-6''-methyl ester (10), chlorogenic acid (11), luteolin 4'-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside (12), luteolin 7-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside (13), uridine (14) and ellagic acid (15). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods. Additionally, antioxidant and alpha-amylase inhibitory activities of some of the isolated phenolic compounds were carried out.

The concentrated 70% ethanolic extracts of the air-dried powdered leaves and stem bark of Flacourtia cataphracta were subjected separately to solvent fractionation by partitioning using n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate respectively. Each concentrated fraction was subjected to TLC followed by isolation, purification and identification of the available constituents. Fourteen compounds were isolated and identified by different spectral tools (UV, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, MS) and comparison with corresponding literature data.  -amyrin (1),  -amyrin (2), and a mixture of  -sitosterol and stigmasterol (3) were isolated from nhexane fraction of both leaves and stem bark. 2-Oxo-18benzolyloxy-13(16), 14-tetrahydrocleroda-3-ene (4), 3 -acetoxyD:A friedo oleanan-27,16  -lactone (5), 4,4'-dihydroxychalcone (6), apigenin (7) and kampferol (8) were isolated from chloroform fraction of the stem bark.  -Sitosterol-3-O -D-glucoside (9), 5-Ocaffeoylquinic acid (10) were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of the leaves in addition to vanillin (11), benzoic acid (12), protocatechuic acid (13) and flacourtin (14) from the ethyl acetate fraction of the stem bark. The different leaf extracts were subjected to biological study which revealed that n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol fractions of Flacourtia cataphracta Roxb. are safe to be used as antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic drug.

Sixteen phenolic compounds, scopoletin (1), isoliquiritigenin 4-methyl ether (2), luteolin 5,3-dimethyl ether (3), luteolin 7,3-dimethyl ether (4), aureusidin 4-methyl ether (5), apigenin (6),luteolin (7), trans-ferulic acid (8), luteolin 4-O- -D-glucopyranoside(9), luteolin 7-O- -D-glucopyranoside (10), quercetin3-O- -D-glucopyranoside (11), apigenin 7-O-neohesperidoside(12), kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside (13), quercetin 3-O-rutinoside(14), kaempferol 3-O-[2-O-D-xylopyranosyl-6-O--L-rhamnopyranosyl]- -D-glucopyranoside (15) and kaempferol 3-O-[2-OD-glucopyranosyl-6-O--L-rhamnopyranosyl]- -D-glucopyranoside(16) were isolated from the methanolic extract of theinflorescences of Cyperus alopecuroides Rottb. for the first time.Their structures have been established on the basis of physical,chemical and spectroscopic methods in addition to comparisonwith literature data and/or authentic samples. The antioxidant andcytotoxic activities in addition to -amylase inhibitory activity ofthe isolated compounds have been studied.

Mandelonitrile- -D-glucopyranoside (prunasin) (1), kaempferol- 3-O- -Dgalactopyranoside(2), kaempferol-3-O- -D-glucopyranoside (3), quercetin-3-O- -Dglucopyranoside(4), mandelic acid amide- -D-glucopyranoside (5), kaempferol-3-O-[ -Dglucopyranosyl-(14)--D-galactopyranoside] (6), mandelonitrile- -D-glucopyranosyl-(16)-  -D- glucopyranoside (amygdalin) (7) were isolated from the methanolic extract of theleaves of Prunus persica (L.) Batsch “Meet Ghamr” peach. Furthermore, persicogenin (8),naringenin (9), aromadendrin (10), eriodictyol (11), persicogenin-3-O- -D-glucopyranoside(12) and hesperitin-5-O- -glucopyranoside (13) were isolated from the methanolic extract ofthe stem bark of the title plant. All these compounds were isolated for the first time from “MeetGhamr“ peach while compounds 5 and 6 were firstly reported from the genus Prunus.Identification of these compounds has been established by physical, chemical and spectralmethods (UV, IR, FAB-MS, 1-D-and 2-D NMR).

The macro- and micromorphology of the aerial parts (leaves, culm and inflorescence) of Cyperus rotundus L. growing in Egypt are presented aiming for the determination of the diagnostic features by which each part can be identified in the entire and powdered forms.

α-​Amyrin, stigmasterol, bergapten, stigmasterol-​3-​O-​β-​D-​glucoside, kaempferol-​3-​O-​β-​D-​glucoside, benzyl-​glucoside, quercetin-​3-​O-​β-​D-​glucoside, 6-​hydroxykaempferol-​7-​O-​β-​D-​glucoside, and quercetin-​3-​O-​β-​D-​rutinoside were isolated for the first time from the ethanolic ext. of the leaves of Ficus infectoria (Roxb.) cultivated in Egypt. Identification of these compds. has been established by phys. and spectral data (UV, IR, MS, 1H- and 13C-​NMR) as well as by comparison with authentic samples.

The high mutation rate of RNA viruses has resulted in limitation of vaccine effectiveness and increased emergence of drug-resistant viruses. New effective antivirals are therefore needed to control of the highly mutative RNA viruses. The n-butanol fraction of the stem bark of Mangifera indica exhibited inhibitory activity against influenza neuraminidase (NA) and coxsackie virus 3C protease. Bioassay guided phytochemical study of M. indica stem bark afforded two new compounds including one benzophenone C-glycoside (4) and one xanthone dimer (7), together with eleven known compounds. The structures of these isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidences and correlated with known compounds. Anti-influenza and anti-coxsackie virus activities were evaluated by determining the inhibition of anti-influenza neuraminidase (NA) from pandemic A/RI/5+/1957 H2N2 influenza A virus and inhibition of coxsackie B3 virus 3C protease, respectively. The highest anti-influenza activity was observed for compounds 8 and 9 with IC50 values of 11.9 and 9.2μM, respectively. Compounds 8 and 9 were even more potent against coxsackie B3 virus 3C protease, with IC50 values of 1.1 and 2.0μM, respectively. Compounds 8 and 9 showed weak cytotoxic effect against human hepatocellular carcinoma and human epithelial carcinoma cell lines through MTT assay.

Septatisine 3, an atisane-type diterpenoid alkaloid, was isolated from the roots of Aconitum septentrionale Koelle. Its structure was established on the basis of homonuclear 1H COSY, LRCOSY, NOESY, DNOE, fixed-evolution HETCOR, and selective INEPT techniques.

The use of food additives in various products is growing up. It has attracted the attention towards the possible correlation between the mutagenic potential of food additives and various human diseases. This work evaluated the protective role of selenium and vitamins A, C and E (selenium ACE)(1) against the genotoxic effects induced by a synthetic food additive, sunset yellow, in mice. Six groups were studied including two control groups (negative and positive control), two groups are given single dose of sunset yellow (either 0.325, 0.65 or 1.3mg/kg body weight(2) alone or with selenium ACE) and two groups are given sunset yellow daily for 1, 2 or 3 weeks (0.325mg/kg b.wt./day alone or with selenium ACE), respectively. The study examined the induction of sister chromatid exchanges (SCE's)(3) in bone-marrow cells, chromosomal aberration in somatic (bone-marrow) and germ cells (spermatocytes) after single and repeated oral treatment, and the induction of morphological sperm abnormalities. The results showed that sunset yellow had genotoxic effects as indicated by increased frequency of SCE's, by chromosomal aberrations in both somatic and germ cells, and by increased morphological sperm abnormalities and DNA fragmentation. The results also indicated that the oral administration of selenium ACE significantly reduced the genotoxic effects of sunset yellow, a result that may support the use of antioxidants as chemopreventive agents in many applications.

Four new norditerpenoid alkaloids, delajacine [7], delajacirine [8], delajadine [9], and ajanine [10], have been isolated from the leaves of Delphinium ajacis along ruith six known alkaloids. The structures of the new alkaloids 7-10 were determined from the ms and 1 H- and 13 C-nmr spectra, including DEPT experiments. The structure of 8 was confirmed by its partial synthesis from anthranoyllycoctonine [3]

Two new chlorinated amides, N-(2',6'-diethyl phenyl)-2-chloroacetamide (1) and N-(butyloxymethyl)-N-(2',6'-diethyl phenyl)-2-chloroacetamide (2) were isolated for the first time from the ethanolic extract of the leaves of Nicotiana glauca R. Graham in addition to triacontanol (3), scopoletin (4) and stigmasterol-3-beta-O-D-gluco-pyranoside (5). The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis (1D, 2D NMR, EIMS, HR-EIMS, IR and UV).

Further phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Cyperus rotundus L. afforded a new steroid glycoside named sitosteryl (6'-hentriacontanoyl)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (4) in addition to three furochromones, khellin (2), visnagin (3) and ammiol (9). Furthermore, benzo-alpha-pyrone (coumarin) (1), salicylic acid (5), caffeic acid (6), protocatechuic acid (7), p-coumaric acid (8), tricin (10) and isorhamnetin (11) were isolated. The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic methods. The isolated furochromones were tested for insect antifeedant activity against larvae Spodoptera littoralis when incorporated in artificial diet and offered to larvae in a chronic feeding bioassay. Also, visnagin, khellin and sitosteryl (6'-hentriacontanoyl)-beta-D-galactopyranoside showed strong cytotoxic activity against L5178y mouse lymphoma cells and were also active in the brine shrimp lethality test.

A phytochemical study of Ficus platyphylla Del cultivated in Egypt is presented. A 7-methoxy coymarin (herniarin), two unidentified coumarins, a- and b-amyrin, ceryl alcohol, b-sitosterol, ursolic acid; in addition, chrysoeriol, rutin and unknown flavonoid aglycone were isolated. The organic acids content of the fruits was identified. The amino acids as well as the curdling effect and proteolytic activity of the latex were investigated. The anthelmintic activity of the 40% ethanolic extract of the fruits was studied in-vivo. A pronounced decreae in number of Ascaris worms in relation to the injected embryonated eggs was noticed in treated Fayomi chickens. This effect increases markedly with the increase of the given dose.

Two sesquiterpene lactones santamarin and reynosin were isolated from the flowers of A. squamatus L. In addition a-and β-amyrin, ursolic acid, a mixture of stigmasterol, campesterol and b-sitosterol and an unidentified sesquiterpene lactone were isolated in pure form.

Objective To isolate and identify chemical constituents with antioxidant and lipoxygenase inhibitory effects of the ethanolic extract of Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) leaves. Methods The alcoholic extract was subjected to successive solvent fractionation. The antioxidant active fractions (chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions) were subjected to a combination of different chromatographic techniques guided by the antioxidant assay with DPPH. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidences and correlated with known compounds. The antioxidant activity was assessed quantitively using DPPH and β-carotene methods. The inhibitory potential against enzyme lipoxygenase was assessed on soybean lipoxygenase enzyme. Results Ten flavonoids and four lignans were isolated. Flavonoid aglycones showed stronger antioxidant and lipoxygenase inhibitory effects than their glycosides. Lignoid glycosides showed moderate to weak antioxidant and lipoxygenase inhibitory effects. Conclusions A total of 14 compounds were isolated and identified from Simmondsia chinensis ; 12 of them were isolated for the first time. This is the first report that highlights deeply on the phenolic content of jojoba and their potential biological activities and shows the importance of this plant as a good source of phenolics in particular the flavonoid content.