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Sonneratia apetala, a nutrient-rich mangrove fruit, presents an opportunity for innovative food product development, offering potential health benefits and economic value through the creation of jam, jelly, and pickle. This innovative invention reveals the nutritional content including vitamins and minerals of Sonneratia apetala jam, jelly, and pickles from Nijhum Dwip in Hatiya Upazila, Noakhali District. These products contain Na, Mg, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn, which are essential for human nutrition. The texture and sensory qualities of the products depend on their Total Soluble Solids (TSS), acidity, moisture, pH, and total sugar content, with each parameter receiving an average score of 7 to 8 out of 9 (hedonic scale). Trace amounts of Cd, Cr, Pb, and Hg were found to be significantly below the safe consumption limits. F-, Cl-, SO42-, soluble and total PO43- concentrations were also below safety thresholds. The moisture, ash, protein, fat, fiber, pectin, sugar, carbohydrate, and caloric values highlight the dietary benefits and energy content of these products. The products exhibited higher levels of vitamin C and minerals compared to other citrus fruits. All tested parameters met safe consumption standards, ensuring product safety. These products underwent testing for Heterotrophic Bacterial Count to guarantee their safety. A one-year shelf life is ensured by conducting quarterly storage data checks and organoleptic tests by a 10-member jury panel. The one-way ANOVA test for sensory analysis and shelf life detection indicates statistically significant results. These products help mitigate nutrient deficiencies and promote health by regulating the diet. Applying this technology in grassroots jam, jelly, and pickle production could potentially boost the local economy by approximately $10,000 annually through the creation of small industries among the coastal population.

Acanthospermum hispidum DC. is a plant with extensive traditional use in folk medicine for treatment of various infections in Sudan including jaundice, stomach discomfort, constipation, and viral infections. This research was carried out to explore the biological and chemical properties of the crude extract of A. hispidum. Ethanol crude extract was prepared from the aerial parts of the plant and investigated for antibacterial action against standard monoderm and diderm bacteria using the cup plate method. Free radical scavenging was investigated out by using the DPPH method. Cytotoxicity assay was performed against human breast cancer cell line MCF7 using the MTT assay. Bioactive compounds were identified using GC-MS. The ethanolic extract of A. hispidum revealed antibacterial activity against all the tested bacteria. Also, the extract exhibited potent antioxidant activity at 0.5 mg/ml using DPPH (83% ± 00.09). The cytotoxicity against MCF7 revealed potent growth inhibition activity (IC50 75.8 µg/ml). GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of ethyl α-d-glucopyranoside, hexadecanoic acid, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, undecanoic acid, phytol, alloaromadendrene oxide, 3-cyclopentylpropionic acid, 2-dimethylaminoethyl ester, and longifolenaldehyde in aerial parts of A. hispidum, all of which support antibacterial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic properties.

Plants belonging to the genus Prosopis L. (family Fabaceae, subfamily Mimosoideae) have gained significant popularity in traditional medicine due to their potential as anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial compounds. The primary objective of this work was to determine the phytochemical composition of the ethanolic extract derived from Prosopis juliflora leaves, as well as to assess its antibacterial and cytotoxic properties. The phytochemical screening using GC-MS revealed the presence of phytosteroids, ketone, esters, diisooctyl phthalate, and triterpenes. Besides, varying amounts of some silicon derivatives, which were reported to have antimicrobial activity, were detected with octasiloxane, which showed the highest amount (18.47%). 6-Ethoxy-6-methyl-2-cyclohexenone (antioxidant, antidiabetic, antiobesity, and antimicrobial) was detected in considerable quantity. Cytotoxic activity was seen in human breast cancer (MCF-7), human ovary adenocarcinoma (A2780), and human colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cell lines, as well as in normal human fetal lung fibroblasts (MRC-5), when subjected to the MTT assay. The plant extract exhibited the highest level of activity (5.75 μg/mL) against the A2780 cell line, with the MCF-7 cell line showing a somewhat lower level of activity (18.49 μg/mL). The antibacterial effect of the plant extracts was evaluated against four standard Gram-positive and four standard Gram-negative. The antimicrobial potential was observed only against Staphylococcus aureus which recorded a 14.5 ± 0.05 mm inhibition zone. The present study has demonstrated the identification of bioactive constituents in P. juliflora plant extracts, which exhibit significant cytotoxic activity against breast and colon malignancies. The study also highlighted P. juliflora extract as an antibacterial against S. aureus.

Background: The Ancient system of medicine showed the limelight on the use of herbal remedies and was found to possess minimal side effects and acceptable therapeutic outcomes. In this context, Prosopis juliflora gained importance in managing chronic diseases such as cancer, dermatological diseases, and chronic inflammatory disorders. Hence, P. juliflora was selected for further investigation associated with diabetes and inflammation. Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-diabetic activity in chemically induced experimental rats and explore the nature of phytocomponents that may produce this activity. Methods: Experimentally, diabetes was induced by a single administration of streptozotocin at 50 mg/kg intraperitoneally in Wistar rats. The animals were treated orally with P. juliflora at low and high doses (200 and 400 mg/kg) for 10 days. Blood collected from the retro-orbital plexus was analyzed for parameters like blood glucose levels, insulin, adiponectin, Keap1 and Nrf2. PPAR-γ, AMPK and GLUT 2 levels were analyzed in the pancreatic tissue. Besides, at the end of the experiment, animals were sacrificed, and the pancreatic tissue sections were subjected for histopathological, morphometrical and immune histochemical exploration. The phytochemical composition of the plant was investigated by GC–MS. Results: The administration of P. juliflora higher dose showed a significant decrease (**p

Concentration, source, ecological and health risks of sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were estimated for water and sediment samples of two urban rivers namely Buriganga River (BR) and Dhaleswari River (DR). The mean concentration of ∑PAHs in BR water and sediment were 9619.2 ngL−1 and 351.6 ngg−1, respectively. Furthermore, the average PAH concentrations detected in DR water and sediment were 1979.1 ngL−1 and 792.9 ngg−1, respectively. The composition profile showed that 3-ring PAHs were dominant in the water matrix; however, 5-ring PAHs were prevalent in the sediment samples of both rivers. Sources apportion study of PAHs indicated that mixed combustion and petroleum sources are responsible for PAHs contamination in the rivers. Ecological risk study of water suggested that the aquatic lives of both rivers are threatened by Fla, BbF, BkF, DahA, and IcdP, as presented above the threshold level. Comparison with sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) indicated that adverse effects might cause occasionally in the sediment ecosystem in DR at certain sampling sites for Nap, Acy, Fl, Phe, Ant, Pyr, Chr, BaP, and DahA. On the other hand, the presence of Nap, Acy and DahA might occasionally cause adverse biological effects in the BR sediment ecosystem. Estimated hazard quotient (HI > 1) and carcinogenic risk (CRtotal > 10−4) values indicated that local inhabitants living in the vicinity of the rivers are prone to high health risks.

Artemisia arborescens is a medicinal and aromatic plant used in traditionally by the people of Saudi Arabia. This research attempts to evaluate the bioactive constituents of the plant using organic solvents, as well as the antibacterial and anticancer properties of plant extracts. The Phytochemical analysis of methanol extract revealed eleven bioactive constituents, identified by comparing their retention periods and GC-MS profiles to account for 52.45 percent of the studied extract. In the meantime, the extract of pet ether had demonstrated the presence of sixteen significant constituents, six of which were distinct sesquiterpene derivatives. In lipophilic plant extract, three higher alkanes made up 12.49% of the total. These higher alkanes were tetratriacontane (6.55%), hentriacontane (4.17%), and octacosane (1.77%). Studies on antimicrobial activity have revealed that both methanolic and petroleum ether extracts had a broad spectrum of activity against specific human pathogens. Both extracts, however, failed to exhibit any anti-Candida albicans activity. Methanolic extract not shown inhibition in the cell growth of MCF-7 cell, but petroleum ether extract had shown significant anti-cancer activity against MCF-7 cell with an IC50 of 13.49 µg/mL. the results obtained show that A. arborescens have a lot of potential for further research into variety of biological functions, against cancer and microbes.

As far as comorbidity is concerned, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) appear to be accounted for the highest prevalence, severity, and fatality among COVID 19 patients. A wide array of causal links connecting CVD and COVID-19 baffle the overall prognosis as well as the efficacy of the given therapeutic interventions. At the centre of this puzzle lies ACE2 that works as a receptor for the SARS-CoV-2, and functional expression of which is also needed to minimize vasoconstriction otherwise would lead to high blood pressure. Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 infection seems to reduce the functional expression of ACE2. Given these circumstances, it might be advisable to consider a treatment plan for COVID-19 patients with CVD in an approach that would neither aggravate the vasodeleterious arm of the renin-angiotensinogen-aldosterone system (RAAS) nor compromise the vasoprotective arm of RAAS but is effective to minimize or if possible, inhibit the viral replication. Given the immune modulatory role of Zn in both CVD and COVID-19 pathogenesis, zinc supplement to the selective treatment plan for CVD and COVID-19 comorbid conditions, to be decided by the clinicians depending on the cardiovascular conditions of the patients, might greatly improve the therapeutic outcome. Notably, ACE2 is a zinc metalloenzyme and zinc is also known to inhibit viral replication.

The scarcity of freshwater in most of the megacities in the world is an important concern. In this regard, scientifically harvested rainwater could provide an effective measure to this crisis. In this attempt, we developed a cost-effective sensor-based automated first-flush rainwater harvesting system (RHS) to improve the freshwater scarcity and economic development of megacities like Dhaka, Bangladesh. To investigate the performance of the developed system, a suit of representative rainwater samples was systematically collected, preserved, and assessed between the months of July–December 2021 for water quality parameters such as physicochemical (pH, EC, TDS, DO, hardness, and alkalinity), anions (F−, Cl−, NO2−, NO3−, Br−, and SO42−), elemental (Ca, Mg, Cr, As, Cd, Hg, Pb, Be, Ni, Se, and Fe), and microbial contamination analysis. A Multiparameter digital meter and a titrimetric method were employed for measuring the physicochemical properties whereas elemental concentration was detected using an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer and atomic absorption spectrometer. The changes in microbial contamination in the preserved rainwater were investigated from time to time during the whole experimental period. The findings showed that the mean pH (6.90) and concentrations (mg/L) of other concerning parameters such as TDS (15.5), DO (7.26), hardness (14.9), Cl− (3.59), NO3− (4.84), SO42− (4.62), Fe (

This study was performed to evaluate phytochemical composition of Khaya senegalensis stem bark and Azadirachta indica leaf hydroethanolic (80%) extracts using GC-MS technique as a tentative identification method and screen for antioxidant and antidiabetic properties in Wistar rats. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150 mg/kg·bw). Animals were divided into groups of six and treated by extracts (400 mg/kg·bw) for 28 days. The results compared with positive and negative control groups of animals. After treatment, blood samples were collected to determine the blood glucose level, lipid profile, liver and kidney function markers, and DPPH free radical scavenging activity was evaluated. Phytochemical investigations revealed that extracts were enriched with a wide range of secondary metabolites such as phenols, saponins, triterpenes, alkaloids, flavonoids, sterols, fatty acids, siloxane derivatives, and anthraquinones in diverse concentrations with reported antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. Biological screening results indicated that both extracts exhibited free-radical scavenging property in DPPH screening, and in that, K. senegalensis stem bark extract (91 ± 0.02%) showed greater reduction than A. indica leaf extract (55 ± 0.03%), with an IC50 of 0.023 ± 0.03 g/mL, which was lower than the reference drug propylgallate (0.077 ± 0.03 g/mL). Both the extracts remarkably reduced the blood glucose concentration in diabetic rats (p

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a deadly, progressive, and irreversible brain condition that impairs cognitive abilities. Globally, it affects 32.6 million individuals, and if no viable therapies are available by 2050, that figure might rise to 139 million. The current course of treatment enhances cognitive abilities and temporarily relieves symptoms, but it does not halt or slow the disease’s development. Additionally, treatments are primarily offered in conventional oral dosage forms, and conventional oral treatments lack brain specialization and cause adverse effects, resulting in poor patient compliance. A potential nanotechnology-based strategy can improve the bioavailability and specificity of the drug targeting in the brain. Furthermore, this review extensively summarizes the applications of nanomedicines for the effective delivery of drugs used in the management of AD. In addition, the clinical progress of nanomedicines in AD is also discussed, and the challenges facing the clinical development of nanomedicines are addressed in this article.

Smokeless tobacco (SLT) has been reported to have deleterious effects on the health of its users. This study aims to analyze the constituents of locally collected SLT sample extracts (S1–S11) from Tabuk region of Saudi Arabia using GC-MS and investigate their cytotoxic effect on human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs), normal human fibroblasts (MRC5), and two cancer cell lines (HT29 and HepG2) using MTT assay. GC-MS results showed that pyridine, 3-(1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-, tetracyclo[4.4.1.1(7,10).0(2,5)]dodec-3-en-11-ol, and cotinine were found in S1, while ethyl iso-allocholate was traced in S2. Compounds 9,12-octadecadienoic acid, ethyl ester, 7-methyl-Z-tetradecen-1-ol acetate, cis-10-heptadecenoic acid and octadecanoic acid, ethyl ester, and nicotine traces were found in S4, while compound 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol, tetradecamethyl-hexasiloxane, and phytol in S5. Additionally, octadecamethyl cyclononasiloxane, oleic acid, and trimethylsilyl ester were found in S6 and S9, respectively. Interestingly, extracts S4, S10, and S6 were the most cytotoxic to the normal fibroblasts (hGF and MRC5, with low selectivity index:

The application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as vital components for plant growth promotion against biotic and abiotic stresses could be a promising strategy to improve crop production in areas vulnerable to increasing salinity. Here, we isolated Seventy-five endophytic bacteria from roots of healthy Oryza sativa grown in a saline environment of the southern coastal region of Bangladesh. The endophytes in a culture of ~108 CFU/ml showed arrays of plant growth-promoting (PGP) activities: phytohormone (Indole acetic acid) production (1.20–60.13 μg/ ml), nutrient (phosphate) solubilization (0.02–1.81 μg/ml) and nitrogen fixation (70.24–198.70 μg/ml). Four genomically diverse groups were identified namely, Enterobacter, Achromobacter, Bacillus, and Stenotrophomonas using amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis followed by their respective 16S rDNA sequence analyses with that of the data available in NCBI GenBank. These four specific isolates showed tolerance to NaCl ranging from 1.37 to 2.57 mol/L in the nutrient agar medium. Under a 200 mmol/L salt stress in vitro, the bacteria in a culture of 108 CFU/ml exhibited competitive exopolysaccharide (EPS) production: Stenotrophomonas (65 μg/ml) and Bacillus (28 μg/ml), when compared to the positive control, Pseudomonas spp. (23.65 μg/ml), a phenomenon ably supported by their strong biofilm-producing abilities both in a microtiter plate assay, and in soil condition; and demonstrated by images of the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Overall, the isolated endophytic microorganisms revealed potential PGP activities that could be supported by their biofilm-forming ability under salinity stress, thereby building up a sustainable solution for ensuring food security in coastal agriculture under changing climate conditions.

Iron (Fe) bioavailability to plants is reduced in saline soils; therefore, plants growing in arid soils face two major challenges for poor crop productivity: high salinity and Fe deficiency. Siderophore-producing plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) could be a promising alternative to chemical fertilizers that could tackle salt stress and Fe limitation in saline soils concurrently. Here, four salt-tolerant PGPR, isolated from the root area of salt-prone rice fields of Bangladesh were studied to evaluate their siderophore-producing ability. Bacillus aryabhattai MS3 exhibited the highest production, estimated at 60% and 43% under non-saline and saline (200 mM NaCl) conditions respectively. The expression of the entD gene, which is involved in the biosynthesis of siderophore was evidenced irrespective of saline states. Therefore, consideration of such salt-tolerant, siderophore-producing PGPR for producing biofertilizer could be an eco-friendly innovation for climate-smart agriculture in salinized soils with limited iron availability.

Plants have been extensively studied since ancient times and numerous important chemical constituents with tremendous therapeutic potential are identified. Attacks of microorganisms including viruses and bacteria can be counteracted with an efficient immune system and therefore, stimulation of body’s defense mechanism against infections has been proven to be an effective approach. Polysaccharides, terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, and lactones are the important phytochemicals, reported to be primarily responsible for immunomodulation activity of the plants. These phytochemicals may act as lead molecules for the development of safe and effective immunomodulators as potential remedies for the prevention and cure of viral diseases. Natural products are known to primarily modulate the immune system in nonspecific ways. A number of plant-based principles have been identified and isolated with potential immunomodulation activity which justify their use in traditional folklore medicine and can form the basis of further specified research. The aim of the current review is to describe and highlight the immunomodulation potential of certain plants along with their bioactive chemical constituents. Relevant literatures of recent years were searched from commonly employed scientific databases on the basis of their ethnopharmacological use. Most of the plants displaying considerable immunomodulation activity are summarized along with their possible mechanisms. These discussions shall hopefully elicit the attention of researchers and encourage further studies on these plant-based immunomodulation products as potential therapy for the management of infectious diseases, including viral ones such as COVID-19.

A number of illegal drug tablets with unknown constituents are supplied to countries around the world, most of which are habit forming. Amphetamine constitutes the majority of illegal tablets supplied to Saudi Arabia. In this study, we investigated illicit amphetamine tablets seized from Jazan region located in the southwest of Saudi Arabia to identify the insidious additives present in them and their health-related risks. Tablets were analyzed for the presence of amphetamine and other additives using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) technique. Amphetamine was detected in good to high area % values in all analyzed tablets in the range of 16.29–41.23%. Interestingly, a number of other additives were also detected with amphetamine in most of the tested samples including caffeine, lidocaine, diphenhydramine, and 8-chlorotheophylline in considerable area %. Caffeine may have been added to enhance the psychotic effect of amphetamine, whereas lidocaine was added to prevent the cardiovascular side effects of amphetamine. Diphenhydramine was probably added to prevent other undesirable side effects of amphetamine such as insomnia and tremors. Chemometric hierarchical cluster analysis was carried out to make samples clusters which have similar characteristics. It resulted into a dendrogram tree showing eight clusters signifying different sources of tablet samples. Owing to the toxic effects of amphetamine and other psychoactive constituents in the tested tablets, the illegal trafficking of these tablets should be prevented by all means and public awareness should be increased.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (CoV)-2 (SARS-CoV-2), previously called 2019 novel CoV, emerged from China in late December 2019. This virus causes CoV disease-19 (COVID-19), which has been proven a global pandemic leading to a major outbreak. As of June 19, 2020, the data from the World Health Organization (WHO) showed more than 8.7 million confirmed cases in over 200 countries/regions. The WHO has declared COVID-19 as the sixth public health emergency of international concern on January 30, 2020. CoVs cause illnesses that range in severity from the common cold to severe respiratory illnesses and death. Nevertheless, with technological advances and imperative lessons gained from prior outbreaks, humankind is better outfitted to deal with the latest emerging group of CoVs. Studies on the development of in vitro diagnostic tests, vaccines, and drug re-purposing are being carried out in this field. Currently, no approved treatment is available for SARS-CoV-2 given the lack of evidence. The results from preliminary clinical trials have been mixed as far as improvement in the clinical condition and reduction in the duration of treatment are concerned. A number of new clinical trials are currently in progress to test the efficacy and safety of various approved drugs. This review focuses on recent advancements in the field of development of diagnostic tests, vaccines, and treatment approaches for COVID-19.

Background and objectives: Plumeria rubra L. (Apocynaceae) is a deciduous shrub or small tree cultivated in subtropical and tropical countries. Its bark is prescribed to treat amoebic dysentery, dropsy, jaundice, scabies, gonorrhea, venereal affections and wounds. In the present research, we aimed to isolate and identify the chemical constituents of the bark of P. rubra. Method: An air-dried bark powder of P. rubra was exhaustively extracted with methanol. Methanol was removed afterwards under vacuum to get a dark brown mass. The extract was dissolved and adsorbed on silica gel (60-120 mesh) for preparation of slurry. The slurry was loaded over silica gel column packed in petroleum ether. The column was eluted with organic solvents successively in order of increasing polarity to isolate the chemical constituents. The structures of the phytoconstituents, isolated from the plant for the first time, have been elucidated by analyzing the spectral data and on the basis of chemical reactions. Results: Phytochemical investigation of a methanol extract of the stem bark led to isolate n-octyl n-octadecanoate (n-octyl stearate, 1), lauryl-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl–(2ʹ→1ʹʹ)-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (lauryl diglucoside, 2), stearyl-α-L-xylopyranosyl–(2ʹ→1ʹʹ)-α-L-xlyopyranosyl-2ʹʹ-(3ʹʹ-oxy-4ʹʹʹ-hydroxy-5ʹʹʹ-methoxy)-benzoic acid (stearyl dixylosyl methoxygallic acid, 3), vanillic acid 4-O-β-D-arabinopyranosyl-(2a→1b)-O-β-D-arabinopyranosyl- (2b→1c)-O-β-D-arabino-pyranosyl-(2c→1d)-O-β-D-arabinopyranosyl-2d-stearate (vanillic acid 4-O-tetra-arabinosyl stearate, 4), vanillic acid 4-O- β-D-arabinopyranosyl-(2a→1b)-β-D-arabinopyranosyl-(2b→1c)-β-D-arabino- pyranosyl-(2c→1d)-β-D-arabinopyranosyl-(2d→1e)-β-D-arabinopyranosyl-(2e→1f)-β-D-arabino-pyranosyl-2f-stearate (vanillic acid 4-O-hexa-arabinosyl stearate, 5), β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2a→1b)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2b→1c)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl- (2c→1d)-O-β-D- glucopyranosyl-(2d→1e)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2e→1f)-O-β-D- glucopyranoside (β-D-hexaglucoside , 6) and β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2a→1b)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2b→1c)-O-β-D- glucopyranosyl-(2c→1d)-O-β-D- glucopyranosyl-(2d→1e)-O-D- glucopyranosyl-(2e→1f)-O-β-D- glucopyranosyl-(2f→1g)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2g→1h)-O-β-D-rhamnopyranoside (β-D-heptaglucosyl-β-D-rhamnoside, 7). Conclusion: The stem bark of P. rubra contained a variety of chemical constituents like a fatty ester, acyl glycosides, vanillic acid glycosides and polyglycosides.

The khat plant has been culturally used in many parts of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula for many years to induce psycho-stimulating effect. Because of the global wide-spreading nature, khat chewing is being considered as a universally growing problem. Catha abbottii, Catha edulis, and Catha transvaalensis are the three species of khat commonly chewed in Saudi Arabia and nearby regions. Khat users usually prefer to chew young leaves over mature ones due to the diverse effects produced by both. Though many of the constituents of khat leaves have been identified, the complete phytochemical profile of young and mature leaves was not performed or compared; also, no evidence is available to affirm the cytotoxicity of young or mature leaves. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the phytochemical basis of the differential response of the young and mature leaves and to assess the cytotoxicity of young and mature khat leaves. Ethanolic extracts of young and mature leaves of three khat cultivars were subjected to GC-MS. Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed the existence of two major clusters. The extracts of young leaves were found to contain the maximum content of cathinone; however, methoxyamphetamine was found in only one extract of young leaves. Cytotoxicity investigations were also conducted on both types of leaves using three cancer cell lines, human breast adenocarcinoma, human ovary adenocarcinoma, and human colon adenocarcinoma and also normal human fetal lung fibroblast cell line was used. All extracts showed comparable cytotoxicity, IC50 ranging from 22–59 μg/mL on the cancer cells; however, we observed more cytotoxicity against normal cells (IC50: 6–41 μg/mL). The predominant cytotoxicity on normal cells may pose many health hazards to khat consumers.

Salvadora persica L. (Salvadoraceae) is an evergreen shrub growing in the Middle East, Africa, and Southern Asia. It is traditionally known as “miswak” and used as toothbrushes and for the treatment of toothache, gum diseases, boils, chest infection, gonorrhea, headache, spleen troubles, stomachache, and ulcers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study aimed at conducting phytochemical, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial investigations of the fruits (berries) of S. persica collected from the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. Analysis of the ethanol extract of S. persica fruits using GC-MS showed the presence of six esters (20.71%), seven alkanes (15.47%), tetracosamethyl-cyclododecasiloxane (9.91%), eicosamethyl-cyclodecasiloxane (7.27%), and 1-monolinoleoylglycerol (5.17%). The predominant constituents were acetyl dasycarpidan-1-methanol (10.47%), tetracosamethyl-cyclododecasiloxane (9.91%), eicosamethyl-cyclodecasiloxane (7.27%), and 1-monolinoleoylglycerol (5.17%). The petroleum ether extract of the fruits contained mainly eicosamethyl-cyclodecasiloxane (23.81%), 1-monolinoleoylglycerol (11.78%), (Z,Z,Z)-9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid ethyl ester derivative (10.56%), and tetracosamethyl-cyclododecasiloxane (9.91%). The cytotoxic properties of the ethanol extract were investigated by MTT assay against the breast MCF7, ovary A2780, and colon HT29 cells. The fruit extract of S. persica was selective against the ovarian and colon cancer cells compared to normal fibroblast cells (MRC5) as it showed IC50 values 17.50, 8.35, and 5.12, against MCF7, A2780, and HT29 cells, respectively. Interestingly, the fruit extract was also found to possess selective antimicrobial activity for Streptococcus mutans isolates with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of 3.12 and 6.25 mg/mL, respectively. Interestingly, it was found to be ineffective against other Gram-positive as well as Gram-negative microorganisms. This study provides insight into the bioactive components present in the fruits of the plant that can be utilized for its cytotoxic and antimicrobial properties.

Viral infections and associated diseases are responsible for a substantial number of mortality and public health problems around the world. Each year, infectious diseases kill 3.5 million people worldwide. The current pandemic caused by COVID-19 has become the greatest health hazard to people in their lifetime. There are many antiviral drugs and vaccines available against viruses, but they have many disadvantages, too. There are numerous side effects for conventional drugs, and active mutation also creates drug resistance against various viruses. This has led scientists to search herbs as a source for the discovery of more efficient new antivirals. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 65% of the world population is in the practice of using plants and herbs as part of treatment modality. Additionally, plants have an advantage in drug discovery based on their long-term use by humans, and a reduced toxicity and abundance of bioactive compounds can be expected as a result. In this review, we have highlighted the important viruses, their drug targets, and their replication cycle. We provide in-depth and insightful information about the most favorable plant extracts and their derived phytochemicals against viral targets. Our major conclusion is that plant extracts and their isolated pure compounds are essential sources for the current viral infections and useful for future challenges.

Shammah is a locally manufactured form of smokeless tobacco (ST) which is traditionally used in Middle Eastern countries including Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Yemen. Presence of a high concentration of nicotine, in addition to various other toxic and carcinogenic constituents, makes it a serious human health threat. It is an admixture containing powdered tobacco, along with several additives, such as lime, ash, black pepper, volatile oils, and flavoring agents. This study was conducted to investigate the constituents of eight different samples of widely used shammah varieties in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia using GC-MS and to evaluate their cytotoxic effect against three cancer cell lines representing most of the top malignancies in the region including MCF-7, A2780, and HT29 cancer cells, in addition to MRC5 cells (normal human fetal lung fibroblast) using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. GC-MS analysis showed the presence of nicotine or 3-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)pyridine (2.1–91.9% of total constituents detected) in all ST samples, whereas its derivative (1s,2s)-nicotine-N-oxide (0.23–1.62%) was detected in four samples. In addition, several known carcinogenic constituents were also identified, and their carcinogenicity was confirmed by MTT results, in which, all the eight samples promoted the growth of MCF7, A2780, and HT29 cancer cells. The cytotoxic effects of samples against the normal cells MRC5 was proportional to the number of components detected by GC-MS. The ingestion of these constituents through saliva of shammah consumers could be the reason for many cancers including breast, ovary, and colon cancers. These results support the urgent local and international call to educate the users regarding the deleterious effects of shammah to avoid its use.