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The alkaloid-rich fraction obtained by fractionation of the crude methanolic extract of the leaves of wild tobacco tree Nicotiana glauca Graham (Solanaceae) was analyzed using UPLC-MS and GC-MS. Anabasine, a piperidine alkaloid, was identified as the major constituent with approximately 60 % (m/m) of the alkaloid-rich fraction. In addition to anabasine, six secondary metabolites were identified using high-resolution UPLC-MS. Anabasine was quantified in the leaves to be 1 mg g−1 dry plant material. The GC-MS analysis revealed five compounds with anabasine as the major component, while nicotine was not detected. Moreover, GC-MS was used for the analysis of the volatile oil that was obtained by hydro-distillation from the leaves of N. glauca. The volatile plant oil was found to be rich in oxygenated sesquiterpenes (e.g., β-bisabolol) and carboxylic acids and esters (e.g., ethyl linoleate and hexadecanoic acid), whereas anabasine was not detected.

Using herbs in the Arab world is becoming increasingly common. Hence, there is a potential for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic herb-drug interactions. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and efflux transporter such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp) are vulnerable to modulation by the multiple active constituents of herbs. To examine the effects of some herbal plants on the gene expression of CYP1A1 metabolizing enzyme and P-glycoprotein. In vitro approach using human breast cancer cell line MCF7 and human colon adenocarcinoma Caco2 cell line were used to evaluate the effects of ten herbal plants Paronychia argentea lam., Achillea bibersteni L., Teucrium polium L., Achillea santolina L., Arbutus andrachne L., Ruta graveolens L. Chrysanthemum coronarium L., Iles paraguariensis A.st., Catha edulis Forsk., and Anthemis palastina Boiss on the mRNA expression of CYP1A1 and P-gp. The toxicities of these plants on the cell lines were evaluated with tetrazolium dye MTT test. Only Catha edulis had shown anti-proliferative activity against MCF7, but not against Caco2. Paronychia argentea, Ruta graveolens and Catha edulis on MCF7 and Paronychia argentea, Arbutus andrachne,Chrysanthenum coronarium and Anthemis palastina on Caco2 observed induction of CYP1A1 with dose dependant manner. Variation between induction and inhibition were noticed with plant effects on P-gp expression. Paronychia argentea has shown dose dependant induction effect, Anthemis palastina induced P-gp at high concentrations, Whereas both Teucrium polium and Catha edulis inhibit P-gp at 100µg/ml. The overall results indicate a potential food-drug interaction, which definitely should be investigated further on animal and human kinetic models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The present investigation was aimed at enhancing the quality and productivity of barley by the fertilizer and chitosan application. The field experiments were conducted in the northern region of Jordan, under the rain fed conditions in the main growing seasons of 2014/2015 and 2015/2016. The experiment was conducted in a well-designed split-plot having three replications and two fertilizer levels (0 and 100 kg·ha-1 DAP (Diammonium phosphate 46% P2O5). Chitosan, in three different concentrations (0, 5, and 10 g·L-1), was randomly applied to all fertilized plots as subplot treatments. The results revealed the highest seed dry weight (5.8 g per plant) in the plants treated with 100 kg·ha-1 of DAP, while the lowest (5.2 g per plant) was recorded in the control which exhibited an increase of about 10%. However, other parameters, namely the number of grains, number of spikes, and number of grains were also found to be influenced by the chitosan treatment. Significant variation (P<0.01) were also high between the lines in the presence and absence of chitosan application. The highest number of grain yield, number of spikes, and grains/spike were found by the foliar treatment of 10 g·L-1 chitosan to barley plants at the tillering stage. Similarly, the grain quality, particularly with respect to protein and starch, was found to be enhanced significantly over control. The highest protein (12.6%) and starch (62.3%) were obtained with 100 kg·ha-1 DAP fertilizer level mixed with 10 g·L-1 chitosan. Hence, based on results, it can be concluded that the fertilizer level 100 kg·ha-1 DAP combined with 10 g·L-1 chitosan is economically best and recommendable for improving the quality and productivity of barley in the northern region of Jordan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical composition of volatile oil hydrodistilled from the aerial parts ofRosmarinus officinalisL. (Lamiaceae), collected from cultivated species in Jordan, has been analyzed by means of GC and GC-MS. The oil yield was 0.7 % (v/w of dried material). Fifty five compounds, counting for more than 99 % of the oil composition, were successfully identified. Monoterpenes (33.8 % as monoterpene hydrocarbons and 63.7 % as oxygenated monoterpenes) represented the predominant oil fraction (97.5 %). This included 1,8-cineole (31.1 %) (the principal oil component), α-pinene (16.5 %), camphor (11.7 %), borneol (8.7 %), camphene (6.1 %), and verbenone (3.0 %) as major oil constituents. In addition to assigning a 1,8-cineole chemotype to Jordanian rosemary, the oil composition which is characterized by dominant levels of oxygenated terpenoids, gives an added industrial value to the hydrodistilled oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical composition of the essential oil hydrodistilled from the flowers ofAnthemis palestinaReut. ex Boiss. (Asteraceae) collected from Northern Jordan has been analyzed by means of GC and GC-MS. The extracted oil was further evaluated for its general cytotoxicity using Brine Shrimp Lethality test (BST). About 109 compounds, constituting more than 97.0 % of oil content, were successfully identified. Sesquiterpenes (71.4 %), mainly the oxygenated (44.8 %), represented the main oil fraction, while, moderate levels of monoterpenes (19.4 %), mainly as oxygenated (18.5 %), were observed in the studied oil. The principal oil components were spathulenol (9.8 %), germacrene-D (8.9 %), and caryophyllene oxide (6.8 %). Other major identified components were thujanol acetate (3.7 %),E-β-farnesene (3.5 %), bornyl andelate (3.2 %), 1,8-cineole (2.9 %), terpinen-4-ol (2.6 %), salvial-4(14)-en-1-one (2.5 %), and α-cadinol (2.4 %). The Brine shrimp lethality test (BST) results showed a potent general cytotoxicity with LC of 12.0 mg/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical profile of the hydrodistilled volatile oil from the aerial parts of lemon verbena, Aloysia citriodora Paláu, grown in Jordan was analyzed by means of GC and GC-MS. The melissa-odored plant was found rich in the oil with an average yield of 0.5% (v/w) of dried material. The oil was characterized by a high content of monoterpenes (69.2%) and moderate levels of sesquiterpenes (29.1%). Although the oxygenated fraction was dominant (total=55.5%: 43.6% as monoterpenes and 11.9% as sesquiterpenes), the levels of hydrocarbon terpenoids were also notable (total=42.8%: 25.6% as monoterpenes and 17.2% as sesquiterpenes). Limonene (17.7%) was the principal component, which, together with the citral isomers, geranial (10.1%) and neral (9.8%), make the oil obtained from this Jordanian species with characteristic flavor and fragrance. 1,8-Cineole (11.7%), -terpineol (3.4%), β-caryophyllene (2.6%), a-curcumene (6.3%), spathulenol (4.6%), and caryophyllene oxide (3.1%) were also identified as major compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The search for novel xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitors with a higher therapeutic activity and fewer side effects are desired not only to treat gout but also to combat various other diseases associated with the XO activity. At present, the potential of developing successful natural products for the management of XO-related diseases is still largely unexplored. In the present study, we have screened the methanolic extracts of various Jordanian medicinal plants for their XO inhibitory activities using an optimized protocol. Materials and Methods: The methanolic extracts of 23 medicinal plants, belonging to 12 families, were tested in vitro, at 200 μg/ml concentrations, for their XO inhibitory potential. The dose-dependent inhibition profiles of the most active plants were further evaluated by estimating the IC50 values of their corresponding extracts. Results: Six plants were found most active (% inhibition more than 39%). These plants are Salvia spinosa L. (IC50 = 53.7 μg/ml), Anthemis palestina Boiss. (168.0 μg/ml), Chrysanthemum coronarium L. (199.5 μg/ml), Achillea biebersteinii Afansiev (360.0 μg/ml), Rosmarinus officinalis L. (650.0 μg/ml), and Ginkgo biloba L. (595.8 μg/ml). Moreover, four more plants, namely Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (28.7% inhibition), Helianthemum ledifolium (L.) Mill. (28.4%), Majorana syriaca (L.) Kostel. (25.1%), and Mentha spicata L. (22.5%) showed a XO inhibitory activity in the range of 22-30%. Conclusion: The study showed that many of the tested plant species are potential sources of natural XO inhibitors that can be developed, upon further investigation, into successful herbal drugs for treatment of gout and other XO-related disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of obesity is increasing at an alarming rate, but, unfortunately, only a few drugs are currently available on the market. In the present study, the methanolic extract of Ginkgo biloba L. (Ginkgoaceae) was investigated as an inhibitor of pancreatic lipase (PL) in an attempt to explain its hypolipidaemic activity. In vitro assay of G. biloba leaves extract revealed a substantial PL inhibition activity (IC50 == 16.5 µµg/mL). Further investigation was performed by employing theoretical docking simulations and experimental testing to uncover the active constituents responsible for G. biloba anti-lipase activity. Virtually, terpene trilactones, including ginkgolides and bilobalide, were found to fit within the binding pocket of PL via several attractive interactions with key amino acids. Experimentally, ginkgolides A, B, and bilobalide were found to inhibit PL significantly (IC50 == 22.9, 90.0, and 60.1 µµg/mL, respectively). Our findings demonstrated that the hypolipidaemic effects of G. biloba extract can be attributed to the inhibition of PL by, at least in part, terpene trilactones. In conclusion, this work can be considered a new step towards the discovery of new natural safe hypolipidaemic PL inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Xanthine oxidase (XO) is a key enzyme in the pathophysiological homeostasis of hyperuricemia. It catalyzes the oxidation of hypoxanthine to xanthine and then to uric acid, the reaction involves the formation of free radical intermediates and superoxide byproducts. Objectives: This study was undertaken to investigate the antioxidant, antihyperuricemic, and xanthine oxidase inhibitory potentials of Hyoscyamus reticulatus L. (Solanaceae) extract. Materials and methods: The antioxidant potency was measured using the ABTS•+ scavenging capacity system, which includes Trolox as a standard. The xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of the extract was quantitated in vitro by measuring the decline in the catalytic rate of xanthine oxidase following incubations with the plant extracts and using xanthine as a substrate. The hypouricemic potential of the extract was evaluated using an in vivo model for hyperuricemia. We tested three different doses of the extract and allopurinol was used as standard antihyperuricemic positive control. Results: H. reticulatus aqueous extract exhibited significant antioxidant scavenging properties (533.26 μmol TE/g dry extract weight) and inhibitory effect on xanthine oxidase activity (IC50 12.8 μg/mL). Furthermore, oral administration of the aqueous extract significantly reduced serum urate levels in oxonate-induced hyperuricemic mice in a dose-dependent manner. Discussion and conclusion: Our results suggest that the aqueous extract of H. reticulatus aerial parts might have great potential as an antioxidant and a hypouricemic agent. Our lab is currently identifying the active compounds in the extract to which the biological activities could be attributed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a part of a project designed to investigate Colchicum species in Jordan, the chemical constituents of Colchicum crocifolium Boiss. (Colchicaceae) were investigated using LC-MS and LC-UV/Vis PDA. A decision tree for working with colchicinods has been developed by incorporating data from LC-UV/PDA and LC-MS. This dereplication strategy draws upon the UV/PDA spectra to classify compounds into one of four structural groups and combines this with retention time and mass spectra/molecular weight to identify the compounds. This strategy was applied on a small amount of extract (2 mg) of Colchicum crocifolium to dereplicate 10 known compounds from four different structural groups, namely (−)-demecolcine, 2-demethyl-(−)-colchicine or3-demethyl-(−)-colchicine, N-deacetyl-(−)-colchicine, (−)-colchiciline, (−)-colchicine, β-lumidemecolcine, 2-demethyl- β-lumicolchicine or 3-demethyl- β-lumicolchicine, N, N-dimethyl -N-deacetyl- β-lumicornigerine, (−)-isoandrocymbine and (−)-autumnaline. Furthermore, a new compound was identi?ed as N, N-dimethyl -N-deacetyl-(−)-cornigerine. Three compounds, which had molecular ions at m/ z 325, 340 and 374, could not be dereplicated into any obvious structural classes that have been isolated in our laboratories previously or reported in the literature. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is currently an upsurge of interest in phytochemicals as new sources of natural antioxidants. The aim is to use them in foods and pharmaceutical preparations in order to replace synthetic antioxidants, which are being restricted due to their potential health risks and toxicity. The relative levels of antioxidant activity and the total phenolic content of aqueous and methanolic extracts of a total of 51 plant species of Jordanian origin have been determined using the improved ABTS•+ method and the Folin–Ciocalteu colorimetric method. The total phenolic content of aqueous and methanolic extracts of the investigated plant species ranged from 2.8 to 70.3 and from 2.6 to 59.6 mg GAE/g dry weight, respectively, while the total antioxidant capacity ranged from 12.9 to 731 and from 10.1 to 720 μmol TE/g dry weight, respectively. Based on our results, a number of plant species, namely, Arbutus andrachne, Hypericum triquetrifolium and Rosmarinus officinalis, were identified as among the best sources of free radical-scavenging compounds. There was positive linear correlation between antioxidant activity and total phenolic content for aqueous and methanolic extracts. Thus, it was concluded that phenolic compounds were the predominant antioxidant components in the investigated plant species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

As a part of our continuing investigation of Jordanian Colchicum species, the biologically active components of Colchicum hierosolymitanum Feinbr and Colchicum tunicatum Feinbr (Colchicaceae) were pursued. The brine shrimp lethality test (BSLT) was used to direct the fractionation and isolation of active components. Five and four known colchicinoids were isolated and characterized from C. tunicatum and C. hierosolymitanum, respectively. The known colchicinoids, reported for the first time from these two species are: (-)-colchicine (I), 3-demethyl-(-)-colchicine (II), (-)-cornigerine (III), β-lumicolchicine (IV), and (-)-androbiphenyline (V) from C. tunicatum , and (-)-colchicine (I), 2-demethyl-(-)-colchicine (VI), (-)-cornigerine (III), and β -lumicolchicine (IV) from C. hierosolymitanum . The chemical structures of the isolated compounds have been elucidated using a series of spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques principally; 1D-NMR ( 1 H and 13 C) and low resolution EI-MS and APCIMS. All pure compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines; MCF-7 human breast carcinoma, NCI-H460 human large cell lung carcinoma, and SF-268 human astrocytoma. (-)-Colchicine (I) and (-)-cornigerine (III) were found to be the most bioactive of the identified compounds with EC 50 values in the range of 0.016–0.097&ThickSpace;μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essential oil of the Jordanian Chrysanthemum coronarium L. (garland) was isolated by hydrodistillation from dried flowerheads material. The oil was essayed for its in vitro scavenging activity using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. The results demonstrate that the oil exhibits moderate radical scavenging activity relative to the strong antioxidant ascorbic acid. In addition, cholinesterase inhibitory activity of C. coronarium essential oil was evaluated for the first time. Applying Ellman's colorimetric method, interesting cholinesterase inhibitory activity, which is not dose dependent, was evident for the oil. Furthermore, antimicrobial activities of the oil against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria were evaluated. While it fails to inhibit Gram-negative bacteria growth, the antibacterial effects demonstrated by the oil were more pronounced against the Gram-positive strains. Moreover, the examined oil was assessed for its in vitro antiproliferative properties where it demonstrated variable activities towards different human cancer cell lines, of which the colon cancer was the most sensitive to the oil treatment.