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Date palm, Phoenix dactylifera L. (Arecaceae), grows commonly in the Arabian Peninsula and is traditionally used to treat various diseases. The aim of the present study was to identify chemical composition of the essential oil and to investigate the repellent activity. The essential oil of P. dactylifera was obtained by hydrodistillation from the spathe, a specialized leaf structure that surrounds the pollinating organs of the palm. The oil was subsequently analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. The oil showed promising repellent activity against yellow fever mosquito - Aedes aegypti. Sixteen components were characterized, constituting 99% of the oil. The main components were 3,4-dimethoxytoluene (73.5%), 2,4-dimethoxytoluene (9.5%), β-caryophyllene (5.5%), p-cresyl methyl ether (3.8%), and caryophyllene oxide (2.4%). The minimum effective dosage (MED) for repellency for the P. dactylifera oil was 0.051mg/cm(2), which had moderately lower potency compared to reference standard N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide, DEET (0.018mg/cm(2)) in the "cloth patch assay". The five major compounds were individually assayed for repellency to determine to what extent each is responsible for repellency from the oil. 3,4-Dimethoxytoluene and 2,4-dimethoxytoluene showed the best repellent activity with the same MED value of 0.063mg/cm(2), respectively. The results indicate that these two constituents which comprise a large proportion of the P. dactylifera oil (83%) are likely responsible for the observed repellent activity. In this aspect, the P. dactylifera spathe oil is a sustainable, promising new source of natural repellents., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Leucas virgata Balf.f. (Lamiaceae) was collected from the Island Soqotra (Yemen) and its essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation. The chemical composition of the oil was investigated by GC and GC-MS. Moreover, the essential oil was evaluated for its antimicrobial activity against two Gram-positive bacteria, two Gram-negative bacteria, and one yeast species by using broth micro-dilution assay for minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and antioxidant activity by measuring the scavenging activity of the DPPH radical. The investigation led to the identification of 43 constituents, representing 93.9% of the total oil. The essential oil of L. virgata was characterized by a high content of oxygenated monoterpenes (50.8%). Camphor (20.5%) exo-fenchol (3.4%), fenchon (5.4%), and borneol (3.1%) were identified as the main components. Oxygenated sesquiterpenes were found as the second major group of compounds (21.0%). β-Eudesmol (6.1%) and caryophyllene oxide (5.1%) were the major compounds among oxygenated sesquiterpenes. The results of the antimicrobial assay showed that the oil exhibited a great antibacterial activity against the tested S. aureus, B. subtilis, and E. coli. No activity was found against P. aeruginosa and C. albicans. Moreover, the DPPH-radical scavenging assay exhibited only a moderate antioxidant activity (31%) for the oil at the highest concentration tested (1 mg/mL).

Citrus medica L. commonly known as Otroj, is an important medicinal plant reputed for its nutritious and therapeutic uses. The present work was undertaken to investigate the protective effect of the ethanolic extract of otroj (EEOT) against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. In addition, the antioxidant activity and the phenolic and flavonoidal contents were determined. Rats were administered EETO (250 and 500 mg/kg) or vehicle orally for 15 days along with ISO (85 mg/kg, s.c.) on the 14th and 15th day. ISO induced cardiac dysfunction, increased lipid peroxidation and alteration of myocyte-injury specific marker enzymes. ISO also showed an increase in levels of plasma cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), LDL-C, and VLDL-C. Moreover, the histological investigations showed myocardial necrosis and inflammation. EETO treatment brought the above parameters towards normal level. Moreover, in vitro DPPH radical scavenging and β-carotene-linoleic acid tests of the EEOT exhibited a notable antioxidant activity in both assays used. In addition, histopathological examination reconfirmed the protective effects of EEOT. Thus, the present study reveals that C. medica alleviates myocardial damage in ISO-induced cardiac injury and demonstrates cardioprotective potential which could be attributed to its potent antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity.

Using a standard two-stage fermentation technique, the fungus Beauveria bassiana (ATCC 7159) was found to convert the eudesmanolide vulgarin (1) to 1α,4α-dihydroxy-5αH,6,11βH-eudesman-6,12-olide (2). The use of the yeastHansenula anomala ATCC 20170 instead, produced the less polar 4α-hydroxy-1-oxo-5αH,6,11βH-eudesman-6,12-olide(3), in addition to the more polar 3α,4α-dihydroxy-1-oxo-5αH,6,11βH-eudesman-6,12-olide (4). These metabolites were characterized on the basis of their spectral data and the identity of 4 was further confirmed by chemical synthesis.

In the present study, in vitro antioxidant, antioxidative stress and hepatoprotective activity of Moringa oleifera Lam. seed oil (Ben oil; BO) was evaluated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4) ) induced lipid peroxidation and hepatic damage in rats. The oil at 0.2 and 0.4 mL/rat was administered orally for 21 consecutive days. The substantially elevated serum enzymatic (GOT, GPT, ALP, GGT) and bilirubin levels were significantly restored towards normalization by the oil. There was a significant elevation in the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), non-protein sulfhydryl (NP-SH), and total protein (TP) contents in the liver tissue. The results obtained indicated that BO possesses potent hepatoprotective action against CCl(4) -induced hepatic damage by lowering liver marker enzymes, MDA concentration, and elevating NP-SH and TP levels in liver tissue. The biochemical observations were supplemented with histopathological examination of rat liver. The results of this study showed that treatment with Ben oil or silymarin (as a reference) appears to enhance the recovery from hepatic damage induced by CCl(4) . The pentobarbital induced narcolepsy prolongation in mice was retarded by the Ben oil. Acute toxicity test in mice showed no morbidity or mortality. In vitro DPPH radical scavenging and β-carotene-linolic acid assay tests of the BO exhibited a moderate antioxidant activity in both tests used. The possible mechanism(s) of the liver protective activity of Ben oil activity may be due to free radical scavenging potential caused by the presence of antioxidant component(s) in the oil. Consequently, BO can be used as a therapeutic regime in treatment of some hepatic disorders., (© 2012 Institute of Food Technologists®)

Premise of Study: Many angiosperms have fruit morphologies that result in seeds from the same plant having different dispersal capabilities. A prime example is found in the Brassiceae (Brassicaceae), which has many members with segmented or heteroarthrocarpic fruits. Since only 40% of the genera are heteroarthrocarpic, this tribe provides an opportunity to study the evolution of an ecologically significant novelty and its variants., Methods: We analyzed nuclear (PHYA) and plastid (matK) sequences from 66 accessions using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference approaches. The evolution of heteroarthrocarpy and its variants was evaluated using maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood ancestral state reconstructions., Key Results: Although nuclear and plastid phylogenies are incongruent with each other, the following findings are consistent: (1) Cakile, Crambe, Vella, and Zilla lineages are monophyletic; (2) the Nigra lineage is not monophyletic; and (3) within the Cakile clade, Cakile, Didesmus, and Erucaria are paraphyletic. Despite differences in the matK and PHYA topologies at both deep and shallow nodes, similar patterns of morphological evolution emerge. Heteroarthrocarpy, a complex morphological trait, has evolved multiple times across the tribe. Moreover, there are convergent transitions in dehiscence capabilities and fruit disarticulation across the tribe., Conclusions: We present the first explicit analysis of fruit evolution within the Brassiceae, which exemplifies evolutionary lability. The repeated loss and gain of segment dehiscence and disarticulation suggests conservation in the genetic pathway controlling abscission with differential expression across taxa. This study provides a strong foundation for future studies of mechanisms underlying variation in dispersal capabilities of Brassiceae.

Background/aim: Previous studies on "Black seed" or "Black Cumin" Nigella sativa (NS) have reported a large number of pharmacological activities including its anti-ulcer potential. These studies employed either fixed oil, volatile oil components or different solvent extracts. In folkloric practices, NS seeds are taken as such, in the form of coarse dry powder or the powdered seeds are mixed with water. This study examines the effect of NS aqueous suspension on experimentally induced gastric ulcers and basal gastric secretion in rats to rationalize its use by herbal and Unani medicine practitioners., Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at the Medicinal, Aromatic and Poisonous Plants Research Center, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Acute gastric ulceration was produced by various noxious chemicals (80% ethanol, 0.2 M NaOH, 25% NaCl and indomethacin) in Wistar albino rats. Anti-secretory studies were undertaken in a separate group of rats. Gastric wall mucus contents and non-protein sulfhydryl concentration were estimated, and gastric tissue was examined histopathologically., Results: An aqueous suspension of Black seed significantly prevented gastric ulcer formation induced by necrotizing agents. It also significantly ameliorated the ulcer severity and basal gastric acid secretion in pylorus-ligated Shay rats. Moreover, the suspension significantly replenished the ethanol-induced depleted gastric wall mucus content levels and gastric mucosal non-protein sulfhydryl concentration. The anti-ulcer effect was further confirmed histopathologically., Conclusion: These findings validate the use of Black seed in gastropathies induced by necrotizing agents. The anti-ulcer effect of NS is possibly prostaglandin-mediated and/or through its antioxidant and anti-secretory activities.

The chloroform extract of the aerial parts of Caralluma russeliana yielded four acylated pregnane glycosides, namely russeliosides E-H, three were found now. The structures of the compounds were elucidated using MS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 1H-1H COSY, HMQC, NOESY and HMBC experiments.

A preliminary survey on the medicinal plant diversity in the flora of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been made with seven families: Amaranthaceae, Apocynaceae, Capparidaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Labiatae, Polygonaceae and Solanaceae, as an initial study. These families are represented in the flora with 254 species (i.e. 12% of the total species), and individually with 21, 7, 29, 66, 76, 22 and 33 species, respectively. Of these, 86 species, so far investigated, are medicinal, distributed in these seven families as follows: 7, 5, 12, 20, 23, 7 and 12, respectively. The Labiatae have the highest number (23) of medicinal plants among them while maximum medicinal plant diversity within the family has been observed with the Apocynaceae. An enumeration of these 86 medicinal species is presented with the current nomenclature, Arabic names and medicinal uses. This communication aims at emphasizing the importance of setting up conservation priorities, and sustained development of various medicinal plants of Saudi Arabia.

The hepatoprotective activity of an ethanolic extract of Commiphora opobalsamum ("Balessan") was investigated in rats by inducing hepatotoxicity with carbon tetrachloride:liquid paraffin (1:1). This extract has been shown to possess significant protective effect by lowering serum transaminase levels (serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase), alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin. Pretreatment with an extract of Balessan prevented the prolongation of the barbiturate sleeping time associated with carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in mice. On the other hand, CCl4-induced low-level nonprotein sulfhydryl concentration in the liver was replenished by the Balessan extract. These data suggest that the plant C. opobalsamum may act as an antioxidant agent and may have a hepatoprotective effect.

The aerial parts of Triumfetta flavescens H. (N. O. Tiliaceae) afforded a new alkaloidal steroid glycoside, characterized as stigma 5(6)-ene-7,22-dione-25-methylamino-3 beta,23 beta-diol-3-O-beta-D- glucoside and designated as triumfettoside (1); and a new sterol identified as stigma 5(6)-ene-7,22-dione-3 beta,23 beta-diol, designated as triumfettosterol (2). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectral analysis.

The aerial parts of Hypoestes verticillaris (L.F.) Sol. (Acanthaceae) has afforded a new seco-fusicoccane diterpenoid ketonepoxide, which was characterized as 1(10) seco-fusicocc-3 (4)-ene-5, 11, 14-trione-8 (9), 1 (7)-diepoxide (1) on the basis of spectral analysis and named as verticillarone, along with earlier reported diterpenoid, i.e. 13-hydroxy-7-oxo-labda-8, 14-diene (2).

The ether fraction of the defatted ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Caralluma penicillata (defl) M. E. Br. (Asclepiadaceae) yielded four new oxypregnane glycosides, penicillosides D-G. The structures of the isolated compounds were established by different spectroscopic methods.

The aerial parts of Teucrium oliverianum yielded two neo-clerodane diterpenoids, teucrolin F and G, together with the known teucrolin E. The previously proposed structure for teucrolin E was revised so that it contains a tetrahydrofuran ring instead of an oxetane ring. This was based on analysis of the NMR spectroscopic data of its diacetate, including its NOE spectra. In addition, the structural assignments of the new diterpenoids were based on 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic studies, mainly 2D NMR experiments, including homonuclear and heteronuclear correlations.

The toxic effects of oral administration of 0.25 g/kg Nerium oleander leaves, 0.25 g/kg Rhazya stricta leaves or their mixture at 0.25 g/kg N. oleander leaves plus 0.25 g/kg R. stricta leaves on Najdi sheep were investigated. Daily oral dosing of R. stricta leaves for 42 days was not fatal to sheep while single oral doses of either N. oleander leaves or the mixture with R. stricta leaves proved fatal to animals within 24 hours with dyspnea, grunting, salivation, grinding of the teeth, ruminal bloat, frequent urination, ataxia and recumbency prior to death. The main lesions were widespread congestion or hemorrhage, pulmonary cyanosis, emphysema, bronchotracheal froths, and hepatonephropathy. The clinical and pathological changes were correlated with alterations in serum LDH and AST activities and concentrations of cholesterol, bilirubin, urea, total protein, albumin, and globulin and hematological values.

The toxic effects of diet containing 10% of C. senna L. fruits or 10% of N. oleander L. leaves or their 1:1 mixture (5% + 5%) on male Wistar rats treated for 6 weeks were investigated. Diarrhea was a prominent sign of C. senna L. toxicosis. In both phytotoxicities, there were decreases in body weight gains, inefficiency of feed utilization, dullness and enterohepatonephropathy. These findings accompanied by leukopenia and anemia were correlated with alterations of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities and concentrations of total protein, albumin, urea and other serum constituents. In both phytotoxicities, the ability of the liver to excrete bilirubin remained unchanged. Feeding the mixture of C. senna L. fruits and N. oleander L. leaves caused more serious effects and death of rats. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Two new alkaloids, haplotubinone (3) and haplotubine (4), were isolated from the aerial parts of Haplophyllum tuberculatum together with the known lignan diphyllin. The structures of the new alkaloids were established by spectroscopic methods in conjunction with X-ray crystallographic analysis of 3. In addition, the amide N-(2-phenylethyl)-benzamide has been identified in this source for the first time.

Susceptibility of sheep to oral administration of Citrullus colocynthis fruits, Nerium oleander leaves or their mixture is described in 12 sheep assigned as untreated controls, C. colocynthis-treated at 0.25g/kg/day, N. oleander-treated at 0.25g/kg and plant mixture-treated at 0.25g of C. colocynthis/kg plus 0.25g of N. oleander/kg. The daily use of 0.25g of C. colocynthis/kg for 42 days was not fatal to sheep and caused slight diarrhoea, catarrhal enteritis, centrilobular hepatocellular fatty change and degeneration of the renal tubular cells. Single oral doses of 0.25g of N. oleander/kg were lethal to sheep within 18-24h and caused uneasiness, grinding of the teeth, dyspnoea, anorexia, frequent urination, ruminal bloat, ataxia and recumbency before death. The main lesions were widespread congestion and haemorrhage, pulmonary cyanosis and emphysema and severe hepatonephropathy. Rapid death was also observed in sheep receiving single doses of the mixture of the two plants. Effects were correlated with changes in the activities of serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartate transaminase (AST) and concentrations of cholesterol, bilirubin, total protein, albumin, globulin and urea and haematological parameters.

Body weight loss, inefficiency of feed utilization, diarrhea, ruffled hair and enterohepatonephrotoxicity were effects on male Wistar rats fed diet containing 10% Cassia senna or 10% Citrullus colocynthis ripe fruits for 6w. Rats fed a 1:1 mixture (5% + 5%) of fruits from these plants were more adversely affected and had deaths than rats fed the individual plants. The changes associated with the macrocytic hypochromic anemia and leukopenia were increased serum AST, ALT and ALP activities, increased urea, and decreased total protein, albumin and calcium. Serum bilirubin concentration did not change.

The acute toxicity of dried Nerium oleander leaves to Najdi sheep is described in 12 sheep assigned as untreated controls, N. oleander-treated once at 1 and 0.25 g/kg body weight and N. oleander-treated daily at 0.06 g/kg body weight by drench. Single oral doses of 1 or 0.25 g of dried N. oleander leaves/kg body weight caused restlessness, chewing movements of the jaws, dyspnea, ruminal bloat, incoordination of movements, limb paresis, recumbency and death 4-24 hr after dosing. Lesions were widespread congestion or hemorrhage, pulmonary cyanosis and emphysema, hepatorenal fatty change and catarrhal abomasitis and enteritis. The daily oral doses of 0.06 g dried N. oleander leaves/kg body weight caused less severe signs and death occurred between days 3 and 14. In these animals, the main lesions were hepatonephropathy and gelatinization of the renal pelvis and mesentry and were accompanied by significant increases in serum AST and LDH activities, in bilirubin, cholesterol and urea concentrations and significant decreases in total protein and albumin levels, anemia and leucopenia.

The toxicity of diet containing 10% of Citrullus colocynthis fruits or 10% of Nerium oleander leaves or their 1:1 mixture (5%+5%) for rats treated for 6 weeks was determined. Dullness, ruffled hair, decreased body weight gains and feed efficiency, and enterohepatonephropathy characterised treatment with C. colocynthis and N. oleander given alone. Diarrhoea was a prominent sign of C. colocynthis poisoning. Organ lesions were accompanied by leucopenia, anaemia and alterations in serum AST, ALT and ALP activities and concentrations of total protein, albumin, urea, bilirubin and other serum constituents. Feeding the mixture of C. colocynthis and N. oleander caused more marked effects and death of rats.

Utilizing the hepatitis B virus (HBV)-producing hepatoblastoma cell line, HepG2.2.15, which is stably transfected with the cloned HBV genome, methods were devised to examine the effects of test substances on intracellular extrachromosomal HBV DNA levels and secretion of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The known inhibitor of HBV replication, dideoxycytosine (ddC), had a minor effect on the secretion of HBsAg, but >90% of intracellular extrachromosomal HBV DNA expression was lost at a non-cytotoxic drug concentration (25μM). This inhibitory effect was reversed when ddC was removed from the medium. Of 19 plant materials tested, extracts from the aerial parts of Clematis sinensis Lour, and Clerodendron inerme R. Br. significantly inhibited the secretion of HBsAg into the culture medium at non-cytotoxic concentrations, but had no effect on intracellular extrachromosomal HBV DNA levels. This system is useful for the evaluation of test materials, or combinations of test materials, for their potential to inhibit HBV markers., (Copyright © 1996 Gustav Fischer Verlag. Published by Elsevier GmbH.. All rights reserved.)

An ethanolic extract of Cress (Lepidium sativum L.) seeds has been studied for anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic activities and to evaluate the safety of their acute and chronic use in rodents. The extract significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced paw edema and reduced the yeast-induced hyperpyrexia. It also prolonged the reaction time of mice on the hot plate. However, the extract exacerbated indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal damage. The coagulation studies showed a significant increase in fibrinogen level and an insignificant decrease in prothrombin time, confirming its coagulating property. The toxicity tests showed that the administration of extract in single doses of 0.5 to 3.0g/kg did not produce any adverse effects or mortality in mice, whereas the animals treated with extract (100 mg/kg/day) for a period of 3 months in drinking water showed no symptoms of toxicity except a statistically insignificant higher mortality rate. These findings suggest that the seeds of Cress (L. sativum) possess significant anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic and coagulant activities, and are free from serious side or toxic effects., (Copyright © 1994 Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart · Jena · New York. Published by Elsevier GmbH.. All rights reserved.)

The effect of Swertia chirata has been studied on experimentally induced gastric ulcers in rats. The ethanolic extract of chirata significantly reduced the intensity of gastric mucosal damage induced by indomethacin and necrotizing agents. It produced a significant decrease in gastric secretion in pylorus-ligated rats. The extract inhibited acetylcholine-induced contraction of guinea pig ileum, suggesting its anti-cholinergic activity. Pretreatment of rats with the extract significantly prevented ethanol-induced gastric wall mucus depletion and restored the non-protein sulfhydryl (NP-SH) content in the glandular stomachs. These findings support the use of chirata for the treatment of gastric ulcers in traditional medicine.

The decoction of the aerial part of Calotropis procera is commonly used in Saudi Arabian traditional medicine for the treatment of variety of diseases including fever, joint pain, muscular spasm and constipation. The present investigation was undertaken to confirm its claimed activity in traditional medicine. The ethanol extract of the plant was tested on laboratory animals for its antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, purgative and muscle relaxant activities. The results of this study showed a significant antipyretic, analgesic and neuromuscular blocking activity. On smooth muscle of guinea pig ileum, the extract produced contractions which was blocked by atropine supporting its use in constipation. The extract failed to produce significant anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities. Our phytochemical studies on the aerial parts of C. procera showed the presence of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, sterols and/or triterpenes. However, the chemical constituents responsible for the pharmacological activities remains to be investigated. The safety evaluation studies revealed that the use of extract in single high doses (up to 3 g/kg) does not produce any visible toxic symptoms or mortality. However, prolong treatment (90 days) causes significantly higher mortality as compared to control group.

An ethanol extract of turmeric was studied in rats for its ability to inhibit gastric secretion and to protect gastroduodenal mucosa against the injuries caused by pyloric ligation, hypothermic-restraint stress, indomethacin, reserpine and cysteamine administration and cystodestructive agents including 80% ethanol, 0.6 M HCl, 0.2 M NaOH and 25% NaCl. An oral dose of 500 mg/kg of the extract produced significant anti-ulcerogenic activity in rats subjected to hypothermic-restraint stress, pyloruic ligation and indomethacin and reserpine administration. The extract had a highly significant protective effect against cystodestructive agents. The reduction in the intensity of ulceration of cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcers was not found to be statistically significant. Turmeric extract not only increased the gastric wall mucus significantly but also restored the non-protein sulfhydryl (NP-SH) content in the glandular stomachs of the rats.

An ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of Ruta chalepensis was studied for its anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic and CNS depressant activities. The extract produced a significant inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw oedema and cotton pellet granuloma in rats. The studies on spontaneous motor activity in mice and conditioned avoidance responding (CAR) in rats showed a dose-dependent depression of the central nervous system in treated animals. Reduction of yeast-induced hyperthermia in mice confirmed its reputed antipyretic activity. The extract did not produce any significant changes in prothrombin time and fibrinogen level. It also failed to produce any analgesic activity in the hot plate reaction-time test in mice. Phytochemical screening of the aerial parts of the plant showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarins, tannins, volatile oil, sterols and/or triterpenes.

Ethanolic extracts of the aerial parts of Artemisia abyssinica and A. inculta were subjected to acute toxicity observations in mice for 24 h and chronic toxicity evaluation for 3 months. External morphological changes, visceral toxicity, haematological changes, spermatogenic dysfunction and effect on body weight and vital organ weight were recorded. In both the chronically treated groups, no significant acute mortality was observed up to 3 g/kg p.o. There was no weight gain in A. abyssinica chronically-treated mice while the weight gain of A. inculta-treated animals matched that of the control group. Significant sperm damage was observed in A. abyssinica-treated mice while A. inculta failed to produce any significant spermatotoxic effect.

The ethanolic extract of Artemisia inculta has been screened for anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities on suitable experimental models. It has been found to produce significant inhibition of carrageenan induced paw edema and cotton pellet induced granuloma pouch and a significant decrease in the prothrombin time in rats. It failed to produce any analgesic or antipyretic activity on the hot plate reaction time and yeast induced hypyrexia tests in mice. It also did not produce any effect on the platelet aggregation and fibrinogen level in the rats. Amongst the phytoconstituents detected in this plant, flavonoids may be responsible for the observed anti-inflammatory effect of the ethanolic extract.

The 14-membered cyclopeptide alkaloid mauritine-C and the 13-membered cyclopeptide alkaloid sativanine-C were isolated from Zizyphus spinea-christi and Zizyphus sativa commonly used in the Saudi Folklor medicine. The N-formyl derivatives of these compounds were prepared and their corresponding spectral data was analyzed. Fundamental differences were observed in the mass spectrometric fragmentation of the newly formed derivatives as compared to the parent compounds mass spectrometry was found a useful tool to substantiate the fragmentation pattern proposed for these potential natural products.

The cytoprotective and gastric anti-ulcer studies of ginger have been carried out in albino rats. Cytodestruction was produced by 80% ethanol, 0.6M HC1, 0.2M NaOH and 25% NaCl. Whereas gastric ulcers were produced by ulcerogenic agents including indomethacin, aspirin and reserpine, beside hypothermic restraint stress and by pylorus ligated Shay rat technique. The results of this study demonstrate that the extract in the dose of 500 mg/kg orally exert highly significant cytoprotection against 80% ethanol, 0.6M HC1, 0.2M NaOH and 25% NaCl induced gastric lesions. The extract also prevented the occurrence of gastric ulcers induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and hypothermic restraint stress. These observations suggest cytoprotective and anti-ulcerogenic effect of the ginger.

Five plants which have been used for the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and gout in the traditional medicine of Saudi Arabia, were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory properties. Of these the ethanolic extract of Capparis decidua and the aqueous extract of Capparis spinosa were found to possess significant anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenan induced oedema in rats. These two plants were also tested for their antipyretic and analgesic activity. C. decidua was found to possess significant antipyretic effect. Both of them are devoid of analgesic activity.

A large number of herbal drugs are used in the traditional medicine of Saudi Arabia for the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis, gout and other forms of inflammation. In the present study seven of these crude drugs, namely Francoeuria crispa, Hammada elegans, Malus pumila, Ruta chalepensis, Smilax sarsaparilla, Achillea fragrantissima and Alpinia officinarum were tested against carrageenan-induced acute inflammation in rats. The plant materials were extracted with 96% ethanol. The dried extract was dissolved in water for pharmacological testing. The rats were administered an oral dose of 500 mg/kg body weight of each extract 1 h prior to production of inflammation by carrageenan injection (0.05 ml of 1% carrageenan suspension in the planter aponeurosis of the right hind foot). The paw volume was measured at 0,2,3 and 4 h after the injection. Four of the seven plants, namely Francoeuria crispa (24%), Malus pumila (23%), Ruta chalepensis (30%) and Smilax sarsaparilla (25%), produced significant inhibition of carrageenan-induced inflammation in rats. These plants also inhibited cotton pellet-induced exudation. Further studies are suggested to isolate the active principles and for the determination of the mechanism of action of these drugs.

Plants of 25 families, encompassing 30 species were selected on the basis of their folklore uses and literature data for the present screening. Besides phytochemical screening the plant extracts were prepared and tested for their antimicrobial activity. The result of the testing showed that about 77% of these plants exhibited some level of antibacterial activity. The most common chemical constituents found in these plants were sterols and/or triterpenes, falvonoids, alkaloids and tannins. Volatile oils, volatile bases, saponins, coumarins, anthraquinones and cardiac glycosides were also detected.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum seed and Ammi majus fruit on experimentally-induced kidney stones. Oxalate urolithiasis in male rats was produced by the addition of 3% glycolic acid to their diet. After 4 weeks, highly significant deposition in the kidneys was noticed and changes in water intake and body weight recorded. Daily oral treatment with T. foenum-graecum significantly decreased the quantity of calcium oxalate deposited in the kidneys thus supporting its use in Saudi folk medicine. The effects obtained by A. majus were, however, not significant.

The petroleum ether extract of the oleo-gum resin of Commiphora molmol, at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight, produced significant inhibition of carrageenan induced inflammation and cotton pellet granuloma. The extract also showed significant antipyretic activity in mice. Further studies on the fractionation of phytoconstituents and their mechanism of action are in progress.

Teucrium polium is widely used by the folk-medicine practitioners in Saudi Arabia for the treatment of inflammations, rheumatism, diabetes and ulcers. Scientific reports are lacking to confirm these activities. The present study reports the effect of ethanolic extract of T. polium on carrageenan-induced acute inflammation, cotton-pellet granuloma and some of the biochemical parameters. The ethanolic extract of Teucrium polium at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight produced significant inhibition of carrageenan-induced inflammation and cotton-pellet granuloma. Biochemical studies showed a significant decrease in glucose level. The presence of flavonoids and sterols might be responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity of this plant. Further studies on the fractionation of the phytoconstituents, and on their mechanism of action are in progress.