Response surface methodology-based optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of β-sitosterol and lupeol from Astragalus atropilosus (roots) and validation by HPTLC method

Objective: To optimize the ultrasonication method for efficient extraction of β-sitosterol and lupeol from the roots of Astragalus atropilosus using Box-Behnken design of response surface methodology (RSM), and its validation by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) method.Methods: Ultrasonication method was used to extract β-sitosterol and lupeol from Astragalus atropilosus (roots). RSM was used to optimize the different extraction parameters viz. liquid to solid ratio (10–14 mL/g), temperature (60-80 ℃) and time (40–60 min) to maximize the yield of β-sitosterol and lupeol. The quantitative estimation of β-sitosterol and lupeol was done in chloroform extract of Astragalus atropilosus by validated HPTLC method on 10 cm × 20 cm glass-backed silica gel 60F254 plate using hexane and ethyl acetate (8:2, v/v) as mobile phase. Results: A quadratic polynomial model was found to be most appropriate with regard to R1 (yield of total extraction; R2/％ CV = 0.9948/0.28), R2 (β-sitosterol yield; R2/％ CV = 0.9923/0.39) and R3 (lupeol yield; R2/％ CV = 0.9942/0.97). The values of adjusted R2/predicted R2/signal to noise ratio for R1, R2, and R3 were 0.9782/0.9551/48.77, 0.9904/0.9110/31.33, and 0.9927/0.9401/36.08, respectively, indicating a high degree of correlation and adequate signal. The linear correlation plot between the predicted and experimental values for R1, R2, and R3 showed high values of R2 ranging from 0.9905-0.9973. β-sitosterol and lupeol in chloroform extract of Astragalus atropilosus were detected at Rf values of 0.22 and 0.34, respectively, at λ max = 518 nm. The optimized ultrasonic extraction produced 8.462％ w/w of R1, 0.451％ w/w of R2 and 0.172％ w/w of R3 at 13.5 mL/g liquid to solid ratio,78 ℃ of temperature and 60 min of time.Conclusions: The experimental findings of RSM optimized extraction and HPTLC analysis can be further applied for the efficient extraction of β-sitosterol and lupeol in other species of Astragalus.

The protection of Thymus vulgaris leaves alcoholic extract against hepatotoxicity of alcohol in rats

Objective To investigate the protective effect of Thymus vulgaris (T. vulgaris) leaves 70% alcoholic extract against alcohol-mediate hepatotoxicity rats. Methods The protective effect of T. vulgaris extract was investigated at dose of 500 mg/kg/day (as 0.1 of LD

The protection of Thymus vulgaris leaves alcoholic extract against hepatotoxicity of alcohol in rats

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the protective effect of Thymus vulgaris (T. vulgaris) leaves 70% alcoholic extract against alcohol-mediate hepatotoxicity rats.@*METHODS@#The protective effect of T. vulgaris extract was investigated at dose of 500 mg/kg/day (as 0.1 of LD) orally against alcohol-mediate hepatotoxicity using adult male Wister albino rats during 21 days. Protective effect of T. vulgaris extract was evaluated comparing with silymarin standard drug at recommended dose (25 mg/kg/day) orally for 21 days. Serum liver and kidney functions, serum lipid profile, liver antioxidant enzymes activities, liver glutathione concentration (GSH), liver oxidative parameters and histopathological study of liver and kidney were estimated to find out protective effect of T. vulgaris extract.@*RESULTS@#Alcohol-mediate hepatotoxicity rats (alcohol-control) showed hepatocytes distortion represented as marked increment on liver biomarkers; alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) activities, as well as pronounced reduction on total protein and its fractions albumin and globulin production corresponding to normal ranges. Oxidative stress status was appeared on alcohol-control evident as significant depletion on GSH concentration, antioxidant enzymes activities; catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione- S- transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) recorded significant dwindling, concurrence with significant augmentation on oxidative stress parameters; malondyaldehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (HO) concentrations with respect to normal values. Serum lipid profile was affected by alcohol administration, total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly reduced, meanwhile high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was raised comparing to normal ranges. Co-administration of T. vulgaris extract with alcohol showed protective effect on hepatocytes manifested as remarkable minimizing on ALP, AST and ALT activities and marked increment on total protein, albumin and globulin production compared to alcohol-control. Amelioration was achieved on oxidative stress status on rats co-administrated T. vulgaris extract with alcohol. Accordingly, antioxidant enzymes activities; CAT, SOD, GR, GST and GPx were significantly magnified, while oxidative stress parameters; MDA and HO concentration were significantly lessened corresponding to alcohol-control. Also, lipid profile was markedly improved and risk ratio was lowered by T. vulgaris extract co-administrated in comparison with alcohol-control. All these obvious results were confirmed by histopathological examination, which illustrated that extract showed normalization of degenerated and fibrotic liver tissue as of alcohol-control.@*CONCLUSION@#T. vulgaris extract protected hepatocytes from damaging by alcohol reflecting improvement on liver performance and inhibition of oxidative stress status of liver. T. vulgaris extract appeared hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities on alcohol-mediate hepatotoxicity rats compared to silymarin.

Evaluation of hypolipidemic Marrubium vulgare effect in Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemia in mice

Objective To evaluate the hypocholesterolemic and hypotriglyceridemic activities of four Marrbium vulgare herb extracts using Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemia in mice. Methods Hyperlipidemia was developed by intraperitoneal injection of Triton (200 mg/kg body weight). The animals were divided into main four groups of eight mice each: normal control group, hyperlipidemic control group, hyperlipidemic plus tween-40 control and treated group. The fourth one was divided into four subgroups, petroleum ether extract group, chloroform extract group, ethyl acetate extract group and methanol extract treated group each of them contains two sub-sub group for treating animals with two doses at 0.1 and 0.25 LD

Evaluation of hypolipidemic Marrubium vulgare effect in Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemia in mice

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the hypocholesterolemic and hypotriglyceridemic activities of four Marrbium vulgare herb extracts using Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemia in mice.@*METHODS@#Hyperlipidemia was developed by intraperitoneal injection of Triton (200 mg/kg body weight). The animals were divided into main four groups of eight mice each: normal control group, hyperlipidemic control group, hyperlipidemic plus tween-40 control and treated group. The fourth one was divided into four subgroups, petroleum ether extract group, chloroform extract group, ethyl acetate extract group and methanol extract treated group each of them contains two sub-sub group for treating animals with two doses at 0.1 and 0.25 LD50.@*RESULTS@#After 7 h and 24 h of treatment, the intragastric administration of all extracts caused a significant decrease of plasma total cholesterol. Triglyceride levels were also significantly lowered by all extracts while petroleum ether produced the lowest decreasing level. Similar results were observed for LDL-cholesterol concentrations. Furthermore, more polar extracts (methanol and ethyl acetate)-soluble fractions showed a significant ameliorative action on elevated atherogenic index (AI) and LDL/HDL-C ratios, while these atherogenic markers were not statistically suppressed by the chloroform and petroleum ether-soluble extract.@*CONCLUSION@#The findings indicated that Marrubium may contain polar products able to lower plasma lipid concentrations and might be beneficial in treatment of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.

Histopathological features of coeliac disease in a sample of Sudanese patients

Introduction: Coeliac disease can occur at any age but is more common in children. Its diagnosis requires correlation between clinical presentations, serological results, endoscopic findings and histopathological classification using the modified Marsh grading system. This study of coeliac disease with biopsies received in the department of histopathology at Soba University Hospital, and Fedail Hospital aimed to gain insight into the demographic profile, clinical presentations and histopathological classification of patients with coeliac disease. Methods: This was a descriptive study carried out at Soba University Hospital and Fedail Hospital during the period from January 2010-December 2013. Haematoxylin & Eosin and CD3-stained slides of small intestinal biopsies of coeliac disease patients were reviewed for various histological features (1) intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) count per 100 enterocytes, (2) crypt hyperplasia and (3) degree of villous atrophy. Based on the histopathological findings, the cases were categorized according to the modified Marsh classification. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from the patient request forms. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences Software (SPSS). Results: The study included 60 patients. Their age ranged from 2 to 70 years with a mean of 19.5 years (±15.7 SD). The most common age group was below 10 years old (41.6%). Male and female are equally affected. The most common clinical presentation was chronic diarrhoea (55.0%), followed by iron deficiency anemia (41.7%). The degree of villous atrophy ranged from complete atrophy (45.0%), marked atrophy (38.3%) to mild atrophy (16.6%). Marsh grade IIIC was the most common grade. The younger age-groups had a higher prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia and higher Marsh grade.

Gingival health status among patients with transfusion dependent thalassemia [TDT] in Erbil city

Thalassemias constitute a form of anemia that has clear problems in relation to oral health. The purpose of this study to determine whether beta thalassemic disease is associated with increased risk of gingival disease. In this case control study, 50 transfusion dependent thalassemic patients aged 12 to 24 years compared with 50 healthy control subjects matching in age and sex. At beginning both beta thalassemic patients and healthy control subjects were receiving scaling and polishing with good oral hygiene instruction and using the same tooth paste and tooth brush in order to obtain zero score at base line. Then, the all subjects were followed up for six month at one week [base line], one month, three months and six months interval. Gingival health status was assessed through these six months by application of Silness and Loe plaque index [PI], Ramfjord calculus index [Cal I] and Loe and Silness Gingival index [GI]. Data were analyzed by using chi square, fisher's exact test, student t-test and paired t-test. At base line, results showed that plaque index and gingival index were higher among beta thalassemic patients than healthy control subjects with no statistical significance difference. Regarding the calculus index, there was no calculus in both groups at base line. After six month follow up [one, three and six month interval] results showed that plaque index, calculus index and gingival index were higher among beta thalassemic patients than healthy control group with statistically significant difference [P<0.05]. Patients with beta thalassemic major showed significant difference in their gingival health status and therefore a special oral hygiene care program needed for this target group

Implementation of the reaching every district [RED] approach: experience from North Sudan

The purpose of this evaluation was to assess the extent and quality of implementing the Reaching Every District [RED] approach in North Sudan and its impact on immunization coverage. The evaluation was conducted in all 70 districts of North Sudan, excluding Darfur. District RED implementation data for 2006 were collected from district staff and used to quantify implementation by calculating Implementation Scores [IS] using a 10-point scale, with 10 being fully implemented. Overall RED IS ranged from 1.6 to 8.9. The percentage of districts with diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus [DPT] 3 coverage >/=80% increased as the overall RED IS increased, 78%, 87%, and 96% in low-, medium-, and high-scoring groups respectively. The degree of RED implementation varied across districts. Although it is not possible to directly attribute the overall increase in DPT3 coverage to RED implementation, RED implementation quality might be associated with improved DPT3 coverage

Analysis of surgical emergencies in Benghazi, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

The increasing incidence of trauma due to road crashes and violence has increased the need for an efficient emergency medical service. This cross-sectional study was based in a surgical emergency care facility in Benghazi city, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. A representative sample of 391 admissions and 492 deaths was drawn from hospital medical records over a 6-year period [2000-05]. A higher proportion of patients were males among both deaths and admissions. Surgical emergencies for females were less serious and less likely to be fatal. The most vulnerable age for admissions was 25-49 years [37.6%] and for deaths was 60+ years [37.0%]. Noncommunicable diseases were responsible for 50.0% of deaths and 61.6% of admissions; the remainder were classified as injuries. The causes of surgical emergencies not only highlight priority areas for hospital management but also have relevance for community health management

gloved hand as a thermal sensor during intra-operative peritoneal lavage: is it accurate and reliable?

The gloved hand is the tool used to determine the warmth of fluids used for peritoneal lavage at operation. Is it accurate and reliable? We recruited 24 surgical staff comprising of an equal number of senior and junior abdominal surgeons as well as experienced and junior surgical scrub nurses. We presented to them a simulated scenario of peritonitis due to abdominal gunshot and asked them to produce solutions for peritoneal lavage using double and single pairs of surgical gloves to produce twenty samples of warm saline, each of whose temperatures were independently measured and analyzed. We arbitrarily chose 39[degree sign] C +/- 1[degree sign]C as the target temperature range for peritoneal lavage. We obtained an overall accuracy of 40% in producing saline with a temperature in the targeted range. Temperatures below 36 [degree sign] C and temperatures above 41 [degree sign] C were produced in 41% and 15%, respectively. We found no evidence of significantly superior performance between the groups, however, we found a significant tendency to produce temperatures above 41 [degree sign] C when using a double pair of gloves than when using a single pair. We conclude that the gloved hand is inaccurate as a thermal sensor and should not be relied upon to gauge the temperature of irrigation fluids. We recommend the routine utilization of the microwave oven in the operating room

Nitrogen fertilizer influences yield and essential oil of ocimum americanum cultivated in Egypt

The present study was carried out during two successive seasons at the Experimental Farm of Cultivation and Production of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Department, National Research Center, Giza, Egypt.The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of differc-t nitrogen levels on the yield and essential oil production of Ocimum cimericanum.Herbage yield was significantly increased with nitrogen fertilization especially at high levels [40, 60 and 80 kg N/fed]. Both fresh and dry yield of herb [ton/fed] in both seasons were significantly influenced. Similarly, the same effect was obtained on leaves fresh and dry yield per feddan [4200 m[2]]. The highest herb and leaves yields were obtained as a result of 60 kg N/fed. The highest oil percentage was associated with the highest nitrogen dose [80 kg N/fed] in most cuts of both seasons. All nitrogen doses significantly increased oil content [mi/plant] comparing to unfertilized plants. In all cuts of both seasons, 60 kg N/fed produced the highest oil content. The maximum total oil yield [ml/plants or 1/fed] were obtained with 80 and 60 kg N/fed in the lst and 2nd seasons, respectively. All identified compounds were observed in the essential oil of all treatments. The major compound was found to be eugenol followed by methyl chavicol. Generally, the higher the nitrdgen was applied, the higher the methyl chavicol was produced; the opposite was true with eugenol.As a conclusion we may recommend the fertilization of Ocirnum arnericanurn L. plants with 60 kg N/fed as ammonium sulfate to maximize herb, leaves and oil production either per plant or per feddan

Technological studies on the essential oil of coriander

This study aimed to investigate the effect of different extraction methods [hydrodistillation, modified hydrodistillation and organic solvent extraction] of essential oil from coriander fruits on its chemical constituents. Also to investigate the changes in the chemical composition and physiochemical properties of coriander volatile oil during storage as a result of packing in different containers P.V.C., glass and aluminum] as well as, the effect of different drying methods [oven drying, spray drying and lyophilization drying] for microencapsulation technique on the main constituent of the volatile oil. The quantitative and qualitative analysis were carried out using GC-MS for different extraction methods and microencapsulation experiments, while the oil samples for storage experiments were analyzed using GLC. Results indicated that hydrodistillation method was superior to the other two; also the storage of coriander volatile oil in aluminum containers for 180 days was safe and had no effect on any of the studied physiochemical parameters. Lyophilization drying method was the most suitable one for preservation of the volatile oil where most of the compounds as well as their relative percentage were nearly like the control sample

In vitro antimicrobial activity of Borreria seniensis

The antimicrobial activity of the chloroformic, methanolic and aqueous extracts of Borreri seniensis were studied in vitro against. five standard bacterial species [Bacillus subtilis. Staphylococcus aureus. Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas aeruginosa] and two fungal species [Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans] by the agar diffusion method. The results indicated that the stem chloroformic extract was active against both Gram -positive and Gram-negative organisms. The stem methanolic extract showed high activity against Bacillus subtilis, low activity against Escherichia coli and no activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The stem aqueous extract showed high activity against both Gram-positive organisms, two Gram-negative organisms, namely Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris, and was inactive against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All the extracts were inactive against the two standard fungi. Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. The active extracts were further tested against a total of sixty clinical isolates, fifteen of each of Staphylococcus aurcus, Escherichia coli. Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, collected randomly from specimens from Sudanese patients. The stem chloroformic extract of Borreria seniensis at 200 mg/ml was more effective than Ampicillin 40 micro g/ml against Bacillus subtilis and Proteus vulgaris. Compared to Gentamicin at the same 40 micro g/ml concentration, the extract was more effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coil and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The stem methanolic extract of Borreria seniensis at 200 mg/ml was almost similar to Gentamicin 15 micro g/mi against Bacillus subtilis and Geamicin 5 micro g/ml against Escherichia coil. The stem aqueous extract at the same 200 mg/ ml concentration was found to be more effective than Ampicillin 40 micro g/ml against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus. Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This aqueous extract was found to be similar in action to Gentamicin 15 micro g/ml against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli and to Gentamicin at more than 40 micro g/ml against Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus vulgaris. The clinical isolates exhibited low susceptibility compared to the standard organisms

Genetic variability, biological activity and lipid composition of three Nigella Sativa L. Cultivars

Variability, heritability and phenotypic correlation coefficient in three cultivars [Balady, Sori and Turki] of black cumin, Nigella sativa L. were studied during 2001/2002 - 2002/2003. The results reflected highly significant variability between cultivars among all studied characters. High heritability values were estimated for capsules length, number of branches / plant and number of capsules / plant, while moderate values were estimated for other characters. Balady was found to be the best cultivar in the most of traits and it had homogenetical plants. Different patterns of phenotypic correlation were noted between each cultivar characters. Successive extracts of the cultivar seeds were tested for the biological activity against Stegobium paniceum L. Petroleum ether followed by chloroform extract were the most effective extracts. Although, the p. ether extract of Sori was the most effective in all used concentrations [0.5, 1 and 2%], Balady showed the highest activity for chloroformic extract. Fatty acid methyl esters and unsaponifiable components of the seeds of each nigella cultivar were studied by GLC

Field evaluation of latex agglutination test for detecting urinary antigens in visceral leishmaniasis in Sudan

A latex agglutination test to detect urinary antigens for visceral leishmaniasis [VL] was studied. In 204 patients with suspected VL, KAtex had a sensitivity of 95.2% with good agreement with microscopy smears but poor agreement with 4 different serology tests. It was also positive in 2 confirmed VL cases co-infected with HIV. In all KAtex-positive confirmed cases actively followed up after treatment, the test became negative 1 month after completion of treatment. While KAtex had a specificity of 100% in healthy endemic and non-endemic controls, the direct agglutination test [DAT] was positive in 14% of the KAtex-negative healthy endemic controls. KAtex is a simple addition to the diagnostics of VL particularly at field level and as a complementary test for the diagnosis of VL in smear-negative cases with positive DAT results

Tension-free vaginal tape for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence: Two-year follow-up

To evaluate the efficacy and two-years follow-up of tension-free vaginal tape [TVT] procedure in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence [SUI]. The study included 25 female patients with SUI with a mean age of 41.6 years. The diagnosis was based upon history, physical examination, 2 days voiding diaries, vaginal examination, stress test and urodynamics. The procedure was performed under local, spinal or general anesthesia and according to Ulmsten, where polypropyline tape is placed in a U-shaped manner around the midurethra without any tension. Cystoscopy was performed to make sure that the bladder is not injured. Urethral catheter was fixed for 12 hours and the patient was discharged in the next day. The mean operative time was 30 minutes [range 20 - 48]. lntraoperative bladder perforation, profuse vaginal bleeding and convulsion were recorded in 3 cases. Early retention, within one week, occurred in 4 patients [16%] who successfully managed and the patients resumed normal voiding. Two patients [8%] developed denovo detrusor instability. Up to 2 years, there was no change in the postoperative outcome and the results seemed to be constant with time. Finally, 21 patients [84%] cured, 2 patients [8%] significantly improved, while the procedure failed in 2 patients [8%]. TVT is a simple and minimally invasive technique. The results of 2 years follow up are encouraging, however the procedure is not a risk free and in developing countries like Egypt, it is relatively expensive

Effect of omeprazole on plasma zinc levels after oral zinc administration.

BACKGROUND: The intestines are the major site of zinc absorption and excretion. Reduced gastric acid secretion and elevated gastric pH is an important factor affecting intestinal mineral absorption. METHODS: Gastric pH and volume, and basal and maximal acid outputs were measured in 14 healthy volunteers. Plasma zinc levels were then measured at baseline and 1, 2, 3 and 4 hours after oral administration of 300 mg zinc sulfate. The experiment was repeated after omeprazole administration (60 mg/day orally) for 7 days. RESULTS: Omeprazole administration significantly increased fasting gastric pH (5.5 versus 2.4; p < 0.001). Mean basal gastric acid output (1.6 vs 8.0 mEq/h; p < 0.001) and maximal acid output (20.6 vs 106.6 mEq/h; p < 0.001) decreased after omeprazole administration. Zinc absorption decreased after omeprazole administration (141 [34] mg/dL/h) compared with pre-omeprazole values (245 [35]; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Suppression of gastric acid secretion by omeprazole reduces intestinal absorption of zinc.

Physical and chemical characteristics of crude lupinseed oil

The present work aims to study the physical and chemical characteristics of the crude lupinseed oils extracted from Giza 1, Giza 2 and Balady varieties cultivated in Egypt. The results obtained showed the following: 1. The specific gravity was 0.9240, 0.9169 and 0.9223 for crude oil extracted from Giza 1, Giza 2 and Balady respectively, while the refractive index of the same oils was as 1,471, 1,471 and 1,473, respectively. 2. The colour measured by Lovibond tintomuter in a 1.5 inch cell was 15, 14 and 9 red units and 8.5, 3.7 and 1.3 blue units for oils obtained from Giza 1, Giza 2 and Balady respectively. 3. No difference in melting point of the oil extracted from different lupinseed varieties was found, being 2C. 4. The chemical composition of oil extracted from Giza 1, Giza 2 and Balady varieties was found to be 1.86% 1.79% and 1.27%; 181.09, 171.12 and 177.46; 3.17%, 3.30% and 3.50%; 117.97, 110.87 and 130.77; 28.3°C, 28.9°C and 27.2°C; and 9.50%, 9.41% and 9.46% for free fatty acids, saponification value, unsaponifiable matter, Iodine value, titer point and the glycerol content respectively. Mean while the peroxide value of all extracted oils was zero. 5. Oleic acid was 36.24%, 47.0% and 38.49% of total fatty acids found in crude oil of Giza 1, 2 and Balady respectively, while linoleic acid and linolenic acid were 29.93 and 14.83%; 23.21 and 11.73%; 34.15 and 16.47% respectively for the same crude oil investigated. However, saturated fatty acids being palmitic acid and stearic acid represented 18.53 and 0.45; 18.02 and 0.0; 10.86 and 0.0% respectively. The total unsaturated fatty acids ranged from 10.86% to 18.98% of the total fatty acids found in crude lupinseed oils