Biological importance of marine algae

Marine organisms are potentially prolific sources of highly bioactive secondary metabolites that might represent useful leads in the development of new pharmaceutical agents. Algae can be classified into two main groups; first one is the microalgae, which includes blue green algae, dinoflagellates, bacillariophyta [diatoms]. etc., and second one is macroalgae [seaweeds] which includes green, brown and red algae. The microalgae phyla have been recognized to provide chemical and pharmacological novelty and diversity. Moreover, microalgae are considered as the actual producers of some highly bioactive compounds found in marine resources. Red algae are considered as the most important source of many biologically active metabolites in comparison to other algal classes. Seaweeds are used for great number of application by man. The principal use of seaweeds as a source of human food and as a source of gums [phycocollides]. Phycocolloides like agar agar, alginic acid and carrageenan are primarily constituents of brown and red algal cell walls and are widely used in industry

Phytochemical and biological investigation of leptadenia pyrotechnica dence growing in Egypt

The phytochemical investigation of Leptadenia pyrotechnica Dence [Family Asclepiadaceae] growing in Egypt was performed in this study. Sterols and triterpenes were isolated; namely, beta-amyrin, beta-sitosterol, lupeol and betulin. In addition, five flavonoid compounds, viz. quercetin, kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-glucoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside, quercetin-3'- O-beta-D-glucoside and rutin. The isolation and identification of these compounds were achieved through different chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. The isolated pure compounds were subjected to a DNA-binding assay to reveal any antitumor activity of these compounds. Only betulin showed a moderate DNA-binding activity at IC50, 42 mug/ml