In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the antiangiogenic activities of Trigonella foenum-graecum extracts

Objective To assess the antiangiogenic activity of fenugreek. Methods Different fractions of fenugreek crude extracts were prepared and their antiangiogenic properties were assessed using the ex vivo rat aortic ring assay and in vivo chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. They were investigated for their direct cytotoxic activity in the MCF7 cells using the MTT assay. Results The ethanol extract showed 100% inhibition of blood vessel outgrowth from primary tissue explants in the rat aortic ring assay at a concentration of 100 μg/mL while the other extracts did not show significant antiangiogenic activity. The ethanol extract was therefore investigated at varying concentrations and exhibited a significant dose dependent effect. The CAM assay coincided with the results of the aortic ring assay as ethanol extract showed a significant inhibition of formation of new blood vessels. The extracts only showed anti-proliferative activity at the highest concentration of 400 μg/mL towards MCF7 breast cancer cell lines in the MTT assay. Conclusions Findings of the both assays confirmed that the ethanol extract inhibited vascularization significantly. Further studies on the ethanol extract would be beneficial in isolating the active ingredient responsible for the inhibition.

In vitro modulation of pancreatic min6 insulin secretion and proliferation and extrapancreatic glucose absorption by paronychia argentea, rheum ribes and teucrium polium extracts

The present study design investigated the effects of crude aqueous extracts [AE] of Paronychia argentea Lam., Rheum ribes L. and Teucrium polium L., traditionally utilized in diabetes treatment in Jordan, on the pancreatic beta-cell MIN6 proliferation and insulin secretion and extrapancreatic glucose diffusion. In an ascending order, R. ribes, T. polium and P. argentea concentrations induced a MIN6 monolayers expansion by respective 118-136%, 158-175% and 140-200% [P<0.001], thus exceeding GLP-1 [5 nM] pancreatic proliferative capacity. Like Lalanine [10 mM] insulinotropic efficacy and without exerting cytotoxicity, glucose stimulated insulin secretion was potentiated by AEs of R. ribes [373-736%, P<0.001] and T. polium [503-1190% P<0.001]. P. argentea AE was inactive at used doses. The potent plants' insulin secretory bioactivities were abolished in the depleted Ca[2+] conditions [P<0.001]. Comparable to guar gum [50 mg/ml] diffusional hindrance in a simple dialysis model, P. argentea inhibited overnight glucose movement in vitro [by 38.1 +/- 1.9% AUC reductions, P<0.001], while R. ribes and T. polium AEs proved inactive. This in vitro evaluation has revealed that all three plants augmented beta- cell expansion, P. argentea inhibited carbohydrate absorption and R. ribes and T. polium stimulated insulin secretion. These actions depend on their intact absorption in vivo. Future directives may assess the use of P. argentea, R. ribes and T. polium as new potential sources with functional properties for food or nutraceutical products or active leads into anti-diabetes pharmacotherapy

Investigation of the active constituents of portulaca oleraceae L. [portulacaceae] growing in Jordan

The phytochemical analysis of the fresh aerial parts of Portulaca oleracea [Portulacaceae], growing in Jordan, using conventional chromatographic procedures resulted in the isolation of beta-sitosterol, beta-sitosterol-glucoside, N,N'- dicyclohexylurea, and allantoin. The last three compounds were isolated for the first time from this plant. The structure elucidation of these compounds was attained by the use of spectral data [UV, IR, MS, 1H-, 13C- and 2D-NMR], X-ray crystallography and by comparison with authentic samples

Comparison of the antimicrobial activity of two different extracts of Jordanian plants: a preliminary study

Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of three Jordanian plants [Rosmarinus officinalis, Mentha arvensis and Thymus capitatus] were studied for their antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, C and ida albicans, C and ida tropicalis and Trichosporon cutaneum. The antimicrobial activity was detected using filter paper disc diffusion method. The ethanolic extract of R. officinalis and T. capitatus inhibited the growth of all microorganisms used, while their aqueous extracts were active against S. aureus, B. subtilis and E. coli. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of arvensis inhibited the growth of S. aureus, B. subtilis and E. coli