Lymphocyte subtype dysregulation in a group of children with simple obesity

Background: Obesity as a global public health problem is increasing in prevalence. Reports showed that obese children are more liable to infection than lean ones; it was claimed that obese subjects have altered peripheral blood total lymphocyte counts in addition to reduced lymphocyte proliferative response to mitogen stimulation as well as dysregulated cytokine expression

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of childhood obesity on cell mediated immunity as indicated by peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotyping. Methods: We enrolled 30 school-aged children [mean age 10 +/- 3.27 years]. They comprised two groups; 20 obese children with a mean body mass index [BMI] of 39.2 +/- 12.5 and 10 matched control subjects with mean BMI of 18.4 +/- 1.9. They were subjected to detailed anthropometric evaluation including weight, height, and waist hip ratio in addition to calculation of BMI, complete blood counting, and flow cytometric assessment of T-helper [CD4], T-cytotoxic/suppressor [CD8], and natural killer [CD56] cell counts

Results: The absolute lymphocyte [CD3] and natural killer cell [CD56] counts were comparable in both groups. However, the CD4%, CD8%, CD4/CD8 ratio were significantly lower in the obese children [p=0.02, 0.03, 0.015 respectively]. A significant negative correlation could be elicited between the CD4 count and bodyweight, BMI, and hip waist ratio [p = 0.00]; the same was observed for CD4/CD8 ratio [p = 0.00]. On the contrary, CD8 correlated positively to the bodyweight, BMI, and waist hip ratio [p = 0.00 for each]

Conclusion: Obesity has an impact on lymphocytic subset counts and further studies are needed to assess its effect on their function

Reducing acrylamide formation in fried potato chips and assessment of the consequent risks

Acrylamide is a toxin that can potentially occur in high concentrations in heated starchy foods especially potato products such as crisps and fries. Acrylamide in processed potato products is formed via the Maillard type reaction between the amino acid aspargine and a carbonyl source such as the reducing sugars glucose and fructose. During cooking acrylamide formation begins to occur at temperatures above 100[degree sign] C and increases up to temperatures of 220[degree sign] C but decreases thereafter due to thermal degradation of the compound. The main objective of this investigation was to study the effect of different pretreatments for frying potato chips on the reduction of acrylamide formation during frying at 180 [degree sign] C. Prior to frying potato chips were soaked in [0.5-1%] solution for 60 min. in one of the following [glycine, lysine, Cacl[2] and Nacl]. Concentration is increased to [2-4%] in case of citric acid. Potato chips were fried using sun flower oil. This study was carried on 36 male albino rats of Sprague-Dawley strain weighing [130 +/- 10 gm] were housed in well aerated wire cages. All animals were kept under normal healthy condition and fed on basal diet for one week for adaptation. After adaptation period, rats were divided into 6 groups [6 rats/group]. Group A [Negative control]: fed on standard diet only. Group B: fed on the basal diet and drinking water treated with 5 mg/l acrylamide. Group C: fed on the basal diet contained 20 mg/kg dietacrylamide. Group D: fed on the basal diet contained 40% fried potato chips. Groups E: fed on the basal diet contained 40% fried potato chips [pretreated with citric acid solution 4% for 60 min. Group F: fed on the basal diet contained 40% potato chips fried in sun flower oil contained 1% extracted rosemary. The experimental period was 6 weeks. The results showed that, rats group fed on basal diet contained 40% fried potato chips without any pretreatments, rats group fed on basal diet and drank water contained 5 mg/l acrylamide and /or fed on diet contained 20 mg/kg diet acrylamide accompanied by alteration in kidney and liver functions. Consequently, results also showed that, the highest dose of acrylamide [20 mg] caused severe symptoms in rats' organs such as, neuronophagia of necrotic neurons of brain, kupffer cells activation of liver, atrophy of glomerular tuft and presence of eosinophilic protein cast in the lumen of renal tubules of kidney, focal necrosis of urothelium and submucosal infiltration with inflammatory cells of urinary bladder but there were no differences or little changes were observed for rats of urinary bladder, but there were no differences or little changes were observed for rats fed on potato chips pretreated with citric aid and/ or fired in sun flower oil contained 1% rosemary extract

Prevalence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and thyroid hormones deficiency in neonatal jaundice

G6PD deficiency is the most common inherited metabolic disorder and clinically significant red cell enzyme defect in man. Severe neonatal jaundice proved to be the most common clinical manifestation and a globally important most dangerous consequence of G6PD deficiency. Prolonged jaundice is sometimes associated with congenital hypothyroidism. So the early characterization of G6PD activity and thyroid hormone levels provides an etiological diagnosis for neonatal jaundice as well as the opportunity to give the newborn's family information concerning hemolytic crisis prevention and an early management in case of hypothyroidism. This study was conducted in an attempt to evaluate the prevalence of G6PD deficiency and hypothyroidism in relation to neonatal physiological hyperbilirubinemia. The study included 50 neonates aged between 6 hr - 5 days, forty infants had jaundice and the other ten [control], were healthy neonates, matching the same age. All infants of the study were subjected to C-RP test, routine hematological evaluation, and serum total bilirubin levels, quantitative red blood cells G6PD assay and thyroid hormone levels. All the fifty cases of both jaundiced and healthy neonates were negative for C-RP test indicating that the 40 cases had physiological jaundice .The study revealed that G6PD enzyme was lower than normal level in 2 cases [5%]. TSH level was found to be higher than normal in 13 jaundiced neonates out of 40 [33%]. Seven jaundiced neonates [18%] had T4 hormone lower than normal while all the 40 jaundiced cases had normal T3 level. Correlation of the total bilirubin was significant with TSH and T3 at 0.05 levels, while there was no significance with both T4 and G6PD. statistically there was no correlation between bilirubin and both G6PD enzyme and thyroid hormones, but the incidence of hypothyroidism in this study was high [18%] and the incidence of G6PD deficiency was [5%]. This indicates a role of G6PD deficiency and hypothyroidism in developing neonatal jaundice among neonates. So, early neonatal screening program is recommended for early management

Hepatoprotective effects of Astragalus kahiricus root extract against ethanol-induced liver apoptosis in rats / 中国天然药物

The hepatoprotective activity of the ethanol extract of Astragalus kahiricus (Fabaceae) roots against ethanol-induced liver apoptosis was evaluated and it showed very promising hepatoprotective actions through different mechanisms. The extract counteracted the ethanol-induced liver enzymes leakage and glutathione depletion. In addition, it demonstrated anti-apoptotic effects against caspase-3 activation and DNA fragmentation that were confirmed by liver histopathological examination. Moreover, the phytochemical study of this extract led to the isolation of four cycloartane-type triterpenes identified as astrasieversianin II (1), astramembrannin II (2), astrasieversianin XIV (3), and cycloastragenol (4). The structures of these isolates were established by HRESI-MS and 1D and 2D NMR experiments. The antimicrobial, antimalarial, and cytotoxic activities of the isolates were further evaluated, but none of them showed any activity.

Non-thermal continuous and modulated electromagnetic radiation fields effects on sleep EEG of rats

In the present study, the alteration in the sleep EEG in rats due to chronic exposure to low-level non-thermal electromagnetic radiation was investigated. Two types of radiation fields were used; 900 MHz unmodulated wave and 900 MHz modulated at 8 and 16 Hz waves. Animals has exposed to radiation fields for 1 month [1 h/day]. EEG power spectral analyses of exposed and control animals during slow wave sleep [SWS] and rapid eye movement sleep [REM sleep] revealed that the REM sleep is more susceptible to modulated radiofrequency radiation fields [RFR] than the SWS. The latency of REM sleep increased due to radiation exposure indicating a change in the ultradian rhythm of normal sleep cycles. The cumulative and irreversible effect of radiation exposure was proposed and the interaction of the extremely low frequency radiation with the similar EEG frequencies was suggested

Diagnostic value of B-natriuretic peptide, ankle brachial index and carotid doppler in detection of sub-clinical cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetic patients

Diabetes is important as a cause of cardiovascular disease [CVD], ranging from asymptomatic ischemia to clinically evident heart failure. Therefore, early identification of sub-clinical CVD in diabetic patients may be particularly important in leading to early initiation of treatment. The aim of the present study was to identify role of BNP [Brain natriuretic Peptide]. Ankle Brachial Index [ABI] and carotid Doppler in detection of sub-clinical CVD in type 2 diabetic patients. BNP was measured in 60 consecutive diabetic patients [patients group] whom were attended internal medicine outpatient clinics or admitted at endocrinology unit of Assiut university hospital. Another 40 patients; were chosen as [control group] their age and sex matched with patients. Echocardiography examinations were performed to all participants. ABI measurements were eonducted on all study participants. Carotid intima Media Thickness [CIMT] and carotid Plaque were evaluated by Carotid Doppler Ultrasonography, along with the determination of anthropometric parameters, HbAlc, lipid profile, assessment of diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM]. Our study revealed 11 patients had Left ventricular hypertrophy [LVH], 20 patients had Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction [LVDD], and no systolic dysfunction were detected. BNP were independent determinants of mild to moderate LVDD. Prevalence of a low ABI [<0.9] was 18.3%. Patients with low ABI had significant increased mean ages [P=0.038] duration of DM [P=0.004], concentration of HbAlc [P=0.044], BNP [P=0.013] and microalbuminurea [P-0.007].Patients with low ABI significantly associated with nephropathy [P=0.001], retinopathy [P=0:007], LVH [P=0.010] LVDD [P=0.018] and carotid artery atherosclerosis [P=0.018]. 20 patients [33.3%] were found to have evidence of carotid artery disease of them 5 patients [8.3%] had increased CIMT and 15 patients [25%] had carotid artery plaques, patients with carotid plaque were significantly smoker [P=0.008], male gender [P=0.013], had low HDL [P-0.008] and higher concentration of HbAlc [P=0.001]. Also patients with carotid artery atherosclerosis were significantly associated with nephropathy [P=0.000], neuropathy [P=0.050], Peripheral Arterial Disease [PAD] [P=0.018], LVDD [0.002].Conclusion: Our study showed that BNP discriminated patients at high risk for mild to moderate LVDD. A low ABI were prevalent in our study and associated with age, duration of diabetes, high HbAlc, microalbuminurea and chronic complication of DM, also carotid atherosclerosis high prevalent in our study especially carotid plaques which significantly associated with male gender, smoking, high HbAlc, low HDL, LVDD, PAD, and diabetic microangiopathy

Compliance with haemodialysis practice guidelines in Egypt

Evidence- and consensus-based clinical practice guidelines for haemodialysis have recently been developed in Egypt. This study aimed to measure compliance with the guidelines in a sample of 16 government hospitals in Cairo and Giza governorates. Each haemodialysis unit was visited to assess the haemodialysis unit and patient care practices for all patients under dialysis at the time of the visit. The mean percentage compliance with haemodialysis guidelines among all study hospitals was 59.3% [SD 11.2%] overall. Within the 5 separate domains, compliance was: 58.8% [SD 12.4%] for personnel, 68.5% [SD 16.0%] for patient care practices, 61.3% [SD 15.4%] for infection prevention and control, 51.5% [SD 18.2%] for the facility and 56.5% [SD 7.1%] for documentation/ records. There were no statistically significant differences between Cairo and Giza governorates except for facility measures which were slightly better in Giza. Overall, compliance with the developed practice guidelines for haemodialysis in Egypt was not satisfactory and was not uniform across facilities

5, 6-Dihydropyranobenzopyrone: a previously undetermined antioxidant isolated from Polygonum amplexicaule / 中国天然药物

AIM@#To study the chemical constituents and their bioactivity of Polygonum amplexicaule.@*METHODS@#The isolation of compounds was achieved by chromatographic techniques and structure of the isolates was established by UV, IR, HRESI-MS and NMR including 1D and 2D experiments.@*RESULTS@#Bioassay-guided fractionation of an ethanolic extract of Polygonum amplexicaule led to the isolation of a hitherto unidentified compound, 5, 6-dihydropyranobenzopyrone (1) along with nine previously known compounds (2-10). Compounds 2-10 were identified as amplexicine (2), catechin (3), rutin (4), quercetin-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (5), chlorogenic acid (6), galloyl glucose (7), caffeic acid (8), gallic acid (9) and scopletin (10).@*CONCLUSION@#Compound 1 is new. Compounds 1-10 exhibited considerable antioxidant activity in a 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging assay.

Psychiatric disorders and MRI brain findings in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and behcet's disease: a cross sectional study

Neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus [NPSLE] shows some similarities to neuro Behcet's disease [NBD].Aim of the work: to investigate and compare the psychiatric manifestations in a cohort of patients of systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] versus Behcet's Disease [BD]. Also, to compare of MRI brain findings in SLE patients and BD patients presented with psychiatric disorders. Finally, to correlate these manifestations with disease activity indices of the patients. The study included 50 patients of SLE, 34 patients of Behcet's disease [BD] and 44 healthy volunteers as a control group. All patients were subjected to psychiatric interview to diagnose any psychiatric disorders clinically. MRI brain was done for SLE patients and BD patients presented with psychiatric disorders. Overall clinical assessment and disease activity of SLE and BD were evaluated. Psychiatric disorders were detected in 28 [56%] of SLE patients which were significantly more prevalent than psychiatric disorders that were detected in [no.9, 26.47%] of BD patients. Psychiatric disorders in healthy volunteers were significantly less prevalent than either SLE patients or BD patients. MRI brain of SLE patients presented with psychiatric disorders commonly showed cerebral white matter abnormalities while in BD patients presented with psychiatric disorders commonly showed brain stem lesions. [1] High frequency of psychiatric disorders in SLE and BD with a significantly higher frequency in SLE. [2] Evident MRI brain findings in SLE and BD patients presented with psychiatric disorders

Histological and immunohistochemical study on rat spleen in experimentally induced liver cirrhosis

The present study aimed to examine the histological changes in the spleen of rats with liver cirrhosis, and to determine the immunohistochemical expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase [e-NOS], and its upstream effectors; tumor necrosis factor [TNF-alpha] and vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]. Twenty male adult albino rats were divided into two equal groups. The first was control. In the second group, liver cirrhosis was induced by intraperitoneal [ip] injection of thioacetamide 200 mg/kg twice weekly for 12 weeks. Splenic index [spleen weight / body weight] was determined and the spleens of rats which developed liver cirrhosis were subjected to the following stains: hematoxylin and eosin [H and E], silver impregnation, and immunostaining with specific antibodies for e-NOS, TNF-alpha and VEGF. Quantitative assessments were carried out using image analyzer with statistical analysis of the results. Splenic sections of cirrhotic rats showed in addition to congestion of venous sinuses, significant increase in reticular fibers in capsule and trabeculae as well as throughout the red pulp. The percentages of red pulp and fibrous trabeculae areas were significantly higher in cirrhotic rats, while the percentage of the white pulp areas was significantly smaller. Immunohistochemical staining of both e-NOS and TNF-alpha in spleen sections of group II rats were significantly lower than control, while VEGF immunostaining was significantly higher. Splenomegaly in liver cirrhosis was not only congestive but there was also significant increase of reticular fibers, red pulp area and angiogenesis. Moreover, nitric oxide [NO] reduction resulting from suppression of e-NOS and TNF-alpha seen in this study contributed to the increased volume of the spleen

Protective effect of Ginkgo biloba against experimental cardiotoxicity induced by isoproterenol in adult male albino rats a histological and biochemical study

The present study was designed to investigate whether Ginkgo biloba [GB] might protect the heart against myocardial injury induced by isoproterenol [ISO] on the basis of its effects on biochemical and histological parameters. Twenty four adult male albino rats [180-200 g] were used in this study. They were divided into 4 equal groups of six rats each. Group I was the control group and group II received ISO [85 mg/kg body weight [bw], subcutaneously [S.C.] for two consecutive days to induce myocardial injury. Group III received GB [200 mg/kg bw] orally by gastric gavage daily for 21 days while group IV received GB [200 mg/kg bw] orally daily for 21 days in addition to ISO [85 mg/kg bw], S.C. on the 20th and 21st day from starting GB. After 24 hours, rats were sacrificed and the levels of cardiac marker enzymes [creatine kinase-CK] and its myocardial isoenzyme [CK-MB]] were assessed in serum. Heart specimens were processed for light and electron microscopic examination. Administration of GB before ISO significantly prevented ISO-induced elevation of serum cardiac marker enzymes. Light and electron microscopic findings of the heart pretreated with GB revealed a well preserved normal morphology of cardiac muscle with minimal evidence of myocardial injury when compared to ISO-treated hearts. This study demonstrated that GB had a significant effect in the protection of heart against myocardial injury induced by ISO. This beneficial effect was mostly related to its antioxidant property. The results of the present investigation may trigger an interest towards the use of GB in myocardial infarction

Role of adiponectin in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

Adiponectin is a collagen-like protein that is solely secreted by adipocytes. Different studies showed that it plays an important role in the pathophysiology of insulin resistance, diabetes and dyslipidemia and thus affects risk for cardiovascular disease and obesity. In the present study the role of adiponectin in pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus was evaluated. The current study was carried on 51 diabetic patients with documented NIDDM and 22 age and sex matched healthy controls. Diabetic patients were subdivided into 2 subgroups according to BMI where 40 were obese and 11 were non obese and according to the presence of cardiovascular disease with obesity where 16 were obese with CVD and 24 were obese with no CVD. Controls were subdivided according to BMI where 7 were non obese and 15 were obese. The levels of plasma adiponectin, insulin, c-peptide, fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, lipid profile, NO and lipid peroxides. The results of the present study showed that adiponectin was significantly lower in all groups with variations compared to controls, in obese patients with CVD than those without CVD. NO and MDA levels were higher in diabetic patients than in controls and the highest levels of MDA were observed in patients with cardiovascular disease. Lipid profile was altered in diabetic patients showing higher levels than in controls. In the diabetic patients, adiponectin was significantly positively correlated with NO and HDL, while it was significantly negatively correlated with glucose, HbA1C, Cholesterol, LDL, insulin and c-peptide. The ability of adiponectin to increase insulin sensitivity in conjunction with its anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic properties have made this novel adipocytokine a promising therapeutic tool for the future

Role of b0 image obtained from diffusion weighted sequence in detection of cerebral hemorrhage

Gradient-echo [GRE] -weighted imaging [T2*WI] has higher sensitivity than do other MRI sequences used for detecting cerebral hemorrhage as it is sensitive to magnetic field in homogeneity induced by the presence of the paramagnetic breakdown products of blood. Diffusion weighted [DWI] b0 image obtained with DWI imposes no additional time and could be used for detection of hemorrhage. An Echo-planner Imaging [EPI] is intrinsically sensitive to magnetic field in homogeneity, paramagnetic blood breakdown products, it produces signal loss similar to that in T2*WI. The aim of this study is to evaluate the utility of b0 EPI image obtained from diffusion weighted sequence for detection of intracerebral hemorrhage. The study included 26 patients from Ain-Shams specialized hospital with different stages of intracerebral hemorrhage [ICH]. All patients had MRI examination including DWI including b0 image, T2*WI, TIWI, T2WI, Fluid attenuation inversion recovery sequence [FLAIR], and MRA. Radiologists reviewed the images of the examinations independently in a blinded fashion, followed by a final consensus reading. The sensitivity of hemorrhage detection, conspicuity of lesions, and diagnostic certainty were compared between the b0 EPI and GRE T2*WI sequences. b0 image was 100% sensitive in detecting different stages of intracerebral hemorrhage in the study sample [acute, subacute and chronic]. b0 image was as equal to T2*WI in detection of hemorrhage in 92.30% of cases [24 cases out of 26], in one patient b0 detected hemorrhage more clearly than T2* WI, while in the remaining patient T2*WI detected hemorrhage more clearly than b0 image. b0 EPI is as sensitive as T2*WI in detecting different stages of intracerebral hemorrhage

Investigations on the glucosinolates of lepidium sativum growing in Egypt and their biological activity

Fractionation of the glucosinolate contents of both the seeds and fresh herb of Lepidium sativum growing in Egypt were carried out. The study of the glucosinolate contents of L. sativum seeds revealed the isolation and identification of glucotropaeolin and 2- Phenyl ethyl glucosinolate while the study of glucosinolate contents of the fresh herb revealed the presence of 2- ethyl butyl glucosinolate, methyl glucosinolate, butyl glucosinolate and glucotropaeolin. The identification of the isolated glucosinolates were substantiated through using different chemical methods [enzymatic hydrolysis] and spectroscopic determinations [UV, MS and GC-MS for the corresponding isothiocyanates]. Acute toxicity studies of pet ether and alcoholic extracts of aerial parts of the plant showed that the alcoholic extract is more safe than that of pet ether extract and both extracts have a hepatoprotective activity on liver at the same concentration [50 micro g/ml]. The different extracts of the seeds and herbs of Lepidium sativum showed a potent effect against the White fly [Bemisia tabaci]. The total glucosinolate and in particular glucotropaeolin showed significant activity against the pest, which gave a highest mortality percentage on the adult stage

lipid and flavonoidal constituents of Herniaria nemistemon J.gay and their biological activity

The LIPID content of Herniaria nemistemon grown in Egypt was studied. The unsaponifiable fraction was identified by GLC. A series of hydrocarbons ranging from C[20]-C[32], in addition to cholesterol, campasterol, stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol, and the triterpenoid alpha-amyrin, as well as fatty alcohol fraction ranging from C[31]-C[38] were identified. The fatty acid fraction revealed the presence of the 14 fatty acids in which palmitic acid [21.62%] represented the major constituent. The flavonoidal constituents isolated from the chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions of aqueous alcoholic extract of H. nemistemon were identified as kaempferol, quercetin-3-O-glucoside-7-O-rhamnoside, kaempferol 7-O-rhamnoglucosyl, vitexin and kaempferol 4'-methyl ether, using PC, TLC, UV,[1] H-NMR and MS analysis. The different extracts and isolated compounds were evaluated for antioxidant activity against [DPPH]. The ethyl acetate extract possessed the highest antioxidant activity followed by chloroform extract, and the fraction containing triterpene and sterols presented a relatively strong antioxidant effect, also it was found that all the isolated flavonoidal compounds showed high activity. The different extracts and isolated compounds of the plant exhibited no cytotoxic activity against Ehrlich-ascites carcinoma cell line at the tested concentrations

phytochemical investigation of asteropterus leyseroides [Desf] and their biological activity

The flavonoidal constituents isolated from the chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions of aqueous alcoholic extract of Asteropterus leyseroides [Desf] were identified as quercetin, Jaceidin, jacein and a phenolic acid, caffeic acid using PC, TLC, uv,[1-]H-NMR and MS analysis. Also, the lipid content was studied. GLC analysis of the unsaponifiable fraction revealed the presence of a series of hydrocarbons ranging from C[I2]-C[29] in addition to cholesterol, stigmasterol and alpha-amyrin, as well as fatty alcohol fraction ranging from C[24]-C[39] were identified. The fatty acid fraction revealed the presence of 10 fatty acids in which linoliec acid [35.99%] represented the major constituent. The crude protein of the plant was found to be [12.71%]. The analysis of the amino acids using the amino acid analyzer revealed the presence of 15 amino acids. The mucilage hydrolysate of the aerial parts of Asteropterus leyseroides was found to contain glucouronic acid, xylose, rhamnose and glucose using PC. The radical scavenging effects of the tested extracts and isolated compounds on 1, 1 Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] free radical were observed. The ethyl acetate fraction and the isolated flavonoidal compounds showed high antioxidant activity. The different extracts and isolated compounds of the plant exhibited no cytotoxic activity against Ehrlich-ascitis carcinoma cell line at the tested concentrations

Phytochemical and bioactivity investigation of chrysanthemum coronarium [var. discolor] durv growing in Egypt

The unsaponifiable fraction afforded by the pet. ether extract of the aerial parts of Chrysanthemum coronarium [var. discolor] was analysed by GLC. A series of hydrocarbons ranging from C[13]-C[29] in addition to cholesterol, stigmasterol and the triterpenoids alpha-amyrin and Beta-amyrin were identified. The GLC analysis of the fatty alcohol fraction revealed presence of 9 waxy alcohols, also analysis of the fatty acid fraction revealed the presence of 14 fatty acids in which. linolenic acid represent the main component [19.42%]. The flavonoid constituents isolated from the flowers and leaves were identified as quercetin, luteolin-4'-methyl ether, quercetin-3-O-rhamnosyl from the flowers and luteolin, luteolin-7-O-glucuronide,quercetin-7-O-glucoside and quercetin -3-O-rhamnogalactoside from the leaves . Their identity was proved by m.p, TLC, PC, UV, [1]H-NMR and MS analysis. GLC analysis of the volatile oil of Chrysanthemunt coronarium [Var. discolor] allowed the identification of 27 compounds which represent [79.5%] of the oil. The oil is characterized by a high content of monoterpene hydrocarbons, among which are limonene [19.3%] and alpha-pinene [11.14%] were the major compounds. Sesquiterpene compounds, either hydrocarbons or oxygenated, were detected as minor or trace amount. The ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts showed a strong antioxidant activity, using DPPH, while the volatile oil showed moderate activity, also the flavonoidal compounds isolated from the plant showed significant antioxidant activity compared to Trolox [standard antioxidant compound]. The different extracts and the isolated compounds of the plant exhibited no cytotoxic activity against Ehrlich-ascites carcinoma cell line, while the volatile oil which showed moderate activity

Phytochemical constituents of arthrocnemum glaucum [del.] and their biological activities

The lipid contents of Arthrocnemum glaucum Del. grown in Egypt were studied. The unsaponifiable fraction was identified by GLC. A series of hydrocarbons ranging from C[12]-C[20] in addition to cholesterol, p-sitosterol and the triterpenoid p-amyrin were identified. GLC analysis of the fatty alcohol fraction revealed the presence of 5 components in which hexacosanol was found to be the major component, also GLC analysis of the fatty acids methyl esters revealed the presence of 10 fatty acids. The flavonoidal constituents were identified as apigenin, isorhamnetin, isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside, chrysoeriol and ferulic acid using PC, TLC, UV, MS and FAB-MS. The crude protein of the plant was found to be 15.1%. The analysis of amino acids using the amino acid analyzer revealed the presence of 18 amino acids. The mucilage hydrolysate of the aerial parts of A. glaucum was found to contain arabinose, xylose, mannose, glucuronic acid and galactose using PC. The ethyl acetate fraction showed high antimicrobial activity against gram -ve, gram +ve bacteria, yeast and fungi, while the chloroform fraction showed moderate activity against gram -ve bacteria and yeast. On the other hand fatty acid and fatty alcohol mixtures showed high antimicrobial activity, also isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside and chrysoeriol showed significant activity against gram -ve bacteria

Mucilage and protein constituents of certain medicinal plants growing in Egypt and their antiphytoviral activity

The crude protein of Lotus glinoides, Forsskalea tenacissima and Suaeda vermiculata were found to be 13.53%, 15.74% and 14.32% respectively. The analysis of the amino acids isolated from L. glinoides using the amino acid analyzer revealed the presence of 15 amino acids, in which alanine [9.11%], glutamic acid [8.13%] and proline [8.94%] represented the major components. The analysis of amino acids isolated from F. tenacissima revealed the presence of 17 amino acids, in which glycine [7.44%], alanine [6.63%] and glutamic acid [6.18%] were found to be the major components, while the analysis of the amino acids isolated from S. vermiculata revealed the presence of 17 amino acids, in which lysine [7.31%], threonine [6.12%] and serine [5.23%] were the main components. The mucilage of the aerial parts of L. glinoides, F. tenacissima and S. vermiculata were separately extracted and purified. The chemical composition of the mucilage of each plant was qualitatively studied by analysing their hydrolysate using paper chromatography [Whatman No. 1], where arabinose, rhamnose, xylose, galactose and galactouronic acid were characterised from L. glinoides, glucouronic acid, galactose, arabinose and rhamnose from F. tenacissima and glucouronic acid, glucose, arabinose and rhamnose in the mucilage of S. vermiculata. The alcohol extracts and proteins isolated from the three plants mentioned above at the concentration of 0.1 mg/ ml showed antiphytoviral activity against tomato mosaic virus [ToMV] and the crude protein isolated from the three plants were more effective in reducing ToMV infcctivity or increasing inhibitory activity in vitro than in vivo. The crude protein of L glinoides had the highest effect on inactivity of ToMV in vitro [97.75% inhibition/24 hr.] as compared to the crude protein isolated from F. tenacissima and S. vermiculata [93.26% and 89.89% inhibition/24 hrs.] respectively

phytochemical and biological investigations of halocnemunt strobilaceum [Pall.]

The lipid content of Halocnemurn strobilaceum grown in Egypt was studied. The unsaponifiable fraction was identified by GLC. A series of hydrocarbons ranging from C[17]-C[31] in addition to campasterol, stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol and the triterpenoid cc-amyrin were identified. The GLC analysis of the fatty alcohol fraction revealed the presence of 7 fatty alcohols, also the analysis of the fatty acid fraction revealed the presence of 10 fatty acids in which palmitic acid was the main acid [39.26%]. The flavonoidal constituents isolated from the chloroform and the ethyl acetate fractions of the aqueous alcoholic extract of Halocnemurn strobilaceum were identified as Chrysoeriol, Luteolin 7-O-galactoside, Quercetin 7-O-rhamnoside, Luteolin, and a coumarinic compound, Scopoletin was also identified. Their identity was proved by m.p., TLC, PC, UV, 'H-NMR and MS analysis. GLC analysis of the volatile oil of the plant revealed the identification of 23 compounds which accounted for 63% of the oil. The oil is characterized by a high content of hydrocarbons [55.9%], while the oxygenated hydrocarbons were represented by [33.8%] of the identified components. Also, the sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated sesquiterpene compounds were found to be 2.6% and 8.2% respectively. The radical scavenging effects of the extracts and isolated compounds on DPPH free radical were studied. The ethyl acetate extract had a strong antioxidant activity, also the isolated flavonoidal compounds showed high antioxidant activity as compared to Trolox [standard antioxidant compound]. The different extracts and isolated compounds of the plant exhibited no cytotoxic activity against Ehrlich-ascitis carcinoma cell line at the tested concentrations, except the volatile oil which showed moderate activity