Antinociceptive, anti-gastric ulcerogenic and anti-inflammatory activities of standardized egyptian pomegranate peel extract.

The utilization of the peels of the widely popular pomegranate fruit is the subject of this study. This bio waste product, which has been under study for some time as a source of potential bioactive constituents is investigated for its biological activity. A method for the extract standardization was developed using HPLC and ellagic acid as a reference standard. Results revealed that the pomegranate methanolic extract exhibited potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity comparable to indomethacin, used as a reference, and furthermore, caused no gastric ulcer formation.

Genus Kalanchoe (Crassulaceae): A Review of Its Ethnomedicinal, Botanical, Chemical and Pharmacological Properties.

Genus Kalanchoe comprises hundred species. Different extracts of these Kalanchoe species have been widely used in traditional medicine. Recently it has been reported that Kalanchoe extracts possess various biological activities viz. antiviral, sedative, antiulcer, immunomodulatory, antileishmanial, CNS depressant, anti-inflammatory, thyroid peroxidase inhibitor, cytotoxic, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, analgesic, anticonvulsant, antimicrobial, inhibition of B cell development, cardiovascular, antihyperglycemic, acetylcholinesterase inhibition, insecticidal and larvicidal activities. Earlier studies on different Kalanchoe species have reported the isolation of polysaccharides, flavonoids, sterols, ascorbic acid, trace elements, organic acids, hydrocarbons, triterpenoids, phenolic components and bufadenolides. This review presents the botany, chemistry, traditional uses and pharmacological data of genus Kalanchoe.

The Synergetic Efficacy of the Combination of Amphotericin B and Certain Essential Oils against Selected Fungal Clinical Isolates.

The synergistic effect of five potential essential oils from each of the following plant species: Thymus vulgaris, Lamiaceae, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Lauraceae, Eugenia aromatica, Myrtaceae, Eucalyptus globulus, Myrtaceae and Zingiber officinalis, Zingiberaceae was assessed in combination with the antifungal agent amphotericin B. The oils were analysed and their main components identified using GC/FID and GC/MS. The antifungal activities of the oils were investigated against two clinical isolates of the fungal species; Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the individual oils were evaluated using the agar disc diffusion assay while the synergetic effects between each of the oils and amphotericin B were evaluated using the agar dilution checkerboard micro titer test. The results indicated significant synergetic effects between thyme oil and amphotericin B against C. albicans and A. niger with FIC indices of 0.25 and 0.13 respectively. Moreover, cinnamon oil acted synergistically with amphotericin B against C. albicans with an FICI value of 0.28, however when tested against A. niger, an additive effect was observed (FICI = 1). The combination of thyme oil and to a less extent, cinnamon oil with amphotericin B is suggested for the treatment of infections caused by C. albicans and A. niger.

Studying the Possible Biotransformation of the Cytotoxic Diterpenoid Paclitaxel Using Jatropha Curcas Cell Suspension Culture.

Aims: To establish a cell suspension culture of Jatropha curcas, family Euphorbiaceae for the biotransformation of the diterpenoid anti-cancer compound paclitaxel. Study Design: The development and maintenance of callus lines from the leaves and petioles of J. curcas and the study of the culture growth curve followed by the inoculation of the callus with paclitaxel as the substrate and monitoring of the culture viability as well as substrate biotransformation. Methodology: Explants from the leaves and petioles of J. curcas were prepared and placed on MS supplemented media for callus induction and maintained by regular subculturing until a stable callus line was achieved. Some of the callus tissue was transferred to MS liquid medium to produce cell suspension cultures. Three sets of cell suspension cultures were established for 5, 10 and 14 days respectively under the same conditions. Paclitaxel (5 mg) was administrated to each flask and incubated for 3, 6 and 10 days. Results: A callus line of J. curcas leaves and petioles was maintained successfully over a period of two consecutive years without any change in growth rate. A stable cell suspension culture was developed using the obtained callus and maximum increase in fresh weight was reached on day 21 which was 5-6 fold over initial fresh weight. The cell suspension cultures were inoculated with the diterpenoid paclitaxel (5 mg) at different time intervals through the growth cycle phases. The incubation of paclitaxel proved that the cell culture biotransformation capability could not affect the paclitaxel molecular structure and that the applied dose of paclitaxel was not cytotoxic to the cell cultures up to 18 days of incubation. Conclusion: This is the first report of a biotransformation trial using J. curcas cell culture and results obtained should be considered when using J. curcas cell line for terpenoid biotransformation.

Kalanchoe thrysiflora Harv. and Kalanchoe marmorata Baker; DNA Profiling, biological guided fractionation of different extracts; isolation and identification of cytotoxic compounds.

DNA profiling of two closely related ornamental plants belonging to family crassulaceae viz. Kalanchoe thrysiflora Harv. and Kalanchoe marmorata Baker were performed to establish genetic polymorphism. Biological guided fractionation of the two plant extracts to assess their cytotoxicity, had led to the isolation of one steroidal and one triterpenoidal compound from the most active dichloromethane fraction of Kalanchoe thrysiflora. The cytotoxicity of the isolated compounds were evaluated against normal (HFB4) and cancer (MCF7) cells. Compound 1 (3-oxo-olean-12-ene) and compound 2 (β-sitosterol) showed similar cytotoxic activity on MCF7 at IC50 17.4 and 17.6 μg/ml respectively while on HFB4, the compounds revealed cytotoxic activity at IC50 21.9 and 21.6 respectively.