Phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of centaurium spicatum with hepatoprotective and mRNA enzymatic inhibition activities

Five compounds [1-5] were firstly reported from the genus Centaurium family Gentianaceae. They were identified as Lisianthoside 1, Secoxyloganin 2, Secologanin dimethyl acetal 3, 1, 8-Dihydroxy-3, 5, 6, 7-tetramethoxyxanthone [Demethyleustomin] 4 and 1-Hydroxy 3, 5, 6, 7, 8-pentamethoxyxanthone [Eustomin] 5. Structure elucidation was carried out with support of chemical and spectral analysis including 1D and 2D NMR experiments. All the isolated compounds showed promising antioxidant activity, liver microsomal enzymes reducing activity and CYP3A4 mRNA inhibition activity in the HepG2 cell line

Antioxidant, hepatoprotective and antimicrobial activities of the aerial parts of polygonum bellardii all

The methanolic extract of Polygonum bellardii All [flowering aerial parts] and its fractions in addition to the isolated compounds [1-6] showed significant antioxidant potential by DPPH scavenging activity technique. It also showed hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride [CC[4] induced hepatic injury in albino rats. The fractions exhibited antibacterial activity against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria in addition to antifungal activity. The total methanolic extract of Polygonum bellardii All did not show signs oftoxicity and mortality up to 4 g/kg dose. Determination of total flavonoid content with respect to quercetin spectrophotometrically indicated the presence of 185. 2 +/- 1.03 mg/g dried extract

Macro and micromorphology studies of the leaf, stem and stem bark of Ficus pandurata hance. cultivated in Egypt

Ficus pandurata [Hance] Fiddle leaf fig [Family, Moraceae] is a tree indigenous to South Africa and cultivated in Egypt for its shade in public and private gardens. Previous investigations of Ficus species showed many medicinal uses; externally they have been used for treatment of leprosy, ulcers, itching, leucoderma and warts. Internally used as anti-inflammatory, to reduce fever, cure tuberculosis and against intestinal parasites. In the present work, the detailed macro-and micromorphological characters of the leaf, stem and stem bark of Ficus pandurata Hance were studied with the aim to find out the diagnostic elements of these organs, which facilitate their identification in both entire and powdered forms

Pharmacokinetics of complexed copper in rats: characterization of biochemical and cellular responses

Pharmacological effects of copper complexed to organic ligands have been a subject of intensive investigation during the last decade. Among these complexes is Copper[I]-[Nicotinic acid][2] Cl, [CuCl[HNA][2]], which proved to be effective anti-inflammatory drug [1]. However, the distribution of elementary copper among plasma and tissues following the administration of this drug was not yet understood, therefore, this study was conducted. A dose equivalent to 8 mg/Kg body weight of CuCl[HNA][2] suspended in saline-L-ascorbic acid [0.5%] was given orally to albino rats. Results obtained denote that the administered complex was absorbed in its intact form and underwent several metabolic processes leading to the accumulation of copper in magnitudes up to three folds in some rat organs. In the first two hours postabsorption, copper concentrations reached a plateau in rat organs and systemic circulation. Basal concentrations were almost restored within three days in plasma and most organs except the liver which retained copper as much as double or triple its initial concentration. However, copper uptake and release in brain and heart were characterized by being relatively slow. Although, lipid peroxidation products [TBARS] and some minor hepatotoxic features were observed at the first day post-administration, no signs of impaired liver function were detected. Activity levels of plasma transferases, ALT and AST were not significantly changed. This investigation also revealed that, 0.8 mg CuCl[HNA][2] / Kg body weight is a safe therapeutic dose of this drug

Does helicobacter pylori share in superior mesenteric artery syndrome?

An association between superior mesenteric artery syndrome [SMAS] and peptic ulcer disease has been observed, the reason was unclear. Therefore we studied Helicobacter Pylori [HP] by rapid urease test [CLO] in endoscopic antral and duodenal biopsies of 21 dyspeptic patients with SMAS. All were asthenic, 18 females and 3 males, aged: 19.48 +/- 2.8 years suffering from postprandial epigastric pain, distention, nausea and vomiting. Diagnosis of SMAS was made by barium meal with single and double contrast study under the screen to show the vascular compression of the third part of duodenum and by ultrasonography to measure the aortomesenteric space in comparison with 10 healthy controls. Patients with SMAS had typically narrow aortomesentric space compared with controls [2.5 +/- 0.29 Vs 15.8 +/- 3.22 mm, P 0.001]. Nineteen [90.5%] patients had associated endoscopic acid peptic disease [6 had duodenal ulcer with antral gastritis and 13 had duodenitis with or without antral gastritis. Only 2 patients [9.5%] had normal endoscopy. Eighteen patients [85.7%] had positive [+ve] CLO for HP; 6 had +ve both antral and duodenal biopsies and 12 had only +ve duodenal biopsy. Only 3 patients were negative [-ve] for HP. Of the 19 patients having endoscopic acid peptic disease, 18 showed +ve CLO, only one had a-ve test. The 2 endoscopically normal patients showed -ve CLO. We conclude that HP could be a reason for the associated acid peptic disease with SMAS. There is a rationale for anti-HP therapy in the management plan of dyspeptic patients with SMAS