Essential oil of Egyptian Guajova leaves

The essential oil of the leaves of Psidium guajava L. was analyzed by GLC, GC/MS and IR. The oil revealed the presence of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons as the major make up of the oil; caryophyllene, aromadendrene, alpha- and beta-selinene and beta-bisabolene, being the most prominent. Among the oxygenated derivatives, caryophyllene epoxide, caryophylladienol and sesquiterpene alcohols of the viridiflorol and ledol types were identified. On the other hand, the microbiological screening of the essential oil exhibited a marked activity against Sarcina lutea, Mycobacterium phlei, Bacillus subtilis, Proteus vulgaris, Proteus mirabilis and Proteus morganii

Effect of contact with female hormones on human serum

In this paper, the effect of continuous contact with steroid hormones on workers in pharmaceutical factories was studied using radioimmunoassay method [RIA]. The results showed that out of 30 female cases in which some abnormal levels of hormones were detected in their sera, five cases showed prolactin and seven cases showed estradiol and progesterone. Concerning the tested male cases, only two cases out of four showed abnormal levels of prolactin

Determination of heroin and morphine in biological materials and illicit samples

Radioimmunoassay was applied in this work for the estimation of morphine in animal serum and tissues and in serum of heroin addicts. The method proved feasible and efficient. The analysis of an illicit heroin sample was carried out by TLC and GLC and found to be mixture of different alkaloids beside heroin

Macro-and micromorphology of Schinus terebinthifolius radd growing in Egypt

The chemical investigation of Schinus terebinthifolius Radd. was carried out and showed the possibility of its use in tanning of leather due to its use in tanning contents. In previous communications the macro- and micromorphology of the leaves, seems and flowers of Schinus terebinthifolius Radd. were carried out. The characters of the fruits and seeds of Anacardiaceae plants were reported by several authors, but nothing was reported dealing with those of Schinus terebinthifolius Radd. Therefore, it was found of interest to carry out such a study for the sake of the identification in both entire and powdered forms

Macro and micromorphology of leaves, stems and roots of plantago psyllium L growing in Egypt

A macro- and micromorphology of the leaves, stems and roots of Plantago psyllium L. growing in Egypt are presented

Studies on guaran as hypoglycemic agent

The polysaccharide guaran isolated and purified from the seeds of Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, L. leguminosae was proved to possess a potent antidiabetic effect. This study tried to investigate the mechanism of action of guaran as an antidiabetic agent and its relation to blood glucose of rats. In this study, fasted diabetic rats were given oral glucose, and at maximum level of glucose absorption, guaran was administered and blood glucose levels were determined at different hours' intervals. The results revealed that maximum blood glucose level started to decrease significantly after 3.5 hours. While when fasted diabetic rats were given guaran without oral glucose administration no significant effect on blood glucose level was noticed at different hours' intervals. Also, no reduction of blood glucose level was observed when guaran was given to normal rats maintained on their ordinary diet, the last result proved the safety of guaran on normal non-diabetics

Saponins of silene succulenta Forssk growing locally

A phytochemical study of saponin contents of Silene succulenta Forssk. growing locally is presented through the determination of both aglycone and sugar moieties, quillaic acid and oleanolic acid were isolated for the first time from these species. Rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, fructose, galactose, glucose, glucuronic acid and galacturonic acid were determined in this plant for the first time. Cholesterol complex method was used for the quantitative estimation of the saponin content

Volatile oil of Chamaecyparis Lawsoniana Parl

The young twigs of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Parl. [Fam. Cupressaceae] yielded 0.3% volatile oil. Analysis of the volatile oil by gas liquid chromatography [GLC]-mass spectroscopy [MS] revealed the presence of 30 components. Mass spectras data of 23 components are presented. The plausible structure of 11 of these compounds were deduced. These compounds are: cis-3-hexen-1-ol, delta3 3-carene, sabinene, limonene, 8-terpinene, isopulegol, terpinen-4-ol, L-bornyl acetate, a-terpinene, -p-menthene and trans-B-farnesene. The oil showed a slight activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria species and Aspergillus niger