Volatile compounds and antioxidant activity of the aromatic herb Anethum graveolens

Anethum graveolens L. [dill] [Apiaceae] is one of the most popular culinary herbs in the world. Dill has been cultivated since ancient times, and the use of this plant for medicinal and consumption purposes has been recorded dating back to the Greek and Egyptian civilizations. Dill is widely used to give flavor to food. The aim of this work was to assess the chemical composition of the volatile compounds in dill as well as their hepatoprotective and nephroprotective activity against free radicals generated by paracetamol. The chemical composition of the volatile compounds of dill was assessed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Four groups of rats were used [the normal control group, the A. graveolens-supplemented group, the paracetamol-intoxicated group, and the A. graveolens-protected group] for studying the effect of plant infusion on panadol [paracetamol]-induced free radicals and hepatotoxicity. Plasma total antioxidant capacity, plasma catalase, cellular glutathione peroxidase, plasma total protein, albumin, alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase, alkaline phosphate, gamma-glutamyl transferase, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin levels were determined. In addition, kidney functions [plasma urea and creatinine] and histopathological and histochemical changes in the liver were investigated. The phytochemical results identified volatile components 7-alpha-hydroxy manool [24.43%], l-carvone [14.28%], limonene [13.9%], epi-alpha-bisabolol [6.81%], alpha-terpinene [5.44%], and alpha-phellandrene [4.63%] as the main constituents. p-Cymene [2.13%], sabinene [1.98], and alpha-pinene [1.43%] were determined as the minor constituents. The biochemical results showed that a mega dose of paracetamol induced the production of free radicals, which caused damage to hepatocytes and nephrocytes in rats. The aqueous extract of dill revealed high antioxidant properties and acted as an extracellular neutralizer of free radicals. Histopathological and histochemical observations showed severe damage in the liver. Supplementation with dill in paracetamol-intoxicated rats attenuated the damage to the liver. The present study revealed that A. graveolens has antihepatotoxic properties that could minimize the deleterious effects generated by hepatotoxin paracetamol, and therefore it can be used as a potent antihepatotoxic agent

Effect of Egyptian sage extract on antioxidant activity, hypercholesterolemia and bone calcification in the tibia of rats

Osteoporosis [major public health problem in the aging society] has been linked with arteriosclerotic vascular diseases characterized by hypercholesterolemia. Nutrition may appear as an alternative strategy for optimizing health skeleton instead of traditional therapies by hormone replacement treatment which increases the risk of heart disease and cancers. Phytochemicals with antioxidative properties that may act against hypercholesterolemia and positive in the prevention of osteoporosis. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of sage leaves aqueous extract on hypercholesterolemia and bone calcification in rats. Sage leaves aqueous extract was prepared by infusion of leaves in hot water, separation of its volatiles and identification using GC/MS and evaluation the radical scavenging activity of sage aqueous extract by ESR. Three groups of rats were used, group 1 to serve as control, group 2 was fed on diet rich with cholesterol and the third group was fed on diet rich in cholesterol and treated with sage leaves aqueous extract. The experiment continued for 6 weeks. The plasma total cholesterol [TC], triglycerides [TG], HDL-C, LDL-C, urea, creatinine, blood hemoglobin, and enzymes activities of transaminases [ALT and AST] were determined. Different minerals [calcium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus and Ca/P] were assayed spectrophotometrically using atomic absorption. The GC/MS analysis showed that 1,8-cineol [eucalyptol] [22.34%], thujone [16.31%], camphor [16.9%], humulene [7.53%], alpha pinene [5.77%], borneol [4.59%], p-menthol [4.8%], camphene [4.31%] and bornyl acetate [3.16%] were the main volatile compounds of the sage leaves aqueous extract. Sage volatile extract showed significant antioxidant activity in vitro using ESR assay. Daily administration of sage leaves aqueous extract for 6 weeks to Swiss albino rats as drinking water, caused significant declines in the blood levels of triglycerides [TG] [30%], total cholesterol [TC] [10.3%], LDL-C [45%] and increase of HDL-C [81%] and tibial calcium [20%]. This study demonstrates one possible mechanism by which sage leaves aqueous extract which rich in phenolic substances can improve the bone calcification, and acting as hypocholesterolemic agent

Biological studies on the protective role of artichoke and green pepper against potential toxic effect of thermally oxidized oil in mice

The present investigation was designed to evaluate oocyte competence including quality, meiotic progression and expression of ERK2 gene and activities of liver enzymes [ALT, AST and gamma-GT] in female mice fed diets containing sunflower oil repeatedly used in frying processes [FO]. The protective role of artichoke and green pepper against such potential dangers were also studied. Results revealed that mice fed FO diet had a significant decrease in number of good collected oocytes compared with those fed normal oil [NO] diet. Mice fed FO diet and artichoke extract at two levels, 0.5% [FO-A1] and 1% [FO-A2] as drinking water or FO diet plus dried ground green pepper at two levels, 5% [FO-G1] and 10% [FO-G2] had a significant increase in number of good collected oocytes compared with those fed FO diet. Animals fed FO-A1 or FO-G1 diets had the highest percentage of good oocytes. A statistically significant increase in the percentages of mature oocytes occurred in mice fed FO-A1, FO-A2, and FO-G1 diets as compared to those fed FO diet. The animals fed FO-G2 diet had a non-significant increase of percentages of mature oocytes than the animals fed FO diet. The expression of ERK2 gene was high in ovary tissues collected from female mice fed NO, FO, FO-A1, or FO-G1 diets. However, the ERK2 gene expression was low in mice fed FO-A2 or FO-G2 diets. Biochemical assay showed that mice fed FO diet had significant decrease in AST and ALT activities. A significant increase in enzyme activity of gamma- GT compared with those fed NO diet was also observed. A statistically significant increase in activities of AST and ALT enzymes was observed in mice fed FO-A2, FO-G1 and FO-G2 diets. However, mice fed FO-A1, FO-A2, FO-G1 and FO-G2 diets had significant decrease in the activity of gamma-GT enzyme compared with those fed FO diet. The present study demonstrated evidence that prolonged intake of diets containing sunflower oil repeatedly used in frying processes could be considered a cause of induced abnormalities in reproductive materials and liver enzymes activities of female mice. However, artichoke and green pepper proved to be suitable protectors against hazards of such toxic materials

Egyptian artichoke volatile compounds: protect against lead-induced hepatic and renal toxicity in male rats

Lead is a widely used chemical for the preparation of a number of industry and household-based products. The toxicity of lead compounds, like all other heavy metals, has been implicated in the etiology of different disorders in humans. The present study was designed to investigate the potential protective effect of Egyptian artichoke against the hepatorenal toxicity of lead in male albino rats. Twenty three compounds were identified as volatile compounds of artichoke with benzeneacetaldehyde and selinene as major constituents, 19.97% and 16.80% respectively. Four groups of rats were used, group 1 to serve as control, group 2 intraperitoneal injected with lead acetate [20 mg/kg B.W], group 3 lead injected rats given artichoke head extract with drinking water [10 g/1 liter] and group 4 lead injected rats given artichoke leaves extract. The experiment continued for 30 days. The plasma total protein, cholesterol, urea and creatinein were determined. The activities of each of Alanine aminotansferase [ALT] aspartate amino transferase [AST], gamma-glutamyltransferase [gamma-GT] were followed. The level of plasma oxidation products of malondialdehyde was estimated. The histopathological changes were examined. Artichoke [leaves or head] co-treatment to the lead - administered rats attenuated the increase of ALT, AST, gamma-GT activities. Also the change in cholesterol, urea, creatinine and protein levels was less marked. The values reported were near to normal. In addition, the morphological damage in the liver and kidney was reduced and the tissues appeared like those of controls. The present study suggests that, because the presence of volatile constituents with antioxidative properties, artichoke may be useful in combating damaging effect of lead toxicity

Protective effect of nutritional formula during chemotherapy of driamycin in rats

Adriamycin [ADR], an anthracycline, is widely used in the treatment of a variety of human malignancies, causes various toxic effects. The present study was designed to investigate the possible therapeutic effect of a new antioxidant formulae [Garlic, Se, Mg and vitamin E] in ameliorating adriamycin-induced red blood cell, cardio- and hepato-toxicities and elevation ofglucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase [G6PD] activity of red cell in rat. Five groups of six rats each were used. Rats of the first group serve as control and were fed on basal diet. Groups 2, 3, 4, 5 were treated by intra-peritoneal adriamycin [5mg/Kg/three times/two weeks]. Rats of group 2 were fed on basal diet, while the rats of groups 3, 4 and 5 were fed on basal diet containing the antioxidant formula used with different levels. Our results showed that blood hemoglobin level was significantly reduced in ADR-treated group and that supplementation of antioxidant formula restored its level almost to the normal control. Significant decrease [p<0.05] was observed in Glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px] and G6PD activities in ADR group compared to control while, supplementation of antioxidant formula among rats of groups 3, 4 and 5 significantly increased its levels compared to ADR group. Significant increase [p<0.05] in malondialdehyde [MDA] was observed in heart, liver, spleen and plasma of ADR rats group compared to control. However, administration of adriamycin to rats fed diet containing antioxidant formula the increase in MDA was less than that produced by adriamycin in rats fed normal diet. In conclusion, supplementation of the formulae containing garlic, Se, vit. E and Mg may prevent or reduce adriamycin-induced oxidative stress in red blood cell, liver and heart through enhancement of antioxidant enzymes [GSH-Px and G6PD] and reduction of malondialdehyde

Egyptian sugar cane wax: Therapeutic significance of a new lipid-lowering agent in rat

Data from the epidemiological studies indicate that increases in serum cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk of death from coronary heart disease. Policosanol is a mixture of high-molecular-mass aliphatic alchohols isolated and purified from sugar cane [Saccharum Officinarum L.]. Policosanol is a drug currently in use to reduce elevated LDL-C and total cholesterol levels in combination with dietary therapy in patients with hypercholesterolemia. In the present study, Egyptian sugar cane wax was extracted, its polycosanols were determined qualitatively and quantitatively with GC-MS and GC and evaluated for its potency to reduce hypercholesterolemia in rat. The results showed that polycosanol constitutes 3.25% of wax. Octacosanol [C280H] is the major component, amounting to 85% of Policosanols in wax. An intervention study was adopted to evaluate the effect and of polycosanols on the cholesterol levels. 30 male albino rats were divided into five groups of equal mean body weights. The first group of rats was fed on basal diet [control]. The second group was fed on basal diet containing 1% cholesterol. Groups 3, 4 and 5 were fed on basal diet containing 1% cholesterol and sugar cane wax extract [15, 45 and 100 mg per kg diet, respectively]. Total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol showed significant increase [p<0.05] in hypercholesterolemic group compared to control. Supplementation of sugar cane wax extract in diets of both groups 4 and 5 significantly [p<0.05] decreased total cholesterol level compared to second group. Significant increase was observed in HDL-C in group 5 compared to second group. The data obtained revealed that triacylglycerol was significantly decreased due to supplementation with sugar cane wax extract of groups 4 and 5 compared to hypercholesterolemia in rats of second group. Non significant differences were noticed in the mean value of body weight, organ weight and relative organ weights between different experimental groups. Sugar cane wax seems to be a very promising photo-chemical alternative to classic lipid-lowering agents

Prevalence of anemia among children of Egyptian village, socioecnomic study and trial of therapy

The aim of the present study was to reassess prevalence of anemia among preschoolers of Egyptian village [Atris]. Medical and nutritional intervention program was studied for anemia combating. 338 children and 148 parents were examined clinically and their socioeconomic status was evaluated through filling of organized questionnaire. Hemoglobin level was assessed in their blood. The study group was subdivided into 4 categories, farmers, laborers, skilled laborers and employees. Intervention program to combat anemia was carried out for 3 groups of children. Iron preparation and nutritional education were tried against placebo. The study demonstrated that the overall prevalence of anemia is 48.35%. The most vulnerable age group is that of infants below 1 year 70.27%, with age advance the prevalence of anemia decreases. The socio-educational status has an important role as regards anemia prevalence, employees' children have significantly lower prevalence of anemia [p <0.05] than other categories. Intervention regimens with iron therapy led to 12.93% increase in blood hemoglobin level when compared with nutritional education 11.34%. The results suggested that dietary iron intake always exceeds requirement by a sizable margin and iron deficiency is mostly the result of inadequate absorption