Garlic (Allium sativum L.) as a potential antidote for cadmium and lead intoxication: cadmium and lead distribution and analysis in different mice organs.

Analysis and distribution of Pb and Cd in different mice organs including liver, kidney, spleen, heart and blood were evaluated after treatment with different aqueous concentrations of garlic (12.5-100 mg/l). Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) was used for analysis of Pb and Cd in these organs. Treatment of Cd-Pb exposed mice with garlic (12.5-100 mg/l) reduced Pb concentrations by 44.65, 42.61, 38.4, 47.56, and 66.62% in liver, kidney, heart, spleen and blood respectively. Moreover, garlic reduced Cd levels by 72.5, 87.7, 92.6, 95.6, and 71.7% in liver, kidney, heart, spleen and blood respectively. The suppressed immune responses in mice pretreated with Cd-Pb mixture were reversed by 48.85, 55.82, 81.4 and 90.7 in the presence of 100, 50, 25, and 12.5 mg/ml of garlic extract.

The use of medicinal herbs by diabetic Jordanian patients.

Diabetes mellitus is the most common metabolic disorder worldwide. To date, there have been no reports on the frequency of use of herb medicines in the managements of diabetes mellitus in Jordan. This cross-sectional study was conducted by interviewing 310 diabetic patients visiting two medical centers in Jordan: Jordan University of Science & Technology Medical Center and Sarih Medical Center between December 2003 and August 2004. It is found that 31% of interviewed patients have used herbal products (96 patients). The results revealed that the most commonly used herbs by diabetic patients in Jordan were Trigonella foenumgraecum (22.9%), Lupinus albus (14.6%), Allium sativum (11.5%), Allium cepa (5.2%), Nigella sativa (7.3%), Zea mays L. (6.3%), Urtica dioica L. (8.3%), Eucalyptus globules LA (9.4%), Olea europea L. (3.1%), Cumminum cyminum (9.4%), Coriandrum sativum (10.4%), Salvia officinalis L. (3.1%), and Tilia cordata (1%). Furthermore, it is found that 47.9% of the patients used herbs according to advice from their friends on a daily basis. The side effects were reported by 36.5% of the patients and include headache, nausea, dizziness, itching, palpitation, and sweating. Among the patients, 72.9% used the herbs as adjunctive therapy along with their anti-diabetic drugs and 80.2% of the patients informed their physicians about their use. A 79.2% of the sample confirmed their intention to re-use these herbs as 86.5% of them were satisfied with their diabetes control. There was a significant relationship between the use of herbs, the patient's place of residence and his/her level of education. The main conclusion of this survey is that the use of medicinal herbs among diabetic patient in Jordan is common. Therefore, it is essential to increase the level of awareness among diabetic patients and health care providers regarding the efficacy and toxicity of these medicinal herbs.

The effect of an extract of Salvadora persica (Meswak, chewing stick) on fertility of male and female mice.

This study investigated the toxic effects of an extract of Meswak from Salvadora persica for 30 days on the reproductive system of the mouse. The results showed that exposure to Meswak extract did not have much effect on female mouse fertility, although it caused a significant decrease in the relative weights of the ovary and an increase in uterine weights. Exposure of male mice to Meswak extract resulted in a 72% reduction in pregnancies in untreated females impregnated by test males. The relative weights of the testes and preputial glands were significantly increased and that of the seminal vesicles was significantly decreased in test males. The results indicate that Meswak has adverse effects on male and female reproductive system and fertility.

Fetotoxic potentials of Globularia arabica and Globularia alypum (Globulariaceae) in rats.

Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats received by intragastric application, ethanolic extracts of Globularia arabica and Globularia alypum dried leaves. The effect of the extracts was monitored on fertility. The ingestion by female rats of 800 mg/kg of ethanolic extracts of G. arabica and G. alypum, from day 1 to day 6 of pregnancy, did not cause pregnancy failure. However, the ingestion of ethanolic extracts of G. alypum significantly reduced the number of viable fetuses. The number of resorptions was significantly increased in pregnant females administered ethanolic extracts of both G. arabica and G. alypum. The ingestion of 800 mg/kg of ethnologic extracts of G. arabica and G. alypum for 30 consecutive days by adult female rats had no significant effect on the occurrence of pregnancy. However, the ingestion of extracts of both species increased the number of resorptions and only G. alypum extract caused a significant reduction in the number of viable fetuses. These results indicate that ingestion of G. arabica and G. alypum could have some reproductive toxicity in female rats.

Pharmacological screening of the anti-ulcerogenic effects of some Jordanian medicinal plants in rats.

Ethanolic extracts of 18 medicinal plants traditionally used in Jordan for the treatment of gastric ulcers were evaluated for their possible anti-ulcer activity. Among the tested plants, 12 extracts lowered the severity of ethanol-induced gastric damage in rats with curative ratios ranging from 62.9 to 99.5%. The most active extract was that of Quercus coccifera, with a curative ratio of 99.5%.

Reproductive toxicity potentials of Salvia fruticosa (Labiatae) in rats.

The antiimplantation, antifertility and reproductive toxicity potentials after ingestion of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Salvia fruticosa leaves have been investigated in male and female rats. The ingestion of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg of aqueous or 400 mg/kg of ethanolic extracts of S. fruticosa from day one to day six of pregnancy by female rats did not cause pregnancy failure. However, the ingestion of an ethanolic extract reduced the number of viable fetuses and increased the number of resorptions in the pregnant rats. The ingestion of aqueous extract (800 mg/kg) or ethanolic extract (400 mg/kg) of S. fruticosa for 30 consecutive days by adult female rats had no effect on the occurrence of pregnancy. However, the ingestion of these extracts reduced both the number of implantations and viable fetuses and increased the number of resorptions in the pregnant females. The ingestion of aqueous extract (800 mg/kg) or ethanolic extract (400 mg/kg) of S. fruticosa for 30 consecutive days by adult male rats had no effect on the number of females impregnated by these males. However, the number of implantations and viable fetuses were reduced in females impregnated by males which ingested either aqueous or ethanolic extracts of S. fruticosa, whereas the number of resorptions was increased in females impregnated by males administered either aqueous or ethanolic extracts of S. fruticosa. On the other hand, the prenatal exposure of male and female rat offspring to 400 mg/kg ethanolic extract of S. fruticosa had no effects on the timing of testicular descent and vaginal opening, respectively. It would appear from these experiments that the ingestion of S. fruticosa may produce adverse effects on the fertility of male and female rats.

Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of some Jordanian medicinal plant extracts.

The anti-nociceptive effect of ethanolic extract of 11 traditionally used Jordanian plants was studied by using the acetic acid-induced writhing and hot-plate test in mice. The anti-inflammatory effect of these plants was determined by xylene-induced ear oedema in mice and cotton pellet granuloma test in rats. Mentha piperita, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Apium graveolens, Eucalyptus camaldulentis, and Ruta graveolens possess an anti-nociceptive effect against both acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate-induced thermal stimulation. M. piperita, Jasminum officinale, Commiphora molmol, and Beta vulgaris possess an anti-inflammatory effect against acute (xylene-induced ear oedema) and chronic (cotton-pellet granuloma) inflammation. The anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects were dose dependent. These data affirm the traditional use of some of these plants for painful and inflammatory conditions.

Transtorine, a new quinoline alkaloid from Ephedra transitoria.

Transtorine (1), a new quinoline alkaloid, isolated from the aerial part of Ephedra transitoria by column chromatography, was identified as 4-quinolone-2-carboxylic acid. The structure was determined by spectroscopic methods. Transtorine exhibited growth inhibitory activity against the common bacteria, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus.

Synthesis of 2,5-disubstituted-1,4-benzoquinone derivatives as potential antimicrobial and cytotoxic agents.

A number of 2,5-disubstituted-1,4-benzoquinone derivatives were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), and mass spectra (MS). These compounds and their synthetic precursors were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity. The most potent antimicrobial compound was the thiadiazolyl derivative 4b, which was 2- to 4 times more active than the antimicrobial drug sulfathiazole. All the tested compounds were active in the Brine Shrimp Lethality (BS) Test. Compound 4e which was the most active in the BS test was also found to possess a significant cytotoxicity against two tumor cell lines. Some of the compounds were found to be mutagenic at relatively high concentration.

Microbial contamination and preservative efficacy of topical creams.

Nineteen different brands of topical creams were tested in duplicate for microbial growth. The efficacy of their preservation was assessed, when possible, by standard pharmacopoeial procedures. Microbial growth was demonstrated in cultures from all specimens. However, high counts (> 10(4) c.f.u./g) were obtained from eight specimens from six different brands. The microbes were found to belong to different species of bacteria and fungi including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Two samples of each of the seven, easily emulsifiable creams, were challenged with standard strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans to assess the efficacy of the preservatives used in their preparations. With the exception of a single brand, all creams tested were ineffectively preserved. This study highlights the dangers of marketing domestically prepared topical creams and more effective monitoring of the components for all topical creams is recommended. The inclusion of a proper preservative system in these formulas is essential.

Gigantecin: a novel antimitotic and cytotoxic acetogenin, with nonadjacent tetrahydrofuran rings, from Goniothalamus giganteus (Annonaceae).

Gigantecin (I), a novel tetrahydroxy-di-tetrahydrofuran fatty acid gamma-lactone (acetogenin), was isolated from an ethanolic extract of the stem bark of Goniothalamus giganteus Hook. f., Thomas (Annonaceae), by means of activity-directed fractionation (brine shrimp lethality test). This new compound is extremely cytotoxic to human tumor cells, inhibits crown gall tumors on potato discs, and is active in an assay designed to detect antimitotic agents (9 ASK).

Cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of 'Al-Kohl', an eye cosmetic commonly used in Jordan.

We examined 50 samples of 'Al-Kohl', collected from northern Jordanian provinces, for their cytotoxicity and mutagenicity using the brine shrimp and Ames Salmonella mutagenicity bioassays, respectively. Twenty were unopened, ready-to-use, samples purchased from retail outlets, 20 were in-use samples obtained from ladies of different socioeconomic standards, and 10 samples were from the original stones used to prepare Al-Kohl. The frequency of positive samples for both cytotoxicity and mutagenicity was much higher in the ready-to-use and in-use samples of Al-Kohl than in the original stones. Out of the 50 samples examined, 20 (40%) showed some degree of cytotoxicity almost all involving ready-to-use or in-use samples. Among those samples, 12 (24%) were strongly cytotoxic, while eight samples (16%) showed mild cytotoxic activity in the brine shrimp bioassay. The results of the mutagenicity testing were obtained, without using any metabolic activation, with four test strains of Salmonella, namely TA97, TA98, TA100 and TA102. Wide variability in results was observed depending on the type of samples tested and the Salmonella strain used. More than 80% of the original stone samples were negative and the positive ones were mildly mutagenic while the ready-to-use and in-use samples showed similar mutagenicity, which was much more than the original stones against the four strains of Salmonella typhimurium used. Strain TA97 was particularly sensitive to the samples tested. Twelve per cent of the ready-to-use and in-use samples of Al-Kohl showed a strong mutagenic effect against the pre-mentioned strains. We recommended abandoning Al-Kohl as a cosmetic for application to the eye areas, based on these findings and the previous microbial contamination studies (2).

Goniotriol from Goniothalamus giganteus.

The known styrylpyrone, goniotriol, has been isolated from Goniothalamus giganteus. Its bioactivities are reported, and its structure and relative stereochemistry have been determined by X-ray crystallography as 6R-(7R,8R-dihydro-7,8-dihydroxystyryl)-5S,6R-dihydro-5-hydroxy-2-p yrone.

Microbiological profile of selected samples of "Al-Kohl" eye cosmetics in northern Jordanian provinces before and after use.

Fifty items of Al-Kohl collected from northern Jordanian provinces representing: 20 unopened ready to use samples purchased from retail outlets, 20 in-use samples obtained from ladies of different socioeconomic standards and 10 samples of the original stones (used for Al-Kohl preparation) were examined for their microbial contents. Ready to use and in-use samples were much more contaminated than the original stones. On sterility testing, more than 85% of the unused and in-use samples were contaminated with bacteria and or fungi comparing to 50% of the original stone samples. Quantitatively, 90% of the original stones contained less than 100 bacterial or fungal cells/g and the other remaining 10% were in the range of 10(2)-10(3) cfu/g either for bacterial or fungal counts. The level and distribution of the viable microbial counts in unused and in-use samples were comparable and much higher than original stones. More than 70% and 20% of those items contained more than 100 cfu/g of bacteria and fungi respectively. Among those samples 20% and 5% were heavily contaminated (contain more than 10(4) cfu/g) with bacteria and fungi respectively. Coliform bacteria in a number of 100 cfu/g or more were recovered from 10% of the unused and 20% of the in-use samples, none were recovered from original stones. The results of qualitative tests for identification of isolated microorganisms showed that 7 different species of Bacillus were found in the 50 examined samples. Approximately 50% of the examined samples contained Bacillus spp., Staphylococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp., P. vulgaris, S. marcescens were recovered from unused and in-use samples in different percentages, none from original stones, some of the detected Staphylococcus were aureus type and also one isolate of P. aeruginosa was detected in one of the in-use samples. The relationship between the detected level of microbial contamination in the tested samples with the proposed allowable international limits of contamination as well as the possible sources of contamination and the hygienic implications of using such products by the public were discussed.

Goniothalamicin and annonacin: bioactive acetogenins from Goniothalamus giganteus (Annonaceae).

Using brine shrimp lethality for activity-directed fractionation, goniothalamicin (I), a new tetrahydroxy-mono-tetrahydrofuran fatty acid gamma-lactone (acetogenin), has been isolated from ethanolic extracts of the stem bark of Goniothalamus giganteus Hook. f., Thomas (Annonaceae). This novel compound was found to be cytotoxic and insecticidal and inhibited the formation of crown gall tumors on potato discs. Annonacin (II), the only other reported mono-tetrahydrofuran acetogenin, was also isolated; the previously reported 9ASK (astrocytoma reversal) activity of II was confirmed, and II is now also found to be weakly active against 3PS murine leukemia.