Neuroprotective potential of Erigeron bonariensis ethanolic extract against ovariectomized/D-galactose-induced memory impairments in female rats in relation to its metabolite fingerprint as revealed using UPLC/MS.

Erigeron bonariensis is widely distributed throughout the world's tropics and subtropics. In folk medicine, E. bonariensis has historically been used to treat head and brain diseases. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most widespread form of dementia initiated via disturbances in brain function. Herein, the neuroprotective effect of the chemically characterized E. bonariensis ethanolic extract is reported for the first time in an AD animal model. Chemical profiling was conducted using UPLC-ESI-MS analysis. Female rats underwent ovariectomy (OVX) followed by 42 days of D-galactose (D-Gal) administration (150 mg/kg/day, i.p) to induce AD. The OVX/D-Gal-subjected rats received either donepezil (5 mg/kg/day) or E. bonariensis at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day, given 1 h prior to D-Gal. UPLC-ESI-MS analysis identified 42 chemicals, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenes, and nitrogenous constituents. Several metabolites, such as isoschaftoside, casticin, velutin, pantothenic acid, xanthurenic acid, C18-sphingosine, linoleamide, and erucamide, were reported herein for the first time in Erigeron genus. Treatment with E. bonariensis extract mitigated the cognitive decline in the Morris Water Maze test and the histopathological alterations in cortical and hippocampal tissues of OVX/D-Gal-subjected rats. Moreover, E. bonariensis extract mitigated OVX/D-Gal-induced Aß aggregation, Tau hyperphosphorylation, AChE activity, neuroinflammation (NF-κBp65, TNF-α, IL-1ß), and apoptosis (Cytc, BAX). Additionally, E. bonariensis extract ameliorated AD by increasing α7-nAChRs expression, down-regulating GSK-3ß and FOXO3a expression, and modulating Jak2/STAT3/NF-ĸB p65 and PI3K/AKT signaling cascades. These findings demonstrate the neuroprotective and memory-enhancing effects of E. bonariensis extract in the OVX/D-Gal rat model, highlighting its potential as a promising candidate for AD management.

Isolation and characterization of flavonoid compounds from Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (L.) Vahl and its role as anti-gastro ulcerative agent in rats.

CONTEXT: Stomach ulcer is one of the most common gastrointestinal problems in the world. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to isolate flavonoid compounds from methanol extract of the aerial parts of Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (L.) Vahl. and evaluate its protective and therapeutic effects against gastric ulcer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chromatographic techniques were used for the identification of the isolated compounds. To explore the effects of the plant extract, it was administrated by oral gavage for one week either before or post-ethanol ulcer induction. Ranitidine was also evaluated as a reference drug. Stomach pH, gastric juice volume, lesions number, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, succinate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, Interleukin-10, intracellular adhesion molecule-1, prostaglandin E2, and total protein levels were estimated in gastric tissue. Stomach histopathological features were also monitored. RESULTS: Six flavonoid compounds were isolated, where five of them were isolated for the first time (vitexin, isovitexin, apigenin 7,4'-dimethyl ether, 5,7,2'-trimethoxyflavone, and scutellarein), while apigenin was previously reported. Treatment with plant extract recorded amelioration in all the biochemical parameters. CONCLUSION: The methanol extract of plant aerial parts had prophylactic and treatment effects against gastric ulcer in rats, where its treatment effect exceeded its protective role. The extract recorded anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects due to the presence of flavonoid compounds.

Chemical Profiles, Anticancer, and Anti-Aging Activities of Essential Oils of Pluchea dioscoridis (L.) DC. and Erigeron bonariensis L.

Plants belonging to the Asteraceae family are widely used as traditional medicinal herbs around the world for the treatment of numerous diseases. In this work, the chemical profiles of essential oils (EOs) of the above-ground parts of Pluchea dioscoridis (L.) DC. and Erigeron bonariensis (L.) were studied in addition to their cytotoxic and anti-aging activities. The extracted EOs from the two plants via hydrodistillation were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). GC-MS of EO of P. dioscoridis revealed the identification of 29 compounds representing 96.91% of the total oil. While 35 compounds were characterized from EO of E. bonariensis representing 98.21%. The terpenoids were found the main constituents of both plants with a relative concentration of 93.59% and 97.66%, respectively, including mainly sesquiterpenes (93.40% and 81.06%). α-Maaliene (18.84%), berkheyaradulen (13.99%), dehydro-cyclolongifolene oxide (10.35%), aromadendrene oxide-2 (8.81%), ß-muurolene (8.09%), and α-eudesmol (6.79%), represented the preponderance compounds of EO of P. dioscoridis. While, trans-α-farnesene (25.03%), O-ocimene (12.58%), isolongifolene-5-ol (5.53%), α-maaliene (6.64%), berkheyaradulen (4.82%), and α-muurolene (3.99%), represented the major compounds EO of E. bonariensis. A comparative study of our results with the previously described data was constructed based upon principal component analysis (PCA) and agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC), where the results revealed a substantial variation of the present studied species than other reported ecospecies. EO of P. dioscoridis exhibited significant cytotoxicity against the two cancer cells, MCF-7 and A-549 with IC50 of 37.3 and 22.3 µM, respectively. While the EO of the E. bonariensis showed strong cytotoxicity against HepG2 with IC50 of 25.6 µM. The EOs of P. dioscoridis, E. bonariensis, and their mixture (1:1) exhibited significant inhibitory activity of the collagenase, elastase, hyaluronidase, and tyrosinase comparing with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) as a reference. The results of anti-aging showed that the activity of mixture (1:1) > P. dioscoridis > E. bonariensis against the four enzymes.

HPLC-ESI/MS profiling, phytoconstituent isolation and evaluation of renal function, oxidative stress and inflammation in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats of Ficus spragueana Mildbr. & Burret.

Ficus spragueana Mildbr. & Burret (family Moraceae) was reported to have various biological activities. However, its activity in treatment of renal injury has not been investigated yet. The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of F. spragueana leaf extract on nephrotoxicity caused by gentamicin. Gentamicin is an important broad-spectrum antibiotic; nevertheless, it exhibits serious nephrotoxic adverse effects. HPLC-ESI/MS spectrometric analysis of the extract revealed the presence of 37 phenolic compounds. Moreover, five compounds were isolated from the leaf extract, and identified on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. The isolated compounds were syringic acid (1), p-coumaric acid (2), 3',5' O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3), luteolin-8-C-ß-D glucopyranoside (orientin) (4) and 8-methoxy kaempferol-3-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→2) ß-D-glucopyranoside] (5). The gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity model was used to evaluate the protective effect of F. spragueana on renal toxicity biomarkers throughout the development of acute kidney injury. Administration of extract led to improvement in kidney function through inhibition of kidney injury molecule-1, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and total bilirubin, as well as decreasing the inflammatory markers interlukin1-beta and myeloperoxidase. Furthermore, it reduced the oxidative stress by increasing reduced glutathione and total antioxidant capacity levels while decreasing malondialdehyde and nitric oxide content, and improved renal histopathological injuries.

Phytotoxic Effects of Plant Essential Oils: A Systematic Review and Structure-Activity Relationship Based on Chemometric Analyses.

Herbicides are natural or synthetic chemicals used to control unwanted plants (weeds). To avoid the harmful effects of synthetic herbicides, considerable effort has been devoted to finding alternative products derived from natural sources. Essential oils (EOs) from aromatic plants are auspicious source of bioherbicides. This review discusses phytotoxic EOs and their chemical compositions as reported from 1972 to 2020. Using chemometric analysis, we attempt to build a structure-activity relationship between phytotoxicity and EO chemical composition. Data analysis reveals that oxygenated terpenes, and mono- and sesquiterpenes, in particular, play principal roles in the phytotoxicity of EOs. Pinene, 1,8 cineole, linalool, and carvacrol are the most effective monoterpenes, with significant phytotoxicity evident in the EOs of many plants. Caryophyllene and its derivatives, including germacrene, spathulenol, and hexahydrofarnesyl acetone, are the most effective sesquiterpenes. EOs rich in iridoids (non-terpene compounds) also exhibit allelopathic activity. Further studies are recommended to evaluate the phytotoxic activity of these compounds in pure forms, determine their activity in the field, evaluate their safety, and assess their modes of action.

Bacillus methylotrophicus ASWU-C2, a strain inhabiting hot desert soil, a new source for antibacterial bacillopyrone, pyrophen, and cyclopeptides.

A strain of Bacillus methylotrophicus was isolated from a soil sample collected in Aswan eastern desert, which is known for its extremely arid climate. After fermentation of the strain in liquid culture and subsequent extraction, a bioassay-guided isolation procedure yielded five compounds: 2-benzyl-4H-pyran-4-one, named bacillopyrone (1), pyrophen (2), macrolactin A (3) and the cyclopeptides malformin A1 (4), and bacillopeptin A (5). The structures were determined by interpretation of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and high resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) data. This is the first report on the isolation of compounds 1 and 2 from Bacillus species; compound 1 was reported previously as synthetic product. Bacillopyrone (1) exhibited moderate activity against the Gram-negative Chromobacterium violaceum with minimum inhibitory concentration 266.6 µg/mL, while macrolactin A (3) and malformin A1 (4) inhibited Staphylococcus aureus (minimum inhibitory concentrations 13.3 and 133.3 µg/mL, respectively).

Soft coral Cespitularia stolonifera: New cytotoxic ceramides and gastroprotective activity.

In the present study, a new ceramide, namely 2S, 3R-4E, 8E-2-(heptadecanoylamino)-heptadeca-4, 8-diene-1, 3-diol (1), along with four known steroids, including 24-methylcholesta-5, 24(28)-diene-3ß-ol (2), 24-methylcholesta-5, 24(28)-diene-3ß-acetate (3), 4-methyl-24-methylcholesta-22-ene-3-ol (4), and cholesterol, was isolated and characterized from CH2Cl2/MeOH extract of Cespitularia stolonifera. A new acetate derivative of compound 1, termed 2S, 3R-4E, 8E-2-(heptadecanoylamino)-heptadeca-4, 8-diene-1, 3-diacetate (1a), was also prepared in the present study. All the structures were established on the basis of modern spectroscopic techniques, including FT-IR, 1D, 2D-NMR, HRESI-MS, and GC-MS, in addition of chemical methods. (-)-Alloaromadendren, ledane, (1)-alloaromadendren oxide, isoaromadendrene epoxide and (-)-caryophellen oxide were identified from the n-hexane fraction using GC-MS. The extract and the two ceramides (1) and (1a) exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against lung cancer A549 cells, while the extract and the two steroids (2) and (3) exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against breast cancer MCF-7 cells. The CH2Cl2/MeOH extract exhibited significant antiulcer activity in both ethanol and acetic acid induced ulcer models in rats, as evidenced by histopathological, histochemical, and biochemical examinations.

Extra-hepatic infection of hepatitis C virus in the colon tissue and its relationship with hepatitis C virus pathogenesis.

Extra-hepatic compartments might contribute to hepatitis C virus (HCV) persistence and extra-hepatic manifestations. Therefore, we investigated HCV infection in colonic tissue in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and its relationship with HCV pathogenesis. Colonic biopsies were collected from three groups with CHC infection: treatment naïve (TN; n=12), non-responders (NR; n=10) to anti-HCV therapy (pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin) and sustained virologic response (SVR; n=10) and from a fourth healthy control group (n=10). Liver biopsies were examined to assess inflammation and fibrosis. HCV infection and colonic T regulatory (Treg) frequency were detected by immunohistochemistry. HCV core and NS3 proteins were detected in B cells and macrophage/monocytes of 42 % and 25 % of TN and 50 % and 30 % of NR, respectively, but not in SVR or control group. The numbers of cells expressing HCV proteins were positively correlated with both HCV viral load and colonic Treg frequency. A significant negative correlation between HCV-expressing cells with both liver inflammation and fibrosis was identified. Our study provides evidence that HCV can infect B cells and macrophages of the colon. The correlations between HCV infection in colonic tissue and HCV viral load and liver pathology underline the significance of this extra-hepatic infection in HCV pathogenesis and response to therapy.

Chemical and biological profile of Cespitularia species: A mini review.

Soft corals belonging to the genus Cespitularia have been well recognized as a rich source of bioactive secondary metabolites especially diterpenoids. This review furnishes an overview of all naturally isolated compounds from Cespitularia genus as, diterpenoids, nitrogen-containing diterpenes, sesquiterpenoids and steroids as well as biological activities of these species. Cespitularia species have been studied for their anticancer, immunomodulatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities. This work is the first review published on this topic.

Association of colonic regulatory T cells with hepatitis C virus pathogenesis and liver pathology.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Forkhead box protein P3 (FoxP3)(+) regulatory T (Treg ) cells play a fundamental role in maintaining the balance between the tissue-damaging and protective immune response to chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection. Herein, we investigated the frequency of Treg cells in the colon and their potential relationship to the various CHC outcomes and hepatic histopathology. METHODS: Colonic biopsies were collected from three groups with CHC: treatment naïve (TN; n = 20), non-responders (NR; n = 20), sustained virologic response (SVR; n = 20), and a fourth healthy control group (n = 10). The plasma viral loads and cytokines levels were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and ELISA, respectively. Liver biopsies were examined to assess inflammatory score and fibrosis stage. Colonic Treg frequency was estimated by immunohistochemistry using confocal microscopy. RESULTS: A significant increase in the frequency of colonic Treg was found in TN, and NR groups compared with the control and SVR group. The frequency of colonic Treg , plasma interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-4 levels were significantly positively correlated with viral load and negatively correlated with METAVIR inflammatory score, and fibrosis stages. CONCLUSION: Colonic Treg cells are negatively correlated with liver inflammation and hepatitis C virus (HCV) viral load, which suggests a strong linkage between gut-derived Treg cell populations and HCV infection.

Synthesis of some new carbonitriles and pyrazole coumarin derivatives with potent antitumor and antimicrobial activities.

3-Acetyl-4-hydroxycoumarin (2) was reacted with some aldehydes (4-chlorobenzaldehyde, 4-bromobenzaldehyde, 5-methylfurfural) to afford the chalcones (3a-c). Cyclization of these chalcones with malononitrile in the presence of ammonium acetate afforded pyridine carbonitriles (4a-c), while the cyclization reaction of chalcones (3a-c) with ethyl cyanoacetate afforded the oxopyridine carbonitriles (5a-c). On the other hand, the chalcones (3a-c) reacted with hydrazine hydrate in alcohol to yield pyrazoles (6a-c), but when the same reaction is carried out in the presence of acetic acid, the acetyl pyrazole derivatives (7a-c) were obtained. Finally, the reaction of the chalcones (3a-c) with phenylhydrazine afforded phenylpyrazole derivatives (8a-c). The structures of synthesized compounds were confirmed by their micro analysis and spectral data (IR, NMR and MS). Twelve samples were evaluated for the human breast adenocarcinoma cytotoxicity, three of them showed moderate activity, the rest of the samples showed weak cytotoxic activity (very high IC50), but for the hepatocarcinoma cell lines four samples showed weak cytotoxic effect, while the rest of the compounds showed very weak effect. For antimicrobial study, three compounds proved to be the most promising against tested bacterial organisms.

Secondary metabolites and bioactivities of Albizia anthelmintica.

BACKGROUND: Albizia species are rich in phenolics and terpenes in the different plant organs. They are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. So this study investigated the phytochemical and biological activities of Albizia Anthelmintica. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Column chromatography has been performed for the isolation of compounds. Bioactivity studies of A. anthelmintica leaves were carried out on aqueous ethanol extract and some pure compounds were tested for their antioxidant activities. RESULTS: Eight compounds have been isolated for the first time from A. anthelmintica. The aqueous ethanol extract of A. anthelmintica showed moderate anti-inflammatory activity and significant for both analgesic and antioxidant activities. Quercetin-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside, kaempferol-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside, kaempferol-3-O-(6ß-O-galloyl-ß-D-glucopyranoside and quercetin-3-O-(6ß-O-galloyl-ß-D-glucopyranoside) exhibited potent antioxidant scavenging activity towards diphenyl-picrylhydrazine.

Flavonoid glycosides and pharmacological activity of Amphilophium paniculatum.

BACKGROUND: Nothing is reported on Amphilophium paniculatum (L.) Kunth. This study aimed at investigation of chemical constituents of the leaves of Amphilophium paniculatum, grown in Egypt, in addition to pharmacological evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Isolation of a new compound, along with 5 known flavonoids. Pharmacological activities were carried out on different extracts of A. paniculatum leaves. RESULTS: Identification of a new flavone glycoside, acacetin 8-C-ß-D- glucopyranosy l-(1→2)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (1) in addition to 5 known flavonoids. The 70% ethanol crud extract and its successive chloroform, ethyl acetate, and 100% ethanol extracts showed significant anti-inflammatoryactivity,analgesic effect, antipyretic activity, antioxidant activity, and anti-hyperglycemic activity. Determination of the median lethal dose (LD50) revealed that the different extracts were safe.

Chemical constituents and anti-ulcerogenic potential of the scales of Cynara scolymus (artichoke) heads.

BACKGROUND: Cynara scolymus L. (Asteraseae) (artichoke) is commonly eaten as a vegetable; its leaves are frequently used in folk medicine in the treatment of hepatitis, hyperlipidaemia, obesity and dyspeptic disorders. The purpose of this study is to determine the chemical composition of the volatile oil and alcoholic extract of artichoke head scales. In addition, the role of the methanol extract as an anti-ulcer agent against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats was evaluated. RESULTS: Six flavonoids and one phenolic acid were obtained from the methanol extract. Also, 37 compounds were identified in the volatile oil, the majority including mono- and sesquiterpenes. The artichoke extracts (200 and 400 mg kg(-1)) significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the ulcer index (55.33% and 72.14% inhibition). Histopathological examination of rat stomachs demonstrated that artichoke induced an increase in gastric mucus production, and a reduction of the depth and severity of mucosal lesions. Artichoke dose-dependently reduced the elevated ethanol gastric malonylaldehyde, and reduced glutathione levels and catalase activity. These results suggest that the head scales of artichoke possess potential anti-ulcer activity. CONCLUSIONS: The present paper describes the identification of volatile oil for the first time along with the isolation and identification of the constituents of the methanol extract. Moreover, the high anti-ulcerogenic potential of scales of C. scolymus heads was established here for the first time.

A new gorgostane derivative from the Egyptian Red Sea soft coral Heteroxenia ghardaqensis.

Chemical investigation of the chloroform extract of the Egyptian Red Sea soft coral, Heteroxenia ghardaqensis (Family Xeniidae), led to the isolation of three gorgostane derivatives, namely gorgosten-5(E)-3ß-ol (1), gorgostan-3ß,5α,6ß, 11α-tetraol (sarcoaldosterol A) (2) and gorgostan-3ß,5α,6ß-triol-11α-acetate (3). To our knowledge, sterol 3 is reported in this article for the first time. The structure elucidation of these compounds was deduced by 1-D and 2-D NMR as well as ESIMS. Sterol 1 showed moderate activity as growth inhibitor of human colon tumour cell lines.

Phenolic metabolites from Pyruscalleryana and evaluation of its free radical scavenging activity.

Investigation of the aqueous alcoholic extract of Pyruscalleryana Decne. leaves led to the isolation of two new phenolic acids glycosides, namely protocatechuoylcalleryanin-3-O-ß-glucopyranoside (1) and 3'-hydroxybenzyl-4-hydroxybenzoate-4'-O-ß-glucopyranoside (2), together with nine known compounds among them lanceoloside A and methylgallate, which have been isolated for the first time from the genus Pyrus. Structures of the isolated compounds were established by spectroscopic analysis, including UV, IR, HRESI-MS, and 1D/2D NMR. The total extract and some isolated compounds were determined against DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) hydrazinyl radical, for their free radical scavenging activity, the total alcoholic extract showed strong antioxidant activity while the two new compounds showed weak antioxidant activity.

Secondary metabolites and bioactivities of Myrtus communis.

BACKGROUND: Myrtus species are characterized by the presence of phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins, volatile oils and fatty acids. They are remedies for variety of ailments. This study therefore investigated medicinal effects of Myrtus communis L. METHODS: Bioactivity studies of Myrtus communis L. leaves were carried out on volatile oil, 7% methanol and aqueous extracts and the isolated compounds myricetin 3-O-ß-glucopyranoside, myricetin 3-O-∝-rhamnopyranoside and gallic acid. RESULTS: Determination of the median lethal dose (LD(50)) revealed that the volatile oil, alcoholic and aqueous extracts were practically nontoxic and highly safe as no lethality was observed. The tested materials (volatile oil, alcoholic and aqueous extracts, myricetin 3-O-ß-glucopyranoside, myricetin 3-O-∝-rhamnopyranoside and gallic acid) showed significant antihyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects as compared with control groups and reference drugs. CONCLUSION: Administration of extracts of M. communis leaves could be safe at the dose used in this study.

Acute cytomegalovirus infection is a risk factor in refractory and complicated inflammatory bowel disease.

The role of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is controversial. Although CMV has been specifically associated with refractory disease, the strength and nature of this association have been a subject of debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and outcome of acute cytomegalovirus infection in patients with severe refractory and complicated inflammatory bowel disease. Seventy-two patients with active IBD (both ulcerative colitis [UC] and Crohn's diseases [CD]) were included in this study. Thorough history taking and physical examination of all patients was made with special emphasis on symptoms and signs of CMV disease. Colonoscopic assessment was made for the extent and activity of IBD and collection of specimen. Prevalence of CMV infection was estimated by serology; anti-CMV IgM and IgG antibodies, and pathologic studies of colonic biopsies used conventional haematoxylin and eosin (H & E) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) with monoclonal antibodies. Complete blood count and liver function tests were done for all patients. Among 72 patients with active inflammatory bowel disease, 23 (31.9%) were resistant to intravenous steroids. CMV was detected in eight (six with UC and two with CD) of the 23 (34.8%) steroid-resistant patients and in only one (3.2%) patient in the remaining 31 patients under steroid treatment and was not detected in 18 IBD patients not using steroids. Among nine CMV-positive IBD patients, six (66.6%) were female and six had fever; cervical lymphadenopathy was found in five patients and splenomegaly in two, compared to no patients in the CMV-negative group (P = 0.01 and 0.03, respectively). Leucopenia and thrombocytopenia were predominantly seen in the CMV-positive versus CMV-negative patients (2.1+/-0.3 vs. 5.9+/-3.4 and 98+/-34 vs. 165+/-101, respectively). Pancolitis was found in five of nine CMV-positive IBD patients whereas in only two patients out of 63 in the CMV-negative group (P = 0.005). Acute CMV infection in patients with IBD is not rare and is often underestimated. CMV infection in patients with refractory or complicated IBD should be ruled out before aggressive immunosuppressive therapy. High clinical index of suspicion for the association of CMV infection with IBD should be directed towards female IBD patients presenting with fever, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, leucopenia, and mild hepatitis. CMV IHC is significantly more sensitive than routine H & E stain and should be considered as part of the routine evaluation of IBD patients with severe exacerbation or steroid-refractory disease before proceeding with other medical or surgical therapy that may not be necessary once the CMV is treated.

Black esophagus: a case report.

The black esophagus is a rare observation during upper endoscopy. We describe a case of a male with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, diabetes, acute renal failure and in septic state, who developed a black esophagus after hypotensive episodes. The clinical, endoscopic and histopathological characteristics are presented.

A new kaempferol triglycoside from Fagonia taeckholmiana: cytotoxic activity of its extracts.

In addition to apigenin, apigenin 7-O-glucoside, kaempferol 3-O-glucoside, kaempferol 3,7-di-O-rhamnoside, quercetin, and quercetin 3-O-glucoside, the methanolic extract of Fagonia taeckholmiana afforded a new compound identified as kaempferol 3-O-beta-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-l-rhamnopyranoside-7-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranoside. Identification of the isolated compounds was based on chemical and spectroscopic analyses including UV, FABMS, (1)H, (13)C and 2D NMR, and DEPT. The cytotoxic activities of the compounds against several cancer cell lines were determined.