In vivo assessment of black seed oil single dose on prednisolone pharmacokinetics.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of blackseed oil (BSO) single dose on prednisolone pharmacokinetics via p-gp inhibition. METHODS: Three groups of rats (n = 5) were orally administered the vehicle, verapamil (50 mg/kg) or BSO (5 ml/kg) 15 min prior to prednisolone (5 mg/kg) administration. Blood samples were collected over 24 h and quantified. Non-compartmental analysis was employed to calculate maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), area under the curve (AUC0-last), time to reach Cmax (Tmax), apparent clearance (CL/F), and half-life (t1/2). Statistical significance was considered at p<0.05. RESULTS: Prednisolone Cmax and AUC0-last decreased by 65% and 25% in the BSO group compared to the negative control (P < .0001, .0029, respectively) while they increased by 1.75-folds and 8-folds in verapamil group (P < .0001). Tmax was achieved at 0.16, 0.5, and 0.25 h in the negative control, verapamil, and BSO-treated groups, respectively. CL/F in the treatment group was 1.3-fold and 10-fold higher compared to the negative and positive control, respectively, whereas the t1/2 remained comparable. CONCLUSION: Administration of BSO decreased prednisolone Cmax and AUC0-last in rats indicating that there is a herb-drug interaction; however, p-gp inhibition cannot be concluded. Patients relying on folk medicine in chronic illnesses treatment might need to avoid combining BSO with prednisolone.

Coriandrum sativum and Aloysia triphylla can Protect the Development of Cancer: an in Vivo Study Using Mouse Painting Assay.

AIM: The aim of this study is to examine the protective properties of Coriandrum sativum and Aloysia triphylla against the development of skin cancer. METHOD: The skin cancer balb/c mouse model was utilized in the study. Plant extracts were administered to animals using oral gavage. In addition, skin cancer was induced using 7,12-dimethylbenz(a) anthracene (DMBA). RESULTS: The study found that A. triphylla extract reduced both tumor incidence (P<0.01) and papilloma frequency (P<0.001) and delayed the onset of tumor development (P<0.001). The A. triphylla extract did not affect tumor size in animals. C. sativum leaf extract reduced the number of tumors per animal, the incidence of tumors, and the frequency of papilloma (P<0.05). In addition, it delayed (P<0.01) the onset of tumors. Treatment of animals with C. sativum seed extract reduced the frequency of papilloma (P<0.05) and delayed the onset of tumors (P<0.05). However, the examined plant extracts did not impact the size of tumors induced by DMBA (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study revealed that C. sativum and A. triphylla could protect against cancer development as indicated using the animal model of skin painting assay.

Anticancer and antimutagenic activity of Silybum marianum L. and Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. against skin cancer induced by DMBA: In vitro and in vivo models.

The current study investigated the prospective effect of Silybum marianum L. and Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh extracts against skin cancer. Skin cancer was induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a) anthracene (DMBA) in young Balb/c mice. Plant extracts were administered to animals orally, once/day (100mg/kg, 5 days/week) for the 20 weeks. Anticancer activity was examined via tumor progression, where antimutagenic activity was measured using 8-OHdG and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) levels. Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. leaves extract and Silybum marianum L. leaves extract significantly reduced 8-OHdG in cultured human lymphocytes in a dose-response manner (P<0.05). Similarly, the leave extracts of both plants significantly reduced chromosomal damage as measured by SCE levels (P<0.05). In the skin painting assay, the leave extracts of both plants significantly delayed the onset of tumors compared to DMBA treated group (P<0.05). The Silybum marianum leaves extract significantly reduced tumor incidence (P<0.01) and papilloma frequency (P<0.01) induced by DMBA. The Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves extract significantly reduced the number of tumors per animal (P<0.05) and incidence of tumors (P<0.001). The in vitro and in vivo findings showed that leaves of Silybum marianum L. and Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. extracts might be a promising source for anticancer and antimutagenic agents against human cancer.

Report - Screening of the Anti-hyperglycemic activity of some medicinal plants of Jordan.

Diabetes represents a group of common diseases that are characterized by dysregulation of blood glucose levels. Plants are traditionally used for management of diseases including diabetes. In this study, we screened the anti-diabetic effect of extracts of 21 plants grown in Jordan. Extracts of plants were screened for their antihyperglycemic activity. Diabetes was induced in Sprague Dawley rats using Alloxan. Plant extracts were dosed at 1gm/kg. Blood glucose was measured at baseline and at every hour for 3 hours. Results showed that five plants out of the 21 screened showed antihyperglycemic activity. These plants are Phoenix dactylifera L., Tecoma stans (L.) Kunth, Cichorium pumilum Jacq., Phaseolus vulgaris L., and Teucrium polium L. On the other hand, Sarcopoterium spinosum (L.) Spach. and Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata significantly increased blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. The following plant extracts showed neutral effect on blood glucose levels: Plantago major L., Taraxacum cyprium H. Lindb, Artemisia inculta Delile, Marrubium vulgare L., Inula viscosa (L.) Ai, Rubus sanguineus Friv, Coriandrum sativum L., Cucurbita pepo var ovefera, Cucumis sativus L., Hordeum vulgare L., Apium graveolens L., Avena sativa L., Helianthus annus L., and Anethum graveolens L. In conclusion, Jordanian medicinal plants might be useful for managements of blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes.

Comparative effects of Orchis anatolica vs. the red Korean Panax ginseng treatments on testicular structure and function of adult male mice.

BACKGROUND: The effects of Orchis anatolica plant roots on adult male mice testicular structure and function were explored and compared with those of the red Korean Panax ginseng. METHODS: Both plants were administered orally to two separate mice groups at a dose of 800 mg/kg/day for 35 days and compared with control group. After treatment, 5 mice of each group were sacrificed and total mice weights, reproductive organs' weights, spermatogenesis, and androgenic serum markers were investigated. The remaining mice from all groups were allowed to mate with virgin female mice to explore male fertility potential. RESULTS: RESULTS indicated that body and organs' weights were increased significantly in mice treated with Orchis anatolica where only slight changes were observed in red Korean Panax ginseng treated and control mice. Intestinal testicular Leydig cells and germinal cells counts were elevated significantly in mice treated with Orchis anatolica plant when compared with the other two groups. Testicular dynamics parameters recorded in both testes and caudae epididymides were found to be increased only in Orchis anatolica treated mice. Although testosterone serum titer was observed to be elevated in both treated mice groups a marked elevation was observed only in Orchis anatolica treated mice. Follicular stimulating hormone blood serum titer was also elevated obtained in Orchis anatolica treated mice when compared with the other two groups. The fertility index of male mice treated with Orchis anatolica plant was enhanced to a greater value when allowed mating with virgin female mice if compared with male mice fertility index recorded in the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: We can conclude that Orchis anatolica plant could be more useful to improve testicular functions and structural parameters in mice when compared with red Korean Panax ginseng.

Anti-Helicobactor pylori activity of some Jordanian medicinal plants.

CONTEXT: Natural flora are considered a major source of new agents for the treatment of Helicobactor pylori. The plants used in this study were selected based on previous traditional use. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we evaluated the effect of extracts of 16 medicinal plants grown in Jordan against clinical isolates of H. pylori. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tested plant extracts included Aloysia triphylla (L'Her.) Britton (Verbenaceae), Anethum graveolens L. (Apiaceae), Artemisia inculata Delile (Asteraceae), Capparis spinosa L. (Capparaceae), Crataegus aronia (L.) Bosc ex. DC. (Rosaceae), Inula viscose (L.) Ait (Asteraceae), Lavandula officinalis Chaix. (Lamiaceae), Lepidium sativum L. (Cruciferae), Origanum syriaca L. (Lamiaceae), Paronychia argentea Lam. (Caryophyllaceae), Passiflora incarnate L. (Passifloraceae), Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae), Sarcopoterium spinosum (L.) Spach (Rosaceae), Sesamum indicum L. (Pedaliaceae), Urtica urens L. (Urticaceae) and Varthemia iphionoids Boiss (Asteraceae). Clinical isolates of H. pylori were tested in vitro for susceptibility to each of the above plant crude extracts using disk diffusion method, and the MIC value was determined for each plant extract using the serial dilution method. RESULTS: Results showed that ethanol extracts of most medicinal plants exerted cytotoxiciy against H. pylori isolates. Among the tested plant extracts, A. triphylla (MIC: 90 µg/mL, MBC: 125 µg/mL) and I. viscosa (MIC: 83 µg/mL, MBC: 104 µg/mL) showed the strongest activity against both isolates of H. pylori. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Jordanian medicinal plants might be valuable sources of starting materials for the synthesis of new antibacterial agents against H. pylori.

Antibacterial activity of some medicinal plants grown in Jordan.

In the present study, we evaluated the antimicrobial activity of 16 Jordanian medicinal plant extracts against four reference bacteria; Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter faecalis, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhi. For that purpose, whole plants were extracted and antimicrobial susceptibility testing and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were determined. Ethanolic extracts of most medicinal plants exerted a dose-dependent cytotoxiciy against different reference bacteria. Origanum syriaca, Varthemia iphionoides, Psidium guajava, Sarcopoterium spinosa plant extracts were most active against S. aureus (MIC; 70 µg/mL), E. faecalis (MIC; 130 µg/mL), E. coli (MIC; 153 µg/mL), and S. typhi (MIC; 110 µg/mL), respectively. Results indicate that medicinal plants grown in Jordan might be a valuable source of starting materials for the extraction and/or isolation of new antibacterial agents.

Altholactone induces apoptotic cell death in human colorectal cancer cells.

Resistance of colorectal cancer (CRC) to the available chemotherapy reveals the demand for identification of new anticancer agents. We evaluated the antitumour potential of altholactone, a naturally occurring bioactive compound isolated from Goniothalamus spp. (Annonaceae) hooks, against CRC cells. Antitumour activity of altholactone was measured using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and the propidium iodide method. Apoptosis mediators involved were assessed using biochemical inhibitors and Western blotting analysis. Results revealed that altholactone induced varying degrees of apoptosis in CRC cells but not in normal fibroblasts. Dissection of the altholactone-induced apoptotic signalling pathway revealed that altholactone activated caspase-dependent and -independent apoptotic pathways. Activation of caspase-4 appeared to be the initiating event in the caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway. Pre-treatment of CRC cells with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) significantly inhibited activation of caspase-4 and altholactone-induced apoptosis. These results indicate that altholactone induces selective cytotoxicity against colon carcinoma cells and warrants further clinical evaluation.

Altholactone displays promising antimicrobial activity.

The antimicrobial activity of altholactone, a naturally extracted styryllactone isolated from Goniothalamus malayanus, was determined against Gram positive (S. aureus ATTC 25923, S. aureus ATTC 25392, and E. faecalis ATTC 29212) and Gram negative (E. coli ATTC 35218, S. typhi ATTC 14023 and P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853) reference bacteria and against the fungus C. albicans ATTC 10231. Different concentrations of altholactone (0, 12, 25, and 50 µg/mL) were used. Results revealed that altholactone inhibited the growth of all tested microbes except P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853 in a dose-dependent manner, with the highest cytotoxic effects occurring at 50 µg/mL. The average of the inhibition zones of the different concentrations was between 0-30 mm. Furthermore, altholactone-induced antimicrobial activity against the more sensitive microbes was assessed by measuring the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Results indicated that Gram positive (S. aureus ATTC 25923, S. aureus ATTC 25392, and E. faecalis ATTC 29212) cells were more sensitive to altholactone than Gram negative ones (E. coli ATTC 35218, S. typhi ATTC 14023). C. albicans showed moderate sensitivity. These results indicate that altholactone might be a potential antimicrobial agent, particularly in ciprofloxacin-refractory S. aureus and E. faecalis infections. Further investigations are required to illustrate the mechanism(s) by which altholactone produces its antimicrobial effects.

Public knowledge and attitudes towards epilepsy in Jordan.

BACKGROUND: Social acceptances of people with epilepsy very often constitute a considerable problem for patients and their family. Nationwide opinion polls on the public knowledge and attitudes towards epilepsy have been reported from several countries. The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge and attitudes of the Jordanian public towards epilepsy, which have not been verified before. METHODS: A total of 16,044 people (8158 males and 7886 females) living in different areas of Jordan were interviewed by invitation using standard four set questionnaire constructed from previous similar studies (Caveness and Gallup) that tested public knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy. Two hundred and thirty senior students of the faculty of pharmacy at Jordan University of Science and Technology are involved in this study. Each student interviewed at least 50 individuals, aged 18 years or older, from their immediate community including family members, relatives, neighbors and friends by invitation. The interviews took place during the period from February to June of 2005. RESULTS: Eighty-eight percent had read or knew about epilepsy, and 52.4% had witnessed an epileptic attack at least once in their life. From the people interviewed, 84.7% believed that the cause of epilepsy is a neurological disease, and 80.6% believe that the main symptom is brief loss of consciousness. The response of the younger participants and those with higher education were statistically significant more positive regarding the knowledge on causes and symptoms of epilepsy. More than 70% accepts shaking hands with people with epilepsy; they also believe that people with epilepsy are able to have children and to get high academic degrees. Less than 50% accepts letting their children play with children with epilepsy or employ people with epilepsy. Nine percent had negative attitudes, and believed that patients with epilepsy are insane and 88.5% objects the marriage of people with epilepsy to their sons or daughters. Approximately one third of the respondents believed that epilepsy is more dangerous than diabetes mellitus and hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: The overall knowledge and attitudes of Jordanians towards epilepsy is relatively comparable with the results from Asian countries but more negative when compared with reports from the Western countries. Consequently, well-organized educational campaigns are needed to improve public perception about epilepsy.

Analysis of cadmium and lead in mice organs: effect of Nigella sativa L. (Black Cumin) on the distribution and immunosuppressive effect of cadmium-lead mixture in mice.

Analysis and distribution of Pb and Cd in different mice organs, including the liver, kidney, spleen, heart, and blood, were evaluated before and after treatment with different aqueous concentrations of Nigella sativa (1.25-10.0 mg/L). Atomic absorption spectrometry was used for analysis of Pb and Cd in these organs. Results indicated that the Pb in the unexposed group of mice without treatment with N. sativa (black cumin) was in the following order: liver > heart > spleen > kidney, and the distribution of Pb in various organs of the unexposed group was not affected significantly by N. sativa. Moreover, results of mice exposed for Pb show that the Pb concentrations in different organs were reduced significantly (p < 0.05) by 72.9%, 63.4%, 72.3%, 66.7%, and 39.5% at a dose of 10 mg/L of N. sativa for the liver, kidney, heart, spleen, and blood, respectively. Furthermore, the distribution of Cd in the unexposed Cd group of mice without treatment with N. sativa was in the following order: kidney > heart > spleen > liver. Nigella sativa at 10 mg/L reduced Cd levels in mice exposed to Cd by 75.5%, 83.3%, 47.0%, 95.3%, and 100% in the liver, kidney, heart, spleen, and blood, respectively, whereas blood Cd concentrations were lowered to below the detection limit of 0.05 mug/L. A 28-d exposure of mice to a Cd-Pb mixture at a concentration of 1 ppm in drinking water induced a highly significant inhibition (p < 0.0001) of antibody response to human serum (80.5%). The suppressed immune responses in mice pretreated with the Cd-Pb mixture were reversed by 43.1% and 38.9% in the presence of 1.25 and 2.5 mg/mL of N. sativa, respectively, whereas higher concentrations (5-10 mg/mL) of N. sativa increased the immunosuppression significantly. Nigella sativa at 1.25-10 mg/mL did not induce any significant modulation of the antibody response in unexposed mice.

Knowledge of management of epilepsy in young adults in Jordan.

PURPOSE: Nationwide studies on public knowledge of epilepsy have been undertaken in several countries, but not in Jordan. The purpose of this study was to evaluate knowledge of the management of epilepsy in Jordan. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed during the period February-June 2005 on 16,044 individuals selected randomly to represent all regions of Jordan. Respondents were interviewed and asked to complete a five-item questionnaire testing their knowledge of the management of epilepsy. RESULTS: Most of the individuals (77.9%) agreed that patients with epilepsy are best treated in a specialized hospital for neurological diseases. Although the largest percentage of the sample (86.7%) agreed that the best person to treat epilepsy is a neurologist, others believed that a hypnotherapist (25.4%) or a religious healer (22.6%) is. As an immediate measure during an attack of epilepsy, most respondents (82.6%) agreed that protecting the patient's head is most important. During the postseizure period, 45.8% of respondents believed that offering the patient water or a cold or hot drink is appropriate. Two-thirds of the respondents (66.2%) agreed that epilepsy can be treated with drugs. Responses of the participants to the five items significantly differed with respect to age, gender, level of education, and occupation. CONCLUSION: Jordanians are reasonably well informed about most aspects of the management of epilepsy, but there is still a need for public education about this disorder.

Effects of orchids (Orchis anatolica) on reproductive function and fertility in adult male mice.

Aims: The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of orchid bulbs on the reproductive system of male albino mice. Methods: Orchid bulb extract was fed to 20 male albino mice (5 g/mouse/day) for 35 days and compared with a similar number of mice as controls. Total testicular germ cell population, histometrical parameters, serum blood biochemistry and hormonal assay were determined. Results: The ingestion of orchid bulb by mice induced a significant increase in the following parameters: (i) testes and seminal vesicle weights; (ii) number of different testicular germ cell population including interstitial Leydig cells and fibroblasts; and (iii) testicular cell linage dynamics obtained from testes and cauda epidydimides. An important finding was that the ingestion of the orchid diet by male mice increased their fertility. This was indicated by an elevation in the number of impregnated females when allowed to mate with treated mice, an increase in the impregnation sites, and an increase in the number of viable fetuses and the offspring's male/female ratio. A slight significant increase in the testosterone and follicular stimulating hormone titers in the treated mice were found in their blood serum. In contrast, a decrease in the number of degenerating cells was observed. Conclusions: Orchid bulb treatment might play an important role in improving male reproductive potential and fertility. (Reprod Med Biol 2006; 5: 269-276).

Public response to chest pain in Jordan.

BACKGROUND: Chest pain is one of the main and most frequent manifestations of myocardial infarction (MI). Increased level of public awareness on the optimal response to chest pain due to MI attacks is crucial for minimizing its complications and mortality rate. AIMS: The first aim of this investigation was to assess the level of public awareness on their response to acute chest pain. The second aim was to obtain information about self-reported risk factors for coronary heart disease and acute myocardial infarction. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This survey was conducted in various regions of Jordan during the period of July-September 2004. A total of 4194 adults (out of 4500), 2086 males (49.7%) and 2108 females (50.3%) resident in Jordan were included in the sample. The response rate was 92.3%. METHODS: Each individual of the sample who agreed voluntarily to participate in the investigation was asked to report in a questionnaire his/her possible risk factors for MI. Moreover, each person of the sample was asked "What do you do when you suffer from a severe and crushing chest pain that persists for longer than 15 min and radiates to jaws, neck or left shoulder, with sweating and paleness of the face?" The person was asked to choose one option out of 11. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The frequency and percentage were determined for each investigated parameter. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The highest percentage of respondents had good response by selecting the option "I go to a doctor" while the lowest percentage of respondents showed poor response by choosing the option "I use an antacid". The remainder of responses was distributed among other options. Excellent awareness was reported by 47% of the sample. Differences in the type of responses were detected when the results were analyzed according to gender, type of job, level of education and ethnicity. Approximately half of the interviewed individuals of the sample had 2-4 clustering risk factors for developing acute MI attacks. Individuals in more than half of the sample had family history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. It is concluded that although the type of response to chest pain in Jordan is good-excellent, more improvement is recommended since the risk to MI is relatively high. Community education campaigns may participate in increasing public health education on the optimal response to chest pain of myocardial origin.

New colchicinoids from a native Jordanian meadow saffron, colchicum brachyphyllum: isolation of the first naturally occurring dextrorotatory colchicinoid.

As part of our continuing investigation of Jordanian Colchicum species, the biologically active components of Colchicum brachyphyllum were pursued. Using bioactivity-directed fractionation, nine colchicinoids were isolated and characterized. One of these has a novel ring system, to which we have ascribed the trivial name (+)-demecolcinone (9), and it represents the first naturally occurring dextrorotatory colchicinoid. Another isolated compound was a new colchicinoid analogue, (-)-2,3-didemethyldemecolcine (8), while the remaining seven known colchicinoids were new to the species: (-)-colchicine (1), (-)-3-demethylcolchicine (2), (-)-cornigerine (3), beta-lumicolchicine (4), (-)-androbiphenyline (5), (-)-demecolcine (6), and (-)-3-demethyldemecolcine (7). The brine shrimp lethality test was used to direct the isolation of these colchicinoids. Moreover, all pure compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against a human cancer cell panel, for antimicrobial activity in an array of bacteria and fungi (including yeast), and for their potential to be allosteric modulators of the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor.

Determination of colchicine content in Colchicum hierosolymitanum and Colchicum tunicatum under cultivation.

Corms of Colchicum hierosolymitanum and Colchicum tunicatum were collected, identified and planted under field condition. We report here and for the first time the presence of colchicine in an appreciable amount in both species. The effect of different NPK fertilizer levels on colchicine content of the two Colchicum species at different growth stages were evaluated by HPLC. Results indicated that increasing NPK fertilizer levels significantly improve colchicine content in different plant parts and stages. The highest colchicine content observed in corms was at maturity stage 0.766 mg/g and 0.688 mg/g dry weight with C. hierosolimitanum and C. tunicatum, respectively.