Induction of apoptosis by emestrin from the plant endophytic fungus Emericella nidulans ATCC 38163 in Huh-7 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

This research aimed to investigate the anticancer properties of emestrin, a major constituent of Emericella nidulans ATCC 38163 through the induction of apoptosis in Huh-7 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. In this study, this fungus was isolated from the fresh leaves of Ruprechtia salicifolia (Cham. & Schltdl.) C.A. Mey, and identified by morphology and 18S rDNA followed by large-scale fermentation in liquid biomalt broth medium. Epidithiodioxopiperazine derivative emestrin along with ten known metabolites were isolated and identified from the fungal extract. The cytotoxic assay revealed that emestrin had the strongest cytotoxicity against Huh-7 and A-549 cells with IC50 values of 4.89 and 6.3 µM, respectively. Using annexin V-FITC assay, treatment of Huh-7 cells with 4.89 µM for 24 h resulted in a significant increase in the percentage of early and late apoptosis (3.16% and 22.84%, respectively) compared to untreated cells. Additionally, Bax and bcl-2 protein levels were regulated, which induced apoptosis in treated cells. These results indicate that emestrin induces mitochondrial pathway to stimulate apoptosis and inhibits cell proliferation in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Flavonoid constituents and protective efficacy of Citrus reticulate (Blanco) leaves ethanolic extract on thioacetamide-induced liver injury rats.

Context: Oxidative stress leads to deleterious processes in the liver that resulted in liver diseases.Objective: To evaluate antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective potential of ethanolic leaves extract of Citrus reticulate against hepatic dysfunction induced by thioacetamide (TAA).Materials and Methods: Flavonoid constituents were isolated from the ethanol extract by chromatographic techniques and identified by the spectroscopic analyses. Antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH assay. Hepatotoxicity was induced in rats via intraperitoneal injection of TAA and the ethanol extract was orally administrated at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day for four weeks. Serum biomarkers, hepatic antioxidant enzymes, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), hepatic hydroxyproline levels, and histopathology were examined.Results: Ten known flavonoids were identified, among of them, 6,3`-dimethoxyluteolin and 8,3`-dimethoxyluteolin possessed the highest antioxidant activity. The substantially elevated serum enzymatic levels of ALT, ALP, and bilirubin were found to be restored towards normalisation significantly by the plant extract. Furthermore, the markers including MDA, GSH, SOD, NO, and protein carbonyl which were close to oxidative damage, were restored. Meanwhile, the extract treatment decreased TNF-α level and also was able to reverse the induced fibrosis by significantly reducing the hydroxyproline content. Moreover, histopathological studies further substantiate the protective effect of the extract.Conclusion: C. reticulate leaves extract is a rich source of phytochemicals with in vitro and in vivo protective effects.

Phytochemical Compositions of Some Red Sea Halophyte Plants with Antioxidant and Anticancer Potentials.

The aim of this study was to determine the compositions of carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, fatty acids (FAs), and amino acids (AAs) of four Rea Sea halophytes: Anabasis ehrenbergii, Suaeda aegyptiaca, Suaeda monoica, and Zygophyllum album. The results showed that S. aegyptiaca and S. monoica were rich in gallic acid with 41.72 and 47.48 mg/g, respectively, while A. ehrenbergii was rich in naringenin with 11.88 mg/g. The polysaccharides of the four species were mainly composed of galactose (54.74%) in A. ehrenbergii, mannose (44.15%) in S. aegyptiaca, glucose and ribose (33 and 26%, respectively) in S. monoica, and arabinose and glucose (36.67 and 31.52%, respectively) in Z. album. Glutamic acid and aspartic acid were the major AAs in all halophyte species with 50-63% and 10-22% of the total AAs, respectively. The proportion of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) of the four species was 42.18-55.33%, comprised mainly of linolenic acid (15.54-28.63%) and oleic acid (5.68-22.05%), while palmitic acid (23.94-49.49%) was the most abundant saturated fatty acid (SFA). Phytol and 9,19-cyclolanost-24-en-3ß-ol represented the major unsaponifiable matter (USM) constituents of S. monoica and A. ehrenbergii with proportions 42.44 and 44.11%, respectively. The phenolic fraction of S. aegyptiaca and S. monoica demonstrated noteworthy antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 9.0 and 8.0 µg/mL, respectively, while the FAs fraction of Z. album exhibited potent cytotoxic activity against Huh-7, A-549, and Caco-2 cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 7.4, 10.8, and 11.8 µg/mL, respectively. Our results indicate that these plants may be considered a source of naturally occurring compounds with antioxidant and anticancer effects that could be suitable for future applications.

Halo-phenolic metabolites and their in vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic activities from the Red Sea alga Avrainvillea amadelpha.

From the green alga Avrainvillea amadelpha, two new naturally halo-benzaldehyde derivatives were isolated by various chromatographic methods along with 10 known metabolites of bromophenols, sulfonoglycolipid, and steroids. Based on the 1D and 2D NMR spectra as well as on MS data, the structures of the new compounds were identified as 5-bromo-2-(3-bromo-4-hydroxybenzyl)-3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde named avrainvilleal (1), and 3-iodo-4-hydroxy-benzaldehyde (2). Using SRB assay, both compounds showed mild and weak cytotoxic activity against HeLa and MCF-7 cancer cell lines, compared to the good activity of their extract (IC50 values 3.1 and 4.3 µg/mL, respectively). However, avrainvilleal (1) displayed an effective scavenged DPPH radical activity with IC50 value 3.5 µM, compared to the antioxidant quercetin with IC50 value 1.5 µM.

Rotenoid and isoflavone metabolites from an antioxidant seed extract of Dalbergia lanceolaria subsp. paniculata (roxb.) thoth.

A new rotenoid named 12-O-methylrotenolol along with five known rotenoid and isoflavone metabolites were isolated from the seeds of Dalbergia lanceolaria subsp. paniculata, collected from Egypt. The structures of these compounds were identified by physical and spectroscopic data measurements ([α]D, UV, 1D- and 2D-NMR and MS). The methanol extract of the seeds exhibited strong antioxidant activity with IC50 value 0.7 µg/µl against DPPH radical, in respect to quercetin as antioxidant reference (IC50 1.5 µM), while the tested compounds from this extract showed weak activities with IC50 values ranged from 19.6 to 33.0 µM.

In vitro inhibition of Hepatitis C virus protease and antioxidant by flavonoid glycosides from the Saudi costal plant Sarcocornia fruticosa.

A new flavonol triglycoside, rhamnazin 3-O-2G-rhamnorutinoside or rhamnazin 3-O-(2″,6″-O-α-di-rhamnosyl)-ß-glucoside (1) was isolated along with known flavonols, rhamnazin 3-O-rutinoside (2), rhamnazin 3-O-(6″-O-α-rhamnosyl)-ß-galactoside (3), isorhamnetin 3-O-(6″-O-α-rhamnosyl)-ß-galactoside (4), isorhamnetin 3-O-(2″,6″-O-α-di-rhamnosyl)-ß-galactoside (5), and isorhamnetin (6), and allantoin (7) from the aqueous methanol extract of Sarcocornia fruticosa leaves. Spectral analyses (UV, MS, and NMR) and acid hydrolysis were used to determine the structures. These compounds in this study except 6 were reported for the first time from the genus Sarcocornia. The extract and flavonol glycosides (1-5) were evaluated for antioxidant and inhibition of HCV protease enzyme. Rhamnazin triglycoside (1) was shown to have a potent HCV protease inhibitor with IC50 value 8.9 µM, while isorhamnetin di- and triglycosides (4 and 5) were effectively scavenged DPPH radicals with IC50 values 3.8 and 4.3 µM, respectively.

Cytotoxic activity of alkyl benzoate and fatty acids from the red sea sponge Hyrtios erectus.

The chemical investigation of the methylene chloride fraction of marine sponge Hyrtios erectus led to the isolation of the known oxysterol (2) along with a new alkyl benzoate compound identified by spectroscopic methods (NMR and MS) as 4'-methylheptyl benzoate (1), whilst the n-butanol fraction afforded the known indole 3-carbaldehyde and ß-carboline derivatives. Moreover, the hexane fraction was analysed by GC-MS for their fatty acids (FAs). A total of 17 FAs with chain lengths between 14 and 25 carbons were identified. Methyl-branched FAs are predominated suggesting the presence of bacterial symbionts in the H. erectus sponge. Furthermore, compounds 1 and 2 displayed significant cytotoxicity against breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) with IC50 values of 2.4 and 3.8 µM, respectively, since compound 2 was also shown to have potent cytotoxic effect against hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG 2) with IC50 value of 1.3 µM.

Sesquiterpenes from the Saudi Red Sea: Litophyton arboreum with their cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities.

A new pseudoguaiane-type sesquiterpene named litopharbol (1) was isolated from the methanolic extract of the Red Sea soft coral Litophyton arboreum, along with known sesquiterpenoids alismol (2), alismorientol B (3), teuhetenone A (4), and calamusin I (5); steroid, 24-methyl-cholesta-5,24(28)-diene-3ß-ol (6), alkyl glyceryl ether, chimyl alcohol (7); sphingolipid, erythro-N-dodecanoyl-docosasphinga-(4E,8E)-dienine (8); and nitrogenous bases, thymine (9) and thymidine (10). The structures were determined on the basis of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic (1D and 2D NMR data including heteronuclear single quantum coherence spectroscopy, heteronuclear multiple-bond correlation spectroscopy, and nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy) and mass spectrometric analyses. Compounds 1-5 were explored for antimicrobial activity and cancer cell line sensitivity tests. Compound 1 exhibited antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus with a minimum inhibition concentration of 1.8 µg/mL, whereas compound 3 showed significant potent cytotoxic effect against MCF-7 (breast cancer cells) with IC50 4.32 µM.

Thalassiolin D: a new flavone O-glucoside Sulphate from the seagrass Thalassia hemprichii.

Thalassiolin D, a new flavone O-glucoside sulphate along with three flavonoids, two steroids, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone and nitrogen compound, octopamine were isolated from the seagrass Thalassia hemprichii, collected from the Saudi Red Sea coast. By extensive spectroscopic analysis including 1D and 2D NMR and MS data, the structure of the new compound was elucidated as diosmetin 7-O-ß-glucosyl-2″-sulphate. The new compound displayed moderately in vitro antiviral HCV protease activity with IC50 value 16 µM.

Different Culture Metabolites of the Red Sea Fungus Fusarium equiseti Optimize the Inhibition of Hepatitis C Virus NS3/4A Protease (HCV PR).

The endophytic fungus Fusarium equiseti was isolated from the brown alga Padina pavonica, collected from the Red Sea. The fungus was identified by its morphology and 18S rDNA. Cultivation of this fungal strain in biomalt-peptone medium led to isolation of 12 known metabolites of diketopeprazines and anthraquinones. The organic extract and isolated compounds were screened for their inhibition of hepatitis C virus NS3/4A protease (HCV PR). As a result, the fungal metabolites showed inhibition of HCV protease (IC50 from 19 to 77 µM), and the fungus was subjected to culture on Czapek's (Cz) media, with a yield of nine metabolites with potent HCV protease inhibition ranging from IC50 10 to 37 µM. The Cz culture extract exhibited high-level inhibition of HCV protease (IC50 27.6 µg/mL) compared to the biomalt culture extract (IC50 56 µg/mL), and the most potent HCV PR isolated compound (Griseoxanthone C, IC50 19.8 µM) from the bio-malt culture extract showed less of an inhibitory effect compared to isolated ω-hydroxyemodin (IC50 10.7 µM) from the optimized Cz culture extract. Both HCV PR active inhibitors ω-hydroxyemodin and griseoxanthone C were considered as the lowest selective safe constituents against Trypsin inhibitory effect with IC50 48.5 and 51.3 µM, respectively.

A new flavonoid C-glycoside from Solanum elaeagnifolium with hepatoprotective and curative activities against paracetamol-induced liver injury in mice.

A new flavonoid C-glycoside, kaempferol 8-C-beta-galactoside, along with twelve known glycosidic flavonoids was isolated from the aqueous methanolic extract of Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. (Solanaceae), by conventional chromatographic methods; their structure elucidation was achieved using UV, ESI-MS, and NMR spectral analyses. Groups of six mice were administered S. elaeagnifolium extracts at 25, 50, and 75 mg/kg body weight (BW) prior to or post administration of a single dose of paracetamol (500 mg/kg BW). The extract showed significant hepatoprotective and curative effects against histopathological and histochemical damage induced by paracetamol in liver. The extract also ameliorated the elevation in glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels. These findings were accompanied by a nearly normal architecture of the liver in the treated groups, compared to the paracetamol control group. As a positive control, silymarin was used, an established hepatoprotective drug against paracetamol-induced liver injury. This study provides the first validation of the hepatoprotective activity of S. elaeagnifolium.

Digalacturonide flavones from Egyptian Lantana camara flowers with in vitro antioxidant and in vivo hepatoprotective activities.

A new digalacturonide flavone, luteolin 7-O-beta-galacturonyl-(2 --> 1)-O-beta-galacturonide (1), was isolated along with nine known flavone glycosides from the aqueous methanolic extract of Lantana camara (L.) flowers. Their structures were determined on the basis of the spectral data. The extract of L. camara was evaluated for antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties in the acetaminophen-induced mouse liver damage model. 1 exhibited significant antioxidant activity in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay with an IC50 value of 27.2 microM. Pre-treatment with L. camara extract (25 and 75 mg/ kg body weight) decreased the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) enzyme levels that were elevated by acetaminophen. Both doses of the L. camara extract ameliorated the histopathological and histochemical alterations induced by acetaminophen. The results indicate that the L. camara extract possesses hepatoprotective activity against acetaminophen-induced liver damage.

Assessment of bioequivalence of a generic cyclosporine (Equoral) by a prospective randomized controlled trial on allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients.

INTRODUCTION: Bioequivalence of Equoral has been suggested by measurements of pharmacokinetic parameters in healthy volunteers and in stable renal transplant recipients, but not study in allogeneic stem cell transplant (ASCT) recipients. The aim of our study was to compare the pharmacokinetics and safety of Equoral to Neoral solution among ASCT recipients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our open-label, two-way crossover, randomized controlled trial compared Equoral versus Neoral solutions in ASCT recipients. The 30 enrolled patients from June 2007 to November 2008 had a 7 to 14-day duration of the test period. A 10-point blood sampling from 0 to 12 hours measured Cmax (extent of absorption), tmax (rate of absorption) and AUC(0-12h) (area under the concentration-time curve) calculated by the linear trapezoid rule. The study protocol was approved by the ethics committee. RESULTS: Median age was 26 years (range = 6-47). The mean pharmacokinetic features were: AUC(0-12h): Equoral 4162 ± 1231 ng·mL/h vs Neoral 4370 ± 1059 ng·mL/h (P = .50); Cmax: Equoral 821 ± 244 ng/mL vs Neoral 834 ± 298 ng/mL (P = .86); and tmax: 105 minutes for both formulations. Comparable toxicities and rates of graft-versus-host disease were recorded in both groups. CONCLUSION: We suggest that Equoral and Neoral solution can be considered interchangeable in ASCT recipients.

Effect of Ruta graveolens L. and Euphorbia peplus L. anti-inflammatory extracts on nutritional status of rats and the safety of their use.

A significant increase in body weight with remarkable increase in total food intake and significant increase in protein efficiency ratio were observed following oral administration of R. graveolens ether extract (500 mg/kg body wt) to growing rats for 3 weeks. Serum albumin was significantly decreased after administration of declofenac (15 mg/kg body wt). Albumin/globulin ratio decreased significantly on administration of E. peplus ether extract (500 mg/kg body wt). No significant changes were observed in other biochemical and nutritional parameters on administration of either of the extracts or declofenac. However, only a significant elevation of alkaline phosphatase was noticed during treatment with R. graveolens. The results suggest that both plant extracts have no harmful effect on nutritional status and are safe towards kidney functions, while Euphorbia is more safe than Ruta in relation to liver functions.