RESUMO
Pseudobombax ellipticum is native to South America and is cultivated worldwide mostly for its medicinal benefits. The plant is used traditionally in respiratory disorders such as dry cough, in the treatment of fever and stomach pain, and as an antimicrobial and analgesic. The antisickling and antioxidant effects of the flowers of P. ellipticum (Kunth) Dugand (red) and P. ellipticum cultivar alba (white) were compared using an in vitro assay in 2% sodium metabisulfite sickling induction model, DPPH, and metal chelation assays. Both red and white flowers exhibited antioxidant and antisickling activities. In DPPH assay, lower IC50 (34.89 ± 0.98 and 53.28 ± 1.14 µg mL-1) in red and white flowers respectively were detected relative to Trolox as a positive control (56.82 ± 0.87 µg mL-1). Comparable metal chelation activity (81.4 and 77.8 µM EDTA equivalent/mg) was detected in red and white flowers of both cultivars respectively. The average readings of the "reversal of sickling test "revealed a decrease in sickling percent from 49% to 15% in red flowers and to 18% in white flowers. Also, polymerization inhibition rate was increased from 0.34 to 1 and to 0.92 in red and white flowers respectively. Total phenolics, flavonoids and anthocyanins were quantified in red and white flowers as (163.9, 43.13 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract), (71.92, 34.5 mg rutin equivalent/g extract) and (127.0, 85.9 mg pelargonidine-3-mono glucoside equivalent/kg extract), respectively. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis was further employed for detection and identification of anthocyanins in flower extracts. Eight new anthocyanins were identified for the first time in genus Pseudobombax. These results reveal the potential role for both red and white flower extracts as possible antisickling agents in sickle cell anemia management.
RESUMO
Melatonin, a pleiotropic hormone, has many regulatory effects on the circadian and seasonal rhythms, sleep and body immune system. It is used in the treatment of blind circadian rhythm sleep disorders, delayed sleep phase and insomnia. It is a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, free radical scavenger, helpful in fighting infectious disease and cancer treatment. Decreased level of circulating melatonin was associated with an increased blood glucose level, losing the anti-oxidant protection and anti-inflammatory responses. We aimed to evaluate the effect of melatonin administration, in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats, on blood glucose level and pancreatic beta (ß) cells. Diabetes mellitus was induced in Sprague dawley male rats by the intravenous (i.v) injection of 65 mg/kg of STZ. Diabetic rats received melatonin at a dose of 10 mg/kg daily for 8 weeks by oral routes. The results showed, after 8 weeks of melatonin administration, a reduction in: 1- fasting blood glucose (FBG) and fructosamine (FTA) levels, 2- kidney and liver function parameters, 3- levels of serum triglycerides, cholesterol and LDL-C, 4- malondialdehyde (MDA), 5- NF-κB expression in treated group, 6- pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß and IL-12) and immunoglobulins (IgA, IgE and IgG). Furthermore, an elevation in insulin secretion was noticed in melatonin treated group that indicated ß cells regeneration. Therefore, melatonin administration, in STZ induced diabetic rats; reduced hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress. Melatonin acted as an anti-inflammatory agent that reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß and IL-12) and oxidative stress biomarkers (MDA). Melatonin succeeded in protecting ß cells under severe inflammatory situations, which was apparent by the regeneration of islets of Langerhans in treated diabetic rats. Moreover, these results can open a gate for diabetes management and treatment.
RESUMO
Parthenolide, a germacranolide-type sesquiterpene lactone, was estimated in Tanacetum parthenium (L.) cultivated in Egypt by using colorimetric, planar chromatographic, and high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods. Parthenolide levels in the open-field herb and aseptically germinated shoots were also compared by using the HPLC method. Parthenolide was produced and estimated for the first time in the callus culture of the plant. In addition, 2 Egyptian market preparations were analyzed for their parthenolide content by using the HPLC method. The relative standard deviations were 0.093, 0.095, and 0.098% (n = 5, 5, and 7, respectively), and the corresponding recoveries were 98.2, 98.9, and 99.4% for the colorimetric, planar chromatographic, and HPLC determinations, respectively.
