Isolation and characterization of the bioactive metabolites from the soil derived fungus Trichoderma viride.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate different biological activities of Trichoderma viride fungus (Family Hypocreaceae). Trichoderma viride isolated for the first time from the cucumber soil (rhizosphere). It was tested as antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer agent. Trichoderma viride from the cucumber soil (rhizosphere) caused inhibition of the mycelial growth of Fusarium solani, Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotium rolfsii. Also, the alcoholic extract of the fungal mycelia proved a potent antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas fluorescens. In addition, it exhibited a significant antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporium, Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium ultimum at 100 µg/disc. Study of the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the volatile constituents had been done. The in vitro antioxidant, anticancer and antiviral activities of the isolated proteins, and carbohydrates were determined. Furthermore, the volatile constituents were isolated from fresh mycelia of Trichoderma viride and subjected to GC/MS analysis. Total protein (10%), carbohydrate (19.57%), steroidal (13.95%) and triterpenoidal content (38.34%) were determined in the alcoholic extract of Trichoderma viride mycelia. In conclusion, this fungus showed antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral and antibacterial effects. Further studies must be done to identify the molecules responsible for its effect and to consider its application in the pharmacological and medicinal purposes.

Hepatoprotective evaluation and isolation of the major secondary metabolites from the ethyl acetate extract of liquid culture filtrate of Chaetomium globosum.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of ethyl acetate extract of the liquid culture filtrate of Chaetomium globosum fungus (family Chaetomiaceae). Rats were intraperitoneally injected by CCl4 (0.5ml/kg) twice a week for six consecutive weeks. Treatment tacks (250mg/kg) place at the same time of CCl4 induction and with the same duration. The evaluation was done through determination of liver function indices; aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total serum protein content. In addition, the oxidative stress markers; hepatic glutathione content (GSH), hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), and hepatic total protein were estimated. Moreover, the liver architectures were also examined. Isolation and identification of the main secondary metabolites were identified. Seven volatile compounds were identified from the plain chloroform fraction where, 1-Cyclopentyl-2,2-dimethyl-1-propanol (54.63%) was presented as the major compound. Eleven compounds were also identified from the fraction eluted by chloroform: methanol (85:15). 1,5,5-Trimethyl-6-methylene-1-cyclohexene (25.79%) and Norbornan-2-one (26.84%) are presented as the major compounds of this fraction. In conclusion, the extract recorded hepatoprotective effect by ameliorating the biochemical parameters under investigation. The liver histopathological pictures confirmed our results.

Efficacy of Ficus spp. on renal injury induced by hypercholesterolaemia.

The ethanol and hexane extracts of Ficus microcarpa, Ficus religiosa and Ficus mysorensis leaves were evaluated against renal injury induced by hypercholesterolaemia. Phytochemical screening of the investigated plants was undertaken. For the in vivo study, all rats were orally given cholesterol (30 mg kg⁻¹ body weight, BW) and leaves extract (500 mg kg⁻¹ BW) five times per week for 9 weeks. Hypercholesterolaemic rats showed significant increases in urea nitrogen and creatinine while serum protein and albumin levels, nitric oxide (NO), Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and phospholipids in kidney tissue were all decreased. Treatment with leaves extract improved kidney function indices (urea nitrogen, creatinine, serum protein and albumin), kidney disorder biochemical parameters (NO, Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and phospholipids), haematological profile (haemoglobin, RBCs and WBCs) and kidney histopathology. In conclusion, Ficus spp. succeeded in improving renal injury induced by hypercholesterolaemia, with the most potent effects seen while using Ficus microcarpa hexane extract.

Phytochemical and in vitro screening of some Ficus and Morus spp. for hypolipidaemic and antioxidant activities and in vivo assessment of Ficus mysorensis (Roth).

Phytochemical screening of air-dried leaves and fruit juice of certain Ficus and Morus spp. have been studied. In an in vitro study, the ethanol and hexane extracts of the investigated plants were evaluated against hyperlipidaemia by estimating the rate limiting enzyme of cholesterol biothenysis; ß-hydroxy-ß-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase). The antioxidant activity was evaluated by reduction of DPPH(-) free radical. Extra phytochemical screening of Ficus extracts was undertaken, which recorded potent hypolipidaemic and antioxidant activities. The more pronounced extract, Ficus mysorensis (hexane extract), was evaluated in vivo by estimation of the lipid profile and certain antioxidant parameters in hypercholesterolemic rats. The hexane fraction was chromatographed and six isolated compounds were identified. Furthermore, its saponifiable fraction was identified by a MS/MS technique. In conclusion, F. mysorensis recorded hypolipidaemic and antioxidant effects. Detailed studies of the isolated compounds must be undertaken for an evaluation against hypercholesterolemia and free radical elevation.

Anti-HIV-1 and cytotoxicity of the alkaloids of Erythrina abyssinica Lam. growing in Sudan.

Erythrina abyssinica Lam. is an important medicinal plant growing in Sudan; its seeds were investigated for the first time for their alkaloidal constituents and biological activity. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the crude alkaloidal fraction (CAF) against the cell lines HeLa, Hep-G2, HEP-2, HCT116, MCF-7 and HFB4 showed promising activity, with IC50 values of 13.8, 10.1, 8.16, 13.9, 11.4 and 12.2 µg mL⁻¹, respectively. Doxorubicin (positive control) showed in vitro cytotoxic activity with IC50 values 3.64, 4.57, 4.89, 3.74, 2.97 and 3.96 µg mL⁻¹, respectively. Bioassay-guided fractionation and isolation of the CAF led to the isolation of five Erythrina alkaloids, identified as erythraline, erysodine, erysotrine, 8-oxoerythraline and 11-methoxyerysodine. These were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against Hep-G2 which resulted in IC50 values 17.60, 11.80, 15.80, 3.89 and 11.40 µg mL⁻¹, respectively. Furthermore, in vitro cytotoxic activity against HEP-2 was evaluated, which resulted in IC50 values 15.90, 19.90, 21.60, 18.50 and 11.50 µg mL⁻¹, respectively. The CAF caused a reduction in the viability of mock-infected MT-4 cells with a CC50 of 53 µM and a 50% protection of MT-4 cells against HIV-1 induced cytopathogeneticy with a EC50 of >53 µM, compared with EFV as a positive control, which had a CC50 of 45 µM and an EC50 of 0.003 µM. We concluded that the isolated alkaloids were responsible for the anti-carcinogenic [corrected] actions of the plant extract previously reported in the literature.

Hypolipidaemic and antioxidant activities of Ficus microcarpa (L.) in hypercholesterolemic rats.

Saponifiable and unsaponifiable fractions of Ficus microcarpa leaves hexane extract have been phytochemically studied and evaluated for its hypolipidaemic and antioxidant effects in hypercholesterolemic rats. The effect of the extract on the lipid profile was assessed by measuring the levels of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, phospho and total lipids. Lipid peroxides, glutathione and superoxide dismutase were measured as antioxidants. The work was extended to evaluate liver function indices as well as the histopathological picture of the liver after treatment. Treatment with leaves extract (500 mg kg⁻¹ body weight) 5 times/week for 9 weeks at the same time of cholesterol administration (30 mg/0.3 mL 0.7% tween/animal) recorded an improvement of lipid profile, antioxidants, liver function enzymes and the liver histopathological picture. The lipoidal matters of the unsaponifiable fraction of the hexane extract by GC/MS led to the identification of 22 compounds, while saponifiable fraction by (MS/MS) technique led to identification of 13 unsaturated and saturated fatty acid methyl ester derivatives. It can be concluded that the hexane extract of F. microcarpa L has been proved to have hypolipidaemic and antioxidant effects in hypercholesterolemic rats through its role in counteracting LDL oxidation, enhancement of HDL synthesis and inhibition of lipid peroxidation.

New acylated flavone and cyanogenic glycosides from Linum grandiflorum.

The first investigation of Linum grandiflorum resulted in the isolation of one new acylated flavone O-diglycoside known as luteolin 7-O-alpha-D-(6'''-E-feruloyl)glucopyranosyl (1 --> 2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, and one new cyanogenic glycoside known as 2-[(3'-isopropoxy-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-2-methylbutanenitrile, together with four known flavonoid glycosides, three known cyanogenic glycosides and one alkyl glycoside. The new compounds were structurally elucidated via the extensive 1D, 2D NMR and DIFNOE together with ESI-TOF-CID-MS/MS and HR-MALDI/MS.

Cytotoxic xenicane diterpenes from the brown alga Padina pavonia (L.) Gaill.

Column chromatography of the hexane fraction of a methanol extract of Padina pavonia (L.) Gaill. collected from the Red Sea at Hurghada, Egypt yielded 18,19-epoxyxenic-19-methoxy-18-hydroxy-4-acetoxy-6,9,13-triene (1) and 18,19-epoxyxenic-18,19-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy-6,9,13-triene (2). The isolated compounds have various antitumor activities against lung carcinoma (H460) and liver carcinoma (HepG2) human cell lines (in vitro).

Bioactive brominated diterpenes from the marine red alga Jania Rubens (L.) Lamx.

Seven brominated diterpenes of the parguerene and isoparguerene series were isolated for the first time from the red alga Jania rubens (L.) Lamx., collected from the Red Sea coast at Hurghada, Egypt. The diterpenes were identified as isoparguerol (1), isoparguerol-16-acetate (2), isoparguerol-7,16-diacetate (3), parguerol-16-acetate (4), parguerol-7,16-diacetate (5), deoxyparguerol (6) and deoxyparguerol-7-acetate (7). The isolated diterpenes had a marked antitumour activity. Isoparguerol derivatives were slightly more effective than parguerol derivatives. Moreover, the data implied that the cytotoxicity of these compounds were dependent on the number of acetoxy groups. Also, anthelmintic activities of the isolated compounds on earthworms (Allolobophora caliginosa) were studied.