The use of the nutritional supplements during the covid-19 outbreak in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 causes moderate to severe illness and is spreading globally. During a pandemic, vitamins and minerals are vital to health. Therefore, the prevalence and epidemiology of supplement use in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic must be known. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia using an online survey. The study was conducted from June to March 2022 on both adults and children. The link to the survey was shared on social media platforms. The survey included questions on participants' demographics, vaccination status, supplements they used, and side effects of supplements. Participation in this study was optional, and there was no obligation to participate. There was a declaration about the aim of the study and different objectives before starting the survey. RESULTS: The present study reported that most of the participants reported that they used vitamin C (64.6 %), zinc (51.9 %), multivitamins (46.1 %), black seeds (26.7 %), garlic (Allium sativum) (15.4 %), omega-3 (22.1 %), vitamin D (22.2 %), echinacea (10.1 %), manuka honey (26.0 %), curcumin (13.6 %), ginger (22.5 %), royal jelly (12.9 %), and propolis (7.5 %) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic period. These supplements were used more frequently by subjects during the pandemic than before. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The respondents' risk of these supplements' use may partially reflect the public's behavioral response during a pandemic. Future studies can document the health beliefs and motivations of nutritional supplement users.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Bee Venom Acupuncture Therapy on Rheumatoid Arthritis Among Patients in Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION: Bee venom acupuncture therapy (BVT) is an alternative therapy used worldwide by patients with different chronic diseases due to its therapeutic effects on conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Previous studies have illustrated the clinical effects of BVT on RA, but such a study has yet to be performed in Saudi Arabia (SA). It is important to evaluate BVT awareness among citizens of SA to measure the feasibility of conducting clinical trials of BVT in patients with RA in SA. This study aims to measure the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of BVT on RA and other chronic diseases in SA. This will help determine whether patients with RA have sufficient knowledge to be enrolled in clinical trials. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 180 patients with RA in SA was conducted using a KAP questionnaire on BVT. Individuals completed an online questionnaire using the Survey Monkey website. Data were obtained by self-completion of the online KAP questionnaire regarding BVT. RESULTS: A total of 180 patients with RA and other chronic diseases, with a mean age of 45 years (18-70 years), participated in the study. The results of the questionnaire showed that 55% of the participants demonstrated a good knowledge of BVT treatment; however, they also reported a poor attitude (55%) and practice (55%). Participants with RA demonstrated higher severity of disease (80%) than those with other chronic diseases. Participants with RA showed better KAP responses towards BVT than those with other chronic diseases. Participants with school education only and those who were beekeepers demonstrated significantly better KAP responses (P < 0.05) compared to participants who had received university education and those who were not beekeepers, respectively. CONCLUSION: Participants with strong RA knowledge may prove that patients from SA can be enrolled in BVT clinical trials. The participants' poor attitudes and practices may be due to BVT being expensive and unavailable in many cities in SA.

GC/MS Profiling and Ex Vivo Antibacterial Activity of Salvadora persica (Siwak) against Enterococcus faecalis as Intracanal Medicament.

INTRODUCTION: Salvadora persica L. (S. persica, Siwak) has been used for many centuries as oral hygiene tools, particularly in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of S. persica petroleum ether extract (SPE) as an intracanal bactericidal for endodontic treatment against Enterococcus faecalis. Calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2 gold standard intracanal medicament was used for comparison. METHODS: The gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis was carried out to identify the components of SPE. First, the consistency of SPE was accomplished according to ANSI/ADA specification no 57. Forty-five single-rooted mandibular premolars were infected with that of E. faecalis suspension. Colony-forming units (CFU) were counted before the medicaments' application (CFU-1) and after seven days of their applications (CFU-2). Group I: SPE, Group II: positive control Ca(OH)2, and Group III: saline solution negative control. The microdilution method was applied to determine minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of SPE. RESULTS: Thirty-two compounds were identified (89.09%), with main components of benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) (33.32%) and steroids (34%). CFU before and after using SPE and Ca(OH)2 recorded a statistically significant reduction in bacterial count (P=0.006) and (P=0.01), respectively. There was an insignificant difference between CFU after using SPE and Ca(OH)2 (P=0.210). On the contrary, comparing both medicaments with the negative control saline group resulted in significant differences, (P=0.001) and (P=0.007), respectively. Moreover, the equality of minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of SPE is recorded. CONCLUSION: This finding could be referred to the high content of bactericidal BITC in synergism with other antimicrobial components, representing 70.71% of SPE. Thus, SPE is a good candidate as an intracanal medicament, which warrants further investigation.

HPLC/MSn Profiling and Healing Activity of a Muco-Adhesive Formula of Salvadora persica against Acetic Acid-Induced Oral Ulcer in Rats.

Salvadora persica L. (S. persica, Siwak) is an ethnic plant that is widely used for improving oral hygiene. This study aimed to provide a phytochemical profiling of S. persica ethyl acetate fraction (SPEAF) and to evaluate the healing activity of a muco-adhesive formula of the fraction against acetic acid-induced oral ulcers in rats. HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS-MS analysis of SPEAF resulted in the tentative identification of 56 metabolites containing fatty acids (23%), urea derivatives (10.5%) and sulphur compounds (10%), in addition to several amides, polyphenols and organic acids (6.5%, 5% and 2%, respectively). For the first time, 19 compounds were identified from S. persica. In vitro and in vivo experiments indicated that the extract is non-toxic. SPEAF exhibited superior healing activities compared to both the negative and positive control groups on days 7 and 14 of tongue ulcer induction. This was confirmed by histopathological examinations of haematoxylin and eosin-stained (H&E) and Masson's trichrome-stained tongue sections. Moreover, SPEAF showed potent anti-inflammatory activities, as evidenced by the inhibited expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis alpha (TNF-α). Moreover, SPEAF exhibited potent antioxidant activity, as it prevented malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, reduced glutathione (GSH) depletion and superoxide dismutase (SOD) exhaustion. SPEAF significantly enhanced hydroxyproline tongue content and upregulated collagen type I alpha 1 (Col1A1) mRNA expression. SPEAF also improved angiogenesis, as shown by the increased mRNA expression of the angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1). In conclusion, S. persica has a wide range of secondary metabolites and ameliorates acetic acid-induced tongue ulcers in rats. This can be attributed, at least partly, to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, procollagen and angiogenic activities. These findings provide support and validity for the use of S. persica as a traditional and conventional treatment for oral disorders.

Aldose reductase inhibitor form Cassia glauca: A comparative study of cytotoxic activity with Ag nanoparticles (NPs) and molecular docking evaluation.

UPLC-MS/MS profiling of Cassia glauca leaves extract revealed the identification of 10 flavonoids. Kaempferol 3-O-ß-D-rutinoside was isolated and studied for its cytotoxic activity. It showed high cytotoxic effects against MCF-7 (IC50 of 4.6±0.038 µg/ml) and HepG-2 (IC50 of 8.2±0.024 µg/ml) cancer cell lines, compared to the leaves extracts, their Ag nanoparticles, and doxorubicin. Moreover, Kaempferol 3-O-ß-D-rutinoside exerted a synergistic cytotoxic effect with doxorubicin on MCF-7 cell lines. It was discovered as kinases and aldose reductase inhibitor while rationalizing its cytotoxic activity through molecular docking study. Thus, it is expected that the cardiotoxic effects of doxorubicin can be also decreased by using Kaempferol 3-O-ß-D-rutinoside due to its aldose reductase inhibitory effect. These findings suggested that Kaempferol 3-O-ß-D-rutinoside could be used in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs to increase the sensitivity to their cytotoxic activity and protect against their side effects.

Pharmacological insights into antioxidants against colorectal cancer: A detailed review of the possible mechanisms.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is ranked as the fourth most lethal and commonly diagnosed cancer in the world according to the National Cancer Institute's latest report. Treatment methods for CRC are constantly being studied for advancement, which leads for more clinically effective cancer curing strategy. Patients with prolonged chronic inflammation caused by ulcerative colitis or similar inflammatory bowel disease are known to have high risks of developing CRC. But at a molecular level, oxidative stress due to reactive oxygen species (ROS) is an important trigger for cancer. Hence, in recent years, exogenous antioxidants have been immensely experimented in pre-clinical and clinical trials, considering it as a potential cure for CRC. Significantly, potential antioxidant compounds especially derivatives of medicinal plants have received great attention in the current research trend for CRC treatment. Though antioxidant compounds seem to have beneficial properties for the treatment of CRC, there are also limitations for pure compounds to be tested clinically. Therefore, this review aims to delineate the pharmacological awareness among researchers on using antioxidant compounds to treat CRC and the measures taken to prove the effectiveness of such compounds as impending drug candidates for CRC treatment in modern medication.

Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of the Essential Oil from Leaves and Flowers of Pulicaria incisa sub. candolleana (Family Asteraceae).

The composition of the essential oil isolated from leaves and flowers of Pulicaria incisa sub. candolleana E. Gamal-Eldin, growing in Egypt, was analysed by GC and GC-MS. Forty-nine and 68 compounds were identified from the oils of the leaves and flowers accounting for 86.69 and 84.29%, respectively of the total detected constituents. Both leaves and flowers oils were characterized by the high content of carvotanacetone with 66.01, 50.87 and chrysanthenone 13.26, 24.3%, respectively. The cytotoxic activity of both essential oils was evaluated against hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HEPG-2, using MTT assay and vinblastine as a reference drug. Leaf oil showed higher activity with IC50 11.4 µg/ml compared with 37.4 µg/ml for flower oil. The antimicrobial activity of both oils was evaluated using agar well diffusion method towards two representatives for each of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria as well as four representatives for fungi. The minimum inhibitory concentration of both essential oils against bacterial and fungal strains was obtained in the range of 0.49 - 15.63 µg/ml.

Glucosinolates profile, volatile constituents, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities of Lobularia libyca.

CONTEXT: Brassicaceae plants are associated with protection against cancers due to their glucosinolate contents. OBJECTIVES: We investigate fresh leaves, roots and ripe seeds of Lobularia libyca (Viv.) C.F.W. Meissn. (Brassicaceae) to identify their glucosinolate constituents, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities Materials and methods: The glucosinolates were identified using GC-MS analysis of their hydrolysis products and LC-MS analysis in the case of seeds. Disc diffusion (1 mg/disc) and minimum inhibitory concentration (0-160 µg/mL) methods were used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of seed hydrolysate. In vitro cytotoxicity against colorectal HCT-116, hepatic HUH-7, breast MCF-7 and lung A-549 cells was evaluated for seed hydrolysate (0.01-100 µg/mL) using the sulforhodamine B assay and doxorubicin as a standard Results: Three glucosinolates were identified for the first time in this plant and genus Lobularia. Glucoiberverin was the major compound accumulated in the seeds and leaves, while glucoiberin and glucoerucin were detected only in the seeds. No glucosinolates were detected in roots under the same experimental conditions. Other volatile constituents, e.g., terpenes and fatty acids were only identified in the seeds. The seed hydrolysate showed significant antimicrobial activities against Candida albicans and Pseudomonas aeruoginosa (MIC = 64 and 82 µg/mL, respectively). The seed hydrolysate exhibited a marked selective cytotoxicity in vitro against colorectal, hepatic and breast cancer cell lines. The IC50 values were 0.31, 2.25 and 37 µg/mL, respectively. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The results indicated the antimicrobial activity of L. libyca and the selective effect of the seed hydrolysate as a cytotoxic drug that is potentially more active than doxorubicin against HCT-116.

Polyphenols from Erythrina crista-galli: Structures, Molecular Docking and Phytoestrogenic Activity.

OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed at exploring the secondary metabolites content of Erythrina crista-galli aqueous methanol extract and assessing its phytoestrogenic and cytoprotective activities. METHODS: Isolation of the compounds was carried out using conventional chromatographic techniques. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated based on the UV, NMR spectral data along with their mass-spectrometric analyses. The phytoestrogenic activity was evaluated in-silico and in vitro using the Arabidopsis thaliana pER8: GUS reporter assay and the proliferation-enhancing activity of MCF-7 cells. KEY FINDINGS: Phytochemical investigation of E. crista-galli aqueous methanol extract resulted in the isolation and identification of five flavonoids. The plant extract and its fractions showed significant estrogenic activities compared to controls. CONCLUSION: Five flavonoids were identified from E. crista-galli aqueous methanol extract. To the best of our knowledge, among these flavonoids, apigenin-7-O-rhamnosyl-6-C-glucoside was isolated for the first time from nature. Moreover, luteolin-6-C-glucoside was isolated for the first time from this plant. The plant revealed promising phytoestrogenic activities. This gives rationale to some of its pharmacological properties and suggests additional phytoestrogenic effects, which have not been reported yet.

PHENOLIC PROFILE OF Centaurea aegyptiaca L. GROWING IN EGYPT AND ITS CYTOTOXIC AND ANTIVIRAL ACTIVITIES.

BACKGROUND: Centaurea aegyptiaca L (Asteraceae), is one of the most attractive plants growing wildly in Sinai, and is not well investigated for its phytochemical constituents. This study represents the first in-depth characterization of the phenolic profile of the aerial parts of C. aegyptiaca methanolic extract utilizing liquid chromatography (LC) combined with electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Phenolic profile was researched utilizing LC-HRESI-MS-MS. Assessment of cytotoxic activity against four human cancer cell lines (Hep-G2; hepatocellular carcinoma cells, MCF-7; breast adenocarcinoma cells, and HCT-116; colon carcinoma and HELA; cervical carcinoma cells) was performed using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Antiviral activity was surveyed utilizing cytopathic effect inhibition assay. RESULTS: A total of sixty-one compounds were tentatively distinguished (twenty-one phenolic acids and their derivatives, thirty-one flavonols and nine flavones) in the negative and positive modes. Centaurea aegyptiaca demonstrated outstanding results against Hep-G2, MCF-7, HCT-116 and HELA cell lines with IC50 of 12.1, 30.9, 11.7 and 19.5 µg/mL respectively compared and doxorubicin as a reference drug. Weak antiviral activity was seen against hepatitis A virus (HAV) and no impact against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV 1). CONCLUSION: This study provides a better understanding of the chemistry of C. aegyptiaca that announces itself as a promising cytotoxic agent.

Preparation and application of molecularly imprinted polymer for isolation of chicoric acid from Chicorium intybus L. medicinal plant.

Molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was synthesized and applied for the extraction of chicoric acid from Chicory herb (Chicorium intybus L.). A computational study was developed to find a suitable template to functional monomer molar ratio for MIP preparations. The molar ratio was chosen based on the comparison of the binding energy of the complexes between the template and functional monomers. Based on the computational results, eight different polymers were prepared using chicoric acid as the template. The MIPs were synthesized in a non-covalent approach via thermal free-radical polymerization, using two different polymerization methods, bulk and suspension. Batch rebinding experiments were performed to evaluate the binding properties of the imprinted polymers. The best results were obtained with a MIP prepared using bulk polymerization with 4-vinylpyridine (4-VP) as the functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the crosslinker with a molar ratio of 1:4:20. The best MIP showed selective binding ability toward chicoric acid in the presence of the template's structural analogues, caffeic acid, caftaric acid and chlorogenic acid.

Acylated flavonol diglucosides from Ammania auriculata.

Chemical investigation of the extract of the whole Ammania auriculata plant resulted in the identification of 13 polyphenols, including the hitherto unknown flavonoids, kaempferol 3-O-ß-(6″-galloylglucopyranoside)-7-O-ß-glucopyranoside, and its quercetin analogue. The structures of all isolates were elucidated by conventional methods, spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR, and by HRESI-MS as well.

Evaluation of plant phenolic metabolites as a source of Alzheimer's drug leads.

Epidemiological studies have proven an association between consumption of polyphenols and prevention of Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia characterized by extracellular deposition of amyloid beta plaques. The aim of this study is pharmacological screening of the aqueous alcohol extract of Markhamia platycalyx leaves, Schotia brachypetala leaves and stalks, and piceatannol compared to aqueous alcohol extract of Camellia sinensis leaves as potential Alzheimer's disease drugs. LC-HRESI(-ve)-MS(n) was performed to identify phenolics' profile of Schotia brachypetala stalks aqueous alcohol extract and revealed ten phenolic compounds as first report: daidzein, naringin, procyanidin isomers, procyanidin dimer gallate, quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside, quercetin 3-O-glucuronide, quercetin hexose gallic acid, quercetin hexose protocatechuic acid, and ellagic acid. Alzheimer's disease was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of LPS. Adult male Swiss albino mice were divided into groups of 8-10 mice each receiving treatment for six days. In vivo behavioral tests (Y maze and object recognition) and in vitro estimation of amyloid beta 42 by ELISA showed significant differences between results of treated and nontreated animals.

Cytotoxic ellagitannins from Reaumuria vermiculata.

Three ellagitannins and one disulfated flavonol were isolated from the aerial parts of Reaumuria vermiculata L. Besides that, 16 known compounds were characterized as well. The structures of all compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data including 1D and 2D NMR and ESI HR-FTMS. The in vivo antioxidant activity using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) method, of the extract, its column fractions and two of the isolated ellagitannins was accomplished. In addition, a possible cytotoxicity of the extract and two of the new ellagitannins on HaCaT human keratinocytes and the activity of both compounds against the prostate cancer cell line (PC-3) were also assessed, whereby a potent cytotoxicity with IC50 less than 1 µg/ml was determined for both compounds. Besides, the extract exhibited a potential cytotoxic effect against four different solid tumor cell lines, namely liver (Huh-7), colorectal (HCT-116), breast (MCF-7) and prostate (PC-3). The IC50s were found to be substantially low (ranged from 1.3±0.15 to 2.4±0.22 µg/ml) with relatively low resistance possibility reaching to 0% in the case of Huh-7 cell.

A flavonol triglycoside and investigation of the antioxidant and cell stimulating activities of Annona muricata Linn.

Chemical investigation on leaves of Annona muricata resulted in the isolation of the flavonol triglycoside, quercetin 3-O-α-rhamnosyl-(1″″ → 6″)-ß-sophoroside, together with twelve known phenolics. The structures of these compounds were established by 1D- and 2D-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic techniques and mass spectrometry data. The in vitro antioxidant studies of the investigated aqueous ethanol extract and its column fractions were accomplished using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) method. A stimulating effect on HaCaT human keratinocytes by the leaf extract was also assessed. Il-6 production after UV irradiation was not influenced by A. muricata leaf extract.

Anti-inflammatory activity of Pistacia khinjuk in different experimental models: isolation and characterization of its flavonoids and galloylated sugars.

The present study aimed at isolating and elucidating the structure of the main components of Pistacia khinjuk L. and exploring its potential anti-inflammatory effect in different experimental models. The extract was evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity by measuring paw volume in three experimental models. Then, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) level, ear edema, tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, histopathology, nitric oxide (NO) level, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) level were assessed. Seven phenolic compounds, mainly flavonoids and galloylated compounds, were isolated from the aqueous methanol extract: gallic acid (1), methyl gallate (2), quercetin-3-O-ß-D-4C1-galactopyranoside (hyperin) (3), myricetin-3-O-α-L-¹C4-rhamnopyranoside (myricitrin) (4), 1,6-digalloyl-ß-D-glucose (5), 1,4-digalloyl-ß-D-glucopyranoside (6), and 2,3-di-O-galloyl-(α/ß)-4C1-glucopyranose (nilocitin) (7). The anti-inflammatory activity was evidenced by decreased carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and PGE2 elevation. In the croton oil-induced ear edema model, MPO activity was significantly inhibited, and inflammatory histopathological changes were ameliorated. In the rat air pouch model, NO generation and TNF-α release were significantly inhibited. The isolation and nuclear magnetic resonance spectral data of compound 6 from the genus Pistacia are revealed for the first time. Also, P. khinjuk L. aqueous methanol extract possesses anti-inflammatory activity in several experimental models.

Constitutive phenolics of Harpephyllum caffrum (Anacardiaceae) and their biological effects on human keratinocytes.

Assessment of the UV protecting potential of an aqueous methanol leaf extract of Harpephyllum caffrum proved that it possesses a distinct radical scavenging effect and inhibits the production of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 by human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) following UV radiation. Phytochemical investigation of this extract led to isolation and structural determination of the hitherto unknown phenolics, kaempferol 3-O-(2″-sulphatogalactopyranoside), its quercetin analogue and 3-methoxyellagic acid 4-O-galactopyranoside in addition to 18 known phenolic compounds. The structures were determined by spectroscopic and conventional methods of analysis. Flavonoid sulphatoglycosides which have been rarely found in nature were major phenolic constituents of this plant, and this is the first report of the isolation of any of them from Anacardiaceae. The extract was found to diminish UV phototoxic reaction of keratinocytes. However, the isolated kaempferol sulphatogalactopyranoside did not interact with UVB triggered IL-6 production of HaCaT keratinocytes.

Phenolic compounds from Eucalyptus gomphocephala with potential cytotoxic and antioxidant activities.

Two new phenolic compounds, 2,4,6-trihydroxy-5-methyl-acetophenone 2-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), and benzyl alcohol 7-O-(3',4',6'-tri-O-galloyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (8), together with eight known phenolic compounds, were isolated from the 70% aqueous acetone extract of Eucalyptus gomphocephala DC. (Myrtaceae). The isolated compounds were elucidated based on their 1H, 13C, DQF-COSY, selective 1D-TOCSY, HSQC, and HMBC NMR spectroscopic and ESI-MS data. The antioxidant effect of the phenolic compounds was tested using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl radical and super oxide anion radical scavenging assays. The cytotoxicity of the isolated compounds was evaluated using HeLa cell line.

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of Egyptian moraceous plants against carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative stress and liver damage in rats.

CONTEXT: In the absence of reliable liver-protective drugs in modern medicine, a large number of medicinal preparations are recommended for treatment of liver disorders. OBJECTIVE: The antioxidant, hepatoprotective and kidney protective activities of methanol extracts of Ficus carica Linn. (Moraceae) leaves and fruits and Morus alba Linn. root barks (Moraceae) are evaluated here. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Liver and kidney damage were induced in rats by carbon tetrachloride in a subcutaneous dose of 1 mL (40% v/v in corn oil)/kg. The extract was given intraperitoneally at doses of 50 mg/kg (F. carica leaf and M. alba root bark) and 150 mg/kg (F. carica fruit). The activity of the extracts was comparable to that of silymarin, a known hepatoprotective agent. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by measuring blood glutathione (GSH) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activities, and malondialdehyde equivalent (MDA). Hepatoprotective activity was evaluated by measuring serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, and total protein. These biochemical observations were supported by histopathological examination of liver sections. Kidney function was evaluated by measuring plasma urea and creatinine. RESULTS: Methanol extracts of Ficus carica and Morus alba showed potent antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities; in-depth chromatographic investigation of the most active extract (Ficus carica leaf extract) resulted in identification of umbelliferone, caffeic acid, quercetin-3-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside, quercetin-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside, and kaempferol-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that the phenolic constituents of Ficus carica leaf and Morus alba root bark are responsible at least in part for the observed protective effects.

A trimethoxyellagic acid glucuronide from Conocarpus erectus leaves: isolation, characterization and assay of antioxidant capacity.

The new trimethoxy-ellagic glycoside, 3,3',4'-tri-O-methylellagic acid 4-O-beta-glucupyranuronide and twelve known phenolics were isolated from the leaves of Conocarpus erectus L. (Combretaceae). Structures of all compounds were determined on the basis of spectroscopic methods and chemical degradation. The new compound, together with four of the isolated known constituents and the plant extract itself, showed potent inhibitory effect against reactive oxygen species attack on salicylic acid in a dose-dependent manner adopting xanthine/hypoxanthine oxidase assay.