Anti-ulcerative colitis activity of compounds from Euphorbia granuleta Forssk.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-ulcerative colitis (UC) activity of the total alcohol extracts of Euphorbia granuleta Forssk. (Euphorpiaceae), isolate and identify the active compounds that could be responsible for the activity, in addition to determination of the possible mechanism of action. Six compounds were isolated and identified from this plant: three phenolic compounds (kampferol, kampferol-3-glucoside and kampferol-3-galactoside) in addition to three steroidal compounds (1-ethoxypentacosane, heptacosan-1-ol and ß-sitosterol). Three compounds (heptacosan-1-ol, ß-sitosterol and kampferol-3-galactoside) were found to be responsible for the anti-UC activity of E. granuleta extract. The anti-UC activity of these compounds may be explained by reducing the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), in addition to reduction of colonic malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. No side effects were reported on liver and kidney functions. The active compounds reduced both serum TNF-α and mucosal MDA levels.

Novel flavonoids with antioxidant activity from a Chenopodiaceous plant.

OBJECTIVE: Atriplex lentiformis (Torr.) S.Wats (Chenopodiaceae) is a wild plant which is in use by Bedouin in treatment of general fatigue, therefore, there is a need to explore the potential antioxidant activity of the extracts and isolated compounds of this plant. METHODS: Column chromatography and spectroscopic analysis were used for isolation and identification of the compounds. The antioxidant activity was evaluated in vitro using the ABTS(•+) (2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethyl-bezthiazoine-6-sulphuric acid) radical scavenging model. Liver and kidney functions were investigated after oral administration of total alcohol, successive extracts, and isolated compounds. RESULTS: Two new flavonoids, quercetin-6,4'-dimethoxy-3-fructo-rhamnoside 1 and quercetin-4'-methoxy-3-fructo-rhamnoside 2 in addition to five known compounds (kaempferol-4'-methoxy-3-rutinoside 3, kaempferol-7-O-rhamnoside 4, kaempferol-3,7-O,O-dirhamnoside 5, quercetin 6, and kaempferol 7) were isolated. Oral administration of total ethanol, diethyl ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts showed no signs of toxicity up to (5 g/kg. b.wt.). All extracts and isolated compounds showed varied antioxidant activity ranged from 129 to 952 µmol Trolox equivalent/gram dry weight with maximum level for the two new isolated flavonoids (985 and 895 µmol Trolox equivalent/gram dry weight). Animals received both total ethanol and n-butanol extracts showed a significant increase in ALT, AST, blood urea, and serum creatinine levels.

Effect of Emex spinosa, Leptadenia pyrotechnica, Haloxylon salicornicum and Ochradenus baccatus extracts on the reproductive organs of adult male rats.

CONTEXT: Emex spinosa (L.) Campd. (Polygonaceae), Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forsk.) Decne (Asclepiadaceae), Haloxylon salicornicum (Moq.) Bunge ex Bioss. (Chenopodiaceae) and Ochradenus baccatus Delile (Resedaceae) are used in folk medicine for treatment of male sexual disorders. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of E. spinosa, L. pyrotechnica, H. salicornicum and O. baccatus extracts on the reproductive system of male rats after prolonged period of treatment. METHODS: Seventy-eight healthy adult male Wistar rats were divided into 13 groups (6 animals, each). The plant extracts (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) were given daily by gavage to different groups of rats for 65 days. The thirteenth group (control) received the vehicle only. Test and control rats were mated with estrus female rats on days 30, 45 and 60 of treatment. Body and relative reproductive organ weights, and sperm parameters were recorded. RESULTS: Animals treated with the ethanol extracts of E. spinosa and L. pyrotechnica showed significant improvement of the relative weight of reproductive organs, sperm count, sperm motility and total sperm abnormality. The mean sperm count for E. spinosa group (400 mg/kg) was 233.7 ± 4.50 × 10(6)/mL, for L. pyrotechnica (200 and 400 mg/kg) groups were 237.0 ± 5.22 × 10(6)/mL and 240.3 ± 4.64 × 10(6)/mL, respectively and that of the control group was 218.1 ± 4.28 × 10(6)/mL. The sperm motility of the control group was 77.5 ± 2.12, those of E. spinosa (400 mg/kg) group was 87.3 ± 3.50% and those of L. pyrotechnica (200 and 400 mg/kg) groups were 86.0 ± 3.11 and 89.7 ± 2.90%, respectively. Ethanol extracts of E. spinosa (400 mg/kg) and L. pyrotechnica (200 and 400 mg/kg) significantly elevate the serum levels of testosterone (5.30 ± 0.15, 5.32 ± 0.20 and 5.66 ± 0.19 ng/mL, respectively vs 4.64 ± 0.16 ng/mL) and luteinizing hormone (0.69 ± 0.03, 0.70 ± 0.03 and 0.74 ± 0.03 mIU/mL, respectively vs 0.59 ± 0.02 mIU/mL). On the other hand, no alterations were observed in body and relative organ weights, sperm numbers as well as sperm morphology of the male rats after the exposure to the H. salicornicum and O. baccatus extracts for 65 days. CONCLUSIONS: E. spinosa and L. pyrotechnica extracts appear to possess fertility improvement activity in male rats due to their testosterone increasing property. Moreover, the results suggest the absence of male reproductive toxicity of the H. salicornicum and O. baccatus extracts at tested doses.