Phytochemical analysis and evaluation of its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities for different extracts of Casuarina equisetifolia.

BACKGROUND: Casuarina equisetifolia belongs to the Casuarina species with the most extensive natural distribution, which contain various phytochemicals with potential health benefits. This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and biological activities of different extracts of Casuarina equisetifolia. METHODS: The n-hexane extract was analyzed for its unsaponifiable and fatty acid methyl esters fractions, while chloroform, ethyl acetate, and butanol extracts were studied for their phenolic components. Six different extracts of C. equisetifolia needles were evaluated for their total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities. RESULTS: The n-hexane extract contained mainly hydrocarbons and fatty acid methyl esters, while ten phenolic compounds were isolated and identified in the chloroform, ethyl acetate, and butanol extracts. The methanolic extract exhibited the highest total phenolic and flavonoid content, highest antioxidant activity, and most potent cytotoxic activity against HepG-2 and HCT-116 cancer cell lines. The ethyl acetate extract showed the most significant inhibition zone against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. CONCLUSION: Casuarina equisetifolia extracts showed promising antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities. Overall, Casuarina equisetifolia is a versatile tree with a variety of uses, and its plant material can be used for many different purposes.

Phytochemical profile, comparative evaluation of Satureja montana alcoholic extract for antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and molecular docking studies.

BACKGROUND: The most common species in the Satureja genus is Satureja montana (family Lamiaceae). The present work aims to use the molecular docking study to predict the isolated constituents against an immune system immunomodulator and tested alcoholic extract as an in-vitro immunomodulatory agent. METHODS: All isolated compound's structures were determined using various chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant profiles were studied for an alcoholic extract of the plant; the molecular docking study was performed for the isolated compounds (1-4). RESULTS: In this work, four recognized compounds were extracted from the ethyl acetate fraction of S. montana (Sm) methanolic extract and identified as two triterpenes ursolic acid (1) and oleanolic acid (2), one phenolic acid as ellagic acid (3), and one flavonoidal compound as isoscutellarein (4). The total alcoholic extract exhibited good in vitro anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and apoptotic activity. Its IC50 was 10.12 compared to 15.1 µg/ml of standard celecoxib. It also showed potent antioxidant activity with IC50 10.4, 11.3, 14.6, and 22.3 IU/ml for SOD, MDA, catalase, and TAC, respectively. According to the drug similarity and ADMET tests, their ligands may have favorable pharmacokinetic characteristics with minimal carcinogenic influence. The molecular docking study was performed for the isolated compounds (1-4). CONCLUSIONS: The alcoholic extract of the plant showed promising anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic properties. The theoretical studies for the isolated compounds showed promising binding affinity against all the examined enzymes.

Vicia faba peel extracts bearing fatty acids moieties as a cost-effective and green corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in marine water: computational and electrochemical studies.

The goal of this research is to determine what chemicals are present in two different extracts (hexane and acetone) of Vicia faba (family Fabaceae, VF) peels and evaluate their effectiveness as a corrosion inhibitor on mild steel in a saline media containing 3.5% sodium chloride. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to determine the composition of various extracts. It was determined that fourteen different chemicals were present in the hexane extract, the most prominent of which were octacosane, tetrasodium tetracontane, palmitic acid, and ethyl palmitate. Heptacosane, lauric acid, myristic acid, ethyl palmitate, and methyl stearate were some of the 13 chemicals found in the acetone extract. Using open circuit potential, potentiodynamic polarisation, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic techniques, we can approximate the inhibitory effects of (VF) extracts on mild steel. The most effective inhibitory concentrations were found to be 200 ppm for both the hexane and acetone extracts (97.84% for the hexane extract and 88.67% for the acetone extract). Evaluation experiments were conducted at 298 K, with a 3.5% (wt/v) NaCl content and a flow velocity of about 250 rpm. Langmuir adsorption isotherm shows that the two extracts function as a mixed-type inhibitor in nature. Docking models were used to investigate the putative mechanism of corrosion inhibition, and GC/MS was used to identify the major and secondary components of the two extracts. Surface roughness values were calculated after analyzing the morphology of the metal's surface with and without (VF) using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that throughout the surface of the mild steel, a thick adsorbate layer was formed. Quantum chemical calculations conducted on the two extracts as part of the theoretical research of quantum chemical calculation demonstrated a connection between the experimental analysis results and the theoretical study of the major chemical components.

Impact of bariatric surgery on androgen profile and ovarian volume in obese polycystic ovary syndrome patients with infertility.

Obesity has major adverse effects on reproductive performance and fertility potential especially in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the consequences of excess weight reduction by bariatric surgery on androgen levels, and ovarian volume by ultrasonography in obese polycystic ovary patients. This one year Cohort study was carried out in Zagazig university hospitals. The study included 36 infertile women with PCOS and obesity, who underwent bariatric surgery(sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass). Patients were evaluated for free and total serum testosterone levels, Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), free androgen index (FAI) and also ovarian volume by ultrasound pre-operatively, 6 months and 1 year after surgery. The results showed significant reduction in Body Mass Index, free and total serum testosterone levels and rise in SHBG and regulation of menstrual cycle at 6 and 12 months after operation. Free androgen index and ovarian volume by ultrasound also significantly decreased (p < 0.001) .As a conclusion, Bariatric surgery results in durable loss of weight and restores the normal physiological balance of androgenic milieu and ovarian morphology by ultrasound, in infertile women who have Polycystic ovary syndrome.

UPLC-ESI-PDA-Msn Profiling Of Phenolics Involved In Biological Activities Of The Medicinal Plant Halocnemum Strobilaceum (Pall.).

Halocnemum strobilaceum is a halophyte present in the humid and arid bioclimatic regions of Egypt. The current study aimed at UPLC/PDA/ESI-MSn qualitative chemical profiling of the phyto-constituents underlining both antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the bio-active fraction in comparison with the other fractions. It resulted in detection of several related compounds to prenylated flavonol icariin as a first report in this species. Results showed that ethyl acetate exhibits an appreciable antioxidant activity using in-vitro DPPH assay with percentage of 82.35% and remarkable anticancer capacity against most common types of cancer in Egypt; breast (MCF-7), human prostate (PC-3) cancer cell lines, and human lung carcinoma (A-549) with IC50 43.1± 2 µg/mL, 115±5 µg/ml, and 53.3±3 µg/mL respectively. These findings point out the appropriate solvent for extraction of the bio-phenolics with this halophyte which is a considerable source of remarkable potential secondary metabolites that exhibit original and interesting anticancer capacity.

Acetylcholinesterase inhibition, antioxidant and identification of some chemical constituents of Phyllanthus atropurpureus cultivated in Egypt

Investigation of the lipid constituents of the aerial parts of Phyllanthus atropurpureus resulted in isolation and identification of the fatty acid mixture which consists of eight acids with linolenic acid as major and the unsaponifiable fraction that contain a series of hydrocabons, sterols, in addition to one triterpene (α-amyrin). The acetone insoluble fraction was found to contain two fatty alcohols and three n-hydrocabons in which the n-eicosane is the most abundant (44.16%). The flavonoidal constituents were isolated from ethyl acetate and butanol fractions which were identified as: luteolin-7-O-glucoside, kaempferol 3-O-(p-coumaroylglucoside), kaempferitrin, luteolin and kaempferol. Evaluation of different extracts as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChI), established the chloroform fraction as a promising inhibitor of the enzyme. The antioxidant testing with DPPH radical revealed the potential of precipitate from MeOH extract as a radical scavenger.

Implantation of multiple suprachoroidal electrode arrays in rabbits.

PURPOSE: Epiretinal and subretinal prosthesis have been shown to be a valid way to provide some vision to patients with advanced outer retinal degeneration and profound vision loss. However, the field of vision for these patients is markedly limited by the area occupied by the electrode array. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility of implantation of multiple suprachoroidal electrode arrays in a single eye in order to increase the field of vision in patients implanted with retinal prosthesis. METHODS: The right eye of seventeen Dutch rabbits (age range, 5-6 months) was used for the study. Multiple inactive custom-made electrode arrays were inserted into the suprachoroidal space (SCS) and animals were followed up for up to 6 months using fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fluorescein angiography (FA). RESULTS: It was possible to surgically implant up to 8 electrode arrays in a single eye. None of the rabbits showed any major complications. The electrodes were well tolerated and remained in position in all rabbits. There was no evidence of retinal damage on follow-up exams and FA throughout the study. CONCLUSION: Multiple suprachoroidal electrode array implantation is feasible and may provide a novel approach to increase the field of vision in subjects implanted with retinal prosthesis.

Muscleblind-like 3 deficit results in a spectrum of age-associated pathologies observed in myotonic dystrophy.

Myotonic dystrophy type I (DM1) exhibits distinctive disease specific phenotypes and the accelerated onset of a spectrum of age-associated pathologies. In DM1, dominant effects of expanded CUG repeats result in part from the inactivation of the muscleblind-like (MBNL) proteins. To test the role of MBNL3, we deleted Mbnl3 exon 2 (Mbnl3(ΔE2)) in mice and examined the onset of age-associated diseases over 4 to 13 months of age. Accelerated onset of glucose intolerance with elevated insulin levels, cardiac systole deficits, left ventricle hypertrophy, a predictor of a later onset of heart failure and the development of subcapsular and cortical cataracts is observed in Mbnl3(ΔE2) mice. Retention of embryonic splice isoforms in adult organs, a prominent defect in DM1, is not observed in multiple RNAs including the Insulin Receptor (Insr), Cardiac Troponin T (Tnnt2), Lim Domain Binding 3 (Ldb3) RNAs in Mbnl3(ΔE2) mice. Although rare DM1-like splice errors underlying the observed phenotypes cannot be excluded, our data in conjunction with the reported absence of alternative splice errors in embryonic muscles of a similar Mbnl3(ΔE2) mouse by RNA-seq studies, suggest that mechanisms distinct from the adult retention of embryonic splice patterns may make important contributions to the onset of age-associated pathologies in DM1.

NorLeu3A(1-7) Accelerates Clear Corneal Full Thickness Wound Healing.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the effect of the renin angiotensin system (RAS) peptide NorLeu3-Angiotensin (1-7) (NLE) formulated in a viscoelastic gel (USB004) on the healing of full-thickness corneal injuries. METHODS: Dutch pigmented rabbits received conjunctival administration of 0.3% USB004, 0.03% USB004, or vehicle-control to healthy and full-thickness injured eyes administered once daily for 28 consecutive days. Safety was evaluated using IOP measurement, slit-lamp examination, and confocal microscopy. Evaluations for both efficacy studies included an oblique light examination, modified Seidel test (Seidel test with gentle ocular pressure) as well as during elevated IOP test, confocal microscopy imaging, and histologic analysis. RESULTS: Application of 0.3% USB004, 0.03% USB004, and vehicle-control was safe in healthy and incised eyes. Further, application of 0.3% and 0.03% USB004 following full-thickness corneal incision resulted in a 2-fold acceleration of resolution of edema and inflammation, reduction in duration of wound leakage on a modified Seidel test (Seidel test with gentle ocular pressure) as well as during elevated IOP test, and healing with near normal architecture without evidence of fibrosis and angiogenesis when compared to vehicle-control animals. CONCLUSIONS: Topical ocular application of 0.3% and 0.03% USB004 promotes full-thickness cornea wound healing without the evidence of fibrosis and angiogenesis. Further studies are warranted to determine the cornea-specific mechanism of action(s) that promotes regeneration leading to clear corneal healing.

One-Year Feasibility Study of Replenish MicroPump for Intravitreal Drug Delivery: A Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: To determine the feasibility of the surgical procedure and to collect some safety data regarding the bioelectronics of a novel micro drug pump for intravitreal drug delivery in a Beagle dog model for up to 1 year. METHODS: Thirteen Beagle dogs were assigned to two groups. The experimental group (n = 11) underwent pars plana implantation of MicroPump; the body of which was sutured episclerally, while its catheter was secured at a pars plana sclerotomy. The control group (n = 2) underwent sham surgeries in the form of a temporary suturing of the MicroPump, including placement of the pars plana tube. Baseline and follow-up exams included ophthalmic examination and imaging. The experimental animals were euthanized and explanted at predetermined time points after surgery (1, 3, and 12 months), while the control animals were euthanized at 3 months. All operated eyes were submitted for histopathology. RESULTS: Eyes were scored according to a modified McDonald-Shadduck system and ophthalmic imaging. Neither the implanted eyes nor the control eyes showed clinically significant pathological changes beyond the expected surgical changes. The operated eyes showed neither significant inflammatory reaction nor tissue ingrowth through the sclerotomy site compared with the fellow eyes. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the Replenish Posterior MicroPump could be successfully implanted with good safety profile in this animal model. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: The results of this study in a Beagle dog model are supportive of the biocompatibility of Replenish MicroPump and pave the way to the use of these devices for ocular automated drug delivery after further testing in larger animal models.

Evaluation of ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis using custom liposomes in a model of retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE: To study the potential efficacy of ultrasound (US) assisted by custom liposome (CLP) destruction as an innovative thrombolytic tool for the treatment of retinal vein occlusion (RVO). METHODS: Experimental RVO was induced in the right eyes of 40 rabbits using laser photothrombosis; the US experiment took place 48 hours later. Rabbits were randomly divided into four equal groups: US+CLP group, US+saline group, CLP+sham US group, and no treatment group. The latter three groups acted as controls. Fundus fluorescein angiography and Doppler US were used to evaluate retinal blood flow. RESULTS: CLP-assisted US thrombolysis resulted in restoration of flow in seven rabbits (70%). None of the control groups showed significant restoration of retinal venous blood flow. CONCLUSIONS: US-assisted thrombolysis using liposomes resulted in a statistically significant reperfusion of retinal vessels in the rabbit experimental model of RVO. This approach might be promising in the treatment of RVO in humans. Further studies are needed to evaluate this approach in patients with RVO. Ultrasound assisted thrombolysis can be an innovative tool in management of retinal vein occlusion.

High-resolution OCT: an innovative tool for posterior segment imaging.

Optimal management of posterior segment disorders requires a high-resolution and preferably noninvasive imaging tool for better definition of diseases. High-resolution optical coherence tomography can provide noninvasive, high-definition imaging of the posterior segment, allowing earlier diagnosis, better follow-up of chronic cases, and more accurate and timely monitoring of the effect of therapeutic agents. Recent findings suggest an individualized approach to vitreoretinal and choroidal diseases is possible based not only on traditional ophthalmic investigations, but also on high-resolution optical coherence tomography. This innovative tool has the combined advantages of high speed, high resolution, and safe use.

Vitreal oxygenation in retinal ischemia reperfusion.

PURPOSE: To study the feasibility of anterior vitreal oxygenation for the treatment of acute retinal ischemia. METHODS: Twenty rabbits were randomized into an oxygenation group, a sham treatment group, and a no treatment group. Baseline electroretinography (ERG) and preretinal oxygen (Po(2)) measurements were obtained 3 to 5 days before surgery. Intraocular pressure was raised to 100 mm Hg for 90 minutes and then normalized. The oxygenation group underwent vitreal oxygenation for 30 minutes using intravitreal electrodes. The sham treatment group received inactive electrodes for 30 minutes while there was no intervention for the no treatment group. Preretinal Po(2) in the posterior vitreous was measured 30 minutes after intervention or 30 minutes after reperfusion (no treatment group) and on postoperative days (d) 3, 6, 9, and 12. On d14, rabbits underwent ERG and were euthanatized. RESULTS: Mean final (d12) Po(2) was 10.64 ± 0.77 mm Hg for the oxygenation group, 2.14 ± 0.61 mm Hg for the sham group, and 1.98 ± 0.63 mm Hg for the no treatment group. On ERG, scotopic b-wave amplitude was significantly preserved in the oxygenation group compared with the other two groups. Superoxide dismutase assay showed higher activity in the operated eyes than in the nonoperated control eyes in the sham treatment group and no treatment group only. Histopathology showed preservation of retinal architecture and choroidal vasculature in the oxygenation group, whereas the sham-treated and nontreated groups showed retinal thinning and choroidal atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: In severe total ocular ischemia, anterior vitreal oxygenation supplies enough oxygen to penetrate the retinal thickness, resulting in rescue of the RPE/choriocapillaris that continues to perfuse, hence sparing the retinal tissue from damage.

Ultrasonic Doppler measurements of blood flow velocity of rabbit retinal vessels using a 45-MHz needle transducer.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to measure blood flow velocity of rabbit retinal vessels using a 45-MHz ultrasonic Doppler system with a needle transducer. METHODS: A high-frequency pulsed Doppler system that utilizes a 45-MHz PMN-PT needle transducer was developed to measure retinal blood flow velocity in situ. The pulsed Doppler allowed the differentiation of retinal from choroidal blood flow velocity. The needle transducer was inserted into the vitreous cavity through a 20-gauge incision port to access the retinal vessels. The first phase of the experiment evaluated the reproducibility of the measurements. The second phase measured velocities at four positions from the optic disc edge to the distal part of each vessel in nine eyes for the temporal and six eyes for the nasal portions. The angle between the transducer and the retinal vessel at each site was measured in enucleated rabbit eyes to estimate and compensate for measurement errors. RESULTS: In the first phase, the average measurement error was 5.97 +/- 1.34%. There was no significant difference comparing all eyes. In the second phase, the velocities gradually slowed from the disc edge to the distal part, and temporal velocities were faster than nasal velocities at all measurement sites. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the feasibility of reliably measuring retinal blood flow velocity using a 45-MHz ultrasonic Doppler system with a needle transducer.

Blood velocity measurement in the posterior segment of the rabbit eye using combined spectral Doppler and power Doppler ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: It is challenging for the current Doppler imaging to detect blood flow in small retinal vessels. Power Doppler, with its high sensitivity to detect minimal blood flow, can be used with spectral Doppler to measure blood velocity in small vessels of the eye and orbit. METHODS: Sixteen eyes of twelve normal pigmented rabbits were studied, using a dedicated small animal, high-resolution imaging unit (Vevo 770) and 17.6 MHz ultrasound probe. Spectral Doppler (ISPPA = 67.1 W/cm(2), ISPTA = 483.7 mW/cm(2), MI = 0.5) was combined with power Doppler (ISPPA = 137.7 W/cm(2), ISPTA = 83.1 mW/cm(2), MI = 0.77) to measure the blood velocity over each identified vessel, including the central retinal artery and vein, branch retinal artery and vein, choroidal vein, and the long and short posterior ciliary artery. Three readings from each vessel were averaged to reduce measurement error. Three indices were calculated from the arterial blood velocity readings: the resistive index, the pulsatility index and the A/B ratio. RESULTS: The highest arterial blood velocity was measured over the long posterior ciliary artery; peak systolic velocity was 18.29 cm/s and end diastolic velocity was 16.63 cm/s, while the lowest arterial blood velocity was measured over the branch retinal artery; peak systolic velocity was 5.08 cm/s and end diastolic velocity was 3.25 cm/s. On the other hand, the highest venous blood velocity was measured over the choroidal veins (7.0 cm/s), and the lowest venous blood velocity was measured over the branch retinal vein (2.88 cm/s). No statistically significant difference was observed between the nasal and temporal retinal arterial blood velocity. Combining power Doppler with spectral Doppler imaging caused no damage and is a safe technique to measure blood velocity. CONCLUSION: A combination of spectral Doppler and power Doppler ultrasound can be used as a noninvasive and efficient tool for reproducible measurement of the blood velocity in the posterior segment.