Thalassosterol, a New Cytotoxic Aromatase Inhibitor Ergosterol Derivative from the Red Sea Seagrass Thalassodendron ciliatum.

Thalassodendron ciliatum (Forssk.) Den Hartog is a seagrass belonging to the plant family Cymodoceaceae with ubiquitous phytoconstituents and important pharmacological potential, including antioxidant, antiviral, and cytotoxic activities. In this work, a new ergosterol derivative named thalassosterol (1) was isolated from the methanolic extract of T. ciliatum growing in the Red Sea, along with two known first-reported sterols, namely ergosterol (2) and stigmasterol (3), using different chromatographic techniques. The structure of the new compound was established based on 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) and by comparison with the literature data. The new ergosterol derivative showed significant in vitro antiproliferative potential against the human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) and human breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines, with IC50 values of 8.12 and 14.24 µM, respectively. In addition, docking studies on the new sterol 1 explained the possible binding interactions with an aromatase enzyme; this inhibition is beneficial in both cervical and breast cancer therapy. A metabolic analysis of the crude extract of T. ciliatum using liquid chromatography combined with high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-HR-MS) revealed the presence of an array of phenolic compounds, sterols and ceramides, as well as di- and triglycerides.

Validated HPLC method for simultaneous estimation of khellol glucoside, khellin and visnagin in Ammi visnaga L. fruits and pharmaceutical preparations.

Tea bags including fruits of Ammi visnaga L. are used in Egypt as remedy for the treatment of kidney stones. Our study focuses on developing simple and rapid method utilising HPLC for quantitative estimation of khellol glucoside (KG), khellin (KH) and visnagin (VS) simultaneously. Their concentrations were determined in A. visnaga L. fruits at different developmental stages and in pharmaceutical formulations together with following up them during shelf life. Separation was accomplished using HPLC. Perfect resolution between KG, KH and VS was possible through using a mobile phase consisting of water:methanol:tetrahydrofuran (50:45:5, v/v/v). Peaks were detected at 245 nm. The suggested method for the determination of KG, KH and VS was successful in determining the analytes of interest without any interference of other compounds and matrix. All validation parameters were satisfactory and the procedure was relatively easy and fast as extracts are evaluated without previous steps of purification.

Further saponins from Taverniera aegyptiaca.

From the saponin fraction of the total methanolic extract of the dried root and stem barks of Taverniera aegyptiaca Boiss, six new triterpenoidal saponins of oleanane type were isolated and identified as 28-methyl serratagenate-3-beta-O-beta-xylopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-glucopyranoside (2), 28-methyl serratagenate 3-beta-O-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-glucopyranoside (3), 3beta-O-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2) beta-glucopyranosyl-olean-11,13(18)-dien-1beta, 3beta, 22beta-triol (4), 3beta-O-beta-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-glucuronopyranosylolean-11,13(18)-dien-1beta,3beta,22beta-triol (5), 3beta-O-beta-xylopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-glucuronopyranosylolean-11,13(18)-dien-1beta,3beta,22beta-triol (6), 3beta-O-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-glucuronopyranosylolean-11,13(18)-dien-1beta, 3beta, 22beta-triol (7) together with the known oleanolic acid 3-beta-O-beta-glucoside (1). The identification of the isolated compounds was done on the basis of chemical and spectral evidences.

Validated HPLC and HPTLC methods for simultaneous determination of colchicine and khellin in pharmaceutical formulations.

The present work describes validated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) methods for the simultaneous determination of colchicine and khellin. The isocratic reversed-phase HPLC separation was performed on a 5 µm C18 column (Luna, Phenomenex, Torrance, CA). Good resolution between colchicine and khellin was achieved using a mixture of acetonitrile-10 mM NaH(2)PO(4) (pH 3.0, 35:65 v/v) as a mobile phase. Quantitation was achieved with ultraviolet detection at 245 nm based on peak area. The HPTLC separation was conducted on Merck HPTLC aluminum sheets of silica gel 60 F254 as stationary phase using methylene chloride-methanol (95:5 v/v) as a mobile phase. Quantification was also achieved using densitometric measurements at 245 nm. Both methods revealed reasonable validation parameters concerning selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision and limits of detection and quantitation.