In Vitro Propagation of Three Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Varieties Using Immature Female Inflorescences.

Immature female inflorescences are promising materials for use as explants for the tissue culture of date palm. Four types of MS media were used in this study during the four micropropagation stages-starting media (SM), maturation media (MM), multiplication media (PM) and rooting media (RM)-to micropropagate three elite date palm varieties, Amri, Magdoul and Barhy using the immature female inflorescences as explant. The highest percentage of callus induction in all the varieties studied was obtained on the SM1 (9 µM 2,4-D + 5.7 µM IAA + 10 µM NAA). Culturing on the MM1 (4.5 µM 2,4-D + 9.8 µM 2-iP + 1.5 AC) allowed us to obtain the best value in terms of callus weight. After culturing on the PM1 (4.4 µM BA + 9.8 µM 2-iP) produced the highest numbers of somatic embryos and shoots. The explants on RM2 (0.5 µM NAA + 1.25 µM IBA + 3 g AC) showed the highest root numbers and root lengths, while the highest shoot length was achieved on RM3 (0.5 µM NAA + 0.5 µM IBA + 3 g AC). The Amri variety presented the best response among the three varieties in all parameters, followed by the Magdoul and Barhy varieties. In all the stages of micropropagation, the analysis of variance revealed highly significant variations among varieties and culture media, and a significant difference in the number of roots during the rooting stage. The results also showed non-significant differences in the interaction between varieties and culture media, except for shoot length in the rooting stage. The results also reveal the broad sense heritability ranging from low to high for the measured parameters. It can be concluded that the immature female inflorescences can be used as a productive explant source for successful date palm micropropagation using the SM1, MM1, PM1 and RM2 culture media. It can also be concluded that the success of date palm micropropagation not only depends on the concentrations of growth regulators, but also on their types.

Improvement of German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) for Mechanical Harvesting, High Flower Yield and Essential Oil Content Using Physical and Chemical Mutagenesis.

Chamomile (Matricariarecutita L.) is one of the most important medicinal plants with various applications. The flowers and flower heads are the main organs inthe production of essential oil. The essential improvement goals of chamomile are considered to be high flower yield and oil content, as well asthe suitability for mechanical harvesting. The present study aimed to improve the flower yield, oil content and mechanical harvestability of German chamomile via chemical and physical mutagens. Three German chamomile populations (Fayum, Benysuif and Menia) were irradiated with 100, 200, 300 and 400 Gray doses of gamma rays, as well as chemically mutagenized using 0.001, 0.002 and 0.003 mol/mL of sodium azide for 4 h. The two mutagens produced a wide range of changes in the flowers' shape and size. At M3 generation, 18 mutants (11 from gamma irradiation and 7 from sodium azide mutagenization) were selected and morphologically characterized. Five out of eighteen mutants were selected for morphological and chemical characterization for oil content, oil composition and oil quality in M4 generation. Two promising mutants, F/LF5-2-1 and B/HNOF 8-4-2, were selected based on their performance in most studied traits during three generations, as well as the high percentage of cut efficiency and a homogenous flower horizon, which qualify them as suitable candidates for mechanical harvesting. The two mutants are late flowering elite mutants; the F/LF5-2-1 mutant possessed the highest oil content (1.77%) and number of flowers/plant (1595), while the second promising B/HNOF 8-4-2 mutant hada high oil content (1.29%) and chamazulene percentage (13.98%) compared to control plants. These results suggest that the B/HNOF 8-4-2 and F/LF5-2-1 mutants could be integrated as potential parents into breeding programs for a high number of flowers, high oil content, oil composition and oil color traits for German chamomile improvement.

Powerful Antioxidants and Cytotoxic Activities of the Methanol Extracts from Eight Soybean Cultivars.

In the present study, the chemical composition and total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) of eight soybean cultivars (Giza 21, Giza 22, Giza 35, Giza 111, Giza 82, Giza 83, Crawford, and Holliday) were estimated. Moreover, antioxidant activity and in vitro cytotoxic activities against HepG-2 and MCF-7 were evaluated. Giza 21, Giza 111, and Crawford cultivars recorded higher than 40% crude protein. The analysis revealed that TPC values in seed extracts ranged from 10.5 mg GAE/g extract in Giza 35 to 6.4 mg GAE/g extract in Giza 22. TFC varied from 1.20 mg QE/g extract in Giza 111 to 0.55 mg QE/g extract in Crawford. Giza 35 exhibited the highest content of genistein and daidzein and the highest free radical scavenging activity (61.833%). The results of the MTT assay demonstrated that the soybean methanolic extracts inhibited the proliferation of HepG-2 and MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Giza 35 exhibited the highest cytotoxic activity. In conclusion, Giza 35 cultivar recorded the highest TPC and TFC values and antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. Therefore, this cultivar can be used as a source for the production of pharmaceutical and medicinal products rather than as a nutritional source of protein.

The cost-effectiveness of celecoxib versus non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs plus proton-pump inhibitors in the treatment of osteoarthritis in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors including celecoxib are as effective as non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ns-NSAIDs) in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) and have less gastrointestinal toxicity. Although they are associated with higher treatment costs, COX-2 inhibitors may simultaneously reduce costs associated with adverse events, hence, their overall economic benefit should be assessed. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) of celecoxib versus ns-NSAIDs, with/without proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) co-therapy, for managing OA in Saudi Arabian subjects aged ≥65 years. METHODS: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence health economic model from the UK, updated with relative risks of adverse events using CONDOR trial data, was adapted. Patients received celecoxib or ns-NSAIDs, with/without omeprazole. The effectiveness measure was quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained per patient. The analysis was conducted from the patient's perspective. Frequencies of resource use for adverse events were based on data collected in July 2012 from seven private hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was performed to construct cost-effectiveness acceptability curves (CEACs). RESULTS: Over a 6-month treatment duration, QALYs gained per patient were higher with celecoxib (0.37) and celecoxib plus PPI (0.40) versus comparators. Ibuprofen plus PPI showed the lowest expected cost per patient (US$ 1,314.50 versus US$ 1,422.80 with celecoxib plus PPI and US$ 1,543.50 with celecoxib). Celecoxib plus PPI was the most cost-effective option with an ICER of US$ 1,805.00, followed by celecoxib (ICER, US$ 7,633.33) versus ibuprofen plus PPI. Over 2- and 5-year treatment durations, celecoxib plus PPI, and celecoxib, showed higher QALYs gained/patient and lower ICERs versus comparators. These ICERs are <1 gross domestic product/capita in Saudi Arabia in 2013 (US$ 25,961). CEACs over 6 months' treatment showed a significantly higher likelihood that celecoxib plus PPI and celecoxib alone would be more cost effective versus comparators once the willingness to pay is over US$ 2,000.00. CONCLUSION: After considering new adverse event risks, celecoxib with/without PPI co-therapy was deemed very cost effective for medium- and long-term use in Saudi Arabian OA patients aged ≥65 years.

The Cost-effectiveness of Celecoxib versus Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs plus Proton-pump Inhibitors for Treating Osteoarthritis in Algeria.

Background: Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors such as celecoxib are as effective as non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ns-NSAIDs) in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA), have fewer gastrointestinal side effects, but are more expensive. Objective: To evaluate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of celecoxib versus ns-NSAIDs, with/without proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) co-therapy, for treating OA in Algeria. Methods: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) health economic model from UK, updated with relative risks of adverse events using CONDOR trial data, was adapted for costeffectiveness analysis in OA patients aged ≥65 years. Patients could initiate treatment with celecoxib or ns-NSAIDs with/without omeprazole. Conditional probabilities were obtained from published clinical trials; effectiveness measure was quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained/patient. The analysis was conducted from a healthcare payer's perspective. The average daily treatment costs and frequencies of resource use for adverse events were based on data collected in August 2011 from a private clinic located in Cheraga, Algiers, Algeria. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA) was performed to construct cost-effectiveness acceptability curves (CEACs). Results: QALYs gained/patient over a 6-month horizon were higher with celecoxib (0.368) and celecoxib+PPI (0.40) versus comparators. The lowest expected cost/patient was associated with ibuprofen (US$134.76 versus US$175.67 with celecoxib+PPI, and US$177.57 with celecoxib). Celecoxib+PPI was the most cost-effective drug treatment, with an ICER of US$584.43, versus ibuprofen. Treatment with celecoxib alone showed an ICER of US$1,530.56 versus diclofenac+PPI. These ICERs are <1 gross domestic product per capita in Algeria (US$7,500). Over 1-year, 3-year and 5-year horizons, celecoxib with/without PPI co-therapy showed higher QALYs/patient versus comparators, and decreasing ICERs. The ICER of celecoxib+PPI was lower than that of comparators over all time horizons. These findings were confirmed with CEACs generated via PSA. Conclusion: Using data from a single private clinic in Cheraga, Algiers, Algeria, and after considering new adverse event risks, we showed that celecoxib with/without PPI co therapy is more cost-effective than ns-NSAID+PPI for treating OA patients aged ≥65 years. Celecoxib+PPI remains dominant over a 5-year horizon, making it the most cost-effective treatment option for medium- and long-term use.