Flavonoid constituents, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of Gleditsia triacanthos L. leaves.

Gleditsia triacanthos L. is a deciduous tree belonging to the family Fabaceae. It possesses important biological activities as anti-mutagenic, anticancer, cytotoxic and treating rheumatoid arthritis. The total ethanol extract (EtOHE) and successive extracts (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and aqueous ethanol) were prepared from the leaves. Eight flavone glycosides and two flavone aglycones named vicenin-I (1), vitexin (2), isovitexin (3), orientin (4), isoorientin (5), luteolin-7-O-ß-glucopyranoside (6), luteolin-7-O-ß-galactopyranoside (7), apigenin-7-O-ß-glucopyranoside (8), luteolin (9) and apigenin (10) were isolated from the aqueous ethanol extract of G. triacanthos L. leaves. Potent cytotoxic activity of the EtOHE extract was observed against the liver (IC50 = 1.68 µg), breast (IC50 = 0.74 µg), cervix (IC50 = 1.28 µg), larynx (IC50 = 0.67 µg) and colon (IC50 = 2.50 µg) cancer cell lines. Cytotoxic activity of compounds 2, 4, 6 and 8 against, the liver, breast and colon cancer cell lines was also proved. Evaluation of the in-vivo antioxidant activity of the EtOHE and successive extracts revealed that the highest activity was exhibited by 100 mg of EtOHE (97.89% potency) as compared with vitamin E (100% potency). Compound 6 showed 91.8% free radical scavenging activity.

Water soluble polysaccharides extracted from Pterocladia capillacea and Dictyopteris membranacea and their biological activities.

Cold and hot water extracts (CWE, HWE) of both the red alga Pterocladia capillacea (P. capillacea) and the brown alga Dictyopteris membranacea (D. membranacea) were studied for their polysaccharide contents. In both (CWE) and (HWE) extracts. Relatively higher yields were obtained in case of P. capillacea pillacea (2.87 and 6.46%, respectively). The polysaccharide contents of the CWE hydrolyzate of both studied algae analyzed by HPLC were found to be enriched with glucuronic acid, arabinose and glucose, whereas, HWE hydrolyzate were found to be rich in glucuronic acid and fructose. The polysaccharide contents of the CWE and HWE extracts of (D. membranacea) showed appreciable antimicrobial activity in addition to a moderate antitumor activity against HELA (Cervix carcinoma cell line) at IC50 = 9.83 µg/dl, respectively. Whereas the polysaccharide contents of the CWE and HWE extracts of (P. capillacea) exhibited a promising anticoagulant activity.

A new flavonol glycoside and biological activities of Adenanthera pavonina L. leaves.

Adenanthera pavonina is a plant belonging to family Fabaceae. The 95% ethanol extract (EtOH) of the dried powdered leaves of the plant and successive extracts with solvents of increasing polarities were prepared. Fractionation of the successive aqueous EtOH extract on polyamide column and purification of the isolated compounds on Sephadex LH20 led to the isolation of a new methoxy flavonol glycoside named as quercetin 3-O-α-dirhamnopyranosyl-(1‴ → 2″,1″″ → 6″)-ß-glucopyranoside-4'-methoxy (1), as well as kaempferol-3-O-α-dirhamnopyranosyl-(1‴ → 2″,1″″ → 6″)-ß-glucopyranoside (2), isovitexin (3), quercetin-3-O-rhamnopyranosyl(1‴ → 4″)-ß-glucopyranoside (4), quercetin-3-O-ß-glucopranoside-4'-O-rhamnopyranoside (5), kaempferol-3-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl(1‴ → 2″)-ß-glucopyranoside (6), quercetin-3-O-rhamnopyranosyl(1‴ → 2″)-ß-glucopyranoside (7), quercetin-3-O-ß-glucopyranoside (8), kaempferol (9) and quercetin (10). Structures of the isolated compounds were established by spectroscopic analysis. Antioxidant activities of EtOH extract, successive extracts and compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated. The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract and EtOH extract showed 62.67% and 49.30% free radical scavenging activity, respectively. Cytotoxic activities of the EtOH extract and compounds (1) and (2) were evaluated. The EtOH extract showed a significant cytotoxic activity against Hep G-2 (IC50 = 2.50 µg) as compared with cisplatin (IC50>10 µg).

Health habits and behaviour of adolescent schoolchildren, Taif, Saudi Arabia.

The aim of this study was to provide data regarding habits, behavior, problems and needs regarding health in adolescent children from a military community at Al Hada and Taif, Saudi Arabia which could guide school health programmes. We carried out a cross-sectional study on 284 preparatory and secondary school students. Prevalence of smoking was 21.3% among males and 4.9% among females. The rate of overweight was 20.8%. Driving without a license was reported by 68.8% of students, and 82.3% said they didn't fasten seat belts. However, we recorded a high rate of physical activity, 75.0% overall.

Health habits and behaviour of adolescent schoolchildren, Taif, Saudi Arabia

The aim of this study was to provide data regarding habits, behavior, problems and needs regarding health in adolescent children from a military community at Al Hada and Taif, Saudi Arabia which could guide school health programmes. We carried out a cross-sectional study on 284 preparatory and secondary school students. Prevalence of smoking was 21.3% among males and 4.9% among females. The rate of overweight was 20.8%. Driving without a license was reported by 68.8% of students, and 82.3% said they didn't fasten seat belts. However, we recorded a high rate of physical activity, 75.0% overall

National health research system mapping in 10 Eastern Mediterranean countries.

Health research systems in the Eastern Mediterranean Region are not well developed to generate and use knowledge to improve health, reduce inequity and contribute to economic development. This study aimed to provide core data on National Health Research Systems (NHRS) in 10 Eastern Mediterranean countries in order to inform actions to strengthen health research system governance and management. Whilst there were examples of good practice, few countries had a formal NHRS and many basic building blocks needed for an effective system had not been put in place. Although limited in focus, the study provides useful information for countries to initiate action to strengthen their NHRS.

National health research system mapping in 10 Eastern Mediterranean countries

Health research systems in the Eastern Mediterranean Region are not well developed to generate and use knowledge to improve health, reduce inequity and contribute to economic development. This study aimed to provide core data on National Health Research Systems [NHRS] in 10 Eastern Mediterranean countries in order to inform actions to strengthen health research system governance and management. Whilst there were examples of good practice, few countries had a formal NHRS and many basic building blocks needed for an effective system had not been put in place. Although limited in focus, the study provides useful information for countries to initiate action to strengthen their NHRS