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Urease is a metallo-protein in which two nickel (Ni) atoms are present at the active site. It is found in all the organisms such as, bacteria, fungi, plants, and in algae. Urease enzymes are also involved in catalyzing the hydrolysis of urea into CO2 and NH3. Urease is a virulence factor found in various pathogenic bacteria. It is essential in colonization of a host organism and in maintenance of bacterial cells in tissues. Due to its enzymatic activity, urease has a toxic effect on human cells. Current research work aimed to purify the three di-naphthodiospyrols namely; 5,4 -dihydroxy-1-methoxy-6,6 -dimethyl7,3-binaphthyl-1,4,5,8-tetraone (1), 5,8 -dihydroxy-5-methoxy-6,6-dimethyl-7,3-binaphthyl-1,4,1,4 -tetraone (2) and 8,5,8-trihydroxy-6,6-dimethyl-7,3-binaphthyl-1,4,1,4-tetraone (3) from the chloroform fraction of Diospyros lotus roots. The pure constituents (1-3) were evaluated for their urease inhibitory activity. Compounds (1-3) exhibited potent activity with IC50 value of 28.27 ± 1.68, 20.57 ± 2.00, 27.12 ± 2.45 µM respectively, when compared with standard thiourea (IC50 = 21.23 ± 0.12 µM). The pure isolated compounds (1-3) were also subjected to in silico studies to know their binding pattern with enzyme. The binding orientation and interactions with the important residues of urease enzyme revealed that the three compounds inactivate the enzyme activity by interacting with Ni bi-center as well as with the tailpiece residues.

Syzygium cumini L. (Jamun) is a Pakistani indigenous plant, which exhibits various diseases biological activities including antidiabetic, antiulcer, hepatoprotective, and even diuretic. The present work was carried out to provide a scientific justification to its use in folk medicine. In the current research work, the crude methanol extract and subsequent fractions of S. cumini fruits were subjected to phytochemical studies, along with urease, α-glucosidase, and phosphodiesterase inhibition profiling. Results showed that the plant is a rich source of various classes of compounds such as alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, phenols, glycosides, saponins, and tannins. In addition, results indicated that the crude extract and fractions significantly inhibit the aforementioned enzymes at tested concentrations. The observed urease inhibitory activity (IC50 values) of methanol, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and chloroform were 10.17 ± 1.00, 7.09 ± 2.00, 8.32 ± 1.76, and 12.23 ± 1.09 µg, respectively. Similarly, the crude methanol extract, ethyl acetate, chloroform, and n-butanol factions exhibited significant α-glucosidase inhibitory potential with IC50 values of 129.98 ± 1.23, 702.74 ± 1.65, 430.21 ± 1.98, and 650.11 ± 1 0.00 µg, respectively, as compared to the standard. On the other hand, the ethyl acetate and n-butanol factions showed excellent phosphodiesterase inhibitory effect with IC50 values of 270.77 ± 1.98 and 87.09 µg, respectively. The antagonistic effect of these samples is attributed to the presence of different phytochemicals. Moreover, the inhibition of these enzymes provided a sound scientific backup to the mentioned folklores.

Diabetes is a chronic condition which is locally managed through the stem of Ficus foveolata. To find the exact chemical constituent responsible for this activity, a triterpene lactone (ficusonolide) isolated from F. foveolata was studied for antidiabetic potential through the in vitro antidiabetic paradigm employing L-6 cells and an in vivo antidiabetic assay against non-insulin-dependent rats. The results on glucose uptake in the L-6 cell line indicated that ficusonolide has enhanced the uptake of glucose by 53.27% over control at a dose of 100 μg/mL, while at doses of 50 and 25 μg/mL, the glucose uptake was enhanced by 22.42 and 14.34%, respectively. The extract of F. foveolata (100 mg/kg) and ficusonolide (50 mg/kg) demonstrated a significant (p < 0.001) decline in streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia of diabetic rats. Ficusonolide displayed conspicuous inhibitory activity against the molecular docking studies with proteins such as dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV), protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP-1B), α-glucosidase, and α-amylase subjected to molecular targets. Detailed computational and structural insights affirmed promising interactions between target proteins and ficusonolide. In conclusion, the plant and its isolated compound have significant antidiabetic activity with a possible mechanism of interaction with DPP-IV, PTP-1B, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase.

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) is an herbaceous plant originating from South America and processed into cigarettes for consumption. Polyphenols are considered vital components of tobacco in view of their contribution to antioxidant properties. This study aimed to determine the phenolic compounds in different tobacco varieties by applying cold extraction with methanol and distilled water. The extracts were screened for phenolic compound diversity and distribution as well as their antioxidant potential in different tobacco varieties. The results showed that the methanolic extract of tobacco SP-28 exhibited the highest value in the total phenolic content (24.82 ± 0.07 mg GAE/gd.w.) and total flavonoid content (4.42 ± 0.01 mg QE/gd.w.), while the water extract of tobacco SN-2 exhibited the highest value in the total condensed tannin (1.12 ± 0.03 mg CE/gd.w.). The radical scavenging capacities of tobacco SP-28 were relatively high in DPPH (18.20 ± 0.01 mg AAE/gd.w.) and FRAP (3.02 ± 0.10 mg AAE/gd.w.), whereas the ABTS value was the highest in tobacco SN-2 (37.25 ± 0.03 mg AAE/gd.w.), and the total antioxidant capacity was the highest in tobacco SN-1 (7.43 ± 0.18 mg AAE/gd.w.). LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS identified a total of 49 phenolic compounds, including phenolic acids (14), flavonoids (30), and other polyphenols (5) in four different tobacco varieties. Tobacco SP-28 showed the highest number of phenolic compounds, especially enriched in flavones. Our study highlights the antioxidant potential of tobacco extracts and reveals the phenolic distribution among different tobacco varieties that could support tobacco utilization in different pharmaceutical industries.

The Sophora mollis is one of the best anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancerous plant; therefore, the isolated chemical constituents, that is, scopoletin (1), pinitol (2), 2-propenoic acid, 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-octacosyl ester (3), betulin (4), and β-sitosterol glucoside (5) were tested for these folklores. The structures of the isolated compounds were confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 2D-NMR, and mass spectral data. The anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiglycation, and antioxidant activities of compounds 1-5 were evaluated using different assays. Compound 1 exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effect as it reduced edema of the paw (83.98%), which is more potent than the standard drug (ibuprofen) (which showed an inhibition percentage of 73.22% a), followed by compound 3. Furthermore, compound 3 showed significant free-radical scavenging activity using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) free-radical assay. Percentage inhibition of DPPH recorded was 95.646 ± 0.003, 94.766 ± 0.014, and 94.516 ± 0.011% at concentrations of 400, 200, and 100 μg/mL, respectively. Evaluation of anticancer activity of isolated compounds reveals weak effect against HeLa and 3T3 cell lines. Docking studies of the most active compound into the binding sites of cyclooxygenase isoforms showed a better antagonistic potential against COX-1 than the COX-2 isoform.

Several plants in the genus Pistacia are used in the treatment of various pathogenic and non-pathogenic disorders. Especially important are the major species belonging to this genus such as Pistacia lentiscus, Pistacia atlantica, Pistacia vera, Pistacia terebinthus, and Pistacia khinjuk, among others; these have been reported for their potential benefits both in medical and commercial purposes. In addition, members of this genus exhibit numerous ethnomedicinal uses, such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, antihypertension, antihyperlipidemic, antiviral, and antiasthma. In light of these potential uses, the present chapter aimed to collect and summarize the literature about all of this medicinal information. Accordingly, this chapter focuses on the pharmacological uses and benefits of the genus Pistacia, especially those related to health issues.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Carissa edulis (CE) (Apocynaceae) is distributed in tropical Africa and Asia and commonly used in folk medicine to treat many diseases such as headache, cough, rheumatism and fever. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective role of ethanolic extract of CE, a medicinal plant locally called "Al-Arm" in Yemen, against liver injury induced by dimethoate (DM) intoxication in male guinea pigs. MATERIALS AND METHODS Animals were divided randomly into 5 groups and kept at 5 animals per group. The first group was served as a control group and administered with vehicle orally; the group II administered with DM (14 mg kg-1; 1/25 LD50) orally. Animals of group III, IV and V were administered with 100 mg kg-1 of CE extract, 200 mg kg-1 of CE extract and 100 mg kg-1 Liv-52 orally half hour before DM administration, respectively. All the previous administrations were repeated daily for 21 days. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA using SPSS. RESULTS The DM caused a statistically significant increase in the serum level of liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP) when compared to control animals, whereas CE and Liv-52 pre-treatment to the DM-intoxicated animals resulted in a significant normalization of the activities of enzymes. Similarly, a significant increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) level, while induced significant decreases in the activities of liver catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). In contrast, co-administration of CE and Liv-52 to DM-treated animals restored most of these biochemical parameters to nearly normal levels. Histopathological examination of intoxicated animals showed many tissues alterations such as; vasodilation, hemorrhage, cytoplasmic vacuolization, inflammation and nuclear pyknosis indicating liver damage, while the animals received CE or Liv-52 showed less pathological effects when compared to animals treated with DM alone. CONCLUSION The biochemical and histological results confirmed the hepatoprotective effect of ethanolic extract of CE against DM-induced hepatotoxicity in male guinea pigs.

This study was aimed to evaluate the efficiency of Sargassumpolycystum and nucleotides- supplemented diets to improve immune response and cold-tolerance of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei. Four treatments were evaluated: T1, the control, shrimp received only a basal diet, T2, a basal diet with 500 ppm nucleotides, T3, a basal diet with 500 ppm S.polycystum powdered, T4, a basal diet with 500 ppm nucleotides and 500 ppm S.polycystum powdered. Shrimp were fed experimental diets for 56 days. Results revealed shrimp fed T4 diet exhibited the best significant improvement in water quality, survival, growth, and feed utilization indices followed by T2, and T3, while T1 showed the worst values. Additionally, nonspecific immune responses (phagocytosis (%), lysozyme, phenoloxidase, super oxide dismutase (SOD) activity, total nitric oxide) were improved with 1.7–3.2-fold in T4 higher than T1. Histomorphology of hepatopancreas in T4 showed the most increased activation of the hepatic glandular duct system compared with the other treatments. Moreover, nucleotides/seaweed-supplemented diets upregulated relative expression of cMnSOD, Penaeidin4, and heat shock protein70 (HSP70) genes, while translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) was downregulated. In conclusion, the synergistic effects of both S. polycystum and nucleotides have many advantages as a growth promoter, immunostimulant, antimicrobial, and cold-tolerant stimulant to L. vannamei.

Dracaena cinnabari (D. cinnabari) is an endemic plant located in Socotra Island, Yemen. Deep red resin attained from different plant species including D. cinnabari is commonly known as dragon’s blood. In folk medicine, it is prescribed for the treatment of traumatic dermal, dental, and eye injuries as well as blood stasis, pain, and gastrointestinal diseases in humans. Numerous studies have investigated that this resinous medicine has antidiarrheal, antiulcer, antimicrobial, antiviral, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, wound healing, and antioxidant activity. Several phytochemicals have been isolated from D. cinnabari, including the biflavonoid cinnabarone, triflavonoids, metacyclophanes, chalcones, chalcanes, dihydrochalcones, sterols, and terpenoids. The present review highlights the structures and bioactivities of main phytochemicals isolated from D. cinnabari regarding the botany and pharmacological effects of the resin derived from this plant.

The present study evaluated the possible synergistic impacts of sodium butyrate and Spirulina platensis as a feed additive on growth performance, carcass composition, blood health, and intestinal histomorphology of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). A control and three treated diets were supplemented with sodium butyrate (SB) 350 mg, Spirulina platensis (SP) 1g and a mixture of 350 mg SB and 1g SP/kg diet (SB/SP) respectively, were fed for monosex Nile tilapia (12.5± 0.50 g, n=120) for two months. The results revealed higher growth performance (final weight, weight gain, weight gain rate, SGR and PER) compared to control group (CG) (P

Organophosphorus (OP) insecticides constitute one of the most widely used classes of pesticides being employed for both agricultural and landscape pest control. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dimethoate (DM), an organophosphorus insecticide, on some biochemical and histopathological parameters in liver of adult male guinea pigs as well as the possible role of Withania somnifera extract in attenuation of DM-induced hepatotoxicity. The animals were divided randomly into 5 groups and kept at 5 animals per group in an environmentally controlled condition with free access to food and water ad libitum. The first group was served as a control group and administered with olive oil orally; the group II received aqueous extract of W. somnifera (100 mg kg(-1) b.wt.) orally, group III, IV and V was administered with DM (14 mg kg(-1); 1/25LD50) for 21 days orally. Group IV and V received 100 mg kg(-1) of W. somnifera extract and silymarin, respectively half hour before DM administration for 21 days. DM caused a statistically significant increase in the serum level of liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP) when compared to control animals, whereas, W. somnifera and silymarin pre-treatment to the DM-intoxicated animals resulted in a significant normalization of the enzymes activities. On the other hand W. somnifera extract reduced the incidence of histopathological changes such as cytoplasmic vacuolization and degeneration in nuclei, rupture of epithelia lining the central vein, widened sinusoidal space and lymphocyte infiltration induced by DM treatment in guinea pigs. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that W. somnifera aqueous extract could protect the liver against DM-induced oxidative damage.