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α-Fe2O3 coated hydroxy magnesium silicate (HMS) was prepared by the coprecipitation method and was used for the sorption of Cr(VI) from the aquatic environment. FT-IR, XRD, and SEM characterised th...

In many countries, open dumping is considered the simplest, cheapest, and most cost-effective way of managing solid wastes. Thus, in underdeveloped economies, Municipal Solid Wastes (MSW) are openly dumped. Improper waste disposal causes air, water, and soil pollution, impairing soil permeability and blockage of the drainage system. Solid Waste Management (SWM) can be enhanced by operating a well-engineered site with the capacity to reduce, reuse, and recover MSW. Makkah city is one of the holiest cities in the world. It harbors a dozen of holy places. Millions of people across the globe visit the place every year to perform Hajj, Umrah, and tourism. In the present study, MSW characterization and energy recovery from MSW of Makkah was determined. The average composition of solid waste in Makkah city is organic matter (48%), plastics (25%), paper and cardboard (20%), metals (4%), glass (2%), textiles (1%), and wood (1%). In order to evaluate energy recovery potential from solid waste in Kakia open dumpsite landfill, the Gas Generation Model (LandGEM) was used. According to LandGEM results, landfill gas (methane and carbon dioxide) generation potential and capacity were determined. Kakia open dump has a methane potential of 83.52 m(3) per ton of waste. Deputyship for Research & Innovation, Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia [20-UQU-IF-P1-001] This research was funded by Deputyship for Research & Innovation, Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia grant number 20-UQU-IF-P1-001.

The aims of this study were to describe the variability in protein binding of teicoplanin in critically ill patients as well as the number of patients achieving therapeutic target concentrations. This report is part of the multinational pharmacokinetic DALI Study. Patients were sampled on a single day, with blood samples taken both at the midpoint and the end of the dosing interval. Total and unbound teicoplanin concentrations were assayed using validated chromatographic methods. The lower therapeutic range of teicoplanin was defined as total trough concentrations from 10 to 20 mg/L and the higher range as 10-30 mg/L. Thirteen critically ill patients were available for analysis. The following are the median (interquartile range) total and free concentrations (mg/L): midpoint, total 13.6(11.2-26.0) and free 1.5 (0.7-2.5); trough, total 11.9 (10.2-22.7) and free 1.8 (0.6-2.6). The percentage free teicoplanin for the mid-dose and trough time points was 6.9% (4.5-15.6%) and 8.2% (5.5-16.4%), respectively. The correlation between total and free antibiotic concentrations was moderate for both the midpoint (rho=0.79, P = 0.0021) and trough (rho = 0.63, P = 0.027). Only 42% and 58% of patients were in the lower and higher therapeutic ranges, respectively. In conclusion, use of standard dosing for teicoplanin leads to inappropriate concentrations in a high proportion of critically ill patients. Variability in teicoplanin protein binding is very high, placing significant doubt on the validity of total concentrations for therapeutic drug monitoring in critically ill patients. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. and the International Society of Chemotherapy. All rights reserved.

A bioassay-guided fractionation of Juniperus procera berries yielded antiparasitic, nematicidal and antifouling constituents, including a wide range of known abietane, pimarane and labdane diterpenes. Among these, abieta-7,13-diene (1) demonstrated in vitro antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum D6 and W2 strains (IC(50) = 1.9 and 2.0 microg/mL, respectively), while totarol (6), ferruginol (7) and 7beta-hydroxyabieta-8,13-diene-11,12-dione (8) inhibited Leishmania donovani promastigotes with IC(50) values of 3.5-4.6 microg/mL. In addition, totarol demonstrated nematicidal and antifouling activities against Caenorhabditis elegans and Artemia salina at a concentration of 80 microg/mL and 1 microg/mL, respectively. The resinous exudate of J. virginiana afforded known antibacterial E-communic acid (4) and 4-epi-abietic acid (5), while the volatile oil from its trunk wood revealed large quantities of cedrol (9). Using GC/MS, the two known abietanes totarol (6) and ferruginol (7) were identified from the berries of J. procera, J. excelsa and J. phoenicea.

The enhancing effect of sub-inhibitory concentrations of eugenol and isoeugenol with isoniazid, 6-paradol and 6-shogaol was evaluated in two different strains, Mycobacterium smegmatis and Candida albicans, using the in vitro checkerboard method. With M. smegmatis, isoeugenol (at ½ MIC) was able to lower the MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) of isoniazid and 6-paradol by 800 percent (10→1.25 μg/mL) and 400 percent (30→7.5 μg/mL), respectively. Against C. albicans, Isoeugenol (at ½ MIC) was also able to lower the MIC of 6-paradol by 1600 percent (60→3.75 μg/mL). Similar synergistic effects were not observed between isoeugenol and 6-shogaol. Eugenol failed to exhibit any of the synergistic effects of isoeugenol under the same experimental conditions. Isoeugenol is a promising enhancing agent for compounds with weak antimycobacterial and anticandidal activities. 6-Paradol may be a potential candidate for further combination studies due to its broader antimicrobial effect against both M. smegmati...

The aerial parts of Crotalaria emarginella Vatke (Leguminosae) have afforded a new steroidiridoid, characterized as 1’-hydroxy-isoiridomyrmecinyl- 1’-O-β -3-O-α-stigmast-5-ene, designated as crotasteroiridocin (1), which shows a unique combination of iridoid and sterol units, found very rarely in nature. Furthermore, a rare iridoid glucoside namely, bis-desoxy-dihydro-monotropein (2) has also been isolated from the aerial parts of the plant. The structures of the isolated products were elucidated on the basis of spectral and chemical studies. The anti-inflammatory activity has also been screened, wherein compounds 1 and 2 have shown 25.92% and 28.39% activity respectively, with respect to phenyl butazone against carrageenan employing the rat paw method.

Saffron, Crocus sativus Linn. (Family Iridaceae) commonly known as Zaa'fran is used as a flavoring agent and an important ingredient of Arabic coffee (Gahwa). It is also used in many gastric ailments. An aqueous suspension of saffron was subjected for evaluating gastric antiulcer activity induced by pylorus ligation (Shay rats), indomethacin and various necrotizing agents including (80% ethanol, 0.2 M NaOH and 25% NaCl) in rats. Gastric wall mucus and non-protein sulfhydryl contents were also estimated in rats. Histopathological assessment of rat stomach was carried out. The saffron aqueous suspension at doses (250 and 500 mg kg 1 ) exhibited decrease in basal gastric secretion and ulcer index in Shay rats and indomethacin treated groups. Gastric wall mucus elevation was observed. No significant histopathological changes were noted. A large margin of safety was observed in animals after acute and chronic treatment.) Saffron exhibited significant antisecretory and antiulcer activities without causing any deleterious effects on acute and chronic toxicity in rodents.

Three new diterpenes, namely jasonin-a (1), jasonin-b (2), and jasonin-c (3) were isolated from the aerial parts of Jasonia montana (Asteraceae). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data as [(1E)-2-((2S)-1,2,5-trimethylbicyclo[3.2.l]octan-8-yl)vinyl] benzene-3-carboxylic acid (1), [3-((2S, 5S)-1,2, 5-trimethylcycloheptanyl)propyl]benzene-3-carboxylic acid (2), and [(1E)-3-((7R)-1,7-dimethy-4-methylenecycloheptanyl)prop-1-enyl] benzene-3-carboxylic acid (3). In addition, the previously reported 5,7,3'-trihydroxy-3,6,4'-trimethoxy flavone designated as centaureidin (4), was also isolated and characterized from this source. The different extracts of the plant were also screened for hypoglycemic, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial activities, wherein the petroleum ether and ethanolic extracts exhibited hypoglycemic and antidiabetic activity, and the petroleum ether and chloroform extracts showed antimicrobial activity.

The caffeine content of selected herbal products and energy drinks available in the Saudi market was determined by HPTLC-UV densitometric analysis. Pre-coated HPTLC silica gel plates (20cm x 10cm) were used for the analysis. The solvent system consisted of ethyl acetate-methanol (85:15, v/v), and caffeine was detected at 275nm. The developed method was validated for specificity, repeatability (C.V. < 5%), recovery (98.90 +/- 3.46), and accuracy (99.84 +/- 2.87). The levels of caffeine were 4.76-13.29% (w/w) and 0.011-0.032% (w/v), for the herbal products and the energy drinks, respectively.

Three new furanoeremophilanes have been obtained from the aerial parts of Senecio asirensis (N. O. Asteraceae), and characterized as 6-hydroxylmethyl-9-methoxyl-4,11-dimethylnaphtho[2,3-b]furan, designated asirensane-a (1), 6-hydroxyl-1,2-dimethoxyl-4,6,11-trimethyl-6-hydronaphtho[2,3-a]furan-7-one, named asirensane-b (2), and (6,12-dihydroxyl-9-methoxyl-4-methyl-11-acetyl-3,4-dihydronaphtho[2,3-b]furan- 3-yl)methyl (2'Z)-2'-methyl-but-2'-enoate, designated asirensane-c (3). In addition, two rare furanoeremophilanes have also been isolated and characterized from this source, namely 9-methoxyl-4,11-dimethylnaphtho[2,3-b]furan, named 14-nordehydro-calohastine (4), and 4,11-dimethylnaphtho[2,3-b]furan-6,9-dione, designated as maturinone (5). Their structures have been elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis. The alcoholic extract was also tested for anti-inflammatory activity, which decreased edema by 22% at a dose of 500 mg kg-1 after 3 h with respect to the control group treated only with carrageenan, while the standard drug phenylbutazone showed a 50% decrease at a dose of 100 mg kg-1, indicating that the extract has moderate anti-inflammatory activity.

Two new lanosteriod type triterpenes have been isolated from the aerial parts of Combretum molle. Their structures have been established on the basis of spectral data as 3β,7α-dihydroxy lanost-5-ene, designated as combretene-A (1), and 3β-hydroxy-28-hydroxymethyl lanost-25(26)-ene, named as combretene-B (2). Previously reported compounds, such as a 1α-hydroxy cycloartenoid (mollic acid), and its 3α-L-arabinoside, 3β-D-xyloside and 3β-D-glucoside, have also been isolated from the plant.

Clutia richardiana L. is a traditional medicinal herb with demonstrated hypoglycemic effects. An HPLC method (Luna((R)) C(18) column, gradient elution, UV detection at 220 nm) has been utilized to determine the levels of the major diterpenes of C. richardiana in extracts obtained by using three different solvents. Extraction with the organic solvents methanol and acetonitrile was more efficient than aqueous extraction with hot water, but nine markers could be detected equally in all extracts. The aqueous extract was non-toxic against a number of human cell lines, which is a promising indication for its use as a safe and effective antidiabetic herbal preparation.

Sarcophine ( 1 ) is a furanocembranoid diterpene first reported from the Red Sea soft coral Sarcophyton glaucum with remarkable yields of up to 3% dry weight. Semisynthetic transformation of the lactone to lactam in sarcophine by reaction with benzyl and ethylamine afforded six new N -substituted azasarcophines ( 2 – 7 ), in addition to an asymmetric novel dimer 8 . The in vitro activity of azasarcophines against Palsmodium falciparium (D6 clone) and P. falciparium (W2 clone) are also discussed.

The aerial parts of Barbeya oleoides Schweinf (Family: Barbeyaceae) has afforded a new phenolic indane type component, which has been characterized as (6R, 4aR, 5aR)-5, 4a, 5atrihydroindeno- (1, 2-a) indane-2, 4, 9-triol-6-O-β-acetate (1) on the basis of spectral analysis and has been designated as barbeyol.

The antimicrobially active EtOH extracts of Maytenus heterophylla yielded a new dihydroagarofuran alkaloid,1b-acetoxy-9abenzoyloxy-2b,6a-dinicotinoyloxy-b-dihydroagarofuran, together with the known compounds b-amyrin, maytenfolic acid, 3ahydroxy-2-oxofriedelane-20a-carboxylic acid, lup-20(29)-ene-1b,3b-diol, (� )-4 0 -methylepigallocatechin, and (� )-epicatechin. In addition, b-amyrin, (� )-epicatechin and (� )-4 0 -methylepigallocatechin were isolated from Maytenus arbutifolia. The structure elucidation of the isolated compounds was based primarily on 1D and 2D NMR analyses, including HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY correlations. Maytenfolic acid showed moderate antimicrobial activity by inhibiting the growth of Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. # 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

The biflavanone (2S,2"S)-7,7"-di-O-methyltetrahydroamentoflavone and five known flavonoids, 7-O-methylnaringenin, 7,3'-O-dimethylquercetin, 7-O-methylapigenin, 7-O-methylluteolin, and eriodictyol were isolated from the leaves of Rhus retinorrhoea Steud, Ex Olive. The biflavanone exhibited moderate antimalarial activity with IC50 0.98 microg/ml against Plasmodium falciparum (W2 Clone) and weak activity against P. falciparum (D6 Clone) with IC50 2.8 microg/ml. Nevertheless, it did not display any cytotoxicity. 7-O-Methylnaringenin showed weak antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans, C. krusei, Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium smegmatis, M. intracellulare, and M. xenopi with MIC approximately 100 microg/ml. Characterization of each compound was based on spectral analysis and comparison with reported data.

Three new eudesmane sesquiterpenes, plectranthone (1), desacetylplectranthone (2), isodeacetylplectranthone (3), and the three known flavonols pachypodol, casticin, and chrysosplenol D were isolated for the first time from the aerial parts of Plectranthus cylindraceus. Their structures have been established on the basis of spectral data. The structures and relative stereochemistries of 1 and 2 were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis.

Microbial transformation of the germacranolide parthenolide using Rhizopus nigricans , Streptomyces fulvissimus and Rhodotorula rubra yielded three new compounds: 11αH-dihydroparthenolide, 9β-hydroxy-11βH-dihydroparthenolide and 14-hydroxy-11βH-dihydroparthenolide. 11βH-dihydroparthenolide was the only common metabolite produced by all microorganisms.

Five new alkylated benzoquinones were isolated as methyl ether derivatives from a complex mixture containing alkylated hydroxy benzoquinones, obtained from the fruits of Maesa lanceolata . The structures of the benzoquinones, named, 2-acetoxy-5-methoxy-6-methyl-3-tridecyl-1, 4-benzoquinone, 2-methoxy-5-acetoxy-6-methyl-3-tridecyl-1, 4-benzoquinone, 2-acetoxy-5-methoxy-6-methyl-3- [ ( z )-10′-pentadecenyl]-1,4-benzoquinone, 2-methoxy-5-acetoxy-6-methyl-3- [ ( z )-10′-pentadecenyl-1, 4-benzoquinone and 2,5-di- methoxy-6-methyl-3-tridecyl-1,4-benzoquinone, were based on 1 H and 13 C NMR data, mainly 2D NMR experiments, including 1 H– 13 C HMBC correlations, as well as chemical derivatization.

The aerial parts of Hypoestes forskalei yielded three new fusicoccane diterpene ketones, named deoxyhypoestenone, dehydrohypoestenone and hypoestene. The structure and relative stereochemistry of the diterpenes were based on 1 H and 13 C NMR data, mainly 2D NMR experiments, including 1 H 1 H long range COSY, 1 H 13 C long range HETCOR and 1 H 1 H NOESY correlations, as well as chemical derivation of deoxyhypoestenone to its corresponding 8(9)α-epoxy derivative.

The aerial parts of Vicoa pentanema yielded four new sesquiterpene lactones, namely, 10α-hydroxy-14H-inuviscolide (1), 4α,5α-epoxy-10α,11β,13H,14H-1-epi-inuviscolide 3-β-d-glucoside (2), 2α-O-acety...

The aerial parts of Hypoestes forskalei yielded a new fusicoccane diterpene ketone, named hypoestenone. Its structural assignment was based on chemical derivatization and 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopic studies, mainly 2D NMR experiments, including long-range COSY and HETCOR correlations. X-Ray crystallographic analysis established the complete structure and relative stereochemistry of the epoxide of hypoestenone.

The bark of Juniperus procera yielded the diterpene 7β-hydroxyabieta-8,13-dien-11,12-dione (1) with strong activity against Mycobacterium species, and the hitherto unreported bisnorlabdane derivative 14,15-bisnor-13-oxolabd-8(17),11(E)-dien-19-oic acid (4). In addition, the bark yielded the known compounds crypotrienolic acid, isocupressic acid and sugiol. Structural assignments were largely based on the spectral data, including those derived from 2D NMR COSY and HETCOR experiments.

The isolation of persicogenin [1], velutin [2] and (2S) 5,3',4' trihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone [3] and homoeriodictyol [4] from Rhus retinorrhoea (Anacardiaceae) is reported. The antimicrobial activity of the isolated compounds was studied. [1] and [2] were found devoid of any antimicrobial activity while [3] and [4] had weak activity (MIC; 200 µg/ml against Streptococcus faecalis and 300 µg/ml against Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, the LC 50 of the pure compounds were determined using the brine shrimp lethality assay, only velutin was significantly active.

The aerial parts of Cluytia richardiana yielded five new modified 6,7-secolabdane diterpene derivatives, saudinolide (4), dihydrosaudinolide (5), 5β-hydroxyrichardianidin 1(6), and 5β-hydroxyrichardianidin 2 (7), and the 6,7-seco-6,11-cyclo-20-norlabdane cluytene F (8). The structural assignments of the diterpenoids were based on their spectral data, including 2D NMR experiments, and chemical derivatization. X-ray crystallographic analyses provided unambiguous characterization of the structures and relative stereochemistries of 4, 6, 7, and 1-O-acetylcluytene F (10).

The bark of Juniperus procera yielded three antibacterial diterpenoids, (+)-E-communic acid (1), (+)-Z-communic acid (2) and (+)-totarol (3). Compound 2 exhibited significant activity against Gram-positive bacteria, while 1 was found to be less active. Compound 3, on the other hand, demonstrated potent activity against Mycobacterium organisms, while its corresponding 3β-hydroxy-derivative 4 was found to be inactive. The chromatographic separation of (+)-Z-communic acid (2) from (+)-E-communic acid (1) and those previously unreported spectral data of 1 and 2 are described. In addition, the leaves yielded (+)-8α-acetoxyelemol, β-peltatin A methyl ether and deoxypodophyllotoxin.

The aerial parts of Teucrium yemense yielded four new neo-clerodane diterpenoids, namely, 6β-O-acetyl-3β-hydroxyteucroxylepin, teucryemin, 19-O-acetylteucryemin and teucryeminone, in addition to the known flavone cirsiliol. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated from their spectral data, by chemical derivatization and by comparison with closely related compounds.

The aerial parts of Cluytia richardiana yielded three new modified labdane diterpenoids, named cluytene C, D and E. The structural assignments of the diterpenoids were based on 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopic studies, mainly 2D NMR experiments, including homonuclear and heteronuelear correlations. X-ray crystallographic analysis provided unambiguous characterization of the structure and relative stereochemistry of cluytene D.

The aerial parts of Cluytia richardiana yielded two new labdane-type diterpenoids, named cluytene A [3] and cluytene B [4]. The stuctural assignments and relative stereochemistry of both compounds were established from 2D nmr spectral data and by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Furthermore, cluytene B [4] was found to undergo a peculiar elimination reaction when treated with 1,5-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-5-ene to give the highly conjugated product 5

Two new isomeric axane and oppositane sesquiterpene derivatives, named teclenone A (1) and teclenone B (2), were isolated from the aerial parts of Teclea nobilis. Their structures have been established on the basis of (1)H and (13)C NMR spectral data, notably 2D NMR (1)H-(1)H COSY, (1)H-(13)C HMQC, (1)H-(13)C HMBC, and (1)H-(1)H NOESY experiments. This appears to be the first report of the rare axane and oppositane sesquiterpenes from the plant family Rutaceae.

Three new kaurene diterpenes were isolated from the aerial parts of Psiadia arabica . The structures and absolute stereochemistries of these compounds were determined from their spectral data and chemical transformations; X-ray crystallographic analysis provided unambiguous characterization of one of the diterpenes.

The aerial parts of Pulicaria glutinosa yielded the diterpene, strictic acid, and its two new derivatives, pulic acid and 15-deoxypulic acid. Their structural assignments were largely based on 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. A fourth compound, the new bisabolene sesquiterpene puliglutoic acid, was also obtained, and its structure determined from its spectroscopic data and by chemical derivatization.

Two diterpenes from Juniperus excelsa, obtained by bioautography-guided isolation technique, were found to possess significant antibacterial activity in a two-fold serial dilution assay. (+)-Ferruginol (abieta-8,11,13-triene-12-ol) (1) and (−)-sandaracopimeric acid (isopimara-8(14), 15-diene-18-oic acid) (2) exhibited significant activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus durans, while their corresponding 3β-hydroxy derivatives [(hinokiol (3) and 3β-hydroxysandaracopimeric acid (4), also isolated from J. excelsa)] were found to be inactive. (+)-Ferruginol, in addition, demonstrated strong activity against Mycobacterium smegmatis, M. intracellulare, M. xenopi and M. cheloni. The minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined for all compounds isolated from the active bioautographic zones, and were compared to those of the standard antibiotics chloramphenicol and streptomycin sulphate.

The leaves of Juniperus excelsa yielded the hitherto unreported diterpenoid 3β,12-dihydroxyabieta-8,11,13- triene-1-one together with the known compounds 4- epi -abietal, 4- epi -abietic acid, 4-epi-abietol, (+)-8α-hydroxyelemol and (−)-4- epi -catechin. The structural assignments were largely based on the spectral data including those derived from 2D NMR experiments together with chemical derivation.

The aerial parts of Psiadia arabica yielded two new constituents: a flavone, 5,7,3′-trihydroxy-2′,4′,5′-trimethoxyflavone, the structure of which was derived from spectral data and chemical derivatization, and a kaurane diterpene named psiadian, which was characterized unambiguously from its chemical and spectral data in conjunction with X-ray crystallography.

Aerial parts of Pulicaria glutinosa yielded three bisabolene sesquiterpenes, puliglutol, puliglutal and puliglutone; structural assignments were based largely on their 2D NMR spectral data. A fourth sesquiterpene, the guaiane cyclo-epoxypuliglene, was also obtained, and its structure and relative stereochemistry were established by X-ray crystallographic analysis.