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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.

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.

The inadequate role of silver nanoparticles is evident from their underutilization in myriad applications in the modern era. Herein we report the environment-friendly, facile, and robust synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) from alcoholic extracts of black cumin (Bunium persicum) seeds to reduce and stabilise agents. The extract principally consists of nigellon, terpenoid, thymoquinone, polyene, phenylpropanoids, and phototoxic furanocoumarins. The effect of pH revealed that the BCS@Ag-NPs were more stable at neutral pH than acidic and basic. A change in the size and number of BCS@Ag-NPs was observed at high sodium chloride solution concentrations showing their instability in a concentrated salt solution. The synthesized BCS@Ag-NPs were considered significant catalysts showed by approximate 99% conversion of the 4-nitrophenolate anion into 4-aminophenol in 24 min. The surface plasmon resonance of BCS@Ag-NPs at 430 nm was recorded on UV–Vis spectrometer, and particle size ranging from 35 to 77 nm was measured through scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis. FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of amines, alcohols and amide functional groups at 3365 cm−1, 1646 cm−1 and 1026 cm−1 capped along with the reduction of BCS@Ag-NPs. The firm peaks for Ag atoms in BCS@Ag-NPs at almost 0.4, 3.1 and 3.2 keV in EDX analysis showed the presence of elemental silver. Nevertheless, the alcoholic seed extract and synthesized BCS@Ag-NPs exhibited excellent various pharmacological activities. Both the tested samples significantly inhibited Urease, CA-II, PDE-I. The inhibitory potential against tyrosinase was appreciated against extract as compared to BCS@Ag-NPs. The alcoholic extract was effective in the inhibition of E. coli. Both of the tested samples proved significant analgesia in the acetic acid-induced writhing model. A noticeable sedative response was observed as a compared extract. No mortality was detected in acute toxicity. In conclusion, these results provide the scientific rationale to the folklore of black cumin for GIT problems, hypertension, bronchodilation and analgesic.

Fast, simple, and environmentally friendly gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) capped and stabilized with black cumin (Bunium persicum) seed alcohol extract are reported. The aqueous gold ions (Au3+) were treated with B. persicum (BP) seed extract, which resulted in a rapid color change to red, indicating the synthesis of Au-NPs. UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, SEM, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques were used to further characterize the Au-NPs. Its stability was assessed against various pH levels and sodium chloride levels (NaCl), different salts of same concentration as well as at a range of temperature (30–100°C). The UV-Vis spectrum in the Au-NPs produced a 540 nm plasmon surface resonance, and a 25–50 nm range of particulates was shown in the SEM analysis. In addition, the FTIR spectra confirmed the inclusion in the capping and decrease of Au-NPs of amines, amide groups, and alcohols. The EDX analysis confirmed the presence of element Au. Furthermore, Au-NPs were tested for enzyme inhibition and antibacterial and antifungal activities and showed remarkable response. These findings have concluded that BP seed extract is an effective bio-reductant of gold nanoparticle synthesis, which can be further applied in different biomedical and pharmaceutical industries.

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.

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

الملخص: أهداف البحث: تقييم مدى انتشار اختلال الدهون في الدم وأنماط مستوى الدهون والعوامل المرتبطة بذلك بين طلاب الجامعة اليمنيين. طرق البحث: أجريت هذه الدراسة -المقطعية على مجموعة من ٢٤٠ طالبا يمنيا (١١٦ ذكورا ١٢٤ إناثا) في جامعة إب. تم اختيار الطلاب بطريقة عشوائية من الكليات المختلفة للجامعة. كما تم الحصول على المعلومات الديمغرافية والسريرية من جميع المشاركين. تم جمع عينات الدم من جميع الطلاب وهم صائمون لقياس مستويات المصل لكل من الكولسترول الكلي، والدهون الثلاثية، وكوليسترول البروتينات الدهنية منخفضة الكثافة، وكوليسترول البروتينات الدهنية عالية الكثافة. تم استخدام معايير البرنامج الوطني الأمريكي التعليمي للكوليسترول – برنامج معالجة البالغين الثالث (NCEP-ATP III). النتائج: كان متوسط العمر للمشاركين ١٩.٨± ١.٨ عاما؛ من بينهم ٤٨.٣٪ من الذكور و٥١.٧٪ من الإناث. كان ٥٦.٧٪ من المشاركين ينتمون إلى المناطق الريفية. وكان ماضغي القات والمدخنين ٦٣.٣٪ و٦.٧٪ على التوالي. لم يوجد طلاب يعانون من السمنة في هذه الدراسة، ولكن كان هناك ١١.٧٪ من الطلاب يعانون من زيادة الوزن. كان معدل الانتشار العام لاختلال الدهون في الدم بين الطلاب المشاركين ٨٦.٧٪، وارتفاع الكوليسترول في الدم ٢١.٧٪، وزيادة الدهون الثلاثية في الدم ٢٣.٨٪ وزيادة كوليسترول البروتينات الدهنية منخفضة الكثافة ٣١.٧٪ وانخفاض كوليسترول البروتينات الدهنية عالية الكثافة ٨١.٧٪. وكانت الدهون المختلطة منتشرة عند ٨.٨٪ من الطلاب. بلغ معدل الانتشار المنعزل لكلا من ارتفاع الكوليسترول، وزيادة الدهون الثلاثية، وانخفاض كوليسترول البروتينات الدهنية عالية الكثافة ١٢.٩٪، ١٥٪، و٧٠٪، على التوالي. كان اختلال الدهون في الدم مرتبطا بشكل كبير مع الجنس من الذكور، وتقدم العمر، والإقامة الحضرية، والكليات الطبية والعلوم الطبيعية. من ناحية أخرى، كان التدخين، ومضغ القات، والنشاط البدني، واستهلاك الوجبات السريعة، والفواكه والخضروات، وتناول الأسماك من العوامل غير المرتبطة باختلال الدهون في الدم. الاستنتاجات: هذه هي أول دراسة بشرية أجريت في جامعة إب خلال الحرب في اليمن. وكان اختلال الدهون في الدم منتشرا كثيرا بين الطلاب الجامعيين اليمنيين الأصحاء في مدينة إب. وكان انخفاض كوليسترول البروتينات الدهنية عالية الكثافة أكثر أنواع الاختلالات الدهنية في الدم انتشارا، يليه زيادة مستويات كوليسترول البروتينات الدهنية منخفضة الكثافة. وارتبط الجنس، والعمر، ومكان الإقامة ونوع الكلية ارتباطا وثيقا باختلال الدهون في الدم. تشير هذه النتائج إلى الحاجة إلى برامج متخصصة لتحديد مستويات الدهون في الدم، لبدء برامج التدخل للحد من انتشار اختلال الدهون في الدم ومنع مضاعفاتها بين طلاب الجامعة اليمنيين. Abstract: Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of dyslipidemia and patterns of lipid profile and associated factors among Yemeni university students. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 240 Yemeni students (116 males and 124 females) at Ibb University. The students were randomly selected from various faculties of the university. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from all participants. Fasting blood specimens were collected from all students for measurement of serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) were used. Results: The mean age of the studied cohort was 19.8 ± 1.8 years; 48.3% were men and 51.7% were women. About 56.7% of the participants were from rural areas. Qat chewers and cigarette smokers comprised 63.3% and 6.7% of the cohort, respectively. No obese students were found in this study; however, 11.7% were overweight. The overall prevalence of dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, high LDL-C, and low HDL-C among the participating students were 86.7%, 21.7%, 23.8%, 31.7%, and 81.7%, respectively. Mixed hyperlipidemia was present in 8.8% of the students. The prevalence of isolated hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and low HDL-C was 12.9%, 15%, and 70%, respectively. Dyslipidemia was significantly associated with male sex, increasing age, urban residence, and medical and natural science faculties. In contrast, smoking, qat chewing, physical activity, and the consumption of fast food, fruits and vegetables, and fish were not significantly associated with dyslipidemia. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first human study conducted at Ibb University during wartime in Yemen. Dyslipidemia was highly prevalent among healthy Yemeni university students in Ibb city. Low HDL-C was the most prevalent type of dyslipidemia, followed by increased levels of LDL-C. Gender, age, residence, and type of faculty were also closely related to dyslipidemia. These results indicate the need for specialized programs to determine blood lipid levels and initiate intervention programs to reduce the prevalence and prevent the complications of dyslipidemia among Yemeni university students. الكلمات المفتاحية: اختلال الدهون في الدم, إب, الطلاب, ارتفاع الكوليسترول, زيادة الدهون الثلاثية في الدم, Keywords: Dyslipidemia, Hypercholesterolemia, Hypertriglyceridemia, Ibb, Students

Aims: To examine the effects of the administration of CD on lipid metabolism and liver enzymes in hyperlipidemic subjects. Study design: 20 subjects were divided into two groups, each containing ten subjects. Each subject in the 1st group ingested 1g, while the subject in the 2nd group ingested 2g of CD powder as a broth suspension in a single daily dose before lunch during the follow up period of one month. Patients kept their individual diet relatively constant. Methodology: We included 20 hyperlipidemic volunteers (men; age range 20-50 years) of a total of 80 subjects. Blood samples were taken and analyzed for total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), atherogenic index (AI), serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Results: The results of the present study show a significant decrease in the levels of TC, LDL-C and TG in 1g and 2g of CD administration groups by 12.6, 24.1, 17.1% and 19.9, 25.5 23.4% respectively while the level of HDL-C was significantly increased by 45.6 and 32.5% in 1g and 2g respectively. The atherogenic index (AI) was significantly decreased in 1g and 2g groups by and 47.4% and 45.5% respectively. Our results also show that, CD administration in 1g and 2g subjects causes a significant decrease in ALT and AST by 39.2, 32% and 48.5, 33.3% respectively while the level of ALP was non-significantly decreased. Conclusion: dietary supplementation with CD administration decreased serum lipid profile and liver enzymes in hyperlipidemic subjects. Therefore, it may be regarded as a useful therapy for hyperlipidemia and liver disease. However, further studies are required to compare it with other medicinal plants and with lipid lowering drugs.

Aims: To examine the protective properties of vitamin C (vitC) and E (vitE) on DM induced nephrotoxicity in male guinea pigs. Study Design:Twenty male rats were randomly grouped into four. �1 � = Control, �2 � = Vitamins (C & E) treated, �3 � = Dimethoate (DM) treated and �4 � = Vitamins treated plus DM treated.

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a widely used organophosphorus insecticide throughout the world inagriculture and anti-termites around homes. Silymarin is a naturally occurring substance and hasantioxidant effects. For decades, it has been used clinically in Europe for the treatment ofalcoholic liver disease and as anti-hepatotoxic agent. Therefore, the present study aimed toassess the protective and curative effect of silymarin in attenuating the CPF-inducedimmunotoxicity in rats, by measuring the level of immunoglobulin G (IgG), lymphocyteviability, neutrophil phagocytic function assay, total white blood cells count (WBC) and relativedifferential white blood cells count, as well as nitric oxide (NO) level and catalase activity. Thetreatment with CPF decreased lymphocyte viability, neutrophil phagocytic index, total whiteblood cells count, relative lymphocyte count, IgG concentration and catalase activity. On theother hand, a high level of NO was detected upon animal treatment with CPF. Interestingly,pre- and post-treatment with silymarin to CPF-treated group improved the lymphocyte viability,total white blood cells count, relative lymphocyte count, catalase activity and the NO level. Preandpost-treatment with silymarin recovered phagocytic activity of neutrophils and restored IgGlevel. In conclusion, silymarin has both protective and curative effects against CPF-inducedimmunotoxicity may be through its anti-oxidant effects.

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.