Search

Aromatic ginger or kencur (Kaempferia galanga L.) rhizomes are ground as a spice or pickled for consumption in south-east Asian cuisines; although widely used, until recently it has been less studied chemically than white and red ginger. Hydro-distillate extracts have identified several compounds that exhibit anticancer activity against select tumor cell lines in vitro, and most recently chemical analyses have focused on rhizome metabolites present in organic extracts. Here we report on two new diterpenoids including Δ8(14),15 polyhydroxlated isopimardienes, 1α-hydroperoxy-2α,6,7-trihydroxy-isopimara-6(7),8(14),15-triene (kaemgalangol E; 1) and 1α,7β-hydroxy-isopimara-8(14),15-diene (kaemgalangol F; 2), along with the known compound, marginaol A (3) from a CH2Cl2/MeOH extract of the rhizome. Structural elucidation was based on spectroscopic analysis including HRMS, FTIR, as well as 1D and 2D NMR. A proposed biosynthetic pathway for compounds 1–3 is presented and chemo-systematic analysis indicates that K. galanga has the enzymatic machinery to synthesize an array of Δ8(14),15 isopimardienes as well as methoxylated cinnamates.

Plants are considered green resources for thousands of bioactive compounds. Essential oils (EOs) are an important class of secondary compounds with various biological activities, including allelopathic and antimicrobial activities. Herein, the present study aimed to compare the chemical profiles of the EOs of the widely distributed medicinal plant Calotropis procera collected from Saudi Arabia and Egypt. In addition, this study also aimed to assess their allelopathic and antimicrobial activities. The EOs from Egyptian and Saudi ecospecies were extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed via GC-MS. The correlation between the analyzed EOs and those published from Egypt, India, and Nigeria was assessed by principal component analysis (PCA) and agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC). The allelopathic activity of the extracted EOs was tested against two weeds (Bidens pilosa and Dactyloctenium aegyptium). Moreover, the EOs were tested for antimicrobial activity against seven bacterial and two fungal strains. Ninety compounds were identified from both ecospecies, where 76 compounds were recorded in Saudi ecospecies and 33 in the Egyptian one. Terpenes were recorded as the main components along with hydrocarbons, aromatics, and carotenoids. The sesquiterpenes (54.07%) were the most abundant component of EO of the Saudi sample, while the diterpenes (44.82%) represented the mains of the Egyptian one. Hinesol (13.50%), trans-chrysanthenyl acetate (12.33%), 1,4-trans-1,7-cis-acorenone (7.62%), phytol (8.73%), and myristicin (6.13%) were found as the major constituents of EO of the Saudi sample, while phytol (38.02%), n-docosane (6.86%), linoleic acid (6.36%), n-pentacosane (6.31%), and bicyclogermacrene (4.37%) represented the main compounds of the Egyptian one. It was evident that the EOs of both ecospecies had potent phytotoxic activity against the two tested weeds, while the EO of the Egyptian ecospecies was more effective, particularly on the weed D. aegyptium. Moreover, the EOs showed substantial antibacterial and antifungal activities. The present study revealed that the EOs of Egyptian and Saudi ecospecies were different in quality and quantity, which could be attributed to the variant environmental and climatic conditions. The EOs of both ecospecies showed significant allelopathic and antimicrobial activity, therefore, these EOs could be considered as potential green eco-friendly resources for weed and microbe control, considering that this plant is widely grown in arid habitats.

Cyperus has been commonly used as a multi-use medicinal plant in folk medicine worldwide. The objectives of our study were to determine the different metabolites in the Cyperus conglomeratus Rottb. methanol extract, and to assess its in vivo gastroprotective effect in ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in rats. Serum levels of galactin-3 and TNF-&alpha, were employed as biochemical markers. To pinpoint for active agents, comprehensive metabolites profiling of extract via UPLC-qTOF-MS/MS was employed. A total of 77 chromatographic peaks were detected, of which 70 were annotated. The detected metabolites were categorized into phenolic acids and their derivatives, flavonoids, stilbenes, aurones, quinones, terpenes, and steroids. Rats were divided into six groups, healthy control, ulcer control, standard drug group, and 25, 50, 100 mg/kg of C. conglomeratus treated rats. Pre-treatment with C. conglomeratus alcohol extract significantly reduced galactin-3, and TNF-&alpha, in ethanol-induced ulcer model at 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg. Further histopathological and histochemical studies revealed moderate erosion of superficial epithelium, few infiltrated inflammatory cells, and depletion of gastric tissue glycoprotein in the ulcer group. Treatment with the extract protected the gastric epithelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. It could be concluded that C. conglomeratus extract provides significant gastroprotective activity in ethanol-induced gastric ulcer and ought to be included in nutraceuticals in the future for ulcer treatment.

Two new E/Z neo-clerodane diterpene isomers, trivially named stachaegyptin D (1) and E (2), together with known compounds, stachysolon monoacetate (3) and stachysolon diacetate (4), were isolated from an organic-solvent extract of the medicinal herb Stachys aegyptiaca. Structures were elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic methods, including HREIMS, 1H, 13C, DEPT, and 2D NMR analysis, as well as, first time X-ray analysis for stachysolone (3). All isolated metabolites showed some activity against the human hepatocellular cell line, HepG2. Compound 4 was the most active with an IC50 of 59.5 μM.

Background: Plants belonging to the genus Kaempferia (family: Zingiberaceae) are distributed in Asia, especially in the southeast region, and Thailand. They have been widely used in traditional medicines to cure metabolic disorders, inflammation, urinary tract infections, fevers, coughs, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, abdominal and gastrointestinal ailments, asthma, wounds, rheumatism, epilepsy, and skin diseases. Objective: Herein, we reported a comprehensive review, including the traditional applications, biological and pharmacological advances, and phytochemical constituents of Kaempheria species from 1972 up to early 2019. Materials and methods: All the information and reported studies concerning Kaempheria plants were summarized from library and digital databases (e.g., Google Scholar, Sci-finder, PubMed, Springer, Elsevier, MDPI, Web of Science, etc.). The correlation between the Kaempheria species was evaluated via principal component analysis (PCA) and agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC), based on the main chemical classes of compounds. Results: Approximately 141 chemical constituents have been isolated and reported from Kaempferia species, such as isopimarane, abietane, labdane and clerodane diterpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, phenyl-heptanoids, curcuminoids, tetrahydropyrano-phenolic, and steroids. A probable biosynthesis pathway for the isopimaradiene skeleton is illustrated. In addition, 15 main documented components of volatile oils of Kaempheria were summarized. Biological activities including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticholinesterase, antioxidant, anti-obesity-induced dermatopathy, wound healing, neuroprotective, anti-allergenic, and anti-nociceptive were demonstrated. Conclusions: Up to date, significant advances in phytochemical and pharmacological studies of different Kaempheria species have been witnessed. So, the traditional uses of these plants have been clarified via modern in vitro and in vivo biological studies. In addition, these traditional uses and reported biological results could be correlated via the chemical characterization of these plants. All these data will support the biologists in the elucidation of the biological mechanisms of these plants.

Background: Plants belonging to the genus Kaempferia (family: Zingiberaceae) are distributed in Asia, especially in the southeast region, and Thailand. They have been widely used in traditional medicines to cure metabolic disorders, inflammation, urinary tract infections, fevers, coughs, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, abdominal and gastrointestinal ailments, asthma, wounds, rheumatism, epilepsy, and skin diseases. Objective: Herein, we reported a comprehensive review, including the traditional applications, biological and pharmacological advances, and phytochemical constituents of Kaempheria species from 1972 up to early 2019. Materials and methods: All the information and reported studies concerning Kaempheria plants were summarized from library and digital databases (e.g., Google Scholar, Sci-finder, PubMed, Springer, Elsevier, MDPI, Web of Science, etc.). The correlation between the Kaempheria species was evaluated via principal component analysis (PCA) and agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC), based on the main chemical classes of compounds. Results: Approximately 141 chemical constituents have been isolated and reported from Kaempferia species, such as isopimarane, abietane, labdane and clerodane diterpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, phenyl-heptanoids, curcuminoids, tetrahydropyrano-phenolic, and steroids. A probable biosynthesis pathway for the isopimaradiene skeleton is illustrated. In addition, 15 main documented components of volatile oils of Kaempheria were summarized. Biological activities including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticholinesterase, antioxidant, anti-obesity-induced dermatopathy, wound healing, neuroprotective, anti-allergenic, and anti-nociceptive were demonstrated. Conclusions: Up to date, significant advances in phytochemical and pharmacological studies of different Kaempheria species have been witnessed. So, the traditional uses of these plants have been clarified via modern in vitro and in vivo biological studies. In addition, these traditional uses and reported biological results could be correlated via the chemical characterization of these plants. All these data will support the biologists in the elucidation of the biological mechanisms of these plants.

Artemisia herba-alba is widely used in traditional medicines for the treatment of several diseases. From the aerial parts organic extract of A. herba-alba, two new compounds, 1,3,8-trihydroxyeudesm-4-en-7α,11βH-12,6α-olide (1) and 5-β-​D-​glucopyranosyloxy​-​7-methoxy-​6H-​benzopyran-​2-​one (2), respectively, together with five known metabolites: 3α,8β-dihydroxygermacr-4(15),9(10)-dien-7β,11αH,12,6α-olide (3), 1β,8α-dihydroxy-11α,13-dihydrobalchanin (4), 11-epiartapshin (5), tomenin (6) and benzoic acid, p-​(β-​D-​glucopyranosyloxy)​-​methyl ester (7), were isolated and identified. The chemical structures were proven depending upon spectroscopic analysis, including 1 D/2D NMR as and ESI-MS. Compound 1 inhibited Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. Compounds 2 and 3 exhibited antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

Medicinal plants from the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula are widely used in traditional Bedouin medicine to treat a range of conditions including cancer, and as such are a promising resource for novel anti-cancer compounds. To achieve scientific justification of traditional use and/or to recommend the use of those plants as medicinal herbs for cancer chemoprevention, a group of 11 Sinai plants of different species that belong to 3 families (Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, and Euphorbiaceae) were biologically screened for cancer preventive activity using the chemoprevention marker enzyme NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). Among the fractions assayed, a solvent extract from Pulicaria incisa had potent NQO1 inducing activity. Further analysis of the mechanism of induction revealed the concentration-dependent stabilization of the transcription factor NF-E2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and a coordinate upregulation of the Nrf2-dependent enzymes NQO1, heme oxygenase 1 and glutathione S-transferase-Pi. These results establish P. incisa as a promising target for future phytochemical characterization for cancer preventive components.

Kaempferia galanga (Family Zingiberaceae) is a widely distributed Asian medicinal plant and cultured crop. Several traditional uses of the rhizomes of this plant have been reported with widely using as flavors and spice in cooking. The present work concerned the isolation and identification as well as antiproliferative activity of metabolites of the rhizomes of K. galanga. Three new polyoxygenated isopimarane diterpenoids, kaemgalangols B-D (1-3), were isolated and identified in addition to 20 knowns (4-27), one monoterpene (28), and five known phenolic compounds (29-33). The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were established mainly based upon the spectroscopic analysis such as FT-IR, 1D and 2D NMR, and HRMS. The antiproliferative activity of all isolates was screened against CCRF-CEM leukemia cells using a fixed concentration of 30 μM. Dose response curve of compounds 19 and 20 showed IC50 values of ≤ 50 μM against CCRF-CEM, MDAMB-231-pcDNA and HCT116 (p53+/+). Compound 20 showed the most potent activity against three tested cell lines with IC50 values of 35.28, 61.60, and 42.77 μM, respectively.

New sesquiterpenes tanacetolide A–C (1–3) were isolated from a Tanacetum sinaicum extract together with known compounds (4–10). The structures were elucidated on the basis of MS and NMR spectroscopic data. All the compounds were evaluated for the inhibition of inducible nitric oxide (NO) production in a mouse peritoneal macrophage system. Iso-seco-tanapartholide-3-O-methyl ether (4) produced potent inhibition of NO production (IC50 = 1.0 μM). At the protein expression level, 4 elicited concentration-dependant down-regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase.

Background Gastric ulcer is one of the main prevalent gastrointestinal multi-etiological disorders with many associated complications and adverse effects. Our aim was to develop safer antiulcer therapies based on methanol or ethyl acetate extracts of tubers and aerial parts from Cyperus alternifolius. Methods Gastric ulceration was experimentally generated by administration of single oral doses of indomethacin (30 mg/kg) to fasted rats. The animals received methanol or ethyl acetate extracts of C. alternifolius tuber and methanol or ethyl acetate extracts of aerial parts at two dose levels (50 or 100 mg/kg). Ranitidine (50 mg/kg) was used as standard anti-ulcer drug. After 4 h, the ulcer number and the total ulcer score were determined and TNF-α was assessed. Also, pathological and histochemical examination for gastric mucosa were performed. The metabolome heterogeneity of the different extracts was explored using (UPLC-MS) aided by supervised pattern recognition, i.e., orthogonal partial least squares discriminate analysis (OPLS-DA). A second OPLS-DA model was employed to link the UPLC-MS derived metabolome of the different extracts to their antiulcer activity to identify activity mediating metabolites. Results The extracts significantly reduced ulcer number, total ulcer score and TNF-α content in the stomach. Methanol or ethyl acetate extracts of tubers were most effective even more than ranitidine. In parallel, the histopathological examination showed an improvement of damaged mucosa. A high PAS reaction was observed in the treated groups indicating a relieve of the mucosal layer. A mechanistic clue of the C. alternifolius antiulcer potential was provided by the identification of its bioactive compounds using OPLS-DA. Both methanol extracts of tubers and aerial parts were more enriched in phenolic acids. The ethyl acetate extract of the aerial part was more abundant in two aldehydes. A mechanism of action was postulated based on their reported actions viz. α-carbonic anhydrase inhibition, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity by its antioxidant activity and downregulation of several inflammatory mediators. Conclusion This is the first study to report on the antiulcer activity of C. alternifolius tubers with identification of the key bioactive compounds and the mode of action. Future phytochemical and biological evaluation of the identified bioactive compounds are needed to confirm the plant tubers as safer alternative or adjunct therapy compared to conventional antiulcer drugs.

Euphorbia species were widely used in traditional medicines for the treatment of several diseases. From the aerial parts of Egyptian endemic plant, Euphorbia sanctae-catharinae, three new premyrsinane diterpenoids, namely, euphosantianane E&ndash, G (1&ndash, 3), alongside four known triterpenes, 9,19-cyclolanostane-3&beta, 24S-diol (4), 25-methoxycycloartane-3&beta, 24S-diol (5), 25-methylenecycloartan-3&beta, 24R-diol (6), and 25-methylenecycloartan-3&beta, 24S-diol (7), were isolated and identified. The chemical structures were proven depending upon spectroscopic analysis, including FTIR, HRFABMS, and 1D/2D-NMR. The chemotaxonomic significance of the isolated compounds, especially diterpenes from E. sanctae-catharinae compared to those documented from different Euphorbia species was also studied via agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC). The Egyptian endemic Euphorbia sanctae-catharina was grouped with E. bupleuroides, E. fidjiana, E. fischeriana, E. pithyusa subsp. cupanii, E. prolifera, and E. seguieriana, where myrsinol diterpenoids were the characteristic compounds.

From newly isolated sesquiterpenes (I), (II), and (III) only (I) shows intermediate inhibition of NO production in a mouse peritoneal macrophage system (IC50: 15.7 μM).

Medicinal plants have been used as a source of remedies since ancient times in Egypt. The present study was designed to investigate the antibacterial activity and the cytotoxicity of the organic extracts from 16 selected medicinal plants of Egypt. The study was also extended to the isolation of the antiproliferative compound jaeschkeanadiol p-hydroxybenzoate (FH-25) from Ferula hermonis. The microbroth dilution was used to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the samples against twelve bacterial strains belonging to four species, Providencia stuartii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli, while a resazurin assay was used to assess the cytotoxicity of the extracts on the human pancreatic cancer cell line MiaPaCa-2, breast cancer cell line MCF-7, CCRF-CEM leukemia cells, and their multidrug resistant subline, CEM/ADR5000. The results of the MIC determination indicated that all the studied crude extracts were able to inhibit the growth of at least one of the tested bacterial species, the best activity being recorded with the crude extracts from F. hermonis and Vitis vinifera, whichwere active against 91.7% and 83.3% of the studied bacteria, respectively. The lowest MIC value of 128 μg/mL was recorded against P. stuartii ATCC 29916 and E. coli ATCC 10536 with the extract from V. vinifera and Commiphora molmol, respectively. In the cytotoxicity study, IC50 values below 20 μg/mL were recorded for the crude extract of F. hermonis on all four studied cancer cell lines. FH-25 also showed good cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells (IC50: 2.47 μg/mL). Finally, the results of the present investigation provided supportive data for the possible use of the plant extracts investigated herein, mostly F. hermonis and V. vinifera in the treatment of bacterial infections and jaeschkeanadiol p-hydroxybenzoate in the control of cancer diseases.