Two new ceramides, irisamides A (1) and B (2), together with a new isoflavone, iridin S (3) have been isolated from the MeOH extract of the rhizomes of Iris germanica L. (Iridaceae). Their structures were established by UV, IR, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR experiments, in addition to comparison with literature data. The isolated compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activity against different cancer cell lines.

Introduction: Earthworms are the major biomass in soil. They have been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for a long time. However, in the past few decades with the development of biochemical technologies the research on the pharmaceutical effects of earthworms has been commencement. Aims: Experiments were conducted to recognize the therapeutic properties such as anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and antioxidant activities of biologically active extract isolated from two species of earthworm (Pheretima hawayana Rosa and Allolobophora caliginosa Savigny). Materials and methods: Inflammation in the hind paw of albino rat (Rattus rattus) was induced by histamine, pyrexia was induced by Escherichia coli in rats and liver damage was induced by injection of rats with CCl4. Anti-inflammatory drug - indomethacin, anti-pyretic drug - paracetamol and antioxidant drug - silymarin plus were used as standard drugs for comparison. Results: Administration of earthworms extract (100 mg/kg) and indomethacin (10 mg/kg), paracetamol (150 mg/kg), silymarin plus (150 mg/kg) as standard drugs reduced and restored to normal the changes that induced by histamine, Escherichia coli and CCl4 in rats. Conclusions: The present study conclude that both extracts of earthworms gave result as anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic similar to the standard drugs. The extract of the two species showed various responds as antioxidants against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity.

Introduction: Earthworms are the major biomass in soil. They have been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for a long time. However, in the past few decades with the development of biochemical technologies the research on the pharmaceutical effects of earthworms has been commencement. Aims: Experiments were conducted to recognize the therapeutic properties such as anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and antioxidant activities of biologically active extract isolated from two species of earthworm (Pheretima hawayana Rosa and Allolobophora caliginosa Savigny). Materials and methods: Inflammation in the hind paw of albino rat (Rattus rattus) was induced by histamine, pyrexia was induced by Escherichia coli in rats and liver damage was induced by injection of rats with CCl4. Anti-inflammatory drug - indomethacin, anti-pyretic drug - paracetamol and antioxidant drug - silymarin plus were used as standard drugs for comparison. Results: Administration of earthworms extract (100 mg/kg) and indomethacin (10 mg/kg), paracetamol (150 mg/kg), silymarin plus (150 mg/kg) as standard drugs reduced and restored to normal the changes that induced by histamine, Escherichia coli and CCl4 in rats. Conclusions: The present study conclude that both extracts of earthworms gave result as anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic similar to the standard drugs. The extract of the two species showed various responds as antioxidants against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity.

Many Crinum species are traditionally used in different parts of the world for various local pains, inflammatory processes and microbial infections. In the present study, the total ethanolic extracts of C. augustum Rox. bulbs and C. asiaticum L. leaves were fractionated separately into five fractions each. The resulting fractions (400 mg/Kg, orally) of the total extract of C. augustum Rox. bulbs were evaluated for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in mice using the hot plate and carrageenan-induced paw oedema tests versus acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) (100 mg/Kg, orally) and indomethacin (15 mg/Kg, orally), respectively. Fractions II, III and ASA showed the highest analgesic effects, whereas; II, III, IV and indomethacin were the highest anti-inflammatory ones at that tested doses. On the other hand, a comparative study of the antimicrobial activities of the total extracts of both plants together with their fractions (at 5, 10 and 50 mg/ml) showed inhibitory effects on S. aureus and E. coli, especially at 50 mg/ml. In addition, the per oral LD50 of the total extract of C. augustum Rox. bulbs were determined to be 1.6 g/Kg in mice.

Many Crinum species are traditionally used in different parts of the world for various local pains, inflammatory processes and microbial infections. In the present study, the total ethanolic extracts of C. augustum Rox. bulbs and C. asiaticum L. leaves were fractionated separately into five fractions each. The resulting fractions (400 mg/Kg, orally) of the total extract of C. augustum Rox. bulbs were evaluated for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in mice using the hot plate and carrageenan-induced paw oedema tests versus acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) (100 mg/Kg, orally) and indomethacin (15 mg/Kg, orally), respectively. Fractions II, III and ASA showed the highest analgesic effects, whereas; II, III, IV and indomethacin were the highest anti-inflammatory ones at that tested doses. On the other hand, a comparative study of the antimicrobial activities of the total extracts of both plants together with their fractions (at 5, 10 and 50 mg/ml) showed inhibitory effects on S. aureus and E. coli, especially at 50 mg/ml. In addition, the per oral LD50 of the total extract of C. augustum Rox. bulbs were determined to be 1.6 g/Kg in mice.

From the lipid fraction of Crinum asiaticum L. leaves, six saturated straight chain hydrocarbons, two sterols as well as thirteen fatty acids were isolated and identified. The isolation and identification of these compounds were based on GLC/MS technique. Most of these compounds are reported here for the first time either in this species or in Crinums generally. On the other hand, GLC/MS analysis of the volatile oil of its flowers, for the first time among Crinums, resulted in the isolation of ten components, eight of which were identified. Unsaturated fatty acids and phenols were found to prevail in the leaves and flowers' volatiles, respectively.

From the lipid fraction of Crinum asiaticum L. leaves, six saturated straight chain hydrocarbons, two sterols as well as thirteen fatty acids were isolated and identified. The isolation and identification of these compounds were based on GLC/MS technique. Most of these compounds are reported here for the first time either in this species or in Crinums generally. On the other hand, GLC/MS analysis of the volatile oil of its flowers, for the first time among Crinums, resulted in the isolation of ten components, eight of which were identified. Unsaturated fatty acids and phenols were found to prevail in the leaves and flowers' volatiles, respectively.

AIM: Aluminum chloride (AlCl3) is commonly used in daily life but it can be induce reproductive toxicity. Propolis has been reported to be important antioxidant. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of propolis against reproductive toxicity of aluminum chloride (AlCl3) in male rats. METHODS: Sixty male albino rats were divided into three equal groups, the first served as negative control, the second received AlCl3 (34 mg/kg bw, 1/25 LD50), the third received AlCl3 and treated with propolis (50 mg/kg bw.). Treatment was continued for 70 days. RESULTS: AlCl3 caused a decrease in body and testes weights and testosterone hormone. In addition, histological changes as damages within the seminiferous tubules and vascular degeneration of the germ cells and Sertoli cells cytoplasm were observed. On the other hand, electron microscopy study showed changes in the testis seminiferous tubules such as atrophy of the tubular membrane, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and nucleus. Our results revealed that propolis alleviated the reproductive toxic effects of AlCl3. CONCLUSION: Treatment with propolis alleviates AlCl3-associated hazards and protects the testicular tissues from AlCl3 toxicity.

Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause gastrointestinal damage both in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract, in addition to their undesirable side effects on the pancreas. Meloxicam like all NSAIDs has damaging effects on the gastrointestinal tract including perforations, ulcers and bleeding. Objective: The present work describes the effects of Gum acacia aqueous extract on the histology of intestine and enzymes of both intestine and Pancreas of albino rats treated with Meloxicam. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on four groups of equally weighed male rats, each group included ten animals; the first group was received a diet containing 0.2 mg/kg bw meloxicam per day; the second was given 1gm gum acacia per day in its diet; the third was given meloxicam followed by gum in the same doses per day; while the fourth group (control rats) was placed on a normal diet and water. All rats were received their diet for a period of 21 days. Results: A considerable protective effect of Gum acacia aqueous extract on the histology of intestine of albino rats treated with meloxicam was recorded. In addition, the study displayed a significant increase (P0.001) in the intestinal enzymes; lipase, amylase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the 1st and 3rd groups animals while these enzymes were significantly decreased (P0.001) in the 2nd group when compared with the 4th control group. Conclusion: This study concluded that gum acacia provides a protection and defense against the harmful effects of meloxicam therapy used as one of the novel anti-Cox-1 and Cox-2 NSAIDs.

The antidiabetic activity of both leaves and MJ-treated cell cultures of Morus nigra was evaluated after their oral administration to streptozotocin - induced diabetic rates. The antidiabetic activity of extracts from leaves given to streptozotocin (STZ) - diabetic rats for 10 days increased with increasing doses of leaves extract up to 500 mg/kg/day. The administration of 500 mg/kg/day of leaves extract reduced the concentration of glucose from 370 ± 7.31 mg/dl (control) to 154 ± 6.27 mg/dl and a significant increase in the insulin level from 11.3 ± 0.31 mU/ml (control) to 14.6 ± 0.43 mU/ml was recorded. Cell suspension cultures were established from the young leaves of Morus nigra cultivated on modified MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 0.2 mg/l 6-(furfurylamino)-purine (kinetin). The changes in cells weight and flavonoids content were followed between day zero and 12. The linear increase in fresh weight was found to be parallel to flavonoids production. Cell cultures treated with 100 mM methyl jasmonate for 24 hours showed a noticeable increase in level of flavonoids and significant and more effective hypoglycemic activity than that for extract from leaves. The major flavonoids were isolated by TLC and HPLC and identified as rutin, quercetin, Morusin and cyclomorusin by co-chromatography and mass spectrometry in comparison to samples of authentic reference compounds.