Plants with cosmetic uses

The use of plants as a source of active principles for cosmetics has significantly increased in the last few years. Safety, compatibility with all types of skin, fewer side effects, and availability are among the advantages of herbal cosmetics above synthetic ingredients. The present review aims to explore the most important plants used in cosmetics. A literature search was carried out in several electronic databases with the following phrases: skincare and plants; cosmetics and plants; natural and cosmetics; and natural and skincare. Furthermore, more detailed filters such as clinical studies, meta-analyses, and systemic reviews were applied to positive results. Various plants and plant extracts currently used in skin care, scaring, whitening, and aging, as well as in sun protection, acne, eczema, and others, have been included in this review. The effectiveness of these plants is based mainly on preclinical research, and to a lesser extent on clinical studies. Some plant extracts or oils have been tested clinically, such as onions, aloe, and tea tree oil, more than other plant extracts. Despite many studies on natural products to improve dermal needs, proper clinical cosmeceutical trials are much fewer than expected. Therefore, more clinical trials are needed to evaluate appropriate efficacy. Furthermore, new formulation technologies might enhance the cosmeceutical benefits, but more work is warranted.

In Silico and In Vitro Investigation of Anti Helicobacter Activity of Selected Phytochemicals

Introduction

Helicobacter pylori is Gram-negative helical bacteria that inhibit stomach mucosal lining and establish infection. Urease enzyme was confirmed to be pivotal target in which its suppression will prompt bacteria treatment and eradication.

Methods

Series of naturally bioactive compounds were selected based on ethnobotanical and molecular modeling techniques with potential urease inhibitory effect. The selected phytochemical compounds were in-silico and in-vitro assayed against urease enzyme, minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and a synergistic effect was studied and cultured specifically for H. pylori.

Results

Terpineol was considered as the most active compound with an IC₅₀ of 1.443 μg/ml (R ² = 0.9374). The synergistic effect of terpineol and metronidazole indicated a possible additive effect (fractional inhibitory concentration result is 0.78) with improvement of MIC results for both terpineol and metronidazole.

Conclusion

This study suggests that terpineol is best to be considered as a lead compound for H. pylori infection treatment and could be a potent inhibitor when combined with metronidazole targeting urease enzyme.

Preparation, Characterization, and Anticancer Effects of Capsaicin-Loaded Nanoliposomes

BACKGROUND

Medicinal plants have proven their value as a source of molecules with therapeutic potential, and recent studies have shown that capsaicin has profound anticancer effects in several types of human cancers. However, its clinical use is handicapped due to its poor pharmacokinetics. This study aims to enhance capsaicin's pharmacokinetic properties by loading the molecule into nanoliposomes model and testing its anticancer activity.

METHODS

Nanoliposomes were prepared using the thin-film method, and characteristics were examined followed by qualitative and quantitative analyses of encapsulation efficiency and drug loading using HPLC at different lipid/capsaicin ratios. Cell viability assay (MTT) was used to determine IC50.

RESULTS

Capsaicin-loaded nanoliposomes showed optimum characteristics of morphology, particle size, zeta potential, and stability. In vitro anticancer activity of capsaicin and capsaicin-loaded nanoliposomes were compared against MCF7, MDA-MB-231, K562, PANC1, and A375 cell lines. Capsaicin-loaded nanoliposomes showed significant improvement in anticancer activity against cancers cell lines studied (p < 0.001), with increased selectivity against cancer cells compared to capsaicin.

CONCLUSION

The encapsulated capsaicin nanoliposomes produced an improvement in pharmacokinetics properties, enhancing the anticancer activity and selectivity compared with capsaicin. This model seems to offer a potential for developing capsaicin formulations for the prevention and treatment of cancer.

Evaluation of the synergistic antimicrobial effect of folk medicinal plants with clindamycin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains

Antibiotic resistance has become a major worldwide priority, and identifying natural antimicrobial compounds may help overcome this problem. In this study, ethanolic extracts of 12 plants commonly used in traditional medicine were tested against two strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 33591 and ATCC 43300) in terms of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Furthermore, the effect of combining plant extracts with clindamycin antibiotic was also investigated using the checkerboard method. Among the tested plants, Camellia sinensis, Thymus vulgaris, Rosmarinus officinalis and Salvia officinalis exhibited potent inhibitory activity against both strains with MICs ranges (125-500 µg ml^-1 ). Synergistic activity was confirmed for the four plants combined with clindamycin with fractional inhibitory concentration index <0·5. However, no antagonistic activity was found for these combinations. Our findings suggest that using an antibiotics-plants combination might be a successful technique to reduce antibiotic consumption, which would overcome the antibiotics resistance or delay its onset.

Loading of capsaicin-in-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes into PEGylated liposomes and the inhibitory effect on IL-8 production by MDA-MB-231 and A549 cancer cell lines

Capsaicin (CAP) is an active component in Capsicum annuum L. known to have anti inflammatory and anticancer activity. CAP is highly lipophilic and suffers low bioavailability. Therefore, developing delivery systems that enhance solubility and bioavailability can provide more promising therapeutic applications for CAP. In the current work, CAP was complexed with β-cyclodextrin (βCD) to form capsaicin-in-β-cyclodextrin (CAP-in-βCD) inclusion complexes. Then, the CAP-in-βCD inclusion complexes were characterized and loaded into PEGylated liposomes using the thin-film hydration extrusion method. The size, charge, and polydispersity index (PDI) of the PEGylated liposomes were characterized. The levels of IL-8 production were quantified after treatment using array beads. The results of this work showed that the successful formation of inclusion complexes at 1:5 M ratio of CAP to βCD respectively. PEGylated liposomes loaded with βCD/CAP inclusion complexes (CAP-in-βCD-in-liposomes) have a hydrodynamic diameter of (181 ± 36) nm, zeta potential of (-2.63 ± 4.00) mV, encapsulation efficiency (EE) of (38.65 ± 3.70)%, drug loading (DL) of (1.65 ± 0.16)%, and a stable release profile. Both free CAP and liposomal CAP showed a significant reduction in the IL-8 production by the MDA-MB-231 and A549 cancer cell lines after treatment. In conclusion, a liposomal-based drug delivery system for CAP was achieved.

Aptamer-functionalized pH-sensitive liposomes for a selective delivery of echinomycin into cancer cells

Echinomycin (quinomycin A) is a peptide antibiotic from the quinoxaline family, which has a DNA bifunctional intercalating activity and an inhibitor of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF1α). Echinomycin was discovered in 1957 as a potent antitumor agent; however, it was not successful in clinical use due to its low water solubility and short half-life. To revitalize this potent drug, it is important to increase its aqueous solubility and bioavailability. In this study, echinomycin was loaded into PEGylated pH-sensitive liposomes (_PEGLip_pH) and functionalized with anti-nucleolin aptamer (Apt_NCL) for selective targeting and pH-responsive release of echinomycin into cancer cells. Echinomycin was complexed with γ-cyclodextrin (ECγCD) to enhance its water solubility and then encapsulated into pH-sensitive liposomes (_PEGLip_pH-ECγCD). Then, liposomes were functionalized with Apt_NCL (Apt_NCL-PEGLip_pH-ECγCD) and the successful functionalization was confirmed by dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements and gel electrophoresis. Cellular uptake for Apt_NCL-PEGLip_pH was evaluated by flow cytometry analysis using MDA-MB-231, MCF7, A549 cancer cell lines with respect to the normal fibroblast cells. The results showed a higher uptake and selectivity for Apt_NCL-PEGLip_pH compared to _PEGLip_pH. The anti-proliferative effects of Apt_NCL-PEGLip_pH-ECγCD were more potent than _PEGLip_pH-ECγCD by 3.5, 4, and 5 folds for A549, MDA-MB-231, and MCF7, respectively. Selectivity indices (SI) for Apt_NCL-PEGLip_pH-ECγCD for the tumor cell lines compared to the normal cell line after 72 h were MDA-MB-231 (43.3), MCF7 (16.9), and A549 (8.5). Furthermore, SI after 3 h for the three cancer cell lines were 4.7, 2.5, 2.8, respectively.

Echinomycin was loaded into PEGylated pH-sensitive liposomes and functionalized with anti-nucleolin aptamer for selective targeting and pH-responsive release of echinomycin into cancer cells.

Novel in vitro and in vivo anti-Helicobacter pylori effects of pomegranate peel ethanol extract

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Interest in plants with antimicrobial properties has been revived due to emerging problems associated with using antibiotics to eradicate Helicobacter pylori. Accordingly, this study aims to assess the antibacterial effects of Punica granatum and the possible synergistic effect of its extract along with metronidazole against H. pylori.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Pomegranate peel ethanol extracts (PPEE) was tested against a control strain of H. pylori (NCTC 11916) in vitro and in vivo in female Wistar rats. Moreover, the synergistic effect of PPEE in combination with metronidazole was tested in vitro.

RESULTS

The PPEE exhibited a remarkable activity against H. pylori with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.156 mg/mL. Furthermore, the extract exhibited a pronounced urease inhibitory activity (IC50 ~6 mg/mL) against the tested strain. A synergistic effect between PPEE and metronidazole was also observed (fractional inhibitory concentrations <0.5). Oral treatment of rats with PPEE for 8 days produced a significant reduction in H. pylori gastritis and a significant decrease in both lymphocytic and positive chronicity.

CONCLUSION

Pomegranate extract is probably safe and represents a potential alternative and complementary therapy for reducing H. pylori associated with gastric ulcers.

The iron chelating activity of Gundelia tournefortii in iron overloaded experimental rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Gundelia tournefortii is a member of the Asteraceae (Compositae) family which is widely consumed as edible plant in the Eastern Mediterranean. In folkloric medicine, it is used for the treatment of various diseases and conditions, including pain, liver diseases, kidney stones and inflammations.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Recently, many commoners use this plant as adjuvant therapy for treating symptoms associated with liver diseases and thalassemia. Thus, the present study was conducted to evaluate, biochemically, the iron chelating activity of G. tournefortii methanolic extract in iron overloaded rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty Wister male rats were divided into five groups: one group was a healthy control, while iron overload was induced in the other four groups by 100 mg/kg iron-dextran. Of these, one group was left untreated as a control, while the other three groups were treated with 50 mg/kg deferoxamine, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of G. tournefortii methanolic extract, respectively. The total flavonoid and phenolic contents of the methanolic extract were estimated. The biochemical assessment was performed by measuring blood levels of iron, ferritin, liver biomarkers (ALT, ALP and AST), cardiac biomarkers (CPK and LDH) and lipid profile.

RESULTS

Not only the blood levels of iron, ferritin, liver biomarkers and cardiac biomarkers were reduced significantly by G. tournefortii methanolic extract, but also the lipid profile was improved. This clearly supports the chelating activity of G. tournefortii and its hepatoprotective and cardioprotective effects in iron overloaded rats.

CONCLUSIONS

This highlights the value of medicinal plants as alternative therapies for iron overload conditions such as thalassemia.

Accessing the Hypoglycemic Effects of Seed Extract from Celery (Apium graveolens) in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Aims: The present study is aimed to evaluate the potential mechanism of antidiabetic action of seed extract celery (Apium graveolens) and its effects on some hematological and biochemical parameters in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Study Design: Laboratory-experimental design was used in this study. Methodology: This study was conducted on fifty experimental animals. Adult albino rats (Sprague-Dawely strain) weighing about 220 g each were used throughout the study. Fifty rats were randomly assigned to five experimental groups of 10 rats each: Group 1 - received normal saline (0.5 ml/kg), and serves as control. Group II - gavaged daily for thirty days with 1ml of the extract at doses of 425 mg/kg body wt and served as control. Group III - Untreated diabetic rats that received two doses of alloxan 150 mg/kg. Group IV - Treated diabetic rats for thirty consecutive days with 1 ml of the extract at a dose of 425 mg/kg body wt.  Group V: Treated diabetic rats for thirty consecutive days with 14.2 mg/kg of metformin. Several hematological and biochemical parameters were assessed. Results: It was found that the administration of ethanol extract of A. graveolens produced significant reduction in blood glucose level in diabetic rats after thirty days of treatment. However, there was a significant (P=.05) increase of insulin secretion. Also, the RBC and WBC count, PCV and neutrophil percentage decreased significantly (P=.05). This study indicated that the ethanol extract increased the RBC and WBC counts, PCV, ESR, and neutrophil percentage in diabetic rats. However, the WBC count of the extract - treated diabetic group was still lower than those of control values. Administration of the extract resulted in a significant reduction in the mean values of serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C, ESR, urea, uric acid, creatinine accompanied by an increase in the mean values of total protein, albumin, insulin, HDL-C, neutrophile count and PCV in diabetic rats. No significant changes in these parameters were found in the control group. Effects produced by this extract were closely similar to a standard antidiabetic drug, metformin.   (p<0.05) hypoglycemic effects in alloxan-induced diabetic rats, protection against body weight loss of diabetic animals and might alleviate diabetes-induced disturbances of some biochemical and hematological parameters. Conclusion: our study was dedicated to monitoring changes in the lipid profile.

A Call to Action to Transform Pharmacy Education and Practice in the Arab World

Globally, pharmacy education is evolving to reflect a more patient-centered, interprofessional approach to clinical practice. In the 22 countries of the Arab world, advancements in regulatory support for pharmacy practice and changes to the health care system have been slower than in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Significant cultural, logistical, and legal barriers exist in many countries, and a consensus approach to accreditation, educational outcomes, and curricula design is lacking. This commentary briefly examines the current state of both pharmacy education and practice in the Arab world, and it highlights recent reports of curricular reform and innovation. Additionally, it provides potential strategies for improving the quality of education and for expanding pharmacy practice to ensure graduates and practitioners have adequate experiential opportunities and institutional support.

Synthesis of 1,2,3-Triazolo[4,5-h]quinolone Derivatives with Novel Anti-Microbial Properties against Metronidazole Resistant Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori infection can lead to gastritis, peptic ulcer, and the development of mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Treatment and eradication of H. pylori infection can prevent relapse and accelerate the healing of gastric and duodenal ulcers as well as regression of malignancy. Due to the increasing emergence of antibiotic resistance among clinical isolates of H. pylori, alternative approaches using newly discovered antimicrobial agents in combination with the standard antibiotic regimens for the treatment of H. pylori are of major importance. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of newly synthesized 8-amino 7-substituted fluoroquinolone and their correspondent cyclized triazolo derivatives when either alone or combined with metronidazole against metronidazole-resistant H. pylori. Based on standard antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods and checkerboard titration assay, all of the tested compounds showed interesting antimicrobial activity against 12 clinical strains of H. pylori, with best in vitro effect for compounds 4b and 4c. Fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) mean values showed synergistic pattern in all compounds of Group 5. In addition, additive activities of some of the tested compounds of Group 4 were observed when combined with metronidazole. In contrast, the tested compounds showed no significant urease inhibition activity. These results support the potential of new fluoroquinolone derivatives to be useful in combination with anti-H. pylori drugs in the management of H. pylori-associated diseases.

Medicinal Plants Used by Traditional Healers in Jordan, the Tafila Region

Background:

The reporting of the medicinal plants and their traditional uses is important in order to prevent this knowledge from being lost. The aims of this study were to collect information concerning the traditional use of medicinal plants in the region of Tafila; identify the most important medicinal plants; determine the relative importance of the species surveyed; and calculate the informant consensus factor (F_ic) in relation to medicinal plant use.

Materials and Methods:

Data on the traditional medicinal uses of local plants were collected using qualitative tools. The informant consensus factor (F_ic) for the category of aliments and the use value (UV) of the plant species were calculated.

Results and Conclusions:

The survey revealed that 41 plant species are still in use in Tafila for the treatments of various diseases. Problems of the digestive system had the highest F_ic values, while Allium cepa L. and Matricaria aurea (Loefl.) Sch. Bip. scored the highest UV.

SUMMARY

The medicinal plants used by local people of the Tafila area of Jordan their traditional uses were investigated. forty one plant species are still in use in Tafila for the traditional treatment of various diseases. The preservation of this knowledge is important not only for maintaining cultural and traditional resources but also as a resource for the future identification of leads for drug development. The use of Fic and the UV to identify plant species that are consistently used in the treatment of specific ailments assists in narrowing down the search for new effective plant-derived medicines and in validating the use of traditional medicines. Data on the traditional medicinal uses of local plants was collected using qualitative tools. The informant consensus factor (Fic) for category of aliments and the use value (UV) of the plant species were calculated. in the Tafila region, the Fic values are relatively low, indicating a low level of shared knowledge and that a number of different species are used to treat similar disorders. This may be a result of the great diversity of vegetation types found across the Tafila region, with the specific plant chosen being dependent on the species most readily available in the different vegetation zones. Interestingly, however, the UVs calculated for a number of species in the Tafila region are relatively high, compared with those recorded in other areas of Jordan. These high UVs indicate that despite the diversity of vegetation types across the Tafila region, a number of plants are highly valued for medicinal use throughout the whole region. This study contributes to the body of knowledge about the use of plants in traditional medicine, helping to document and maintain the knowledge that has been traditionally passed directly from person to person. The preservation of this knowledge is important not only for maintaining cultural and traditional resources but also as a resource for the future identification of leads for drug development. Problems of the digestive system had the highest Fic values, while Allium cepa L. and Matricaria aurea (Loefl.) Sch. Bip. scored the highest UV. Comparison with other ethnopharmacological studies in the region found consensus about many of the uses reported, and also identified localized uses of some species. Experimental evidence from the literature offered support for many of the reported uses.

Abbreviations used: F_ic: Informants consensus factor, n_ur: number of use reports per each category, n_t: number of taxa used, UV: use value of a species, U: number of uses per species, n: number of informants

Synthesis of New Nitrofluoroquinolone Derivatives with Novel Anti-Microbial Properties against Metronidazole Resistant H. pylori

One of the major therapeutic approaches to preventing relapse and accelerating the healing of duodenal and gastric ulcers is the eradication of Helicobacter pylori. Due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance among clinical strains of H. pylori, alternative approaches using newly discovered antimicrobial agents in combination with the standard regimens for the treatment of H. pylori are increasingly needed. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of newly synthesized 8-nitroflouroqunolone derivatives when used either alone or when combined with metronidazole against metronidazole-resistant H. pylori. Based on the standard antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods and checkerboard titration assay, all of the tested compounds showed interesting antimicrobial activity against 12 clinical strains of H. pylori, with the best in vitro effect for compound 3c. In addition, synergistic and additive activities of some of the tested compounds were observed when combined with metronidazole. Furthermore, among the tested nitroflouroquinolone derivatives, compound 3b showed significant urease inhibition activity with IC₅₀ of 62.5 µg/mL. These results suggest that 8-nitroflouroquinolone derivatives may have a useful role in combination with anti-H. pylori drugs in the management of H. pylori-associated diseases.

Antidepressant, Anxiolytic and Antinociceptive Activities of Constituents from Rosmarinus Officinalis

PURPOSE

Rosmarinus officinalis, traditionally known as rosemary, has been widely used in traditional medicines and has long been known as the herb of remembrance. However, few studies have investigated the effects of non-volatile components of rosemary on central nervous system function.

METHODS

Fractionation of R. officinalis led to the isolation of salvigenin, rosmanol and cirsimaritin, which were investigated in mouse models of acute toxicity, antinociception (tail immersion and hot plate tests), depression (tail suspension and forced swim tests) and anxiety (elevated plus maze and light/dark box paradigms).

RESULTS

Rosmanol, cirsimaritin and salvigenin were not found to exhibit any signs of acute toxicity (50-200 mg/kg), but elicited antinociceptive, antidepressant and anxiolytic activities.

CONCLUSION

Rosmanol, cirsimaritin and salvigenin, all previously shown to have biphasic modulation of GABAA receptors, demonstrated CNS activity in mouse models of antinociception, antidepressant and anxiolysis. The anxiolytic activity of all three compounds was not ameliorated by flumazenil, but was inhibited by pentylenetetrazol, suggesting a mode of action via GABAA receptors at a site other than the high affinity benzodiazepine binding site. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see "For Readers") may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue's contents page.

Ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal herbs in Jordan, the Northern Badia region

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study sought to gather information from aboriginal Bedouins in North Badia region of Jordan about used medicinal herbs besides their folk uses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The data were collected from 40 practitioners who utilized medicinal plants and who were regarded as professional. Subsequently, the uses were compared with the reported ones in the literature. The informant consensus factor (Fic) and use value (UV) have been calculated to those herbs and the managed illnesses.

RESULTS

The data of 73 species were collected; the vast majority of them are safe such as Achillea falcata, Tamarix aphylla and Teucrium polium. Treatment of inflammation and pain presented the major targeted use of these herbs. While, the herbs used for delivery and female problems were limited. This might be due to the culture conservations about the talk of feminine issues. Diseases of kidney, gastrointestinal and respiratory systems as well as diabetes depicted the largest Fic values. Artemisia herba-alba possessed the highest UV value among the studied herbs.

Antidiabetic effect of essential oil from Artemisia sieberi growing in Jordan in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of essential oil extracted from aerial parts of Artemisia sieberi in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats. Fifty rats were divided into five groups of 10 each. Group I normal rats received 1 mL day(-1) of dimethyl sulfoxide (control); group II normal rats received a single dose (80 mg kg(-1) b.wt.) of essential oil extract of Artemisia sieberi; group III diabetic rats received 1 mL day-of dimethyl sulfoxide; group IV diabetic rats received the oil extract (80 mg kg(-1) b.wt.); group V diabetic rats received metformin (14.2 mg kg(-1) b.wt.). All treatments were orally administered once a day for six weeks. Changes in blood glucose concentration, body weight and food and water intake were measured and the data obtained were compared with that of metformin. The essential oil extract significantly (p < 0.05) lowered blood glucose level as well as food and water intake in diabetic rats accompanied by an increase in body weight gain with no apparent side effect when compared with untreated diabetic rats. These effects were found to be closely similar to that of metformin, a common antidiabetic drug. On other hand, no apparent improvement on body weight gain in diabetic rats treated with metformin. In addition, for all parameters measured, the oil extract showed no effect in normal rats. In conclusion, the essential oil of Artemisia sieberi exhibited antidiabetic activity in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Present findings support the possible use of the essential oil of Artemisia sieberi as a remedy for diabetes mellitus in humans.

Ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal plants in Jordan, Mujib Nature Reserve and surrounding area

AIM OF THE STUDY

Medicinal plants are an important element of indigenous systems in Jordan. These resources are usually regarded as part of a culture's traditional knowledge. Therefore, the aim of this study is to collect information from local population concerning the use of medicinal plants of the Mujib region; identify the most important medicinal plants used; determine the relative importance of the species surveyed and calculate the informant consensus factor (F(ic)) in relation to medicinal plant use.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Qualitative tools were used for data collection and to record the interviewee's personal information and topics related to the medicinal use of specific plants. The collected data were used to calculate the F(ic) and the plant use values.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Fifty-eight plants were identified to be still in use in traditional practice in Mujib. Our results showed that the highest use values were recorded for the species Artemisia sieberi Bess. and Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn., while the highest F(ic) was cited for digestive problems. Anthropologically, women were the primary gatherers while healers were reported to be both females, predominantly, and males; yet, herbalists are deficient in this local community.

Ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal herbs in Jordan, the Ajloun Heights region

The study of local knowledge about natural resources is becoming increasingly important in defining strategies and actions for conservation of medicinal plants. This study therefore sought to collect information from local population concerning the use of Ajloun Heights region medicinal plants; identify the most important species used; determine the relative importance of the species surveyed and calculate the informant consensus factor (ICF) in relation to medicinal plant use. Data collection relied predominantly on qualitative tools to record the interviewee's personal information and topics related to the medicinal use of specific plants. Our results revealed that 46 plant species grown in the study region are still in use in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. Most of the locals interviewed dealt with well-known safe medicinal plants such as Achillea falcata, Matricaria aurea, Majorana syriaca, Allium sativum and Allium cepa. The use of moderately unsafe or toxic plants was noted to be practiced by practitioners and herbalists rather than the locals. These plants include Ecballium elaterium, Euphorbia hierosolymitana, Mandragora autumnalis and Citrullus colocynthis. Kidney problems scored the highest ICF while Crocus hyemalis was the plant of highest use value. Searching the literature evidenced some concordance with the solicited plant uses mentioned by the informants.

Effect of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids on lymphocyte proliferation, interleukin production and phospholipid fatty acids composition in type 2 diabetic and healthy subjects in Jordan people

Dietary lipid manipulation may affect a great number of immune parameters, such as lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine synthesis. In this study, lymphocytes of diabetic type 2 were incubated with different polyunsaturated fatty acid (docosahexaenoic, eicosapentaenoic, arachidonic acid) for investigated their effect on lymphoproliferation response, the concentration of interleukin 2 produced in each essay and phospholipid fatty acid composition of lymphocyte membrane. Our results found that the concanavalin A and insulin increase significantly the proliferative response while eicosapentaenoic, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid inhibited that by different degrees: 47%, 37% and 19%, respectively, for healthy subjects and 39%, 29% and 13% for diabetes. However, the concentration of IL-2 produced in presence of either docosahexaenoic, eicosapentaenoic or arachidonic acid was significantly reduced by 36%, 32% and 39%, respectively, in controls while 16%, 15% and 23%, respectively, in diabetics. On the other hand, the tested fatty acids demonstrated a major impact on the fatty acid composition of different phospholipid fractions of lymphocyte membrane but these fractions were different in their response to each fatty acid examined. For instance, the addition of docosahexaenoic acid to culture media was accompanied with a predominant composition of docosahexaenoic acid in phospholipid fractions. Also, our results showed a notable increased proportion of arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in control phospholipid fractions than those of diabetic.

Antiplatelet activity of Varthemia iphionoides

Aqueous and alcoholic extracts, volatile oil and four flavonoids, xanthomicrol (1), kumatokenin (2), jaceidin (3) and 3, 3'-di-O-methylquercetin (4), isolated from Varthemia iphionoides were investigated for their in vitro anti-platelet activity. Aqueous extract and compounds (1), (2) and (4) showed anti-platelet activity. Volatile oil and the alcoholic extract did not exhibit any anti-platelet activity. Structures of the isolated compounds (1)-(4) were determined by spectroscopic methods (UV, IR, MS, (1)H-NMR).

Plants used in cosmetics

This review describes the use of some natural products in cosmetic preparations, due to their low mammalian toxicity, with a brief description of the major use, plant parts used, the actives responsible for effect and the benefits of such products. Their use in skin care; such as dryness, eczema, acne, free-radical scavenging, antiinflammatory, antiaging and skin protection effects are explained, and also the use in hair care as hair growth stimulants, hair colorants, and for hair and scalp complaints such as dandruff. Essential oils when incorporated into finished products impart many benefits such as a pleasant aroma in perfumery, shine or conditioning effects in hair care products, emolliency and improving the elasticity of the skin.

A comparative study of Ferula hermonis root extracts and sildenafil on copulatory behaviour of male rats

The effect of 600 mg/kg given by oral route to rats of Ferula hermonis roots extracts (petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, methanol and water) was evaluated on sexual behaviour of male rats. Petroleum ether and ethyl acetate extracts produced a significant decrease in both the mount rate (MR) and the intromission rate (IR), significant prolongation of intromission latency (IL) was observed when these extracts were compared with both controls and sildenafil. Methanolic extract produced a significant increase in MR while no effect has been observed on IR or IL in comparison with control. The effect of water extract was not significantly different from controls for the MR and IR, but there was a significant prolongation in the IL.

Antioxidative and radical scavenging effects of olive cake extract

The antioxidative activity of different butanol extract fractions of olive cake was investigated. Four fractions showed marked antioxidative activity in comparison with BHT. Fractions tested also showed good hydrogen donating abilities, indicating that they had effective activities as radical scavengers. Coumaric, ferulic, cinnamic acids and oleuropein were isolated.

Screening of antibiotic resistant inhibitors from local plant materials against two different strains of Staphylococcus aureus

The inhibitory effects of methanolic extracts of 19 Jordanian plants and their combinations with seven antibiotics, on the resistance of Staphylococcus aureus were checked. Methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA), which was isolated from patient and a standard strain of S. aureus were used. Our results showed that there are variations in the effect of some combinations used on the resistant and the standard strains probably due to structural changes. Common results between the two strains showed that combinations of gentamicin and chloramphenicol could be improved by the use of plant materials, whereas nalidixic acid activity cannot be improved when combined with plant materials.

Screening of antibiotic resistant inhibitors from local plant materials against two different strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The methanolic extracts of 19 Jordanian plants were combined with seven different antibiotics and applied to check the inhibitory effects of the combination on the resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A resistant strain of Ps. aeruginosa, which was isolated from a patient and a standard strain of the same microorganism were used in this study. Our results showed that there are significant variations in the effects of some combinations used on the resistant and the standard strains probably due to structural changes. Almost all the plant materials used in combination with penicillin G and erythromycin allowed full growth of the standard strain, while the combination with some plant materials like Gundelia tournefortii L. and Lepidium sativum L. inhibited the growth of the resistant strain. Chloramphenicol, gentamicin and cephalosporin can be given advantageously with almost all the plant materials used with few exceptions on the resistant strain. Nalidixic acid activity was improved significantly when combined with all plant materials and tested on standard strain. On the other hand, its activity on the resistant strain was slightly improved using the same combinations.

Second derivative ultraviolet spectrophotometry and HPTLC for the simultaneous determination of vitamin C and dipyrone

Two accurate, precise and sensitive thin layer chromatographic (TLC) and second derivative UV-spectrophotometric procedures are described for the simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid and dipyrone in pure form and in pharmaceutical dosage forms. The TLC method involved direct application of methanolic solutions of tested samples on silica gel TLC plates using water:methanol (95:5 v/v) as developing system. The developed plates were then directly scanned at 260 nm using a TLC scanner. The second method depends on second derivative UV-spectrophotometry with zero crossing technique of measurement. Second derivative amplitudes at 280 and 272 nm were selected for the determination of ascorbic acid and dipyrone, respectively. Both methods show good linearity, precision and reproducibility. They are simple and do not require manipulation prior to analysis. The proposed methods have been successfully applied to the determination of the drugs in various pharmaceutical dosage forms such as tablets and ampoules.

Isolation, synthesis, and antiplatelet aggregation activity of resveratrol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and related compounds

Resveratrol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1) has been isolated from the seeds of Erythrophleum lasianthum (Caesalpinioidae, Leguminosae), a South African plant used in traditional medicine, and has shown antiplatelet aggregation activity. The synthesis of 1, related hydroxystilbenes, and their glucosides has been undertaken to provide larger quantities, for further biological evaluation, and has been accomplished via Wittig reactions followed by glucosylation under phase transfer catalysis.

Chemical and pharmacological characterization of Erythrophleum lasianthum alkaloids

Two alkaloids 1 and 2 were isolated from the seeds of Erythrophleum lasianthum. Their structures were assigned by spectroscopic and chemical means as 3 beta-hydroxynorerythrosuamine (1) and its 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2). In spontaneously beating atria, both compounds 1 and 2 showed a marked and concentration-dependent positive inotropic activity and a weak negative chronotropic activity. The positive inotropic effect induced by 1 and 2 was not modified by propranolol, prazosin, carbachol, and ranitidine plus pyrilamine. Both 1 and 2 were very active in inhibiting the Na+/K(+)-ATPase isolated from bovine cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles.