Gastroprotective effect of an aqueous suspension of black cumin Nigella sativa on necrotizing agents-induced gastric injury in experimental animals.

Background/aim: Previous studies on "Black seed" or "Black Cumin" Nigella sativa (NS) have reported a large number of pharmacological activities including its anti-ulcer potential. These studies employed either fixed oil, volatile oil components or different solvent extracts. In folkloric practices, NS seeds are taken as such, in the form of coarse dry powder or the powdered seeds are mixed with water.

Antiparasitic, nematicidal and antifouling constituents from Juniperus berries.

A bioassay-guided fractionation of Juniperus procera berries yielded antiparasitic, nematicidal and antifouling constituents, including a wide range of known abietane, pimarane and labdane diterpenes. Among these, abieta-7,13-diene (1) demonstrated in vitro antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum D6 and W2 strains (IC(50) = 1.9 and 2.

Flavonoids and terpenoids from Helichrysum forskahlii.

Three new flavonoids, namely helichrysone A (1), helichrysone B (2) and helichrysone C (3) were isolated from the aerial parts of Helichrysum forskahlii, together with 10 known flavonoids, three triterpenes, and one sesquiterpene. The structures of the new flavonoids 1-3 were established by 1D and 2D NMR spectral data. In addition, the antimicrobial activities of the isolated compounds were determined.

Phytochemical and biological studies on Saudi Commiphora opobalsamum L.

The aerial part of Commiphora opobalsamum L. (Burseraceae) growing in Saudi Arabia was subjected to a phytopharmacological investigation in order to identify its major chemical constituents and to evaluate its extracts and isolated compounds in preliminary in vitro assays for antimicrobial, antimalarial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory (COX-2 inhibition), antioxidant and estrogenic activity. Six compounds were isolated and identified as the triterpenes friedelin, canophyllal, and oleanonic acid; the flavonols mearnsetin and quercetin; and syringic acid.

Aqueous suspension of anise "Pimpinella anisum" protects rats against chemically induced gastric ulcers.

Aim: To substantiate the claims of Unani and Arabian traditional medicine practitioners on the gastroprotective potential effect of a popular spice anise, "Pimpinella anisum L." on experimentally-induced gastric ulceration and secretion in rats.

Methods: Acute gastric ulceration in rats was produced by various noxious chemicals including 80% ethanol, 0.

Crotalic and emarginellic acids: two triterpenes from Crotalaria emarginella and anti-inflammatory and anti-hepatotoxic activity of crotalic acid.

The aerial parts of Crotalaria emarginella Vatke (Leguminosae) has afforded two triterpenes, characterized as 3alpha-hydroxy-arbor-12-ene-28-carboxylic acid, designated as crotalic acid (1), and 2beta,3beta,21-trihydroxy-arbor-12-ene-29-carboxylic acid, designated as emarginellic acid (2). The structures of the isolated products were elucidated on the basis of spectral and chemical studies. On screening the biological activity, the crotalic acid (1) exhibited a significant anti-inflammatory activity (dose: 10mg/kg), which showed 53% inhibitory effect.

Iridoid glucosides from Kickxia abhaica D.A. Sutton from Scrophulariaceae.

Two iridoid glucosides namely; 6-acetylantirrinoside (1), 6'-O-p-hydroxybenzoylantirrinoside (2) were isolated from the aerial parts of Kickxia abhaica. Beside that, three known iridoid glucosides, antirrinoside (3), antirride (4) and mussaenosidic acid (5), one flavone glycoside (6) and a hexitol, d-mannitol (7) were isolated. The structures of the iridoid glucosides 1-2 were established by 1D and 2D NMR spectral data, including COSY, HMQC and HMBC experiments, as well as HRMS.

Three new diterpenes and the biological activity of different extracts of Jasonia montana.

Three new diterpenes, namely jasonin-a (1), jasonin-b (2), and jasonin-c (3) were isolated from the aerial parts of Jasonia montana (Asteraceae). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data as [(1E)-2-((2S)-1,2,5-trimethylbicyclo[3.2.

Antimycobacterial constituents from Juniperus procera, Ferula communis and Plumbago zeylanica and their in vitro synergistic activity with isonicotinic acid hydrazide.

The synergistic activity of antimycobacterial constituents from Saudi plants was evaluated in combination with isonicotinic acid hydrazide (INH) against four atypical organisms, namely, Mycobacterium intracellulare, M. smegmatis, M. xenopei and M.

HPTLC determination of caffeine in stimulant herbal products and power drinks.

The caffeine content of selected herbal products and energy drinks available in the Saudi market was determined by HPTLC-UV densitometric analysis. Pre-coated HPTLC silica gel plates (20cm x 10cm) were used for the analysis. The solvent system consisted of ethyl acetate-methanol (85:15, v/v), and caffeine was detected at 275nm.

Three new and two rare furanoeremophilanes from Senecio asirensis.

Three new furanoeremophilanes have been obtained from the aerial parts of Senecio asirensis (N. O. Asteraceae), and characterized as 6-hydroxylmethyl-9-methoxyl-4,11-dimethylnaphtho[2,3-b]furan, designated asirensane-a (1), 6-hydroxyl-1,2-dimethoxyl-4,6,11-trimethyl-6-hydronaphtho[2,3-a]furan-7-one, named asirensane-b (2), and (6,12-dihydroxyl-9-methoxyl-4-methyl-11-acetyl-3,4-dihydronaphtho[2,3-b]furan- 3-yl)methyl (2'Z)-2'-methyl-but-2'-enoate, designated asirensane-c (3).

Medicinal plant diversity in the flora of Saudi Arabia 1: a report on seven plant families.

A preliminary survey on the medicinal plant diversity in the flora of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been made with seven families: Amaranthaceae, Apocynaceae, Capparidaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Labiatae, Polygonaceae and Solanaceae, as an initial study. These families are represented in the flora with 254 species (i.e.

Verbenacine and salvinine: two new diterpenes from Salvia verbenaca.

Two new diterpenes namely verbenacine (1) and salvinine (2) have been isolated from the aerial parts of Salvia verbenaca. Their structures have been elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectral data as 3alpha-hydroxy-19-carboxykaur-15-ene and 19-hydroxy-12,14-dioxo labda-15,17-diene.

Cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of alkylated benzoquinones from Maesa lanceolata.

The natural and semi-synthetic analogs of substituted 1,4-benzoquinones were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxic and antioxidant activities. Maesanin, dihydromaesanin, maesanin dimethyl ether and isomeric mixtures of 3-[(Z)-10'-pentadecenyl]-benzoquinone derivatives exhibited cytotoxic activity against HL-60 cell line (IC50 values 4.5, 2.

HPLC fingerprinting and estimation of the bioactive components of Clutia richardiana L. as a potential hypoglycemic herbal tea.

Clutia richardiana L. is a traditional medicinal herb with demonstrated hypoglycemic effects. An HPLC method (Luna((R)) C(18) column, gradient elution, UV detection at 220 nm) has been utilized to determine the levels of the major diterpenes of C.

Cytotoxic sesquiterpene lactones from Centaurothamnus maximus and Vicoa pentanema.

The aerial parts of Centaurothamnus maximus yielded three cytotoxic guaianolides, chlorojanerin (1), cynaropicrin (2) and janerin (3). The structure elucidation of 1-3 was based on (1)H and (13)C NMR data, mainly 2D-NMR (1)H-(1)H COSY and (1)H-(13)C HETCOR experiments. Compounds 1-3 showed in vitro cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell lines of malignant melanoma (SK-MEL), epidermoid (KB), ductal (BT-549) and ovarian (SK-OV-3) carcinomas with IC(50) values of 2-6 microgram/mL.

New axane and oppositane sesquiterpenes from Teclea nobilis.

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

Barbeyol: a new phenolic indane type component from Barbeya oleoides.

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