The essential oil isolated from the bark of Cinnamomum glanduliferum (Wall) Meissn grown in Egypt was screened for its composition as well as its biological activity for the first time. The chemical composition was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The antimicrobial activity of the oil was assessed using agar-well diffusion method toward representatives for each of Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi. The cytotoxic activity was checked using three human cancer cell lines. Twenty seven compounds were identified, representing 99.07% of the total detected components. The major constituents were eucalyptol (65.87%), terpinen-4-ol (7.57%), α-terpineol (7.39%). The essential oil possessed strong antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli, with an activity index of one and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) equaling to 0.49 μg/ml. The essential oil possessed good antimicrobial activities against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Geotrichum candidum, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Helicobacter pylori, Aspergillus fumigatus (MIC: 7.81, 1.95, 7.81, 0.98, 31.25, and 32.5 μg/ml, respectively). A considerable activity was reported against S. aureus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MIC; 32.5 and 31.25 μg/ml, respectively). The extracted oil was cytotoxic to colon (HCT-116), liver (HepG2), and breast (MCF-7) carcinoma cell lines with IC of 9.1, 42.4, and 57.3 μg/ml, respectively. These results revealed that Egyptian Cinnamomum glanduliferum bark oil exerts antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities mainly due to eucalyptol and other major compounds.

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Introduction Infertility affects up to 20% of couples globally (Pan et al., 2018). The risk of poor reproductive insufficiency in males increases at >35 years old due to age-related changes in aged males including high incidence of systemic diseases and infections, vascular insufficiency, reduced levels of sex hormones, mutations, disorders in the architecture of testes, and oxidative stress (Azenabor et al., 2015; Ilacqua et al., 2018). In men over 35 years old, negative changes in sperm quality are reported and become more pronounced with age over 40 years (Rosiak-Gill et al., 2019). By aging, deterioration in semen quality is observed in the ejaculate volume, sperm count, motility, vitality and morphology (Harris et al., 2011). Furthermore, aging is associated with loss of kidney function marked with progressive reductions in renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The decline in GFR is attributed to reductions in glomerular capillary flow rate, glomerular capillary ultrafiltration coefficient, and afferent arteriolar resistance (Weinstein and Anderson, 2010). These changes lead to loss of renal mass; stiffness of afferent arterioles, sclerosis of glomeruli, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis (Yoon and Choi, 2014). Aging is associated with altered activity and responsiveness to vasoactive stimuli; responses to vasoconstrictor stimuli are enhanced, while vasodilatory responses are impaired. These changes may predispose the older kidney to acute and progressive chronic kidney injury (Weinstein and Anderson, 2010). Therefore, targeting the pathological changes associated with male infertility and kidney dysfunctions could reverse these aging-induced perturbations. Astragalus membranaceus is a Chinese medicinal herb used to treat various diseases and is marketed as life-prolonging extracts for human use in China (Liu et al., 2017). The major components of Astragalus membranaceus are polysaccharides, flavonoids, and saponins (Auyeung et al., 2016). The components of Astragalus membranaceus extract can increase telomerase activity, and has antiinflammatory,

This study evaluated the antitumor activity of a methanolic extract from the leaves of Ziziphus spina-christi (ZSCL) against diethylnitrosamine (DENA)-induced hepatocarcinoma in rats. The phytochemical constituents, in vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of ZSCL extract were investigated. Male Wistar rats were distributed among 6 groups: (i) normal control; (ii) ZSCL1-treated rats (100 mg/kg body mass; “b.m.”); (iii) ZSCL2-treated rats (300 mg/kg b.m.); (iv) rats with DENA-induced hepatocarcinoma; (v and vi) rats with hepatocarcinoma that were treated with either (v) ZSCL1 or (vi) ZSCL2. Serum liver function and levels of oxidative stress were assayed. The expression of hepatocyte growth factor, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor, B cell lymphoma-2, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 oncogenes were quantified in liver samples. Histological examination of the liver tissues was performed. The ZSCL was rich in essential fatty acids, phytol, and polyphenolic flavones (luteolin and quercetin) with strong free-radical and peroxide scavenging activities and cytotoxic activity. Administration of ZSCL1 and ZSCL2 to the rats produced no toxic effects. DENA induced hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangioma by producing oxidative stress and upregulating the expression of hepatic oncogenes. Treatment of DENA-induced hepatocarcinoma with ZSCL2 ameliorated all of the abnormalities induced by DENA except for cholangioma. In conclusion, the ZSCL (300 mg/kg b.m.) displayed strong therapeutic activity against DENA-induced hepatocellular carcinoma via targeting oxidative stress and oncogenes.

Background: Sulphonylureas are the oldest and commonly used to treat diabetic patients, but its efficacy declines by time. It was reported that quinazoline nucleus exhibits a potent hypoglycemic effect in diabetic animal models. Objective: The current study aimed to synthesize new quinazoline-sulfonylurea conjugates and evaluate their hypoglycemic effects in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Methods: The conjugates were synthesized by bioisosteric replacement of 5-chloro-2-methoxybenzamide moiety in glibenclamide or 1,3-dioxo-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline moiety in gliquidone with 6,7-dimethoxy-4-oxoquinazoline moiety (compounds 4a-4d, 9b-9c and 10b-10d). Diabetes was induced in rats by a single i.p. administration of alloxan, followed by treatment with the synthesized conjugates (5mg/kg Body weight). Results: All conjugates showed hypoglycemic effects with different efficacy indicated by the reduction in blood glucose and elevation of insulin levels. Moreover, these conjugates up-regulated the expression of pancreatic glucose transporter 2, muscle glucose transporter 4, and insulin receptor substrate-1 genes, compared to the diabetic group. A normal pancreatic tissue pattern was noticed in diabetic rats treated with compounds 9b, 9c, and 10c. Conclusion: Conjugation of sulfonylurea with quinazoline (especially 9b, 9c, 10c) possessed a significant hypoglycemic effect through improving blood insulin level and insulin action and consequently increased the glucose uptake by the skeletal muscles.