Introduction: Recently, the recovery of waste products from plants as a source of biologically active compounds has increased interest. Therefore, the current research aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antimicrobial activities of the fixed oil of Cucumis melo L seeds, as well as to investigate its physicochemical parameters and chemical composition. Methods: Anti-inflammatory activity was examined using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema assay. The antimicrobial activity was assayed against Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans by well diffusion method. The chemical composition of the oil was determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), α-tocopherol was estimated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: Cucumis melo oil had no toxicity and possessed a promising anti-inflammatory activity. Moreover, the oil exhibited a reasonable decrease in the pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and a significant increase in the anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10). The oil exhibited a reasonable antimicrobial activity against all tested organisms. The major identified compound in the unsaponifiable matter was (1-methyldodecyl) benzene (8.76%), while the major fatty acid was methyl linoleate (14.10%). The results of physicochemical characterization revealed the better quality of Cucumis melo oil. The amount of α-tocopherol in the oil was 23.5 μg/mL, which is considered a reasonable amount. Conclusion: These findings indicate that the fixed oil of Cucumis melo L seeds might be used as a safe natural anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antimicrobial agent.

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Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the phytoconstituents and various bioactivities of Pleiogynium timorense bark as a step towards the production of a new drug from natural origin to overcome the complications of the synthetic drugs. Methods: The phenolic compounds were isolated and identified by chromatographic and spectroscopic methods as ultraviolet (UV) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. The isolated compounds, as well as 70% methanol extract of P. timorense bark were tested for cytotoxicity against human colon carcinoma (HCT 116), human hepatocellular liver carcinoma (HepG2), normal melanocytes (HFB-4) and human breast carcinoma (MCF-7) cell lines. In addition, the methanol extract was evaluated for renal protective, hepatoprotective, antioxidant and antihyperglycaemic activities. Results: Seven phenolic compounds were isolated from the bark of the plant for the first time which were identified as; pyrogallol, catechin, gallic acid, kaempferol, quercetin, rutin and quercetrin. Moreover, the methanol extract of the bark showed a promising cytotoxic effect against HepG2 cell line more than that of the isolated compounds comparing with doxorubicin (a positive control), where catechin and gallic acid showed moderate effects. In addition, the methanol extract showed potent antioxidant, hepatorenal protective and antihyperglycaemic effects. Conclusion: Pleiogynium timorense extract possesses a potent cytotoxic effect against HepG2 cell line and significant antioxidant, hepatorenal protective and antihyperglycaemic effects.

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