Studies on eight samples of Jordanian honey of known origin included chemical, physical, trace element and heavy metals analysis as well as pollen identification. Results indicated that the quality of Jordanian honey was different depending on processing conditions; the composition of the different types of active compounds that they contain is dependant on the pollen grains that are present. Pollen composition was directly related to the plants on which the honeybees fed. Identification of pollen grains suggested that there were differences in the plants and therefore differences in the composition of the active compounds. Measurements of some trace elements also indicated differences that would affect the quality of the honey samples. Testing the honey samples for the presence of lead and cadmium was used as evidence of pollution. The results reaffirm the presence of heavy metals, giving a warning of pollution in the areas from where pollen is collected.

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Aim This study assessed the effects of topical application of R. coriaria extract on the rate of wound closure. The rate of wound contraction was used to assess the wound healing efficacy of the R. coriaria fruit methanolic extract. Methods Using excision and burn model of wound repair in diabetic male Wistar rats. Also, hydroxyproline, collagen content, and proinflammatory and anti‐inflammatory cytokines levels were determined in this study. Results During the early wound healing phase, interleukin 6 (IL‐6) levels were found to be decreased by R. coriaria treatment and increased the level of interleukin 10 (IL‐10). Increased wound contraction augmented with hydroxyproline and collagen content, supporting the early wound healing exhibited by R. coriaria. The epithelialization, neovascularization and enhanced hydroxyproline and collagen expression were strongly associated with the healing pattern. Conclusion This study indicating that R. coriaria methanolic fruit extract has a potent wound healing capacity. And may be effective in the topical therapy of wound healing.

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Context: Recent scientific studies have reported that essential oils induce apoptosis in various cancer cell types by interfering with intracellular signaling pathways. Aims: To evaluate the cytotoxicity, the apoptotic activity of essential oil (EO) of Ruta chalepensis L. against MCF-7 cell line. Methods: Cytotoxicity was determined using methyl thiazol tetrazolium assay. The apoptotic activity of EO was analyzed using annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide binding flow cytometry. The cell morphology was inspected under an inverted microscope. DAPI staining assay was used for the morphological observation. Activation of caspases-3/7, -8, and-9 was assessed using a caspase assay kit. Results: Ruta chalepensis essential oil significantly inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells at 72 h. Moreover, the results showed that cell death is associated with the apoptotic process, and the number of apoptotic cells was significantly increased in the groups treated with EO than in control cells. The main morphological hallmarks of apoptosis in the nucleus were membrane blebbing, chromatin condensation, and nuclear fragmentation. Also, R. chalepensis EO-induced apoptosis in the MCF-7 cell line was via the extrinsic caspase-8 dependent pathway in a dose and time-dependent manner. Conclusions: Ruta chalepensis essential oil demonstrated significant apoptotic activity against experimental breast carcinoma. Therefore, it could be introduced as a suitable candidate for breast cancer therapy after further investigation.