Phytochemicals have been of great interest as a source of natural antioxidants used for health promotion, food preservation, food flavoring and cosmetics. In this research, alcoholic extract from Caralluma arabica and...Phytochemicals have been of great interest as a source of natural antioxidants used for health promotion, food preservation, food flavoring and cosmetics. In this research, alcoholic extract from Caralluma arabica and different solvent fractions were evaluated for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties as well as their polyphenolic compositions. The total antioxidant property was estimated by the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS+) and β-carotene bleaching tests. Among the ethanol extract and three fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest phenolic content (33.1 mg gallic acid/g) and the best antioxidant activity. The ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant capacities of the ethyl acetate fraction were 143.64, 381.3, 112.6 μmol/g in FRAP, ABTS and DPPH assays, respectively. This study verified that the ethanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction from Caralluma arabica have strong antioxidant activity that was correlated with their high level of phenolic content. Furthermore, the same extract showed appreciable anti-inflammatory via Lipoxygenase inhibitory activity (LOX), the IC50 values ranged from 11.2 - 30.77 μg/mL. Moreover, Ethyl acetate fraction showed the strongest cytotoxic effect (IC50 = 87.55 μg/mL) against MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. These findings suggest that Caralluma arabica may be considered as an interesting source of antioxidants for nutraceutical industries.展开更多
The seed germination and seedling establishment of the rare Acridocarpus orientalis were investigated to understand its requirements for further seedlings establishment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is an impo...The seed germination and seedling establishment of the rare Acridocarpus orientalis were investigated to understand its requirements for further seedlings establishment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is an important first step in order to try to conserve the species and prevent its disappearance. The experiments were carried out in a greenhouse and in a laboratory under a temperature of about 25?C ± 4?C. Seeds were soaked in water or kept in cold conditions. A control treatment was also included. Only a total of 9 seeds emerged during a period that exceeded eight months. Percent germination in the laboratory experiment reached a maximum of 32%, 75 days into the trial. The rate of seed mortality was 64%. It may be a problem of acclimation to the greenhouse environment. The results of this study showed that A. orientalis seeds were not dormant. About 32% of seeds germinated and all others were viable. Soaking seeds in water proved to be the best treatment for A. orientalis to emerge. Further investigations of the species germination and establishment are needed in order to improve our chances of protecting A. orientalis in the wild.展开更多
文摘Phytochemicals have been of great interest as a source of natural antioxidants used for health promotion, food preservation, food flavoring and cosmetics. In this research, alcoholic extract from Caralluma arabica and different solvent fractions were evaluated for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties as well as their polyphenolic compositions. The total antioxidant property was estimated by the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS+) and β-carotene bleaching tests. Among the ethanol extract and three fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest phenolic content (33.1 mg gallic acid/g) and the best antioxidant activity. The ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant capacities of the ethyl acetate fraction were 143.64, 381.3, 112.6 μmol/g in FRAP, ABTS and DPPH assays, respectively. This study verified that the ethanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction from Caralluma arabica have strong antioxidant activity that was correlated with their high level of phenolic content. Furthermore, the same extract showed appreciable anti-inflammatory via Lipoxygenase inhibitory activity (LOX), the IC50 values ranged from 11.2 - 30.77 μg/mL. Moreover, Ethyl acetate fraction showed the strongest cytotoxic effect (IC50 = 87.55 μg/mL) against MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. These findings suggest that Caralluma arabica may be considered as an interesting source of antioxidants for nutraceutical industries.
文摘The seed germination and seedling establishment of the rare Acridocarpus orientalis were investigated to understand its requirements for further seedlings establishment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is an important first step in order to try to conserve the species and prevent its disappearance. The experiments were carried out in a greenhouse and in a laboratory under a temperature of about 25?C ± 4?C. Seeds were soaked in water or kept in cold conditions. A control treatment was also included. Only a total of 9 seeds emerged during a period that exceeded eight months. Percent germination in the laboratory experiment reached a maximum of 32%, 75 days into the trial. The rate of seed mortality was 64%. It may be a problem of acclimation to the greenhouse environment. The results of this study showed that A. orientalis seeds were not dormant. About 32% of seeds germinated and all others were viable. Soaking seeds in water proved to be the best treatment for A. orientalis to emerge. Further investigations of the species germination and establishment are needed in order to improve our chances of protecting A. orientalis in the wild.
