Lycium Shawii Research Articles

GC/MS Analysis and Compounds Isolation ofLycium shawii Petroleum Ether Seeds Extract for Regulating Nrf2/OH-1 Pathway, Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Acrylamide- Induced Infertility in Female Rats.

Acrylamide is formed during heating of starchy foods at high temperature and induces reproductive toxicity. Our study is designed to evaluate the chemical constitution and anti-infertility effect of Lycium shawii seeds extract on female rats. Nutritional profile was estimated, and major active compounds were isolated and identified. Biological evaluation of Lycium shawii extract on female rats was performed and measured by prolactin, follicular stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, progesterone, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, heme oxygenase-1, nuclear respiratory factor-2, malondialdehyde, glutathione, DNA fragmentation and ovarian architecture parameters. Data revealed that presence of ɤ-tocopherol, vitamin C, magnesium and thirty-eight bioactive compounds in the fractions of Lycium shawii. Major constituents from GC/MS, were 9, 12-octadecadienoic acid (Z, Z), methyl ester, 2,7-Octadiene-1,6-diol and 2,6-dimethyl hydroxy linalool but further five compounds (i.e. lupenone, betulin, lupeol acetate, stigmasterol and β-sitosterol-D-glucoside) were isolated and identified. Treatment of rats with the seeds extract post acrylamide administration ameliorated female sex hormones, oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA damage, and ovarian structure. In conclusion, Lycium shawii petroleum ether seeds fraction may be considered as a nutraceutical agent for improving infertility disorders, oxidative stress and inflammation due to its richness with biologically active phenolic and flavonoids compounds.

The vegetation around the foothills of the Hijaz Mountains, Saudi Arabia

Despite Saudi Arabia being an interesting area from a floristic perspective, its vegetation is still relatively poorly studied. This certainly applies to the Hijaz Mountains and adjacent coastal zones. We aim to describe the flora and vegetation of the foothills of the Hijaz Mountains regarding the environmental conditions. Hijaz Mountains and adjacent coastal zones, Saudi Arabia. We studied the vegetation at the Hijaz Mountains’ foothills along two transects of vegetation surveys, one along the coast and one more inland. In addition, soil samples were taken and analyzed for soil texture, pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, calcium carbonate and the concentration of the elements N, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe and Mn were determined. We calculated the data clustering tendency (Hopkins’ test analysis) and its optimal number of clusters (Elbow method). We used modified TWINSPAN to cluster the data and validated the resulting communities using the Silhouette algorithm. Seven plant communities resulted, each one dominated by a different plant species, namely: Haloxylon salicornicum, Lycium shawii, Senegalia hamulosa, Vachellia tortilis, Zygophyllum coccineum, Vachellia flavaand Stipagrostis plumosa, and were described based on their floristic composition and could be further grouped into three vegetation clusters. The communities had varying ranges of occurrence in the study area, some dominating certain sections, with latitude and altitude being the biggest distinguishing environmental variables between the communities. We present a description of the vegetation of the Hijaz Mountains foothills. Our study is considered an important basis for decision-making of nature conservation and in-depth surveys of the area.Graphic abstract

Metabolic Profiling, in vitro Cytotoxicity and in silico Investigation of Lycium shawii Roem. Extract

Background: Breast cancer is a prevalent global health concern. Traditional medicine often incorporates the use of medicinal plants to address various diseases. Methods: The cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and cell migration effects of saponin and phenol extracts were evaluated through MTT assay, ROS analysis and wound-healing assay. Following the identification of the active extract, it underwent GC-MS analysis and in silico investigations. Result: Our results revealed significant inhibition of cell proliferation in MDA-MB-231 (IC50:407.3 μg/mL) and HUVECs (IC50:500 μg/mL), which was achieved only with the ethyl acetate extract (Fraction 2). Fraction 2 extract induced notable morphological changes and significantly inhibited time-dependent migration in MDA-MB-231 cells. Additionally, it elevated cellular ROS levels compared to the control cells. In molecular docking analysis, out of the 51 chosen secondary metabolites from L. shawii, stigmast-5-en-3-ol, (3α,24S) (-10.0 kcal/mol) and lup-20(29)-ene-3,28-diol (-9.5 kcal/mol) were found to be the best docked to their respective targets-6CHZ and 4MAN, respectively. Therefore, this plant holds promise as a potential therapeutic agent for breast cancer treatment.

Evaluation of Lycium Shawii Schult & Roem Eye Drops as a Novel Treatment for Old Corneal Scars in Rabbits

Purpose: to evaluate the efficacy of eye drops extracted from Lycium Shawii Roem&Schult leaves in treating old corneal scars in rabbit corneas. A corneal scar is a condition in which the cornea becomes opaque. The cornea is a transparent, avascular tissue. Corneal opacity/scar is the fifth leading causes of blindness and vision impairment worldwide.
 Methods: In a randomized controlled trial. twelve European pigmented rabbits with a twenty four eyes with a mean weight of 1.12 kg (Standared Deviation ± 0.16 kg), aged 5 to 6 months old, were subjected to a partial thickness (120–180 μm) sterile surgical excision on the anterior central part of the cornea with a 7 mm diameter. After the surgical procedures, we waited six weeks for stable old corneal scars to develop, after that rabbits received topical drops as one eye drops three times per day for two months, lycium shawii leaves extract for treatment group (10%; n=12), placebo (normal saline 9% ;n=10) for control group. Therapy effects on corneal scar and ocular safety were evaluated by slit-lamp microscope, Modified Fantes haze scale for grading.
 Results: The treatment group showed a significant reduction in corneal scar (P <0.000), mean 2.75 score , standard deviation ± 0.45, and a 68.75% improvement in corneal clarity (P <0.000), mean 0.25 score, standard deviation ± 0.45.
 Conclusion: The therapy is effective and safe in treating old corneal scar in rabbit and restores the transparency without ocular toxicity even after 2.5 years of follow up.

Lycium shawii mediated green synthesis of silver nanoparticles, characterization and assessments of their phytochemical, antioxidant, antimicrobial properties

BACKGROUNDThe shrub Lycium shawii belongs to the Solanaceae family, formerly used by ancestors to cure different illnesses. Dried leaves of Lycium shawii were used for extraction by maceration method in distilled water and methanol. Qualitative and quantitative estimation of phytochemicals were carried out in crude extracts. Plant-based silver nanoparticles have been praised over past decades as it is economical, environment-friendly, non-pathogenic, and undemanding. This study includes the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using crude leaf extract of Lycium shawii, their characterization, and exploited for different biological activities.FINDINGS: In phytochemical analysis, the total phenolic content in the methanolic extract was 11.11 mg Gallic acid/g, and the total flavonoid content was 7.76 mg Quercetin/g. The average size of aqueous-silver-nanoparticles and methanolic-silver-nanoparticles was 64 nm and 79 nm, respectively. Crude extracts and nanoparticles showed remarkable antimicrobial potential against the gram-negative bacteria Salmonella enterica and fungi Rhizopus oryzae. The antioxidant potential of methanolic extract and MeOH-AgNPs manifests more significant activity than aqueous extract and Aq-AgNPs. Minimum inhibitory concentration was observed in a range of 1 mg/ml to 15 mg/ml against different microbes. The observed MIC clearly indicated that the synthesized nanoparticles have strong antimicrobial potential. Hence can be used as a good source for the development of new drugs against resistant microbes. CONCLUSIONIn the era of increased antibiotic resistance, the Lycium shawii-mediated silver nanoparticle shows remarkable antimicrobial and significant antioxidant potential. These nanoparticles can be used alone or in combination with antibiotics to combat the effect of multidrug-resistant pathogens. Regarding the novelty, probably this is the first study highlighting the different biological activity of Lycium shawii-mediated silver nanoparticles.

Mycosynthesis of silver nanoparticles from endophytic Aspergillus flavipes AUMC 15772: ovat-statistical optimization, characterization and biological activities

BackgroundMycosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) offers a safe, eco-friendly, and promising alternative technique for large-scale manufacturing. Our study might be the first report that uses mycelial filtrate of an endophytic fungus, Aspergillus flavipes, for SNPs production under optimal conditions as an antimicrobial agent against clinical multidrug-resistant (MDR) wound pathogens.ResultsIn the present study, among four different endophytic fungi isolated from leaves of Lycium shawii, the only one isolate that has the ability to mycosynthesize SNPs has been identified for the first time as Aspergillus flavipes AUMC 15772 and deposited in Genebank under the accession number OP521771. One variable at a time (OVAT) and Plackett Burman design (PBD) were conducted for enhancing the production of mycosynthesized SNPs (Myco-SNPs) through optimization using five independent variables. The overall optimal variables for increasing the mycosynthesis of SNPs from mycelial filtrate of A. flavipes as a novel endophytic fungus were a silver nitrate concentration of 2 mM, a pH of 7.0, an incubation time of 5 days, and a mycelial filtrate concentration of 30% in dark conditions. UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray spectroscopy (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Selected-Area Electron Diffraction (SAED) patterns were used to characterize Myco-SNPs, which showed the peak of absorbance at 420 nm, and FTIR showed the bands at 3426.44, 2923.30, 1681.85, 1552.64, and 1023.02 cm-1, respectively, which illustrated the presence of polyphenols, hydroxyl, alkene, nitro compounds, and aliphatic amines, respectively. The XRD pattern revealed the formation of Myco-SNPs with good crystal quality at 2θ = 34.23° and 38.18°. The TEM image and SAED pattern show the spherical crystalline shape of Myco-SNPs with an average size of 6.9232 nm. High antibacterial activity of Myco-SNPs was recorded against MDR wound pathogens as studied by minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 8 to 32 µg/mL, time kill kinetics, and post-agent effects. Also, in vitro cell tests indicated that Myco-SNPs support the cell viability of human skin fibroblast cells as a nontoxic compound.ConclusionThe obtained results revealed the successful production of Myco-SNPs using the mycelial filtrate of A. flavipes, which may be a promising nontoxic alternative candidate for combating MDR wound pathogens.

Using native plants as sustainable solution for controlling aeolian activities

Kuwait is experimenting with the restoration of severely degraded terrestrial regions in its northern region, center for the development of wildlife habitats. The re-implantation and reproduction of native plants project, which will run from June 2003 to May 2019, is the main part of the restoration of the degraded zones. The most effective plants for reducing aeolian mobile sediments were highlighted, along with the most endangered plant species in the area, including Lycium shawii, Haloxylon salicornicum, Rhanterium epapposum, Panicum turgidum and, Calligonum polygonoides. The irrigation of these plants was kept up for around one to two years using brackish water from a productive well that produced 20 to 26 m3 per hour (TDS=4, 900 ml/l) and was hydrogen sulfide-free. Maximum mobile aeolian sediments were captured in Nitraria, Haloxylon, Tamarix, Lycium, Panicum, and Citrullus at 11.17, 6.29, 6.09, 5.77, 5.60, and 5.51m3, respectively. Their relative economic values were 14.74, 8.3, 8.04, 7.62, 7.39 and. 7.27 $, making them the most effective controls for aeolian processes in both current and upcoming applications.

Distinguishing features of Lycium L. species (family Solanaceae) distributed in Egypt based on their anatomical, metabolic, molecular, and ecological characteristics.

Among the 70-80 species of the genus Lycium (family Solanaceae) disjunctly distributed around the world, only three are frequently distributed in different locations in Egypt. Due to the morphological similarities between these three species, there is a need for alternative tools to distinguish them. Thus, the objective of this study was to revise the taxonomic features of Lycium europaeum L., Lycium shawii Roem. & Schult., and Lycium schweinfurthii var. aschersonii (Dammer) Feinbrun in consideration of their anatomical, metabolic, molecular, and ecological characteristics. In addition to analysis of their anatomical and ecological features, DNA barcoding was performed for molecular characterization through internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing and start codon targeted (SCoT) markers. Furthermore, metabolic profiling of the studied species was conducted based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The observed anatomical features of the adaxial and abaxial epidermal layers, type of mesophyll, crystals, number of palisade and spongy layers, and the vascular system showed variations between the studied species. Beyond this, the anatomy of the leaves showed an isobilateral structure in the studied species, without distinct differences. Species were molecularly identified in terms of ITS sequences and SCoT markers. The ITS sequences were deposited in GenBank with accession numbers ON149839.1, OP597546.1, and ON521125.1 for L. europaeum L., L. shawii, and L. schweinfurthii var. aschersonii, respectively. The sequences showed variations in GC content between the studied species; this was 63.6% in L. europaeum, 61.53% in L. shawii, and 63.55% in L. schweinfurthii var. aschersonii. A total of 62 amplified fragments, including 44 polymorphic fragments with a ratio of 70.97%, were obtained in the SCoT analysis, as well as unique amplicons in L. europaeum L., shawii, and L. schweinfurthii var. aschersonii of 5, 11, and 4 fragments, respectively. Through GC-MS profiling, 38 compounds were identified with clear fluctuations in the extracts of each species. Of these, 23 were distinguishing chemicals that could help in chemical identification of the extracts of the studied species. The present study succeeds in identifying alternative clear and diverse characteristics that can be used to distinguish between L. europaeum, L. shawii, and L. schweinfurthii var. aschersonii.

Stimulatory effects of Lycium shawii on human melanocyte proliferation, migration, and melanogenesis: In vitro and in silico studies.

There is no first-line treatment for vitiligo, a skin disease characterized by a lack of melanin produced by the melanocytes, resulting in an urgent demand for new therapeutic drugs capable of stimulating melanocyte functions, including melanogenesis. In this study, traditional medicinal plant extracts were tested for cultured human melanocyte proliferation, migration, and melanogenesis using MTT, scratch wound-healing assays, transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescence staining, and Western blot technology. Of the methanolic extracts, Lycium shawii L. (L. shawii) extract increased melanocyte proliferation at low concentrations and modulated melanocyte migration. At the lowest tested concentration (i.e., 7.8μg/mL), the L. shawii methanolic extract promoted melanosome formation, maturation, and enhanced melanin production, which was associated with the upregulation of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1 and TRP-2 melanogenesis-related proteins, and melanogenesis-related proteins. After the chemical analysis and L. shawii extract-derived metabolite identification, the in silico studies revealed the molecular interactions between Metabolite 5, identified as apigenin (4,5,6-trihydroxyflavone), and the copper active site of tyrosinase, predicting enhanced tyrosinase activity and subsequent melanin formation. In conclusion, L. shawii methanolic extract stimulates melanocyte functions, including melanin production, and its derivative Metabolite 5 enhances tyrosinase activity, suggesting further investigation of the L. shawii extract-derived Metabolite 5 as a potential natural drug for vitiligo treatment.

Does a Rural-Urban Gradient Affect Beetle Assemblages in an Arid Ecosystem?

Urbanization affects all elements of the pre-urban environment, including soils, hydrology, vegetation, and microclimate. Recently, Saudi Arabia has experienced rapid urbanization and growth. Thus, the country’s biodiversity has been threatened. In the Riyadh region, beetle assemblages were assessed along a rural-suburban-urban gradient. A total of 2791 individuals from 94 species belonging to seven families were collected at 15 sites along three different gradients of urbanization in Wadi Hanifa, which runs for a length of 120 km from northwest to southeast. Tenebrionidae dominated abundance (60.1%) and richness (38%). Beetle abundance, evenness, and diversity were not different among habitats; however, species richness was higher in rural habitats. Detrended correspondence “DCA” and canonical correspondence “CCA” analyses showed distinct differences among sites along gradients. Urbanization intensity, soil variables, and land cover were significantly correlated with CCA axis 1, while elevation and flora were significantly correlated with CCA axis 2. The most critical operating environmental variables in Wadi Hanifa were buildings, elevation, soil organic carbon, litter cover, and litter depth, as well as plant species such as Launaea capitata, Lycium shawii, Alhagi graecorum, and Heliotropium currasavicum. Ten species in our study were associated with urban habitats, six with suburban habitats, and seven with rural habitats. Consequently, expanding urban areas may negatively affect the richness and composition of beetles and may result in the loss of some native species.

Combinational Effect of Selected Medicinal Plants and Antibiotics Against Pathogenic Bacteria.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> The emergence of antibiotic resistance is a primary global health concern. As a result, there is an urgent need for new strategies to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. One of these essential strategies is the combination of medicinal plants and antibiotics as an alternative to using antibiotics alone which was the objective of this article. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Nine plant materials were collected from different Egypt localities and then extracted by water. Water extracts were filtered and added with Mueller-Hinton agar during preparation. Nine test bacteria and 13 standard antibiotics were used in the disc diffusion sensitivity method. <b>Results:</b> The activity of Amikacin was increased when combined with most different plant extracts against <i>Escherichia coli</i> while antagonistic against <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>. Aztreonam, Ceftriaxone, Gentamicin and Nalidixic acid antibiotics showed antagonistic or indifferent effects when combined with most different plant extracts against <i>E. coli</i>, <i>Klebsiella pneumonia</i> and <i>P. aeruginosa</i>. The synergistic effect was achieved in Aztreonam when combined with all plant extracts, while Nalidixic acid showed antagonistic when combined with most plant extracts against <i>Proteus mirabilis</i>. The antagonistic effect was achieved in Aztreonam, Ceftriaxone and Nalidixic acid when combined with <i>Achillea fragrantissima</i>, <i>Artemisia monosperma</i> and <i>Leptadenia pyrotechnica</i>, also Aztreonam with <i>Lycium shawii</i> extract against <i>Salmonella typhimurium</i>. The <i>A. fragrantissima</i> and <i>A. monosperma</i> increase the activity of Novobiocin and Vancomycin against <i>Bacillus cereus</i> and Ampicillin and Cefazolin against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> but Novobiocin activity increased with most plant extracts against <i>S. aureus</i>. <b>Conclusion:</b> The combinations of antibiotics with the extracts of medicinal plants displayed varying degrees of effects, synergistic, antagonistic and indifferent according to antibiotic type, plant extract and test organism.

Naturally Isolated Sesquiterpene Lactone and Hydroxyanthraquinone Induce Apoptosis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Line.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide, especially in Asian countries. The emergence of its drug resistance and its side effects demands alternatives, to improve prognosis. Since the majority of cancer drugs are derived from natural sources, it provides a window to look for more biocompatible alternatives. In this study, two natural compounds, costunolide (CE) and aloe emodin (AE), were isolated from the stem of Lycium shawii. The compounds were examined for their anticancer and apoptotic potentials against OSCC (CAL 27) cells, using an in vitro analysis, such as a MTT assay, scratch assay, gene, and protein expressions. Both compounds, CE and AE, were found to be cytotoxic against the cancer cells with an IC50 value of 32 and 38 µM, respectively. Moreover, the compounds were found to be non-toxic against normal NIH-3T3 cells and comparable with the standard drug i.e., 5-fluorouracil (IC50 = 97.76 µM). These compounds were active against normal cells at higher concentrations. Nuclear staining displayed the presence of apoptosis-associated morphological changes, i.e., karyopyknosis and karyorrhexis in the treated cancer cells. Flow cytometry results further confirmed that these compounds induce apoptosis rather than necrosis, as the majority of the cells were found in the late apoptotic phase. Gene and protein expression analyses showed an increased expression of apoptotic genes, i.e., BAK, caspase 3, 6, and 9. Moreover, the compounds significantly downregulated the expression of the anti-apoptotic (BCL-2 L1), metastatic (MMP-2), and pro-inflammatory (COX-2) genes. Both compounds have shown promising anticancer, apoptotic, and anti-migratory activities against the OSCC cell line (i.e., CAL-27). However, further in vivo studies are required to explore these compounds as anticancer agents.

Delineating surface sediments physical properties in Ghudai Area, Kuwait

There are three main challenges to establishing human settlements in Ghudai area at northern Kuwait Bay, namely; sand encroachment, water floods, and coastal erosion. Therefore, the particle size distribution percentage and statistical parameters in Ghudai surface sediments at the Kuwait Bay coast were determined and delineated in an attempt to display the depositional environment and its impact on the seedling growth of native plants. Particle sizes were assessed using a centrifugal particle analyzer and 373 samples representing the top 20 cm of surficial sediments were taken from the main geomorphological zones around Nitraria retusa and Lycium shawii nabkhas as dominant species in the study area, particle size percentages, and statistical size parameters were determined and delineated. The structural parameter distribution showed the dominance of medium sand sediments, as well as their environmental consequences revealing the unidirectional signature of fluvial flow from the Jal Al-Zur escarpment and wind transportation toward Kuwait Bay. Different discrimination maps of particle size parameters and other factors were plotted. The research shows that particle size parameters are highly vulnerable to slight changes in the pattern of sediment composition where sediments are deposited and reformed in disturbed environments.

Ecological study on native plant diversity in Kuwait desert ecosystem

The scarcity and irregularity of rainfall and the prevalence of strong northwesterly winds in Kuwait have a significant influence on the stability of the fragile ecosystem. The Aeolian landforms constitute most of the landscapes in Kuwait. Naturally grown native shrubs and trees can provide potential shelter to the soil surface in desert areas. To identify the characteristics of dominant perennial plant species, sediments of desert and saline (sabkhas) nabkha formed around different types of desert and halophytes plants are studied. Haloxylon salicornicum, Nitraria retusa, Cyperus conglomerates, Panicum turgidum, Rhanterium epapposum, Calligonum polygonoides, Stipagrostis plumosa Lycium shawii, Astragalus spinosus, Convolvolus oxyphyllus, Tamarix aucheriana, Halocnemum strobilaceum, and Citrullus colocynthis are landmarks characterizing the Arabian deserts and coastal salt marshes. The analyses of soil samples around the native plants showed that each native plants has its characteristics. The sediments of desert nabkhas differ from coastal nabkhas (Nitraria sp., Halocnemum sp., and Tamarix sp.). The sediments of coastal nabkha were characterized by lower pH, higher moisture content, total dissolved salts, and conductivity levels than desert nabkhas. Maximum mobile sediments were trapped by N. retusa, T. aucheriana, H. salicornicum, C. colocynthis, and L. shawii because of their ability to develop wider and longer nabkhas than other native plants. The vegetated dunes can trap maximum mobile sediments from 0.5 to 10.5 tons thus cost-saving per plant is estimated to be from 0.3 to 7.3 USD.

Exploring the potential of benzoic acid derived from the endophytic fungus strain Neurospora crassa SSN01 as a promising antimicrobial agent in wound healing

Endophytic fungi are known to produce bioactive compounds with the potential to be used as promising drugs to treat a wide range of diseases. To the best of our knowledge, the use of bioactive metabolites derived from endophytic fungi, particularly against multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens inhabiting burn wounds, has been emphasized for the first time. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the potential of purified benzoic acid (BA) derived from Neurospora crassa, an endophytic fungus isolated from Lycium shawii, as a promising and alternative safe antimicrobial candidate in wound healing. As a result, benzoic acid, a safe and nontoxic compound, may be a promising candidate for combating clinical MDR pathogens of burn wound infections. In this study, Neurospora crassa strain SSN01 (MW856826) was successfully identified for the first time as a new BA-producing endophytic fungus isolated from Lycium shawii. The concentration of BA in the ethyl acetate extract reached 244 mg/mL. Purified BA had a detrimental effect on the MDR strains tested, and the MDR Staphylococcus aureus strain SA-17 was clearly more susceptible to BA as compared to the other tested MDR bacterial and fungal strains. Toxicological studies on experimental animals were conducted to evaluate the toxicity of BA and a suitable dose regimen for future human use. Oral administration of BA at the highest concentration of 300 µg/kg body weight resulted in nontoxic signs and no mortality. In vivo histopathological examination revealed that BA, as a nontoxic and safe compound, could be a promising candidate for wound healing, combating MDR pathogens of burn wound infections.

In-silico predicting as a tool to develop plant-based biomedicines and nanoparticles: Lycium shawii metabolites

In silico approach helps develop biomedicines and is useful for exploring the pharmacology of potential therapeutics using computer-simulated models. In vitro assays were used to determine the anti-microbial and cytotoxic efficacies of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized with the shrub Lycium shawii. In silico predicting was performed to assess the L. shawii metabolites identified using QTOF-LCMS for their pharmacological properties. L. shawii mediated AgNPs were synthesized and characterized (FTIR, TEM, SEM, DLS and EDX). The anti-bacterial efficacies of L. shawii extract, AgNPs, and penicillin-conjugated AgNPs (pen-AgNPs) were determined. The cytotoxicity of the AgNPs was measured against colorectal cancer cell line (HCT116), normal breast epithelium (MCF 10A), and breast cancer cell line (MDA MB 231). Five molecules (costunolide, catechin, emodin, lyciumaside, and aloe emodin 11-O-rhamnoside) were detected in the L. shawii extract. AgNPs (69nm) were spherical with crystallographic structure. All three agents prepared showed inhibitory activity against the tested bacteria, the most efficacious being pen-AgNPs. High cytotoxicity of AgNPs (IC50 62μg/ml) was observed against HCT116, IC50 was 78μg/ml for MCF 10A, and 250μg/ml for MDA MB 231, of which cells showed apoptotic features under TEM examination. The in silico approach indicated that the carbonic anhydrase IX enzyme was the target molecule mediating anti-cancer and anti-bacterial activities and that emodin was the metabolite in action. Combining in vitro studies and in silico molecular target prediction helps find novel therapeutic agents. Among L. shawii metabolites, emodin is suggested for further studies as an agent for drug development against pathogenic bacteria and cancer.

Antioxidant and Antibacterial potential of Lycium shawii Roem. and Schult (Awsaj) and Tetraena qatarensis (Hadidi) Beier and Thulin leaves: A Herbal approach to Combat Drug Resistance and Oxidative Stress

The present investigation deals with the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of chloroform and methanolic extracts of Lycium shawii and Tetraena qatarensis leaves. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH and FRAP assay. In the DPPH assay, the lowest IC50 values 45.63 and 46.17µg/ml were observed with methanolic and chloroform extract Lycium shawii leaves, respectively. In FRAP assay most of the extracts showed optical density >0.5 at 40µg/ml. In the antibacterial activity test, all tested extracts were found active towards all bacterial strains with MIC ranged between 0.03125 to 0.12mg/mL. Subsequently, in the combined effect assay, the highest fold increase (92.31%) was observed against Salmonella typhi with methanol extract of Lycium shawii leaves. The examined plants could be used as a treatment for microbial infection and oxidative stress after detailed follow-up investigations.

Moisture and Salinity Drive the Vegetation Composition of Wadi Hargan, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Wetlands are represented in Saudi Arabia in the form of mangrove, sabkha, and wadi (valleys) systems, and these habitats are considered as a sanctuary for biodiversity. The present study aimed to identify different vegetation groups in a wetland site in Wadi Hargan near Alqurainah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and to relate different plant communities and plant diversity to soil moisture, salinity, and other soil properties. Floristic analysis and vegetation structure were investigated within 15 stands along the wadi and were subjected to correlation analysis with soil factors via multivariate analysis. The floristic survey revealed the presence of 111 plant species belonging to 39 families. The most represented families were Asteraceae, Poaceae, Brassicaceae, Caryophyllaceae, and Papilionaceae, which accounted for the largest proportion (55.4%) of the total species. The therophytes were the dominant life form, where they were represented by 46.9% of the total number of species. The application of cluster analysis (TWINSPAN) to the importance value of each species based on the relative cover and density led to the recognition of four plant communities: (A) Phragmites australis—Tamarix nilotica community, (B) Zygophyllum coccineum—Acacia gerrardii community, (C) Lycium shawii—Zygophyllum coccineum community, and (D) Rhazya stricta community. The soil analysis and correlation test revealed significant variations in the content of salinity, moisture, CO3, Cl, SO4, Ca, Mg, and Na among the plant communities. It can be concluded that soil moisture and salinity factors were the fundamental driving forces for plant community structure in the studied wadi. The wadi was moderately grazed, mainly by camels; thereby, the invasive plant Rhazya stricta dominated the central region of the wadi. Also, human interference was observed at the end of the wadi, where some weeds sprouted such as Malva parviflora. The presence of those two rare wetland species, Adiantum capillus-veneris and Ficus salicifolia, in the study area, showed the unique properties of the studied wadi and necessitate an urgent biodiversity conservation action to protect its natural vegetation from overgrazing and human interference.

Comparative Phytochemical Profile and Biological Activity of Four Major Medicinal Halophytes from Qassim Flora.

Four halophytic plants, Lycium shawii, Anabasis articulata, Rumex vesicarius, and Zilla spinosa, growing in the central Qassim area, Saudi Arabia, were phytochemically and biologically investigated. Their hydroalcoholic extracts’ UPLC-ESIQ-TOF analyses demonstrated the presence of 44 compounds of phenolic acids, flavonoids, saponins, carbohydrates, and fatty acids chemical classes. Among all the plants’ extracts, L. shawii showed the highest quantities of total phenolics, and flavonoids contents (52.72 and 13.01 mg/gm of the gallic acid and quercetin equivalents, respectively), along with the antioxidant activity in the TAA (total antioxidant activity), FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power), and DPPH-SA (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-scavenging activity) assays with 25.6, 56.68, and 19.76 mg/gm, respectively, as Trolox equivalents. The hydroalcoholic extract of the L. shawii also demonstrated the best chelating activity at 21.84 mg/gm EDTA equivalents. Among all the four halophytes, the hydroalcoholic extract of L. shawii exhibited the highest antiproliferative activity against MCF7 and K562 cell lines with IC50 values at 194.5 µg/mL and 464.9 µg/mL, respectively. The hydroalcoholic extract of A. articulata demonstrated better cytotoxic activity amongst all the tested plants’ extracts against the human pancreatic cancer cell lines (PANC1) with an IC50 value of 998.5 µg/mL. The L. shawii induced apoptosis in the MCF7 cell lines, and the percentage of the necrotic cells changed to 28.1% and 36.5% for the IC50 and double-IC50 values at 22.9% compared with the untreated groups. The hydroalcoholic extract of L. shawii showed substantial antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus ATCC 10876 with a MIC value of 12.5 mg/mL. By contrast, the A. articulata and Z. spinosa exhibited antifungal activities against Aspergillus niger ATCC 6275 with MIC values at 12.5 and 50 mg/mL, respectively. These findings suggested that the L. shawii is a potential halophyte with remarkable biological properties, attributed to its contents of phenolics and flavonoid classes of compounds in its extract.

Supplementation with the Methanolic Extract of Lycium shawii or Rhanterium epapposum Enhances Immune Responses of Broilers

Supplementation with the Methanolic Extract of Lycium shawii or Rhanterium epapposum Enhances Immune Responses of Broilers