Saudi Plant Research Articles

أنظمة المسؤولية المدنية النووية والخطوة التالية لدولة قطر

While many states are moving away from nuclear power and decommissioning their reactors for cheaper and safer alternative energy sources, recent years have seen a spark in interest for nuclear power within the Middle East under the pretext of ‘energy independence’. This trend poses a potential threat for the safety of the region considering that nuclear power plants are prone to human errors, deliberate attacks, and natural environmental convulsions which could trigger potential transboundary fallout. Given the region’s small and compacted geography along with the increasingly volatile geopolitical instability, a regional incident would likely have much direr consequences compared to other previous nuclear incidents. As a non-nuclear power state, Qatar is not currently party to any of the nuclear civil liability conventions which could guarantee some level of compensation for the victims in case of transboundary nuclear harm. In due course, Qatar will be surrounded by nuclear reactors from the north (the Iranian Bushehr plant), the east (the UAE Barakah plant) and the west (the planned Saudi plants). As exemplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, theoretical transboundary calamities can unexpectedly become a sudden reality and there is a solemn need to work proactively when dealing with such consequential hypotheticals. Therefore, this article qualitatively assesses the relevant international conventions with an aim of being policy relevant and navigate Qatari decision-makers through the vexing web of the nuclear civil liability regimes.

Insecticidal Activity and Free Radical Scavenging Properties of Isolated Phytoconstituents from the Saudi Plant Nuxia oppositifolia (Hochst.).

Chromatographic purification of the alcoholic extract from the aerial parts of the Saudi plant Nuxia oppositifolia (Hochst.), Benth., resulted in five isolated phenolic compounds. Two flavones, hispidulin (1) and jaceosidin (2), and the phenylethanoid glycosides, verbascoside (3), isoverbascoside (4), and conandroside (5), were identified and their chemical structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses. The insecticidal activity of compounds 1 and 2, in addition to 11 compounds isolated in a previous research (6–16), was evaluated against the Yellow Fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Four compounds displayed adulticidal activity with LD50 values of 2–2.3 μg/mosquito. Free radical scavenging properties of the plant extracts and compounds (1–5) were evaluated by measuring the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate radical cation (ABTS•+) scavenging activity. All compounds exhibited notable activity, compared with the positive control, l-Ascorbic acid. This study suggests that N. oppositifolia could be a promising source of secondary metabolites, some with lethal adulticidal effect against Ae. aegypti.

Glycosylated Phenols and an Unprecedented Diacid from the Saudi Plant Cissus rotundifolia.

Bioassay-guided investigation of the Saudi medicinal and edible plant Cissus rotundifolia yielded seven metabolites, including the new sucrose diester cissuxinoside (1) and the unprecedented cissoic acid (2), belonging to unusual classes of secondary metabolites. Their chemical structures were elucidated through a combination of HR-MS and NMR data. The absolute configuration of cissoic acid was assigned by comparison of experimental and TDDFT-calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra. In addition, three rare C-glycosyl flavones (3-5) were fully characterized, and for 3 and 4 NMR data are reported here for the first time. This study identified 1-O-(4-coumaroyl)-β-d-glucopyranose (7) as the main compound responsible for the glucose uptake stimulation effect exerted by the extract.

Antimalarial alkaloid from Hypoestes forskaolii

Following on from previous studies, we brought further our quest for anti-malarial agents isolated from plants grown in the Saudi Arabian Peninsula. Methanolic extracts were prepared from eighteen Saudi plants and then tested in vitro to assess their anti-malarial effects on Plasmodium falciparum K1, (a chloroquine-resistant strain) as well as their cytotoxicity on MRC5 (human diploid embryonic lung cell line) cells. Moderate anti-malarial activity was observed in extracts prepared from Hypoestes forskaolii (Vahl) R. Br. (IC50 value of 5.5 μg/ml) and Rhus retinorrhaea (IC50: 7.71 μg/ml). The remaining sixteen plant extracts appeared to be inactive (IC50 > 12.5 μg/ml). A novel phenanthro-quinolizidine alkaloid, 15β-hydroxycryptopleurine-N-oxide, was isolated from H. forskaolii using bio-guided fractionation procedures. Chloroquine-resistant (K1) and chloroquine-sensitive (FCR3) strains of P. falciparum appeared very sensitive to the anti-malarial activity of 15β-hydroxycryptopleurine-N-oxide, giving IC50 of 6.11 and 5.13 nM respectively. It showed cytotoxicity against MRC5 “IC50 of 24.45 nM” with selectivity indices of 4.0 and 4.76 against K1 and FCR3 strains, respectively. It is our understanding that this is the first account on phenanthro-quinolizidine alkaloids anti-malarial activity on a chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum strain.

Hepatoprotective effect of Solanum surattense leaf extract against chemical- induced oxidative and apoptotic injury in rats

BackgroundOf over 35 Saudi plants traditionally used to treat liver disorders, majority still lack scientific validations. We therefore, evaluated the anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic and hepatoprotective potential of Solanum surattense leaves total ethanol-extract (SSEE).MethodsThe cytoprotective (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide/ MTT assay) and anti-apoptotic (caspase-3/7) potential of SSEE (25–200 μg/mL) were assessed in cultured HepG2 cells against dichlorofluorescein (DCFH)-induced toxicity. The hepatoprotective salutation of SSEE (100 and 200 mg/kg.bw/day) in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-intoxicated rats was evaluated by serum biochemistry and histopathology. The anti-oxidative activity of SSEE (31.25–500 μg/mL) was tested by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging and linoleic acid bleaching assays. Also, SSEE was subjected to qualitative phytochemical analysis, and standardized by validated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPTLC).ResultsSSEE at doses 50, 100 and 200 μg/mL showed HepG2 cell proliferative and protective potential by about 61.0, 67.2 and 95%, respectively through inhibition of caspase-3/7 against DCFH-toxicity. In CCl4-injured rats, SSEE (200 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.001) normalized serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, cholesterol, triglycerides, and total protein, including tissue malondialdehyde and nonprotein sulfhydryls levels, supported by the liver histopathology. SSEE further showed strong in vitro anti-oxidative and anti-lipid peroxidative activities, evidenced by the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, sterols and saponins. Identification of β-sitosterol (3.46 μg/mg) strongly supported the anti-oxidative and hepatoprotective salutation of SSEE.ConclusionOur findings suggest the therapeutic potential of S. surattense against chemical-induced oxidative stress and liver damage. However, isolation of the active principles and elucidation of mechanism of action remain to be addressed.

Ineos invests $2 billion in 3 Saudi plants

Ineos will build three large-scale chemical intermediate plants within Project Amiral, an ethylene cracker complex in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, being developed by Saudi Aramco and Total. Costing $2 billion and set to start up in 2025, the facilities that Ineos will build are a 425,000-metric-ton-per-year acrylonitrile plant, a 400,000-metric-ton-per-year linear-α-olefin plant, and what the firm says will be a “world-scale” poly-α-olefin plant. The three plants will be Ineos’s first in Saudi Arabia. Output from the α-olefin plants will be used to make synthetic lubricants. Acrylonitrile is a key building block chemical for making carbon fiber and engineering polymers. “This first investment in the Middle East consolidates our position as the market leader,” says Paul Overment, CEO of Ineos Nitriles. Ineos’s Saudi move follows recent announcements by the privately owned firm that it will invest $3.4 billion in a new ethylene cracker and propane dehydrogenation complex in Antwerp, Belgium, and $1.3

Saudi anti-human cancer plants database (SACPD): A collection of plants with anti-human cancer activities.

Several anticancer drugs have been developed from natural products such as plants. Successful experiments in inhibiting the growth of human cancer cell lines using Saudi plants were published over the last three decades. Up to date, there is no Saudi anticancer plants database as a comprehensive source for the interesting data generated from these experiments. Therefore, there was a need for creating a database to collect, organize, search and retrieve such data. As a result, the current paper describes the generation of the Saudi anti-human cancer plants database (SACPD). The database contains most of the reported information about the naturally growing Saudi anticancer plants. SACPD comprises the scientific and local names of 91 plant species that grow naturally in Saudi Arabia. These species belong to 38 different taxonomic families. In Addition, 18 species that represent16 family of medicinal plants and are intensively sold in the local markets in Saudi Arabia were added to the database. The website provides interesting details, including plant part containing the anticancer bioactive compounds, plants locations and cancer/cell type against which they exhibit their anticancer activity. Our survey revealed that breast, liver and leukemia were the most studied cancer cell lines in Saudi Arabia with percentages of 27%, 19% and 15%, respectively. The current SACPD represents a nucleus around which more development efforts can expand to accommodate all future submissions about new Saudi plant species with anticancer activities. SACPD will provide an excellent starting point for researchers and pharmaceutical companies who are interested in developing new anticancer drugs. SACPD is available online at https://teeqrani1.wixsite.com/sapd

Application of wild Saudi plant extracts to control antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Wild plants are always the promising sources to explore novel therapeutic agents. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has a wide collection from wild and medicinal plants that contains hundreds of precious species. Staphylococcus aureus is from the most clinically dangerous bacterial pathogens that could acquire many resistance types toward numerous chemical antibiotics. Seven wild KSA plants, e.g. Bassia eriophora, Blepharis ciliaris, Ducrosia anethifolia, Pulicaria crispa, Rumex vesicarius, Tamarix aphylla and Teucrium oliverianum, were extracted with 70% ethanol solution and screened for their antibacterial activity against various S. aureus strains, including reference, methicillin susceptible (MSSA) and resistant (MRSA) strains. Most of screened extracts exhibited remarked antibacterial activity against the entire S. aureus strains; the most powerful extracts were those from B. eriophora and T. oliverianum, using different antimicrobial quantification assays. These extracts were applied onto cotton textiles as finishing agents, for the production of anti-Staphylococcus aureus fabrics; treated textiles showed powerful antibacterial activity against all examined S. aureus strains, including MRSA isolates. Extract-treated textiles could preserve most of their antibacterial activities after two laundering cycles. The present work showed that the antibacterial potentiality of KSA wild plant extracts could be proposed for the control of resistant S. aureus strains and fabrication of anti-S. aureus textiles.

Antihyperglycemic activity of Caralluma quadrangula in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Diabetes of type 2 is a worldwide epidemic disease of global prevalence. Caralluma quadrangula is wild Saudi plant used by traditional healers as antidiabetic, in case of hunger, and many other diseases. Nothing was reported to justify the use of the plant in case of diabetes. The plant material was extracted with water and with methanol, the methanol fraction was further fractionated into chloroform, n-butanol, in addition to the remaining mother liquor. The water and methanolic extracts as well as different methanolic fractions were evaluated in STZ-induced diabetic rats for their antihyperglycaemic activity. The results showed a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose levels in diabetic treated rats after the administration of most of the extracts and fractions of C. quadrangula and glibenclamide. The most potent activity was shown by administration of the methanolic extract (200mg/kg), chloroform, n-butanol fraction at dose of 100mg/kg, as well as the major pregnane glycoside russelioside B isolated from C. quadrangula. In conclusion, this study proved the traditional use of C. quadrangula in diabetes mellitus.

Comparative Study of Antioxidant and Anticancer Activity of Thuja orientalis Growing in Egypt and Saudi Arabia

Cancer is a life threatening diseases, caused by many factors including the oxidative stress. Some medicinal plants are rich with volatile oil represent an important source of antioxidant and anticancer drugs. This study explored the compositions of the essential oils of the flowering aerial parts of Thuja orientalis (cupressaceae) and evaluated antioxidant and cytotoxic activity against different tumors cell lines. The compositions of the essential oils obtained by hydro-distillation of the flowering aerial parts was determined by GC-MS analysis, the antioxidant activities of essential were determined by DPPH radical scavenging method and, In-vtro cytotoxic activities were evaluated against different tumors cell lines, MCF7 (breast carcinoma cell line), PC3 (human prostate carcinoma), HCT116 (human colon carcinoma), A549 (lung carcinoma cell line), and Hep-G2 (liver carcinoma cell line), by the MTT method. The results showed that essential analyzed sample, very rich in Phellandrene, Terpenyl acetat, and β -Caryophyllene with high amounts. The results showed that essential oil extracted from Saudi plant exhibited higher antioxidant activity. Saudi oil extract also possess highest cytotoxic activities against MCF7, followed by, PC3 and, Hep-G2 while the least activity was recorded against lung carcinoma cell line. The highest antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of Thuja plant growing in Saudi Arabia were correlated with its high content of some compounds which are rich in Saudi plant and absence in Egyptian plant. These findings revealed that plant in two regions could be considered as a great potential source for natural health products, where Saudi plant more adapted to drastic condition by accumulation of higher amount of essential oil.

Isolation, biological evaluation and validated HPTLC-quantification of the marker constituent of the edible Saudi plant Sisymbrium irio L.

Phytochemical investigation and chromatographic purification of the n-hexane fraction of the aerial parts of the edible Saudi plant Sisymbrium irio led to the isolation of β-sitosterol (1), stigmasterol (2) and β-sitosterol-β-d-glucoside (3). The cytotoxic effects of the n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions were tested against three cancer cell lines viz., MCF-7, HCT-116 and HepG2, using the crystal violet staining (CVS) method, while the antibacterial activity against a number of pathogenic bacterial strains, was also estimated using the broth microdilution assay. The n-hexane fraction showed potent cytotoxic activities against all tested human cancer cell lines (IC50: 11.7–13.4μg/mL), while the dichloromethane fraction was particularly potent against HCT-116 cells (IC50: 5.42μg/mL). On the other hand, the n-hexane and EtOAc fractions demonstrated significant inhibitory activities against the Gram positive bacteria S. pyogenes and C. perfringens; and the Gram negative bacterium S. enteritidis. Our results warrant the therapeutic potential of S. irio as nutritional supplement to reduce the risk of contemporary diseases. Additionally, a validated high performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method was developed for the quantitative analysis of biomarker β-sitosterol glucoside (isolated in high quantity) from the n-hexane fraction. The system was found to furnish a compact, sharp, symmetrical and high resolution band for β-sitosterol glucoside (Rf=0.43±0.002). The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for β-sitosterol glucoside was found to be 21.84 and 66.18ngband−1, respectively. β-sitosterol glucoside was found to be present only in n-hexane fraction (2.10μg/mg of dried fraction) while it was absent in the other fractions of S. irio which validated the high cytotoxic and antibacterial activity of n-hexane fraction of S. irio.

Defens in gene expression in some plant sources of Taif

Plant defensins are promising future strategy as antimicrobial agents; however the number of characterized plant defensins is very low. We isolated and studied the expression of plant defensins in six plants from Taif region. Using RT-PCR and two pairs of common as well as three pairs of specific primers, the defensin gene expression was analyzed. Plants showed differences in defensin gene expression in floral buds and leaves, though floral buds represented higher gene expression. The amino acid sequence of the six isolated cDNA sequences showed high similarity with other defensin accessions from the nucleotide database, especially in the cysteine rich motif. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolated sequences share the common features of plant defensins, especially the 8 conserved cysteines. The results of this study help to detect some valuable Saudi plant sources for the development of natural peptides as a replacement for chemical antibiotics.

Assessment of Toxic Baits for the Control of the Samsum Ant,Pachycondyla sennaarensis(Formicidae: Ponerinae)

The use of synthetic organic pesticides has serious economic, social and environmental ramifications. Thus, this study describes the experiments using botanical and bacterial extracts to control the samsum ant (Pachycondyla sennaarensis). This ant is widely distributed in many parts of southern Saudi Arabia, and has been established as a household pest ant. Three Saudi plants, harmal (Rhaza stricta), boxthorn (Lycium shaivii) and artemisia (Artemisia inculta) and two bacterial extracts, Pseudomonas frederiksbergensis and Streptomyces sp. were tested in a minced meat bait against the workers of samsum ant. Among the plant extracts tested, ata concentration of 0.3 mg of the plant extract of boxthorn per gram of food exhibited the highest toxicity to samsum ants, causing 20.30 % mortality per day and 100 % average death rate of all the ants in 4.9 days. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that the bacterial extract of Streptomyces sp. was the most effective agent to control these ants, with the average death rate at 30 ants per day at a concentration of 0.3 mg/g food.

In vitro antifungal activity of three Saudi plant extracts against some Phytopathogenic fungi

Abstract The antifungal activities of ethanolic extracts of three Saudi plants; camel thorn (Alhagi maurorum Medic.), caper (Capparisspinosa L.), and pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) were investigated in vitro against Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum, Phomadestructiva, Rhizoctonia solani, and Sclerotium rolfsii at concentrations of 0, 3, 6, and 9% (v/v). All tested plant extracts; seeds, roots, and rinds had different degrees of antifungal activity against the tested fungi. When compared with the control, the highest antifungal activity was recorded for camel thorn seeds extract at a concentration of 9%, while, pomegranate rinds extract at 9% came in second. Camel thorn rinds extract came in last even when used at a high concentration. The ethanolic extract of camel thorn seeds may be recommended as a potent bio-fungicide. Extensive studies should be undertaken for the ethanolic extract of camel thorn seeds as a strong antifungal agent against fungal plant diseases.

Evaluation of the Potential Cardioprotective Activity of Some Saudi Plants against Doxorubicin Toxicity

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline antibiotic widely used as a chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of several tumours. However, its cardiac toxicity limits its use at maximum therapeutic doses. Most studies implicated increased oxidative stress as the major determinant of DOX cardiotoxicity. The local Saudi flora is very rich in a variety of plants of quite known folkloric or traditional medicinal uses. Tribulus macropterus Boiss., Olea europaea L. subsp. africana (Mill.) P. S. Green, Tamarix aphylla (L.) H. Karst., Cynomorium coccineum L., Cordia myxa L., Calligonum comosum L' Hér, and Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal are Saudi plants known to have antioxidant activities. The aim of the current study was to explore the potential protective effects of methanolic extracts of these seven Saudi plants against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. Two plants showed promising cardioprotective potential in the order Calligonum comosum > Cordia myxa. The two plant extracts showed potent in vitro radical scavenging and antioxidant properties. They significantly protected against DOX-induced alterations in cardiac oxidative stress markers (GSH and MDA) and cardiac serum markers (CK-MB and LDH activities). Additionally, histopathological examination indicated a protection against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. In conclusion, C. comosum and C. myxa exerted protective activity against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity, which is, at least partly, due to their antioxidant effect.

Evaluation of the Potential Cardioprotective Activity of Some Saudi Plants against Doxorubicin Toxicity

Evaluation of the Potential Cardioprotective Activity of Some Saudi Plants against Doxorubicin Toxicity

In vitro cytotoxic screening of selected Saudi medicinal plants

Many natural products from plants have been identified to exert anticancer activity. It might be expected to be a challenge to look at the Saudi plants in order to discover new sources for new molecules which may have anticancer activity. The methanolic extracts of forty species of plants traditionally used in Saudi Arabia for the treatment of a variety of diseases were tested in vitro for their potential anticancer activity on different human cancer cell lines. The cytotoxic activity of the methanolic extracts of the tested plants were determined using three human cancer cell lines, namely, breast cancer (MCF7), hepatocellular carcinoma (HEPG2), and cervix cancer (HELA) cells. In addition, human normal melanocyte (HFB4) was used as normal nonmalignant cells. Sulforhodamine B colorimetric assay was used to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic activity of the different extracts. The growth inhibition of 50% (IC(50)) for each extract was calculated from the optical density of treated and untreated cells. Doxorubicin, a broad-spectrum anticancer drug, was used as the positive control. Nine plant extracts were chosen for further fractionation based on their activity and availability. Interesting cytotoxic activity was observed for Hypoestes forskaolii, Withania somnifera, Solanum glabratum, Adenium obesum, Pistacia vera oleoresin, Caralluma quadrangula, Eulophia petersii, Phragmanthera austroarabica, and Asparagus officinalis. Other extracts showed poor activity.

In vitro anti-influenza virus activity of a cardiotonic glycoside from Adenium obesum (Forssk.)

Methanolic extracts of six Saudi plants were screened for their in vitro antiviral activity using influenza virus A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) and MDCK cells in an MTT assay. The results indicated that the extracts of Adeniumobesum and Tephorosianubica possessed antiviral activity (99.3 and 93.3% inhibition at the concentration of 10 μg/ml, respectively). Based on these results A. obesum was selected for further study by applying bioactivity-guided fractionation to isolate its antiviral principle. The antiviral principle was isolated from the chloroform fraction through solvent fractionation, combined open liquid chromatography and HPLC. The isolated active compound A was identified as oleandrigenin-β- d-glucosyl (1 → 4)- β- d-digitalose, on the basis of its spectral analysis (MS, 1D and 2D NMR). The isolated glycoside showed reduction of virus titre by 69.3% inhibition at concentration of 1 μg/ml (IC 50 = 0.86 μg/ml).

ITT provides pretreatment system for Saudi plant

ITT Corp of White Plains, New York, USA, has received a contract to supply a desalination pretreatment system for a plant in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Screening of traditional Saudi plants for hepatoprotective effect

The liver is an organ of prime importance and plays a significant role in metabolism and detoxification of exogenous agents. Numerous herbal extracts are used for liver problems, however, considerable number of them lack the scientific prove for these claims. Twenty five plants used for liver problems in Saudi folk medicine were collected or purchased from the local market in Riyadh city for the present study. We adopted a hepatoprotective assay using Wistar albino rats as animal model and CCl4 to induce liver injury. Animals in the test groups were treated with 250 and 500mg/kg body weight of 90% total alcohol extracts of the selected plants 5 days prior to CCl4. The biochemical parameters such as serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin were estimated by reported methods as indication for liver condition [1–3]. The livers of treated animals were immediately removed and a small piece was fixed in 10% formalin for histopathological assessment. The histological appearance of the hepatocyte reflects their conditions [4]. Exposure of hepatocytes to toxic agents such as CCl4 leads to significant histopathological changes. Good protection is reflected by minimization of the changes resulted from CCl4 treatment. Solanum nigrum (30.1, 34.6, 21.7, 28.8), Balanites aegyptiaca (28.7, 29.9, 21.5, 38.4), Ecbalium elaterium (26.6, 34.7, 9.7, 21.4), Terminalia chebula (52.8, 22.3, 17.2, 31.4), Cleome droserifolia (36.0, 40.1, 23.9, 35.9), Aloe vera (19.2, 36.3, 21.1, 43.6), Juniperus phoenicea (43.5, 32.4, 20.8, 34.6), Fumaria parviflora (24.3, 21.6, 20.5, 11.3), Momordica balsamina (37.5, 39.1, 23.2, 52.7) and Bee Propolis (29.4, 37.3, 25.5, 30.1) showed significant %reductions in the elevated levels of SGOT, SGPT, ALP and bilirubin as indicated in bracets respectively. The liver of animals treated with the 500mg/kg of these extracts were subjected to histopathological study where Momordica balsamina was the best in restoring the normal appearance of hepatocytes exposed to CCl4 toxicity.