@article {83, title = {Anti-diabetic Properties of Thymoquinone is unassociated with Glycogen Phosphorylase Inhibition}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {7}, year = {2015}, month = {01/2015}, pages = {406-410}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {406}, abstract = {

Background: Nigella sativa L. (Black seed), is commonly used by traditional healers as a remedy for more than four thousand years. The antidiabetic property of N. sativa seeds oil is attributable to the presence of Thymoquinone (TQ). On the other hand many studies have been designed to investigate the possible effects of the TQ in Streptozotocin (STZ) and nicotinamide (NA)-induced diabetes in rats. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the glucose lowering effects of thymoquinone. Methods: In vitro and in silico using glycogen phosphorylase (GPa) enzyme assay and docking tools were used. Results: Oral administration of TQ for 60 days, dose dependently improved the glycemic status in STZ-NA induced diabetic rats. GPa activity was measured in the direction of glycogen synthesis by the release of phosphate from glucose-1-phosphate. TQ at a concentration of 0.05 Mm inhibits GPa activity by only 14.9\%. Conclusion: These results show that TQ at 60 mg/kg b.w is associated with potential antihyperglycemic effects. Furthermore, anti-diabetic properties of TQ are unassociated with glycogen phosphorylase inhibition.

}, keywords = {Diabetes, Docking, Enzyme, Glycogen phosphorylase inhibition, Streptozotocin, Thymoquinone.}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2015.6.16}, author = {Nahid Mahmoud Hassan El-Ameen and Manal Mohamed Elhassan Taha and Siddig Ibrahim Abdelwahab and Asaad Khalid and Fatima Elfatih and Mona Awad Kamel and Bassem Yousif Sheikh} } @article {145, title = {Antimicrobial Effects of Thymoquinone on Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {8}, year = {2015}, month = {December 2015}, pages = {168-170}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {168}, abstract = {

Background: Parasitic infections are a major difficulty in tropical and subtropical countries. Traditionally medicinal plants have been used in folk medicine to treat parasitic infections and are a valuable source of novel anti-parasitics. Objective: In our search for therapeutic alternatives to anti- protozoal chemotherapy, thymoquinone, the active ingredient of Black cumin (Nigella sativa) was examined. Materials and Methods: Thymoquinone was tested against Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia using in vitro susceptibility assays and the mortality of the parasites were then obtained using the standard calculations. The compound was also tested for 48 and 72 hours on both parasites. Results: The current study indicate that the mortality of TQ showed 85.5\%, 91.5\% and 96.8\% mortality on E. histolytica for 25 ppm at 24 hr, 48 and 72 hr, respectively, with IC50 2\¥10-19,. On the other hand, this natural compound showed a mortality of 82.83\%, 91.76\% and 96.62\% mortality on G. lamblia for 25 ppm at 24 hr, 48 and 72 hr, respectively, with IC50 4.8\¥10-5. Metrondizole powder gave 70.9\% mortality at 156 ppm at the same times. Conclusion: The current results indicate that TQ is more potent on E. histolytica compared to G. lamblia. Further pharmacological studies were needed to help in the clinical presentation of thymoquinone.

}, keywords = {Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia., Nigella sativa, Prophetic Medicine, Thymoquinone}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2016.2.12}, author = {Bassem Yousef Sheikh and Manal Mohamed Elhassan Taha and Waleed Syaed Koko and Siddig Ibrahim Abdelwahab} } @article {1475, title = {Effectiveness of Sidr Honey on the prevention of ethanol-induced gatroulcerogenesis: role of antioxidant and antiapoptotic mechanism}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {7}, year = {2015}, month = {13th Feb, 2015}, pages = {157-164}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {157}, abstract = {

Background: Sider (Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf.) Honey has been used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders including peptic ulcer. Aim of the study: The mechanism of the antiulcer effect of sider honey was studied placing emphasis on its role to block oxidative damage and apoptosis during ethanol-induced gastric ulceration in rats. The mechanism of the antiulcer effect of sider honey was studied placing emphasis on its role to block oxidative damage and apoptosis during ethanol-induced gastric ulceration in rats. Materials and methods: Experimental animals were orally treated with sidr honey (100, 250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively) or omeprazole and subsequently exposed to 95\%ethanol (5 mL/Kg, orally) to induce acute gastroulcerogenesis. Effectiveness of sidr honey was evaluated using ulcer index, pH of gastric juice, mucus content, morphological analyses, glutathione assay and malondialdehyde level. The anti-apoptotic role of sidr honey was studied using immunohistochemical staining of gastric tissues using monoclonal antibodies of Bax pathway. Results: Dose-response studies in ethanol-induced ulcer indicate that sidr honey significantly blocks gastric lesions at lower dose (100 mg/kg). Lipid peroxidation and glutathione depletion were significantly inhibited by sidr honey. Sidr honey modulated the immuno-expression of mitochondrial associated protein (Bax). Conclusion: Thus, sider honey plays a considerable role in gastro protection by acting as a potent antioxidant and antiapoptotic agent. Future study is required to explore its potential clinical usage.

Key words: Antiapoptotic Mechanism, Antioxidant Agents, Gastro protection, Monofloral Nectar, Sidr Honey.

}, keywords = {Antiapoptotic Mechanism, antioxidant agents, Gastro protection, monofloral nectar, Sidr Honey.}, author = {Manal Mohamed Elhassan Taha and Siddig Ibrahim Abdelwahab and Rashad Elsanousi and Bassem Y. Sheikh and Mahmood Ameen Abdulla and Saif Eldeen Babiker and Husham Elraih and Eldaw Mohamed} } @article {46, title = {Effectiveness of Sidr Honey on the prevention of ethanol-induced gatroulcerogenesis: role of antioxidant and antiapoptotic mechanism}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {7}, year = {2015}, month = {01/2015}, pages = {157-164}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {157}, abstract = {

Background: Sider (Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf.) Honey has been used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders including peptic ulcer. Aim of the study: The mechanism of the antiulcer effect of sider honey was studied placing emphasis on its role to block oxidative damage and apoptosis during ethanol-induced gastric ulceration in rats. The mechanism of the antiulcer effect of sider honey was studied placing emphasis on its role to block oxidative damage and apoptosis during ethanol-induced gastric ulceration in rats. Materials and methods: Experimental animals were orally treated with sidr honey (100, 250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively) or omeprazole and subsequently exposed to 95\% ethanol (5 mL/Kg, orally) to induce acute gastroulcerogenesis. Effectiveness of sidr honey was evaluated using ulcer index, pH of gastric juice, mucus content, morphological analyses, glutathione assay and malondialdehyde level. The anti-apoptotic role of sidr honey was studied using immunohistochemical staining of gastric tissues using monoclonal antibodies of Bax pathway. Results: Dose-response studies in ethanol-induced ulcer indicate that sidr honey significantly blocks gastric lesions at lower dose (100 mg/kg). Lipid peroxidation and glutathione depletion were significantly inhibited by sidr honey. Sidr honey modulated the immuno-expression of mitochondrial associated protein (Bax). Conclusion: Thus, sider honey plays a considerable role in gastro protection by acting as a potent antioxidant and antiapoptotic agent. Future study is required to explore its potential clinical usage.

}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2015.3.3}, author = {Manal Mohamed Elhassan Taha and Siddig Ibrahim Abdelwahab and Rashad Elsanousi and Bassem Y. Sheikh and Mahmood Ameen Abdulla and Saif Eldeen Babiker and Husham Elraih and Eldaw Mohamed} }