@article {830, title = {Combating Diabetes and its Emerging Complications Utilizing Natural Phytochemicals}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {11}, year = {2019}, month = {May 2019}, pages = {445-449}, type = {Review Article}, chapter = {445}, abstract = {

Introduction: Natural phytochemicals are considered a primary health care measure for many chronic diseases and for assurance of urban health and wellbeing. Diabetes and its related complications are major chronic diseases increasingly threatening human health and wellbeing. Till date, these diseases are not fully managed by the current therapies. Thus, there is an increasing need to find more safe and efficient therapies for diabetes and its related complications. Methods: An evidence-based review of the novel phytotherapies to diabetes and its related complications and discussing their main mechanisms of actions are the main aims of the current study. Data collection were done for the phytotherapies that were extracted, chromatographically standardized, fractionated and the main effective compounds were isolated and evaluated for their potentials against diabetes and its related complications. Special emphasis was given for the extracts and their isolated phytochemicals that had significant hypoglycemic and antinociceptive effects towards diabetes and its related complications, particularly diabetic-neuropathy. Results: The phytochemicals main mechanisms of action were found to be mainly due to their insulin secretagogue, beta-cells regeneration, anti-oxidant potentials. Conclusion: Therefore, clinicians should consider natural phytochemicals when treating chronic diseases and when reassuring better urban health and wellbeing.

}, keywords = {Combating Diabetes, Complementary medicine, Emerging Complication, Natural Phytochemicals Mechanism of action}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2019.11.69}, author = {Karim Raafat} } @article {822, title = {Phytochemical Compounds Of Cichorium intybus by Exploring its Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Activities}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {11}, year = {2019}, month = {February 2019}, pages = {248-257}, type = {Research Article}, chapter = {248}, abstract = {

Introduction: The current study aims to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Cichorium intybus n-hexane extract on diabetes mellitus and its antioxidant effect in vivo in alloxinated animals. Diabetic neuropathy improvement was also tested as well as insulin levels and histology of the pancreas were performed. Methods: The chromatographic standardization of C. intybus extract was performed using isocratic HPLC, which indicated the presence of numerous phyto-constituents. The hexane extract was studied for its effect on blood glucose levels and painful diabetic neuropathy (DN) in diabetic mice. Hyperalgesia and mechanical-allodynia were evaluated using thermal stimuli, pain response to radiant energy experiments and a mechanical sensitivity test respectively. Subsequently, after eight weeks of being alloxinated, BGL, body weight, antioxidant activity, insulin levels and glycated hemoglobin were recorded to evaluate antidiabetic potential and the DN. Results: The administration of Cichorium intybus extract (50, 75 and 100 mg/kg) and a combination of Cichorium intybus extract and Camellia sinensis (50 + 200 mg/kg, respectively) have revealed an acute hypoglycemic effect ranging from 14.15\% and 42.4\%. The sub-chronic anti-diabetic effect ranged from 23.41\% and 44.8\%. They diminished hyperalgesia and tangible allodynia significantly (p\<0.05), (n=7 per group). The powerful neuroprotective properties might serve as potential lead-compounds for further analysis. Conclusion: The histological study and the potent antioxidant effect showed that they could assist in the management of diabetes mellitus and DN by amelioration of insulin levels and regeneration of pancreatic beta cells.

}, keywords = {Antidiabetic effects, Antioxidant, Cichorium Intybus, Phytochemical analysis, Serum insulin}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2019.11.39}, author = {Dina Kanj and Karim Raafat and Abdalla El-Lakany and Safaa Baydoun and Maha Aboul-Ela} } @article {1005, title = {Screening of Nasal and Hands Carriage of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococci Colonization among Lebanese Nutraceuticals Handlers}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {11}, year = {2019}, month = {October 2019}, pages = {1336-1341}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {1336}, abstract = {

Introduction: Poor personal hygiene of the nutraceuticals handlers could be a potential source of diseases due to the high occurrence of bacterial contamination. Methods: A cross sectionnal study was conducted among Lebanese nutraceuticals handlers. A pretested structured questionnaire was used for collecting information on age, sex, marital status, service years, educational status, status of training of nutraceuticals-handlers. Results: Nasal and hands swabs were investigated for S. aureus, MRSA, CoNS and MRSE.Among 144 nutraceuticals handlers, 41\% and 69\% exhibited no bacterial growth in their nasal and hand swabs.The carrier rate of S. aureus was 11.8 and 5.6\% for nose and hands in nutraceuticals handlers.The nasal and hands carrier rate of MRSA is 6.3\% and 2.1\%, respectively.MRSE presented a rate of 10.4\% and 7.6\% for the nasal and hands carriage. Conclusion: The findings showed that the Lebanese nutraceuticals handlers are a vehicle of different resistant bacterial strains in their nasal and hands carriage,which poses a significant risk to the Lebanese consumer.

}, keywords = {Carriage, Hands, Nasal, Nutraceuticals handlers, Resistant, S.aureus}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2019.11.206}, author = {Nada El Darra and Karim Raafat and Iman El-Ghazzawi} } @article {477, title = {Phytochemical Analysis of Nigella sativa L. Utilizing GC-MS Exploring its Antimicrobial Effects against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {10}, year = {2018}, month = {December 2017}, pages = {99-105}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {99}, abstract = {

Introduction: The alarming increase in bacterial strains resistant to existing antimicrobial agents has demanded alternative strategies. Medicinal plants are now considered as an alternative treatment because of their secure choice in several diseases. Among them, Nigella sativa is a promising traditional herb having rich medical background. The aim of the study is to perform phytochemical analysis of Nigella sativa L. Utilizing Gas chromatographic\–mass spectrometric (GC/MS) exploring its antioxidant and antibacterial activity against multidrug resistant (MDR) gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Methods: Total phenolic, tannin, and flavonoid content of N. sativa seed extracts and its commercially available oil were determined. Their radical scavenging activity using DPPH was also tested. The antibacterial activity of N. sativa seed extracts and its oil against MDR gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains was studied using disc diffusion test and the biofilm formation assay. GC-MS studies were also performed. Results: Among the different preparations used, N. sativa oil showed the highest antioxidant and antibacterial activity against highly resistant gram-positive bacteria with the greatest suppression of biofilm formation, which was attributed to its high bioactive contents. Conclusion: This study indicates that N. sativa extracts and its oils can be used as natural antibacterial agents to treat infections caused by multidrug resistant bacteria.

}, keywords = {Antibacterial, Antioxidant, GC-MS analysis, Multidrug resistant bacteria, Nigella sativa}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2018.1.18}, url = {http://fulltxt.org/article/404}, author = {Fatima A. Saleh and Nada El-Darra and Karim Raafat and Iman El Ghazzawi} } @article {652, title = {Phytochemical Investigation of Psoralea bituminosa L. and its Anti-Diabetic Potentials}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {10}, year = {2018}, month = {July/2018}, pages = {73-85}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {73}, abstract = {

Introduction:Psoralea bituminosaL. (Fabaceae), is a very important medicinal plant, used in traditional medicine in Europe, Asia, and America, and in Africa for, its antiseptic, antihyperglycemic and anti-oxidative potentials. The objective of this study is to investigate the potential of Psoralea bituminosa (Pbt.) in the management of diabetes and diabetic \– induced thermal hyperalgesia. Moreover, this study aimed also to investigate the volatile oil constituents of Pbt. growing in Lebanon utilizing GC-MS method. Methods:Blood glucose level (BGL) was measured using gluco-meter while diabetic-induced thermal hyperplasia of Pbt. growing in Lebanon was measured using tail flick and hot plate methods. Antioxidant was measured using DPPH free radicals method. Volatile oil of fresh and dried aerial parts of Pbt. was analyzed using GC-MS. Results: The result of study conducted on Lebanese Pbt. revealed that acute anti-diabetic activity of Pbt. in the 3 extracts subjected a decrease in BGL ranging between 34\% to 38.5\%. In subchronic anti-diabetic activity of Pbt. BGL dropped in range 19\% to 44\%. Moreover, Pbt. extract showed 1.7\% to 13.6\%increase in body weight at all doses with respect to 8th day. On the other hand, alloxan diabetic induced mice reported melioration by 63.8\% to 86.3\% on the 8th week alloxan after injection in diabetic \– induced thermal hyperalgesia hotplate latency method. Nevertheless, a marked improvement in tail flick latency on the 8th week after alloxan injection by 22.7 \% to 48.6 \%. Pbt. extract revealed DPPH radical decreases at 82.6\% at concentration of 100 mg/mL, respectively. Total flavonoid content measured of Pbt. was 135.83 mg/g while total phenolic content showed 217.48 mg/g. Conclusion:Psoralea bituminosa showed a significant effect in the management of diabetes and neuropathic pain conditions and limiting expected side-effects, which might be used as a future antidiabetic therapy.

Keywords:Psoralea bituminosa,Antidiabetic,Antioxidant,Essential oil,Diabetic neuropathy.

}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2017.3.14}, author = {Sara Al Ayoubi and Karim Raafat and Abdalla El-Lakany and Maha Aboul-Ela} } @article {344, title = {Designing monographs for Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Lavandula angustifolia L.: Two Lebanese species with significant medicinal potentials}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {9}, year = {2017}, month = {May 2017}, pages = {452-474}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {452}, abstract = {

Introduction: The world health organization recommends validating medicinal plants to ensure safety and efficacy. Lavandula is valued for the production of essential oil used in aromatherapy. Rosmarinus is known for its folk use as anti-oxidant and antidiabetic. This study aims to design monographs for Rosmarinus officinalis (Linn.) and Lavandula angustifolia (Linn.) cultivated, in conditions similar to their natural habitat, at Beirut Arab University botanical garden. Also screening the antioxidant activity of both plants, and assessing the antidiabetic effect of R. officinalis (Linn.). Methods: macroscopic and microscopic examination, hydrodistillation to obtain essential oils (EOs), thin layer chromatography, Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry, and physiochemical properties of the EOs were determined. The antioxidant effect of the EOs is determined by DPPH assay. The antidiabetic effect of Rosemary EO is investigated using alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Results: the qualities of studied species are in agreement with the standards described in WHO monographs and in the British pharmacopeia. Composition of the EO produced from either Rosemary (REO) or Lavender (LEO) collected at different months showed differences. The EO of both showed significant antioxidant effects in DPPH assay (p\<0.05). In vivo investigation of the antidiabetic effect of REO showed a significant antidiabetic effect in diabetic mouse model (p\<0.05). Conclusion: both plant species and their EOs fulfilled most of standards specified by the British Pharmacopeia 2013. Rosemary collected in April (Spring) showed the best antioxidant activity. Lavender collected in September (Early Fall) showed the best antioxidant activity. REO revealed significant lowering in blood glucose level at the dose of 110 mg/kg.

}, keywords = {Glandular trichome, Optical rotation, Prismatic crystals of Calcium oxalate, Refractive index, Rosmarinic acid}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2017.4.75}, url = {/files/PJ-9-4/10.5530pj.2017.4.75}, author = {Mariam Koleilat and Karim Raafat and Abdalla El-Lakany and Maha Aboul-Ela} } @article {340, title = {Neuropathic Pain: Literature Review and Recommendations of Potential Phytotherapies}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {9}, year = {2017}, month = {May 2017}, pages = {425-434}, type = {Review Article}, chapter = {425}, abstract = {

Introduction: One of the common syndromes that affect humanity is neuropathic pain (NP), yet poorly understood with no efficient treatment till now. Consequently, it is extremely crucial to seek further evidence for accurate diagnosis and optimum treatment. The aim of this work is to summarize the findings related to neuropathic pain in terms of etiology, types, diagnosis, current and future management prospective, and identify the gaps in neuropathic pain therapy. Methods: A literature investigation was carried out by analyzing classical peer reviewed papers and textbooks, taking into consideration worldwide well established scientific databases mainly PUBMED and SCOPUS to retrieve accessible published literature. The selection of phytotherapies was based upon their potentials in relieving NP in pre-clinical or clinical models. Results: One of the most critical points in this research is that recommendations of the future plans should be focused on the engagement of phytotherapy in the treatment regimen aiming at improving patients\’ quality of life and reaching optimum efficacy and minimum toxicity. Phytotherapies offer relatively low-risk options to NP patients and have an increasing evidence to be the future of neuropathic pain management. Patients suffering from neuropathy are depending increasingly on phytotherapies; however, they need more clinical trials in order to fully understand their mechanism of actions. Conclusion: Health-care specialists should be regularly informed about neuropathic pain current therapies and promising future phytotherapies, bearing in mind the risk/benefit profile of the utilization of these therapies in the amelioration of NP.

}, keywords = {Current therapies, Diagnosis, Mechanisms, Neuropathy Pain, Phytotherapies, Recommendations}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2017.4.72}, url = {/files/PJ-9-4/10.5530pj.2017.4.72}, author = {Karim Raafat and Rawan El-Haj and Dania Shoumar and Rana Alaaeddine and Yousra Fakhro and Natalie Tawil and Farah Shaer and Amani Daher and Natalie Awada and Ali Sabra and Khouloud Atwi and Malak Khaled and Raneem Messi and Nour Abouzaher and Mohamed Houri and Samer Al Jallad} }