Background: many previous studies have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of N. sativa total oil fractions, neutral lipids (NLs), glycolipids (GLs), phospholipids (PLs), and unsaponifiable (IS) in asthma patients. We therefore tested its effect on airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells by observing its ability to regulate the production of glucocorticoid (GC)-insensitive chemokines in cells treated with TNF-α/IFN-γ, and its antioxidative and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging properties. Materials and methods: the cytotoxicity of N. sativa oil fractions was assessed using an MTT assay. ASM cells were treated with TNF-α/IFN-γ for 24 h in the presence of different concentrations of N. sativa oil fractions. An ELISA assay was used to determine the effect of N. sativa oil fractions on chemokine production (CCL5, CXCL-10, and CXCL-8). The scavenging effect of N. sativa oil fractions was evaluated on three reactive oxygen species (ROS), O₂•⁻, OH•, and H₂O₂. Results: our results show that different N. sativa oil fractions used at 25 and 50 µg/mL did not affect cell viability. All fractions of N. sativa oil inhibited chemokines in a concentration-dependent manner. Interestingly, the total oil fraction showed the most significant effect of chemokine inhibition, and had the highest percentage of ROS scavenging effect. Conclusion: these results suggest that N. sativa oil modulates the proinflammatory actions of human ASM cells by inhibiting the production of GC-insensitive chemokines.

This study aims to assess hepatoprotective properties of M. rotundifolia. Decoction was used to prepare the aqueous extract. The preliminary cytotoxicity evaluated against Caco 2 and RAW 264 cells demonstrate no cytotoxic effect. The preventive impact of the extract against liver damage was evaluated by examining blood levels of AST, ALT, ALP, total proteins, and histological alterations in liver tissues. Thirty albino rats were separated into five groups: the first served as normal group, the second was injected by olive oil (3 ml/kg), and the third was injected by CCL₄ (3 ml/kg). However, groups IV and V received daily doses of 250 and 500 mg extract/kg bw, respectively before CCL₄ injection. The results showed that the administration of the extract led to a marked improvement in plasma biochemical markers and a reduction in symptoms of CCL4-induced liver damage. The extract exhibits hepatoprotective activity, which may be attributed to its phytochemical components.

Atriplex halimus is a medicinal plant traditionally used for various therapeutic purposes. This study evaluated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, genotoxic, and anti-arthritic activities of the A. halimus aqueous extract (AHA). Anti-arthritic effects were investigated in Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritic rats treated with AHA (150 or 300 mg/kg) for 21 days. AHA significantly reduced paw swelling and arthritis severity and improved body weight, while a non-significant reduction in spleen enlargement was observed. Hematological and biochemical parameters were restored toward normal values, indicating anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and nephroprotective effects. The extract also reduced oxidative stress by decreasing nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increasing glutathione (GSH) content and catalase (CAT) activity. Histopathological examination confirmed reduced inflammatory infiltration and protection against bone damage. Phytochemical analysis revealed polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins, consistent with its antioxidant activity in DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, and o-phenanthroline assays. AHA also showed anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting bovine serum albumin denaturation. The extract induced a moderate concentration-dependent reduction in HeLa cell viability without cytotoxicity toward HaCaT cells. Comet assay results demonstrated DNA damage in HeLa cells at higher concentrations, while AHA significantly suppressed zymosan-induced IL-1β gene expression. These findings indicate that AHA is a promising natural source of bioactive compounds with diverse biological activities.

Introduction: Nigella sativa L. is a widely used medicinal plant throughout the world. The low toxic effects and low price of this plant make it an excellent treatment choice for many diseases. The present study aims to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of N. sativa L. total oil (TO) and its neutral lipid fraction (NLF) via the estimation of circulating xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) level and anti-XOR antibodies titer. Methods: Antiradical activities of TO and NLF, in vitro, were carried out using three reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, and hydrogen peroxide. In vivo study was conducted to determine the possible protective effects of TO and NLF against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats feeding Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet in both sera and liver homogenate. Before conducting the hepatoprotective effects, we assessed the toxicity of our extracts using the same animal model. The administrated doses of 400 mg/kg for TO and 300 mg/kg for NLF showed no toxic effects. Results: ELISA assay indicated a significant increase (P<0.001) in the level of XOR and the titer of anti-XOR antibodies in rats treated with ethanol compared to the control group. After treatment with TO and NLF, the titer of anti-XOR antibodies and the level of XOR decreased significantly compared to the control group. Conclusion: XOR plays an important role in alcohol liver pathologies as a major source of free radicals. In addition, TO and NLF have significant potential as liver protective agents and might be utilized as new antioxidant therapeutics.

Urtica urens L. (Urticaceae) is a traditional medicinal plant widely used in ethnopharmacology for its pharmacological properties. This study aimed to investigate the LC-MS/MS phenolic profile, antioxidant activity, and cytotoxic potential of the ethyl acetate extract (EAE) from its leaves. Phytochemical characterisation revealed a chemically rich extract dominated by carvacrol, epigallocatechin derivatives, and emodin, along with phenolic acids (ferulic, sinapic, gallic, p-coumaric, and chlorogenic acids), catechin/epicatechin, epigallocatechin gallate, rutin, neohesperidin, isorhamnetin-type flavonoids, and β-sterol. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH^• and ^•OH scavenging assays, showing significant activity with IC₅₀ values of 0.19 ± 0.005 mg/mL and 0.753 ± 0.004 mg/mL, respectively. Cytotoxic effects evaluated by the MTT assay demonstrated notable activity, particularly against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells (IC₅₀ = 25.13 ± 1.6 µg/mL). These results highlight the potential of U. urens EAE as a promising source of natural antioxidant and anticancer compounds.