Amal Saad Alshenifi

Mrs. Amal Saad Alshenifi


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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17 June 2026 in Biomedicines
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
IAIbrahim M. Aziz
Ibrahim M. Aziz
RARawan Alshalan
Rawan Alshalan
AAAmal Saad Alshenifi
Amal Saad Alshenifi
FAFuad Alanazi
Fuad Alanazi
AAAbdulhadi Abdulwahed
Abdulhadi Abdulwahed
SASahar Abdulaziz Alsedairy
Sahar Abdulaziz Alsedairy
Background/Objectives: Vitex agnus-castus L. is a well-known medicinal herb shown to be effective in treating gynecological disorders. However, no systematic comparative studies have been conducted between V. agnus-castus leaf extract (VACLE) and Vitex agnus-castus seed extract (VACSE). We performed gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis of VACLE and VACSE and measured total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Methods: The bioactivity testing included antioxidants, antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, and antidiabetic activities. Results: A total of 55 GC–MS compounds were identified in VACLE and 34 in VACSE; isoamyl formate (27.96%) and a pyranone derivative (14.11%) were detected exclusively in VACLE, whereas cis-linoleic acid (40.58%) and palmitic acid (21.87%) predominated in VACSE. VACLE showed significantly higher TPC (94.12 vs. 54.12 mg GAE/g DW) and TFC (82.00 vs. 42.00 mg QE/g DW). The VACLE demonstrated moderate antioxidant activity and generally stronger bioactivity than VACSE, as evidenced by its lower ABTS+ radical scavenging IC50 value (55 vs. 70 μg/mL), antibacterial activity (MIC: 6.25–50 vs. 12.5–100 μg/mL), anticancer activity against HepG2 cells (IC50: 93.2 vs. 247.5 μg/mL), and antidiabetic activity through α-amylase inhibition (IC50: 28.7 vs. 70.1 μg/mL). VACSE exhibited greater antifungal activity than VACLE against all tested Candida strains, with the highest activity observed against C. parapsilosis (MIC: 6.25 ± 2.26 μg/mL). VACLE induced transcriptional changes consistent with caspase-mediated apoptosis, characterized by increased expression of caspase-8, caspase-9, and Bax and decreased expression of Bcl-2/Bcl-xL, pending protein-level confirmation. Conclusions: In conclusion, VACLE exhibits notable antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, and antidiabetic properties, whereas VACSE shows greater antifungal activity. These findings highlight tissue-specific differences in phytochemical composition and in vitro biological activities and provide a basis for future studies involving compound isolation, mechanistic validation, toxicity assessment, and in vivo evaluation.