Histopathological and genetic changes proved the anti‑cancer potential of free and nano‑capsulated sinapic acid

Doaa A. Badr,Mohamed E. Amer,Wagih M. Abd‑Elhay,Mohamed S. M. Nasr,Tamer M. M. Abuamara,Harbi Ali,Aly F. Mohamed,Maha A. Youssef,Nasser S. Awwad,Yi‑Hsu Ju,Ahmed E. Fazary 한국응용생명화학회 2019 Applied Biological Chemistry (Appl Biol Chem) Vol.62 No.5

Cancer is known to be a fierce disease that causes a large percentage of the deaths worldwide. The common cancer treatments; chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are known for their severe side effects; therefore scientists are working on finding solutions to reduce these drawbacks. One of these treatment systems is the sustained released drugs formulations, these systems depend on the encapsulation of the chemotherapy within an emulsifying agent, in order to obtain a slow drug release of low doses over long time intervals. In this study, the anti-cancer effects of free and encapsulated sinapic acid was tested against lung (A549), and colon (CaCo2) cancer cell lines, along with normal fibroblast cells (HFB4) as a negative control. MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was performed for IC50 evaluation, also cell cycle assay was performed to detect cell cycle arrest status and related anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic; Blc-2, BAX, and P53 gene profile fold changes post cellular treatment. Data recorded revealed that encapsulated SA showed a lower toxicity than the free form to both cell lines and also to the normal cells. The cell cycle analysis showed a cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase post cell treatment with the free and encapsulated sinapic acid accompanied with up regulation of Bax and P53 and a down regulation of Blc-2 genes in both cell lines. The data suggest a promising anti-cancer and anti-proliferative potential of free and encapsulated sinapic acid. Also they show that the anti-cancer effect of free and encapsulated sinapic acid is quite close.

Anti-cancer Effect of Hyoscyamus muticus Extract via Its Activation of Fas/FasL-ASK1-p38 Pathway

Amer Ali Abd El-Hafeez,Hala Mohamed M. Marzouk,Mohamed A. A. Abdelhamid,Hazim O. Khalifa,Tamer H. A. Hasanin,Ahmed G. K. Habib,Fatma Mahmoud Abdelwahed,Fatma M. Barakat,Eslam M. Bastawy,Eman M. B. Abd 한국생물공학회 2022 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.27 No.5

Hyoscyamus muticus L. is a traditional medicine used as antispasmodic and sedative. Herein, we aimed to determine the phytochemical constituents and for the first time its anti-cancer activities. The phytochemical constituents of the different extracts were evaluated by calorimetric methods. The anti-cancer activities of the extracts were tested against leukemia, breast, renal, and prostate cancers cell lines. 4, 6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, flow cytometric analysis, knockdown of ASK1, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were evaluated to clarify the mechanism of action. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of wide range of phytoconstituents. Hyoscyamus muticus methanolic extracts (HMME) showed the highest anti-cancer activities against leukemia, breast, renal, and prostate cancers as compared to ethanol and aqueous extracts. Specifically, HMME exerted cytotoxic effect against the MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines with IC50 values of 8.75 and 7.25 μg/mL, respectively. Mechanistically, DAPI staining and flow cytometric analysis revealed that HMME induces apoptosis via the death receptor, FAS, but not the mitochondrial pathway. Moreover, ASK1 and p38 were rapidly activated in response to HMME, and knockdown of ASK1 by a small interference of RNA specific to Ask1 attenuated p38 and caspase-3 activation and suppressed apoptosis, implying that HMME-induced apoptosis relies on the ASK1-p38-caspase-3 pathway. Furthermore, we confirmed that cellular ROS generation was a critical mediator in HMME-induced apoptosis because the ROSscavenger N-acetyl cysteine significantly decreased the phosphorylation of ASK1 and HMME-induced apoptosis. Our results confirmed HMME cytotoxic effects in TNBCs via ROS-dependent activation of the Fas/FasL-ASK1-p38 axis.

Biological and Molecular Variability of Alfalfa mosaic virus Affecting Alfalfa Crop in Riyadh Region

Mohammed A. AL-Saleh,Mahmoud A. Amer 한국식물병리학회 2013 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.29 No.4

In 2011−2012, sixty nine samples were collected from alfalfa plants showing viral infection symptoms in Riyadh region. Mechanical inoculation with sap prepared from two collected samples out of twenty five possitive for Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) by ELISA were produced systemic mosaic on Vigna unguiculata and Nicotiana tabacum, local lesion on Chenopodium amaranticolor and C. quinoa. Vicia faba indicator plants that induce mosaic and mottle with AMV-Sagir isolate and no infection with AMV-Wadi aldawasser isolate. Approximately 700-bp was formed by RT-PCR using AMV coat protein specific primer. Samples from infected alfalfa gave positive results, while healthy plant gave negative result using dot blot hybridization assay. The nucleotide sequences of the Saudi isolates were compared with corresponding viral nucleotide sequences reported in GenBank. The obtained results showed that the AMV from Australia, Brazil, Puglia and China had the highest similarity with AMV-Sajer isolate. While, the AMV from Spain and New Zealaland had the lowest similarity with AMV-Sajer and Wadi aldawasser isolates. The data obtained in this study has been deposited in the GenBank under the accession numbers KC434083 and KC434084 for AMV-Sajer and AMV- Wadialdawasser respectively. This is the first report regarding the gnetic make up of AMV in Saudi Arabia.

Lucerne transient streak virus; a Recently Detected Virus Infecting Alfafa (Medicago sativa) in Central Saudi Arabia

Raza, Ahmed,Al-Shahwan, Ibrahim M.,Abdalla, Omer A.,Al-Saleh, Mohammed A.,Amer, Mahmoud A. The Korean Society of Plant Pathology 2017 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.33 No.1

A survey was conducted to determine the status of Lucerne transient streak virus (LTSV) in three high-yielding alfalfa regions in central Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Qassim, and Hail) during 2014. Three hundred and eight symptomatic alfalfa, and seven Sonchus oleraceus samples were collected. DAS-ELISA indicated that 59 of these samples were positive to LTSV. Two isolates of LTSV from each region were selected for molecular studies. RT-PCR confirmed the presence of LTSV in the selected samples using a specific primer pair. Percentage identity and homology tree comparisons revealed that all Saudi isolates were more closely related to each other but also closely related to the Canadian isolate-JQ782213 (97.1-97.6%) and the New Zealand isolate-U31286 (95.8-97.1%). Comparing Saudi isolates of LTSV with ten other sobemoviruses based on the coat protein gene sequences confirmed the distant relationship between them. Eleven out of fourteen plant species used in host range study were positive to LTSV. This is the first time to document that Trifolium alexandrinum, Nicotiana occidentalis, Chenopodium glaucum, and Lathyrus sativus are new host plant species for LTSV and that N. occidentalis being a good propagative host for it.

Resistance Potential of Bread Wheat Genotypes Against Yellow Rust Disease Under Egyptian Climate

Amer F. Mahmoud,Mohamed I. Hassan,Karam A. Amein 한국식물병리학회 2015 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.31 No.4

Yellow rust (stripe rust), caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, is one of the most destructive foliar diseases of wheat in Egypt and worldwide. In order to identify wheat genotypes resistant to yellow rust and develop molecular markers associated with the resistance, fifty F8 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between resistant and susceptible bread wheat landraces were obtained. Artificial infection of Puccinia striiformis was performed under greenhouse conditions during two growing seasons and relative resistance index (RRI) was calculated. Two Egyptian bread wheat cultivars i.e. Giza-168 (resistant) and Sakha-69 (susceptible) were also evaluated. RRI values of two-year trial showed that 10 RILs responded with RRI value >6 <9 with an average of 7.29, which exceeded the Egyptian bread wheat cultivar Giza-168 (5.58). Thirty three RILs were included among the acceptable range having RRI value >2 <6. However, only 7 RILs showed RRI value <2. Five RILs expressed hypersensitive type of resistance (R) against the pathogen and showed the lowest Average Coefficient of Infection (ACI). Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) with eight simple sequence repeat (SSR), eight sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) and sixteen random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers revealed that three SSR, three SRAP and six RAPD markers were found to be associated with the resistance to yellow rust. However, further molecular analyses would be performed to confirm markers associated with the resistance and suitable for marker-assisted selection. Resistant RILs identified in the study could be efficiently used to improve the resistance to yellow rust in wheat.

Lucerne transient streak virus; a Recently Detected Virus Infecting Alfafa (Medicago sativa) in Central Saudi Arabia

Ahmed Raza,Ibrahim M. Al-Shahwan,Omer A. Abdalla,Mohammed A. AL-Saleh,Mahmoud A. Amer 한국식물병리학회 2017 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.33 No.1

A survey was conducted to determine the status ofLucerne transient streak virus (LTSV) in three highyieldingalfalfa regions in central Saudi Arabia (Riyadh,Qassim, and Hail) during 2014. Three hundredand eight symptomatic alfalfa, and seven Sonchus oleraceussamples were collected. DAS-ELISA indicatedthat 59 of these samples were positive to LTSV. Twoisolates of LTSV from each region were selected formolecular studies. RT-PCR confirmed the presence ofLTSV in the selected samples using a specific primerpair. Percentage identity and homology tree comparisonsrevealed that all Saudi isolates were more closelyrelated to each other but also closely related to the Canadianisolate-JQ782213 (97.1–97.6%) and the NewZealand isolate-U31286 (95.8–97.1%). ComparingSaudi isolates of LTSV with ten other sobemovirusesbased on the coat protein gene sequences confirmedthe distant relationship between them. Eleven out offourteen plant species used in host range study werepositive to LTSV. This is the first time to documentthat Trifolium alexandrinum, Nicotiana occidentalis,Chenopodium glaucum, and Lathyrus sativus are newhost plant species for LTSV and that N. occidentalisbeing a good propagative host for it.

Melasma Treatment Options

( Mohamed A. Amer ) 대한피부과학회 2008 초록집 Vol.46 No.10

Physiological and molecular study on the anti-obesity effects of pineapple (Ananas comosus) juice in male Wistar rat

Samir A. El-Shazly,Mohamed M. Ahmed,Mohammad S. AL-Harbi,Mohamed E. Alkafafy,Hanan B. El-Sawy,Sayed A. M. Amer 한국식품과학회 2018 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.27 No.5

The present study was performed to assess antiobesity effects of raw pineapple juice in high fat diet (HFD)-induced fatness. Based on food type, rats were divided into normal diet and HFD groups. When animals of HFD group become obese, they were given pineapple juice along with either HFD or normal diet. Blood biochemistry, liver and muscle gene expressions were analyzed. HFD induced significant elevations in body weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat accumulation, liver fat deposition and blood lipids while juice restored these parameters near to their normal values. Juice significantly decreased serum insulin and leptin while adiponectin was increased. Juice administration downregulated the increment of FAS and SERBP-1c mRNA expression in liver and upregulated HSL and GLUT-2 expressions. The muscular lipolytic CPT-1 expression was upregulted by juice treatment. Pineapple juice, therefore, may possibly be used as anti-obesity candidate where it decreased lipogenesis and increased lipolysis.

Realistic Evaluation of Reinforcement Bond Strength in Alkali-Activated Slag Concrete Exposed to Elevated Temperature

Ismail Amer,Mohamed Kohail,M. S. El-Feky,Ahmed Rashad,Mohamed A. Khalaf 한국콘크리트학회 2023 International Journal of Concrete Structures and M Vol.17 No.5

Alkali-activated concrete (AAC) has attained great popularity since finding it as an alternative to Portland cement concrete due to its superior characteristics in terms of mechanical properties and durability, and its low negative environmental impact. This research investigated both experimentally and analytically the bond behavior between alkali-activated slag concrete (AASC) and steel rebars considering some important parameters (rebar diameter and development length-to-diameter ratio) before and after exposure to elevated temperature using beam-end bond testing technique. The obtained experimental results were compared with those obtained from applying the CEB-FIP model and the well-known available equations in the literature. A modified model was proposed for predicting the bond behavior of AASC. Results have showed that the CEB-FIP model provides more conservative values for bond strength compared to the experimentally obtained results which increases the safety level when estimating the bond strength for design purposes. The proposed modified model achieved a higher correlation with the experimental results than the CEB-FIP model at ambient temperature.

Resistance Potential of Bread Wheat Genotypes Against Yellow Rust Disease Under Egyptian Climate

Mahmoud, Amer F.,Hassan, Mohamed I.,Amein, Karam A. The Korean Society of Plant Pathology 2015 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.31 No.4

Yellow rust (stripe rust), caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, is one of the most destructive foliar diseases of wheat in Egypt and worldwide. In order to identify wheat genotypes resistant to yellow rust and develop molecular markers associated with the resistance, fifty F8 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between resistant and susceptible bread wheat landraces were obtained. Artificial infection of Puccinia striiformis was performed under greenhouse conditions during two growing seasons and relative resistance index (RRI) was calculated. Two Egyptian bread wheat cultivars i.e. Giza-168 (resistant) and Sakha-69 (susceptible) were also evaluated. RRI values of two-year trial showed that 10 RILs responded with RRI value >6 <9 with an average of 7.29, which exceeded the Egyptian bread wheat cultivar Giza-168 (5.58). Thirty three RILs were included among the acceptable range having RRI value >2 <6. However, only 7 RILs showed RRI value <2. Five RILs expressed hypersensitive type of resistance (R) against the pathogen and showed the lowest Average Coefficient of Infection (ACI). Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) with eight simple sequence repeat (SSR), eight sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) and sixteen random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers revealed that three SSR, three SRAP and six RAPD markers were found to be associated with the resistance to yellow rust. However, further molecular analyses would be performed to confirm markers associated with the resistance and suitable for marker-assisted selection. Resistant RILs identified in the study could be efficiently used to improve the resistance to yellow rust in wheat.