Modification of Biologically Active Compounds from selected Medicinal Plants in Palestine

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Type: 
Thesis
Year: 
2009
Students: 
Ahmed Ibrahim Ahmed Hussein
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Modification of Biologically Active Compounds from selected Medicinal Plants in Palestine4.1 MB
Abstract: 

Six plants used in traditional medicine in Palestine were tested for their biological activity. They were collected from Nablus region. These plants include four families namely Araceae (Arum palaestinum), Urticaceae (Urtica pilulifera), Labiatae (Coridothymus capitatus, Majorana syriaca) and Lamiaceae (Teucrium creticum, Teucrium polium). The ethanolic extracts of those plants were tested for their antioxidant activity through DPPH assay and β-Carotene-linoleic acid assay. The concentrations of Phenolic compounds and Flavonoids were determined as µg/mg equivalent of quercetin and pyrocatechol. The extracts of the plants were tested also for their antifungal activity against four pathogenic fungi: Trichophyton tonsurans, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton violaceum, compared with the activity of econazole. The extracts were also tested for their anticancer activity against prostate PC3 human carcinoma. All of the extracts showed different potential biological activities in all tests. Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of Flavonoids and phenolics in all extracts. T. creticum and C. capitatus were the most efficient antioxidants in DPPH assay, while U. pilulifera and C. capitatus were the most efficient as antioxidants in β-Carotene-linoleic acid assay. C. capitatus and M. syriaca were the active against fungi between the six plants. U. pilulifera and A. palaestinum showed the highest potent antiproliferative activity. Some constituents were detected from plants extracts using GC-MS spectrophotometer and separated by flash chromatography. These constituents were tested for their biological activity. Many reactions were done to modify the activity of these constituents. Four phenolic acid esters were synthesized and tested for their biological activity in the same methodology used in testing the extracts. All of the synthesized compounds showed significant biological activity in all tests.