Two new polyhydroxylated steroids, 3b-acetoxy-gorgost-5a,6b,11a-triol (3) and (23 R) methylergosta-20-ene-3b,5a,6b,17atetrol (4), together with three known gorgosteroid compounds, gorgost-3b, 5a,6b,11a- tetrol (1), 11a-acetoxy-gorgost- 3b,5a, 6btriol (2), and gorgost-5 (E) ene-3-b-ol (5), as well as batyl alcohol (6), were isolated from the Egyptian soft coral Heteroxenia fuscescens. The structures of these compounds were elucidated based on NMR spectroscopic analyses, HR-FAB-MS, and comparisons with published data. The cytotoxic activities of the fractions and compounds were evaluated against MCF-7 cancer cell lines using MTT colorimetric assay. Compounds 2 and 4 showed moderate cytotoxic activity, with IC50 values equal to 33.2 and 25.1 mM, respectively, in comparison with the IC50 of 5-fluorouracil 18.7 mM.

In this study, a novel, simple and sensitive square wave voltammetric method for the determination of elbasvir (ELB) using the Mn5O8-modified pencil graphite electrode (PGE) was developed. Mn5O8 nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by calcination of manganese malonate at 350 °C for 24 h. The structure of Mn5O8 was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurements have shown that Mn5O8 NPs possess a mesoporous structure with a specific surface area of ~32 m2/g. After characterization, Mn5O8 NPs were applied to the electrode surface in a "drop-casting" fashion. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and square wave voltammetry (SWV) were employed to investigate the differences between the Mn5O8-decorated PGE and bare PGE. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the modified PGE gives a linear response over the concentration range of 0.20 to 3.00 μmol L-1 ELB with low limits of detection and quantitation, which were found to be 0.04 and 0.13 μmol L-1, respectively. For the first time, the photo-stability and the photo-induced dimeric-monomeric conversion behavior of ELB were studied using FT-IR, spectrophotometric, spectrofluorimetric and mass spectroscopic techniques. The fabricated electrode exhibits good precision, selectivity, and sensitivity that could be applied successfully for sensitive determination of ELB in its bulk form, in quality control laboratories and biological fluids.

In this study, a novel, simple and sensitive square wave voltammetric method for the determination of elbasvir (ELB) using the Mn5O8-modified pencil graphite electrode (PGE) was developed. Mn5O8 nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by calcination of manganese malonate at 350 °C for 24 h. The structure of Mn5O8 was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurements have shown that Mn5O8 NPs possess a mesoporous structure with a specific surface area of ~32 m2/g. After characterization, Mn5O8 NPs were applied to the electrode surface in a "drop-casting" fashion. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and square wave voltammetry (SWV) were employed to investigate the differences between the Mn5O8-decorated PGE and bare PGE. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the modified PGE gives a linear response over the concentration range of 0.20 to 3.00 μmol L-1 ELB with low limits of detection and quantitation, which were found to be 0.04 and 0.13 μmol L-1, respectively. For the first time, the photo-stability and the photo-induced dimeric-monomeric conversion behavior of ELB were studied using FT-IR, spectrophotometric, spectrofluorimetric and mass spectroscopic techniques. The fabricated electrode exhibits good precision, selectivity, and sensitivity that could be applied successfully for sensitive determination of ELB in its bulk form, in quality control laboratories and biological fluids.

In this study, a novel, simple and sensitive square wave voltammetric method for the determination of elbasvir (ELB) using the Mn5O8-modified pencil graphite electrode (PGE) was developed. Mn5O8 nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by calcination of manganese malonate at 350 °C for 24 h. The structure of Mn5O8 was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurements have shown that Mn5O8 NPs possess a mesoporous structure with a specific surface area of ~32 m2/g. After characterization, Mn5O8 NPs were applied to the electrode surface in a "drop-casting" fashion. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and square wave voltammetry (SWV) were employed to investigate the differences between the Mn5O8-decorated PGE and bare PGE. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the modified PGE gives a linear response over the concentration range of 0.20 to 3.00 μmol L-1 ELB with low limits of detection and quantitation, which were found to be 0.04 and 0.13 μmol L-1, respectively. For the first time, the photo-stability and the photo-induced dimeric-monomeric conversion behavior of ELB were studied using FT-IR, spectrophotometric, spectrofluorimetric and mass spectroscopic techniques. The fabricated electrode exhibits good precision, selectivity, and sensitivity that could be applied successfully for sensitive determination of ELB in its bulk form, in quality control laboratories and biological fluids.

RAPD-PCR was performed using six random primers to identify the genetic diversity among six plant samples belong to two genera (Euphorbia and Ricinus). The dendrogram, based on genetic distance, depict the relationship among the investigated plant samples, separate clearly the six samples. The closest relationship was observed between E. geniculata and E. aphylla; and E. pulcherrima and E. peplus, while this relationship was quite separated between these four samples and the other two samples E. cactus and R. communis. Fragments generated by the six primers show a polymorphism ratio of 88.9%. Bands 3500 and 750 bp generated by primer OP-Z13, and also bands 2000, 1500, 1400, 1200, 1000, 720 and 550 bp generated by primer OP-A09 existing only in the plant samples of E. geniculata and E. aphylla, which suggest that these bands can be used as a positive molecular marker to identify these plant samples. Bands 2500, 1720, 1650, 1300, 950 and 250 bp generated by primer OP-A09, and band 1200 bp generated by primer OP-A20 and band 350 bp generated by primer OP-Z19 and band 250 bp generated by primer OP-Z17 were common in all plant samples of family Euphorbiaceae. Moreover, band 430 bp generated by primer OP-Z17 was characterized for Ricinus communis and absent in other plants of genus Euphorbia. Also, band 2700 bp generated by primer OP-A20 and band 210 bp generated by primer OP-Z19 existing only in Euphorbia peplus. This study highlights the usefulness of RAPD assay for determining genetic variation in different plant genera and for estimating genetic distances between different plant samples. Moreover, knowledge of genetic distance among genera and species, and genetic diversity/structure within genera could be useful for conservation of genetic resources. Data presented here are the first report in Egypt of genetic variation inside genera Euphorbia and Ricinus described at the molecular level. We consider this work as a first step in molecular characterization of genera Euphorbia and Ricinus, thus, it is recommended to extend the panel of samples and primers in the future.

RAPD-PCR was performed using six random primers to identify the genetic diversity among six plant samples belong to two genera (Euphorbia and Ricinus). The dendrogram, based on genetic distance, depict the relationship among the investigated plant samples, separate clearly the six samples. The closest relationship was observed between E. geniculata and E. aphylla; and E. pulcherrima and E. peplus, while this relationship was quite separated between these four samples and the other two samples E. cactus and R. communis. Fragments generated by the six primers show a polymorphism ratio of 88.9%. Bands 3500 and 750 bp generated by primer OP-Z13, and also bands 2000, 1500, 1400, 1200, 1000, 720 and 550 bp generated by primer OP-A09 existing only in the plant samples of E. geniculata and E. aphylla, which suggest that these bands can be used as a positive molecular marker to identify these plant samples. Bands 2500, 1720, 1650, 1300, 950 and 250 bp generated by primer OP-A09, and band 1200 bp generated by primer OP-A20 and band 350 bp generated by primer OP-Z19 and band 250 bp generated by primer OP-Z17 were common in all plant samples of family Euphorbiaceae. Moreover, band 430 bp generated by primer OP-Z17 was characterized for Ricinus communis and absent in other plants of genus Euphorbia. Also, band 2700 bp generated by primer OP-A20 and band 210 bp generated by primer OP-Z19 existing only in Euphorbia peplus. This study highlights the usefulness of RAPD assay for determining genetic variation in different plant genera and for estimating genetic distances between different plant samples. Moreover, knowledge of genetic distance among genera and species, and genetic diversity/structure within genera could be useful for conservation of genetic resources. Data presented here are the first report in Egypt of genetic variation inside genera Euphorbia and Ricinus described at the molecular level. We consider this work as a first step in molecular characterization of genera Euphorbia and Ricinus, thus, it is recommended to extend the panel of samples and primers in the future.

RAPD-PCR was performed using six random primers to identify the genetic diversity among six plant samples belong to two genera (Euphorbia and Ricinus). The dendrogram, based on genetic distance, depict the relationship among the investigated plant samples, separate clearly the six samples. The closest relationship was observed between E. geniculata and E. aphylla; and E. pulcherrima and E. peplus, while this relationship was quite separated between these four samples and the other two samples E. cactus and R. communis. Fragments generated by the six primers show a polymorphism ratio of 88.9%. Bands 3500 and 750 bp generated by primer OP-Z13, and also bands 2000, 1500, 1400, 1200, 1000, 720 and 550 bp generated by primer OP-A09 existing only in the plant samples of E. geniculata and E. aphylla, which suggest that these bands can be used as a positive molecular marker to identify these plant samples. Bands 2500, 1720, 1650, 1300, 950 and 250 bp generated by primer OP-A09, and band 1200 bp generated by primer OP-A20 and band 350 bp generated by primer OP-Z19 and band 250 bp generated by primer OP-Z17 were common in all plant samples of family Euphorbiaceae. Moreover, band 430 bp generated by primer OP-Z17 was characterized for Ricinus communis and absent in other plants of genus Euphorbia. Also, band 2700 bp generated by primer OP-A20 and band 210 bp generated by primer OP-Z19 existing only in Euphorbia peplus. This study highlights the usefulness of RAPD assay for determining genetic variation in different plant genera and for estimating genetic distances between different plant samples. Moreover, knowledge of genetic distance among genera and species, and genetic diversity/structure within genera could be useful for conservation of genetic resources. Data presented here are the first report in Egypt of genetic variation inside genera Euphorbia and Ricinus described at the molecular level. We consider this work as a first step in molecular characterization of genera Euphorbia and Ricinus, thus, it is recommended to extend the panel of samples and primers in the future.

RAPD-PCR was performed using six random primers to identify the genetic diversity among six plant samples belong to two genera (Euphorbia and Ricinus). The dendrogram, based on genetic distance, depict the relationship among the investigated plant samples, separate clearly the six samples. The closest relationship was observed between E. geniculata and E. aphylla; and E. pulcherrima and E. peplus, while this relationship was quite separated between these four samples and the other two samples E. cactus and R. communis. Fragments generated by the six primers show a polymorphism ratio of 88.9%. Bands 3500 and 750 bp generated by primer OP-Z13, and also bands 2000, 1500, 1400, 1200, 1000, 720 and 550 bp generated by primer OP-A09 existing only in the plant samples of E. geniculata and E. aphylla, which suggest that these bands can be used as a positive molecular marker to identify these plant samples. Bands 2500, 1720, 1650, 1300, 950 and 250 bp generated by primer OP-A09, and band 1200 bp generated by primer OP-A20 and band 350 bp generated by primer OP-Z19 and band 250 bp generated by primer OP-Z17 were common in all plant samples of family Euphorbiaceae. Moreover, band 430 bp generated by primer OP-Z17 was characterized for Ricinus communis and absent in other plants of genus Euphorbia. Also, band 2700 bp generated by primer OP-A20 and band 210 bp generated by primer OP-Z19 existing only in Euphorbia peplus. This study highlights the usefulness of RAPD assay for determining genetic variation in different plant genera and for estimating genetic distances between different plant samples. Moreover, knowledge of genetic distance among genera and species, and genetic diversity/structure within genera could be useful for conservation of genetic resources. Data presented here are the first report in Egypt of genetic variation inside genera Euphorbia and Ricinus described at the molecular level. We consider this work as a first step in molecular characterization of genera Euphorbia and Ricinus, thus, it is recommended to extend the panel of samples and primers in the future.

Fifteen compounds were isolated from Euphorbia peplus L.. Their structures were established by physical, chemical, and spectral data (UV, IR, MS, and 1D NMR), as well as comparison with authentic samples. The preliminary phytochemical screening of the alcoholic extract was done. GC-MS study of the fatty acid methyl esters of the n-hexane fraction was carried out. The antimicrobial, pharmacological, and cytotoxic activities of the different extracts were evaluated. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by using yeast-induced paw edema method at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg of the extracts. The MeOH and EtOAc extracts give potent anti-inflammatory activity compared with indomethacin. All the extracts exhibited significant analgesic activity in the acetic acid-induced writhing method at dose 400 mg/kg. The tested extracts showed antipyretic activity at doses 200 and 400 mg/kg for each extract. They control the hyperthermia for 4 hr without decrease in activity.

Fifteen compounds were isolated from Euphorbia peplus L.. Their structures were established by physical, chemical, and spectral data (UV, IR, MS, and 1D NMR), as well as comparison with authentic samples. The preliminary phytochemical screening of the alcoholic extract was done. GC-MS study of the fatty acid methyl esters of the n-hexane fraction was carried out. The antimicrobial, pharmacological, and cytotoxic activities of the different extracts were evaluated. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by using yeast-induced paw edema method at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg of the extracts. The MeOH and EtOAc extracts give potent anti-inflammatory activity compared with indomethacin. All the extracts exhibited significant analgesic activity in the acetic acid-induced writhing method at dose 400 mg/kg. The tested extracts showed antipyretic activity at doses 200 and 400 mg/kg for each extract. They control the hyperthermia for 4 hr without decrease in activity.