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Brown algae (BA) belongs to the group Heterokontophyta, a large group of eukaryotic organisms distinguished most prominently by having chloroplasts surrounded by four membranes. In Egypt, BA is naturally spread over large areas of marine beaches. The present study aims to determine the chemical composition and bioactive compounds in BA samples collected from the shores of the Egyptian Seas. Also, biological activities of the same BA samples extracts will be studied. Results indicated that carbohydrates were the largest compound (60.59%) followed by Dietary fiber (48.78 %), ash (19.45%), crude fiber (7.14%), total protein (4.02%) and crude fat (0.82%). Also, polysaccharides were the largest compound followed by phenolics, tannins, carotenoids and flavonoids. β-carotene assay (BCA) indicated that ethanol extract (EtE) recorded the highest antioxidant activity followed by methanol extract (MeE) and water extract (AqE). The values of EtE extract are coming well i.e. closing to the line of 50 mg α-tocopherol followed by MeE and AqE, respectively. Also, AqE possessed the highest free radical scavenging activity (FRSA). For Half-maximal inhibitory concentration )IC50(, the AqE, EtE and MeE recorded 19.92, 10.41 and 12.52 μg/mL, respectively. The IC50 of BHT (standard) was 7.78 μg/mL. The BCA and FRSA of different tested extracts and standards were in the following order: standards (BHT/ α-tocopherol) >EtE >MeE >AqE. In conclusion, Brown algae extracts (BAE) contain several classes of phytochemicals with other compounds that are responsible for different biological activities including antioxidant and radical scavenging activities. Therefore, we recommended brown algae powder and/or extracts to be included in daily diets, drinks, food supplementation and pharmacological formulae.

Several decades ago, hude studies reported that recent pharmacological therapy is costly and associated with multiple side effects resulting in patient non-compliance. Therefore, there is a great need to search for alternative therapies particularly from natural sources as these are cost effective and possess minimal side effects. The present study will designe to explore the biological effects of gum arabic (GA) on kidney disorders induced by arginine in rats. Also, the addition of GA to low protein diet (LPD), one of an important kidney disorders treatment, in a trial to add some positive biological effects to the kidney patients will be in the scope of this study. The obtained data revealed that The mean value of uric acid and creatinine of the negative control group fed on basal diet was 1.73 and 0,80 mg.dl-1, while uric acid and creatinine of group fed on BD containing 2% arginine (Control +ve) was 2.91 and 1.79 mg.dl-1, respectively. The rate of increasing in uric acid and creatinine as the result of kidney disorders induction was 68.28 and 124.15%. Additional of groups fed on GA and low protein diet (LPD) containing 2% arginine and led to decrease uric acid and creatinine by different rates. Co-treatment group fed on GA and LPD exhibited synergistic effect and recorded the highest decreasing rate in uric acid and creatinine (-19.99 and -21.15%, respectively). Also, the same behavior was recorded for serum mineral content (Na and K) and malondialdehyde content (MDA), the biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. In conclusion, we recommended to pay more attention in the future to carry out more research in the area of GA and extended its applications in human diets, industrial and medical applications such kidney diseases patients instead of the drugs/chemicals used which have induced healthy hazards, side effects and high coast for the human being.

The modern pharmacological therapy is costly and associated with multiple side effects resulting in patient non-compliance. Thus, there is a need to explore alternative therapies particularly from nutritional/plant sources as these are cost effective and possess minimal side effects. The present study aimed to determine the effect of phytochemical combinations on liver disorders induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats. The normal rats feeding with basal diet were recorded 19.00, 41.18 and 0.092 for FI, BWG and FER respectively. The injected rats with CCl4 (control positive) showed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) decreased in FI, BWG and FER compared to normal rats by the ratio of -25.51, -38.98 and -21.11%, respectively. On the other side there were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased in FI, BWG and FER by the all tested formulae. Treatment of rats with CCl4 caused a significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased in AST, ALT and ALP by the percent of change 71.45, 22.77 and 155.77%, respectively compared to normal control. On the other side there were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased in AST, ALT and ALP by the all tested formulae. The increasing rate was raised with the increasing of the tested formulae feeding levels. Also, Formulae II induced significant higher improvements in AST, ALT and ALP than formula I. Furthermore, feeding of the tested formulae exhibited significant (P ≤ 0.05) improvements in total bilirubin, serum lipid profile, lipoprotein cholesterol fractions and serum glucose of rats induced by CCl4. In conclusion, the present study has demonstrated the potency of the selected formulae to partially ameliorate liver disorders in rats induced by CCl4. The complications include improved the liver functions, blood lipid profile and serum glucose and serum oxidant/antioxidant status.

Plant parts are important source of bioactive compounds and have been used for folk medicine for many centuries. The present study aimed to determine the bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities of some plant parts formulae distributed in the Egyptian local markets. Also, the potential effect of the tested formulae as a promising tool in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) including atherosclerosis will be in the scope of this investigation. The results showed that selected formulae possessed stronger antioxidant properties in inhibiting both lipid peroxidation (B-carotene bleaching assay) and CuSO4-induced LDL oxidation. The tested formulae showed slightly differences in antioxidant activity (AA= 92.74-94.56%). The high antioxidant properties of the tested formulae appeared to be attributed to its high bioactive compounds in particular phenolics content were 2275 and 38484 mg.100g-1 for formula I and II, respectively. The values of two tested formulae absorbances throught 120 min are coming well i.e. closing the line of 50 mg α-tocopherol and up to the line of 50 mg /L of butyhydroxy toluene (BHT). When all selected formulae were included in the statistical analysis, there was a positive and highly significant (r2= 0.9179 - 0.9462, p< 0.05) relationship between total phenolics and antioxidant activity. Finally, the tested formulae could be used successfully as a promising tool in the prevention of atherosclerosis by inhibiting LDL oxidation which merits further intensive studies.

The present study aimed to investigate the potential effects of Silybum marianum L. seeds extract on obesity and other related complications in rats. Silybum marianum seeds ethanol extract (SMEE) was used. 36 male rats were randomly divided into six equal groups. Group 1: Normal control, normal rats with ordinary feed; Group 2: Model control, obesity rats with ordinary feed without intervention; Groups 3-6: SMEE, obese rats with ordinary feed, intervention groups utilizing SMEE of 150, 300, 450and 600 mg/kg bw/day by oral gavage for 8 weeks' consecutive days. The changes in the levels of lipid components and liver functions in blood samples were analyzed after SMEE intervention. The decrease in the body weight occurred within the first 4 weeks of SMEE intervention and the serum lipid profile (TGs, TC, and LDL-c) levels in the obese rats of SMEE groups were significantly decreased at 8 weeks compared to the model control group. Furthermore, it was also found that SMEE intervention greatly enhanced the liver functions in obese rats. This study might indicate that SMEE intervention could provide a beneficial effect in terms of prevention and early treatment of obesity. Anti-obesity effects of SMEE were probably attributed to several mechanisms such as it has beneficial effects for obesity-related reducing fat accumulation and body weight gains, protecting against liver damage and improving blood lipids components, and so on.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is defined as a state in which homeostasis of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism is improperly regulated by insulin. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of brown algae (Sargassum subrepandum) powder (BAP) on DM and is complications (hyperlipidemia and immune disturbances) induced by alloxan in rats.Thirty six rats were divided into two main groups, the first group (Group 1, 6 rats) still fed on basal diet (BD) and the second main group (30 rats) was with alloxan then classified into five sub groups as follow: group (2), fed on BD as a model control, and groups (3, 4, 5 and 6) fed on BD containing 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 % BAP, respectively. At the end of the experiment (4 weeks), treatment of rats with alloxan, model control group, induced a significant (p≤0.01) increasing in serum glucose concentration by the ratio 165.38% compared to normal control group. Dietary intervention with BAP (2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10%) in rats for 28 days led to significantly (p≤0.05) decreasing the levels of serum glucose which recorded 155.71, 137.08, 108.64 and 91.14% compared to the normal control group, respectively. The rate of decreasing in serum glucose was exhibited a dose- dependent increase with the levels of BAP intervention. Also, BAE was effective in protecting against DM complications including serum lipid profile (TG, TC, HDL-c, LDL-c and VLDL-c) and serum immunological parameters (Alb and TNF-α). Therefore, we recommended like of that algae powder by a concentrations up to 10% to be included in our daily diets, drinks and food supplementation.

Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum, family Ganodermaceae) is spread worldwide and is widely used for several nutritional and medical purposes. Therefore, knowledge of all aspects of this mushroom's composition, toxicity and biological activities is required. The present study aims to determine the bioactive compound content, toxicity studies, and antibacterial/antifungal activities of Ganoderma lucidum ethanol extract (GL-EE). Data on the nutrients composition of Ganoderma lucidum powder indicated that crude fiber and carbohydrates were the largest compounds (51.06 ± 2.42 and 36.17 ± 3.91%, respectively), followed by total protein (8.69 ± 0.69 %), ash (2.21 ± 0.14%) and crude fat (1.87 ± 0.20%.). Also, Furthermore, the nutraceuticals (bioactive compounds) content of GL-EE indicated that terpenoids were the largest compound (241.47± 20.72 mg linalol.100 g⁻¹) followed by polysaccharides (154.30± 19.06 mg starch equivalent.100 g⁻¹), phenolics (49.98 ± 5.61 mg gallic acid equivalent.100g⁻¹), triterpenoids (51.16 ± 6.49 mg ursolic acid.100 g⁻¹). Furthermore, GL-EE recorded antibacterial and antifungal. On the other side, the toxicity studies of GL-EE were evaluated in Albino rats using standard methods. Various doses (2000 and 5000 mg/kg) of the extract were orally administered to rats and kept under close observation for the next 10 days. Data from the acute toxicity study did not show any toxicity signs and symptoms at doses 2000 mg/kg and 5000 mg/kg of GL-EE. Such signs and symptoms, including no morbidity or mortality, were observed. As a result, the LD50 of the Gl-EE could be greater than 5000mg/kg body weight. The effective biotransformation and elimination of this natural product within a short period. Therefore, the present study recommended that Ganoderma lucidum extract (GL-EE) could be used safely in different nutritional and medical applications.