الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract The Thesis is formed of 3 parts: Part I: Immunomodulatory Activity Screening The immunomodulatory activity of forty five crude drugs, used in the Egyptian folkloric medicine and belonging to different plant families, was assessed using lymphocytetransformation assay (LTA). Five crude drug extracts elicited the maximum immunstimulant activity (90 % Lymphocyte Transformation). The leaves of Lawsonia inermis (Henna) and the oleogum resin of Boswellia carterii ?Frankincense? or ?Olibanum? were selected for further biological and phytochemical investigation adopting bioassayguided fractionation. To establish the possible involvement of oxidationreduction (redox) mechanisms in the immunomodulatory activity of the investigated compounds, an assay for the antioxidant activity of the isolated compounds were conducted. Part II: Boswellia carterii Birdwood This part comprises: Chapter 1: Phytochemical investigation of the oleogum resin of Boswellia carterii Birdwood including investigation of the volatile oil, and the resin. Nine compounds were isolated. It was shown that the immunostimulant activity of the total methaonlic extract of the oleoresin (90 % lymphocyte transformation) is mostly greater than that of individual pure compounds. Therefore, it is recommended to use the total alcoholic extract in any preparations of olibanum intended for immunostimulation. Unfortunately, these compounds only elicited a marginal antioxidant activity. Chapter 2: A botanical study of the stems and the leaves of Boswellia carterii Birdwood. Part III: (Phytochemical Investigation of the Leaves of Lawsonia inermis L.): Chapter 1: Phytochemical Investigation of the Leaves of Lawsonia inermis Linn. Seven compounds were isolated. It was found that the immunostimulant activity of the total methaonlic extract of henna leaves (90 % lymphocyte transformation) is also greater than that of individual pure compounds; suggesting a synergism between the different components of henna leaves. These compounds elicited significant antioxidant activity. Chapter 2: Colorimetric Estimation of the Lawsone Content in Different Commercial Brands of Powdered Henna Leaves. Conclusion This study revealed the economic and medical importance of two crude drugs commonly used in the Egyptian folkloric medicine, namely, the olibanum oleogum resin and henna leaves to be used as potential immunostimulant agents. |