Aims: The study is intended to compare the freshly collected henna (Lawsonia inermis L.) and the market henna in term of microscopical key elements and heavy metals contamination. Moreover, this study is aimed to investigate the effect of henna and its oily additives on kidney histology in female mice. Study Design: Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tripoli and Animals House, Biotechnology Research Center in 2010. Methodology: The powders of collected and market henna have been subjected to a microscopical study with magnification of 5x then 40 x to investigate the henna key elements, which are calcium oxalate clusters, anomocytic stomata, starch grains and fibers. Three elements: arsenic (As), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pd) were analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAs) for the collected and market henna. For histopathological study, an aqueous extracts of L. inermis leaves and L. inermis leaves-oils were prepared by maceration. Eighteen female Albino Wister mice (3-4-months, 20-25 gm) were injected with the prepared extracts subcutaneously by dose 50 ml/kg/day for 5 days. Kidneys were collected and subjected to histopathological study. Results: From this study, the microscopical investigation exhibited the presence of some elements which are never mentioned as the henna key elements. Both market and collected henna were contaminated with a high level of heavy metals specially lead (Pd). The histopathological findings implied that there are many histological changes on the kidney tissues such as aggregation of round cells and congestion of blood vessels. Conclusion: The market henna might be adulterated with other types of plant. The presence of a high concentration of lead (Pd) in the collected henna as well as the market henna might be considered as the cause of some L. inermis adverse effects. L. inermis leaves and L. inermis leaves-oils aqueous extracts implied many abnormalities in the kidney tissues. arabic 17 English 102
Sakina S. Saadawi, Hanin N. Mughrbi, Mukhtar R. Haman, Surur A. Ahmed, Laila A. Ghashout, Elsayed R. Elattar(5-2020)

Marine fungi are a promising source for bioactive compounds [1]. The fungal strain 222 has been isolated from wood collected at the coast of the Greifswalder Bodden, Baltic Sea, Germany and produces structurally new naphthalenone derivatives, balticols A to F. They possess antiviral activities [2]. Since other naphthalene compounds are known for their anti-inflammatory activities we investigated whether the balticols have an influence on inflammatory immune cells. Balticols (1 and 10µg/ml) were added to rat mononuclear cells (F344-MNC) which were cultured alone or together with H9c2-cardiomyocytes. The latter represents a model of inflammation similar as observed after myocardial infarction. MNC's were collected after 48h and analyzed for T-, B-, NK-, TH-cells and CTL's by flow cytometry. Dexamethasone (Dexa, 10–9 mol/l) served as positive control. None of the balticols except balticol E changed the number of control MNC's. The proportion of T-cells was decreased by balticol B and D, but ICAM-1+T-cells increased. Balticol D decreased TH- and increased B-cells as Dexa which additionally decreased CTL's. None of the substances influenced NK cells. After co-culture with cardiomyocytes TH-cells were decreased while CTL's and ICAM-1+T-cells increased. Balticol D partly anticipated the decrease of TH. Balticol E decreased T-cells, especially TH-cells, but stimulated ICAM-1+T-cells. Dexa anticipated the increase of CTL's, had no influence on the proportion of TH-cells and diminished ICAM-1+T-cells. In summary, balticols B, D and E influence unstimulated MNC's. Unambiguous anti-inflammatory effects were detected using Dexa and balticol E which exerts its effect due reduction of T-cells. arabic 14 English 83
B. Haertel, Muftah A. Shushni, Ulrike Lindequist(1-2010)

Oil and its derivatives spills have been a major issue across decades and it is hard to biodegrade even though there are many techniques are being developed to clean up petroleum contaminated soil. Phytoremediation has long been applied as a treatment technology that is cost-effective, ecologically friendly and efficient for the decontamination of hydrocarbon pollution. In this study, four crude oil contaminated soil samples were collected from oil extraction fields in Libya. Three plants were chosen (Malva punilora, Ricinus communis and Triticum repens) on 0.5% and 1% crude oil contaminated soil .The chosen plant species were implanted individually in the contaminated soil pots. Soil sample (triplicate) was taken from each pot at zero time, after 15 days. After 30 days and after 45 days of experiment. Hexane was added to the soil samples, mixed, filtered and the absorbance was measured using spectrophotometer at 360 nm. The results were compared to the standard curve to calculate the crude oil concentration and percentage of removal. As a result the highest percentage of removal of 0.5 % crude oil contaminated soil was by Triticum repens (94%) after 30 days of experiment followed by Malva parviflora(88.5) and Ricinus communis(77 %). While in 1% crude oil contaminated soil pots experiment, the highest percentage of removal was by Malva parviflora (89%) after 30 days of experiment followed by Triticum repens (80%) and Ricinus communis (76 %). Triticum repens showed good results suggesting more field application. arabic 15 English 97
Sakina Salem Mohammed Saadawi, , AMAL .A ABOALLA AMMAR, , (1-2015)