Browsing by Author "Ibrahim E. Sallam"

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Impact of thermal processing on phytochemical profile and cardiovascular protection of Beta vulgaris L. in hyperlipidemic rats
(Nature Publishing Group, 2024-11-02) Engy Mohsen; Marwa I. Ezzat; Ibrahim E. Sallam; Dalia Zaafar; Aya Y.Gawish; Yasmine H.Ahmed; Ahmed H. Elghandour; Marwa Y. Issa
Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) is globally recognized for its outstanding color and flavor. It has been acknowledged for its therapeutic value since the ancient Romans. It is used to treat cardiovascular disorders. The therapeutic benefits of red beetroot are due to the substantial amounts of various bioactive metabolites, such as ascorbic acid, carotenoids, nitrates, phenolics, and betalains. However, the bioavailability and shelf life of these substances are significantly affected by the considerable variations in their processing methods among different countries. The longevity of the extracts is prolonged by employing well-established preservation techniques, such as boiling and steaming, which involve the application of heat. Our study aimed to analyze and compare the phytochemical composition of raw and heat processed beetroot using UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. In addition, the study aimed to assess the effectiveness of processed beetroot in protecting against cardiovascular complications in a rat model of obesity induced by high-fat diet (HFD). UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS phytochemical profiling revealed the presence of 51 compounds, including organic acids, flavonoids, phenolics, betanins, and saponins. All the extracts demonstrated a significant decline in MDA, TNF- α, and IL-6 levels, suppressed the TGF-β expression, and restored the serum catalase level to normal. Among all the tested extracts, the steamed extract exhibited the slightest percentage change in body weight (10.2±6.4) and effectively lowered the TNF-α level to normal levels. In contrast, the normal histological structure of heart muscle fibers was notably preserved in the cardiac sections of rats pretreated with steamed and boiled beetroot extracts. Additionally, mild caspase-3 immunoreactivity was observed in the cardiac muscles. The current study demonstrated that the steamed beetroot extract showed improved cardioprotective properties compared to the fresh and boiled extracts.
Metabolite profiling of Cucurbita pepo L. in relation to its potential to combat experimental trichinosis
(Elsevier B.V., 2025-04-06) Nashwa R. Mohameda; Seham S. El-Hawary; Fatema R. Saber; Ibrahim E. Sallam; Shaimaa H. El-Sayed
This study aimed to evaluate Cucurbita pepo L. (C. pepo) seed extract against Trichinella spiralis (T. spiralis) through in vivo study for both intestinal and muscular phases. Additionally, an extensive metabolic profiling, for all parts of the fruit of Cucurbita pepo L. (seed, peel and flesh), was adopted using UPLC/ESI-qTOF-MS to reveal the phytoconstituents responsible for the biological activities. Regarding the anthelmintic evaluation of the extracts of C. pepo, the count of T. spiralis adult worm was significantly reduced in the group of mice treated early with C. pepo seed extract (CPSE) and albendazole (ABZ) as compared to the control infected non-treated group. Similarly, the total larval count was significantly reduced in groups treated with CPSE and ABZ with more reduction in the groups that received the treatment in the early phase of infection. Upon staining intestinal sections of the infected mice with haematoxylin and eosin, the analysis revealed the improvement of the inflammatory manifestation induced by the parasite upon treatment with CPSE in both the intestinal and muscular phases. UPLC/ESI-qTOF-MS technique enabled the identification and comprehensive profiling of 79 secondary metabolites, which belonged to various classes of compounds including flavonoids, phenolics, cucurbitacins and fatty acids, in addition to other minor classes. The current study suggests C. pepo seed extract as a promising candidate for management of the gastrointestinal parasites being enriched with bioactive phytoconstituents. © 2025 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.