The Faculty of Pharmacy discussed the PHD Degree thesis, tagged” The Faculty of Pharmacy discussed Phytochemical Investigation Of Different Parts Of Juniperus oxycedrus Grown In Iraq And Their Anti-inflammatory Activity ” by Estabraq Hussein Naser and the supervisor, Assist. Prof Dr. Sarmed H. Kathem in the Department of Pharmacognosy and Medicinal plants.
The thesis aimed to
1- Extraction and identification of different active constituents present in twigs and leaves of Iraqi Juniperus oxycedrus L. using conventional extraction and identification methods. 2- Isolation, purification and characterization of different active constituents like flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolic acids, stilbenoids, and anthraquinone by TLC, HPTLC, analytical HPLC, Preparative HPLC, FT-IR, LC-MSMS (LC-ESI-MS, and LC-APCI-MS), and 1HNMR from different parts of Iraqi Juniperus oxycedrus L. family (Cupressaceae ) growing on mountain of Akra in the north of Iraq.3- Investigation of the anti-inflammatory and protective effects of Juniperus oxycedrus L. fractions on LPS-induced acute kidney injury in mice.4- Investigation of the effect of Juniperus oxycedrus L. on LPS-TLR4 signaling pathways
In the light of the results obtained, the study concluded the following:
Phytochemical screening of Iraqi Juniperus oxycedrus L. demonstrates the presence of various phytochemicals which were separated from leaves and twigs of plant according to differences in their chemical nature. ,Five categories of secondary metabolites have been identified by TLC and HPLC and isolated from both parts of plant including flavonoids, penolic acids, terpenes, anthraquinone glycosides, and alkaloids.The tested Ethylacetate and methanol fractions from leaves and twigs of Iraqi
Juniperus oxycedrus L. exhibited significant anti – inflammatory activity.
The presence of different flavonoids, penolic acids, terpenes, anthraquinone glycosides, and alkaloids and other phytochemicals in the active fractions could explain anti – inflammatory activity. Juniperus oxycedrus L. methanol and Ethylacetate fractions have anti-inflammatory and reno-protective effects on LPS-induced AKI in mice.Juniperus oxycedrus L. methanol and Ethylacetate fractions have anti-inflammatory and ameliorative effects through inhibition of TLR 4 NF-kB pathway.
The thesis recommended
- Each constituent’s quantity must be quantified in order to be compared with the identical plant growing in another location.
- Additional research is needed to uncover other substances in this plant that have yet to be discovered utilizing different portions of the plant.
- It is necessary to conduct more research into the plant’s flavonoids and phenolic content.
- Other pharmacological studies are required to elucidate other reported and or unreported pharmacological activities in Iraqi Juniperus oxycedrus L.
- Utilization of the plant as a rich source of different bioactive compounds as evident in HPTLC result which revealed that there is valuable concentration of these compounds.
- A wider range of doses and intervals of Juniperus oxycedrus L. fractions treatment to report the dose-response profile.