Chemical constituents and biological activities of the Mitrella kentii leaf oil were investigated in this study. Gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to determine the chemical constituents of the oil. The oil was evaluated for its ability to inhibit prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) productions in human whole blood using a radioimmunoassay technique. Its inhibitory effect on platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor binding with rabbit platelets using 3H-PAF as a ligand and its free radical scavenging effect on DPPH were also investigated. Caryophyllene oxide (33.8%w/w), E,Z-farnesol (6.9%), benzyl benzoate (6.5%w/w) and viridiflorol (6.5%w/w) were among the major components of the oil. Even though weak inhibitory activities were observed in both PGE2 and TXB2 assays, significant results were obtained in both PAF receptor binding inhibition and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging effect with IC50 value of 6.6 μg/mL and 155.6 μg/mL respectively. These promising activities warrant the development of the oil as an anti-inflammatory agent. arabic 14 English 74
Sakina Salem Mohammed Saadawi, JURIYATI JALIL, IBRAHIM JANTAN, MALINA JASAMAI(1-2021)

Caffeine is the most commonly used psychoactive substance throughout the world. It is found in coffee, black tea, and chocolate, as it is produced naturally in the beans and leaves of the plants used to manufacture these products. This study aimed to make a survey study among children 2-11 years in some Tripoli, Libya schools to determine caffeine concentration in number of beverages and foods consumed by studied children. About 313 copies of the questionnaire were distributed to students to be filled by their parents. Caffeine was extracted from samples using dichloromethane. Purity of isolated caffeine was estimated by using TLC method.Quantitative analysis of caffeine was performed by using a UV-Visible spectrophotometer. Chocolate biscuits, chocolate cake, cocoa milk and chocolate ice cream were the highest consumed products among the studied children (81%, 79%, 67% and 63% respectively). The highest side effects of caffeine consumption was hyperactivity was the highest side effect in children (76%). Some children also suffered from severe side effects such as panic attack (14%). Naseem ice cream sample showed the highest caffeine content (28 mg/serving) among solid samples.Whereas in the beverages, energy drink samples Red pull, XIR and Shark were 268, 262 and 250 mg/serving respectively. In conclusion, there was excessive consumption of caffeine among the studied group of children and some of them showed side effects and even severe side effects. Variety of tested foods and beverages under the study contained uncontrolled concentrations of caffeine. In addition, chocolate milk (Al Rayhan), contained no caffeine. arabic 15 English 97
Sakina S. Saadawi, Khairi A. Alennabi, AMAL .A ABOALLA AMMAR, , , ٍSuhera Mehemed Abdulsalam Aburawi(9-2019)

Vigorous research has been conducted into the phenology of the shea tree, its usage and that of the shea butter extracted from the nuts of the shea fruit. Shea butter is the most valuable product in the Shea tree and its use as raw or in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products was expanded in the last years. The aim was to carry out comparative study between imported South African raw Shea Butter, one sample from Poland and samples from Libyan market on their physical properties (organoleptic), thin layer chromatography (TLC) chromatogram, phytochemical screening and diphenylpicrylhydrazil (DPPH) scavenging activity. As well as antimicrobial screening. Organoleptic test was carried out by comparing color and odor. TLC chromatogram was performed by spotting solution of samples in hexane on TLC plate and eluted twice in hexane: ethylacetate 8:2 to get good separation. Phytochemical screening was performed to determine the presence of carbohydrates (Fehling test), steroids, and triterpens (Salkwiski test). DPPH assay was carried out by spraying TLC sample spots by 0.2% DPPH methanolic solution. Antimicrobial test was conducted on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Mueller-Hinton agar was used with ciprofolxacin as +ve control and DMSO as–ve control. As a result, Shea Butter samples showed wide diversity in color and odor which considered normal except two white samples that might undergo refining process, while spreadability and TLC chromatograms were similar. Samples and control showed presence of carbohydrates, steroids and triterpens. Control and samples had DPPH scavenging activity. Shea Butter control and samples had no antimicrobial activities against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. arabic 17 English 111
Sakina Salem Saadawi, Khairi Ali Alennabi, Hanin Nafed Mughrbi, Kholoud Lotfi, Nesrin Saleh Ali Abdulnabi(4-2020)