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Wehbe N, Badran A, Baydoun S, Al-Sawalmih A, Maresca M, Baydoun E, Mesmar JE. The Antioxidant Potential and Anticancer Activity of Halodule uninervis Ethanolic Extract against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:726. [PMID: 38929164 PMCID: PMC11200955 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural remedies have been indispensable to traditional medicine practices for generations, offering therapeutic solutions for various ailments. In modern times, these natural products continue to play a pivotal role in the discovery of new drugs, especially for cancer treatment. The marine ecosystem offers a wide range of plants with potential anticancer activities due to their distinct biochemical diversity and adaptation to extreme situations. The seagrass Halodule uninervis is rich in diverse bioactive metabolites that bestow the plant with various pharmacological properties. However, its anticancer activity against invasive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is still poorly investigated. In the present study, the phytochemical composition of an ethanolic extract of H. uninervis (HUE) was screened, and its antioxidant potential was evaluated. Moreover, the anticancer potential of HUE against MDA-MB-231 cells was investigated along with the possible underlying mechanisms of action. Our results showed that HUE is rich in diverse phytochemicals that are known for their antioxidant and anticancer effects. In MDA-MB-231 cells, HUE targeted the hallmarks of cancer, including cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis. The HUE-mediated anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic effects were associated with the downregulation of the proto-oncogenic STAT3 signaling pathway. Taken together, H. uninervis could serve as a valuable source for developing novel drugs targeting TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Wehbe
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (N.W.); (E.B.)
| | - Adnan Badran
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of Petra, Amman 11196, Jordan;
| | - Serine Baydoun
- Breast Imaging Section, Imaging Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA;
| | - Ali Al-Sawalmih
- Marine Science Station, University of Jordan, Aqaba 11942, Jordan;
| | - Marc Maresca
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, Centrale Marseille, iSM2, 13013 Marseille, France
| | - Elias Baydoun
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (N.W.); (E.B.)
| | - Joelle Edward Mesmar
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (N.W.); (E.B.)
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Hassan AF, Hussein O, Al-Barazenji T, Allouch A, Kamareddine L, Malki A, Moustafa AA, Khalil A. The effect of novel nitrogen-based chalcone analogs on colorectal cancer cells: Insight into the molecular pathways. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27002. [PMID: 38463818 PMCID: PMC10923686 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In colorectal cancer (CRC), aberrations in KRAS are associated with aggressive tumorigenesis and an overall low survival rate because of chemoresistance and adverse effects. Ergo, complementary, and integrative medicines are being considered for CRC treatment. Among which is the use of natural chalcones that are known to exhibit anti-tumor activities in KRAS mutant CRC subtypes treatment regimens. Consequently, we examine the effect of two novel compounds (DK13 and DK14) having chalcones with nitrogen mustard moiety on CRC cell lines (HCT-116 and LoVo) with KRAS mutation. These compounds were synthesized in our lab and previously reported to exhibit potent activity against breast cancer cells. Our data revealed that DK13 and DK14 treatment suppress cell growth, disturb the progression of cell cycle, and trigger apoptosis in CRC cell lines. Besides, treatment with both compounds impedes cell invasion and colony formation in both cell lines as compared to 5-FU; this is accompanied by up and down regulations of E-cadherin and Vimentin, respectively. At the molecular level, both compounds deregulate the expression and phosphorylation of β-catenin, Akt and mTOR, which are the main likely molecular mechanisms underlying these biological occurrences. Our findings present DK13 and DK14 as novel chemotherapies against CRC, through β-catenin/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arij Fouzat Hassan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ola Hussein
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Tara Al-Barazenji
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Asma Allouch
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Layla Kamareddine
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Biomedical Research Centre, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ahmed Malki
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ala‐Eddin Al Moustafa
- Biomedical Research Centre, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Oncology Department, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Ashraf Khalil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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Püsküllüoğlu M, Michalak I. The therapeutic potential of natural metabolites in targeting endocrine-independent HER-2-negative breast cancer. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1349242. [PMID: 38500769 PMCID: PMC10944949 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1349242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is a heterogenous disease, with prognosis and treatment options depending on Estrogen, Progesterone receptor, and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 (HER-2) status. HER-2 negative, endocrine-independent BC presents a significant clinical challenge with limited treatment options. To date, promising strategies like immune checkpoint inhibitors have not yielded breakthroughs in patient prognosis. Despite being considered archaic, agents derived from natural sources, mainly plants, remain backbone of current treatment. In this context, we critically analyze novel naturally-derived drug candidates, elucidate their intricate mechanisms of action, and evaluate their pre-clinical in vitro and in vivo activity in endocrine-independent HER-2 negative BC. Since pre-clinical research success often does not directly correlate with drug approval, we focus on ongoing clinical trials to uncover current trends. Finally, we demonstrate the potential of combining cutting-edge technologies, such as antibody-drug conjugates or nanomedicine, with naturally-derived agents, offering new opportunities that utilize both traditional cytotoxic agents and new metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirosława Püsküllüoğlu
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Kraków, Poland
| | - Izabela Michalak
- Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Advanced Material Technologies, Wrocław, Poland
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Alateyah N, Alsafran M, Usman K, Ouhtit A. Molecular Evidence of Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation Inhibition by a Combination of Selected Qatari Medicinal Plants Crude Extracts. Nutrients 2023; 15:4276. [PMID: 37836560 PMCID: PMC10574548 DOI: 10.3390/nu15194276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy, and conventional medicine has failed to establish efficient treatment modalities. Conventional medicine failed due to lack of knowledge of the mechanisms that underpin the onset and metastasis of tumors, as well as resistance to treatment regimen. However, Complementary and Alternative medicine (CAM) modalities are currently drawing the attention of both the public and health professionals. Our study examined the effect of a super-combination (SC) of crude extracts, which were isolated from three selected Qatari medicinal plants, on the proliferation, motility and death of BC cells. Our results revealed that SC attenuated cell growth and caused the cell death of MDA-MB-231 cancer cells when compared to human normal neonatal fibroblast cells. On the other hand, functional assays showed that SC reduced BC cell migration and invasion, respectively. SC-inhibited cell cycle and SC-regulated apoptosis was most likely mediated by p53/p21 pathway and p53-regulated Bax/BCL-2/Caspace-3 pathway. Our ongoing experiments aim to validate these in vitro findings in vivo using a BC-Xenograft mouse model. These findings support our hypothesis that SC inhibited BC cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. These findings lay the foundation for further experiments, aiming to validate SC as an effective chemoprevention and/or chemotherapeutic strategy that can ultimately pave the way towards translational research/clinical trials for the eradication of BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nouralhuda Alateyah
- Biological Sciences Program, Department of Biological & Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Science, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (N.A.); (M.A.)
| | - Mohammed Alsafran
- Biological Sciences Program, Department of Biological & Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Science, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (N.A.); (M.A.)
- Agricultural Research Station (ARS), Office of VP for Research & Graduate Studies, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar;
| | - Kamal Usman
- Agricultural Research Station (ARS), Office of VP for Research & Graduate Studies, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar;
| | - Allal Ouhtit
- Biological Sciences Program, Department of Biological & Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Science, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (N.A.); (M.A.)
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Zarban A, Azaryan E, Binabaj MM, Karbasi S, Naseri M. Green synthesis of nanohydroxyapatite trough Elaeagnus angustifolia L. extract and evaluating its anti-tumor properties in MCF7 breast cancer cell line. BMC Complement Med Ther 2023; 23:338. [PMID: 37752472 PMCID: PMC10521419 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-023-04116-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND One of the most common types of cancer in women is breast cancer. There are numerous natural plant-based products, which exert anti-tumoral effects including Elaeagnus Angustifolia (EA). It modulates cell-cycle process, heat-shock proteins expression, anti-proliferative properties, apoptosis induction, blocking of angiogenesis, and cell invasion inhibition. The current study aimed to synthesize and evaluate the anticancer effects of hydroalcoholic EA extract (HEAE), Nanohydroxyapatite (nHAp) and nHAp synthesized trough EA (nHA-EA) in MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. METHODS In the present study, HEAE preparation and green synthesis of nHA-EA was done and phase composition, functional groups, and crystallin phase of nHA-EA and nHAp were determined using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The characteristics of synthesized nanoparticles including structural and morphological parameters were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. Then, by using MTT-assay (Dimethylthiazoldiphenyltetrazolium), the in vitro cytotoxic and half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of EA extract, nHAp, and nHA-EA in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line was evaluated. Next, we assessed the expression of apoptosis-related genes Bax, Bcl2 and p53 using quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase-chain-reaction (qRT-PCR) and migration of MCF-7 cells by scratch assay. RESULTS The FTIR results demonstrated formation of nHAp and its interaction with HEAE during synthesis process. The XRD results of the synthesized nanoparticles showed similar XRD pattern of nHA-EA and nHAp and purity of synthesized nanomaterials. The average IC50 of HEAE, nHAp, and nHA-EA extract after treatment of cancer cells for 24 h was 400 µg/mL, 200 µg/mL, and 100 µg/mL, respectively. Our results revealed that nHA-EA significantly reduced the migration and invasion of the MCF-7 cells, in comparison to the nHAp and EA extract. Moreover, level of Bax/Bcl2 and p53 was significantly higher in the nHA-EA extract group in comparison to the EA extract and nHAp group. CONCLUSION Taken together, our results demonstrated that bioactive constituents of EA medicinal plant in form of nHA-EA particles, can effectively exerts potential anticancer and chemo preventive effect against breast cancer growth and can be proposed as a promising beneficial candidate for BC therapy. However, further investigations are required to discover what bioactive compounds are responsible for the chemo preventive effect of this extract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asghar Zarban
- Cardiovascular Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
- Clinical Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Ehsaneh Azaryan
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Department of Molecular Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Maryam Moradi Binabaj
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
| | - Samira Karbasi
- Cardiovascular Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.
| | - Mohsen Naseri
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Department of Molecular Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.
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Sularz O, Koronowicz A, Smoleń S, Boycott C, Stefanska B. Iodine-Biofortified Lettuce Can Promote Mitochondrial Dependent Pathway of Apoptosis in Human Gastrointestinal Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9869. [PMID: 37373017 PMCID: PMC10298746 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24129869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Previously, our research provided evidence that exposure of gastric and colon cancer cells to extracts from iodine-biofortified lettuce leads to a reduction of cell viability and proliferation through cell cycle arrest and upregulation of pro-apoptotic genes. The aim of the present study was to determine the potential cellular mechanisms of induction of cell death in human gastrointestinal cancer cell lines after treatment with iodine-biofortified lettuce. We demonstrated that extracts from lettuce enriched with iodine induce apoptosis in gastric AGS and colon HT-29 cancer cells and the mechanism of programmed cell death may be triggered and executed through different signaling pathways, depending on the type of cells. Western blot analysis revealed that iodine-fortified lettuce leads to cell death through the release of cytochrome c to the cytosolic fraction and activation of the primary drivers of apoptosis: caspase-3, caspase-7, and caspase-9. Furthermore, we have reported that apoptotic effects of lettuce extracts may be mediated by poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and activation of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins such as Bad, Bax, and BID. We also observed mitochondrial dysfunction with the dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential in cells exposed to lettuce extracts. Taken together, these results indicate that the organic form of iodine such as 5-ISA and 3,5-diISA is an important factor in the activation of intrinsic mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in AGS and HT-29 cancer cells in a p53-independent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Sularz
- Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Food Technology, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Balicka 122, 31-149 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Aneta Koronowicz
- Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Food Technology, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Balicka 122, 31-149 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Sylwester Smoleń
- Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Horticulture, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al. 29 Listopada 54, 31-425 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Cayla Boycott
- Food, Nutrition and Health Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, 2205 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada;
| | - Barbara Stefanska
- Food, Nutrition and Health Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, 2205 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada;
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Corema album Leaves Mediate DNA Damage in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022; 44:3598-3610. [PMID: 36005142 PMCID: PMC9406933 DOI: 10.3390/cimb44080246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Corema (C.) album is a shrub endemic to the Atlantic coast and has been described as yielding beneficial effects for human health. Nevertheless, studies concerning the bioactivity of C. album leaves are scarce. This study aims at investigating the anticancer potential and mode of action, of an hydroethanolic extract of C. album leaves (ECAL) on triple-negative breast cancer. This is a poor survival breast cancer subtype, owing to its high risk of distant reappearance, metastasis rates and the probability of relapse. The ECAL ability to prevent tumor progression through (i) the inhibition of cell proliferation (cell viability); (ii) the induction of apoptosis (morphological changes, TUNEL assay, caspase-3 cleaved) and (iii) the induction of DNA damage (PARP1 and γH2AX) with (iv) the involvement of NF-κB and of ERK1/2 pathways (AlphaScreen assay) was evaluated. ECAL activated the apoptotic pathway (through caspase-3) along with the inhibition of ERK and NF-κB pathways causing DNA damage and cell death. The large polyphenolic content of ECAL was presumed to be accountable for these effects. The extract of C. album leaves can target multiple pathways and, thus, can block more than one possible means of disease progression, evidencing the anticancer therapeutic potential from a plant source.
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El makawy AI, Mabrouk DM, Mohammed SE, Abdel-Aziem SH, EL-Kader HAA, Sharaf HA, Youssef DA, Ibrahim FM. The suppressive role of nanoencapsulated chia oil against DMBA-induced breast cancer through oxidative stress repression and tumor genes expression modulation in rats. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:10217-10228. [PMID: 36063350 PMCID: PMC9618492 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07885-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chia oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to a lower risk of many diseases, including cancer. Oil encapsulation is a method that holds promise for maintaining oil content while enhancing solubility and stability. The purpose of this study is to prepare nanoencapsulated Chia oil and investigate its suppressive effects on rat chemically induced breast cancer. METHODS The oil was extracted from commercial Chia seeds and their fatty acids were analyzed using Gas Chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Sodium alginate was used as a loading agent to create the Chia oil nanocapsules. The DPPH assay was used to assess the oil nanocapsules' capacity to scavenge free radicals. Breast cancer induction was done by single dose subcutaneously administration of 80 mg/kg dimethylbenz (a) anthracene (DMBA). Models of breast cancer were given Chia oil nanocapsules orally for one month at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg. Through measuring intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protein carbonyl, assessing the gene expression of tumor suppressor genes (BRCA 1 & 2, TP53), and conducting histopathological analysis, the suppressive effect of Chia oil nanocapsules was examined. RESULTS The increase in ROS and PC levels brought on by DMBA was significantly decreased by the administration of Chia oil nanocapsules. In tumor tissue from rats given Chia oil nanocapsules, the mRNA expression levels of BRCA1, BRCA2, and TP53 were controlled Histopathological analysis clarified that the tissue architecture of breast tumors was improved by nanocapsules management. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate the ability of Chia oil nanocapsules to inhibit cancer cells in the rat breast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aida I. El makawy
- Cell Biology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, P.O.12622, Egypt
| | - Dalia M. Mabrouk
- Cell Biology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, P.O.12622, Egypt
| | - Shaimaa E. Mohammed
- Nutrition and Food Sciences Department, Food Industries and Nutrition Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, P.O.12622, Egypt
| | - Sekena H. Abdel-Aziem
- Cell Biology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, P.O.12622, Egypt
| | - Heba A. Abd EL-Kader
- Cell Biology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, P.O.12622, Egypt
| | - Hafiza A. Sharaf
- Pathology Department, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, P.O.12622, Egypt
| | - Dalia A. Youssef
- Pests and Plant Protection Department, Agricultural and Biology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, P.O.12622, Egypt
| | - Faten M. Ibrahim
- Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Department, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, P.O.12622, Egypt
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