We have initiated immunological and drug-binding studies on the tubulins from different higher plant species. Antibodies were raised against electrophoretically separated rose (Rosa sp.) tubulin alpha- and beta-subunits and characterized by immunoblot autoradiographic assays. Each IgG preparation bound to its antigen and cross-reacted differentially with the respective tubulin subunits from an ...

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) family Malvaceae is an important crop used in food, cosmetics and pharmaceutics industries. Roselle is cultivated mainly in Upper Egypt (Qena and Aswan governorates) producing 94% of total production. Root rot disease of roselle is one of the most important diseases that attack both seedlings and adult plants causing serious losses in crop productivity and quali...

This study evaluated immunomodulatory properties and the sub-acute toxicity profile of two fractions of the aqueous alcoholic extract of the dried calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa in experimental animals. Immunomodulatory activity was evaluated using red blood cell-induced immunostimulation. The fractions were not found to be toxic after 7-day administration, though there was severe weight loss wit...

The aqueous calyx extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) has a folk reputation as an antihypertensive agent. On account of its antioxidant properties and probably high K+ concentration, we hypothesized that HS may attenuate the development of salt-induced hypertension. Sprague-Dawley rats (n=8 each) were treated for 12 weeks as follows: control (normal diet + water), salt-loaded (8% salt diet + wa...

The effects of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces on haematology and pathological changes in some selected organs during experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection of rats were investigated. Three groups of rats were intraperitoneally infected with T. congolense (Karu stock). One group was administered with the aqueous extract and another given a solution of vitamin C in drinking...

The Hibiscus cannabinus (H. cannabinus) seed is used for curing male infertility and impotency in traditional medicine. However, the validity has not been scientifically evaluated. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of H. cannabinus seed on the sexual behaviour of male rats. Sixty six rats were randomized into five groups and were treated as one control group, th...