Ahmed A. Zaki

Scopus Publications

Isolation, characterization, and bioactivity of stilbenoids from Cyperus conglomeratus with in vitro and in silico antidiabetic evaluation
Ahmed Ashour, Ahmed A. Zaki, Mohamed Samir Darwish, Noha A. Abou-Zeid, Wadah Osman, et al.
Scientific African, 2025
From Kratom to Semi-Synthetic Opioids: The Rise and Risks of MGM-15
Abhishek Gour, Sushobhan Mukhopadhyay, Allison Henderson, Ahmed Awad, Maria A. Seabra, et al.
Drug Testing and Analysis, 2025
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), a plant native to Southeast Asia, has long been used for its stimulant and analgesic properties. 7‐Hydroxymitragynine (7‐HMG) is a potent and selective opioid agonist in vitro and demonstrates a potent opioid effect in living subjects, reversible by naloxone. It has been semi‐synthesized into products that are readily available in retail and virtual shops. It is known that 7‐HMG has earned the nickname “legal morphine,” and has gained popularity among users seeking pain relief and/or a “high” comparable with prescription opioids. Medicinal chemistry efforts have led to synthetic 7‐HMG derivatives such as MGM‐15, where stereospecific saturation of the imine N(1)–C(2) double bond increases opioid receptor affinity and activity. Despite its higher in vitro opioid potency, MGM‐15 is currently sold in the US for human consumption as a “research chemical” in tablet form, even though there is an absence of this being studied in humans and obviously no FDA approval. In this study, we analyzed commercially available MGM‐labeled tablets using UPLC–MS/MS and subsequently evaluated the binding affinities of purified MGM‐15 across multiple opioid receptors. Tablets contained an average of 10.9 ± 0.2 mg (10.7 to 11.2 mg) of MGM‐15, with no naturally occurring kratom alkaloids or illicit substances detected. MGM‐15 shows greater hMOR and hDOR binding affinities than 7‐HMG, indicating the potential for higher opioid effects and risks, emphasizing the urgent need for more research to advise regulation and hopefully prevent misuse and harm.
Increased plasma concentrations of 6-oxo-methylphenidate in CES1 G134E carriers following a single oral dose of methylphenidate
Qingchen Zhang, Philip W. Melchert, Ahmed Awad, Christopher R. McCurdy, Beth Krone, et al.
Medicinal Chemistry Research, 2025
Implications of Indolethylamine N-Methyltransferase (INMT) in Health and Disease: Biological Functions, Disease Associations, Inhibitors, and Analytical Approaches
Seif Abouheif, Ahmed Awad, Christopher R. McCurdy
Brain Sciences, 2025
Indolethylamine N-methyltransferase (INMT) is a Class 1 methyltransferase responsible for N-methylation of various endogenous and exogenous compounds, including tryptamine, serotonin, and dopamine. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the biological and therapeutic relevance of INMT, emphasizing the human isoform (hINMT), highlighting its structural characteristics, disease association, and recent advances in analytical strategies. Dysregulation of INMT activity has been linked to a range of pathological conditions, including neuropsychiatric disorders, neurodegeneration, and several forms of cancer. These associations are addressed by integrating current findings across disease pathophysiology, enzyme inhibition, and analytical methodologies, including both radiolabeled and non-radiolabeled in vitro assays, for measuring INMT activity. We further explored the chemical diversity of INMT inhibitors, both natural and synthetic, and highlighted key compounds with therapeutic relevance. Additionally, recent commercial assays for quantifying INMT activity are emphasized. By integrating emerging evidence from structural biology and disease pathology with inhibitor profiling and analytical technologies, this review highlights the underexplored therapeutic potential of targeting INMT and underscores its value as a promising target for drug development and therapeutic applications.
Natural product chemistry as an important topic in pharmacy education: Situational analysis and recommendations
Ahmed Ashour, Mohamed Mirghani, Mona Mohamed, Wadah Osman, Mohammed Hamed Alqarni, et al.
Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning, 2025
Efficacy of Aster chinensis aerial parts metabolites in BALB/c mice model of Imiquimod-induced psoriasis skin inflammation
Mai S. Hendawy, Mona M. Hashem, Ahmed A. Zaki, Mostafa A. Rabie, Nesrine S. El Sayed, et al.
Inflammopharmacology, 2025
Using a bioassay-guided fractionation approach, the most potent anti-psoriatic components of Aster squamatus herb, Aster chinensis stalks, and Aster chinensis flowers, cultivated in Egypt, were identified and evaluated against Imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis in female BALB/c mice and compared to standard drug, mometasone. The topical application of A. chinensis stalk methanolic extract exhibited the strongest anti-psoriatic effects against IMQ-induced psoriasis model, as evidenced by improvements in psoriasis area severity index (PASI) score, histopathological analysis, and spleen index. Further fractionation of A. chinensis stalk methanolic extract using petroleum ether, methylene chloride, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol revealed that the methylene chloride fraction (MCF) was the most potent. Indeed, MCF significantly reduced the PASI score, alleviated histopathological changes, and restored spleen index. Mechanistically, MCF exerted its anti-psoriatic effects by suppressing inflammation, evidenced by decreased TLR-4 gene expression and lower levels of HMGB1 and NFκBp65 protein contents. Additionally, MCF reduced serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-23, and IL-17 while mitigating oxidative stress through increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Notably, the efficacy of MCF was comparable to that of mometasone, with no significant differences observed. In parallel, the chemical profile of the MCF was analyzed using UHPLC-MS/MS techniques in negative and positive ionization full scan modes. MCF of A. chinensis stalk could be used a potential therapeutic agent for psoriasis.
Herbs Acting in the CNS
Francisco León, Ahmed A. Zakid, Sampa Gupta, Sushobhan Mukhopadhyay, Amer Tarawneh, et al.
Encyclopedia of the Neurological Sciences, 2025
Isolation of holostane-type saponins from the black sea cucumber Holothuria atra and evaluating their anti-allergic activity: in vitro and in silico study
Amira Elkattan, Masako Matsumoto, Maki Nagata, Yanisa Mittraphab, Gehad Abdel Wahab, et al.
Cytotechnology, 2024
Anticancer, antimicrobial, insecticidal and molecular docking of sarcotrocheliol and cholesterol from the marine soft coral Sarcophyton Trocheliophorum
Mansour A.E. Bashar, Abdelaaty Hamed, Mohamed A. M. El-Tabakh, Amr H. Hashem, Ahmed A. Zaki, et al.
Scientific Reports, 2024
Antidiabetic and prebiotic activities of flavonoids from Cyperus conglomeratus rottb
Ahmed Ashour, Reham M. Samra, Mohamed Samir Darwish, Noha A. Abou-Zeid, Ahmed A. Zaki
Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, 2024
Guanidine-to-piperidine switch affords high affinity small molecule NPFF ligands with preference for NPFF1-R and NPFF2-R subtypes
Kareem A. Galal, Samuel Obeng, Victoria L.C. Pallares, Alexandria Senetra, Maria A.B.L. Seabra, et al.
European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2024
Anti-tumor effects of Soyasaponin IV as a natural product in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma bearing mice: modulation of monocyte vascular endothelial growth factor (VEFG) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathways
Samar A. Antar, Ahmed Ashour, Walied Abdo, Ahmed E. Khodir, Asmaa E. Sherif, et al.
Arab Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 2024
Inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing by methyl gallate from Mangifera indica
Nourhan G. Naga, Ahmed A. Zaki, Dalia E. El-Badan, Heba S. Rateb, Khaled M. Ghanem, et al.
Scientific Reports, 2023
Tetraenone A: A New β-Ionone Derivative from Tetraena aegyptia
Ahmed Ashour, Asmaa E. Sherif, Selwan M. El-Sayed, Ji-Young Kim, Dae Sik Jang, et al.
Metabolites, 2023
Two new cytotoxic tetralin derivatives from Panicum turgidum
Ahmed A. Zaki, Yasser A. El-Amier, Ahmed Ashour
Natural Product Research, 2023
Genistin modulates high-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) in Ehrlich-ascites-carcinoma-bearing mice
Mohamed A. Saleh, Samar A. Antar, Walied Abdo, Ahmed Ashour, Ahmed A. Zaki
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2023
In Vitro Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, and Prebiotic Activities of the Chemical Compounds Isolated from Guizotia abyssinica
Ahmed Elbermawi, Mohamed Samir Darwish, Ahmed A. Zaki, Noha A. Abou-Zeid, Mohamed A. Taher, et al.
Antioxidants, 2022
Methoxyisoflavan derivative from Trigonella stellata inhibited quorum sensing and virulence factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Nourhan G. Naga, Ahmed A. Zaki, Dalia E. El-Badan, Heba S. Rateb, Khaled M. Ghanem, et al.
World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2022
Mosquitocidal Activity of the Methanolic Extract of Annickia chlorantha and Its Isolated Compounds against Culex pipiens, and Their Impact on the Non-Target Organism Zebrafish, Danio rerio
Tharwat Selim, Ibrahim Abd-El Rahman, Hesham Mahran, Hamza Adam, Vincent Imieje, et al.
Insects, 2022
Isolation and biological activities of compounds from Rumex vesicarius L. and their use as a component of a synbiotic preparation
Ahmed Elbermawi, Mohamed Samir Darwish, Asmaa A. El-Awady, Ahmed A. Zaki, Longxin Qiu, et al.
Food Chemistry X, 2022
Health Benefits of Postbiotics Produced by E. coli Nissle 1917 in Functional Yogurt Enriched with Cape Gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.)
Mohamed Samir Darwish, Longxin Qiu, Mohamed A. Taher, Ahmed A. Zaki, Noha A. Abou-Zeid, et al.
Fermentation, 2022
Antileishmanial derivatives of humulene from asteriscus hierochunticus with in silico tubulin inhibition potential
Ahmed M. Metwaly, Vincent O. Imieje, Ahmed A. Zaki, Eslam B. Elkaeed, Ibrahim H. Eissa, et al.
Records of Natural Products, 2022
Unravelling the antifungal and antiprotozoal activities and LC-MS/MS quantification of steroidal saponins isolated from: Panicum turgidum
Ahmed A. Zaki, Mohamed M. Y. Kaddah, Hamada S. Abulkhair, Ahmed Ashour
Rsc Advances, 2022
A new antiprotozoal compound from Calendula officinalis
Reham M. Samra, Galal T. Maatooq, Ahmed A. Zaki
Natural Product Research, 2022
In vitro Assessment of Antiprotozoal and Antimicrobial Activities of Fractions and Isolated Compounds from Pallenis hierochuntica
Vincent O. Imieje, Abiodun Falodun, Ahmed A. Zaki
Acta Chimica Slovenica, 2022

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

Geographical Distribution, Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, and Potential Health Benefits of Genus Aster: A Comprehensive Review
MS Hendawy, MM Hashem, AA Zaki, R Salah El Dine, AM El-Halawany
Egyptian Journal of Chemistry 69 (5), 203-231 , 2026
2026
From Kratom to Semi‐Synthetic Opioids: The Rise and Risks of MGM‐15
A Gour, S Mukhopadhyay, A Henderson, A Awad, MA Seabra, M Pullman, ...
Drug Testing and Analysis 17 (12), 2384-2389 , 2025
2025
Citations: 4
Increased plasma concentrations of 6-oxo-methylphenidate in CES1 G134E carriers following a single oral dose of methylphenidate
Q Zhang, PW Melchert, A Awad, CR McCurdy, B Krone, J Newcorn, ...
Medicinal Chemistry Research 34 (11), 2318-2327 , 2025
2025
Citations: 2
Isolation, characterization, and bioactivity of stilbenoids from Cyperus conglomeratus with in vitro and in silico antidiabetic evaluation
A Ashour, AA Zaki, MS Darwish, NA Abou-Zeid, W Osman, MH Alqarni, ...
Scientific African, e03006 , 2025
2025
Citations: 1
Natural product chemistry as an important topic in pharmacy education: Situational analysis and recommendations
A Ashour, M Mirghani, M Mohamed, W Osman, MH Alqarni, AI Foudah, ...
Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning 17 (9), 102410 , 2025
2025
Implications of Indolethylamine N-Methyltransferase (INMT) in Health and Disease: Biological Functions, Disease Associations, Inhibitors, and Analytical Approaches
S Abouheif, A Awad, CR McCurdy
Brain Sciences 15 (9), 935 , 2025
2025
Citations: 1
Efficacy of Aster chinensis aerial parts metabolites in BALB/c mice model of Imiquimod-induced psoriasis skin inflammation
MS Hendawy, MM Hashem, AA Zaki, MA Rabie, NSE Sayed, RS El Dine, ...
Inflammopharmacology 33 (4), 1973-1996 , 2025
2025
Citations: 4
Herbs Acting in the CNS
F León, AA Zakid, S Gupta, S Mukhopadhyay, A Tarawneh, S Obeng, ...
Academic Press , 2025
2025
Anti-tumor effects of Soyasaponin IV as a natural product in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma bearing mice: modulation of monocyte vascular endothelial growth factor (VEFG) and …
SA Antar, A Ashour, W Abdo, AE Khodir, AE Sherif, L Qiu, AA Zaki
Arab Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences 31 (1), 71-82 , 2024
2024
Citations: 5
Isolation of holostane-type saponins from the black sea cucumber Holothuria atra and evaluating their anti-allergic activity: in vitro and in silico study
A Elkattan, M Matsumoto, M Nagata, Y Mittraphab, GA Wahab, A Ashour, ...
Cytotechnology 76 (6), 721-734 , 2024
2024
Citations: 3
Anticancer, antimicrobial, insecticidal and molecular docking of sarcotrocheliol and cholesterol from the marine soft coral Sarcophyton Trocheliophorum
MAE Bashar, A Hamed, MAM El-Tabakh, AH Hashem, AA Zaki, ...
Scientific Reports 14 (1), 28028 , 2024
2024
Citations: 13
Antidiabetic and prebiotic activities of flavonoids from Cyperus conglomeratus rottb
A Ashour, RM Samra, MS Darwish, NA Abou-Zeid, AA Zaki
Biochemical Systematics and Ecology 116, 104867 , 2024
2024
Citations: 3
Guanidine-to-piperidine switch affords high affinity small molecule NPFF ligands with preference for NPFF1-R and NPFF2-R subtypes
KA Galal, S Obeng, VLC Pallares, A Senetra, MABL Seabra, A Awad, ...
European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 269, 116330 , 2024
2024
Citations: 2
DFT Calculations, Pro-Apoptotic Effects, and Anti-Infective Investigations of Alkaloids Isolated from the Stem Bark Extract of Enantia chlorantha
VO Imieje, AA Zaki, MAE Bashar, I Rady, MAM El-Tabakh, ...
Drugs and Drug Candidates 3 (1), 291-310 , 2024
2024
Citations: 4
Tetraenone A: A New β-Ionone Derivative from Tetraena aegyptia
A Ashour, AE Sherif, SM El-Sayed, JY Kim, DS Jang, A Anvari, AA Farahat, ...
Metabolites 13 (12), 1202 , 2023
2023
Citations: 2
Inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing by methyl gallate from Mangifera indica
NG Naga, AA Zaki, DE El-Badan, HS Rateb, KM Ghanem, MI Shaaban
Scientific reports 13 (1), 17942 , 2023
2023
Citations: 41
Aurones as antidiabetic agents and their prebiotic activities
RM Samra, MS Darwish, NA Abou-Zeid, E Khojah, VO Imieje, AA Zaki
Future Pharmacology 3 (3), 625-636 , 2023
2023
Citations: 13
Two new cytotoxic tetralin derivatives from Panicum turgidum
AA Zaki, YA El-Amier, A Ashour
Natural Product Research 37 (10), 1595-1600 , 2023
2023
Citations: 2
Acknowledgment to the Reviewers of Metabolites in 2022
A Ganesan, A Trifan, A Robles-Marhuenda, A Ventura, A Weljie, A Araujo, ...
2023
Genistin modulates high-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) in Ehrlich-ascites-carcinoma-bearing mice
MA Saleh, SA Antar, W Abdo, A Ashour, AA Zaki
Environmental Science and Pollution Research 30 (1), 966-978 , 2023
2023
Citations: 11

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

Calendulaglycoside A showing potential activity against SARS-CoV-2 main protease: Molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and SAR studies
AA Zaki, A Ashour, SS Elhady, KM Darwish, AA Al-Karmalawy
Journal of traditional and complementary medicine 12 (1), 16-34 , 2022
2022
Citations: 107
Bioassay-guided isolation of a new cytotoxic ceramide from Cyperus rotundus L.
RM Samra, AF Soliman, AA Zaki, A Ashour, AA Al-Karmalawy, ...
South African Journal of Botany 139, 210-216 , 2021
2021
Citations: 83
Molecular docking reveals the potential of Cleome amblyocarpa isolated compounds to inhibit COVID-19 virus main protease
AA Zaki, AA Al-Karmalawy, YA El-Amier, A Ashour
New Journal of Chemistry 44 (39), 16752-16758 , 2020
2020
Citations: 72
Assessment of anti-quorum sensing activity for some ornamental and medicinal plants native to Egypt
AA Zaki, MI Shaaban, NE Hashish, MA Amer, MF Lahloub
Scientia pharmaceutica 81 (1), 251 , 2012
2012
Citations: 67
Health Benefits of Postbiotics Produced by E. coli Nissle 1917 in Functional Yogurt Enriched with Cape Gooseberry ( Physalis peruviana L.)
MS Darwish, L Qiu, MA Taher, AA Zaki, NA Abou-Zeid, DH Dawood, ...
Fermentation 8 (3), 128 , 2022
2022
Citations: 49
Cardioprotective and antioxidant effects of oleogum resin “Olibanum” from Bos Boswellia carteri Birdw.(Bursearceae)
AA Zaki, NE Hashish, MA Amer, MF Lahloub
Chinese journal of natural medicines 12 (5), 345-350 , 2014
2014
Citations: 47
Assessment of selected medicinal plants indigenous to West Africa for antiprotozoal activity
OM Bello, AA Zaki, SI Khan, PS Fasinu, Z Ali, IA Khan, LA Usman, ...
South African Journal of Botany 113, 200-211 , 2017
2017
Citations: 42
Inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing by methyl gallate from Mangifera indica
NG Naga, AA Zaki, DE El-Badan, HS Rateb, KM Ghanem, MI Shaaban
Scientific reports 13 (1), 17942 , 2023
2023
Citations: 41
Assessment of some herbal drugs for prophylaxis of peptic ulcer
AA Gohar, AA Zaki
Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research: IJPR 13 (3), 1081 , 2014
2014
Citations: 40
The genus Vitex: An overview of iridoids as chemotaxonomic marker
MO Bello, AA Zaki, S Aloko, PS Fasinu, EO Bello, UL Ajao, OS Oguntoye
Beni-Suef University journal of basic and applied sciences 7 (4), 414-419 , 2018
2018
Citations: 34
Cytotoxic steroidal saponins from Panicum turgidum Forssk
AA Zaki, Z Ali, YH Wang, YA El-Amier, SI Khan, IA Khan
Steroids 125, 14-19 , 2017
2017
Citations: 31
Antileishmanial derivatives of humulene from Asteriscus hierochunticus with in silico tubulin inhibition potential
VO Imieje, AA Zaki, AM Metwaly, IH Eissa, EB Elkaeed, Z Ali, IA Khan, ...
Rec. Nat. Prod 16, 150-171 , 2021
2021
Citations: 29
Chemical characterization of Cassia fistula polysaccharide (CFP) and its potential application as a prebiotic in synbiotic preparation
DH Dawood, MS Darwish, AA El-Awady, AH Mohamed, AA Zaki, ...
Rsc Advances 11 (22), 13329-13340 , 2021
2021
Citations: 29
Isolation of cytotoxic active compounds from Reichardia tingitana with investigation of apoptosis mechanistic induction: In silico, in vitro, and SAR studies
AA Zaki, AA Al‐Karmalawy, AE Khodir, YA El-Amier, A Ashour
South African Journal of Botany 144, 115-123 , 2022
2022
Citations: 28
Production of citric acid from corncobs with its biological evaluation
A Ashour, S El-Sharkawy, M Amer, A Marzouk, A Zaki, A Kishikawa, ...
Journal of cosmetics, dermatological sciences and applications 4 (3), 141 , 2014
2014
Citations: 27
Isolation and biological activities of compounds from Rumex vesicarius L. and their use as a component of a synbiotic preparation
A Elbermawi, MS Darwish, AA El-Awady, AA Zaki, L Qiu, RM Samra
Food chemistry: X 14, 100306 , 2022
2022
Citations: 26
Unravelling the antifungal and antiprotozoal activities and LC-MS/MS quantification of steroidal saponins isolated from Panicum turgidum
AA Zaki, MMY Kaddah, HS Abulkhair, A Ashour
RSC advances 12 (5), 2980-2991 , 2022
2022
Citations: 26
Methoxyisoflavan derivative from Trigonella stellata inhibited quorum sensing and virulence factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
NG Naga, AA Zaki, DE El-Badan, HS Rateb, KM Ghanem, MI Shaaban
World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology 38 (9), 156 , 2022
2022
Citations: 24
Mosquitocidal Activity of the Methanolic Extract of Annickia chlorantha and Its Isolated Compounds against Culex pipiens , and Their Impact on the Non-Target Organism …
TA Selim, IE Abd-El Rahman, HA Mahran, HAM Adam, V Imieje, AA Zaki, ...
Insects 13 (8), 676 , 2022
2022
Citations: 23
Chemical Composition, Antiviral and Cytotoxic Activities of Essential Oil from Cyperus rotundus Growing in Egypt: Evidence from Chemometrics Analysis
RM Samra, AF Soliman, AA Zaki, AN El-Gendy, MA Hassan, AM Zaghloul
Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants 23 (4), 648-659 , 2020
2020
Citations: 23