Browse publications by year: 2021

Novel Pathways and Mechanism of Nicotine-Induced Oral Carcinogenesis

Sharma M, Shetty SS, Radhakrishnan R

Recent Pat Anticancer Drug Discov, 2021 08 06.
PMID: 34365933 DOI: 10.2174/1574892816666210806161312

BACKGROUND: Smokeless Tobacco (SLT) contains 9 times more nicotine than Smoked Tobacco (SMT). The carcinogenic effect of nicotine is intensified by converting nicotine-to-nicotine-derived Nitrosamines (NDNs).
METHODS: A review of the literature was conducted with a tailored search strategy to unravel the novel pathways and mechanisms of nicotine-induced oral carcinogenesis.
RESULTS: Nicotine and NDNs act on nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors (nAChRs) as agonists. Nicotine facilitates cravings through α4β2nAChR and α7nAChR, via enhanced brain dopamine release. Nicotine binding to nAChR promotes proliferation, migration, invasion, chemoresistance, radioresistance, and metastasis of oral cancer cells. Nicotine binding to α7nAChR on keratinocytes triggers Ras/Raf-1/MEK1/ERK cascade promoting anti-apoptosis and pro-proliferative effects. Furthermore, the nicotine-enhanced metastasis is subdued on nAChR blockade through reduced nuclear localization of p-EGFR.
CONCLUSION: Protracted exposure to nicotine/NDN augments cancer-stimulatory α7nAChR and desensitizes cancer inhibitory α4β2nAChR. Since nAChRs dictate both addictive and carcinogenic effects of nicotine, it seems counterintuitive to designate nicotine just as an addictive agent devoid of any carcinogenicity.
Pentacyclic triterpenoids as antibiofilm agents against methicillin-resistant and biofilm-forming Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Chung PY, Gan MY, Chin BY

Curr Pharm Biotechnol, 2021 Aug 05.
PMID: 34365946 DOI: 10.2174/1389201022666210806092643

BACKGROUND: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been constantly evolving and developing resistance against conventional antibiotics. One of the key features of MRSA that enables it to develop resistance to antibiotics and host immune system is its ability to form biofilm in indwelling medical devices. In previous studies, the antimicrobial activity and mechanisms of action of three known pentacyclic triterpenoids α-amyrin, betulinic acid and betulinaldehyde against planktonic cells of MRSA were determined and elucidated.
OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to evaluate the ability of the three compounds to significantly reduce the biomass of pre-formed biofilms of MRSA and metabolic activity of the bacterial cells in the biofilm.
METHODS: The anti-biofilm activity of α-amyrin, betulinic acid and betulinaldehyde, individually and in combination with oxacillin or vancomycin, against reference strain of MRSA in pre-formed biofilm were evaluated using the crystal violet and resazurin assays.
RESULTS: α-amyrin and betulinic acid significantly reduced the biomass of pre-formed biofilms of MRSA as individual compounds and in combination with oxacillin or vancomycin. Although betulinaldehyde individually increased the biomass, selected combinations with oxacillin and vancomycin were able to reduce the biomass. All three compounds did not show cytotoxic properties on normal mammalian cells.
CONCLUSION: The three pentacyclic triterpenoids could significantly reduce pre-formed biofilm of MRSA with no cytotoxic effects on normal mammalian cells. These findings demonstrated that pentacyclic triterpenoids have the potential to be developed further as antibiofilm agents against MRSA cells in biofilms, to combat infections caused by multidrug-resistant and biofilm-forming S. aureus.
Molecular Regulatory Roles of Long Non-coding RNA HOTTIP: An Overview in Gastrointestinal Cancer

Hamid UZ, Sim MS, Guad RM, Subramaniyan V, Sekar M, Fuloria NK, et al.

Curr Mol Med, 2021 Aug 06.
PMID: 34365949 DOI: 10.2174/1566524021666210806162848

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers presented an alarmingly high number of new cancer cases worldwide and highly characterised with poor prognosis. The poor overall survival is mainly due to late detection and emerging challenges in treatment, particularly chemoresistance. Thus, the identification of novel molecular targets in GI cancer is highly regarded as the main focus. Recently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been discovered as a potential novel molecular target for combating cancer, as it is highly associated with carcinogenesis and has a great impact on cancer progression. Amongst lncRNAs, HOTIIP has demonstrated a prominent oncogenic regulation in cancer progression, particularly in GI cancers, including oesophageal cancer, gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic cancer and colorectal cancer. This review aimed to present a focused update on the regulatory roles of HOTTIP in GI cancer progression and chemoresistance, as well as deciphering the associated molecular mechanisms underlying their impact on cancer phenotypes and chemoresistance and the key molecules involved. It has been reported that it regulates the expression of various genes and proteins in GI cancers that impacts on the cellular functions, including proliferation, adhesion, migration and invasion, apoptosis, chemosensitivity and tumour differentiation. Furthermore, HOTTIP was also discovered to have a higher diagnostic value as compared to existing diagnostic biomarkers. In overall, HOTTIP has presented itself as a novel therapeutic target and potential diagnostic biomarker in the development of GI cancer treatment.
Fulltext What makes a difference for further advancement of engineers: socioeconomic background or education programs?

Alam GM, Forhad MAR

High Educ (Dordr), 2021 Jul 31.
PMID: 34366439 DOI: 10.1007/s10734-021-00741-4

Education is considered to be the most effective tool that people can use to lift themselves out of poor socioeconomic backgrounds and lead to professional success, which in turn improves society. Since an education system often supports individuals with a higher socioeconomic status (SES), it may not resolve the issue of socioeconomic background impacting on career outcomes. Given the nature of the research questions, an individualistic approach is used for selecting tools. Using qualitative and quantitative analysis methods, we argue that graduates studying an 8-year engineering program fail to succeed compared to counterparts who studied a 4-year engineering program. Findings suggest that engineering graduates' socioeconomic backgrounds help them with their career advancement. A policy intervention may help to address the influence of SES on engineering education and professional employment.
Fulltext Effect of pH on functional, gas sensing and antimicrobial properties of bio-nanocomposite gelatin film for food packaging application

Azizun NN, Khairul WM, Daud AI, Sarbon NM

J Food Sci Technol, 2021 Sep;58(9):3338-3345.
PMID: 34366451 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-020-04893-6

A bio-nanocomposite film is a polymer blend with nanofiller dispersed in a biopolymer matrix. The aim of this study is to investigate the functional, gas sensing and antimicrobial properties of bio-nanocomposite films incorporated with chicken skin gelatin/ tapioca starch/zinc oxide at different pH levels (pH 4, 6, 7 and 8). Bio-nanocomposite films were prepared using a casting technique followed by the characterization of their functional, gas sensing and antimicrobial properties. Film formulations with pH at different levels showed increased thickness, colour and water vapour permeability (WVP) (p
Fulltext Fermentation of red pitahaya extracts using Lactobacillus spp. and Saccharomyces cerevisiae for reduction of sugar content and concentration of betacyanin content

Gengatharan A, Dykes GA, Choo WS

J Food Sci Technol, 2021 Sep;58(9):3611-3621.
PMID: 34366478 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-021-05116-2

A study was conducted to concentrate the betacyanin in red pitahaya extracts by removing the coexisting sugars by fermentation. Four lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. casei, L. rhamnosus and L. plantarum) and a yeast species (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) were screened to determine their efficiency to reduce sugar content in red pitahaya extracts for concentration of their betacyanin content. A reduction of sugar content (19.8-56.4%) and increase in the yield of betacyanins were observed in all extracts as compared to the control, which was not innoculated with any microorganisms after 1 day of fermentation. The lowest total sugar content (26.40 g/L) was observed in extracts fermented by S. cerevisiae. Extracts fermented by S. cerevisiae also showed greater numbers of microbial cells (10.75 log CFU/mL) and a lower pH value (3.54) compared to those (6.89-8.48 log CFU/mL and pH 4.64-5.42) of the Lactobacillus spp. after 1 day of fermentation. An optimization step using response surface methodology (RSM) was then conducted using S. cerevisiae. Temperature, time and agitation speed were found to have a significant effect on the total sugar content and BC of concentrated betacyanins from red pitahaya, while the yield of betacyanins was significantly influenced by temperature and agitation speed.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-021-05116-2.
Fulltext Adverse events related to COVID-19 vaccines: the need to strengthen pharmacovigilance monitoring systems

Shrestha S, Khatri J, Shakya S, Danekhu K, Khatiwada AP, Sah R, et al.

Drugs Ther Perspect, 2021;37(8):376-382.
PMID: 34366660 DOI: 10.1007/s40267-021-00852-z

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a new species of β-coronavirus genus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The COVID-19 pandemic, which started in late 2019 and continues as at mid-2021, has caused enormous damage to health and lives globally. The urgent public health need has led to the development of vaccines against COVID-19 in record-breaking time. The COVID-19 vaccines have been widely rolled out for the masses by many countries following approval for emergency use by the World Health Organization and regulatory agencies in many countries. In addition, several COVID-19 vaccine candidates are undergoing clinical trials. However, myths, fears, rumors, and misconceptions persist, particularly in regard to adverse events. In this commentary, we describe the adverse events associated with COVID-19 vaccines and discuss why it is essential to have a functional adverse event monitoring system in this context.
Fulltext Media and Digital Technologies for Mixed Methods Research in Public Health Emergencies Such as COVID-19: Lessons Learned From Using Interactive Radio-SMS for Social Research in Somalia

Riha J, Abreu Lopes C, Ibrahim NA, Srinivasan S

J Mix Methods Res, 2021 Jul;15(3):304-326.
PMID: 34366731 DOI: 10.1177/1558689820986748

Radio shows which invite audience participation via short message service (SMS)-interactive radio-SMS-can be designed as a mixed methods approach for applied social research during COVID-19 and other crises in low and middle income countries. In the aftermath of a cholera outbreak in Somalia, we illustrate how this method provides social insights that would have been missed if a purely qualitative or quantitative approach were used. We then examine the strengths and limitations associated with interactive radio-SMS through an evaluation using a multimethod comparison. Our research contributes an application of a mixed methods approach which addresses a specific challenge raised by COVID-19, namely utilizing media and digital technologies for social research in low and middle income countries.
Fulltext Diarylpentanoid (1,5-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,4-pentadiene-3-one) (MS13) Exhibits Anti-proliferative, Apoptosis Induction and Anti-migration Properties on Androgen-independent Human Prostate Cancer by Targeting Cell Cycle-Apoptosis and PI3K Signalling Pathways

Abd Wahab NA, Abas F, Othman I, Naidu R

Front Pharmacol, 2021;12:707335.
PMID: 34366863 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.707335

Diarylpentanoids exhibit a high degree of anti-cancer activity and stability in vitro over curcumin in prostate cancer cells. Hence, this study aims to investigate the effects of a diarylpentanoid, 1,5-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,4-pentadiene-3-one (MS13) on cytotoxicity, anti-proliferative, apoptosis-inducing, anti-migration properties, and the underlying molecular mechanisms on treated androgen-independent prostate cancer cells, DU 145 and PC-3. A cell viability assay has shown greater cytotoxicity effects of MS13-treated DU 145 cells (EC50 7.57 ± 0.2 µM) and PC-3 cells (EC50 7.80 ± 0.7 µM) compared to curcumin (EC50: DU 145; 34.25 ± 2.7 µM and PC-3; 27.77 ± 6.4 µM). In addition, MS13 exhibited significant anti-proliferative activity against AIPC cells compared to curcumin in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Morphological observation, increased caspase-3 activity, and reduced Bcl-2 protein levels in these cells indicated that MS13 induces apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent. Moreover, MS13 effectively inhibited the migration of DU 145 and PC-3 cells. Our results suggest that cell cycle-apoptosis and PI3K pathways were the topmost significant pathways impacted by MS13 activity. Our findings suggest that MS13 may demonstrate the anti-cancer activity by modulating DEGs associated with the cell cycle-apoptosis and PI3K pathways, thus inhibiting cell proliferation and cell migration as well as inducing apoptosis in AIPC cells.
Fulltext Evaluation of Cyclic Fatigue of Hyflex EDM, Twisted Files, and ProTaper Gold Manufactured with Different Processes: An In Vitro Study

Khandagale PD, Shetty PP, Makandar SD, Bapna PA, Karobari MI, Marya A, et al.

Int J Dent, 2021;2021:7402658.
PMID: 34367289 DOI: 10.1155/2021/7402658

Introduction: The main aims of root canal instrumentation are to provide an environment that will lead to healing and to provide a root canal shape that is comfortable to clean and seal. When working with rotary endodontic instruments, the most significant concerns are that the instrument might fracture in the root canal, thus affecting the treatment outcome. Hence, it is of immense importance to know which file systems have more cyclic fatigue resistance. Methodology. This study evaluated the effect of the curved segment length of the artificial canal (the arch), and the number of cycles necessary in fracture of Hyflex EDM, Twisted files, and ProTaper Gold were recorded. Sixty NiTi rotary instruments of 25 mm length (Hyflex EDM (20), Twisted files (20), and ProTaper Gold (20)) were tested in a metal block with simulated canal having 90° angle of curvature. The study was performed with a specific radius and degree of curvature, i.e., 8 mm radius and 90⁰ angle of curvature, and data obtained were subsequently subjected to statistical evaluation using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test.
Result: The Hyflex EDM (774.29) exhibited the maximum cyclic fatigue resistance compared to Twisted files (654.875) and ProTaper Gold (375.575). A statistically significant difference was observed between the tested groups.
Conclusion: The Hyflex EDM files showed the highest cyclic fatigue resistance, followed by Twisted files and ProTaper Gold files.
Fulltext Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Polymorphism and Aphasia after Stroke

Lee NT, Ahmedy F, Mohamad Hashim N, Yin KN, Chin KL

Behav Neurol, 2021;2021:8887012.
PMID: 34367374 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8887012

Stroke is one of the most deliberating causes of mortality and disability worldwide. Studies have implicated Val66Met polymorphism of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene as a genetic factor influencing stroke recovery. Still, the role of BDNF polymorphism in poststroke aphasia is relatively unclear. This review assesses the recent evidence on the association between the BDNF polymorphism and aphasia recovery in poststroke patients. The article highlights BNDF polymorphism characteristics, speech and language interventions delivered, and the influence of BNDF polymorphism on poststroke aphasia recovery. We conducted a literature search through PubMed and Google Scholar with the following terms: "brain derived-neurotrophic factor" and "aphasia" for original articles from January 2000 until June 2020. Out of 69 search results, a detailed selection process produced a total of 3 articles that met the eligibility criteria. All three studies included Val66Met polymorphism as the studied human BDNF gene. One of the studies demonstrated insufficient evidence to conclude that BDNF polymorphism plays a role in poststroke aphasia recovery. The remaining two studies have shown that Met allele genotype (either single or double nucleotides) was associated with poor aphasia recovery, in either acute or chronic stroke. Carriers of the Val66Met polymorphism of BDNF gave a poorer response to aphasia intervention and presented with more severe aphasia.

MeSH terms: Genotype; Humans; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
Inflammation in COVID-19: from pathogenesis to treatment

Wong RSY

Int J Clin Exp Pathol, 2021;14(7):831-844.
PMID: 34367415

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic in March 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO). To date, there were > 163 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and the disease has claimed > 3.3 million lives globally. As with many other diseases, inflammation is a key feature of COVID-19. When inflammation is overwhelming, it may lead to unfavorable outcomes or even death. Scientists all over the world are working tirelessly in search of therapeutic strategies to suppress or modulate inflammation in COVID-19. This review gives an overview of the role of inflammation in COVID-19. It also critically examines the various treatment approaches that target the immune system and inflammation in COVID-19, as well as highlights the key findings in the numerous studies conducted thus far.
Fulltext Pectus excavatum with brugada phenocopy electrocardiogram

Seng NK, Seger S

Pan Afr Med J, 2021;38:347.
PMID: 34367426 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2021.38.347.28813
Fulltext The Antioxidative Role of Natural Compounds from a Green Coconut Mesocarp Undeniably Contributes to Control Diabetic Complications as Evidenced by the Associated Genes and Biochemical Indexes

Das RR, Rahman MA, Al-Araby SQ, Islam MS, Rashid MM, Babteen NA, et al.

Oxid Med Cell Longev, 2021;2021:9711176.
PMID: 34367469 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9711176

The purpose of this study was to look into the effects of green coconut mesocarp juice extract (CMJE) on diabetes-related problems in streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced type 2 diabetes, as well as the antioxidative functions of its natural compounds in regulating the associated genes and biochemical markers. CMJE's antioxidative properties were evaluated by the standard antioxidant assays of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide radical, nitric oxide, and ferrous ions along with the total phenolic and flavonoids content. The α-amylase inhibitory effect was measured by an established method. The antidiabetic effect of CMJE was assayed by fructose-fed STZ-induced diabetic models in albino rats. The obtained results were verified by bioinformatics-based network pharmacological tools: STITCH, STRING, GSEA, and Cytoscape plugin cytoHubba bioinformatics tools. The results showed that GC-MS-characterized compounds from CMJE displayed a very promising antioxidative potential. In an animal model study, CMJE significantly (P < 0.05) decreased blood glucose, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine, uric acid, and lipid levels and increased glucose tolerance as well as glucose homeostasis (HOMA-IR and HOMA-b scores). The animal's body weights and relative organ weights were found to be partially restored. Tissue architectures of the pancreas and the kidney were remarkably improved by low doses of CMJE. Compound-protein interactions showed that thymine, catechol, and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural of CMJE interacted with 84 target proteins. Of the top 15 proteins found by Cytoscape 3.6.1, 8, CAT and OGG1 (downregulated) and CASP3, COMT, CYP1B1, DPYD, NQO1, and PTGS1 (upregulated), were dysregulated in diabetes-related kidney disease. The data demonstrate the highly prospective use of CMJE in the regulation of tubulointerstitial tissues of patients with diabetic nephropathy.

MeSH terms: alpha-Amylases/antagonists & inhibitors; Animals; Antioxidants/pharmacology*; Blood Glucose/analysis; Cocos/chemistry*; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/complications*; Diabetic Nephropathies/etiology; Diabetic Nephropathies/pathology; Diabetic Nephropathies/prevention & control*; Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects*; Male; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Rats, Wistar; Oxidative Stress; Rats; Phytochemicals/pharmacology*
Fulltext Current advances of stem cell-based therapy for kidney diseases

Wong CY

World J Stem Cells, 2021 Jul 26;13(7):914-933.
PMID: 34367484 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v13.i7.914

Kidney diseases are a prevalent health problem around the world. Multidrug therapy used in the current routine treatment for kidney diseases can only delay disease progression. None of these drugs or treatments can reverse the progression to an end-stage of the disease. Therefore, it is crucial to explore novel therapeutics to improve patients' quality of life and possibly cure, reverse, or alleviate the kidney disease. Stem cells have promising potentials as a form of regenerative medicine for kidney diseases due to their unlimited replication and their ability to differentiate into kidney cells in vitro. Mounting evidences from the administration of stem cells in an experimental kidney disease model suggested that stem cell-based therapy has therapeutic or renoprotective effects to attenuate kidney damage while improving the function and structure of both glomerular and tubular compartments. This review summarises the current stem cell-based therapeutic approaches to treat kidney diseases, including the various cell sources, animal models or in vitro studies. The challenges of progressing from proof-of-principle in the laboratory to widespread clinical application and the human clinical trial outcomes reported to date are also highlighted. The success of cell-based therapy could widen the scope of regenerative medicine in the future.
Fulltext Prevalence and Risk Factors of Bovine Fascioliasis in Kelantan, Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Ahmad-Najib M, Wan-Nor-Amilah WAW, Kin WW, Arizam MF, Noor-Izani NJ

Trop Life Sci Res, 2021 Jun;32(2):1-14.
PMID: 34367511 DOI: 10.21315/tlsr2021.32.2.1

Bovine fascioliasis is an important zoonotic parasitic disease that causes significant economic losses to the livestock industry. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of bovine fascioliasis in Kelantan. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 308 stool and blood samples of farmed cattle were collected from December 2017 to June 2018. The stool samples were examined microscopically for the presence of Fasciola spp. eggs following a formalin-ether sedimentation process. The blood samples were subjected to a commercial ELISA kit (Bio-X-Diagnostic, Rochefort, Belgium) for the detection of anti-Fasciola IgG antibody. The association between coprological findings and risk factors was determined using Pearson's chi-square (χ2). The coproprevalence and seroprevalence of bovine fascioliasis was 14.6% and 37.3%, respectively. There were significant (P < 0.05) associations between the risk of infections and the sex, type of feedings, anthelmintic treatment and farm hygiene. Female cattle (OR: 3.104; 95% CI: 1.265, 7.615), feeding by grazing (OR: 4.458; 95% CI: 1.823, 10.90), untreated cattle (OR: 3.833; 95% CI: 1.620, 9.071), non-schedule anthelminthic treatment (OR: 3.927; 95% CI: 1.685, 9.152) and farm that have never been cleaned (OR: 2.829; 95% CI: 1.428, 5.608) showed higher odds of Fasciola spp. infection. These findings suggested bovine fascioliasis is a serious veterinary disease in Kelantan. Thus, appropriate control, prevention and monitoring strategies of this parasitic infection are urgently needed to reduce the burden of the disease.
Fulltext DNA Barcoding of Andaliman (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC) from North Sumatra Province of Indonesia Using Maturase K Gene

Suriani C, Prasetya E, Harsono T, Manurung J, Prakasa H, Handayani D, et al.

Trop Life Sci Res, 2021 Jun;32(2):15-28.
PMID: 34367512 DOI: 10.21315/tlsr2021.32.2.2

Andaliman (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC) is a native plant of North Sumatra province. Zanthoxylum acanthopodium is a member of Rutaceae family widely found in northern Sumatra, Indonesia. The aim of this study was to barcode Z. acanthopodium in North Sumatra province, Indonesia based on cpDNA maturase K (matK). Samples were collected in seven localities across six regions of North Sumatra province. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted using Maximum Likelihood method. The results of phylogenetic analysis indicate that Z. acanthopodium is a monophyletic group that is derived from a common ancestor. The results of the phylogenetic tree construction show that there is a grouping of accession between Z. acanthopodium species separate from other species in the Zanthoxylum genus as well as those of the Rutaceae family. The results showed that cpDNA matK marker can effectively be used as DNA barcoding to identify Z. acanthopodium.
Fulltext Immunomodulatory Effects of Asiaticoside Against Shigella flexneri-Infected Macrophages

Michael S, Zakaria NM, Abbas MA, Abdullah H, Suppian R

Trop Life Sci Res, 2021 Jun;32(2):29-44.
PMID: 34367513 DOI: 10.21315/tlsr2021.32.2.3

Macrophages provide the first line of defense against Shigella flexneri infection in the gastrointestinal tract by inducing a variety of inflammatory and antimicrobial responses. Secondary metabolites of plants are used as drugs against infections that are resistant to common antibiotics. In this study, the innate effects of asiaticoside on the proinflammatory activity of mouse macrophages infected with S. flexneri were investigated. The viability of the infected mouse macrophages were examined using viability assay, while the pro-inflammatory cytokines productions were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for determination of IL-1β, IL-12 p40 and TNF-α levels. The production of nitric oxide (NO) and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein were determined using the Griess assay and western blot, respectively. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 20. The data obtained from independent experiments (n = 3) were presented as the mean ± standard error of mean (SEM). The results showed that, asiaticoside stimulated the infected macrophages by stimulating increased production of TNF-α, IL-12 p40 and NO as well as increased expression of iNOS in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast the viability of the cells and the production of IL-1β and were reduced also in a dose-dependent manner when compared to untreated cells. These results indicate that asiaticoside has immunomodulatory effects on the innate immune function of infected macrophages, showing the potential use of this compound to reduce the clinical symptoms of the infections.
Fulltext Antioxidant-rich Clove Extract, A Strong Antimicrobial Agent against Urinary Tract Infections-causing Bacteria in vitro

Rosarior VL, Lim PS, Wong WK, Yue CS, Yam HC, Tan SA

Trop Life Sci Res, 2021 Jun;32(2):45-63.
PMID: 34367514 DOI: 10.21315/tlsr2021.32.2.4

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) is an exotic culinary spice that has been used for centuries due to its known antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. The main aim of this study is to compare the antimicrobial activity and antioxidant capacity of clove ethanolic extract (CEE) and commercial clove essential oil (CEO) at a standardised eugenol content. Disk diffusion assay showed that CEE (2000 μg) was able to exhibit broad-spectrum inhibition against both Gram negative and Gram positive Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)-causing pathogens: Proteus mirabilis (19.7 ± 0.6 mm) > Staphylococcus epidermidis (18 mm) > Staphylococcus aureus (14.7 ± 0.6 mm) > Escherichia coli (12.7 ± 0.6 mm) > Klebsiella pneumoniae (12.3 ± 0.6 mm) (according to the size of inhibition zone). Interestingly, the comparison between CEE and commercial CEO revealed that the former demonstrated stronger antimicrobial and antioxidative properties at similar eugenol concentration. The EC50 of DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and reducing power assay for CEE were determined as 0.037 mg/mL, 0.68 mg/mL and 0.44 mg/mL, respectively. Besides eugenol, High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analyses identified the presence of kaempferol, gallic acid and catechin in CEE. As a conclusion, we concluded that there was a possible synergistic effect between eugenol and the others active compounds especially kaempferol which led to the observed bioactivities in CEE.
Fulltext Subacute Toxicity Evaluation of Methanolic Extract of Syzygium polyanthum in Rats

Harun NH, Rasdi NA, Salleh RM, Safuan S, Ahmad WANW, Fuad WEM

Trop Life Sci Res, 2021 Jun;32(2):65-81.
PMID: 34367515 DOI: 10.21315/tlsr2021.32.2.5

Syzygium polyanthum (Wight) Walp. var. polyanthum (serai kayu) leaves is a popular herb and widely used in traditional medicine. Despite the ethnomedicinal benefits, very limited studies have researched on the toxicity of this plant. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential effects of methanolic extract of Syzygium polyanthum (MESP) leaves via 28-day repeated oral dosing in Sprague Dawley rats. MESP leaves was administered at doses of 0 (control), 400, 1000 or 2000 mg/kg to an equal number of male and female rats (n = 10/group). Results obtained indicated that MESP did not affect the general conditions (body weight, feed intake and oestrous cycle) and apparent behavioural changes of the rats. Biochemical parameters revealed a slight significant variation in the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level between the male rats treated with the lowest and highest doses of MESP, but these findings were both statistically insignificant when compared to the control group. The liver of the males (dose 1000 and 2000 mg/kg/day) also exhibited histoarchitectural defects on the hepatocytes and cytoplasm when compared to those of the control group. In contrast, female rats did not encounter any significant findings in all parameters tested. In conclusion, this study suggests that the MESP leaves might exhibit sex-based variation effects and thus, the use of this extract particularly at higher doses should be thoroughly considered.

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