MyMedR

Displaying all 9 publications

Abstract:

Sort:

Isolation, Structure, and Biological Activities of Exopolysaccharides from Actinomycetes: A Review

Wei XL, Mo SY, Ali-Saeed R, Zeng H

Curr Microbiol, 2024 Dec 18;82(1):45.
PMID: 39690296 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-024-03999-w

In recent years, exopolysaccharides (EPSs) from actinomycetes have become a significant focus of research due to their diverse biological activities, including antitumor, antiviral, and immunoregulatory effects. This article reviews recent advancements in the study of EPSs from actinomycetes, summarizing findings from existing literature on extraction methods, structural characteristics, and biological activities. Various extraction methods can impact the purity and quality of EPSs obtained from actinomycetes. In addition, EPSs produced by different species of actinomycetes exhibit diverse structures, leading to variations in their biological activities. Future research should focus on optimizing current extraction methods or developing new techniques, exploring the relationship between structural characteristics and biological activities of EPSs, and elucidating their molecular mechanisms of action. Such efforts are essential for the comprehensive study and potential applications of EPSs from actinomycetes.
Fulltext Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis Induction via Modulation of Mitochondrial Integrity by Bcl-2 Family Members and Caspase Dependence in Dracaena cinnabari-Treated H400 Human Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Alabsi AM, Lim KL, Paterson IC, Ali-Saeed R, Muharram BA

Biomed Res Int, 2016;2016:4904016.
PMID: 27123447 DOI: 10.1155/2016/4904016

Dracaena cinnabari Balf.f. is a red resin endemic to Socotra Island, Yemen. Although there have been several reports on its therapeutic properties, information on its cytotoxicity and anticancer effects is very limited. This study utilized a bioassay-guided fractionation approach to determine the cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing effects of D. cinnabari on human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The cytotoxic effects of D. cinnabari crude extract were observed in a panel of OSCC cell lines and were most pronounced in H400. Only fractions DCc and DCd were active on H400 cells; subfractions DCc15 and DCd16 exhibited the greatest cytotoxicity against H400 cells and D. cinnabari inhibited cells proliferation in a time-dependent manner. This was achieved primarily via apoptosis where externalization of phospholipid phosphatidylserine was observed using DAPI/Annexin V fluorescence double staining mechanism studied through mitochondrial membrane potential assay cytochrome c enzyme-linked immunosorbent and caspases activities revealed depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and significant activation of caspases 9 and 3/7, concomitant with S phase arrest. Apoptotic proteins array suggested that MMP was regulated by Bcl-2 proteins family as results demonstrated an upregulation of Bax, Bad, and Bid as well as downregulation of Bcl-2. Hence, D. cinnabari has the potential to be developed as an anticancer agent.
Antitumor Activity of Ficus deltoidea Extract on Oral Cancer: An In Vivo Study

Al-Koshab M, Alabsi AM, Mohd Bakri M, Ali-Saeed R, Selvi Naicker M

J Oncol, 2020;2020:5490468.
PMID: 32104177 DOI: 10.1155/2020/5490468

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activities of Ficus deltoidea (FD) in an animal model induced for oral cancer using 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO).
Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into six groups (n = 7 per group): Group 1 (untreated group); Group 2 (control cancer group) received 4NQO only for 8 weeks in their drinking water; Groups 3 and 4 (chemopreventive) received 4NQO for 8 weeks and were simultaneously treated with FD extract at 250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively, by oral gavage; Groups 5 and 6 (chemotherapeutic) received 4NQO for 8 weeks followed by the administration of FD extract at 250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively, for another 10 weeks. The incidence of oral cancer was microscopically evaluated. Moreover, immunohistochemical expression was analysed in tongue specimens using an image analyser computer system, while the RT2 profiler PCR array method was employed for gene expression analysis.
Results: The results of the present study showed a beneficial regression effect of the FD extract on tumor progression. The FD extract significantly reduced the incidence of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) from 100% to 14.3% in the high-dose groups. The immunohistochemical analysis showed that the FD extract had significantly decreased the expression of the key tumor marker cyclin D1 and had significantly increased the expression of the β-catenin and e-cadherin antibodies that are associated with enhanced cellular adhesion. Based on the gene expression analysis, FD extract had reduced the expression of the TWIST1 and RAC1 genes associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and had significantly downregulated the COX-2 and EGFR genes associated with cancer angiogenesis, metastasis, and chemoresistance. Our data suggest that the FD extract exerts chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activities in an animal model induced for oral cancer using 4NQO, thus having the potential to be developed as chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents.β-catenin and e-cadherin antibodies that are associated with enhanced cellular adhesion. Based on the gene expression analysis, FD extract had reduced the expression of the TWIST1 and RAC1 genes associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and had significantly downregulated the COX-2 and EGFR genes associated with cancer angiogenesis, metastasis, and chemoresistance. Our data suggest that the FD extract exerts chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activities in an animal model induced for oral cancer using 4NQO, thus having the potential to be developed as chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents.TWIST1 and RAC1 genes associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and had significantly downregulated the COX-2 and EGFR genes associated with cancer angiogenesis, metastasis, and chemoresistance. Our data suggest that the FD extract exerts chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activities in an animal model induced for oral cancer using 4NQO, thus having the potential to be developed as chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents.RAC1 genes associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and had significantly downregulated the COX-2 and EGFR genes associated with cancer angiogenesis, metastasis, and chemoresistance. Our data suggest that the FD extract exerts chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activities in an animal model induced for oral cancer using 4NQO, thus having the potential to be developed as chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents.COX-2 and EGFR genes associated with cancer angiogenesis, metastasis, and chemoresistance. Our data suggest that the FD extract exerts chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activities in an animal model induced for oral cancer using 4NQO, thus having the potential to be developed as chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents.EGFR genes associated with cancer angiogenesis, metastasis, and chemoresistance. Our data suggest that the FD extract exerts chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activities in an animal model induced for oral cancer using 4NQO, thus having the potential to be developed as chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents.
Evaluation of Ultra-Microscopic Changes and Proliferation of Apoptotic Glioblastoma Multiforme Cells Induced by Velogenic Strain of Newcastle Disease Virus AF2240

Ali- Saeed R, Alabsi AM, Ideris A, Omar AR, Yusoff K, Ali AM

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2019 Mar 26;20(3):757-765.
PMID: 30909682

Aim: Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a member of genus Avulavirus within the family Paramyxoviridae. Interest
of using NDV as an anticancer agent has arisen from its ability to kill tumor cells with limited toxicity to normal cells.
Methods: In this investigation, the proliferation of brain tumor cell line, glioblastoma multiform (DBTRG.05MG)
induced by NDV strain AF2240 was evaluated in-vitro, by using MTT proliferation assay. Furthermore, Cytological
observations were studied using fluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, DNA laddering in
agarose gel electrophoresis assay used to detect the mode of cell death and analysis of the cellular DNA content by
flowcytometery. Results: MTT proliferation assay, Cytological observations using fluorescence microscopy and
transmission electron microscopy show the anti-proliferation effect and apoptogenic features of NDV on DBTRG.05MG.
Furthermore, analysis of the cellular DNA content showed that there was a loss of treated cells in all cell cycle phases
(G1, S and G2/M) accompanied with increasing in sub-G1 region (apoptosis peak). Conclusion: It could be concluded
that NDV strain AF2240 is a potent antitumor agent that induce apoptosis and its cytotoxicity increasing while increasing
of time and virus titer.
Fulltext Histological, Biochemical, and Hematological Effects of Goniothalamin on Selective Internal Organs of Male Sprague-Dawley Rats

Kaid F, Alabsi AM, Alafifi N, Ali-Saeed R, Ameen Al-Koshab M, Ramanathan A, et al.

J Toxicol, 2019;2019:6493286.
PMID: 31178909 DOI: 10.1155/2019/6493286

Goniothalamin (GTN) is an isolated compound from several plants of the genus Goniothalamus, and its anticancer effect against several cancers was reported. However, there is no scientific data about effects of its higher doses on internal organs. Accordingly, this study aimed to evaluate the acute and subacute effects of higher doses of GTN on the hematology, biochemistry, and histology of selected internal organs of male Sprague-Dawley rats. In acute study, 35 rats were distributed in 5 groups (n=7) which were intraperitoneally (IP) injected with a single dose of either 100, 200, 300, 400, or 500 mg/kg of GTN, while extra 7 rats serve as a normal control. In subacute study, 7 rats were IP-injected with a daily dose of 42 mg/kg of GTN for 14 days, while another 7 rats serve as a normal control group. The normal controls in both studies were IP-injected simultaneously with 2 ml/kg of 10% DMSO in PBS. At the end of both tests, rats were sacrificed to collect blood for hematology and biochemistry and harvest livers, kidneys, lungs, hearts, spleens, and brains for histology. During acute and subacute exposure, no abnormal changes were observed in the hematology, biochemistry, and histology of the internal organs. However, the 300, 400, and 500 mg/kg of GTN during acute exposure were associated with morbidities and mortalities. Ultimately, GTN could be safe up to the dose of 200 mg/kg, and the dose of 42 mg/kg of GTN was tolerated well.
Fulltext Cell cycle arrest and mechanism of apoptosis induction in H400 oral cancer cells in response to Damnacanthal and Nordamnacanthal isolated from Morinda citrifolia

Shaghayegh G, Alabsi AM, Ali-Saeed R, Ali AM, Vincent-Chong VK, Zain RB

Cytotechnology, 2016 Oct;68(5):1999-2013.
PMID: 27488882 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-016-0014-y

Oral cancer is the eleventh most prevalent cancer worldwide. The most prevalent oral cancer is oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Damnacanthal (DAM) and nordamnacanthal (NDAM), the anthraquinone compounds, are isolated from the root of Morinda citrifolia L. (Noni), which has been used for the treatment of several chronic diseases including cancer. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the cytotoxicity, cell death mode, cell cycle, and the molecular mechanism of apoptosis induced by DAM and NDAM on OSCC. The cytotoxic effects of these compounds against OSCC cell lines were determined by MTT assay. The cell death mode was analysed by DNA laddering and FITC-annexin V/PI flow cytometric assays. In addition, the mechanism of apoptosis induced by DAM and NDAM was detected using mitochondrial membrane potential, Cytochrome c, and caspases assays. Finally, the effect of DAM and NDAM on cell cycle phase distribution of OSCC cells was detected by flow cytometry. In the present study, DAM and NDAM showed cytotoxicity towards OSCC cell lines and the maximum growth inhibition for both compounds was observed in H400 cells with IC50 value of 1.9 and 6.8 μg/ml, respectively, after 72 h treatment. The results also demonstrated the inhibition of H400 OSCC cells proliferation, internucleosomal cleavage of DNA, activation of intrinsic apoptosis pathway, and cell cycle arrest caused by DAM and NDAM. Therefore, these findings suggest that DAM and NDAM can be potentially used as antitumor agents for oral cancer therapy.
Effects of Damnacanthal and Nordamnacanthal on Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Migration of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells

Shaghayegh G, Alabsi AM, Ali-Saeed R, Ali AM, Vincent-Chong VK, Ismail NH, et al.

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2017 Dec 29;18(12):3333-3341.
PMID: 29286228

Cancer is one of the most common causes of death in the developed world, with one-third of people diagnosed with
cancer during their lifetime. Oral cancer commonly occurs involving the buccal mucosa (cheeks), tongue, floor of the
mouth and lip. It is one of the most devastating and disfiguring of malignancies. Morinda citrifolia L., commonly known
as ‘noni’, belongs to the Rubiaceae family. It is native to the Pacific islands, Hawaii, Caribbean, Asia and Australia.
The plant displays broad curative effects in pharmacological studies. Damnacanthal (DAM) and Nordamnacanthal
(NDAM), anthraquinone compounds isolated from the roots of Morinda citrifolia L., has been used for the treatment
of several chronic diseases including cancer. The objectives of this study were to evaluate cytotoxicity, morphological
changes, cell death mode (apoptosis/necrosis), and cell migration induced by DAM and NDAM on the most common
type of oral cancer, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)cells. Anti-proliferative effects of these compounds against
OSCC cell lines were determined by MTT assay. The mode of cell death was analysed by phase contrast and fluorescent
microscopy as well as flow cytometry. In addition, cell migration was assessed. The results showed that DAM and
NDAM exerted cytotoxicity against OSCC cells with IC50 values of 1.9 to >30 μg/ml after 72 h treatment. Maximum
growth inhibition among the tested cell lines for both compounds was observed in H400 cells, and thus it was selected
for further study. The study demonstrated inhibition of H400 OSCC cell proliferation, marked apoptotic morphological
changes, induction of early apoptosis, and inhibition of cell migration by DAM and NDAM. Therefore, this information
suggests that these compounds from noni have potential for used as anti tumor agents for oral cancer therapy.
Fulltext Barriers to cervical cancer screening among immigrant Yemeni women in Malaysia

Ba-Alawi E, Azzani M, Alsaidi NA, Atroosh WM, Anaam BT, Roslan D, et al.

BMC Cancer, 2025 Jan 07;25(1):4.
PMID: 39762830 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-13310-6

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is preventable cancer through pap test screening. Despite the benefits of cervical cancer screening, immigrant women have markedly lower use of Pap smear testing. Hence, this study aims to determine the barriers to cervical cancer screening among Yemeni female immigrants in Malaysia and the factors related to these barriers.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among immigrant Yemeni women staying in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Data were collected using a validated modified Arabic version of the Cervical Cancer Awareness Measure (Cervical CAM). Descriptive and inferential analyses were utilized. Adjusted binary logistic regression was performed to find out the factors that increase the probability of facing barriers to the Pap test.
RESULTS: A total of 370 questionnaires were collected. Cognitive barriers were the highest recognized type of barrier to undertaking the Pap test among study participants (74.9%) followed by emotional barriers (13%). Unemployed women were significantly less likely than employed to report an emotional barrier to the Pap test (OR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.03-0.95). Higher educated women (OR = 3.11, CI: 1.02-9.48) and those still studying (OR = 3.11, CI: 1.02-9.48) were significantly more likely to report practical barriers. Regarding the cognitive barriers, women with tertiary education were significantly less likely than those with primary education to have cognitive barriers (OR = 0.41, CI: 0.19-0.90).
CONCLUSION: access to health services among immigrant women, including screening for cervical cancer, is a complex issue involving a wide range of barriers. Cognitive barriers associated with sexual activity and the absence of symptoms are the main reason for the decision to not undergo cervical cancer screening. To address this, we recommend adopting a comprehensive approach that integrates education, community engagement, accessibility, and cultural sensitivity to promote the uptake of cervical cancer screening within the Yemeni immigrant community.
Fulltext Ultrastructure Microscopic Characterization of Apoptosis in Myelomoncytic Leukemia Cell Line Treated with Velogenic Viscerotropic Newcastle Disease Virus Strain AF 2240

Ali-Saeed R, Alabsi AM, Al-Garadi MA, Abdelwahab SI, Samrot AV, Subramaniyan V, et al.

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2024 Sep 01;25(9):2991-2998.
PMID: 39342575 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.9.2991

OBJECTIVE: Leukemia is a group of hematologic malignancies in the bonemarrow that arise from the dysfunctional proliferation of developing leukocytes. It is classified as either acute or chronic based on the rapidity of proliferation and as myelocytic or lymphocytic based on the cell of origin. Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) is an avian paramyxovirus, which has been demonstrated to possess significant oncolytic activity against mammalian cancers because its ability to kill tumor cells with limited toxicity to normal cells.
METHODS: In this study, the morphophical changes and apoptosis induction of WEHI 3B leukemia cell line treated with NDV strain AF2240 were studied by scanning electron microscopes and transmission electron microscopes techniques.
RESULT: Electron microscopy indicated that NDV strain AF 2240 significantly altered cell morphology and reduced cell viability. Furthermore, early apoptosis was observed 6 h post-inoculation by fluorescence microscope.
CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that NDV has ability to induce significant apoptoic structural changes in WEHI 3B leukemia cell line. These findings provide new insights into the mechanism of action of NDV virotherapy and could lead to the development of more effective treatments for leukemia.