Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 106 in total

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  1. Yusoff NA, Yam MF, Beh HK, Abdul Razak KN, Widyawati T, Mahmud R, et al.
    Asian Pac J Trop Med, 2015 Aug;8(8):595-605.
    PMID: 26321511 DOI: 10.1016/j.apjtm.2015.07.015
    OBJECTIVES: To study the antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of nipa palm vinegar (NPV) used in traditional Malay medicine for treating diabetes.

    METHODS: NPV was extracted using liquid-liquid extraction method and the obtained samples were subjected to antidiabetic studies using normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat models whereas antidoxidant activities were investigated via in vitro antioxidant tests namely 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid free radicals scavenging activities and the reducing power assay.

    RESULTS: Single administration of NPV and its extracts were not effective in both normal and diabetic rats. In intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test, NPV and its aqueous extract showed significant blood glucose lowering effect. In the sub-acute study, compared with the diabetic control, aqueous extract of NPV showed the most notable blood glucose lowering effect (56.6%) and a significant improvement in serum insulin levels (79.8%, P 

  2. Zaid OI, Abd Majid R, Sabariah MN, Hasidah MS, Al-Zihiry K, Yam MF, et al.
    Asian Pac J Trop Med, 2015 Jul;8(7):507-12.
    PMID: 26276279 DOI: 10.1016/j.apjtm.2015.06.007
    OBJECTIVE: To explore whether its antiplasmodium effect of andrographolide is attributed to its plausible effect on the plasma membrane of both Plasmodium falciparum infected and non-infected RBCs.

    METHODS: Anti-plasmodium effect of andrographolide against Plasmodium falciparum strains was screened using the conventional malaria drug sensitivity assay. The drug was incubated with uninfected RBCs to monitor its effect on their morphology, integrity and osmotic fragility. It was incubated with the plasmodium infected RBCs to monitor its effect on the parasite induced permeation pathways. Its effect on the potential of merozoites to invade new RBCs was tested using merozoite invasion assay.

    RESULTS: It showed that at andrographolide was innocuous to RBCs at concentrations approach its therapeutic level against plasmodia. Nevertheless, this inertness was dwindled at higher concentrations.

    CONCLUSIONS: In spite of its success to inhibit plasmodium induced permeation pathway and the potential of merozoites to invade new RBCs, its anti-plasmodium effect can't be attributed to these functions as they were attained at concentrations higher than what is required to eradicate the parasite. Consequently, other mechanisms may be associated with its claimed actions.

  3. Farsi E, Ahmad M, Hor SY, Ahamed MB, Yam MF, Asmawi MZ, et al.
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2014 07 04;14:220.
    PMID: 24993916 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-220
    BACKGROUND: Recently, there has been increasing interest in Ficus deltoidea Jack. (Moraceae) due to its chemical composition and the potential health benefits. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of extracts of F. deltoidea leaves on diabetes.

    METHODS: The petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts of F. deltoidea were prepared and subjected to standardization using preliminary phytochemical and HPLC analysis. Dose selection was made on the basis of acute oral toxicity study (50-5000 mg/kg b. w.) as per OECD guidelines. Diabetes mellitus was induced with streptozotocin and rats found diabetic were orally administered with the extract (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) for 14 days. Levels of blood glucose and insulin were measured in control as well as diabetic rats on 0, 7 and 14th day. In addition, glucose metabolism regulating gene expression was assessed using RT-PCR.

    RESULTS: HPLC analysis revealed that the methanol extract is enriched with C-glycosylflavones particularly, vitexin and isovitexin. In oral glucose tolerance test, oral administration of the methanol extract increased the glucose tolerance. The methanol extract showed significant (P 

  4. Mohamed EA, Siddiqui MJ, Ang LF, Sadikun A, Chan SH, Tan SC, et al.
    PMID: 23039079 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-12-176
    In the present study, we tested a 50% ethanolic extract of Orthosiphon stamineus plants and its isolated bioactive compound with respect to their α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities.
  5. Farsi E, Ahmad M, Hor SY, Khadeer Ahamed MB, Yam MF, Khoo BY, et al.
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2018 09 27;18(1):262.
    PMID: 30261874 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-018-2333-3
    After the publication of this article [1] it came to our attention that one author, Boon Yin Khoo, was erroneously omitted from the authorship list.
  6. Al-Hindi B, Yusoff NA, Ahmad M, Atangwho IJ, Asmawi MZ, Al-Mansoub MA, et al.
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2019 Jun 28;19(1):152.
    PMID: 31253153 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-019-2573-x
    BACKGROUND: The leaves of Gongronema latifolium Benth. have long been recognized traditionally as a remedy for a variety of ailments in Africa. This study was conducted to evaluate the safety profile of the ethanolic extract of G. latifolium (GLES) leaves through a repeated dose 90-day oral toxicity study in male and female of Sprague Dawley rats.

    METHODS: GLES was orally administered at doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day consecutively for 90 days.

    RESULTS: No behavioral or physiological changes and mortality were observed. GLES did not have a marked impact on general hematological parameters and did not precipitate nephrotoxicity. However, compared to the control, serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels were lower and white adipose tissue paired retroperitoneal fat depots were depleted in male rats treated with GLES3 by the end of the experiment. The liver was significantly enlarged in GLES-treated rats of both sexes. Negative gender-specific alterations were observed with the highest dose. Adverse risk was evident in the female rats mainly due to marked body weight gain and cerebrum weight reduction.

    CONCLUSION: Further research is needed to reach more specific conclusions about to the safety of ingesting high doses of GLES for long periods of time.

  7. Ibraheem ZO, Basir R, Aljobory AKh, Ibrahim OE, Alsumaidaee A, Yam MF
    Biomed Res Int, 2014;2014:823879.
    PMID: 25045706 DOI: 10.1155/2014/823879
    The current study evaluates the impact of high fructose feeding in rat model of gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity. Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 180-200 g were randomized into four groups; (C) received standard rodents chow with free access to ad libitum drinking water for 8 weeks and was considered as control, (F) received standard rodents chow with free access to drinking water supplemented with 20% (W/V) fructose for the same abovementioned period, (FG) was fed as group F and was given 80 mg/kg (body weight)/day gentamicin sulphate intraperitoneally during the last 20 days of the feeding period, and (G) was given gentamicin as above and fed as group C. Renal function was assessed at the end of the treatment period through measuring serum creatinine, uric acid and albumin, creatinine clearance, absolute and fractional excretion of both sodium and potassium, twenty-four-hour urinary excretion of albumin, and renal histology. For metabolic syndrome assessment, fasting plasma glucose and insulin were measured and oral glucose tolerance test was performed throughout the treatment period. Results showed that gentamicin enhances progression of fructose induced metabolic syndrome. On the other hand, fructose pretreatment before gentamicin injection produced a comparable degree of renal dysfunction to those which were given fructose-free water but the picture of nephrotoxicity was somewhat altered as it was characterized by higher extent of glomerular congestion and protein urea. Overall, more vigilance is required when nephrotoxic drugs are prescribed for patients with fructose induced metabolic syndrome.
  8. Yam MF, Lim CP, Fung Ang L, Por LY, Wong ST, Asmawi MZ, et al.
    Biomed Res Int, 2013;2013:351602.
    PMID: 24490155 DOI: 10.1155/2013/351602
    The present study evaluated the antioxidant activity and potential toxicity of 50% methanolic extract of Orthosiphon stamineus (Lamiaceae) leaves (MEOS) after acute and subchronic administration in rats. Superoxide radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, and ferrous ion chelating methods were used to evaluate the antioxidant properties of the extract. In acute toxicity study, single dose of MEOS, 5000 mg/kg, was administered to rats by oral gavage, and the treated rats were monitored for 14 days. While in the subchronic toxicity study, MEOS was administered orally, at doses of 1250, 2500, and 5000 mg/kg/day for 28 days. From the results, MEOS showed good superoxide radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, ferrous ion chelating, and antilipid peroxidation activities. There was no mortality detected or any signs of toxicity in acute and subchronic toxicity studies. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in bodyweight, relative organ weight, and haematological and biochemical parameters between both male and female treated rats in any doses tested. No abnormality of internal organs was observed between treatment and control groups. The oral lethal dose determined was more than 5000 mg/kg and the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of MEOS for both male and female rats is considered to be 5000 mg/kg per day.
  9. Tan CS, Loh YC, Ng CH, Ch'ng YS, Asmawi MZ, Ahmad M, et al.
    Biomed Pharmacother, 2018 Jan;97:985-994.
    PMID: 29136777 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.11.021
    Although Banxia Baizhu Tianma Tang (BBT) has been long administered for hypertensive treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the ratio of the herbal components that makes up the formulation has not been optimized with respect to the anti-hypertensive effect that it inherently possesses. A newly amended BBT (ABBT) formulation was developed using the evidence-based approach of orthogonal stimulus-response compatibility model. The ABBT showed enhanced therapeutic effect while maintaining its traditional theoretical approach rooted in TCM. This study was designed to investigate the possible mechanism of actions involved in the vasodilatory activity of ABBT-50 by evaluating its vasodilative effect on isolated Sprague Dawley rats in the presence of absence of various antagonists. When pre-contracted with phenylephrine, relaxation was observed in endothelium intact (EC50=0.027±0.003mg/ml, Rmax=109.8±2.12%) and denuded aortic rings (EC50=0.409±0.073mg/ml, Rmax=63.15±1.78%), as well as in endothelium intact aortic rings pre-contracted with potassium chloride (EC50=32.7±12.16mg/ml, Rmax=34.02±3.82%). Significant decrease in the vasodilative effect of ABBT-50 was observed in the presence of Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (EC50=0.12±0.021mg/ml, Rmax=75.33±3.28%), 1H-[1,2,4] Oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (EC50=0.463±0.18mg/ml, Rmax=54.48±2.02%), methylene blue (EC50=0.19±0.037mg/ml, Rmax=83.69±3.19%), indomethacin (EC50=0.313±0.046mg/ml, Rmax=71.33±4.12%), atropine (EC50=0.146±0.013mg/ml, Rmax=77.2±3.41%), and 4-aminopyridine (EC50=0.045±0.008mg/ml, Rmax=95.55±2.36%). ABBT-50 was also suppressing Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum and inhibiting calcium channels. Vasodilatory effects of ABBT-50 are mediated through NO/sGC/cGMP cascade and PGI2, followed by muscarinic pathways and calcium channels.
  10. Tew WY, Tan CS, Yan CS, Loh HW, Wen X, Wei X, et al.
    Biomed Pharmacother, 2023 Jan;157:114020.
    PMID: 36469968 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114020
    Chrysin, a bioflavonoid belonging to the flavone, occurs naturally in plants such as the passionflower, honey and propolis. Few studies have demonstrated that chrysin can promote vasorelaxant activities in rats' aorta and mesenteric arteries. To date, no research has explored the signalling system routes that chrysin may utilise to produce its vasorelaxant action. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms involved in chrysin-induced vasorelaxant in rats' aortic rings and assess the antihypertensive effect of chrysin in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). The findings revealed that chrysin utilised both endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent mechanisms. The presence of L-NAME (endothelial NO synthase inhibitor), ODQ (sGC inhibitor), methylene blue (cGMP lowering agent), 4-AP (voltage-gated potassium channel inhibitor), atropine (muscarinic receptors inhibitor) and propranolol (β-adrenergic receptors inhibitor) significantly reduced the chrysin's vasorelaxant action. Furthermore, chrysin can reduce intracellular Ca2+ levels by limiting the extracellular intake of Ca2+ through voltage-operated calcium channels and blocking the intracellular release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum via the IP3 receptor. These indicate that chrysin-induced vasorelaxants involved NO/sGC/cGMP signalling cascade, muscarinic and β-adrenergic receptors, also the potassium and calcium channels. Although chrysin had vasorelaxant effects in in vitro studies, the in vivo antihypertensive experiment discovered chrysin does not significantly reduce the blood pressure of SHRs following 21 days of oral treatment. This study proved that chrysin utilised multiple signalling pathways to produce its vasorelaxant effect in the thoracic aorta of rats; however, it had no antihypertensive effect on SHRs.
  11. Chan SY, Loh YC, Oo CW, Yam MF
    Bioorg Chem, 2020 11;104:104239.
    PMID: 33142420 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.104239
    The development of vasorelaxant as the antihypertensive drug is important as it produces a rapid and direct relaxation effect on the blood vessel muscles. Resveratrol (RV), as the most widely studied stilbenoid and the lead compound, inducing the excellent vasorelaxation effect through the multiple signalling pathways. In this study, the in vitro vascular response of the synthesized trans-stilbenoid derivatives, SB 1-8e were primarily evaluated by employing the phenylephrine (PE)-precontracted endothelium-intact isolated aortic rings. Herein we report trans-3,4,4'-trihydroxystilbene (SB 8b) exhibited surprisingly more than 2-fold improvement to the maximal relaxation (Rmax) of RV. This article also highlights the characterization of the aromatic protons in terms of their unique splitting patterns in 1H NMR.
  12. Ameer OZ, Salman IM, Siddiqui MJ, Yam MF, Sriramaneni RN, Sadikun A, et al.
    Braz. J. Med. Biol. Res., 2010 Feb;43(2):186-94.
    PMID: 20084331
    We investigated the vascular responses and the blood pressure reducing effects of different fractions obtained from the methanol extract of Loranthus ferrugineus Roxb. (F. Loranthaceae). By means of solvent-solvent extraction, L. ferrugineus methanol extract (LFME) was successively fractionated with chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. The ability of these LFME fractions to relax vascular smooth muscle against phenylephrine (PE)- and KCl-induced contractions in isolated rat aortic rings was determined. In another set of experiments, LFME fractions were tested for blood pressure lowering activity in anesthetized adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-300 g, 14-18 weeks). The n-butanol fraction of LFME (NBF-LFME) produced a significant concentration-dependent inhibition of PE- and KCl-induced aortic ring contractions compared to other fractions. Moreover, NBF-LFME had a significantly higher relaxant effect against PE- than against high K+-induced contractions. In anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats, NBF-LFME significantly lowered blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner and with a relatively longer duration of action compared to the other fractions. HPLC, UV and IR spectra suggested the presence of terpenoid constituents in both LFME and NBF-LFME. Accordingly, we conclude that NBF-LFME is the most potent fraction producing a concentration-dependent relaxation in vascular smooth muscle in vitro and a dose-dependent blood pressure lowering activity in vivo. The cardiovascular effects of NBF-LFME are most likely attributable to its terpenoid content.
  13. Tan CS, Tew WY, Jingying C, Yam MF
    Chem Biol Interact, 2021 Oct 01;348:109620.
    PMID: 34411564 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2021.109620
    Naringenin is a naturally occurring flavanone (flavonoid) known to have bioactive effects on human health. It has been reported to show cardiovascular effects. This study aimed to investigate the possible vasorelaxant effect of naringenin and the mechanism behind it by using a Sprague Dawley rat aortic ring assay model. Naringenin caused significant vasorelaxation of endothelium-intact aortic rings precontracted with phenylephrine (pD2 = 4.27 ± 0.05; Rmax = 121.70 ± 4.04%) or potassium chloride (pD2 = 4.00 ± 0.04; Rmax = 103.40 ± 3.82%). The vasorelaxant effect decreased in the absence of an endothelium (pD2 = 3.34 ± 0.10; Rmax = 62.29 ± 2.73%). The mechanisms of the vasorelaxant effect of naringenin in the presence of antagonists were also investigated. Indomethacin, 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one, atropine, 4-aminopyridine, Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, glibenclamide and propranolol significantly reduced the relaxation stimulated by naringenin in the presence of endothelium. Besides that, the effect of naringenin on the voltage-operated calcium channel (VOCC) in the endothelium-intact aortic ring was studied, as was intracellular Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in the endothelium-denuded aortic ring. The results showed that naringenin also significantly blocked the entry of Ca2+ via the VOCC, SERCA/SOCC and suppressed the release of Ca2+ from the SR. Thus, the vasorelaxant effect shown by naringenin mostly involve the COX pathway, the endothelium-dependent pathway via NO/sGC/prostaglandin, calcium and potassium channels.
  14. Hashim MA, Yam MF, Hor SY, Lim CP, Asmawi MZ, Sadikun A
    Chin Med, 2013;8(1):11.
    PMID: 23684219 DOI: 10.1186/1749-8546-8-11
    Swietenia macrophylla King (Meliaceae) is used to treat diabetes mellitus in Malaysia. This study aims to evaluate the anti-hyperglycaemic potential of petroleum ether (PE), chloroform (CE) and methanol (ME) extracts of S. macrophylla seeds, in normoglycaemic and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.
  15. Farsi E, Shafaei A, Hor SY, Ahamed MB, Yam MF, Asmawi MZ, et al.
    Clinics (Sao Paulo), 2013 Jun;68(6):865-75.
    PMID: 23778480 DOI: 10.6061/clinics/2013(06)23
    Ficus deltoidea leaves have been used in traditional medicine in Southeast Asia to treat diabetes, inflammation, diarrhea, and infections. The present study was conducted to assess the genotoxicity and acute and subchronic toxicity of a standardized methanol extract of F. deltoidea leaves.
  16. Lim YH, Oo CW, Koh RY, Voon GL, Yew MY, Yam MF, et al.
    Drug Dev Res, 2020 Jul 28.
    PMID: 32720715 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21715
    In recent years, chalcones and their derivatives have become the focus of global scientists due to increasing evidence reported towards their potency in antitumor and anti-cancer. Here, the chalcones designed and synthesized in our present study were derived from the derivatives of naphthaldehyde and acetophenone. Both these precursors have been reported in demonstrating a certain degree of anticancer property. Also, the substituents on these precursors such as hydroxyl, methoxy, prenyl, and chloro were shown able to enhance the anticancer efficiency. Hence, it is the interest of the current study to investigate the anticancer potential of the hybrid molecules (chalcones) consisting of these precursors with different alkoxy substituents and with or without the fluorine moiety. Two series of chalcone derivatives were designed, synthesized, and characterized using the elemental analysis, IR, 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopy, subsequently evaluated for their anti-cancer activity. Interestingly, the results showed that the fluorinated chalcones 11-15 exhibited stronger cytotoxic activity towards the breast cancer cell lines (4T1) compared to non-fluorinated chalcone derivatives. Remarkably, the selectivity index obtained for these fluorinated chalcones derivatives against the breast cancer 4T1 cell line was higher than those exhibited by cisplatin, which is one of the most frequently deployed chemotherapy agents in current medical practice. These findings could provide an insight towards the potential of fluorinated chalcones being developed as an anti-cancer agent with moderate activity towards breast cancer cell and low inhibition of fibroblast cell at a concentration of 100 μM.
  17. Tew WY, Tan CS, Asmawi MZ, Yam MF
    Eur J Pharmacol, 2020 Aug 05;880:173123.
    PMID: 32335091 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173123
    Morin (3,5,7,2',4'-pentahydroxyflavone) is a yellow coloured natural flavonoid found in plants of the Moraceae family. This favonoid is easily sources from readily available fruits, vegetables and eve certain beverages. Among the sources that was identified, it is clear that morin is most abundantly found in almond, old fustic, Indian guava, and Osage orange. Multiple studies have suggested that morin has multiple therapeutic actions and possess potential to be a functional potent drug. Previous studies demonstrated that morin is capable of resolving deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt-induced hypertension and possess strong vasorelaxant properties. However, the exact mechanisms remains unknown. Therefore, this study is designed to investigate the in vitro mechanism of morin-induced vasorelaxant effects. The underlying mechanisms of morin's vasorelaxant activities were evaluated on thoracic aortic rings isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats. Results from the study demonstrated morin causing vasodilatory reaction in phenylephrine and potassium chloride pre-contracted endothelium-intact aortic rings with the effect being significantly affected in endothelium-denuded aortic rings. Pre-incubation of the aortic rings with ODQ (selective cGMP-independent sGC inhibitor), indomethacin (nonselective COX inhibitor), L-NAME (endothelial nitric oxide inhibitor), propranolol (β2-adrenegic receptors blocker), and atropine (muscarinic receptors blocker) significantly reduced the vasorelaxant effect of morin. It was also found to be able to reduce the intracellular calcium level by blocking VOCC and calcium intake from the extracellular environment and the intracellular release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The present study showed that the vasorelaxant effect of morin potentially involves the NO/sGC, muscarinic receptors, β2-adrenegic receptors, and calcium channels.
  18. Yam MF, Tan CS, Ahmad M, Shibao R
    Eur J Pharmacol, 2016 Oct 15;789:27-36.
    PMID: 27370961 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2016.06.047
    Previous studies demonstrated that eupatorin content in Orthosiphon stamineus fractions correlated with their vasorelaxation activity. Even with previous studies, there is still very little information on the vasorelaxation effect of eupatorin, and not many scientific studies had been carried out. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the vasorelaxation activity and mechanism of action of eupatorin. The vasorelaxation activity and the underlying mechanisms of eupatorin was evaluated on thoracic aortic rings isolated from Sprague Dawley rats. Eupatorin caused the relaxation of aortic rings pre-contracted with phenylephrine with and without endothelium (pD2=6.66±0.13, EMAX=99.72±6.39%; pD2=6.10±0.22, EMAX=65.78±8.01%), and also the relaxation of endothelium-intact aortic rings pre-contracted with potassium chloride (pD2=6.20±0.30, EMAX=71.89±12.25%). In the presence of Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (pD2<4.60, EMAX=24.91±6.39%), methylene blue (pD2=6.05±0.38, EMAX=66.79±9.69%), ODQ (pD25.84±0.32, EMAX=60.47±9.6%), indomethacin (pD2=6.27±0.21, EMAX=76.03±9.45%), tetraethylammonium (pD2=6.09±0.35, EMAX=69.35±11.31%), 4-aminopyridine (pD2=6.34±0.12, EMAX=76±6.1%), barium chloride (pD2=6.47±0.14, EMAX=79.61±10.02%), atropine (pD2=6.36±0.29, EMAX=86.47±12.95%) and propranolol (pD2=6.49±0.26, EMAX=83.2±12.01%), relaxation stimulated by eupatorin was significantly reduced. Eupatorin was also found to be active in reducing Ca(2+) release from sarcoplasmic reticulum and in blocking calcium channels. The present study demonstrates the vasorelaxation effect of eupatorin involving NO/sGC/cGMP and indomethacin pathways, calcium and potassium channels, and muscarinic and beta-adrenergic receptors.
  19. Mohamed EA, Ahmad M, Ang LF, Asmawi MZ, Yam MF
    PMID: 26649063 DOI: 10.1155/2015/754931
    In the present study, a 50% ethanolic extract of Orthosiphon stamineus was tested for its α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. In vivo assays of the extract (containing 1.02%, 3.76%, and 3.03% of 3'hydroxy-5,6,7,4'-tetramethoxyflavone, sinensetin, and eupatorin, resp.) showed that it possessed an inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase in normal rats loaded with starch and sucrose. The results showed that 1000 mg/kg of the 50% ethanolic extract of O. stamineus significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the plasma glucose levels of the experimental animals in a manner resembling the effect of acarbose. In streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, only the group treated with 1000 mg/kg of the extract showed significantly (P < 0.05) lower plasma glucose levels after starch loading. Hence, α-glucosidase inhibition might be one of the mechanisms by which O. stamineus extract exerts its antidiabetic effect. Furthermore, our findings indicated that the 50% ethanolic extract of O. stamineus can be considered as a potential agent for the management of diabetes mellitus.
  20. Lim CP, Yam MF, Asmawi MZ, Chin VK, Khairuddin NH, Yong YK, et al.
    PMID: 31097973 DOI: 10.1155/2019/7521504
    Medicinal plants have been considered as promising sources of drugs in treating various cancers. Crinum amabile (C. amabile), a plant species from the Amaryllidaceae family, is claimed to be a potential source for cancer chemotherapeutic compounds. Here, we aimed to investigate the potential of C. amabile as an anticancer agent. Dried leaves of C. amabile were serially extracted and our findings showed that chloroform extract (CE) was shown to exhibit cytotoxic effect against all cancer cell lines used. This active extract was further fractionated in which F5 fraction was shown to possess the highest cytotoxicity among all fractions. F5 fraction was then tested in-depth through Annexin V/FITC apoptosis and DNA fragmentation assays to determine its apoptotic effect on MCF-7 cells. Results revealed that F5 fraction only showed induction of cell apoptosis starting at 72-hour treatment while DNA fragmentation was not detected at any of the concentrations and treatment periods tested. Meanwhile, cell proliferation assay revealed that F5 fraction was able to inhibit normal cell proliferation as well as VEGF-induced cell proliferation of normal endothelial cell (HUVECs). In conclusion, F5 fraction from C. amabile leaf CE was able to exhibit cytostatic effect through antiproliferation activity rather than induction of cell apoptosis and therefore has the potential to be further investigated as an anticancer agent.
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