Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 56 in total

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  1. Abubakar BM, Salleh FM, Shamsir Omar MS, Wagiran A
    Pharm Biol, 2018 Dec;56(1):368-377.
    PMID: 30058427 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2018.1479869
    CONTEXT: Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Simaroubaceae) commonly known as Tongkat Ali is one of the most important plants in Malaysia. The plant extracts (particularly roots) are widely used for the treatment of cough and fever besides having antimalarial, antidiabetic, anticancer and aphrodisiac activities.

    OBJECTIVES: This study assesses the extent of adulteration of E. longifolia herbal medicinal products (HMPs) using DNA barcoding validated by HPLC analysis.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chloroplastic rbcL and nuclear ITS2 barcode regions were used in the present study. The sequences generated from E. longifolia HMPs were compared to sequences in the GenBank using MEGABLAST to verify their taxonomic identity. These results were verified by neighbor-joining tree analysis in which branches of unknown specimen are compared to the reference sequences established from this study and other retrieved from the GenBank. The HMPs were also analysed using HPLC analysis for the presence of eurycomanone bioactive marker.

    RESULTS: Identification using DNA barcoding revealed that 37% of the tested HMPs were authentic while 27% were adulterated with the ITS2 barcode region proven to be the ideal marker. The validation of the authenticity using HPLC analysis showed a situation in which a species which was identified as authentic was found not to contain the expected chemical compound.

    DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: DNA barcoding should be used as the first screening step for testing of HMPs raw materials. However, integration of DNA barcoding with HPLC analysis will help to provide detailed knowledge about the safety and efficacy of the HMPs.

  2. Ahmad A, Ramasamy K, Majeed AB, Mani V
    Pharm Biol, 2015 May;53(5):758-66.
    PMID: 25756802 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2014.942791
    Soybean and its fermented products are the most common source of isoflavones in human food.
  3. Ahmad Nazri KA, Haji Mohd Saad Q, Mohd Fauzi N, Buang F, Jantan I, Jubri Z
    Pharm Biol, 2021 Dec;59(1):1203-1215.
    PMID: 34493166 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2021.1970199
    CONTEXT: Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr. (Asteraceae) has been reported to have various pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory effects.

    OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine whether Gynura procumbens (GP) could improve vascular reactivity by suppressing inflammation in postmenopausal rats fed with five-times heated palm oil (5HPO) diet.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham [non-ovariectomized; grouped as control, GP extracts (250 and 500 mg/kg), atorvastatin (ATV, 10 mg/kg)] and postmenopausal (PM) groups [ovariectomized rats fed with 5HPO; grouped as PM, GP extracts (250 and 500 mg/kg) and ATV (10 mg/kg)]. Each group (n = 6) was either supplemented with GP extract or ATV orally once daily for 6 months.

    RESULTS: In comparison with the untreated PM group, 250 and 500 mg/kg GP supplementation to PM groups reduced the systolic blood pressure (103 ± 2.7, 86 ± 2.4 vs. 156 ± 7.83 mmHg, p 

  4. Alhassan AM, Ahmed QU, Malami I, Zakaria ZA
    Pharm Biol, 2021 Dec;59(1):955-963.
    PMID: 34283002 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2021.1950776
    CONTEXT: Pseudocedrela kotschyi (Schweinf) Harms (Meliaceae) is an important medicinal plant found in tropical and subtropical countries of Africa. Traditionally, P. kotschyi is used in the treatment of various diseases including diabetes, malaria, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

    OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of traditional medicinal claims, pharmacological properties, and phytochemical principles of P. kotschyi as a basis for its clinical applications and further research and development of new drugs.

    METHODS: Through interpreting already published scientific manuscripts retrieved from different scientific search engines, namely, Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, Science Direct and Google scholar databases, an up-to-date review on the medicinal potentials of P. kotschyi from inception until September, 2020 was compiled. 'Pseudocedrela kotschyi', 'traditional uses', 'pharmacological properties' and 'chemical constituents' were used as search words.

    RESULTS: At present, more than 30 chemical constituents have been isolated and identified from the root and stem bark of P. kotschyi, among which limonoids and triterpenes are the main active constituents. Based on prior research, P. kotschyi has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, anthelminthic, antimalaria, anti-leishmaniasis, anti-trypanosomiasis, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects.

    CONCLUSIONS: P. kotschyi is reported to be effective in treating a variety of diseases. Current phytochemical and pharmacological studies mainly focus on antimalaria, anti-leishmaniasis, anti-trypanosomiasis and anticancer potential of the root and stem bark of P. kotschyi. Although experimental data support the beneficial medicinal properties of this plant, there is still a paucity of information on its toxicity profile. Nonetheless, this review provides the basis for future research work.

  5. Ali YM, Kadir AA, Ahmad Z, Yaakub H, Zakaria ZA, Abdullah MN
    Pharm Biol, 2012 Jun;50(6):712-9.
    PMID: 22181061 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2011.621714
    Conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) are a mixture of positional and geometric isomers of linoleic acid (LA) and believed to have many positive biological activities.
  6. Alitheen NB, Manaf AA, Yeap SK, Shuhaimi M, Nordin L, Mashitoh AR
    Pharm Biol, 2010 Apr;48(4):446-52.
    PMID: 20645725 DOI: 10.3109/13880200903168031
    Morinda elliptica Ridley (Rubiaceae) has been used traditionally as a medicine to treat various diseases in Malaysia and southeast Asia. In the present study we investigated the immunomodulatory effects of damnacanthal isolated from the roots of Morinda elliptica. The immunomodulatory effect of this compound was evaluated by using the lymphocyte proliferation assay with mouse thymocytes and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). In addition, the effect of the compound on PBMC cell cycle progression was studied by using flow cytometry. The production of human interleukin-2 and human inteleukin-12 cytokines was also assessed using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. The lymphocyte proliferation assay showed that damnacanthal was able to activate mouse thymocytes and PBMC at a low concentration (0.468 microg/mL). Moreover, the production of human interleukin-2 and human interleukin-12 cytokines in the culture supernatant from damnacanthal activated lymphocytes was markedly up-regulated at 24 h and sustained until 72 h with a slight decrease with time. A positive correlation was found between the level of these two cytokines and the MTT-based proliferation assay. Based on the above results, damnacanthal can act as an immunomodulatory agent which may be very useful for maintaining a healthy immune system.
  7. Amran AZ, Jantan I, Dianita R, Buang F
    Pharm Biol, 2015;53(12):1795-802.
    PMID: 25868620 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2015.1008147
    CONTEXT: Ginger [Zingiber officinale Roscoe. (Zingiberaceae)] has been universally used as a spice as well as for its health benefits.

    OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluates the protective effect of the standardized extract of ginger against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar rats were pretreated orally with three doses of standardized ginger extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of body weight) or propranolol (5 mg/mL) for 28 d prior to ISO (85 mg/kg) induced MI in two doses on days 29 and 30. The rats were sacrificed 48 h after the first induction; serum and hearts were collected for biochemical and histopathological analysis.

    RESULTS: Gingerols and shogaols were identified and quantitatively analyzed in the extracts using validated reversed phase HPLC methods. Pretreatment with ginger extract at 400 mg/kg showed a significant decrease (p 

  8. Azemi AK, Mokhtar SS, Sharif SET, Rasool AHG
    Pharm Biol, 2021 Dec;59(1):1432-1440.
    PMID: 34693870 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2021.1990357
    CONTEXT: Atherosclerosis predisposes individuals to adverse cardiovascular events. Clinacanthus nutans L. (Acanthaceae) is a traditional remedy used for diabetes and inflammatory conditions.

    OBJECTIVES: To investigate the anti-atherosclerotic activity of a C. nutans leaf methanol extract (CNME) in a type 2 diabetic (T2D) rat model induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and low-dose streptozotocin.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: non-diabetic fed a standard diet (C), C + CNME (500 mg/kg, orally), diabetic fed an HFD (DM), DM + CNME (500 mg/kg), and DM + Metformin (DM + Met; 300 mg/kg). Treatment with oral CNME and metformin was administered for 4 weeks. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum lipid profile, atherogenic index (AI), aortic tissue superoxide dismutase levels (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured. The rats' aortas were stained for histological analysis and intima-media thickness (IMT), a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis.

    RESULTS: The CNME-treated diabetic rats had reduced serum total cholesterol (43.74%; p = 0.0031), triglycerides (80.91%; p = 0.0003), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (56.64%; p = 0.0008), AI (51.32%; p 

  9. Azman NA, Skowyra M, Muhammad K, Gallego MG, Almajano MP
    Pharm Biol, 2017 Dec;55(1):912-919.
    PMID: 28152668 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2017.1282528
    CONTEXT: Betula pendula Roth (Betulaceae) exhibits many pharmacological activities in humans including anticancer, antibacterial, and antiviral effects. However, the antioxidant activity of BP towards lipid degradation has not been fully determined.

    OBJECTIVE: The BP ethanol and methanol extracts were evaluated to determine antioxidant activity by an in vitro method and lyophilized extract of BP was added to beef patties to study oxidative stability.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antioxidant activities of extracts of BP were determined by measuring scavenging radical activity against methoxy radical generated by Fenton reaction 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (TEAC) radical cation, the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The lipid deterioration in beef patties containing 0.1% and 0.3% (w/w) of lyophilized extract of BP stored in 80:20 (v/v) O2:CO2 modified atmosphere (MAP) at 4 °C for 10 days was determined using thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS), % metmyoglobin and colour value.

    RESULTS: The BP methanol extract revealed the presence of catechin, myricetin, quercetin, naringenin, and p-coumaric acid. The BP ethanol (50% w/w) extract showed scavenging activity in TEAC, ORAC and FRAP assays with values of 1.45, 2.81, 1.52 mmol Trolox equivalents (TE)/g DW, respectively. Reductions in lipid oxidation were found in samples treated with lyophilized BP extract (0.1% and 0.3% w/w) as manifested by the changes of colour and metmyoglobin concentration. A preliminary study film with BP showed retard degradation of lipid in muscle food.

    CONCLUSION: The present results indicated that the BP extracts can be used as natural food antioxidants.

  10. Baharuddin AA, Roosli RAJ, Zakaria ZA, Md Tohid SF
    Pharm Biol, 2018 Dec;56(1):422-432.
    PMID: 30301390 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2018.1495748
    CONTEXT: Dicranopteris linearis (Burm.f.) Underw. (Gleicheniaceae) has been scientifically proven to exert various pharmacological activities. Nevertheless, its anti-proliferative potential has not been extensively investigated.

    OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-proliferative potential of D. linearis leaves and determine possible mechanistic pathways.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: MTT assay was used to determine the cytotoxic effects of D. linearis methanol (MEDL) and petroleum ether (PEEDL) extracts at concentrations of 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 and 3.125 µg/mL against a panel of cancer cell lines (breast [MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231], cervical [HeLa], colon [HT-29], hepatocellular [HepG2] and lung [A549]), as compared to negative (untreated) and positive [5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-treated] control groups. Mouse fibroblast cells (3T3) were used as normal cells. The mode of cell death was examined using morphological analysis via acridine orange (AO) and propidium iodide (PI) double staining. Cell cycle arrest was determined using flow cytometer, followed by annexin V-PI apoptosis detection kit.

    RESULTS: MEDL demonstrated the most significant growth inhibition against MDA-MB-231 cells (IC50 22.4 µg/mL). PEEDL showed no cytotoxic effect. Induction of apoptosis by MEDL was evidenced via morphological analysis and acridine orange propidium iodide staining. MEDL could induce S phase cell cycle arrest after 72 h of incubation. Early apoptosis induction in MDA-MB-231 cells was confirmed by annexin V-FITC and PI staining. Significant increase in apoptotic cells were detected after 24 h of treatment with 15.07% cells underwent apoptosis, and the amount escalated to 18.24% with prolonged 48 h incubation.

    CONCLUSIONS: MEDL has potential as a potent cytotoxic agent against MDA-MB-231 adenocarcinoma.

  11. Balan T, Mohd Sani MH, Suppaiah V, Mohtarrudin N, Suhaili Z, Ahmad Z, et al.
    Pharm Biol, 2013 Nov 05.
    PMID: 24192248
    Abstract Context: Muntingia calabura L. (Muntingiaceae) is a native plant species of the American continent and is widely cultivated in warm areas in Asia, including Malaysia. The plant is traditionally used to relieve pain from gastric ulcers. Objective: This study was designed to determine the antiulcer activity of a methanol extract of M. calabura leaves (MEMC) and the possible mechanisms of action involved. Materials and methods: An acute toxicity study was conducted using a single oral dose of 2000 mg/kg MEMC. The antiulcer activity of MEMC was evaluated in absolute ethanol- and indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer rat models. MEMC was administered orally (dose range 25-500 mg/kg) to rats fasted for 24 h. The animals were pretreated with NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl esters (l-NAME) or N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) prior to MEMC treatment to assess the possible involvement of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) and nonprotein sulfhydryl (NP-SH) compounds in the gastroprotective effect of MEMC. Results: As the administered dose did not cause toxicity in the rats, the oral median lethal dose (LD50) of MEMC was >2000 mg/kg in rats. MEMC exerted significant (p 
  12. Ch'ng YS, Loh YC, Tan CS, Ahmad M, Asmawi MZ, Wan Omar WM, et al.
    Pharm Biol, 2017 Dec;55(1):2083-2094.
    PMID: 28832263 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2017.1357735
    CONTEXT: Vernonia amygdalina Del. (VA) (Asteraceae) is commonly used to treat hypertension in Malaysia.

    OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the vasorelaxant mechanism of VA ethanol extract (VAE) and analyzes its tri-step FTIR spectroscopy fingerprint.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dried VA leaves were extracted with ethanol through maceration and concentrated using rotary evaporator before freeze-dried. The vasorelaxant activity and the underlying mechanisms of VAE using the cumulative concentration (0.01-2.55 mg/mL at 20-min intervals) were evaluated on aortic rings isolated from Sprague Dawley rats in the presence of antagonists.

    RESULTS: The tri-step FTIR spectroscopy showed that VAE contains alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins. VAE caused the relaxation of pre-contracted aortic rings in the presence and absence of endothelium with EC50 of 0.057 ± 0.006 and 0.430 ± 0.196 mg/mL, respectively. In the presence of Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (EC50 0.971 ± 0.459 mg/mL), methylene blue (EC50 1.203 ± 0.426 mg/mL), indomethacin (EC50 2.128 ± 1.218 mg/mL), atropine (EC50 0.470 ± 0.325 mg/mL), and propranolol (EC50 0.314 ± 0.032 mg/mL), relaxation stimulated by VAE was significantly reduced. VAE acted on potassium channels, with its vasorelaxation effects significantly reduced by tetraethylammonium, 4-aminopyridine, barium chloride, and glibenclamide (EC50 0.548 ± 0.184, 0.158 ± 0.012, 0.847 ± 0.342, and 0.304 ± 0.075 mg/mL, respectively). VAE was also found to be active in reducing Ca2+ released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum and blocking calcium channels.

    CONCLUSIONS: The vasorelaxation effect of VAE involves upregulation of NO/cGMP and PGI2 signalling pathways, and modulation of calcium/potassium channels, and muscarinic and β2-adrenergic receptor levels.

  13. Chan YH, Musa NF, Chong YJ, Saat SA, Hafiz F, Shaari K, et al.
    Pharm Biol, 2021 Dec;59(1):732-740.
    PMID: 34155953 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2021.1933083
    CONTEXT: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exacerbates systemic inflammatory responses and causes excessive fluid leakage. 2,4,6-Trihydroxy-3-geranyl acetophenone (tHGA) has been revealed to protect against LPS-induced vascular inflammation and endothelial hyperpermeability in vitro.

    OBJECTIVE: This study assesses the in vivo protective effects of tHGA against LPS-induced systemic inflammation and vascular permeability in endotoxemic mice.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally pre-treated with tHGA for 1 h, followed by 6 h of LPS induction. Evans blue permeability assay and leukocyte transmigration assay were performed in mice (n = 6) pre-treated with 2, 20 and 100 mg/kg tHGA. The effects of tHGA (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg) on LPS-induced serum TNF-α secretion, lung dysfunction and lethality were assessed using ELISA (n = 6), histopathological analysis (n = 6) and survivability assay (n = 10), respectively. Saline and dexamethasone were used as the negative control and drug control, respectively.

    RESULTS: tHGA significantly inhibited vascular permeability at 2, 20 and 100 mg/kg with percentage of inhibition of 48%, 85% and 86%, respectively, in comparison to the LPS control group (IC50=3.964 mg/kg). Leukocyte infiltration was suppressed at 20 and 100 mg/kg doses with percentage of inhibition of 73% and 81%, respectively (IC50=17.56 mg/kg). However, all tHGA doses (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg) failed to prevent endotoxemic mice from lethality because tHGA could not suppress TNF-α overproduction and organ dysfunction.

    DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: tHGA may be developed as a potential therapeutic agent for diseases related to uncontrolled vascular leakage by combining with other anti-inflammatory agents.

  14. Devasvaran K, Lim V
    Pharm Biol, 2021 Dec;59(1):494-503.
    PMID: 33905665 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2021.1910716
    CONTEXT: Pectin is a plant heteropolysaccharide that is biocompatible and biodegradable, enabling it to be an excellent reducing agent (green synthesis) for metallic nanoparticles (MNPs). Nevertheless, in the biological industry, pectin has been left behind in synthesising MNPs, for no known reason.

    OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the biological activities of pectin synthesised MNPs (Pe-MNPs).

    METHODS: The databases Springer Link, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, PubMed, Mendeley, and ResearchGate were systematically searched from the date of their inception until 10th February 2020. Pectin, green synthesis, metallic nanoparticles, reducing agent and biological activities were among the key terms searched. The data extraction was focussed on the biological activities of Pe-MNPs and reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations for systematic reviews.

    RESULTS: A total of 15 studies outlined 7 biological activities of Pe-MNPs in the only three metals that have been explored, namely silver (Ag), gold (Au) and cerium oxide (CeO2). The activities reported from the in vitro and in vivo studies were antimicrobial (9 studies), anticancer (2 studies), drug carrier (3 studies), non-toxic (4 studies), antioxidant (2 studies), wound healing (1 study) and anti-inflammation (1 study).

    CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review demonstrates the current state of the art of Pe-MNPs biological activities, suggesting that Ag and Au have potent antibacterial and anticancer/chemotherapeutic drug carrier activity, respectively. Further in vitro, in vivo, and clinical research is crucial for a better understanding of the pharmacological potential of pectin synthesised MNPs.

  15. Dey YN, Sharma G, Wanjari MM, Kumar D, Lomash V, Jadhav AD
    Pharm Biol, 2017 Dec;55(1):53-62.
    PMID: 27600166
    CONTEXT: The tuber of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson (Araceae), commonly called Suran or Jimmikand, has high medicinal value and is used ethnomedicinally for the treatment of different gastrointestinal and inflammatory disorders.

    OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the effects of extracts of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius tubers on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in rats.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar rats were orally administered methanol extract (APME) or aqueous extract (APAE) (250 and 500 mg/kg) or standard drug, prednisolone (PRDS) (4 mg/kg) for 7 days. On 6th day of treatment, UC was induced by transrectal instillation of 4% acetic acid (AA) and after 48 h colitis was assessed by measuring colitis parameters, biochemical estimations and histology of colon.

    RESULTS: APME or APAE pretreatment significantly (p 

  16. Dianita R, Jantan I
    Pharm Biol, 2017 Dec;55(1):1715-1739.
    PMID: 28486830 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2017.1323225
    CONTEXT: The genus Premna (Lamiaceae), distributed throughout tropical and subtropical Asia, Africa, Australia and the Pacific Islands, is used in folk medicine primarily to treat inflammation, immune-related diseases, stomach disorders, wound healing, and skin diseases.

    OBJECTIVES: This review exhaustively gathers available information on ethnopharmacological uses, phytochemistry, and bioactivity studies on more than 20 species of Premna and critically analyzes the reports to provide the perspectives and directions for future research for the plants as potential source of drug leads and pharmaceutical agents.

    METHODS: A literature search was performed on Premna species based on books of herbal medicine, major scientific databases including Chemical Abstract, Pubmed, SciFinder, Springerlink, Science Direct, Scopus, the Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ethnobotanical databases.

    RESULTS: More than 250 compounds have been isolated and identified from Premna species, comprising of diterpenoids, iridoid glycosides, and flavonoids as the most common secondary metabolites, followed by sesquiterpenes, lignans, phenylethanoids, megastigmanes, glyceroglycolipids, and ceramides. Many in vitro and in vivo studies have been conducted to evaluate the biological and pharmacological properties of the extracts, and isolated compounds of Premna species with antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antihyperglycaemia, and cytotoxic activities.

    CONCLUSION: The bioactive compounds responsible for the bioactivities of most plants have not been well identified as the reported in vivo pharmacological studies were mostly carried out on the crude extracts. The isolated bioactive components should also be further subjected to more preclinical studies and elaborate toxicity study before clinical trials can be pursued.

  17. Elendran S, Wang LW, Prankerd R, Palanisamy UD
    Pharm Biol, 2015;53(12):1719-26.
    PMID: 25853977 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2014.1003356
    Natural products play a vital role in the discovery of leads for novel pharmacologically active drugs. Geraniin (GE) was identified as the major compound in the rind of Nephelium lappaceum L. (Sapindaceae), while ellagic and gallic acids have been shown to be its main metabolites. GE and its metabolites possess a range of bioactive properties including being an anti-infective, anticarcinogenic, antihyperglycemic, and antihypertensive.
  18. George A, Udani JK, Yusof A
    Pharm Biol, 2019 Dec;57(1):145-153.
    PMID: 30922154 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2019.1585460
    CONTEXT: Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. and Thonn. (Euphorbiaceae) is traditionally known to improve general liver health. However, its effect on hangover is unknown.

    OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated PHYLLPRO™, a standardized ethanol extract of P. amarus leaves for protection against oxidative stress and recovery from hangover symptoms.

    MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten days daily oral supplementation of 750 mg/day followed by intoxication was evaluated in a randomized placebo-controlled (containing only excipient), crossover study in 15 subjects (21-50 years old), for oxidative stress, liver damage, alleviating hangover symptoms (Hangover Severity Score: HSS) and mood improvement (Profile-of-Mood-Scores: POMS).

    RESULTS: PHYLLPRO™ was able to remove blood alcohol in the active group while the placebo group still had 0.05% at 12 h post-intoxication (p  0.05) from baseline to hour 22 was reported in the placebo group using POMS. Significant anti-inflammatory group effect favouring the active group, by the upregulation of cytokines IL-8 (p = 0.0014) and IL-10 (p = 0.0492) and immunomodulatory effects via IL-12p70 (p = 0.0304) were observed. The incidence of adverse events was similar between groups indicating the safety of PHYLLPRO™.

    DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Preliminary findings of PHYLLPRO™ in managing hangover, inflammation and liver functions following intoxication, is demonstrated. Future studies on PHYLLPRO™ in protecting against oxidative stress and hangover in larger populations is warranted.

  19. Gnanaraj C, Shah MD, Makki JS, Iqbal M
    Pharm Biol, 2016 Aug;54(8):1420-33.
    PMID: 26810847 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2015.1104697
    Context The antioxidative properties of plants or plant derivative products are well known for their free radical scavenging effects. Flagellaria indica L. (Flagellariaceae) (FI) is a tropical medicinal plant used by the natives of Sabah as medication for semi-paralysis. Objective This study evaluates the hepatoprotective mechanism of FI against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-mediated liver damage. Materials and methods Aqueous extract of FI leaves was orally administered to adult Sprague-Dawley rats once daily for 14 consecutive days at 300, 400, and 500 mg/kg b.w. prior to CCl4 treatment (1.0 mL/kg b.w.) on the 13th and 14th days. Results Total phenolic content in the aqueous extract of FI leaves was 65.88 ± 1.84 mg gallic acid equivalent/g. IC50 value for free radical scavenging activity of FI aqueous extract was reached at the concentration of 400 μg/mL. Biochemical studies show that the aqueous extract of FI was able to prevent the increase in levels of serum transaminases, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase (38-74% recovery), and malondialdehyde formation (25-87% recovery) in a dose-dependent manner. Immunohistochemical results evidenced the suppression of oxidative stress markers (4-hydroxynonenal and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine) and pro-inflammatory markers (tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, prostaglandin E2). Histopathological and hepatocyte ultrastructural alterations proved that there were protective effects in FI against CCl4-mediated liver injury. Signs of toxicity were not present in rats treated with FI alone (500 mg/kg b.w.). Discussion and conclusion It can be concluded that the presence of phenolic constituents and their antioxidative effects can be credited to the hepatoprotective activity of FI.
  20. Hasan MM, Madhavan P, Ahmad Noruddin NA, Lau WK, Ahmed QU, Arya A, et al.
    Pharm Biol, 2023 Dec;61(1):1135-1151.
    PMID: 37497554 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2023.2230251
    CONTEXT: Arjunolic acid (AA) is a triterpenoid saponin found in Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight & Arn. (Combretaceae). It exerts cardiovascular protective effects as a phytomedicine. However, it is unclear how AA exerts the effects at the molecular level.

    OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the cardioprotective effects of arjunolic acid (AA) via MyD88-dependant TLR4 downstream signaling marker expression.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MTT viability assay was used to assess the cytotoxicity of AA. LPS induced in vitro cardiovascular disease model was developed in H9C2 and C2C12 myotubes. The treatment groups were designed such as control (untreated), LPS control, positive control (LPS + pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC)-25 µM), and treatment groups were co-treated with LPS and three concentrations of AA (50, 75, and 100 µM) for 24 h. The changes in the expression of TLR4 downstream signaling markers were evaluated through High Content Screening (HCS) and Western Blot (WB) analysis.

    RESULTS: After 24 h of co-treatment, the expression of TLR4, MyD88, MAPK, JNK, and NF-κB markers were upregulated significantly (2-6 times) in the LPS-treated groups compared to the untreated control in both HCS and WB experiments. Evidently, the HCS analysis revealed that MyD88, NF-κB, p38, and JNK were significantly downregulated in the H9C2 myotube in the AA treated groups. In HCS, the expression of NF-κB was downregulated in C2C12. Additionally, TLR4 expression was downregulated in both H9C2 and C2C12 myotubes in the WB experiment.

    DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: TLR4 marker expression in H9C2 and C2C12 myotubes was subsequently decreased by AA treatment, suggesting possible cardioprotective effects of AA.

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