Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 56 in total

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  1. 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.

  2. Hussain MS, Azam F, Ahamed KF, Ravichandiran V, Alkskas I
    Pharm Biol, 2016 Apr;54(4):628-36.
    PMID: 26428681 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2015.1070877
    Hygrophila auriculata (K. Schum) Heine (Acanthaceae) has been traditionally used for the treatment of various ailments such as inflammation, rheumatism, jaundice and malaria.
  3. Mah SH, Teh SS, Ee GC
    Pharm Biol, 2017 Dec;55(1):920-928.
    PMID: 28152649 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2017.1285322
    CONTEXT: Sida (Malvaceae) has been used as a traditional remedy for the treatment of diarrhoea, malarial, gastrointestinal dysentery, fevers, asthma and inflammation.

    OBJECTIVES: This study evaluates the anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic and anti-cholinergic activities of Sida rhombifolia Linn. whole plant for the first time.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: S. rhombifolia whole plant was extracted by n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol using Soxhlet apparatus. The plant extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant (DPPH, FIC and FRAP), anti-inflammatory (NO and protein denaturation inhibitions), cytotoxic (MTT) and anti-cholinesterase (AChE) properties in a range of concentrations to obtain IC50 values. GC-MS analysis was carried out on the n-hexane extract.

    RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The ethyl acetate extract exhibited the most significant antioxidant activities by scavenging DPPH radicals and ferrous ions with EC50 of 380.5 and 263.4 μg/mL, respectively. In contrast, the n-hexane extract showed the strongest anti-inflammatory activity with IC50 of 52.16 and 146.03 μg/mL for NO and protein denaturation inhibition assays, respectively. The same extract also revealed the strongest effects in anti-cholinesterase and cytotoxic tests at the concentration of 100 μg/mL, AChE enzyme inhibition was 58.55% and human cancer cells, SNU-1 and Hep G2 inhibition was 68.52% and 47.82%, respectively. The phytochemicals present in the n-hexane extract are palmitic acid, linoleic acid and γ-sitosterol.

    CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed that the n-hexane extract possessed relatively high pharmacological activities in anti-inflammation, cytotoxicity and anti-cholinesterase assays. Thus, further work on the detail mechanism of the bioactive phytochemicals which contribute to the biological properties are strongly recommended.

  4. Kumar S, Alagawadi KR
    Pharm Biol, 2013 May;51(5):607-13.
    PMID: 23363068 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2012.757327
    Context: Alpinia galanga Willd (Zingiberaceae) (AG) is a rhizomatous herb widely cultivated in shady regions of Malaysia, India, Indochina and Indonesia. It is used in southern India as a domestic remedy for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, cough, asthma, obesity, diabetes, etc. It was reported to have anti-obesity, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties.

    Objective: A flavonol glycoside, galangin, was isolated from AG rhizomes. Based on its in vitro pancreatic lipase inhibitory effect, the study was further aimed to clarify whether galangin prevented obesity induced in female rats by feeding cafeteria diet (CD) for 6 weeks.

    Materials and methods: The in vitro pancreatic lipase inhibitory effect of galangin was determined by measuring the release of oleic acid from triolein. For in vivo experiments, female albino rats were fed CD with or without 50 mg/kg galangin for 6 weeks. Body weight and food intake was measured at weekly intervals. On day 42, serum lipids levels were estimated and then the weight of liver and parametrial adipose tissue (PAT) was determined. The liver lipid peroxidation and triglyceride (TG) content was also estimated.

    Results: The IC50 value of galangin for pancreatic lipase was 48.20 mg/mL. Galangin produced inhibition of increased body weight, energy intake and PAT weight induced by CD. In addition, galangin produced a significant decrease in serum lipids, liver weight, lipid peroxidation and accumulation of hepatic TGs.

    Conclusion: Galangin present in AG rhizomes produces anti-obesity effects in CD-fed rats; this may be mediated through its pancreatic lipase inhibitory, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities.
  5. Hossan MS, Jindal H, Maisha S, Samudi Raju C, Devi Sekaran S, Nissapatorn V, et al.
    Pharm Biol, 2018 Dec;56(1):201-208.
    PMID: 29529970 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2018.1446030
    CONTEXT: The resistance of bacteria to antibiotics is raising serious concern globally. Asian medicinal plants could improve the current treatment strategies for bacterial infections. The antibacterial properties of medicinal plants used by the Khyang tribe in Bangladesh have not been investigated.

    OBJECTIVE: The present study examines the antibacterial properties of 18 medicinal plants used by the Khyang tribe in day-to-day practice against human pathogenic bacteria.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Leaves, bark, fruits, seeds, roots and rhizomes from collected plants were successively extracted with hexane, ethyl acetate and ethanol. The corresponding 54 extracts were tested against six human pathogenic bacteria by broth microdilution assay. The antibacterial mode of actions of phytoconstituents and their synergistic effect with vancomycin and cefotaxime towards MRSA was determined by time-killing assay and synergistic interaction assay, respectively.

    RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Hexane extract of bark of Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J. Presl. (Lauraceae) inhibited the growth of MRSA, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii with MIC values below 100 µg/mL. From this plant, cinnamaldehyde evoked at 4 × MIC in 1 h an irreversible decrease of MRSA count Log10 (CFU/mL) from 6 to 0, and was synergistic with vancomycin for MRSA with fractional inhibitory concentration index of 0.3.

    CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides evidence that the medicinal plants in Bangladesh have high potential to improve the current treatment strategies for bacterial infection.

  6. Md Nasir NL, Kamsani NE, Mohtarrudin N, Othman F, Md Tohid SF, Zakaria ZA
    Pharm Biol, 2017 Dec;55(1):2102-2109.
    PMID: 28872373 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2017.1371769
    CONTEXT: Leaves of Muntingia calabura (Elaeocarpaceae) are widely used in traditional medical practice; scientific findings show various pharmacological activities. However, its anticancer effect has not been investigated thoroughly yet.

    OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to study the chemoprevention effects of MEMCL against azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon cancer and to examine the involvement of endogenous antioxidants Materials and methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats, divided into five groups (n = 7), were injected intraperitoneally once weekly for 2 weeks with 15 mg/kg AOM, except for the normal group (received saline). The animals were then administered orally for 8 weeks with 8% Tween-80 (vehicle; normal group), 8% Tween-80 (vehicle; cancer group) or, 50, 250 or 500 mg/kg MEMC. After treatments, colon samples were collected from each rat for the histopathological analysis, quantification of aberrant crypt foci formed and determination of colon antioxidant levels. MEMC was also subjected to HPLC analysis.

    RESULTS: The extract exerted significant (p 

  7. Sule A, Ahmed QU, Latip J, Samah OA, Omar MN, Umar A, et al.
    Pharm Biol, 2012 Jul;50(7):850-6.
    PMID: 22587518 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2011.641021
    Andrographis paniculata Nees. (Acanthaceae) is an annual herbaceous plant widely cultivated in southern Asia, China, and Europe. It is used in the treatment of skin infections in India, China, and Malaysia by folk medicine practitioners.
  8. Sulaiman MR, Zakaria ZA, Mohamad AS, Ismail M, Hidayat MT, Israf DA, et al.
    Pharm Biol, 2010 Aug;48(8):861-8.
    PMID: 20673172 DOI: 10.3109/13880200903302820
    Alpinia conchigera Griff. (Zingiberaceae), locally known to the Malays as "lengkuas ranting", is native to Peninsular Malaysia. The Malays traditionally used it to treat infection and rashes, and as a health drink. This study evaluated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the ethanol extract of A. conchigera rhizomes in mice and rats, respectively. The analgesic activity was elucidated using the acetic acid-induced writhing test, hot plate test, and formalin test, while the anti-inflammatory activity was determined using carrageenan-induced paw edema. The extract (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg) given intraperitoneally (i.p.) exhibited antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities in all tests used. The range of percentage of analgesia obtained for all doses of extract in the writhing test was 50-92%, and in the early and late phases of the formalin test was 25-62% and 63-98%, respectively. In addition, naloxone (5 mg/kg) given subcutaneously (s.c.) was found to reverse the extract (300 mg/kg)-induced antinociceptive activity in the writhing, hot plate, and formalin tests. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that the ethanol extract of A. conchigera rhizomes possessed a peripheral and central antinociceptive activity that was mediated, in part, via the opioid receptor, as well as anti-inflammatory activity.
  9. Torey A, Sasidharan S, Latha LY, Sudhakaran S, Ramanathan S
    Pharm Biol, 2010 Oct;48(10):1119-23.
    PMID: 20738154 DOI: 10.3109/13880200903490505
    To investigate the in vitro antioxidant activity of methanol extracts of Ixora coccinea L. (Rubiaceae) flower, leaf and stem.
  10. Shah MD, Gnanaraj C, Haque AT, Iqbal M
    Pharm Biol, 2015 Jan;53(1):31-9.
    PMID: 25243876 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2014.909502
    Nephrolepis biserrata L. (Nephrolepidaceae) has been used in folk medicine for protection against different diseases.
  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. Hisam EE, Zakaria ZA, Mohtaruddin N, Rofiee MS, Hamid HA, Othman F
    Pharm Biol, 2012 Dec;50(12):1498-507.
    PMID: 22954284 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2012.685945
    CONTEXT: Bauhinia purpurea L. (Fabaceae) is a native plant species of many Asian countries, including Malaysia and India. In India, the root, stem, bark, and leaf of B. purpurea are used to treat various ailments, including ulcers and stomach cancer.
    OBJECTIVE: In an attempt to establish its pharmacological potential, we studied the antiulcer activity of lipid-soluble extract of B. purpurea obtained via extraction of air-dried leaves using chloroform.
    MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rats were administered the chloroform extract (dose range of 100-1000 mg/kg) orally after 24 h fasting. They were subjected to the absolute ethanol- and indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer, and pyloric ligation assays after 30 min. The acute toxicity study was conducted using a single oral dose of 5000 mg/kg extract and the rats were observed for the period of 14 days. omeprazole (30 mg/kg) was used as the standard control.
    RESULTS: At 5000 mg/kg, the extract produced no sign of toxicity in rats. The extract exhibited significant (p < 0.05) dose-dependent antiulcer activity for the ethanol-induced model. The extract also significantly (p < 0.05) increased the gastric wall mucus production and pH of gastric content, while significantly (p < 0.05) reducing the total volume and total acidity of the gastric content in the pylorus ligation assay.
    DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The extract possesses antiulcer, antisecretory and cytoprotective activities, which could be attributed to its flavonoid and tannin content. These findings provide new information regarding the potential of lipid-soluble compounds of B. purpurea for the prevention and treatment of gastric ulcers.
  13. 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.

  14. 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 

  15. Wong TW, Sumiran N, Mokhtar MT, Kadir A
    Pharm Biol, 2012 Nov;50(11):1463-6.
    PMID: 22889006 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2012.679985
    In oral insulin delivery, blood glucose profiles of a subject can be a function of complicated transfer of water and insulin between gastrointestinal and blood compartments.
  16. Kamisah Y, Periyah V, Lee KT, Noor-Izwan N, Nurul-Hamizah A, Nurul-Iman BS, et al.
    Pharm Biol, 2015;53(9):1243-9.
    PMID: 25853965 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2014.971383
    Virgin coconut oil (VCO) contains high antioxidant activity which may have protective effects on the heart in hypertensive rats.
  17. 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.

  18. Salleh WM, Ahmad F, Yen KH, Zulkifli RM
    Pharm Biol, 2016;54(2):322-30.
    PMID: 25880146 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2015.1037003
    The ethnopharmacological study of Beilschmiedia indicates that several species are used for the treatment of various ailments.
  19. Teoh PL, Cheng AY, Liau M, Lem FF, Kaling GP, Chua FN, et al.
    Pharm Biol, 2017 Dec;55(1):394-401.
    PMID: 27931178
    CONTEXT: Clinacanthus nutans Lindau (Acanthaceae) is a medicinal plant that has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial and antivenom activities. In Malaysia, it has been widely claimed to be effective in various cancer treatments but scientific evidence is lacking.

    OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the chemical constituents, anti-proliferative, and apoptotic properties of C. nutans root extracts.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: The roots were subjected to solvent extraction using methanol and ethyl acetate. The anti-proliferative effects of root extracts were tested at the concentrations of 10 to 50 μg/mL on MCF-7 and HeLa by using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay for 72 h. Morphological changes were observed under light microscope. Pro-apoptotic effects of root extracts were examined using flow cytometric analysis and RT-PCR. The chemical compositions of root extracts were detected using GC-MS.

    RESULTS: The proliferation of MCF-7 cells was inhibited with the IC50 values of 35 and 30 μg/mL, respectively, for methanol and ethyl acetate root extracts. The average inhibition of HeLa cells was ∼25%. Induction of apoptosis in MCF-7 was supported by chromatin condensation, down-regulation of BCL2 and unaltered expression of BAX. However, only ethyl acetate extract caused the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. GC-MS analysis revealed the roots extracts were rich with terpenoids and phytosterols.

    DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that root extracts promote apoptosis by suppressing BCL2 via mitochondria-dependent or independent manner. The identified compounds might work solely or cooperatively in regulating apoptosis. However, further studies are required to address this.

  20. 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 

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