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Fulltext Molecular characterization of pathogenic Fusarium species in cucurbit plants from Kermanshah province, Iran

Chehri K, Salleh B, Yli-Mattila T, Reddy KR, Abbasi S

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2011 Oct;18(4):341-51.
PMID: 23961146 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2011.01.007

Fusarium is one of the important phytopathogenic genera of microfungi causing serious losses on cucurbit plants in Kermanshah province, the largest area of cucurbits plantation in Iran. Therefore, the objectives in this study were to isolate and identify disease-causing Fusarium spp. from infected cucurbit plants, to ascertain their pathogenicity, and to determine their phylogenetic relationships. A total of 100 Fusarium isolates were obtained from diseased cucurbit plants collected from fields in different geographic regions in Kermanshah province, Iran. According to morphological characters, all isolates were identified as Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium proliferatum, Fusarium equiseti, Fusarium semitectum and Fusarium solani. All isolates of the five Fusarium spp. were evaluated for their pathogenicity on healthy cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and honeydew melon (Cucumis melo) seedlings in the glasshouse. F. oxysporum caused damping-off in 20-35 days on both cucurbit seedlings tested. Typical stem rot symptoms were observed within 15 days after inoculation with F. solani on both seedlings. Based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, the five Fusarium species were divided into two major groups. In particular, isolates belonging to the F. solani species complex (FSSC) were separated into two RFLP types. Grouping among Fusarium strains derived from restriction analysis was in agreement with criteria used in morphological classification. Therefore, the PCR-ITS-RFLP method provides a simple and rapid procedure for the differentiation of Fusarium strains at species level. This is the first report on identification and pathogenicity of major plant pathogenic Fusarium spp. causing root and stem rot on cucurbits in Iran.
Fulltext Batch culture and repeated-batch culture of Cunninghamella bainieri 2A1 for lipid production as a comparative study

Dashti MG, Abdeshahian P

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2016 Mar;23(2):172-80.
PMID: 26980997 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2015.02.006

This research was performed based on a comparative study on fungal lipid production by a locally isolated strain Cunninghamella bainieri 2A1 in batch culture and repeated-batch culture using a nitrogen-limited medium. Lipid production in the batch culture was conducted to study the effect of different agitation rates on the simultaneous consumption of ammonium tartrate and glucose sources. Lipid production in the repeated-batch culture was studied by considering the effect of harvesting time and harvesting volume of the culture broth on the lipid accumulation. The batch cultivation was carried out in a 500 ml Erlenmeyer flask containing 200 ml of the fresh nitrogen-limited medium. Microbial culture was incubated at 30 °C under different agitation rates of 120, 180 and 250 rpm for 120 h. The repeated-batch culture was performed at three harvesting times of 12, 24 and 48 h using four harvesting cultures of 60%, 70%, 80% and 90%. Experimental results revealed that nitrogen source (ammonium tartrate) was fully utilized by C. bainieri 2A1 within 24 h in all agitation rates tested. It was also observed that a high amount of glucose in culture medium was consumed by C. bainieri 2A1 at 250 rpm agitation speed during the batch fermentation. Similar results showed that the highest lipid concentration of 2.96 g/L was obtained at an agitation rate of 250 rpm at 120 h cultivation time with the maximum lipid productivity of 7.0 × 10(-2) mg/ml/h. On the other hand, experimental results showed that the highest lipid concentration produced in the repeated-batch culture was 3.30 g/L at the first cycle of 48 h harvesting time using 70% harvesting volume, while 0.23 g/L gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) was produced at the last cycle of 48 h harvesting time using 80% harvesting volume.
Fulltext Effect of feeding pineapple waste on growth performance, texture quality and flesh colour of nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings

Anis Mohamad Sukri S, Andu Y, Tuan Harith Z, Sarijan S, Naim Firdaus Pauzi M, Seong Wei L, et al.

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2022 Apr;29(4):2514-2519.
PMID: 35531242 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.12.027

The study aims to evaluate the effects of pineapples waste on the growth, texture quality and flesh colour of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings. Fingerlings were fed with four different levels of pineapple waste diets throughout 56 days, which contain a control group (Diet 1) and experimental diets that formulated with 10% (Diet 2), 20% (Diet 3) and 30% (Diet 4) of pineapple waste. The experimental diet was formulated with rice bran, fish meal, soybean meal, vitamin and mineral premix, vegetable oil and binder to attain 32% dietary protein. The results revealed that the formulated fish diet with pineapple waste given the optimum weight gain, weight gain percentage, specific growth rate than the control group, where Diet 4 has shown the highest value (p
Fulltext Antioxidant, anticancer, apoptosis properties and chemical composition of black truffle Terfezia claveryi

Dahham SS, Al-Rawi SS, Ibrahim AH, Abdul Majid AS, Abdul Majid AMS

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2018 Dec;25(8):1524-1534.
PMID: 30591773 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2016.01.031

Desert truffles are seasonal and important edible fungi that grow wild in many countries around the world. Truffles are natural food sources that have significant compositions. In this work, the antioxidant, chemical composition, anticancer, and antiangiogenesis properties of the Terfezia claveryi truffle were investigated. Solvent extractions of the T. claveryi were evaluated for antioxidant activities using (DPPH, FRAP and ABTS methods). The extracts cytotoxicity on the cancer cell lines (HT29, MCF-7, PC3 and U-87 MG) was determined by MTT assay, while the anti-angiogenic efficacy was tested using ex-vivo assay. All extracts showed moderate anticancer activities against all cancer cells (p
Fulltext Recombinant Human erythropoietin reduces viability of MCF-7 breast cancer cells from 3D culture without caspase activation

ShujaaEdin HY, Al-Haj NA, Rasedee A, Alitheen NB, Kadir AA, How CW, et al.

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2021 Apr;28(4):2549-2557.
PMID: 33935571 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.01.059

Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) is the erythropoiesis-stimulating hormone that is being used concurrently with chemotherapeutic drugs in the treatment of anemia of cancer. The effect of rHuEPO on cancer cells in 3-dimensional (3D) cultures is not known. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of rHuEPO on the viability of MCF-7 breast cancer cells from 2-dimensional (2D) and 3D cell cultures. The monolayer MCF-7 cells from 2D culture and MCF-7 cell from 3D culture generated by ultra-low adhesive microplate technique, were treated with 0, 0.1, 10, 100 or 200 IU/mL rHuEPO for 24, 48 or 72 h. The effects of rHuEPO on MCF-7 cell viability and proliferation were determined using the (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay (MTT), neutral red retention time (NRRT), trypan blue exclusion assay (TBE), DNA fragmentation, acridine orange/propidium iodide staining (AO/PI) assays. The MCF-7 cells for 3D culture were also subjected to caspase assays and cell cycle analysis using flow cytometry. rHuEPO appeared to have greater effect at lowering the viability of MCF-7 cells from 3D than 2D cultures. rHuEPO significantly (p
Fulltext A comprehensive review of cystic fibrosis in Africa and Asia

Abubakar Bobbo K, Ahmad U, Chau DM, Nordin N, Abdullah S

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2023 Jul;30(7):103685.
PMID: 37313453 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2023.103685

Cystic fibrosis (CF) was earlier thought to be a disease prevalent in the West among Caucasians. However, quite a number of recent studies have uncovered CF cases outside of this region, and reported hundreds of unique and novel variant forms of CFTR. Here, we discuss the evidence of CF in parts of the world earlier considered to be rare; Africa, and Asia. This review also highlighted the CFTR mutation variations and new mutations discovered in these regions. This discovery implies that the CF data from these regions were earlier underestimated. The inadequate awareness of the disease in these regions might have contributed towards the poor diagnostic facilities, under-diagnosis or/and under-reporting, and the lack of CF associated health policies. Overall, these regions have a high rate of infant, childhood and early adulthood mortality due to CF. Therefore, there is a need for a thorough investigation of CF prevalence and to identify unique and novel variant mutations within these regions in order to formulate intervention plans, create awareness, develop mutation specific screening kits and therapies to keep CF mortality at bay.
Fulltext Antihyperlipidemic potential of diosmin in Swiss Albino mice with high-fat diet induced hyperlipidemia

Firdous SM, Hazra S, Gopinath SCB, El-Desouky GE, Aboul-Soud MAM

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2021 Jan;28(1):109-115.
PMID: 33424287 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.08.040

The aim of this study was to investigate the antihyperlipidemic potential of Diosmin (DS) in mice fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). Animals were divided in five groups (n = 6). The total duration of the study was 90 days split into two intervals. During the first 45-day interval, mice were administered with HFD, whereas during the second 45-day interval they were co-administered HFD plus DS or the standard drug atorvastatin. DS was administered at the dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg;p.o. DS treatment to HFD-induced hyperlipidemic mice caused significant decrements in the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C and VLDL-C. Moreover, DS resulted in significant increase in the levels of HDL-C and improvements in total protein levels, whereas it caused remarkable decreases in SGOT, SGPT and ALP enzymatic activities in hyperlipidemic mice. Histopathological examination of hyperlipidemic mice revealed a disorganized hepatic tissue, fatty changes, and mononuclear cell infiltration, which were all ameliorated by DS administration. The results revealed that DS possesses potential ameliorating benefits again.st hyperlipidemia induced by HFD on lipid profile, liver function enzymes and hepatic histoarchitecture. Further investigations are highly recommended and clinical trials are warranted in order to assess the efficacy and to fully dissect the mode-of-action underpinning the observed antihyperlipidemic effect of DS.
Fulltext In vitro and in silico studies of the potential cytotoxic, antioxidant, and HMG CoA reductase inhibitory effects of chitin from Indonesia mangrove crab (Scylla serrata) shells

Fajriaty I, Fidrianny I, Kurniati NF, Fauzi NM, Mustafa SH, Adnyana IK

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2024 May;31(5):103964.
PMID: 38500815 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2024.103964

This study aimed to characterize chitin extracted from Indonesia mangrove crab (Scylla serrata) shells, as well as to assess its in vitro cytotoxic, antioxidant, and HMG CoA reductase inhibitory potentials. In silico molecular docking, molecular dynamic, and ADMET prediction analyses were also carried out. Chitin was extracted from mangrove crab shells using deproteination and demineralization processes, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) characterization are then performed. The MTT method was further tested in a study of cell viability, while in vitro method was used to assess HMG CoA reductase inhibitory and antioxidant activities. The extracted chitin was found to have a moderate level of cytotoxic and antioxidant activities. In vitro studies showed that it has an IC50 of 36,65 ± 0,082 μg/mL as an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor, and decreased enzyme activity by 68.733 % at 100 μg/mL as a concentration. Furthermore, in the in silico study, chitin showed a strong affinity to several targets, including HMG CoA reductase, HMG synthase, LDL receptor, PPAR-alfa, and HCAR-2 with binding energies of -5.7; -5.8; -3.6; -5.6; -4.6 kcal/mol, respectively. Based on the ADMET properties, it had non-toxic molecules, which were absorbed and distributed across the blood-brain barrier. The molecular dynamics (MD) simulation also showed that it remained stable in the active sites of HMG CoA reductase receptor for 100 ns. These results indicated that chitin from Indonesian mangrove crab shells can be used to develop more potent HMG CoA reductase inhibitor with antioxidant and cytotoxic activities for effective dyslipidemia therapy.
Fulltext Antibiotic resistance profiling and phenotyping of Aeromonas species isolated from aquatic sources

Odeyemi OA, Ahmad A

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2017 Jan;24(1):65-70.
PMID: 28053573 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2015.09.016

This study aimed to investigate antibiotics resistance pattern and phenotyping of Aeromonas species isolated from different aquatic sources in Melaka, Malaysia. A total of 53 Aeromonas species were isolated from the following sources: sediment (n = 13), bivalve (n = 10), sea cucumber (n = 16) and sea water (n = 14) and resistance to 12 antibiotics - Tetracycline (30 μg), Kanamycin (30 μg), Oxytetracycline (30 μg), Ampicillin (10 μg), Streptomycin (10 μg), Gentamicin (10 μg), Sulphamethoxazole (25 μg), Nalixidic acid (30 μg), Trimethoprim (1.25 μg), Novobiocin (5 μg), Penicilin (10 μg) and Chloramphenicol (10 μg) was tested. The results obtained from this study reveal multi drug resistance pattern among the isolates. All the isolates were completely resistant to Ampicillin, Novobiocin, Sulphamethoxazole and Trimethoprim, respectively but susceptible to Tetracycline (100%), Kanamycin (5.7%), Gentamicin (5.7%) and Oxytetracycline (24.5%). Antibiotics phenotyping of the bacteria revealed 21 different phenotypes among the isolates.
Fulltext Current strategies and perspectives in detection and control of basal stem rot of oil palm

Siddiqui Y, Surendran A, Paterson RRM, Ali A, Ahmad K

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2021 May;28(5):2840-2849.
PMID: 34012325 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.02.016

The rapid expansion of oil palm (OP) has led to its emergence as a commodity of strategic global importance. Palm oil is used extensively in food and as a precursor for biodiesel. The oil generates export earnings and bolsters the economy of many countries, particularly Indonesia and Malaysia. However, oil palms are prone to basal stem rot (BSR) caused by Ganoderma boninense which is the most threatening disease of OP. The current control measures for BSR management including cultural practices, mechanical and chemical treatment have not proved satisfactory. Alternative control measures to overcome the G. boninense problem are focused on the use of biological control agents and many potential bioagents were identified with little proven practical application. Planting OP varieties resistant to G. boninense could provide the ideal long-term solution to basal stem rot. The total resistance of palms to G. boninense has not yet been reported, and few examples of partial resistances have been observed. Importantly, basidiospores are now recognized as the method by which the disease is spread, and control methods require to be revaluated because of this phenomenon. Many methods developed to prevent the spread of the disease effectively are only tested at nursery levels and are only reported in national journals inhibiting the development of useful techniques globally. The initial procedures employed by the fungus to infect the OP require consideration in terms of the physiology of the growth of the fungus and its possible control. This review assesses critically the progress that has been made in BSR development and management in OP.
Fulltext Periodicity computation of generalized mathematical biology problems involving delay differential equations

Jasim Mohammed M, Ibrahim RW, Ahmad MZ

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2017 Mar;24(3):737-740.
PMID: 28386204 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.01.050

In this paper, we consider a low initial population model. Our aim is to study the periodicity computation of this model by using neutral differential equations, which are recognized in various studies including biology. We generalize the neutral Rayleigh equation for the third-order by exploiting the model of fractional calculus, in particular the Riemann-Liouville differential operator. We establish the existence and uniqueness of a periodic computational outcome. The technique depends on the continuation theorem of the coincidence degree theory. Besides, an example is presented to demonstrate the finding.
Socio demographic and lifestyle factors of metabolic syndrome among adult rural indigenous Malaysian population from Perak State, Malaysia

Sugathan S, Ali O, Myint Soe M, Ismail S, Ahmad W

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2021 Aug;28(8):4818-4824.
PMID: 34354471 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.05.011

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined as a cluster of known disorders that increase the risk for morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus. This cross sectional study was carried out to estimate the prevalence of MetS using Adult Treatment Panel 3 (ATP 3) classification and socio-demographic and lifestyle factors contributing to metabolic syndrome among rural indigenous Malaysian population from Perak state, Malaysia which included 148 rural Malay and 145 Orang Asli(OA) individuals. This community based cross-sectional study revealed that the prevalence of MetS was significantly higher among Malays (27.7%) as compared to Orang Aslis (13.8%). Overall Prevalence of Metabolic syndrome in the rural indigenous Malaysian population was 20.8%. Prevalence of abdominal obesity and high blood pressure were significantly higher among Malays as compared to OA population. Metabolic syndrome was significantly higher among those above 45 years of age group in overall rural indigenous Malaysian population and among OA. The prevalence of MetS was significantly higher among those who were obese and overweight and among Malays who were regularly taking snacks between meals. There was no significant association between other dietary risk factors, smoking, alcohol use or physical activity with metabolic syndrome.
Fulltext Medical professionalism videos on YouTube: Content exploration and appraisal of user engagement

Ahmad T, Sattar K, Akram A

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2020 Sep;27(9):2287-2292.
PMID: 32884409 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.06.007

Background: Social media has become the fastest growing platform for sharing and retrieving information and knowledge, and YouTube is one of the most popular and growing sources of health and educational information video-sharing website. But, videos on this open platform are not peer-assessed, therefore, the accessible data should be adequately assessed. Till date, no exploration and analysis for assessing the credibility and usefulness of Medical professionalism videos available on YouTube are conducted.
Objective: To analyze the video sources, contents and quality of YouTube videos about the topic of medical professionalism.
Methods: A systematic search was accomplished on YouTube videos during the period between March 1, 2020 and March 27, 2020. The phrases as significant words used throughout YouTube web search were 'Professionalism in Medical Education', Professionalism in medicine', 'Professionalism of medical students', 'Professionalism in healthcare'. 'Teaching professionalism', 'Attributes of professionalism'. The basic information collected for each video included author's/publisher's name, total number of watchers, likes, dislikes and positive and undesirable remarks. The videos were categorized into educationally useful and useless established on the content, correctness of the knowledge and the advices. Different variables were measured and correlated for the data analysis.YouTube website was searched the using keywords 'Professionalism in Medical Education', Professionalism in medicine', 'Professionalism of medical students', 'Professionalism in healthcare'. 'Teaching professionalism', and 'Attributes of professionalism'.
Results: After 2 rounds of screening by the subject experts and critical analysis of all the 137 YouTube videos, only 41 (29.92%) were identified as pertinent to the subject matter, i.e., educational type. After on expert viewing these 41 videos established upon our pre-set inclusion/exclusion criteria, only 17 (41.46%) videos were found to be academically valuable in nature.
Conclusion: Medical professionalism multimedia videos uploaded by the healthcare specialists or organizations on YouTube provided reliable information for medical students, healthcare workers and other professional. We conclude that YouTube is a leading and free online source of videos meant for students or other healthcare workers yet the viewers need to be aware of the source prior to using it for training learning.
Fulltext Mathematical model for adaptive evolution of populations based on a complex domain

Ibrahim RW, Ahmad MZ, Al-Janaby HF

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2016 Jan;23(1):S45-9.
PMID: 26858564 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2015.09.012

A mutation is ultimately essential for adaptive evolution in all populations. It arises all the time, but is mostly fixed by enzymes. Further, most do consider that the evolution mechanism is by a natural assortment of variations in organisms in line for random variations in their DNA, and the suggestions for this are overwhelming. The altering of the construction of a gene, causing a different form that may be communicated to succeeding generations, produced by the modification of single base units in DNA, or the deletion, insertion, or rearrangement of larger units of chromosomes or genes. This altering is called a mutation. In this paper, a mathematical model is introduced to this reality. The model describes the time and space for the evolution. The tool is based on a complex domain for the space. We show that the evolution is distributed with the hypergeometric function. The Boundedness of the evolution is imposed by utilizing the Koebe function.
Fulltext Recombinant human Erythropoietin enhanced the cytotoxic effects of tamoxifen toward the spheroid MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Shujaa Edin HY, Al-Haj NA, Rasedee A, Banu Alitheen N, Abdul Kadir A, Wun How C, et al.

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2021 Sep;28(9):5214-5220.
PMID: 34466099 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.05.043

Erythropoietin (EPO) is widely used to treat anemia in patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancers. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of rHuEPO on the response of spheroid breast cancer, MCF-7, cells to tamoxifen treatment. The MCF-7 spheroids were treated with 10 mg/mL tamoxifen in combination with either 0, 10, 100 or 200 IU/mL rHuEPO for 24, 48 or 72 h. The viability of the MCF-7 cells was determined using the annexin-V, cell cycle, caspases activation and acridine orange/propidium iodide staining. rHuEPO-tamoxifen combination significantly (p greater than 0.05) increased the number of spheroid MCF-7 cells entering early apoptotic phase after 12 h and late apoptotic phase after 24 h of treatment; primarily the result of the antiproliferative effect tamoxifen. Tamoxifen alone significantly (p
Fulltext Effect of fetal bovine serum on erythropoietin receptor expression and viability of breast cancer cells

Teo GY, Rasedee A, Al-Haj NA, Beh CY, How CW, Rahman HS, et al.

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2020 Feb;27(2):653-658.
PMID: 32210684 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2019.11.032

Erythropoietin receptors (EPORs) are present not only in erythrocyte precursors but also in non-hematopoietic cells including cancer cells. In this study, we determined the effect of fetal bovine serum (FBS) in culture medium on the EPOR expression and viability of the estrogen receptor (ER)-positive MCF-7 and ER-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Using flow cytometry, we showed that the inclusion of 10% FBS in the medium increased the EPOR expressions and viabilities of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. The MDA-MB-231 showed greater EPOR expression than MCF-7 cells, suggesting that the presence of ERs on cells is associated with poor expression of EPOR. Culture medium containing 10% FBS also caused increased number of breast cancer cells entering the synthesis phase of the cell cycle. The study also showed that rHuEPO treatment did not affect viability of breast cancer cells. In conclusion, it was shown that the inclusion of FBS in culture medium increased expression of EPOR in breast cancer cells and rHuEPO treatment had no effect on the proliferation of these cancer cells.
Fulltext Size and time-dependent induction of proinflammatory cytokines expression in brains of mice treated with gold nanoparticles

Khan HA, Alamery S, Ibrahim KE, El-Nagar DM, Al-Harbi N, Rusop M, et al.

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2019 Mar;26(3):625-631.
PMID: 30899181 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2018.09.012

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are among the ideal nano-sized materials for medical applications such as imaging and drug delivery. Considering the significance of recent reports on acute phase induction of inflammatory mediators by GNPs, we studied the effect of GNPs on proinflammatory cytokines gene expression in mouse brain. Group 1 served as control whereas groups 2-4 were given only one intraperitoneal dose of 5, 20 and 50 nm GNPs, respectively and sacrificed after 24 h. The animals in groups 5-7 also received the same treatment but sacrificed after 7 days. Groups 8-10 received two injections of GNPs (5, 20 and 50 nm, respectively), first at the beginning of study and second on day 6, and sacrificed on day 7. Total RNA was extracted from the cerebral tissue and analyzed for the gene expressions of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. A single injection of 5 nm diameter GNPs significantly increased the mRNA expression of IL-1β and IL-6 in mouse brain on day 7, which was not augmented by the second dose of the same GNPs. Larger size GNPs (20 nm and 50 nm) did not cause any significant change in the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in mouse brain. In conclusion, systemic administration of small sized GNPs (5 nm) induced a proinflammatory cascade in mouse brain indicating a crucial role of GNPs size on immune response. It is important to use the right sized GNPs in order to avoid an acute phase inflammatory response that could be cytotoxic or interfere with the bioavailability of nanomaterials.
Cathinone: An alkaloid of Catha edulis (Khat) exacerbated hyperglycemia in diabetes-induced rats

Alsalahi A, Chik Z, Mohamed Z, Giribabu N, Alshawsh MA

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2021 Aug;28(8):4633-4643.
PMID: 34354450 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.04.072

Cathinone, the main bioactive alkaloid of Catha edulis (khat), slightly increased the blood sugar levels of healthy animals, while its effect on blood sugar levels of diabetic animals has not yet been reported. This study investigated the in vitro inhibition of cathinone on α-amylase and α-glucosidase as well as its in vivo glycemic effects in diabetes-induced rats. Rats were fed on a high fat diet for five weeks, which then intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin (30 mg/kg). Diabetic rats were distributed randomly into diabetic control (DC, n = 5), 10 mg/kg glibenclamide-treated group (DG, n = 5), and 1.6 mg/kg cathinone-treated group (CAD, n = 5). Additional healthy untreated rats (n = 5) served as a nondiabetic negative control group. Throughout the experiment, fasting blood sugar (FBS), caloric intake and body weight were recorded weekly. By the 28th day of treatment, rats were euthanized to obtain blood samples and pancreases. The results demonstrated that cathinone exerted a significantly less potent in vitro inhibition than α-acarbose against α-amylase and α-glucosidase. As compared to diabetic control group, cathinone significantly increased FBS of diabetic rats, while insulin levels of diabetic rats significantly decreased. In conclusion, cathinone was unable to induce a substantial in vitro inhibition on α-amylase and α-glucosidase, while it exacerbated the hyperglycemia of diabetes-induced rats.
Fulltext Interleukin-35 and Thymoquinone nanoparticle-based intervention for liver protection against paracetamol-induced liver injury in rats

Abduh MS, Saghir SAM, Al-Gabri NA, Ahmeda AF, Abdelkarim M, Aldaqal SM, et al.

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2023 Oct;30(10):103806.
PMID: 37766887 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2023.103806

Paracetamol (PAR) is a commonly used antipyretic and analgesic agent, but its excessive usage can induce liver damage and major health consequences. Interleukin-35 (IL-35) is utilized to treat immunological disorders, intestinal illness, arthritis, allergic disease, hepatitis, and cancer. Thymoquinone (THYO) is also effective against a wide range of disorders. Consequently, this study sought out to explore the ameliorative effects of IL-35 and THYO against PAR-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Sixty male rats were separated into six groups (10 rats/group): I control (0.5 mL NaCl, 0.9%/rat via oral gavage); II (IL-35), and III (TYHO) received intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of IL-35 (200 ng/kg) or THYO (0.5 mg/kg), respectively. Group IV (PAR) received 600 mg/kg of PAR orally; V (PAR + IL-35) and VI (PAR + TYHO); rats received 600 mg/kg of PAR orally and i.p injection of IL-35 (200 ng/kg) or THYO (0.5 mg/kg), respectively. Administration of IL-35 or THYO markedly mitigated the increasing in the levels of liver parameters triggered by PAR and noticeable enhancement of antioxidant and immunological markers were observed. Additionally, IL-35 or THYO decreased TNF-α, NF-κB, IL-10, IL-6 and IFN-γ in contrast to the PAR control group. Moreover, levels of Capase-3, and cytochrome C were significantly reduced by THYO or IL35, while, levels of Bcl-2 were markedly increased. Furthermore, significant downregulation of IL1-β, TNF-α, TGF-β, and Caspas-3 genes, as well as significant upregulation of Bcl-2 and IL-10 expression were detected. In conclusion, IL-35 and THYO insulated liver from PAR toxicity by mitigating oxidative stress, tissue damage, inflammation, and apoptosis.
Fulltext Pharmacological and pharmacognostical valuation of Canna indica leaves extract by quantifying safety profile and neuroprotective potential

Chigurupati S, Abdul Rahman Alharbi N, Sharma AK, Alhowail A, Vardharajula VR, Vijayabalan S, et al.

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2021 Oct;28(10):5579-5584.
PMID: 34588868 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.05.072

The current study primarily focused on the pharmacognostical and phytochemical screening of Canna indica and further analyzing the leaves extract for toxicological profile and neuroprotective potential. The microscopic, dry powder properties of the leaf material and phytochemical, physicochemical analysis was evaluated for pharmacognostical assessment. Dry leaves of C. indica were extracted using methanol and then further studied for both in vitro and in vivo toxicological study. The acute toxicity was measured by estimating the antioxidant defense system and anatomical impairment in the rat's organs. Also, the neuroprotective activity of the plant extract was assessed using anticholinesterase enzymatic inhibitory assay. The extract was found to be hemocompatible and showed absences of induction of behavioural changes. Likewise, no changes were seen on the anatomical structure of the rat's organs. The methanolic extract portrayed a significant upsurge in the reduced glutathione level and showed a comparable acetylcholinesterase inhibition in a dosedependent manner with an IC50 value of 14.53 μg/mL compared to the standard Donepezil with an IC50 value of 13.31 μg/mL. C. indica has compelling pharmacognostical characteristics, good safety reports, and significant antioxidant as well as the neuroprotective potential that shows great potential for its further in-depth research for pharmacological use.

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