Displaying publications 3381 - 3400 of 10390 in total

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  1. Inhibitors of the NF-kappaB activation pathway from Cryptocarya rugulosa
    Meragelman TL, Scudiero DA, Davis RE, Staudt LM, McCloud TG, Cardellina JH, et al.
    J Nat Prod, 2009 Mar 27;72(3):336-9.
    PMID: 19093800 DOI: 10.1021/np800350x
    The nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling pathway is constitutively active in many types of cancers and is a potential therapeutic target. Using a cell-based assay for stability of inhibitor of kappa B (IkappaB), a critical regulator of NF-kappaB activity, we found that an organic solvent extract of the plant Cryptocarya rugulosa inhibited constitutive NF-kappaB activity in human lymphoma cell lines. The active components were identified as rugulactone, a new alpha-pyrone (1), and the known cryptocaryone (2). Rugulactone was the more active compound, exhibiting up to 5-fold induction of IkappaB at 25 microg/mL; maximal activity was observed with 10 h exposure of test cells to 1 or 2.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/chemistry; Lactones/chemistry; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry*; Pyrones/chemistry; Plant Leaves/chemistry; Plant Stems/chemistry; Cryptocarya/chemistry*
  2. Application of artificial neural network for yield prediction of lipase-catalyzed synthesis of dioctyl adipate
    Abdul Rahman MB, Chaibakhsh N, Basri M, Salleh AB, Abdul Rahman RN
    Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 2009 Sep;158(3):722-35.
    PMID: 19132557 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-008-8465-z
    In this study, an artificial neural network (ANN) trained by backpropagation algorithm, Levenberg-Marquadart, was applied to predict the yield of enzymatic synthesis of dioctyl adipate. Immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B was used as a biocatalyst for the reaction. Temperature, time, amount of enzyme, and substrate molar ratio were the four input variables. After evaluating various ANN configurations, the best network was composed of seven hidden nodes using a hyperbolic tangent sigmoid transfer function. The correlation coefficient (R2) and mean absolute error (MAE) values between the actual and predicted responses were determined as 0.9998 and 0.0966 for training set and 0.9241 and 1.9439 for validating dataset. A simulation test with a testing dataset showed that the MAE was low and R2 was close to 1. These results imply the good generalization of the developed model and its capability to predict the reaction yield. Comparison of the performance of radial basis network with the developed models showed that radial basis function was more accurate but its performance was poor when tested with unseen data. In further part of the study, the feedforward backpropagation model was used for prediction of the ester yield within the given range of the main parameters.
    Matched MeSH terms: Adipates/chemistry*
  3. Fulltext Phenolic and theobromine contents of commercial dark, milk and white chocolates on the Malaysian market
    Meng CC, Jalil AM, Ismail A
    Molecules, 2009;14(1):200-9.
    PMID: 19127248 DOI: 10.3390/molecules14010200
    Chocolate contains a wide range of antioxidants that includes soluble phenolic compounds (phenolic acids, catechin, epicatechin, and proanthocyanidins), insoluble polymeric phenolics and methylxanthines. The objective of this study was to determine phenolic and theobromine contents in dark (DC), milk (MC), and white (WC) chocolates commonly found in the Malaysian marketplace. Total phenolic and flavonoids were determined by means of a spectrometric assay, while catechin, epicatechin and theobromine were quantified using a reverse-phase HPLC method. Dark chocolates exhibited the highest phenolics and flavonoids contents, followed by milk and white chocolates. Catechin and epicatechin were major flavonoids detected in dark chocolates. Theobromine was detected in dark and milk chocolates, but not in white chocolates. A high correlation (r= 0.93) between total phenolic and flavonoid contents, indicating that the major phenolic compounds in dark chocolates belong to the flavonoid class. When nutrition and health promotion are of concern, dark chocolates would be recommended over milk and white chocolates owing to their higher contents of antioxidant phenolic compounds.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cacao/chemistry*
  4. The monitoring of pesticides and alkylphenols in selected rivers in the State of Selangor, Malaysia
    Tan BL, Mustafa AM
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2004;16(1):54-63.
    PMID: 18839869
    Alkylphenols and most pesticides, especially organochlorine pesticides are endocrine-disrupting chemicals and they usually mimic the female hormone, estrogen. Using these chemicals in our environment would eventually lead us to consume them somehow in the food web. Several rivers in the State of Selangor, Malaysia were selected to monitor the level of alkylphenols and pesticides contamination for several months. The compounds were extracted from the water samples using liquid-liquid extraction method with dichloromethane and ethyl acetate as the extracting solvents. The alkylphenols and pesticides were analyzed by selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode using the quadrapole detector in Shimadzu QP-5000 gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GCMS). Recovery of most alkylphenols and pesticides were in the range of 50% to 120%. Trace amounts of the compounds were detected in the river water samples, mainly in the range of parts per trillion. This technique of monitoring the levels of endocrine-disruptors in river water is consistent and cost effective.
    Matched MeSH terms: Rivers/chemistry*
  5. Enzyme-linked amperometric electrochemical genosensor assay for the detection of PCR amplicons on a streptavidin-treated screen-printed carbon electrode
    Yean CY, Kamarudin B, Ozkan DA, Yin LS, Lalitha P, Ismail A, et al.
    Anal Chem, 2008 Apr 15;80(8):2774-9.
    PMID: 18311943 DOI: 10.1021/ac702333x
    A general purpose enzyme-based amperometric electrochemical genosensor assay was developed wherein polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons labeled with both biotin and fluorescein were detected with peroxidase-conjugated antifluorescein antibody on a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE). As a proof of principle, the response selectivity of the genosensor was evaluated using PCR amplicons derived from lolB gene of Vibrio cholerae. Factors affecting immobilization, hybridization, and nonspecific binding were optimized to maximize sensitivity and reduce assay time. On the basis of the background amperometry signals obtained from nonspecific organisms and positive signals obtained from known V. cholerae, a threshold point of 4.20 microA signal was determined as positive. Under the optimum conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) of the assay was 10 CFU/mL of V. cholerae. The overall precision of this assay was good, with the coefficient of variation (CV) being 3.7% using SPCE and intermittent pulse amperometry (IPA) as an electrochemical technique. The assay is sensitive, safe, and cost-effective when compared to conventional agarose gel electrophoresis, real-time PCR, and other enzyme-linked assays for the detection of PCR amplicons. Furthermore, the use of a hand-held portable reader makes it suitable for use in the field.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antibodies/chemistry; Biotin/chemistry; Carbon/chemistry*; Electrochemistry/methods*; Horseradish Peroxidase/chemistry; Hydrogen Peroxide/chemistry; Fluorescein/chemistry; Streptavidin/chemistry*
  6. Pterulamides I-VI, linear peptides from a Malaysian Pterula sp
    Lang G, Mitova MI, Cole AL, Din LB, Vikineswary S, Abdullah N, et al.
    J Nat Prod, 2006 Oct;69(10):1389-93.
    PMID: 17067148
    Six new linear peptides, pterulamides I-VI (1-6), were isolated from the fruiting bodies of a Malaysian Pterula species. The structures were elucidated by MS and 2D NMR experiments, and the absolute configurations of the constituent amino acids established using Marfey's method. The pterulamides are mainly assembled from nonpolar N-methylated amino acids and, most interestingly, have non-amino-acid N-terminal groups, among them the unusual cinnamoyl, (E)-3-methylsulfinylpropenoyl, and (E)-3-methylthiopropenoyl groups. Furthermore, pterulamides I-V are the first natural peptides with a methylamide C-terminus. Pterulamides I and IV are cytotoxic against the P388 cell line with IC50 values of 0.55 and 0.95 microg/mL (0.79 and 1.33 microM), respectively.
    Matched MeSH terms: Basidiomycota/chemistry*
  7. Thermal sintering: a novel technique in the design of gastroretentive floating tablets of propranolol HCl and its evaluation
    Meka VS, Songa AS, Nali SR, Battu JR, Kukati L, Kolapalli VR
    Invest Clin, 2012 Sep;53(3):223-36.
    PMID: 23248967
    The aim of the present investigation was to formulate thermally sintered floating tablets of propranolol HCl, and to study the effect of sintering conditions on drug release, as well as their in vitro buoyancy properties. A hydrophilic polymer, polyethylene oxide, was selected as a sintered polymer to retard the drug release. The formulations were prepared by a direct compression method and were evaluated by in vitro dissolution studies. The results showed that sintering temperature and time of exposure greatly influenced the buoyancy, as well as the dissolution properties. As the sintering temperature and time of exposure increased, floating lag time was found to be decreased, total floating time was increased and drug release was retarded. An optimized sintered formulation (sintering temperature 50 degrees C and time of exposure 4 h) was selected, based on their drug retarding properties. The optimized formulation was characterized with FTIR and DSC studies and no interaction was found between the drug and the polymer used.
    Matched MeSH terms: Chemistry, Pharmaceutical/methods*
  8. Verification of equations for incipient motion studies for a rigid rectangular channel
    Bong CH, Lau TL, Ghani AA
    Water Sci Technol, 2013;67(2):395-403.
    PMID: 23168641 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2012.580
    The current study aims to verify the existing equations for incipient motion for a rigid rectangular channel. Data from experimental work on incipient motion from a rectangular flume with two different widths, namely 0.3 and 0.6 m, were compared with the critical velocity value predicted by the equations of Novak & Nalluri and El-Zaemey. The equation by El-Zaemey performed better with an average discrepancy ratio value of 1.06 compared with the equation by Novak & Nalluri with an average discrepancy ratio value of 0.87. However, as the sediment deposit thickness increased, the equation by El-Zaemey became less accurate. A plot on the Shields Diagram using the experimental data had shown the significant effect of the sediment deposit thickness where, as the deposit becomes thicker, the dimensionless shear stress θ value also increased. A new equation had been proposed by incorporating the sediment deposit thickness. The new equation gave improved prediction with an average discrepancy ratio value of 1.02.
    Matched MeSH terms: Geologic Sediments/chemistry*
  9. Fulltext Synthesis and crystal structures of N-substituted pyrazolines
    Loh WS, Quah CK, Chia TS, Fun HK, Sapnakumari M, Narayana B, et al.
    Molecules, 2013 Feb 20;18(2):2386-96.
    PMID: 23429377 DOI: 10.3390/molecules18022386
    Four pyrazole compounds, 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-1-carbaldehyde (1), 5-(4-bromophenyl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-1-carbaldehyde (2), 1-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]ethanone (3) and 1-[3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]propan-1-one (4), have been prepared by condensing chalcones with hydrazine hydrate in the presence of aliphatic acids, namely formic acid, acetic acid and propionic acid. The structures were characterized by X-ray single crystal structure determination. The dihedral angles formed between the pyrazole and the fluoro-substituted rings are 4.64(7)° in 1, 5.3(4)° in 2 and 4.89(6)° in 3. In 4, the corresponding angles for molecules A and molecules B are 10.53(10)° and 9.78(10)°, respectively.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pyrazoles/chemistry*
  10. A labdane diterpene glucoside from the rhizomes of Curcuma mangga
    Abas F, Lajis NH, Shaari K, Israf DA, Stanslas J, Yusuf UK, et al.
    J Nat Prod, 2005 Jul;68(7):1090-3.
    PMID: 16038556
    A new labdane diterpene glucoside, curcumanggoside (1), together with nine known compounds, including labda-8(17),12-diene-15,16-dial (2), calcaratarin A (3), zerumin B (4), scopoletin, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin, 1,7-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,4,6-heptatrien-3-one, curcumin, and p-hydroxycinnamic acid, have been isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma mangga. Their structures were determined using a combination of 1D (1H NMR, 13C NMR, DEPT) and 2D (COSY, HSQC, HMBC) NMR techniques. All diarylheptanoids and scopoletin showed significant antioxidant activity. Zerumin B, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin, and curcumin also exhibited cytotoxic activity against a panel of five human tumor cell lines.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/chemistry; Antioxidants/chemistry; Diterpenes/chemistry; Glucosides/chemistry; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry*; Rhizome/chemistry; Curcuma/chemistry*
  11. ent-Dioncophylleine A and related dehydrogenated naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids, the first Asian dioncophyllaceae-type alkaloids, from the "new"plant species Ancistrocladus benomensis
    Bringmann G, Dreyer M, Kopff H, Rischer H, Wohlfarth M, Hadi HA, et al.
    J Nat Prod, 2005 May;68(5):686-90.
    PMID: 15921410
    Three new fully dehydrogenated naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids, the 7,1'-coupled ent-dioncophylleine A (3a), the likewise 7,1'-coupled 5'-O-demethyl-ent-dioncophylleine A (4), and the 7,8'-linked dioncophylleine D (5), have been isolated from the leaves of the recently described Malaysian highland liana Ancistrocladusbenomensis. All of them lack an oxygen function at C-6; this so-called Dioncophyllaceae-type structural subclass had previously been found only in naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids from West and Central African plants. Moreover, compounds 3a and 4 are the first fully dehydrogenated, i.e., only axially chiral, naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids of this type that are optically active; compound 5, by contrast, is fully racemic, due to its configurationally unstable biaryl axis. The structural elucidation was achieved by spectroscopic and chiroptical methods. Biological activities of these alkaloids against different protozoan parasites are described.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alkaloids/chemistry*; Antimalarials/chemistry; Isoquinolines/chemistry; Naphthalenes/chemistry; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry*; Trypanocidal Agents/chemistry; Plant Leaves/chemistry
  12. Determination of heavy metal contents by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) in some medicinal plants from Pakistani and Malaysian origin
    Akram S, Najam R, Rizwani GH, Abbas SA
    Pak J Pharm Sci, 2015 Sep;28(5):1781-7.
    PMID: 26408897
    This study depicts a profile of existence of heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd, Hg, Mn, Fe, Na, Ca, and Mg) in some important herbal plants like (H. Integrifolia, D. regia, R. communis, C. equisetifolia, N. oleander, T. populnea, M. elengi, H. schizopetalus, P. pterocarpum) from Pakistan and an antidiabetic Malaysian herbal drug product containing (Punica granatum L. (Mast) Hook, Momordica charantia L., Tamarindus indica L., Lawsonia inermis L.) using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Heavy metals in these herbal plants and Malaysian product were in the range of 0.02-0.10 ppm of Cu, 0.00-0.02 ppm of Ni, 0.02-0.29 ppm of Zn, 0.00-0.04 ppm of Cd, 0.00-1.33 ppm of Hg, 0.00-0.54 ppm of Mn, 0.22-3.16 ppm of Fe, 0.00-9.17 ppm of Na, 3.27-15.63 ppm of Ca and 1.85-2.03 ppm of Mg. All the metals under study were within the prescribed limits except mercury. Out of 10 medicinal plants/product under study 07 were beyond the limit of mercury permissible limits. Purpose of this study is to determine heavy metals contents in selected herbal plants and Malaysian product, also to highlight the health concerns related to the presence of toxic levels of heavy metals.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plants, Medicinal/chemistry*
  13. Fulltext Purification and Characterization of Bacteriocin Produced by Weissella confusa A3 of Dairy Origin
    Goh HF, Philip K
    PLoS One, 2015;10(10):e0140434.
    PMID: 26474074 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140434
    A dramatic increase in bacterial resistance towards currently available antibiotics has raised worldwide concerns for public health. Therefore, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as a promisingly new group of therapeutic agents for managing infectious diseases. The present investigation focusses on the isolation and purification of a novel bacteriocin from an indigenous sample of cow milk and it's mode of action. The bacteriocin was isolated from Weissella confusa A3 that was isolated from the sample and was shown to have inhibitory activity towards pathogenic bacteria namely Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Micrococcus luteus. The bacteriocin was shown to be heat stable and functioned well at low pH (2 to 6). Reduction of activity was shown after treatment with proteinase K, trypsin and peptidase that confirmed the proteinaceous nature of the compound. MALDI-TOF analysis of the sample gave a mass approximating 2.7 kDa. The membrane of the bacteria was disrupted by the bacteriocin causing SYTOX® green dye to enter the cell and bind to the bacterial DNA giving fluorescence signal. Bacterial cell treated with the bacteriocin also showed significant morphological changes under transmission electron microscope. No virulence and disease related genes can be detected from the genome of the strain.
    Matched MeSH terms: Weissella/chemistry*
  14. Fulltext InterRNA: a database of base interactions in RNA structures
    Appasamy SD, Hamdani HY, Ramlan EI, Firdaus-Raih M
    Nucleic Acids Res, 2016 Jan 4;44(D1):D266-71.
    PMID: 26553798 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv1186
    A major component of RNA structure stabilization are the hydrogen bonded interactions between the base residues. The importance and biological relevance for large clusters of base interactions can be much more easily investigated when their occurrences have been systematically detected, catalogued and compared. In this paper, we describe the database InterRNA (INTERactions in RNA structures database-http://mfrlab.org/interrna/) that contains records of known RNA 3D motifs as well as records for clusters of bases that are interconnected by hydrogen bonds. The contents of the database were compiled from RNA structural annotations carried out by the NASSAM (http://mfrlab.org/grafss/nassam) and COGNAC (http://mfrlab.org/grafss/cognac) computer programs. An analysis of the database content and comparisons with the existing corpus of knowledge regarding RNA 3D motifs clearly show that InterRNA is able to provide an extension of the annotations for known motifs as well as able to provide novel interactions for further investigations.
    Matched MeSH terms: RNA/chemistry*
  15. Fulltext Chemopreventive and immunomodulatory effects of Murraya koenigii aqueous extract on 4T1 breast cancer cell-challenged mice
    Yeap SK, Abu N, Mohamad NE, Beh BK, Ho WY, Ebrahimi S, et al.
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2015;15:306.
    PMID: 26335427 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-015-0832-z
    The progression of breast cancer is increasing at an alarming rate, particularly in western countries. Meanwhile, the lower incidence in Asian countries could be attributed to the heavy incorporation of green leaves vegetables or spices in their diets. Murraya koenigii (MK) or often times known as curry leaves are common spice used mostly in tropical countries. Anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive effects of MK aqueous extract on 4T1 breast cancer cell-challenged mice were evaluated.
    Matched MeSH terms: Murraya/chemistry*
  16. Born-Oppenheimer Molecular Dynamics Study on Proton Dynamics of Strong Hydrogen Bonds in Aspirin Crystals, with Emphasis on Differences between Two Crystal Forms
    Brela MZ, Wójcik MJ, Witek ŁJ, Boczar M, Wrona E, Hashim R, et al.
    J Phys Chem B, 2016 04 28;120(16):3854-62.
    PMID: 27045959 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.6b01601
    In this study, the proton dynamics of hydrogen bonds for two forms of crystalline aspirin was investigated by the Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics (BOMD) method. Analysis of the geometrical parameters of hydrogen bonds using BOMD reveals significant differences in hydrogen bonding between the two crystalline forms of aspirin, Form I and Form II. Analysis of the trajectory for Form I shows spontaneous proton transfer in cyclic dimers, which is absent in Form II. Quantization of the O-H stretching modes allows a detailed discussion on the strength of hydrogen-bonding interactions. The focal point of our study is examination of the hydrogen bond characteristics in the crystal structure and clarification of the influence of hydrogen bonding on the presence of the two crystalline forms of aspirin. In the BOMD method, thermal motions were taken into account. Solving the Schrödinger equation for the snapshots of 2D proton potentials, extracted from MD, gives the best agreement with IR spectra. The character of medium-strong hydrogen bonds in Form I of aspirin was compared with that of weaker hydrogen bonds in aspirin Form II. Two proton minima are present in the potential function for the hydrogen bonds in Form I. The band contours, calculated by using one- and two-dimensional O-H quantization, reflect the differences in the hydrogen bond strengths between the two crystalline forms of aspirin, as well as the strong hydrogen bonding in the cyclic dimers of Form I and the medium-strong hydrogen bonding in Form II.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aspirin/chemistry*
  17. Fulltext Improved Method for the Qualitative Analyses of Palm Oil Carotenes Using UPLC
    Ng MH, Choo YM
    J Chromatogr Sci, 2016 Apr;54(4):633-8.
    PMID: 26941414 DOI: 10.1093/chromsci/bmv241
    Palm oil is the richest source of natural carotenes, comprising 500-700 ppm in crude palm oil (CPO). Its concentration is found to be much higher in oil extracted from palm-pressed fiber, a by-product from the milling of oil palm fruits. There are 11 types of carotenes in palm oil, excluding the cis/trans isomers of some of the carotenes. Qualitative separation of these individual carotenes is particularly useful for the identification and confirmation of different types of oil as the carotenes profile is unique to each type of vegetable oil. Previous studies on HPLC separation of the individual palm carotenes reported a total analyses time of up to 100 min using C30 stationary phase. In this study, the separation was completed in <5 min. The qualitative separation was successfully carried out using a commonly used stationary phase, C18.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plant Oils/chemistry*
  18. Conflicting reports on the role of the glycemic effect of Catha edulis (Khat): A systematic review and meta-analysis
    Alsalahi A, Alshawsh MA, Mohamed R, Alyousefi NA, Alshagga MA, Shwter AN, et al.
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2016 Jun 20;186:30-43.
    PMID: 27025406 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.03.045
    ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Traditionally, the leaves of Catha edulis Forsskal (Khat) are consumed by the people of Yemen primarily for its recreational effect, and secondarily, for achieving certain tasks. Additionally, Yemeni diabetics chew such leaves in the belief that this can control their elevated blood glucose level.

    AIMS: This review focuses on outlining the findings of studies that have been conducted to display the glycemic effect of Catha edulis, while trying to balance it with findings of the association of its chewing with the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: The search strategy adopted was based on a comprehensive research in Medline, PubMed, Web of Science, JSTOR, Scopus and Cochrane for articles, proceeding abstracts and theses to identify complete reports written in the English language about the glycemic effect of Catha edulis in humans and animals from 1976 to 2016. In addition, bibliographies were also reviewed to find additional reports not otherwise published. Thirty seven records were identified of which, 25 eligible studies were included in the meta-analysis using blood glucose as an outcome measurement. Studies were divided into four subgroups according to the experimental model, namely; non-diabetic animals, diabetic animals, non-diabetic humans and diabetic humans. The pooled mean difference (MD) of blood glucose between experimental and control were calculated using random effects model of the weighted mean difference of blood glucose with 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity between studies was tested using I(2) statistic and a value of P<0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.

    RESULTS: The scientific reports in the literature prevailed that the glycemic effect of Catha edulis were greatly conflicting with the majority of studies indicating that Catha edulis has a mild hypoglycemic effect. However, the meta-analysis indicted that the overall result showed an insignificant reduction in blood glucose (MD=-9.70, 95% CI: -22.17 to 2.76, P=0.13, with high heterogeneity between subgroups, I(2)=88.2%, P<0.0001). In addition, pooled mean difference of blood glucose of non-diabetic animals, diabetic animals and non-diabetic humans showed an insignificant reduction in blood glucose (MD=-18.55, 95% CI: -39.55 to 2.50, P<0.08, MD=-52.13%, 95% CI: -108.24 to 3.99, P=0.07 and MD=-2.71%, 95% CI: -19.19 to -13.77, P=0.75) respectively. Conversely, a significant elevation in the pooled mean difference of blood glucose in diabetic humans was indicated (MD=67.18, 95% CI: 36.93-97.43, P<0.0001). The conflict shown in the glycemic effect of Catha edulis is thought to be cultivar-related, while demographic and epidemiological reports suggested that chewing Catha edulis might be a predisposing factor contributing to the development of type 2 DM.

    CONCLUSION: It was difficult to draw a meaningful conclusion from both the systematic and the meta-analysis with respect to the glycemic effect of Catha edulis since the meta-analysis results were insignificant with high heterogeneity among subgroups and are greatly conflicting. The variation is most likely due to unadjusted experimental factors or is related to Catha edulis itself, such as the differences in the phytochemical composition. Therefore, it is highly recommended that further studies of the glycemic effect of the cultivar of Catha edulis being studied should come with the identification and quantification of phytochemical content so that a meaningful assessment can be made with regard to its hypoglycemic properties. In addition, well-controlled clinical studies should be conducted to confirm whether or not chewing Catha edulis is associated with the development of type 2 DM, since this would be a source of concern seeing that the plant is widely consumed in certain populations.

    Matched MeSH terms: Catha/chemistry*
  19. SELEX Modifications and Bioanalytical Techniques for Aptamer-Target Binding Characterization
    Tan SY, Acquah C, Sidhu A, Ongkudon CM, Yon LS, Danquah MK
    Crit Rev Anal Chem, 2016 Nov;46(6):521-37.
    PMID: 26980177 DOI: 10.1080/10408347.2016.1157014
    The quest to improve the detection of biomolecules and cells in health and life sciences has led to the discovery and characterization of various affinity bioprobes. Libraries of synthetic oligonucleotides (ssDNA/ssRNA) with randomized sequences are employed during Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX) to select highly specific affinity probes called aptamers. With much focus on the generation of aptamers for a variety of target molecules, conventional SELEX protocols have been modified to develop new and improved SELEX protocols yielding highly specific and stable aptamers. Various techniques have been used to analyze the binding interactions between aptamers and their cognate molecules with associated merits and limitations. This article comprehensively reviews research advancements in the generation of aptamers, analyses physicochemical conditions affecting their binding characteristics to cellular and biomolecular targets, and discusses various field applications of aptameric binding. Biophysical techniques employed in the characterization of the molecular and binding features of aptamers to their cognate targets are also discussed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aptamers, Nucleotide/chemistry*
  20. Fulltext Bioactive Constituents of Zanthoxylum rhetsa Bark and Its Cytotoxic Potential against B16-F10 Melanoma Cancer and Normal Human Dermal Fibroblast (HDF) Cell Lines
    Santhanam RK, Ahmad S, Abas F, Safinar Ismail I, Rukayadi Y, Tayyab Akhtar M, et al.
    Molecules, 2016 May 24;21(6).
    PMID: 27231889 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21060652
    Zanthoxylum rhetsa is an aromatic tree, known vernacularly as "Indian Prickly Ash". It has been predominantly used by Indian tribes for the treatment of many infirmities like diabetes, inflammation, rheumatism, toothache and diarrhea. In this study, we identified major volatile constituents present in different solvent fractions of Z. rhetsa bark using GC-MS analysis and isolated two tetrahydrofuran lignans (yangambin and kobusin), a berberine alkaloid (columbamine) and a triterpenoid (lupeol) from the bioactive chloroform fraction. The solvent fractions and purified compounds were tested for their cytotoxic potential against human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) and mouse melanoma (B16-F10) cells, using the MTT assay. All the solvent fractions and purified compounds were found to be non-cytotoxic to HDF cells. However, the chloroform fraction and kobusin exhibited cytotoxic effect against B16-F10 melanoma cells. The presence of bioactive lignans and alkaloids were suggested to be responsible for the cytotoxic property of Z. rhetsa bark against B16-F10 cells.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alkaloids/chemistry; Furans/chemistry; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Lignans/chemistry; Plant Bark/chemistry; Zanthoxylum/chemistry*; Benzodioxoles/chemistry
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