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Fulltext A review of medicinal plant of Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region as source in tuberculosis drug discovery

Dehyab AS, Bakar MFA, AlOmar MK, Sabran SF

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2020 Sep;27(9):2457-2478.
PMID: 32884430 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.07.007

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that affects one-third of the world's population. Although currently available TB drugs have many side effects, such as nausea, headache and gastrointestinal discomfort, no new anti-TB drugs have been produced in the past 30 years. Therefore, the discovery of a new anti-TB agent with minimal or no side effects is urgently needed. Many previous works have reported the effects of medicinal plants against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). However, none have focused on medicinal plants from the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) region. This review highlights the effects of medicinal plants from the MENA region on TB. Medicinal plants from the MENA region have been successfully used as traditional medicine and first aid against TB related problems. A total of 184 plants species representing 73 families were studied. Amongst these species, 93 species contained more active compounds with strong anti-MTB activity (crude extracts and/or bioactive compounds with activities of 0-100 µg/ml). The extract of Inula helenium, Khaya senegalensis, Premna odorata and Rosmarinus officinalis presented the strongest anti-MTB activity. In addition, Boswellia papyrifera (Del) Hochst olibanum, Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh leaves (river red gum), Nigella sativa (black cumin) seeds and genus Cymbopogon exhibited anti-TB activity. The most potent bioactive compounds included alantolactone, octyl acetate, 1,8-cineole, thymoquinone, piperitone, α- verbenol, citral b and α-pinene. These compounds affect the permeability of microbial plasma membranes, thus kill the mycobacterium spp. As a conclusion, plant species collected from the MENA region are potential sources of novel drugs against TB.
Fulltext Charaterization of mosquito larval habitats in Qatar

Alkhayat FA, Ahmad AH, Rahim J, Dieng H, Ismail BA, Imran M, et al.

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2020 Sep;27(9):2358-2365.
PMID: 32884417 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.07.006

Mosquito borne diseases have remained a grave threat to human health and are posing a significant burden on health authorities around the globe. The understanding and insight of mosquito breeding habitats features is crucial for their effective management. Comprehensive larval surveys were carried out at 14 sites in Qatar. A total of 443 aquatic habitats were examined, among these 130 were found positive with Culex pipiens, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. mattinglyi, Ochlerotatus dorsalis, Oc. caspius and Anopheles stephensi. The majority of positive breeding habitats were recorded in urban areas (67.6%), followed by livestock (13.8%), and least were in agriculture (10.7%). An. stephensi larvae were positively correlated with Cx. pipien, Cx. quinquefasciatus, and negatively with water salinity. Large and shaded habitats were the most preferred by An. stephensi. In addition, Cx. pipiens was positively associated with the turbidity and pH, and was negatively associated with vegetation and habitat size. A negative association of Cx. quinquefasciatus with dissolved oxygen, water temperature, and salinity, while positive with habitat surface area was observed. Oc. dorsalis was negatively correlated with pH, water temperature, depth, and habitat surface area, whereas salinity water was more preferable site for females to lay their eggs. These results demonstrate that environmental factors play a significant role in preference of both anopheline and culicine for oviposition, while their effective management must be developed as the most viable tool to minimize mosquito borne diseases.
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 Organochlorines and organophosphates susceptibility of Aedes albopictus Skuse larvae from agricultural and non-agricultural localities in Peninsular Malaysia

Wan-Norafikah O, Chen CD, Sofian-Azirun M

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2021 Jan;28(1):1010-1016.
PMID: 33424394 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.11.040

Aedes albopictus larvae obtained from different types of agricultural and non-agricultural localities in Peninsular Malaysia were subjected to several larvicides at World Health Organization (WHO) recommended dosages. Upon 24 h of WHO larval bioassay using two organochlorines and six organophosphates, high resistance against dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), temephos, chlorpyrifos and bromophos were demonstrated among all larval populations. Aedes albopictus larvae from both paddy growing areas (92.33% mortality) and rubber estates (97.00% mortality) were moderately resistant to dieldrin while only Ae. albopictus larvae from dengue prone residential areas (89.00% mortality) showed high resistance against dieldrin. All Ae. albopictus larval populations also developed either incipient or high resistance to both malathion (33.67%-95.33% mortality) and fenitrothion (73.00%-92.67% mortality). Only Ae. albopictus larvae from fogging-free residential areas that were tolerant to fenthion (97.33% mortality), whereas Ae. albopictus larvae from dengue prone residential areas were highly resistant to the same organophosphate (88.33% mortality). Cross resistance between intraclass and interclass larvicides of organochlorines and organophosphates were also exhibited in this study. The present study provided baseline data on various susceptibility levels of Ae. albopictus larval populations from different types of agricultural and non-agricultural localities against organochlorines and organophosphates at WHO recommended dosages. Nevertheless, further susceptibility investigations are suggested using revised doses of larvicides established from the local reference strain of Ae. albopictus to prevent the underestimation or overestimation of insecticide resistance level among Ae. albopictus field strains of larvae.
Fulltext Protective effect of mangiferin on memory impairment: A systematic review

Lum PT, Sekar M, Gan SH, Pandy V, Bonam SR

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2021 Jan;28(1):917-927.
PMID: 33424383 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.11.037

Memory impairment (MI) is one of the predominant criteria generally used to identify schizophrenia, dementia and amnesia that are associated with neurodegenerative disorders by evaluating patient's cognitive symptoms. To date, there is no available treatment that can completely mitigate MI. Currently, there is a trend in recent investigations towards symptomatic therapy approaches using a variety of natural compounds. Mangiferin is one of them that have been investigated extensively. Mangiferin is a naturally occurring potent glucoxilxanthone and is mainly isolated from the Mangifera indica (Mango) plant. This review is aimed at providing a comprehensive overview on the efficacy of mangiferin on MI, based on in-vivo animal studies. After screening through articles identified from Scopus and PubMed based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 11 articles between 2009 and 2019 were included. The minimum and maximum dose of mangiferin were 10 and 200 mg/kg respectively and administered over the period of 12-154 days. The results of 11 articles showed that mangiferin effectively improved spatial recognition, episodic aversive events, short- and long-term memories primarily occurring via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The outcomes of the review revealed that mangiferin improves memory and cognitive impairment in different animal models, indicating that it has potential preventive and therapeutic roles in MI.
Fulltext Development of unit cost for the health services offered at King FAHD Central hospital Jazan, Saudi Arabia

Ghilan K, Mehmood A, Ahmed Z, Nahari A, Almalki MJ, Jabour AM, et al.

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2021 Jan;28(1):643-650.
PMID: 33424351 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.10.055

Background: Efficiency remains one of the most important drivers of decision making in health care system. Fund allocators need to receive structured information about the cost healthcare services from hospitals for better decisions related to resource allocation and budgeting. The objective of the study was to estimate the unit cost for health services offered to inpatients in King Fahd Central hospital (KFCH) Jazan during the financial year 2018.
Methods: We applied a retrospective approach using a top-down costing method to estimate the cost of health care services. Clinical and Administrative departments divided into cost centres, and the unit cost was calculated by dividing the total cost of final care cost centres into the total number of patients discharged in one year. The average cost of inpatient services was calculated based on the average cost of each ward and the number of patients treated.
Results: The average cost per patient stayed in KFCH was SAR 19,034, with the highest cost of SAR 108,561 for patients in the Orthopedic ward. The average cost of the patient in the Surgery ward, Plastic surgery, Neurosurgery, Medical ward, Pediatric ward and Gynecology ward was SAR 33,033, SAR 29,425, SAR 23,444, SAR 20,450, SAR 9579 and SAR 8636 respectively.
Conclusion: This study provides necessary information about the cost of health care services in a tertiary care setting. This information can be used as a primary tool and reference for further studies in other regions of the country. Hence, this data can help to provide a better understanding of tertiary hospital costing in the region to achieve the privatization objective.
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 Lentinula edodes (shiitake mushroom): An assessment of in vitro anti-atherosclerotic bio-functionality

Rahman MA, Abdullah N, Aminudin N

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2018 Dec;25(8):1515-1523.
PMID: 30581314 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2016.01.021

Mushrooms have been highly regarded as possessing enormous nutritive and medicinal values. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-oxidative and anti-atherosclerotic potential of shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) using its solvent-solvent partitioned fractions that consisted of methanol:dichloromethane (M:DCM), hexane (HEX), dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EA) and aqueous residue (AQ). The hexane fraction (1 mg/mL) mostly scavenged (67.38%, IC50 0.55 mg/mL) the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical, contained the highest reducing capacity (60.16 mg gallic acid equivalents/g fraction), and most potently inhibited lipid peroxidation (67.07%), low density lipo-protein oxidation and the activity of 3-hydroxy 3-methyl glutaryl co-enzyme A reductase (HMGR). GC-MS analyses of the hexane fraction identified α-tocopherol (vitamin E), oleic acid, linoleic acid, ergosterol and butyric acid as the bio-functional components present in L. edodes. Our findings suggest that L. edodes possesses anti-atherosclerotic bio-functionality that can be applied as functional food-based therapeutics against cardiovascular diseases.
Fulltext In vitro effects of multi-purpose contact lens disinfecting solutions towards survivability of Acanthamoeba genotype T4 in Malaysia

Mohd Hussain RH, Afiqah WN, Abdul Ghani MK, Khan NA, Siddiqui R, Anuar TS

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2021 Apr;28(4):2352-2359.
PMID: 33911949 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.01.030

The incidence of Acanthamoeba keratitis has been increasing since the previous decades, especially among contact lens users. This infection is majorly caused by the use of ineffective contact lens disinfecting solution. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro effects of multi-purpose disinfecting solutions (MPDS) against Acanthamoeba trophozoites and cysts. Acanthamoeba genotype T4 isolated from contact lens paraphernalia and an environmental strains were propagated for trophozoite or cyst-containing culture and adjusted in final concentration of 1 × 105 cells/ml. Amoebicidal and cysticidal assays were conducted by incubating trophozoites and cysts with OPTI-FREE® Express®, ReNu® Fresh™, Complete® Multi-Purpose Solution and AVIZOR Unica® Sensitive according to the manufacturer's minimum recommended disinfectant time (MMRDT) for up to 12 h at 30 ⁰C. Trypan blue hemocytometer-based microscopic counts determined amoebicidal and cysticidal effects. The viability of Acanthamoeba trophozoites and cysts was confirmed by re-inoculated them in the 1.5% non-nutrient agar plates. It was found that none of the MPDS showed amoebicidal and cysticidal effects during the MMRDT. However, OPTI-FREE® Express® demonstrated a significant differences in average cell reduction for both stages within MMRDT. When subjected to 12 h exposure, both OPTI-FREE® Express® and ReNu® Fresh™ led to significant reduction in the number of trophozoite and cyst cells. Notably, Complete® Multi-Purpose Solution and AVIZOR Unica® Sensitive did appreciably improve the solution effectiveness towards trophozoite cells when incubated for 12 h. All MPDS were largely ineffective, with 100% survival of all isolates at MMRDT, while OPTI-FREE® Express® showed limited amoebicidal activity against the contact lens paraphernalia isolate, however, it was more against the environmental strains after 12 h incubation time. The commercially available MPDS employed in this research offered minimal effectiveness against the protozoa despite the contact time. Improvement or development of new solution should consider the adjustment of the appropriate disinfectant concentration, adequate exposure time or the incorporation of novel chemical elements, which are effective against Acanthamoeba for accelerated disinfecting and more reduction of potential exposure of contact lens users to Acanthamoeba keratitis.
Fulltext Efficacy of choline and DHA supplements or enriched environment exposure during early adult obesity in mitigating its adverse impact through aging in rats

Prabhu GS, Prasad K, K G MR, Rai KS

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2021 Apr;28(4):2396-2407.
PMID: 33911955 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.01.037

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of choline and DHA or exposure to environmental enrichment in obese adult and aging rats on alterations in body mass index, serum lipid profile and arterial wall changes, despite stopping high fat diet consumption and interventions during adulthood.
Methods: 21 day old male Sprague Dawley rats were assigned as Experiment-1 & 2 - PND rats were divided into 4 groups with interventions for 7 months (n = 8/group). NC- Normal control fed normal chow diet; OB- Obese group, fed high fat diet; OB + CHO + DHA- fed high fat diet and oral supplementation of choline, DHA. OB + EE- fed high fat diet along with exposure to enriched environment .Experiment-2 had similar groups and interventions as experiment 1 but for next 5 months were fed normal chow diet without any interventions. Body mass index was assessed and blood was analyzed for serum lipid profile. Common Carotid Artery (CCA) was processed for Haematoxylin and eosin, Verhoff Vangeison stains. Images of tissue sections were analyzed and quantified using image J and tissue quant software.
Results: In experiment.1, mean body mass index (p
Fulltext Species-specific identification of porcine blood plasma in heat-treated chicken meatballs

Shahimi S, Abd Mutalib S, Ismail N, Elias A, Hashim H, Kashim MIAM

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2021 Apr;28(4):2447-2452.
PMID: 33911957 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.01.043

This study was conducted to detect the presence of chicken and porcine DNA in meatballs using mitochondria DNA (mtDNA) of cytochrome b (cyt b) and nuclear DNA (nDNA) short interspersed nuclear element (SINE) species-specific primers, respectively. While, the mtDNA primers targeted transfer RNA-ATP8 (tRNA-ATP8) gene was used for 1 and 5% (w/w) chicken meatball spiked with commercial porcine blood plasm. Chicken meatballs spiked with 1% and 5% (v/w) fresh and commercial porcine blood plasma, respectively were prepared and heat-treated using five (n = 5) cooking methods: boiling, pan-frying, roasting, microwaving and autoclaving. Two pairs of mtDNA and nDNA primers used, produced 129 and 161 bp amplicons, respectively. Whereas, tRNA-ATP8 primers produced 212 bp of amplicon. Electrophoresis analysis showed positive results for porcine DNA at 1% and 5% (w/w or v/v) for all of the different cooking techniques, either for fresh or commercial blood plasma using SINE primers but not for tRNA-ATP8 primers. The present study has highlighted the useful of species-specific primers of SINE primers in PCR analysis for detecting porcine DNA blood plasma in heat-treated chicken meatballs.
Fulltext Inhibitory effects of tangeretin and trans-ethyl caffeate on the HMG-CoA reductase activity: Potential agents for reducing cholesterol levels

Pangestika I, Oksal E, Tengku Muhammad TS, Amir H, Syamsumir DF, Wahid MEA, et al.

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2020 Aug;27(8):1947-1960.
PMID: 32714018 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.06.010

One of the pathways to reduce cholesterol production in the liver is through the inhibition of HMG-Coa reductase (HMGCR) by current drugs, statins. However, these have side effects if consumed in prolonged periods. Tangeretin and trans-ethyl caffeate as alternative drugs in reducing hypercholesterolemia and preventing atherosclerosis have never been reported. Their effects on inhibiting HMGCR activity were investigated through enzymatic method (in vitro and in vivo). The toxicity property was analyzed on the Serum Glutamate Oxalate Transaminase (SGOT)/Serum Glutamate Piruvate Transaminase (SGPT) levels and rat liver histology. The results showed that both compounds inhibited HMGCR activity significantly compare to the control simvastatin (p
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 Enhancing food waste biodegradation rate in a food waste biodigester with the synergistic action of hydrolase-producing Bacillus paralicheniformis GRA2 and Bacillus velezensis TAP5 co-culture inoculation

Roslan MAM, Jefri NQUA, Ramlee N, Rahman NAA, Chong NHH, Bunawan H, et al.

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2021 May;28(5):3001-3012.
PMID: 34012331 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.02.041

Food waste (FW) minimization at the source by using food waste biodigester (FWBs) has a vast potential to lower down the impact of increasing organic fraction in municipal solid waste generation. To this end, this research sought to check the performance of locally isolated hydrolase-producing bacteria (HPB) to improve food waste biodegradation rate. Two under-explored HPB identified as Bacillus paralicheniformis GRA2 and Bacillus velezensis TAP5 were able to produce maximum amylase, cellulase, protease and lipase activities, and demonstrated a significant hydrolase synergy in co-culture fermentation. In vitro biodegradation analysis of both autoclaved and non-autoclaved FW revealed that the HPB inoculation was effective to degrade total solids (>62%), protein (>19%), total fat (>51), total sugar (>86%), reducing sugar (>38%) and starch (>50%) after 8-day incubation. All co-culture treatments were recorded superior to the respective monocultures and the uninoculated control. The results of FW biodegradation using batch-biodigester trial indicated that the 1500 mL and 1000 mL inoculum size of HPB inoculant reached a plateau on the 4th day, with gross biodegradation percentage (GBP) of >85% as compared to control (66.4%). The 1000 mL inoculum was sufficient to achieve the maximum GBP (>90%) of FW after an 8-day biodigestion in a FWB.
Fulltext Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of organotin(IV) diallyldithiocarbamate compounds as anticancer agent towards colon adenocarcinoma cells (HT-29)

Haezam FN, Awang N, Kamaludin NF, Mohamad R

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2021 May;28(5):3160-3168.
PMID: 34025187 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.02.060

Context: Diphenyltin(IV) diallyldithiocarbamate compound (Compound 1) and triphenyltin(IV) diallyldithiocarbamate compound (Compound 2) are two newly synthesised compounds of organotin(IV) with diallyldithiocarbamate ligands.
Objective: To assess the cytotoxic effects of two synthesised compounds against HT-29 human colon adenocarcinoma cells and human CCD-18Co normal colon cells.
Materials and methods: Two successfully synthesised compounds were characterised using elemental (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulphur) analysis, Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR), and 1H, 13C 119Sn Nucleus Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopies. The single-crystal structure of both compounds was determined by X-ray single-crystal analysis. The cytotoxicity of the compounds was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazholium bromide (MTT) assay upon 24 h of treatment. While the mode of cell death was determined based on the externalisation of phosphatidylserine using a flow cytometer.
Results: The elemental analysis data of the two compounds showed an agreement with the suggested formula of (C6H5)2Sn[S2CN(C3H5)2]2 for Compound 1 and (C6H5)3Sn[S2CN(C3H5)2] for Compound 2. The two major peaks of infrared absorbance, i.e., ν(C = N) and ν(C = S) were detected at the range of 1475-1479 cm-1 and 972-977 cm-1, respectively. The chemical shift of carbon in NCS2 group for Compound 1 and 2 were found at 200.82 and 197.79 ppm. The crystal structure of Compound 1 showed that it is six coordinated and crystallised in monoclinic, P21/c space group. While the crystal structure of Compound 2 is five coordinated and crystallised in monoclinic, P21/c space group. The cytotoxicity (IC50) of the two compounds against HT-29 cell were 2.36 μM and 0.39 μM. Meanwhile, the percentage of cell death modes between 60% and 75% for compound 1 and compound 2 were mainly due to apoptosis, suggesting that both compounds induced growth arrest.
Conclusion: Our study concluded that the synthesised compounds showed potent cytotoxicity towards HT-29 cell, with the triphenyltin(IV) compound showing the highest effect compared to diphenyltin(IV).
Fulltext The stingless bee honey protects against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage and lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in vitro

Ooi TC, Yaacob M, Rajab NF, Shahar S, Sharif R

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2021 May;28(5):2987-2994.
PMID: 34025176 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.02.039

Oxidative stress, DNA damage, and unresolved inflammation are the predisposing factors of many chronic and degenerative diseases, including cancer. Stingless bee honey (SBH) is recognized to have high medicinal value by traditional medicine practitioners and has been used to treat various illnesses traditionally. This study aimed to determine the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and genoprotective effects of SBH by using in vitro cell culture models. The sugar content, total phenolic content, radical scavenging activity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of SBH were determined in this study. Then, the protective effect of SBH against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced cell death and DNA damage was studied by using WIL2-NS human lymphoblastoid cell line, while the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 murine macrophages cell line was used to study the anti-inflammatory effects of SBH. Results from this present study showed that the major sugar contents of SBH were fructose (19.39 + 0.01%) and glucose (14.03 ± 0.03%). Besides, the total phenolic content, the radical scavenging activity, and the FRAP value of SBH were 15.38 ± 0.02 mg GAE/100 g of honey, 34.04 ± 0.21%, and 206.77 + 1.76 μM AAE/100 g honey respectively. Pretreatment with SBH protected WIL2-NS cells from H2O2-induced cell death and DNA damage (p
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.
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 Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from aqueous extract of Scutellaria barbata and coating on the cotton fabric for antimicrobial applications and wound healing activity in fibroblast cells (L929)

Veeraraghavan VP, Periadurai ND, Karunakaran T, Hussain S, Surapaneni KM, Jiao X

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2021 Jul;28(7):3633-3640.
PMID: 34220213 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.05.007

Scutellaria barbata is a perennial herb which was vastly prescribed in Chinese medicine to treat inflammations, infections and it is also used a detoxifying agent. We synthesized silver nanoparticles with Scutellaria barbata extract and characterized the nanoparticles with UV-Vis spectroscopic analysis, TEM, AFM, FTIR and XRD. The biofilm inhibiting property of synthesized silver nanoparticles were examined with XTT reduction assay and the antimicrobial property was examined with well diffusion method. The silver nanoparticles were also coated with cotton fabrics and their efficacy against antimicrobials was analyzed to prove its application. The cytotoxic property of synthesized silver nanoparticles was examined with L929 fibroblast cells using MTT assay. Finally we analyzed the wound healing property of synthesized silver nanoparticles with wound scratch assay. The result of our UV-Vis spectroscopic analysis confirms Scutellaria barbata aqueous extract reduced silver ions and synthesized silver nanoparticles. The characterization studies TEM, AFM, FTIR and XRD confirms the synthesized silver nanoparticles are in ideal shape and size to be utilized as a drug. The XTT reduction assay proves silver nanoparticles effectively inhibits the biofilm formation in both resistant and sensitive strains. Antimicrobial sensitivity tests confirms synthesized silver nanoparticles and cotton coated synthesized silver nanoparticles both are effective against gram positive, gram negative and fungal species. Further the results of MTT assay confirms the synthesized silver nanoparticles are non toxic and finally the wound healing potency of the nanoparticles was confirmed with wound scratch assay. Over all our results authentically confirms the silver nanoparticles synthesized with Scutellaria barbata aqueous extract is potent wound healing drug.
Fulltext Designing a highly immunogenic multi epitope based subunit vaccine against Bacillus cereus

Asif Rasheed M, Awais M, Aldhahrani A, Althobaiti F, Alhazmi A, Sattar S, et al.

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2021 Sep;28(9):4859-4866.
PMID: 34466059 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.06.082

Objective: Serious non-gastrointestinal-tract infections and food poisoning are caused by Bacillus cereus. Vaccination against B. cereus is very important. The aim of this study was to identify and analyze B and T cell epitopes for chromate transporter protein of the bacteria.
Methods: Multiple sequence alignment with the Clustal Omega method was used to identify conserved regions and Geneious Prime was used to produce a consensus sequence. T and B cell epitopes were predicted by various computational tools from the NetCTL and Immune Epitope Database (IEDB), respectively.
Results: Altogether, 6 HTL cells and 11 CTL epitopes were predicted. This vaccine's molecular docking is done with Patch Dock and LigPlot to verify interactions. The immune server (C-IMMSIM) was used to develop In silico immune response in order to assess the multi-epitope vaccine's immunogenic profile.
Conclusion: We designed universal vaccine against B. cereus responsible for food poisoning. The disease may be avoided with the aid of the proposed epitope-based vaccine.

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