Garlic protein (GP) was enzymatically hydrolyzed using pepsin and trypsin followed by the evaluation of antioxidant and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities of GP and its hydrolysates. The antihypertensive effects of GP and its hydrolysates were determined in vivo. The results showed that GP and its hydrolysates namely GPH-P (pepsin) and GPH-T (trypsin) possessed appreciable antioxidant and ACE inhibitory activities. The ACE inhibitory activity of GP, GPH-T, and GPH-P was in consistent with their antioxidant activities. GP and its hydrolysates offered significant protective effects against H2 O2 -induced oxidative damage (p
A study of the population size of Bandicota bengalensis rats in three markets in Penang was conducted from April 2004 through May 2005. Taman Tun Sardon Market (TTS), Batu Lanchang Market (BTLG) and Bayan Lepas Market (BYNLP) were surveyed. Six sampling sessions were conducted in each market for four consecutive nights per session. The total captures of B. bengalensis in TTS, BTLG and BYNLP were 92%, 73% and 89% respectively. The total population of B. bengalensis in TTS was estimated as 265.4 (with a 95% confidence interval of 180.9-424.2). The total population at BTLG was estimated as 69.9 (with a 95% confidence interval of 35.5-148.9). At BYNLP, the total population was estimated as 134.7 (with a 95% confidence interval of 77.8-278.4). In general, adult male rats were captured most frequently at each site (55.19%), followed by adult females (31.69%), juvenile males (9.84%) and juvenile females (3.27%). The results showed that the number of rats captured at each site differed significantly according to sex ratio and maturity (χ(2) = 121.45, df = 3, p<0.01). Our results suggest that the population sizes found by the study may not represent the actual population size in each market owing to the low numbers of rats recaptured. This finding might have resulted from the variety of foods available in the markets.
The current work attempted to achieve bypassed hepatic metabolism, controlled release, and boosted brain distribution of agomelatine by loading in NLC and administering via transdermal route. Agomelatine-loaded NLC (AG-NLC) was fabricated employing melt-emulsification technique and optimized using central composite design. The optimized AG-NLC had 183.16 ± 6.82 nm particle size, 0.241 ± 0.0236 polydispersity index, and 83.29 ± 2.76% entrapment efficiency. TEM and FESEM visually confirmed the size and surface morphology of AG-NLC, respectively. DSC thermogram confirmed the conversion of AG from crystalline to amorphous form, which indicates improved solubility of AG when loaded in NLC. For further stability and improved applicability, AG-NLC was converted into a hydrogel. The texture analysis of AG-NLC-Gel showed appropriate gelling property in terms of hardness (142.292 g), cohesiveness (0.955), and adhesiveness (216.55 g.sec). In comparison to AG-suspension-Gel (38.036 ± 6.058%), AG-NLC-Gel (89.440 ± 2.586%) exhibited significantly higher (P
This study was carried out to evaluate the total phenolic content and anti-oxidant activity of methanolic extract of red pitaya, and hypocholesterolemic effect of red pitaya (Hylocereus sp.) on lipid profiles status on hypercholesterolemia induced rats. From the analysis, total phenolic content in red pitaya is 46.06 ± 1.77 mg GAE/100 g fresh weight and antioxidant activity is 76.10% using FTC method. TBA analysis also showed red pitaya extract had high antioxidant effect (72.90%). An in-vivo study also showed red pitaya has hypocholesterolemic effect on induced hypercholesterolemia rats. After 11 weeks of study, total blood cholesterol significant decrease (p
Protein efficiency ratio (PER) and protein digestibility are important parameters used in protein quality determination. Protein nutritive values of selected protein sources: buffalo meat, casein, soy protein isolate, and tempeh, with sodium caseinate as a reference formulation, were evaluated. Determination of proximate analysis, protein quality and protein digestibility were monitored. Procedures for evaluation of protein quality and digestibility included PER using the rat bioassay and in vivo Apparent Protein Digestibility (APD). The rats fed with buffalo meat had the highest mean increase in body weight (102.73g±8.95) while rats fed with tempeh had the lowest mean for increase in body weight (16.34g±9.11). Although the mean for body weight gained showed significant differences between all treatments (P0.05) found between casein and soy protein isolate for total food intake. For the PER value, buffalo meat had the highest value (2.99), followed by sodium caseinate (2.41), casein (1.93), soy protein isolate (1.52) and tempeh (1.10). The PER value for buffalo meat (2.99) was higher than sodium caseinate (2.41) while the rest of the treatment were comparatively lower than sodium caseinate. For the in vivo apparent protein digestibility, tempeh had the highest value (91.41%±3.76), followed by casein (91.34%±3.15), buffalo meat (90.79%±1.44), soy protein isolate (89.52%±2.96) and sodium caseinate (89.47%±2.31).
Hypoglycaemic and antihyperglycemic activity of oil palm Elaeis guineensis fruit extract on normal and Streptozotocininduced
diabetic rats was studied. The oil palm fruit extract (OPF) were administered orally at different concentrations (100,
200 and 500 mg kg-1 b.w.) in fasting and post-prandial rats. Hypoglycaemia was not observed in the group of normal rats
treated with OPF. In fasting rats, OPF (500 mg kg-1 b.w.) has caused the blood glucose level (BGL) to reduce significantly.
For post-prandial diabetic rats, the antihyperglycemic activity was observed after OPF treatment at concentrations 200
and 500 mg kg-1. Chronic OPF treatments (for 28 days) had increased the diabetic rat’s body weight and reduced BGL as
well as improved plasma insulin secretion. The result of this study suggests E. guineensis palm fruit extract show evidence
of antihyperglycemic properties from the reduction of the BGL in diabetic rats.
Mesenchymal stem cells are widely used in many pre-clinical and clinical settings. Despite advances in molecular technology; the migration and homing activities of these cells in in vivo systems are not well understood. Labelling mesenchymal stem cells with gold nanoparticles has no cytotoxic effect and may offer suitable indications for stem cell tracking. Here, we report a simple protocol to label mesenchymal stem cells using 80 nm gold nanoparticles. Once the cells and particles were incubated together for 24 h, the labelled products were injected into the rat subretinal layer. Micro-computed tomography was then conducted on the 15th and 30th day post-injection to track the movement of these cells, as visualized by an area of hyperdensity from the coronal section images of the rat head. In addition, we confirmed the cellular uptake of the gold nanoparticles by the mesenchymal stem cells using transmission electron microscopy. As opposed to other methods, the current protocol provides a simple, less labour-intensive and more efficient labelling mechanism for real-time cell tracking. Finally, we discuss the potential manipulations of gold nanoparticles in stem cells for cell replacement and cancer therapy in ocular disorders or diseases.
In previous papers it has been demonstrated that ground-dwelling rats are the principal reservoir of leptospirosis in Malaya. The present paper considers the distribution of infection by sex and weight in the ten principal rat species. There appears to be a general tendency for females to be infected more frequently than males, but significant differences were demonstrated only in R. sabanus (more than three times as many females as males infected) and R. whiteheadi. In Malaya, where seasonal changes are minimal, weights can be used as a good index of age in rats. In rat species with a low incidence of infection the incidence appeared to rise steadily with age. In species with a medium incidence the infection rate rose at first with age, fell in the 6-8-month age-group, and then rose again. In high-incidence species the rate rose rapidly from the second month.There appear to be three types of enzootic infection; (1) intensive transmission of a single serogroup in a crowded population of rats of a single species (transmission probably being through urinary contamination of damp soil); (2) low-intensity transmission of several serogroups among ground-rats frequenting wet places (probably with urinary transmission); and (3) low-intensity transmission of several serogroups among ground-rats in dry places (the transmission may be venereal).
Rat large intestine is an established model to study the effect of
carcinogens. There are several distinctive features among mammalian gastrointestinal
tracts in gross anatomy but they share some basic similar structures. The variety in
digestive system relies on its physiology. Rats rarely eat high fatty diets, thus the
function of gall bladder become less significant in their digestive system and this is
justified by the fact that rats have none. Rats have large caecum designated for their
fermentation chamber to digest cellulose. Another notable difference is the size and
length of colon itself, in which human colon is significantly bigger and longer. We aimed
to demonstrate the gross anatomy and histology of rat digestive system particularly the
large intestine. (Copied from article).
The data in this article contain supporting evidence for the research manuscript entitled "Bronchodilator effects of Lignosus rhinocerotis extract on rat isolated airways is linked to the blockage of calcium entry" by Lee et al. (2018) [1]. The data were obtained by calcium imaging technique with fluorescent calcium indicator dyes, Fura 2-AM, to visualize calcium ion movement in the rat dorsal ganglion (DRG) cells. The effects of L. rhinocerotis cold water extract (CWE1) on intracellular calcium levels in the DRG cells were presented.