Displaying publications 401 - 420 of 506 in total

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  1. Evaluating the toxic and beneficial effects of jering beans (Archidendron jiringa) in normal and diabetic rats
    Shukri R, Mohamed S, Mustapha NM, Hamid AA
    J Sci Food Agric, 2011 Nov;91(14):2697-706.
    PMID: 21744354 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.4516
    Jering (Archidendron jiringa) is eaten in the tropics and traditionally extolled for treating diabetes, high blood pressure and eliminating bladder stones. Jering contains an unusual amino acid-djenkolic acid (S,S'-methylenebiscysteine)-which may form sharp crystals in the urinary tract, causing pain and haematuria. This study evaluates the beneficial and toxic effects of dietary jering on tissues and organs in normal and diabetic rats.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seeds/adverse effects*; Seeds/chemistry
  2. Fulltext Modulation of Immune Function in Rats Using Oligosaccharides Extracted from Palm Kernel Cake
    Faseleh Jahromi M, Shokryazdan P, Idrus Z, Ebrahimi R, Bashokouh F, Liang JB
    Biomed Res Int, 2017;2017:2576921.
    PMID: 29349067 DOI: 10.1155/2017/2576921
    To investigate the prebiotic and immunomodulatory effects of PKC extract (OligoPKC) a total of 24 male rats were randomly assigned to three treatment groups receiving basal diet (control), basal diet containing 0.5% OligoPKC, or basal diet containing 1% OligoPKC for four weeks. We found that OligoPKC had no significant effect on the tested growth parameters. However, it increased the size of the total and beneficial bacterial populations while reducing pathogen populations. OligoPKC increased the concentration of immunoglobulins in the serum and cecal contents of rats. It also enhanced the antioxidant capacity of the liver while reducing lipid peroxidation in liver tissue. OligoPKC affected the expression of genes involved in immune system function in the intestine. Therefore, OligoPKC could be considered a potential mannan-based prebiotic for humans and animals due to its beneficial effects on the health and well-being of the model rats.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seeds/chemistry
  3. Hypocholesterolemic Effects of Kenaf Seed Oil, Macroemulsion, and Nanoemulsion in High-Cholesterol Diet Induced Rats
    Cheong AM, Jessica Koh JX, Patrick NO, Tan CP, Nyam KL
    J Food Sci, 2018 Mar;83(3):854-863.
    PMID: 29412455 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.14038
    This study aimed to evaluate the effect of kenaf seed oil (KSO), kenaf seed oil-in-water macroemulsion (KSOM), kenaf seed oil-in-water nanoemulsions (KSON), and emulsifier mixtures (EM) on serum lipid profile, liver oxidative status, and histopathological changes in high-cholesterol fed rats. Stability and characteristic of KSOM and KSON were carried out prior to in vivo study. Forty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 7 groups (6 rats each) and induced hypercholesterolemia by feeding high cholesterol diet (HCD) for 14 days prior to treatments. Different treatments were introduced on day 15 to 29 while supplemented with HCD and removal of HCD during treatment on day 30 to 43, except for HCD group. Body weight and serum lipid profiles were measured at 3 different points: after hypercholesterolemia was induced, on day 29, and at the end of the experiment. Relative liver weight, atherogenic index, coronary risk index, and fecal total bile acids were also determined at the end of experiment. KSON showed significantly higher stability than KSOM and FTIR exhibited good encapsulation of KSO after 1.5 years of storage. Serum total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, lipid peroxidation levels in HCD group without treatment were significantly higher compared to normal control group and all treatment groups. All samples demonstrated hypocholesterolemic effect, but KSON exhibited higher efficiency in cholesterol-lowering properties, weight control and decreased liver fat as confirmed by histopathological evaluation. The overall results revealed that the efficacy of different treatments was in descending order of KSON, KSO, KSOM, and EM.

    PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Kenaf seed oil-in-water nanoemulsion (KSON) has the potential to be used as a natural alternative to the synthetic hypocholesterolemic drug in the future. However, larger sample size and clinical trial are needed to confirm on this potential application. In addition, treatment with KSON was suggested to prevent cardiovascular disease and fatty liver.

    Matched MeSH terms: Seeds/chemistry*
  4. Effect of Gum Arabic, β-Cyclodextrin, and Sodium Caseinate as Encapsulating Agent on the Oxidative Stability and Bioactive Compounds of Spray-Dried Kenaf Seed Oil
    Chew SC, Tan CP, Nyam KL
    J Food Sci, 2018 Sep;83(9):2288-2294.
    PMID: 30074623 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.14291
    Kenaf seed oil is prone to undergo oxidation due to its high content of unsaturated fatty acids, thus microencapsulation stands as an alternative to protect kenaf seed oil from the adverse environment. This study primarily aimed to evaluate the oxidative stability of microencapsulated refined kenaf seed oil (MRKSO) by the use of gum arabic, β-cyclodextrin, and sodium caseinate as the wall materials by spray drying. Bulk refined kenaf seed oil (BRKSO) and MRKSO were kept at 65 °C for 24 days to evaluate its oxidative stability, changes of tocopherol and tocotrienol contents, phytosterol content, and fatty acid profile. The results showed that the peroxide value, p-Anisidine value, and total oxidation value of BRKSO were significantly higher than the MRKSO at day 24. The total tocopherol and tocotrienol contents were reduced 66.1% and 56.8% in BRKSO and MRKSO, respectively, upon the storage. There was a reduction of 71.7% and 23.5% of phytosterol content in BRKSO and MRKSO, respectively, upon the storage. The degradation rate of polyunsaturated fatty acids in BRKSO was higher than that of MRKSO. This study showed that the current microencapsulation technique is a feasible way to retard the oxidation of kenaf seed oil.

    PRACTICAL APPLICATION: There is increasing research on the functional properties of crude kenaf seed oil, but the crude kenaf seed oil is not edible. This study offered in developing of microencapsulated refined kenaf seed oil by spray drying, which is suitable for food application. The microencapsulation of refined kenaf seed oil with healthier wall materials is beneficial in developing a diversity of functional food products and supplements.

    Matched MeSH terms: Seeds/chemistry
  5. Date pits activated carbon for divalent lead ions removal
    Krishnamoorthy R, Govindan B, Banat F, Sagadevan V, Purushothaman M, Show PL
    J Biosci Bioeng, 2019 Jul;128(1):88-97.
    PMID: 30679113 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2018.12.011
    Phosphoric acid impregnated activated carbon from date pits (DPAC) was prepared through single step activation. Prepared DPAC was studied for its structural, elemental, chemical, surface and crystal nature. Adsorption ability of the DPAC was assessed through divalent lead ions separation studies. Effect of adsorbent dosage, contact time, pH, operating temperature and initial feed concentration on lead removal by DPAC was studied. Maximum Pb(II) adsorption capacity of 101.35 mg/g was attained for a contact time of 30 min and pH of 6 at 30°C. Increase in initial feed concentration enhanced the adsorption ability of DPAC and the rise in adsorbent dosage resulted in improved Pb(II) removal efficiency. Thermodynamic studies revealed that the lead adsorption on DPAC was exothermic and instantaneous in nature. Kinetic and equilibrium studies confirmed the suitability of pseudo-second order and Langmuir isotherm for divalent lead ions binding on DPAC. Reusability studies showed that HCl was the effective regeneration medium and the DPAC could be reused for a maximum of 4 times with slight reduction in Pb(II) removal efficiency (<10%). Results indicated the promising use of date pits biomass as a low cost and efficient starting material to prepare activated carbon for divalent lead ions removal.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seeds/chemistry*
  6. Early nodulin 93 protein gene: essential for induction of somatic embryogenesis in oil palm
    Chan PL, Rose RJ, Abdul Murad AM, Zainal Z, Ong PW, Ooi LC, et al.
    Plant Cell Rep, 2020 Nov;39(11):1395-1413.
    PMID: 32734510 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-020-02571-7
    KEY MESSAGE: Transcript profiling during the early induction phase of oil palm tissue culture and RNAi studies in a model somatic embryogenesis system showed that EgENOD93 expression is essential for somatic embryogenesis. Micropropagation of oil palm through tissue culture is vital for the generation of superior and uniform elite planting materials. Studies were carried out to identify genes to distinguish between leaf explants with the potential to develop into embryogenic or non-embryogenic callus. Oil palm cDNA microarrays were co-hybridized with cDNA probes of reference tissue, separately with embryo forming (media T527) and non-embryo (media T694) forming leaf explants sampled at Day 7, Day 14 and Day 21. Analysis of the normalized datasets has identified 77, 115 and 127 significantly differentially expressed genes at Day 7, Day 14, and Day 21, respectively. An early nodulin 93 protein gene (ENOD93), was highly expressed at Day 7, Day 14, and Day 21 and in callus (media T527), as assessed by RT-qPCR. Validation of EgENOD93 across tissue culture lines of different genetic background and media composition showed the potential of this gene as an embryogenic marker. In situ RNA hybridization and functional characterization in Medicago truncatula provided additional evidence that ENOD93 is essential for somatic embryogenesis. This study supports the suitability of EgENOD93 as a marker to predict the potential of leaf explants to produce embryogenic callus. Crosstalk among stresses, auxin, and Nod-factor like signalling molecules likely induces the expression of EgENOD93 for embryogenic callus formation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seeds/genetics*
  7. Effects of Accelerated Storage on the Quality of Kenaf Seed Oil in Chitosan-Coated High Methoxyl Pectin-Alginate Microcapsules
    Leong MH, Tan CP, Nyam KL
    J Food Sci, 2016 Oct;81(10):C2367-C2372.
    PMID: 27635525 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.13442
    The objective of this research was to study the oxidative stability and antioxidant properties of microencapsulated kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) seed oil (MKSO) produced by co-extrusion technology upon accelerated storage. The combination of sodium alginate, high methoxyl pectin, and chitosan were used as shell materials. The oxidative stability of the kenaf seed oil was determined by iodine value, peroxide value, p-Anisidine value, total oxidation (TOTOX), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay, and free fatty acid content. Total phenolic content, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) cation radical-scavenging assay and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay were used to examine the antioxidant properties of oils. Oxidative stability tests showed that bulk kenaf seed oil (BKSO) was oxidized significantly higher (P < 0.05) than MKSO. The total increment of TOTOX value of BKSO was 165.93% significantly higher (P < 0.05) than MKSO. Co-extrusion technology has shown to be able to protect kenaf seed oil against lipid oxidation and delay the degradation of natural antioxidants that present in oil during storage.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seeds/chemistry
  8. Fulltext Redox Control of Antioxidant and Antihepatotoxic Activities of Cassia surattensis Seed Extract against Paracetamol Intoxication in Mice: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies of Herbal Green Antioxidant
    Uthaya Kumar US, Chen Y, Kanwar JR, Sasidharan S
    Oxid Med Cell Longev, 2016;2016:6841348.
    PMID: 28053693 DOI: 10.1155/2016/6841348
    The therapeutic potential of Cassia surattensis in reducing free radical-induced oxidative stress and inflammation particularly in hepatic diseases was evaluated in this study. The polyphenol rich C. surattensis seed extract showed good in vitro antioxidant. C. surattensis seed extract contained total phenolic content of 100.99 mg GAE/g dry weight and there was a positive correlation (r > 0.9) between total phenolic content and the antioxidant activities of the seed extract. C. surattensis seed extract significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the elevated levels of serum liver enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP) and relative liver weight in paracetamol-induced liver hepatotoxicity in mice. Moreover, the extract significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced the antioxidant enzymes and glutathione (GSH) contents in the liver tissues, which led to decrease of malondialdehyde (MDA) level. The histopathological examination showed the liver protective effect of C. surattensis seed extract against paracetamol-induced histoarchitectural alterations by maximum recovery in the histoarchitecture of the liver tissue. Furthermore, histopathological observations correspondingly supported the biochemical assay outcome, that is, the significant reduction in elevated levels of serum liver enzymes. In conclusion, C. surattensis seed extract enhanced the in vivo antioxidant status and showed antihepatotoxic activities, which is probably due to the presence of phenolic compounds.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seeds/chemistry*
  9. Fulltext Screening and Expression of a Silicon Transporter Gene (Lsi1) in Wild-Type Indica Rice Cultivars
    Sahebi M, Hanafi MM, Rafii MY, Azizi P, Abiri R, Kalhori N, et al.
    Biomed Res Int, 2017;2017:9064129.
    PMID: 28191468 DOI: 10.1155/2017/9064129
    Silicon (Si) is one of the most prevalent elements in the soil. It is beneficial for plant growth and development, and it contributes to plant defense against different stresses. The Lsi1 gene encodes a Si transporter that was identified in a mutant Japonica rice variety. This gene was not identified in fourteen Malaysian rice varieties during screening. Then, a mutant version of Lsi1 was substituted for the native version in the three most common Malaysian rice varieties, MR219, MR220, and MR276, to evaluate the function of the transgene. Real-time PCR was used to explore the differential expression of Lsi1 in the three transgenic rice varieties. Silicon concentrations in the roots and leaves of transgenic plants were significantly higher than in wild-type plants. Transgenic varieties showed significant increases in the activities of the enzymes SOD, POD, APX, and CAT; photosynthesis; and chlorophyll content; however, the highest chlorophyll A and B levels were observed in transgenic MR276. Transgenic varieties have shown a stronger root and leaf structure, as well as hairier roots, compared to the wild-type plants. This suggests that Lsi1 plays a key role in rice, increasing the absorption and accumulation of Si, then alters antioxidant activities, and improves morphological properties.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seeds/metabolism
  10. Fulltext Computational Screening for the Anticancer Potential of Seed-Derived Antioxidant Peptides: A Cheminformatic Approach
    Chai TT, Koh JA, Wong CC, Sabri MZ, Wong FC
    Molecules, 2021 Dec 06;26(23).
    PMID: 34885982 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26237396
    Some seed-derived antioxidant peptides are known to regulate cellular modulators of ROS production, including those proposed to be promising targets of anticancer therapy. Nevertheless, research in this direction is relatively slow owing to the inevitable time-consuming nature of wet-lab experimentations. To help expedite such explorations, we performed structure-based virtual screening on seed-derived antioxidant peptides in the literature for anticancer potential. The ability of the peptides to interact with myeloperoxidase, xanthine oxidase, Keap1, and p47phox was examined. We generated a virtual library of 677 peptides based on a database and literature search. Screening for anticancer potential, non-toxicity, non-allergenicity, non-hemolyticity narrowed down the collection to five candidates. Molecular docking found LYSPH as the most promising in targeting myeloperoxidase, xanthine oxidase, and Keap1, whereas PSYLNTPLL was the best candidate to bind stably to key residues in p47phox. Stability of the four peptide-target complexes was supported by molecular dynamics simulation. LYSPH and PSYLNTPLL were predicted to have cell- and blood-brain barrier penetrating potential, although intolerant to gastrointestinal digestion. Computational alanine scanning found tyrosine residues in both peptides as crucial to stable binding to the targets. Overall, LYSPH and PSYLNTPLL are two potential anticancer peptides that deserve deeper exploration in future.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seeds/chemistry*
  11. Fulltext Antioxidants, phytochemicals, and cytotoxicity studies on Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl seeds
    Lay MM, Karsani SA, Banisalam B, Mohajer S, Abd Malek SN
    Biomed Res Int, 2014;2014:410184.
    PMID: 24818141 DOI: 10.1155/2014/410184
    In recent years, the utilization of certain medicinal plants as therapeutic agents has drastically increased. Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl is frequently used in traditional medicine. The present investigation was undertaken with the purpose of developing pharmacopoeial standards for this species. Nutritional values such as ash, fiber, protein, fat, and carbohydrate contents were investigated, and phytochemical screenings with different reagents showed the presence of flavonoids, glycosides, saponin glycosides, phenolic compounds, steroids, tannins, and terpenoids. Our results also revealed that the water fraction had the highest antioxidant activity compared to the methanol extract and other fractions. The methanol and the fractionated extracts (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and water) of P. macrocarpa seeds were also investigated for their cytotoxic effects on selected human cancer cells lines (MCF-7, HT-29, MDA-MB231, Ca Ski, and SKOV-3) and a normal human fibroblast lung cell line (MRC-5). Information from this study can be applied for future pharmacological and therapeutic evaluations of the species, and may assist in the standardization for quality, purity, and sample identification. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the phytochemical screening and cytotoxic effect of the crude and fractionated extracts of P. macrocarpa seeds on selected cells lines.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seeds/chemistry*
  12. Breaking-off tissue specific activity of the oil palm metallothionein-like gene promoter in T(1) seedlings of tomato exposed to metal ions
    Kamaladini H, Nor Akmar Abdullah S, Aziz MA, Ismail IB, Haddadi F
    J Plant Physiol, 2013 Feb 15;170(3):346-54.
    PMID: 23290536 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2012.10.017
    Metallothioneins (MTs) are cysteine-rich metal-binding proteins that are involved in cell growth regulation, transportation of metal ions and detoxification of heavy metals. A mesocarp-specific metallothionein-like gene (MT3-A) promoter was isolated from the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq). A vector construct containing the MT3-A promoter fused to the β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene in the pCAMBIA 1304 vector was produced and used in Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of tomato. Histochemical GUS assay of different tissues of transgenic tomato showed that the MT3-A promoter only drove GUS expression in the reproductive tissues and organs, including the anther, fruit and seed coat. Competitive RT-PCR and GUS fluorometric assay showed changes in the level of GUS mRNA and enzyme activity in the transgenic tomato (T(0)). No GUS mRNA was found in roots and leaves of transgenic tomato. In contrast, the leaves of transgenic tomato seedlings (T(1)) produced the highest GUS activity when treated with 150 μM Cu(2+) compared to the control (without Cu(2+)). However, Zn(2+) and Fe(2+) treatments did not show GUS expression in the leaves of the transgenic tomato seedlings. Interestingly, the results showed a breaking-off tissue-specific activity of the oil palm MT3-A promoter in T(1) seedlings of tomato when subjected to Cu(2+) ions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seeds/enzymology
  13. Fulltext Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of seed oil from winter melon (Benincasa hispida) and its antioxidant activity and fatty acid composition
    Bimakr M, Rahman RA, Taip FS, Adzahan NM, Sarker MZ, Ganjloo A
    Molecules, 2013 Jan 15;18(1):997-1014.
    PMID: 23322066 DOI: 10.3390/molecules18010997
    In the present study, supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO(2)) extraction of seed oil from winter melon (Benincasa hispida) was investigated. The effects of process variables namely pressure (150-300 bar), temperature (40-50 °C) and dynamic extraction time (60-120 min) on crude extraction yield (CEY) were studied through response surface methodology (RSM). The SC-CO(2) extraction process was modified using ethanol (99.9%) as co-solvent. Perturbation plot revealed the significant effect of all process variables on the CEY. A central composite design (CCD) was used to optimize the process conditions to achieve maximum CEY. The optimum conditions were 244 bar pressure, 46 °C temperature and 97 min dynamic extraction time. Under these optimal conditions, the CEY was predicted to be 176.30 mg-extract/g-dried sample. The validation experiment results agreed with the predicted value. The antioxidant activity and fatty acid composition of crude oil obtained under optimized conditions were determined and compared with published results using Soxhlet extraction (SE) and ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE). It was found that the antioxidant activity of the extract obtained by SC-CO(2) extraction was strongly higher than those obtained by SE and UAE. Identification of fatty acid composition using gas chromatography (GC) showed that all the extracts were rich in unsaturated fatty acids with the most being linoleic acid. In contrast, the amount of saturated fatty acids extracted by SE was higher than that extracted under optimized SC-CO(2) extraction conditions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seeds/chemistry*
  14. Hypoglycemic effect of quassinoids from Brucea javanica (L.) Merr (Simaroubaceae) seeds
    NoorShahida A, Wong TW, Choo CY
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2009 Jul 30;124(3):586-91.
    PMID: 19439174 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.04.058
    The seeds of Brucea javanica (L.) Merr (Simaroubaceae) are recommended by traditional practitioners for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seeds/chemistry
  15. Fulltext In vitro and in vivo anticandidal activity of Swietenia mahogani methanolic seed extract
    Sahgal G, Ramanathan S, Sasidharan S, Mordi MN, Ismail S, Mansor SM
    Trop Biomed, 2011 Apr;28(1):132-7.
    PMID: 21602779 MyJurnal
    Swietenia mahogani crude methanolic (SMCM) seed extract was investigated for the antifungal activity against Candida albicans which has not been evaluated previously. The antifungal activity was evaluated against C. albicans via disk diffusion, minimum inhibition concentration (MIC), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and time killing profile. The MIC value of SMCM seed extract is 12.5 mg/ml. The SEM and TEM findings showed there is morphological changes and cytological destruction of C. albicans at the MIC value. Animal model was used to evaluate the in vivo antifungal activity of SMCM seed extract. The colony forming unit (CFU) were calculated per gram of kidney sample and per ml of blood sample respectively for control, curative and ketaconazole treated groups. There was significant reduction for the CFU/ml of blood and CFU/g of kidney. This indicated that the extract was observed to be effective against C. albicans in vitro and in vivo conditions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seeds/chemistry*
  16. Fulltext Protective effects of Mucuna pruriens seed extract pretreatment against cardiovascular and respiratory depressant effects of Calloselasma rhodostoma (Malayan pit viper) venom in rats
    Fung SY, Tan NH, Sim SM
    Trop Biomed, 2010 Dec;27(3):366-72.
    PMID: 21399576 MyJurnal
    The protective effects of Mucuna pruriens seed extract (MPE) against the cardio-respiratory depressant and neuromuscular paralytic effects induced by injection of Calloselasma rhodostoma (Malayan pit viper) venom in anaesthetized rats were investigated. While MPE pretreatment did not reverse the inhibitory effect of the venom on the gastrocnemius muscle excitability, it significantly attenuated the venom-induced cardio-respiratory depressant effects (p < 0.05). The protection effects may have an immunological mechanism, as indicated by the presence of several proteins in the venom that are immunoreactive against anti-MPE. However, we cannot rule out the possibility that the pretreatment may exert a direct, non-immunological protective action against the venom.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seeds/chemistry
  17. Fungal solid state culture of palm kernel cake
    Iluyemi FB, Hanafi MM, Radziah O, Kamarudin MS
    Bioresour Technol, 2006 Feb;97(3):477-82.
    PMID: 16216731
    Palm kernel cake (PKC), an agro-industrial by-product used extensively in the animal feed industry, has limited use in fish feeds due to its high fiber and low protein contents. In this study, PKC was processed under solid state culture conditions with five fungal strains and the effect of this fungal culturing on the amino acid, fatty acid, cellulose and hemicellulose fractions was evaluated. Fungal strains used were Sclerotium rolfsii, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma longiobrachiatum, Trichoderma koninggi and Aspergillus niger. Fungal growth was carried out at 50% moisture level and 1% inoculum level for 7 days. A significant increase in protein content from 18.76% to 32.79% was obtained by growing T. longibrachiatum on PKC. Cellulose level decreased significantly from 28.31% to 12.11% for PKC cultured with T. longibrachiatum, and hemicellulose from 37.03% to 19.01% for PKC cultured with A. niger. Fungal culturing of PKC brought about an increase in the level of unsaturated- and a decrease in the level of the saturated-fatty acids.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seeds/metabolism*
  18. Fulltext Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant, antistress, and nootropic activities of aqueous and methanolic seed extracts of ladies finger (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) in mice
    Doreddula SK, Bonam SR, Gaddam DP, Desu BS, Ramarao N, Pandy V
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:519848.
    PMID: 25401145 DOI: 10.1155/2014/519848
    Abelmoschus esculentus L. (ladies finger, okra) is a well-known tropical vegetable, widely planted from Africa to Asia and from South Europe to America. In the present study, we investigated the in vitro antioxidant capacity and in vivo protective effect of the aqueous and methanolic seed extracts of Abelmoschus esculentus against scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment using passive avoidance task and acute restraining stress-induced behavioural and biochemical changes using elevated plus maze (EPM) and forced swimming test (FST) in mice. Our results demonstrated that the pretreatment of mice with aqueous and methanolic seed extracts of Abelmoschus esculentus (200 mg/kg, p.o.) for seven days significantly (P < 0.01) attenuated scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in the passive avoidance test. In addition, these extracts significantly reduced the blood glucose, corticosterone, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels elevated by acute restraint stress and also significantly increased the time spent in open arm in EPM and decreased the immobility time in FST. It has also been revealed that these extracts showed a significant antioxidant activity and no signs of toxicity or death up to a dose of 2000 mg/kg, p.o. These results suggest that the seed extracts of Abelmoschus esculentus L. possess antioxidant, antistress, and nootropic activities which promisingly support the medicinal values of ladies finger as a vegetable.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seeds*
  19. Apoptotic activities of thymoquinone, an active ingredient of black seed (Nigella sativa), in cervical cancer cell lines
    Ichwan SJ, Al-Ani IM, Bilal HG, Suriyah WH, Taher M, Ikeda MA
    Chin J Physiol, 2014 Oct 31;57(5):249-55.
    PMID: 25241984 DOI: 10.4077/CJP.2014.BAB190
    Thymoquinone (TQ) is the main constituent of black seed (Nigella sativa, spp) essential oil which shows promising in vitro and in vivo anti-neoplastic activities in different tumor cell lines. However, to date there are only a few reports regarding the apoptotic effects of TQ on cervical cancer cells. Here, we report that TQ stimulated distinct apoptotic pathways in two human cervical cell lines, Siha and C33A. TQ markedly induced apoptosis as demonstrated by cell cycle analysis in both cell lines. Moreover, quantitative PCR revealed that TQ induced apoptosis in Siha cells through p53-dependent pathway as shown by elevated level of p53-mediated apoptosis target genes, whereas apoptosis in C33A cells was mainly associated with the activation of caspase-3. These results support previous findings on TQ as a potential therapeutic agent for human cervical cancer.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seeds/chemistry
  20. Fulltext Oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis induced by ethanolic mango seed extract in cultured estrogen receptor positive breast cancer MCF-7 cells
    Abdullah AS, Mohammed AS, Rasedee A, Mirghani ME
    Int J Mol Sci, 2015;16(2):3528-36.
    PMID: 25664859 DOI: 10.3390/ijms16023528
    Breast cancer has become a global health issue requiring huge expenditures for care and treatment of patients. There is a need to discover newer cost-effective alternatives for current therapeutic regimes. Mango kernel is a waste product with potential as a source of anti-cancer phytochemicals, especially since it is non-toxic towards normal breast cell lines at concentrations for which it induces cell death in breast cancer cells. In this study, the anti-cancer effect of mango kernel extract was determined on estrogen receptor-positive human breast carcinoma (MCF-7) cells. The MCF-7 cells were cultured and treated with 5, 10 and 50 μg/mL of mango kernel extract for 12 and 24 h. In response to treatment, there were time- and dose-dependent increases in oxidative stress markers and pro-apoptotic factors; Bcl-2-like protein 4 (BAX), p53, cytochrome c and caspases (7, 8 and 9) in the MCF-7 cells treated with the extract. At the same time, there were decreases in pro-survival markers (Bcl-2 and glutathione) as the result of the treatments. The changes induced in the MCF-7 cells by mango kernel extract treatment suggest that the extract can induce cancer cell apoptosis, likely via the activation of oxidative stress. These findings need to be evaluated further to determine whether mango kernel extract can be developed as an anti-breast cancer agent.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seeds/chemistry*
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