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  1. Fulltext Correlation of antiangiogenic, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of some Sudanese medicinal plants with phenolic and flavonoid contents
    Hassan LE, Ahamed MB, Majid AS, Baharetha HM, Muslim NS, Nassar ZD, et al.
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2014 Oct 20;14:406.
    PMID: 25331269 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-406
    BACKGROUND: Consumption of medicinal plants to overcome diseases is traditionally belongs to the characteristics of most cultures on this earth. Sudan has been a host and cradle to various ancient civilizations and developed a vast knowledge on traditional medicinal plants. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antioxidant, antiangiogenic and cytotoxic activities of six Sudanese medicinal plants which have been traditionally used to treat neoplasia. Further the biological activities were correlated with phytochemical contents of the plant extracts.

    METHODS: Different parts of the plants were subjected to sequential extraction method. Cytotoxicity of the extracts was determined by dimethylthiazol-2-yl)- 2,5diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay on 2 human cancer (colon and breast) and normal (endothelial and colon fibroblast) cells. Anti-angiogenic potential was tested using ex vivo rat aortic ring assay. DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) assay was conducted to screen the antioxidant capabilities of the extracts. Finally, total phenolic and flavonoid contents were estimated in the extracts using colorimetric assays.

    RESULTS: The results indicated that out of 6 plants tested, 4 plants (Nicotiana glauca, Tephrosia apollinea, Combretum hartmannianum and Tamarix nilotica) exhibited remarkable anti-angiogenic activity by inhibiting the sprouting of microvessels more than 60%. However, the most potent antiangiogenic effect was recorded by ethanol extract of T. apollinea (94.62%). In addition, the plants exhibited significant antiproliferative effects against human breast (MCF-7) and colon (HCT 116) cancer cells while being non-cytotoxic to the tested normal cells. The IC50 values determined for C. hartmannianum, N. gluaca and T. apollinea against MCF-7 cells were 8.48, 10.78 and 29.36 μg/ml, respectively. Whereas, the IC50 values estimated for N. gluaca, T. apollinea and C. hartmannianum against HCT 116 cells were 5.4, 20.2 and 27.2 μg/ml, respectively. These results were more or less equal to the standard reference drugs, tamoxifen (IC50 = 6.67 μg/ml) and 5-fluorouracil (IC50 = 3.9 μg/ml) tested against MCF-7 and HCT 116, respectively. Extracts of C. hartmannianum bark and N. glauca leaves demonstrated potent antioxidant effect with IC50s range from 9.4-22.4 and 13.4-30 μg/ml, respectively. Extracts of N. glauca leaves and T apollinea aerial parts demonstrated high amount of flavonoids range from 57.6-88.1 and 10.7-78 mg quercetin equivalent/g, respectively.

    CONCLUSIONS: These results are in good agreement with the ethnobotanical uses of the plants (N. glauca, T. apollinea, C. hartmannianum and T. nilotica) to cure the oxidative stress and paraneoplastic symptoms caused by the cancer. These findings endorse further investigations on these plants to determine the active principles and their mode of action.

    Matched MeSH terms: Plants, Medicinal/chemistry*; Tobacco/chemistry; Plant Leaves/chemistry; Combretum/chemistry; Tephrosia/chemistry; Tamaricaceae/chemistry
  2. Cytotoxic vobasine, tacaman, and corynanthe-tryptamine bisindole alkaloids from Tabernaemontana and structure revision of tronoharine
    Sim DS, Chong KW, Nge CE, Low YY, Sim KS, Kam TS
    J Nat Prod, 2014 Nov 26;77(11):2504-12.
    PMID: 25333996 DOI: 10.1021/np500589u
    Seven new indole alkaloids (1-7) comprising four vobasine, two tacaman, and one corynanthe-tryptamine bisindole alkaloid were isolated from the stem-bark extract of a Malayan Tabernaemontana. Two of the new vobasine alkaloids (1, 3), as well as 16-epivobasine (15) and 16-epivobasenal (17), showed appreciable cytotoxicity toward KB cells (IC50 ca. 5 μg/mL). The structure of the known Tabernaemontana alkaloid tronoharine (8) was revised based on newly acquired NMR data, as well as X-ray diffraction analysis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/chemistry; Indoles/chemistry; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry*; Tryptamines/chemistry; Indole Alkaloids/chemistry; Tabernaemontana/chemistry*
  3. Fulltext One pot light assisted green synthesis, storage and antimicrobial activity of dextran stabilized silver nanoparticles
    Hussain MA, Shah A, Jantan I, Tahir MN, Shah MR, Ahmed R, et al.
    J Nanobiotechnology, 2014;12:53.
    PMID: 25468206 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-014-0053-5
    Green synthesis of nanomaterials finds the edge over chemical methods due to its environmental compatibility. Herein, we report green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) mediated with dextran. Dextran was used as a stabilizer and capping agent to synthesize Ag NPs using silver nitrate (AgNO3) under diffused sunlight conditions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/chemistry*; Dextrans/chemistry*; Silver/chemistry*; Silver Nitrate/chemistry; Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry*; Green Chemistry Technology
  4. In vitro and in vivo study of hazardous effects of Ag nanoparticles and Arginine-treated multi walled carbon nanotubes on blood cells: application in hemodialysis membranes
    Zare-Zardini H, Amiri A, Shanbedi M, Taheri-Kafrani A, Kazi SN, Chew BT, et al.
    J Biomed Mater Res A, 2015 Sep;103(9):2959-65.
    PMID: 25690431 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.35425
    One of the novel applications of the nanostructures is the modification and development of membranes for hemocompatibility of hemodialysis. The toxicity and hemocompatibility of Ag nanoparticles and arginine-treated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT-Arg) and possibility of their application in membrane technology are investigated here. MWNT-Arg is prepared by amidation reactions, followed by characterization by FTIR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed a good hemocompatibility and the hemolytic rates in the presence of both MWNT-Arg and Ag nanoparticles. The hemolytic rate of Ag nanoparticles was lower than that of MWNT-Arg. In vivo study revealed that Ag nanoparticle and MWNT-Arg decreased Hematocrit and mean number of red blood cells (RBC) statistically at concentration of 100 µg mL(-1) . The mean decrease of RBC and Hematocrit for Ag nanoparticles (18% for Hematocrit and 5.8 × 1,000,000/µL) was more than MWNT-Arg (20% for Hematocrit and 6 × 1000000/µL). In addition, MWNT-Arg and Ag nanoparticles had a direct influence on the White Blood Cell (WBC) drop. Regarding both nanostructures, although the number of WBC increased in initial concentration, it decreased significantly at the concentration of 100 µg mL(-1) . It is worth mentioning that the toxicity of Ag nanoparticle on WBC was higher than that of MWNT-Arg. Because of potent antimicrobial activity and relative hemocompatibility, MWNT-Arg could be considered as a new candidate for biomedical applications in the future especially for hemodialysis membranes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/chemistry; Arginine/chemistry; Biocompatible Materials/chemistry; Silver/chemistry; Nanotubes, Carbon/chemistry; Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry
  5. Medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of family Sterculiaceae: a review
    Al Muqarrabun LM, Ahmat N
    Eur J Med Chem, 2015 Mar 6;92:514-30.
    PMID: 25599949 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2015.01.026
    The family Sterculiaceae is one of the most important families among flowering plants. Many of its members demonstrate medicinal properties and have been used for the treatment of various ailments and wounds. A wide range of compounds including alkaloids, phenyl propanoids, flavonoids, terpenoids and other types of compounds including hydrocarbons, sugars, quinones, phenolic acids, lactones, lignans, amine and amides have been isolated from several species in this family. Few studies have reported that some extracts and single compounds isolated from this family exhibited several biological activities, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. The present review is an effort to provide information about the traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of species from family Sterculiaceae, and to uncover the gaps and potentials requiring further research opportunities regarding the chemistry and pharmacy of this family.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/chemistry; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/chemistry; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/chemistry; Antioxidants/chemistry; Sterculiaceae/chemistry*; Phytochemicals/chemistry
  6. Ionic liquid mediated synthesis and molecular docking study of novel aromatic embedded Schiff bases as potent cholinesterase inhibitors
    Abd Razik BM, Osman H, Basiri A, Salhin A, Kia Y, Ezzat MO, et al.
    Bioorg Chem, 2014 Dec;57:162-168.
    PMID: 25462993 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2014.10.005
    Novel aromatic embedded Schiff bases have been synthesized in ionic liquid [bmim]Br and evaluated in vitro for their acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes inhibitory activities. Among the newly synthesized compounds, 5f, 5h and 7j displayed higher AChE enzyme inhibitory activities than standard drug, galanthamine, with IC50 values of 1.88, 2.05 and 2.03μM, respectively. Interestingly, all the compounds except for compound 5c displayed higher BChE inhibitories than standard with IC50 values ranging from 3.49 to 19.86μM. Molecular docking analysis for 5f and 7j possessing the most potent AChE and BChE inhibitory activities, disclosed their binding interaction templates to the active site of AChE and BChE enzymes, respectively.
    Matched MeSH terms: Acetylcholinesterase/chemistry; Butyrylcholinesterase/chemistry; Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemistry*; Hydrocarbons, Aromatic/chemistry; Schiff Bases/chemistry*; Ionic Liquids/chemistry*
  7. Synthesis, structure, DNA/BSA interaction and in vitro cytotoxic activity of nickel(II) complexes derived from S-allyldithiocarbazate
    Nanjundan N, Selvakumar P, Narayanasamy R, Haque RA, Velmurugan K, Nandhakumar R, et al.
    J. Photochem. Photobiol. B, Biol., 2014 Dec;141:176-85.
    PMID: 25463665 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2014.10.009
    Two nickel(II) complexes with formula NiL1 and NiL2 (HL1 = S-allyl-4-methoxybenzylidene hydrazinecarbodithioate, HL2 = S-allyl-1-napthylidenehydrazinecarbodithioate) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, NMR, UV-vis spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry. The crystal structure of complex 1 has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffractometry. Both HL1 and HL2 ligands are coordinated to the metal in thiolate form. In complexes, squareplanar geometry of the nickel is coordinated with two bidentate ligand units acting through azomethine nitrogen and thiolato sulfur atoms. To explore the potential medicinal value of the complexes with calf thymus DNA and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were studied at normal physiological conditions using fluorescence spectral techniques. The DNA binding constant values of the complexes were found in the range from 5.02 × 10(4), 3.54 × 10(4), and the binding affinities are in the following order 1 > 2. In addition, nickel complexes 1 and 2 shows better binding propensity to the bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein, giving a Ksv value 5.8 × 10(4), 4.47 × 10(4) respectively. From the oxidative cleavage of the complexes with pBR322 DNA, it is inferred that the effects of cleavage are dose-dependent. In addition, in vitro cytotoxicity of the complexes assayed against Vero and HeLa cell lines have shown higher cytotoxic activity with the lower IC50 values indicating their efficiency in killing cancer cells even at various concentrations.
    Matched MeSH terms: DNA/chemistry*; Hydrazines/chemistry*; Nickel/chemistry*; Schiff Bases/chemistry; Serum Albumin, Bovine/chemistry*; Coordination Complexes/chemistry
  8. Use of lyophilised and powdered Gentiana lutea root in fresh beef patties stored under different atmospheres
    Azman NA, Gordon MH, Skowyra M, Segovia F, Almajano MP
    J Sci Food Agric, 2015 Jul;95(9):1804-11.
    PMID: 25139796 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.6878
    Gentiana lutea root is a medicinal herb that contains many active compounds which contribute to physiological effects, and it has recently attracted much attention as a natural source of antioxidants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects on the colour, pH, microbial activities, sensory quality and resistance to lipid oxidation (through the thiobarbituric acid method) during storage of beef patties containing different concentrations of G. lutea. Fresh beef patties were formulated with 0-5 g kg(-1) of G. lutea and 0 or 0.5 g kg(-1) of ascorbic acid and packed in two different atmospheres, Modified Atmosphere 1 (MAP1) and Modified Atmosphere 2 (MAP2), and stored at 4 ± 1 °C for 10 days. MAP1 contained 20:80 (v/v) O2:CO2 and MAP2 contained 80:20 (v/v) O2:CO2.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antioxidants/chemistry*; Ascorbic Acid/chemistry; Food Preservatives/chemistry*; Plant Extracts/chemistry*; Plant Roots/chemistry; Gentiana/chemistry*
  9. Fulltext Antimycobacterial, antimicrobial, and biocompatibility properties of para-aminosalicylic acid with zinc layered hydroxide and Zn/Al layered double hydroxide nanocomposites
    Saifullah B, El Zowalaty ME, Arulselvan P, Fakurazi S, Webster TJ, Geilich BM, et al.
    Drug Des Devel Ther, 2014;8:1029-36.
    PMID: 25114509 DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S63753
    The treatment of tuberculosis by chemotherapy is complicated due to multiple drug prescriptions, long treatment duration, and adverse side effects. We report here for the first time an in vitro therapeutic effect of nanocomposites based on para-aminosalicylic acid with zinc layered hydroxide (PAS-ZLH) and zinc-aluminum layered double hydroxides (PAS-Zn/Al LDH), against mycobacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, and Gram-negative bacteria. The nanocomposites demonstrated good antimycobacterial activity and were found to be effective in killing Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. A biocompatibility study revealed good biocompatibility of the PAS-ZLH nanocomposites against normal human MRC-5 lung cells. The para-aminosalicylic acid loading was quantified with high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. In summary, the present preliminary in vitro studies are highly encouraging for further in vivo studies of PAS-ZLH and PAS-Zn/Al LDH nanocomposites to treat tuberculosis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aluminum/chemistry; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry; Antitubercular Agents/chemistry; Hydroxides/chemistry; Aminosalicylic Acid/chemistry*; Zinc/chemistry
  10. Fulltext Optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of flavonoid compounds and their pharmaceutical activity from curry leaf (Murraya koenigii L.) using response surface methodology
    Ghasemzadeh A, Jaafar HZ, Karimi E, Rahmat A
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2014;14:318.
    PMID: 25169626 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-318
    Extraction prior to component analysis is the primary step in the recovery and isolation of bioactive phytochemicals from plant materials.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry; Antioxidants/chemistry; Flavonoids/chemistry; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Plant Leaves/chemistry*; Murraya/chemistry*
  11. Galloylated flavonol rhamnosides from the leaves of Calliandra tergemina with antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
    Chan EW, Gray AI, Igoli JO, Lee SM, Goh JK
    Phytochemistry, 2014 Nov;107:148-54.
    PMID: 25174555 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2014.07.028
    Galloylated flavonol rhamnosides identified as kaempferol-3-O-(2″,3″,4″-tri-O-galloyl)-α-l-rhamnopyranoside, quercetin-3-O-(3″,4″-di-O-galloyl)-α-l-rhamnopyranoside, and quercetin-3-O-(2″,3″,4″-tri-O-galloyl)-α-l-rhamnopyranoside, together with five known galloylated and non-galloylated flavonol rhamnosides, were isolated from leaves of Calliandra tergemina (L.) Benth. Their structures were established using spectroscopic methods and their antibacterial activities against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were evaluated by a microdilution method.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry; Glycosides/chemistry; Fabaceae/chemistry*; Quercetin/chemistry; Plant Leaves/chemistry; Flavonols/chemistry
  12. A new triterpenoid from Sapium baccatum (Euphorbiaceae)
    Al Muqarrabun LM, Ahmat N, Aris SR, Norizan N, Shamsulrijal N, Yusof FZ, et al.
    Nat Prod Res, 2014;28(13):1003-9.
    PMID: 24697194 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2014.903396
    A new triterpene, malaytaraxerate (1), and four known compounds, taraxerol (2), taraxerone (3), docosyl isoferulate (4) and docosanoic acid 2',3'-dihydroxypropyl ester (5), were isolated from the acetone extract of Sapium baccatum stem bark. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined using several spectroscopic methods, including UV-Vis, FT-IR, 1D and 2D NMR, and mass spectrometry. Major isolated compounds were assayed for cytotoxicity. The chemotaxonomic significance of this plant was also studied.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/chemistry; Oleanolic Acid/chemistry; Triterpenes/chemistry; Plant Leaves/chemistry; Plant Stems/chemistry; Sapium/chemistry*
  13. Fulltext Formulation and delivery of itraconazole to the brain using a nanolipid carrier system
    Lim WM, Rajinikanth PS, Mallikarjun C, Kang YB
    Int J Nanomedicine, 2014;9:2117-26.
    PMID: 24833900 DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S57565
    The objectives of this study were to develop and characterize itraconazole (ITZ)-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) and to study their potential for drug delivery into the brain. Precirol(®) ATO 5 and Transcutol(®) HP were selected as the lipid phase, and Tween(®) 80 and Solutol(®) HS15 as surfactants. The ITZ-NLCs were prepared by a hot and high-pressure homogenization method. The entrapment efficiency for the best formulation batch was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography and was found to be 70.5%±0.6%. The average size, zeta potential, and polydispersity index for the ITZ-NLCs used for animal studies were found to be 313.7±15.3 nm, -18.7±0.30 mV, and 0.562±0.070, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed that ITZ-NLCs were spherical in shape, with a size of less than 200 nm. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffractometry analysis showed that ITZ was encapsulated in the lipid matrix and present in the amorphous form. The in vitro release study showed that ITZ-NLCs achieved a sustained release, with cumulative release of 80.6%±5.3% up to 24 hours. An in vivo study showed that ITZ-NLCs could increase the ITZ concentration in the brain by almost twofold. These results suggest that ITZ-NLCs can be exploited as nanocarriers to achieve sustained release and brain-targeted delivery.
    Matched MeSH terms: Diglycerides/chemistry*; Ethylene Glycols/chemistry*; Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry; Polysorbates/chemistry; Stearic Acids/chemistry; Nanocapsules/chemistry*
  14. Fulltext In vitro sustained release study of gallic acid coated with magnetite-PEG and magnetite-PVA for drug delivery system
    Dorniani D, Kura AU, Hussein-Al-Ali SH, Bin Hussein MZ, Fakurazi S, Shaari AH, et al.
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:416354.
    PMID: 24737969 DOI: 10.1155/2014/416354
    The efficacy of two nanocarriers polyethylene glycol and polyvinyl alcohol magnetic nanoparticles coated with gallic acid (GA) was accomplished via X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, magnetic measurements, thermal analysis, and TEM. X-ray diffraction and TEM results showed that Fe3O4 nanoparticles were pure iron oxide having spherical shape with the average diameter of 9 nm, compared with 31 nm and 35 nm after coating with polyethylene glycol-GA (FPEGG) and polyvinyl alcohol-GA (FPVAG), respectively. Thermogravimetric analyses proved that after coating the thermal stability was markedly enhanced. Magnetic measurements and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) revealed that superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles could be successfully coated with two polymers (PEG and PVA) and gallic acid as an active drug. Release behavior of gallic acid from two nanocomposites showed that FPEGG and FPVAG nanocomposites were found to be sustained and governed by pseudo-second-order kinetics. Anticancer activity of the two nanocomposites shows that the FPEGG demonstrated higher anticancer effect on the breast cancer cell lines in almost all concentrations tested compared to FPVAG.
    Matched MeSH terms: Delayed-Action Preparations/chemistry*; Gallic Acid/chemistry*; Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry*; Polyvinyl Alcohol/chemistry*; Nanocapsules/chemistry*; Magnetite Nanoparticles/chemistry*
  15. Fulltext Methanol extract of Melastoma malabathricum leaves exerted antioxidant and liver protective activity in rats
    Mamat SS, Kamarolzaman MF, Yahya F, Mahmood ND, Shahril MS, Jakius KF, et al.
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2013;13:326.
    PMID: 24267313 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-13-326
    Melastoma malabathricum L. (Melastomaceae) is a small shrub with various medicinal uses. The present study was carried out to determine the hepatoprotective activity of methanol extract of M. malabathricum leaves (MEMM) against the paracetamol-induced liver toxicity in rats model.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antioxidants/chemistry; Flavonoids/chemistry; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Powders/chemistry; Plant Leaves/chemistry; Melastomataceae/chemistry*
  16. Potent microbial and tyrosinase inhibitors from stem bark of Bauhinia rufescens (Fabaceae)
    Muhammad A, Sirat HM
    Nat Prod Commun, 2013 Oct;8(10):1435-7.
    PMID: 24354195
    The stem bark extracts of Bauhinia rufescens Lam. (Fabaceae) yielded 6-methoxy-7-methyl-8-hydroxydibenz[b,f]oxepin, alpha-amyrin acetate, beta-sitosterol 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside, 4-(2'-Hydroxyphenethyl)-5-methoxy-2-methylphenol, menisdaurin and sequoyitol. Their structures were determined using spectroscopic methods and comparisons with the literature data. For the antimicrobial assay Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial and fungal strains were tested, while the tyrosinase inhibition assay utilized L-DOPA as a substrate for the tyrosinase enzyme. 6-Methoxy-7-methyl-8-hydroxydibenz[b,f]oxepin, a-amyrin acetate, beta-sitosterol 3-O-D-xylopyranoside, menisdaurin and sequoyitol showed weak to moderate activities with minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) values in the range of 112.5-900 microg/mL against all bacterial strains, while the MIC values for the fungal strains were in the range of 28.1-450 microg/mL. In the tyrosinase inhibition assay, a-amyrin acetate was found to be moderately active against tyrosinase with an inhibition of 62% at 0.1 mg/mL. This activity was lower than that of the positive control, kojic acid (85%).
    Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry; Stilbenes/chemistry; Plant Stems/chemistry; Plant Bark/chemistry; Bauhinia/chemistry*
  17. Fulltext Anti- and pro-lipase activity of selected medicinal, herbal and aquatic plants, and structure elucidation of an anti-lipase compound
    Ado MA, Abas F, Mohammed AS, Ghazali HM
    Molecules, 2013;18(12):14651-69.
    PMID: 24287996 DOI: 10.3390/molecules181214651
    Plants that help in slowing down the digestion of triacylglycerols (TAGs) in the pancreas and small intestine of humans play an important role in the reduction of obesity. On the other hand, there may be plants or plant parts that stimulate intestinal lipolytic activity, thus contributing to greater TAG assimilation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the aqueous methanolic extracts of ninety eight (98) medicinal, herbal and aquatic plant materials from Malaysia for their effect on porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL) activity and to identify the structure of an anti-lipase compound from one of the sources. The degree of inhibition was also quantified as relative to orlistat activity against PPL (orlistat equivalents). Results revealed that while 19.4% of the extracts were found to have anti-lipase activity ≥80%, 12% were actually found to promote PPL activity. Twenty two percent (22.4%) exhibited moderate inhibition (41%-80%) and 2% were neutral toward PPL activity. The ripe fruit of Averrhoa carambola and the leaves of Archidendron jiringa (Jack) I.C Nielsen L. (jering), Cynometra cauliflora (nam-nam) and Aleurites moluccana (L.) Willd (candle nut/buah keras) had the highest (100%) anti-lipase activity and are equivalent to 0.11 µg orlistat/mL. Plants that stimulated lipase activity included Pimpinella anisum L. (aniseed/jintan manis), activating the enzyme by 186.5%. Kaempferol 3-O-rhamnoside was isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of C. cauliflora leaves and found to be an active lipase inhibitor. The structure was elucidated using 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and 2D-NMR analyses.
    Matched MeSH terms: Enzyme Inhibitors/chemistry*; Lipase/chemistry*; Plant Extracts/chemistry*; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry*; Plant Leaves/chemistry; Enzyme Activators/chemistry
  18. Fulltext Prostaglandin analogous and antioxidant activity mediated gastroprotective action of Tabernaemontana divaricata (L.) R. Br. flower methanolic extract against chemically induced gastric ulcers in rats
    Ali Khan MS, Mat Jais AM, Afreen A
    Biomed Res Int, 2013;2013:185476.
    PMID: 24350249 DOI: 10.1155/2013/185476
    The present study was conducted to evaluate the antiulcerogenic effect and recognize the basic mechanism of action of Tabernaemontana divaricata (L.) R. Br. flowers. T. divaricata flower methanolic extract (TDFME) was screened for antiulcer activity versus aspirin and ethanol induced gastric ulcers at three doses--125, 250, and 500 mg/kg--orally using misoprostol as a standard. Besides histopathological examination, seven parameters, that is, ulcer index, total protein, nonprotein sulphhydryls, mucin, catalase, malondialdehyde, and superoxide dismutase levels, were estimated. In addition to HPLC profiling, GC-MS analysis and electrospray ionization--high resolution mass spectral (ESI-HRMS) analysis of crude TDFME were carried out in an attempt to identify known phytochemicals present in the extract on the basis of m/z value. The results revealed a significant increase in the levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, mucin, and nonprotein sulphhydryls, while they revealed a reduction in ulcer index, the levels of total protein, and malondialdehyde. Histopathological observations also demonstrated the protective effect. Though all the doses of TDFME exhibited gastroprotective function, higher doses were found to be more effective. Mass spectral analysis gave a few characteristic m/z values suggesting the presence of a few known indole alkaloids, while HPLC profiling highlighted the complexity of the extract. TDFME was found to exhibit its gastroprotective effect through antioxidant mechanism and by enhancing the production of gastric mucous.
    Matched MeSH terms: Methanol/chemistry; Antioxidants/chemistry; Plant Extracts/chemistry*; Prostaglandins/chemistry; Tabernaemontana/chemistry*; Flowers/chemistry*
  19. Fulltext LiNbO3 coating on concrete surface: a new and environmentally friendly route for artificial photosynthesis
    Nath RK, Zain MF, Kadhum AA
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2013;2013:686497.
    PMID: 24376384 DOI: 10.1155/2013/686497
    The addition of a photocatalyst to ordinary building materials such as concrete creates environmentally friendly materials by which air pollution or pollution of the surface can be diminished. The use of LiNbO3 photocatalyst in concrete material would be more beneficial since it can produce artificial photosynthesis in concrete. In these research photoassisted solid-gas phases reduction of carbon dioxide (artificial photosynthesis) was performed using a photocatalyst, LiNbO3, coated on concrete surface under illumination of UV-visible or sunlight and showed that LiNbO3 achieved high conversion of CO2 into products despite the low levels of band-gap light available. The high reaction efficiency of LiNbO3 is explained by its strong remnant polarization (70 µC/cm(2)), allowing a longer lifetime of photoinduced carriers as well as an alternative reaction pathway. Due to the ease of usage and good photocatalytic efficiency, the research work done showed its potential application in pollution prevention.
    Matched MeSH terms: Carbon Dioxide/chemistry*; Niobium/chemistry*; Oxides/chemistry*; Coated Materials, Biocompatible/chemistry*; Green Chemistry Technology/methods*
  20. Synthesis of fluorescent carbon dots via simple acid hydrolysis of bovine serum albumin and its potential as sensitive sensing probe for lead (II) ions
    Wee SS, Ng YH, Ng SM
    Talanta, 2013 Nov 15;116:71-6.
    PMID: 24148375 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2013.04.081
    Carbon dots have great potential to be utilised as an optical sensing probe due to its unique photoluminescence and less toxic properties. This work reports a simple and novel synthesis method of carbon dots via direct acid hydrolysis of bovine serum albumin protein in a one-pot approach. Optimisation of the important synthetic parameters has been performed which consists of temperature effect, acid to protein ratio and kinetics of reaction. Higher temperature has promoted better yield with shorter reaction time. The carbon dots obtained shows a strong emission at the wavelength of 400 nm with an optimum excitation of 305 nm. The potential of the carbon dots as optical sensing probe has been investigated on with different cations that are of environmental and health concern. The fluorescence of the carbon dots was significantly quenched particularly by lead (II) ions in a selective manner. Further analytical study has been performed to leverage the performance of the carbon dots for lead (II) ions sensing using the standard Stern-Volmer relationship. The sensing probe has a dynamic linear range up to 6.0 mM with a Stern-Volmer constant of 605.99 M(-1) and a limit of detection (LOD) of 5.05 μM. The probe performance was highly repeatable with a standard deviation below 3.0%. The probe suggested in this study demonstrates the potential of a more economical and greener approach that uses protein based carbon dots for sensing of heavy metal ions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Carbon/chemistry; Fluorescent Dyes/chemistry; Serum Albumin, Bovine/chemistry*; Sulfuric Acids/chemistry; Molecular Probes/chemistry; Quantum Dots/chemistry*
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