Displaying publications 41 - 56 of 56 in total

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  1. Fulltext Toxoplasma gondii induced cognitive impairment in rats via dysregulation of dopamine receptors and indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase
    Wana MN, Watanabe M, Chiroma SM, Unyah NZ, Abdullahi SA, Nordin S, et al.
    Heliyon, 2023 Mar;9(3):e14370.
    PMID: 36950587 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14370
    Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a parasite capable of residing in the brain of their host which influences behaviour changes due to alterations in the neurotransmitters. Consequently, dopamine receptors (DRD) and indoleamine 2, 3 dioxygenase (IDO) dysregulation facilitate the progression of behaviour changes in a host as a response to infection. This study tested the effect of neurotransmitter changes as a result of T. gondii infection on rats cognitive impairment. The T. gondii strain of type I, II and III from Malaysia were previously identified by standard procedures. Sporulated oocysts each of type I, II and III were inoculated separately into three groups of Wistar rats (n = 9) respectively. Two separate control groups received either phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or MK-801 (dizocilpine). Behaviour changes were evaluated at nine weeks post infection in a square box, elevated plus maze and gene expression level of DRD and IDO compounds. The study revealed increased fatal feline attraction, reduced anxiety, decreased DRD and increased IDO gene expression in the T. gondii infected groups and MK-801 compared to the PBS control group. In conclusion, T. gondii infection alter the level of neurotransmitters in rat which cause cognitive impairment. This implies that all the T. gondii strain can cause behaviour changes if human were infected.
  2. Medicinal benefits, biological, and nanoencapsulation functions of riboflavin with its toxicity profile: A narrative review
    Lee TY, Farah N, Chin VK, Lim CW, Chong PP, Basir R, et al.
    Nutr Res, 2023 Nov;119:1-20.
    PMID: 37708600 DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2023.08.010
    Riboflavin is a precursor of the essential coenzymes flavin mononucleotide and flavin adenine dinucleotide. Both possess antioxidant properties and are involved in oxidation-reduction reactions, which have a significant impact on energy metabolism. Also, the coenzymes participate in metabolism of pyridoxine, niacin, folate, and iron. Humans must obtain riboflavin through their daily diet because of the lack of programmed enzymatic machineries for de novo riboflavin synthesis. Because of its physiological nature and fast elimination from the human body when in excess, riboflavin consumed is unlikely to induce any negative effects or develop toxicity in humans. The use of riboflavin in pharmaceutical and clinical contexts has been previously explored, including for preventing and treating oxidative stress and reperfusion oxidative damage, creating synergistic compounds to mitigate colorectal cancer, modulating blood pressure, improving diabetes mellitus comorbidities, as well as neuroprotective agents and potent photosensitizer in killing bloodborne pathogens. Thus, the goal of this review is to provide a comprehensive understanding of riboflavin's biological applications in medicine, key considerations of riboflavin safety and toxicity, and a brief overview on the nanoencapsulation of riboflavin for various functions including the treatment of a range of diseases, photodynamic therapy, and cellular imaging.
  3. Fulltext TREM-1 modulation produces positive outcome on the histopathology and cytokines release profile of Plasmodium berghei-infected mice
    Chin VK, Asyran AMY, Zakaria ZA, Abdullah WO, Chong PP, Nordin N, et al.
    J Parasit Dis, 2019 Mar;43(1):139-153.
    PMID: 30956457 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-018-1070-3
    Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM-1) is a potential molecular therapeutic target for various inflammatory diseases. Despite that, the role of TREM-1 during malaria pathogenesis remains obscure with present literature suggesting a link between TREM-1 with severe malaria development. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the role of TREM-1 and TREM-1 related drugs during severe malaria infection in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice model. Our findings revealed that TREM-1 concentration was significantly increased throughout the infection periods and TREM-1 was positively correlated with malaria parasitemia development. This suggests a positive involvement of TREM-1 in severe malaria development. Meanwhile, blocking of TREM-1 activation using rmTREM-1/Fc and TREM-1 clearance by mTREM-1/Ab had significantly reduced malaria parasitemia and suppressed the production of pro- inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IFN-γ) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10). Furthermore, histopathological analysis of TREM-1 related drug treatments, in particular rmTREM-1/Fc showed significant improvements in the histological conditions of major organs (kidneys, spleen, lungs, liver and brain) of Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. This study showed that modulation of TREM-1 released during malaria infection produces a positive outcome on malaria infection through inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion and alleviation of histopathological conditions of affected organs. Nevertheless, further investigation on its optimal dosage and dose dependant study should be carried out to maximise its full potential as immunomodulatory or as an adjuvant in line with current antimalarial agents.
  4. Fulltext Molecular Detection and Genetic Diversity of Toxoplasma gondii Oocysts in Cat Faeces from Klang Valley, Malaysia, Using B1 and REP Genes in 2018
    Nasiru Wana M, Mohd Moklas MA, Watanabe M, Zasmy Unyah N, Alhassan Abdullahi S, Ahmad Issa Alapid A, et al.
    Pathogens, 2020 Jul 16;9(7).
    PMID: 32708648 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9070576
    The major route for Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection is through the ingestion of foods contaminated with oocyst from cat faeces. The microscopic detection of T. gondii oocysts in cat faeces is challenging, which contributes to the failure of detecting or differentiating it from other related coccidian parasites. This study aims to detect T. gondii oocysts in cat faeces using two multicopy-target PCR assays and to evaluate their genetic diversity. Cat faecal (200) samples were collected from pet cats (PCs; 100) and free-roaming cats (FRCs; 100) within Klang Valley, Malaysia, and screened for coccidian oocysts by microscopy using Sheather's sucrose floatation. PCR assays were performed on each faecal sample, targeting a B1 gene and a repetitive element (REP) gene to confirm T. gondii oocysts. Additionally, the PCR amplicons from the REP gene were sequenced to further confirm T. gondii-positive samples for phylogenetic analysis. Microscopy detected 7/200 (3.5%) T. gondii-like oocysts, while both the B1 gene and the REP gene detected 17/200 (8.5%) samples positive for T. gondii. All samples that were microscopically positive for T. gondii-like oocysts were also shown to be positive by both B1 and REP genes. The BLAST results sequenced for 16/200 (8.0%) PCR-positive T. gondii samples revealed homology and genetic heterogeneity with T. gondii strains in the GenBank, except for only one positive sample that did not show a result. There was almost perfect agreement (k = 0.145) between the two PCR assays targeting the B1 gene and the REP gene. This is the first report on microscopic, molecular detection and genetic diversity of T. gondii from cat faecal samples in Malaysia. In addition, the sensitivities of either the B1 gene or REP gene multicopy-target PCR assays are suitable for the accurate detection of T. gondii from cat faeces.
  5. Fulltext Cytostatic and Antiproliferative Activities of F5 Fraction of Crinum amabile Leaf Chloroform Extract Showed Its Potential as Cancer Chemotherapeutic Agent
    Lim CP, Yam MF, Asmawi MZ, Chin VK, Khairuddin NH, Yong YK, et al.
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2019;2019:7521504.
    PMID: 31097973 DOI: 10.1155/2019/7521504
    Medicinal plants have been considered as promising sources of drugs in treating various cancers. Crinum amabile (C. amabile), a plant species from the Amaryllidaceae family, is claimed to be a potential source for cancer chemotherapeutic compounds. Here, we aimed to investigate the potential of C. amabile as an anticancer agent. Dried leaves of C. amabile were serially extracted and our findings showed that chloroform extract (CE) was shown to exhibit cytotoxic effect against all cancer cell lines used. This active extract was further fractionated in which F5 fraction was shown to possess the highest cytotoxicity among all fractions. F5 fraction was then tested in-depth through Annexin V/FITC apoptosis and DNA fragmentation assays to determine its apoptotic effect on MCF-7 cells. Results revealed that F5 fraction only showed induction of cell apoptosis starting at 72-hour treatment while DNA fragmentation was not detected at any of the concentrations and treatment periods tested. Meanwhile, cell proliferation assay revealed that F5 fraction was able to inhibit normal cell proliferation as well as VEGF-induced cell proliferation of normal endothelial cell (HUVECs). In conclusion, F5 fraction from C. amabile leaf CE was able to exhibit cytostatic effect through antiproliferation activity rather than induction of cell apoptosis and therefore has the potential to be further investigated as an anticancer agent.
  6. Fulltext Susceptibility of Toxoplasma gondii to Ethanolic Extract of Tinospora crispa in Vero Cells
    Sharif AA, Unyah NZ, Nordin N, Basir R, Wana MN, Alapid Ahmad A, et al.
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2019;2019:2916547.
    PMID: 31827548 DOI: 10.1155/2019/2916547
    Background: Toxoplasmosis remains widely distributed globally and is one of the major neglected parasitic zoonotic infections. The infection is still endemic in most parts of the world due to poor control as well as challenges of the currently used medications which can be overcome by using natural products. This study evaluated the effect of ethanolic extract from the stem of Tinospora crispa (EETC) on host cell invasion and intracellular replication of Toxoplasma gondii.

    Method: The stem powder of T. crispa was soaked in absolute ethanol for 72 hours. The resulting ethanolic extract was screened for the presence of phytochemicals. Vero cells monolayer in 96-well plate was infected with RH strain of T. gondii and treated with concentrations of the EETC, Veratrine alkaloid, and clindamycin ranging from 1.56 to 200 μg/mL. MTT assay was conducted after 24 hours to evaluate the cytotoxicity and antiparasitic activities of the EETC. Four and 24 hours treatment models were adapted to assess the infection index and intracellular proliferation of T.

    Results: The study revealed that the EETC had no cytotoxic effects on Vero cells with IC50 = 179 μg/mL, as compared to clindamycin (IC50 = 116.5 μg/mL) and Veratrine alkaloid (IC50 = 60.4 μg/mL). The EETC had good anti-toxoplasma activities with IC50 = 6.31 μg/mL in comparison with clindamycin (IC50 = 8.33 μg/mL) and Veratrine alkaloid (IC50 = 14.25 μg/mL). The EETC caused more than 70% and 80% reduction in infection index and intracellular proliferation in both treatment models, respectively.

    Conclusion: This in vitro study showed that the EETC contains promising phytochemicals effective against T. gondii and safe to the host cells.

  7. Fulltext In Vitro Antiplasmodium and Chloroquine Resistance Reversal Effects of Andrographolide
    Ibraheem ZO, Majid RA, Sidek HM, Noor SM, Yam MF, Abd Rachman Isnadi MF, et al.
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2019;2019:7967980.
    PMID: 31915453 DOI: 10.1155/2019/7967980
    The emergence of drug-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum is the worst catastrophe that has ever confronted the dedicated efforts to eradicate malaria. This urged for searching other alternatives or sensitizers that reverse chloroquine resistance. In this experiment, the potential of andrographolide to inhibit plasmodial growth and reverse CQ resistance was tested in vitro using the SYBRE green-1-based drug sensitivity assay and isobologram technique, respectively. Its safety level toward mammalian cells was screened as well against Vero cells and RBCs using MTT-based drug sensitivity and RBC hemolysis assays, respectively. Its effect against hemozoin formation was screened using β-hematin formation and heme fractionation assays. Its molecular characters were determined using the conventional tests for the antioxidant effect measurement and the in silico molecular characterization using the online free chemi-informatic Molinspiration software. Results showed that andrographolide has a moderate antiplasmodium effect that does not entitle it to be a substituent for chloroquine. Furthermore, andrographolide ameliorated the sensitivity of the parasite to chloroquine. Besides, it showed an indirect inhibitory effect against hemozoin formation within the parasite and augmented the chloroquine-induced inhibition of hemozoin formation. The study suggests that its chloroquine resistance reversal effect may be due to inhibition of chloroquine accumulation or due to its impact on the biological activity of the parasite. Overall, this in vitro study is a clue for the reliability of andrographolide to be added with chloroquine for reversal of chloroquine resistance and tolerance, but further in vivo studies are recommended to confirm this notion. In spite of its prominent and safe in vitro and in vivo growth inhibitory effect and its in vitro chloroquine resistance reversing effect, it is inapplicable to implement it in malaria chemotherapy to substitute chloroquine or to reverse its resistance.
  8. Interleukin-18 Antagonism Improved Histopathological Conditions of Malaria Infection in Mice
    Jabbarzare M, Chin VK, Talib H, Yam MF, Adam SK, Hassan H, et al.
    Iran J Parasitol, 2015 Jul-Sep;10(3):389-401.
    PMID: 26622294
    Interleukin 18 (IL-18) exerts pleiotropic roles in many inflammatory-related diseases including parasitic infection. Previous studies have demonstrated the promising therapeutic potential of modulating IL-18 bioactivity in various pathological conditions. However, its involvement during malaria infection has yet to be established. In this study, we demonstrated the effect of modulating IL-18 on the histopathological conditions of malaria infected mice.
  9. Fulltext HPLC and anti-inflammatory studies of the flavonoid rich chloroform extract fraction of Orthosiphon stamineus leaves
    Yam MF, Lim V, Salman IM, Ameer OZ, Ang LF, Rosidah N, et al.
    Molecules, 2010 Jun 21;15(6):4452-66.
    PMID: 20657453 DOI: 10.3390/molecules15064452
    The aim of the present study was to verify the anti-inflammatory activity of Orthosiphon stamineus leaf extracts and to identify the active compound(s) contributing to its anti-inflammatory activity using a developed HPLC method. Active chloroform extract of O. stamineus was fractionated into three fractions using a dry flash column chromatography method. These three fractions were investigated for anti-peritoneal capillary permeability, in vitro nitric oxide scavenging activity, anti-inflammatory and nitric oxide (NO) inhibition using carrageenan-induced hind paw edema method. The flavonoid rich chloroform extract fraction (CF2) [containing sinensetin (2.86% w/w), eupatorin (5.05% w/w) and 3'-hydroxy-5,6,7,4'-tetramethoxyflavone (1.101% w/w)], significantly reduced rat hind paw edema, NO and decreased dye leakage to peritoneal cavity at p < 0.05. IC(50) of in vitro NO scavenging of CF2 was 0.3 mg/mL. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of these CF2 may possibly be due to the presence of flavonoid compounds capable of affecting the NO pathway.
  10. Fulltext Interleukin-27 exhibited anti-inflammatory activity during Plasmodium berghei infection in mice
    Fazalul Rahiman SS, Basir R, Talib H, Tie TH, Chuah YK, Jabbarzare M, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2013 Dec;30(4):663-80.
    PMID: 24522137 MyJurnal
    Interleukin-27 (IL-27) has a pleiotropic role either as a pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory cytokine in inflammatory related diseases. The role and involvement of IL-27 during malaria was investigated and the effects of modulating its release on the production of major inflammatory cytokines and the histopathological consequences in major affected organs during the infection were evaluated. Results showed that IL-27 concentration was significantly elevated throughout the infection but no positive correlation with the parasitaemia development observed. Augmentation of IL-27 significantly elevated the release of anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10 whereas antagonising and neutralising IL-27 produced the opposite. A significant elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-6) was also observed, both during augmentation and inhibition of IL-27. Thus, it is suggested that IL-27 exerts an anti-inflammatory activity in the Th1 type response by signalling the production of IL-10 during malaria. Histopathological examination showed sequestration of PRBC in the microvasculature of major organs in malarial mice. Other significant histopathological changes include hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the Kupffer cells in the liver, hyaline membrane formation in lung tissue, enlargement of the white and red pulp followed by the disappearance of germinal centre of the spleen, and tubular vacuolation of the kidney tissues. In conclusion, it is suggested that IL-27 may possibly acts as an anti-inflammatory cytokine during the infection. Modulation of its release produced a positive impact on inflammatory cytokine production during the infection, suggesting its potential in malaria immunotherapy, in which the host may benefit from its inhibition.
  11. Fulltext Modulation of interleukin-18 release produced positive outcomes on parasitaemia development and cytokines production during malaria in mice
    Basir R, Hasballah K, Jabbarzare M, Gam LH, Abdul Majid AM, Yam MF, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2012 Sep;29(3):405-21.
    PMID: 23018504 MyJurnal
    The involvement of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and the effects of modulating its release on the course of malaria infection were investigated using Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection in ICR mice as a model. Results demonstrated that plasma IL-18 concentrations in malarial mice were significantly elevated and positively correlated with the percentage parasitaemia development. Significant expressions of IL-18 were also observed in the brain, spleen and liver tissues. Slower development of parasitaemia was observed significantly upon inhibition and neutralization of IL-18, whereas faster development of parasitaemia was recorded when the circulating levels of IL-18 were further augmented during the infection. Inhibition and neutralization of IL-18 production also resulted in a significant decrease of plasma concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IFNγ, IL-1α and IL-6), whereas the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10, was significantly increased. Augmenting the release of IL- 18 during the infection on the other hand resulted in the opposite. Early mortality in malarial mice was also observed when the circulating levels of IL-18 were further augmented. Results proved the important role of IL-18 in immune response against malaria and suggest that IL-8 is pro-inflammatory in nature and may involve in mediating the severity of the infection through a pathway of elevating the pro-inflammatory cytokine and limiting the release of anti-inflammatory cytokine.
  12. Fulltext Investigation of Andrographolide Effect on Non-Infected Red Blood Cells Using the 1H-NMR-Based Metabolomics Approach
    Alapid AAI, Abd Majid R, Ibraheem ZO, Mediani A, Ismail IS, Unyah NZ, et al.
    Metabolites, 2021 Jul 28;11(8).
    PMID: 34436427 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11080486
    Andrographolide (AG) has been shown to have several medicinal and pharmaceutical effects, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-malarial activities. Moreover, studies to assess the pharmacological effect of AG on the metabolic changes of uninfected red blood cells (uRBCs) have not yet been investigated. This study aims to evaluate the pharmacological effects of AG compared to chloroquine (CQ) on the metabolic variations of uRBCs in vitro using a proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR)-based metabolomics approach coupled with multivariate data analysis (MVDA). Forty-one metabolites were successfully identified by 1H-NMR. The results of the unsupervised data analysis principal component analysis (PCA) showed ideal differentiation between AG and CQ. PC1 and PC2 accounted for 71.4% and 17.7% of the explained variation, respectively, with a total variance of 89.10%. Based on S-plot and VIP values, a total of 28 and 32 metabolites were identified as biomarkers in uRBCs-AG and uRBCs-CQ, respectively. In uRBCs treated with AG, ten metabolic pathways were determined to be disturbed, including riboflavin metabolism, d-glutamate and d-glutamine metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, glutathione metabolism, proline and arginine metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, citrate cycle, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and pyruvate metabolism as well as alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism. In contrast, in CQ-treated uRBCs, nine affected metabolic pathways were determined, which involved the same metabolic pathways for uRBCs-AG, except for glutathione metabolism. These findings suggest an evident relationship between AG and CQ associated with metabolic changes in intact RBCs after being exposed to the treatment. The metabolomics results could allow useful comprehensive insights into the underlying mechanism of the action of AG and CQ on red blood cells. Consequently, the 1H-NMR-based metabolomics approach was successfully utilized to identify the pharmacological effects of AG and CQ on the metabolic variations of uRBCs.
  13. Fulltext The Role, Involvement and Function(s) of Interleukin-35 and Interleukin-37 in Disease Pathogenesis
    Bello RO, Chin VK, Abd Rachman Isnadi MF, Abd Majid R, Atmadini Abdullah M, Lee TY, et al.
    Int J Mol Sci, 2018 Apr 11;19(4).
    PMID: 29641433 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19041149
    The recently identified cytokines-interleukin (IL)-35 and interleukin (IL)-37-have been described for their anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating actions in numerous inflammatory diseases, auto-immune disorders, malignancies, infectious diseases and sepsis. Either cytokine has been reported to be reduced and in some cases elevated and consequently contributed towards disease pathogenesis. In view of the recent advances in utilizing cytokine profiles for the development of biological macromolecules, beneficial in the management of certain intractable immune-mediated disorders, these recently characterized cytokines (IL-35 and IL-37) offer potential as reasonable targets for the discovery of novel immune-modulating anti-inflammatory therapies. A detailed comprehension of their sophisticated regulatory mechanisms and patterns of expression may provide unique opportunities for clinical application as highly selective and target specific therapeutic agents. This review seeks to summarize the recent advancements in discerning the dynamics, mechanisms, immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory actions of IL-35 and IL-37 as they relate to disease pathogenesis.
  14. Fulltext IL35 modulation altered survival, cytokine environment and histopathological consequences during malaria infection in mice
    Bello RO, Abdullah MA, Abd Majid R, Chin VK, Abd Rachman Isnadi MF, Ibraheem ZO, et al.
    Malar J, 2019 Dec 19;18(1):434.
    PMID: 31856836 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-3070-x
    BACKGROUND: The immune modulating potential of IL-35 in multiple human disorders has been reported. Consequent upon the recognition of inflammatory cytokine activation and its preponderance for mediating pathology during malaria infection, the study aimed to characterize the expression and functional contribution(s) of IL-35 in Plasmodium berghei (strain ANKA) infected mice.

    METHODS: Plasmodium berghei infection in male ICR mice was used as the rodent model of choice. The time course of IL-35 expression in the systemic circulation and tissues of P. berghei infected mice as well as their healthy control counterparts was assessed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemistry respectively. The effect of modulating IL-35 by recombinant IL-35 protein or neutralizing anti-Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 3 antibody on the cytokine environment during P. berghei infection was assessed by flow cytometry. Furthermore, the influence of modulating IL-35 on histopathological hallmarks of malaria and disease progression was evaluated.

    RESULTS: Interleukin-35 was significantly up regulated in serum and tissues of P. berghei infected mice and correlated with parasitaemia. Neutralization of IL-35 significantly enhanced the release of IFN-γ, decreased the expression of IL-6 and decreased parasitaemia patency. Neutralization of IL-35 was also associated with a tendency towards increased survival as well as the absence of pathological features associated with malaria infection unlike recombinant IL-35 protein administration which sustained a normal course of infection and unfavourable malaria associated histological outcomes in P. berghei infected mice.

    CONCLUSION: These results indicate the involvement of IL-35 in P. berghei induced malaria infection. IL-35 neutralization strategies may represent viable therapeutic modalities beneficial for the resolution of malaria infection.

  15. Fulltext A Review on the Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Humans and Animals Reported in Malaysia from 2008-2018
    Nasiru Wana M, Mohd Moklas MA, Watanabe M, Nordin N, Zasmy Unyah N, Alhassan Abdullahi S, et al.
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2020 07 03;17(13).
    PMID: 32635389 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17134809
    Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). Human toxoplasmosis seroprevalence in Malaysia has increased since it was first reported in 1973 as shown in previous reviews of 1991 and 2007. However, over a decade since the last review, comprehensive data on toxoplasmosis in Malaysia is lacking. This work aimed at reviewing articles on toxoplasmosis research in Malaysia in order to identify the research gaps, create public awareness, and efforts made so far and proffer management options on the disease. The present review examines the available published research articles from 2008 to 2018 related to toxoplasmosis research conducted in Malaysia. The articles reviewed were retrieved from nine credible databases such as Web of Science, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, Springer, Wiley online library, Ovid, and Cochrane using the keywords; Malaysia, toxoplasmosis, Toxoplasma gondii, toxoplasma encephalitis, seroprevalence, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients, pregnant women, genotype strain, anti-toxoplasma antibodies, felines, and vaccine. The data highlighted seropositive cases from healthy community members in Pangkor Island (59.7%) and among migrant workers (57.4%) at alarming rates, as well as 42.5% in pregnant women. Data on animal seroprevalence were limited and there was no information on cats as the definitive host. Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii from HIV patients; pregnant women, and domestic cats is lacking. This present review on toxoplasmosis is beneficial to researchers, health workers, animal health professionals, and policymakers. Therefore, attention is required to educate and enlighten health workers and the general public about the risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in Malaysia.
  16. Fulltext Immunomodulating Phytochemicals: An Insight Into Their Potential Use in Cytokine Storm Situations
    Alarabei AA, Abd Aziz NAL, Ab Razak NI, Abas R, Bahari H, Abdullah MA, et al.
    Adv Pharm Bull, 2024 Mar;14(1):105-119.
    PMID: 38585461 DOI: 10.34172/apb.2024.001
    Phytochemicals are compounds found in plants that possess a variety of bioactive properties, including antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of phytochemicals in targeting specific signalling pathways involved in cytokine storm, a life-threatening clinical condition resulting from excessive immune cell activation and oversupply of proinflammatory cytokines. Several studies have documented the immunomodulatory effects of phytochemicals on immune function, including their ability to regulate essential cellular and molecular interactions of immune system cells. This makes them a promising alternative for cytokine storm management, especially when combined with existing chemotherapies. Furthermore, phytochemicals have been found to target multiple signalling pathways, including the TNF-α/NF-κB, IL-1/NF-κB, IFN-γ/JAK/STAT, and IL-6/JAK-STAT. These pathways play critical roles in the development and progression of cytokine storm, and targeting them with phytochemicals represents a promising strategy for controlling cytokine release and the subsequent inflammation. Studies have also investigated certain families of plant-related constituents and their potential immunomodulatory actions. In vivo and in vitro studies have reported the immunomodulatory effects of phytochemicals, which provide viable alternatives in the management of cytokine storm syndrome. The collective data from previous studies suggest that phytochemicals represent a potentially functional source of cytokine storm treatment and promote further exploration of these compounds as immunomodulatory agents for suppressing specific signalling cascade responses. Overall, the previous research findings support the use of phytochemicals as a complementary approach in managing cytokine storm and improving patient outcomes.
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