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Fulltext Delivery of paediatric rheumatology care: a survey of current clinical practice in Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific regions

Tangcheewinsirikul S, Tang SP, Smith N, Sukharomana M, Charuvanij S, Vilaiyuk S, et al.

Pediatr Rheumatol Online J, 2021 Jan 23;19(1):11.
PMID: 33485337 DOI: 10.1186/s12969-021-00498-1

BACKGROUND: Paediatric rheumatic diseases are a leading cause of acquired disability in Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific Countries (SE ASIA/ASIAPAC). The aims of this study were to identify and describe the challenges to the delivery of patient care and identify solutions to raise awareness about paediatric rheumatic diseases.
METHODS: The anonymised online survey included 27 items about paediatric rheumatology (PR) clinical care and training programmes. The survey was piloted and then distributed via Survey-Monkey™ between March and July 2019. It was sent to existing group lists of physicians and allied health professionals (AHPs), who were involved in the care pathways and management of children with rheumatic diseases in SE ASIA/ASIAPAC.
RESULTS: Of 340 participants from 14 countries, 261 participants had been involved in PR care. The majority of the participants were general paediatricians. The main reported barriers to providing specialised multidisciplinary service were the absence or inadequacy of the provision of specialists and AHPs in addition to financial issues. Access to medicines was variable and financial constraints cited as the major obstacle to accessing biological drugs within clinical settings. The lack of a critical mass of specialist paediatric rheumatologists was the main perceived barrier to PR training.
CONCLUSIONS: There are multiple challenges to PR services in SE ASIA/ASIAPAC countries. There is need for more specialist multidisciplinary services and greater access to medicines and biological therapies. The lack of specialist paediatric rheumatologists is the main barrier for greater access to PR training.

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products
Potential utilization of bioproducts from microalgae for the quality enhancement of natural products

Tang DYY, Khoo KS, Chew KW, Tao Y, Ho SH, Show PL

Bioresour Technol, 2020 May;304:122997.
PMID: 32094007 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.122997

Microalgae are autotroph organisms that utilise light energy to synthesize various high-value bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides, proteins and lipids. Due to its fast growth rate and capability to survive in harsh environment, microalgae nowadays are applied in various industrial areas. The process of obtaining microalgae-based biomolecules starts with the selection of suitable microalgae strain, cultivation, followed by downstream processing of the biomass (i.e., pre-treatment, harvesting, extraction and purification). The end products of the processes are biofuels and other valuable bioproducts. Nevertheless, low production yield and high-cost downstream processes are the emerging bottlenecks which need to be addressed in the upscaling of extracted compounds from microalgae biomass. To conclude, tremendous efforts are required to overcome these challenges to revolutionize microalgae into a novel and green factory of different bioactive compounds for industrial necessities to satisfy and fulfil global demands.

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products*
In silico approaches for probiotic-derived bioactives

Tan PL, Liong MT

Trends Biotechnol, 2014 Dec;32(12):599-601.
PMID: 25457386 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2014.09.011
Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products/isolation & purification*; Biological Products/metabolism*
Fulltext Streptomyces sp. MUM273b: A mangrove-derived potential source for antioxidant and UVB radiation protectants

Tan LT, Mahendra CK, Yow YY, Chan KG, Khan TM, Lee LH, et al.

Microbiologyopen, 2019 10;8(10):e859.
PMID: 31199601 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.859

Microbial natural products serve as a good source for antioxidants. The mangrove-derived Streptomyces bacteria have been evidenced to produce antioxidative compounds. This study reports the isolation of Streptomyces sp. MUM273b from mangrove soil that may serve as a promising source of antioxidants and UV-protective agents. Identification and characterization methods determine that strain MUM273b belongs to the genus Streptomyces. The MUM273b extract exhibits antioxidant activities, including DPPH, ABTS, and superoxide radical scavenging activities and also metal-chelating activity. The MUM273b extract was also shown to inhibit the production of malondialdehyde in metal-induced lipid peroxidation. Strong correlation between the antioxidant activities and the total phenolic content of MUM273b extract was shown. In addition, MUM273b extract exhibited cytoprotective effect on the UVB-induced cell death in HaCaT keratinocytes. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis detected phenolics, pyrrole, pyrazine, ester, and cyclic dipeptides in MUM273b extract. In summary, Streptomyces MUM273b extract portrays an exciting avenue for future antioxidative drugs and cosmeceuticals development.

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products/isolation & purification*; Biological Products/pharmacology
Fulltext Genomic Comparisons Reveal Microevolutionary Differences in Mycobacterium abscessus Subspecies

Tan JL, Ng KP, Ong CS, Ngeow YF

Front Microbiol, 2017;8:2042.
PMID: 29109707 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02042

Mycobacterium abscessus, a rapid-growing non-tuberculous mycobacterium, has been the cause of sporadic and outbreak infections world-wide. The subspecies in M. abscessus complex (M. abscessus, M. massiliense, and M. bolletii) are associated with different biologic and pathogenic characteristics and are known to be among the most frequently isolated opportunistic pathogens from clinical material. To date, the evolutionary forces that could have contributed to these biological and clinical differences are still unclear. We compared genome data from 243 M. abscessus strains downloaded from the NCBI ftp Refseq database to understand how the microevolutionary processes of homologous recombination and positive selection influenced the diversification of the M. abscessus complex at the subspecies level. The three subspecies are clearly separated in the Minimum Spanning Tree. Their MUMi-based genomic distances support the separation of M. massiliense and M. bolletii into two subspecies. Maximum Likelihood analysis through dN/dS (the ratio of number of non-synonymous substitutions per non-synonymous site, to the number of synonymous substitutions per synonymous site) identified distinct genes in each subspecies that could have been affected by positive selection during evolution. The results of genome-wide alignment based on concatenated locally-collinear blocks suggest that (a) recombination has affected the M. abscessus complex more than mutation and positive selection; (b) recombination occurred more frequently in M. massiliense than in the other two subspecies; and (c) the recombined segments in the three subspecies have come from different intra-species and inter-species origins. The results lead to the identification of possible gene sets that could have been responsible for the subspecies-specific features and suggest independent evolution among the three subspecies, with recombination playing a more significant role than positive selection in the diversification among members in this complex.

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products
Level of natural hepatotoxin (Indospicine) contamination in Australian camel meat

Tan ET, Al Jassim R, D'Arcy BR, Fletcher MT

Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess, 2016 Oct;33(10):1587-1595.
PMID: 27575484

Camel meat production for human consumption and pet food manufacture accounts for a relatively small part of overall red meat production in Australia. Reliable statistical data for the Australian production and consumption of camel meat are not available; however, it is estimated that 300,000 feral camels roam within the desert of central Australia, with an annual usage of more than 3000 camels for human consumption, 2000 for pet food manufacture and a smaller number for live export. Despite a small Australian camel meat production level, the usage of camel meat for pet food has been restricted in recent years due to reports of serious liver disease and death in dogs consuming camel meat. This camel meat was found to contain residues of indospicine, a non-proteinogenic amino acid found in certain Indigofera spp., and associated with mild to severe liver disease in diverse animals after dietary exposure to this hepatotoxin. The extent of indospicine-contaminated Australian camel meat was previously unknown, and this study ascertains the prevalence of such residue in Australian camel meat. In this study, indospicine levels in ex situ (95 samples collected from an abattoir in Queensland) and in situ (197 samples collected from camels after field culling in central Australia) camel meat samples were quantitated using a validated ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The quantitation results showed 46.7% of the in situ- and 20.0% of the ex situ-collected camel meat samples were contaminated by indospicine (more than the limit of detection (LOD) of 0.05 mg kg(-1) fresh weight). The overall indospicine concentration was higher (p < 0.05) in the in situ-collected samples. Indospicine levels detected in the present study are considered to be low; however, a degree of caution must still be exercised, since the tolerable daily intake for indospicine is currently not available for risk estimation.

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products/analysis*
Management of rheumatoid arthritis in clinical practice using treat-to-target strategy: Where do we stand in the multi-ethnic Malaysia population?

Tan BE, Lim AL, Kan SL, Lim CH, Ng YF, Tng SLC, et al.

Rheumatol Int, 2017 Jun;37(6):905-913.
PMID: 28389855 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-017-3705-6

To evaluate the achievement of treat-to-target (T2T) strategy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and identify factors associated with failed treatment target in a public rheumatology center. A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2015 to February 2016. RA patients with disease duration greater than 2 years and under T2T for over a year were invited to the study. Demographic, clinical data, disease activity score of 28 joints (DAS28), and clinical disease activity index (CDAI) were collected in a single routine clinic visit. Treatment target was defined as DAS28 <3.2 or CDAI ≤10. Retrospective chart review was performed to determine reasons of failed treatment target. A total of 371 patients were recruited and 87.1% were female. Mean age and duration of RA were 53.5 years (SD 10.3) and 9.1 years (SD 6.6), respectively. Ethnic distribution was 49% Chinese, 27% Malay, and 24% Indian. T2T was achieved in 81.7% of the cohort. Non-Chinese ethnicity, positive rheumatoid factor, and treatment with three disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were associated with failed treatment target. After controlling for covariates, Malay ethnicity (OR 2.96; 95% CI 1.47-5.96) and treatment with three DMARDs (OR 2.14; 95% CI 1.06-4.35) were associated with failed treatment target. There was no association between age, gender, duration of RA, BMI, smoking status, anti-citrulinated cyclic peptide, and achievement of T2T. The most common reasons of failed treatment target were inability to escalate DMARDs due to side effects (18.8%), lack of biologics fund (15.6%), and persistent disease despite optimum treatment (14.1%). T2T was successfully implemented. Malay patients need aggressive treatment adaptation to achieve optimal outcome.

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products/supply & distribution; Biological Products/therapeutic use
Real-world clinical experience of biological disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in Malaysia rheumatoid arthritis patients

Tan BE, Lim AL, Kan SL, Lim CH, Tsang EEL, Ch'ng SS, et al.

Rheumatol Int, 2017 Oct;37(10):1719-1725.
PMID: 28695274 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-017-3772-8

The effect of biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in real-world clinical practice remains unknown in Southeast Asia. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of bDMARDs among Malaysian RA patients treated in routine clinical practice. A retrospective medical chart review of RA patients from 11 government hospitals were conducted from January 2003 to January 2014. A standardized questionnaire was used to abstract patient's demographic, clinical and treatment data. Level of disease activity was measured by DAS28 collected at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. Three hundred and one patients were available for analysis, mean age 41 (SD, 10.8) years, mean RA duration 12.3 (SD, 6.9) years and 98% had history of two or more conventional-synthetic DMARDs. There were 467 bDMARD courses prescribed with mean bDMARDs duration use of 12.9 months (SD 14.7). Tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors were the most common prescribed bDMARDs (77.1%), followed by Tocilizumab (14.6%) and Rituximab (8.4%). We observed significant improvement in mean DAS28 values from baseline to 3, 6 and 12 months (p

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products/adverse effects; Biological Products/therapeutic use*
2018 APLAR axial spondyloarthritis treatment recommendations

Tam LS, Wei JC, Aggarwal A, Baek HJ, Cheung PP, Chiowchanwisawakit P, et al.

Int J Rheum Dis, 2019 Mar;22(3):340-356.
PMID: 30816645 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185X.13510

INTRODUCTION: Despite the availability of axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) recommendations proposed by various rheumatology societies, we considered that a region-specific guideline was of substantial added value to clinicians of the Asia-Pacific region, given the wide variations in predisposition to infections and other patient factors, local practice patterns, and access to treatment across countries.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Systematic reviews were undertaken of English-language articles published between 2000 and 2016, identified from MEDLINE using PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases. The strength of available evidence was graded using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach. Recommendations were developed through consensus using the Delphi technique.
RESULTS: Fourteen axial SpA treatment recommendations were developed based on evidence summaries and consensus. The first 2 recommendations cover non-pharmacological approaches to management. Recommendations 3 to 5 describe the following: the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as first-line symptomatic treatment; the avoidance of long-term corticosteroid use; and the utility of conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) for peripheral or extra-articular manifestations. Recommendation 6 refers to the indications for biological DMARDs (bDMARDs). Recommendation 7 deals specifically with screening for infections endemic to Asia, prior to use of bDMARDs. Recommendations 7 to 13 cover the role of bDMARDs in the treatment of active axial SpA and include related issues such as continuing therapy and use in special populations. Recommendation 14 deals with the utility of surgical intervention in axial SpA.
CONCLUSION: These recommendations provide up-to-date guidance for treatment of axial SpA to help meet the needs of patients and clinicians in the Asia-Pacific region.

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products/adverse effects; Biological Products/therapeutic use*
Fulltext Combinatorial Cytotoxic Effects of Gelam Honey and 5-Fluorouracil against Human Adenocarcinoma Colon Cancer HT-29 Cells In Vitro

T-Johari SAT, Hashim F, Ismail WI, Ali AM

Int J Cell Biol, 2019;2019:3059687.
PMID: 30923553 DOI: 10.1155/2019/3059687

Combination of natural products with chemodrugs is becoming a trend in discovering new therapeutics approach for enhancing the cancer treatment process. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the cytotoxic and apoptosis induction of Gelam honey (GH) combined with or without 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) on HT-29 cells. The cell viability was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay to assess cytotoxicity. Morphological changes and apoptosis were determined by the inverted microscope, Annexin V-FITC, and DNA fragmentation via flow cytometric analysis, respectively. Our results demonstrate that combined treatment revealed a remarkable and concentration-dependent cytotoxic effect on HT-29 cells in comparison with GH and 5-FU alone. Flow cytometry analysis showed that early apoptosis event was more pronounced in combined treatment. In addition, compared to 5-FU alone, apoptosis of HT-29 cells treated with combinations of GH and 5-FU demonstrated increasing percentages of fragmented DNA. Our results suggest that GH has a synergistic cytotoxic effect with 5-FU in HT-29 cell lines in vitro. Although the actions of the molecular mechanisms are not yet clear, the results reveal that the combination of GH and 5-FU could have the potential as a therapeutic agent.

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products
Fulltext Chikungunya and alternative treatment from natural products: a review

Syuhadaratul Aini Mohamat, Nor Fazila Che Mat, Najmo Ibrahim Barkhadle2, Tuan Nur Akmalina Mat Jusoh, Rafidah Hanim Shueb

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(1):304-311.
MyJurnal

Chikungunya is an infection caused by chikungunya virus which at present has spread to new countries and con- tinents. Chikungunya is associated with self-limiting and non-fatal infection in the past. However, in recent times, increased severity of the disease has been reported resulting in health and economic burden. The threat and bur- den of chikungunya would grow in future in the absence of specific antiviral or vaccine to control or eliminate the infection. This review discusses chikungunya in general including transmission of its etiological agent and clinical manifestations of the disease. Subsequently, management and treatment of chikungunya virus will be reviewed with particular emphasis on natural products or their active compounds with potential anti-chikungunya virus activities.

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products
Fulltext Antibacterial activity of Java turmeric (Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb.) extract against Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from several vegetables

Sylvester, W. S., Son, R., Lew, K. F., Rukayadi, Y.

International Food Research Journal, 2015;22(5):1770-1776.
MyJurnal

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a foodborne pathogen associated with pneumoniae. Multiresistance to antibiotics of K. pneumoniae is a significant public health treat. Recently, the use of natural products such as herbs to inhibit the growth of pathogens is increasing. Java turmeric (Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb.) has been reported to possess antibacterial activity against foodborne pathogens. Unfortunately, the antibacterial activity of java turmeric extract against the resistance to multiantibiotics of K. pneumoniae has not been investigated. In this study, the antibacterial activity of Java turmeric extract was tested against 24 isolates of resistant K. pneumoniae that was isolated from several vegetables; lettuce, cucumber, tomato and carrot, using the methods recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CSLI), including disc diffusion method, minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) and killing time at concentration 0× MIC, ½× MIC, 1× MIC, 2× MIC and 4× MIC with predetermined time of 0, 0.25 , 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 h. The results showed that Java turmeric extract is susceptible to all resistant K. pneumoniae with inhibition zones ranging from 8.67 ± 0.58 to 10.00 ± 0.00 mm. The MIC and MBC values for the K. pneumoniae isolates against all bacterial isolates was 1.25 and 2.5 mg/ml, respectively. The killing time curve shows the reduction of resistant K. pneumoniae cells is fast acting; > 3 log10 within less than 15 min at 4× MIC (5.0 mg/ml). Finally, the isolates were completely killed at 4× MIC for 15 min. In conclusion, the Java turmeric extracts can be developed as natural antimicrobial agent to inhibit the growth of K. pneumoniae in food system.

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products
Fulltext Development of plant-based emulsion formulations to control bacterial leaf blight and sheath brown rot of rice

Syed-Ab-Rahman SF, Carvalhais LC, Omar D

Heliyon, 2020 Jan;6(1):e03151.
PMID: 32042948 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e03151

Bacterial leaf blight (BLB) and sheath brown rot (SBR), caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) and Pseudomonas fuscovaginae, respectively, are bacterial diseases that lead to substantial yield losses in rice. Natural plant-based products represent a sustainable alternative to combat bacterial diseases due to their biodegradability and overall safety. However efficient ways of delivering them are crucial to their success. In an attempt to maximize the antibacterial properties of botanical bactericides for the control of these pathogens, this study evaluated the efficiency of different emulsion formulations of Piper sarmentosum extracts. The emulsion formulations were demonstrated to be effective in controlling BLB and SBR of rice in in vitro plate assays and in planta under glasshouse conditions. The observed in vitro inhibition of the bacterial pathogens and significant disease suppression in planta indicate that these plant extract formulations represent promising alternatives to be adopted in management strategies for controlling rice diseases.

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products
Fulltext Gelatin Microsphere for Cartilage Tissue Engineering: Current and Future Strategies

Sulaiman SB, Idrus RBH, Hwei NM

Polymers (Basel), 2020 Oct 19;12(10).
PMID: 33086577 DOI: 10.3390/polym12102404

The gelatin microsphere (GM) provides an attractive option for tissue engineering due to its versatility, as reported by various studies. This review presents the history, characteristics of, and the multiple approaches to, the production of GM, and in particular, the water in oil emulsification technique. Thereafter, the application of GM as a drug delivery system for cartilage diseases is introduced. The review then focusses on the emerging application of GM as a carrier for cells and biologics, and biologics delivery within a cartilage construct. The influence of GM on chondrocytes in terms of promoting chondrocyte proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation is highlighted. Furthermore, GM seeded with cells has been shown to have a high tendency to form aggregates; hence the concept of using GM seeded with cells as the building block for the formation of a complex tissue construct. Despite the advancement in GM research, some issues must still be addressed, particularly the improvement of GM's ability to home to defect sites. As such, the strategy of intraarticular injection of GM seeded with antibody-coated cells is proposed. By addressing this in future studies, a better-targeted delivery system, that would result in more effective intervention, can be achieved.

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products
Fulltext Effects of L-arginine on the reproductive system of male rabbits

Sukardi, S., Yaakub, H., Ganabadi, S., Cheng, L.H.

Malays J Nutr, 2006;12(2):201-211.
MyJurnal

L-arginine is an amino acid, which serves as the sole substrate for nitric oxide (NO) synthesis with the concomitant formation of L-citrulline in biologic system. NO has been demonstrated to be involved in smooth muscle relaxation and vasodilation, immune regulation and neurotransmission. It also has an important function as both intercellular and intracellular signals in many physiological systems, including the reproductive system where NO mediates penis erection. This study was undertaken to determine the effects of L-arginine on sperm motility, sperm count, and the nitric oxide level in the seminal plasma. Twelve sexually matured male rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were randomly divided into four groups with three rabbits each, which were control, low, medium, and high concentration groups. The treatment groups were force-fed with 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg, and 300mg/kg body weight of L-arginine for four weeks, whereas the control group was force-fed with water. Semen samples were collected every three days alternatively for a week before starting treatment and then after four weeks of treatment. Pre-treatment and post-treatment results were compared. Semen samples were collected using artificial vaginas from each group for sperm analysis such as sperm motility, sperm count and NO level in seminal plasma. Sperm motility and sperm count were analysed manually under microscope (twenty power objective), using a Makler counting chamber. NO levels in the seminal plasma were determined using Griess reaction. The results obtained from this study showed that oral consumption of L-arginine exerted a significant (p

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products
Development of antler-type fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum and determination of its biochemical properties

Sudheer S, Taha Z, Manickam S, Ali A, Cheng PG

Fungal Biol, 2018 05;122(5):293-301.
PMID: 29665955 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2018.01.007

Following the importance of antler-type fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum, in this study, the impact of main growth parameters such as ventilation and light on the development of antler-type fruiting bodies has been investigated together with the determination of physico-chemical properties of antler fruiting bodies. For this, the primordia bags of G. lucidum were kept under controlled ventilation to adjust the CO2 produced by the mushrooms owing to its respiration under light and dark conditions. The bioactive compounds such as phenolics, flavonoids, water-soluble polysaccharides and ganoderic acid showed a two-fold increase in the antler-type fruiting bodies as compared to normal kidney-shaped fruiting bodies. It is assumed from this study that the antler type fruiting bodies are developed due to restricted ventilation which causes an increase in the level of CO2 gas in the air as a result of respiration of mushroom. The shape and colour of antler fruiting bodies again dependent on the light provided in the growth chamber. This study also proves that with the manipulation of light and ventilation antler-type fruiting bodies of G. lucidum could be developed with higher quantity of bioactive compounds and with higher antioxidant potential.

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products/analysis*
The Medicinal Mushroom Ganoderma neo-japonicum (Agaricomycetes) from Malaysia: Nutritional Composition and Potentiation of Insulin-Like Activity in 3T3-L1 Cells

Subramaniam S, Sabaratnam V, Heng CK, Kuppusamy UR

Int J Med Mushrooms, 2020;22(1):65-78.
PMID: 32463999 DOI: 10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2020033250

Ganoderma neo-japonicum is an annual polypore mushroom that is consumed by Malaysian indigenous tribes to treat various ailments including diabetes. The present study aimed to investigate the nutritive composition and in vitro antihyperglycemic effects of G. neo-japonicum extracts on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Nutritional analysis of G. neo-japonicum basidiocarps indicated a predominant presence of carbohydrates, proteins, dietary fiber, and microelements. Hot aqueous extract (AE) and its isolated (1,3)(1,6)-β-D-glucan polysaccharide (GNJP) from basidiocarps of G. neo-japonicum were evaluated for their ability to stimulate insulin independent adipogenesis, glucose uptake, adiponectin secretion, and regulate gene expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. GNJP showed a dose dependent stimulation of glucose uptake and adiponectin secretion but attenuated lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. It upregulated the expressions of adiponectin, Aktl (protein kinase B), PPARγ (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma), PRKAG2 (protein kinase, AMP activated), and Slc2a4 (glucose transporter) genes to stimulate glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 cells, which may have contributed to the insulin-mimicking activities observed in this study. In summary, the nutritive compositions and significant glucose uptake stimulatory activities of GNJP indicated that it may have potential use in the formulation of functional food for the management of hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and related complications.

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products/pharmacology*; Biological Products/chemistry
Natural Products Combating Neurodegeneration: Parkinson's Disease

Solayman M, Islam MA, Alam F, Khalil MI, Kamal MA, Gan SH

Curr Drug Metab, 2017;18(1):50-61.
PMID: 27396919 DOI: 10.2174/1389200217666160709204826

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by neurodegeneration and a progressive functional impairment of the midbrain nigral dopaminergic neurons. The cause remains unknown; however, several pathological processes and central factors, such as protein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, iron accumulation, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, have been reported. The current treatment method primarily targets symptoms by using anti-Parkinson drugs such as levodopa, carbidopa, dopamine (DA) agonists, monoamine oxidase type B inhibitors and anticholinergics to replace DA. When drug therapy is not satisfactory, surgical treatments are recommended. Unfortunately, the existing conventional strategies that target PD are associated with numerous side effects and possess an economic burden. Therefore, novel therapeutic approaches that regulate the pathways leading to neuronal death and dysfunction are necessary. For many years, nature has provided the primary resource for the discovery of potential therapeutic agents. Remarkably, many natural products from medicinal plants, fruits and vegetables have been demonstrated to be efficacious anti-Parkinson agents. These products possess neuroprotective properties as a result of not only their wellrecognized anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities but also their inhibitory roles regarding iron accumulation, protein misfolding and the maintenance of proteasomal degradation, as well as mitochondrial homeostasis. The aim of this review is to report the available anti-Parkinson agents based on natural products and delineate their therapeutic actions, which act on various pathways. Overall, this review emphasizes the types of natural products that are potential future resources in the treatment of PD as novel regimens or supplementary agents.

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products
Fulltext Complicated crown root fracture treatment option: a case report

Sockalingam, S. Nagarajan M.P., Alida Mahyuddin

Archives of Orofacial Sciences, 2009;4(1):25-28.
MyJurnal

Complicated crown-root fractures are rare and often need complex treatment planning. This paper describes a simplified treatment option for a complicated crown root fracture that minimally encroached into the biologic region in a growing child without the need for surgery or orthodontic treatment.

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products
Fulltext Psidium guajava fruit peel extract reduces oxidative stress of pancreas in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Siti Balkis Budin, Hawa Ismail, Pek LC

Sains Malaysiana, 2013;42:707-713.

Abundant natural products with medicinal properties have been used as food and traditional medicine for diabetes mellitus all over the world. Psidium guajava fruit from the family of Myrtaceae has gained attention for its antioxidant potential. This study was conducted to determine the effects of P. guajava fruit peel aqueous extract on oxidative stress of pancreas in streptozotocin-induced (45 mg/kg) diabetic rats. Diabetic rats were administered with 400 mg/kg of aqueous extract of P. guajava fruit peel daily for 28 days duration. The results showed that diabetic rats supplemented with P. guajava extract did not cause significant difference in blood glucose level (p>0.05) as compared with diabetic rats alone. For oxidative stress evaluation, malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl level were significantly lower and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) level were significantly higher (p<0.05) in P. guajava supplemented rats compared with non-supplemented diabetic rats. However, histological observation showed that supplementation of P. guajava extract did not give protective effects towards alterations in pancreas histology in diabetic rats. The findings suggested that aqueous extract of P. guajava fruit peel supplementation has the ability to reduce oxidative stress in pancreas of diabetic rats and may play a role in reducing the development of diabetic complications.

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products

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