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Fulltext Characterisation of sol-gel method synthesised MgZnFe2O4 nanoparticles and its cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cell line, MDA MB-231 in vitro

Nordin N, Kanagesan S, Zamberi NR, Yeap SK, Abu N, Tamilselvan S, et al.

IET Nanobiotechnol, 2017 Apr;11(3):343-348.
PMID: 28476993 DOI: 10.1049/iet-nbt.2016.0007

In this study, nanocrystalline magnesium zinc ferrite nanoparticles were successfully prepared by a simple sol-gel method using copper nitrate and ferric nitrate as raw materials. The calcined samples were characterised by differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the average particle size of the calcined sample was in a range of 17-41 nm with an average of 29 nm and has spherical size. A cytotoxicity test was performed on human breast cancer cells (MDA MB-231) and (MCF-7) at various concentrations starting from (0 µg/ml) to (800 µg/ml). The sample possessed a mild toxic effect toward MDA MB-231 and MCF-7 after being examined with MTT (3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay for up to 72 h of incubation. Higher reduction of cells viability was observed as the concentration of sample was increased in MDA MB-231 cell line than in MCF-7. Therefore, further cytotoxicity tests were performed on MDA MB-231 cell line.
Chalcone derivatives' interaction with human serum albumin and cyclooxygenase-2

Karthikeyan S, Thirunarayanan A, Shano LB, Hemamalini A, Sundaramoorthy A, Mangaiyarkarasi R, et al.

RSC Adv, 2024 Jan 10;14(4):2835-2849.
PMID: 38234869 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra07438b

Chalcone derivatives are an extremely valuable class of compounds, primarily due to the keto-ethylenic group, CO-CH[double bond, length as m-dash]CH-, they contain. Moreover, the presence of a reactive α,β-unsaturated carbonyl group confers upon them a broad range of pharmacological properties. Recent developments in heterocyclic chemistry have led to the synthesis of chalcone derivatives, which have been biologically investigated for their activity against certain diseases. In this study, we investigated the binding of new chalcone derivatives with COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) and HSA (Human Serum Albumin) using spectroscopic and molecular modeling studies. COX-2 is commonly found in cancer and plays a role in the production of prostaglandin E (2), which can help tumors grow by binding to receptors. HSA is the most abundant protein in blood plasma, and it transports various compounds, including hormones and fatty acids. The conformation of chalcone derivatives in the HSA complex system was established through fluorescence steady and excited state spectroscopy techniques and FTIR analyses. To gain a more comprehensive understanding, molecular docking, and dynamics were conducted on the target protein (COX-2) and transport protein (HSA). In addition, we conducted density-functional theory (DFT) and single-point DFT to understand intermolecular interaction in protein active sites.
Fulltext Cancer-Derived Exosomes as Effectors of Key Inflammation-Related Players

Othman N, Jamal R, Abu N

Front Immunol, 2019;10:2103.
PMID: 31555295 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02103

Exosomes, a category of small lipid bilayer extracellular vesicles that are naturally secreted by many cells (both healthy and diseased), carry cargo made up of proteins, lipids, DNAs, and RNAs; all of which are functional when transferred to their recipient cells. Numerous studies have demonstrated the powerful role that exosomes play in the mediation of cell-to-cell communication to induce a pro-tumoral environment to encourage tumor progression and survival. Recently, considerable interest has developed in regard to the role that exosomes play in immunity; with studies demonstrating the ability of exosomes to either metabolically alter immune players such as dendritic cells, T cells, macrophages, and natural killer cells. In this review, we summarize the recent literature on the function of exosomes in regulating a key process that has long been associated with the progression of cancer-inflammation and immunity.
Fulltext COVID-19 outbreak and sectoral performance of the Australian stock market: An event study analysis

Alam MM, Wei H, Wahid ANM

Aust Econ Pap, 2020 Nov 27.
PMID: 33349733 DOI: 10.1111/1467-8454.12215

The outbreak of COVID-19 has weakened the economy of Australia and its capital market since early 2020. The overall stock market has declined. However, some sectors become highly vulnerable while others continue to perform well even in the crisis period. Given this new reality, we seek to investigate the initial volatility and the sectoral return. In this study, we analyse data for eight sectors such as, transportation, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, energy, food, real estate, telecommunications and technology of the Australian stock market. In doing so, we obtain data from Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and analysed them based on 'Event Study' method. Here, we use the 10-days window for the event of official announcement of the COVID-19 outbreak in Australia on 27 February 2020. The findings of the study show that on the day of announcement, the indices for food, pharmaceuticals and healthcare exhibit impressive positive returns. Following the announcement, the telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and healthcare sectors exhibit good performance, while poor performance is demonstrated by the transportation industry. The findings are vital for investors, market participants, companies, private and public policymakers and governments to develop recovery action plans for vulnerable sectors and enable investors to regain their confidence to make better investment decisions.
Fulltext Bromelain Enhances the Anti-tumor Effects of Cisplatin on 4T1 Breast Tumor Model In Vivo

Mohamad NE, Abu N, Yeap SK, Alitheen NB

Integr Cancer Ther, 2019 11 23;18:1534735419880258.
PMID: 31752555 DOI: 10.1177/1534735419880258

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the antitumor enhancing effect of bromelain consumption on 4T1-challenged mice treated with cisplatin. Methods: Mice challenged with 4T1 triple-negative breast cancer cells received water, bromelain, cisplatin, or bromelain + cisplatin treatment for 28 days. Tumor size was measured, and lung metastasis was evaluated by clonogenic assay. Expression of tumor inflammatory genes of the harvested tumor was quantified by polymerase chain reaction array and ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Results: All treatments significantly reduced the size of tumor and lung metastasis, with combination treatment showing the best effect. Also, bromelain alone and combination treatment showed downregulation of the expression of tumor inflammatory genes (Gremlin [GREM1], interleukin 1β [IL-1β], interleukin-4 [IL-4], nuclear factor κB subunit 1 [NFκB1], and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 [PTGS2]), tumor nitric oxide level, and serum IL-1β, and IL-4 levels. On the other hand, cisplatin treatment increased the expression of selected inflammatory markers. Conclusion: This study suggests that bromelain treatment could potentiate the antitumor effect of cisplatin on triple-negative breast cancer 4T1 cells through modulating the tumor environmental inflammation.
Apoptosis and metastasis inhibitory potential of pineapple vinegar against mouse mammary gland cells in vitro and in vivo

Mohamad NE, Abu N, Yeap SK, Lim KL, Romli MF, Sharifuddin SA, et al.

Nutr Metab (Lond), 2019;16:49.
PMID: 31372176 DOI: 10.1186/s12986-019-0380-5

Background: Plant-based food medicine and functional foods have been consumed extensively due to their bioactive substances and health-beneficial effects. Vinegar is one of them due to its bioactivities, which confers benefits on human body. Our previous study has produced pineapple vinegar that is rich in gallic acid and caffeic acid via 2 steps fermentation. There are many evidences that show the effectiveness of these resources in inhibiting the proliferation and metastasis of the cancer cells through several mechanisms.
Methods: Freeze-dried pineapple vinegar was evaluated for its in vitro apoptosis and metastasis inhibitory potential using MTT, cell cycle, Annexin V and scratch assays. The in vivo test using BALB/c mice challenged with 4 T1 cells was further investigated by pre-treating the mice with 0.08 or 2 ml/kg body weight of freshly-prepared pineapple vinegar for 28 days. The tumor weight, apoptotic state of cells in tumor, metastasis and immune response of the untreated and pineapple vinegar treatment group were evaluated and compared.
Results: From the in vitro study, an IC50 value of 0.25 mg/mL after 48 h of treatment was established. Annexin V/PI and scratch closure assays showed that pineapple vinegar induced 70% of cell population to undergo apoptosis and inhibited 30% of wound closure of 4 T1 cells. High concentration of pineapple vinegar (2 ml/kg body weight) led to the reduction of tumor weight and volume by 45%as compared to the untreated 4 T1-challenged mice. This effect might have been contributed by the increase of T cell and NK cells population associated with the overexpression of IL-2 andIFN-γ cytokines and splenocyte cytotoxicity. Furthermore, fewer instances of metastasis events were recorded in the pineapple vinegar treatment group and this could be explained by the downregulation of inflammation related genes (iNOS, NF-kB and COX2), metastasis related genes (iCAM, VEGF and MMP9) and angeogenesis related genes (CD26, TIMP1, HGF, MMP3, IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2).
Conclusion: The ability of pineapple vinegar to delay cancer progression portrayed its potential as chemopreventive dietry intervention for cancer therapy.
Fulltext Antitumor and Anti-Metastatic Effects of Citral-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carrier in 4T1-Induced Breast Cancer Mouse Model

Nordin N, Yeap SK, Rahman HS, Zamberi NR, Mohamad NE, Abu N, et al.

Molecules, 2020 Jun 09;25(11).
PMID: 32526880 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25112670

Cancer nano-therapy has been progressing rapidly with the introduction of many novel drug delivery systems. The previous study has reported on the in vitro cytotoxicity of citral-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC-Citral) on MDA-MB-231 cells and some preliminary in vivo antitumor effects on 4T1 breast cancer cells challenged mice. However, the in vivo apoptosis induction and anti-metastatic effects of NLC-Citral have yet to be reported. In this study, the in vitro cytotoxic, anti-migration, and anti-invasion effects of NLC-Citral were tested on 4T1 breast cancer cells. In addition, the in vivo antitumor effects of oral delivery of NLC-Citral was also evaluated on BALB/c mice induced with 4T1 cells. In vitro cytotoxicity results showed that NLC-Citral and citral gave similar IC50 values on 4T1 cells. However, wound healing, migration, and invasion assays reflected better in vitro anti-metastasis potential for NLC-Citral than citral alone. Results from the in vivo study indicated that both NLC-Citral and citral have anti-tumor and anti-metastasis effects, whereby the NLC-Citral showed better efficacy than citral in all experiments. Also, the delay of tumor progression was through the suppression of the c-myc gene expression and induction of apoptosis in the tumor. In addition, the inhibition of metastasis of 4T1 cells to lung and bone marrow by the NLC-Citral and citral treatments was correlated with the downregulation of metastasis-related genes expression including MMP-9, ICAM, iNOS, and NF-kB and the angiogenesis-related proteins including G-CSF alpha, Eotaxin, bFGF, VEGF, IL-1alpha, and M-CSF in the tumor. Moreover, NLC-Citral showed greater downregulation of MMP-9, iNOS, ICAM, Eotaxin, bFGF, VEGF, and M-CSF than citral treatment in the 4T1-challenged mice, which may contribute to the better anti-metastatic effect of the encapsulated citral. This study suggests that NLC is a potential and effective delivery system for citral to target triple-negative breast cancer.
Fulltext A Unique Case of Unilateral Oculomotor Nerve Palsy Secondary to Dengue Fever

Loh SA, Wan Abdul Rahman WMH, Sonny Teo KS, Abu N

Cureus, 2023 Feb;15(2):e35281.
PMID: 36994298 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.35281

A wide range of ocular complications may arise from the mosquito-borne illness, dengue fever. We report a case of isolated unilateral oculomotor nerve palsy due to complications of dengue fever. A 50-year-old male with serologically confirmed dengue fever presented with a sudden onset of double vision with left eyelid drooping and left eye outward deviation on his day 8 of illness. Ocular examination revealed binocular diplopia with complete left eye ptosis and restriction of all left eye movements except for abduction. His left eye pupil was 8 mm dilated with a negative relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD). A clinical diagnosis of left eye oculomotor nerve palsy with pupil involvement was established. Urgent contrasted brain imaging tests were performed and revealed to be normal. He was managed conservatively and had complete resolution of symptoms with good vision recovery within 3.5 months. Cranial mononeuropathy may be one of the various complications following dengue fever, as demonstrated in this case report. As it is an uncommon presentation, there is a need to exclude other acute causes of cranial nerve palsy. Visual prognosis is still favorable with judicious monitoring and without any treatment of steroids or immunoglobulin.
Fulltext 3-Bromo-1-hydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (BHAQ) inhibits growth and migration of the human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB231

Abu N, Akhtar MN, Ho WY, Yeap SK, Alitheen NB

Molecules, 2013 Aug 27;18(9):10367-77.
PMID: 23985955 DOI: 10.3390/molecules180910367

Breast cancer is becoming more prominent in women today. As of now, there are no effective treatments in treating metastatic breast cancer. We have tested the cytotoxic and anti-migration effects of BHAQ, a synthesized anthraquinone, on two breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB231. Anthraquinones are an interesting class of molecules that display a wide spectrum of biological applications, including anticancer properties. Cellular inhibition was tested through a MTT assay, double acridine orange/propidium iodide staining and FACS cell cycle analysis. Inhibition of migration was tested by the wound healing method, and migration through a Boyden chamber. BHAQ was cytotoxic towards both cell lines in a dose dependent and possibly cell-dependent manner. Additionally, BHAQ also inhibited the migration of the highly metastatic MDA-MB231 cell line.