Displaying publications 61 - 80 of 93 in total

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  1. Toxoplasmosis: prevalence and risk factors
    Nissapatorn V, Noor Azmi MA, Cho SM, Fong MY, Init I, Rohela M, et al.
    J Obstet Gynaecol, 2003 Nov;23(6):618-24.
    PMID: 14617462
    A total of 200 pregnant women were recruited in this cross-sectional study. The overall seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women was found to be 49%, in which 39%, 4% and 6% for anti-Toxoplasma IgG, IgM and both anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively. We found the differences in Toxoplasma seroprevalence rates among the races were significant: the highest rate was in the Malays (55.7%), followed by the Indian (55.3%) and the Chinese (19.4%) (P<0.05) populations. An increase in Toxoplasma seroprevalence with increasing parity was detected (P<0.05). Women with no children had a prevalence of 39.7%, while women with one or more than two children had a prevalence of 44.2% and 62.9%, respectively. In this study, there was no significant association between Toxoplasma seroprevalence and various possible risk factors in pregnant women (P>0.05). When multivariate analysis was performed, no significant association between Toxoplasma seroprevalence and history of contact with cats, consumption of undercooked meat and blood transfusion was found (P>0.05). We did not find any newly diagnosed cases of acute acquired toxoplasmosis in pregnancy during the study period.
  2. Can Antimalarial Phytochemicals be a Possible Cure for COVID-19? Molecular Docking Studies of Some Phytochemicals to SARS-CoV-2 3C-like Protease
    Hasan A, Jannat K, Bondhon TA, Jahan R, Hossan MS, de Lourdes Pereira M, et al.
    Infect Disord Drug Targets, 2021 Jul 29.
    PMID: 34376138 DOI: 10.2174/1871526521666210729164054
    OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of reported anti-malarial phytochemicals as lead compounds for possible drug development against COVID-19.

    METHODS: An in silico approach was used in this study to determine through molecular docking the binding affinities and site of binding of these phytochemicals to the 3C-like protease of COVID-19 which is considered as the main protease of the virus.

    RESULTS: A number of anti-malarial phytochemicals like apigenin-7-O-glucoside, decurvisine, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, sargabolide J, and shizukaols A, B, F, and G showed predicted high binding energies with G values of -8.0 kcal/mol or higher. Shizukaols F and B demonstrated the best binding energies of -9.5 and -9.8, respectively. The acridone alkaloid 5-hydroxynoracronycine also gave a predicted high binding energy of -7.9 kcal/mol.

    CONCLUSION: This is for the first time that decursivine and several shizukaols were reported as potential anti-viral agents. These compounds merit further studies to determine whether they can be effective drug candidates against COVID-19.

  3. Occurrence of Acanthamoeba genotypes in Central West Malaysian environments
    Basher MHA, Ithoi I, Mahmud R, Abdulsalam AM, Foead AI, Dawaki S, et al.
    Acta Trop, 2018 Feb;178:219-228.
    PMID: 29203378 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.11.015
    Acanthamoeba species are ubiquitous free-living protozoa that can be found worldwide. Occasionally, it can become parasitic and the causative agent of acanthamoebic keratitis (AK) and Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis (GAE) in man. A total of 160 environmental samples and 225 naturally-infected animal corneal swabs were collected for Acanthamoeba cultivation. Acanthamoeba was found to be high in samples collected from environments (85%, 136/160) compared to infected animal corneas (24.89%, 56/225) by microscopic examination. Analysis of nucleotide sequence of 18S rRNA gene of all the 192 cultivable Acanthamoeba isolates revealed 4 genotypes (T3, T4. T5 and T15) with T4 as the most prevalent (69.27%, 133/192) followed by T5 (20.31%), T15 (9.90%) and T3 (0.52%). Genotype T4 was from the strain of A. castellanii U07401 (44.27%), A. castellanii U07409 (20.83%) and A. polyphagaAY026243 (4.17%), but interestingly, only A. castellanii U07401 was detected in naturally infected corneal samples. In environmental samples, T4 was commonly detected in all samples including dry soil, dust, wet debris, wet soil and water. Among the T4, A. castellanii (U07409) strains were detected high occurrence in dry (45%) followed by aquatic (32.50%) and moist (22.50%) samples but however A. castellanii (U07401) strains were dominant in dry samples of soil and dust (93.10%). Subsequently, genotype T5 of A. lenticulata (U94741) strains were dominant in samples collected from aquatic environments (58.97%). In summary, A. castellanii (U07401) strains were found dominant in both environmental and corneal swab samples. Therefore, these strains are possibly the most virulent and dry soil or dusts are the most possible source of Acanthamoeba infection in cats and dogs corneas.
  4. Fulltext The Garlic Tree of Borneo, Scorodocarpus borneensis (Baill.) Becc. (Olacaceae): Potential Utilization in Pharmaceutical, Nutraceutical, and Functional Cosmetic Industries
    Wiart C, Shorna AA, Rahmatullah M, Nissapatorn V, Seelan JSS, Rahman H, et al.
    Molecules, 2023 Jul 28;28(15).
    PMID: 37570687 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28155717
    Scorodocarpus borneensis (Baill.) Becc. is attracting increased attention as a potential commercial medicinal plant product in Southeast Asia. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the taxonomy, habitat, distribution, medicinal uses, natural products, pharmacology, toxicology, and potential utilization of S. borneesis in the pharmaceutical/nutraceutical/functional cosmetic industries. All data in this review were compiled from Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, ChemSpider, PubChem, and a library search from 1866 to 2022. A total of 33 natural products have been identified, of which 11 were organosulfur compounds. The main organosulfur compound in the seeds is bis-(methylthiomethyl)disulfide, which inhibited the growth of a broad spectrum of bacteria and fungi, T-lymphoblastic leukemia cells, as well as platelet aggregation. Organic extracts evoked anti-microbial, cytotoxic, anti-free radical, and termiticidal effects. S. borneensis and its natural products have important and potentially patentable pharmacological properties. In particular, the seeds have the potential to be used as a source of food preservatives, antiseptics, or termiticides. However, there is a need to establish acute and chronic toxicity, to examine in vivo pharmacological effects and to perform clinical studies.
  5. Fulltext Monitoring of Waterborne Parasites in Two Drinking Water Treatment Plants: A Study in Sarawak, Malaysia
    Richard RL, Ithoi I, Abd Majid MA, Wan Sulaiman WY, Tan TC, Nissapatorn V, et al.
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2016 06 28;13(7).
    PMID: 27367710 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13070641
    The occurrence of waterborne parasites coupled with water parameters at various processing sites of two drinking water treatment plants (A and B) and seven distribution system (DS) sites in Sarawak, Malaysia were studied. Ten liters of water underwent immunomagnetic separation (IMS) technique to detect the presence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium (oo)cysts. The remaining supernatant was used to detect other parasites whilst 50 mL of water sample was each used in the detection of free-living amoebae and fecal coliforms. Sampled water was positive for Giardia (32.9%; 28/85), Cryptosporidium (18.8%; 16/85) followed by Spirometra ova-like (25.9%; 22/85), Blastocystis-like (25.9%; 22/85), nematode larvae-like (8.2%; 7/85) and Taenia ova-like (1.2%; 1/85). Meanwhile, 90.2% (55/61) samples were positive for Acanthamoeba and Naegleria via cultivation and of these, 11 isolates were confirmed as Acanthamoeba genotype T3 (5/7) and T4 (2/7) followed by Naegleria sp. (4/11), Naegleria italica (2/11), Naegleria australiensis (1/11), Naegleria angularis (1/11) and Vahlkampfia sp. (3/11). Cryptosporidium, Acanthamoeba and Naegleria were also detected in one of the seven tested DS sites. Only Giardia and Cryptosporidium showed significant correlations with fluoride and fecal coliforms. These results describe the occurrence of waterborne parasites that will assist key stakeholders in mitigating contamination at the specific sites.
  6. Fulltext Comparative study on Toxoplasma infection between Malaysian and Myanmar pregnant women
    Andiappan H, Nissapatorn V, Sawangjaroen N, Nyunt MH, Lau YL, Khaing SL, et al.
    Parasit Vectors, 2014;7:564.
    PMID: 25498432 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-014-0564-9
    Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, causes a disease called toxoplasmosis which can sometimes be acquired congenitally by a newborn from an infected mother. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection and its associated risks among 219 and 215 pregnant women from Malaysia and Myanmar, respectively.
  7. Fulltext Knowledge and practice on Toxoplasma infection in pregnant women from Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand
    Andiappan H, Nissapatorn V, Sawangjaroen N, Khaing SL, Salibay CC, Cheung MM, et al.
    Front Microbiol, 2014;5:291.
    PMID: 24966855 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00291
    Toxoplasma gondii, is one of the infectious agents of congenital TORCH infections, causes severe clinical outcomes in fetus and newborns. Nevertheless this life-threatening parasitic disease is preventable by simple preventive measures related to lifestyle during pregnancy. We aim to study on the knowledge about toxoplasmosis and practices that prevents this infection among the pregnant women. Total of 2598 pregnant women from Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand were randomly surveyed to determine the knowledge and their practices on Toxoplasma infection. The questionnaire covered respondents' general information and knowledge on plausible risks factors, symptoms, timing of infection, prevention knowledge, and preventive behavior regarding Toxoplasma infection. Majority of these pregnant women were in their age group of 20-29 years (50.9%), completed secondary level of education (51.7%), in their second trimester of pregnancies (38.1%), non-parous (36.6%), and had no history of abortion (90.4%). Based on this survey, only 11% of these pregnant women had read, heard, or seen information regarding toxoplasmosis and 3.5% of them were aware of being tested for the infection. A small percentage of these pregnant women knew that T. gondii were shed in the feces of infected cats (19.4%) and sometimes found in the raw or undercooked meat (11.0%). There was 16.1% of responding women knew that toxoplasmosis is caused by an infection. Demographic profiles such as age group, level of education, pregnancy term, and number of children of the pregnant women showed significant association with their responses toward prevention knowledge and preventive behavior related questions (P < 0.05). Thus, it is suggested that health education on toxoplasmosis and primary behavioral practices should be consistently offered to reproductive age women in general and pregnant women in particular. This information could help to reduce vertical transmission of Toxoplasma infection during pregnancy.
  8. Fulltext Comparative study on waterborne parasites between Malaysia and Thailand: A new insight
    Kumar T, Onichandran S, Lim YA, Sawangjaroen N, Ithoi I, Andiappan H, et al.
    Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2014 Apr;90(4):682-9.
    PMID: 24567315 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.13-0266
    This study investigated the distribution of parasites as main contaminants in water environments of peninsular Malaysia (October 2011-December 2011) and the southeastern coast of Thailand (June 2012). Sixty-four water samples, 33 from Malaysia and 31 from Thailand, of various water types were examined according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines. Drinking or household water types from both countries were free from parasitic contamination. The recreational/environmental (except a swimming pool in Malaysia) and effluent water types from these two countries were contaminated with waterborne parasites: Giardia (0.04-4 cysts/L), Cryptosporidium (0.06-2.33 oocysts/L), hookworm (6.67-350 ova/L), Ascaris (0.33-33.33 ova/L), and Schistosoma (9.25-13.33 ova/L). The most contaminated sites were recreational lake garden 3 in Malaysia and river 2 in Thailand. Higher concentrations of Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and hookworm were found in samples from Malaysia than in samples from Thailand. The presence of Giardia cysts showed a significant association with the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts (P < 0.005).
  9. Fulltext Waterborne parasites: a current status from the Philippines
    Onichandran S, Kumar T, Salibay CC, Dungca JZ, Tabo HA, Tabo N, et al.
    Parasit Vectors, 2014;7:244.
    PMID: 24885105 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-244
    Despite the amount of awareness created, waterborne disease still poses threat, especially in developing countries. Due to the scarcity of reported data on waterborne parasites, the consumption of unsafe water prolongs. Thus, the occurrences of waterborne parasites from various samples were investigated from one of the Southeast Asian country, the Philippines.
  10. Waterborne parasites and physico-chemical assessment of selected lakes in Malaysia
    Onichandran S, Kumar T, Lim YA, Sawangjaroen N, Andiappan H, Salibay CC, et al.
    Parasitol Res, 2013 Dec;112(12):4185-91.
    PMID: 24046263 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-013-3610-1
    The objective of this study was to assess the physico-chemical parameters and waterborne parasites in selected recreational lakes from Malaysia. Samples were collected from seven stations of Recreational Lake A (RL-A) and six stations of Recreational Lake B (RL-B). The samples were processed to detect the presence of Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. using immunomagnetic separation kit, helminth eggs or ova by bright field microscopy and Acanthamoeba spp. by cultivation in non-nutrient agar. Chemical parameters such as ammonia, chlorine, fluoride, nitrate and nitrite and physical parameters such as dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, pH, salinity, temperature and total dissolved solid were also measured. Both lakes were freshwater with salinity ranging from 0.05 to 0.09 ppt. Most stations of these lakes were contaminated with Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp., Ascaris spp. and hookworm. Schistosoma spp. was found in RL-B only, while Acanthamoeba spp. was found in all stations. Of all sampling sites, station 5 of RL-B is the most contaminated. Linear regression and correlation analysis revealed that Giardia spp. and Schistosoma spp. showed a significant negative correlation with turbidity (p 
  11. Fulltext Acanthamoeba in Southeast Asia - Overview and Challenges
    Bunsuwansakul C, Mahboob T, Hounkong K, Laohaprapanon S, Chitapornpan S, Jawjit S, et al.
    Korean J Parasitol, 2019 Aug;57(4):341-357.
    PMID: 31533401 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2019.57.4.341
    Acanthamoeba, one of free-living amoebae (FLA), remains a high risk of direct contact with this protozoan parasite which is ubiquitous in nature and man-made environment. This pathogenic FLA can cause sight-threatening amoebic keratitis (AK) and fatal granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) though these cases may not commonly be reported in our clinical settings. Acanthamoeba has been detected from different environmental sources namely; soil, water, hot-spring, swimming pool, air-conditioner, or contact lens storage cases. The identification of Acanthamoeba is based on morphological appearance and molecular techniques using PCR and DNA sequencing for clinico-epidemiological purposes. Recent treatments have long been ineffective against Acanthamoeba cyst, novel anti-Acanthamoeba agents have therefore been extensively investigated. There are efforts to utilize synthetic chemicals, lead compounds from medicinal plant extracts, and animal products to combat Acanthamoeba infection. Applied nanotechnology, an advanced technology, has shown to enhance the anti-Acanthamoeba activity in the encapsulated nanoparticles leading to new therapeutic options. This review attempts to provide an overview of the available data and studies on the occurrence of pathogenic Acanthamoeba among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members with the aim of identifying some potential contributing factors such as distribution, demographic profile of the patients, possible source of the parasite, mode of transmission and treatment. Further, this review attempts to provide future direction for prevention and control of the Acanthamoeba infection.
  12. Fulltext Potential anti-Acanthamoeba and anti-adhesion activities of Annona muricata and Combretum trifoliatum extracts and their synergistic effects in combination with chlorhexidine against Acanthamoeba triangularis trophozoites and cysts
    Mitsuwan W, Sin C, Keo S, Sangkanu S, de Lourdes Pereira M, Jimoh TO, et al.
    Heliyon, 2021 May;7(5):e06976.
    PMID: 34027178 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06976
    Plants with medicinal properties have been used in the treatment of several infectious diseases, including Acanthamoeba infections. The medicinal properties of Cambodian plant extracts; Annona muricata and Combretum trifoliatum were investigated against Acanthamoeba triangularis. A total of 39 plant extracts were evaluated and, as a result, 22 extracts showed positive anti-Acanthamoeba activity. Of the 22 extracts, 9 and 4 extracts showed anti-Acanthamoeba activity against trophozoites and cysts of A. triangularis, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration of A. muricata and C. trifoliatum extracts against trophozoites and cysts was 500 and 1,000 μg/mL, respectively. The combination of A. muricata at 1/4×MIC with chlorhexidine at 1/8×MIC demonstrated a synergistic effect against trophozoites, but partial synergy against cysts. A 40% reduction in trophozoites and 60% of cysts adhered to the plastic surface treated with both extracts at 1/2×MIC were noted comparing to the control (P < 0.05). Furthermore, a reduction of 80% and 90% of trophozoites adhered to the surface was observed after pre-treatment with A. muricata and C. trifoliatum extracts, respectively. A 90% of cysts adhered to the surface was decreased with pre-treatment of A. muricata at 1/2×MIC (P < 0.05). A 75% of trophozoites and cysts from Acanthamoeba adhered to the surface were removed after treatment with both extracts at 4×MIC (P < 0.05). In the model of contact lens, 1 log cells/mL of trophozoites and cysts was significantly decreased post-treatment with both extracts compared to the control. Trophozoites showed strong loss of acanthopodia and thorn-like projection pseudopodia, while cysts demonstrated retraction and folded appearance treated with both extracts when observed by SEM, which suggests the potential benefits of the medicinal plants A. muricata and C. trifoliatum as an option treatment against Acanthamoeba infections.
  13. Fulltext Curcuma longa rhizome extract and Curcumin reduce the adhesion of Acanthamoeba triangularis trophozoites and cysts in polystyrene plastic surface and contact lens
    Mitsuwan W, Sangkanu S, Romyasamit C, Kaewjai C, Jimoh TO, de Lourdes Pereira M, et al.
    Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist, 2020 12;14:218-229.
    PMID: 33238231 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2020.11.001
    Curcuma longa and Curcumin have been documented to have a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects, including anti-Acanthamoeba activity. Hence, this study sought to explore the anti-adhesion activity of C. longa extract and Curcumin against Acanthamoeba triangularis trophozoites and cysts in plastic and contact lenses. Our results showed that C. longa extract and Curcumin significantly inhibited the adhesion of A. triangularis trophozoites and cysts to the plastic surface, as investigated by the crystal violet assay (P 
  14. Antiviral activity of Embelia ribes Burm. f. against influenza virus in vitro
    Hossan MS, Fatima A, Rahmatullah M, Khoo TJ, Nissapatorn V, Galochkina AV, et al.
    Arch Virol, 2018 Aug;163(8):2121-2131.
    PMID: 29633078 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-018-3842-6
    Viral respiratory infections are raising serious concern globally. Asian medicinal plants could be useful in improving the current treatment strategies for influenza. The present study examines the activity of five plants from Bangladesh against influenza virus. MDCK cells infected with influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1) were treated with increasing concentrations of ethyl acetate extracts, and their cytotoxicity (CC50), virus-inhibiting activity (IC50), and selectivity index (SI) were calculated. The ethyl acetate extract of fruits of Embelia ribes Burm. f. (Myrsinaceae) had the highest antiviral activity, with an IC50 of 0.2 µg/mL and a SI of 32. Its major constituent, embelin, was further isolated and tested against the same virus. Embelin demonstrated antiviral activity, with an IC50 of 0.3 µM and an SI of 10. Time-of-addition experiments revealed that embelin was most effective when added at early stages of the viral life cycle (0-1 h postinfection). Embelin was further evaluated against a panel of influenza viruses including influenza A and B viruses that were susceptible or resistant to rimantadine and oseltamivir. Among the viruses tested, avian influenza virus A/mallard/Pennsylvania/10218/84 (H5N2) was the most susceptible to embelin (SI = 31), while A/Aichi/2/68 (H3N2) virus was the most resistant (SI = 5). In silico molecular docking showed that the binding site for embelin is located in the receptor-binding domain of the viral hemagglutinin. The results of this study provide evidence that E. ribes can be used for development of a novel alternative anti-influenza plant-based agent.
  15. Fulltext Anti-Acanthamoeba synergistic effect of chlorhexidine and Garcinia mangostana extract or α-mangostin against Acanthamoeba triangularis trophozoite and cyst forms
    Sangkanu S, Mitsuwan W, Mahabusarakam W, Jimoh TO, Wilairatana P, Girol AP, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2021 04 13;11(1):8053.
    PMID: 33850179 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87381-x
    Acanthamoeba spp. can cause amoebic keratitis (AK). Chlorhexidine is effective for AK treatment as monotherapy, but with a relative failure on drug bioavailability in the deep corneal stroma. The combination of chlorhexidine and propamidine isethionate is recommended in the current AK treatment. However, the effectiveness of treatment depends on the parasite and virulence strains. This study aims to determine the potential of Garcinia mangostana pericarp extract and α-mangostin against Acanthamoeba triangularis, as well as the combination with chlorhexidine in the treatment of Acanthamoeba infection. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the extract and α-mangostin were assessed in trophozoites with 0.25 and 0.5 mg/mL, for cysts with 4 and 1 mg/mL, respectively. The MIC of the extract and α-mangostin inhibited the growth of A. triangularis trophozoites and cysts for up to 72 h. The extract and α-mangostin combined with chlorhexidine demonstrated good synergism, resulting in a reduction of 1/4-1/16 of the MIC. The SEM results showed that Acanthamoeba cells treated with a single drug and its combination caused damage to the cell membrane and irregular cell shapes. A good combination displayed by the extract or α-mangostin and chlorhexidine, described for the first time. Therefore, this approach is promising as an alternative method for the management of Acanthamoeba infection in the future.
  16. Acanthamoebicidal activity of periglaucine A and betulinic acid from Pericampylus glaucus (Lam.) Merr. in vitro
    Mahboob T, Azlan AM, Shipton FN, Boonroumkaew P, Nor Azman NS, Sekaran SD, et al.
    Exp Parasitol, 2017 Dec;183:160-166.
    PMID: 28916456 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2017.09.002
    Acanthamoeba species are pathogenic protozoa which account for amoebic keratitis, conjunctivitis and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. These amoebae form cysts which resist drugs and more effective acanthamoebicidal agents are needed. Medicinal plants could be useful in improving the current treatment strategies for Acanthamoeba infections. In the present study, we examined the amoebicidal effects of Pericampylus glaucus (Lam.) Merr., a medicinal plant used for the treatment of conjunctivitis in Malaysia. Pathogenic Acanthamoeba triangularis were isolated from environmental water samples and treated with different concentrations of fractions obtained from Pericampylus glaucus (Lam.) Merr. as well as main constituents for 24-72 h. Chlorhexidine was used as a reference drug. Ethanol fraction of stem showed significant (p 
  17. Fulltext Antibacterial and Antifungal Terpenes from the Medicinal Angiosperms of Asia and the Pacific: Haystacks and Gold Needles
    Wiart C, Kathirvalu G, Raju CS, Nissapatorn V, Rahmatullah M, Paul AK, et al.
    Molecules, 2023 May 04;28(9).
    PMID: 37175283 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28093873
    This review identifies terpenes isolated from the medicinal Angiosperms of Asia and the Pacific with antibacterial and/or antifungal activities and analyses their distribution, molecular mass, solubility, and modes of action. All data in this review were compiled from Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, ChemSpider, PubChem, and library searches from 1968 to 2022. About 300 antibacterial and/or antifungal terpenes were identified during this period. Terpenes with a MIC ≤ 2 µg/mL are mostly amphiphilic and active against Gram-positive bacteria, with a molecular mass ranging from about 150 to 550 g/mol, and a polar surface area around 20 Ų. Carvacrol, celastrol, cuminol, dysoxyhainic acid I, ent-1β,14β-diacetoxy-7α-hydroxykaur-16-en-15-one, ergosterol-5,8-endoperoxide, geranylgeraniol, gossypol, 16α-hydroxy-cleroda-3,13 (14)Z-diene-15,16-olide, 7-hydroxycadalene, 17-hydroxyjolkinolide B, (20R)-3β-hydroxy-24,25,26,27-tetranor-5α cycloartan-23,21-olide, mansonone F, (+)-6,6'-methoxygossypol, polygodial, pristimerin, terpinen-4-ol, and α-terpineol are chemical frameworks that could be candidates for the further development of lead antibacterial or antifungal drugs.
  18. Fulltext Antibacterial effects of 18 medicinal plants used by the Khyang tribe in Bangladesh
    Hossan MS, Jindal H, Maisha S, Samudi Raju C, Devi Sekaran S, Nissapatorn V, et al.
    Pharm Biol, 2018 Dec;56(1):201-208.
    PMID: 29529970 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2018.1446030
    CONTEXT: The resistance of bacteria to antibiotics is raising serious concern globally. Asian medicinal plants could improve the current treatment strategies for bacterial infections. The antibacterial properties of medicinal plants used by the Khyang tribe in Bangladesh have not been investigated.

    OBJECTIVE: The present study examines the antibacterial properties of 18 medicinal plants used by the Khyang tribe in day-to-day practice against human pathogenic bacteria.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Leaves, bark, fruits, seeds, roots and rhizomes from collected plants were successively extracted with hexane, ethyl acetate and ethanol. The corresponding 54 extracts were tested against six human pathogenic bacteria by broth microdilution assay. The antibacterial mode of actions of phytoconstituents and their synergistic effect with vancomycin and cefotaxime towards MRSA was determined by time-killing assay and synergistic interaction assay, respectively.

    RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Hexane extract of bark of Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J. Presl. (Lauraceae) inhibited the growth of MRSA, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii with MIC values below 100 µg/mL. From this plant, cinnamaldehyde evoked at 4 × MIC in 1 h an irreversible decrease of MRSA count Log10 (CFU/mL) from 6 to 0, and was synergistic with vancomycin for MRSA with fractional inhibitory concentration index of 0.3.

    CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides evidence that the medicinal plants in Bangladesh have high potential to improve the current treatment strategies for bacterial infection.

  19. Fulltext Increased detection of Plasmodium knowlesi in Sandakan division, Sabah as revealed by PlasmoNex™
    Goh XT, Lim YA, Vythilingam I, Chew CH, Lee PC, Ngui R, et al.
    Malar J, 2013 Jul 31;12:264.
    PMID: 23902626 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-12-264
    BACKGROUND: Plasmodium knowlesi is a simian malaria parasite that is widespread in humans in Malaysian Borneo. However, little is known about the incidence and distribution of this parasite in the Sandakan division, Malaysian Borneo. Therefore, the aim of the present epidemiological study was to investigate the incidence and distribution of P. knowlesi as well as other Plasmodium species in this division based on a most recent developed hexaplex PCR system (PlasmoNex™).

    METHODS: A total of 189 whole blood samples were collected from Telupid Health Clinic, Sabah, Malaysia, from 2008 to 2011. All patients who participated in the study were microscopically malaria positive before recruitment. Complete demographic details and haematological profiles were obtained from 85 patients (13 females and 72 males). Identification of Plasmodium species was conducted using PlasmoNex™ targeting the 18S ssu rRNA gene.

    RESULTS: A total of 178 samples were positive for Plasmodium species by using PlasmoNex™. Plasmodium falciparum was identified in 68 samples (38.2%) followed by 64 cases (36.0%) of Plasmodium vivax, 42 (23.6%) cases of P. knowlesi, two (1.1%) cases of Plasmodium malariae and two (1.1%) mixed-species infections (i e, P. vivax/P. falciparum). Thirty-five PlasmoNex™ positive P. knowlesi samples were misdiagnosed as P. malariae by microscopy. Plasmodium knowlesi was detected in all four districts of Sandakan division with the highest incidence in the Kinabatangan district. Thrombocytopaenia and anaemia showed to be the most frequent malaria-associated haematological complications in this study.

    CONCLUSIONS: The discovery of P. knowlesi in Sandakan division showed that prospective studies on the epidemiological risk factors and transmission dynamics of P. knowlesi in these areas are crucial in order to develop strategies for effective malaria control. The availability of advanced diagnostic tool PlasmoNex™ enhanced the accuracy and accelerated the speed in the diagnosis of malaria.

  20. Fulltext Preparation and evaluation of a niosomal delivery system containing G. mangostana extract and study of its anti-Acanthamoeba activity
    Sangkana S, Eawsakul K, Ongtanasup T, Boonhok R, Mitsuwan W, Chimplee S, et al.
    Nanoscale Adv, 2024 Feb 27;6(5):1467-1479.
    PMID: 38419876 DOI: 10.1039/d3na01016c
    Garcinia mangostana extract (GME) has severe pharmacokinetic deficiencies and is made up of a variety of bioactive components. GME has proven its anti-Acanthamoeba effectiveness. In this investigation, a GME-loaded niosome was developed to increase its potential therapeutic efficacy. A GME-loaded niosome was prepared by encapsulation in a mixture of span60, cholesterol, and chloroform by the thin film hydration method. The vesicle size, zeta potential, percentage of entrapment efficiency, and stability of GME-loaded niosomes were investigated. The values for GME-loaded niosome size and zeta potential were 404.23 ± 4.59 and -32.03 ± 0.95, respectively. The delivery system enhanced the anti-Acanthamoeba activity, which possessed MIC values of 0.25-4 mg mL-1. In addition, the niosomal formulation decreased the toxicity of GME by 16 times. GME-loaded niosome must be stored at 4 °C, as the quantity of remaining GME encapsulated is greater at this temperature than at room temperature. SEM revealed the damage to the cell membrane caused by trophozoites and cysts, which led to dead cells. In light of the above, it was found that GME-loaded niosomes had better anti-Acanthamoeba activity. The study suggested that GME-loaded niosomes could be used as an alternative to Acanthamoeba's therapeutic effects.
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