Displaying publications 61 - 80 of 667 in total

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  1. Construction and evaluation of a O139 Vibrio cholerae vaccine candidate based on a hemA gene mutation
    Ravichandran M, Ali SA, Rashid NH, Kurunathan S, Yean CY, Ting LC, et al.
    Vaccine, 2006 May 1;24(18):3750-61.
    PMID: 16102875
    In this paper, we describe the development of VCUSM2, a live metabolic auxotroph of Vibrio cholerae O139. Auxotrophy was achieved by mutating a house keeping gene, hemA, that encodes for glutamyl-tRNA reductase, an important enzyme in the C5 pathway for delta-aminolevulenic acid (ALA) biosynthesis, which renders this strain dependent on exogenous ALA for survival. Experiments using the infant mouse and adult rabbit models show that VCUSM2 is a good colonizer of the small intestine and elicits greater than a four-fold rise in vibriocidal antibodies in vaccinated rabbits. Rabbits vaccinated with VCUSM2 were fully protected against subsequent challenge with 1 x 10(11) CFU of the virulent wild type (WT) strain. Experiments using ligated ileal loops of rabbits show that VCUSM2 is 2.5-fold less toxic at the dose of 1 x 10(6) CFU compared to the WT strain. Shedding of VCUSM2 in rabbits were found to occur for no longer than 4 days and its maximum survival rate in environmental waters is 8 days compared to the greater than 20 days for the WT strain. VCUSM2 is thus a potential vaccine candidate against infection by V. cholerae O139.
    Matched MeSH terms: Disease Models, Animal
  2. The effect of Malaysian cocoa extract on glucose levels and lipid profiles in diabetic rats
    Ruzaidi A, Amin I, Nawalyah AG, Hamid M, Faizul HA
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2005 Apr 8;98(1-2):55-60.
    PMID: 15763363
    The present study aims to investigate the effect of cocoa extract on serum glucose levels and lipid profiles in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Cocoa extract (contained 285.6 mg total polyphenol per gram extract) was prepared from fermented and roasted (140 degrees C, 20 min) beans by extracting using 80% ethanol in the ratio of 1-10. The extract of three dosages (1, 2, and 3%) was fed to normal and diabetic rats for a period of 4 weeks. In hyperglycaemic group, cocoa extract (1 and 3%) diets were found to significantly lower (p<0.05) the serum glucose levels compared to the control. Furthermore, supplementation of 1 and 3% cocoa extract had significantly reduced (p<0.05) the level of total cholesterol in diabetic rats. In addition, 1, 2, and 3% cocoa extract diets had significantly lowered (p<0.05) the total triglycerides. Interestingly, this study found that serum HDL-cholesterol had increased significantly (p<0.05) in diabetic rats fed with 2% cocoa extract, while the LDL-cholesterol had decreased significantly (p<0.05) in the 1% treated group. These results indicate that cocoa extract may possess potential hypoglycaemic and hypocholestrolemic effects on serum glucose levels and lipid profiles, respectively. The results also found that the effect of cocoa extract was dose-dependent.
    Matched MeSH terms: Disease Models, Animal
  3. Fulltext Antihypercholesterolemic and antioxidant efficacies of zerumbone on the formation, development, and establishment of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits
    Hemn HO, Noordin MM, Rahman HS, Hazilawati H, Zuki A, Chartrand MS
    Drug Des Devel Ther, 2015;9:4173-208.
    PMID: 26347047 DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S76225
    Owing to the high incidence of cholesterol-induced cardiovascular disease, particularly atherosclerosis, the current study was designed to investigate the preventive and therapeutic efficacies of dietary zerumbone (ZER) supplementation on the formation and development of atherosclerosis in rabbits fed with a high cholesterol diet. A total of 72 New Zealand white rabbits were divided randomly on two experimental studies carried out 8 weeks apart. The first experiment was designed to investigate the prophylactic efficacy of ZER in preventing early developed atheromatous lesion. The second experimental trial was aimed at investigating the therapeutic effect of ZER in reducing the atherosclerotic lesion progression and establishment. Sudanophilia, histopathological, and ultrastructural changes showed pronounced reduction in the plaque size in ZER-medicated aortas. On the other hand, dietary supplementation of ZER for almost 10 weeks as a prophylactic measure indicated substantially decreasing lipid profile values, and similarly, plaque size in comparison with high-cholesterol non-supplemented rabbits. Furthermore, the results of oxidative stress and antioxidant biomarker evaluation indicated that ZER is a potent antioxidant in suppressing the generation of free radicals in terms of atherosclerosis prevention and treatment. ZER significantly reduced the value of malondialdehyde and augmented the value of superoxide dismutase. In conclusion, our data indicated that dietary supplementation of ZER at doses of 8, 16, and 20 mg/kg alone as a prophylactic measure, and as a supplementary treatment with simvastatin, significantly reduced early plague formation, development, and establishment via significant reduction in serum lipid profile, together with suppression of oxidative damage, and therefore alleviated atherosclerosis lesions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Disease Models, Animal
  4. Fulltext The effects of targeted deliveries of lovastatin and tocotrienol on ossification-related gene expressions in fracture healing in an osteoporosis rat model
    Ibrahim N', Mohamed N, Soelaiman IN, Shuid AN
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2015 Oct;12(10):12958-76.
    PMID: 26501302 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph121012958
    Osteoporotic drugs are used to prevent fragility fractures, but their role in fracture healing still remains unknown. Thus, alternative agents with suitable mode of delivery are needed to promote fracture healing. This study was performed to investigate the effects of direct deliveries of lovastatin and tocotrienol to fracture sites on ossification-related gene expression in fracture healing in a postmenopausal osteoporosis model. Forty-eight Sprague Dawley female rats were divided into six groups. Group I comprised the sham-operated rats, while Groups II-VI were ovariectomized rats. After 8 weeks, the right tibiae of all rats were fractured and stabilized. Group I and Group II were given two single injections of lovastatin and tocotrienol carriers. Group III was given an estrogen preparation at 64.5 µg/kg daily via oral gavages. Group IV was injected with lovastatin particles (750 µg/kg), while Group V was injected with tocotrienol particles (60 mg/kg). Group VI received two single injections of 750 µg/kg lovastatin particles and 60 mg/kg tocotrienol particles. After 4 weeks, the gene expressions were measured. Group VI showed significantly higher gene expressions of osteocalcin, BMP-2, VEGF-α, and RUNX-2 compared to Group II. In conclusion, combined treatment of lovastatin and tocotrienol upregulated the expression of genes related to fracture healing.
    Matched MeSH terms: Disease Models, Animal
  5. A semisynthetic diterpenoid lactone inhibits NF-κB signalling to ameliorate inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in a mouse asthma model
    Lim JC, Goh FY, Sagineedu SR, Yong AC, Sidik SM, Lajis NH, et al.
    Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, 2016 07 01;302:10-22.
    PMID: 27089844 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2016.04.004
    Andrographolide (AGP) and 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide (DDAG), two main diterpenoid constituents of Andrographis paniculata were previously shown to ameliorate asthmatic symptoms in a mouse model. However, due to inadequacies of both compounds in terms of drug-likeness, DDAG analogues were semisynthesised for assessment of their anti-asthma activity. A selected analogue, 3,19-diacetyl-14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide (SRS27), was tested for inhibitory activity of NF-κB activation in TNF-α-induced A549 cells and was subsequently evaluated in a mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma. Female BALB/c mice, 6-8weeks old were sensitized on days 0 and 14, and challenged on days 22, 23 and 24 with OVA. Compound or vehicle (3% dimethyl sulfoxide) was administered intraperitoneally 1h before and 11h after each OVA aerosol challenge. On day 25, pulmonary eosinophilia, airway hyperresponsiveness, mucus hypersecretion, inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4, -5 and -13 in BAL fluid, gene expression of inflammatory mediators such as 5-LOX, E-selectin, VCAM-1, CCL5, TNF-α, AMCase, Ym2, YKL-40, Muc5ac, CCL2 and iNOS in animal lung tissues, and serum IgE were determined. SRS27 at 30μM was found to suppress NF-κB nuclear translocation in A549 cells. In the ovalbumin-induced mouse asthma model, SRS27 at 3mg/kg displayed a substantial decrease in pulmonary eosinophilia, BAL fluid inflammatory cytokines level, serum IgE production, mucus hypersecretion and gene expression of inflammatory mediators in lung tissues. SRS27 is the first known DDAG analogue effective in ameliorating inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in the ovalbumin-induced mouse asthma model.
    Matched MeSH terms: Disease Models, Animal
  6. Modulation of LOX and COX pathways via inhibition of amyloidogenesis contributes to mitoprotection against β-amyloid oligomer-induced toxicity in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease in rats
    Kalra J, Kumar P, Majeed AB, Prakash A
    Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav., 2016 Jul-Aug;146-147:1-12.
    PMID: 27106205 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2016.04.002
    Several lines of evidence indicate that beta amyloid (β-A) production, neurofibrillary tangles and neuroinflammation are interrelated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD is associated with enhanced β-A production and accumulation resulting in neuroinflammation probably via activation of lipoxygenase (LOX) and cyclooxygenase (COX) pathways. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the role of LOX and COX inhibitors (zafirlukast and valdecoxib) in amyloidogenesis in β-A1-42 oligomer induced experimental AD in rats. The behavioral activities were assessed using actophotometer, novel object recognition test (ORT), Morris water maze (MWM) followed by biochemical assessments, determination of proinflammatory cytokines and mediators (TNF-α, IL-1β and PGE2), β-A1-42 levels and histopathological analysis. ICV administration of β-A1-42 oligomer produced significant impairment in memory consolidation. In addition to this significant increase in mito-oxidative stress, neuroinflammatory markers, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) toxicity, β-A1-42 level, neuronal cell death and neuroinflammation are more profound in β-A1-42 oligomer treated AD rats. Administration of zafirlukast (15 and 30mg/kg), and valdecoxib (5 and 10mg/kg) significantly improved the behavioral performances and showed significant reversal of mito-oxidative damage declining the neuroinflammation in β-A1-42 oligomer treated rats. Furthermore, more profound effects were observed at the sub-therapeutic dose combination of zafirlukast (15mg/kg) and valdecoxib (5mg/kg). The results of the present study indicate that protective effects of zafirlukast and valdecoxib are achieved through the blockade of release of LOX and COX metabolites therefore, representing a new therapeutic target for treating AD and other neurodegenerative disorders.
    Matched MeSH terms: Disease Models, Animal
  7. Non-polyphenolic compounds of a specific kind of dried grape (Maviz) inhibit memory impairments induced by beta-amyloid peptide
    Bakhtiyari E, Ahmadian-Attari MM, Salehi P, Khallaghi B, Dargahi L, Mohamed Z, et al.
    Nutr Neurosci, 2017 Oct;20(8):469-477.
    PMID: 27219682 DOI: 10.1080/1028415X.2016.1183986
    OBJECTIVES: Although grape has been recently the topic of many investigations, Maviz (a kind of dried one) has remained neglected. The aim of this study was to assess anti-Alzheimer activity of Maviz.

    METHODS: To reach this goal, total phenolic content (TPC) of ethanolic (Eth) and aqueous (Aq) extracts were determined and radical scavenging activity was assayed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. Chemical compositions of each extract were also determined via GC-Mass. Behavioral changes were studied via passive avoidance and Morris water maze in Aβ-induced model of Alzheimer's disease. Catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) determination were also done on rats' hippocampus.

    RESULTS: The results showed that seed Eth extract has a high level of TPC and radical scavenging activity. However, this extract had surprisingly no effect on memory and CAT and SOD activities. In contrast, fruit Aq and Eth extracts (containing furfurals as major compounds) inhibited memory impairment (P 

    Matched MeSH terms: Disease Models, Animal
  8. Boldine suppresses dextran sulfate sodium-induced mouse experimental colitis: NF-κB and IL-6/STAT3 as potential targets
    Pandurangan AK, Mohebali N, Hasanpourghadi M, Looi CY, Mustafa MR, Mohd Esa N
    Biofactors, 2016 May;42(3):247-58.
    PMID: 26891685 DOI: 10.1002/biof.1267
    Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a nonspecific inflammatory disorder characterized by oxidative and nitrosative stress, leucocyte infiltration, and upregulation of inflammatory mediators. Boldine is an alkaloid compound found in Boldo tree, with multiple pharmacological actions, mainly anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, and immunomodulatory activities. Hence, the effect of boldine for its anti-inflammatory properties against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC in BALB/c mice was studied. Administration of boldine to DSS-induced mice protects colon damage by reduced disease activity index, spleen weight, and increased colon length. Also administration of boldine showed a reduction in the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and CD 68+ expression. Boldine reduced the colon damage, with significant reductions in both the extent and the severity of the inflammation as well as in crypt damage and leukocyte infiltration in the mucosa. Analysis in vivo showed clear decrease in the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17, and signal transducer and activator of transcription-(p-STAT3)(Y705) with nuclear factor (p65-NF-κB) production being reduced significantly. Moreover, p65-NF-κB activation was reduced in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells in vitro. The data demonstrated that boldine may be beneficial in colitis through selective immunomodulatory effects, which may be mediated, at least in part, by inhibition of p65-NF-κB and STAT3 signaling pathways. © 2016 BioFactors, 42(3):247-258, 2016.
    Matched MeSH terms: Disease Models, Animal
  9. Fulltext Evidence of the gastroprotective and anti- Helicobacter pylori activities of β-mangostin isolated from Cratoxylum arborescens (vahl) blume
    Sidahmed HM, Hashim NM, Mohan S, Abdelwahab SI, Taha MM, Dehghan F, et al.
    Drug Des Devel Ther, 2016;10:297-313.
    PMID: 26834460 DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S80625
    PURPOSE: β-Mangostin (BM) from Cratoxylum arborescens demonstrated various pharmacological activities such as anticancer and anti-inflammatory. In this study, we aimed to investigate its antiulcer activity against ethanol ulcer model in rats.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: BM was isolated from C. arborescens. Gastric acid output, ulcer index, gross evaluation, mucus production, histological evaluation using hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid-Schiff staining and immunohistochemical localization for heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and Bax proteins were investigated. Possible involvement of reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation, prostaglandin E2, antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes, radical scavenging, nonprotein sulfhydryl compounds, and anti-Helicobacter pylori were investigated.

    RESULTS: BM showed antisecretory activity against the pylorus ligature model. The pretreatment with BM protect gastric mucosa from ethanol damaging effect as seen by the improved gross and histological appearance. BM significantly reduced the ulcer area formation, the submucosal edema, and the leukocytes infiltration compared to the ulcer control. The compound showed intense periodic acid-Schiff staining to the gastric mucus layer and marked amount of alcian blue binding to free gastric mucus. BM significantly increased the gastric homogenate content of prostaglandin E2 glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and nonprotein sulfhydryl compounds. The compound inhibited the lipid peroxidation revealed by the reduced gastric content of malondialdehyde. Moreover, BM upregulate HSP70 expression and downregulate Bax expression. Furthermore, the compound showed interesting anti-H. pylori activity.

    CONCLUSION: Thus, it could be concluded that BM possesses gastroprotective activity, which could be attributed to the antisecretory, mucus production, antioxidant, HSP70, antiapoptotic, and anti-H. pylori mechanisms.

    Matched MeSH terms: Disease Models, Animal
  10. Fulltext The gastroprotective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Monolluma quadrangula against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injuries in Sprague Dawley rats
    Ibrahim IA, Abdulla MA, Hajrezaie M, Bader A, Shahzad N, Al-Ghamdi SS, et al.
    Drug Des Devel Ther, 2016;10:93-105.
    PMID: 26766904 DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S91247
    Monolluma quadrangula (Forssk.) Plowes is used in Saudi traditional medicines to treat gastric ulcers. The hydroalcoholic extract of M. quadrangula (MHAE) was used in an in vivo model to investigate its gastroprotective effects against ethanol-induced acute gastric lesions in rats. Five groups of Sprague Dawley rats were used. The first group was treated with 10% Tween 20 as a control. The other four groups included rats treated with absolute ethanol (5 mL/kg) to induce an ulcer, rats treated with 20 mg/kg omeprazole as a reference drug, and rats treated with 150 or 300 mg/kg MHAE. One hour later, the rats were administered absolute ethanol (5 mL/kg) orally. Animals fed with MHAE exhibited a significantly increased pH, gastric wall mucus, and flattening of the gastric mucosa, as well as a decreased area of gastric mucosal damage. Histology confirmed the results; extensive destruction of the gastric mucosa was observed in the ulcer control group, and the lesions penetrated deep into the gastric mucosa with leukocyte infiltration of the submucosal layer and edema. However, gastric protection was observed in the rats pre-fed with plant extracts. Periodic acid-Schiff staining of the gastric wall revealed a remarkably intensive uptake of magenta color in the experimental rats pretreated with MHAE compared to the ulcer control group. Immunohistochemistry staining revealed an upregulation of the Hsp70 protein and a downregulation of the Bax protein in rats pretreated with MHAE compared with the control rats. Gastric homogenate showed significantly increased catalase and superoxide dismutase, and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was reduced in the rats pretreated with MHAE compared to the control group. In conclusion, MHAE exhibited a gastroprotective effect against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. The mechanism of this gastroprotection included an increase in pH and gastric wall mucus, an increase in endogenous enzymes, and a decrease in the level of MDA. Furthermore, protection was given through the upregulation of Hsp70 and the downregulation of Bax proteins.
    Matched MeSH terms: Disease Models, Animal
  11. Fulltext Mechanism(s) of action underlying the gastroprotective effect of ethyl acetate fraction obtained from the crude methanolic leaves extract of Muntingia calabura
    Zakaria ZA, Balan T, Azemi AK, Omar MH, Mohtarrudin N, Ahmad Z, et al.
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2016 Feb 24;16:78.
    PMID: 26912079 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-016-1041-0
    BACKGROUND: Muntingia calabura L. (family Muntingiaceae), commonly known as Jamaican cherry or kerukup siam in Malaysia, is used traditionally to treat various ailments. The aim of this study is to elucidate the possible underlying gastroprotective mechanisms of ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) of Muntingia calabura methanolic leaves extract (MEMC).

    METHODS: MEMC and its fractions were subjected to HPLC analysis to identify and quantify the presence of its phyto-constituents. The mechanism of gastroptotection of EAF was further investigated using pylorus ligation-induced gastric lesion rat model (100, 250, and 500 mg/kg). Macroscopic analysis of the stomach, evaluation of gastric content parameters such as volume, pH, free and total acidity, protein estimation, and quantification of mucus were carried out. The participation of nitric oxide (NO) and sulfhydryl (SH) compounds was evaluated and the superoxide dismutase (SOD), gluthathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and NO level in the ethanol induced stomach tissue homogenate was determined.

    RESULTS: HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of quercetin and gallic acid in EAF. In pylorus-ligation model, EAF significantly (p <0.001) prevent gastric lesion formation. Volume of gastric content and total protein content reduced significantly (p 

    Matched MeSH terms: Disease Models, Animal
  12. Fulltext An Investigation into the Antiobesity Effects of Morinda citrifolia L. Leaf Extract in High Fat Diet Induced Obese Rats Using a (1)H NMR Metabolomics Approach
    Gooda Sahib Jambocus N, Saari N, Ismail A, Khatib A, Mahomoodally MF, Abdul Hamid A
    J Diabetes Res, 2016;2016:2391592.
    PMID: 26798649 DOI: 10.1155/2016/2391592
    The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide, with high fat diet (HFD) as one of the main contributing factors. Obesity increases the predisposition to other diseases such as diabetes through various metabolic pathways. Limited availability of antiobesity drugs and the popularity of complementary medicine have encouraged research in finding phytochemical strategies to this multifaceted disease. HFD induced obese Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with an extract of Morinda citrifolia L. leaves (MLE 60). After 9 weeks of treatment, positive effects were observed on adiposity, fecal fat content, plasma lipids, and insulin and leptin levels. The inducement of obesity and treatment with MLE 60 on metabolic alterations were then further elucidated using a (1)H NMR based metabolomics approach. Discriminating metabolites involved were products of various metabolic pathways, including glucose metabolism and TCA cycle (lactate, 2-oxoglutarate, citrate, succinate, pyruvate, and acetate), amino acid metabolism (alanine, 2-hydroxybutyrate), choline metabolism (betaine), creatinine metabolism (creatinine), and gut microbiome metabolism (hippurate, phenylacetylglycine, dimethylamine, and trigonelline). Treatment with MLE 60 resulted in significant improvement in the metabolic perturbations caused obesity as demonstrated by the proximity of the treated group to the normal group in the OPLS-DA score plot and the change in trajectory movement of the diseased group towards the healthy group upon treatment.
    Matched MeSH terms: Disease Models, Animal
  13. Hepatoprotective effects of Flagellaria indica are mediated through the suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers in rats
    Gnanaraj C, Shah MD, Makki JS, Iqbal M
    Pharm Biol, 2016 Aug;54(8):1420-33.
    PMID: 26810847 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2015.1104697
    Context The antioxidative properties of plants or plant derivative products are well known for their free radical scavenging effects. Flagellaria indica L. (Flagellariaceae) (FI) is a tropical medicinal plant used by the natives of Sabah as medication for semi-paralysis. Objective This study evaluates the hepatoprotective mechanism of FI against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-mediated liver damage. Materials and methods Aqueous extract of FI leaves was orally administered to adult Sprague-Dawley rats once daily for 14 consecutive days at 300, 400, and 500 mg/kg b.w. prior to CCl4 treatment (1.0 mL/kg b.w.) on the 13th and 14th days. Results Total phenolic content in the aqueous extract of FI leaves was 65.88 ± 1.84 mg gallic acid equivalent/g. IC50 value for free radical scavenging activity of FI aqueous extract was reached at the concentration of 400 μg/mL. Biochemical studies show that the aqueous extract of FI was able to prevent the increase in levels of serum transaminases, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase (38-74% recovery), and malondialdehyde formation (25-87% recovery) in a dose-dependent manner. Immunohistochemical results evidenced the suppression of oxidative stress markers (4-hydroxynonenal and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine) and pro-inflammatory markers (tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, prostaglandin E2). Histopathological and hepatocyte ultrastructural alterations proved that there were protective effects in FI against CCl4-mediated liver injury. Signs of toxicity were not present in rats treated with FI alone (500 mg/kg b.w.). Discussion and conclusion It can be concluded that the presence of phenolic constituents and their antioxidative effects can be credited to the hepatoprotective activity of FI.
    Matched MeSH terms: Disease Models, Animal
  14. Fulltext Gallic acid attenuates dextran sulfate sodium-induced experimental colitis in BALB/c mice
    Pandurangan AK, Mohebali N, Norhaizan ME, Looi CY
    Drug Des Devel Ther, 2015;9:3923-34.
    PMID: 26251571 DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S86345
    Gallic acid (GA) is a polyhydroxy phenolic compound that has been detected in various natural products, such as green tea, strawberries, grapes, bananas, and many other fruits. In inflammatory bowel disease, inflammation is promoted by oxidative stress. GA is a strong antioxidant; thus, we evaluated the cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory role of GA in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse colitis model. Experimental acute colitis was induced in male BALB/c mice by administering 2.5% DSS in the drinking water for 7 days. The disease activity index; colon weight/length ratio; histopathological analysis; mRNA expressions of IL-21 and IL-23; and protein expression of nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were compared between the control and experimental mice. The colonic content of malondialdehyde and the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase activity were examined as parameters of the redox state. We determined that GA significantly attenuated the disease activity index and colon shortening, and reduced the histopathological evidence of injury. GA also significantly (P<0.05) reduced the expressions of IL-21 and IL-23. Furthermore, GA activates/upregulates the expression of Nrf2 and its downstream targets, including UDP-GT and NQO1, in DSS-induced mice. The findings of this study demonstrate the protective effect of GA on experimental colitis, which is probably due to an antioxidant nature of GA.
    Matched MeSH terms: Disease Models, Animal
  15. Behavioral effects of deep brain stimulation of different areas of the Papez circuit on memory- and anxiety-related functions
    Hescham S, Jahanshahi A, Meriaux C, Lim LW, Blokland A, Temel Y
    Behav Brain Res, 2015 Oct 1;292:353-60.
    PMID: 26119240 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.06.032
    Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has gained interest as a potential therapy for advanced treatment-resistant dementia. However, possible targets for DBS and the optimal stimulation parameters are not yet clear. Here, we compared the effects of DBS of the CA1 sub-region of the hippocampus, mammillothalamic tract, anterior thalamic nucleus, and entorhinal cortex in an experimental rat model of dementia. Rats with scopolamine-induced amnesia were assessed in the object location task with different DBS parameters. Moreover, anxiety-related side effects were evaluated in the elevated zero maze and open field. After sacrifice, we applied c-Fos immunohistochemistry to assess which memory-related regions were affected by DBS. When comparing all structures, DBS of the entorhinal cortex and CA1 sub-region was able to restore memory loss when a specific set of stimulation parameters was used. No anxiety-related side effects were found following DBS. The beneficial behavioral performance of CA1 DBS rats was accompanied with an activation of cells in the anterior cingulate gyrus. Therefore, we conclude that acute CA1 DBS restores memory loss possibly through improved attentional and cognitive processes in the limbic cortex.
    Matched MeSH terms: Disease Models, Animal
  16. Fulltext Allicin Alleviates Dextran Sodium Sulfate- (DSS-) Induced Ulcerative Colitis in BALB/c Mice
    Pandurangan AK, Ismail S, Saadatdoust Z, Esa NM
    Oxid Med Cell Longev, 2015;2015:605208.
    PMID: 26075036 DOI: 10.1155/2015/605208
    The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of allicin (10 mg/kg body weight, orally) in an experimental murine model of UC by administering 2.5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) in drinking water to BALB/c mice. DSS-induced mice presented reduced body weight, which was improved by allicin administration. We noted increases in CD68 expression, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities, and Malonaldehyde (MDA) and mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α, interleukin- (IL-) 1β, IL-6, and IL-17, and decrease in the activities of enzymic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione reductase (GR), and Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in DSS-induced mice. However, allicin treatment significantly decreased CD68, MPO, MDA, and proinflammatory cytokines and increased the enzymic antioxidants significantly (P < 0.05). In addition, allicin was capable of reducing the activation and nuclear accumulation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), thereby preventing degradation of the inhibitory protein IκB and inducing inhibition of the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB-p65 in the colonic mucosa. These findings suggest that allicin exerts clinically useful anti-inflammatory effects mediated through the suppression of the NF-κB and IL-6/p-STAT3(Y705) pathways.
    Matched MeSH terms: Disease Models, Animal
  17. Cardioprotective effect of virgin coconut oil in heated palm oil diet-induced hypertensive rats
    Kamisah Y, Periyah V, Lee KT, Noor-Izwan N, Nurul-Hamizah A, Nurul-Iman BS, et al.
    Pharm Biol, 2015;53(9):1243-9.
    PMID: 25853965 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2014.971383
    Virgin coconut oil (VCO) contains high antioxidant activity which may have protective effects on the heart in hypertensive rats.
    Matched MeSH terms: Disease Models, Animal
  18. SIRT1 inhibition in pancreatic cancer models: contrasting effects in vitro and in vivo
    Oon CE, Strell C, Yeong KY, Östman A, Prakash J
    Eur J Pharmacol, 2015 Jun 15;757:59-67.
    PMID: 25843411 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2015.03.064
    Gemcitabine remains the standard treatment for pancreatic cancer, although most patients acquire resistance to the therapy. Up-regulated in pancreatic cancer, SIRT1 is involved in tumorigenesis and drug resistance. However the mechanism through which SIRT1 regulates drug sensitivity in cancer cells is mainly unknown. We hypothesise that inhibiting SIRT1 activity may increase sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine treatment through the regulation of apototic cell death, cell cycle, epithelial-mesenschymal-transition (EMT) and senescence. We demonstrate that gemcitabine or 6-Chloro-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1 H-Carbazole-1-carboxamide (EX527) SIRT1 inhibitor reduces PANC-1 cell proliferation in vitro. EX527 enhanced sensitivity of PANC-1 cells to gemcitabine treatment through increased apoptosis. However, EX527 displayed no beneficial effect either as a monotreatment or in combination with gemcitabine in the modulation of cell cycle progression. Combination treatment did not reverse the two phenomena known to affect drug sensitivity, namely EMT and senescence, which are both induced by gemcitabine. Unexpectedly, EX527 promoted PANC-1 xenograft tumour growth in SCID mice compared to control group. Dual tX527 and gemcitabine displayed no synergistic effect compared to gemcitabine alone. The study reveals that SIRT1 is involved in chemoresistance and that inhibiting SIRT1 activity with EX527 sensitised PANC-1 cells to gemcitabine treatment in vitro. Sensitisation of cells is shown to be mainly through induction of micronuclei formation as a result of DNA damage and apoptosis in vitro. However, the absence of positive combinatorial effects in vivo indicates possible effects on cells of the tumor microenvironment and suggests caution regarding the clinical relevance of tissue culture findings with EX527.
    Matched MeSH terms: Disease Models, Animal
  19. Fulltext Protective effects of Labisia pumila var. alata on biochemical and histopathological alterations of cardiac muscle cells in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction rats
    Dianita R, Jantan I, Amran AZ, Jalil J
    Molecules, 2015 Mar 16;20(3):4746-63.
    PMID: 25786162 DOI: 10.3390/molecules20034746
    The study was designed to evaluate the cardioprotective effects of the standardized aqueous and 80% ethanol extracts of Labisia pumila var. alata (LPva) in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. The extracts were administered to Wistar rats orally for 28 days with three doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of body weight) prior to ISO (85 mg/kg)-induced MI in two doses on day 29 and 30. The sera and hearts were collected for biochemical and histopathological analysis after the rats were sacrificed 48 h after the first induction. The main components of the extracts, gallic acid, alkylresorcinols and flavonoids were identified and quantitatively analyzed in the extracts by using a validated reversed phase HPLC method. The extracts showed significant protective effects as pretreated rats showed a significant dose-dependent decrease (p < 0.05) in cardiac enzyme activities, i.e., cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase MB isoenzyme (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST), when compared with ISO-control rats. There were significant rises (p < 0.05) in the activity of oxidase enzymes, i.e., glutathione peroxide (GPx), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) of the pretreated rats, when compared with ISO-control group. Histopathological examination showed an improvement in membrane cell integrity in pre-treated rats compared to untreated rats. The major components of LPva extracts can be used as their biomarkers and contributed to the cardioprotective effects against ISO-induced MI rats.
    Matched MeSH terms: Disease Models, Animal
  20. Antitumour-promoting and antitumour activities of the crude extract from the leaves of Juniperus chinensis
    Ali AM, Mackeen MM, Intan-Safinar I, Hamid M, Lajis NH, el-Sharkawy SH, et al.
    J Ethnopharmacol, 1996 Sep;53(3):165-9.
    PMID: 8887024
    Matched MeSH terms: Disease Models, Animal
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