Displaying publications 61 - 80 of 452 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Physicochemical Characterization of Mitragyna speciosa Alkaloid Extract and Mitragynine using In Vitro High Throughput Assays
    Kong WM, Chik Z, Mohamed Z, Alshawsh MA
    Comb Chem High Throughput Screen, 2017;20(9):796-803.
    PMID: 29076424 DOI: 10.2174/1386207320666171026121820
    AIM AND OBJECTIVE: Mitragynine, a major active alkaloid of Mitragyna speciosa, acts as an agonist on µ-opioid receptors, producing effects similar to morphine and other opioids. It has been traditionally utilized to alleviate opiate withdrawal symptoms. Besides consideration about potency and selectivity, a good drug must possess a suitable pharmacokinetic profile, with suitable absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADME-Tox) profile, in order to have a high chance of success in clinical trials.

    MATERIAL AND METHOD: The purity of mitragynine in a Mitragyna speciosa alkaloid extract (MSAE) was determined using Ultra-Fast Liquid Chromatography (UFLC). In vitro high throughput ADMETox studies such as aqueous solubility, plasma protein binding, metabolic stability, permeability and cytotoxicity tests were carried out to analyze the physicochemical properties of MSAE and mitragynine. The UFLC quantification revealed that the purity of mitragynine in the MSAE was 40.9%.

    RESULTS: MSAE and mitragynine are highly soluble in aqueous solution at pH 4.0 but less soluble at pH 7.4. A parallel artificial membrane permeability assay demonstrated that it is extensively absorbed through the semi-permeable membrane at pH 7.4 but very poorly at pH 4.0. Both are relatively highly bound to plasma proteins (> 85 % bound) and are metabolically stable to liver microsomes (> 84 % remained unchanged). In comparison to MSAE, mitragynine showed higher cytotoxicity against WRL 68, HepG2 and Clone 9 hepatocytes after 72 h treatment.

    CONCLUSION: The obtained ADME and cytotoxicity data demonstrated that both MSAE and mitragynine have poor bioavailability and have the potential to be significantly cytotoxic.

    Matched MeSH terms: Water/chemistry
  2. Ionic liquid as a potential solvent for preparation of collagen-alginate-hydroxyapatite beads as bone filler
    Iqbal B, Sarfaraz Z, Muhammad N, Ahmad P, Iqbal J, Khan ZUH, et al.
    J Biomater Sci Polym Ed, 2018 07;29(10):1168-1184.
    PMID: 29460709 DOI: 10.1080/09205063.2018.1443604
    In this study, collagen/alginate/hydroxyapatite beads having different proportions were prepared as bone fillers for the restoration of osteological defects. Ionic liquid was used to dissolve the collagen and subsequently the solution was mixed with sodium alginate solution. Hydroxyapatite was added in different proportions, with the rationale to enhance mechanical as well as biological properties. The prepared solutions were given characteristic bead shapes by dropwise addition into calcium chloride solution. The prepared beads were characterized using FTIR, XRD, TGA and SEM analysis. Microhardness testing was used to evaluate the mechanical properties. The prepared beads were investigated for water adsorption behavior to ascertain its ability for body fluid uptake and adjusted accordingly to the bone cavity. Drug loading and subsequently the antibacterial activity was investigated for the prepared beads. The biocompatibility was assessed using the hemolysis testing and cell proliferation assay. The prepared collagen-alginate-HA beads, having biocompatibility and good mechanical properties, have showed an option of promising biologically active bone fillers for bone regeneration.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/chemistry
  3. Microwave-assisted extraction of polysaccharides from Cyphomandra betacea and its biological activities
    C SK, M S, K R
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2016 Nov;92:682-693.
    PMID: 27456125 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.07.062
    Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the parameters for microwave-assisted extraction of polysaccharides from Cyphomandra betacea. The results showed a good fit with a second-order polynomial equation that was statistically acceptable at P<0.05. Optimal conditions for the extraction of polysaccharides were: extraction time, 2h; microwave power, 400W; extraction temperature, 60°C; and ratio of raw material to water 1:40 (g/mL). Under the optimized conditions, the yield of polysaccharides was found to be relatively high (about 36.52%). The in vitro biological activities of antioxidant and antitumor were evaluated. The IC50 value of polysaccharides was found to be 3mg/mL. The percentage of Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Our results showed that polysaccharides inhibited proliferation of MCF-7 (Breast carcinoma), A549 (Human lung carcinoma) and HepG2 (Liver carcinoma) with an IC50 of 0.23mg/mL, 0.17mg/mL and 0.62mg/mL respectively after 48h incubation. Polysaccharides were shown to promote apoptosis as seen in the nuclear morphological examination study using acridine orange (AO) and ethidium bromide (EB) staining. This is the first report on the effects of polysaccharides extracted from Cyphomandra betacea which exhibited stronger antioxidant and antitumor activities.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/chemistry
  4. Synthesis and anticancer activity of novel water soluble benzimidazole carbamates
    Cheong JE, Zaffagni M, Chung I, Xu Y, Wang Y, Jernigan FE, et al.
    Eur J Med Chem, 2018 Jan 20;144:372-385.
    PMID: 29288939 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.11.037
    Metastases account for more than 90% of all cancer deaths and respond poorly to most therapies. There remains an urgent need for new therapeutic modalities for the treatment of advanced metastatic cancers. The benzimidazole methylcarbamate drugs, commonly used as anti-helmitics, have been suggested to have anticancer activity, but progress has been stalled by their poor water solubility and poor suitability for systemic delivery to disseminated cancers. We synthesized and characterized the anticancer activity of novel benzimidazoles containing an oxetane or an amine group to enhance solubility. Among them, the novel oxetanyl substituted compound 18 demonstrated significant cytotoxicity toward a variety of cancer cell types including prostate, lung, and ovarian cancers with strong activity toward highly aggressive cancer lines (IC50: 0.9-3.8 μM). Compound 18 achieved aqueous solubility of 361 μM. In a mouse xenograft model of a highly metastatic human prostate cancer, compound 18 (30 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the growth of established tumors (T/C: 0.36) without noticeable toxicity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/chemistry*
  5. Adsorption of basic and reactive dyes from aqueous solution onto Intsia bijuga sawdust-based activated carbon: batch and column study
    Khasri A, Ahmad MA
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2018 Nov;25(31):31508-31519.
    PMID: 30203351 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-3046-3
    The adsorption behavior of basic, methylene blue (MB), and reactive, remazol brilliant violet 5R (RBV), dyes from aqueous solution onto Intsia bijuga sawdust-based activated carbon (IBSAC) was executed via batch and column studies. The produced activated carbon was characterized through Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area and pore structural analysis, proximate and ultimate, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Batch studies were performed to investigate the effects of contact time, initial concentration, and solution pH. The equilibrium data for both MB and RBV adsorption better fits Langmuir model with maximum adsorption capacity of 434.78 and 212.77 mg/g, respectively. Kinetic studies for both MB and RBV dyes showed that the adsorption process followed a pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion kinetic models. For column mode, the breakthrough curves were plotted by varying the flow rate, bed height, and initial concentration and the breakthrough data were best correlated with the Yoon-Nelson model compared to Thomas and Adams-Bohart model. The adsorption activity of IBSAC shows good stability even after four consecutive cycles.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/chemistry
  6. Fulltext Morpho-physiological and biochemical attributes of Chili (Capsicum annum L.) genotypes grown under varying salinity levels
    Butt M, Sattar A, Abbas T, Hussain R, Ijaz M, Sher A, et al.
    PLoS One, 2021;16(11):e0257893.
    PMID: 34735478 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257893
    Climate change is causing soil salinization, resulting in huge crop losses throughout the world. Multiple physiological and biochemical pathways determine the ability of plants to tolerate salt stress. Chili (Capsicum annum L.) is a salt-susceptible crop; therefore, its growth and yield is negatively impacted by salinity. Irreversible damage at cell level and photo inhibition due to high production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and less CO2 availability caused by water stress is directly linked with salinity. A pot experiment was conducted to determine the impact of five NaCl salinity levels, i.e., 0,1.5, 3.0, 5.0 and 7.0 dS m-1 on growth, biochemical attributes and yield of two chili genotypes ('Plahi' and 'A-120'). Salinity stress significantly reduced fresh and dry weight, relative water contents, water use efficiency, leaf osmotic potential, glycine betaine (GB) contents, photosynthetic rate (A), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (Ci), and chlorophyll contents of tested genotypes. Salinity stress significantly enhanced malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and activities of the enzymatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD). In addition, increasing salinity levels significantly reduced the tissue phosphorus and potassium concentrations, while enhanced the tissue sodium and chloride concentrations. Genotype 'Plahi' had better growth and biochemical attributes compared to 'A-120'. Therefore, 'Plahi' is recommended for saline areas to improve chili production.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/chemistry
  7. Selective removal and recovery of Black B reactive dye from simulated textile wastewater using the supported liquid membrane process
    Harruddin N, Othman N, Ee Sin AL, Raja Sulaiman RN
    Environ Technol, 2015 Jan-Feb;36(1-4):271-80.
    PMID: 25514128 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2014.943301
    Effluent containing colour/dyes, especially reactive dyes, becomes a great concern of wastewater treatment because it is toxic to human life and aquatic life. In this study, reactive dye of Black B was separated using the supported liquid membrane process. Commercial polypropylene membrane was used as a support of the kerosene-tridodecylamine liquid membrane. Several parameters were tested and the result showed that almost 100% of 70 ppm Black B was removed and 99% of 70 ppm Black B was recovered at pH 2 of the feed phase containing 0.00001 M Na2SiO3, flow rate of 150 ml/min and 0.2 M NaOH. The membrane support also remained stable for up to 36 hours under an optimum condition.
    Matched MeSH terms: Waste Water/chemistry*
  8. Fulltext The effect of different parameters on the development of compressive strength of oil palm shell geopolymer concrete
    Kupaei RH, Alengaram UJ, Jumaat MZ
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:898536.
    PMID: 25531006 DOI: 10.1155/2014/898536
    This paper presents the experimental results of an on-going research project on geopolymer lightweight concrete using two locally available waste materials--low calcium fly ash (FA) and oil palm shell (OPS)--as the binder and lightweight coarse aggregate, respectively. OPS was pretreated with three different alkaline solutions of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide, and sodium silicate as well as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) for 30 days; afterwards, oil palm shell geopolymer lightweight concrete (OPSGPC) was cast by using both pretreated and untreated OPSs. The effect of these solutions on the water absorption of OPS, and the development of compressive strength in different curing conditions of OPSGPC produced by pretreated OPS were investigated; subsequently the influence of NaOH concentration, alkaline solution to FA ratio (A/FA), and different curing regimes on the compressive strength and density of OPSGPC produced by untreated OPS was inspected. The 24-hour water absorption value for OPS pretreated with 20% and 50% PVA solution was about 4% compared to 23% for untreated OPS. OPSGPC produced from OPS treated with 50% PVA solution produced the highest compressive strength of about 30 MPa in ambient cured condition. The pretreatment with alkaline solution did not have a significant positive effect on the water absorption of OPS aggregate and the compressive strength of OPSGPC. The result revealed that a maximum compressive strength of 32 MPa could be obtained at a temperature of 65°C and curing period of 4 days. This investigation also found that an A/FA ratio of 0.45 has the optimum amount of alkaline liquid and it resulted in the highest level of compressive strength.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/chemistry
  9. Molecular characterization of anaerobic sulfur-oxidizing microbial communities in up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor treating municipal sewage
    Aida AA, Hatamoto M, Yamamoto M, Ono S, Nakamura A, Takahashi M, et al.
    J Biosci Bioeng, 2014 Nov;118(5):540-5.
    PMID: 24930844 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2014.04.011
    A novel wastewater treatment system consisting of an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor and a down-flow hanging sponge (DHS) reactor with sulfur-redox reaction was developed for treatment of municipal sewage under low-temperature conditions. In the UASB reactor, a novel phenomenon of anaerobic sulfur oxidation occurred in the absence of oxygen, nitrite and nitrate as electron acceptors. The microorganisms involved in anaerobic sulfur oxidation have not been elucidated. Therefore, in this study, we studied the microbial communities existing in the UASB reactor that probably enhanced anaerobic sulfur oxidation. Sludge samples collected from the UASB reactor before and after sulfur oxidation were used for cloning and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis of the 16S rRNA genes of the bacterial and archaeal domains. The microbial community structures of bacteria and archaea indicated that the genus Smithella and uncultured bacteria within the phylum Caldiserica were the dominant bacteria groups. Methanosaeta spp. was the dominant group of the domain archaea. The T-RFLP analysis, which was consistent with the cloning results, also yielded characteristic fingerprints for bacterial communities, whereas the archaeal community structure yielded stable microbial community. From these results, it can be presumed that these major bacteria groups, genus Smithella and uncultured bacteria within the phylum Caldiserica, probably play an important role in sulfur oxidation in UASB reactors.
    Matched MeSH terms: Waste Water/chemistry
  10. Enhancement of azo dye Acid Orange 7 removal in newly developed horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetland
    Tee HC, Lim PE, Seng CE, Mohd Nawi MA, Adnan R
    J Environ Manage, 2015 Jan 1;147:349-55.
    PMID: 25284799 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.09.025
    Horizontal subsurface-flow (HSF) constructed wetland incorporating baffles was developed to facilitate upflow and downflow conditions so that the treatment of pollutants could be achieved under multiple aerobic, anoxic and anaerobic conditions sequentially in the same wetland bed. The performances of the baffled and conventional HSF constructed wetlands, planted and unplanted, in the removal of azo dye Acid Orange 7 (AO7) were compared at the hydraulic retention times (HRT) of 5, 3 and 2 days when treating domestic wastewater spiked with AO7 concentration of 300 mg/L. The planted baffled unit was found to achieve 100%, 83% and 69% AO7 removal against 73%, 46% and 30% for the conventional unit at HRT of 5, 3 and 2 days, respectively. Longer flow path provided by baffled wetland units allowed more contact of the wastewater with the rhizomes, microbes and micro-aerobic zones resulting in relatively higher oxidation reduction potential (ORP) and enhanced performance as kinetic studies revealed faster AO7 biodegradation rate under aerobic condition. In addition, complete mineralization of AO7 was achieved in planted baffled wetland unit due to the availability of a combination of aerobic, anoxic and anaerobic conditions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Waste Water/chemistry
  11. Multi-residue analytical methodology-based liquid chromatography-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry for the analysis of pharmaceutical residues in surface water and effluents from sewage treatment plants and hospitals
    Al-Qaim FF, Abdullah MP, Othman MR, Latip J, Zakaria Z
    J Chromatogr A, 2014 Jun 6;1345:139-53.
    PMID: 24768127 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2014.04.025
    An analytical method that facilitated the analysis of 11 pharmaceuticals residue (caffeine, prazosin, enalapril, carbamazepine, nifedipine, levonorgestrel, simvastatin, hydrochlorothiazide, gliclazide, diclofenac-Na, and mefenamic acid) with a single pre-treatment protocol was developed. The proposed method included an isolation and concentration procedure using solid phase extraction (Oasis HLB), a separation step using high-performance liquid chromatography, and a detection procedure that applies time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The method was validated for drinking water (DW), surface water (SW), sewage treatment plant (STP) influent and effluent, and hospital (HSP) influent and effluent. The limits of quantification were as low as 0.4, 1.6, 5, 3, 2.2 and 11 ng/L in DW, SW, HSP influent and effluent, STP effluent, and STP influent, respectively. On average, good recoveries higher than 75% were obtained for most of the target analytes in all matrices. Matrix effect was evaluated for all samples matrices. The proposed method successfully determined and quantified the target compounds in raw and treated wastewater of four STPs and three hospitals in Malaysia, as well as in two SW sites. The results showed that a number of the studied compounds pose moderate to high persistency in sewage treatment effluents as well as in the recipient rivers, namely; caffeine, simvastatin, and hydrochlorothiazide. Ten out of 11 compounds were detected and quantified in 13 sampling points. Caffeine was detected with the highest level, with concentrations reaching up to 9099 ng/L in STP influent.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/chemistry*
  12. Improvement of early cell adhesion on Thai silk fibroin surface by low energy plasma
    Amornsudthiwat P, Mongkolnavin R, Kanokpanont S, Panpranot J, Wong CS, Damrongsakkul S
    Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces, 2013 Nov 1;111:579-86.
    PMID: 23893032 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2013.07.009
    Low energy plasma has been introduced to treat the surface of Thai silk fibroin which should be enhanced for cell adhesion due to its native hydrophobic surface. Plasma surface treatment could introduce desirable hydrophilic functionalities on the surface without using any chemicals. In this work, nitrogen glow discharge plasma was generated by a low energy AC50Hz power supply system. The plasma operating conditions were optimized to reach the highest nitrogen active species by using optical emission spectroscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed that amine, hydroxyl, ether, and carboxyl groups were induced on Thai silk fibroin surface after plasma treatment. The results on Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy confirmed that the plasma treated effects were only on the outermost layer since there was no change in the bulk chemistry. The surface topography was insignificantly changed from the detection with atomic force microscopy (AFM). The plasma-treated effects were the improved surface wettability and cell adhesion. After a 90-s treatment, the water contact angle was at 20°, while the untreated surface was at 70°. The early cell adhesion of L929 mouse fibroblast was accelerated. L929 cells only took 3h to reach 100% cell adhesion on 90 s N2 plasma-treated surface, while there was less than 50% cell adhesion on the untreated Thai silk fibroin surface after 6h of culture. The cell adhesion results were in agreement with the cytoskeleton development. L929 F-actin was more evident on 90 s N2 plasma-treated surface than others. It could be concluded that a lower energy AC50Hz plasma system enhanced early L929 mouse fibroblast adhesion on Thai silk fibroin surface without any significant change in surface topography and bulk chemistry.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/chemistry
  13. Inhibitory effects of cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 by Labisia pumila extracts
    Pan Y, Tiong KH, Abd-Rashid BA, Ismail Z, Ismail R, Mak JW, et al.
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2012 Sep 28;143(2):586-91.
    PMID: 22885070 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.07.024
    Labisa pumila (LP), popularly known with its local name, Kacip Fatimah, is a well known herb grown in Indochina and Southeast Asia and is traditionally used to regain energy after giving birth in women. The propensity of LP to cause drug-herb interaction via cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme system has not been investigated.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/chemistry
  14. Studies on seed germination and growth in weed species of rice field under salinity stress
    Hakim MA, Juraimi AS, Hanafi MM, Selamat A, Ismail MR, Karim SM
    J Environ Biol, 2011 Sep;32(5):529-36.
    PMID: 22319865
    An investigation was made to see the salt tolerance of 10 weed species of rice. Properly dried and treated seeds of weed species were placed on 9 cm diameter petridishes lined with Whatman No. 1 filter paper under 6 salinity regimes, viz. 0 (control), 4, 8, 16, 24 and 32 dS m(-1). The petri dishes were then kept in germinator at 25 +/- 1.0 degrees C and 12 hr light. The number of germinated seeds were recorded daily. The final germination percentage, germination index (GI), seedling vigour index, mean germination time and time for 50% germination were estimated. Root and shoot lengths of the weed seedlings were measured at 20 days after salt application and relative growth values were calculated. Results revealed that salinity decreased final germination percentage, seed of germination as measured by GI, and shoot and root length in all the species. Germination of most of the weed seeds was completely arrested (0) at 32 dS m(-1) salinity except in E. colona (12%) and C. iria (13.9%). The species C. iria, E. colona, J. linifolia and E. crusgalli showed better germination (above 30%) upto 24 dS m(-1) salinity level and were regarded as salt-tolerant weed species. J. linifolia, F. miliacea, L. chinensis and O. sativa L. (weedy rice) were graded as moderately tolerant and S. zeylanica, S. grosus and C. difformis were regarded as least tolerant weed species.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/chemistry
  15. Characteristics of treated effluents and their potential applications for producing concrete
    Noruzman AH, Muhammad B, Ismail M, Abdul-Majid Z
    J Environ Manage, 2012 Nov 15;110:27-32.
    PMID: 22705857 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2012.05.019
    Conservation and preservation of freshwater is increasingly becoming important as the global population grows. Presently, enormous volumes of freshwater are used to mix concrete. This paper reports experimental findings regarding the feasibility of using treated effluents as alternatives to freshwater in mixing concrete. Samples were obtained from three effluent sources: heavy industry, a palm-oil mill and domestic sewage. The effluents were discharge into public drain without danger to human health and natural environment. Chemical compositions and physical properties of the treated effluents were investigated. Fifteen compositional properties of each effluent were correlated with the requirements set out by the relevant standards. Concrete mixes were prepared using the effluents and freshwater to establish a base for control performance. The concrete samples were evaluated with regard to setting time, workability, compressive strength and permeability. The results show that except for some slight excesses in total solids and pH, the properties of the effluents satisfy the recommended disposal requirements. Two concrete samples performed well for all of the properties investigated. In fact, one sample was comparatively better in compressive strength than the normal concrete; a 9.4% increase was observed at the end of the curing period. Indeed, in addition to environmental conservation, the use of treated effluents as alternatives to freshwater for mixing concrete could save a large amount of freshwater, especially in arid zones.
    Matched MeSH terms: Waste Water/chemistry*
  16. Electro polymerized 4-vinyl pyridine on 2B pencil graphite as ionophore for cadmium (II)
    Wee Ling JL, Khan A, Saad B, Ab Ghani S
    Talanta, 2012 Jan 15;88:477-83.
    PMID: 22265529 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2011.11.018
    A new poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (P4VP) based cadmium (Cd)-ion selective electrode (ISE) was developed. The 4-vinyl pyridine (4VP) was first polymerized electrochemically on the surface of graphite, later characterized by FTIR, SEM/EDX and then optimized as ISE for Cd. At optimal pH 6.4, slope of 27.7±0.8mVdecade(-1), linear concentration range of 1×10(-7) to 1.0×10(-1)M Cd(2+) and limit of detection (S/N=3) of 2.51×10(-8)M were obtained. The ISE was very selective towards Cd(2+), with K(pot)<1×10(-2) in the presence of the usual cations and anions in water samples. Response time and shelf life of less than 1min and 90 days, respectively, were observed. Its application was tested in various types of samples.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/chemistry
  17. Determination of radioactive elements and heavy metals in sediments and soil from domestic water sources in northern peninsular Malaysia
    Muhammad BG, Jaafar MS, Abdul Rahman A, Ingawa FA
    Environ Monit Assess, 2012 Aug;184(8):5043-9.
    PMID: 21901308 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-011-2320-3
    Soil serves as a major reservoir for contaminants as it posseses an ability to bind various chemicals together. To safeguard the members of the public from an unwanted exposure, studies were conducted on the sediments and soil from water bodies that form the major sources of domestic water supply in northern peninsular Malaysia for their trace element concentration levels. Neutron Activation Analysis, using Nigeria Research Reactor-1 (NIRR-1) located at the Centre for Energy Research and Training, Zaria, Nigeria was employed as the analytical tool. The elements identified in major quantities include Na, K, and Fe while As, Br, Cr, U, Th, Eu, Cs, Co, La, Sm, Yb, Sc, Zn, Rb, Ba, Lu, Hf, Ta, and Sb were also identified in trace quantities. Gamma spectroscopy was also employed to analyze some soil samples from the same area. The results indicated safe levels in terms of the radium equivalent activity, external hazard index as well as the mean external exposure dose rates from the soil. The overall screening of the domestic water sources with relatively high heavy metals concentration values in sediments and high activity concentration values in soil is strongly recommended as their accumulation overtime as a consequence of leaching into the water may be of health concern to the members of the public.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fresh Water/chemistry
  18. Fulltext 'Heat-treatment aqueous two phase system' for purification of serine protease from Kesinai (Streblus asper) leaves
    Mehrnoush A, Mustafa S, Yazid AM
    Molecules, 2011 Dec 08;16(12):10202-13.
    PMID: 22158589 DOI: 10.3390/molecules161210202
    A 'Heat treatment aqueous two phase system' was employed for the first time to purify serine protease from kesinai (Streblus asper) leaves. In this study, introduction of heat treatment procedure in serine protease purification was investigated. In addition, the effects of different molecular weights of polyethylene glycol (PEG 4000, 6000 and 8000) at concentrations of 8, 16 and 21% (w/w) as well as salts (Na-citrate, MgSO₄ and K₂HPO₄) at concentrations of 12, 15, 18% (w/w) on serine protease partition behavior were studied. Optimum conditions for serine protease purification were achieved in the PEG-rich phase with composition of 16% PEG6000-15% MgSO₄. Also, thermal treatment of kesinai leaves at 55 °C for 15 min resulted in higher purity and recovery yield compared to the non-heat treatment sample. Furthermore, this study investigated the effects of various concentrations of NaCl addition (2, 4, 6 and 8% w/w) and different pH (4, 7 and 9) on the optimization of the system to obtain high yields of the enzyme. The recovery of serine protease was significantly enhanced in the presence of 4% (w/w) of NaCl at pH 7.0. Based on this system, the purification factor was increased 14.4 fold and achieved a high yield of 96.7%.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/chemistry*
  19. Fulltext Antidiabetic properties and mechanism of action of Gynura procumbens water extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
    Hassan Z, Yam MF, Ahmad M, Yusof AP
    Molecules, 2010;15(12):9008-23.
    PMID: 21150821 DOI: 10.3390/molecules15129008
    Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr (family Compositae) is cultivated in Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, for medicinal purposes. This study evaluated the in vivo hypoglycemic properties of the water extract of G. procumbens following 14 days of treatment and in vitro in RIN-5F cells. Glucose absorption from the intestines and its glucose uptake in abdominal skeletal muscle were assessed. The antidiabetic effect of water extract of G. procumbens leaves was investigated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) was performed in diabetic rats treated with G. procumbens water extract for 14 days. In the IPGTT, blood was collected for insulin and blood glucose measurement. After the IPGTT, the pancreases were collected for immunohistochemical study of β-cells of the islets of Langerhans. The possible antidiabetic mechanisms of G. procumbens were assessed through in vitro RIN-5F cell study, intestinal glucose absorption and glucose uptake by muscle. The results showed that G. procumbens significantly decreased blood glucose levels after 14 days of treatment and improved outcome of the IPGTT. However, G. procumbens did not show a significant effect on insulin level either in the in vivo test or the in vitro RIN-5F cell culture study. G. procumbens also showed minimal effects on β-cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. However, G. procumbens only significantly increased glucose uptake by muscle tissues. From the findings we can conclude that G. procumbens water extract exerted its hypoglycemic effect by promoting glucose uptake by muscles.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/chemistry
  20. Fulltext Evaluation of antioxidant and antibacterial activities of aqueous, methanolic and alkaloid extracts from Mitragyna speciosa (Rubiaceae family) leaves
    Parthasarathy S, Bin Azizi J, Ramanathan S, Ismail S, Sasidharan S, Said MI, et al.
    Molecules, 2009;14(10):3964-74.
    PMID: 19924042 DOI: 10.3390/molecules14103964
    Studies on the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Mitragyna speciosa leaf extracts are lacking. In this study the antioxidant properties of water, methanolic and alkaloid M. speciosa leaf extracts were evaluated using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging method. The amount of total phenolics and flavanoid contents were also estimated. The DPPH IC(50) values of the aqueous, alkaloid and methanolic extracts were 213.4, 104.81 and 37.08 microg/mL, respectively. The total phenolic content of the aqueous, alkaloid and methanolic extracts were 66.0 mg, 88.4, 105.6 mg GAE/g, respectively, while the total flavanoid were 28.2, 20.0 and 91.1 mg CAE/g respectively. The antioxidant activities were correlated with the total phenolic content. This result suggests that the relatively high antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract compared to aqueous and alkaloid extract could be possibly be due to its high phenolic content. The aqueous, alkaloid and methanolic extracts were screened for antimicrobial activity. The extracts showed antimicrobial activity against Salmonella typhi and Bacillus subtilis. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of extracts determined by the broth dilution method ranged from 3.12 to 6.25 mg/mL. The alkaloid extract was found to be most effective against all of the tested organisms.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/chemistry
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links