Displaying publications 81 - 100 of 16708 in total

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  1. Aleng NA, Sung YY, MacRae TH, Abd Wahid ME
    PLoS One, 2015;10(8):e0135603.
    PMID: 26288319 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135603
    Mild heat stress promotes thermotolerance and protection against several different stresses in aquatic animals, consequences correlated with the accumulation of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70). The purpose of this study was to determine if non-lethal heat shock (NLHS) of the Asian green mussel, Perna viridis, an aquatic species of commercial value, promoted the production of Hsp70 and enhanced its resistance to stresses. Initially, the LT50 and LHT for P. viridis were determined to be 42°C and 44°C, respectively, with no heat shock induced death of mussels at 40°C or less. Immunoprobing of western blots revealed augmentation of constitutive (PvHsp70-1) and inducible (PvHsp70-2) Hsp70 in tissue from adductor muscle, foot, gill and mantel of P. viridis exposed to 38°C for 30 min followed by 6 h recovery, NLHS conditions for this organism. Characterization by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) revealed that PvHsp70-1 and PvHsp70-2 respectively corresponded most closely to Hsp70 from P. viridis and Mytilus galloprovincialis. Priming of adult mussels with NLHS promoted thermotolerance and increased resistance to V. alginolyticus. The induction of Hsp70 in parallel with enhanced thermotolerance and improved protection against V. alginolyticus, suggests Hsp70 functions in P. viridis as a molecular chaperone and as a stimulator of the immune system.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals
  2. Mohd Yasin IS, Mohd Yusoff S, Mohd ZS, Abd Wahid Mohd E
    Trop Anim Health Prod, 2011 Jan;43(1):179-87.
    PMID: 20697957 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-010-9672-5
    This study was carried out to determine the antibody responses and protective capacity of an inactivated recombinant vaccine expressing the fimbrial protein of Pasteurella multocida B:2 following intranasal vaccination against hemorrhagic septicemia in goats. Goats were vaccinated intranasal with 10(6) CFU/mL of the recombinant vaccine (vaccinated group) and 10(6) CFU/mL of pET32/LIC vector without fimbrial protein (control group). All three groups were kept separated before all goats in the three groups were challenged with 10(9) CFU/mL of live pathogenic P. multocida B:2. During the course of study, both serum and lung lavage fluid were collected to evaluate the antibody levels via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. It was found that goats immunized with the inactivated recombinant vaccine developed a strong and significantly (p 
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals
  3. Purificacion M, Shah RBM, De Meeûs T, Bakar SB, Savantil AB, Yusof MM, et al.
    PLoS One, 2024;19(4):e0297662.
    PMID: 38603675 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297662
    The cocoa pod borer (CPB) Conopomorpha cramerella (Snellen) (Lepidoptera: Gracillaridae) is one of the major constraints for cocoa production in South East Asia. In addition to cultural and chemical control methods, autocidal control tactics such as the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) could be an efficient addition to the currently control strategy, however SIT implementation will depend on the population genetics of the targeted pest. The aim of the present work was to search for suitable microsatellite loci in the genome of CPB that is partially sequenced. Twelve microsatellites were initially selected and used to analyze moths collected from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. A quality control verification process was carried out and seven microsatellites found to be suitable and efficient to distinguish differences between CPB populations from different locations. The selected microsatellites were also tested against a closely related species, i.e. the lychee fruit borer Conopomorpha sinensis (LFB) from Vietnam and eight loci were found to be suitable. The availability of these novel microsatellite loci will provide useful tools for the analysis of the population genetics and gene flow of these pests, to select suitable CPB strains to implement the SIT.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals
  4. Masran R, Zanirun Z, Bahrin EK, Ibrahim MF, Lai Yee P, Abd-Aziz S
    Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 2016 Jun;100(12):5231-46.
    PMID: 27115758 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-016-7545-1
    Abundant lignocellulosic biomass from various industries provides a great potential feedstock for the production of value-added products such as biofuel, animal feed, and paper pulping. However, low yield of sugar obtained from lignocellulosic hydrolysate is usually due to the presence of lignin that acts as a protective barrier for cellulose and thus restricts the accessibility of the enzyme to work on the cellulosic component. This review focuses on the significance of biological pretreatment specifically using ligninolytic enzymes as an alternative method apart from the conventional physical and chemical pretreatment. Different modes of biological pretreatment are discussed in this paper which is based on (i) fungal pretreatment where fungi mycelia colonise and directly attack the substrate by releasing ligninolytic enzymes and (ii) enzymatic pretreatment using ligninolytic enzymes to counter the drawbacks of fungal pretreatment. This review also discusses the important factors of biological pretreatment using ligninolytic enzymes such as nature of the lignocellulosic biomass, pH, temperature, presence of mediator, oxygen, and surfactant during the biodelignification process.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals
  5. Fathy SA, Mohamed MR, Emam MA, Mohamed SS, Ghareeb DA, Elgohary SA, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2019 Dec 01;36(4):972-986.
    PMID: 33597467
    Candida is the most frequent common causes of invasive fungal infections and associated with high morbidity and mortality. Most of available antifungal agents have side effects. This opened up new avenues to investigate the antifungal efficacy of active extracts from marine algae. So the aim of this study was to evaluate the protective and the curative effect of Ulva fasciata extract against an invasive candidiasis in mice and to study its underlying mechanism. The active ingredients of Ulva fasciata extract were evaluated using HPLC and GC/MS. Fifty mice were included in current work, and the level of inflammatory markers; Interleukin (IL)-4, IL-12, Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were determined using ELISA kits. Hematological, biochemical and oxidative stress parameters were determined using commercial kits. Moreover, the histopathological examinations were carried on liver, kidney and spleen for all groups. The results obtained showed that treatment with U. fasciata either before or after Candida infection significantly improved the hematological, biochemical alterations and antioxidant status caused by this infection. Furthermore, the U. fasciata reduced histopathological changes induced by Candida as well as it could increase the expression of IL-12 and IFN-γ while minimized the expression of TNF-α and IL-4 in all infected mice compared to infected untreated mice. These data propose that U. fasciata can ameliorate inflammatory reactions related to Candida albicans cytotoxicity via its ability to augment cellular antioxidant defenses by its active compounds.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals
  6. Saad KA, Mohamad Roff MN, Hallett RH, Abd-Ghani IB
    Insect Sci, 2019 Feb;26(1):76-85.
    PMID: 28594105 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12488
    Plant virus infections are known to alter host plant attractiveness and suitability for insect herbivores. This study was conducted to determine how cucumber mosaic virus (CMV)-infected chilli plants affect the fitness and settling preferences of nonvector whitefly, Bemisia tabaci adults under dual-choice conditions with volatile organic compounds analyzed using solid phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results showed that the presence of CMV in chilli plants substantially affects the settling preferences of the B. tabaci, which preferred to settle on noninfected plants. Duration of the egg stage and the longevity and fecundity of adult B. tabaci on CMV-infected chilli plants were not markedly different from those on noninfected chilli plants. In contrast, the developmental time from egg to adult was significantly reduced in CMV-infected chilli plants compared to the noninfected plants. The results also showed that CMV-infected chilli plants released significantly more linalool and phenylacetaldehyde than noninfected plants. Overall, it was suggested that the behavioral response of B. tabaci might be modified by CMV-infected plants, which alter the release of specific headspace volatiles. Based on these results, the modification of plant volatile profiles may help in enhancing the effectiveness of biological control and the protection of crop plants against B. tabaci.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals
  7. Ahmad A, Shuhaimi Othman M, Lim E, Abd. Aziz Z
    Sains Malaysiana, 2013;42:587-596.
    Satu analisis penentuan parameter kualiti air yang penting untuk penilaian ekosistem cetek telah dilakukan menggunakan kaedah multivariat. Sebanyak 14 parameter kualiti air yang melibatkan komponen biologi, fizik dan kimia telah dikumpulkan setiap bulan selama satu tahun. Data dianalisis menggunakan ujian faktor yang melibatkan tiga proses iaitu mengenal pasti korelasi antara faktor, mengekstrak faktor dan seterusnya melihat kesan gabungan faktor-faktor tersebut. Proses pertama melibatkan pengelompokkan parameter yang berkorelasi kuat ke dalam faktor tersendiri dan mengeluarkan parameter yang mempunyai lebih daripada satu faktor. Analisis pengelasan agglomeratif hierarki (HACA) dan analisis diskriminan (DA) juga dilakukan untuk memperlihatkan kelompokan dan pengaruh faktor terhadap kualiti air tasik. Hasil analisis menunjukkan kualiti air Tasik Chini dipengaruhi oleh lebih daripada satu faktor. Hasil kajian menunjukkan komponen biologi dan kimia (nutrien) mempunyai pengaruh kuat dalam penentuan kualiti air tasik. Parameter berasaskan biologi iaitu BOD5, COD, klorofil a dan kimia (nitrat dan ortofosfat) adalah parameter yang
    penting di Tasik Chini. Ketiga-tiga analisis yang dijalankan menunjukkan kepentingan penentuan komponen biologi dan kimia bagi menentukan kualiti air Tasik Chini.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals
  8. Khor Wei Chung, Chow Weng Sum, Abd. Hadi A. Rahman
    Sains Malaysiana, 2015;44:931-940.
    The Sandakan Formation of the Segama Group is exposed across the Sandakan Peninsular in eastern Sabah. This Upper Miocene part of the Segama Group unconformably overlies the Garinono Formation and is conformably overlain by the Bongaya Formation. This formation was investigated with detailed logging of outcrops and microfossils analysis in order to map the depositional facies and sedimentary environment. This study showed the presence of seven lithofacies: Thick amalgamated sandstone; thin, lenticular interbedded HCS sandstones and mudstone; laminated mudstone with Rhizophora; trough cross-bedded sandstone; laminated mudstone; strip mudstone with thin sandstone and siltstone; and interbedded HCS sandstone and mudstone. Based on the presence of Rhizophora, Brownlowia, Florchuetia sp., Polypodium, Stenochleana palustris, Ascidian spicule low angle cross bedding, very fine grained sandstone, thin alternations of very fine sandstone, silt and clay layers showing cyclicity (muddy rhythemites), rocks in the Sandakan Formation are interpreted as mangal estuary and open marine facies. Three facies associations could be deduced from the seven lithofacies: Gradual coarsening upwards shoreface; abrupt change facies and prograding estuary facies association.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals
  9. Easa M.N., Yusof, F., Abd. Halim, A.
    MyJurnal
    Many studies have been done on various species of insects to investigate their potential use in industries. This is because insects have high protein content which could be further manipulated. Due to its eating habit, Zophobas morio larvae, also known as super mealworm has been shown to have high amylase activity. In this study, amylase from super mealworm has been immobilized via Cross-Linked Enzyme Aggregates (CLEA) technique and its kinetic performance, evaluated. CLEA is one of the best immobilization method with respect to enzyme stability and reusability. Kinetic performance of both free and CLEA-amylase were evaluated based on the Michaelis-Menten model. Results obtained based on Hanes-Woolf, LineweaverBurk, Eadie-Hofstee and Hyperbolic Regression plots showed that the kinetic parameters, Vmax and KM, changed upon immobilization. For CLEA-amylase, Hanes-Woolf plot showed the bestfitted model based on R2 with Vmax= 1.068 mM/min and KM= 0.182 mM, however, LineweaverBurk plot was used to obtain the kinetic parameters for free amylase, with Vmax and KM of 17.230 mM/min and 2.470 mM, respectively. Thus it is observed that upon immobilization, Vmax for amylase dropped appreciably, however, much lower substrate concentration is needed to saturate the enzymatic sites to reach its maximum catalytic efficiency. The result from this study might open the new path in discovering the potential use of insects in industrial applications, for example, making use of the recovered enzymes in the detergent industry.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals
  10. Sing CK, Md. Zahirul Islam Khan, Hassan Hj. Mohd Daud, Abd. Rahman Aziz
    Sains Malaysiana, 2016;45:1597-1602.
    The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence and antibiotic resistance of Salmonella sp. isolated from
    African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). A total of 30 catfish were harvested from four different farms and four different
    wet markets. A total of 60 samples (30 catfish skins and 30 catfish intestines) were used for Salmonella sp. isolation
    (pellet-method), its biochemical and serological test. Confirmation of Salmonella sp. were determined by polyvalent
    O antisera and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using genus specific primers for invA genes (DNA amplification
    showed one distinct band with molecular weight of 389 bp) and the species of isolated Salmonella sp. were identified
    by serotyping. The result showed 6/30 (20%) of fish or 6/60 (10%) of organ samples were positive for Salmonella sp.
    Among those positive for Salmonella sp., 4/6 were from intestine samples and 2/6 were from skin samples. No significant
    difference was found in the prevalence of Salmonella sp. isolates between fish harvested from farms and wet markets
    (p-value= 0.406). The Salmonella serovars identified were Salmonella corvallis (n=3), Salmonella mbandaka (n=2)
    and Salmonella typhmurium (n=1). Salmonella sp. isolates were resistance to Penicillin (P 10, 100%), Clindamycin
    (DA 2, 100%), Tetracycline (TE 30, 100%) and Rifampicin (RD 5, 100%) and all of the isolates were susceptible or
    intermediate resistance to Ceftazidime (CAZ 30) and Trimethopin (W 5). Multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index of
    all Salmonella sp. isolates in current study was 0.67 indicating that fish sampled in the present study was under high
    risk of been exposed to the tested antibiotics.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals
  11. Norhaizan ME, Ng SK, Norashareena MS, Abdah MA
    Malays J Nutr, 2011 Dec;17(3):367-75.
    PMID: 22655458 MyJurnal
    Phytic acid (PA) has been shown to have positive nutritional benefits. There are also claims that it is able to prevent cancer through its antioxidant capability. This study investigated antioxidant activity and cytotoxic effect of PA extracted from rice bran against selected cancer cell lines (i.e. ovarian, breast and liver cancer).
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals
  12. Dkhil MA, Delic D, El Enshasy HA, Abdel Moneim AE
    Oxid Med Cell Longev, 2016;2016:7468524.
    PMID: 27148432 DOI: 10.1155/2016/7468524
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals
  13. Hawash Y, Ismail KH, Abdel-Wahab M
    Trop Biomed, 2021 Jun 01;38(2):94-101.
    PMID: 34172696 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.2.038
    The Corona pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) calls on the Saudi government to take action to control the infection. The government closed borders, prohibited travel, limited outdoor movements, and told primary and secondary care facilities to reduce all regular non-urgent health services. It is not known whether these measures have impacted the prevalence of parasitic intestinal infections. This study has therefore been carried out to investigate this issue. Dataset of 217 stool samples submitted to the King Faisal Medical Complex (KFMC) Microbiology Laboratory in Taif, Saudi Arabia for parasitological examination during the pandemic (January-June 2020) and 649 samples submitted during the corresponding months of the previous year (January-June 2019) were extracted and analyzed. Overall, 24.1% (209/866) of samples were parasitespositives; 26.6% (173/649) before and 16.5% (36/217) during the pandemic, with 79% reduction. There was a significant difference in gender-parasitism between the two periods where the majority of parasitism were for males (p<0.001). Infections were frequent in patients aged 5- 14 years both before (84/649; 12.9%) and during (12/217; 5.5%) the pandemic, with significant difference observed between the two cohorts (p<0.002). Moreover, the majority of infected patients were non-Saudi (67.9%; 142/209), with a significant difference in nationality reported, (p=0.024). Protozoa were identified in 21.8% (189) of all samples investigated, of which, Blastocystis hominis, Entamoeba coli, Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar and Cryptosporidium species were identified in 6.1% (53), 5.4% (47), 5.0% (44), 2.8% (25), and 2.3% (20), respectively. Helminths were diagnosed in 2.3% (20/866) of samples. Eggs of hookworm, Ascaris, Taenia spp, and Hymenolepis nana were detected in 0.9% (8), 0.5% (5), 0.3% (3) and 0.4% (4), respectively. In parallel with our research hypothesis, a substantial decrease in the burden of intestinal parasitic infections was recorded with the lock-down measures taken during the Corona pandemic.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals
  14. Rukayadi, Y., Abdulkarim, S.M., Sulaiman, R., Abdelkarim, H.
    MyJurnal
    Plants have been used recently to eliminate bacterial growth in food products. This study was undertaken to test the in vitro sanitizing effect of crude extract from bitter gourd (BG) fruit on the growth of native microorganisms in raw chicken leg meat. Hot air dried BG and extrudate extracts at 1% concentration and exposure times of (5, 10 and 15 min) were used to treat the samples using dilution method. Results showed that BG extrudate had a slightly stronger bactericidal activity against the microflora than the B.G. hot air drying treatment, especially, on E. coli at all exposure time. Overall, there is no significant difference between the treatments; Total Plate Count (TPC), Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus. The best reduction time of microflora by hot air dried extract was at (15 min) except for B. cereus was at (5 min) and for extrudate extract was at (5 min) except for E. coli was at (10 min). In conclusion, bitter gourd extract could be used as an important natural sanitizer for rinsing raw food matrials such chicken meat.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals
  15. Salih M, Shaharuddin B, Abdelrazeg S
    Curr Stem Cell Res Ther, 2020;15(3):211-218.
    PMID: 31995019 DOI: 10.2174/1574888X15666200129145251
    Organ and tissue transplantation are limited by the scarcity of donated organs or tissue sources. The success of transplantation is limited by the risk of disease transmission and immunological- related rejection. There is a need for new strategies and innovative solutions to make transplantation readily available, safer and with less complications to increase the success rates. Accelerating progress in stem cell biology and biomaterials development have pushed tissue and organ engineering to a higher level. Among stem cells repertoire, Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) are gaining interest and recognized as a cell population of choice. There is accumulating evidence that MSC growth factors, its soluble and insoluble proteins are involved in several key signaling pathways to promote tissue development, cellular differentiation and regeneration. MSC as multipotent non-hematopoietic cells with paracrine factors is advantageous for regenerative therapies. In this review, we discussed and summarized the important features of MSC including its immunomodulatory properties, mechanism of homing in the direction of tissue injury, licensing of MSC and the role of MSC soluble factors in cell-free therapy. Special consideration is highlighted on the rapidly growing research interest on the roles of MSC in ocular surface regeneration.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals
  16. Syam S, Bustamam A, Abdullah R, Sukari MA, Hashim NM, Mohan S, et al.
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2014 Apr 28;153(2):435-45.
    PMID: 24607509 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.02.051
    The fruit hull of Garcinia mangostana Linn. has been used in traditional medicine for treatment of various inflammatory diseases. Hence, this study aims to investigate the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of β mangostin (βM), a major compound present in Garcinia mangostana.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals
  17. Salga MS, Ali HM, Abdulla MA, Abdelwahab SI
    Int J Mol Sci, 2012;13(2):1393-404.
    PMID: 22408397 DOI: 10.3390/ijms13021393
    The current study described the synthesis and the in vivo acute oral toxicity evaluations in Sprague Dawley rats. The compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, LC-MS, FTIR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and UV-visible spectroscopy. In the acute toxicity study, a single administration of the compounds was performed orally to the rats at the single doses of 2000 mg/kg and they were then monitored for possible side effects, mortality or behavioral changes up to 14 days. The serum level of aspartate (AST), alanine aminotransferases (ALT), alkaline phosphate (ALP), triglyceride, high density lipoprotein (HDL), immunoglobulins (GAM) and the C-reactive proteins did not significantly change. The hematological indices white blood cells (WBC), haematocrit (HCT), red blood cells (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were within the normal range. The renal function indices examined were also within the reference range. Generally, the compounds exhibited low toxic effects as required for further in vivo therapeutic studies.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals
  18. Sidahmed HMA, Vadivelu J, Loke MF, Arbab IA, Abdul B, Sukari MA, et al.
    Phytomedicine, 2019 Mar 01;55:31-39.
    PMID: 30668441 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2018.06.036
    BACKGROUND: Clausena excavata Burm.f. (Rutaceae) has been used for the treatment of stomach disorders including peptic ulcer.

    PURPOSE: In this study, we aimed to investigate dentatin isolated from C. excavata Burm.f., for anti-ulcer activity against ethanol ulcer model in rats.

    METHODS: Gastric acid output, ulcer index, serum profile, histological evaluation using Hematoxylin and eosin (HE), periodic acid Schiff base stainings and immunohistochemical localization for heat shock proteins 70 (HSP70) were all investigated. Possible involvement of reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes, radical scavenging, and anti-Helicobacter pylori activity were investigated.

    RESULTS: Dentatin showed anti-secretory activity against the pylorus ligature model and protected the gastric mucosa from ethanol ulceration, as revealed by the improved macroscopic and histological appearance. Dentatin significantly increased the gastric homogenate content of PGE2 GSH and SOD. Dentatin inhibited the lipid peroxidation as revealed by the reduced gastric content of malondialdehyde (MDA). Moreover, dentatin up-regulated HSP70 expression. However, dentatin showed insignificant anti-H. pylori activity.

    CONCLUSION: Dentatin possesses gastro-protective activity, which could be attributed to the anti-secretory, mucus production, anti-oxidant, and HSP70 activities.

    Matched MeSH terms: Animals
  19. Salga MS, Ali HM, Abdulla MA, Abdelwahab SI
    Chem Biol Interact, 2012 Jan 25;195(2):144-53.
    PMID: 22178775 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2011.11.008
    Zinc complexes were reported to have anti-ulcer activity and used as drug for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. A novel compound dichlorido-zinc(II)-4-(2-(5-methoxybenzylidene amino)ethyl)piperazin-1-iumphenolate (ZnHMS) was synthesized, characterized and evaluated for its gastroprotective activity against ethanol-induced ulcer in rats. Gross and microscopic lesions, histochemical staining of glycogen storage, biochemical and immunological parameters were taken into consideration. Oral administration of ZnHMS (30 and 60 mg/kg; 14 days) dose-dependently inhibited gastric lesions. It significantly increased the mucus content and total acidity compared to the control group (P<0.01). Serum levels of aspartate (AST), alanine (ALT) transaminases, pro-inflammatory interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the rats exposed to ethanol induced ulceration have been altered. ZnHMS considerably enhances (P<0.05) the protection of gastric epithelia by modulating the acute alterations of AST, ALT, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and stomach glycogen. Interestingly, ZnHMS did interfere with the natural release of nitric oxide. In addition, acute toxicity study revealed no abnormal sign to the rats treated with ZnHMS (2000 mg/kg). These findings suggest that the gastroprotective activity of ZnHMS might contribute in adjusting the inflammatory cytokine-mediated oxidative damage to the gastric mucosa.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals
  20. Lim CY, Mat Junit S, Abdulla MA, Abdul Aziz A
    PLoS One, 2013;8(7):e70058.
    PMID: 23894592 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0070058
    BACKGROUND: Tamarindus indica (T. indica) is a medicinal plant with many biological activities including anti-diabetic, hypolipidaemic and anti-bacterial activities. A recent study demonstrated the hypolipidaemic effect of T. indica fruit pulp in hamsters. However, the biochemical and molecular mechanisms responsible for these effects have not been fully elucidated. Hence, the aims of this study were to evaluate the antioxidant activities and potential hypocholesterolaemic properties of T. indica, using in vitro and in vivo approaches.

    METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The in vitro study demonstrated that T. indica fruit pulp had significant amount of phenolic (244.9 ± 10.1 mg GAE/extract) and flavonoid (93.9 ± 2.6 mg RE/g extract) content and possessed antioxidant activities. In the in vivo study, hamsters fed with high-cholesterol diet for ten weeks showed elevated serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C levels. Administration of T. indica fruit pulp to hypercholesterolaemic hamsters significantly lowered serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-C levels but had no effect on the HDL-C level. The lipid-lowering effect was accompanied with significant increase in the expression of Apo A1, Abcg5 and LDL receptor genes and significant decrease in the expression of HMG-CoA reductase and Mtp genes. Administration of T. indica fruit pulp to hypercholesterolaemic hamsters also protected against oxidative damage by increasing hepatic antioxidant enzymes, antioxidant activities and preventing hepatic lipid peroxidation.

    CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: It is postulated that tamarind fruit pulp exerts its hypocholesterolaemic effect by increasing cholesterol efflux, enhancing LDL-C uptake and clearance, suppressing triglyceride accumulation and inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis. T. indica fruit pulp has potential antioxidative effects and is potentially protective against diet-induced hypercholesterolaemia.

    Matched MeSH terms: Animals
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