Displaying publications 81 - 100 of 288 in total

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  1. Identification of Antibacterial Molecule(s) from Animals Living in Polluted Environments
    Winnie FYM, Siddiqui R, Sagathevan K, Khan NA
    Curr Pharm Biotechnol, 2020;21(5):425-437.
    PMID: 31577204 DOI: 10.2174/1389201020666191002153435
    BACKGROUND: Snakes feed on germ-infested rodents, while water monitor lizards thrive on rotten matter in unhygienic conditions. We hypothesize that such creatures survive the assault of superbugs and are able to fend off disease by producing antimicrobial substances. In this study, we investigated the potential antibacterial activity of sera/lysates of animals living in polluted environments.

    METHODS: Snake (Reticulatus malayanus), rats (Rattus rattus), water monitor lizard (Varanus salvator), frog (Lithobates catesbeianus), fish (Oreochromis mossambicus), chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus), and pigeon (Columba livia) were dissected and their organ lysates/sera were collected. Crude extracts were tested for bactericidal effects against neuropathogenic E. coli K1, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. To determine whether lysates/sera protect human cells against bacterialmediated damage, cytotoxicity assays were performed by measuring lactate dehydrogenase release as an indicator of cell death. Lysates/sera were partially characterized using heat-treatment and pronasetreatment and peptide sequences were determined using the Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS).

    RESULTS: Snake and water monitor lizard sera exhibited potent broad-spectrum bactericidal effects against all bacteria tested. Heat inactivation and pronase-treatment inhibited bactericidal effects indicating that activity is heat-labile and pronase-sensitive suggesting that active molecules are proteinaceous in nature. LCMS analyses revealed the molecular identities of peptides.

    CONCLUSION: The results revealed that python that feeds on germ-infested rodents and water monitor lizards that feed on rotten organic waste possess antibacterial activity in a heat-sensitive manner and several peptides were identified. We hope that the discovery of antibacterial activity in the sera of animals living in polluted environments will stimulate research in finding antibacterial agents from unusual sources as this has the potential for the development of novel strategies in the control of infectious diseases.

    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products/isolation & purification; Biological Products/pharmacology*
  2. Natural Products Towards the Discovery of Potential Future Antithrombotic Drugs
    Islam MA, Alam F, Khalil MI, Sasongko TH, Gan SH
    Curr Pharm Des, 2016;22(20):2926-46.
    PMID: 26951101
    Globally, thrombosis-associated disorders are one of the main contributors to fatalities. Besides genetic influences, there are some acquired and environmental risk factors dominating thrombotic diseases. Although standard regimens have been used for a long time, many side effects still occur which can be life threatening. Therefore, natural products are good alternatives. Although the quest for antithrombotic natural products came to light only since the end of last century, in the last two decades, a considerable number of natural products showing antithrombotic activities (antiplatelet, anticoagulant and fibrinolytic) with no or minimal side effects have been reported. In this review, several natural products used as antithrombotic agents including medicinal plants, vegetables, fruits, spices and edible mushrooms which have been discovered in the last 15 years and their target sites (thrombogenic components, factors and thrombotic pathways) are described. In addition, the side effects, limitations and interactions of standard regimens with natural products are also discussed. The active compounds could serve as potential sources for future research on antithrombotic drug development. As a future direction, more advanced researches (in quest of the target cofactor or component involved in antithrombotic pathways) are warranted for the development of potential natural antithrombotic medications (alone or combined with standard regimens) to ensure maximum safety and efficacy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products/adverse effects; Biological Products/therapeutic use*
  3. Plant Extracts and their Secondary Metabolites as Modulators of Kinases
    Gill MSA, Saleem H, Ahemad N
    Curr Top Med Chem, 2020;20(12):1093-1104.
    PMID: 32091334 DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666200224100219
    Natural Products (NP), specifically from medicinal plants or herbs, have been extensively utilized to analyze the fundamental mechanisms of ultimate natural sciences as well as therapeutics. Isolation of secondary metabolites from these sources and their respective biological properties, along with their lower toxicities and cost-effectiveness, make them a significant research focus for drug discovery. In recent times, there has been a considerable focus on isolating new chemical entities from natural flora to meet the immense demand for kinase modulators, and also to overcome major unmet medical challenges in relation to signal transduction pathways. The signal transduction systems are amongst the foremost pathways involved in the maintenance of life and protein kinases play an imperative part in these signaling pathways. It is important to find a kinase inhibitor, as it can be used not only to study cell biology but can also be used as a drug candidate for cancer and metabolic disorders. A number of plant extracts and their isolated secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, phenolics, terpenoids, and alkaloids have exhibited activities against various kinases. In the current review, we have presented a brief overview of some important classes of plant secondary metabolites as kinase modulators. Moreover, a number of phytocompounds with kinase inhibition potential, isolated from different plant species, are also discussed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products/metabolism; Biological Products/pharmacology*; Biological Products/chemistry
  4. Alzheimer's Disease and Natural Products: Future Regimens Emerging from Nature
    Islam MA, Khandker SS, Alam F, Khalil MI, Kamal MA, Gan SH
    Curr Top Med Chem, 2017;17(12):1408-1428.
    PMID: 28049401 DOI: 10.2174/1568026617666170103163054
    Alzheimer's disease (AD), which largely affects the elderly, has become a global burden. Patients with AD have both short- and long-term memory impairments. The neuronal loss in AD occurs due to abnormally folded amyloid beta proteins and aggregation of hyperphosphorylated tau proteins in the brain. Eventually, amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are formed, which subsequently disintegrate the neuronal transport system. There are several factors which are involved in AD pathogenesis, including oxidative stress, inflammation and the presence of metal ions. The modern therapies utilized for AD treatment have many adverse effects, driving the quest for more safe and effective medications. Many dietary components, including different types of fruits, vegetables, spices, and marine products as well as a Mediterranean diet, are a good source of antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties, with many showing substantial potential against AD pathogenesis. In this review, we discuss the potential of these foods for treating AD and opportunities for developing disease-targeted drugs from active compounds extracted from natural dietary products.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products/adverse effects; Biological Products/isolation & purification; Biological Products/pharmacology*
  5. Fulltext Metagenomic data on bacterial diversity profiling of high-microbial-abundance tropical marine sponges Aaptos aaptos and Xestospongia muta from waters off terengganu, South China Sea
    Amelia TSM, Lau NS, Amirul AA, Bhubalan K
    Data Brief, 2020 Aug;31:105971.
    PMID: 32685631 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2020.105971
    Marine sponges are acknowledged as a bacterial hotspot and resource of novel natural products or genetic material with industrial or commercial potential. However, sponge-associated bacteria are difficult to be cultivated and the production of their desirable metabolites is inadequate in terms of rate and quantity, yet bioinformatics and metagenomics tools are steadily progressing. Bacterial diversity profiles of high-microbial-abundance wild tropical marine sponges Aaptos aaptos and Xestospongia muta were obtained by sample collection at Pulau Bidong and Pulau Redang islands, 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing on Illumina HiSeq2500 platform (250 bp paired-end) and metagenomics analysis using Ribosomal Database Project (RDP) classifier. Raw sequencing data in fastq format and relative abundance histograms of the dominant 10 species are available in the public repository Discover Mendeley Data (http://dx.doi.org/10.17632/zrcks5s8xp). Filtered sequencing data of operational taxonomic unit (OTU) with chimera removed is available in NCBI accession numbers from MT464469 to MT465036.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products
  6. Fulltext De novo transcriptome dataset of Stevia rebaudiana accession MS007
    Samsulrizal NH, Khadzran KS, Shaarani SH, Noh AL, Sundram TC, Naim MA, et al.
    Data Brief, 2020 Feb;28:104811.
    PMID: 31871974 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2019.104811
    Stevia rebaudiana (S. rebaudiana) is a herbaceous and perennial plant belonging to Asteraceae family. The genus stevia is well known as a natural producer of sweetener comprising non-caloric and non-carcinogenic steviol glycosides. In recent years, the capability in producing natural sweetner has increased the demand for S. rebaudiana as substitute of processed sugars. Flowering phase of S. rebaudiana has shown to affect the content of steviol glycosides in the leaves. Steviol glycosides level is the highest at the time of flower bud formation and lowest at time preceding and following flower bud formation. Therefore, sequencing and analysing the genes that are involved in flowering phase will provide platform for gene manipulation in increasing steviol glycosides content. The Stevia transcriptome data that include two stages of growth (before flowering and after flowering), were obtained using Illumina RNA-seq technology and can be accessed at NCBI Sequence Read Archive under Accession No. SRX6362785 and SRX6362784.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products
  7. Domestic and imported products--the Malaysian experience in assuring safe and sufficient plasma products
    Ayob Y
    Dev Biol (Basel), 2007;127:169-73.
    PMID: 17486890
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products*
  8. Fulltext Nutrigenomic effects of edible bird's nest on insulin signaling in ovariectomized rats
    Hou Z, Imam MU, Ismail M, Ooi DJ, Ideris A, Mahmud R
    Drug Des Devel Ther, 2015;9:4115-25.
    PMID: 26316695 DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S80743
    Estrogen deficiency alters quality of life during menopause. Hormone replacement therapy has been used to improve quality of life and prevent complications, but side effects limit its use. In this study, we evaluated the use of edible bird's nest (EBN) for prevention of cardiometabolic problems in rats with ovariectomy-induced menopause. Ovariectomized female rats were fed for 12 weeks with normal rat chow, EBN, or estrogen and compared with normal non-ovariectomized rats. Metabolic indices (insulin, estrogen, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, oral glucose tolerance test, and lipid profile) were measured at the end of the experiment from serum and liver tissue homogenate, and transcriptional levels of hepatic insulin signaling genes were measured. The results showed that ovariectomy worsened metabolic indices and disrupted the normal transcriptional pattern of hepatic insulin signaling genes. EBN improved the metabolic indices and also produced transcriptional changes in hepatic insulin signaling genes that tended toward enhanced insulin sensitivity, and glucose and lipid homeostasis, even better than estrogen. The data suggest that EBN could meliorate estrogen deficiency-associated increase in risk of cardiometabolic disease in rats, and may in fact be useful as a functional food for the prevention of such a problem in humans. The clinical validity of these findings is worth studying further.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products/pharmacology*
  9. Fulltext Promising Natural Products in New Drug Design, Development, and Therapy for Skin Disorders: An Overview of Scientific Evidence and Understanding Their Mechanism of Action
    Mohd Zaid NA, Sekar M, Bonam SR, Gan SH, Lum PT, Begum MY, et al.
    Drug Des Devel Ther, 2022;16:23-66.
    PMID: 35027818 DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S326332
    The skin is the largest organ in the human body, composed of the epidermis and the dermis. It provides protection and acts as a barrier against external menaces like allergens, chemicals, systemic toxicity, and infectious organisms. Skin disorders like cancer, dermatitis, psoriasis, wounds, skin aging, acne, and skin infection occur frequently and can impact human life. According to a growing body of evidence, several studies have reported that natural products have the potential for treating skin disorders. Building on this information, this review provides brief information about the action of the most important in vitro and in vivo research on the use of ten selected natural products in inflammatory, neoplastic, and infectious skin disorders and their mechanisms that have been reported to date. The related studies and articles were searched from several databases, including PubMed, Google, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. Ten natural products that have been reported widely on skin disorders were reviewed in this study, with most showing anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer effects as the main therapeutic actions. Overall, most of the natural products reported in this review can reduce and suppress inflammatory markers, like tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), induce cancer cell death through apoptosis, and prevent bacteria, fungal, and virus infections indicating their potentials. This review also highlighted the challenges and opportunities of natural products in transdermal/topical delivery systems and their safety considerations for skin disorders. Our findings indicated that natural products might be a low-cost, well-tolerated, and safe treatment for skin diseases. However, a larger number of clinical trials are required to validate these findings. Natural products in combination with modern drugs, as well as the development of novel delivery mechanisms, represent a very promising area for future drug discovery of these natural leads against skin disorders.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products/therapeutic use*
  10. Fulltext Natural and Synthetic Drugs Approached for the Treatment of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis Over the Last Decade
    Vitamia C, Iftinan GN, Latarissa IR, Wilar G, Cahyanto A, Elamin KM, et al.
    Drug Des Devel Ther, 2024;18:1297-1312.
    PMID: 38681204 DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S449370
    Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) refers to a sore and frequently recurring inflammation of the oral tissues, distinguished by the presence of small ulcers that cause significant discomfort and cannot be attributed to any underlying disease. Different treatments have been used for RAS. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the treatment options over the past decade for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), encompassing both natural and synthetic treatments. It will utilize clinical efficacy studies conducted in vivo and in vitro, along with a focus on the pharmaceutical approach through advancements in drug delivery development. We conducted a thorough literature search from 2013 to 2023 in prominent databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane, utilizing appropriate keywords of recurrent aphthous stomatitis, and treatment. A total of 53 clinical trials with 3022 patients were included, with 35 using natural materials in their research and a total of 16 articles discussing RAS treatment using synthetic materials. All the clinical trials showed that natural and synthetic medicines seemed to benefit RAS patients by reducing pain score, ulcer size, and number of ulcers and shortening the healing duration.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products/pharmacology; Biological Products/therapeutic use; Biological Products/chemistry
  11. Fulltext Propolis efficacy on SARS-COV viruses: a review on antimicrobial activities and molecular simulations
    Ghosh S, Al-Sharify ZT, Maleka MF, Onyeaka H, Maleke M, Maolloum A, et al.
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2022 Aug;29(39):58628-58647.
    PMID: 35794320 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21652-6
    This current study review provides a brief review of a natural bee product known as propolis and its relevance toward combating SARS-CoV viruses. Propolis has been utilized in medicinal products for centuries due to its excellent biological properties. These include anti-oxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and bactericidal activities. Furthermore, studies on molecular simulations show that flavonoids in propolis may reduce viral replication. While further research is needed to validate this theory, it has been observed that COVID-19 patients receiving propolis show earlier viral clearance, enhanced symptom recovery, quicker discharge from hospitals, and a reduced mortality rate relative to other patients. As a result, it appears that propolis could probably be useful in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. Therefore, this review sought to explore the natural properties of propolis and further evaluated past studies that investigated propolis as an alternative product for the treatment of COVID-19 symptoms. In addition, the review also highlights the possible mode of propolis action as well as molecular simulations of propolis compounds that may interact with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The activity of propolis compounds in decreasing the impact of COVID-19-related comorbidities, the possible roles of such compounds as COVID-19 vaccine adjuvants, and the use of nutraceuticals in COVID-19 treatment, instead of pharmaceuticals, has also been discussed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products*
  12. Recent update on anti-dengue drug discovery
    Dighe SN, Ekwudu O, Dua K, Chellappan DK, Katavic PL, Collet TA
    Eur J Med Chem, 2019 Aug 15;176:431-455.
    PMID: 31128447 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.05.010
    Dengue is the most important arthropod-borne viral disease of humans, with more than half of the global population living in at-risk areas. Despite the negative impact on public health, there are no antiviral therapies available, and the only licensed vaccine, Dengvaxia®, has been contraindicated in children below nine years of age. In an effort to combat dengue, several small molecules have entered into human clinical trials. Here, we review anti-DENV molecules and their drug targets that have been published within the past five years (2014-2018). Further, we discuss their probable mechanisms of action and describe a role for classes of clinically approved drugs and also an unclassified class of anti-DENV agents. This review aims to enhance our understanding of novel agents and their cognate targets in furthering innovations in the use of small molecules for dengue drug therapies.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products/pharmacology; Biological Products/chemistry
  13. Fulltext Medicinal Plants and Their Inhibitory Activities against Pancreatic Lipase: A Review
    Seyedan A, Alshawsh MA, Alshagga MA, Koosha S, Mohamed Z
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2015;2015:973143.
    PMID: 26640503 DOI: 10.1155/2015/973143
    Obesity is recognized as a major life style disorder especially in developing countries and it is prevailing at an alarming speed in new world countries due to fast food intake, industrialization, and reduction of physical activity. Furthermore, it is associated with a vast number of chronic diseases and disabilities. To date, relatively effective drugs, from either natural or synthetic sources, are generally associated with serious side effects, often leading to cessation of clinical trials or even withdrawal from the market. In order to find new compounds which are more effective or with less adverse effects compared to orlistat, the drug that has been approved for obesity, new compounds isolated from natural products are being identified and screened for antiobesity effects, in particular, for their pancreatic lipase inhibitory effect. Pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity has been extensively used for the determination of potential efficacy of natural products as antiobesity agents. In attempts to identify natural products for overcoming obesity, more researches have been focused on the identification of newer pancreatic lipase inhibitors with less unpleasant adverse effects. In this review, we consider the potential role of plants that have been investigated for their pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products
  14. Fulltext Kainic Acid-Induced Excitotoxicity Experimental Model: Protective Merits of Natural Products and Plant Extracts
    Mohd Sairazi NS, Sirajudeen KN, Asari MA, Muzaimi M, Mummedy S, Sulaiman SA
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2015;2015:972623.
    PMID: 26793262 DOI: 10.1155/2015/972623
    Excitotoxicity is well recognized as a major pathological process of neuronal death in neurodegenerative diseases involving the central nervous system (CNS). In the animal models of neurodegeneration, excitotoxicity is commonly induced experimentally by chemical convulsants, particularly kainic acid (KA). KA-induced excitotoxicity in rodent models has been shown to result in seizures, behavioral changes, oxidative stress, glial activation, inflammatory mediator production, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and selective neurodegeneration in the brain upon KA administration. Recently, there is an emerging trend to search for natural sources to combat against excitotoxicity-associated neurodegenerative diseases. Natural products and plant extracts had attracted a considerable amount of attention because of their reported beneficial effects on the CNS, particularly their neuroprotective effect against excitotoxicity. They provide significant reduction and/or protection against the development and progression of acute and chronic neurodegeneration. This indicates that natural products and plants extracts may be useful in protecting against excitotoxicity-associated neurodegeneration. Thus, targeting of multiple pathways simultaneously may be the strategy to maximize the neuroprotection effect. This review summarizes the mechanisms involved in KA-induced excitotoxicity and attempts to collate the various researches related to the protective effect of natural products and plant extracts in the KA model of neurodegeneration.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products
  15. Attenuation of Thrombosis by Crude Rice (Oryza sativa) Bran Policosanol Extract: Ex Vivo Platelet Aggregation and Serum Levels of Arachidonic Acid Metabolites
    Wong WT, Ismail M, Tohit ER, Abdullah R, Zhang YD
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2016;2016:7343942.
    PMID: 27800004
    Background. Vascular occlusion or thrombosis was often attributed to uncontrolled platelet activation. Influence of sugarcane policosanol extract on platelet was reported but little was known of rice bran policosanol, particularly its mechanisms of actions on platelet activities. Objective. Antiplatelet mechanisms of rice bran policosanol extract (RBE) were studied using hyperlipidemic Sprague Dawley rats. Ex vivo platelet aggregation, platelet count (PC), bleeding time (BT), and coagulation time were assayed. Serum eicosanoids and other aggregation-related metabolites levels were quantified. Design. Rats were divided into 6 groups for comparisons (vehicle control Tween 20/H2O, high dose policosanol 500 mg/kg, middle dose policosanol 250 mg/kg, low dose policosanol 100 mg/kg, and positive control aspirin 30 mg/kg). Results. Low dose 100 mg/kg of RBE inhibited aggregation by 42.32 ± 4.31% and this was comparable with the effect of 30 mg/kg aspirin, 43.91 ± 5.27%. Results showed that there were no significant differences in PC, BT, and coagulation time among various groups after RBE treatment. Serum thromboxane A2 was attenuated while prostacyclin level increased upon RBE treatment. Conclusions. RBE reduced ex vivo ADP-induced platelet aggregation without giving adverse effects. No changes in full blood count suggested that rice bran policosanol did not disturb biological blood cell production and destruction yet it reduced aggregation through different mechanisms.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products
  16. Fulltext In vitro and in vivo toxicity of garcinia or hydroxycitric Acid: a review
    Chuah LO, Yeap SK, Ho WY, Beh BK, Alitheen NB
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2012;2012:197920.
    PMID: 22924054 DOI: 10.1155/2012/197920
    Obesity is one of the pandemic chronic diseases commonly associated with health disorders such as heart attack, high blood pressure, diabetes or even cancer. Among the current natural products for obesity and weight control, Garcinia or more specifically hydroxycitric acid (HCA) extracted from Garcinia has been widely used. The evaluation of the potential toxicity of weight control supplement is of the utmost importance as it requires long term continuous consumption in order to maintain its effects. Majority of reports demonstrated the efficacy of Garcinia/HCA without any toxicity found. However, a few clinical toxicity reports on weight-loss diet supplements of which some were combinations that included Garcinia/HCA as an active ingredient showed potential toxicity towards spermatogenesis. Nonetheless, it cannot be concluded that Garcinia/HCA is unsafe. Those products which have been reported to possess adverse effects are either polyherbal or multi-component in nature. To date, there is no case study or report showing the direct adverse effect of HCA. The structure, mechanism of action, long history of the use of Garcinia/HCA and comprehensive scientific evidence had shown "no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL)" at levels up to 2800 mg/day, suggesting its safety for use.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products
  17. Fulltext The Cytotoxic Properties of Baeckea frutescens Branches Extracts in Eliminating Breast Cancer Cells
    Shahruzaman SH, Mustafa MF, Ramli S, Maniam S, Fakurazi S, Maniam S
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2019;2019:9607590.
    PMID: 31178918 DOI: 10.1155/2019/9607590
    Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women in over 100 countries worldwide and accounts for almost 1 in 4 cancer cases among women. Baeckea frutescens of the family Myrtaceae has been used in traditional medicine and is known to possess antibacterial, antipyretic, and cytoprotective properties. In this study, we investigated the role of Baeckea frutescens branches extracts against human breast cancer cells. Baeckea frutescens branches extracts were prepared using Soxhlet apparatus with solvents of different polarity. The selective cytotoxic activity and the glucose consumption rate of Baeckea frutescens branches extracts of various concentrations (20 to 160 ug/ml) at 24-, 48-, and 72-hour time points were studied using MTT and glucose uptake assay. The IC50 values in human breast cancer (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and mammary breast (MCF10A) cell lines were determined. Apoptotic study using AO/PI double staining was performed using fluorescent microscopy. The glucose uptake was measured using 2-NBDG, a fluorescent glucose analogue. The phytochemical screening of major secondary metabolites in plants was performed. This study reports that Baeckea frutescens branches extracts showed potent selective cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 cells compared to MDA-MB-231 cells after 72 hours of treatment. Evidence of early apoptosis which includes membrane blebbing and chromatin condensation was observed after 72 hours of treatment with Baeckea frutescens branches extracts. Interestingly, for the glucose uptake assay, the inhibition was observed as early as 24 hours upon treatment. All Baeckea frutescens extracts showed the presence of major secondary metabolites such as tannin, triterpenoid, flavonoid, and phenol. However, alkaloid level was unable to be determined. The identification of Baeckea frutescens and its possible role in selectively inhibiting glucose consumption in breast cancer cells defines a new role of natural product that can be utilised as an effective agent that regulates metabolic reprogramming in breast cancer.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products
  18. Fulltext A Review of Potential Beneficial Effects of Honey on Bone Health
    Kamaruzzaman MA, Chin KY, Mohd Ramli ES
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2019;2019:8543618.
    PMID: 31641368 DOI: 10.1155/2019/8543618
    Bone remodelling is a complex and tightly regulated process. Disruption of bone remodelling skewing towards resorption will cause osteoporosis and increase the risk of fragility fracture. Honey is a natural product containing various bioactive ingredients with health benefits, especially polyphenols. Therefore, honey may be a novel dietary supplement to prevent osteoporosis. This review aims to summarize the current evidence on the effects of honey on bone health. The evidence reported so far indicates a skeletal-beneficial effect of honey in animal models of osteoporosis. However, the number of studies on humans is limited. Honey can protect the bone via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, primarily through its polyphenol content that acts upon several signalling pathways, leading to bone anabolic and antiresorptive effects. In conclusion, honey is a potential functional food for bone health, but the dose and the bioactive contents of honey need to be verified prior to its application in humans.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products
  19. Fulltext Susceptibility of Toxoplasma gondii to Ethanolic Extract of Tinospora crispa in Vero Cells
    Sharif AA, Unyah NZ, Nordin N, Basir R, Wana MN, Alapid Ahmad A, et al.
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2019;2019:2916547.
    PMID: 31827548 DOI: 10.1155/2019/2916547
    Background: Toxoplasmosis remains widely distributed globally and is one of the major neglected parasitic zoonotic infections. The infection is still endemic in most parts of the world due to poor control as well as challenges of the currently used medications which can be overcome by using natural products. This study evaluated the effect of ethanolic extract from the stem of Tinospora crispa (EETC) on host cell invasion and intracellular replication of Toxoplasma gondii.

    Method: The stem powder of T. crispa was soaked in absolute ethanol for 72 hours. The resulting ethanolic extract was screened for the presence of phytochemicals. Vero cells monolayer in 96-well plate was infected with RH strain of T. gondii and treated with concentrations of the EETC, Veratrine alkaloid, and clindamycin ranging from 1.56 to 200 μg/mL. MTT assay was conducted after 24 hours to evaluate the cytotoxicity and antiparasitic activities of the EETC. Four and 24 hours treatment models were adapted to assess the infection index and intracellular proliferation of T.

    Results: The study revealed that the EETC had no cytotoxic effects on Vero cells with IC50 = 179 μg/mL, as compared to clindamycin (IC50 = 116.5 μg/mL) and Veratrine alkaloid (IC50 = 60.4 μg/mL). The EETC had good anti-toxoplasma activities with IC50 = 6.31 μg/mL in comparison with clindamycin (IC50 = 8.33 μg/mL) and Veratrine alkaloid (IC50 = 14.25 μg/mL). The EETC caused more than 70% and 80% reduction in infection index and intracellular proliferation in both treatment models, respectively.

    Conclusion: This in vitro study showed that the EETC contains promising phytochemicals effective against T. gondii and safe to the host cells.

    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products
  20. Fulltext UHPLC-ESI-Orbitrap-MS Analysis of Biologically Active Extracts from Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr. and Cleome gynandra L. Leaves
    Chandradevan M, Simoh S, Mediani A, Ismail NH, Ismail IS, Abas F
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2020;2020:3238561.
    PMID: 32047522 DOI: 10.1155/2020/3238561
    This study aimed to determine the total phenolic content, DPPH scavenging, α-glucosidase, and nitric oxide (NO) inhibition of Gynura procumbens and Cleome gynandra extracts obtained with five different ethanolic concentrations. The findings showed that the 100% ethanolic extract of G. procumbens had the highest phenolic content and the lowest IC50 values for DPPH scavenging and NO inhibition activity compared to the properties of the other extracts. For C. gynandra, the 20% and 100% ethanolic extracts had comparably high total phenolic contents, and the latter possessed the lowest IC50 value in the NO inhibition assay. In addition, the 20% ethanolic extract of C. gynandra had the lowest IC50 value in the DPPH scavenging assay. However, none of the extracts from either herb had the ability to inhibit α-glucosidase enzyme. Pearson correlation analysis indicated a strong relationship between the phenolic content and DPPH scavenging activity in both herb extracts. A moderately strong relationship was also observed between the phenolic content and NO inhibition in G. procumbens extracts and not in C. gynandra extracts. The UHPLC-ESI-Orbitrap-MS revealed major phenolics from the groups of hydroxycinnamic acids, hydroxybenzoic acids, and flavonoid derivatives from both herbs, which could be the key contributors to their bioactivities. Among the identified metabolites, 24 metabolites were tentatively assigned for the first time from both species of studied herbs. These two herbs could be recommended as prospective natural products with valuable medicinal properties.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products
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