METHOD: The NIH 3T3 and RAW 264.7 co-culture were induced with LPS and high glucose before it was treated with metformin in different concentration. After 24 hours of treatment, the media and the cells were collected for further examination. The collagen expression was measured using Sirius red dye in the media. The IL-6 and TGF β mRNA examination were done using real-time PCR.
RESULT: Our study showed that NIH 3T3 and RAW 264.7 coculture treated with metformin has higher collagen expression, but lower IL-6 mRNA expression compares to those on co-culture without treatment.
CONCLUSION: Metformin increases fibrosis markers in LPS and high glucose-induced NIH 3T3 and RAW 264.7 coculture despite its ability to improve IL-6 mRNA expression.
RESULTS: The ternary nanocomposite containing conducting polymer polypyrrole, cobalt oxide, and silver nanoparticles showed potent antimicrobial effects against these pathogens. The antibacterial assay showed that PPy-Co3O4-AgNPs exhibited significant bactericidal activity against neuropathogenic E. coli K1 at only 8 μg/mL as compared to individual components of the nanocomposite, whereas a 70 % inhibition of A. castellanii viability was observed at 50 μg/mL. Moreover, PPy-Co3O4-AgNPs were found to have minimal cytotoxicity against human keratinocytes HaCaT cells in vitro even at higher concentration (50 μg/mL), and also reduced the microbes-mediated cytopathogenicity against host cells.
CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that PPy-Co3O4-AgNPs hold promise in the development of novel antimicrobial nanomaterials for biomedical applications.
KEY POINTS: •Synthesis of polypyrrole-cobalt oxide-silver (PPy-Co3O4-AgNPs) nanocomposite. •Antimicrobial activity of nanocomposite. •PPy-Co3O4-AgNPs hold promise for biomedical applications.
OBJECTIVE: Hence, this study aimed to determine the effects of bedak sejuk made from Oryza sativa ssp. indica (Indica) and Oryza sativa ssp. japonica (Japonica) on UVB-induced B164A5 melanoma cells, and also identify the antioxidant capacities of both types of bedak sejuk.
METHODS: The optimum dose of Indica and Japonica bedak sejuk to treat the cells was determined via the MTT assay. Then, the antioxidant capacities of both types of bedak sejuk were determined using the FRAP assay.
RESULTS: From the MTT assay, it was found that Indica and Japonica bedak sejuk showed no cytotoxic effects towards the cells. Hence, no IC50 can be obtained and two of the higher doses, 50 and 100 g/L were chosen for treatment. In the FRAP assay, Indica bedak sejuk at 50 and 100 g/L showed FRAP values of 0.003 ± 0.001 μg AA (ascorbic acid)/g of bedak sejuk and 0.004 ± 0.0003 μg AA/g of bedak sejuk. Whereas Japonica bedak sejuk at 50 g/L had the same FRAP value as Indica bedak sejuk at 100 g/L. As for Japonica bedak sejuk at 100 g/L, it showed the highest antioxidant capacity with the FRAP value of 0.01 ± 0.0007 μg AA/g of bedak sejuk which was statistically significant (p < 0.05) when compared to other tested concentrations.
CONCLUSION: In conclusion, Japonica bedak sejuk has a higher antioxidant capacity compared to Indica bedak sejuk despite both being not cytotoxic towards the cells. Regardless, further investigations need to be done before bedak sejuk could be developed as potential melanoma chemoprevention agents.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the binding of vitamin E isomers on transport proteins using in silico docking.
METHODS: Transport proteins were selected using AmiGo Gene Ontology tool based on the same molecular function annotation as αTTP. Protein structures were obtained from the Protein Data Bank. Ligands structures were obtained from ZINC database. In silico docking was performed using SwissDock.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A total of 6 transport proteins were found: SEC14-like protein 2, glycolipid transfer protein (GLTP), pleckstrin homology domain-containing family A member 8, collagen type IV alpha-3-binding protein, ceramide-1-phosphate transfer protein and afamin. Compared with other transport proteins, αTTP had the highest affinities for all isomers except βT3. Binding order of vitamin E isomers toward αTTP was γT > βT > αT > δT > αT3 > γT3 > δT3 > βT3. GLTP had a higher affinity for tocotrienols than tocopherols. βT3 bound stronger to GLTP than αTTP.
CONCLUSION: αTTP remained as the most preferred transport protein for most of the isomers. The binding affinity of αT toward αTTP was not the highest than other isomers suggested that other intracellular trafficking mechanisms of these isomers may exist. GLTP may mediate the intracellular transport of tocotrienols, especially βT3. Improving the bioavailability of these isomers may enhance their beneficial effects to human.