Displaying publications 101 - 113 of 113 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Renoprotective and antihypertensive mechanism of action of Clinacanthus nutans bioactive polysaccharides by suppression of reactive oxygen species/ nuclear factor/ matrix metalloproteinase (ROS/NF-ΚB/MMP-9) and upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide (eNOS/NO) pathways
    Chia TY, Gan CY, Cheah PS, Murugaiyah V, Fatima T, Haji EM, et al.
    J Mol Histol, 2025 Jun 28;56(4):209.
    PMID: 40580398 DOI: 10.1007/s10735-025-10481-9
    Clinacanthus nutans (C. nutans) Lindau, is classified as a top herb which are investigated for different biological activities like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory effects. Hitherto, no dedicated study has been investigated on the role of C. nutans in L-NAME [N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester] in-vivo rat model to explore its antihypertensive and renoprotective mechanism by modulating the ROS/NF-κB/MMP-9 pathways both globally in the plasma as well as locally in the kidney by using in-vitro expression study. Present study hypothesized that bioactive polysaccharides leaves of the alcoholic extract of C. nutans (CNBP) could improve the functions of the kidney by its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive actions by suppression of ROS/NF-κB/MMP-9 and upregulation of eNOS/NO pathways in the plasma and kidney. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (n = 6) were randomised into five groups namely: Control (C), L-NAME (L) administered in drinking water, L-NAME + 500 mg/kg of C. nutans bioactive polysaccharides (CNBP) (LCN500), L-NAME + 1000 mg/kg of CNBP (LCN1000) and L-NAME + 2000 mg/kg of CNBP (LCN2000) respectively. All treatments were continued for the period of 14 days and physiological data like water intake, urine output, body weight was collected on days 0, 7 and 14. Acute in-vivo study was performed after cannulation of the femoral and carotid arteries where renal cortical blood perfusion (RCBP) was measured along with pulse wave velocity (PWV). Plasma and renal malondialdehyde (MDA), tumour necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), nitric oxide synthase-1 (NOS1) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. Histopathological studies were done on the kidney tissue at the termination of experiment. Administrations of L-NAME to L group for 14 days resulted in significantly reduced levels of SOD and NOS while significantly elevated levels of MDA, TNF-α, IL-6 and MMP-9 in both plasma and kidney tissue when compared to control group (C). Conversely, treatment of 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg of CNBP has significantly reversed the values when same was compared to normal control ( C) group. Administration of L-NAME to L group for 14 days caused significantly increased systolic blood pressure (SBP) and arterial stiffness by increasing the pulse wave velocity (PWV) along with reduced creatinine clearance and renal cortical blood perfusion (RCBP) when compared to C group. Nevertheless, treatment of 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg CNBP has significantly reduced the SBP and PWV and raised the creatine clearance and RCBP functions when compared to (L) group. This study devised with the novel findings of 14 days CNBP treatment has suppressed ROS/TNF-α/MMP-9 pathway in the plasma and kidney which is pathological pathway for the kidney injury and hypertension while upregulated eNOS/NO pathways in plasma and kidney which is renoprotective and antihypertensive pathway in L-NAME rat model of hypertension and kidney injury.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/metabolism
  2. Fulltext Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen Leaf Water Extract Induces Apoptosis in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HepG2) Cells via ERK1/2/Akt1/JNK1 Signaling Pathways
    Tan BL, Norhaizan ME, Chan LC
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2018;2018:7826576.
    PMID: 30519270 DOI: 10.1155/2018/7826576
    Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen, called sapodilla, or locally known as ciku, belongs to the family Sapotaceae. We found that Manilkara zapota leaf water extract has cytotoxic effect against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell line in our earlier study. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the anticancer properties of Manilkara zapota leaf water extract in HepG2 cells. We also aimed to unravel yet undiscovered mechanisms and identified several expressed genes whose functions in cytotoxicity activity of Manilkara zapota leaf water extract in HepG2 cells have not been well-studied. The apoptosis and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) activities were analyzed using Annexin V-propidium iodide staining and dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, respectively, by NovoCyte Flow Cytometer. Bax and Bcl-2 expression were assessed using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. The associated molecular pathways were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR. Overall analyses revealed that Manilkara zapota leaf water extract can increase percentage of early apoptotic cells, induce the formation of ROS, upregulate c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and reduce Akt1 and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) transcriptional activities. Our data suggest that Manilkara zapota leaf water extract can suppress the growth of HepG2 cells via modulation of ERK1/2/Akt1/JNK1 transcriptional expression.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  3. Gallic acid suppresses inflammation in dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis in mice: Possible mechanisms
    Pandurangan AK, Mohebali N, Mohd Esa N, Looi CY, Ismail S, Saadatdoust Z
    Int Immunopharmacol, 2015 Oct;28(2):1034-43.
    PMID: 26319951 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2015.08.019
    Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) encompass at least two forms of intestinal inflammation: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC). Both conditions are chronic and inflammatory disorders in the gastrointestinal tract, with an increasing prevalence being associated with the industrialization of nations and in developing countries. Patients with these disorders are 10 to 20 times more likely to develop cancer of the colon. The aim of this study was to characterize the effects of a naturally occurring polyphenol, gallic acid (GA), in an experimental murine model of UC. A significant blunting of weight loss and clinical symptoms was observed in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-exposed, GA-treated mice compared with control mice. This effect was associated with a remarkable amelioration of the disruption of the colonic architecture, a significant reduction in colonic myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and a decrease in the expression of inflammatory mediators, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, GA reduced the activation and nuclear accumulation of p-STAT3(Y705), preventing the degradation of the inhibitory protein IκB and inhibiting of the nuclear translocation of p65-NF-κB in colonic mucosa. These findings suggest that GA exerts potentially clinically useful anti-inflammatory effects mediated through the suppression of p65-NF-κB and IL-6/p-STAT3(Y705) activation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  4. Paeonol protects against endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced endothelial dysfunction via AMPK/PPARδ signaling pathway
    Choy KW, Mustafa MR, Lau YS, Liu J, Murugan D, Lau CW, et al.
    Biochem Pharmacol, 2016 09 15;116:51-62.
    PMID: 27449753 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2016.07.013
    Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in endothelial cells often leads to endothelial dysfunction which underlies the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Paeonol, a major phenolic component extracted from Moutan Cortex, possesses various medicinal benefits which have been used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine. The present study investigated the protective mechanism of paeonol against tunicamycin-induced ER stress in isolated mouse aortas and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Vascular reactivity in aorta was measured using a wire myograph. The effects of paeonol on protein expression of ER stress markers, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) activity in the vascular wall were assessed by Western blot, dihydroethidium fluorescence (DHE) or lucigenin enhanced-chemiluminescence, 4-amino-5-methylamino-2',7'-difluorofluorescein (DAF-FM DA) and dual luciferase reporter assay, respectively. Ex vivo treatment with paeonol (0.1μM) for 16h reversed the impaired endothelium-dependent relaxations in C57BJ/6J and PPARδ wild type (WT) mouse aortas following incubation with tunicamycin (0.5μg/mL). Elevated ER stress markers, oxidative stress and reduction of NO bioavailability induced by tunicamycin in HUVECs, C57BJ/6J and PPARδ WT mouse aortas were reversed by paeonol treatment. These beneficial effects of paeonol were diminished in PPARδ knockout (KO) mouse aortas. Paeonol increased the expression of 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and PPARδ expression and activity while restoring the decreased phosphorylation of eNOS. The present study delineates that paeonol protects against tunicamycin-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction by inhibition of ER stress and oxidative stress, thus elevating NO bioavailability via the AMPK/PPARδ signaling pathway.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/metabolism; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/chemistry
  5. Fulltext Reduction of oxidative-nitrosative stress underlies anticataract effect of topically applied tocotrienol in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
    Abdul Nasir NA, Agarwal R, Sheikh Abdul Kadir SH, Vasudevan S, Tripathy M, Iezhitsa I, et al.
    PLoS One, 2017;12(3):e0174542.
    PMID: 28350848 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174542
    Cataract, a leading cause of blindness, is of special concern in diabetics as it occurs at earlier onset. Polyol accumulation and increased oxidative-nitrosative stress in cataractogenesis are associated with NFκB activation, iNOS expression, ATP depletion, loss of ATPase functions, calpain activation and proteolysis of soluble to insoluble proteins. Tocotrienol was previously shown to reduce lens oxidative stress and inhibit cataractogenesis in galactose-fed rats. In current study, we investigated anticataract effects of topical tocotrienol and possible mechanisms involved in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in Sprague Dawley rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Diabetic rats were treated with vehicle (DV) or tocotrienol (DT). A third group consists of normal, non-diabetic rats were treated with vehicle (NV). All treatments were given topically, bilaterally, twice daily for 8 weeks with weekly slit lamp monitoring. Subsequently, rats were euthanized and lenses were subjected to estimation of polyol accumulation, oxidative-nitrosative stress, NFκB activation, iNOS expression, ATP levels, ATPase activities, calpain activity and total protein levels. Cataract progression was delayed from the fifth week onwards in DT with lower mean of cataract stages compared to DV group (p<0.01) despite persistent hyperglycemia. Reduced cataractogenesis in DT group was accompanied with lower aldose reductase activity and sorbitol level compared to DV group (p<0.01). DT group also showed reduced NFκB activation, lower iNOS expression and reduced oxidative-nitrosative stress compared to DV group. Lenticular ATP and ATPase and calpain 2 activities in DT group were restored to normal. Consequently, soluble to insoluble protein ratio in DT group was higher compared to DV (p<0.05). In conclusion, preventive effect of topical tocotrienol on development of cataract in STZ-induced diabetic rats could be attributed to reduced lens aldose reductase activity, polyol levels and oxidative-nitrosative stress. These effects of tocotrienol invlove reduced NFκB activation, lower iNOS expression, restoration of ATP level, ATPase activities, calpain activity and lens protein levels.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/genetics; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/metabolism
  6. Effect of exogenous nitric oxide on murine immune response induced by Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide
    Sosroseno W, Bird PS, Seymour GJ
    J Periodontal Res, 2009 Aug;44(4):529-36.
    PMID: 18973550 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.2008.01157.x
    Elevated nitric oxide (NO) has been associated with destructive periodontal disease. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that exogenous NO may inhibit a protective immune response to Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in a murine model.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/analysis; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/antagonists & inhibitors
  7. Modulation of vascular reactivity in normal, hypertensive and diabetic rat aortae by a non-antioxidant flavonoid
    Ajay M, Achike FI, Mustafa MR
    Pharmacol Res, 2007 May;55(5):385-91.
    PMID: 17317209
    In this study, we report the effects of a non-antioxidant flavonoid flavone on vascular reactivity in Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat isolated aortae. Whether flavone directly modulates vascular reactivity in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and streptozotocin-induced diabetic-WKY rat isolated aortae was also determined. Thoracic aortic rings were mounted in organ chambers and exposed to various drug treatments in the presence of flavone (10 microM) or its vehicle (DMSO), which served as control. Pretreatment with flavone enhanced relaxant effects to endothelium-dependent vasodilator acetylcholine (ACh) and attenuated contractile effects to alpha(1)-receptor agonist phenylephrine (PE) in WKY aortae compared to those observed in control aortic rings. Flavone had no effect on relaxations to ACh in WKY aortae incubated with either L-NAME or methylene blue, but enhanced relaxations to ACh in WKY aortae incubated with indomethacin or partially depolarized with KCl. Relaxations to ACh are totally abolished in both control or flavone pretreated endothelium-denuded WKY aortae. Flavone attenuated the inhibition by beta-NADH of ACh-induced relaxation in WKY aortae, but it had no significant effect on the transient contractions induced by beta-NADH nor the pyrogallol-induced abolishment of ACh-induced relaxation in WKY aortae. Flavone enhanced endothelium-independent relaxation to sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in both endothelium-intact and -denuded WKY aortae. Flavone enhanced relaxation to ACh and SNP as well as attenuated contractile effects to PE in SHR and diabetic aortae, a finding similar to that observed in normal WKY aortae. From these results, we conclude that flavone modulates vascular reactivity in normal as well as hypertensive and diabetic aortae. These effects of flavone results probably through enhanced bioactivity of nitric oxide released from the endothelium.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide Synthase/antagonists & inhibitors; Nitric Oxide Synthase/metabolism
  8. Dietary cocoa protects against colitis-associated cancer by activating the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway
    Pandurangan AK, Saadatdoust Z, Esa NM, Hamzah H, Ismail A
    Biofactors, 2015 Jan-Feb;41(1):1-14.
    PMID: 25545372 DOI: 10.1002/biof.1195
    Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy in males and the second most common cancer worldwide. Chronic colonic inflammation is a known risk factor for CRC. Cocoa contains many polyphenolic compounds that have beneficial effects in humans. The objective of this study is to explore the antioxidant properties of cocoa in the mouse model of azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis-associated cancer, focusing on the activation of Nrf2 signaling. Mice were treated with AOM/DSS and randomized to receive either a control diet or a 5 and 10% cocoa diet during the study period. On day 62 of the experiment, the entire colon was processed for biochemical and histopathological examination and further evaluations. Increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) were observed in AOM/DSS-induced mice; however, subsequent administration of cocoa decreased the MDA. Enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase, were decreased in the AOM/DSS mice. Cocoa treatment increases the activities/levels of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants. Inflammatory mediators, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, were elevated during AOM/DSS-induction, and treatment with 5 and 10% cocoa effectively decreases the expression of iNOS and COX-2. The NF-E2-related factor 2 and its downstream targets, such as NQO1 and UDP-GT, were increased by cocoa treatment. The results of our study suggest that cocoa may merit further clinical investigation as a chemopreventive agent that helps prevent CAC.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/genetics; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/metabolism
  9. Fulltext Brewers' rice modulates oxidative stress in azoxymethane-mediated colon carcinogenesis in rats
    Tan BL, Norhaizan ME, Huynh K, Yeap SK, Hazilawati H, Roselina K
    World J Gastroenterol, 2015 Aug 7;21(29):8826-35.
    PMID: 26269672 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i29.8826
    To investigate the mechanistic action of brewers' rice in regulating the Wnt/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)/Nrf2-signaling pathways during colon carcinogenesis in male Sprague-Dawley rats.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/genetics; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/metabolism
  10. Blood pressure lowering effect of Ficus deltoidea var kunstleri in spontaneously hypertensive rats: possible involvement of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, endothelial function and anti-oxidant system
    Azis NA, Agarwal R, Ismail NM, Ismail NH, Kamal MSA, Radjeni Z, et al.
    Mol Biol Rep, 2019 Jun;46(3):2841-2849.
    PMID: 30977084 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-019-04730-w
    This study investigated the effects of a standardised ethanol and water extract of Ficus deltoidea var. Kunstleri (FDK) on blood pressure, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), endothelial function and antioxidant system in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Seven groups of male SHR were administered orally in volumes of 0.5 mL of either FDK at doses of 500, 800, 1000 and 1300 mg kg- 1, or captopril at 50 mg kg- 1 or losartan at 10 mg kg- 1 body weight once daily for 4 weeks or 0.5 mL distilled water. Body weight, systolic blood pressures (SBP) and heart rate (HR) were measured every week. 24-hour urine samples were collected at weeks 0 and 4 for electrolyte analysis. At week 4, sera from rats in the control and 1000 mg kg- 1 of FDK treated groups were analyzed for electrolytes and components of RAAS, endothelial function and anti-oxidant capacity. SBP at week 4 was significantly lower in all treatment groups, including captopril and losartan, when compared to that of the controls. Compared to the controls, ACE activity and concentrations of angiotensin I, angiotensin II and aldosterone were lower whereas concentrations of angiotensinogen and angiotensin converting enzyme 2 were higher in FDK treated rats. Concentration of eNOS and total anti-oxidant capacity were higher in FDK treated rats. Urine calcium excretion was higher in FDK treated rats. In conclusion, it appears that ethanol and water extract of FDK decreases blood pressure in SHR, which might involve mechanisms that include RAAS, anti-oxidant and endothelial system.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
  11. Syk/NF-κB-targeted anti-inflammatory activity of Melicope accedens (Blume) T.G. Hartley methanol extract
    Kim JK, Choi E, Hong YH, Kim H, Jang YJ, Lee JS, et al.
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2021 May 10;271:113887.
    PMID: 33539951 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.113887
    ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Melicope accedens (Blume) Thomas G. Hartley is a plant included in the family Rutaceae and genus Melicope. It is a native plant from Vietnam that has been used for ethnopharmacology. In Indonesia and Malaysia, the leaves of M. accedens are applied externally to decrease fever.

    AIM OF THE STUDY: The molecular mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory properties of M. accedens are not yet understood. Therefore, we examined those mechanisms using a methanol extract of M. accedens (Ma-ME) and determined the target molecule in macrophages.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of Ma-ME in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and in an HCl/EtOH-triggered gastritis model in mice. To investigate the anti-inflammatory activity, we performed a nitric oxide (NO) production assay and ELISA assay for prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). RT-PCR, luciferase gene reporter assays, western blotting analyses, and a cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) were conducted to identify the mechanism and target molecule of Ma-ME. The phytochemical composition of Ma-ME was analyzed by HPLC and LC-MS/MS.

    RESULTS: Ma-ME suppressed the production of NO and PGE2 and the mRNA expression of proinflammatory genes (iNOS, IL-1β, and COX-2) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells without cytotoxicity. Ma-ME inhibited NF-κB activation by suppressing signaling molecules such as IκBα, Akt, Src, and Syk. Moreover, the CETSA assay revealed that Ma-ME binds to Syk, the most upstream molecule in the NF-κB signal pathway. Oral administration of Ma-ME not only alleviated inflammatory lesions, but also reduced the gene expression of IL-1β and p-Syk in mice with HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis. HPLC and LC-MS/MS analyses confirmed that Ma-ME contains various anti-inflammatory flavonoids, including quercetin, daidzein, and nevadensin.

    CONCLUSIONS: Ma-ME exhibited anti-inflammatory activities in vitro and in vivo by targeting Syk in the NF-κB signaling pathway. Therefore, we propose that Ma-ME could be used to treat inflammatory diseases such as gastritis.

    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/genetics
  12. Fulltext BDMC33, A curcumin derivative suppresses inflammatory responses in macrophage-like cellular system: role of inhibition in NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways
    Lee KH, Chow YL, Sharmili V, Abas F, Alitheen NB, Shaari K, et al.
    Int J Mol Sci, 2012;13(3):2985-3008.
    PMID: 22489138 DOI: 10.3390/ijms13032985
    Our preliminary screening has shown that curcumin derivative BDMC33 [2,6-bis(2,5-dimethoxybenzylidene)cyclohexanone] exerted promising nitric oxide inhibitory activity in activated macrophages. However, the molecular basis and mechanism for its pharmacological action is yet to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of BDMC33 and elucidate its underlying mechanism action in macrophage cells. Our current study demonstrated that BDMC33 inhibits the secretion of major pro-inflammatory mediators in stimulated macrophages, and includes NO, TNF-α and IL-1β through interference in both nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) and mitogen activator protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade in IFN-γ/LPS-stimulated macrophages. Moreover, BDMC33 also interrupted LPS signaling through inhibiting the surface expression of CD-14 accessory molecules. In addition, the inhibitory action of BDMC33 not only restricted the macrophages cell (RAW264.7), but also inhibited the secretion of NO and TNF-α in IFN-γ/LPS-challenged microglial cells (BV-2). The experimental data suggests the inflammatory action of BDMC33 on activated macrophage-like cellular systems, which could be used as a future therapeutic agent in the management of chronic inflammatory diseases.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/antagonists & inhibitors
  13. Effects of topically applied tocotrienol on cataractogenesis and lens redox status in galactosemic rats
    Abdul Nasir NA, Agarwal R, Vasudevan S, Tripathy M, Alyautdin R, Ismail NM
    Mol Vis, 2014;20:822-35.
    PMID: 24940038
    Oxidative and nitrosative stress underlies cataractogenesis, and therefore, various antioxidants have been investigated for anticataract properties. Several vitamin E analogs have also been studied for anticataract effects due to their antioxidant properties; however, the anticataract properties of tocotrienols have not been investigated. In this study, we investigated the effects of topically applied tocotrienol on the onset and progression of cataract and lenticular oxidative and nitrosative stress in galactosemic rats.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/metabolism
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

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

External Links