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Fulltext Hypolipidaemic and Insulin Secretagogue Activities of (R)-(-)-Carvone

Abbas MA, Oriquat GA, Abbas MM, Al-Najjar BO, Kandil YI

Malays J Med Sci, 2020 Dec;27(6):39-52.
PMID: 33447133 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2020.27.6.5

BACKGROUND: Dyslipidaemias are common in patients with diabetes mellitus. A high prevalence of type 2 diabetes in hyperlipidaemic patients also exists. The aim of this study was to find a treatment that lowers both blood glucose and lipid levels simultaneously.
METHODS: The hypolipidaemic effect of (R)-(-)-carvone was investigated in a tyloxapol-induced hyperlipidaemia mice model. Furthermore, its effect on insulin secretion and proliferation of 1.1E7 human pancreatic β-cells was studied. In addition, using molecular docking, the binding affinity of (R)-(-)-carvone against 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase was estimated.
RESULTS: (R)-(-)-carvone (100 mg/kg) decreased plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and atherogenic index by 90.6%, 49.3%, 56.6% and 70.3%, respectively, but it had no effect on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Furthermore, it increased hepatic triglyceride level and catalase activity by 79.6% and 59.6%, respectively. In-vitro, 500 μM (R)-(-)-carvone increased insulin secretion by 454.4% and proliferation of 1.1E7 cells with no cytotoxic effects up to a concentration of 100 μM. Molecular docking simulation demonstrated a good binding affinity with -5.03 Kcal/mol of (R)-(-)-carvone to HMG-CoA reductase.
CONCLUSION: The hypolipidaemic effect of (R)-(-)-carvone is comparable to that of fenofibrate. (R)-(-)-carvone has the advantage over fenofibrate of not producing hypoglycaemia in animals. Furthermore, (R)-(-)-carvone increased proliferation and insulin secretion of human pancreatic β-cells.
Fulltext In vitro Evaluation of the Anti-inflammatory Effects of Thymoquinone in Osteoarthritis and in silico Analysis of Inter-Related Pathways in Age-Related Degenerative Diseases

Kalamegam G, Alfakeeh SM, Bahmaid AO, AlHuwait EA, Gari MA, Abbas MM, et al.

Front Cell Dev Biol, 2020;8:646.
PMID: 32793594 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00646

Chronic inflammation is a common underlying factor in osteoarthritis (OA) and most age-related degenerative diseases. As conventional therapies help only in partial alleviation of symptoms in OA, stem cell-based therapies and herbal supplements are being widely explored. Thymoquinone (TQ), an active ingredient of Nigella sativa is reported to have immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. We evaluated the effects of TQ on bone marrow MSCs (BM-MSCs) derived from OA patients and its interrelated pathways in inflammation and age-related degenerative diseases using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) as well as possible molecular targets using SwissTargetPrediction. BM-MSCs were derived from OA patients and their stemness properties were characterized by studying the MSCs related CD surface marker expression and differentiation into adipocytes, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes. Treatment with TQ (100 nM-5 μM) demonstrated cell death, especially at higher concentrations. MTT assay demonstrated a significant concentration-dependent decrease in cell viability which ranged from 20.04% to 69.76% with higher doses (300 nM, 1 μM, and 5 μM), especially at 48h and 72h. Additional cell viability testing with CellTiter-Blue also demonstrated a significant concentration-dependent decrease in cell viability which ranged from 27.80 to 73.67% with higher doses (300 nM, 1 μM, 3 μM, and 5 μM). Gene expression analysis following treatment of BM-MSCs with TQ (1 and 3 μM) for 48h showed upregulation of the anti-inflammatory genes IL-4 and IL-10. In contrast, the pro-inflammatory genes namely IFN-γ, TNF-α, COX-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-16, and IL-12A although were upregulated, compared to the lower concentration of TQ (1 μM) they were all decreased at 3 μM. The pro-apoptotic BAX gene was downregulated while the SURVIVIN gene was upregulated. IPA of the molecular interaction of TQ in inflammation and age-related degenerative diseases identified canonical pathways directly related to synaptogenesis, neuroinflammation, TGF-β, and interleukin signaling. Further screening led to the identification of 36 molecules that are involved in apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. SwissTargetPrediction of TQ identified potential molecular targets with high probability. TQ exerted anti-inflammatory effects and therefore can be a useful adjuvant along with conventional therapies against inflammation in OA and other age-related degenerative diseases.
Fulltext Study of diesel engine characteristics by adding nanosized zinc oxide and diethyl ether additives in Mahua biodiesel-diesel fuel blend

Soudagar MEM, Banapurmath NR, Afzal A, Hossain N, Abbas MM, Haniffa MACM, et al.

Sci Rep, 2020 09 18;10(1):15326.
PMID: 32948806 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72150-z

This study deals with an experimental investigation to assess the characteristics of a modified common rail direct injection (CRDI) engine utilizing diesel, Mahua biodiesel, and their blends with synthesized zinc oxide (ZnO) nano additives. The physicochemical properties of diesel, diesel + 30 ppm ZnO nanoparticles (D10030), 20% Mahua biodiesel (MOME20), and Mahua biodiesel (20%) + 30 ppm ZnO nanoparticles (MOME2030) were measured in accordance to the American Society for Testing and Materials standards. The effects of modification of fuel injectors (FI) holes (7-hole FI) and toroidal reentrant combustion chamber (TRCC) piston bowl design on the performance of CRDI using different fuel blends were assessed. For injection timings (IT) and injection opening pressure (IOP) average increase in brake thermal efficiency for fuel blend D10030 and MOME2030 was 9.65% and 16.4%, and 8.83% and 5.06%, respectively. Also, for IT and IOP, the average reductions in brake specific fuel consumption, smoke, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions for D10030 and MOME2030 were 10.9% and 7.7%, 18.2% and 8.6%, 12.6% and 11.5%, 8.74% and 13.1%, and 5.75% and 7.79%, respectively and 15.5% and 5.06%, 20.33% and 6.20%, 11.12% and 24.8%, 18.32% and 6.29%, and 1.79% and 6.89%, respectively for 7-hole fuel injector and TRCC. The cylinder pressure and heat release rate for D10030 and MOME2030 were enhanced by 6.8% and 17.1%, and 7.35% and 12.28%. The 7-hole fuel injector with the nano fuel blends at an injection timing and pressure of 10° btdc and 900 bar demonstrated the overall improvement of the engine characteristics due to the better air quality for fuel mixing. Similarly, the TRCC cylinder bowl geometry illustrated advanced ignition due to an improved swirl and turbulence. Also, the engine test results demonstrated that 30 ppm of ZnO nanoparticles in Mahua biodiesel (MOME2030) and diesel (D10030) with diethyl ether resulted overall enhancement of CRDI engine characteristics.
Fulltext Effect of Addition of Palm Oil Biodiesel in Waste Plastic Oil on Diesel Engine Performance, Emission, and Lubricity

Awang MSN, Mohd Zulkifli NW, Abbas MM, Amzar Zulkifli S, Kalam MA, Ahmad MH, et al.

ACS Omega, 2021 Aug 24;6(33):21655-21675.
PMID: 34471769 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c03073

This research was aimed to examine the diesel engine's performance and emission of secondary fuels (SFs), comprising waste plastic oil (WPO) and palm oil biodiesel (POB), and to analyze their tribological properties. Their compositions were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Five SFs (10-50% POB in WPO) were prepared by mechanical stirring. The results were compared to blank WPO (WPO100) and Malaysian commercial diesel (B10). WPO90 showed the maximum brake power (BP) and brake torque (BT) among the SFs, and their values were 0.52 and 0.59% higher compared to B10, respectively. The increase in POB ratio (20-50%) showed a negligible difference in BP and BT. WPO70 showed the lowest brake-specific fuel consumption among the SFs. The brake thermal efficiency (BTE) increased with POB composition. The maximum reductions in emission of hydrocarbon (HC, 37.21%) and carbon monoxide (CO, 27.10%) were achieved by WPO50 among the SFs. WPO90 showed the maximum reduction in CO2 emission (6.78%). Increasing the POB composition reduced the CO emissions and increased the CO2 emissions. All SFs showed a higher coefficient of friction (COF) than WPO100. WPO50 showed the minimal increase in COF of 2.45%. WPO90 showed the maximum reduction in wear scar diameter (WSD), by 10.34%, compared to B10. Among the secondary contaminated samples, SAE40-WPO90 showed the lowest COF, with 5.98% reduction compared to SAE40-WPO100. However, with increasing POB content in the secondary contaminated samples, the COF increased. The same trend was also observed in their WSD. Overall, WPO90 is the optimal SF with excellent potential for diesel engines.
Fulltext Sustainability of Palm Biodiesel in Transportation: a Review on Biofuel Standard, Policy and International Collaboration Between Malaysia and Colombia

Yusoff MNAM, Zulkifli NWM, Sukiman NL, Chyuan OH, Hassan MH, Hasnul MH, et al.

Bioenergy Res, 2021;14(1):43-60.
PMID: 32837676 DOI: 10.1007/s12155-020-10165-0

Biodiesel is gaining prominence as a superior alternative source of energy to replace petroleum-based fuel in transportation. As of today, the biodiesel market continuous to rise up as the biofuel has been introduced to more than 60 countries worldwide. The aim of the present review is to highlight on the scenario of the biofuel implementation in transportation sector towards sustainable development in Colombia and Malaysia. Colombia serves as an ideal comparative case for Malaysia in terms of biodiesel development since the country is the main palm oil producer in Latin America region and the pioneer in bioethanol industry. The first section shows an overview on the biodiesel as an alternative fuel in transportation. The next section will focus on a comparative study between Malaysia and Colombia biodiesel sector in terms of energy supply, resource, production and consumption, standards, techno-economic cost and their biodiesel policies. A comprehensive review was studied to discuss on the sustainability of palm cultivation and biodiesel, impact of palm industry and biodiesel policy in transportation sector and potential international collaboration between Malaysia and Colombia to improve their existing policies, strategies and blueprints related to the palm biodiesel industry, thus overcoming the challenges when dealing with global energy issue.