Neurodegenerative diseases commonly affect elderly population and are characterised by progressive neuronal loss. Oxidative stress is highly associated with neurodegeneration. The targeted herbal plant in this review, Ocimum basilicum (O. basilicum), is typically used in Indochina and Italian cuisine. Pharmacological studies on O. basilicum have demonstrated potent antioxidant activities with some reports of neuroprotective actions. This brief review highlights the potential neuroprotective roles of O. basilicum by discussing previously documented antioxidative actions of the plant extract, essential oils and its phytochemical compounds on the nervous system based on in vitro and in vivo studies. Accumulating evidence on the neuroprotective action of O. basilicum points to a notion that neuroprotection is made possible by way of its antioxidant properties and largely due to the presence of polyphenol compounds such as rosmarinic acid which has been identified as the major constituent. Although the mechanisms of O. basilicum antioxidant action have been proposed, further studies are required for better understanding of its antioxidant action leading to neuroprotective roles. It is also possible that the antioxidant actions of O. basilicum are mediated through synergism of a mixture of various naturally-occurring bioactive compounds in the plant, as is with many other plant-based food supplements, to produce the putative effects instead of a single bioactive compound from the plant. Therefore, specific targeting of neuroprotection by means of antioxidant actions warrants further preclinical and clinical studies investigating the therapeutic potentials of O. basilicum particularly in view of the prevention of neurodegenerative processes.
Changes in tear protein concentrations may reflect ocular surface health. This study analyzes changes in tear protein concentrations of young Malays with dry eye (DE) and determines its association with the clinical findings. Methods: Subjects were screened using McMonnies questionnaire (MDEQ) and flourescein tear break up time (TBUT). Total tear protein concentration (TTPC) was determined using Bradford's technique and specific tear protein (sIgA, lysozyme, lactoferrin and human serum albumin (HSA)) concentrations were determined using SDS-PAGE. Parametric and nonparametric tests were used to compare means between groups. Spearman correlation was used to determine the association between variables measured. Results: A total of 42 subjects (21 DE and 21 NDE) were included. Mean MDEQ score for DE was 16.00±1.48 and NDE was 8.47±3.47. Mean TBUT for DE was 3.47±0.47s and NDE was 4.98±0.43s. Mean TTPC for DE and NDE was 9.84±2.40mg/ml and 8.96±1.84mg/ml respectively. Mean sIgA, lysozyme, lactoferrin and HSA for DE was 0.54±0.10mg/ml, 1.68±0.17mg/ml, 1.47±0.25mg/ml, 0.06±0.03mg/ml and for NDE was 0.57±0.09mg/ml, 2.04±0.19mg/ml, 1.75±0.23mg/ml, 0.06±0.03mg/ml accordingly. Significant differences were noted in MDEQ score (p=0.01), TBUT (p=0.01), lactoferrin (p=0.01) and lysozyme (p=0.01) but not in TTPC (p=0.19), HSA (p=0.74) and sIgA (p=0.24) between groups. Significant correlations were noted between TBUT with lactoferrin (r=0.02, p=0.02) and lysozyme (r=0.63, p=0.01) and between MDEQ score with lactoferrin (r=-0.34, p=0.02) and lysozyme (r=-0.64, p=0.01). Conclusions: There are changes in specific tear protein in dry eye patients, which correlate well with clinical results. Tear protein analysis may play an important role in the diagnosis of the dry eye.
Recent findings showed that stevioside can demonstrate anti-cancer property in selected
cell lines. In this study, the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of stevioside were examined on
human colon carcinoma cell, HCT 116 (targeted cell) and human colon derived CCD18Co
myofibroblast cell lines (non-targeted cell) using the MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-
2,5-diphenyltettrazolium bromide) assay and alkaline comet assay, respectively. Result
demonstrated that stevioside induced cell death on both HCT 116 and CCD18Co cell lines only
at the highest concentration, 200 μM by causing not more than 20 and 30 percent of cell death
on CCD18Co and HCT 116 cell lines, respectively (p0.05). In conclusion, stevioside did not
exhibit cytotoxic and genotoxic effect on HCT 116 and CCD18Co cell lines respectively hence
secured its uses as a non-caloric sweetener