Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 72 in total

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  1. Mojani, M.S., Ghasemzadeh, A., Rahmat, A., Loh, S.P., Ramasamy, R.
    MyJurnal
    In current work, the nutritional composition, bioactive compounds, total phenolic contents and anti-oxidant activity of young Malaysian ginger rhizome were investigated. Proximate analysis and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) recruited to determine nutritional composition and bioactive compounds. The total flavonoid (TF) and total phenolic contents (TPC) of ginger rhizome were determined by aluminium chloride calorimetric assay and Folin-Ciocalteau reagent, respectively. 2,2’-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method were used to measure antioxidant capacity. The rhizome contained high moisture content and low level of carbohydrate and energy. 6-gingerol was the most abundant component in the selected ginger, and total flavonoid and phenolic content were reported to be 3.66±0.45 mg gallic acid/g and 10.22±0.87 mg quercetin/g of dry weight of rhizome, respectively. The rhizome also showed lower antioxidant activity than controls, with the IC 50 value of 46.5 vs. 15.5 for α-tocopherol and 22 for BHT. The results of this study predicted that the young ginger rhizome originated from Malaysia may exhibit anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory potentials due to high levels of gingerols, total flavonoid and phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity.
  2. Liza, M.S., Abdul Rahman, R., Mandana, B., Jinap, S., Rahmat, A., Zaidul, I.S.M., et al.
    MyJurnal
    Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (SC-CO2) of bioactive flavonoid from Strobilanthes crispus (Pecah Kaca) was performed to study the effects of various parameters such as pressure, temperature and dynamic extraction time on the yield and composition of bioactive flavonoid. The results were also compared with those obtained by conventional Soxhlet extraction in lab conditions. The results from SFE showed that the effect of extraction variables on extraction yields decreased in the following order: pressure, temperature and dynamic extraction time. The extraction pressure played a dominant role in the yield of the sample while the effect of time could be ignored. This study also revealed that both Soxhlet extraction and SC-CO2 extraction can be used to obtain flavonoid compound. Under the optimum conditions, the highest bioactive flavonoid compound content was obtained at 3.98% and eight flavonoid compounds were identified by HPLC.
  3. Ismail M, Manickam E, Danial AM, Rahmat A, Yahaya A
    J Nutr Biochem, 2000 Nov;11(11-12):536-542.
    PMID: 11137889
    This study investigated the components present in and the total antioxidant activity of leaves of Strobilanthes crispus (L.) Bremek or Saricocalyx crispus (L.) Bremek (Acanthacea). Proximate analyses and total antioxidant activity using ferric thiocyanate and thiobarbituric acid methods were employed. Minerals content was determined using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer, whereas the water-soluble vitamins were determined by means of the UV-VIS spectrophotometer (vitamin C) and fluorimeter (vitamins B(1) and B(2)). Catechin, tannin, caffeine, and alkaloid contents were also studied. All data were compared to the previously reported results of Yerbamate, green tea, black tea, and Indian tea. The dried leaves contained a high amount of total ash (21.6%) as a result of a high amount of minerals including potassium (51%), calcium (24%), sodium (13%), iron (1%), and phosphorus (1%). High content of water-soluble vitamins (C, B(1), and B(2)) contributed to the high antioxidant activity of the leaves. The leaves also contained a moderate amount of other proximate composition as well as other compounds such as catechins, alkaloids, caffeine, and tannin, contributing further to the total antioxidant activity. Catechins of Strobilanthes crispus leaves showed highest antioxidant activity when compared to Yerbamate and vitamin E. Consumption of the leafy extract daily (5 g/day) as an herbal tea could contribute to the additional nutrients and antioxidants needed in the body to enhance the defense system, especially toward the incidence of degenerative diseases.
  4. Aboonabi A, Rahmat A, Othman F
    Toxicol Rep, 2014;1:915-922.
    PMID: 28962304 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2014.10.022
    Oxidative stress attributes a crucial role in chronic complication of diabetes. The aim of this study was to determine the most effective part of pomegranate on oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzyme activities against streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA)-induced diabetic rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups. Experimental diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection (i.p), 15 min after the i.p administration of NA. Diabetic rats showed significant increase in plasma glucose level, and the significant decrease in plasma insulin level. The activities of antioxidant enzymes such as total antioxidant status (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) reduced while the levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress such as gamma-glutamyle transferase (GGT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) increased in diabetic control rats as compared to normal control rats. Oral treatment with pomegranate seed-juice for 21 days demonstrated significant protective effects on all the biochemical parameters studied. Besides, biochemical findings were supported by histopathological study. These results revealed that pomegranate has potential protective effect against oxidative stress induced diabetic rats.
  5. Ghasemzadeh A, Jaafar HZ, Rahmat A
    Molecules, 2016 Jun 17;21(6).
    PMID: 27322227 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21060780
    The effects of different drying methods (freeze drying, vacuum oven drying, and shade drying) on the phytochemical constituents associated with the antioxidant activities of Z. officinale var. rubrum Theilade were evaluated to determine the optimal drying process for these rhizomes. Total flavonoid content (TFC), total phenolic content (TPC), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity were measured using the spectrophotometric method. Individual phenolic acids and flavonoids, 6- and 8-gingerol and shogaol were identified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography method. Ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays were used for the evaluation of antioxidant activities. The highest reduction in moisture content was observed after freeze drying (82.97%), followed by vacuum oven drying (80.43%) and shade drying (72.65%). The highest TPC, TFC, and 6- and 8-shogaol contents were observed in samples dried by the vacuum oven drying method compared to other drying methods. The highest content of 6- and 8-gingerol was observed after freeze drying, followed by vacuum oven drying and shade drying methods. Fresh samples had the highest PPO activity and lowest content of flavonoid and phenolic acid compounds compared to dried samples. Rhizomes dried by the vacuum oven drying method represent the highest DPPH (52.9%) and FRAP activities (566.5 μM of Fe (II)/g DM), followed by freeze drying (48.3% and 527.1 μM of Fe (II)/g DM, respectively) and shade drying methods (37.64% and 471.8 μM of Fe (II)/g DM, respectively) with IC50 values of 27.2, 29.1, and 34.8 μg/mL, respectively. Negative and significant correlations were observed between PPO and antioxidant activity of rhizomes. Vacuum oven dried rhizomes can be utilized as an ingredient for the development of value-added food products as they contain high contents of phytochemicals with valuable antioxidant potential.
  6. Ghasemzadeh A, Jaafar HZ, Rahmat A
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2015;15(1):422.
    PMID: 26613959 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-015-0873-3
    Strobilanthes crispus is a well-known herb in Malaysia with various pharmaceutical properties. S. crispus is known to contain several biologically active chemical constituents which are responsible for its pharmaceutical quality.
  7. Ramli NS, Ismail P, Rahmat A
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:964731.
    PMID: 25379555 DOI: 10.1155/2014/964731
    The aim of this study was to examine the effects of extraction methods on antioxidant capacities of red dragon fruit peel and flesh. Antioxidant capacities were measured using ethylenebenzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical cation assay and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP). Total phenolic content (TPC) was determined using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent while quantitative determination of total flavonoid content (TFC) was conducted using aluminium trichloride colorimetric method. Betacyanin content (BC) was measured by spectrophotometer. Red dragon fruit was extracted using conventional (CV) and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UE) technique to determine the most efficient way of extracting its antioxidant components. Results indicated that UE increased TFC, reduced the extraction yield, BC, and TPC, but exhibited the strongest scavenging activity for the peel of red dragon fruit. In contrast, UE reduced BC, TFC, and scavenging activity but increased the yield for the flesh. Nonetheless, UE slightly increases TPC in flesh. Scavenging activity and reducing power were highly correlated with phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Conversely, the scavenging activity and reducing power were weakly correlated with betacyanin content. This work gives scientific evidences for the consideration of the type of extraction techniques for the peel and flesh of red dragon fruit in applied research and food industry.
  8. Rahmat A, Wan Ngah WZ, Gapor A, Khalid BA
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 1993 Sep;2(3):129-34.
    PMID: 24352144
    The effects of long-term administration of tocotrienol on hepatocarcinogenesis in rats induced by diethyl nitrosamine (DEN) and 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) were investigated by the determination of plasma and liver gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), cytosolic glutathione reductase (GSSG-Rx), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). Twenty-eight male Rattus norwegicus rats (120-160g) were divided according to treatments into four groups: control group, tocotrienol - supplemented diet group (30mg/kg food), DEN/AAF-treated group and DEN/AAF treated plus tocotrienol-supplemented-diet group (30mg/kg food). The rats were sacrificed after nine months. The results obtained indicated no difference in the morphology and histology of the livers of control and tocotrienol-treated rats. Greyish-white neoplastic nodules (two per liver) were found in all the DEN/ AAF treated rats (n-10) whereas only one nodule was found in one of the carcinogen treated rats receiving tocotrienol supplementation (n-6). Histological examination showed obvious cellular damage for both the DEN/AAF-treated rats and the tocotrienol-supplemented rats but were less severe in the latter. Treatment with DEN/AAF caused increases in GGT, GSH-Px, GST and GSSG-Rx activities when compared to controls. These increases were also observed when tocotrienol was supplemented with DEN/AAF but the increases were less when compared to the rats receiving DEN/AAF only.
  9. Ghasemzadeh A, Jaafar HZ, Rahmat A
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2016 Sep 29;16(1):382.
    PMID: 27687000
    Herbal materials should be stored at optimal conditions in order to retain their nutritional quality. Proper storage has a significant impact on the quality of the herbs and spices.
  10. Ramli NS, Ismail P, Rahmat A
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2016 Jul 26;16:243.
    PMID: 27456968 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-016-1200-3
    Red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) or known as buah naga merah in Malay belongs to the cactus family, Cactaceae. Red pitaya has been shown to give protection against liver damage and may reduce the stiffness of the heart. Besides, the beneficial effects of red pitaya against obesity have been reported; however, the mechanism of this protection is not clear. Therefore, in the present study, we have investigated the red pitaya-targeted genes in obesity using high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet-induced metabolic syndrome rat model.
  11. Ghasemzadeh A, Jaafar HZ, Rahmat A
    Molecules, 2010 Nov 03;15(11):7907-22.
    PMID: 21060298 DOI: 10.3390/molecules15117907
    Zingiber officinale Roscoe. (Family Zingiberaceae) is well known in Asia. The plant is widely cultivated in village gardens in the tropics for its medicinal properties and as a marketable spice in Malaysia. Ginger varieties are rich in physiologically active phenolics and flavonoids with a range of pharmacological activities. Experiments were conducted to determine the feasibility of increasing levels of flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, catechin, epicatechin, kaempferol, naringenin, fisetin and morin) and phenolic acid (gallic acid, vanillic acid, ferulic acid, tannic acid, cinnamic acid and salicylic acid), and antioxidant activities in different parts of Malaysian young ginger varieties (Halia Bentong and Halia Bara) with CO(2) enrichment in a controlled environment system. Both varieties showed an increase in phenolic compounds and flavonoids in response to CO(2) enrichment from 400 to 800 µmol mol-1 CO(2). These increases were greater in rhizomes compared to leaves. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) results showed that quercetin and gallic acid were the most abundant flavonoid and phenolic acid in Malaysian young ginger varieties. Under elevated CO(2) conditions, kaempferol and fisetin were among the flavonoid compounds, and gallic acid and vanillic acid were among the phenolic compounds whose levels increased in both varieties. As CO(2) concentration was increased from 400 to 800 µmol mol-1, free radical scavenging power (DPPH) increased about 30% in Halia Bentong and 21.4% in Halia Bara; and the rhizomes exhibited more enhanced free radical scavenging power, with 44.9% in Halia Bentong and 46.2% in Halia Bara. Leaves of both varieties also displayed good levels of flavonoid compounds and antioxidant activities. These results indicate that the yield and pharmaceutical quality of Malaysian young ginger varieties can be enhanced by controlled environment production and CO(2) enrichment.
  12. Ghasemzadeh A, Jaafar HZ, Rahmat A
    Molecules, 2010 Sep 03;15(9):6231-43.
    PMID: 20877219 DOI: 10.3390/molecules15096231
    Flavonoids make up one of the most pervasive groups of plant phenolics. Due to their importance in plants and human health, it would be useful to have a better understanding of flavonoid concentration and biological activities that could indicate their potentials as therapeutic agents, and also for predicting and controlling the quality of medicinal herbs. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is a famous and widely used herb, especially in Asia, that contains several interesting bioactive constituents and possesses health promoting properties. In this study, total flavonoids and some flavonoid components including quercetin, rutin, catechin, epicatechin, kaempferol and naringenin were extracted from the leaves and rhizomes of two varieties of Zingiber officinale (Halia Bentong and Halia Bara) at three different growth points (8, 12 and 16 weeks after planting), and analyzed by a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method in order to determine the potential of the subterranean part of the young ginger. The results showed that Halia Bara had a higher content of flavonoids in the leaves and rhizomes as compared to Halia Bentong. In both varieties, the concentration of flavonoids in the leaves decreased (Halia Bentong, 42.3%; Halia Bara 36.7%), and in the rhizomes it increased (Halia Bentong 59.6%; Halia Bara 60.1%) as the growth period increased. Quercetin was abundant in both varieties. The antioxidant activity determined by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assay showed high activities (65.7%) in the leaves of Halia Bara at 8 weeks after planting. Results suggested a good flavonoid content and antioxidant activity potential in ginger leaves at 8 weeks after planting. The leaves of these ginger varieties could be useful for both food flavourings and in traditional medicine.
  13. Ghasemzadeh A, Jaafar HZ, Rahmat A
    Int J Mol Sci, 2010 Nov 15;11(11):4539-55.
    PMID: 21151455 DOI: 10.3390/ijms11114539
    The relationship between phenolics and flavonoids synthesis/accumulation and photosynthesis rate was investigated for two Malaysian ginger (Zingiber officinale) varieties grown under four levels of glasshouse light intensity, namely 310, 460, 630 and 790 μmol m(-2)s(-1). High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to identify and quantify the polyphenolic components. The results of HPLC analysis indicated that synthesis and partitioning of quercetin, rutin, catechin, epicatechin and naringenin were high in plants grown under 310 μmol m(-2)s(-1). The average value of flavonoids synthesis in leaves for both varieties increased (Halia Bentong 26.1%; Halia Bara 19.5%) when light intensity decreased. Photosynthetic rate and plant biomass increased in both varieties with increasing light intensity. More specifically, a high photosynthesis rate (12.25 μmol CO(2) m(-2)s(-1) in Halia Bara) and plant biomass (79.47 g in Halia Bentong) were observed at 790 μmol m(-2)s(-1). Furthermore, plants with the lowest rate of photosynthesis had highest flavonoids content. Previous studies have shown that quercetin inhibits and salicylic acid induces the electron transport rate in photosynthesis photosystems. In the current study, quercetin was an abundant flavonoid in both ginger varieties. Moreover, higher concentration of quercetin (1.12 mg/g dry weight) was found in Halia Bara leaves grown under 310 μmol m(-2)s(-1) with a low photosynthesis rate. Furthermore, a high content of salicylic acid (0.673 mg/g dry weight) was detected in Halia Bara leaves exposed under 790 μmol m(-2)s(-1) with a high photosynthesis rate. No salicylic acid was detected in gingers grown under 310 μmol m(-2)s(-1). Ginger is a semi-shade loving plant that does not require high light intensity for photosynthesis. Different photosynthesis rates at different light intensities may be related to the absence or presence of some flavonoid and phenolic compounds.
  14. Ghasemzadeh A, Jaafar HZ, Rahmat A
    Molecules, 2010 Jun 14;15(6):4324-33.
    PMID: 20657444 DOI: 10.3390/molecules15064324
    Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is a well known and widely used herb, especially in Asia, which contains several interesting bioactive constituents and possesses health promoting properties. In this study, the antioxidant activities of methanol extracts from the leaves, stems and rhizomes of two Zingiber officinale varieties (Halia Bentong and Halia Bara) were assessed in an effort to compare and validate the medicinal potential of the subterranean part of the young ginger. The antioxidant activity and phenolic contents of the leaves as determined by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assay and the total amounts of phenolics and flavonoids were higher than those of the rhizomes and stems. On the other hand, the ferric reducing/antioxidant potential (FRAP) activity of the rhizomes was higher than that of the leaves. At low concentration the values of the leaves' inhibition activity in both varieties were significantly higher than or comparable to those of the young rhizomes. Halia Bara had higher antioxidant activities as well as total contents of phenolic and flavonoid in comparison with Halia Bentong. This study validated the medicinal potential of the leaves and young rhizome of Zingiber officinale (Halia Bara) and the positive relationship between total phenolics content and antioxidant activities in Zingiber officinale.
  15. Ghasemzadeh A, Jaafar HZ, Rahmat A
    PMID: 26223685 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-015-0718-0
    Analysis and extraction of plant matrices are important processes for the development, modernization, and quality control of herbal formulations. Response surface methodology is a collection of statistical and mathematical techniques that are used to optimize the range of variables in various experimental processes to reduce the number of experimental runs, cost , and time, compared to other methods.
  16. Bakhtiari A, Yassin Z, Hanachi P, Rahmat A, Ahmad Z, Sajadi P, et al.
    Iran J Public Health, 2012;41(4):9-18.
    PMID: 23113160
    BACKGROUND: To examine the effects of soy [in the form of textured soy protein (TSP) and soy-nut] on body composition in elderly women with metabolic syndrome (MetS).
    METHODS: A 12-week randomized clinical trial was conducted on 75 women between 60-70 years of age with MetS in rural health clinics around Babol, Iran in 2009. The participants were randomly assigned to one of the three groups of soy-nut (35g/d), TSP (35g/d) and control. Body fat, lean mass and anthropometric indicators were measured before and after intervention, too.
    RESULTS: Participants were classified as overweight and showing android fat distribution. After 12 weeks of intervention, both soy-nut and TSP groups showed an increase of non-significant in lean mass (0.9 and 0.7 kg), hip circumference (0.45 and 0.28 cm), triceps skinfold (TSF) thickness (0.87 and 0.67mm) and reduction in BMI (-0.15 and -0.33), waist circumference (-0.83 and -1.2) and body fat (-1.5% and -1.7%). Significant increase in the mean change of TSF and lean mass was observed in the users of soy-nut compared to the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05).
    CONCLUSION: 12-week intervention of soy had a mild favorable effect on body composition in elderly women with MetS.
    KEYWORDS: Body composition; Metabolic syndrome; Older women; Soy
  17. Rahmat A, Seam CK, Endrini S, Mansor SM
    Malays J Med Sci, 2001 Jan;8(1):41-5.
    PMID: 22973155
    Milk is a physiological fluid which has high nutritional value and soybean has strong antioxidant characteristics which is believed to inhibit carcinogenesis. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of administration of soybean and goat's milk on hepatocarcinogenesis in rats (fed with diethylnitrosamine; DEN and acetylaminofluorene; AAF) by determining the activities of plasma gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Thirty-six rats from the species Sprague-Dawley were divided into 6 groups : control, DEN/AAF, soybean, DEN/AAF with soybean treatment, goat's milk and DEN/AAF with goat's milk treatment. Soybean and goat's milk administrations were given 5 ml/day. The rats were sacrificed after 8 weeks and the blood was collected. Treatment with DEN/AAF caused an increase in ALP and GGT levels and a decrease in weight significantly (p<0.05). ALP and GGT activities decreased significantly after administration of soybean and goat's milk (p<0.05). Administration of goat's milk and soybean alone did not cause any changes in the enzyme activities. Comparison between the effect of soybean and goat's milk in reducing the enzyme activities (ALP and GGT) did not give significant values (p>0.05). However, a decrease in weight was observed in the rats given soybean as well as goat's milk. The results obtained suggested that soybean and goat's milk may work as anti cancer agents in hepatocarcinogenesis although further studies are required to further elucidate this aspect.
  18. Ghasemzadeh A, Jaafar HZ, Karimi E, Rahmat A
    PMID: 25169626 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-318
    Extraction prior to component analysis is the primary step in the recovery and isolation of bioactive phytochemicals from plant materials.
  19. Jabbarzadeh Kaboli P, Rahmat A, Ismail P, Ling KH
    Eur J Pharmacol, 2014 Oct 5;740:584-95.
    PMID: 24973693 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2014.06.025
    Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide and novel therapeutic agents are needed to treat this disease. The plant-based alkaloid berberine has potential therapeutic applications for breast cancer, although a better understanding of the genes and cellular pathways regulated by this compound is needed to define the mechanism of its action in cancer treatment. In this review, the molecular targets of berberine in various cancers, particularly breast cancer, are discussed. Berberine was shown to be effective in inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis in various cancerous cells. Some signaling pathways affected by berberine, including the MAP (mitogen-activated protein) kinase and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, are critical for reducing cellular migration and sensitivity to various growth factors. This review will discuss recent studies and consider the application of new prospective approaches based on microRNAs and other crucial regulators for use in future studies to define the action of berberine in cancer. The effects of berberine on cancer cell survival and proliferation are also outlined.
  20. Ramli NS, Brown L, Ismail P, Rahmat A
    PMID: 24919841 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-189
    The fruit of Hylocereus polyrhizus, also known as red pitaya, and buah naga in Malay, is one of the tropical fruits of the cactus family, Cactaceae. Red pitaya has been shown to protect aorta from oxidative damage and improve lipid profiles in hypercholesterolemic rats probably due to phytochemicals content including phenolics and flavonoids. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in cardiac stiffness, hepatic and renal function in high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet-induced obese rats following supplementation of red pitaya juice.
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