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Evaluation of the sub-acute toxicity of the sclerotium of Lignosus rhinocerus (Cooke), the Tiger Milk mushroom

Lee SS, Tan NH, Fung SY, Pailoor J, Sim SM

J Ethnopharmacol, 2011 Oct 31;138(1):192-200.
PMID: 21930194 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.09.004

Lignosus rhinocerus (known locally as 'Tiger Milk mushroom') is the most important medicinal mushroom used by the indigenous communities of Malaysia to treat fever, cough, asthma, cancer, food poisoning and as a general tonic. The sclerotium of the mushroom is the part with medicinal value. Lignosus rhinocerus was hitherto unexploited commercially because of limited supply. Recently, the mushroom was successfully cultivated.

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products/administration & dosage
Statin alternatives or just placebo: an objective review of omega-3, red yeast rice and garlic in cardiovascular therapeutics

Ong HT, Cheah JS

Chin Med J (Engl), 2008 Aug 20;121(16):1588-94.
PMID: 18982874

The aim of this review is to objectively access the trial evidence on the role of omega-3, red yeast rice and garlic in preventing clinical cardiovascular events. Given the large number of clinical trials favoring statin use in cardiovascular disease, it is important to see if evidence is available for these supplements and whether they could replace statin therapy.

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products/administration & dosage*
Fulltext Nano based drug delivery systems: recent developments and future prospects

Patra JK, Das G, Fraceto LF, Campos EVR, Rodriguez-Torres MDP, Acosta-Torres LS, et al.

J Nanobiotechnology, 2018 Sep 19;16(1):71.
PMID: 30231877 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-018-0392-8

Nanomedicine and nano delivery systems are a relatively new but rapidly developing science where materials in the nanoscale range are employed to serve as means of diagnostic tools or to deliver therapeutic agents to specific targeted sites in a controlled manner. Nanotechnology offers multiple benefits in treating chronic human diseases by site-specific, and target-oriented delivery of precise medicines. Recently, there are a number of outstanding applications of the nanomedicine (chemotherapeutic agents, biological agents, immunotherapeutic agents etc.) in the treatment of various diseases. The current review, presents an updated summary of recent advances in the field of nanomedicines and nano based drug delivery systems through comprehensive scrutiny of the discovery and application of nanomaterials in improving both the efficacy of novel and old drugs (e.g., natural products) and selective diagnosis through disease marker molecules. The opportunities and challenges of nanomedicines in drug delivery from synthetic/natural sources to their clinical applications are also discussed. In addition, we have included information regarding the trends and perspectives in nanomedicine area.

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products/administration & dosage
Rationalization of Mushroom-Based Preventive and Therapeutic Approaches to COVID-19: Review

Rahman MA, Rahman MS, Bashir NMB, Mia R, Hossain A, Saha SK, et al.

Int J Med Mushrooms, 2021;23(5):1-11.
PMID: 34347990 DOI: 10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2021038285

Since December 2019, a de novo pattern of pneumonia, later named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has caused grave upset throughout the global population. COVID-19 is associated with several comorbidities; thus, preventive and therapeutic strategies targeting those comorbidities along with the causative agent, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), seem imperative. In this state-of-the-art review, edible and medicinal mushrooms are featured in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 pathomanifestations, and comorbid issues. Because this is not an original research article, we admit our shortcomings in inferences. Yet we are hopeful that mushroom-based therapeutic approaches can be used to achieve a COVID-free world. Among various mushroom species, reishi or lingzhi (Ganoderma lucidum) seem most suitable as anti-COVID agents for the global population.

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products/administration & dosage
Fulltext The Physicochemical Characteristics of Gelam Honey and Its Outcome on the Female Reproductive Tissue of Sprague-Dawley Rats: A Preliminary Study

Ismail NH, Osman K, Zulkefli AF, Mokhtar MH, Ibrahim SF

Molecules, 2021 Jun 02;26(11).
PMID: 34199433 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26113346

Gelam honey (GH) is a prized natural product synthesized from the nectar of flowers from Gelam trees (Melaleuca sp.). Gelam is an evergreen tree species that grows in tropical regions such as Malaysia. GH is a multifloral honey with proven antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the beneficial effect of GH on female reproductive tissue has yet to be substantiated. Herein, we investigated the effects of GH administration on the uterine and vaginal epithelial thickness of sexually mature Sprague-Dawley rats. Epithelia thickness could be an indicator of an atrophy manifesting as a symptom of a cardio syndrome. Rats were given oral doses of GH in four groups for 14 days; the lowest dose was 0.2 g GH/kg body weight (bw) rat/day and the highest dose was 8 g GH/kg bw rat/day. The physicochemical characteristics of GH were assessed through hydroxymethylfurfural and moisture content determination and sugar identification. GH attenuated the atrophy of the uterine and vaginal epithelia and increased the thickness of the endometrial stroma and endometrial surface endothelial layer. However, the dissonance observed in the effect of GH administration on the vaginal epithelium requires further investigation. Nevertheless, GH may have a strong potential in attenuating uterine and vaginal atrophies.

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products/administration & dosage*
Dose-Response Effect of Tualang Honey on Postprandial Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress in Female Athletes: A Pilot Study

Ahmad NS, Abdul Aziz A, Kong KW, Hamid MSA, Cheong JPG, Hamzah SH

J Altern Complement Med, 2017 Dec;23(12):989-995.
PMID: 28708420 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2017.0129

OBJECTIVES: Tualang honey (TH) contains antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, phenolic acids, and flavonoids that may be protective against oxidative stress of exercise. The aim of this study was to examine the postprandial antioxidant activity and oxidative stress after ingestion of high and low dosages of TH in female athletes.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty female athletes (aged 21.3 [2.1] years; body weight [BW] 54.1 [5.7] kg) were randomly assigned into two groups and consumed either 1.5 g/kg BW TH (high honey; HH; n = 10) or 0.75 g/kg BW TH (low honey; LH; n = 10). Blood sample was collected at fasting and at 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 h after TH consumption. Plasma was analyzed for total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (ferric reducing antioxidant power [FRAP]), and oxidative stress biomarkers (malondialdehyde [MDA] and reactive oxygen species [ROS]).
RESULTS: The 3-h area under the curve (AUC) for MDA was significantly lower in the LH group compared with HH group, suggesting less oxidative stress in the LH group. However, the AUCs for TPC, FRAP, and ROS were not affected by the dosages. The concentrations of TPC and FRAP increased from baseline to 2 and 1 h after TH consumption, respectively, and concentrations returned toward baseline at 3 h in both LH and HH groups. MDA concentration significantly decreased (p

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products/administration & dosage
Fulltext Cytotoxic effect of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized via seaweed aqueous extract

Namvar F, Rahman HS, Mohamad R, Baharara J, Mahdavi M, Amini E, et al.

Int J Nanomedicine, 2014;9:2479-88.
PMID: 24899805 DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S59661

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 MNPs) are among the most useful metal nanoparticles for multiple applications across a broad spectrum in the biomedical field, including the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In previous work, we synthesized and characterized Fe3O4 MNPs using a simple, rapid, safe, efficient, one-step green method involving reduction of ferric chloride solution using brown seaweed (Sargassum muticum) aqueous extract containing hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amino functional groups mainly relevant to polysaccharides, which acts as a potential stabilizer and metal reductant agent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic activity and cellular effects of these Fe3O4 MNPs. Their in vitro anticancer activity was demonstrated in human cell lines for leukemia (Jurkat cells), breast cancer (MCF-7 cells), cervical cancer (HeLa cells), and liver cancer (HepG2 cells). The cancer cells were treated with different concentrations of Fe3O4 MNPs, and an MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay was used to test for cytotoxicity, resulting in an inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) value of 23.83±1.1 μg/mL (HepG2), 18.75±2.1 μg/mL (MCF-7), 12.5±1.7 μg/mL (HeLa), and 6.4±2.3 μg/mL (Jurkat) 72 hours after treatment. Therefore, Jurkat cells were selected for further investigation. The representative dot plots from flow cytometric analysis of apoptosis showed that the percentages of cells in early apoptosis and late apoptosis were increased. Cell cycle analysis showed a significant increase in accumulation of Fe3O4 MNP-treated cells at sub-G1 phase, confirming induction of apoptosis by Fe3O4 MNPs. The Fe3O4 MNPs also activated caspase-3 and caspase-9 in a time-response fashion. The nature of the biosynthesis and therapeutic potential of Fe3O4 MNPs could pave the way for further research on the green synthesis of therapeutic agents, particularly in nanomedicine, to assist in the treatment of cancer.

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products/administration & dosage
Fulltext Gelam honey has a protective effect against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced organ failure

Kassim M, Mansor M, Al-Abd N, Yusoff KM

Int J Mol Sci, 2012;13(5):6370-81.
PMID: 22754370 DOI: 10.3390/ijms13056370

Gelam honey exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities and is thought to have potent effects in reducing infections and healing wounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of intravenously-injected Gelam honey in protecting organs from lethal doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Six groups of rabbits (N = 6) were used in this study. Two groups acted as controls and received only saline and no LPS injections. For the test groups, 1 mL honey (500 mg/kg in saline) was intravenously injected into two groups (treated), while saline (1 mL) was injected into the other two groups (untreated); after 1 h, all four test groups were intravenously-injected with LPS (0.5 mg/kg). Eight hours after the LPS injection, blood and organs were collected from three groups (one from each treatment stream) and blood parameters were measured and biochemical tests, histopathology, and myeloperoxidase assessment were performed. For survival rate tests, rabbits from the remaining three groups were monitored over a 2-week period. Treatment with honey showed protective effects on organs through the improvement of organ blood parameters, reduced infiltration of neutrophils, and decreased myeloperoxidase activity. Honey-treated rabbits also showed reduced mortality after LPS injection compared with untreated rabbits. Honey may have a therapeutic effect in protecting organs during inflammatory diseases.

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products/administration & dosage*
Effects of naturally-produced lovastatin on carcass characteristics, muscle physico-chemical properties and lipid oxidation and cholesterol content in goats

Garba S, Sazili AQ, Mahadzir MF, Candyrine SCL, Jahromi MF, Ebrahimi M, et al.

Meat Sci, 2019 Aug;154:61-68.
PMID: 31004941 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2019.04.008

This study investigated the carcass characteristics, physico-chemical properties, storage stability and cholesterol content of meat from goats fed with different levels of naturally-produced lovastatin used to mitigate enteric methane production. Twenty intact Saanen male goats of 5-6 months old with initial live weight of 25.8 ± 4.0 kg were randomly allotted into four dietary treatments containing 0 (Control), 2 (Low), 4 (Medium) and 6 mg (High) per kg live weight (LW) of naturally-produced lovastatin for 12 consecutive weeks. No differences were found in all the parameters measured except for full LW, hot and cold carcass weight, shear force, color and cholesterol content among the treatment groups. Aging had significant effects on all the parameters measured in this study except a* (redness) of meat. Meat samples in the Medium and High treatments were of higher lightness and yellowness, more tender and lower cholesterol levels. We conclude that, in addition to mitigate enteric methane emissions, dietary supplementation of naturally-produced lovastatin at 4 mg/kg LW could be a feasible feeding strategy to produce tender meat containing lower cholesterol.

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products/administration & dosage
Emerging landscape in psoriasis management: From topical application to targeting biomolecules

Rapalli VK, Singhvi G, Dubey SK, Gupta G, Chellappan DK, Dua K

Biomed Pharmacother, 2018 Oct;106:707-713.
PMID: 29990862 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.06.136

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disorder affecting 2-3% of the world population. It has characteristic features such as increased keratinocyte proliferation and production of inflammatory mediators. The treatment involves various strategies including topical, systemic, phototherapy and biologics. Topical therapies are preferred for mild to moderate psoriasis conditions over the systemic therapies which are ideal in severe disease conditions. The systemic therapies include immunosuppressants, biological agents and recently approved phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitors. There are various limitations associated with the existing therapies where the new findings in the pathogenesis of psoriasis are paving a path for newer therapeutics to target at the molecular level. Various small molecules, PDE-4 inhibitors, biologics, and immunomodulator proved efficacious including the new molecules targeting Janus kinases (JAK) inhibitors that are under investigation. Furthermore, the role of genetic and miRNAs in psoriasis is still not completely explored and may further help in improving the treatment efficacy. This review provides an insight into various emerging therapies along with currently approved treatments for psoriasis.

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products/administration & dosage*
Encapsulation efficacy of natural and synthetic photosensitizers by silica nanoparticles for photodynamic applications

Makhadmeh GN, Abdul Aziz A, Abdul Razak K, Abu Noqta O

IET Nanobiotechnol, 2015 Dec;9(6):381-5.
PMID: 26647815 DOI: 10.1049/iet-nbt.2015.0003

This study analysed the physical effects of Cichorium Pumilum (CP), as a natural photosensitizer (PS), and Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), as a synthetic PS, encapsulated with silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) in photodynamic therapy. The optimum concentrations of CP and PpIX, needed to destroy Red Blood Cells (RBC), were determined and the efficacy of encapsulated CP and PpIX were compared with naked CP and PpIX was verified. The results confirmed the applicability of CP and PpIX encapsulated in SiNPs on RBCs, and established a relationship between the encapsulated CP and PpIX concentration and the time required to rupture 50% of the RBCs (t50). The CP and PpIX encapsulated in SiNPs exhibited higher efficacy compared with that of naked CP and PpIX, respectively, and CP had less efficacy compared with PpIX.

Matched MeSH terms: Biological Products/administration & dosage