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TRADITIONAL, COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE USE OF CHRONIC DISEASE PATIENTS IN A COMMUNITY POPULATION IN MYANMAR
Get PDFBackground: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of Traditional, Complementary and
Alternative Medicine’s (TCAM) use of chronic disease patients in a community setting in Myanmar.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional community survey was conducted in the Kyauk Tan Township with the International
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire (I-CAM-Q).
Results: Of the 1600 participants in the survey, the overall prevalence of any TCAM use (providers, products or self-care) was
95.1% (TCAM provider= 14.6%, TCAM products=65.0%, and self-help TCAM=86.2%) in the past 12 months. For all different
types of TCAM providers, TCAM products and self-help TCAM more than 90% of participants perceived the TCAM as very or
somewhat helpful. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, older age, no formal education, rural residence and having two or
more chronic conditions were associated with any TCAM use.
Conclusions: TCAM use, especially TCAM products and self-help TCAM, seem to be common in Myanmar
INSULIN-MIMETIC ACTIVITY OF STEVIOSIDE ON DIABETIC RATS: BIOCHEMICAL, MOLECULAR AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY
Get PDFBackground: Stevioside has been used as a medication for reducing glucose levels in diabetic patients. The exact mode of action is still unclear. Therefore, the current study outlines the molecular and biological roles of stevioside in treatment of diabetes.
Materials and Methods: induced diabetic male wistar rats treated with stivioside and metformin as therapy for diabetic rats. Biochemical, molecular and histopathological studies have been done to evaluate the therapeutic effect of stevioside on minimizing levels of glucose in diabetic rats.
Results: Stevioside administration normalized kidney and liver biomarkers, restored alterations in antioxidants activity and lipid profiles. Moreover, stevioside increased insulin and leptin secretion that are decreased in diabetic rats to the normal levels.For mRNA expression, stevioside up-regulated the expressions of PK and IRS-1 genes which are down-regulated in diabetic rats, and was very effective in down-regulation of CPT-1 mRNA expression. At the cellular levels; stevioside normalized the histopathological changes induced in pancreas.
Conclusion: Stevioside has insulin like effects and it is useful for diabetic patient’s therapy
ANTIMYCOBACTERIAL COMPOUNDS FROM NASTURTIUM OFFICINALE
Get PDFBackground: Nasturtium officinale is a plant used in Mexican traditional medicine to treat respiratory infections such as tuberculosis. In
previous studies, it was found that the chloroform extract of the aerial parts of N. officinale showed good activity against one sensitive and four
drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv strains. Therefore, the present research was focused on the fractionation and identification of
the antimycobacterial principles of this species.
Material and Methods: The chloroform extract was prepared and fractionated by column chromatography using silica gel and gradient of
chloroform/methanol, yielding 14 fractions. Each fraction was analyzed by thin-layer chlromatography under UV light. The obtained fractions
were further tested against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv strain using Alamar blue microassay.
Results: Of the 14 fractions assayed, only fractions 3 to 5 showed good inhibitory activity against M. tuberculosis H37Rv. The chemical
composition of three fractions by GC-MS led to the identification of E-phytol as the most abundant and common component.
Conclusion: Antimycobacterial properties of the three active fractions were attributed to E-phytol and palmitic acid
A CYTOGENIC MONITORING APPROACH OF HOSPITAL WORKERS OCCUPTIONALLY EXPOSED TO IONIZING RADIATIONS USING MICRONUCLEUS ASSAY
Get PDFBackground: The objective of this study was to determine chromosomal damage in occupational workers of the radiation department
from three different hospitals, Faisalabad, Pakistan exposed for a long term to ionizing radiations using micronucles (MN) assay. A
comparison between exposed and non-exposed subjects (controlled) of same age exhibited a significant an increase in the number of
micronuclei in occupational workers. MN frequency increases with an increase in age and duration of exposure in both sexes but higher
in females.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at the District Head Quarter Hospital (DHQ), Punjab Institute of Nuclear Medicine
(PINUM) and Allied Hospital, Faisalabad, Pakistan. The total 145 subjects were selected from these hospitals. The subjects were divided
into two groups. The control group (N= 40) (20 males and 20 females) of healthy subjects (no exposure) and the second group of subjects
(N=105) (68 males and 37 females) subjects of occupational workers who were indirectly exposed to radiation. Blood samples (2ml)
were collected in sodium heparinised vaccutainer tubes through venipuncture from both the groups. Disposable syringes were used for
this purpose. For the evaluation of MN yield, slides were prepared by following the method of Jorge et al. (2004).
Results: A significant difference in micro nuclear induction was observed between the occupational subjects and the control subjects and
as well as in females and in males (P < 0.01). Females are more vulnerable to ionizing radiation than males. In females, MN yield was
two times higher than males. MN frequency was increased with an increase in age and duration of exposure in both sexes, but higher in
females and may be due to an increase in chromosomal loss in hospital workers. There is an individual response to the physical noxa,
depending on sex, age and exposure. Smoking and drinking habits do not have a significant effect in increasing the number of MN in
occupationally exposed workers.
Conclusion: It was concluded that females are more vulnerable to ionizing radiations than males. MN test can be used as a biomarker
with a predictive value for the estimation in occupationally exposed subjects
INHIBITORY EFFECT OF LYCOPENE AGAINST THE GROWTH OF HUMAN GASTRIC CANCER CELLS
Get PDFBackground The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-proliferative effect of Lycopene on HGC-27 cells.
Materials and methods HGC-27 cells were treated with varying concentration lycopene for 24, 48, 72 h. The cell growth inhibition
was analyzed by MTT. Western blotting was used to indicate changes in the levels of LC3-I, LC3-II, ERK (extracellular
signal‐regulated protein kinase) and phosphorylation-ERK (p-ERK).
Results Lycopene displayed antiproliferative activity in HGC-27 cell lines. Western blotting showed that Lycopene significantly
enhanced LC3-I, p-ERK proteins expression. In gastric cancer nude mice model, lycopene treatment significantly decreased tumour
weight. These findings indicated that lycopene treatment induces the anti-proliferation of HGC-27 cells.
Conclusion Lycopene treatment inhibited HGC-27 cells growth by activating ERK
MODULATION OF CARCINOGEN-METABOLIZING ENZYME BY MADINAH MINT (Mentha spp) IN RAT LIVER
Get PDFBackground: The present study was undertaken to assess whether boiling water mint extract (BWME) modulates the cytochrome
P450 mixed function oxidase system.
Materials and methods: Male albino rats were randomly divided into two groups, comprising 12 animals each. The first group
served as control, whereas the second was maintained on BWME (10 % w/v) as its sole drinking liquid for six weeks. Liver
microsomal were separated and subjected for phase I and II enzymes (cytochrome P450 mixed function oxidase) analysis
Results The results obtained showed that, BWME caused a significant elevation in the activity of epoxide hydrolase (
BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF JATROPHA NEOPAUCIFLORA PAX
Get PDFBackground: Ethnopharmacological relevance. Jatropha neopauciflora (Pax) is an endemic species of the Tehuacan-
Cuicatlan Valley, Mexico. This species has long been used as a remedy to alleviate illnesses of bacterial, fungal and viral
origin. Aim of the study. Experimentally test the traditional use of Jatropha neopauciflora in Mexican traditional medicine.
Materials and methods. The methanol extract (MeOH1), of Jatropha neopauciflora (Euphorbiaceae) was obtained by
maceration. Next, the methanol (MeOH2) and hexane (H) fractions were obtained. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation.
The extract, fractions and essential oil were analyzed by GC-MS. The antimicrobial activity was measured by
the disc diffusion agar and radial inhibition growth methods.
Results: The extract and fractions showed antibacterial activity against eleven strains (five Gram-positive and six Gramnegative)
and a bacteriostatic effect in the survival curves for Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio cholerae. The extract and
fractions were also shown to have antifungal activity, particularly against Trichophyton mentagrophytes (CF50 = MeOH1:
1.07 mg/mL, MeOH2: 1.32 mg/mL and H: 1.08 mg/mL). The antioxidant activity of MeOH1 (68.6 g/mL) was higher than
for MeOH2 (108.1 g/mL). The main compounds of the essential oil were -pinene, 1,3,8-p-menthatriene, ledene, mmenthane,
linalyl acetate and 3-carene. The main compounds of MeOH1 were β-sitosterol, lupeol and pyrogallol; the main
compounds of MeOH2 were β-sitosterol, spathulenol, coniferyl alcohol and lupeol; and the main compounds of H were β-
sitostenone, -sitosterol and stigmasterol.
Conclusions: This study indicates that Jatropha neopauciflora is a potential antibacterial and antifungal agent
SCREENING AND IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL BIOACTIVE CONSTITUENTS IN A NEW HERBAL PRESCRIPTION SEAWEED COMPLEX PREPARATION
Get PDFBackground: Seaweed Complex Preparation (SCP) is a clinical traditional Chinese medicine preparation composed of seven
traditional Chinese herbs, and has been used for treatment of lung cancer, liver cancer and digestive cancer.
Materials and Methods: In this study, the potential bioactive constituents of SCP were isolated and identified by chromatographic
and spectroscopic methods. The immunomodulatory and DPPH radical scavenging activities of the constituents were also evaluated
in vitro.
Results: Forty-three compounds were isolated from the EtOAc and n-BuOH fractions of the decocted extracts. More than 10
structural types of chemical constituents were found, including flavonoid glycosides, flavonoids, phenolic acid compounds, lignans,
iridoid glycosides, and polysaccharides mainly composed of galactose and glucose. Flavonoid glycosides exhibited potential
immunomodulatory by promoting splenic lymphocyte proliferation and stimulating the secretion of cytokines IL-2 and IFN-γ, as
well as free radical (DPPH) scavenging activities. Caffeic acid derivatives showed remarkable free radical (DPPH) scavenging
activity, while polysaccharides also displayed immunological enhancement effects.
Conclusion: Four molecular communities, flavonoid glycosides, flavonoids, phenolic compounds and polysaccharides, might be the
potential bioactive components of SCP. Synergism of these four molecular communities in SCP may endue the anticancer properties
and reflect the feature of multi-components and multi-targets of traditional Chinese medicine formula
NITRIC OXIDE INHIBITORY ACTIVITY OF STRYCHNOS SPINOSA (LOGANIACEAE) LEAF EXTRACTS AND FRACTIONS
Get PDFBackground: The study was aimed at determining the anti-inflammatory activity of fractions and extracts obtained from Strychnos
spinosa leaves on a mediator of inflammation nitric oxide (NO).
Materials and Methods: Leaves were extracted with acetone and separated into fractions with different polarities by solventsolvent
fractionation. The Griess assay was used to determine the nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity. Cellular toxicity was
determined by "using the MTT reduction assay".
Results: With the exception of the ethyl acetate fraction which had an IC50 >750 μg/mL, all extracts and fractions had significant
nitric oxide-inhibitory activity. The most active being the water fraction, chloroform fraction and the dichloromethane/methanol
extracts with IC50 values of 88.43 μg/mL, 96.72 μg/mL and 115.62 μg/mL, respectively. The extracts and fractions had low
cytotoxicity on macrophage U937 cell lines.
Conclusion: Extracts and fractions of Strychnos spinosa leaves may be promising sources of natural anti-inflammatory agents.
Findings obtained from this study showed that Strychnos spinosa leaves possess promising anti-inflammatory action and could be
used in the treatment of inflammation-related conditions
BEST PRACTICE PROGRAMME IN THE STANDARDISATION OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINES: EVALUATION OF AN IMMUNE BOOSTER FORMULATED BY TRADITIONAL HEALERS OF THE VAAL TRIANGLE, SOUTH AFRICA
Get PDFBackground: Regulation and standardization of African traditional medicines (ATM) prescribed by traditional healers in South
Africa is still far from being implemented. This is despite the fact that more people are using ATM products than ever. In an effort to
demonstrate that collaboration with traditional health practitioners (THPs) can yield standardized TM products, this study aimed to
evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of an herbal immune booster formulated by traditional healers from the Vaal Region, South
Africa.
Materials and Methods: Using normal and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells
(PBMCs) models, doses of the immune booster ranging from 1000 to 10 μg/mL were evaluated for their cytotoxicity, inflammatory
cytokines and chemokines secretion, nitric oxide (NO) secretion, malondialdehyde (MDA) assay, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl
(DPPH) assay.
Results: The immune booster induced a dose dependent cytotoxic effect on both normal and LPS stimulated PBMCs with higher
doses showing cytotoxicity while lower dose from 100μg/mL did not show any cytotoxicity. When re-dissolved in aqueous PBS
immune booster doses up to 100 μg/mL showed better DPPH radical inhibition (41%) than ascorbic acid at 40μg/mL (33%). The
immune booster also decreased lipid peroxides significantly (p< 0.05) and this was comparable to ascorbic acid. There was also a
significant (p< 0.05) increase in nitrite (NO) after treatment of LPS stimulated PBMCs with immune booster doses when compared
to untreated samples. The immune booster stimulated inflammatory cytokines secretion in normal PBMCs (IL 1α, IL 1β, IL 6, IL 10
and TNFα while showing a decrease in IFNγ at the higher dose) while in LPS stimulated PBMCs some cytokines were decreased (IL
1α, IL 17α and at lower doses IL 10 and TNFα) and others were increased (IFNγ, TNFα and GM-CSF) depending on the dose used.
In both normal and LPS stimulated PBMCs the immune booster significantly (p< 0.05) increased (MIP 1α) while causing significant
(p< 0.05) decreases in IP 10 (high dose), I-TAC and MIG secretion.
Conclusions: This immune booster showed potential immunostimulatory effects by increasing nitric oxide, inflammatory cytokines
and chemokines secretion in both normal and LPS stimulated PBMCs. This TM also showed promising antioxidant potential in the
MDA and DPPH assays. Further in vitro and animal studies are warranted