ATHMSI Journals
Not a member yet
2062 research outputs found
Sort by
IN VITRO ANTICANCER ACTIVITY AND CYTOTOXICITY OF SOME PAPAVER ALKALOIDS ON CANCER AND NORMAL CELL LINES
Get PDFBackground: The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of in vitro anticancer activity and cytotoxicity of 13 Papaver
alkaloids (amurine, armepavine, berberine, isocorydine, isothebaine, macranthine, mecambrine, mecambridine, narkotine,
orientalidine, oripavine, salutaridine and thebaine) against the human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) compared to the normal
African green monkey kidney epithelial cell line (Vero) using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide
(MTT) assay.
Materials and Methods: The Vero and HeLa cell lines were treated with various concentrations (1-300 μg/mL) of alkaloids for 48
h. Values for cytotoxicity measured by MTT assay were expressed as the concentration that causes a 50% decrease in cell viability
(IC50) (μg/mL).
Results: Berberine and macranthine were the most active alkaloids. Salutaridine exhibited no cytotoxic activity against two types of
cell lines. Dose-dependent studies presented IC50 of 12.08 μg/mL and IC50 of 71.14 μg/mL for berberine and IC50 of 24.16 μg/mL
and IC50 of >300 μg/mL for macranthine on the HeLa cells and the Vero cells respectively.
Conclusion: The degree of selectivity of the compounds can be expressed by its Selectivity Index (SI) value. High SI value (>2) of a
compound gives a selective toxicity towards cancer cells (SI = IC50 for normal cells/IC50 for cancer cells). Two alkaloids showed
significant SI values, which are 12.42 for macranthine and 5.89 for berberine. Hence, macranthine and berberine display potential to
be further exploited in the discovery and development of new anticancer agents
IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-ADIPOGENIC EFFECTS OF SLENDESTATM, STANDARD POTATO EXTRACTS CONTAINS 5% PROTEASE INHIBITOR II
Get PDFBackground: The objective of present study is to observe the anti-adipogenic effects of SlenestaTM (SLD), a standard potato protein extracts containing 5% potato protease inhibitor II (PI2) on the 3T3-L1 preadipocytes which are able to differentiate into mature adipocytes and accumulate lipids, as an obesity model with cytotoxicity and antioxidant effects.
Materials and Methods: The cytotoxicity of SLD was observed against 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte cell line by MTT assay, and also anti-adipogenic effects were observed through lipid accumulation assay during 3T3-L1 differentiation as comparing with N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). In addition, antioxidant effects of SLD were detected by free radical scavenging capacity and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity as comparing with ascorbic acid.
Results: SLD showed obvious cytotoxicity against 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte cell line at higher concentrations, from 1.5 mg/ml for 72 hrs treatment, and cytotoxic IC50 of SLD after 24, 48 and 72 hrs treatment times were detected as 10.11 ± 0.67, 5.71 ± 0.37 and 5.34 ± 0.21 mg/ml, respectively. SLD concentration-dependently inhibited the lipid accumulations formatted during 3T3-L1 cell differentiations, and also effectively showed DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 161.98 ± 64.65 μg/ml) and SOD-like effects (IC50 = 284.54 ± 54.47 μg/ml).
Conclusion: The results suggest that SLD effectively inhibited 3T3-L1 adipose cell differentiations may be through antioxidant activities and direct cytotoxicity in case of higher concentration, along with already known satiety effects mediated by increases of circulating cholecystokinin. These findings are considered as direct evidences that SLD may serve as a predictable functional ingredient for obesity as an alternative therapy
PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF ETHYL ACETATE EXTRACTION FROM GASTRODIA ELATA BLUME ON BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER IN FOCAL CEREBRAL ISCHEMIA REPERFUSION
Get PDFBackground: Damage of the blood brain barrier (BBB) during the process of cerebral ischemic injury is a key factor which
influences the therapeutic efficacy to the cerebral ischemic injury. The present study was designed to verify the mechanisms
underlying the protective effects of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extraction from Gastrodia elata Blume (GEB) on the BBB by
developing a model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats. Material and methods: MCAO/R model in rats was developed through
a thread embolism method. The neurological scales, the moisture and the evans blue (EB) contents of brains were detected.
Meanwhile, the release of nitric oxide (NO) and activities of NO synthase (NOS) in brain tissues were measured. Western blotting
analyses were also performed to assess the protein expressions of AQP-4, Occludin and Claudin-5 in brain tissue. Result: After rats
were pretreated with different concentrations of EtOAc extractions from GEB, the neurologic scores, the EB contents in the brain
tissues and the moisture of the brains were significantly decreased. Meanwhile, the release of NO, the activities of nNOS and iNOS
were notably inhibited. Furthemore, the protein expression of AQP-4 was markedly decreased, but the protein expressions of
Claudin-5 and Occludin were significantly increased. Conclusion: the EtOAc extracts of GEB may decrease the permeability of
BBB when focal cerebral ischemia occurs. The inhibition of the NOS pathways, the attenuation of the protein expression of AQP-4
and the enhancement of the expressions of the tight junction proteins may contribute to the protective effects of the EtOAc extracts
from GEB on BBB
IMMUNO-MODULATORY PROPERTIES OF PREBIOTICS EXTRACTED FROM Vernonia amygdalina
Get PDFBackground: Vernonia amygdalina, commonly called bitter-leaf, is widely consumed in many parts of Africa, and Nigeria, in
particular. The leaf extract has been reported to have antimicrobial, anti-plasmodial, anti-helminthic, as well as prebiotic properties,
but its immuno-modulatory effects have not been well-studied, neither have the prebiotics been identified. This study evaluated the
immuno-modulatory properties of the aqueous leaf extract and identified the prebiotic components.
Methods: The immuno-modulatory potential was evaluated by monitoring the effects of oral administration of the extract on
immunological, haematological and lipid profiles of Rattus norvegicus, while the prebiotic components were identified by thin layer
chromatography (TLC), following liquid-liquid fractionation of the extract.
Results: Consumption of the extract caused significant increases in CD4+-, white blood cell-, total lymphocyte- and high density
lipid (HDL) counts; decreases in low density lipid (LDL) and triglycerides and no significant effect on haemoglobin (Hb) and
packed cell volume (PCV) in the blood of test animals. The water-soluble fraction of the extract contained most of the phytoconstituents
of the extract and Thin Layer Chromatographic analysis of the fraction revealed the presence of fructo-oligosaccharide
and galacto-oligosaccharide prebiotics.
Conclusion: The results from this study have shown that the aqueous leaf extract of V. amygdalina has positive immune-modulatory
and haematologic effects and contains some important prebiotic compounds
ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY AND FT-IR ANALYSIS OF DATURA INNOXIA AND DATURA METEL LEAF AND SEED METHANOLIC EXTRACTS
Get PDFBackground: Datura (family- Solanaceae), has a long history of being used as herbal medicine. These medicinal effects have been
attributed to the phytochemicals present in the plant leaves and seeds, in particular alkaloids, flavonoids and phenolic compounds.
The objective of this study was to investigate the methanolic leaf and seed extracts of Datura innoxia (DLP-I & DSP-I) and Datura
metel (DLP-M & DSP-M) for their total phenolic, flavonoids and in-vitro antioxidant properties.
Materials and Methods: Determination of total phenolic content and total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity in terms of
total antioxidant assay, ABTS assay, DPPH assay and in-vitro lipid peroxidation inhibiting activity were determined along with the
FT-IR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) analysis of the extracts.
Results: The highest total phenolic and total flavonoid content were registered by the D. innoxia leaf extract (70.26 ± 1.12 mg
GAE/g and 34.24 ± 1.28 mg RE/g respectively). Maximum DPPH radical scavenging activity was exerted by the leaf extract of D.
innoxia (IC50 = 146.69 ± 8.46 μg/mL) among the four different methanolic extracts. The highest activity of the ABTS assay was
found in Datura innoxia leaf extract (IC50 value = 149.42 ± 13.43 μg/mL) and the highest total antioxidant capacity was found to be
present in D. innoxia leaf extract (221.25 ± 1.06 mg AAE/g) whereas D. metel seed extract registered the maximum lipid
peroxidation inhibition activity (IC50 = 112 ± 1.30 μg/mL). The FT-IR data also supported the maximum activity in D. innoxia (leaf
and seed) extracts.
Conclusion: The results thus obtained suggested that the plant Datura innoxia possess considerable antioxidant activity over Datura
metel and therefore can be established as a potential source of natural antioxidant
EFFECT OF “TAI CHI” EXERCISE ONANTIOXIDANT ENZYMESACTIVITIESAND IMMUNITYFUNCTION IN MIDDLE-AGED PARTICIPANTS
Get PDFBackground: “Tai Chi” is a useful exercise that increases physical strength and relax the mind. Materials and Methods: The study investigates effect of “tai chi” exercise on antioxidant enzymes activities and immunity function in participants. These participants were randomly divided into two groups: “tai chi” exercise group (n=25) and control group (n=25). The participants in the “tai chi” group performed “tai chi” exercise for 1 h every day. The participants in the control group didn’t perform “tai chi”. The exercise lasts for half a year. Results: “tai chi” exercise increased antioxidant enzymes activities and improve immunity function in participants. Conclusion: “tai chi” exercise is useful for health-keep of participants
STUDIES ON WOUND HEALING ACTIVITY OF SOME EUPHORBIA SPECIES ON EXPERIMENTAL RATS
Get PDFBackground: Plants of Euphorbiaceae are used in folkloric medicines in variety of ailments and well known for chemical diversity of their isoprenoid constituents. This study was carried out to explore the preliminary wound healing potential of four Euphorbia species (E. consorbina 1, E. consorbina 2, E. inarticulata, E. balsamifera and E. schimperi). Materials and Methods: Excision wound surface of the animals were topically treated with ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of plants at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight for twenty days. Povidone-iodine ointment was used as a reference drug. Wound contraction measurement and period of epithelialization were used to assess the effect of plants extracts on wound repairing. Results: The groups treated with methanol extracts of E. balsamifera and E. schimperi showed profound effects, high rate of wound contraction (100%) and decrease in epithelization period 19.00±0.40 and 18.50±0.64 respectively, followed by methanol extracts of E. consorbina 2, ethyl acetate extract of E. inarticulata and ethyl acetate extracts of E. consorbina 2 which showed significant (
BIOPESTICIDAL ACTIVITY OF Calotropis procera L. AGAINST Macrophomina phaseolina
Get PDFBackground: Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] is an important pulse crop globally. This imperative crop is severely affected
by charcoal rot disease caused by Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. In the present study, the leaves of Calotropis procera L.
were tested for their antifungal potential against M. phaseolina.
Materials and Methods: Various concentrations i.e. 1%, 2.5%, 4%, 5.5% and 7% of methanolic extract of C. procera leaves were
prepared and their in vitro bioactivity was examined against the test fungus. Methnolic leaf extract was partitioned using n-hexane,
chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol and antifungal activity of each fraction was evaluated. n-Hexane fraction was subjected to
GC-MS analysis.
Results: The higher concentration of methanolic leaf extract (7%) caused maximum inhibition in the diameter of M. phaseolina i.e.
38%. The n-hexane fraction of methanolic leaf extract was found to be the most effective against M. phaseolina. Seven compounds
belonging to classes of chlorocarbon, aromatic hydrocarbon, azocompounds, aromatic carboxylic acids and fatty acids were
identified in GC-MS analysis of n-hexane fraction.
Conclusion: Antifungal activity of the methanolic leaf extract of C. procera might be due to the presence of the identified
compounds in n-hexane fraction of methanolic leaf extract
PRE-CLINICAL EVALUATION OF EXTRACTS AND ESSENTIAL OILS FROM BETEL-LIKE SCENT PIPER SPECIES IDENTIFIED POTENTIAL CANCER TREATMENT
Get PDFBackground: Nine Piper species with betel-like scents are sources of industrial and medicinal aromatic chemicals, but
there is lack of information on cytotoxicity and genotoxicity for human safety, including how these plants impact
human cervical cancer cell line.
Methods: Plant leaves were extracted with hexane and hydro-distilled for essential oils. The extracts and oils were preclinically
studied based on cyto - and genotoxicity using microculture tetrazolium (MTT) and comet assays.
Results: The crude extracts showed an IC50 in leukocytes and HeLa cells of 58.59 -97.31 mg/ml and 34.91-101.79
mg/ml, the LD50 is higher than 5000 mg/kg. With lower values than the crude extracts, the essential oils showed an IC50
in leukocytes and HeLa cells of 0.023-0.059 μg/ml and 0.025-0.043 μg/ml, the LD50 is less than 50 mg/kg. IC50 values
showed that the essential oils were highly toxic than the crude extracts. At the level of human genetic materials, the
crude extracts of two species, including P. betloides and P. crocatum, showed a significant toxicity (p < 0.05) in
leukocytes. The other samples were non-toxic. The crude extracts of all samples showed significant genotoxicity in
HeLa cells. The essential oils of all studied Piper species showed insignificant toxicity in leukocytes. For HeLa cells,
the eight-studied species showed significant toxicity in HeLa cells, whereas only P. submultinerve showed insignificant
toxicity.
Conclusion: The crude extracts and essential oils should be tested as putative cervical cancer treatments due to less
toxicity in human normal cells
POLITICS OF BIOPIRACY: AN ADVENTURE INTO HOODIA/XHOBA PATENTING IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
Get PDFBackground: Africa is being described as the wretched of the earth, despite this, the continent is endowed with natural
resources, dynamic ecosystem, and different species of plants and animals, and species derivatives. This paper area of
departure is to focus on Hoodia, a plant that is being a source of food, medicine and water for the San and Khoe
indigenous peoples before the advent of Europeans into southern Africa. South African Council for Scientific and
Industrial Research (CSIR) dubiously patented Hoodia without observing the basic indices of geographical indications
(GIs), indigenous knowledge (IK), novelty, access sharing benefit (ASB), prior informed consent (PIC) and sustainability
of ecosystem before the rights was sold to Phytopharm pharmaceutical company.
Materials and methods: This article adopts neoliberal thesis with emphasis on complex interdependence theory of
organic linkages between developing and developed countries. Secondary sources of information taken into account of
qualitative and critical discuss content analyses dominate this paper.
Result: The paper recommends a linkage between developed and developing states based on endowment theory and
comparative advantage with the notion of adhering to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) which has three
objectives: the conservation of biodiversity; the sustainable utilisation of indigenous biological resources (IBR); and fair
and equitable benefit sharing.
Conclusion: The paper recommends that there is a need to follow CBD and other relevant international regimes that
promote equal exchange in exploitation of Africa resources as against the present skewed arrangement that is in favour of
multinational corporations (MNCs)