Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine

835–848

Authors: Yahaya Gavamukulya, Fred Wamunyokoli, Hany A. El-Shemy

Annona muricata (A. muricata) is a tropical plant species belonging to family Annonaceae and known for its many medicinal uses. This review focuses on the research history of its traditional uses, phytochemicals, pharmacological activities, toxicological aspects of the extracts and isolated compounds, as well as the in vitro propagation studies with the objective of stimulating further studies on this plant for human consumption and treatment. A. muricata extracts have been identified in tropical regions to traditionally treat diverse conditions ranging from fever to diabetes and cancer. More than 200 chemical compounds have been identified and isolated from this plant, the most important being alkaloids, phenols and acetogenins. Using in vitro studies, its extracts and phytochemicals have been characterized as antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, larvicidal, and cytotoxic to cancer cells. In vivo studies have revealed anxiolytic, anti-stress, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antimalarial, antidepressant, gastro protective, wound healing, hepato-protective, hypoglycemic, anticancer and anti-tumoral activities. In silico studies have also been reported. In addition, clinical studies support the hypoglycemic as well as some anticancer activities. Mechanisms of action of some pharmacological activities have been elucidated. However, some phytochemical compounds isolated from A. muricata have shown a neurotoxic effect in vitro and in vivo, and therefore, these crude extracts and isolated compounds need to be further investigated to define the magnitude of the effects, optimal dosage, and mechanisms of action, long-term safety, and potential side effects. Additionally, more clinical studies are necessary to support the therapeutic potential of this plant. Some studies were also found to have successfully regenerated the plant in vitro, but with limited success. The reported toxicity notwithstanding, A. muricata extracts seem to be some of the safest and promising therapeutic agents of the 21st century and beyond that need to be studied further for better medicinal formulations and diseases management.

855–863

Authors: Adel Spotin, Hamid Reza Moslemzadeh, Mahmoud Mahami-Oskouei, Ehsan Ahmadpour, Maryam Niyyati, Seyed Hossein Hejazi, Fatemeh Memari, Jafar Noori

Objective To verify phylogeography and genetic structure of Acanthamoeba populations among the Iranian clinical isolates and natural/artificial environments distributed in various regions of the country. Methods We searched electronic databases including Medline, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Google Scholar from 2005 to 2016. To explore the genetic variability of Acanthamoeba sp, 205 sequences were retrieved from keratitis patients, immunosuppressed cases and environmental sources as of various geographies of Iran. Results T4 genotype was the predominant strain in Iran, and the rare genotypes belonged to T2, T3, T5 (Acanthamoeba lenticulata), T6, T9, T11, T13 and T15 (Acanthamoeba jacobsi). A total of 47 unique haplotypes of T4 were identified. A parsimonious network of the sequence haplotypes demonstrated star-like feature containing haplogroups IR6 (34.1%) and IR7 (31.2%) as the most common haplotypes. In accordance with the analysis of molecular variance, the high value of haplotype diversity (0.612–0.848) of Acanthamoeba T4 represented genetic variability within populations. Neutrality indices of the 18S ribosomal RNA demonstrated negative values in all populations which represented a considerable divergence from neutrality. The majority of genetic diversity belonged to the infected contact lens and dust samples in immunodeficiency and ophthalmology wards, which indicated potential routes for exposure to a pathogenic Acanthamoeba sp. in at-risk individuals. A pairwise fixation index (FST) was from low to high values (0.024 33–0.418 92). The statistically FST points out that T4 is genetically differentiated between north-west, north-south and central-south metapopulations, but not differentiated between west-central, west-south, central-south, and north-central isolates. Conclusions An occurrence of IR6 and IR7 displays that possibly a gene flow of Acanthamoeba T4 occurred after the founder effect or bottleneck experience through ecological changes or host mobility. This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis providing new approaches into gene migration and transmission patterns of Acanthamoeba sp, and targeting at the high-risk individuals/sources among the various regions of Iran.

871–876

Authors: Benjaporn Sornpet, Teerapong Potha, Yingmanee Tragoolpua, Kidsadagon Pringproa

Objective To study the antiviral properties of the five Asian medicinal plants against in vitro infection by the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N1). Methods Crude extracts of Andrographis paniculata, Curcuma longa (C. longa), Gynostemma pentaphyllum, Kaempferia parviflora (K. parviflora), and Psidium guajava obtained by both water and ethanol extractions were investigated for their cytotoxicity in the Madin–Darby canine kidney cells. Thereafter, they were investigated in vitro for antiviral activity and cytokine response upon H5N1 virus infection. Results The results revealed that both water and ethanol extracts of all the five studied plants showed significant antiviral activity against H5N1 virus. Among these plants, C. longa and K. parviflora showed strong anti-H5N1 activity. Thus, they were selected for further studies on their cytokine response upon virus infection. It was found that ethanol and water crude extracts of C. longa and K. parviflora induced significant upregulation of TNF-α and IFN-β mRNA expressions, suggesting their roles in the inhibition of H5N1 virus replication. Conclusions To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is among the earliest reports to illustrate the antiviral property of these Asian medicinal plants against the highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza virus. The results of this study shed light on alternative therapeutic sources for treatment of H5N1 influenza virus infection in the future.

887–891

Authors: Soraya Sheikhi, Hassan Vatandoost, Mohammad RezaAbai, Mansoreh Shayeghi, Ahmad Raeisi, Morteza Akbari, Fatemeh Nikpoor, Mohammad Sistanizade Aghdam, Akbar Bagheri

Objective To determine the wash resistance of Olyset® Plus using World Health Organization Pesticide Evaluation Scheme standard washing procedure and to assess the value of knock down and mortality rates of Anopheles stephensi at different regimens of long lasting insecticide treated nets washings. Methods The study was conducted at the Bioassay Laboratory of Culicidae Insectary, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The net was made of polyester impregnated with permethrin and piperonyl butoxide at a ratio of 2:1. The washing resistance was assessed using Le Chat® soap and a shaker incubator set at a speed of 155 r/min, 30 °C for 10 min. The cone bioassay test was carried out according to World Health Organization recommended guideline with tolerant field strain of female Anopheles stephensi to pyrethroids. Results The knockdown and mortality rates of female mosquitoes exposed to Olyset® Plus from un-washed nets to 2 washings were 79.7% and 88.8% respectively. Mortality was dropped to zero while active ingredient estimated 0.532 μg/100 cm2 to 0.481 μg/100 cm2 after 15 washings. A positive correlation was seen between residues of permethrin on nets, knockdown rate and mortality rate of female Anopheles stephensi exposed to different regimes of washed Olyset® Plus (r = 0.954, P = 0.001). Conclusions It is recommended that a preliminary survey conducted on resistance level of Anopheles vectors before the distribution of Olyset® Plus in malaria endemic communities.

896–899

Authors: Saied Goodarzi, Hassan Vatandoost, Mohammad Reza Abai, Saeed Tavakoli, Amir Hatamian, Yousef Ajani, Abbas Hadjiakhoondi, Narguess Yassa, Zahra Tofighi

Objective To determine the larvicidal activities of petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol fractions of roots and fruits extracts of Astrodaucus persicus from Apiaceae family against malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi (An. stephensi). Methods Twenty five third instar larvae of An. stephensi were exposed to various concentrations (10–160 g/L) of fractions and were assayed according to World Health Organization protocol. The larval mortality was calculated after 24 h treatment. Results Among tested fractions, the highest larvicidal efficacy was observed from ethyl acetate fraction of fruits extract with 50% and 90% mortality values (LC50 and LC90) of 34.49 g/L and 108.61 g/L, respectively. Chloroform fraction of fruits extract was the second larvicidal sample with LC50 of 45.11 g/L and LC90 of 139.36 g/L. Petroleum ether fractions of fruits and roots and methanol fraction of fruits showed moderate toxicity against An. stephensi. Conclusions Astrodaucus persicus is a potential source of valuable and natural larvicidal compounds against malaria vector, An. stephensi and can be used in mosquitoes control programs as an alternative to synthetic insecticides.

907–915

Authors: Tuan Tran Trong, Dieu-HienTruong, Hoang Chinh Nguyen, Dieu-Thai Tran, Huyen-Trang Nguyen Thi, Giap Do Dang, Ho NguyenHuu

Objective To evaluate the impact of plant growth regulators including kinetin (KN), benzyl adenine and naphthalene acetic acid, yeast extract and casein hydrolyzate on biomass accumulation of Vietnamese ginseng Panax vietnamensis (P. vietnamensis) in cell suspension culture. Methods Cell suspension cultures were established from friable calluses derived from leaves and petioles of 3-year-old in-vitro P. vietnamensis plants. The cell suspension cultures were grown in Murashige and Skoog basal media supplemented with various concentrations of KN, benzyl adenine, naphthalene acetic acid, and yeast extract and casein hydrolyzate. Results All tested factors generated an increase in the cell biomass of P. vietnamensis in suspension culture, but the impact of each varies depended on the factor type, concentration, and incubation period. Addition of 2.0 mg/L KN resulted in the largest biomass increase after 24 d, (57.0 ± 0.9) and (3.1 ± 0.1) mg/mL fresh and dry weight, respectively, whereas addition of benzyl adenine or naphthalene acetic acid produced optimum levels of Panax cell biomass at 1.0 and 1.5 mg/L, respectively. Addition of the elicitor yeast extract led to a 1.4–2.4 fold increase in biomass of P. vietnamensis, while addition of casein hydrolyzate enhanced biomass accumulation 1.8–2.6 fold. Conclusions The addition of each factor causes significant changes in biomass accumulation of P. vietnamensis. The largest biomass accumulation is from cultures grown in MS media containing 2.0 mg/L KN for 24 d. The outcome of the present study provides new insights into the optimal suspension culture conditions for studies on the in vitro cell biomass production of P. vietnamensis.

921–924

Authors: Wen-Bo Cheng, Dong Li, Qin Yang, Yue-Mei Hou

Objective To investigate the relationship between basal ganglia cerebral infarction and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) caused by abnormal vagus nerve tension. Methods A total of 1 483 cases of elder patients with cerebral infarction who received head CT or MRI examination during the period were enrolled, including 830 male and 613 female, with the average age as 78 years. These cases were divided into basal infarction ganglia group (n = 1 045) and non-basal ganglia infarction group (n = 438) according to the anatomic site of cerebral infarction. The differences of the incidence of PAF, left atrial diameter and heart rate variability were compared between the two groups. Results In basal ganglia infarction group, the incidence rate of PAF was significantly higher than that of non-basal ganglia infarction group (P < 0.05). The incidence trend of cerebral infarction in basal ganglia was age-related, in the >79 years basal ganglia cerebral infarction group, the incidence of PAF was significantly higher than that of non-basal ganglia infarction group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the left atrial diameter between the basal ganglia infarction group and non-basal ganglia infarction group. Basal ganglia cerebral infarction patients with high PAF had higher heart rate variability than non-basal ganglia infarction group. Conclusion Elderly patients with basal ganglia infarction have high incidence of PAF. Sympathetic nerve damage in cerebral basal ganglia, increased vagal tension and cardiac vagal tension are the direct causes of PAF. The results indicates that the increased central vagal nerve tension mediated PAF probably is an indication of supplying sympathetic neurotransmitter or cardiac vagal denervation treatment.

929–931

Authors: Henok A. Tegegne, Ivana Koláčková, Renata Karpíšková

Objective To evaluate the diversity and molecular characteristics of livestock associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in livestock animals, food of animal origin and the environment in the Czech Republic. Methods After having been primarily enriched in buffered peptone water, the samples were cultured on Baird–Parker agar. Presumptive colonies were sub-cultured to blood agar and assessed morphologically. Furthermore, presumptive Staphylococcus aureus colonies were confirmed by MALDI-TOF. Multiplex PCR, spa-typing, and MLST have been used to characterize the strains. Each mecA-positive Staphylococcus aureus isolates were examined against 14 different antimicrobials by using disk diffusion method. Results In this study, 13 different spa-types belonging to five sequence types (ST) were detected. Ninety four percent of tested strains belonged to CC/ST398 for which t011, t034, t2123 and t2346 were the vast major spa-types. In addition, non-ST398 clones such as CC1(t127), ST5(t3598), ST8(t064) and ST361(t315) were detected, which are known as human associated clones. Conclusions The diversity of livestock associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus has grown, and detecting lineages of human origin in animals and vice-versa becomes more common. Thus, livestock animal and its products will be a potential for the evolvement of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in human population. Monitoring of pigs as well as other food-producing animal species and their products is therefore recommended.