Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine

847-852

Authors: Arief Nurrochmad, Endang Lukitaningsih, Ameilinda Monikawati, Dita Brenna Septhea , Edy Meiyanto

Objective To investigate the estrogenic effect of (8,9)-furanyl-pterocarpan-3-ol (FPC) on growth of human breast cancer T47D cells and the interactions between the FPC and tamoxifen (TAM), on the growth of estrogen receptor-dependent breast cancer T47D cells. Methods The proliferation effect of FPC were conducted on T47D cells in vitro by MTT test. T47D cells were treated with FPC alone (0.01-200 µmol/L) or in combination with TAM 20 nmol/L. Furthermore, the expression of ERα or c-Myc were also determined by immunohistochemistry. Results The results indicated that administration of an anti-estrogen TAM showed growth inhibitory effect on T47D cells, wheraes co-administered with low concentration (less than 1 µmol/L) of FPC attenuated to promote cell proliferation. In contrast, the combination of TAM with higher doses (more than 20 µmol/L) of FPC showed growth inhibitory. This result was supported by immunocytochemistry studies that the administration of 20 nmol/L TAM down-regulated ER-α and c-Myc, but the combination of 20 nmol/L TAM and 1 µmol/L FPC robustly up-regulated expression of ER-α. Thus, the reduced growth inhibition of TAM 20 nmol/L by FPC 1 µmol/L on T47D cells may act via the modulation of ER-α. Conclusions The findings indicate and suggest that FPC had estrogenic activity at low concentrations and anti-estrogenic effect that are likely to be regulated by c-Myc and estrogen receptors. We also confirm that low concentration of FPC attenuated the growth-inhibitory effects of TAM on mammary tumor prevention. Therefore, the present study suggests that caution is warranted regarding the consumption of dietary FPC by breast cancer patients while on TMA therapy.

859-865

Authors: Saiba Abdul Wahab Nusaiba, Kumaraswamy Murugan

Objective Natural products of plant origin are potential source of novel antimicrobial and antioxidative agents. Thottea siliquosa (Lam.) Ding Hou. (T. siliquosa). A medicinal herb used by local tribals for treating various ailments. The present study aims at the phytochemical screening, GC-MS analysis, in vitro antibacterial activity and antioxidant potentiality of root and leaf extracts of T. siliquosa. Methods Hot continuous Soxhlet extraction, GC-MS analysis, antibacterial analysis by disc diffusion, microdilution assay and antioxidant potentialities by hydroxyl radical and nitric oxide radical scavenging. The data was statistically analyzed. Results Phytochemical screening of the ethyl acetate and methanolic extract of leaf and root revealed the presence of phenols, alkaloids, tannins and saponin. The extract revealed a pool of phytochemicals by comparison with authentic standards from spectral library. Both the extracts has shown their broad spectrum of inhibition against the selected bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia compared with standard antibiotic drug streptomycin. The extracts showed antioxidant activity by scavenging of free radicals such as hydroxyl and nitric oxide. The IC50 values of the ethyl acetate extracts leaf and root and standard in this assay were 167.5±0.67, 99.4±1.2, 192±2.5 µg/mL respectively. Similarly those methanolic extracts of leaf and root were 269.5±0.89 and 289.1±2.66 µg/mL respectively. Similarly, ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts also caused a moderate dose-dependent inhibition of nitric oxide with an IC50 range 65.5±1.55 to 148 ±3.09 µg/mL. The inhibitory activities were found to be dose dependent. Conclusion The present study provides evidence that ethyl acetate and methanol extract of leaf and root of T. siliquosa are potential source of natural antioxidants and bactericidal nature. It is essential that research should continue to isolate and purify the bio active components of this natural plant and use in drug discovery and development.

871-876

Authors: Suprava Sahoo, Goutam Ghosh, Debajyoti Das, Sanghamitra Nayak

Objective To investigate antioxidant potential of methanol extract of Alpinia nigra leaves. Methods The study was done by using various in vitro methods such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging assays. Phytochemical constituents, total phenolic content and total flavonoid content of the extract at different concentrations (10-500 µg/mL) were determined. Results Alpinia nigra leaves showed high free radical scavenging activity as evidenced by the low IC50 values in DPPH (64.51 µg/mL), in ABTS (28.32 µg/mL), in nitric oxide (80.02 µg/mL) and in H2O2 (77.45 µg/mL) scavenging assays. Furthermore the TPC and TFC of the extract were found to be 69.25 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram of extract and 78.84 mg quercetin equivalent per gram of extract respectively. Conclusions The results of present comprehensive analysis demonstrated that Alpinia nigra leaves possess high phenolic, flavonoid contents and potential antioxidant activity, and could be used as a viable source of natural antioxidants and might be exploited for functional foods and neutraceutical applications.

882-886

Authors: Shivakumar Singh Policepatel, Vidyasagar Gunagambhire Manikrao

Objective To document traditional medicinal plants knowledge used in treating skin diseases at Hyderabad Karnataka Region. Methods The information on the use of medicinal plants in the treatment of skin diseases was gathered from traditional herbal healers and other villagers through interviews. Results A total of 60 plants species belonging to 57 genera and 34 families were found useful and herewith described them along with the method of drug preparation, mode of administration, probable dosage and duration of treatment. Several new findings on the traditional rural practices were reported. Conclusions The present study revealed that the Hyderabad Karnataka rural people is primarily dependent on medicinal plants for treating skin diseases.

896-901

Authors: Mahendra Kumar Verma, Francies Xavier, Yogendra Kumar Verma, Kota Sobha

Objective To isolate, partially purify and evaluate the cytotoxic and antitumor activity of a serine protease from the chosen Indian earthworm Pheretima posthuma. Methods Whole animal extract was prepared and purified its protein constituents by size and charge based chromatographic separation techniques using Sephadex G-50 and DEAE-Cellulose resin respectively. Average molecular weight of the protein isolate was determined and analyzed for its cytotoxic property against Vero cells in different dilutions (1: 20 and 1: 40) and anti-tumor activity by MTT assay (a colorimetric assay) using breast cancer cell line MCF-7, with tamoxifen as standard. Results One of the protein constituents after purification was characterized as serine protease by Caseinolytic plate diffusion assay. Average molecular weight of this purified isolate was determined, by SDS-PAGE analysis with standard protein ladder, as of 15 kDa. The performed tests suggested that the 15kDa fraction has potent cytotoxic activity and satisfactory antitumor activity as well in vitro. Conclusions Exact molecular mechanism of the cytotoxic and antitumor activities is yet to be explored and currently we are working on ultra-purification and biophysical characterization of this fraction. Further investigation into the mechanism(s) of cytotoxic and antitumor activities at molecular level would be useful in treatment of various classes of cancer and viral infections in future.

907-912

Authors: Dhumal Uttareshvar Mahaling, Madole Mahesh Basavaraj, Aher Jagdish Bika

Objective To detect and compare serum lipid abnormalities in patients diagnosed with different grades of non-alcoholic fatty liver on ultrasonography. Methods A total of 70 cases which included 30 males and 40 females, diagnosed as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) on ultrasound were investigated with serum lipid profile. Then a comparison of lipid abnormalities between different grades of fatty liver diagnosed on ultrasound was done. P value was calculated by using analysis of variance test (ANOVA) and P value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results Out of 70 cases which were diagnosed as NAFLD on ultrasonography, grade I NAFLD cases were 47.15%, grade II were 42.85% and grade III were 10%. The mean age of the patients was 49.14 years. Male to female ratio was 3:4. Serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL and VLDL levels were raised in 67.14%, 45.71% 34.28%, 25.71% of cases respectively. Low serum HDL levels were seen in 62.85% of patients. On statistical analysis we found increasing grades of NAFLD were significantly associated with increasing values of total cholesterol (P value-0.001), LDL (P value-0.000) and VLDL (P value-0.003) and decreasing HDL (P value-0.000). Conclusion Most of the patients of NAFLD in India is asymptomatic, non-diabetic and non-hypertensive. Though liver biopsy is the gold standard method for diagnosis of NAFLD, Ultrasonography which is non-invasive, simple tool, can be used for the early detection of NAFLD in asymptomatic patients.

916-924

Authors: Nurul Fariza Rossle, Baha Latif

The protozoa under the genus Cryptosporidium is a zoonotic apicomplexan obligate intracellular parasite. Cryptosporidiosis, the term used to designate infection caused by Cryptosporidium sp., is considered as one of the most common food and waterborne diseases with worldwide spread, acting as a common cause of diarrhoea in animals and man. In immunocompetent individuals, Cryptosporidium typically induces self-limiting diarrhoea, which may resolve on its own after 2-3 d. However, cryptosporidiosis may turn life-threatening and subsequently lead to death in small children, the elderly and immunocompromised person, especially in AIDS patient. The diagnosis for Cryptosporidium infection is usually carried out through examination of stool for the presence of oocysts which measured 4-6 µm with spherical appearance. Morphometric identification is often difficult because of the diminutive size and obscure internal structure of the protozoa. Often, the identification of Cryptosporidium is realised through the combination of methods incorporating data from morphometrics, molecular techniques, and host specificity. However, limitations to some of these techniques still exist whether because of cost, duration, expertise, or reliability. Drugs combination is implemented in treatment of cryptosporidiosis. The efficiency of paromomycin, an aminocyclitol antibiotic isolated from Streptomyces, can be effective when combined use with protease inhibitors or recombinant IL-12. Since there is no drug that achieves the complete removal of Cryptosporidium from the host, supportive therapy was preferred in both human and domestic animals.