Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine

185-191

Authors: Suresh Mickymaray, Mohammad Saleh Al Aboody, Pradipta Kumar Rath, Panneerselvam Annamalai, Thajuddin Nooruddin

Objective: To evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of five Indian medicinal plants such as Acalypha indica L. (A. indica), Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. ex Schult. (A. lanata), Clerodendrum inerme (L.) Gaertn., Pergularia daemia (Forsk.) Chiov. and Solanum surattense Burm. f. against opportunistic bacterial pathogens isolated from HIV infected patients for the potential phytoconstituents in plant extracts. Methods: The opportunistic bacterial pathogens such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi and Serratia marcescens from Gramnegative group and Staphylococcus aureus from Gram-positive group were isolated from HIV infected patients. The antibacterial efficacy of ethanolic extracts of selected medicinal plants was carried out by disc diffusion method. The potential phytoconstituents of medicinal plant extracts were identified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis. Results: Among the five medicinal plants tested, A. indica and A. lanata showed the significant antibacterial activity. A. indica showed potential activity against Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. A. lanata significantly exhibited antibacterial activity against E. coli, Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A total of 19 phytoconstituents were identified in the ethanolic extract of A. indica and A. lanata by GC–MS analysis respectively. Conclusions: The results of the present investigation revealed that A. indica and A. lanata, possessed significant antibacterial activity when compared with the other plant extracts tested. The presence of 3-O-methyl-D-glucose by GC–MS analysis in both A. indica and A. lanata extracts has not been reported elsewhere in the literature and the findings in this study could be the first one to report.

198-201

Authors: Zohreh Khodadadian, Majid Hassanpour-Ezatti, Seyed Zahra Mousavi, Jinous Asgarpanah

Objective: To investigate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory property and possible involvement of opioid receptors of ethyl acetate extract from aerial parts of Daphne mucronata (D. mucronata) in mice by formalin test. Methods: Single doses of 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg of body weight of ethyl acetate extract of D. mucronata were intraperitoneally administered to the mice 30 min before analgesic test. The anti-nociceptive effect of preparations was evaluated based on the formalin in mice. Results: The results indicated that the extract (2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg) increased the pain threshold of mice and induced analgesia in both phases of formalin test. Like morphine sulfate (5.0 mg/kg, i.p.), the extract also showed more effective analgesic effect on the late phase of formalin test. Pre-treatment of animals with naloxone (5.0 mg/kg i.p.) did not inhibit the effects of the extract. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that D. mucronata contains potential analgesic and anti-inflammatory compounds which support its traditional use. Moreover, it seems that the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the extract is mediated by non-opioid mechanisms. Further pharmacological studies are required to determine whether the analgesic mechanisms are actually responsible for such properties.

211-215

Authors: Hassanain Al-Talib, Norliana Dalila Mohamad Ali, Mohamed Harreez Suhaimi, Siti Shafika Nabila Rosli, Nurul Huda Othman, Nur Ain Sakinah Mansor, Amira Kartini Sulaiman Shah, Nurul Syuhada Ariffin, Alyaa Al-Khateeb

Objective: To investigate the antibacterial activities of green vegetables (pennywort, mint, garlic, parsley and celery) against four common enteric bacteria [Salmonella enterica (ATCC 25957) (S. enterica), Shigella flexneri (ATCC 12022) (S. flexneri), Escherichia coli (ATCC 43889) (E. coli) and Enterobacter cloacae (ATCC 13047) (E. cloacae)] as an alternative medicine for controlling food borne diarrhea disease and the synergistic effect of green vegetables against those bacteria. Methods: Five common vegetables (pennywort, mint, garlic, parsley and celery) were purchased and extracted. The antimicrobial activities of these extracts were tested against four common enteric bacteria (S. enterica, S. flexneri, E. coli and E. cloacae). Ten different concentrations of the extracts (from 640 to 1.25 mg/mL) were prepared and used for the study. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by the broth dilution method. The antimicrobial activities were assessed by using both well diffusion and disc diffusion methods. Results: Garlic extract showed excellent inhibitory effects on all enteric bacteria. Other plants (parsley, celery, mint and pennywort) were not effective against enteric bacteria. The MIC of garlic against S. flexneri and E. cloacae was 40 mg/mL. The MIC of S. enterica and E. coli were 20 and 10 mg/mL, respectively. The performance of the well diffusion method was better than that of the disc diffusion method with clear and sharp inhibition zones of tested bacteria against plant extracts. Conclusions: Garlic had excellent antimicrobial effects against enteric bacteria and was recommended to be given to patients with gastroenteritis. The other vegetables (pennywort, mint, parsley and celery) showed no inhibitory effects on enteric bacteria but still can be used for its richness in vitamins and fibers. The performance of the well diffusion method was better than that of the disc diffusion method in detecting the antibacterial effects of green vegetables.

221-224

Authors: Dariush Gaffari, Maryam Hakimi Parizi, Abbas Aghaei Afshar, Siavosh Tirgari

Objective: To investigate the repellent effect of neem, juniper and eucalyptus extracts as a form of protection against Paederus beetles, which are a cause of linear dermatitis in Iran. Methods: After collecting and extracting plant samples, the extracts were tested on Paederus beetles in three concentrations (2.5%, 5.0% and 10.0%) with direct method under laboratory conditions. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 20). Results: The results indicated that there was a significant difference between neem with juniper and eucalyptus at the 2.5% and 5.0% concentrations (P < 0.05), whereas there was a significant difference between all three extracts at the 10.0% concentration (P < 0.05). Conclusions: This is the first report on the repellent effect of these three plant extracts on Paederus beetles. Neem oil appeared to have the largest effect on Paederus spp. and juniper essential oil exhibited the second highest repellency, followed by eucalyptus.

232-238

Authors: Jarinyaporn Naowaboot, Supaporn Wannasiri

Objective: To examine the effect of Senna alata (S. alata) leaf extracts on the regulation of lipid metabolism in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Methods: The obesity condition was induced in the male ICR mice by feeding them with high-fat diet (45 kcal% fat) for 12 weeks. At the 7th week of diet feeding, the obese mice were treated with the water extract of S. alata leaf at 250 and 500 mg/kg/day, respectively, that continued for six weeks. At the end of the treatment period, the biochemical parameters were determined. The hepatic histology and the gene and protein expressions were also examined. Results: In comparison with the obese control mice, the mice treated with S. alata showed a significant reduction in the elevated blood glucose levels and a decrease in the serum insulin and leptin levels. A reduction in the serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, non-esterified fatty acid, and hepatic triglyceride levels were also observed. The histological examination of the obese mice treated with S. alata showed a reduced lipid accumulation in the liver tissue. Hepatic lipogenic gene expression showed that S. alata decreased the activity of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c, fatty acid synthase, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase. S. alata could suppress hepatic peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor gamma (PPARg) protein. Moreover, the protein expression of PPARa in liver tissue was clearly increased by S. alata treatment. Conclusion: The treatment with S. alata could decrease several parameters of impaired lipid metabolism in the obese mice by downregulating sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c and PPARg and upregulating PPARa. This study is the first report on the role of S. alata leaf extract in alleviating the abnormal lipid metabolism in obese conditions

246-250

Authors: Muhammad Hilmi Wan, Norliza Ahmad, Mohd Dasuki Sul'ain

Objective: To investigate the cytotoxicity of Smilax myosotiflora (S. myosotiflora) methanolic extract and its effects on sexual hormone levels and testicular histology in male rats. Methods: The cytotoxicity of S. myosotiflora methanolic extract was investigated by employing brine shrimp lethality assay. Forty eight male rats were randomly divided into four groups (Groups I–IV) of 12 each. Rats in Group I were administered with 0.5 mL of distilled water (vehicle), whilst Groups II, III and IV received 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg of the methanolic extract of S. myosotiflora in 0.5 mL of the vehicle, respectively. Male rats treated with continuous daily dosing were killed and necropsied after a total dose period of 60 days. Sexual hormones were assayed and histological examination of testes was performed according to standard methods. Results: S. myosotiflora extracts did not produce any cytotoxicity to brine shrimp in all concentrations tested. Serum testosterone level was significantly higher in rats treated with high dose of S. myosotiflora. Testicular histology showed normal architecture with all stages of spermatogenesis in all experimental groups. Conclusions: The present work confirmed that S. myosotiflora extract improves reproductive functions, without any cytotoxic activity and produces no histological changes to the testes.

256-258

Authors: Samia Haffaf, Bouabdellah Benallou

Objective: To evaluate the energetic profile of fetal fluids and to make comparisons of the concentrations of the constituents present with those in the maternal plasma. Methods: A study was conducted in 102 gravid sheep uteri. The four stages of gestation as Stage I (0–60 days), Stage II (61–90 days), Stage III (91–120 days) and Stage IV (121– 145 days) were identified based on the crown anus length of the embryo/fetus. The amniotic and allantoic fluids collected from the gravid uteri of each group were subjected to biochemical analysis of glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride. Results: The levels of glucose and triglyceride in maternal plasma were lower (P < 0.05) on late pregnancy as well as in amniotic and allantoic fluids. No significant variation (P > 0.05) of plasma cholesterol levels was detected between the sampling periods. Contrariwise, cholesterol concentrations of fetal fluids were higher in Stages III and IV of pregnancy when compared with the Stages I and II. Conclusions: The influence of pregnancy on the biochemical composition of fetal fluids was statistically significant.

265-269

Authors: Wan Adnan Wan Omar, Nur Asna Azhar, Nurdianah Harif Fadzilah, Nik Nur Syazni Nik Mohamed Kamal

Objective: To evaluate the antioxidant and antiproliferative effect of methanolic bee pollen extract (BPE) of Malaysian stingless bee [Lepidotrigona terminata (L. terminata)] and its synergistic effect with cisplatin (a chemotherapeutic drug) on MCF-7 cancer cell line. Methods: The antioxidant activity of BPE from L. terminata was measured by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) assay. Antiproliferative activity at different concentrations of BPE and cisplatin was determined through using MTT assay on MCF-7 and L929 cell lines. An interaction effect (synergistic, additive and antagonistic) between BPE and cisplatin was determined by CompuSyn software based on MTT assay data. Results: The EC50 (50% decrement of DPPH inhibition) of BPE was 0.5 mg/mL. L. terminata BPE exhibited antiproliferative activity on both cancer and normal cell lines. The IC50 (concentration of drug that was required for 50% of cell inhibition in vitro) of BPE on MCF-7 was 15 mg/mL whereas in normal cell line L929 was 26 mg/mL. The IC50 for cisplatin on MCF-7 was 20 mmol/L. The combination effect of BPE and cisplatin on MCF-7 cells showed that BPE at 15 mg/mL was able to potentiate the inhibitory effect of cisplatin at all different concentrations (2.5–20.0 mg/mL). The average of cancer cells inhibition which was potentiated by BPE was around 50%. A combination index values of less than 1 reported in the CompuSyn software further proved the synergistic effect between BPE and cisplatin, suggesting that BPE was working synergistically with cisplatin. Conclusions: Our study therefore suggested that BPE of Malaysian stingless bee, L. terminata is a potential chemopreventive agent and can be used as a supplementary treatment for chemotherapy drugs. BPE might be able to be used to potentiate the effect of chemotherapy drugs with the possibility to reduce the required dose of the drugs. The molecular mechanisms of how the BPE exerts antiproliferative activity will be a much interesting area to look for in future studies.

275-278

Authors: Fatemeh Shobeiri, Khodayar Oshvandi, Mansour Nazari

Objective: To assess prevalence of cyclical mastalgia and its main determinants in women who attended in health centers of Hamadan City, Iran. Methods: This case–control study was conducted on 400 women (case: cyclical mastalgia, n = 240; control: without cyclical mastalgia, n = 160) who attended family planning clinic for routine follow-up in health centers. The cluster sampling was used. Information was collected by interviewing and using a standardized validated questionnaire. Severity of mastalgia was assessed through using visual analog scaling. Data processing and statistical analysis were performed by using SPSS 19.0. Results: The results revealed that majority of women (60.0%) experienced cyclical mastalgia. Out of these, 22.5% and 37.5% were mild and moderate-to-severe mastalgia, respectively. No association was revealed in experience of depression and anxiety in mastalgia group. In a multivariable logistic regressionmodel, the increasing age, age of marriage, history of abortion and history of premenstrual syndrome were main determinants of mastalgia, while use of oral contraceptive and regular exercise was associated with lower incidence of mastalgia. Conclusions: Most of women with breast discomfort suffered cyclical mastalgia which severity can be determined by advanced age, age of marriage, history of abortion and history of premenstrual syndrome, but inversely by oral contraceptive use and exercise activity.