Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine

1-8

Authors: Osayemwenre Erharuyi, Abiodun Falodun, Peter Langer

Picralima nitida Durand and Hook, (fam. Apocynaceae) is a West African plant with varied applications in African folk medicine. Various parts of the plant have been employed ethnomedicinally as remedy for fever, hypertension, jaundice, dysmenorrheal, gastrointestinal disorders and malaria. In order to reveal its full pharmacological and therapeutic potentials, the present review focuses on the current medicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological and toxicological activities of this species. Literature survey on scientific journals, books as well as electronic sources have shown the isolation of alkaloids, tannins, polyphenols and steroids from different parts of the plant, pharmacological studies revealed that the extract or isolated compounds from this species posses analgesic, anti-inflammatory, hypoglyceamic, hypotensive, antiplasmodial, antimicrobial, antiulcer and antitumorigenic activities. Results from various scientific investigations to date have revealed the potential of the extract from the plant or isolated compounds for use in the treatment and prevention of various kinds of human diseases. However, further studies on the extracts and pure compounds from this species is required to completely assess its phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological profile as well as the mechanism of action behind these pharmacological activities exhibited by the compounds isolated from this species.

16-20

Authors: Shigenori Kumazawa, Masayo Murase, Noboru Momose, Syuichi Fukumoto

Objective To analyze the antioxidant prenylflavonoids in different parts of Macaranga tanarius (M. tanarius) (Euphorbiaceae) including the leaf, petiole, stem, leaflet, flower and fruit (only in female plant), and to evaluate their antioxidant properties. Methods Methanol extracts of each part of M. tanarius were prepared and five prenylflavonoids in them were quantitatively analyzed using HPLC. The fruits from female plant were further separated into seed, pericarp, and glandular trichome. After the quantitative analyses of prenylflavonoids in each part of M. tanarius, antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Results The leaf of M. tanarius contained two prenylflavonoids as main components in both male and female plants. Both flowers (male and female) contained five kinds of prenylflavonoids. In the petiole, stem and leaflet of both male and female plants, the prenylflavonoids were not detected or their amounts were very low. Five kinds of prenylflavonoids were detected in the seed, pericarp and glandular trichome of female M. tanarius. In particular, the glandular trichome had the highest level of total prenylflavonoids (235 mg/g of fresh plant). DPPH radical scavenging activity of all parts was more than 30%. Conclusions We found that different parts of M. tanarius contained antioxidant prenylflavonoids. In particular, not only the glandular trichome but also the leaf contained prenylflavonoids, which indicated that M. tanarius may be developed as a functional plant, because the leaves of this plant can be easily collected.

26-29

Authors: Waraporn Noikong, Chalobol Wongsawad

Objective To analyze the prevalence of echinostome metacercariae inFilopaludina dorliaris (F. dorliaris) and Filopaludina martensi martensi (F. martensi martensi) and genotype variation of echinostome metacercariae by using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Methods Filopaludina sp. snails were collected from eight localities of Lamphun Province, Northern Thailand and examined for echinostome metacercariae. RAPD-PCR was used to analyze genotype variation of echinostome metacercariae. Results A total of 3 226 F. dorliaris and F. martensi martensi snails were collected from eight localities. The overall prevalences of echinostome metacercariae in F. dorliaris and F. martensi martensi were 40.89% and 36.27%, while the intensity of infection was 20.37 and 12.04, respectively. The dendrogram constructed base on RAPD profiles, 4 well supported domains were generated; (i) group of metacercariae from Ban Hong, Mae Ta, Meaung, Pa Sang, Toong Hua Chang, and Weang Nong that were clustered in the group of E. revolutum, (ii) Ban Thi, (iii) Lee, and (iv) 3 adults of an out group. Conclusions This research demonstrated RAPD profiling has been a useful tool to detect DNA polymorphisms to determine genetic relationship between echinostome metacercariae in Lamphun Province, Northern Thailand.

34-39

Authors: EU Amuta, RS Houmsou

Objective To determine the prevalence and intensity of infection and the risk factors associated with urinary schistosomiasis in pre-school and school aged children in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. Methods Urine filtration technique using polycarbonate membrane filters was employed to process urine specimens and to determine presence of Schistosoma haematobium eggs in urine. Questionnaires were also administered to children to collect information on socio-demographic data and water-contact activities. Results An overall prevalence of 55.0% (165/300) was recorded out of the 300 urine samples examined. Prevalence of infection varied between 36.0%-64.0% with a significant difference (χ2= 11.59, P=0.041) between the different communities visited. Males were more infected (60.6%, 103/170) than females (47.7%, 62/130) with a significant difference (χ2= 4.95, P=0.026). The age-related prevalence showed higher prevalence (70.5%, 36/52) in the 11-15 year old children than that in the 1-5 year old ones (44.9%, 53/118). A significant difference was observed in the prevalence between the age groups (χ2=10.56, P=0.014). The prevalence of light intensity of infection (1-49 eggs/10 mL of urine) (86.6%) was significantly higher than that of heavy intensity of infection (≥50 eggs/10 mL of urine) (13.3%) in the area (t=16.48, P=0.000). Water contact activities of the children revealed that children that were involved in irrigation and those that went swimming in water bodies were observed to be at higher risk of becoming infected with urinary schistosomiasis in the area with odd ratios (risk factors) of 2.756 (1.334-5.693) and 2.366 (1.131-4.948) respectively at P<0.05 level. Conclusions The study revealed the hyperendemicity of urinary schistosomiasis in the pre-school and school aged children in Guma Local Government Area. It is therefore recommended that praziquantel should be administered to children in the area and systematic epidemiological studies should be undertaken in the whole Local Government Area and the State at large to discover new foci of infection.

44-47

Authors: Dong Wang, Xiang Li, Jing Liu, Jun Li, Li-Jun Li, Ming-Xing Qiu

Objective To study the expression of TRPC6 among prostate cancer cells, establish high expression cell lines of TRPC6, and to provide potential cell mode for prostate cancer oncogenesis and development. Methods Occurrence and development of prostate cancer cells, PC3, PC-3 m DU145, 22 rv1, LNCaP and normal prostate epithelial cells in the PrEC TRPC6 expression level were detected by QPCR method. Calcium phosphate transfection method was used to package retrovirus pLEGFP-N1-TRPC6 and pLEGFP-N1-vector and infect the prostate cancer cells, a stable high expression of TRPC6 prostate cancer cells. Sable cell lines of TRPC6, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2, MMP9 expression was detected by QPCR and Western blot. Change of cell invasion ability was detected by Transwell. Results The expression level of prostate cancer cells TRPC6 were higher than control group PrEC cells. Among TPRC6 the expression of cell line PC 3 transfer potential wre the lowest, and high transfer cell line PC-3M express was the highest. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and western blot results showed that after filter, the seventh generation of cell TRPC6 protein and mRNA expression levels were higher than the control group obviously. Transwell experimental results showed that the overexpression of TRPC6 could promote the invasion ability of PC3 prostate cancer cells. Conclusions TRPC6 expressed in prostate cancer cells is in disorder, and its action may be associated with the invasion and metastasis of prostate cancer cells; successful establishment of stable high expression of TRPC6 prostate cancer cells primarily confirm the invasion-trigger ability of TRPC6 on prostate cancer, and lay down the Foundation for exploring the TRPC6's role in the occurrence and development of prostate cancer mechanism.

55-62

Authors: Xiu-Hua Wang, Ling-Zhi Dou, Can Gu, Xiao-Qing Wang

Objective To investigate the alteration of plasma levels of omentin-1 and visfatin in elderly patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and heart failure. Methods Plasma omentin-1 and visfatin levels were measured in 90 subjects (29 stable angina pectoris (SAP) cases, 30 unstable angina pectoris (UAP) cases and 31 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (age ≥ 60 years) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. According to the New York Heart Association classification, 59 CHDs were divided into three groups: functional I class, 11 cases; functional II/III class, 36 cases; and functional IV class, 12 cases. Results The plasma level of omentin-1 in CHD patients was significantly lower than that of the control group. Omentin-1in SAP group and UAP group were significantly lower compared to the control group (there was no statistical significance between UAP group and SAP group; P >0.05). The plasma level of visfatin in CHD patients was significantly higher than that of the control group. Similarly, visfatin in SAP group and UAP group were all significantly higher compared to the control group, while there was no statistical significance between UAP group, and SAP group. The plasma omentin-1 level was negatively correlated with SBP (r=-0.264, P<0.05), positively correlated with HDL-c level (r=0.271, P<0.05); the plasma visfatin level was positively correlated with TC (r=0.292,P<0.05), negatively correlated with HDL-c level (r=-0.266,P<0.05). There was a negative correlation between plasma omentin-1 and visfatin levels (r=-0.280, P<0.05). Moreover, multiple linear stepwise regression analysis showed that omentin-1 and visfatin levels might be affected by HDL-c level. Logistic regression analysis showed that visfatin could be an independent risk factor of CHD. Conclusions Decreased levels of omentin-1 and increased levels of visfatin may be involved in the occurrence and development of CHD. Omentin-1 and visfatin, independently, may be protective and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, both omentin-1 and visfatin may be related to lipid metabolism. Visfatin may be an independent risk factor of CHD.

67-70

Authors: Zhen Su, Wei Cai

Objective To investigate the protective effect of penehvclidine hvdrochloride on ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Methods The model of ischemia-reperfusion injury was established in rats through clamping rental pedicles for 50 min followed by reperfusion. A total of 60 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups including fake surgery group, model group, low PHC dosage group and high dosage penehvclidine hvdrochloride (PHC) group. Seven days before the experiment, rats in fake surgery group and model group were given 10 mL/kg normal saline, while rats in low PHC dosage group and high dosage PHC group were given 200 and 50 mg/kg PHC, respectively. The urine volume, diet volume, Cre, PU, BUN, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, NO MDA concentration, SOD and GSH-Px were determined. Results Compared with rats in model group, decreased urine volume, diet volume, Cre, PU, BUN, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, NO MDA concentration and increased SOD and GSH-Px activity could be seen in low PHC dosage group and high dosage PHC group (P<0.05). Conclusions Administration of PHC before ischemia-reperfusion injury can help protect ischemia-reperfusion injury.

76-82

Authors: Ge-Liang Liu, Han-Jie Yang, Tian Liu, Yun-Zhao Lin

Objective To study the expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, TGF-β1 and Twist protein and investigate its significance in the occurrence and development of prostate cancer. Methods The expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, TGF-β1 and Twist protein in 59 prostate cancer tissues and 21 adjacent tissues were detected by immunohistochemical SABC staining, and the correlation with clinicopathological features was analyzed. Results Positive rates of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, TGF-β1 and Twist were 32.2%, 54.2%, 71.2% and 74.6%, respectively, in prostate cancer tissues and 85.7%, 9.52%, 19.0% and 9.52%, respectively, in cancer-adjacent tissues, with significant differences between the two groups (P<0.05). The reduced expression of E-cadherin was related to the differentiation of prostate cancer tissues and PSA level, but was not associated with clinical stage, lymph node metastasis, bony metastasis and age. The increased expression of N-cadherin, TGF-β1 and Twist was related to the differentiation of prostate cancer tissues, clinical stage, lymph node metastasis, bony metastasis, but not to age. The difference in positive expression of N-cadherin and TGF-β1 was significant between PSA≤20 μg/L group and PSA>20μg/L group, but the positive expression of Twist was not significant between groups. The expression of E-cadherin was highly negatively correlated with that of N-cadherin and also highly negatively correlated with that of Twist. The expression of TGF-β1 was correlated with those of E-cadherin, N-cadherin and Twist. Conclusions The reduced expression of E-cadherin, abnormal expression of N-cadherin, transformation form E-cadherin to N-cadherin and the increased expression of TGF-β1 and Twist play an important role in the occurrence and development of prostate cancer.