Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine

220-228

Authors: Ee Leen Pang, Hwei-San Loh

Dengue has been ranked as one of the top emerging diseases in Asia and Latin America. Current epidemiological data may not even reflect the true burden of disease due to under-reported figures. Vector control programmes have failed to contain the disease and worst of all, no specific treatment is available at the moment. Thereby, this pushes the demand for a dengue vaccine as a long-term protective approach. Despite there are numerous vaccine candidates ahead, they could be held back by different aspects in promoting vaccine implementation. Particularly for developing nations, logistics and cost are the major hurdles that need to be addressed in order to provide a quick yet affordable medical relief. As an alternative, plant-based vaccine production system is able to offer an attractive prospect given to its advantages of biocontainment warranty, low operation cost, rapid scalability and logistics flexibility. Researches that have embarked on this scope are laid out and reviewed in terms of the feasibility of plant system to serve as a biofactory for dengue vaccine.

238-252

Authors: Natthachai Duangnin, Thanyaluck Phitak, Peraphan Pothacharoen, Prachya Kongtawelert

Objective: To investigate the biological effects of the Mucuna pruriens (M. pruriens) seed extracts that lacked L-DOPA, which was formerly reported as the active ingredient, on erectile dysfunction (ED) both in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Seed of M. pruriens plant that cultivated in Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, was collected. Component of its seeds were extracted and isolated into 2 fractions using methanol, polar and nonpolar. Each fraction was investigated for phytochemicals using gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy and was screened for biological activity in vitro using three different cell lines. The most biological active fraction was used to treatboth streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetesmellitus-erectile dysfunction(DM-ED)male Wistar rats and normal rats (n = 6 per groups) to compare the effect on sexual behavior parameters, including number of intromission,mounting and ejaculation,with that of rats given Sildenafil by individually pairing with their female counterparts. Penile tissues and serums were collected to determine histological structure, related gene expression and biomolecules. Results: The phytochemicals of the polar fraction were possibly catechol and its derivatives plus polyphenols, whereas the nonpolar fraction consisted of lipid derivatives. LDOPA was not detected in either of the extracts. The polar fraction was able to upregulate the expression of ED-related genes including eNOS and nNOS in vitro which subsequently promotes nitric oxide production and maintains intracellular cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels. When administrated to DM-ED rats, the polar extract significantly improved all sexual behavior parameters in DM-ED rats compared to untreated group (18.3 ± 1.8 to 10.8 ± 2.9 for intromission, 9.8 ± 2.2 to 5.7 ± 1.3 for mounting, and 1.8 ± 0.6 to 0.2 ± 0.4 for ejaculation). That effect might due to the ability of the extract to stimulate the expression of eNOS and nNOS which results in nitric oxide production and subsequently maintains cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels in penile tissue. Moreover, this extract may also prevent penile tissue deterioration due to diabetes. Conclusions: The polar extract of M. pruriens seed can be used for ED therapy, especially in patients with metabolic diseases including diabetes. The action of the extract might be due to catechol and its derivatives and polyphenols.

263-269

Authors: Amel Laouar1, Fahima Klibet2, Ezzeddine Bourogaa3, Amel Benamara, Amel Boumendjel, Azzedine Chefrour, Mahfoud Messarah

Objective: To investigate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties of Juniperus phoenicea (J. phoenicea) berries against CCl4-induced oxidative damage in rats. Methods: Hepatotoxicity was induced in albino Wistar rats by single dose of CCl4 dissolved in olive oil (1 mL/kg BW, 1/1 in olive oil, i.p.). Aqueous extract of J. phoenicea berries (AEJP) was administered at the dose of 250 mg/kg/day by gavage for 12 days. Results: Obtained results revealed that administration of CCl4 caused a significant increase in plasma ASAT, ALAT, ALP and LDH activities and total bilirubin concentration, compared to the control group. While, albumin and total protein concentration were significantly lower. Additionally, a significant decrease in the level of hepatic GSH, GPx and GST activities associated with a significant increase of MDA content in CCl4 group than those of the control. However, the treatment of experimental rats with AEJP prevented these alterations and maintained the antioxidant status. The histopathological observations supported the biochemical evidences of hepatoprotection. Conclusions: The results of the present investigation indicate that J. Phoenicea possesses hepatoprotective activity and this effect was may be due to its antioxidant properties.

278-284

Authors: S.M. Indumathi, S.S. Khora

Objective: To assess the toxicity of the pufferfish Takifugu oblongus, from Chennai coast, Tamil Nadu, India and to detect the presence of Tetrodotoxin (TTX). Methods: The toxicity was evaluated by mouse bioassay using Swiss Albino mice which were expressed in mouse units (MU). Gross anatomical features were observed which is followed by histopathology of the dead mice tissues to establish the toxicity. Instrumental analysis for the presence of tetrodotoxin was also performed through GC–MS and HPLC. Results: The toxicity of ovary was the maximum with 163 MU/g and lowest toxicity was observed in skin with 75.88 MU/g. Histopathological analyses of the dead mice showed various cellular degenerations and inflammations. The amount of Tetrodotoxin detected through GC–MS and HPLC was more reliable and sensitive than the customary mouse bioassay as instrumental analyses were able to detect even nanograms of the toxin. Conclusions: The present study evidently proved that Takifugu oblongus is highly toxic and consumption of the same can pose serious threat for health and possible lethality to humans.

292-298

Authors: Mattia Sanna, Ying-Hen Hsieh

Objective: To investigate whether major dengue outbreaks in the last two decades in Kaohsiung follow a precise temporal pattern. Methods: Government daily lab-confirmed dengue case data from three major dengue outbreaks occurring during the last two decades in Kaohsiung in 2002, 2014 and 2015, is utilized to compute the corresponding weekly cumulative percentage of total case numbers. We divide each of the three time series data into two periods to examine the corresponding weekly cumulative percentages of case numbers for each period. Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated to compare quantitatively the similarity between the temporal patterns of these three years. Results: Three cutoff points produce the most interesting comparisons and the most different outcomes. Pearson's correlation coefficient indicates quantitative discrepancies in the similarity between temporal patterns of the three years when using different cutoff points. Conclusions: Temporal patterns in 2002 and 2014 are comparatively more similar in early stage. The 2015 outbreak started late in the year, but ended more like the outbreak in 2014, both with record-breaking number of cases. The retrospective analysis shows that the temporal dynamics of dengue outbreaks in Kaohsiung can strongly vary from one year to another, making it difficult to identify any common predictor.

305-310

Authors: Maria Maqsood, Dildar Ahmed, Iqra Atique, Wajeeha Malik

Objective: To explore pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity under different extraction conditions in order to track the most potent extract. Methods: The methanolic extract and its fractions in solvents of increasing polarity, ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water, were made through cold maceration. Extracts in ethanol, ethyl acetate, acetone and chloroform were similarly prepared. Aqueous extract was prepared through hot decoction method. A reported method was used to determine lipase inhibitory activity of extracts and fractions over wide ranges of concentrations. Results: The extracts and fractions exhibited concentration dependent activity. The IC50 (mg/mL) values of methanolic, ethanolic, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone, ethyl acetate (after washing with water) and aqueous decoction were 293.40, 266.47, 157.59, 182.12, 352.34, 257.00, and 190.00, respectively. The activity of chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts were close to that of the drug orlistat (IC50 146 mg/mL). Out of the fractions of the methanolic extract, the chloroform fraction was most active (IC50 189.6 mg/mL). The order of inhibitory activity of the fractions was as follows: chloroform ＞ether＞n-butanolic＞aqueous＞ethyl acetate. The GC/MS analysis of the most active chloroform faction showed the presence of hexadecanoic acid, methyl hexadecanoate, isopropyl palmitate, methyl 9,12-octadecadienate, and methyl 9,12,15-octadecatrienoate. Conclusions: The study suggests that Lagenaria siceraria has potential to inhibit pancreatic lipase activity, suppressing lipid digestion and thereby diminishing entry of lipids into the body. Regular intake of aqueous decoction of the fruit may therefore be recommended for control of obesity. Fatty acids and their esters may play role as inhibitors of lipase.

315-319

Authors: Mervat Mashaly, Nairmen Nabih, Iman M. Fawzy, Abeer A. El Henawy

Objective: To assess the concurrent toxoplasmosis infection in Egyptian TB patients and the impact of each infection on the other in terms of increased severity of TB or reactivation of latent Toxoplasma infection. Methods: Three hundred suspected pulmonary TB cases were initially screened for TB using direct Ziehl Neelsen staining and Lowenstein Jensen culture of their sputa. Rifampicin resistance was detected by Xpert MTB/RIF assay. Control group of 30 age and sex-matched healthy individuals negative for TB was included for comparison. All subjects were further assessed for serum levels of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies and malondialdehyde (MDA). Results: Forty three confirmed TB-infected patients including 10 (23.3%) rifampicinresistant patients were detected. Associated toxoplasmosis was found to be significantly higher among TB patients (OR = 2.709; 95% CI: 1.034–7.099; P < 0.05) and among rifampicin sensitive than rifampicin resistant TB patients (OR=0.213; 95% CI: 0.048– 0.951; P < 0.05). Serum levels of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies and MDA were significantly higher among TB patients than the control group. Furthermore, serum level of MDA was significantly higher among TB/Toxoplasma co-infected patients as compared to toxoplasmosis free-TB patients. Strong positive correlation was detected between serum levels of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and MDA in TB patients (r = 0.75, P = 0.001). Conclusions: Among pulmonary TB Egyptian patients, there is a considerable prevalence of toxoplasmosis. Severity of pulmonary tuberculosis could be increased by Toxoplasma co-infection.