Regulation of Apolipoprotein A-1 and Apolipoprotein B100 Genes by Thymoquinone Rich Fraction and Thymoquinone in HEPG2 Cells.

Thymoquinone (TQ) rich fraction (TQRF) extracted from Nigella sativa seeds using a supercritical fluid extraction technique was prepared. The regulatory effects of TQRF at 80 µg/mL and commercial TQ at 2 µg/mL on apolipoprotein B100 (Apo B100) and apolipoprotein A-1 (Apo A-1) genes in the presence or absence of 25-hydroxycholesterol (25OH), were investigated in human HepG2 cell line using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Incubating HepG2 cells in 10% human lipoprotein deficient serum (HLPDS) for 24 h in the presence of 2 µg/mL 25OH showed a significant increase in Apo B100 mRNA expression level by twofold compared to the control cells; on the other hand, no significant change in Apo A-1 mRNA level was observed. When cells were incubated with HLPDS in the absence of 25OH and treated with TQRF and TQ, the mRNA level of Apo B100 was down-regulated by 70 and 49%, respectively, in TQRF and TQ treated cells compared to untreated cells. Apo A-1 gene was up-regulated by four- and twofold in TQRF and TQ treated cells, respectively, compared to that observed in untreated cells. The present study clearly shows that TQRF and TQ are effective in regulating Apo A-1 and Apo B100 genes that influence cholesterol metabolism in HepG2 cells

A survey of weeds present in AL- Qatten Diroctorate Farms Hadhramout Governorate

An exclusive study of weeds present in Alqatten Directorate farms, was carried out this study aimed to identify types and number of weeds in the farms. The study area included (20) Farms in five different regions. 39 plant species belonging to 20 plant Family have been identified. Grassy famil was the most present with 7 species. the most wide spread grass was, Cynodon dactylon and Setaria verticillata; as they were found in all studied farms. While Withania somnifera and Rhazya stricta, were less prevalent, as they were present in two farms only.The study reveals that there is defference in the number of weed plants in the farms studied. The high number of weed types was found at Hasinat1 farm in Algatten area, where (27) type were found . the minimum number of weeds was found in Alaneen area, at Achariqih farm, where (14) types only were found

Thoracoscopic enucleation of esophageal leiomyoma in patient with men I syndrome

Minimal invasive thoracic surgery is growing rapidly and may become the standard of care for certain diseases. Its benefits over traditional surgery, including reduced morbidities and hospital stay, have been well established in several reports. We herein report a case of midesophageal leiomyoma in a patient with MEN I syndrome successfully enucleated by thoracoscopy highlighting the technical details of the procedure

Thoracoscopic enucleation of esophageal leiomyoma in patient with MEN I syndrome

Minimal invasive thoracic surgery is growing rapidly and may become the standard of care for certain diseases. Its benefits over traditional surgery, including reduced morbidities and hospital stay, have been well established in several reports. We herein report a case of midesophageal leiomyoma in a patient with MEN I syndrome successfully enucleated by thoracoscopy highlighting the technical details of the procedure

Nigella sativa: A potential natural protective agent against cardiac dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objectives: To study the effect of Nigella sativa supplementation on cardiac functions in Type 2 diabetic patients treated with oral hypoglycemic agents. Background: Diabetes mellitus is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. A number of reported beneficial effects of N. sativa on cardiovascular function were the inspiration for this study. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients with uncontrolled diabetes (hemoglobin A 1c [HbA 1c ] >7%) and with no known cardiovascular complications were recruited from the outpatient diabetes clinic. They were assigned, by convenience, to two groups; the control group received activated charcoal as placebo while the test group received 2 g/day of powdered N. sativa for 1-year. All patients continued with their standard oral hypoglycemic agents. Echocardiography was used to evaluate the diastolic function, systolic function, and left ventricular mass (LVM) before the intervention and after 6 and 12 months of the treatment. Results: HbA 1c decreased significantly in the N. sativa group but did not change in the control group. Echocardiographic assessment in the control group showed impairment in diastolic function after 12 months, but there were no significant changes in fractional shortening (FS) or ejection fraction (EF). Furthermore, left ventricular (LV) dimensions at diastole and systole, LVM, and LVM index were significantly increased. In N. sativa group, no significant changes were found in diastolic function or LVM. LV dimension at systole was decreased while FS and EF were significantly increased after 6 and 12 months. Conclusion: N. sativa supplementation may protect the hearts of type 2 diabetic patients from diastolic dysfunction while improving LV systolic function

Nigella sativa Improves Glycemic Control and Ameliorates Oxidative Stress in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Placebo Controlled Participant Blinded Clinical Trial

<div><p>Background and Objective</p><p>Oxidative stress plays an important role in pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and its complications. Our previous study has shown glucose lowering effect produced by 3 months supplementation of Nigella sativa (NS) in combination with oral hypoglycemic drugs among type 2 diabetics. This study explored the long term glucose lowering effect (over one year) of NS in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus on oral hypoglycemic drugs and to study its effect on redox status of such patients.</p><p>Methods</p><p>114 type 2 diabetic patients on standard oral hypoglycemic drugs were assigned into 2 groups by convenience. The control group (n = 57) received activated charcoal as placebo and NS group (n = 57) received 2g NS, daily, for one year in addition to their standard medications. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA_1c), C- peptide, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) at the baseline, and every 3 months thereafter were determined. Insulin resistance and β-cell activity were calculated using HOMA 2 calculator.</p><p>Results</p><p>Comparison between the two groups showed a significant drop in FBG (from 180±5.75 to 180±5.59 in control Vs from 195±6.57 to 172 ±5.83 in NS group), HbA1c (from 8.2±0.12 to 8.5±0.14 in control VS from 8.6±0.13 to 8.2±0.14 in NS group), and TBARS (from 48.3±6.89 to 52.9 ±5.82 in control VS from 54.1±4.64 to 41.9 ±3.16 in NS group), in addition to a significant elevation in TAC, SOD and glutathione in NS patients compared to controls. In NS group, insulin resistance was significantly lower, while β-cell activity was significantly higher than the baseline values during the whole treatment period.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Long term supplementation with Nigella sativa improves glucose homeostasis and enhances antioxidant defense system in type 2 diabetic patients treated with oral hypoglycemic drugs.</p><p>Trial Registration</p><p>Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI) <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/CTRI/2013/06/003781" target="_blank">CTRI/2013/06/003781</a></p></div

Comparison of glycemic variables; fasting blood glucose (FBG), hemoglobinA_1c (HbA_1c), C- peptide, insulin resistance, and β-cell activity between the control (placebo) group and N. sativa group at different treatment durations.

<p>Number of patients in parenthesis ()</p><p>*Differences are significant at P ≤ 0.05</p><p>Comparison of glycemic variables; fasting blood glucose (FBG), hemoglobinA_1c (HbA_1c), C- peptide, insulin resistance, and β-cell activity between the control (placebo) group and N. sativa group at different treatment durations.</p

Changes in Fasting blood glucose (FBG), Hemoglobin A_1c (HbA_1c), C- peptide (C-pept), Insulin resistance (IR) and β-cell activity at different treatment durations, compared to their corresponding baseline values, in the control (placebo) and N. sativa groups.

<p>n = number of patients B = baseline values m = months</p><p>Analysis was carried out using Linear Mixed Model in SPSS.</p><p>*Difference is significant at P ≤ 0.05.</p><p>Changes in Fasting blood glucose (FBG), Hemoglobin A_1c (HbA_1c), C- peptide (C-pept), Insulin resistance (IR) and β-cell activity at different treatment durations, compared to their corresponding baseline values, in the control (placebo) and N. sativa groups.</p