Preliminary toxicological evaluations of Polypeptide-K isolated from Momordica Charantia in laboratory rats.

This study examined the toxicological effects and safety of polypeptide k isolated from the seeds of Momordica charantia in laboratory rats. 30 male Sprague Dawley rats (12 weeks old, bodyweight 180-200 g) were randomly divided into 3 groups (1000 mg/kg, 500 mg and 0 mg/kg). Rats were acclimatized to laboratory conditions for 7 days and at day 8 rats were dosed orally with polypeptide k (in 2% DMSO/normal saline) and the controls received the dosed vehicle only. Rats were then observed for 72 hours before sacrificed. Rats were anaesthetized by pentobarbital (50 mg/kg ip) and 2-3.0 mL of blood was taken by cardiac puncture and rats were scarified by anaesthetic overdose. Immediately, organs (heart, lungs, liver, kidneys) were weigh and taken for histology. Organ sections were then evaluated by a histopathologist. Serum samples were assayed for liver functions (ALT and γ-GT) and kidney functions (BUN and creatinine). All rats showed normal behavior after the dosing and no statistical changes were observed in al blood parameters and organ weight. Histological examinations revealed normal organ structures. In conclusion, dosing of rats up to 1000 mg/kg did not have any effects on the rat behavior, liver or kidney functions nor histology of the selected organs

Synbiotics growth optimization of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum G4 with prebiotics using a statistical methodology

Aims:  This study demonstrated the optimum growth of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum G4 with prebiotics via statistical model.Methods and Results:  Commercial prebiotics [inulin and fructooligosaccharide (FOS)], together with sorbitol, arabinan and inoculum rate, were tested by fractional factorial design to determine their impact on growth of Bif. pseudocatenulatum G4 in skim milk. At 48 h incubation, bacterial growth was mainly influenced by FOS and inoculum rate. Growth reduction was observed in all samples incubated for 72 h. Central composite design (CCD) was adopted using FOS and inoculum rate at 48 h incubation to develop the statistical model for optimization. The model predicted that 2·461 log CFU ml−1 produced the optimum growth increase of Bif. pseudocatenulatum G4. The combination that produced the optimum point was 2·86% FOS (g/v) and 0·67% inoculum rate (v/v).Conclusion:  At optimum combination of inoculum rate and FOS, validation experiments recorded 2·40 ± 10·02 log CFU ml−1. The application in 1-l bioreactor for 24 h showed higher growth increase of 2·95 log CFU ml−1.Significant and Impact of the Study:  Response surface methodology approach is useful to develop optimum synbiotics combination for strain G4 with FOS

Improved blood glucose level associated with polypeptide-K (Diabegard®), a polypeptide isolated from the seeds of Momordica charantia supplementation: evaluation of 6 cases

To describe six cases of glucose management in diabetic and pre-diabetic patients with Diabegard® supplementation. We report the clinical courses of six individuals taking Diabegard® supplementation at 60 and 120 mg/day for 8 weeks. Patients had a maximum of 50% reduction in fasting blood glucose with 42% reduction in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Patients also had improved kidney functions (expressed by normal level of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and urine microalbumin). In some patients, these three parameters were elevated prior to supplementation. These results suggest that supplementation of Diabegard® will improve patients' glucose management and with reduction of elevated blood glucose level, kidney functions will also improve. However, patients taking this supplementation are advised to seek medical consultation in monitoring their blood sugar levels

Effects of Centellaasiatica L., Curcuma longa L., and Strobilanthescrispus L. extracts on 3 kidney cell lines: in vitro cytotoxicity analysis

Objective: This study was carried out to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity to three cell kidney lines by using the 3-(4, 5-d imethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay of three popular medicinal plants used in Malaysia. Methods: Methanol and aqueous extracts of Centellaasiatica L., Strobilanthescrispus L. and Curcuma longa L. were tested at the non-toxic limit concentration at 50 (NTLC50) ranging from 50 µg/ml and 200 µg/ml depending on the cell lines used, i.e. African Green Monkey Kidney (Vero), Baby hamster Kidney (BHK) and Rabbit Kidney (RK) cells. Results: Centellaasiatica L. was the least toxic to the all cell lines tested followed by Strobilanthes crispus L. and Curcuma longa L. Methanol plant extracts inhibited cell growth but not to the aqueous plant extracts. Meanwhile, BHK cells were found to be the most resistant to the plant extracts. Conclusion: This study proves the safety of these plant extracts for future scientific studies in its biomedical properties

A report of six clinical cases of lowered blood cholesterol profile associated with supplementation with polypeptide K (Diabegard®), a polypeptide isolated from the seeds of Momordica charantia Linn

Purpose: To assess six patients with Diabegard® supplementation with reference to cholesterol profiles. Methods: We report the clinical courses of six individuals taking Diabegard® supplementation at 60 and 120 mg/day for 8 weeks. Results: Patients had a maximum of 52.13 % reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, 47.67 % reduction in triglycerides and 35.78 % reduction in total cholesterol (TC) within 8 weeks of Diabegard® supplementation. Interestingly, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol increased by approximately 23.29 %. Patients also had reduced readings for C-reactive protein (CRP) and homocysteine (with maximum reduction of 81.58 % and 57.41 % respectively). In some patients, these parameters were elevated prior to supplementation. Conclusion: These results suggest that supplementation of Diabegard® will improve patients’ cholesterol profile by reduction of LDL and TC. Patients also expressed lower CRP and homocysteine indicating reduced inflammation and reduction of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risk. However, patients taking this supplementation are advised to seek medical consultation in monitoring their cholesterol and other biochemical profile levels

In vivo antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of dried- and fermented-processed virgin coconut oil.

Objective: The present study was carried out to investigate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of virgin coconut oil (VCO) produced by theMalaysian Agriculture Research and Development Institute (MARDI) using various in vivo models. Materials and Methods: Two types of VCOs, produced via standard drying (VCOA) and fermentation (VCOB) processes were used in this study. Both VCOA and VCOB were serially diluted using 1% Tween 80 to concentrations (v/v) of 10, 50 and 100%. Antinociceptive and anti- inflammatory activities of both VCOs were examined using various in vivomodel systems. The antinociceptive activity of the VCOs were compared to those of 1% Tween 80 (used as a negative control), morphine (5 mg/kg) and/or acetylsalicylic acid (100 mg/kg). Results: Both VCOA and VCOB exhibited significant (p < 0.05) dose-dependent antinociceptive activity in the acetic acid-induced writhing test. Both VCOs also exerted significant (p < 0.05) antinociceptive activity in both phases of the formalin and hot-plate tests. Interestingly, the VCOs exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in an acute (carrageenan-induced paw edema test), but not in a chronic (cotton-pellet-induced granuloma test) model of inflammation. Conclusion: The MARDI-produced VCOs possessed antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. Further studies are needed to confirm these observations

Comparative ultrastructural hepatic alterations induced by free and liposome-encapsulated mefenamic acid

Mefenamic acid (MFA) is used as an anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antipyretic agent for treatment of a wide range of pathological disorders. While the uncertainty of its safety and the poor oral bioavailability constitute the major limiting factors of its medical use, considerable efforts including liposomal encapsulation are needed to achieve maximum therapeutic advantages. The current work was conducted to investigate the ultrastructural alterations in the liver induced by free MFA and its liposomal preparation. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with daily oral doses of either free MFA or MFA entrapped in Tween 80 inoculated liposomes at the concentration of 80 mg/kg for 28 days. Ultrathin sections were prepared from biopsies taken from the liver of each member of all animals under study and subjected to examination by transmission electron microscopy. The liver of rats that were exposed to liposomal MFA showed more ultrastructural alterations than the rats treated with the free drug. While both groups of rats demonstrated sinusoidal dilatation, Kupffer cell hyperplasia, mitochondrial damage, and nuclear alterations, rats treated with liposome-encapsulated MFA induced an increase in the multiple lysosomes formation, hepatocytic steatosis, and apoptotic activity than free MFA-treated rats. The ultrastructural findings of the present study indicate that the use of liposomal MFA induces more hepatic damage than the use of free MFA

The effects of combined training on interluken-6 and C reactive protein as non-traditional cardio risk factors in inactive students

Studies have shown a positive association between regular physical activity and reduction of cardio risk factors. The objective of this research was to examine the effects of combined training on some cardio risk factors in inactive students. Thirty healthy inactive men were assigned into two groups: 1) combined training (CTG) (n=15), 2) no-training (NTG) (n=15). The CTG performed 5 resistance exercises and this was followed by 30 minutes of endurance training with 60% -80% HRmax for 8 weeks (3 days per week). Meanwhile, the NT group continued the same activity routine that they had used prior to becoming a study participant. Pre- and post-measures included VO2max, muscle strength, body composition, and blood cardio risk factors. The VO2max and muscle strength significantly (P0.05) and skeletal muscle mass significantly increased in CTG (+0.85kg, P = 0.003). However, these parameters did not show any change in NTG. The concentrations of total cholesterol, TG and LDL in the blood did not significantly change during the study in the two groups (P> 0.05). HDL significantly improved after week 8 of combined training in the CTG. Furthermore, CRP did not change in the two groups (P> 0.05), while the level of interleukin-6 had decreased significantly in the CTG. The results of this study have shown that combined training improves some cardio risk factors, cardiorespiratory fitness, as well as muscle strength and body composition in inactive students

Health status of BALB/c mice orally fed with Bifidobacterium Pseudocatenulatum G4.

Safety profiles of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum G4 and commercial Bifidobacterium longum B536 were evaluated. Groups of BALB/c mice were orally administered sterile skim milk suspensions containing viable B. pseudocatenulatum G4 at 2 x 104, 1 x 108, or 1 x 1011 CFU/day and reference B. longum BB536 at 1 x 108 CFU/day for four weeks. None Bifidobacterium supplemented was used as control. No abnormal clinical signs were revealed during the assessment. There were no noticeable dif erences in food intake; water intake and weight gain between treatment groups. Feeding with strain G4 did not cause any changesin blood biochemistry (Albumin, Glucose, Cholestrol, and Total protein) or haematological (Red blood cell (RBC), Protein cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin, Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), White blood cell (WBC), Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, and Eosinophils) measurements. Hence, this strain of B. pseudocatenulatum evaluated during this study; did not adversely affect the health of the mice and is likely to share the safe status of probiotic bacterium for future application

A comprehensive review on Cosmos caudatus (ulam raja): pharmacology, ethnopharmacology, and phytochemistry

Cosmos caudatus or Ulam Raja in Malay originated from Latin America and transferred to Europe, Africa, and tropical Asia. It has been known for many traditional practices worldwide such as to rigidify bones and tone up blood circulation. The aim of this review is to summarize and discuss the association between phytochemical and pharmacological reports of C. caudatus and their traditional uses via ethnopharmacological approaches. Cosmos caudatus is a traditional medicinal plant used widely for culinary and therapeutic purposes. Phytochemical studies indicated the presence of Phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins, sesquiterpene lactones, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins in leaves while phenylpropanoids were in roots. Pharmacological data have been compiled for diverse activities for fresh leaves and extracts such as antihypertensive, antihyperlipidemic, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant and antiosteoporotic. These activities experimented by in vitro and in vivo studies. Multiple C. caudatus constituents propose many potential actions in different fields such as neuroprotection, antidepression, and gastroprotection