Anti-tumour actions of w-3 epoxyfatty acid analogues in breast cancer cells

A significant recent finding was that the unique ω-3-17,18-epoxide of eicosapentaenoic acid decreased cell growth and activated apoptosis. Epoxide formed at the unique ω-3 double bond in eicosapentaenoic acid, but not the regioisomeric epoxides, decreases the rate of cell proliferation and increases apoptosis. A series of ω-3 epoxides of long chain saturated fatty acids and stable bioisosteric urea analogues were synthesized for this project and evaluated for the ability to decrease the viability of four breast cancer cell lines with different characteristics. A pronounced decrease in the viability and increase in the population of cells showing apoptotic characteristics of the highly aggressive epithelial adenocarcinoma-derived MDA-MB-231 cell line occurred after treatment with the epoxides. The pan-caspase inhibitor, z-VAD-fmk, effectively reversed the decrease in cell viability of MDA-MB-231 cells elicited by the same treatment. Findings in the present project suggest that the ω epoxide selectively activates TNF-R1, recruits TRADD and TRAF-2 and activates downstream ASK1-MKK4/MKK7-JNK/p38 MAPK signalling to elicit the killing of breast cancer cells. Activation of Bid was an important event in C20 ω epoxide-mediated apoptosis and JNK activation was important in Bid truncation. The present ω epoxide analogues, but not the urea isosteres, have promising properties as potential anti-tumour agents

Anti-tumour actions of w-3 epoxyfatty acid analogues in breast cancer cells

A significant recent finding was that the unique ω-3-17,18-epoxide of eicosapentaenoic acid decreased cell growth and activated apoptosis. Epoxide formed at the unique ω-3 double bond in eicosapentaenoic acid, but not the regioisomeric epoxides, decreases the rate of cell proliferation and increases apoptosis. A series of ω-3 epoxides of long chain saturated fatty acids and stable bioisosteric urea analogues were synthesized for this project and evaluated for the ability to decrease the viability of four breast cancer cell lines with different characteristics. A pronounced decrease in the viability and increase in the population of cells showing apoptotic characteristics of the highly aggressive epithelial adenocarcinoma-derived MDA-MB-231 cell line occurred after treatment with the epoxides. The pan-caspase inhibitor, z-VAD-fmk, effectively reversed the decrease in cell viability of MDA-MB-231 cells elicited by the same treatment. Findings in the present project suggest that the ω epoxide selectively activates TNF-R1, recruits TRADD and TRAF-2 and activates downstream ASK1-MKK4/MKK7-JNK/p38 MAPK signalling to elicit the killing of breast cancer cells. Activation of Bid was an important event in C20 ω epoxide-mediated apoptosis and JNK activation was important in Bid truncation. The present ω epoxide analogues, but not the urea isosteres, have promising properties as potential anti-tumour agents

Lipid analogues as potential drugs for the regulation of mitochondrial cell death

The mitochondrion plays an important role in the production of energy as ATP, the regulation of cell viability and apoptosis, and the biosynthesis of major structural and regulatory molecules, such as lipids. During ATP production, reactive oxygen species are generated that alter the intracellular redox state and activate apoptosis. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a well-recognized component of the pathogenesis of diseases such as cancer. Understanding mitochondrial function, and how this is dysregulated in disease, offers the opportunity for the development of drug molecules to specifically target such defects. Altered energy metabolism in cancer, in which ATP production occurs largely by glycolysis, rather than by oxidative phosphorylation, is attributable in part to the up-regulation of cell survival signalling cascades. These pathways also regulate the balance between pro- and anti-apoptotic factors that may determine the rate of cell death and proliferation. A number of anti-cancer drugs have been developed that target these factors and one of the most promising groups of agents in this regard are the lipid-based molecules that act directly or indirectly at the mitochondrion. These molecules have emerged in part from an understanding of the mitochondrial actions of naturally occurring fatty acids. Some of these agents have already entered clinical trials because they specifically target known mitochondrial defects in the cancer cell.Support of research in the authors' laboratory by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council is gratefully acknowledged

Mengenalpasti kepelbagaian spesies hidupan akuatik menggunakan analisis taksonomi di Tasik Ghazali, UKM

Kajian mengenai kepelbagaian hidupan akuatik air tawar adalah penting untuk memelihara dan memulihara ekosistem mereka. Pelbagai pembangunan infrastruktur telah dijalankan di sekitar kawasan UKM sejak kebelakangan tahun ini boleh menjejaskan keseimbangan ekosistem dan kawasan persekitaran tersebut. Tujuan kajian ini dilakukan adalah untuk mengenalpasti taburan hidupan akuatik di Tasik Ghazali, UKM yang ditangkap menggunakan tiga alatan tangkapan ikan aktif dan pasif. Sebanyak 1,268 sampel hidupan akuatik air tawar berjaya dikumpulkan pada lima aktiviti persampelan yang berbeza. Hasil pencerapan morfologi mengkategorikan hasil tangkapan ini kepada lapan spesies iaitu Poecilia reticulata, Gambusia affinis, Puntius sp., Betta pugnax, Clarias batrachus, Macrobrachium lanchesteri, Macrobrachium malayanum dan Gyraulus sp. Daripada jumlah ini, spesies ikan yang paling banyak ditangkap adalah Puntius sp.(464) manakala Clarias batrachus merupakan spesies ikan yang paling kurang ditangkap (7). Akhir sekali, jumlah tangkapan hidupan akuatik lain adalah Macrobrachium sp. (294) dan Gyraulus sp. (7)

Phytochemistry, antibacterial and antiviral effects of the fractions of Asplenium nidus leaves aqueous extract

In this study the phytochemical content, antibacterial and antiviral potentials of Asplenium nidus leaves aqueous extract fractions was described. Leaves aqueous extract was fractionated using chloroform, hexane and ethyl acetate. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloid, flavonoids and terpenoids in all fractions with anthraquinones available only in the ethyl acetate fraction. Safety of the fractions on Vero cells was determined from CC50 value i.e. the concentration that reduces 50% of cell viability. The fractions are not cytotoxic with CC50 value ranged from 0.78 to 32 mg/mL. The antibacterial activities of the fractions were evaluated against fifteen pathogenic bacteria by determining the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The MIC and MBC values for the ethyl acetate fraction showed highest bactericidal activity against fourteen bacteria. The antibacterial selectivity indices (SI = CC50/MIC) for the fractions ranged between none to 40.94. The fractions have antiviral potential against Herpes Simplex Virus Type I (HSV-1) with effective concentration that reduces 50% of plaque formation (EC50) were between 0.056 to 0.54 mg/mL and selective index (SI = CC50/EC50) of the fractions ranged between 14 to 59. As a conclusion, fractions from the aqueous extract of A. nidus have potential as antibacterial and antiviral agents that may be attributed by the anthraquinones content

Cytotoxic and Osteoblast Differentiation Induction Properties of Crude Polar Extract of Piper sarmentosum leaves

Piper sarmentosum or ‘kaduk’ is a well-known herb plant in Malaysia. Its extracts were found to exhibit a bone-protective effect against osteoporotic rats. Our study aim is to morphologically observe the effect of P. sarmentosum ethyl acetate extract on the differentiation of human peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) into osteoblasts. P. sarmentosum extracts (1-900 µg/mL) prepared using 1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were used in the cytotoxicity assay. Then, the differentiation assay was performed using concentrations of 1-50 µg/mL. The untreated cells acted as the negative control, while the cells cultured in 50 µg/mL ascorbic acid and 10 mM β-glycerophosphate was a positive control. The cytotoxicity effect and proliferation capacity of the cells were analyzed using Trypan Blue exclusion method, while the differentiation of PBSCs was observed using von Kossa staining and ALP gene expression analysis. The result showed a decrease in cells’ viability in a dose-dependent manner during cytotoxicity assay. After 14 days of the differentiation, a constant rate of proliferation could be observed in the treated cells and positive control, while the untreated cells showed an increase in proliferation. The mineralization of extract-treated cells showed significant differences (p<0.05) as compared to the negative control. The expression of ALP was also upregulated on day 14 of differentiation compared to day 0. In conclusion, the extract was capable to induce osteoblast differentiation of human peripheral blood stem cell and potential to be used in tissue regeneratio

Transportation and acclimation optimisation of wild marble goby (Oxyeleotris marmorata Bleeker, 1852)

The Marble goby (Oxyeleotris marmorata Bleeker) is usually found in freshwater bodies. Due to its high commercial value and demand, it is farmed in cages and pond systems. Marble goby fish are preferred to be freshly killed and processed upon request in Asian restaurants. Currently, there are some challenges faced by fishermen who wish to transport live fish to restaurants or markets due to the traditional method of using water tanks as carriers. These water tanks are usually very heavy and bulky, increasing transportation costs. Furthermore, coping with the survivability of fish post-transportation has proven to be a challenge. This study was aimed at investigating the semi-dry method for fish transport and acclimatization of fish after transport in different tank sizes. In the semi-dry, where fish were covered using a towel transportation method where the survival rate at ~92%. For the acclimation experimental group, stream water was found to be the most appropriate type of water for rearing the marble goby fish, which demonstrated a conspicuous survivability rate of ~83%. whereas, for adaptation, marble goby fish from the wild had a faster adaptation rate in smaller spaces like aquariums as compared to large ‘stock tanks.’ To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that will provide a better understanding of the transportation method, acclimation conditions, and habitat that can lead to a reduction in the mortality rate during the marble goby transit processes

A systematic review of antimicrobial peptides from fish with anticancer properties

Fish is a potential source of various forms of bioactive compounds. It can be used as a source of specific proteins, especially in medicine. Recently, studies related to the use of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from fish are being carried out to find an alternative cure for cancer. To achieve this objective, the AMP used must meet a condition where it possesses the ability to target tumor cells without affecting the normal cell. Therefore, this study aims to systematically review and classify the recent AMPs isolated from fish and their therapeutic activities, focusing on their anticancer and antimicrobial activities. A systematic review of studies published in English between 2017 and 2020 was conducted in PubMed NCBI, Biomed Central, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases using keywords and inclusion and exclusion criteria. A systematic review conducted has identified 38 potential AMPs isolated from fish that have been reported to have antimicrobials activity. Of all of these, 21 AMPs also have anticancer properties. Therefore, it is important to continue to explore and study natural ingredients in developing new approaches in medicine. This research is essential to enable the potential of AMPs to be identified and applied

Epidermal mucus of Anabas testudineus as a promising source of antibacterial and anticancer agents

Anabas testudineus is a sturdy freshwater fish that can live in a polluted environment due to the epidermal mucus (EM) that protects the fish from pathogens or germs. This study explored the functional properties of the EM as a potential antimicrobial and anticancer agent. Inactive Pseudomonas aeruginosa was introduced into fish tanks to stimulate the production of EM. This stimulus significantly increased EM production by more than 100% after 10 days of stimulation, indicating that EM production was influenced by environmental biotic stress. In vitro antibacterial activity tests showed that EM has significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (12 ± 0.23 mm) and P. aeruginosa (10 ± 0.13 mm) at the tested concentration of 1000 μg/mL. Further characterisation against cells showed that EM has a cytotoxic effect against human breast cancer (MCF7) and human melanoma (A375.S2) producing an IC50 value of 4.97 ± 0.25 and 6.27 ± 0.17 mg/mL, respectively. In contrast, no cytotoxicity against normal fibroblast skin cells (HS27) was observed. In addition, apoptosis analysis showed that EM could cause DNA fragmentation of cancer cells, while no effect on normal cells was observed. These findings indicated that EM from A. testudineus could be further studied and explored as an anticancer agent

Perlakuan ikan zebra, Danio rerio di bawah aruhan tekanan bunyi, pemangsa dan persekitaran baru

In this study, we observed the effect of sound, predatory and new enviroment on zebrafish behavior to determine which factor gives the most effect on the fish. Elevation of stress was observed on fishes that were moved consecutively into a container. Interestingly, this does not impair the fish feeding activity, even with the presence of a predator. Transfering of fish into different size of container also did not change the level of stress and anxiety in the fish. Zebrafish were also shown to have high cognitive ability to adapt to new sound condition in the enviroment, prefering constant and slow tempo compared to fast and erratic tempo. In conclusion, external environment such as sound and transfering of fish were able to effect fish behavior