A review on phytochemistry and pharmacological effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum

Background and aims: Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a medicinal plant with potential applications in the medicinal purposes. Fenugreek has been used in food as a flavouring agent since ancient times in many countries like Greece, Rome and Egypt. It has a special place in the traditional medical system. The aim of this study was to review phytochemistry and pharmacological effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum. Methods: This research was a review study. Data were collected using articles in various databases and books about pharmacological effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum. Results: The seeds are rich sources of lipids, protein, mucilage, calcium, dietary fiber B vitamins, Iron, protease inhibitors and several steroid saponins, tiny amounts of alkaloid, furostanol glycosides and steroidal peptide. As a medicinal plant, fenugreek recognized as a galactagogue or lactation stimulant in women after child birth as well as for its ability to treat wounds and sore muscles. In addition, it has the ability to be as antibacterial, anti-ulcer, anti-cancer, anthelmintic (antagonistic effect against parasitic worms), and antinociceptive (pain-reducing) properties. In recent years, laboratory studies and clinical trials have focused on the potential activity of fenugreek as a natural medicine. Conclusion:These studies have shown that fenugreek plants possess immunomodulatory, hypocholesterolaemic, hypoglycaemic, gastro- and hepatoprotective and antioxidative properties. Pharmacological properties of fenugreek have been explored to identify a role for the plant in diabetes management and in cardiovascular health, indicating the presence of bioactive compounds in fenugreek, which may be responsible for its health benefits

Evaluation of the antibacterial activities of skin mucus from Asian swamp eel (Monopterusalbus)

1855-1859The water covers more than two-thirds of the Earth's surface, and almost 90 % of the world's species are found in the water environment. Therefore, it is necessary to explore drugs from marine and freshwater organisms. The skin of marine and freshwater animals are covered with a mucus layer, which acts as a biochemical and mechanical barrier for their skin. This study aimed to investigate the potential antibacterial activity of Asian swamp eel(Monopterusalbus) skin mucus. Aqueous and methanol extracts were prepared to detect the antimicrobial activities with different extract concentrations from 0.49 to 1000 μg/mL against various pathogens, i.e. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The antibacterial activities were determined by measuring the diameter of inhibition zone, minimal inhibitory concentration, minimal bactericidal concentration, inhibition percentage, and survival percentage. The results showed inhibition in bacterial growth, which was treated with both methanol extract and the aqueous extract. However, methanol extract has significantly higher antibacterial activities than the aqueous one. At 100 µl/disc, the inhibition zone of methanol extract against E. coli was10.7 ± 0.17 mm while 9.9 ± 0.06 mm against S. aureus. The percentage of bacterial inhibition for eel skin mucus (ESM) methanol extract against E. coli showed higher inhibition (72.46 %) than against S. aureus(68.45 %) at 1000 µl/mL. ESM aqueous extract showed the highest bacterial survival rate against S. aureus at 7.81 µg/mL, which was 71.11 %, whereas the methanol extract was 58.25 %. The results were statistically significant, with p < 0.001. In conclusion, the current study revealed that eel skin mucus might be considered as a promising source for antibacterial activities

Identification of the bioactive compounds of skin mucus from asian swamp eel (monopterus albus) using liquid chromatography quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Asian swamp eels have been widely accepted as sources of food, especially among various Asian cultures. However, their potential values as novel sources of therapeutic agents have not been widely appreciated. Like most other tropical fishes and amphibians, the outer integumentary system of Monopterus albus is covered with mucus layers, which may act as a mechanical and biochemical barrier for their skin. The biochemical components of these mucus layers may have certain compounds that may be medically beneficial to human. The current study was interested to screen the bioactive compounds of skin mucus from the tropical Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus) using Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole-Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS), for this purpose, eel skin mucus extract was used for LC-QTOF-MS analysis. The screening results for the bioactive compounds revealed different bioactive compounds which possess multiple biological properties mainly anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. In conclusion, the current study illustrated that eel skin mucus contain different bioactive compounds which might be consider as therapeutic-promising agents

Polymeric Nanoparticles for Brain Drug Delivery - A Review

Background: Blood-brain barrier (BBB) is playing a most hindering role in drug delivery to the brain. Recent research comes out with the nanoparticles approach, is continuously working towards improving the delivery to the brain. Currently, polymeric nanoparticle is extensively involved in many therapies for spatial and temporal targeted areas delivery. Methods: We did a non-systematic review, and the literature was searched in Google, Science Direct and PubMed. An overview is provided for the formulation of polymeric nanoparticles using different methods, effect of surface modification on the nanoparticle properties with types of polymeric nanoparticles and preparation methods. An account of different nanomedicine employed with therapeutic agent to cross the BBB alone with biodistribution of the drugs

Ibuprofen-loaded chitosan–lipid nanoconjugate hydrogel with gum arabic: Green synthesis, characterisation, in vitro kinetics mechanistic release study and PGE2 production test

Ibuprofen is a well-known non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medicine that is often used to treat inflammation in general. When given orally, it produces gastrointestinal issues which lead to lower patient compliance. Ibuprofen transdermal administration improves both patient compliance and the efficacy of the drug. Nanoconjugation hydrogels were proposed as a controlled transdermal delivery tool for ibuprofen. Six formulations were prepared using different compositions including chitosan, lipids, gum arabic, and polyvinyl alcohol, through ionic interaction, maturation, and freeze–thaw methods. The formulations were characterised by size, drug conjugation efficiency, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Further analysis of optimised hydrogels was performed, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), rheology, gel fraction and swelling ability, in vitro drug release, and in vitro macrophage prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ) production testing. The effects of ibuprofen’s electrostatic interaction with a lipid or polymer on the physicochemical and dissolution characterisation of ibuprofen hydrogels were evaluated. The results showed that the S3 (with lipid conjugation) hydrogel provided higher conjugation efficiency and prolonged drug release compared with the S6 hydrogel

The therapeutic potential of skin mucus from Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus): In vivo evaluation and histological evidence

Objectives The Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus), is commonly distributed in Asian countries. However, its therapeutic potential has not been thoroughly investigated yet. The current study aimed to evaluate the in-vivo therapeutic properties of the skin mucus of this fish. Methods The eel mucus was collected fleshly and topical gel with carbopol 934 was formulated to study the antibacterial activity on the infected skin of the rats. Sprague Dawley rats were used in the study and divided into 4 groups negative, positive, normal control, and treated groups. Results Intracutaneous injections of pathogenic bacteria (Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus) and fungi (Microsporum gypseum, Candida albicans) were injected into the rats. The development of tinea capitis, impetigo, and cutaneous candidiasis in the animal model was confirmed based on clinical and histopathological observations. To treat the infected rats, a formulated gel of eel skin mucus was applied on the infected rat’s skins topically. The histological analysis confirms a complete recovery in the skin tissues similar to commercial antifungal and antibacterial agents used in the positive control groups. Conclusion The present novel eel skin mucus is an efficient therapeutic candidate in treating skin infections associated with pathogenic microbes

Determination toxic effects of Hystrix Brachyura Bezoar extracts using cancer cell lines and embryo zebrafish (Danio rerio) models and identification of active principles through GC-MS analysis

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Porcupine bezoar (PB) is used as folk medicine for various medical conditions including cancer treatment in Malaysia. However, its toxicity profile has never been thoroughly ascertained to confirm its safe nature as an efficacious traditional medicine in the treatment of cancer as well as other ailments. Aim of the study: This study was aimed to reveal three different PBs’ aqueous extracts(viz. PB-A, PB-B, PB-C) chemical constituent’s profile using GC-MS analysis, anticancer property on A375, HeLa and MCF7 cancer cells, toxicity profile on zebrafish embryo morphology, EC50, LC50 and teratogenicity index. Materials and methods: PBs’ extracts characterization was performed through GC-MS analysis, in vitro anticancer effect was carried out on A375, HeLa and MCF7 cancer cell lines and finally and toxicity properties on three different PBs aqueous extracts (viz. PB-A, PB-B, PB-C) were determined using zebrafish embryo model. Results: The GC-MS analysis revealed 10 similar compounds in all PBs’ extracts. Dilauryl thiodipropionate was found to be a major compound in all PBs’ extracts followed by tetradecanoic acid. An in vitro anticancer study revealed PB extracts exerted median inhibition concentration (IC50) <50 μg/mL, on cancer cells viz. A375, HeLa and MCF7 with no significant toxicity on normal cells viz. NHDF cells. In vivo toxicity of PBs extracts found affecting tail detachment, hatching, craniofacial, brain morphology, soft tissues, edema, spinal, somites, notochord and cardiovascular system (brachycardia, disruption of blood circulation) deformities. The LC50 and EC50 demonstrated PB extracts effect as dose and time dependent with median concentration <150.0 μg/mL. Additionally, teratogenicity index (TI) viz. >1.0 revealed teratogenic property for PB extracts. Conclusions: The findings revealed that all three PBs aqueous extracts possessed anticancer activity and exhibited significant toxicological effects on zebrafish embryos with high teratogenicity index. Hence, its use as an anticancer agent requires further investigation and medical attentions to determine its safe dose

Activation of apoptotic cell death by skin mucus from Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus) against human lung cancer cell line

Abstract. Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus) is a freshwater fish which distributed widely in the East of India mainly across Malay Peninsula and Indochinese Peninsula, it is also broadly distributed in the Southern areas of East Asia including, southeastern China, Western Japanese Archipelago, and Korean Peninsula. It lives in muddy places, rice paddies, and slow-flowing currents areas. It has a unique morphological elongated body which is similar to snake and covered with a thick layer of mucus. The objective of this study is to screen the cytotoxic activity of eel skin mucus extracts and to evaluate the mechanism of cell death apoptosis or necrosis based on caspases activity assays. For this purpose eel skin mucus was collected from healthy fresh eels to prepare aqueous and methanol extracts. Preliminary cytotoxicity study was demonstrated against Non-small-cell lung carcinoma cell line (A549) using cell viability assay which revealed that methanol extract was more potent than aqueous extract based on the response of ESM methanol and aqueous extracts to the relevant IC50 concentrations as IC50 values were 621±0.09 µg/mL and 845 ± 0.25 µg/mL respectively. Subsequently cell death was induced through triggering apoptosis by the activation of caspase-3/7, 8 and 9. In conclusion, the present study has revealed the cytotoxic potentials of eel skin mucus which may lead to the development of new anticancer agents. Keywords: Monopterus albus; cytotoxic activity; apoptosis; caspase

Evaluation of the antibacterial activities of skin mucus from Asian swamp eel (Monopterusalbus)

The water covers more than two-thirds of the Earth's surface, and almost 90 % of the world's species are found in the water environment. Therefore, it is necessary to explore drugs from marine and freshwater organisms. The skin of marine and freshwater animals are covered with a mucus layer, which acts as a biochemical and mechanical barrier for their skin. This study aimed to investigate the potential antibacterial activity of Asian swamp eel(Monopterusalbus) skin mucus. Aqueous and methanol extracts were prepared to detect the antimicrobial activities with different extract concentrations from 0.49 to 1000 μg/mL against various pathogens, i.e. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The antibacterial activities were determined by measuring the diameter of inhibition zone, minimal inhibitory concentration, minimal bactericidal concentration, inhibition percentage, and survival percentage. The results showed inhibition in bacterial growth, which was treated with both methanol extract and the aqueous extract. However, methanol extract has significantly higher antibacterial activities than the aqueous one. At 100 µl/disc, the inhibition zone of methanol extract against E. coli was10.7 ± 0.17 mm while 9.9 ± 0.06 mm against S. aureus. The percentage of bacterial inhibition for eel skin mucus (ESM) methanol extract against E. coli showed higher inhibition (72.46 %) than against S. aureus(68.45 %) at 1000 µl/mL. ESM aqueous extract showed the highest bacterial survival rate against S. aureus at 7.81 µg/mL, which was 71.11 %, whereas the methanol extract was 58.25 %. The results were statistically significant, with p < 0.001. In conclusion, the current study revealed that eel skin mucus might be considered as a promising source for antibacterial activities

Parkinson’s Disease - A review on treatment strategies and its advances

Parkinson Disease is an incurable neurological disease which affects the Central Nervous System. It is basically a progressive movement disorder that causes motor and non-motor symptoms. As per reported in Parkinson’s News Today, it is estimated over 10 million people worldwide is affected with Parkinsonism. Eventhough it affects people of elderly age (>50 years old), there are still cases affecting younger generation due to genetic factors and others [1,2]. There are many therapies that has been established since early 70s, however advances in the treatment is crucial to adapt with the seriousness of the cases as it affects daily life of themselves and people around them. A PD patient even suffers into Parkinson’s derived depression or may lead to Alzheimers as well. This review discusses on the current strategies to overcome PD as well as newly improved formulations and other strategies like Deep Brain Stimulation, Focussed Ultrasound Surgery and other treatments