Effect of Andrographis paniculata and Psidium guajava leaves on growth performance and carcass of broiler chicken

A six-week experiment was conducted to study the effects of Andrographis paniculata (AP) and Psidium guajava (PG) on the growth performance and carcass quality of broiler chickens. Six hundred one-day-old (mixed sex) broiler chicks were used in ten dietary treatments, in a completely randomized design experiment. There were three replications in each treatment with 20 chicks per pen. The dietary treatments were 1) basal diet (control), 2) basal diet + antibiotic, 3) basal diet + 0.2% AP, 4) basal diet + 0.4% AP, 5) basal diet + 0.2% PG, 6) basal diet + 0.4% PG, 7) basal diet + 0.2% AP + 0.2% PG, 8) basal diet + 0.2% AP + 0.4% PG, 9) basal diet + 0.4% AP + 0.2% PG and 10) basal diet + 0.4% AP + 0.4% PG From 0-3, 3-6 and 0-6 weeks, feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and mortality rate were not significantly different (P>0.05) among treatments. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in percentages of eviscerated carcass, breast and leg among chicken fed different diets However, percentage of abdominal fat of male chicken fed basal diet + 0.2% AP + 0.2% PG were lower (P<0.05) than other treatments while female chickens fed the same diet were not statistically different

Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Activities of Antidesma thwaitesianum Müll Arg (Euphorbiaceae) Fruit and Fruit Waste Extracts

Purpose: To investigate the cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of the fruit and fruit waste (residue and marc) extracts of Antidesma thwaitesianum Müll. Arg., known as mamao in Thai, using chemical and cell-based assays.Methods: The cytotoxicity of mamao fruit and fruit waste extracts obtained by expression, maceration and decoction against a panel of six human cancer cell lines (COR-L23, A549, LS174T, PC-3, MCF7 and HeLa) was determined by sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. In addition, their antioxidant activities were measured by chemical methods: 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging assay and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and cell-based methods: nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) dye reduction assay and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging assay. The phenolic and flavonoid contents were assessed colorimetrically at 765 nm and 415 nm respectively.Results: Among the test extracts, the ethanol extracts of fresh fruits (FME) and marc left after squeezing fresh fruits (MME) exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against human breast MCF7 cells while the extract obtained by decocting the residue left after maceration of dried fruits (RDW) was moderately cytotoxic to lung large cell carcinoma COR-L23 cells. In the chemical assays, the extract obtained by decocting the residue left after maceration of dried marc (RMW) displayed the strongest ABTS radicalscavenging and ferric-reducing activities among the extracts. In the cell-based assays, however, FME and DME exerted potent nitric oxide scavenging activity whereas the extract obtained by decocting the residue left after maceration of fresh fruits (RFW) showed moderate superoxide radical-scavenging activity relative to the test extracts. The ABTS radical-scavenging and ferric-reducing activities of these extracts strongly correlate with their phenolic and flavonoid contents, indicating their specific contributions to such activities.Conclusion: The ethanol extracts of fresh and dried mamao fruits exhibit both cytotoxic and cellular antioxidant activities, and thus possess great potentials for application in the development of effective dietary supplements to prevent oxidative stress-induced diseases.Keywords: Antidesma thwaitesianum Müll. Arg., Cytotoxicity, Lung cell carcinoma, Antioxidant activity, Cellular assay

The Clinical Efficacy and Safety of the Sahastara Remedy versus Diclofenac in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Double-Blind, Randomized, and Controlled Trial

Introduction. The Sahastara (SHT) remedy is a Thai traditional medicine that has been acknowledged in the Thai National List of Essential Medicine and has been used as an alternative medicine to treat knee osteoarthritis. Although SHT remedies have been used in Thai traditional medical practices for a long period of time, there are few reports on their clinical trials. Aim of the Study. To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of the SHT remedy in treating OA of the knee when compared to diclofenac. Methods. A phase 2, double-blind, randomized, and controlled trial study with a purpose to determine the clinical efficacy and safety of SHT in comparison with diclofenac for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Sixty-six patients, ages between 45 and 80 years of age, were randomly allocated into 2 groups. The SHT group received 1,000 mg of SHT powdered capsules 3 times per day, orally before meals, while another group received 25 mg of diclofenac sodium capsules 3 times a day, orally after meals for 28 days. All patients were followed up at 14 and 28 days for the evaluation of the efficacy and safety by using clinical examinations, blood tests, a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, and the 100-meter walktime test. Improvement on the quality of life was also assessed by the WOMAC index. Results. There were 31 and 30 patients in SHT and diclofenac groups, respectively, who had completed the study. Both medications have shown to significantly reduce the VAS for pain, and significantly improve the 100-meter walktime test and the WOMAC index score. However, there were no differences in the efficacy between the two groups. The blood chemistry showed no toxicity on renal and/or liver functions after taking SHT for 28 days but the patients who took diclofenac showed significant increases in their AST, ALT, and ALP. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure slightly increased in the diclofenac group but the SHT group did not effect on blood pressure. Conclusions. The SHT remedy is similar to diclofenac in all evaluating symptoms of OA knee. However, the SHT remedy has shown to be a good alternative treatment for OA knee with less systemic side effects when it was compared with diclofenac

Anticancer activities against cholangiocarcinoma, toxicity and pharmacological activities of Thai medicinal plants in animal models

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Chemotherapy of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a devastating cancer with increasing worldwide incidence and mortality rates, is largely ineffective. The discovery and development of effective chemotherapeutics is urgently needed.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>The study aimed at evaluating anticancer activities, toxicity, and pharmacological activities of the curcumin compound (CUR), the crude ethanolic extracts of rhizomes of <it>Zingiber officinale </it>Roscoe (Ginger: ZO) and <it>Atractylodes lancea </it>thung. DC (Khod-Kha-Mao: AL), fruits of <it>Piper chaba </it>Hunt. (De-Plee: PC), and Pra-Sa-Prao-Yhai formulation (a mixture of parts of 18 Thai medicinal plants: PPF) were investigated in animal models. Anti-cholangiocarcinoma (anti-CCA) was assessed using CCA-xenograft nude mouse model. The antihypertensive, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and anti-ulcer activities and effects on motor coordination were investigated using Rota-rod test, CODA tail-cuff system, writhing and hot plate tests, carrageenan-induced paw edema test, brewer's yeast test, and alcohol-induced gastric ulcer test, respectively. Acute and subacute toxicity tests were performed according to the OECD guideline for testing of chemicals with modification.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Promising anticancer activity against CCA in nude mouse xenograft model was shown for the ethanolic extract of AL at all oral dose levels (1000, 3000, and 5000 mg/kg body weight) as well as the extracts of ZO, PPF, and CUR compound at the highest dose level (5000, 4000, and 5000 mg/kg body weight, respectively). PC produced no significant anti-CCA activity. Results from acute and subacute toxicity tests both in mice and rats indicate safety profiles of all the test materials in a broad range of dose levels. No significant toxicity except stomach irritation and general CNS depressant signs were observed. Investigation of pharmacological activities of the test materials revealed promising anti-inflammatory (ZO, PPF, and AL), analgesic (CUR and PPF), antipyretic (CUR and AL), antihypertensive (ZO and AL), and anti-ulcer (CUR, ZO, and AL) activities.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Plants used in Thai traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments may provide reservoirs of promising candidate chemotherapeutics for the treatment of CCA.</p

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Benjakul Remedy Extract for Treating Primary Osteoarthritis of Knee Compared with Diclofenac: Double Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial

Background. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of Benjakul (BJK) extract for treating primary osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee compared with diclofenac. Methods. A phase 2, double blind, randomized, and controlled study was conducted. The BJK group received 300 mg of BJK extract per day, while another group received 75 mg of diclofenac per day. All patients were followed up at 14 and 28 days. The changing of visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, 100-meter walking times, the modified Thai WOMAC index scores, and the global assessment were evaluated for efficacy. For safety issue, clinical signs and symptoms, complete physical examination, and renal and liver function were evaluated. Results. 39 and 38 patients for BJK extract group and diclofenac group were evaluated. For efficacy, all patients from both groups reported a decrease in the VAS pain score and 100-meter walking times but only the diclofenac group showed significant reduction of both measurements when compared with day 0. The modified Thai WOMAC scores of both groups were significantly reduced from baseline. However, all efficacy outcomes were not significantly different for both groups. For safety outcomes, the patients from both groups had no severe adverse events reported and only BJK had no toxicity in renal and liver functions. Conclusions. The BJK remedy extract showed equal clinical efficacy in relieving symptoms of OA knee when compared with diclofenac

Cytotoxic activity of Thai medicinal plants against human cholangiocarcinoma, laryngeal and hepatocarcinoma cells in vitro

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cholangiocarcinoma is a serious public health in Thailand with increasing incidence and mortality rates. The present study aimed to investigate cytotoxic activities of crude ethanol extracts of a total of 28 plants and 5 recipes used in Thai folklore medicine against human cholangiocarcinoma (CL-6), human laryngeal (Hep-2), and human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cell lines in vitro.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Cytotoxic activity of the plant extracts against the cancerous cell lines compared with normal cell line (renal epithelial cell: HRE) were assessed using MTT assay. 5-fluorouracil was used as a positive control. The IC₅₀(concentration that inhibits cell growth by 50%) and the selectivity index (SI) were calculated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The extracts from seven plant species (<it>Atractylodes lancea</it>, <it>Kaempferia galangal</it>, <it>Zingiber officinal</it>, <it>Piper chaba</it>, <it>Mesua ferrea</it>, <it>Ligusticum sinense</it>, <it>Mimusops elengi</it>) and one folklore recipe (Pra-Sa-Prao-Yhai) exhibited promising activity against the cholangiocarcinoma CL-6 cell line with survival of less than 50% at the concentration of 50 μg/ml. Among these, the extracts from the five plants and one recipe (<it>Atractylodes lancea</it>, <it>Kaempferia galangal</it>, <it>Zingiber officinal</it>, <it>Piper chaba</it>, <it>Mesua ferrea</it>, and Pra-Sa-Prao-Yhai recipe) showed potent cytotoxic activity with mean IC₅₀values of 24.09, 37.36, 34.26, 40.74, 48.23 and 44.12 μg/ml, respectively. All possessed high activity against Hep-2 cell with mean IC₅₀ranging from 18.93 to 32.40 μg/ml. In contrast, activity against the hepatoma cell HepG2 varied markedly; mean IC₅₀ranged from 9.67 to 115.47 μg/ml. The only promising extract was from <it>Zingiber officinal </it>(IC₅₀= 9.67 μg/ml). The sensitivity of all the four cells to 5-FU also varied according to cell types, particularly with CL-6 cell (IC₅₀= 757 micromolar). The extract from <it>Atractylodes lancea </it>appears to be both the most potent and most selective against cholangiocarcinoma (IC₅₀= 24.09 μg/ml, SI = 8.6).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The ethanolic extracts from five plants and one folklore recipe showed potent cytotoxic activity against CL-6 cell. Sensitivity to other cancerous cell lines varied according to cell types and the hepatocarcinoma cell line. HepG2 appears to be the most resistant to the tested extracts.</p

TOXICITY STUDIES OF THE WATER EXTRACT FROM THE CALYCES OF HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA L. IN RATS

Acute and chronic toxicities of the water extract from calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa were studied in male and female rats. After 14 days of a single oral administration of test substance 5,000 mg/kg body weight, measurement of the body and organ weights, necropsy and health monitoring were performed. No signs and differences of the weights or behaviour compared to the control rats were observed. The results indicated that the single oral administration of H. sabdariffa extract in the amount of 5,000 mg/kg body weight does not produce acute toxicity. The chronic toxicity was determined by oral feeding both male and female rats daily with the extract at the doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight for 270 days. The examinations of signs, animal behaviour and health monitoring showed no defects in the test groups compared to the control groups. Both test and control groups (day 270th) and satellite group (day 298th) were analysed by measuring their final body and organ weights, taking necropsy, and examining haematology, blood clinical chemistry, and microanatomy. Results showed no differences from the control groups. Overall, our study demonstrated that an oral administration of H. sabdariffa extract at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight for 270 days does not cause chronic toxicity in rat

Toksično djelovanje ekstrakta cvijeta Prunus spinosa L. na stanice hepatokarcinoma

Prunus spinosa L. (blackthorn) is used in traditional medicine as a remedy for various diseases. To establish its anticancer properties, we exposed human liver cancer cells (Hep G2) to a range of blackthorn flower extract concentrations (10-200 μg/mL) and determined cytotoxic activity with the neutral red and kenacid blue methods after 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation. Statistically significant inhibitory effects on Hep G2 cellular proliferation were observed at concentrations above 50 μg/mL (p<0.001–0.05). Cell viability was lower when determined with neutral red than kenacid blue method. In addition, we evaluated antioxidant/ prooxidant effects of the blackthorn flower extract by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the results confirmed its prooxidant behaviour within the applied concentration range. Flow cytometry determined primarily necrotic and apoptotic cell death, which provides additional evidence of its cytotoxic effect on liver carcinoma.Prunus spinosa L. (trnina) biljka je koja se koristi u tradicionalnoj medicini kao lijek za različite bolesti. Da bi se utvrdila njezina antikancerogena svojstva, kao model korištene su stanice humanoga hepatocelularnoga karcinoma (Hep G2) koje su izložene ekstraktu cvijeta trnine u koncentracijama 10–200 μg/mL te je određena citotoksična aktivnost s kenacid blue i neutral red metodama nakon 24, 48 i 72 sata inkubacije. Statistički značajni inhibitorni učinci na staničnu proliferaciju uočeni su pri koncentracijama iznad 50 μg/mL (p<0,001–0,05). Vijabilnost stanica određena metodom neutral red bila je niža u odnosu na onu koja je određena kenacid blue metodom. Dodatno su ispitani antioksidacijski/prooksidacijski učinci ekstrakta cvijeta trnine mjerenjem reaktivnih kisikovih vrsta (ROS), a rezultati su potvrdili prooksidacijsko djelovanje u primijenjenom rasponu koncentracija. Protočnom citometrijom detektiran je visok udio stanica u apoptozi i nekrozi, što dodatno upućuje na citotoksičnost u stanicama karcinoma jetre

In vitro antioxidant and anticancer activity of young Zingiber officinale against human breast carcinoma cell lines

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Ginger is one of the most important spice crops and traditionally has been used as medicinal plant in Bangladesh. The present work is aimed to find out antioxidant and anticancer activities of two Bangladeshi ginger varieties (Fulbaria and Syedpuri) at young age grown under ambient (400 μmol/mol) and elevated (800 μmol/mol) CO₂concentrations against two human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The effects of ginger on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines were determined using TBA (thiobarbituric acid) and MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide] assays. Reversed-phase HPLC was used to assay flavonoids composition among Fulbaria and Syedpuri ginger varieties grown under increasing CO₂concentration from 400 to 800 μmol/mol.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Antioxidant activities in both varieties found increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) with increasing CO₂concentration from 400 to 800 μmol/mol. High antioxidant activities were observed in the rhizomes of Syedpuri grown under elevated CO₂concentration. The results showed that enriched ginger extract (rhizomes) exhibited the highest anticancer activity on MCF-7 cancer cells with IC₅₀values of 34.8 and 25.7 μg/ml for Fulbaria and Syedpuri respectively. IC₅₀values for MDA-MB-231 exhibition were 32.53 and 30.20 μg/ml for rhizomes extract of Fulbaria and Syedpuri accordingly.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Fulbaria and Syedpuri possess antioxidant and anticancer properties especially when grown under elevated CO₂concentration. The use of ginger grown under elevated CO₂concentration may have potential in the treatment and prevention of cancer.</p