The Effect of Aloe Vera, Vitamin C and E on Tumour Marker Enzymes in Hepatocarcinogenesis

The effects of Aloe vera (AV), vitamin C (VC), alpha-tocopherol (T) and gamma-tocotrienol (E) on the activities of six tumour marker enzymes; alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GRx) and uridyl diphosphoglucuronyl transferase (UDPGT) in rat liver carcinogenesis were studied. Liver cancer was induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and 2 -acetylaminofluorene (AAF) followed by partial hepatectomy. Ninety male rats (Rattus norwegicus, 120- 150g, 6-7 weeks old) were divided into 15 groups. Six groups comprised the normal and supplemented-control groups. Hepatocarcinogenesis was induced in the other nine groups. Four groups were supplemented with AV, VC, E and T respectively and the other 4 groups were given TNC, T/AV, ENC and E/AV respectively. The last group remained as the cancer-control group. Aloe vera and vitamin C were administered ad libitum at doses of 0.1 mg/L water and 41.7 mg/L water respectively, in both control and cancer groups. Alphatocopherol and gamma-tocotrienol were administered at a dose of 34 mglkg diet and 30 mglkg diet, respectively. The rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation after 16 weeks. An increase (p<0.05) in all six tumour marker enzymes was observed in the cancer-treated group compared to the normal-control group. Aloe vera supplementation significantly (p<0.05) decreased the tumour marker enzyme activities in cancer-induced liver compared to the cancer-control group. Gammatocotrienol exerted a better effect than alpha-tocopherol in reducing the enzyme activities in cancer-induced liver. Vitamin C significantly (p<0.05) decreased the enzyme activities in GPx, GRx, GST and UDPGT. However, non of the supplementations decreased the alkaline phosphatase activity in the liver cancer

Biological Activities of Oryzanol, Stigmasterol and Microminutinin on Human Breast Cancer Cell-Line, Mcf7

Researchers are exploring better treatments in cancer. The identification of active plant chemicals and the study of their biological activities are extensively being pursued. The five objectives in this study were to determine the antioxidant activity of rice bran extracts, to isolate oryzanol from rice bran, to determine the cytotoxicity activity of oryzanol, stigmasterol and microminutinin, to investigate the morphological changes in MCF7 cells treated with oryzanol, stigmasterol and microminutinin and to study on the effect of these compounds on c-myc, c-fos and c-erbB2 gene expression. The antioxidant activities of various rice bran extracts were carried out to determine the best organic solvent extraction. In the Ferric Thiocyanate (FTC) and Thiobarbiturate (TBA) assays, chloroform extract (FTC; 92%, TBA; 82%) had the highest antioxidant activity followed by ethyl acetate (FTC;90%, TBA;79%) methanol (FTC;90%, TBA;79%) and hexane (FTC; 89%, TBA;77%) extracts. The antioxidant activities in the ~-carotene degradation assay gave similar findings. Comparison between the antioxidant activitie

Relationship between exposure to particulate matter and biomarkers among bus driver In Klang Valley.

This cross-sectional comparative study investigates the association between particulate matters (PM; PM10, PM2.5 and ultrafine particle (UFP) and concentration of biomarkers; Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor Necrosis Factor- Alpha (TNF-α) using 62 bus drivers as exposed group and 62 administrative staff as comparative group in Klang Valley, Malaysia. T-test results showed that the mean exposure level of PM10 (t = 8.14, p<0.01), PM2.5 (t = 9.95, p<0.01) and UFP (t = 19.61, p<0.01) were significantly higher among the bus drivers compared to comparative group. Mann-Whitney U test of IL-6 (z = -2.43, p<0.05) and TNF-α (z = -5.88, p<0.01) were also found to be significantly higher in the bus drivers. Positive correlations were found between the exposure level of PM and concentration of biomarkers. In conclusion, the bus drivers showed higher concentration of IL-6 and TNF-α and were at a higher risk of getting respiratory illnesses compared to comparative group. Thus, more attention should be given on the control of high level of exposure to PM in order to minimize the adverse health effects among the groups at risk

Total phenolic content, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) polyphenols extracts on cancer cell lines

Introduction: Cancer chemopreventive agents from natural sources have been actively investigated over the years to seek prevention against cancer. In this study, cocoa polyphenols extract (CPE) was examined to explore its antioxidant and cytotoxicity activities. Methods: CPE was analysed for total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (DPPH radical scavenging activity and FRAP ferric-reducing antioxidant power assays). In vitro cytotoxicity effect of CPE against HepG2, HT-29, HeLa, MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and WRL-68 cell lines after 48 h exposure was measured by MTT assay. Results: The study showed that CPE had higher total phenolic content (13560.0±420.1 mg GAE/100g dry weight of sample) than vitamin E (p<0.05). CPE exhibited strong antioxidant activity comparable with ascorbic acid in both DPPH (IC50 = 14.73±1.47 μg/ml) and FRAP (2130.33±2.33 μM of FE/1 mg of dry weight of sample). The cytotoxicity study showed that CPE exhibited the highest cytotoxicity effect against MCF-7 with lowest IC50 value (3.00±0.29 mg/ml) compared to other cancer cell lines after 48 h treatment (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results indicate that CPE demonstrated high total phenolic content, free radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing ability and cytotoxicity activity towards HepG2, HT-29, HeLa, A549, MDA-MB- 231 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines. Further isolation of bioactive constituents from CPE should be done to characterise its potential chemopreventive activity as well as to elucidate the mechanism of cancer cell death induced by CPE

Relationship between exposure to particulate matter and biomarkers among bus drivers in Klang Valley, Malaysia

This cross-sectional comparative study investigates the association between particulate matters (PM; PM10, PM2.5 and ultrafine particle (UFP) and concentration of biomarkers; Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-α) using 62 bus drivers as exposed group and 62 administrative staff as comparative group in Klang Valley, Malaysia. T-test results showed that the mean exposure level of PM10 (t = 8.14, p<0.01), PM2.5 (t = 9.95, p<0.01) and UFP (t = 19.61, p<0.01) were significantly higher among the bus drivers compared to comparative group. Mann-Whitney U test of IL-6 (z = -2.43, p<0.05) and TNF-α (z = -5.88, p<0.01) were also found to be significantly higher in the bus drivers. Positive correlations were found between the exposure level of PM and concentration of biomarkers. In conclusion, the bus drivers showed higher concentration of IL-6 and TNF-α and were at a higher risk of getting respiratory illnesses compared to comparative group. Thus, more attention should be e given on the control of high level of exposure to PM in order to minimize the adverse health effects among the groups at risk

Purification and comparison of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) in Candida albicans isolates from Malaysian and Iranian patients and infected mice

Objective: The purposes of this study were to purify and compare the concentration ratios of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) in clinical isolates of Candida albicans (C. albicans) obtained from Malaysian and Iranian patients and infected mice. Materials and methods: Hsp90 was extracted using glass beads and ultracentrifugation from yeast cells and purified by ion exchange chromatography (DEAE-cellulose) and followed by affinity chromatography (hydroxyapatite). Purity of Hsp90 was controlled by SDS-PAGE and its identification was realized by immunoblotting test. Results: The graphs of ion exchange and affinity chromatography showed one peak in all C. albicans isolates obtained from both Malaysian and Iranian samples, infected mice and under high-thermal (42 °C) and low-thermal (25 °C) shock. In immunoblotting, the location of Hsp90 fragments was obtained around 47, 75 and 82 kDa. The least average concentration ratios of Hsp90 were 0.350 and 0.240 mg/g for Malaysian and Iranian isolates at 25 °C, respectively, while the highest average concentration ratios of Hsp90 were 3.05 and 2.600 mg/g for Malaysian and Iranian isolates at 42 °C, respectively. There were differences in the ratio amount of Hsp90 between Malaysian isolates (1.01 ± 0.07 mg/g) and mice kidneys (1.23 ± 0.28 mg/g) as well as between Iranian isolates (0.70 ± 0.19 mg/g) and mice kidneys (1.00 ± 0.28 mg/g) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The results showed differences in all situations tested including Iranian and Malaysian isolates, samples treated with temperatures (25 °C or 42 °C) and before and after infecting the mice (37 °C), indicating higher virulent nature of this yeast species in high temperature in human and animal models

Narrative problem-based learning in biomedical sciences

Problem-based learning (PBL) is a process of acquiring knowledge based on the problem given. This method will give understanding on the underlying problem. PBL improves teaching practices by replacing traditional teaching methods. It reduces the passive information giving process thus making undergraduate education a platform for life¬long learning. PBL reverses the traditional approach to teaching and learning. Problem based learning is a method of teaching and learning where the students need to be proactive in their discussion. Case studies were given and students were required to explore from all aspect of Biomedical Science to help them to understand the situation underlying it. Narrative Problem-based Learning was based on non_ction events. It was taken from the experience of those who underwent the events. Triggers presented in each topic were aimed to help final year Biomedical students to integrate knowledge gained throughout their study in the field of Biomedical Sciences

Antioxidant and anti-proliferative activities of Roselle juice on Caov-3, MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and HeLa cancer cell lines.

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn) extract has been scientifically proven to possess high antioxidant activity, anti-proliferation and anti-carcinogenic properties. This study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidative capacity of commercialized Roselle juice (RJ) at three storage periods and its anti-proliferative effect on breast (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231), ovarian (Caov-3) and cervical (HeLa) cancer cell lines. The antioxidant activity of 1 week (WRJ), 1 month (MRJ) and 1 year (YRJ) juice samples each at 0.001 to 10% concentration range were determined through 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay with L-ascorbic acid as positive control. EC50 values of WRJ, MRJ, and YRJ were found to be 3.733±0.247, 3.717±0.637 and 3.383±0.711%, respectively. These values were compared to 0.217±0.616% for positive control. The difference in antioxidant activity between different storage periods of RJ was not significant (p>0.05) but all samples exhibited increasing activity with increasing concentrations. RJ at the same concentrations were tested using the MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay on the four cell lines to obtain the percentage viability of the cells. The cells were incubated for 72 h after inoculation with RJ and the control group was without treatment. The IC50 was found to be highest for Caov-3 cells (2.267±1.193%) whereas MCF-7 cells exhibited the lowest (0.432±0.278%) IC50 value after treatment with MRJ. All determinations were analyzed using ANOVA through SPSS with p0.05). The study showed that commercialized Roselle juice has strong antioxidant capacity and anti-proliferative activity on the four cancer cell lines despite different storage periods. However, further study should be conducted to establish its anti-cancer mechanisms

Antioxidant and Cytotoxicity effect of rice Bran Phytic Acid as an anticancer agent on ovarian, breast and liver cancer cell lines.

Introduction: Phytic acid (PA) has been shown to have positive nutritional benefits. There are also claims that it is able to prevent cancer through its antioxidant capability. This study investigated antioxidant activity and cytotoxic effect of PA extracted from rice bran against selected cancer cell lines (i.e. ovarian, breast and liver cancer). Methods: Cytotoxicity activity of PA was investigated using MTS [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)]-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt] assay while the antioxidant activity of PA extract, commercial PA and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) was determined by using five different assays: ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assay, β-carotene bleaching method, DPPH radical scavenging assay and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Results: PA extracted from rice bran induced marked growth inhibition in ovary, breast and liver cancer cells with 50% growth inhibition concentration (IC50) values of 3.45, 3.78 and 1.66 mM, respectively but exhibited no sensitivity towards a normal cell line (3T3). The PA extract was also found to exert antioxidant activity when tested using the FTC, TBA, FRAP and β-carotene bleaching methods but antioxidant activity could not be attributed to scavenging free radical species as measured by DPPH radical scavenging assay. Conclusion: The PA extract from rice bran displayed safe and promising anticancer properties in selected cancer cell lines and it is believed that its antioxidant capability is the likely contributor to the observed anticancer properties

The effect of Etlingera elatior (Kantan) inflorescene aqueous extract on abberant crypy foci in Sprague dawley rats

This study investigated the effect of Kantan flowers (Etlingera elatior) aqueous extract on aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in Spraque dawley rats. They were divided into 8 groups; four groups each for cancer and normal. The rats were fed with respective concentrations of the flower extractions according to their groups. At the 17th week, the rats were sacrificed. The colons were removed and examined grossly and microscopically followed by scoring of aberrant crypt foci. Result showed no significant difference (p> 0.05) in the body weight increment,colon weight and colon pH among all groups also in the aberrant crypt foci (ACF) scores in proximal colon of cancer groups as well as in distal colon. Besides that, comparison between ACF score of proximal and distal colon using ANOVA and posthoc test revealed no significant differences (p> 0.05) in the ACF numbers between proximal and distal colon of rats. Histological result showed that no abnormal structures were seen in crypts of normal treatment groups Etlingera elatior inflorescence aqueous extract did not have significant effect in reducing aberrant crypt foci formation in Sprague dawley rats