BIOACTIVITIES OF THE THAI MEDICINAL AND EDIBLE PLANTS C. CAJAN, M. CITRIFOLIA AND O. AMERICANUM

Objective: Inflammation and oxidative stress are closely related and play a role in various diseases. If an infectious component plays a role, an antibacterial effect is of advantage. Thus, natural remedies which combine different bioactivities have a broader range of application.Methods: Here we elucidate the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial effects of three edible and traditionally used Thai plants including leaves of Cajanus cajan, Morinda citrifolia and Ocimum americanum.Results: The extracts exerted significant anti-inflammatory activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. C. cajan extract shows a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity against Gram positive and negative, aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, whereas M. citrifolia and O. americanum possess antibacterial activity only against anaerobic bacteria. Extracts of all three plants showed significant antioxidant effects.Conclusion: The three plants are potential herbal remedies or supplements for functional food for the treatment and prevention of inflammation, oxidative imbalance, and bacterial infections or associated diseases.Â

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, ANTIBACTERIAL, AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF THAI MEDICINAL PLANTS

Objective: Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd, Senna alata (L.) Roxb., Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Pers., Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels and Tabernaemontana divaricate (L.) R. Br. ex Roem. & Schult. are used in Thai traditional remedies to treat various disorders ranging from fever and pain to inflammation or microbial infections. However, there is a lack of scientific data on some of the biological activities. Methods: The present study was designed to compare the antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects of the five plants. Ethanolic extracts of A. farnesiana, S. alata, S. grandiflora, S. cumini, T. divaricata were firstly compared for antioxidant activity using free radical scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and ferric reducing antioxidant power tests. Antibacterial activity indicated by minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was determined using broth and agar dilution tests against aerobic and anaerobic pathogenic bacterial strains. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in vitro using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage model.Results: All the tested extracts exerted antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. S. cumini and S. grandiflora extracts showed the highest free radical scavenging activities. S. cumini extract showed the highest activity against Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, and Corynebacterium diphtheriae. All extracts exerted anti-inflammatory activity as indicated by a reduction of interleukin (IL)-6 secretion and/or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production.Conclusion: Taken together, these findings suggest that the tested plants can be developed as effective herbal remedies for the treatment and prevention of inflammation or associated diseases as well as against bacterial infections.Â

Recurrence of severe steroid dependency in cyclosporin A-treated childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome

Background. In patients with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS), long-term remission (LTR) can usually be achieved with cyclosporin A (CSA), after alternative treatment with cytotoxic drugs or levamisole has failed. Nevertheless, severe SDNS recurs in some patients despite CSA maintenance therapy. Few data are available on the clinical course and treatment strategies in these patients. Methods. We carried out a retrospective chart analysis of 46 patients with SDNS treated with CSA, after failure of cyctotoxic treatment with cyclophosphamide (CPO). Median age at primary manifestation was 3.0 years (range 0.8-6.9) and median current age is 20.4 years (range 8.6-29.1). Patients were recruited from three centres caring for a total of 186 patients with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome. Results. In 14 of the 46 patients (30%; 10 male), severe SDNS recurred again despite CSA maintenance therapy. Seven patients relapsed beyond the age of 18 years. Nine of 14 patients received a further course of cytotoxic treatment as first intervention: six were treated with chlorambucil (CLA) and three with CPO. Four of the CLA-treated patients remained in LTR in contrast to none after CPO. Five patients received levamisole after CSA: only one went into LTR, while in one other CSA could be discontinued although further relapses occurred. One further patient was switched to CLA after levamisole, finally inducing LTR. Overall, six patients required two or more drugs, and in four of these CSA maintenance ultimately had to be restarted. Conclusion. We conclude that SDNS can recur in patients despite CSA maintenance therapy. Treatment strategies for this subgroup of patients are complex and should be standardized to optimize long-term outcome. A subgroup of patients with childhood SDNS continues to relapse into adulthoo

Hexagonal Si-Ge Class of Semiconducting Alloys Prepared Using Pressure and Temperature

Multi-anvil and laser-heated diamond anvil methods have been used to subject Ge and Si mixtures to pressures and temperatures of between 12 and 17 GPa and 1500–1800 K, respectively. Synchrotron angle dispersive X-ray diffraction, precession electron diffraction and chemical analysis using electron microscopy, reveal recovery atambient pressure of hexagonal Ge-Si solid solutions (P6$_3$/mmc). Taken together, the multi-anvil and diamond anvil results reveal that hexagonal solid solutions can be preparedfor all Ge-Si compositions. This hexagonal class of solid solutions constitutes a significant expansion of the bulk Ge-Sisolid solution family, and is of interest for optoelectronic applications

Keeping Allergen Names Clear and Defined

The World Health Organization/International Union of Immunological Societies (WHO/IUIS) Allergen Nomenclature Sub-Committee was established in 1986 by leading allergists to standardize names given to proteins that cause IgE-mediated reactions in humans. The Sub-Committee’s objective is to assign unique names to allergens based on a critical analysis of confidentially submitted biochemical and clinical data from researchers, often prior to publication to preserve consistency. The Sub-Committee maintains and revises the database as the understanding of allergens evolves. This report summarizes recent developments that led to updates in classification of cockroach group 1 and 5 allergens to animal as well as environmental and occupational allergens. Interestingly, routes, doses, and frequency of exposure often affects allergenicity as does the biochemical properties of the proteins and similarity to self and other proteins. Information required by the Sub-Committee now is more extensive than previously as technology has improved. Identification of new allergens requires identification of the amino acid sequence and physical characteristics of the protein as well as demonstration of IgE binding from subjects verified by described clinical histories, proof of the presence of the protein in relevant exposure substances, and demonstration of biological activity (skin prick tests, activation of basophils, or mast cells). Names are assigned based on taxonomy with the abbreviation of genus and species and assignment of a number, which reflects the priority of discovery, but more often now, the relationships with homologous proteins in related species

Executive Functions and Psychopathology Dimensions in Deficit and Non-Deficit Schizophrenia

This study: (a) compared executive functions between deficit (DS) and non-deficit schizophrenia (NDS) patients and healthy controls (HC), controlling premorbid IQ and level of education; (b) compared executive functions in DS and NDS patients, controlling premorbid IQ and psychopathological symptoms; and (c) estimated relationships between clinical factors, psychopathological symptoms, and executive functions using structural equation modelling. Participants were 29 DS patients, 44 NDS patients, and 39 HC. Executive functions were measured with the Mazes Subtest, Spatial Span Subtest, Letter Number Span Test, Color Trail Test, and Berg Card Sorting Test. Psychopathological symptoms were evaluated with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Brief Negative Symptom Scale, and Self-evaluation of Negative Symptoms. Compared to HC, both clinical groups performed poorer on cognitive flexibility, DS patients on verbal working memory, and NDS patients on planning. DS and NDS patients did not differ in executive functions, except planning, after controlling premorbid IQ and negative psychopathological symptoms. In DS patients, exacerbation had an effect on verbal working memory and cognitive planning; in NDS patients, positive symptoms had an effect on cognitive flexibility. Both DS and NDS patients presented deficits, affecting the former to a greater extent. Nonetheless, clinical variables appeared to significantly affect these deficits