Antihyperlipidaemic And Antioxidant Activities Of Extracts Of Different Parts Of Averrhoa Carambola And Elucidation Of Their Mechanisms Of Action

Averrhoa carambola, biasanya dikenali sebagai belimbing merupakan salah satu herba yang digunakan secara meluas dalam perubatan tradisional masyarakat Malaysia, daun dan buahnya merupakan bahagian yang paling banyak digunakan. Kajian ini bertujuan menyiasat kesan antihiperlipidemik, aktiviti anti-oksidan dan toksisiti ekstrak metanol dan akueus bahagian yang berlainan daripada A. carambola dengan tumpuan untuk elusidasi mekanisme tindakannya. Daripada semua ekstrak yang diuji, ekstrak metanol bahagian daun A. carambola menunjukkan aktiviti antihiperlipidemik terbaik dalam model tikus hiperlipidemik akut teraruh oleh poloxamer-407 berbanding kawalan hiperlipidemik yang setanding dengan aktiviti atorvastatin. Berikutan pemberian kronik sehingga lima minggu, tiada penurunan signifikan diperhatikan dalam aras parameter lipid bagi tikus normal yang dirawat dengan 1000 mg/kg ekstrak metanol daun. Sebaliknya, perbezaan yang signifikan diperhatikan dalam parameter lipid tikus hiperlipidemik teraruh diet tinggi lemak selepas dirawat dengan 500 dan 1000 mg/kg ekstrak metanol daun berbanding kawalan normal. Averrhoa carambola, commonly known as star fruit is one of the widely used herbs in the Malaysian traditional medicine, with the leaf and fruits being the most utilized parts. This study aims to investigate the antihyperlipidaemic effect, antioxidant activity and toxicity of methanolic and aqueous extracts of different parts of A. carambola with focus on elucidating the underlying mechanism of action. Of the tested extracts, the methanolic extract of A. carambola leaf showed the most potent antihyperlipidaemic activity in poloxamer-407-induced acute hyperlipidaemic rat model compared to the hyperlipidaemic control, which was comparable with that of atorvastatin. Upon chronic administration up to five weeks, no significant decrease was observed in the levels of the lipid parameters of normal rats treated with 1000 mg/kg of methanolic extract of leaf. In contrast, significant changes were observed in lipid parameters of high-fat diet induced hyperlipidemic rats after treated with 500 and 1000 mg/kg leaf methanolic extract as compared with the hyperlipidaemic control

Fruta de la estrella (Averrhoa carambola L.): Desde los usos tradicionales a las actividades farmacológicas]

Averrhoa carambola L. (Familia: Oxalidaceae), comúnmente conocida como fruta de la estrella tiene una gran importancia en la medicina tradicional. La  Medicina Tradicional reporta el uso de A. carambola en dolencias tales como: artralgia, dolor de cabeza crónico, forúnculos y piodermas, resfriados, tos,  epistaxis, espermatorrea, fiebre,  intoxicación alimentaria, gastroenteritis, malaria, paludismo, esplenomegalia malárica, oliguria, edema post-parto, dolor de  garganta , subcalorismo y lesiones traumáticas. Investigaciones farmacológicas en A. carambola han demostrado efectos anti-inflamatorios, antimicrobianos,  antitumorales, antifúngicas, y actividades anti-úlcera, hipocolesterolémico, hipoglucemiante, hipotensor, nefrotóxicos, y efectosneurotóxicos  y cronotrópicos  negativos.  Proyecciones preliminares fitoquímicas han demostrado la presencia de saponinas, taninos, alcaloides y flavonoides. Esta revisión constituye un  esfuerzo para actualizar las actividades farmacológicas y estudios clínicos sobre A. carambola

Factors associated with poor glycemic control among type-2 diabetes mellitus patients in Yemen

Purpose: To determine the status of glycemic control and its associated factors among adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Hodeidah City, Yemen. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved T2DM patients attending an outpatient clinic at the Military Hospital in Hodeidah, from January to March 2017. Relevant socio-demographic characteristics, clinical factors and self-management behaviours were recorded in face-to-face interviews. Blood pressure, body weight, and height measurements were also obtained. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and lipid profile were evaluated. Urine samples were also obtained and analysed by albuminuria assay. Results: Of 246 participants, 73.2 % showed poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥ 7 %). Female patients, those aged ≥ 40 years, the illiterate, and Khat chewers were more likely to have poor glycemic control. Moreover, longer disease duration, insulin administration and albuminuria were significantly associated with poor glycemic control. In contrast, a healthy diet, physical exercise, proper self-monitoring of blood glucose levels and taking medicines as prescribed significantly increased the likelihood of good glycemic control. Conclusion: A majority of the Yemeni diabetic patients have poor glycemic control. To achieve better awareness, diabetes educational programs that highlight the benefits of self-management are recommended

Comparison of Efficacy of Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer and Composite Restoration in Inhibition of Secondary Caries in Primary Molars

Objective: To evaluate and compare clinical performance and caries inhibition of Resin modified glass ionomer cement and composite restoration in primary molars Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Operative Dentistry, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Feb 2019 to Jan 2020. Methodology: Eighty-three patients fulfilling the selection criteria having at least one carious mandibular primary molar on both sides were divided by split-mouth design. Resin-modified Glass ionomer restorations were done on one side and termed Group-A, and Composite Restorations were done on the other side and termed Group-B. Each restoration was clinically evaluated regarding the appearance of secondary caries at 3, 6 and 12 months after placement by the same operator who performed the treatment. Results: A total of 166 conventional restorations were placed in the 83 children having carious mandibular primary molars, at least one on each side of the arch. The assessment of restorations, performed after six months, showed an 89.2% success rate of Resin modified Glass ionomer restorations and a 66% success rate of Composite Restoration. One year of follow-up showed an 80% success rate for Resin modified Glass ionomer restorations and 60% for Composite Restoration, as regards secondary caries; statistically significant differences were found in both groups. Conclusion: The study results showed that Resin modified Glass ionomer cement used to restore primary molars affected by caries performed better clinically than composite in assessing secondary caries

A comparison of the gene expression profiles of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease between animal models of a high-fat diet and methionine-choline-deficient diet

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) embraces several forms of liver disorders involving fat disposition in hepatocytes ranging from simple steatosis to the severe stage, namely, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Recently, several experimental in vivo animal models for NAFLD/NASH have been established. However, no reproducible experimental animal model displays the full spectrum of pathophysiological, histological, molecular, and clinical features associated with human NAFLD/NASH progression. Although methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet and high-fat diet (HFD) models can mimic histological and metabolic abnormalities of human disease, respectively, the molecular signaling pathways are extremely important for understanding the pathogenesis of the disease. This review aimed to assess the differences in gene expression patterns and NAFLD/NASH progression pathways among the most common dietary animal models, i.e., HFD- and MCD diet-fed animals. Studies showed that the HFD and MCD diet could induce either up- or downregulation of the expression of genes and proteins that are involved in lipid metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrogenesis pathways. Interestingly, the MCD diet model could spontaneously develop liver fibrosis within two to four weeks and has significant effects on the expression of genes that encode proteins and enzymes involved in the liver fibrogenesis pathway. However, such effects in the HFD model were found to occur after 24 weeks with insulin resistance but appear to cause less severe fibrosis. In conclusion, assessing the abnormal gene expression patterns caused by different diet types provides valuable information regarding the molecular mechanisms of NAFLD/NASH and predicts the clinical progression of the disease. However, expression profiling studies concerning genetic variants involved in the development and progression of NAFLD/NASH should be conducted

Averrhoa carambola leaves prevent dyslipidemia and oxidative stress in a rat model of poloxamer-407-induced acute hyperlipidemia

Background: The star fruit [Averrhoa carambola L (Oxalidaceae)] is traditionally used in the treatment of many ailments in many countries. It possesses several pharmacological activities, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, it contains the neurotoxic caramboxin and its high content of oxalic acid limits its consumption by individuals with compromised kidney function. This study assessed the anti-hyperlipidemic and antioxidant activities of different fractions of the methanolic extract of A. carambola leaves (MEACL).Methods: The antioxidant activity was investigated using FRAP, and ABTS and DPPH radical-scavenging assays and the inhibitory activity toward pancreatic lipase (PL) and HMG-CoA reductase was assayed in vitro. Acute hyperlipidemia was induced by poloxamer-407 (P-407) in rats and different fractions of MEACL (n-hexane, chloroform, n-butanol, ethyl acetate (EA), water, and chloroform) were orally administered. Cholesterol and triglycerides were determined at 0, 12, 24, and 48 h and LDL-C, vLDL-C, HDL-C, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidants were assayed after 48 h. The expression of ABCA1, ABCG5, ABCG8, LDL-R, SREBP-1, and SREBP-2 and the activity of HMG-CoA reductase were assayed in the liver of P-407-administered rats treated with the EA fraction.Results: The in vitro data revealed potent radical-scavenging activities of MEACL fractions with the most potent effect showed by the EA fraction that also suppressed the activities of HMG-CoA reductase and PL. In P-407-induced hyperlipidemic rats, all fractions prevented dyslipidemia as shown by the decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, vLDL-C and atherogenic index. MEACL and its fractions prevented LPO and boosted GSH, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase in P-407-administered rats. The EA fraction showed more effective anti-hyperlipidemic and antioxidant effects than other fractions and downregulated SREBP-2 while upregulated ABCA1 and LDL-R and ameliorated LPL and HMG-CoA reductase in hyperlipidemic rats.Conclusion: MEACL showed in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity and the EA fraction significantly ameliorated dyslipidemia in a rat model of P-407-induced acute hyperlipidemia by modulating LPL, PL, HMG-CoA reductase, and cholesterolgenesis-related factors. Therefore, the leaves of A. carambola represent a safe alternative for the star fruit particularly in kidney disease patients, and the EA is the most effective anti-hyperlipidemic and antioxidant fraction

Phyllanthus Niruri Standardized Extract Alleviates the Progression of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Decreases Atherosclerotic Risk in Sprague–Dawley Rats

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the major global health issues, strongly correlated with insulin resistance, obesity and oxidative stress. The current study aimed to evaluate anti-NAFLD effects of three different extracts of Phyllanthus niruri (P. niruri). NAFLD was induced in male Sprague–Dawley rats using a special high-fat diet (HFD). A 50% methanolic extract (50% ME) exhibited the highest inhibitory effect against NAFLD progression. It significantly reduced hepatomegaly (16%) and visceral fat weight (22%), decreased NAFLD score, prevented fibrosis, and reduced serum total cholesterol (TC) (48%), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (65%), free fatty acids (FFAs) (25%), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (45%), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (38%), insulin concentration (67%), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (73%), serum atherogenic ratios TC/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (29%), LDL/HDL (66%) and (TC–HDL)/HDL (64%), hepatic content of cholesterol (43%), triglyceride (29%) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (40%) compared to a non-treated HFD group. In vitro, 50% ME of P. niruri inhibited �-glucosidase, pancreatic lipase enzymes and cholesterol micellization. It also had higher total phenolic and total flavonoid contents compared to other extracts. Ellagic acid and phyllanthin were identified as major compounds. These results suggest that P. niruri could be further developed as a novel natural hepatoprotective agent against NAFLD and atherosclerosis

Effects of alginates on the growth, haematological, immunity, antioxidant and pro-inflammatory responses of rabbits under high temperature

Heat stress (HS) is one of the most severe hurdles impacting rabbit growth, immunity, homeostasis, and productivity. Alginate oligosaccharides (AOS) have considerable beneficial effects due to their plausible antioxidant and immune-stimulatory properties. This work was planned to explore the preventive function of AOS as a new bio-feed additive against the harmful effects caused by environmental HS on growing rabbits. Rabbits were allotted in four experimental groups (25 animals in each group) and fed on a basal diet supplemented with 0.0 (AOS0), 50 (AOS50), 100 (AOS100), and 150 (AOS150) mg AOS/kg diet reared under summer conditions. Dietary AOS supplementation improved significantly (P ≤ 0.001) feed conversion rate, while both AOS100 and AOS150 significantly (P ≤ 0.001) enhanced the final body weight and body weight gain. All AOS addition significantly increased nitric oxide and lysosome activity and significantly reduced interferon-gamma (IFNγ) compared with those in the control group. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin1β (IL-1β), myeloperoxidase and protein carbonyl levels were significantly reduced in rabbits fed diets containing AOS (100 and 150 mg/kg) compared with those in the control group under heat stress conditions. In addition, glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) were significantly (P ≤ 0.001) improved with increasing AOS dietary levels compared with the control group. Still, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), eosinophils, and lymphocytes did not change. Erythrocyte's indices improved significantly (P ≤ 0.001), while neutrophils and white blood cell counts were decreased by dietary AOS inclusion. Immunological (IgM and IgG) were markedly reduced in AOS-treated groups compared with the control group. The current investigation exemplified that AOS as a novel bio-feed additive that could be an effective strategy to extenuate prejudicial effects in heat-stressed rabbits via enhancing immunity, and antioxidant defence system, further regulating the inflammation cytokines.Universidad King Saud, Riad, Arabia Saudita | Ref. RSP2023R439Universidade de Vigo/CISU

Toxicity evaluation of standardized and nanoliposomal extracts of Labisia pumila whole plant (Blume, Myrsinaceae) in Sprague Dawley rats

Purpose: To investigate the toxicity of Labisia pumila standardized extract (LPE) and its liposomal extract (LLP). Methods: For acute toxicity study, LPE or LLP was orally administered (2000 mg/kg) in single doses to Sprague Dawley rats and the routine activity of the rats was continuously monitored for a total of 14 days. After 14 days of treatment, all rats were sacrificed and their vital organs were excised, weighed and macroscopically examined, while for a repeated dose toxicity study, the rats were orally administered with LPE or LLP at the selected doses (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) for a period of 28 days. The animals were sacrificed (anaesthetized by sodium pentobarbitone and blood was collected by cardiac puncture), followed by examination of their body organs and blood serum. Results: LPE and LLP at 2000 mg/kg did not produce mortality or significant changes in the general behaviour, body weight and organ gross appearance of the rats. In repeated dose toxicity study no significant changes in, growth, organ weights, haematological parameters, biochemical values and histological features of vital organs of the treated groups, compared to the control group. Conclusion: The no-adverse-effect-level for LPE and LLP is (1000 mg/kg/day) when administered orally for 28 days

Proteomic profile of acute myeloid leukaemia: a review update

Proteome analysis is a complex and dynamic process that encompasses several analytical platforms that include protein sequencing, structural or expression proteomics, protein modification, sub-cellular protein localization, protein-protein interaction and biological functional proteomics. In fact, expression proteomics is extensively applied in a majority of biomarker detection studies because it provides a detailed overview of differentially expressed proteins in cellular pathways and disease processes. Proteomics are also effective and dynamic in protein-protein interactions and cross-talks between interacting molecules of the cell. Proteomics has evolved into a crucial tool used to investigate the biochemical changes that possibly lead to development of cancer biomarkers. This review draws attention to the progress and advancements in cancer proteomics technology with the aim of simplifying the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the disease and to contribute to detection of biomarkers in addition to the development of novel treatments. Given that proteome is a dynamic entity of cellular functions in health and disease, it is capable of reflecting the immediate environmental state of cells and tissues as shown in this review. The review shows the possibility of elucidating the pathophysiology of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) through proteome expressions, thus confirming the viability of proteome analysis in profiling AML