Curcumin combination therapy: the implication and efficacy in cancer

Many chemotherapeutic drugs have been used for the treatment of cancer, forinstance, doxorubicin, irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, and paclitaxel. However, the effectiveness of chemotherapy is limited in cancer therapy due to drug resistance, therapeutic selectivity, and undesirable side effects. The combination of therapies with natural compounds is likely to increase the effectiveness of drug treatment as well as reduce the adverse outcomes. Curcumin, a polyphenolic isolated from Curcuma longa, belongs to the rhizome of Zingiberaceae plants. Studies from in vitro and in vivo revealed that curcumin exerts many pharmacological activities with less toxic effects. The biological mechanisms underlying the anticancer activity of co-treatment curcumin and chemotherapy are complex and worth to discuss further. Therefore, this review aimed to address the molecular mechanisms of combined curcumin and chemotherapy in the treatment of cancer. The anticancer activity of combined nanoformulation of curcumin and chemotherapy was also discussed in this study. Taken together, a better understanding of the implication and underlying mechanisms of action of combined curcumin and chemotherapy may provide a useful approach to combat cancer diseases

Water extract of brewers rice induces antiproliferation of human colorectal cancer (HT-29) cell lines via the induction of apoptosis

OBJECTIVE: Brewers' rice, a mixture of broken rice, rice bran, and rice germ, is a rice by-product in the rice industry. The present study was designed to investigate the in vitro cytotoxicity of the water extract of brewers' rice (WBR) against colorectal cancer (HT-29) cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cytotoxicity activity was determined using the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. The morphological changes of the HT-29 cells were observed using inverted light and fluorescence microscope. Cell cycle and apoptotic cell death analyses were performed using flow cytometer. Besides that, the selected polyphenolic compounds in WBR were also analyzed using ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). RESULTS: The cytotoxicity results showed that WBR was more cytotoxic (but not significantly different) in HT-29 cells compared to the MBR, with IC50 value of 21.88 ± 12.43 µg/mL and 34.50 ± 5.92 µg/mL for WBR and MBR, respectively (p > 0.05). WBR-treated HT-29 cells displayed the typical characteristics of apoptosis, as visualized using inverted light and fluorescence microscope. WBR also significantly increased the number of early and late apoptotic HT-29 cells compared to control cells (p < 0.05). Results from UPLC analysis demonstrated that ferulic acid (36.42 ± 2.97 µg/g) was found the highest level in WBR, followed by gallic acid (26.09 ± 2.01 µg/g) and p-coumaric acid (7.13 ± 0.36 µg/g). These phenolics are speculated to partially contribute to apoptotic cell death. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that WBR derived from natural sources might represent a potential chemopreventive agent against colon cancer

By-products of rice processing: an overview of health benefits and applications

Our study was centred on the increasing literature associated with rice by-products and main components, especially those intended to combat cancer, improve plasma lipid levels or control the blood glucose levels. Rice byproducts, such as rice straw, rice husks, rice bran, rice germ and broken rice, are extensively abundant agricultural wastes from the rice industry, and the percentage of their production depends on the milling rate and type of rice. Among all rice by-products, rice bran has been extensively studied. It contains phytochemicals such as γ-oryzanol, vitamin E, mainly tocotrienols and dietary fibre. This paper reviews the existing literature on the potential role of rice by-products, focusing not only on the role of rice bran but also on the roles of other rice by-products, such as rice germ and rice husk, in the management of the diseases, investigating their various potential uses in the food industry and all possible properties that may contribute to these effects

Examining the business venture success of restaurants: the role of innovation capability as a mediator

This research examines successful entrepreneurial practices of small and medium restaurants in Malaysia, which includes aspects of start-up planning, financial support, networking, family support, and government support. It also investigates the mediating role of innovation capability on successful entrepreneurial practices. Purposive sampling technique was used to collect data from 390 restaurant business owners through a mailed structured questionnaire. Structural equation modeling involving SmartPLS 3.0 and SPSS 20 software were used to analyse the data and to test the hypotheses. It shows that only start-up planning, networking and innovation capacity were supported, whereas financial support, family support and government support were not supported. Results revealed that innovation capability is a significant intervening variable on the relationship between start-up planning and business venture success, as well as the relationship between networking and business venture success. The study provides practical implications to restaurant owners to actively evaluate the existing resources for better decision making

Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen leaf water extract triggered apoptosis and activated caspase-dependent pathway in HT-29 human colorectal cancer cell line

Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen (Family: Sapotaceae), commonly called as sapodilla, has been applied as traditional folk medicine for diarrhea and pulmonary infections. Conventional therapy in colorectal cancer is not likely effective due to undesirable outcomes. The anti-colon cancer properties of Manilkara zapota leaf water extract have yet to be investigated thus far. Therefore, our present study aimed to evaluate the ability to induce apoptosis and the underlying mechanisms of Manilkara zapota leaf water extract against human colorectal cancer (HT-29) cells. The cytotoxicity of Manilkara zapota leaf water extract was screened in different cancer cell lines using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) analyses. The morphological changes in HT-29 cell lines after exposure to Manilkara zapota leaf water extract were viewed under fluorescence and inverted light microscope. The apoptotic cell was measured by Annexin V-propidium iodide staining. The caspase-3 and -8 activities were assessed by colorimetric assay. Overall analyses revealed that treatment with Manilkara zapota leaf water extract for 72 h can inhibit the viability of HT-29 cells. Incubation with Manilkara zapota leaf water extract for 24, 48, and 72 h significantly increased (p < 0.05) the total apoptotic cells compared to the control. Treatment with 21, 42, and 84 μg/mL of Manilkara zapota leaf water extract for 72 h triggered both caspase-3 and -8 activities in a concentration-dependent pattern. We also found that the catalase level in the two treatment groups (21 and 42 μg/mL) was significantly elevated after 24 h incubation. Incubation with Manilkara zapota leaf water extract for 72 h triggered the transcriptional elevation of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), AXIN1, and casein kinase 1 (CK1). The β-catenin mRNA levels were reduced accordingly when the concentration of the Manilkara zapota leaf water extract was increased. Our results suggested that Manilkara zapota leaf water extract offer great potential against colorectal cancer through modulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, caspase-dependent pathway, and antioxidant enzyme

Effects of Feeding Fat During Pregnancy and Lactation on Growth Performance, Milk Composition and Very Low Density Lipoprotein Composition in Rats

The effects of dietary fat during pregnancy and lactation on growth performance of pups, milk composition and very low density lipoprotein composition in rats were studied. A total of 33 dams were used in this study and each litter was adjusted to 8 pups per dam. The dams were fed on high fat (150 g fat/kg diet, HF), medium fat (75 g fat/kg of diet, MF) and low fat (2.5 g fat/kg diet, LF) diets. The body weights of dams increased during pregnancy and decreased after pregnancy. The HF pups had a higher body weight and higher weight gain than those of LF pups. The amount of feed intake of HF dams was significantly higher than LF and MF dams. The HF dams had significantly higher milk fat and water concentrations than LF dams. The milk protein was not significantly different among the treatment groups. All dams showed hypertriacylglycerolaemia in their very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) in late pregnancy. The VLDL-protein concentrations increased during the first week after parturition. The HF dams showed a greater response to the dietary fat than that of LF and MF dams. The findings suggest that addition of fat in the diet during pregnancy and lactation may improve the milk quality through modifying the composition of VLDL contents, leading to better growth of pups

Stock Returns and Inflation: a Bibliometric Analysis

Purpose: &nbsp;The challenging economic climate and increasing inflationary pressures have made it necessary to re-evaluate inflation research and its impact on the stock market. The purpose of this study is to use bibliometric analysis to review scholarly writing on stock returns and inflation from 1975 to 2022. &nbsp; Design/methodology/approach: &nbsp;This study analyses bibliometric markers such as the number of citations, authors, journals, and institutions using the Web of Science database to discover publishing patterns and illustrate commonalities. &nbsp; Findings: &nbsp;The study indicates that the volatility domain has gained more attention, therefore there is a necessity for future research to model predictive accuracy to match the rising volatility and uncertainty environment. Due to the expanding energy theme from bibliographic coupling analysis and the oil-related macroeconomic factors cluster from author keyword co-occurrence analysis, the study revealed a research gap that underlines the need for a green and sustainable stock market. &nbsp; Research, Practical &amp; Social implications: The study suggests a need for future research to increase academic collaboration and to contribute toward the development of theoretical and empirical literature. &nbsp; Originality/value: &nbsp;&nbsp;The results revealed that it is vital to revise the current theory to integrate theoretical implications in light of the volatile market conditions and rising inflation rate

Purification and characterization of very low density lipoprotein in commercial broiler and crossbred village chickens by fast protein liquid chromatography

Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) of commercial broiler (CB) and crossbred village chicken (AK) was purified using Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (FPLC). The fraction collected was then confirmed as VLDL using 4% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The particle size of VLDL is 46.8 8.6 nm. The VLDL fraction was then subfractionated and the apolipoprotein (apo) profile was studied by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDSPAGE). The CB and AK have almost similar types of apo in both subfractions 1 and 2. The AK showed the presence of apoAI, AIV, D and E whereas the CB had apo AIV, D, E and H. The apo AIV and apo E were present in both subfractions of AK and CB

Relationships of plasma and very low density lipoprotein lipids and subfractions with abdominal fat in chickens

A study was conducted to determine the relationships between triacylglycerol (TAG) of plasma, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and fat deposition in two different breeds of chickens. The VLDL apolipoproteins of both breeds were also characterised. The breeds used were crossbred village chicken (AK) (Sasso crossed) and commercial broiler (CB) (Avian). They were housed in six pens with 30 female and 30 male birds of each breed per pen. Three male and three female birds from each pen were slaughtered and the blood was collected. The VLDL was isolated and sub-fractionated using Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (FPLC). VLDL TAG of CB was significantly lower than AK. The particle size was negatively correlated with VLDL TAG and positively correlated with abdominal fat. Sub-fraction 2 contained more apo E that will enhance the lipolysis process of the VLDL TAG than sub-fraction 1. CB had a higher proportion of sub-fraction 2 than AK. The results showed that the proportion of sub-fraction 2 was negatively correlated with VLDL TAG concentration and positively correlated with abdominal fat

Brewers' rice attenuated aberrant crypt foci developing in colon of azoxymethane-treated rats

Brewers' rice is one of abundant agricultural waste products in the rice industry. The present study is designed to investigate the potential of brewers' rice to inhibit the development of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in colon of azoxymethane (AOM)-treated rats. The effects on the attenuation of hepatic toxicity and kidney function enzymes were also evaluated. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: (G1) normal; (G2) AOM alone; and (G3), (G4), and (G5), which were AOM fed with 10%, 20%, and 40% (w/w) of brewers' rice, respectively. The rats in group 2-5 were injected intraperitoneally with AOM (15 mg/kg body weight) once weekly for two weeks. After 8 weeks of treatment,the total number of ACF/colon and the number of ACF in the distal and middle colon were significantly reduced in all treatment groups compared to G2 (p<0.05). Brewers' rice decreased the number of ACF with dysplastic morphology in a dose-dependent manner. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level in G5 was significantly lower compared to the G2 (p<0.05). In conclusion, this study found the potential value of brewers' rice in reducing the risk of cancer susceptibility in colon