Flavonoids : future pharmaceutical agents.

Flavonoids have become very popular owing to their many health promoting effects. They are polyphenolic compounds, occur naturally and are widely distributed in plant kingdom performing many core functions including defense from attack by insects and microorganisms. These polyphenolic compounds are plant-derived secondary metabolites with interesting biological properties. Several in vivo and in vitro experiments have evidently and explicitly shown that they could be potential pharmaceutical agents in the treatment of many human diseases, including cognitive impairments, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cance

Antidiabetic studies of Tetracera species and identification of active principles through chromatography and molecular docking approaches.

The search for safe and effective antidiabetic agents has continued to be an important area of investigation worldwide. In this regard, traditional medicinal plants have been proven to be a good source for safe phytopharmaceuticals. Tetracera is a genus of flowering plants of the Dilleniaceae family native to the tropics. Several species have been documented through ethnomedicinal investigations for their traditional uses to prevent rheumatism, diarrhoea, hepatitis, inflammation, diabetes mellitus, skin related infections and hypertension. These folklore claims have attracted the attention of natural product scientists to this genus species to further confirm their traditional claims and medicinal value. Hence, this presentation is an attempt to summarize the studies conducted in our research laboratory on three different species of genus Tetracera viz., T. scandens (L.) Merr., T. indica (Christm. & Panz.) Merr. and T. macrophylla Hook.f. & Thomson and to explore the isolated phytochemicals for their antidiabetic potential. Results revealed that all species contained flavonoids as their major bioactive compounds which were further evaluated upon purification and structure characterization for their toxicity, antioxidant and antidiabetic effects through various in vitro and in vivo assays. Molecular modification of some rare flavonoids isolated from these plants were subjected to the structure activity relationship study to further confirm their antioxidant and antidiabetic potentials. In silico molecular docking study was conducted to understand the molecular interaction with established pharmacological targets and mechanisms of actions at the molecular level as an antihyperglycemic agent. The results suggest that phenolic compounds from these plants can be considered as promising candidates in the development of new antidiabetic lead compounds. Moreover, the precise mechanism of action of these flavonoids based novel derivants for their antihyperglycemic effect may provide a strong foundation for the clinical studies in human beings as a promising safe anti-diabetic drug

Evaluation of in vitro antidiabetic activity of selected flavonoids: structure activity relationship based study

Flavonoids have been reported to exert antihyperglycemic effect and have potential to enhance the current therapy options against type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the structure activity relationships (SAR) studies of flavonoids against this disease have not been thoroughly understood. In the present study, fourteen structurally related flavonoids were taken into account for in vitro antidiabetic evaluation. Cell viability of RIN-5F pancreatic cells and 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte cells were initially tested, then, insulin secretion assay of RIN-5F as well as adipogenesis, and glucose uptake measurement of adipocyte were investigated. Subsequently, protein expression study through adipokines measurement, western blotting analysis against GLUT4 and C/EBP-α was carried out. The results from insulin secretion, adipogenesis, glucose uptake and protein expression assays revealed that the methoxy group at position C-8 is responsible for antidiabetic property of selected flavonoids via glucose uptake mechanism indicated by up regulation of GLUT4 and C/EBP-α expressions. The mechanism was seen to be enhanced by the addition of acetate group at C-5 and C-7. Further investigation is still necessary to clarify biological outcomes and activities of flavonoids, to distinguish their metabolites with special functional groups, thus meeting therapeutic and nutritional requirements

Herbs as antimicrobial remedies and the scientific evidences.

Herbs has long been traditionally proved as effective remedies in preventing and treating various microbial infectious diseases, such as ringworm, Athlete's foot, nail infections, scalp infections, vaginal and oral infections. The successful experience of using herbs as antimicrobial agents has been shared throughout generations and has guided the modem generations in using herbs as an alternative therapy to\:vards conventional antimicrobial agents. The traditional use of certain herbs in treating infections also has been proved and supported with scientific evidences through ethnopharmacologyand reverse pharmacology studies. Some herbs are also proved to be used as safe home remedies as practiced traditionally through evidences from scientific studies

Antidiabetic efficacy of polar extracts of the leaves of tetracera indica merr. (dilleniaceae) in alloxanized rats

Background review: Plants are considered less toxic than synthetic drugs. Recently, the search for appropriate anti-diabetic agents has been focused on plants used in traditional medicine partly because of leads provided by traditional medicine to natural products that may be better treatments than currently used drugs responsible for serious side effects among diabetics. In folk remedies, leaves of Tetracera indica Merr. (Dilleniaceae) are effectively used in the treatment of diabetes. However, there is no scientific claim about its efficacy in the management of diabetes. Objective: Present study was aimed to investigate the antidiabetic potential of the leaves of T. indica Merr. in vivo to prove its effectiveness in the treatment of diabetes. Methods: Polar extracts (i.e., aqueous (AQ) and methanol (MEOH)) of the leaves of T. indica were prepared and administered to both normal and alloxan induced diabetic male albino rats (Sprague Dawley strain). Two doses of each extract (250 and 500 mg/kg b.w.) were evaluated. The blood glucose levels were measured at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 h after oral administration of AQ and MEOH extracts. Comparison was made with standard antidiabeteic drug, glibenclamide (GLBC). Results and Conclusion: Both AQ and MEOH extracts exhibited significant antihyperglycemic activity in alloxan induced diabetic rats, however in normal rats no hypoglycemic activity was observed, when compared with both +ve and –ve controlled groups. The antidiabetic activity was also found to be comparable to that of the effect produced by GLBC (0.25 mg/kg b.w.). The LD50 of both AQ and MEOH extracts was found to be more than 5000 mg/kg body weight and no lethal toxicity was observed within this range. This study provides scientific evidence for the traditional use of leaves of T. indica Merr. in the management of diabetes in Malaysia. Keywords: Tetracera indica Merr. (Dilleniaceae), antidiabetic activity, alloxanized rat

Bioassays activity and FT-IR analysis of clinacanthus nutans (Burm F.) lindau leaves extracts

Objectives: The present study was designed to investigate the antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of the different solvents extracts of Clinacanthus nutans (Burm. F) Lindau leaves through different bioassays as well as to identify the functional group(s) responsible for the particular bioactivity through Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Design and method: Mature leaves of C. nutans were collected, oven dried at 40 °C, powdered, and extracted in 80% hydro-methanol to obtain crude extract. This extract was then subjected to liquid to liquid partition to obtain hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol and aqueous extracts. All the extracts were then analysed for their bioactivity through various bioassays which include anti-oxidant (DPPH and FRAP) assay, xanthine oxidase and α-glucosidase inhibitory assays. FTIR analyses for the qualitative identification of bioactive compounds was then carried out to all the extracts. Results: Bioactivity analyses of the plant’s leaves extracts on anti-oxidant (DPPH and FRAP) assay, xanthine oxidase and α-glucosidase inhibitory assays revealed that the hexane extract was highly active against α-glucosidase. Meanwhile ethyl acetate exhibited average activity in DPPH scavenging and xanthine oxidase inhibitory assays. Highest FRAP value was exhibited by ethyl acetate extract compared to others. Interestingly, FT-IR spectra analyses of each extract confirmed the presence of different functional groups that may have contributed to the various biological activity. Conclusion: The results of the present study produced the FTIR spectrum profile for the vulnerable medicinally important plant C. nutans (Burm. F) Lindau that further confirms its medicinal values. Hence, C. nutans leaves extract is medicinally potent that may serve essentially in the development of new pharmaceuticals for natural plant-based medicine. Keywords: Clinacanthus nutans (Burm. F) Lindau, DPPH, FRAP, xanthine oxidase, α-glucosidase, FTIR, active principle

Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f) Wall. ex Ness: A Potent Antibacterial Plant

Antibacterial agents of plant origin have vast therapeutic potential. They are valuable in the treatment of infectious diseases while simultaneously extenuating many of the side effects that are often associated with synthetic antibacterial agents. The beneficial medicinal effects of plant materials typically result from the combinations of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, steroids, tannins, phenol compounds, flavonoids and resins fatty acids gums which are capable of producing definite physiological action on body (Paul et al., 2006). Nowadays, multiple drug resistance has developed due to indiscriminate use of commercial antimicrobial drugs commonly used in the treatment of infectious disease. In addition to this problem, antibiotics are sometimes associated with adverse side effects on the host including hypersensitivity, immune-suppression and allergic reactions. This situation forced scientists to search for new antimicrobial substances. Giving the alarming incidence of antibiotic resistance in bacteria of medical importance, there is a constant need for new and effective therapeutic agents. Therefore, there is a need to develop alternative antimicrobial drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases from medicinal plants. Biodiversity is a precious source for modern biotechnology. It is a source which potentially holds innovative and sustainable solutions to a broad range of important problems for modern society. Improved cooperation between the natural product chemists and the microbiologists is a productive step to speed up the process of evaluating these potentialities. Moreover, microbiologists and natural product chemists in tropical countries, with the richest flora and fauna placed right at their door step have a very central position. They are essential for building up international scientific cooperation, with the objective of expanding our understanding of biological and biochemical diversity, and based on this bringing forward more biological solutions. The entire process is built on a principle of fairness and equity in sharing of the benefits and respecting the State's sovereign right to its own resources. After figuring out the chemical structures of secondary metabolites, it is considered crucial to know how useful these molecules might be in terms of medicinal properties. During the past 40 years, numerous novel compounds have been isolated from different plants and marine organisms and many of these have been reported to have core biological activities, some of which are of interest from the point of view of potential drug development (Lene, 1996; Gerald, 2001). Antimicrobial Agents 346 In this context, Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees., could be a potential source to develop new efficacious antibacterial drugs. A. paniculata (Acanthaceae) (King of Bitters) is an annual herbaceous plant and is widely cultivated and traditionally used in Southern Asia, China and some parts of Europe. A. paniculata has been effectively used in traditional Asian medicines for centuries. In traditional medicine, A. paniculata is widely used to get rid of a body heat, dispel toxins from the body, prevents common cold, upper respiratory tract infections including sinusitis and fever (Gabrielian et al., 2002) and as an antidote against snakes and insects poisons (Samy et al., 2008). A. paniculata has been reported to exhibit various mode of biological activities in vivo as well as in vitro viz., antiviral (Wiart et al., 2000), anti-inflammatory (Wen et al., 2010), antihuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (Calabrese et al., 2000), immunomodulating/immunostimulatory (Iruretagoyena et al., 2005), anticancer activity (Li et al., 2007; Geethangili et al., 2008) and antibacterial activity

Ethnomedicinal survey of medicinal plants used to treat diabetes in Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

Objectives: Synthetic antidiabetic drugs have been reported to exhibit deleterious effects and have failed to alter the course of diabetic complications. Traditional medicinal plants possessing antidiabetic effects can be a valuable source for the development of safer oral hypoglycemic agents. Hence, the aim of this ethnomedicinal survey was to document the ethno-medicinal plants used for the treatment of diabetes in Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. Design and methods: The field survey was performed from November 2013 through December 2014. Face-to-face interview and questionnaires were used to assemble information regarding the participants, local name of the plant, origin, parts used and method of herbal remedy. Citation index (CI) for each species mentioned and relative citation index (RCI) were calculated. Results: Thirty species belonging to twenty five families and twenty nine genera were recorded. 63.3% of these species were native while 36.7% were cultivated. The most frequently used part was leaves. Decoction was the most common herbal preparation. Hibiscus rosa sinensis has the highest citation index (CI) followed by Psidium guajava and Cymbopogon citratus with 0.09, 0.08, and 0.07, respectively. Three plants viz. Polyalthia bullata, Rourea concolor and Smilax myosotiflora have never been scientifically validated for their traditional use as antidiabetic agents. Plant species for diabetes treatment varied in every village due to the differences in rate of industrialization, urbanization and environmental degradation. Conclusion: This survey has successfully recognized the plants most commonly used by local practitioners in Bangi community to treat diabetes. Research studies on P. bullata, R. concolor and S. myosotiflora might furnish a new class of safe antidiabetic agents. Keywords: Diabetes, Ethno-medicinal plants, Citation index, Bangi, Malaysi

Changing face of trauma and surgical training in a developing country: A literature review

Trauma continues to be the major cause of disability and death globally and surgeons are often involved in immediate care. However there has been an exponential decrease in the number of the trained trauma surgeons. The purpose of the current review article is to summarize the published literature pertaining to trauma education in postgraduate surgical training programmes internationally and in a developing country as Pakistan. Several electronic databases like MEDLINE, PubMed, Google scholar and PakMediNet were searched using the keywords \u27trauma education\u27 or \u27trauma training\u27 AND \u27postgraduate medical education\u27, \u27surgery residency training\u27, \u27surgery residents\u27 and \u27surgeons\u27. The current training in most surgical residency programmes, locally and globally, is suboptimal. Change in trauma management protocols, and decrease in volume of trauma cases results in variable and/ or inadequate exposure and hands-on experience of the surgical trainees in operative and non-operative management of trauma. This warrants collaborative measures for integration of innovative educational interventions at all levels of the surgical educational programmes