Assessment of phytochemical content, polyphenolic composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Leguminosae medicinal plants in Peninsular Malaysia

Background: Many medicinal plants from Leguminosae family can be found easily in Malaysia. These plants have been used as traditional medicines by local ethnic groups, where they are prepared as decoction, pastes for wound infections, and some have been eaten as salad. This paper focused on the assessment of antioxidant potential, antibacterial activity and classes of phytochemicals of nine plants from the Leguminosae family. Methods: Acacia auriculiformis, Bauhinia kockiana, Bauhinia purpurea, Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Calliandra tergemina, Cassia surattensis, Leucaena leucocephala, Peltophorum pterocarpum, and Samanea saman were extracted with aqueous methanol and dichloromethane:methanol mixture to test for antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The Folin-Ciocalteu assay was conducted to quantify the total phenolic content and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was used to determine the free radical quenching capacity. Antibacterial activity was assessed using disc diffusion (Kirby-Bauer) assay. Screening for major classes of phytochemical was done using standard chemical tests. Results: B. kockiana flowers and C. pulcherrima leaves contained high total phenolic content (TPC) and strong DPPH radical scavenging ability with TPC of 8280 ± 498 mg GAE/100 g, IC50 of 27.0 ± 5.0 μg/mL and TPC of 5030 ± 602 mg GAE/100 g, IC50 of 50.0 ± 5.0 μg/mL respectively. Positive correlation was observed between TPC and free radical scavenging ability. Most extracts showed antibacterial activity against Gram positive bacteria at 1 mg, while none showed activity against Gram negative bacteria at the same dose. All extracts (except Samanea saman flower) showed antibacterial activity against two strains of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with MID values ranging between 100 μg/disc and 500 μg/disc. Conclusion: The potential source of antioxidant and antibacterial agents, especially for MRSA infection treatments were found in B. kockiana, C. pulcherrima, C. tergemina and P. pterocarpum. These preliminary results would be a guide in the selection of potential candidates for further pharmacological study and in search of new drug candidate in treating MRSA infections

Mid-infrared dual-comb spectroscopy with electro-optic modulators

We demonstrate dual-comb spectroscopy based on difference frequency generation of frequency-agile near-infrared frequency combs, produced with the help of electro-optic modulators. The combs have a remarkably flat intensity distribution and their positions and line spacings can be selected freely by simply dialing a knob. We record, in the 3-micron region, Doppler-limited absorption spectra with resolved comb lines within milliseconds. Precise molecular line parameters are retrieved. Our technique holds promise for fast and sensitive time-resolved studies e.g. of trace gases

A SPECIAL TYPE OF SEMI-SYMMETRIC NON-METRIC CONNECTION ON A RIEMANNIAN MANIFOLD

The object of the present paper is to study a Riemannian manifold admittinga type of semi-symmetric non-metric connection whose torsion tensor ispseudo symmetric

Preparation of N, N, N-trimethyl chitosan-functionalized retinoic acid-loaded lipid nanoparticles for enhanced drug delivery to glioblastoma

Purpose: To formulate trimethyl chitosan-functionalized retinoic acid-encapsulated solid lipid nanoparticles for the effective treatment of glioma.Methods: Retinoic acid-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (R-SLNs) were prepared using homogenization followed by sonication. R-SLN surfaces were functionalized electrostatically with trimethyl chitosan as a nanocarrier (TR-SLNs) with enhanced anti-cancer activity. They were evaluated by dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy, in vitro drug release, and cell cytotoxicity and apoptosis studies.Results: Morphological images showed spherical and uniformly dispersed nanoparticles. A sustained monophasic release pattern was observed throughout the study period. Furthermore, the anti-cancer effect of TR-SLNs was demonstrated by increased cell killing activity compared with the free drug (p < 0.01); negligible cytotoxicity was observed with blank carriers. Apoptosis assay showed increased cell populations in early/late apoptotic and necrotic phases.Conclusion: This study showed the potential application of surface-modified solid lipid nanoparticles for the effective treatment of brain cancer.Keywords: Lipid nanoparticles, Trimethyl chitosan, Retinoic acid, Glioma, Anti-cancer, Cytotoxicity, Apoptosi

The investigation of status of human parasites in children from Yushu

目的  调查青海省玉树县震后转移安置学生的肠道寄生虫感染情况。方法  粪便直接涂片法检查虫卵。结果  512份粪便样品中，寄生虫阳性粪便31份，感染率为6.05%。其中，结肠内阿米巴20例，感染率为3.91%；蓝氏贾第鞭毛虫8例，感染率为1.56%；蛔虫3例，感染率0.59%。结论  玉树的学生肠道寄生虫的感染率均不高于全国平均水平。Objective: To investigate the status of human parasites in children who have been evacuated here from Yushu after earthquake. Methods: Detect the eggs from smear feces samples. Results: 512 stool samples were collected and examined by microscope. The total infection rate was 6.05%, where the infection rate for entamoeba coli Grassi was 3.91%, Giardia lamblia stile was 1.56%, Ascaris Lumbricoides was 0.59%. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the infection rate of human parasites is not higher than normal rate in China

Targeting USP1-dependent KDM4A protein stability as a potential prostate cancer therapy

The histone demethylase lysine-specific demethylase 4A (KDM4A) is reported to be overexpressed and plays a vital in multiple cancers through controlling gene expression by epigenetic regulation of H3K9 or H3K36 methylation marks. However, the biological role and mechanism of KDM4A in prostate cancer (PC) remain unclear. Herein, we reported KDM4A expression was upregulation in phosphatase and tensin homolog knockout mouse prostate tissue. Depletion of KDM4A in PC cells inhibited their proliferation and survival in vivo and vitro. Further studies reveal that USP1 is a deubiquitinase that regulates KDM4A K48-linked deubiquitin and stability. Interestingly, we found c-Myc was a key downstream effector of the USP1-KDM4A/androgen receptor axis in driving PC cell proliferation. Notably, upregulation of KDM4A expression with high USP1 expression was observed in most prostate tumors and inhibition of USP1 promotes PC cells response to therapeutic agent enzalutamide. Our studies propose USP1 could be an anticancer therapeutic target in PC

ASTRAGALOSIDE IV LIPOSOMES AMELIORATES ADRIAMYCIN-INDUCED NEPHRITIC SYNDROME IN RATS MING-GANG

Background: Radix Astragali was one of the main composition of ‘Modified Danggui Buxue Decoction’ used for treatment of various kidney diseases. Astragaloside IV was the active composition of Radix Astragali. Astragaloside IV liposomes were used for the treatment of adriamycin-induced nephropathy (AN) rats. The aim of the study was to study the effect of astragaloside IV liposomes on AN rats, and to test through regulating the expression of nephrin, integrins and integrin-linked kinase (ILK) in renal tissues. Methods: The rats were given a single tail intravenous injection of adriamycin (6 mg/kg) within 1 weeks, and then divided into four groups including normal, model, benazepril and astragaloside IV liposomes group. They were all orally administered dosage of benazepril and astragaloside IV liposomes once daily for 8 weeks. Results: Astragaloside IV liposomes significantly reduced the proteinuria of AN rats at 28, 42 and 56 days. astragaloside IV liposomes could increase the mRNA and protein expression of nephrin, integrin α3, down-regulate the expression of ILK to alleviate the podocyte damage and restore glomerular selective filtration function. Conclusions: Astragaloside IV liposomes could enhance renal function and protect podocyte to ameliorate the adriamycin-induced nephritic syndrome