Comparison of conjugated linoleic acid and other fatty acid content of milk fat of mafriwal and jersey cows.

Special attention has been given to the milk Fatty Acids (FA) that have a beneficial effect for human health such as mono and poly unsaturated fatty acids in particularly the Conjugated Linoleic Acids (CLA). This study was undertaken to investigate the milk fat contents of CLA variables (CLA and CLA-desaturase index) and other FA composition of Mafriwal and Jersey cows under same feeding system. In addition, the relationship between these two CLA variables with milk production and milk fat percent was determined. All the cows were grazed on pasture and given 5.5 kg of concentrate per head daily. Milk FA composition was determined using gas chromatography after extraction of milk fat using modified Folch's method. The results showed a significant variation (p<0.05) in the FA contents of the two breeds. The cis-9, trans-II CLA and CLA-desaturase index in milk fat of Mafriwal were significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of Jersey cows. Mafriwal cows produced significantly (p<0.05) higher concentrations of C18:0, C18:1cis-9, C18:3 and C20:1 than that of Jersey, while Jersey cows produced significantly (p<0.05) higher concentrations of C12:0 and C14:0 than Mafriwal cows. Additionally, significant positive correlations were observed between CLA variables and milk production. This study indicates that the breed of cows has an effect on CLA and other FA composition of milk fat and Mafriwal cows produced significantly higher percentages of CLA than Jersey cows which would provide better benefits for human health. Furthermore, the milk fat content of CLA and CLA-desaturase index were positively related to the milk production

Bixa orellana leaves extract inhibits bradykinin-induced inflammation through suppression of nitric oxide production

Objective: The present study was conducted to assess the anti-inflammatory effect of a crude aqueous extract of Bixa orellana leaves (AEBO) and to examine the possible involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in its anti-inflammatory mechanism. Materials and Methods: The air-dried, powdered leaves were soaked in distilled water (1:20 w/v) at 50°C for 24 h and the supernatant obtained was freeze-dried (yield 8.5% w/w). The dosage was recorded as the mass of extract per kg b.w. of rats in all inflammatory assays (bradykinin-induced paw edema, peritoneal vascular permeability and NO assay). Results: Pretreatment with AEBO for 4 consecutive days exhibited significant inhibitory activity against inflammatory models, the bradykinin-induced hind paw edema model and bradykinin-induced increased peritoneal vascular permeability at both doses in dose-dependent manner. In addition, AEBO was also found to significantly suppress the production of NO at doses of 50 and 150 mg/kg. Conclusion: This study provides scientific data to support the traditional use of B. orellana leaves in treating inflammation. Results from this study suggest that AEBO exerts anti-inflammatory effects. Part of this anti-inflammatory effect may be associated with its antibradykinin activity and may be related to a reduction of the NO production

Diuretic activity of roots from Carica papaya L. and Ananas comosus L.

Water extracts of Carica papaya and Ananas comosus extracts were administered orally at doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg to Spraque Dawley rats. Two other groups were given commercial diuretics, furosemide and hydrochlorthiazide at 10 mg/kg. Urine volume, urine pH, urine density and urine electrolytes were determined every hour for 4 hours. Blood was taken to determine the serum level of glucose, albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. Both, C. papaya and A. comosus extracts exhibited moderate to potent diuretic activity. C. papaya extract increased the 4-hour urine volume when administered at both 5 and 10 mg/kg. A. comosus extracts increased urine volume only at 10 mg/kg dose. Na+ and Cl- elimination was unchanged for the whole period of study. However, the 4-hour urinary excretions of K+ were significantly increased for both plant extracts. Both plant extracts induced increment of serum BUN and creatinine level significantly when compared to controls (p<0.05) but these levels were still within the normal range. Blood glucose level and albumin were not significantly for both plant extract. In conclusion, both plants investigated had diuretic activity and roots of C. papaya activity were statistically similar potency to the activity of furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide. However, care must be taken when using these herbs as increased urinary K+ being excreted and marginal increase of serum BUN and creatinine were detected

A randomized, doubled-blind study comparing multiple doses of Channa striatus supplementation for knee osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the leading cause of chronic disability at older age. Channa striatus (CS) is a freshwater fish that is traditionally valued for its medicinal properties in promoting wound healing and reducing post-operative pain. This study evaluate the efficacy of different doses of oral Channa striatus extract on primary knee osteoarthritis patients. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 3-arm trial was conducted comparing oral CS extract 1000 mg/day or 500 mg/day and placebo among knee OA patients for a 6-month intervention period. The main outcome measures were Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), analgesic scores and serum cartilage oligomeric matric protein (COMP). Laboratory-based blood tests were used as safety measures. A total of 120 patients were randomized, and 112 patients were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. Significant reductions in WOMAC stiffness and function scores were achieved at month 6 in CS 1000 mg/day and CS 500 mg/day compared to placebo groups (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the groups in terms of analgesic scores, serum COMP and biochemical parameters. No serious adverse events were reported in the study. In conclusion, both doses of CS showed similar efficacy and were more effective than the placebo in treating the symptoms of knee OA

Cryptotanshinone attenuates in vitro oxLDL-induced pre-lesional atherosclerotic events.

Development of early stage atherosclerosis involves the activation of endothelial cells by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) with subsequent increases in endothelial permeability and expression of adhesion molecules favoring the adherence of monocytes to the endothelium. Cryptotanshinone (CTS), a major compound derived from the Chinese herb Salvia miltiorrhiza, is known for its protective effects against cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to determine whether CTS could prevent the oxLDL-induced early atherosclerotic events. OxLDL (100 µg/mL) was used to increase endothelial permeability and induce monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Endothelial nitric oxide (NO) concentrations, a permeability-regulating molecule, and expressions of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) were measured. Results show that a) endothelial hyperpermeability was suppressed by 94 % (p < 0.005), b) monocyte adhesion by 105 % (p < 0.01), and c) ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expressions by 90 % (p < 0.01) and 150 % (p < 0.005), respectively, when CTS was applied. In contrast, CTS increased NO levels by 129 % (p < 0.01) and was found to be noncytotoxic in the concentrations between 1-10 µM. These findings indicate that CTS suppresses an increase in endothelial permeability, likely due to the restoration of NO bioavailability in endothelial cells. They also indicate that CTS may attenuate monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells through the inhibition of adhesion molecules' expression. Thus, CTS may play an important role in the prevention of early or pre-lesional stage of atherosclerosis

Asiaticoside inhibits TNF-alpha-induced endothelial hyperpermeability of human aortic endothelial cells

The increase in endothelial permeability often promotes edema formation in various pathological conditions. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), a pro-atherogenic cytokine, impairs endothelial barrier function and causes endothelial dysfunction in early stage of atherosclerosis. Asiaticoside, one of the triterpenoids derived from Centella asiatica, is known to possess antiinflammatory activity. In order to examine the role of asiaticoside in preserving the endothelial barrier, we assessed its effects on endothelial hyperpermeability and disruption of actin filaments evoked by TNF-α in human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC). TNF-α caused an increase in endothelial permeability to fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran. Asiaticoside pretreatment significantly suppressed TNF-α-induced increased permeability. Asiaticoside also prevented TNF-α-induced actin redistribution by suppressing stress fiber formation. However, the increased F to G actin ratio stimulated by TNF-α was not changed by asiaticoside. Cytochalasin D, an actin depolymerizing agent, was used to correlate the anti-hyperpermeability effect of asiaticoside with actin cytoskeleton. Surprisingly, asiaticoside failed to prevent cytochalasin D-induced increased permeability. These results suggest that asiaticoside protects against the disruption of endothelial barrier and actin rearrangement triggered by TNF-α without a significant change in total actin pool. However, asiaticoside seems to work by other mechanisms to maintain the integrity of endothelial barrier rather than stabilizing the F-actin organization

Antihypercholesterolemia property and fatty acid composition of MARDI-produced virgin coconut oils

Virgin coconut oil (VCO), or in Malays known as ‘minyak kelapa dara’, has gain a lot of attention recently due to various medicinal values. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of feeding two types of VCOs, VCOA (produced via a standard drying method) or VCOB (prepared via fermentation process), that were produced by Malaysia Agriculture Research and Development Institute (MARDI) in lowering the plasma lipid parameter in rabbits. Nine groups of New Zealand White male rabbits (n = 6/group) were used in this study. Group 1 and 2 animals were treated with 0.9% normal saline, but fed either with a normal or cholesterol-added diet (negative control), respectively. Group 3 - 5 and 6 - 8 were given orally with the different volume (0.5, 1.0 and 2.5 ml/kg/day) of VCOA or VCOB followed by the cholesterol-added diet. Group 9 were treated with 5 mg/kg Atorvastatin and fed a cholesterol-added diet. All groups were treated for 8 weeks and blood samples were taken from the marginal ear vein prior to treatment (day 0), weeks 4 and 8 for the analysis of plasma. The rabbits fed with different volume of VCOs showed significant (P < 0.05) reduction in plasma cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels compared to the control group in weeks 4 and 8. The triglycerides level increased significantly (P < 0.05) on week 4 before reduced on week 8, to a level that is still significant when compared to week 0. The HDL level also increased significantly (P < 0.05) on weeks 4 and 8 after treatment. Fatty acid analysis revealed the presence of all important fatty acids. Both VCOs showed insignificant effect on all parameters measured when compared together. In conclusion, the MARDI-produced VCOs appeared to possess great potentials as antihypercholesterolemic agent that required further in-depth study

Effect of methanol extract of Dicranopteris linearis leaves against paracetamol- and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver toxicity in rats

The present study aimed to determine the hepatoprotective activity of methanol extract of Dicranopteris linearis leaves (MEDL) using two models of liver injury in r ats. Rats (n = 6) received 10% DMSO(negative control), 200 mg/kg silymarin (positive control) or MEDL (50, 250, and 500 mg/kg) orally once daily for 7 days and 3 hours after the last adminis tration of the test solutions, they were subjected to the hepatotoxic induction either using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) or paracetamol (PCM). The bloods and livers were collected and subjected to biochemical and microscopical analysis. From the data obtained, all doses of MEDL significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in CCl4-induced hepatotoxic rats while only the 500 mg/kg MEDL caused significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the level of both enzymes in the PCM-induced liver toxicity model. The histological results obtained were in line with the biochemical analysis. In conclusion, the MEDL-induced hepatoprotective activity is attributed partly to its free radicals scavenging and antioxidant activities and high flav onoids content

In vivo antitrypanosomal activity of Garcinia hombroniana aqueous extract

The anti-Trypanosoma evansi activity of Garcinia hombroniana (seashore mangosteen) leaves aqueous extract was tested on experimentally infected Sprague–Dawley rats. Treatment of infected rats with G. hombroniana extract resulted in a significantly extended post-infection longevity (p < 0.05), compared to the untreated control group. The possible mode of antitrypanosomal effect of the plant extract was also investigated on cultured T. evansi in HMI-9 medium with the addition of 25 µg/ml G. hombroniana aqueous extract. It was observed that the addition of G. hombroniana extract resulted in the inhibition of trypanosomal kinetoplast division, with no significant inhibitory effect on nuclear division. It is concluded from the current study that the aqueous extract of G. hombroniana has a potential antitrypanosomal activity through the inhibition of kinetoplast division, as one of the possible mechanisms of its antitrypanosomal effect. This plant could serve as a possible source of new antitrypanosomal compounds

Evaluation of chondroprotective activity of Channa striatus in rabbit osteoarthritis model

Objectives. Te objective of the study is to evaluate the chondroprotective activity of Channa striatus (Channa) and glucosamine sulphate (glucosamine) on histomorphometric examinations, serum biomarker, and infammatory mediators in experimental osteoarthritis (OA) rabbit model. Design. Anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) was performed to induce OA in thirtythree male New Zealand white rabbits and were randomly divided into three groups: Channa, glucosamine, and control group. Te control group received drinking water and the Channa and glucosamine groups were orally administered with 51.4 mg/kg of Channa extract and 77.5 mg/kg of glucosamine sulphate in drinking water, respectively, for eight weeks and then sacrifced. Te articular cartilage was evaluated macroscopically and histologically using semiquantitative and quantitative methods. Serum cartilage oligomeric matric protein (COMP), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) enzyme, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were also determined. Results. Macroscopic analysis revealed that Channa group have a signifcantly lower severity grade of total macroscopic score compared to the control (p < 0.001) and glucosamine (p < 0.05) groups. Semiquantitative histology scoring showed that both Channa and glucosamine groups had lower severity grading of total histology score compared to the control group (p < 0.001). In comparison with the control, Channa group had lower histopathological changes in three compartments of the joint compared to glucosamine group which had lower histological scoring in two compartments only. Te cartilage thickness, area, and roughness of both Channa (p < 0.05) and glucosamine (p < 0.05) groups were superior compared to the control group. However, the Channa group demonstrated signifcantly less cartilage roughness compared to the glucosamine group (p < 0.05). Serum COMP levels were lower in both Channa (p < 0.05) and glucosamine (p < 0.05) groups compared to the control group. Conclusion. Both oral administration of Channa extract and glucosamine exhibited chondroprotective action on an ACLT OA-induced rabbit model. However, Channa was superior to glucosamine in maintaining the structure of the cartilage