Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of the ethanolic extract of Pluchea indica (L) less leaf

Ethanolic extract of Pluchea indica leaf (PIL) was used to investigate its anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities by using carrageenan - induced oedema model and acetic acid induced writhing test. PIL exhibited significant and dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity at a dose of 300 mg/kg when administered orally. It is also demonstrated that the i.p administration of PIL at a dose of 10, 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg produced significant inhibition of abdominal constriction induced with 0.6% (v/v) acetic acid in dose dependent manner. These results indicate that PIL exhibits significant anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects

Preliminary toxicological evaluations of Polypeptide-K isolated from Momordica Charantia in laboratory rats.

This study examined the toxicological effects and safety of polypeptide k isolated from the seeds of Momordica charantia in laboratory rats. 30 male Sprague Dawley rats (12 weeks old, bodyweight 180-200 g) were randomly divided into 3 groups (1000 mg/kg, 500 mg and 0 mg/kg). Rats were acclimatized to laboratory conditions for 7 days and at day 8 rats were dosed orally with polypeptide k (in 2% DMSO/normal saline) and the controls received the dosed vehicle only. Rats were then observed for 72 hours before sacrificed. Rats were anaesthetized by pentobarbital (50 mg/kg ip) and 2-3.0 mL of blood was taken by cardiac puncture and rats were scarified by anaesthetic overdose. Immediately, organs (heart, lungs, liver, kidneys) were weigh and taken for histology. Organ sections were then evaluated by a histopathologist. Serum samples were assayed for liver functions (ALT and γ-GT) and kidney functions (BUN and creatinine). All rats showed normal behavior after the dosing and no statistical changes were observed in al blood parameters and organ weight. Histological examinations revealed normal organ structures. In conclusion, dosing of rats up to 1000 mg/kg did not have any effects on the rat behavior, liver or kidney functions nor histology of the selected organs

Road crack detection using adaptive multi resolution thresholding techniques

Machine vision is very important for ensuring the success of intelligent transportation systems, particularly in the area of road maintenance. For this reason, many studies had been focusing on automatic image-based crack detection as a replacement for manual inspection that had depended on the specialist’s knowledge and expertise. In the image processing technique, the pre-processing and edge detection stages are important for filtering out noises and in enhancing the quality of the edges in the image. Since threshold is one of the powerful methods used in the edge detection of an image, we have therefore proposed a modified Otsu-Canny Edge Detection Algorithm in the selection of the two threshold values as well as implemented a multi-resolution level fixed partitioning method in the analysis of the global and local threshold values of the image. This is then followed by a statistical measure in selecting the edge image with the best global threshold. This study had utilized the road crack image dataset that were obtained from Crackforest. The results had revealed the proposed method to not only perform better than the conventional Canny edge detection method but had also shown the maximum value derived from the local threshold of 5x5 partitioned image outperforming the other partitioned scales

Discovery of endothelial barrier protection by natural product

Vascular endothelial cells emerge as a key regulator of vascular homeostasis. Disruption of vascular endothelial barrier leads to vascular hyperpermeability which in turn contributes to a broad spectrum of the most dreadful of human diseases, including heart diseases, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and cancer. The search for permeability-modulating agent still far lacking, thus, it is a need to search for a new agent to reduce endothelial hyperpermeability. Bixa orellana L. has been traditionally used to treat a number of ailments, including internal inflammation. Preliminary data showed that its leaves are able to suppress inflammation induced by carrageenan. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the anti-hyperpermebility effect of B. orellana leaf extract (AEBO) and elucidate its mechanism of action induced by histamine. The anti-hyperpermeability activity of the extract was evaluated using histamineinduced rat paw oedema, increased peritoneal vascular permeability, nitric oxide (NO) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) measurement in animal model, while, phospholipase C (PLC) – NO – cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling pathway was determined via in vitro. AEBO produced a significant inhibition of histamine-induced paw edema starting at 60 min time point, with maximal percentage of inhibition (60.25%) achieved with a dose of 150 mg/kg. Up to 90% of increased peritoneal vascular hyperpermeability successfully suppressed by AEBO. NO and VEGF from inflammed paw tissues was also found to be downregulated in the AEBO group. Histamine-induced increased endothelial permeability was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with AEBO in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, AEBO also suppressed PLC, calcium, NO and cGMP signaling cascade when endothelial cells were challenged with histamine. Protein kinase C activity was also significantly abolished by AEBO under histamine condition. In conclusion, the present data suggest that AEBO could suppress histamine-induced increased vascular permeability and the activity may be closely related with the inhibition of the PLCNO-cGMP signaling and PKC activity

Anti-inflammatory activity of Nigella sativa oil in rats

Nigella sativa (N. sativa), commonly known as black seed, has been a well known herb since ancient times with a wide range of healing properties. The aim of this study was to investigate anti-inflammatory activity of N. sativa seed oil at three dosages on carrageenan-induced paw oedema, total white blood cell (TWBC) count and plasma protein in rats. Acute inflammation was induced by subplantar injection of carrageenan (0.1 ml, 1 % w/v) into the rat hind paw. 500 mglkg, 1000 mg/kg and 1500 mg/kg of N. sativa oil were administrated orally. Paw oedema, total white blood cell count and plasma protein were assessed. N. sativa seed oil exerted significant inhibition of paw oedema at the dosage of 1500 mg/kg at second hour and plasma protein at a dosage of 1000 mg/kg at third hour (p< 0.05). No significant inhibition ofTWBC count was exerted by N. sativa seed oil at third hour after treatment at dosages used in this study. There was also dose-dependent correlation of N. sativa seed oil on inhibition of paw oedema. These results support the traditional use of N. sativa seed oil for the treatment of inflammatory diseases

Improved blood glucose level associated with polypeptide-K (Diabegard®), a polypeptide isolated from the seeds of Momordica charantia supplementation: evaluation of 6 cases

To describe six cases of glucose management in diabetic and pre-diabetic patients with Diabegard® supplementation. We report the clinical courses of six individuals taking Diabegard® supplementation at 60 and 120 mg/day for 8 weeks. Patients had a maximum of 50% reduction in fasting blood glucose with 42% reduction in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Patients also had improved kidney functions (expressed by normal level of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and urine microalbumin). In some patients, these three parameters were elevated prior to supplementation. These results suggest that supplementation of Diabegard® will improve patients' glucose management and with reduction of elevated blood glucose level, kidney functions will also improve. However, patients taking this supplementation are advised to seek medical consultation in monitoring their blood sugar levels

Effects of Cytochrome P450 Inhibitors on Itraconazole and Fluconazole Induced Cytotoxicity in Hepatocytes

Itraconazole and fluconazole have been reported to induce hepatotoxicity in patients. The present study was designed to investigate the role of cytochrome P450 inhibitors, SKF 525A, and curcumin pretreatment on the cytotoxicity of antifungal drugs fluconazole and itraconazole. For 3 consecutive days, female rats were administered daily SKF 525A or curcumin (5 and 25 mg/kg). Control rats received an equivalent amount of dosed vehicle. The animals were anaesthetized 24 hours after receiving the last dose for liver perfusion. Hepatocytes were then exposed to various concentrations of antifungal drugs. In vitro incubation of hepatocytes with itraconazole revealed significantly lower viability when compared to fluconazole as assessed by lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities. The cytotoxicity of itraconazole was enhanced when incubated with hepatocytes pretreated with SKF 525A. SKF 525A had no effects on the cytotoxicity of fluconazole. Curcumin failed to either increase or decrease the cytotoxicity of both antifungal drugs. ATP levels also showed significant decrease in both itraconazole and fluconazole incubated hepatocytes. However, SKF 525A pretreated hepatocytes had significantly lower ATP levels after itraconazole incubations. Collectively, these results confirm the involvement of cytochrome P450 in the cytoprotection in itraconazole induced hepatocyte toxicity. Differences of the effects of SKF 525A on the cytotoxicity induced by itraconazole and fluconazole may be due to the differences on the metabolism of each antifungal drug in vivo

A report of six clinical cases of lowered blood cholesterol profile associated with supplementation with polypeptide K (Diabegard®), a polypeptide isolated from the seeds of Momordica charantia Linn

Purpose: To assess six patients with Diabegard® supplementation with reference to cholesterol profiles. Methods: We report the clinical courses of six individuals taking Diabegard® supplementation at 60 and 120 mg/day for 8 weeks. Results: Patients had a maximum of 52.13 % reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, 47.67 % reduction in triglycerides and 35.78 % reduction in total cholesterol (TC) within 8 weeks of Diabegard® supplementation. Interestingly, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol increased by approximately 23.29 %. Patients also had reduced readings for C-reactive protein (CRP) and homocysteine (with maximum reduction of 81.58 % and 57.41 % respectively). In some patients, these parameters were elevated prior to supplementation. Conclusion: These results suggest that supplementation of Diabegard® will improve patients’ cholesterol profile by reduction of LDL and TC. Patients also expressed lower CRP and homocysteine indicating reduced inflammation and reduction of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risk. However, patients taking this supplementation are advised to seek medical consultation in monitoring their cholesterol and other biochemical profile levels