African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM最新文献

Background: Astragaloside, which is one of the main components of Astragalus membranaceus, has been widely used in the treatment of congestive heart failure in China, and it can protect cardiomyocytes. Its mechanism of action remains unclear. Therefore, the present study was carried out to investigate the influence of astragaloside on rat cardiomyocytes stimulated with endothelin-1 (ET-1), and explored the underlying mechanism.

Materials and methods: ET-1 was used to stimulate primary rat cardiomyocytes and establish a cardiomyocyte hypertrophy model. Different astragaloside doses were administered in combination with ET-1. Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and apoptosis were examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and flow cytometry, respectively. The molecular mechanism was explored by analyzing the mRNA of the vitamin D receptor (VDR), cytochrome P450 family 27 subfamily B member 1(CYP27B), cytochrome P450 family 24 subfamily A member 1(CYP24A) and renin mRNA levels by quantificational real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).

Results: Rat cardiomyocyte hypertrophy model was established successfully. Astragaloside administration significantly affected cell apoptosis and significantly inhibited ET-1-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in a dose-dependent manner. Astragaloside treatment affected the expression of signaling molecules in the vitamin D axis.

Conclusion: Astragaloside inhibits ET-1-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. This effect can be reversed by regulating the levels of the relevant factors in the vitamin D axis.

Background: Borage (Borago officinal L.) is an annual herbaceous plant of great interest because its oil contains a high percentage of γ-linolenic acid (GLA). The present work was carried out to detect fatty acids composition of the oil extracted from borage seeds (BO) and its potential effectiveness against γ-irradiation- induced hepatotoxicity in male rats.

Materials and methods: GC-MS analysis of fatty acids methyl esters of BO was performed to identify fatty acids composition. Sixty rats were divided into five groups (12 rats each): Control, irradiated; rats were exposed to (6.5 Gy) of whole body γ-radiation, BO (50 mg/kg b.wt), irradiated BO post-treated and irradiated BO prepost-treated. Six rats from each group were sacrificed at two time intervals 7 and 15 days post-irradiation. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels, lipids profile, as well as serum and hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxide (malondialdehyde) (MDA) levels were assessed. Histopathological examination of liver sections were also carried out.

Results: The results showed that the high contents of BO extracted by cold pressing, were linoleic acid (34.23%) and GLA (24.79%). Also, oral administration of BO significantly improved serum levels of liver enzymes, lipids profile, as well as serum and hepatic GSH and MDA levels (p<0.001) as compared with irradiated rats after 15 days post irradiation. Moreover, it exerted marked amelioration against irradiation-induced histopathological changes in liver tissues. The improvement was more pronounced in irradiated BO prepost-treated group than irradiated BO post-treated.

Conclusion: BO has a beneficial role in reducing hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by radiation exposure. Therefore, BO may be used as a beneficial supplement for patients during radiotherapy treatment.

Background: Coix seed has the functions of fortifying the spleen and inhibiting the dampness. However, it remains unclear which Coix seed compositions is responsible for these functions. Previous investigations have revealed that the main compositions of Coix seed are proteins, polysaccharides, oils and starches. The objectives of this study are to explore which is the most effective compositions in fortifying the spleen and examine how Coix seed works in regulating the water transport on the spleen deficiency and wet dampness (SDWD) rat model.

Materials and methods: The rats used were divided into (i) control group, (ii) model group, (iii) decoction group, (iv) protein group, (v) polysaccharide group, (vi) oil group and (vii) starch group. The urine volume, the drinking volume and the water loading index in each group were calculated. Agilent 8*60K array was used for microarray-based gene expression analysis. The differential mRNAs related to the transport activity were screened. qRT-PCR was used to validate the mRNA microarray.

Results: The results demonstrated that all treatment groups could decrease the dampness of SDWD rats. mRNA microarray had significant effect on the protein group and the polysaccharide group in regulating the water transport, among which the most significant mRNA was Fabp6, Slc51a, Slc51b, Slc11a2, Slc4a10 and AQP3 respectively.

Conclusion: The compositions of proteins and polysaccharides had the most significant effect in regulating the water transport of SDWD rat model. The contributing mRNA focused on Fabp, Slc and AQP family.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the common neurodegenerative disorders among elderly. The purpose of this study was to determine the neuroprotective effect and mechanisms of action underlying the Terminalia chebula extracts and ellagic acid by using beta-amyloid_25-35 (Aβ_25-35)-induced cell toxicity in an undifferentiated pheochromocytoma (PC12) cell line.

Materials and methods: The T. chebula extracts were prepared using the methanol, water, and 95% ethanol. Specifically, the ellagic acid was obtained in our laboratory. Assays including cell toxicity and changes in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and calcium level were evaluated to examine the neuroprotective effects and mechanisms of the T. chebula extracts and ellagic acid.

Results: The methanolic and water extracts of T. chebula and ellagic acid exhibited the strongest neuroprotective activity against Aβ_25-35-induced PC12 cell damages at 0.5-5.0 μg/ml. The ellagic acid also exhibited partial neuroprotective activity against H₂O₂-induced PC12 cell damages at 0.5-5.0 μg/ml. The methanolic and water extracts of T. chebula and ellagic acid protected PC12 cells from Aβ_25-35-mediated cell damages and enhanced cell viability thorough two key mechanisms by: (1) inhibiting ROS production and (2) reducing calcium ion influx.

Conclusion: The T. chebula represents a promising plant-source as medicine in the application for the treatment of AD. Further investigation focusing on the active component of T. chebula extracts e.g., ellagic acid is crucial to verify the neuroprotective efficacy and mechanisms in vivo.

Background: Plant fungal pathogens play a crucial role in the profitability, quality and quantity of plant production. These phytopathogens are persistent in avoiding plant defences causing diseases and quality losses around the world that amount to billions of US dollars annually. To control the scourge of plant fungal diseases, farmers have used fungicides to manage the damage of plant pathogenic fungi. Drawbacks such as development of resistance and environmental toxicity associated with these chemicals have motivated researchers and cultivators to investigate other possibilities.

Materials and methods: Several databases were accessed to determine work done on protecting plants against plant fungal pathogens with plant extracts using search terms "plant fungal pathogen", "plant extracts" and "phytopathogens". Proposals are made on the best extractants and bioassay techniques to be used.

Results: In addition to chemical fungicides, biological agents have been used to deal with plant fungal diseases. There are many examples where plant extracts or plant derived compounds have been used as commercial deterrents of fungi on a large scale in agricultural and horticultural setups. One advantage of this approach is that plant extracts usually contain more than one antifungal compound. Consequently the development of resistance of pathogens may be lower if the different compounds affect a different metabolic process. Plants cultivated using plants extracts may also be marketed as organically produced. Many papers have been published on effective antimicrobial compounds present in plant extracts focusing on applications in human health. More research is required to develop suitable, sustainable, effective, cheaper botanical products that can be used to help overcome the scourge of plant fungal diseases.

Conclusions: Scientists who have worked only on using plants to control human and animal fungal pathogens should consider the advantages of focusing on plant fungal pathogens. This approach could not only potentially increase food security for rural farmers, lead to commercial rewards, but it is also much easier to test the efficacy in greenhouse or field experiments. Even if extracts are toxic it may still be useful in the floriculture industry.

Background: The leaves of Aristolochia bracteolata Retz. has been documented in the folk medicine literature for its anti-arthritic activity. The target of the research envisaged was to elucidate the activity of A. bracteolata extract on hyperuricemic condition in arthritis rat model.

Materials and methods: Dried and powdered plant leaves were extracted using ether and chloroform. Potassium oxonate was injected intra-articularly to produce arthritis. The hyperuricemic effect, of A. bracteolate was analyzed by studying levels of uric acid in serum as well as in urine of arthritis induced rats. Effects of plant extracts were also studied on BUN (blood urea nitrogen) levels and fraction of uric acid excreted.

Results: Results indicate that administration of A. bracteolata presented substantial change in uric acid concentration, augmented by potassium oxonate administration in rats. The reduction in levels of uric acid levels was nearly same as allopurinol. The investigation also revealed that the primary plant extract has nephroprotective effect by enhancing the production of Prostaglandin E₂ and Interleukin-1. Histological studies of rat kidney slices indicated the safety of the present plant extract.

Conclusion: The crude extract of A. bracteolate can be used to reduce hyperuricemia in metabolic arthritis produced in rat model, without inducing any potential damaging effects.

Background: Duck viral hepatitis (DVH), caused by duck hepatitis A virus (DHAV), is a fatal contagious infectious disease which spreads rapidly with high morbidity and high mortality, and there is no effective clinical drug against DVH.

Materials and methods: Raw Rehmannia Radix Polysaccharide (RRRP), Lycii Fructus polysaccharides and Astragalus Radix polysaccharides were experimented in vitro and in vivo. Mortality rate, livers change, liver lesion scoring, peroxidative injury evaluation indexes in vitro and in vivo, and hepatic injury evaluation indexes of optimal one were detected and observed in this experiment.

Results: RRRP could reduce mortality with the protection rate about 20.0% compared with that of the viral control (VC) group, finding that RRRP was the most effective against DHAV. The average liver scoring of the VC, blank control (BC), RRRP groups were 3.5, 0, 2.1. Significant difference (P<0.05) appeared between any two groups, demonstrating that it can alleviate liver pathological change. RRRP could make the hepatic injury evaluation indexes similar to BC group while the levels of the VC group were higher than other two groups in general. The levels of SOD, GSH-Px, CAT of RRRP group showed significant higher than that of VC group while the levels of NOS and MDA showed the opposite tendency, thus, RRRP could release peroxidative injury.

Conclusion: RRRP was the most effective against duck hepatitis A virus (DHAV). RRRP could reduce mortality, alleviate liver pathological change, down-regulate liver lesion score, release peroxidative injury and hepatic injury. The antiviral and peroxidative injury releasing activity of RRRP for DHAV provided a platform to test novel drug strategies for hepatitis A virus in human beings.

Background: Present investigation evaluates the antitumor activity of epifriedelinol for the management of cervical cancer by inducing process of apoptosis.

Methods: Human Cervical Cancer Cell Line, C33A and HeLa were selected for study and treated with epifriedelinol at a concentration of (50-1000 µg/ml). Cytotoxicity of epifriedelinol was estimated by MTT assay and induction of apoptosis was assessed by estimating the activity of caspase 3, 8 and 9 enzyme, apoptosis assay and translocation of cytochrome c. Moreover an expression of several proteins that plays role in the apoptosis process was estimated by western blot method.

Results: Result of the study suggested that treatment with epifriedelinol significantly decrease the viability count of cancerous cell in a dose perndent manner and also enhances the formation of oligonucleosome in both the cell lines. However activity of caspase enzymes and translocation of cytochrome c were enhanced after treatment with epifriedelinol. It was also observed that epifriedelinol treatment alters the ratio of pro-apoptotic to anti-apoptotic proteins and enhances the expressions of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAP).

Conclusion: Result of our study proves the anticancer activity of epifriedelinol in cervical cancer by inducing apoptosis as treatment with it enhances the production of oligonucleosomes, translocation of cytochrome c and activity caspase enzymes.

Background: Diabetes is a serious disease affects human health. Diabetes in advanced stages is accompanied by general weakness and alteration in fats and carbohydrates metabolism. Recently there are some scientific trends about the usage of camel milk (CM) in the treatment of diabetes and its associated alterations. CM contains vital active particles with insulin like action that cure diabetes and its complications but how these effects occur, still unclear.

Materials and methods: Seventy-five adult male rats of the albino type divided into five equal groups. Group 1 served as a negative control (C). Group 2 was supplemented with camel milk (CM). Diabetes was induced in the remaining groups (3, 4 and 5). Group 3 served as positive diabetic control (D). Group 4 served as diabetic and administered metformin (D+MET). Group 5 served as diabetes and supplemented with camel milk (D+CM). Camel milk was supplemented for two consecutive months. Serum glucose, leptin, insulin, liver, kidney, antioxidants, MDA and lipid profiles were assayed. Tissues from liver and adipose tissues were examined using RT-PCR analysis for the changes in mRNA expression of genes of carbohydrates and lipid metabolism. Pancreas and liver were used for immunohistochemical examination using specific antibodies.

Results: Camel milk supplementation ameliorated serum biochemical measurements that altered after diabetes induction. CM supplementation up-regulated mRNA expression of IRS-2, PK, and FASN genes, while down-regulated the expression of CPT-1 to control mRNA expression level. CM did not affect the expression of PEPCK gene. On the other hand, metformin failed to reduce the expression of CPT-1 compared to camel milk administered rats. Immunohistochemical findings revealed that CM administration restored the immunostaining reactivity of insulin and GLUT-4 in the pancreas of diabetic rats.

Conclusion: CM administration is of medical importance and helps physicians in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Background: Plants have consistently proven to be a reliable and yet not fully explored source of medicines. In light of this, there is a constant demand for new treatment regimens for cancer. Namibia has a rich diversity of plant species of over 4300 with 17 % of them being endemic to Namibia. Plants growing in Namibia's diverse climatic zones produce many secondary metabolites as part of adaptation to their environment. This article focused on the screening of such phytochemicals and their cytotoxic and anticancer properties in vitro. Two Namibian plants Diospyros chamaethamnus and Guibourtia coleosperma were randomly selected for this purpose.

Materials and methods: The plants were screened for the presence of coumarins, alkaloids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, steroids and terpenoids using thin layer chromatography. Anticancer screening was performed on a panel of three cancer cell lines, while cytotoxicity was determined using a human fibroblast cell line, both using the SRB method.

Results: Alkaloids, anthraquinones, flavonoids and steroids were detected in both organic and aqueous extracts of the two plants. The organic plant extracts had a greater anti-proliferative effect on the cancer cell lines than the aqueous extracts; the D. chamaethamnus organic root extract was the most potent with an IC₅₀ of 16.08, 29.12 and 24.67 µg/mL against TK10, UACC62 and MCF7 cells, respectively. Furthermore, cytotoxicity analysis revealed the non-toxic nature of the extracts, except for the organic root extract of D. chamaethamnus that showed significant cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ 13.03 µg/mL).

Conclusion: D. chamaethamnus is a potential candidate for the development of a plant based cancer treatment. The study showed the value of random screening in drug discovery from plants for pharmacological activity that is unrelated to their ethnomedicinal uses.