Objective:To investigate the relationship between triterpenoid saponin content and antioxidant,antimicrobial,and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of 70%ethanolic,butanolic,aqueous,supernate and precipitate extract...Objective:To investigate the relationship between triterpenoid saponin content and antioxidant,antimicrobial,and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of 70%ethanolic,butanolic,aqueous,supernate and precipitate extracts of Juglans regia leaves.Methods:Triterpenoid saponins of different Juglans regia leaf extracts were measured by the vanillin method.Antioxidant activity was evaluated against DPPH and ABTS free radicals.We also assessed α-glucosidase inhibitory and antimicrobial activities of the leaf extracts.Pearson’s correlation coefficient was evaluated to determine the correlation between the saponin content and biological activities.Results:The butanolic extract was most effective against DPPH with an IC50of 6.63μg/mL,while the aqueous extract showed the highest scavenging activity against ABTS free radical with an IC50of 42.27μg/mL.Pearson’s correlation analysis indicated a strong negative correlation (r=-0.956) between DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50) and the saponin content in the samples examined.In addition,the aqueous extract showed the best α-glucosidase inhibitory activity compared with other extracts.All the extracts had fair antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis,Escherichia coli,and Klebsiella pneumoniae except for the aqueous extract.Conclusions:Juglans regia extracts show potent antioxidant,antimicrobial,and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities.There is a correlation between saponin levels in Juglans regia leaf extracts and the studied activities.However,additional research is required to establish these relationships by identifying the specific saponin molecules responsible for these activities and elucidating their mechanisms of action.展开更多
Objective:To assess the acute and subacute toxicity as well as the phytochemical composition of two extracts and three fractions of Ammi majus L.Methods:The aqueous extracts were prepared separately by maceration for ...Objective:To assess the acute and subacute toxicity as well as the phytochemical composition of two extracts and three fractions of Ammi majus L.Methods:The aqueous extracts were prepared separately by maceration for 48 h and by infusion for 1 h,while the fractions were prepared by the Soxhlet extractor,successively employing cyclohexane,ethyl acetate,and ethanol.The acute toxicity study was carried out in accordance with the OECD N°423 guideline at a single dose(2000 mg/kg)in mice for 14 days.The subacute toxicity study was performed by a daily oral administration of 250 mg/kg 2 for 10 d and 100 mg/kg doses for 28 d.Phytochemical screening was performed using staining and precipitation reactions,while the chemical characterization of some analytes was detected by HPLC-MS/MS analysis.Results:In the acute toxicity study,no signs of toxicity such as convulsion,salivation,diarrhea,sleep and coma were observed during 30 minutes and 14 days,so the lethal dose was higher than 2000 mg/kg for each extract and fraction.The subacute toxicity results showed that at a dose of 250 mg/kg,61.10%of the animals died and the rest developed morbidity.On the other hand,at a dose of 100 mg/kg,all the animals were still alive after 28 days,with no morbidity and the biochemical parameters were normal with no abnormalities in the liver,kidneys and pancreas.Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of flavonoids,tannins,coumarins,and free quinones and the absence of alkaloids and anthocyanins.Conclusions:The extracts and fractions of Ammi majus L.are not toxic in the short and long term with a varied chemical composition.Toxicological tests on animals other than rodents and in the long term(more than 28 days)are needed to further confirm the safety of Ammi majus extracts.展开更多
Objective:To evaluate the prevalence and types of complementary and alternative medicine(CAM)modalities among patients with cancer in Karachi,Pakistan.Methods:This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from ...Objective:To evaluate the prevalence and types of complementary and alternative medicine(CAM)modalities among patients with cancer in Karachi,Pakistan.Methods:This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2021 to December 2021.Five hundred patients with cancer were invited to participate in the study.Electronic databases,namely,Google scholar,Publons,EMBASE,PubMed,Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database,and ResearchGate was used for questionnaire designed.The self-administered survey included questions on demographic characteristics,education level,socio-economic conditions and information about CAM therapies,prevalence,effectiveness,and common CAM modalities.Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software version 22.Results:Out of the 500 invited patients,433(86.6%)successfully completed and returned the questionnaires.In contrast to patients who were with younger,highly educated,professionally active,higher income,and had advanced cancer,time since diagnosis,type of treatment,cancer types and family history are significantly associated with CAM use.The results showed that 59.8%of the participants were acquainted with complementary and/or alternative medicine and considered safe owing to its natural ingredients.The prevalence of CAM usage among cancer patients was 40.9%and the most widely used CAM modality was herbal medicine(27.7%)and dietary supplements(28.8%).Patients used CAM as a complementary therapy to improve the morphological parameter(28.2%),strengthen the immune system(6.8%),and to decrease the side effects of conventional treatment(18.1%).Most of the respondents get the information regarding CAM therapy from the electronic media(43.2%)and the family members(48%)rather than healthcare personnel.Conclusions:Participants used CAM modalities along with the conventional health care practices.Further multicentre studies should be conducted to provide information regarding the usage of CAM therapies and their eventual benefits in patients with cancer.展开更多
The new coronavirus disease(COVID-19)outbreak has challenged us to take unprecedented steps to bring this pandemic under control.In view of the urgency of this situation,convalescent plasma which was used in previous ...The new coronavirus disease(COVID-19)outbreak has challenged us to take unprecedented steps to bring this pandemic under control.In view of the urgency of this situation,convalescent plasma which was used in previous coronavirus outbreaks has emerged as one of the treatment options in this current pandemic.This is mainly due to the fact that convalescent plasma has been studied in a few case series with promising outcomes.In addition,on-going large clinical trials aimed to further evaluate the effectiveness,safety,and optimal dosage,duration and timing of administration of convalescent plasma are indeed revealing a certain level of promising results.Therefore,this article aims to provide an overview of possible mechanisms of actions of convalescent plasma,its benefits and its level of usage safeness by summarizing the existing evidence on the use of convalescent plasma in COVID-19 patients.展开更多
Objective:To assess the immunopotentiality of Ayurvedic polyherbal preparations,"Saribadi" and "Anantamul Salsa".Methods: Freshly prepared BALB/c mice splenocytes were cultured with "Saribadi&...Objective:To assess the immunopotentiality of Ayurvedic polyherbal preparations,"Saribadi" and "Anantamul Salsa".Methods: Freshly prepared BALB/c mice splenocytes were cultured with "Saribadi" or"Anantamul Salsa" treatment [doses of 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00%, 1.50%, 2.00%,3.00% and 4.00%(v/v)] at 37C for 5 days. The immunoglobulin M(IgM) production and lymphocytes proliferation were determined by ELISA and MTT methods, respectively.Endotoxin contamination was assessed by treating the preparations with polymyxin B.Results: The doses of "Saribadi" [0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75% and 1.00%(v/v)] significantly increased IgM productions(0.966, 0.728, 0.695 and 0.615 mg/m L vs. control 0.265 mg/m L)and lymphocytes proliferation [absorbance 0.311, 0.394, 0.372 and 0.334 optical density(OD) vs. control 0.162 OD]. Similarly, the doses of "Anantamul Salsa" [0.50%, 0.75%,1.00% and 1.50%(v/v)] promoted IgM productions(0.933, 0.919, 0.917 and 0.892 mg/m L vs. control 0.502 mg/m L) and the doses of "Anantamul Salsa" [0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00%,1.50%, 2.00%, and 3.00%(v/v)] stimulated lymphocytes proliferation(absorbance 0.395,0.326, 0.440, 0.398, 0.452 and 0.355 OD vs. control 0.199 OD). The activity of "Saribadi"and "Anantamul Salsa" was not retarded by the treatment of preparations with polymyxin B.Conclusions: Immunomodulatory activity of "Saribadi" and "Anantamul Salsa" was unveiled for the first time. "Saribadi" and "Anantamul Salsa" possess immunostimulating potential acting through the induction of lymphocyte proliferation and IgM production.These preparations may be useful in strengthening immune responses. However, further cellular and in vivo studies are required.展开更多
基金supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research at Umm Al-Qura University(Grant code:22UQU4331128DSR77).
文摘Objective:To investigate the relationship between triterpenoid saponin content and antioxidant,antimicrobial,and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of 70%ethanolic,butanolic,aqueous,supernate and precipitate extracts of Juglans regia leaves.Methods:Triterpenoid saponins of different Juglans regia leaf extracts were measured by the vanillin method.Antioxidant activity was evaluated against DPPH and ABTS free radicals.We also assessed α-glucosidase inhibitory and antimicrobial activities of the leaf extracts.Pearson’s correlation coefficient was evaluated to determine the correlation between the saponin content and biological activities.Results:The butanolic extract was most effective against DPPH with an IC50of 6.63μg/mL,while the aqueous extract showed the highest scavenging activity against ABTS free radical with an IC50of 42.27μg/mL.Pearson’s correlation analysis indicated a strong negative correlation (r=-0.956) between DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50) and the saponin content in the samples examined.In addition,the aqueous extract showed the best α-glucosidase inhibitory activity compared with other extracts.All the extracts had fair antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis,Escherichia coli,and Klebsiella pneumoniae except for the aqueous extract.Conclusions:Juglans regia extracts show potent antioxidant,antimicrobial,and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities.There is a correlation between saponin levels in Juglans regia leaf extracts and the studied activities.However,additional research is required to establish these relationships by identifying the specific saponin molecules responsible for these activities and elucidating their mechanisms of action.
文摘Objective:To assess the acute and subacute toxicity as well as the phytochemical composition of two extracts and three fractions of Ammi majus L.Methods:The aqueous extracts were prepared separately by maceration for 48 h and by infusion for 1 h,while the fractions were prepared by the Soxhlet extractor,successively employing cyclohexane,ethyl acetate,and ethanol.The acute toxicity study was carried out in accordance with the OECD N°423 guideline at a single dose(2000 mg/kg)in mice for 14 days.The subacute toxicity study was performed by a daily oral administration of 250 mg/kg 2 for 10 d and 100 mg/kg doses for 28 d.Phytochemical screening was performed using staining and precipitation reactions,while the chemical characterization of some analytes was detected by HPLC-MS/MS analysis.Results:In the acute toxicity study,no signs of toxicity such as convulsion,salivation,diarrhea,sleep and coma were observed during 30 minutes and 14 days,so the lethal dose was higher than 2000 mg/kg for each extract and fraction.The subacute toxicity results showed that at a dose of 250 mg/kg,61.10%of the animals died and the rest developed morbidity.On the other hand,at a dose of 100 mg/kg,all the animals were still alive after 28 days,with no morbidity and the biochemical parameters were normal with no abnormalities in the liver,kidneys and pancreas.Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of flavonoids,tannins,coumarins,and free quinones and the absence of alkaloids and anthocyanins.Conclusions:The extracts and fractions of Ammi majus L.are not toxic in the short and long term with a varied chemical composition.Toxicological tests on animals other than rodents and in the long term(more than 28 days)are needed to further confirm the safety of Ammi majus extracts.
文摘Objective:To evaluate the prevalence and types of complementary and alternative medicine(CAM)modalities among patients with cancer in Karachi,Pakistan.Methods:This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2021 to December 2021.Five hundred patients with cancer were invited to participate in the study.Electronic databases,namely,Google scholar,Publons,EMBASE,PubMed,Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database,and ResearchGate was used for questionnaire designed.The self-administered survey included questions on demographic characteristics,education level,socio-economic conditions and information about CAM therapies,prevalence,effectiveness,and common CAM modalities.Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software version 22.Results:Out of the 500 invited patients,433(86.6%)successfully completed and returned the questionnaires.In contrast to patients who were with younger,highly educated,professionally active,higher income,and had advanced cancer,time since diagnosis,type of treatment,cancer types and family history are significantly associated with CAM use.The results showed that 59.8%of the participants were acquainted with complementary and/or alternative medicine and considered safe owing to its natural ingredients.The prevalence of CAM usage among cancer patients was 40.9%and the most widely used CAM modality was herbal medicine(27.7%)and dietary supplements(28.8%).Patients used CAM as a complementary therapy to improve the morphological parameter(28.2%),strengthen the immune system(6.8%),and to decrease the side effects of conventional treatment(18.1%).Most of the respondents get the information regarding CAM therapy from the electronic media(43.2%)and the family members(48%)rather than healthcare personnel.Conclusions:Participants used CAM modalities along with the conventional health care practices.Further multicentre studies should be conducted to provide information regarding the usage of CAM therapies and their eventual benefits in patients with cancer.
基金financially supported by Taylor’s University Emerging Grant(TRGS/ERFS/2/2018/SBS/016)Monash Global Asia in the 21st Century(GA21)research grants(GA-HW-19-L01&GA-HW-19-S02)Fundamental Research Grant Scheme(FRGS/1/2019/WAB09/MUSM/02/1&FRGS/1/2019/SKK08/TAYLOR/02/2)
文摘The new coronavirus disease(COVID-19)outbreak has challenged us to take unprecedented steps to bring this pandemic under control.In view of the urgency of this situation,convalescent plasma which was used in previous coronavirus outbreaks has emerged as one of the treatment options in this current pandemic.This is mainly due to the fact that convalescent plasma has been studied in a few case series with promising outcomes.In addition,on-going large clinical trials aimed to further evaluate the effectiveness,safety,and optimal dosage,duration and timing of administration of convalescent plasma are indeed revealing a certain level of promising results.Therefore,this article aims to provide an overview of possible mechanisms of actions of convalescent plasma,its benefits and its level of usage safeness by summarizing the existing evidence on the use of convalescent plasma in COVID-19 patients.
基金Partially Supported by Ministry of Higher Education and Universiti Teknologi MARA,Malaysia(Grant No.LESTARI:600-RMI/DANA 5/3/LESTARI(52/2015)
文摘Objective:To assess the immunopotentiality of Ayurvedic polyherbal preparations,"Saribadi" and "Anantamul Salsa".Methods: Freshly prepared BALB/c mice splenocytes were cultured with "Saribadi" or"Anantamul Salsa" treatment [doses of 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00%, 1.50%, 2.00%,3.00% and 4.00%(v/v)] at 37C for 5 days. The immunoglobulin M(IgM) production and lymphocytes proliferation were determined by ELISA and MTT methods, respectively.Endotoxin contamination was assessed by treating the preparations with polymyxin B.Results: The doses of "Saribadi" [0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75% and 1.00%(v/v)] significantly increased IgM productions(0.966, 0.728, 0.695 and 0.615 mg/m L vs. control 0.265 mg/m L)and lymphocytes proliferation [absorbance 0.311, 0.394, 0.372 and 0.334 optical density(OD) vs. control 0.162 OD]. Similarly, the doses of "Anantamul Salsa" [0.50%, 0.75%,1.00% and 1.50%(v/v)] promoted IgM productions(0.933, 0.919, 0.917 and 0.892 mg/m L vs. control 0.502 mg/m L) and the doses of "Anantamul Salsa" [0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00%,1.50%, 2.00%, and 3.00%(v/v)] stimulated lymphocytes proliferation(absorbance 0.395,0.326, 0.440, 0.398, 0.452 and 0.355 OD vs. control 0.199 OD). The activity of "Saribadi"and "Anantamul Salsa" was not retarded by the treatment of preparations with polymyxin B.Conclusions: Immunomodulatory activity of "Saribadi" and "Anantamul Salsa" was unveiled for the first time. "Saribadi" and "Anantamul Salsa" possess immunostimulating potential acting through the induction of lymphocyte proliferation and IgM production.These preparations may be useful in strengthening immune responses. However, further cellular and in vivo studies are required.
