ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess the antiangiogenic activity of fenugreek. Methods: Different fractions of fenugreek crude extracts were prepared and their anti-angiogenic properties were assessed using the ex vivo rat aortic ring assay and in vivo chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. They were investigated for their direct cytotoxic activity in the MCF7 cells using the MTT assay. Results: The ethanol extract showed 100％ inhibition of blood vessel outgrowth from primary tissue explants in the rat aortic ring assay at a concentration of 100μg/mL while the other extracts did not show significant antiangiogenic activity. The ethanol extract was therefore investigated at varying concentrations and exhibited a significant dose dependent effect. The CAM assay coincided with the results of the aortic ring assay as ethanol extract showed a significant inhibition of formation of new blood vessels. The extracts only showed anti-proliferative activity at the highest concentration of 400μg/mL towards MCF7 breast cancer cell lines in the MTT assay. Conclusions: Findings of the both assays confirmed that the ethanol extract inhibited vascularization significantly. Further studies on the ethanol extract would be beneficial in isolating the active ingredient responsible for the inhibition.
ABSTRACT
Background: Chronic invasive Aspergillus sinusitis is an uncommon fungal infection that usually occurs in immunocompromized patients and rarely in healthy immunocompetent individuals. Chronic invasive Aspergillus sinusitis affecting the maxillary sinus may cause tremendous effects as maxillary bone destruction, displacement of teeth, bronchopulmonary infection and orbital involvement that may lead to proptosis and decreased vision. The maxillary sinus infection may result from direct inhalation of spores and not as a secondary infection from the oral cavity, endodontic treatment, or oro-antral fistulae. Case Summary: A 30 years old male patient presented to clinic complaning of right sided facial swelling and nasal obstruction. Clinical examination, Ortho-Pantomogram (OPG) and Cone Beam Computerized Tomography (CBCT) revealed a right maxillary sinus mass; laboratory investigations exclude presence of any systemic disease. Antrostomy of the lateral sinus wall (Caldwell-Luc surgery) was performed under local anesthesia to remove the sinus lining and mass. The mass was sent for histopathological investigation. The defect of bone was covered with the integrum periostium (the mucosal flap) without any bone graft or meshes. No antifungal drugs were prescribed. Post operative OPG and CBCT revealed complete removal of the lesion and clearance of the right side nasal air way. The histopathological examination found that the aspergillus Hyphae, fruits bodies and spores are present which confirmed the diagnosis. One year follow-up revealed that there is no recurrent infection; the drifted teeth realigned again and the maxillary sinus returns to its normal size. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention is the key to successful treatment of chronic invasive aspergillosis of the maxillary sinus. Surgical debridement can be done under local anesthesia without antifungal drug prescription and good prognosis was achieved.