Evaluation of antitrypanosomal properties and apoptotic effects of ochrolifuanine from Dyera costulata (Miq.) Hook.f against Trypanosoma brucei brucei

@#Trypanosoma brucei parasites are flagellated kinetoplastid protozoan which is responsible for Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT). Current chemotherapy drugs have a number of side effects and drug resistance has emerged as a major issue in current treatment. Active bisindole alkaloid compound ochrolifuanine was previously isolated from the leaves of Dyera costulata. In vitro antitrypanosomal activity of ochrolifuanine against Trypanosoma brucei brucei strain BS221 showed strong activity with an IC50 value of 0.05 ± 0.01 µg/ml. We compared the effect of ochrolifuanine and reference compound staurosporine in T. b. brucei apoptosis. The apoptosis-inducing activity of ochrolifuanine was evaluated using TUNEL assay and cell cycle analysis. Trypanosoma brucei brucei was shown to undergo apoptotic cells death as demonstrated by the appearance of several conical hallmarks of apoptosis. Ochrolifuanine was found to induce apoptosis in parasites in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The cell cycle study revealed 0.025 and 0.05 µg/ml of ochrolifuanine arrested the growth of T. b. brucei at two different growth phases (G0/G1 and in S phases). While at concentration 0.10 µg/ml arrested at the G2/M phase. In conclusion, the results indicate that ochrolifuanine displayed an antitrypanosomal effect on T. b. brucei by inducing apoptosis cell death and causing the arrest of parasite cells at different growth phases. The results suggested that ochrolifuanine may be a promising lead compound for the development of new chemotherapies for African trypanosomiasis.

Impak Program Fit, Eat, Active, Training (F.E.A.T) Terhadap Status Pemakanan dan Aktiviti Fizikal dalam Kalangan Dewasa Berlebihan Berat Badan (Impact of the Fit, Eat, Active, Training (F.E.A.T) Program on Nutritional Status and Physical Activity among Overweight Adult) / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

@#Behavioural change interventions for weight loss have been found to be effective in the short term, but their long-term effectiveness remains a question. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the 36 weeks F.E.A.T program combining behavioural changes of healthy eating and physical activity. A quasi-experimental study of overweight adults was conducted in Malacca. A total of 53 subjects (mean age 47.4 ± 7.2 years) completed the program in three stages. In the first stage (T1: weeks 1–12), the intervention group (n = 28) participated in the F.E.A.T program activities, while the control group (n = 25) did not receive the intervention. In the second stage (T2: weeks 13-24), the activity was supervised and monitored by the peer support group. Sustainability of activity was measured at the third stage (T3: weeks 25-36). The effectiveness of the program was measured by changes in dietary intake, physical activity score, body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and body fat percentage at T0 (pre-intervention), T1, T2 and T3. All parameters showed significant interaction effects (time*group) except for energy intake. The intervention group showed significant decreases from T0 to T3 for energy intake (-14.3%), body weight (-4.3%), BMI (-4.2%), WC (-10.5%) and body fat percentage (-3.6%). While physical activity level increased by 109.6% for the intervention group. There were no significant differences in all of these parameters among the control group. The results show the effectiveness of the F.E.A.T program on dietary status and physical activity changes during the 36-week of intervention period.

Chemical composition and in vitro antitrypanosomal activity of fractions of essential oil from Cymbopogon nardus L

Essential oil from Cymbopogon nardus was evaluated for activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei BS221 (IC50 = 0.31 ± 0.03 μg/mL) and cytotoxic effect on normal kidney (Vero) cells (IC50 = >100 μg/mL). The crude essential oil was subjected to various chromatography techniques afforded active sub fractions with antitrypanosomal activity; F4 (IC50 = 0.61 ± 0.06 μg/mL), F6 (IC50= 0.73 ± 0.33 μg/mL), F7 (IC50 = 1.15 ± 0 μg/mL) and F8 (IC50 = 1.11 ± 0.01 μg/mL). These active fractions did not exhibit any toxic effects against Vero cell lines and the chemical profiles investigation indicated presence of α-and γ-eudesmol, elemol, α-cadinol and eugenol by GC/MS analysis.