Molecular Dynamic Simulation of Centella asiatica Compound as an Inhibitor of Advanced Glycation End Products

The studies have suggested that advanced glycation end products (AGEs) induce stress oxidative and inflammatorypathway, which results in chronic complication. Centella asiatica (CA) has been shown as a promising candidate forAGE inhibitor due to its ability of reducing AGE production. This study aims to explore the molecular docking ofCA active compound as an inhibitor of AGEs and receptor AGEs (RAGEs). The top three docking structures werepicked for molecular dynamic (MD) simulations. Based on MD simulation in this study, we found that CA activecompound had been proven to interact with AGEs and RAGE. AGEs bound to asiaticoside, madasiatic acid, andmadecassic acid with a binding energy of −11.8253, −10.6724, and −10.1462 kcal/mol, respectively. Nonetheless,Asn106, Asp324, Asp376, Tyr420, and Tyr500 of AGEs made a significant contribution to the complex of asiaticosideAGE, as well as those for the madasiatic acid AGE, which were Asn118 and Tyr500. RAGE bound to asiaticoside,asiatic acid, and isothankunik acid with a binding energy of −10.6125, −9.4469, and −9.1015 kcal/mol, respectively.CA active compounds, specifically asiatic acid, madasiatic acid, and madecassic acid, interacted with AGEs, whereasasiaticoside and isothankunik acid interacted with RAGE based on docking and model studies.

The Effect of Trigonella foenum-graceum L. (Fenugreek) Towards Collagen Type I Alpha 1 (COL1A1) and Collagen Type III Alpha 1 (COL3A1) on Postmenopausal Woman's Fibroblast

Trigonella foenum-graceum L. (fenugreek) is a phytoestrogen, a nonsteroidal organic chemical compound from plants which has similar mechanism of action to sex hormone estradiol-17β. This study aims to assess the effectivity of fenugreek seeds extract on collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1) and collagen type III alpha 1 (COL3A1) which are both decreased in aging skin and become worsen after menopause. This in vitro experimental study used old human dermal fibroblast from leftover tissue of blepharoplasty on a postmenopausal woman (old HDF). As a control of the fenugreek's ability to trigger collagen production, we used fibroblast from preputium (young HDF). Subsequent to fibroblast isolation and culture, toxicity test was conducted on both old and young HDF by measuring cell viability on fenugreek extract with the concentration of 5 mg/mL to 1.2 µg/mL which will be tested on both HDF to examine COL1A1 and COL3A1 using ELISA, compared to no treatment and 5 nM estradiol. Old HDF showed a 4 times slower proliferation compared to young HDF (p<0.05). Toxicity test revealed fenugreek concentration of 0.5 – 2 µg/mL was non-toxic to both old and young HDF. The most significant fenugreek concentration to increase COL1A1 and COL3A1 secretion was 2 µg/mL (p<0.05).

Apoptosis of adipose-derived stem cells induced by liposomal soybean phosphatidylcholine extract

Background: Recently, Phosphatidylcholine [PC] has been used as an off-label treatment for lipolysis injection, which is associated with inflammatory reaction due to sodium deoxycholate, an emulsifier, so that inflammation as side effect occurs in those patients. Liposome formulation from soybean lipid was thought to be a better and safer alternative. This study aimed to analyze the mechanism of Liposomal Soybean Phosphatidylcholine [LSPC] extract from Indonesian soybeans [containing 26% PC] to induce Adipose-derived Stem Cells [ASCs] death in vitro

Methods: Liposomes were prepared using thin film hydration method followed by a stepwise extrusion process to produce a small amount of 41.0-71.3 nm. Liposomal soybean phosphatidylcholine extract [LSPCE], liposomal purified PC [LPCC], and solution of PC+SD were used for comparison. Annexin V-fluorescein Isothiocyanate/ Propidium Iodide [FITC/PI] double staining by flow cytometry and also measurement of caspase-3 activity using ELISA were used to quantify the rate of apoptosis. ASCs viability was measured using MTT assay after induction with liposomes. Morphological changes were shown using a phase-contrast, inverted microscope and Transmission- Electron Microscope [TEM]

Results: The flow cytometry results showed that cells treated with both LSPCE and LPCC showed increase in early apoptosis beginning at 6 hr after incubation, which was confirmed by caspase 3 measurement. MTT assay showed that both LSPCE and LPCC could decrease viability of cells. Cells treated with LSPCE and LPCC showed some rounded cells, which was an early sign of cell death. Cells treated with SD showed extensive membrane damage with necrosis features using TEM

Conclusion: The results above demonstrated that LSPCE induced apoptosis of ASCs

Chronic Recurrent Dermatophytosis in the Tropics: Studies on Tinea Imbricata in Indonesia / 대한의진균학회지

Dermatophytosis is one of the major public health problems in tropical countries, especially the chronic recurrent type. Tinea imbricata (TI), a dermatophytosis caused by Trichophyton concentricum (TC), is endemic in several remote and isolated areas in Indonesia. This dermatophytosis is unique due to its predominant genetic predisposition, which leads to chronic recurrent conditions among the affected. Moreover, hot and humid climate, low socio-economic conditions, lack of hygiene, inadequate treatment due to difficult access to health care facilities, and persistent source of re-infections, are among other factors that maintain the chronic-recurrent state. Studies on TI in Indonesia have been done since the 1960s, encompassing the epidemiology, clinical features, and efficacy of antifungal treatment. Griseofulvin is still the mainstay treatment, but relapse rates are high. The latest effort in reducing relapse includes the training of healthcare providers and provision of fungal disinfectant for clothing and bedding to patients in West Papua in addition to standard treatment. Higher cure rate was achieved at the end of treatment and the four-month follow-up in comparison to previous studies. Parallel studies on the same patient populations showed that: 1. clothing and bedding were fomites and potential sources of re-infections; 2. sodium hypochlorite worked well as a fungal disinfectant, followed by anionic detergent and pine oil containing cleaner; 3. terbinafine was the most effective antifungal agent for TC in vitro, followed by griseofulvin; itraconazole, and fluconazole were less effective. In conclusion, to eradicate TI in endemic areas, appropriate and affordable antifungal treatment, concurrent with health education and efforts to identify and eradicate the source of re-infections are very important.