ABSTRACT
Background: Momordica charantia is a vine, native to tropics and subtropics that has found use in herbal medicine. In Nigeria, the plant is locally used in the treatment of diabetes. Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effect of terpenoid-rich extract from Momordica charantia on α-glucosidase activity. Method: The inhibitory effect of the terpenoid-rich extract from Momordica charantia on the activity of alpha-glucosidase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae as well as the determination of the mode of inhibition were investigated using in vitro assay methods. Results: The results revealed that the terpenoid-rich extract had a high IC50 of 1.60 mg/mL. The Lineweaver-Burk plot revealed that the extract exhibited partially mixedtype inhibition of α-glucosidase. Conclusions: It can be inferred from this study that although terpenoid-rich extract inhibited α-glucosidase, further purification will be necessary on the extract so as to increase its potency as an inhibitor of α-glucosidase. The action of the extract on α-glucosidase provided an insight into the probable mechanism of action of Momordica charantia in reducing hyperglycemia.
Antecedentes: Momordica charantia es una vid, nativa de las regiones tropicales y subtropicales que ha sido usada en la medicina herbal. En Nigeria, esta planta se ha usado localmente en el tratamiento de la diabetes. Objetivo: Investigar el efecto inhibitorio del extracto rico en terpenoides de Momordica charantia sobre la actividad de la α-glucosidasa. Método: El efecto inhibitorio del extracto rico en terpenoides de Momordica charantia sobre sobre la actividad de la α-glucosidasa y el modo de inhibición se evaluó con un ensayo in vitro. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron que el extracto rico en terpenoides tiene un alto IC50 de 1,60 mg/mL. El gráfico Lineweaver-Burk reveló que el extracto presenta una inhibición combinada de la α-glucosidasa. Conclusión: De este estudio se infiere que aunque el extracto rico en terpenoides inhibió la α-glucosidasa, es necesario realizar una purificación con el fin de incrementar su potencia como inhibidor de la α-glucosidasa. La acción del extracto sobre la α-glucosidasa proporciona un entendimiento del mecanismo de acción probable de Momordica charantia en la reducción de la hiperglicemia.
Subject(s)
Humans , Terpenes , Momordica charantia , alpha-Glucosidases , Reactive Inhibition , HyperglycemiaABSTRACT
Kefir is a homemade fermented milk produced by adding kefir grains. The domestic handling and the use of raw materials from different standards and sources, and the lack of inspection by qualified professionals, all this classify kefir as a food which might represent potential risks to human health. This study aimed at evaluating the pathogens survival during the kefir fermentation process. Kefir grains were added into portions of UHT skimmed milk which were experimentally contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium and Enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. Analyses of the microorganism isolation in these milk samples were carried out at 0, 6, 12, 48 and 72 hours of fermentation process. Salmonella Typhimurium and Enteritidis survived for a 24-hour periodin fermenting kefir. Escherichia coli O157:H7, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes were recovered in less than 72 hours after the fermentation process was initiated. Under the conditions and the microorganisms concentrations established in the present study, the analyzed pathogenic bacteria survived for a period longer than those used for homemade kefir fermentation, and this one might be apotential hazard for human consumption.
Subject(s)
Reactive Inhibition , Milk , Cultured Milk Products , NoxaeABSTRACT
Objetivo. Determinar el efecto del astemizol para inhibir la respuesta cutánea a la histamina. Material y método. Se realizó un ensayo clínico en sujetos adultos sanos; se efectuaron pruebas cutáneas con histamina por prick (1 mg/ml) e intradérmicas (0.01 mg/ml) diarias, durante la toma de 10 mg de astemizol en ayunas en un periodo de siete días y otros tantos más después de suspenderlo, así como el día 14, 21, y 28. Se determinó la inhibición y la reaparición de la respuesta cutánea. Resultados. Se estudiaron 12 sujetos con edad promedio de 36 años ñ 11.2 DS. La inhibición completa se presentó a partir del cuarto día y la mayoría de los sujetos (79 por ciento) hasta el séptimo día. La reacción normal se recuperó en más de siete días pero menos de 14 en el 100 por ciento. Conclusiones. De acuerdo con estos resultados, el astemizol inhibe la reacción cutánea a la histamina desde el primer día en 50 por ciento de los sujetos y su mayor acción es al séptimo día, mientras que al suspenderlo la respuesta normal se recupera en más de siete días
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Astemizole/immunology , Histamine/immunology , Reactive Inhibition , Skin Tests , Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic , Immunologic TestsABSTRACT
Four-month old male spontaneously hypertensive (SHR), Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and Wistar EPM-1 (EPM-1) rats (14-15 animals per group) were tested in an elevated T maze to evaluate memory. Blood pressures of SHR were hyper at the time of experiment (200-235 mmHg). The elevated T maze used consisted of an open arm at right angles with two enclosed arms elevated 50 cm above the ground. Memory was quantified by the escape latency ratio (the ratio of the time it took for the rat to move from the open arm to one of the enclosed arms in the second session to that in the first session) and by the inhibitory avoidance latency (time from being placed at the end of an enclosed arm to move to the open arm, in a 3rd session). No significant differences in escape latency ratios were observed among SHR, WKY and EPM-1 rats. Conversely, SHR presented a significant reduction in inhibitory avoidance latency as compared to those of WKY and EPM-1 rats (mean +/- SEM latency: 65.9 +/- 18.4 s for SHR, 129.9 +/- 21.8 s for WKY animals and 181.2 +/- 11.2 s for EPM-1 rats). These data were discussed in light of the known lowered reaction to aversive environments exhibited by SHR, as compared to WKY and EPM-1 rats
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Rats , Memory/physiology , Rats, Inbred SHR , Rats, Inbred WKY , Rats, Wistar , Anxiety/psychology , Avoidance Learning , Reaction Time , Reactive Inhibition , Runaway BehaviorABSTRACT
A atividade fermentativa (QCO2) de células de Sccharomyces cerevisiae Y185 suplementadas com ácido oleico e ergosterol foi menos afetada por diferentes concentraçöes de etanol do que as células suplementadas com ácido linoleico e ergosterol. A viabilidade destas últimas foi mais afetada. Além disso, encontrou-se evidências de que o etanol afeta a atividade fermentativa por um processo de inibiçäo näo-competitiva (au)