Nutritional Compositions and Antiproliferative Activities of Different Solvent Fractions from Ethanol Extract of Cyphomandra betacea (Tamarillo) Fruit

Background: This study aims to examine various solvent extracts of Cyphomandra betacea (tamarillo) also known as the tree tomato, for their bioactive constituents and antioxidant activity. The study also aims to examine its effect on cancer cell death using two types of cancer cell lines (liver and breast cancer cell). Methods: The first part of the study evaluates the nutritional composition of tamarillo. Then, phytochemical profiling using GC-MS analysis in ethanolic tamarillo extract was conducted. Different fractions of n-butanol, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions were obtained from the ethanolic extract of tamarillo. Then, the fractions were subjected to the quantification of total phenol (TPC) and flavonoid contents (TFC), free radical scavenging activity (SA) and also antioxidant activity (AOX) assayed by beta-carotene bleaching (BCB) assay. Finally, the capability of the ethanolic extract of tamarillo and different fractions were evaluated for their anticancer properties. Results: Findings from this study revealed that the nutritional composition (ash, protein, carbohydrate and total dietary fiber), and mineral levels (calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron) of tamarillo were moderate. The crude ethanol extract of tamarillo contained the highest phenolic and total flavonoid content. FT-IR analysis revealed the presence of alkanes, carboxylic acid, phenol, alkanes, carboxylic acids, aromatics and nitro compounds. Twelve bioactive constituents in tamarillo have been identified through GC-MS analysis. Cytotoxic activity suggests the potential of ethanolic extracts of tamarillo having a chemopreventive effect on breast and liver cancer cells. Conclusion: This study reveals that tamarillo has substantial antioxidant activity as well as anticancer properties.

An anomalous pattern of superficial branch of radial nerve - a cadaveric case report / Patrón anómalo del ramo superficial del nervio radial - reporte de caso en un cadaver

In the present case study, there is an anomalous pattern of superficial branch of radial nerve (SBRN) that can be recognized as an anatomical variant of the left upper limb of a 60 years old donated embalmed male cadaver in the Department of Human Anatomy, Universiti Putra Malaysia, in which the superficial branch of radial nerve supplies the extensor carpi radialis longus and extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle. The superficial branch of radial nerve gave off branch to supply the proximal fusion part of extensor carpi radialis longus and extensor carpi radialis brevis muscles immediately after bifurcation of the radial nerve into the superficial branch of radial nerve and deep branch of radial nerve. This variation is very important to the surgeon as the presence of the variant will make them more careful in dealing with nerve entrapment surgery, reconstructive surgery and in the pain management services, the variation giving indications for treatment.

En el presente estudio se observó un caso de un patrón anómalo del ramo superficial del nervio radial (RSNR) reconocido como una variante anatómica del miembro superior izquierdo en un cadáver de sexo masculino de 60 años perteneciente al Departamento de Anatomía Humana de la Universidad Putra, Malasia. En este caso el ramo superficial del nervio radial inervaba a los músculos extensores radial largo y corto del carpo. El ramo superficial del nervio radial otorgaba un ramo a nivel del origen fusionado de los músculos extensores radiales del carpo, inmediatamente después de la división en ramos superficial y profundo del nervio radial. Esta variación es de importancia para el cirujano debido a que requiere un mayor cuidado en el tratamiento quirúrgico de atrapamiento del nervio o cirugía reconstructiva para el manejo del dolor.

Expression analysis of SIR2 and SAPs1-4 gene expression in Candida albicans treated with allicin compared tofluconazole

One of the main factors for virulence of fungus such as Candida albicans is the ability to change its morphology from yeast to hyphae. Allicin, one of the volatile sulfur-oil compounds from freshly crushed garlic, has a variety of antifungal activities. In this study, the effect of allicin on growth and hyphae production in C. albicans as compared to fluconazole, an antifungal drug was investigated using survival time in vitro and microscopic image at different time intervals. Additionally, the expression of selected genes involved in hyphae formation and development such as SIR2 and SAP1-4 was evaluated by semi-quantitative RTPCR and relative real time RT-PCR. Allicin was shown to down-regulate the expression of SIR2 (5.54 fold), similar to fluconazole (3.48 fold) at 2x MIC concentrations. Interestingly, allicin had no effect on SAPs1-4 expression, whereas fluconazole was able to suppress SAP4 expression. Our findings showed that allicin was effective in suppressing hyphae development of C. albicans to an extent that is sometimes equal or more than fluconazole. Moreover, allicin and fluconazole seemed to share a common anti-Candida mechanism through inhibition of SIR2 gene, while fluconazole appeared to also exert its fungistatic effect through another pathway that involved SAP4 suppression.

Extract of azadirachta indica [neem] leaf induces apoptosis in 4T1 breast cancer BALB/c mice

Azadirachta indica [Neem] has been used traditionally for many centuries. Some impressive therapeutic qualities have been discovered. However, the therapeutic effect of neem leaf extract in 4T1 breast cancer has not been documented. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the therapeutic effect of ethanolic Neem leaf extract in an in vivo 4T1 breast cancer model in mice. A total of 84 female BALB/c mice were divided randomly into 7 groups [3 non-cancerous groups and 4 cancerous groups] consisting of 12 mice per group. The 3 non-cancerous groups were normal mice treated with 0.5% of Tween 20 in phosphate buffer saline [PBS] [NC], 250 mg/kg Neem [N250] or 500 mg/kg Neem [N500]. The 4 cancerous groups were; cancer controls treated with 0.5% of Tween 20 in PBS [CC], and cancerous mice treated with 0.5 micro g/mL tamoxifen citrate [CT], 250 mg/kg Neem leaf extract [CN 250] or 500 mg/kg Neem leaf extract [CN 500]. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling [TUNEL] assays were used to evaluate apoptosis [cell death] in the breast cancer tissues. SPSS software, version 14 was used for statistical analysis. Statistical significance was defined as p<0.05.Non parametric analysis of variance [ANOVA] was performed with the Kruskal Wallis test for the TUNEL assays. Parametric data among the groups was compared using ANOVA. TUNEL assays showed that the CN 250 and CN 500 groups had a higher incidence of apoptosis compared with the cancer controls. The findings showed that neem leaf extract induces apoptosis in 4T1 breast cancer BALB/c mice

Antiproliferative Properties of Clausine-B against Cancer Cell Lines

Background: Clausine B, a carbazole alkaloid isolated from the stem bark of Clausena excavata, was investigated for its antiproliferative activities against five human cancer cell lines: HepG2 (hepatic cancer), MCF-7 (hormone-dependent breast cancer), MDA-MB-231 (non-hormone-dependent breast cancer), HeLa (cervical cancer), and CAOV3 (ovarian cancer). Methods: Chang liver (normal cells) was used as a control. The effect of clausine-B was measured using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Results: Clausine-B was found to be active (IC50<30 μg/mL) against four of the cancer cell lines tested. The IC50 values for these four lines were: 21.50 μg/mL (MDA-MB-231), 22.90 g/ml (HeLa), 27.00 μg/mL (CAOV3) and 28.94 μg/mL (HepG2). Clausine-B inhibited the MCF-7 cancer cell line at 52.90 μg/mL, and no IC50 value was obtained against Chang liver. Conclusion: It is possible that the phenolic group in clausine-B responsible for the antiproliferative activities found in this study.

Effect of berberis vulgaris aqueous extract on the apoptosis, sodium and potassium in hepatocarcinogenic rats

The effect of Berberis vulgaris aqueous extract in hepatocarcinogenic rats was studied to investigate the apoptotic and sodium, potassium elements properties. A loss of both intracellular potassium and sodium occurs when apoptotic cells shrink and prior to the loss of membrane integrity. Forty-eight Sprague dawley rats were randomly divided into 2 groups, normal and cancerous. Each group was divided into 4 subgroups. The first subgroup acted as normal control while the others were treated with 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg of Berberis vulgaris extract [BVE] and respectively considered as NC, NC25, NC50 and NC100. The first subgroup of cancerous rats acted as cancer control while the others were treated with 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg of BVE and considered as C, C25, C50 and C100. Ion selective electrode [ISE] method was used to measure the level of sodium, potassium, and chloride. TUNEL assay used for the detection of apoptosis cells. Microscopic observations of the TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells revealed a significant difference [P < 0.05] between cancer control [C] and normal control [NC] group. The results indicated that increasing concentration of Berberis vulgaris aqueous extract in cancerous treated groups [C25, C50 and C100] showed an increasing considerabl changes [P < 0.05] of TUNEL-positive cells compared with the cancer control group [C]. Sodium and chloride levels were significantly different [P < 0.05] in cancer control group [C] compared to normal control group [NC]. The results suggested that apoptotic cells level was increased with the BVE concentration in cancerous groups. The Berberis vulgaris extract shows to playa prominent role in promoting apoptosis on the treatment and it is dose dependent