Aqueous Extract of Leaves and Flowers of Acmella caulirhiza Reduces the Proliferation of Cancer Cells by Underexpressing Some Genes and Activating Caspase-3.

The increasing prevalence of cancers and the multiple side effects of cancer treatments have led researchers to constantly search for plants containing bioactive compounds with cell death properties. This work aimed at evaluating the antiproliferative effect of an Acmella caulirhiza extract. After evaluation of the in vitro antioxidant potential of the three extracts of Acmella caulirhiza (aqueous (AE-Ac), hydroethanolic (HEE-Ac), and ethanolic (EE-Ac)) through the scavenging of DPPH● and NO● radicals, the extract with the best antioxidant activity was selected for bioactive compound assessment and antiproliferative tests. Subsequently, the cytotoxic activity was evaluated on the viability of breast (MCF-7), brain (CT2A, SB-28, and GL-261), colon (MC-38), and skin (YUMM 1.7 and B16-F1) cancer lines using the MTT method. Then, the line where the extract was the most active was selected to evaluate the expression of certain genes involved in cancerogenesis by RT-PCR and the expression of cleaved caspase-3 involved in cell death mechanism by western blot. The AE-Ac showed the best scavenging activity with IC50s of 0.52 and 0.02 for DPPH● and NO●, respectively. This AE-Ac was found to contain alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins and was more active on YUMM 1.7 cells (IC50 = 149.42 and 31.99 µg/mL for 24 and 48 h, respectively). Results also showed that AE-Ac downregulated the expression of inflammation (IL-1b (p = 0.017) and IL-6 (p = 0.028)), growth factors (PDGF (p = 0.039), IGF (p = 0.034), E2F1(p = 0.038), and E2F2(p = 0.016)), and antiapoptotic protein genes (Bcl-2 (p = 0.028) and Bcl-6 (p = 0.039)). The cleaved caspase-3 was positively modulated by the AE-Ac inducing thus cell death by apoptosis. AE-Ac showed inhibitory effects on the expression of genes involved in cancer progression making it a potential health intervention agent that can be exploited in cancer therapy protocols.

Outcomes of a food voucher program and factors associated with the recovery rate of children with moderate acute malnutrition in Far North Cameroon.

BACKGROUND: Research on moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) is limited, despite its high prevalence. This study examined outcomes of bi-weekly locally available foods provided via a food voucher program (FVP) on nutritional recovery [mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) ≥ 125 mm] from MAM (defined as MUAC between 115 and 124 mm) and identified the factors associated with recovery rate in Kaélé health district, Far North Region of Cameroon. METHODS: This was a prospective study with 474 MAM children aged 6-59 months. Food voucher distribution and MUAC screening were conducted at 6 bi-weekly visits or until the child was recovered. Time to recovery was evaluated with multivariate Cox proportional regression hazard models with associations quantified using adjusted hazard ratio (aHR). The trend for MUAC, including its determinants, was examined with multivariate linear mixed effect models. RESULTS: The recovery rate was 78.3% by 6 weeks after the first food basket; 3.4% remained MAM, and 5.9% were transferred for treatment for severe acute malnutrition (SAM defined as MUAC < 115 mm). Boys were 34% more likely to recover from MAM than girls [aHR = 1.34, 95%CI (1.09, 1.67)]. Children aged 24-53 months were 30% more likely to recover than those aged 6-11 months [aHR = 1.30, 95%CI (0.99, 1.70)]. A one unit increase in weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ) was associated with 1.89-fold greater likelihood of recovery [aHR = 1.89, 95%CI (1.66, 2.14)]. Male children had on average 1.82 mm greater increase in MUAC than female children (p < 0.001). One unit increase in WHZ was associated with 3.42 mm increase in MUAC (p = 0.025). Children aged 12-23 and 24-53 months had 1.03 mm and 2.44 mm, respectively, greater increase in MUAC over the program than children aged 6-11 months (all p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The recovery rate of MAM children treated with the FVP met the Sphere standards for targeted supplementary feeding programs (> 75%). Child's WHZ, gender and age were significant factors associated with MUAC increase and recovery from MAM in the FVP. These findings indicate the FVP approach shows promise as an effective alternative treatment for MAM with consideration of associated factors and merits further evaluation.

Clinical characteristics and classification of Cameroonians with obesity and metabolically normal phenotype in the West region of Cameroon.

The objective of this study was to classify and suggest an adequate definition of the metabolically normal phenotype among Cameroonians with obesity in the western Region of Cameroon. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the West Cameroon Region from August 2016 to August 2017. A total of 324 subjects with BMI >27 kg/m2, aged of 20 years and older, and not treated for cardiometabolic diseases were included in the study. Sociodemographic and clinical parameters of the subjects were collected. Four definitions of metabolic status were tested to suggest the definition that best identifies the subjects with obesity but metabolically normal phenotype (MNO) in the study. The prevalence of the MNO phenotype varied from 2.50% to 29.60% according to the definitions used. According to the individual definitions, the prevalence of the MNO phenotype was 29.60% according to Hinnouho, 16.00% according to Mbanya, 7.40% according to Meigs and 2.50% according to Widman. Markers of inflammatory profile (high sensitivity C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor-alpha), carbohydrate homeostasis (fasting glucose and homeostasis model assessment), markers of lipid profile (total cholesterol and triglyceride), systolic blood pressure, nitric oxide, adiposity indices (Waist circumference and waist to hip ratio) were significantly lower in MNO subjects for the majority of definitions (p < 0.05). The modified Hinnouho definition showed better specificity (60.90%) and sensitivity (12.10%) for an area under the ROC curve of 0.98. The degree of agreement was low between the different pairs of definition of the MNO phenotype (Kappa< 0.61). There is poor agreement between the different definitions of the MNO phenotype among Cameroonians with obesity. Therefore, the adoption of a universal definition of MNO phenotype should be proposed to facilitate the management of metabolic health in people with obesity.

Malnutrition, Eating Habits, Food Consumption, and Risk Factors of Malnutrition among Students at the University of Maroua, Cameroon.

Methods: Three hundred and thirty students of both sexes, aged between 17 and 35 years old, were recruited from January to February 2018. Anthropometric parameters (weight, height, waist and hip circumference, and BMI) were measured, and an eating and lifestyle questionnaire was administered to each participant, as well as a 24-hour dietary recall. Results: The mean age of participants was 23.95 ± 3.67 years and BMI was 22.19 ± 2.78 kg/m2. Approximately 6.1% were underweight, 12.1% overweight, and 0.9% obese, and all age groups were affected. Concerning eating habits, low protein, fruit, and vegetable consumption were recorded among students. Cereals were the main source of carbohydrates consumed. Besides, 6% of them had a low dietary intake, 21% had a poorly diversified diet, and 2% were highly food insecure. The students' daily macronutrient intake was within the recommended reference values, except for carbohydrates, which exceeded and represented 62.69± 13.84% of daily energy intake. Also, only 32.2% of respondents had adequate energy intake. A poorly diversified diet was associated with a high incidence of overweight. Conclusions: Both forms of malnutrition are indeed present among the students of the University of Maroua, and nutritional education for this young segment of the population will be essential to prevent complications associated with malnutrition in the working life.