Momordica cochinchinensis (Gac) Aril Suppresses Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis of Colorectal Cancer Cells.

BACKGROUND: Gac aril contains high level of carotenoids. This carotenoid possesses several pharmacological properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor activities. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-cancer activity of Gac aril extract on human colorectal cancer cells and its related mechanisms. METHODS: Colorectal cancer cell lines HCT116 and HT29 were treated with Gac aril extract and its effects on cytotoxicity and anti-proliferation were analyzed using the MTT/MTS and colony formation assay, respectively. Then, further related mechanisms responsible for anti-proliferation were investigated by cell death detection ELISA and Flow cytometry. RESULTS: The results showed that treated cells became rounded up and there was a loss of contact with neighboring cells, leading to a reduction of cell viability. The cytotoxic effects were evaluated IC50 for HCT116 and HT29 cells were 2.16 mg/mL and 1.29 mg/mL, respectively but it not toxic to normal HEK293 at the same dose. Moreover, Gac aril extract significantly inhibits proliferative ability with increasing concentrations having a greater effect. Subsequently, the cellular mechanism responsible for suppressive proliferation was validated. It shows apoptosis induction and arrest of cell cycle. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrated that Gac aril extract can induce apoptosis and arrest of cell cycle at S and G2/M phases in both HCT116 and HT29 colorectal cancer cells.

Brain acetylcholinesterase activity and the protective effect of Gac fruit on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in adult zebrafish.

Gac fruit (Momordica cochinchinensis) belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. This study aimed to investigate the anti-memory impairment effect of Gac fruit aril extract and brain acetylcholinesterase activity in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). The behavioral test was performed using a color-biased appetite conditioning T-maze test and an inhibitory avoidance test to evaluate memory performance. The time spent in the green arm in the T-maze test was recorded, and latency time was recorded in the inhibitory avoidance test. Brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme activity was measured using a 96-well microplate reader based on Ellman's method. Zebrafish that received rivastigmine and Gac extract had significantly increased time spent in the green arm and latency time when compared to the SCO group. Zebrafish that received rivastigmine and Gac fruit extract at 200 mg/kg had lower AChE activity than the SCO groups; however, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups. These findings suggest that Gac fruit extract has anti-memory impairment activity and may be beneficial for the development of health products to prevent Alzheimer's disease.

Effect of Streblus asper Leaf Extract on Scopolamine-Induced Memory Deficits in Zebrafish: The Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

Streblus asper (SA) is well known as a folk medicinal plant in Asian countries. The effect of SA extract on preventing memory impairment in zebrafish induced by scopolamine was investigated. Male zebrafish, Danio rerio, were divided into 6 groups including the control, scopolamine 200 µM (SCO), scopolamine plus rivastigmine 1.5 mg/kg (RV + SCO), and scopolamine plus SA extract at doses of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg (SA200 + SCO, S400 + SCO, and SA800 + SCO), respectively. Spatial memory was evaluated by the colour-biased appetite conditioning T-maze test, while fear memory was measured by the inhibitory avoidance test. In the spatial memory test, results showed that the RV + SCO group had the best time spent ratio in the T-maze, followed by SA800 + SCO, SA400 + SCO, SA200 + SCO, control, and SCO group, respectively, but with no statistical significance. For the fear memory test, zebrafish that received SA at doses of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg had significantly increased latency time as 21.75 ± 4.59, 23.75 ± 13.01, and 18.20 ± 18.84 min, respectively, when compared to the SCO group (9.80 ± 10.45 min). These results suggested that SA extract attenuated memory impairment in an inhibitory avoidance test related to fear memory. Our findings can be useful for further research to develop SA extract as a health product to ameliorate the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

Antilipoxygenase and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Streblus asper Leaf Extract on Xylene-Induced Ear Edema in Mice.

Streblus asper (SA) belonging to the Moraceae family is well known as a folk medicinal plant in Asian countries. This study aimed to investigate the antilipoxygenase activity and the anti-inflammatory effects of the SA leaf extract. An in vitro antilipoxygenase study was performed using a lipoxygenase assay, and the oxidation of linoleic acid into 13-hydroperoxy linoleic acid (HPODE) was detected with a UV spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 234 nm. In the animal study, twenty-five male ICR mice were induced as ear edema by topical xylene, and the ear thickness of the mice was measured. The lipoxygenase assay results showed that the IC50 values of diclofenac sodium and SA were 0.0015 and 37.96 µg/mL, respectively. In the animal study, mice that received diclofenac sodium exhibited significantly reduced ear edema induced by xylene from 30 min onward, while mice that received 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg SA exhibited significantly reduced ear edema compared with the control group 45 min after induction with xylene. These results suggested that the SA leaf extract had anti-inflammatory activity. However, further studies are required to evaluate these effects and the additional potential of the plant that might be beneficial for the development of pharmaceutical products that prevent and treat inflammation.

The innovation of functional foods in Asia: IFFA 2018.

Functional foods (FF) are commonly consumed by Asians, and this trend has increased in recent years. Despite the reported health benefits of FF, it is necessary scrutiny and updates of the underpinning research are important. The first international conference on functional food innovation in Asia (IFFA 2018) took place on January 22nd- 24th, 2018, at the University of Phayao, Thailand. Domestic and international speakers, researchers, nutritionists, dieticians, research scholars and students shared their knowledge and experience in FF research. Key features were the potential beneficial roles of FF in health and disease, the current situation with FF in Asia and innovative trends. The IFFA 2018 involved 2 keynote speakers, 34 invited speakers and 10 sessions. About 250 people from across Asia participated. Key themes, discussions, innovative opportunities, and future directions to link research in academia with health-directed applications as FF are summarised.

Protective Effects of Streblus asper Leaf Extract on H2O2-Induced ROS in SK-N-SH Cells and MPTP-Induced Parkinson's Disease-Like Symptoms in C57BL/6 Mouse.

This study investigated the effects of Streblus asper leaf extract (SA) on reactive oxygen species (ROS) in SK-N-SH cell culture and on motor functions and behaviors in MPTP-treated C57BL/6 mice. SK-N-SH cell viability after incubation with SA for 24 h was measured by MTT assay. Intracellular ROS levels of SK-N-SH cells were quantified after pretreatment with SA (0, 200, 600, and 1000 µg/mL) in the presence of H2O2 (300 µM). Male C57BL/6 mice were force-fed with water or 200 mg/kg/day SA for 32 days. Intraperitoneal injection of MPTP was used to induce Parkinson's disease-like symptoms. Catalepsy, beam balance ability, olfactory discrimination, social recognition, and spontaneous locomotor activity were assessed on days 19, 21, 23, 26, and 32, respectively. In cell culture, SA at 200, 600, and 1000 µg/mL significantly decreased ROS levels in H2O2-treated SK-N-SH cells. MPTP-treated C57BL/6 mice showed a significant change in all parameters tested when compared to the control group. Pretreatment and concurrent treatment with 200 mg/kg/day SA could antagonize the motor and cognitive function deficits induced by MPTP. The results show that SA possesses anti-Parkinson effects in MPTP-treated C57BL/6 mice and that reduction in ROS levels might be one of the mechanisms.