Characterization And In-Vitro Study Of Micro-Encapsulation Chitosan Alginate Of Single-Bulb Garlic Extract.

BACKGROUND: Single-bulb garlic extract (SBGE) contains more active compounds than regular garlic, but it is unstable and easily degraded in the digestive tract. SBGE is expected to be protected by microencapsulation chitosan-alginate (MCA). OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to characterize and assess the antioxidant activity, hemocompatibility, and toxicity of MCA-SBGE in 3T3-L1 cells. METHOD: The research procedures consist of extraction of single bulb garlic, preparation of MCA-SBGE, Particle Size Analyzer (PSA), FTIR analysis, DPPH assay, hemocompatibility test, and MTT assay. RESULT: The average size of MCA-SGBE was 423.7 ± 2.8 nm, the polydispersity index (PdI) was 0.446 ± 0.022, and the zeta potential was -24.5 ± 0.4 mV. MCA-SGBE was spherical with a diameter range of 0.65-0.9 µm. A shift in absorption and addition of functional groups was found in SBGE after encapsulation. MCA-SBGE, at a concentration of 24 x 103 ppm, has higher antioxidants than SBGE. The hemocompatibility test shows the hemolysis of MCA-SBGE lower than SBGE. MCA-SBGE was not toxic to 3T3-L1 cells with cell viability percentage above 100% at all concentrations. CONCLUSION: MCA-SBGE characterization has microparticle criteria with homogeneous PdI values, low particle stability, and spherical morphology. The results showed that SBGE and MCA-SBGE are non-hemolytic, compatible with red blood cells, and non-toxic to 3T3-L1 cells.

The improvement of insulin level after hydrogen-rich water therapy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Background and Aim: Water plays a pivotal role in the body. Alteration of the fluid balance promotes metabolic disorder, thus leading to the development of various diseases, such as diabetes mellitus (DM). Hydrogen-rich water (HW) is recognized as a novel antioxidant. This study aimed to investigate the role of HW on insulin, insulin receptor (IRs), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: Normal (N), DM rats, DM+metformin (DM+Met, 45 mg/kg body weight [BW]), DM+Met+HW, and DM+HW. DM rats were induced by feeding them a high-fat diet for 30 days and then injecting with repeated low doses of STZ (35 mg/kg BW) intraperitoneally. Fresh HW was administered orally and ad libitum for 14 days. Insulin, IRs, and SOD were observed in each group. Results: HW therapy increased the level and expression of insulin and IRs. In addition, treatment with HW also elevated the SOD levels in the serum and liver. The study results indicated no significant differences between the administration of HW and metformin. Conclusion: HW has antioxidant activity in STZ-induced DM rats, increasing insulin, IRs, and SOD.

Single-bulb garlic oil regulates toll-like receptors and Nrf2 cross-talk and IL-17 production in mice fed with high-fat diet.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of single-bulb garlic oil (SGO) on toll-like receptors 3 and 4 (TLR3 and TLR 4) and nuclear erythroid factor-like 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway resulted from a high-fat diet and its underlying mechanism. Twenty-four Balb/c mice allocated into six groups: 1) N: mice fed with standard chow; 2) HFD: mice fed a high-fat diet for 45 days without any treatment; 3) HFD + Simv: mice fed a high-fat diet for 45 days and treated with simvastatin; 4-6) HFD + SGO 100, 200, 400 (mice fed a high-fat diet for 45 days and treated with single-bulb garlic oil at dose: 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight for 30 days), respectively. At the end of treatment, spleen and hepar were isolated. The flow cytometry analysis was performed to analyze the relative number of nrf2, superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), TLR3, TLR4 and interleukin (IL-17). The results showed that HFD induction significantly reduced Nrf-2 and antioxidant enzyme levels. Furthermore, HFD induction increased TLR3 and TLR4 signaling and IL-17 production. Interestingly, 200 mg/kg BW of SGO increased the relative number Nrf-2 followed by SOD and HO-1 elevation at a dose of 100 mg/kg BW. SGO100 notably decrease the relative number of TLR3 (CD11b+TLR3+) and TLR4 (CD11b+TLR4+). The production of IL-17 by CD4 and CD8 were also reduced after receiving SGO at 200 mg/kg BW. This study suggests that the protective effect of SGO treatment on HFD mice was achieved by modulating TLR-Nrf2 cross-talks and decreasing IL-17 production. Our findings support a potential beneficial role of SGO for treating metabolic disease caused by a high-fat diet.

Black soybean tempeh and purple sweet potato improve sperm quality in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Hyperglycemia increases advanced glycation end-product (AGE) production, and the activity of receptor for AGE (RAGE) in testis, which leads to testicular histopathological damage and infertility. This research investigated the effect of black soybean tempeh (BST), purple sweet potato (PSP), and its combination on AGE and RAGE expression and spermatozoa quality in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rats were given high-fat diets for 5 weeks, then were injected intraperitoneally with multiple low doses of STZ (30 mg/kg body weight). Diabetes mellitus (DM) rats were divided into seven groups: DM, DM+glibenclamide, DM+BST, DM+PSP, and DM+combination of BST and PSP in ratio 1:3, 2:2, and 3:1 as C1, C2, and C3, respectively. The rats were treated for 30 days. Testicular AGE and RAGE expression and spermatozoa quality were measured. RESULTS: The combination of BST and PSP significantly decreased AGE and RAGE expression in testicular organs and improved spermatozoa quality compared to the normal group. CONCLUSION: The combination of BST and PSP can be used as future alternatives to improve spermatozoa quality in DM patients.

Single garlic oil modulates T cells activation and proinflammatory cytokine in mice with high fat diet.

BACKGROUND: Hyperlipidemia triggers atherosclerosis by involving immune cells, such as T-cells. T-cells plays a role in worsening conditions during a high-fat diet (HFD). OBJECTIVE: The research aimed to analyze the role of single garlic oil (SGO) on T-cells activation and its proinflammatory cytokine expression in HFD mice. METHODS: Mice were divided into six groups: ND (normal diet); HFD (high-fat diet without treatment); HFD + Simv (HFD + simvastatin 2.6 mg/kg body weight); and HFD + SGO 1-3 (high-fat diet + single garlic oil in a dose of 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg body weight), respectively. Treatments were orally given every day for 45 days. At the end of treatments, lymphocytes were isolated from mice spleen. The relative number of T-cells and proinflammatory cytokines were measured using flow-cytometry and analyzed using one-way ANOVA (p < 0.05). RESULT: Our result indicated that HFD mice had lower naive T cells (CD4+CD62L+) than normal mice (p < 0.05). SGO treatment in HFD mice increased the relative number of naïve T cells. HFD treatment increased the expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ through NF-κB expression. Furthermore, SGO treatment improved the expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that SGO could act as a promising prospect for therapy to improve chronic inflammation in a HFD.

Herbal Medicine from Single Clove Garlic Oil Extract Ameliorates Hepatic Steatosis and Oxidative Status in High Fat Diet Mice.

INTRODUCTION: High fat diet (HFD) can cause lipid accumulation and contribute to various metabolic disorders. Single clove garlic oil (SCGO) has advantages over regular garlic due to its higher amounts of organosulfide compounds in particular. This study aimed to determine the ability of SCGO extract to ameliorate hepatic steatosis and improve oxidative status by modulating expression of tumour necrosis factor α and superoxide dismutase in mice fed a HFD. METHODS: Twenty-four adult male Balb/C mice were divided into six groups: i) normal diet; ii) positive control diet; iii) negative control diet; and iv) HFD with SCGO at 12.5 mg/kg body weight (mg/kg BW); v) HFD with SCGO at 25 mg/kg BW, vi) HFD with SCGO at 50 mg/kg BW. Liver weight and morphology, spleen weight, serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), TNF-α expression in the aorta and lipid profiles were assessed at the end of the experimental period. RESULTS: SCGO treatment was associated with significant decreases in liver and spleen weight as well as amelioration of hepatic steatosis. SCGO treatment also decreased TNF-α levels and expression. Serum levels of SOD in the SCGO groups were significantly increased compared with the negative control group. Lipid profiles were improved in the SCGO treatment groups compared with the negative control group. CONCLUSION: SCGO as an herbal medicine could be an effective treatment for degenerative disorders caused by HFD.

The effect of single-bulb garlic oil extract toward the hematology and histopathology of the liver and kidney in mice

Single garlic has been used as a traditional medicine for hypercholesterolemia and increasing stamina. The aim of this research was to analyze the effect of single-bulb garlic oil (SGO) extract toward hematology and histopathology liver and kidney in mice. Male mice (strain Balb-C, 12 weeks old, weight of 28±3 g) was treated by SGO for 28 days (once per days) with various doses K- (Normal); K+ (SGO 0.0 mg/kg BW); T1 (SGO 6.25 mg/kg BW); T2 (SGO 12.5 mg/kg BW); T3 (SGO 25.0 mg/kg BW); T4 (SGO 50.0 mg/kg BW). The end of the treated mice was sacrificed. Blood was collected to analyze hematology. Liver and kidney were collected then made microanatomy slide with Hematoxylin-Eosin staining. Parameters of hematology are the levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, number of erythrocytes, and number of leukocytes. Histopathology of liver and kidney determine by cell necrosis. The result of the research showed that SGO increased the number of erythrocytes and leucocytes but there is no effect on the levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit. Histopathology on liver and kidney showed there is no effect in necrosis. The conclusion is the single-bulb garlic oil extract safe if consumed continuously

Enhancing voluntary participation in community collaborative forest management: a case of Central Java, Indonesia.

This paper examines voluntary participation in community forest management, and characterizes how more participation may be induced. We implemented a survey of 571 respondents and conducted a case study in Central Java, Indonesia. The study's novelty lies in categorizing the degrees of participation into three levels and in identifying how socio-economic factors affect people's participation at each level. The analysis finds that voluntary participation responds to key determinants, such as education and income, in a different direction, depending on each of the three levels. However, the publicly organized programs, such as information provision of benefit sharing, are effective, irrespective of the levels of participation. Overall, the results suggest a possibility of further success and corrective measures to enhance the participation in community forest management.

Variations and trends of biologically effective doses of solar ultraviolet radiation in Asia, Europe and South America from 1999 to 2007.

Biological monitoring of solar UV radiation using spore dosimeters has been undertaken since the year 1999 at more than 20 sites in Asia, Europe and South America. The monthly-cumulative data to the end of the year 2004 have been presented before. In this paper, successive data to the end of the year 2007 are compiled and the trends and correlation analyses with yearly and monthly average amounts of columnar ozone are presented. Mean yearly doses at 10 northern and 6 southern hemisphere sites exhibited exponential latitudinal gradients with similar slopes indicating a doubling of the dose with the decline of about 14 degrees. Among 12 sites where continual data for more than 6 years were available, increasing trends in yearly UV doses were observed at 11 sites. At one European (Brussels), two tropical Asian (Padang and Denpasar), and two South American (São Martinho and Punta Arenas) sites, decreasing trends of ozone amounts were noted, whereas at the remaining 6 sites (five sites in Japan and Thessaloniki), increasing trends of the UV doses were observed without notable changes, or with an increase at one site (Kiyotake), of the average ozone amounts. At one site (Taipei), the UV doses and the ozone amounts stayed constant. In the monsoon areas, climatic variations and changes, particularly in the extent of cloudiness and frequency of rainfall in summer months, might have been largely responsible for the trends of the UV doses. However, even at these sites, the decreases in the ozone amounts in summer months were frequently observed and might have contributed to the increasing trends of the UV doses. Since each region and locality is unique in climatic and atmospheric conditions, it is not easy to generalize the global trends. However, at many sites involved in this monitoring project, the increases in the biological UV doses during this period seemed to be linked to the decreases in the ozone amounts.

Hypertrophic lichen planus in a 10-year old patient

We describe a case of a 10-year old female who consulted at our institution with plaques on the scalp, neck, trunk and extremities. The lesions were multiple, erythematous to violaceous, flat-topped papules and plaques with Wickham's striae. The nail involvement showed thinning of the nail plate, onycholysis, onychodystrophy, longitudinal ridging, and starting pterygium. Biopsy showed orthokeratosis, wedge-shaped hypergranulosis, irregular acanthosis and lichenoid pattern (mostly lymphocytes). Focal vacuolar alteration is also noted with few melanophages present and few Civatte bodies are noted. Negative HBsAg, anti-HBs and HCV were noted. The patient was treated with clobetasol dipropionate ointment,prednisone 10mg/day, oral antibiotic and antihistamine with marked clinical improvement after 2 weeks.

Biological monitoring of solar UV radiation at 17 sites in Asia, Europe and South America from 1999 to 2004.

A small and robust dosimeter for determining the biologically effective dose of ambient UV radiation has been developed using UV-sensitive mutant spores of Bacillus subtilis strain TKJ6312. A membrane filter with four spots of the spores was snapped to a slide mount. The slide was wrapped and covered with two or more layers of polyethylene sheet to protect the sample from rain and snow and to reduce monthly-cumulative doses within the measurable range. From 1999, monthly data were collected at 17 sites for more than 1 year, and data for 4 to 6 consecutive years were obtained from 12 sites. Yearly total values of the spore inactivation dose (SID) ranged from 3200 at subarctic Oulu to 96 000 at tropical Denpasar, and the mean yearly values of SID exhibited an exponential dependence on latitude in both hemispheres with a doubling for about every 14 degrees of change. During the observation period, increasing trends of UV doses have been observed at all sites with more than 5 years of data available. Year-to-year variations at high and middle latitude sites are considered due mostly to climatic variation. At three tropical sites, negative correlations between the yearly doses and the column ozone amounts were observed. The results verified the applicability of spore dosimetry for global and long-time monitoring of solar UV radiation, in particular at tropical sites where no monitoring is taking place.