Antitumor and antioxidant effects of Clinacanthus nutans Lindau in 4 T1 tumor-bearing mice.

BACKGROUND: Clinacanthus nutans Lindau (C. nutans) is a species of in Acanthaceae family and primarily used in South East Asian countries. C. nutans is well known as Sabah snake grass in Malaysia, and its leaves have diverse medicinal potential in conventional applications, including cancer treatments. On the basis of literature search, there is less conclusive evidence of the involvement of phytochemical constituents in breast cancer, in particular, animal tumor models. The current study aimed to determine the antitumor and antioxidant activities of C. nutans extract in 4 T1 tumor-bearing mice. METHODS: C. nutans leaves were subjected to methanol extraction and divided into two different concentrations, 200 mg/kg (low-dose) and 1000 mg/kg (high-dose). The antitumor effects of C. nutans extracts were assessed using bone marrow smearing, clonogenic, and splenocyte immunotype analyses. In addition, hematoxylin and eosin, tumor weight and tumor volume profiles also used to indicate apoptosis appearance. Serum cytokine levels were examined using ELISA assay. In addition, nitric oxide assay reflecting antioxidant activity was performed. RESULTS: From the results obtained, the methanol extract of C. nutans leaves at 200 mg/kg (P < 0.05) and 1000 mg/kg (P < 0.05) showed a significant decrease in nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the blood. On the other hand, C. nutans extract (1000 mg/kg) also showed a significant decrease in the number of mitotic cells, tumor weight, and tumor volume. No inflammatory and adverse reactions related to splenocytes activities were found in all treated groups of mice. Despite its promising results, the concentration of both C. nutans extracts have also reduced the number of colonies formed in the liver and lungs. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, C. nutans extracts exert antitumor and antioxidant activities against 4 T1 mouse breast model with no adverse effect and inflammatory response at high dose of 1000 mg/kg, indicating an effective and complementary approach for cancer prevention and treatment.

Possible transmission routes of Vibrio spp. in tropical cage-cultured marine fishes.

This study investigates the possible transmission routes of Vibrio spp. in a tropical cage-cultured marine fishes. Samplings of cultured Asian seabass, red snapper, hybrid grouper, wild fish, trash fish, fish fry, water and sediment samples were conducted from December 2016 to August 2017. All fish were dissected in situ and swabs were taken aseptically from the skin, eye, liver and kidney for bacterial isolation and identification. Bacterial isolation and identification from water, sediment and trash fish were also made. A total of 261 Vibrio spp. isolates recovered from the cultured, wild and fry fish, as well as from the sediment and water of the farm environment were analysed. Sequences of the pyrH gene were used to investigate the degree of relatedness and possible transmission routes existing between the isolated Vibrio spp. The population tree revealed the existence of selected Vibrio spp. that possibly transmitted between the newly introduced fish fry and wild fish into the cultured fish, while water also might possibly serves as natural transmission medium of certain Vibrio spp. in this fish farm. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The source of transmission of Vibrio spp. into farmed marine fish remains unclear. This study highlights the possible transmission routes of Vibrio into cage-cultured marine fishes via newly introduced fish fry and wild fish. Understanding the routes of transmission of Vibrio spp. might help in controlling the disease in the near future.