Differently substituted flavanones were isolated from Leguminosae and their antibacterial activity was comparatively studied against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of phytochemical flavanones to clinical isolates of MRSA were determined by a serial agar dilution method. The structure-activity relationship has indicated that 2',4'- or 2',6'-dihydroxylation of the B ring and 5,7-dihydroxylation of the A ring in the flavanone structure are important for significant anti-MRSA activity and that substitution with a certain aliphatic group at the 6- or 8-position also enhances the activity. Among the thirteen flavanones tested, tetrahydroxyflavanones with these structural characteristics isolated from Sophora exigua and Echinosophora koreensis showed intensive activity to inhibit the growth of all MRSA strains at 3.13-6.25 micrograms/ml. The present hydroxyflavanones would be useful in the phytotherapeutic strategy against MRSA infections.

Comparative Study on the Antibacterial Activity of Phytochemical Flavanones against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Human leukocyte antigen B (HLA-B) is responsible for presenting peptides to immune cells and plays a critical role in normal immune recognition of pathogens. A variant allele, HLA-B*57:01, is associated with increased risk of a hypersensitivity reaction to the anti-HIV drug abacavir. In the absence of genetic prescreening, hypersensitivity affects ~6% of patients and can be life-threatening with repeated dosing. We provide recommendations (updated periodically at http://www.pharmkgb.org) for the use of abacavir based on HLA-B genotype.

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Clinical pharmacogenetics implementation consortium guidelines for HLA-B genotype and carbamazepine dosing

Diabetes mellitus is a non-communicable disease that occurs in both developed and developing countries. This metabolic disease affects all systems in the body, including the liver. Hyperglycaemia, mainly caused by insulin resistance, affects the metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates and proteins and can lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which can further progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, cirrhosis and, finally, hepatocellular carcinomas. The underlying mechanism of diabetes that contributes to liver damage is the combination of increased oxidative stress and an aberrant inflammatory response; this activates the transcription of pro-apoptotic genes and damages hepatocytes. Significant involvement of pro-inflammatory cytokines-including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α-exacerbates the accumulation of oxidative damage products in the liver, such as malondialdehyde, fluorescent pigments and conjugated dienes. This review summarises the biochemical, histological and macromolecular changes that contribute to oxidative liver damage among diabetic individuals.

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Mechanisms of Diabetes-Induced Liver Damage: The role of oxidative stress and inflammation

Blastocystis is a common parasite of the human large intestine but has an uncertain role in disease. In this review, we appraise the published evidence addressing this and its weaknesses. Genetic diversity studies have led to the identification of numerous subtypes (STs) within the genus Blastocystis and, recently, methods for studying variation within STs have been developed, with implications for our understanding of host specificity. The geographic distribution of STs is summarised and the impact this may have on investigations into the role of the organism in disease is discussed. Finally, we describe the organelle and nuclear genome characteristics and look to future developments in the field.

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Recent developments in Blastocystis research.

More than 2000 species of edible and/or medicinal mushrooms have been identified to date, many of which are widely consumed, stimulating much research on their health-promoting properties. These properties are associated with bioactive compounds produced by the mushrooms, including polysaccharides. Although β-glucans (homopolysaccharides) are believed to be the major bioactive polysaccharides of mushrooms, other types of mushroom polysaccharides (heteropolysaccharides) also possess biological properties. Here we survey the chemistry of such health-promoting polysaccharides and their reported antiobesity and antidiabetic properties as well as selected anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial, and antiviral effects that demonstrate their multiple health-promoting potential. The associated antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulating activities in fat cells, rodents, and humans are also discussed. The mechanisms of action involve the gut microbiota, meaning the polysaccharides act as prebiotics in the digestive system. Also covered here are the nutritional, functional food, clinical, and epidemiological studies designed to assess the health-promoting properties of polysaccharides, individually and as blended mixtures, against obesity, diabetes, cancer, and infectious diseases, and suggestions for further research. The collated information and suggested research needs might guide further studies needed for a better understanding of the health-promoting properties of mushroom polysaccharides and enhance their use to help prevent and treat human chronic diseases.

Mushroom Polysaccharides: Chemistry and Antiobesity, Antidiabetes, Anticancer, and Antibiotic Properties in Cells, Rodents, and Humans

Several plants are used in folk medicine to treat gastrointestinal disorders. Gynura procumbens is a medicinal plant commonly used in traditional treatment of many aliments. In this study, G. procumbens ethanolic leaf extract (GPELE) was used to investigate its gastroprotective effect in adult Sprague dawley rats which were divided into six groups. The rats were orally pre-treated with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) solution (ulcer control groups), omeprazole 20 mg/kg (reference group), 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of GPELE in CMC solution (experimental groups), one hour before oral administration of absolute ethanol to generate gastric mucosal injury. After an additional hour, the rats were sacrificed and the ulcer areas of the gastric walls were determined. The ulcer control group exhibited severe mucosal injury, whereas groups pre-treated with GPELE exhibited significant protection of gastric mucosal injury. These findings were also confirmed by histological studies. Acute toxicity study with a higher dose of 5 g/kg did not manifest any toxicological signs in rats. These results suggest that GPELE promotes ulcer protection as ascertained grossly by significant reduction of ulcer area, and histologically by comparatively decreases in ulcer areas, reduction or absence of edema and leucocytes infiltration of submucosal layer compared to ulcer control group.

Anti-ulcerogenic activity of Gynura procumbens leaf extract against experimentally-induced gastric lesions in rats.

Polygonum minus is a medicinal plant commonly used in traditional medicine for the treatment of many aliments. The present study was performed to investigate anti-ulcer activity of P. minus aqueous leaf extract (PMALE) against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Group 1 rats (ulcer control group) were pre-treated with vehicle (distilled water). Group 2 rats (reference group) were orally pretreated with 20 mg/kg omeprazole. Group 3 and 4 (experimental groups) were orally pre-treated with 250 and 500 mg/kg PMALE, respectively. After one hour later, all groups received absolute ethanol to generate gastric mucosal injury. After an additional hour, all the rats were sacrificed and the gastric juice was collected for determining of pH and mucous weight. The stomachs were examined for gastric ulcer areas. Grossly; the ulcer control group exhibited severe mucosal injury, whereas pre-treatment with either omeprazole or PMALE exhibited significant protection of gastric mucosal injury and increase in mucus production. Flattening of gastric mucosal folds was also observed in rats pretreated with PMALE. Histology, gastric wall of ulcer control group revealed severe damage of gastric mucosa, along with edema and leucocytes infiltration of the submucosal layer compared to rats pre-treated with either omeprazole or PMALE which showed marked gastric protection, reduction of edema and leucocytes infiltration of the submucosal layer. Acute toxicity study with a higher dose of 5 g/kg did not manifest any toxicological signs in rats. In conclusions, the present finding suggests that PMALE promotes ulcer protection as ascertained by the comparative decreases in ulcer areas, reduction of edema and leucocytes infiltration of the submucosal layer.

Cytoprotective activities of Polygonum minus aqueous leaf extract on ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats

The effects of Carica papaya leaf (CPL) aqueous extract on alcohol induced acute gastric damage and the immediate blood oxidative stress level were studied in rats. The results showed that gastric ulcer index was significantly reduced in rats pretreated with CPL extract as compared with alcohol treated controls. The in vitro studies using 2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picryl-Hydrazyl (DPPH) assay showed strong antioxidant nature of CPL extract. Biochemical analysis indicated that the acute alcohol induced damage is reflected in the alterations of blood oxidative indices and CPL extract offered some protection with reduction in plasma lipid peroxidation level and increased erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity. Carica papaya leaf may potentially serve as a good therapeutic agent for protection against gastric ulcer and oxidative stress.

Protective effect of Carica papaya L. leaf extract against alcohol induced acute gastric damage and blood oxidative stress in rats

Mushrooms have been used in folk medicine for thousands of years. In this study, the effect of β-glucan-rich extract of P. sajor-caju (GE) on lipid lowering and antioxidant potential was assessed in C57BL/6J mice fed on a high-fat diet. Obesity was induced in C57BL/6J mice by feeding a high-fat diet. The control groups in this study were ND (for normal diet) and HFD (for high-fat diet). The treated groups were ND240 (for normal diet) (240 mg/kg b.w) and HFD60, HFD120, and HFD240 (for high-fat diet), where the mice were administrated with three dosages of GE (60, 120, and 240 mg GE/kg b.w). Metformin (2 mg/kg b.w) served as positive control. GE-treated groups showed significantly reduced body weight, serum lipid, and liver enzymes levels. GE also attenuated protein carbonyl and lipid hydroperoxide levels by increasing the enzymic antioxidants (SOD, CAT, and GPx) activities in the mice. GE-treated groups induced the expression of hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) while downregulated the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), sterol regulatory binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), and lipoprotein lipase (LPL). Hence, GE prevented weight gain in the mice by inducing lipolysis and may be valuable in the formulation of adjuvant therapy for obesity.

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Beta-Glucan-Rich Extract from Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.) Singer Prevents Obesity and Oxidative Stress in C57BL/6J Mice Fed on a High-Fat Diet

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of topical application of ethanol extract of Boesenbergia rotunda rhizomes on the rate of wound healing closure and histology of healed wound. An area of uniform wound 2.00 cm in diameter using circular stamp, was excised from the nape of the dorsal neck of all rats with the aid of round seal. The animal groups were topically treated with 0.2 ml of each vehicle (gum acacia), Intrasite gel, 100 and 200 mg/ml of ethanol extract, respectively. Macroscopically, wound dressed with rhizomes extract and Intrasite gel significantly healed earlier than those treated with vehicle. Histological analysis of healed wounds dressed with rhizomes extract showed comparatively less scar width at wound closure and healed wound contained less inflammatory cells and more collagen with angiogenesis compared to wounds dressed with vehicle. In conclusion, wounds dressed with rhizomes extract significantly enhanced the acceleration of wound healing enclosure in rats.

A. A. Mahmood

Papers

Anti-ulcerogenic activity of Gynura procumbens leaf extract against experimentally-induced gastric lesions in rats.

Cytoprotective activities of Polygonum minus aqueous leaf extract on ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats

Protective effect of Carica papaya L. leaf extract against alcohol induced acute gastric damage and blood oxidative stress in rats

Beta-Glucan-Rich Extract from Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.) Singer Prevents Obesity and Oxidative Stress in C57BL/6J Mice Fed on a High-Fat Diet

Potential activity of ethanolic extract of Boesenbergia rotunda (L.) rhizomes extract in accelerating wound healing in rats