<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> antiproliferative activity of partially purified <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trigona laeviceps</Emphasis> propolis from Thailand on human cancer cell lines

Background  

Cancers are some of the leading causes of human deaths worldwide and their relative importance continues to increase. Since an increasing proportion of cancer patients are acquiring resistance to traditional chemotherapeutic agents, it is necessary to search for new compounds that provide suitable specific antiproliferative affects that can be developed as anticancer agents. Propolis from the stingless bee, Trigona laeviceps, is one potential interesting source that is widely available and cultivatable (as bee hives) in Thailand.     

Mosquito larvicidal activities of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum villosum</Emphasis> berry extract against the dengue vector <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stegomyia aegypti</Emphasis>

Background  

Vector control is facing a threat due to the emergence of resistance to synthetic insecticides. Insecticides of botanical origin may serve as suitable alternative biocontrol techniques in the future. Although several plants have been reported for mosquitocidal activity, only a few botanicals have moved from the laboratory to field use, because they are poorly characterized, in most cases active principals are not determined and most of the works are restricted to preliminary screening. Solanum villosum is a common weed distributed in many parts of India with medicinal properties, but the larvicidal activity of this plant has not been reported so far.     

Anticancer activity of a sub-fraction of dichloromethane extract of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Strobilanthes crispus</Emphasis> on human breast and prostate cancer cells <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis>

Background  

The leaves of Strobilanthes crispus (S. crispus) which is native to the regions of Madagascar to the Malay Archipelago, are used in folk medicine for their antidiabetic, diuretic, anticancer and blood pressure lowering properties. Crude extracts of this plant have been found to be cytotoxic to human cancer cell lines and protective against chemically-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats. In this study, the cytotoxicity of various sub-fractions of dichloromethane extract isolated from the leaves of S. crispus was determined and the anticancer activity of one of the bioactive sub-fractions, SC/D-F9, was further analysed in breast and prostate cancer cell lines.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">CYP2C19</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">ABCB1</Emphasis>gene polymorphisms are differently distributed according to ethnicity in the Brazilian general population

Background  

Recent studies have reported the clinical importance of CYP2C19 and ABCB1 polymorphisms in an individualized approach to clopidogrel treatment. The aims of this study were to evaluate the frequencies of CYP2C19 and ABCB1 polymorphisms and to identify the clopidogrel-predicted metabolic phenotypes according to ethnic groups in a sample of individuals representative of a highly admixtured population.     

Preliminary phytochemical screening and <Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> antioxidant activities of the aqueous extract of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helichrysum longifolium</Emphasis> DC

Background  

Many oxidative stress related diseases are as a result of accumulation of free radicals in the body. A lot of researches are going on worldwide directed towards finding natural antioxidants of plants origins. The aims of this study were to evaluate in vitro antioxidant activities and to screen for phytochemical constituents of Helichrysum longifolium DC. [Family Asteraceae] aqueous crude extract.     

Arctigenin from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arctium lappa</Emphasis> inhibits interleukin-2 and interferon gene expression in primary human T lymphocytes

Background  

Arctium lappa (Niubang), a Chinese herbal medicine, is used to treat tissue inflammation. This study investigates the effects of arctigenin (AC), isolated from A. lappa, on anti-CD3/CD28 Ab-stimulated cell proliferation and cytokine gene expression in primary human T lymphocytes.     

Analysis of sequence variations in the suppressor of cytokine signaling (<Emphasis Type="Italic">SOCS</Emphasis>)<Emphasis Type="Italic">-3</Emphasis>gene in extremely obese children and adolescents

Background  

The suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-3 is a negative feedback regulator of cytokine signaling and also influences leptin signaling. We investigated association of variations in the coding sequence and promoter region of SOCS3 with extreme obesity in German children and adolescents.     

Complement anaphylatoxin C5a neuroprotects through regulation of glutamate receptor subunit 2 <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vivo</Emphasis>

Background  

The complement system is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of numerous neurological diseases. We previously reported that pre-treatment of murine cortico-hippocampal neuronal cultures with the complement derived anaphylatoxin C5a, protects against glutamate mediated apoptosis. Our present study with C5a receptor knock out (C5aRKO) mice corroborates that the deficiency of C5a renders C5aRKO mouse more susceptible to apoptotic injury in vivo. In this study we explored potential upstream mechanisms involved in C5a mediated neuroprotection in vivo and in vitro.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">N-acetyltransferase 8</Emphasis>, a positional candidate for blood pressure and renal regulation: resequencing,association and <Emphasis Type="Italic">in silico</Emphasis> study

Background  

Kidneys have an important function in blood pressure (BP) regulation and elevated BP may lead to kidney failure. Chr2p12-p13 region linked to BP traits in multiple studies harbours a potential candidate for BP and renal function, N-acetyltransferase 8 (NAT8) expressed in embryonic and adult kidney and associated with nephrotoxicity response.     

Distribution of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">FYB</Emphasis><Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">ES</Emphasis></Superscript> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">RHCE*ce(733C>G)</Emphasis> alleles in an Argentinean population: Implications for transfusion medicine

Background  

The understanding of the molecular bases of blood groups makes possible the identification of red cell antigens and antibodies using molecular approaches, especially when haemagglutination is of limited value. The practical application of DNA typing requires the analysis of the polymorphism and allele distribution of the blood group genes under study since genetic variability was observed among different ethnic groups. Urban populations of Argentina are assumed to have a white Caucasian European genetic component. However, historical and biological data account for the influence of other ethnic groups. In this work we analyse FY and RH blood group alleles attributed to Africans and that could have clinical implications in the immune destruction of erythrocytes.     

Characterization of the "<Emphasis Type="Italic">deqi</Emphasis>" response in acupuncture

Background  

Acupuncture stimulation elicits deqi, a composite of unique sensations that is essential for clinical efficacy according to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). There is lack of adequate experimental data to indicate what sensations comprise deqi, their prevalence and intensity, their relationship to acupoints, how they compare with conventional somatosensory or noxious response. The objective of this study is to provide scientific evidence on these issues and to characterize the nature of the deqi phenomenon in terms of the prevalence of sensations as well as the uniqueness of the sensations underlying the deqi experience.     

Effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">MCF2L2, ADIPOQ</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic"> SOX2</Emphasis> genetic polymorphisms on the development of nephropathy in type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Background  

MCF2L2, ADIPOQ and SOX2 genes are located in chromosome 3q26-27, which is linked to diabetic nephropathy (DN). ADIPOQ and SOX2 genetic polymorphisms are found to be associated with DN. In the present study, we first investigated the association between MCF2L2 and DN, and then evaluated effects of these three genes on the development of DN.     

Tian Xian Liquid (TXL) induces apoptosis in HT-29 colon cancer cell <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> and inhibits tumor growth <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vivo</Emphasis>

Background  

Tian Xian Liquid (TXL) is a Chinese medicine decoction and has been used as an anticancer dietary supplement. The present study aims to investigate the effects of TXL on the apoptosis of HT-29 cells and tumor growth in vivo.     

Antimicrobial activity of two South African honeys produced from indigenous <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leucospermum cordifolium</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Erica</Emphasis> species on selected micro-organisms

Background  

Honey has been shown to have wound healing properties which can be ascribed to its antimicrobial activity. The antimicrobial activity can be effective against a broad spectrum of bacterial species especially those of medical importance. It has also been shown that there is considerable variation in the antimicrobial potency of different types of honey, which is impossible to predict. With this in mind we tested the antimicrobial activity of honeys produced from plants grown in South Africa for their antibacterial properties on selected standard strains of oral micro-organisms.     

Novel phytoandrogens and lipidic augmenters from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucommia ulmoides</Emphasis>

Background  

Plants containing compounds such as the isoflavonoids, with female hormone-like effects that bind to human estrogen receptors, are known. But none has been previously shown to have corresponding male hormone-like effects that interact with the human androgen receptor. Here, we report that the tree bark (cortex) of the Gutta-Percha tree Eucommia ulmoides possesses bimodal phytoandrogenic and hormone potentiating effects by lipidic components.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">SOD2</Emphasis>polymorphisms: unmasking the effect of polymorphism on splicing

Background  

The SOD2 gene encodes an antioxidant enzyme, mitochondrial superoxide dismutase. SOD2 polymorphisms are of interest because of their potential roles in the modulation of free radical-mediated macromolecular damage during aging.     

Mistletoe lectin is not the only cytotoxic component in fermented preparations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Viscum album</Emphasis> from white fir (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Abies pectinata</Emphasis>)

Background  

Preparations of mistletoe (Viscum album) are the form of cancer treatment that is most frequently used in the complementary medicine. Previous work has shown that these preparations are able to exert cytotoxic effects on carcinoma cells, the extent of which might be influenced by the host tree species and by the content of mistletoe lectin.     

The association between genetic variants in <Emphasis Type="Italic">hMLH1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">hMSH2</Emphasis> and the development of sporadic colorectal cancer in the Danish population

Background  

Mutations in the mismatch repair genes hMLH1 and hMSH2 predispose to hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). Genetic screening of more than 350 Danish patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) has led to the identification of several new genetic variants (e.g. missense, silent and non-coding) in hMLH1 and hMSH2. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of these variants in hMLH1 and hMSH2 in Danish patients with sporadic colorectal cancer and in the healthy background population. The purpose was to reveal if any of the common variants lead to increased susceptibility to colorectal cancer.     

Study of the serotonin transporter (<Emphasis Type="Italic">SLC6A4</Emphasis>) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">BDNF</Emphasis> genes in French patients with non syndromic mental deficiency

Background  

Mental deficiency has been linked to abnormalities in cortical neuronal network connectivity and plasticity. These mechanisms are in part under the control of two interacting signalling pathways, the serotonergic and the brain-derived neurotrophic (BDNF) pathways. The aim of the current paper is to determine whether particular alleles or genotypes of two crucial genes of these systems, the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene (BDNF), are associated with mental deficiency (MD).