MOSP - Macao Scientific Publishers

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Exploring the therapeutic potential of catechin-enriched green tea extract for managing inflammation and microbial infections

Y. F. Wang, S. H. Shao, P. Xu, X. Q. Yang and L. S. Qian*

Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the mechanism of green tea in treating a broad spectrum of human diseases and to develop a safe and effective agent for antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory application. Catechin-enriched green tea extract (CEGTE) was prepared containing 83.15 ± 0.79% of total catechins. In vitro antimicrobial and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects were investigated and safety was evaluated in vivo with relevant positive controls. CEGTE was found to have significant bacteriostatic effects in all the bacteria isolates tested and inhibitory effects on influenza virus A3 (H3N2) and coxsackie virus B4. CEGTE showed inhibitory effects both on carrageenin-induced paw edema in rats and xylene-induced ear edema in mice and exhibited an inhibitory response against acetic acid-induced writhing in mice. The oral LD50 of CEGTE in both Sprague Dawley (SD) rats and imprinting control region (ICR) mice was determined to be greater than 20000 mg/kg body weight. The bacterial Ames test and mammalian micronucleus and sperm abnormality assay in mice showed no mutagenic properties with CEGTE. CEGTE can be applied as a safe and effective antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent with advantages over medicines which treat bacterial and viral infection or inflammation alone.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Catechin-enriched green tea extract (CEGTE), antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, safety evaluation.

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Evaluation of Iranian traditional cheese-derived Lactobacillus plantarum for gastric ulcer treatment in rats

Mitra Heydari Nasrabadi, Helia Aboutalebi*, Maryam Tajabadi Ebrahimi and Farima Zahedi

Abstract: Probiotics are living organisms which upon ingestion in certain numbers exert health benefits beyond inherent basic nutrition. The lactic acid bacteria are one of the most significant groups of probiotic organisms. These bacteria are commonly used in fermented dairy products and have been advocated for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of a probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum isolated from Iranian traditional cheese on gastric ulcer. Gastric ulcers were induced by luminal application of acetic acid (60% v/v) in rats. L. plantarum was given intragastrically at 1010 CFU/day for three, five, seven and fourteen consecutive days after ulcer induction. L. plantarum significantly reduced gastric ulcer area as compared to control and negative control groups. Neutrophils were strongly increased on day three and decreased on days five, seven and fourteenth after ulcer induction in treatment groups. Macrophages and fibroblasts significantly increased on three and five days after ulcer induction and decreased on days seven and fourteenth. These finding suggested that L. plantarum isolated from Iranian traditional cheese enhanced gastric ulcer healing via stimulating immune system and fibroblast increasing.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Lactobacillus plantarum, probiotic, gastric ulcer, healing.

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Hematological changes in high-performance athletes following zinc supplementation

Yahya Polat

Abstract: The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of eight weeks zinc supplementation on the erythrocyte and leukocyte counts and other hematological parameters in male kick boxers. Twenty-four subjects were included in the study. They were equally divided into three groups as follows: Group EZ, training and receiving 2.5 mg/kg zinc supplement per day; Group SZ, receiving the zinc supplement but no training and Group E, who exercised but received no supplement. Erythrocyte, platelet and leukocyte counts, hematocrit, hemoglobin and the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were determined in blood samples taken from each participant at rest and exhaustion. The erythrocyte count of Group EZ was significantly higher than in the E and SZ groups, p < 0.001. The number of leukocytes was higher in the two groups that trained. The hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were increased in the EZ group (p < 0.05).The platelet number increased with exhaustion in the E and EZ groups (p < 0.001). The MCV values were lower in group EZ as compared to the other two groups. The E and EZ subjects had higher neutrophil counts (p < 0.05).These results suggest that the combined effects of exercise and zinc supplementation have a positive effect in the hematological parameters of athletes, which may result in better performance and increased endurance.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Kick boxers, male athletes, exhaustion, zinc-supplementation, blood parameters.

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The influence of aerobic exercise on health-related physical fitness and lipid profiles in obese female adolescents

Özcan Saygın* and Mehmet Ali Öztürk

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 12 week aerobic exercise program on health related fitness components and blood lipids in obese girls. In this study, a total of 40 girls were recruited as exercise group (n = 20) and control group (n = 19). Participants joined sessions for 60 min per day, 3 days per week for 12-week. There were significant differences in weight, body mass index (BMI), flexibility, sit-ups, hand grip for both hands, VO2max, skin fold measurements (thigh, triceps, biceps, abdomen, suprailiac, subscapula, chest, body fat percent, heart rate, high density lipoproteins (HDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL),, total cholesterol, and triglyceride between pre-test and post test scores in the exercise group (p[...] Read More.

Keywords: Blood lipids, flexibility, muscle strength, body mass index (BMI), max. VO2, aerobic exercise.

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Examining the effects of regulatory policies on drug quality in Sudan: Perspectives from importers

Gamal K. M. Ali and Abdeen M. Omer*

Abstract: The strategy of price liberalisation and privatisation had been implemented in Sudan over the last decade, and has had a positive result on government deficit. The investment law approved recently has good statements and rules on the above strategy in particular to pharmacy regulations. Under the pressure of the new privatisation policy, the government introduced radical changes in the pharmacy regulations. The 2001 Pharmacy and Poisons Act and its provisions established the Federal Pharmacy and Poison Board (FPPB). All the authorities of the implementation of Pharmacy and Poisons Act were given to this board. This article provides an overview of the impact of the pharmaceutical regulations on the quality of medicines on the Sudanese market from the perspective of the pharmacists working with drug importing companies. The information necessary to conduct the evaluation was collected from 30 pharmacists who are the owners or shareholders in medicines’ importing companies. The participants were selected randomly. 89% of respondents considered the medicines on the Sudanese market are generally of good quality. The design of the research itself may be considered inadequate with regard to selection process. However, the authors believe it provides enough evidence, and the current pharmaceutical regulations have some loopholes. The Pharmacy, Poisons, Cosmetics and Medical Devices Act-2001 and its regulation should be enforced. The overall set-up including the Act itself needs to be revised. Keywords: Counterfeits Medicines, Drug Importers, and Quality of Medicines, Regulatory Authorities. [...] Read More.

Keywords: Counterfeits Medicines, Drug Importers, and Quality of Medicines, Regulatory Authorities.

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Impact of monocycle pulses on biomedical systems

Yafang Tan,*, Hongchun Yang, Jun Xu, and Xiaolin Yang,

Abstract: Based on multilayer dielectric model, for the spherical biological cell subjected to pulsed electric field (PEF), a simplified equivalent circuit was presented. According to a mathematical analysis of a monocycle electric pulse (MEP), the relationship between a given pulse duration and a center frequency was established and its main energy was concentrated on the center frequency. Thus the transmenbrane potential of external and inner membranes induced by the MEP with various durations was simply calculated by using a harmonic function with different center frequency and the equivalent circuit equations. Furthermore, the threshold electric intensities and window effect of the electroporation with different pulse duration were discussed assuming that the external and inner membranes would breakdown under certain potential values. In view of current difficulty in developing the high peak power PEF devices and the advantage of the MEP in living cell's electroporation effects, an experimental scheme was presented in which a Gaussian pulse was generated by a photoconductive semiconductor switch (PCSS) and a MEP was produced through a Blumlein transmission line (BTL). Keywords: Monocycle pulse, transmenbrane potential, electric intensity threshold, window effect, monocycle pulse generator.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Monocycle pulse, transmenbrane potential, electric intensity threshold, window effect, monocycle pulse generator.

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Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of local seeded banana fruits

Preeti Jain*, Mahmood Hasan Bhuiyan, Khondker Rufaka Hossain and Sitesh C. Bachar

Abstract: The antibacterial and antioxidant activities of different parts of local seeded banana fruit were investigated in vitro. Dried peels, pulps and seeds of the fruit were extracted with hexane, ethyl acetate and ethanol. Antibacterial property of the extracts was evaluated against four Gram positive and four Gram negative bacteria using disc diffusion technique. Ethyl acetate and ethanol extract of both pulp and peel exhibited antibacterial activity with zone of inhibition ranging from 9 to 24 mm. On the other hand, only ethyl acetate extract of seeds showed antibacterial activity and the zone of inhibition ranged from 8.5 to 10 mm; interestingly, none of the hexane extracts of the three banana parts exhibited zone of inhibition. Antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated by total phenolic content determination and 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. Total phenolic content expressed as gallic acid equivalents (GAE) was found to be highest in ethyl acetate extract of banana seed (19.46 mg GAE/g extract) followed by the same extract of banana pulp (15.78 mg GAE/g extract) and peel (11.23 mg GAE/g extract). High free radical scavenging activity was observed with ethyl acetate extracts of banana seed, peel and pulp with an ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant capacity (AEAC) value of 1238.33, 1011.43 and 588.03 mg AA/ 100 g extract, respectively. Keywords: Seedy banana, antibacterial, antioxidant, phenolic content.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Seedy banana, antibacterial, antioxidant, phenolic content.

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Impairment of active avoidance learning and sensory motor reflexes in mice offspring induced by perinatal acute toxic exposure to selenium

Gada Al Basher, Hossam Ebaid, Jamaan Ajarem and Gasem Abu-Taweel

Abstract: Selenium is an essential element with a narrow margin between beneficial and toxic effects. The learning and sensory motor reflexes-changes were studied after the perinatal exposure of mice to acute toxic doses of sodium selenite. Atomic absorption as well as the behavioral observations were employed. Adult pregnant mice was assigned into three groups: the first group was remained as a control group; the second and the third groups were orally administrated sodium selenite at doses of 1 mg/Kg (1 ppm) and 4 mg/kg (4 ppm) of the diet, respectively started from the 7th day of gestation to the 15th day of birth. Results revealed that body weight gain came significantly lower in pups born to treated mothers than those of the control pups. The appearance of body hair and opening of eyes of the pups from treated mothers were delayed in a dose-dependent manner. Selenite also inhibited the sensory motor reflexes in all elements in a dose dependent manner. The active avoidance test indicated that selenite exposure was associated with learning impairment. Acetylcholine recorded a significant decrease in treated pups. Significant high concentrations of selenium in the brain, liver and kidney was detected, indicating active transfer of selenium from mothers during pregnancy and lactation periods.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Perinatal, sodium selenite, atomic absorption, acetylcholine, active avoidance test, sensory motor reflexes, mice.

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Effects of common daisy (Bellis perennis L.) aqueous extracts on anxiety-like behaviour and spatial memory performance in Wistar albino rats

F. Pehlivan Karaka *, A. Karaka , H. Co kun and A. Uçar Turker

Abstract: The effects of aqueous extract of flowers from Bellis perennis on anxiety-like behavior and memory in Wistar rats were tested. Vehicle 20 and 60 mg kg -1 B. perennis groups were performed and the animals were tested by open field and elevated plus maze tests for anxiety-like behaviour and Morris water maze test for spatial memory. In the open field, the high dose of B. perennis administrated rats spent more time at the center, showed less mobility and velocity. In the elevated plus maze, the high dose of B. perennis administrated rats spent more time in the open arms, spent less time in the closed arms, were less mobile, were slower and rotated less frequently. In the Morris water maze, the high dose of B. perennis administrated rats spent more of the time to find the platform. In conclusion, B. perennis may produce biphasic effects on both anxiety-like behaviour and learning performance of the rats.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Bellis perennis, common daisy, anxiety, sedative, spatial memory.

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Biodegradable methoxy poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (lactide) nanoparticles for controlled delivery of dacarbazine: Preparation, characterization and anticancer activity evaluation

Bao-yue Ding,†, Wei Zhang,†, Xin Wu, Xiang Wang, Wei fan, Shen Gao*, Jing Gao, Lu-lu Ma, Xue-ying Ding and Qiang Hao

Abstract: Dacarbazine (DTIC) loaded or blank methoxy poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (lactide) (MPEG-PLA) nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by modified w/o/w double emulsion-solvent evaporation method through ultrasonic processor without any additional additives. The hemolytic test and cytotoxicity test of blank MPEG-PLA NPs demonstrated that the obtained drug delivery system is safety. Its particle size distribution, morphology, drug loading, drug release profile and anticancer activity in vitro were studied in detail. The small sized nanoparticles (NPs) with a particle size of 144.2±7.8 nm in diameter and drug encapsulation efficiency of 70.1±2.3% are easy to be dispersed in water and suitable for vascular administration. The drug release pattern was biphasic with a fast release rate followed by a slow one. The in vitro and in vivo study results demonstrated that compared with free DTIC, DTIC loaded MPEG-PLA NPs could induce more apoptosis of cancer cell and showed enhanced antitumor activity. The described DTIC loaded MPEG-PLA nanoparticle in this paper might be a novel potential formulation for metastatic melanoma therapy.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Malignant melanoma, dacarbazine, methoxy poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (lactide), double emulsion and solvent evaporation method, nanoparticles, anticancer activity.

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