CellMed

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In vitro anti-obesity effects of anti-cancer (AC) functional kimchi in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes were studied. We constructed three experimental groups: Control, standardized kimchi (SK), and AC functional kimchi (A-FK) that included active ingredients and Lactobacillus plantarum. Kimchi extracts did not show any cytotoxicity in pre-adipocytes in the concentration range of 1 - 5 mg/mL. A-FK significantly reduced fat droplet formation and absorbance in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, as shown by Oil red O staining, compared to Control and SK (P < 0.05). SK and A-FK reduced adipo-/lipogenesis related genes such as $C/EBP{alpha}$, SREBP-1, LPL, and $LXR{alpha}$ compared to Control (P < 0.05). Especially, A-FK more greatly reduced SREBP-1 and LPL compared to SK (P < 0.05). A-FK up-regulated the ${eta}$-oxidation related gene CPT-1c and down-regulated the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 compared to Control (P < 0.05). Based on the results, A-FK exhibited anti-obesity effects by inhibiting fat droplet formation and adipo-/lipogenesis related genes by regulating the ${eta}$-oxidation related gene CPT-1c and pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6. In previous studies, A-FK kimchi already exhibited a strong anti-cancer effect. These results indicate that A-FK increased anti-obesity activity in this model system due to its functional ingredients and anti-cancer functionality.

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The study was designed to assess antioxidant and antidyslipidaemic effects of terpenoid-rich extract from the root of Aristolochia ringens V. Hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and dyslipidemia were established in rats by single intraperitoneal administration of 65 mg/kg bw streptozotocin. Based on therapeutic dose determined in previous study, streptozotocin-induced rats were orally administered with 75 and 150 mg/Kg bw of A. ringens extract for 14 days. Total protein, serum lipid profiles and biomarkers of oxidative stress in liver and kidney of the experimental rats were determined. Atherogenic and cardiovascular disease risk indices were computed. Streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemia significantly (p < 0.05) decreased activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione transferase as well as the amount of reduced glutathione in both tissues indicating oxidative stress induced kidney and liver injury due to glucotoxicity. In comparison to non-treated hyperglycaemic rats, activities of the antioxidant enzymes and concentration of glutathione-H were significantly (p < 0.0001) increased, whereas malondialdehyde was reduced in the tissues of rats treated with both 75 and 150 mg/Kg bw of the extract. The extract also caused significant (p < 0.001) reduction in elevated levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels, whereas concentration of the attenuated high density lipoprotein-cholesterol was increased in serum of the treated rats. Reduced atherogenic and cardiac risk indices were projected for the A. ringens extract-treated groups. Results from this study showed that extract from A. ringens root was rich in terpenoids and may reduce risks of complications associated with hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and dyslipidemia.

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In the field of osteoporosis, there has been growing interest in anabolic agents that enhance bone formation. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of NNMBS 246 osteoblastic differentiation with associated signaling pathways. NNMBS 246 markedly increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium nodule formation. Stimulation with NNMBS 246 not only increased the differentiation markers (ALP, OPN, OCN) level and transcription markers (RUNX2, Osterix) mRNA expression but also upregulated the ECM molecules and OPG mRNA expression. Treatments of NNMBS 246 downregulated MMPs (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9), but RANKL mRNA expression. Furthermore, NNMBS 246 activated osteoblastic differentiation markers and formed calcium nodules in human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) and cementoblast cells. NNMBS 246 induced phosphorylation of MAPKs, Akt, nuclear p65 and IkB-${alpha}$. BMP-2/Smad and ${eta}$-catenin signaling pathways were activated by NNMBS 246. Sirtinol (SIRT1 inhibitor) inhibited NNMBS 246-induced osteoblastic differentiation markers mRNA expression. These results suggested that NNMBS 246 has the potential to enhance osteoblastogenesis probably through the activation of BMP/Smad and ${eta}$-catenin signal pathways, and SIRT1 plays as critical mediator in bone anabolic effect of NNMBS 246.

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Santalum album Linn. [Family: Santalaceae] is commonly known as white sandalwood, sandal safaid and safed chandan. It is one of the most valuable trees and second costliest wood in the world. Sandalwood and its oil is extensively used in the Unani and other traditional systems of medicine as it has blood purifier, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, exhilarant, cardiotonic, antiseptic, nervine tonic and expectorant properties. It is used in skin, cardiac, liver, gastrointestinal, respiratory, integument and urogenital disorders. These uses are supported and proven by many in vitro or in vivo studies. The proven pharmacological activities of S. album are antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic and anti-fatigue. The research has proven that sandal oil or its constituents have anti-microbial activity. Sandalwood oil showed skin cancer preventive effect in mice and its constituent alpha santalol showed the anticancer property. The methanolic extract of wood was confirmed for antioxidant, free radical scavenging, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. ${alpha}$ and ${eta}$ santalols present in sandal oil showed sedative effects. Sandalwood tea had a significant effect on heart muscles of frog and showed increased myocardial contractility. Its oil showed significant changes in hepatic xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes. Sandalwood oil and its major constituents showed less acute oral and dermal toxicity in laboratory animals. Hence, the aforementioned studies justify the uses of sandalwood and its oil mentioned in the classical Unani literature. However, further clinical trials are suggested to confirm its efficacy and safety in humans.

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Helminthiasis is one of the most common worm diseases which causes a range of adverse health problems in humans. Ayurveda is one of the most prominent and ancient systems of traditional medicines in India. Most Ayurvedic drugs used against intestinal helminths have been developed by traditional wisdom and therefore lack a proper validation through controlled studies. The aim of the present study was to scientifically validate the in vitro efficacy of three common Indian Ayurvedic anthelmintic drugs, viz. Krimimudgar Ras, Kriminol and Vidangasava in relation to the synthetic broad-spectrum anthelmintic drugs, praziquantel and albendazole. The in vitro testing of Ayurvedic anthelmintics was done against an intestinal cestode, Raillietina sp. and a nematode, Syphacia obvelata, employing 10 mg/ml, 30 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml concentrations of each medicine. The anthelmintic efficacy was judged on the basis of paralysis and mortality time of worms after exposing to these Ayurvedic drugs. Of the three tested Ayurvedic medicines, Krimimudgar ras (KR) showed the most prominent efficacy, against both the cestode and nematode parasites. At 50 mg/ml concentration, KR caused mortality of cestodes in $7.53{pm}0.15hr$, and of nematodes in $7.61{pm}0.19hr$. Vidangasava was found to be comparatively less effective against the tested helminth parasites. The results of this study indicate that Ayurvedic formulations do possess significant anthelmintic effects, however, an evidence-based research is required to validate all currently used Ayurvedic anthelmintics, using proper controlled studies.