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Background. Curcumin is a polyphenol that has pharmacological activity that can inhibit tumor cell growth and induce apoptosis through various mechanisms. However, the specifc mechanism of curcumin cytotoxicity remains controversial because of many anti- and pro-apoptotic signaling pathways in various cell types.This study aims to examine the relationship among curcumin on RASSF1A, Bax protein levels, and caspase-3 activity in supporting the apoptotic mechanism in CSA03 breast cancer cells.Material and Methods. Curcumin administration to cancer cells is based on differences in dosage with 24-hour incubation. Cytotoxicity after curcumin administration was determined using MTS. RASSF1A and Bax protein levels were tested through ELISA. Caspase-3 activity was used to determine apoptosis and was tested using fow cytometry.Results. The results indicated that curcumin had a cytotoxicity effect of 40.85 µg/mL. At concentrations of 40 µg/mL and 50 µg/mL, curcumin increases levels of protein RASSF1A (∆ = 26.53% and 47.35%, respectively), Bax (∆ = 48.79% and 386.15%), and caspase-3 (∆ = 1,678.51% and 1,871.889%) signifcantly.Conclusions. Curcumin exhibits anti-proliferative activity and apoptotic (Caspase-3) effects through activation of RASSF1A and Bax.

Background Mahkota Dewa [Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff) Boerl.] fruit in vitro and in- vivo can decrease and prevent elevation of the blood pressure, lower plasma glucose levels, possess an antioxidant effect, and recover liver and kidney damage in rats. This study aimed to determine the structure and inhibitory activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE) from the Mahkota Dewa fruit. Methods The fruit powder was macerated using methanol and then partitioned by hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water. The fractions were chromatographed on the column chromatography and incorporated with TLC and recrystallization to give pure compounds. The structures of isolated compounds were determined by UV-Visible, FT-IR, MS, proton (1H-NMR), carbon (13C-NMR), and 2D-NMR techniques encompassing HMQC and HMBC spectra. The compounds were evaluated for their ACE inhibitory activity, and the strongest compound was determined by the kinetics enzyme inhibition. Results Based on the spectral data, the isolated compounds were determined as 6,4-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone–2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), 4,4′-dihydroxy-6-methoxybenzophenone-2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2) and mangiferin (3). IC50 values of the isolated compounds 1, 2 and 3 were 0.055, 0.07, and 0.025 mM, respectively. Conclusion The three compounds have ACE inhibitor and mangiferin demonstrated the best ACE inhibitory activity with competitive inhibition on ACE with the type of inhibition kinetics is competitive inhibition.

A cross-sectional study was done to see the possible association of plasma lipid peroxides in the elderly with age and other factors. Plasma lipid peroxides is a product of free radical reactions which according to the latest theory of aging is the cause of aging process. Lipid peroxides were also found high in coronary heart disease. Four hundred forty relatively healthy elderly, age 55-85 years, were randomly chosen from free living elderly under guidance of health care centers (PUSKESMAS) in Jakarta. Anamnesis and physical examination were done in the morning in the health centers. Blood samples were taken in fasting conditions, plasma lipids and lipid peroxides were measured according to standard methods. There was an age difference of lipid peroxides level in the elderly, which increased with age up to 70 years old. Elderly 70 years old and over had low plasma lipid peroxides. The level was not related to high plasma lipids. Higher level was found when more chronic degenerative diseases were found. (Med J Indones 2005; 14: 71-7) Keywords: lipid peroxides, aging

This study was designed to investigate the biochemical alteration in human caused by free radical accumulation due to air pollution. The policemen recruited were 60 country policemen consisting of 30 non smokers (group I) and 30 smokers (group II); 30 smoking policemen with administrative work in Jakarta (group III) and 30 smoking traffic policemen from Jakarta (group IV). Our results show that the plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) contents of groups I, II, III, IV, respectively were : 3.34 ± 0.81 umol/l; 4.28 ± 0.77 umol/l; 5.20 ± 0.66 umol/l and 5.12 ± 0.78 umol/l which were statistically different (p < 0.01) among each others, except between groups III and IV. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) of the groups respectively, were: 16.75 ± 9.80 U/mg protein; 22.83 ± 6.82 U/mg protein; 26.10 ± 8.50 U/mg protein and 26.90 ± 9.34 U/mg protein, which were statistically different (p < 0.05) between group I vs the other groups. The catalase activity of the groups respectively were : 106.25 ± 47.47 U/mg protein; 118.84 ± 42.73 U/mg protein; 119.83 ± 35.35 U/mg protein and 145.57 ± 61.85 U/mg protein. The statistical difference (p < 0.05) was found between group I & IV. Administration of vitamins C (500 mg) and E (300 mg) daily for 30 days to the policemen with high oxidant stress caused a decreased in the activities of SOD from 27.34 ± 10.05 U/mg protein to 16.91 ± 6.51 U/mg protein (p < 0.05) and catalase from 134.29 ± 53.28 U/mg protein to 67.07 ± 25.26 U/mg protein (p < 0.05). This study shows us that the oxidant status of city policemen was higher than that of rural policemen and that a combination of vitamins C & E could reduce the oxidant stress to a certain extent. (Med J Indones 2004; 13: 77-80) Keywords: malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, population study.