Search

Nicotine dependence can cause numerous adverse effects, especially cardiovascular, cancer, respiratory, and gastrointestinal diseases. In order to minimize the manifestation of nicotine, inhibition on the receptor's binding site is needed. Our previous in silico study shows the activity of several bioactive compounds from Camelia sinensis, Orthosipon aristatus, and Moringa oleifera might be potent as α-3 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Thus, in this present study, we extend the screening of inhibitor potency from Kaempferia pandurata, Camelia sinensis, Centella asiatica, Moringa oleifera, and Orthosipon aristatus bioactive compounds against the α-2 NAchR. In silico approach was performed to screen and predict the possibility of drug-likeness and medicinal plant properties of bioactive compounds. The 2D and 3D structures of ligands and protein were retrieved from PubChem and SWISS Model, respectively. The molecular docking strategy and optimization, also visualization were occupied as our previous study. The present findings show that the bioactive compounds from K. pandurata, C. sinensis, C. asiatica, M. oleifera, and O. aristatus have the possibility to be potential α-5 NAchR inhibitor.

Recently, diabetes mellitus (DM) still become the top health problem worldwide. Several reports showed the incidence and death number of this disease are increasing every year. Therefore, the strategy to overcome DM is crucially needed. Another possible way to minimize the adverse effect of DM is by understanding the immunological activities and properties, which lead us to have another option or insight to treat DM. Thus, in this present study, we aim to evaluate the production of granzyme by CD8 T cells and NK.1.1 natural killer (NK) cells after treated by the combination of Momordica charantia and Averrhoa bilimbi extract in streptozotocin (STZ) induced mice. The animal mice model was firstly induced by STZ, then followed by the Momordica charantia and Averrhoa bilimbi extract treatment. Finally, the expression number of granzyme from CD8 T cells and NK1.1 NK cells was evaluated using flow cytometry (FACS CaliburTM). According to our observation, we found that the granzyme is not produced by both CD8 T cells and NK1.1 NK cells, even after treated by the Momordica charantia and Averrhoa bilimbi extract.

Liver fibrosis is the initial step of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Liver fibrosis can be triggered by metabolic perturbation, viral infection, and harmful chemical exposure. This in vivo study aims to investigate the potential of Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) from Madura Island as the future candidate for antifibrosis and hepatoprotective agent. The study was conducted to evaluate the alteration of circulating levels of liver injury marker-linked liver fibrosis development, Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST). The animal model was prepared using Balb-c mice age 6-8 weeks treated by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) dose 1 µL/g of BW for six weeks to induce liver fibrosis. The experimental groups were received green materials Moringa oleifera leaf powder solution with a serial dosage by peroral administration for six weeks. Interestingly, our animal model's preliminary study shows that the administration of green materials MOLP can alleviate the increase of ALT and AST. MOLP treatment can also prevent significant changes in liver weight, morphology, and even histological feature-associated liver injury and fibrosis. Hence, MOLP Madura Island may become the future green materials source for cancer herbal drug development.

Chronic inflammation is the initial stage of liver fibrosis-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. Also, HCC is a global disease resulting from several etiological factors. HCC incidence can be triggered by alcohol abuse, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), viral hepatitis B (HBV), viral hepatitis C (HCV), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Liver chronic inflammation significantly correlates to TNF-α (Tumor Necrosis Factor-α) and IL-6 (interleukin 6) expression. This laboratory work aimed to investigate the effect of green material Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) on the expression of both pro-inflammatory cytokines. A semi-quantitative approach quantified the expression of TNF-α and IL-6. This research was conducted using an animal model induced by intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 solution. The results showed that green material Moringa oleifera could reduce IL-6 and TNF-α expression. Importantly, MOLP exposure can decrease the pro-inflammatory cell population in the liver parenchymal area. Hence, the application of green material Moringa oleifera might be potential as the local bioresources agent against liver inflammation-linked fibrosis. The exploration of MOLP in the future drug discovery model may significantly contribute to the prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is known as master of regulation due to its multiple roles in biological system, including metabolism, inflammation, or even diseases like cancer. The downstream phosphorylation of NF-κB complex is affected by the activity of inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase subunit beta (IKK-B). Thus, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the bioactive compounds of Zingeber officinale as inhibitor agent against the IKK-B. The virtual screening evaluation was based on the interaction activity and binding free energy among the protein and the ligands. The virtual chemical structures of bioactive compounds from Zingiber officinale and protein structure of IKK-B were obtained from Pubchem web server and PDB, respectively. Molecular docking, visualization, and data analysis were performed by computation approach. In this study, we found that 6-Shogaol might be potential as drug like molecule for anti-inflammation compared to other compounds. Importantly, further study is needed to evaluate the biological mechanism of 6-Shogaol inhibit the IKK-B activity.

Recent trends in health care demonstrate the significant use of herbs as preventive or therapeutic agents against multiple types of diseases, including respiratory disorder caused by cigarette smoking. Thus, in this present study, we explored the potential of medicinal plants’ phytochemical compounds as an inhibitor against the human α-3 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (NAchR). The computation prediction was performed to evaluate the energy and possible interactions among the ligands and target protein. Specifically, the 2D structure of bioactive compounds was retrieved from PubChem database. On the other hand, the protein sequences of human α-3 NAchR were obtained from Uniprot and protein database. The 3D structure was then built up through SWISS-MODEL. Additionally, protein and ligand preparation was employed to optimize the molecular interaction results. The final step of this screening through molecular docking approach was performed using data visualization and analysis. In this study, we found that there are three potential compounds as an inhibitor against α-3 NAchR based on their energy-free binding, namely, Theaflavin-3-Gallate, Asiaticoside, and Theaflavin-3,3-Digallate. Therefore, work indicates that the medicinal plants’ bioactive compounds might be the potential to develop as inhibitory agents for α-3 NAchR to minimize the negative effect of nicotine.