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Objective(s): This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of fenugreek on CoCl2-induced hypoxia in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Materials and Methods: Primary cardiomyocytes were isolated from Sprague Dawley rats aged 0-2 days and incubated with various concentrations of fenugreek (10-320 µg/ml) and CoCl2-induced hypoxia for different durations (24, 48, and 72 hr). Cell viability, calcium signaling, beating rate, and gene expression were evaluated. Results: Fenugreek treatments did not cause any toxicity in cardiomyocytes. At a concentration of 160 µg/ml for 24 hr, fenugreek protected the heart against CoCl2-induced hypoxia, as evidenced by reduced expression of caspases (-3, -6, -8, and -9) and other functional genes markers, such as HIF-1a, Bcl-2, IP3R, ERK5, and GLP-1r. Calcium signaling and beating rate were also improved in fenugreektreated cardiomyocytes. In contrast, CoCl2 treatment resulted in up-regulation of the hypoxia gene HIF-1α and apoptotic caspases gene (-3, -9, -8, -12), and down-regulation of Bcl-2 activity. Conclusion: Fenugreek treatment at a concentration of 160 µg/ml was not toxic to neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and protected against CoCl2-induced hypoxia. Furthermore, fenugreek improved calcium signaling and beating rate and altered gene expression. Fenugreek may be a potential therapeutic agent for promoting cardioprotection against hypoxia-induced injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Level of βhCG and the presence of any uterine mass of hydatidiform mole need a careful review or monitoring in order to prevent metastasis, provide an early treatment and avoid unnecessary chemotherapy. A 36-year old fifth gravida patient who had a missed abortion was diagnosed as having a molar pregnancy with beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (βhCG) level of 509,921 IU/L. Her lung field was clear and she underwent suction and curettage (S & C) procedure. However, after six weeks, AA presented to the emergency department with a massive bleeding, although her βhCG level had decreased to 65,770 IU/L. A trans-abdominal ultrasound indicated the presence of an intra-uterine mass (3.0 × 4.4 cm). Nevertheless, her βhCG continued to show a declining trend (8,426 IU/L). AA was advised to undergo a chemotherapy but she refused, citing preference for alternative medicine like herbs instead. She opted for an "at own risk" (AOR) discharge with scheduled follow up. Subsequently, her condition improved with her βhCG showing a downward trend. Surprisingly, at six months post S & C, her βhCG ameliorated to 0 IU/L with no mass detected by ultrasound. Brucea javanica fruits, Pereskia bleo and Annona muricata leaves can potentially be useful alternatives to chemotherapy and need further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of the study was to develop and validate a simple and precise reverse-phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) method for quantitative analysis of trans-resveratrol in human and rat plasma. Methods: HPLC method was developed by using Phenomenex Luna C18 column (150 x 4.6 mm, 5 µm) and the optimized mobile phase comprised of acetonitrile/water in isocratic mode (30:70, v/v) with the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Trans-resveratrol was detected at a UV wavelength of 306 nm. Developed method was validated as per International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) M10 guidelines. Results: The proposed method was found simple, precise and linear with regression coefficient of 0.999 which could analyse the samples in nanograms levels with mean percent recovery in the acceptable range of 94.44 – 97.44%. The method was precise at the intra-day and inter-day levels as reflected by the relative standard deviation values (less than 3.36%). Trans resveratrol was found to be stable in plasma under different storage conditions. Conclusion: The present investigation demonstrated that the developed method was succesfully applied to accurately determine transresveratrol in human and rat plasma and therefore can be applicable for pre-clinical and clinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trans-resveratrol, a naturally occurring lipophilic polyphenol present in various foods, is well known for its therapeutic use. Owing to their exciting therapeutic potential, we developed a simple and precise stability indicating reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method as per International Conference on Harmonization guidelines for quantitative analysis of trans-resveratrol in a commercial nutraceutical product and in-house nanoliposomes formulation. The chromatographic separation was attained on Phenomenex Luna C18 column (150 x 4.6 mm, 5 μm) at 30°C using UV detection at 306 nm. The optimized mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile/water (30:70, v/v) at the flowrate of 1.0 mL/min under isocratic mode of elution. The proposed method was found to be accurate, precise and linear with regression coefficient of 0.999 which could analyse the samples with as low as in nanograms with percent recovery in the acceptable range of 97.97 - 102.80 %. In addition, stress degradation study was also carried out wherein analyte peak was found to be well resolved. Hence, the present investigation confirmed that the developed method can be employed for the analysis of trans-resveratrol in different formulations, and also of huge benefit in careful selection of experimental conditions and its implication for storage and formulation development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common pathogen affecting the respiratory tract in infants. To date, there is limited data on RSV occurrence in Malaysia especially in the northeast of Peninsular Malaysia which is significantly affected by the rainy (monsoon) season. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, risk factors (the presence of a male sibling and older school‐age siblings, parental education level, monthly income, chronic lung disease, immunocompromised, being a passive smoker, multipara, breastfeeding, prematurity, congenital heart disease, nursery attendance, and rainy season) as well as clinical manifestations of RSV in hospitalized infants and children with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). Patients' nasopharyngeal aspirates were tested for RSV antigen, questionnaires, and seasonal variations were used to assess RSV infection. Approximately 22.6% of children were infected with RSV; mean age 7.68 ± 5.45 months. The peak incidence of RSV as a causative agent for LRTI in infants was less than or equal to 1‐year old (83%) with approximately 50.5% of the affected children in the younger age group (6 months amd below). RSV infection was significantly but independently associated with the rainy season (odds ratio, 3.307; 95% confidence interval, 1.443‐3.688; P < 0.001). The infection was also associated (P < 0.05) with a higher number of severe clinical courses, poor feeding, vomiting, increased need for medical care and a shorter mean duration of symptoms before hospital admission. Our study suggested administration of the passive prophylaxis for RSV to high‐risk infants during the rainy season in the months of October to January. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Artesunate (AS) and amodiaquine (AQ) are two prodrugs widely used as antimalarial agents and are metabolized by the CYP P450 2A6 (CYP 2A6) and CYP P450 2C8 (CYP 2C8) enzymes, respectively. Objective: In this study, we aim to investigate the association of both genes on AS and AQ's tolerabilities in the hope of identifying a pharmacogenetic approach that could be useful in prediction and prevention of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) among Malaysian population. Materials and methods: In this randomized crossover study, loose and AS/AQ formulations were administered to normal healthy volunteers ( n == 24) over two study phases. The drugs' tolerabilities (incidence of facial flushing, giddiness, headache, nausea, abdominal discomfort, progression of liver enzymes and neutrophil counts) were compared between the two treatment arms. Volunteers were also genotyped for the CYP2C8 and CYP2A6 variants. Results: The frequency of the CYP2A6**1B, CYP2A6**4, CYP2A6**8 and CYP2A6**9 alleles were 54.2%, 16.7%, 4.2% and 10.4%, respectively. No mutations for CYP2C8 gene were, however, detected. Most (96%) of the subjects were of the Malay ethnicity. Subjects having the CYP2A6**1B variants responsible for ultra rapid metabolism of AS suffered a significantly higher incidence of ADRs. Discussion: Our study is the first to report that CYP2A6 genotyping influences AS's ADR. Gender also plays a role where females reported more incidences of nausea ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: It is concluded that genetic polymorphisms of CYP2A6 as well as gender influence the side effect profiles of subjects receiving AS among this Malaysian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Propolis which is a natural resinous product from the honeybees, is becoming increasingly popular for its diverse therapeutic and industrial applications. In this study, we report for the first time the antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antinociceptive activities of propolis from Bangladesh (BDP). The antioxidant activities were measured by biochemical analyses while cytotoxicity was evaluated by brine shrimp lethality bioassay. Analgesic activity was evaluated by tail immersion and acetic acid‐induced writhing models in mice. BDP contained higher concentrations of polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and reducing sugars, as compared to previous reports of propolis from several countries. BDP also exhibited higher free radical‐scavenging activities and a dose‐dependent reducing power activity indicating its superior antioxidant potential. Moreover, BDP extract was most toxic to brine shrimp nauplii, with 50% lethal concentration (LC50) of 57.99 µg/mL and exhibited considerable antinociceptive activities which may be mediated via central and peripheral inhibitory mechanisms. Practical applications BDP is a honeybee product, becoming increasingly popular due its potential contributions to human health. BDP is a rich source of natural antioxidants which has the potential to be used to ameliorate oxidative stress disorders and has useful antinociceptive activities. It may be useful as potential therapeutic agents against cancer, pesticidal agents, and for other cytotoxic uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]