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Ethnopharmacological relevance Strobilanthes crispus (L.) Blume, locally known in Malaysia as “Pecah kaca” or “Jin batu”, has been traditionally used for treatment of various ailments including cancer. We previously demonstrated that a standardized bioactive subfraction of S. crispus, termed as F3, possessed potent anticancer effects in both in vitro and in vivo breast cancer models. Aim of the study To investigate the potential of F3 from S. crispus to prevent metastasis in breast cancer. Materials and methods The antimetastatic effects of F3 were first investigated on murine 4T1 and human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell (BCC) lines using cell proliferation, wound healing and invasion assays. A 4T1-induced mouse mammary carcinoma model was then used to determine the expression of metastasis tumor markers, epithelial (E)-cadherin, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, mucin (MUC)-1, nonepithelial (N)-cadherin, Twist, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and vimentin, using immunohistochemistry, following oral treatment with F3 for 30 days. Results Significant growth arrest was observed with F3 IC50 values of 84.27 µg/ml (24 h) and 74.41 µg/ml (48 h) for MDA-MB-231, and 87.35 µg/ml (24 h) and 78.75 µg/ml (48 h) for 4T1 cells. F3 significantly inhibited migration of both BCC lines at 50 μg/ml for 24 h (p = 0.018 and p = 0.015, respectively). Similarly, significant inhibition of invasion was demonstrated in 4T1 (75 µg/ml, p = 0.016) and MDA-MB-231 (50 µg/ml, p = 0.040) cells compared to the untreated cultures. F3 treatment resulted in reduced tumor growth compared to untreated mice (p Conclusions Our findings suggest that F3 exerts anti-metastatic effects independent of its cytotoxic effects, and these are supported by the increased expression of E-cadherin concurrent with downregulation of MMP-9, MUC1, N-cadherin, Twist, VEGF and vimentin expression in breast cancer.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Locally known as ‘pecah batu’, ‘bayam karang’, ‘keci beling’ or ‘batu jin’, the Malaysian medicinal herb, Strobilanthes crispus (S. crispus), is traditionally used by the local communities as alternative or adjuvant remedy for cancer and other ailments and to boost the immune system. S. crispus has demonstrated multiple anticancer therapeutic potential in vitro and in vivo. A pharmacologically active fraction of S. crispus has been identified and termed as F3. Major constituents profiled in F3 include lutein and β-sitosterol. Aim of the study In this study, the effects of F3, lutein and β-sitosterol on tumor development and metastasis were investigated in 4T1-induced mouse mammary carcinoma model. Materials and methods Tumor-bearing mice were fed with F3 (100 mg/kg/day), lutein (50 mg/kg/day) and β-sitosterol (50 mg/kg/day) for 30 days (n = 5 each group). Tumor physical growth parameters, animal body weight and development of secondary tumors were investigated. The safety profile of F3 was assessed using hematological and histomorphological changes on the major organs in normal control mice (NM). Results Our findings revealed significant reduction of physical tumor growth parameters in all tumor-bearing mice treated with F3 (TM-F3), lutein (TM-L) or β-sitosterol (TM-β) as compared with the untreated group (TM). Statistically significant reduction in body weight was observed in TM compared to the NM or treated (TM-F3, TM-L and TM-β) groups. Histomorphological examination of tissue sections from the F3-treated group showed normal features of the vital organs (i.e., liver, kidneys, lungs and spleen) which were similar to those of NM. Administration of F3 to NM mice (NM-F3) did not cause significant changes in full blood count values. Conclusion F3 significantly reduced the total tumor burden and prevented secondary tumor development in metastatic breast cancer without significant toxicities in 4T1-induced mouse mammary carcinoma model. The current study provides further support for therapeutic development of F3 with further pharmacokinetics studies.

Background: Peptic ulcer disease remains endemic in our society affecting about four million people every year worldwide. Hannoa klaineana is used traditionally in the treatment of various gastrointestinal diseases including ulcer.Aim: This study aims at evaluating the gastroprotective effect of ethylacetate fraction of the leaves of Hannoa klaineana (Simaroubaceae).Methods: The gastroprotective effect of ethylacetate fraction of the Hannoa klaineana (50, 100 and 200mg/kg b.wt) was evaluated using aspirin and histamine induced ulcer models.Results: In aspirin-induced ulcer model, the ethylacetate fraction of the Hannoa klaineana demonstrated significant (p

To determine the acute toxicity effects of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on haematological parameters, twenty albino Wistar rats weighing between 108-254 g were split into four groups of fives rat each. Different doses of the extract were administered to the 3 groups and one group is used as control. Moringa oleifera 80% methanol leaf extract was administered at 2000 mg/kg to group, 1000 mg/kg to group, and 500 mg/kg while one group was used as control. The result recorded 4 deaths (60% mortality) in groups that received 2000 mg/kg and 1 death (20% mortality) in groups that received 1000 mg/kg. Blood samples were collected from the survived rats for hematological analysis. The result showed variation in Park cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), Red blood cells (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). There are significant differences at p > 0.05, p > 0.01 and p > 0.001 between groups that exposed to different doses Moringa oleifera extract and the control group. The result also shows slight variation in total and differential leucocyte count, but all the values obtained from both treated and control groups are within the normal range. There are no recorded values of eosinophil, basophil and band cells in both the control and the experimental groups. From this result, it can be concluded that high dose of this extract caused alteration in normal red cells indices with significant differences, but have mild or no effect on total and differential leucocyte count. Hence, low toxicity of this plant made it safe and good medicinal agent and or supplement. Histopatological screening as well as phytochemical study to identify the compounds that affect the blood chemistry is highly recommended.

Medicinal plants have been used in healthcare since time immemorial. Studies have been carried out globally to verify their efficacy and some of the findings have led to the production of plant-based medicines. The global market value of medicinal plant products exceeds $100 billion per annum. This study was conducted to know the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf on Serum biochemistry of experimental exposed Wister rats. Moringa oleifera leaf was extracted with distilled water and concentrated to semisolid form with rotary evaporator at 42°C. Twenty apparently healthy rats weighing 128-233g were exposed to different concentration of Moringa oleifera aqueous leaf extract. Control group were exposed to only distill water. The animals were divided into 3 groups of five rats each, with Group-I exposed to 500 mg/kg crude extract. Group-II exposed to 1000 mg/kg crude extract and Group-III exposed to 2000 mg/kg crude extract. There significant difference (p< 0.05) in analyzed serum biochemical parameters (Creatinine, Urea, Aspartate amino transferase and Alanine amino transferase) between the experimental and control group. From this finding, it can be concluded that Moringa oleifera leaf extract up to 2000mg/kg is safe and cause slight changes in serum biochemistry. Toxicity studies of this plant extracts as well as phytochemical studies to reaffirm it effect in several body tissues and organs and identify the bioactive compounds are highly recommended.