Impact of Fresh Khat Extract on Proinflammatory Cytokines and Hepatic and Renal Responses.

BACKGROUND This study examined the effects of khat extract on the proinflammatory cytokines, liver, and kidneys of rats. Unlike previous research that focused on broad immune markers and general effects, this study investigated specific proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and TNF-alpha) and considered gender differences in the immune response. Fresh khat plants and nontoxic doses were used to obtain clear observations relevant to human health.

Catha edulis Extract Induces H9c2 Cell Apoptosis by Increasing Reactive Oxygen Species Generation and Activation of Mitochondrial Proteins.

Background: Catha edulis (Khat) is an evergreen shrub or small tree, traditionally used by various peoples of the Arabian Peninsula and Africa as an integral component of the socioeconomic traditions. It is believed that the psychostimulant nature and toxic nature of khat is primarily due to the presence of cathinone and cathine respectively. Studies have shown that khat chewing is closely associated with cardiac complications, especially myocardial infarction.

Positive selection of lactase persistence among people of Southern Arabia.

Objective: Frequency patterns of the lactase persistence (LP)-associated -13,915 G allele and archaeological records pointing to substantial role played by southern regions in the peopling and domestication processes that involved the Arabian Peninsula suggest that Southern Arabia plausibly represented the center of diffusion of such adaptive variant. Nevertheless, a well-defined scenario for evolution of Arabian LP is still to be elucidated and the burgeoning archaeological picture of complex human migrations occurred through the peninsula is not matched by an equivalent high-resolution description of genetic variation underlying this adaptive trait. To fill this gap, we investigated diversity at a wide genomic interval surrounding the LCT gene in different Southern Arabian populations.

Effects of aqueous extract of Withania somnifera on some liver biochemical and histopathological parameters in male guinea pigs.

Organophosphorus (OP) insecticides constitute one of the most widely used classes of pesticides being employed for both agricultural and landscape pest control. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dimethoate (DM), an organophosphorus insecticide, on some biochemical and histopathological parameters in liver of adult male guinea pigs as well as the possible role of Withania somnifera extract in attenuation of DM-induced hepatotoxicity. The animals were divided randomly into 5 groups and kept at 5 animals per group in an environmentally controlled condition with free access to food and water ad libitum.

Distribution of the lactase persistence-associated variant alleles -13910* T and -13915* G among the people of Oman and Yemen.

The high prevalence of lactase persistence (LP) among the people of Saudi Arabia is associated with the -13915(*)G variant allele upstream of the lactase gene (LCT). We, therefore, examined the frequency of the commonly known LP associated SNPs among randomly collected samples from Omani and Yemeni adult populations and obtained further data on the distribution of the two most common LP-associated variants, -13910(*)T and -13915T(*)G, in the Arabian Peninsula. The DNA fragment containing all the reported LP- associated SNPs was amplified and genotyped.

Antiatherogenic Potential of Nigella sativa Seeds and Oil in Diet-Induced Hypercholesterolemia in Rabbits.

Nigella sativa or Black seed (N. sativa L.) is traditionally used for several ailments in many Middle Eastern countries.

In Vitro Ultramorphological Assessment of Apoptosis on CEMss Induced by Linoleic Acid-Rich Fraction from Typhonium flagelliforme Tuber.

The plant Typhonium flagelliforme, commonly known as "rodent tuber" in Malaysia, is often used as a health supplement and traditional remedy for alternative cancer therapies, including leukemia. This study aimed to evaluate in vitro anti-leukemic activity of dichloromethane extract/fraction number 7 (DCM/F7) from T. flagelliforme tuber on human T4 lymphoblastoid (CEMss) cell line.

Typhonium flagelliforme induces apoptosis in CEMss cells via activation of caspase-9, PARP cleavage and cytochrome c release: its activation coupled with G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The plant Typhonium flagelliforme (TF), commonly known as 'rodent tuber' in Malaysia, is often used as traditional remedy for cancer, including leukemia.

Aim Of The Study: We had previously identified morphologically that the linoleic acid rich fraction (DCM/F7) from the tubers of this plant induces selective anti-proliferative effects and apoptosis in CEMss cells. In this present study, we subjected the same DCM/F7 fraction to cell based activity analyses in order to determine the possible mechanism of cell death in leukemic CEMss cells in vitro.

Typhonium flagelliforme inhibits the proliferation of murine leukemia WEHI-3 cells in vitro and induces apoptosis in vivo.

Typhonium flagelliforme (TF) is a tropical plant, traditionally used by the ethnic population of Malaysia for the cure of various cancers. This plant had shown to induce antiproliferative effect as well as apoptosis in cancer cells. However, there is no available information to address that TF affects murine leukemia cells in vitro and in vivo.

Evaluation of the genotoxicity of zerumbone in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

The chromosomal aberrations (CA) assay and micronucleus (MN) test were employed to investigate the effect in vitro of zerumbone (ZER) on human chromosomes. ZER is a sesquiterpene compound isolated from the rhizomes of wild ginger, Zingiber zerumbet Smith. The rhizomes of the plant are employed as a traditional medicine for some ailments and as condiments.

Combination of zerumbone and cisplatin to treat cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in female BALB/c mice.

Recent in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that zerumbone (ZER) possesses anticancer properties. The main objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the combination of ZER and cisplatin (CIS) to treat cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in vivo. Microculture tetrazolium assay and immunohistochemistry of proliferating cellular nuclear antigen were used to study the antitumor effect of ZER.

Eleucine indica Possesses Antioxidant, Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Properties.

The use of evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine is increasing rapidly. Eleucine indica (EI) is traditionally used in ailments associated with liver and kidneys. The therapeutic benefit of the medicinal plants is often attributed to their antioxidant properties.

Regression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia by zerumbone in female Balb/c mice prenatally exposed to diethylstilboestrol: involvement of mitochondria-regulated apoptosis.

Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in women. We have demonstrated previously that zerumbone (ZER) has an anti-cancer effect towards human cervical cancer cells (HeLa).

Methods: Anti-cancer properties of ZER were investigated using female Balb/c mice exposed prenatally to diethylstilboestrol.

Genotoxic effect of Catha edulis (khat) crude extract after sub-chronic administration in rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic effects of a crude extract of khat (Catha edulis, Forsk) leaves in rats. Two groups were fed khat crude extract, 1000 and 2000mg/kg body weight, for 90 days and were compared with a control group. The alkaline (pH>13) version of comet assay was used in this study.

Effect of Catha edulis (khat) chewing on plasma lipid peroxidation.

The effect of regular khat (Catha edulis) chewing and the combination of khat chewing and smoking on plasma lipid peroxidation as a biomarker of oxidative stress and free radical activity (measured as plasma malondialdehyde, MDA), as well as on the lipid profiles were investigated. The fasting plasma levels of MDA were non-significantly higher in both groups (4% in khat chewers and 9.2% in khat chewers and smokers), whereas these levels were observed to be significantly increased at post meal and 2h through the khat session.