Effects of Xhosa specific solute carrier family 22-member 2 haplotypes on the cellular uptake of metformin and cimetidine.

Background: Studies have shown that solute carrier transporters play an important role in the transport and distribution of metformin, and that genetic variation(s) in solute carrier genes have play a role in the variation of metformin efficacy and disposition observed in populations. This study aimed to determine the cellular uptake efficiency of metformin in SLC22A2 coding haplotypes of an indigenous South African population.

Methods And Results: To determine metformin and cimetidine cellular uptake in transfected HEK-293 cells, ultra high-performance liquid chromatography was used to quantitate substrate concentration(s).

Intervertebral disc degenerative disease in South Africa: a case-control analysis of selected gene variants.

Background: Intervertebral disc (IVD) degenerative disease is a multifactorial disease for which genetics plays an integral role. Several genes, and their variants, associated with the development and progression of IVD degenerative disease have been identified. While several studies have investigated these genes in Asian and European populations, no available evidence exists for the South African population.

Liposomal-Naringenin Radiosensitizes Triple-Negative Breast Cancer MDA-MB-231 Cells .

Background: Naringenin has shown great promise in the realm of cancer therapeutics, demonstrating excellent cytotoxic action toward cancer cells and the enhanced effects of radiation therapy . However, the medicinal value of naringenin is severely limited clinically by poor bioavailability. Thus, multiple drug-delivery strategies for overcoming this limitation have been developed, of which liposomes are considered the most suitable due to their amphiphilic, modifiable, and biocompatible characteristics.

Glucose-Uptake Activity and Cytotoxicity of Diterpenes and Triterpenes Isolated from Lamiaceae Plant Species.

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), considered one of the most common metabolic disorders, has dramatically increased and resulted in higher rates of morbidity and mortality around the world in the past decade. It is well known that insulin resistance in target tissues and a deficiency in insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells are the main characteristics of type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was the bio-evaluation of compounds isolated from three selected plant species: namely, , , and , for their glucose-uptake ability.