Knockdown of Annexin A1 induces apoptosis, causing G2/M arrest and facilitating phagocytosis activity in human leukemia cell lines.

Annexin A1 (ANXA1) is an endogenous protein involved in the control of proliferation, cell cycle, phagocytosis, and apoptosis in several types of cancer. To investigate the effects of ANXA1 knockdown in leukemia cells, transfection with specific ANXA1 siRNA was performed. Cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed using flow cytometry and a mechanism involving caspases and Bcl-2 was quantified using Western blotting.

Induction of cell death and modulation of Annexin A1 by phytoestrogens in human leukemic cell lines.

Background: Phytoestrogens are polyphenolic plant compounds which are structurally similar to the endogenous mammalian estrogen, 17β-estradiol. Annexin A1 (ANXA1) is an endogenous protein which inhibits -oxygenase 2 (COX-2) and phospholipase A2, signal transduction, DNA replication, cell transformation, and mediation of apoptosis.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effects of selected phytoestrogens on annexin A1 (ANXA1) expression, mode of cell death and cell cycle arrest in different human leukemic cell lines.

Evaluation of phytoestrogens in inducing cell death mediated by decreasing Annexin A1 in Annexin A1-knockdown leukemia cells.

Background: Phytoestrogens are plant compounds that are structurally similar to estrogen and that possess anti-cancer properties. Previous studies have reported that coumestrol, daidzein and genistein could induce cell death by reducing Annexin A1 protein in leukemic cell lines. Annexin A1 (ANXA1) is involved in cell progression, metastasis, and apoptosis in several types of cancer cells.

In vitro anti-allergic activity of Moringa oleifera Lam. extracts and their isolated compounds.

Background: Moringa oleifera Lam. is a commonly used plant in herbal medicine and has various reported bioactivities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer and antidiabetes. It is rich in nutrients and polyphenols.

Preference, Perception And Predictors Of Herbal Medicine Use Among Malay Women In Malaysia.

Background: Preference for herbal use is increasing worldwide. This is especially true for Malay women in Malaysia that is steeped in traditional and cultural values and surrounded by diverse flora. However, concerns arise with the use of herbs due to the lack of monitoring, scientific evidence and risk of adverse effects.

Current prevention and potential treatment options for dengue infection.

Currently, treatments for dengue infection are only symptomatic as no antiviral agents nor vaccines are available to combat this virus. Despite challenges faced by researchers, many efforts are ongoing to reduce cases of dengue infection either by targeting the vector or the virus. Vector population is monitored and reduced by using mechanical, chemical and biological controls.

Potential roles of 5-HT receptor (5-HTR) antagonists in modulating the effects of nicotine.

5-HTR antagonists such as ondansetron, granisetron and tropisetron have been clinically used to treat nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy patients. However, current study and research revealed novel potentials of these ligands in other diseases like inflammation, Alzheimer's, and drug abuse. Towards utilising these drugs as anti-smoking agents to treat nicotine dependence problem, there are conflicting reports regarding the potential of these ligands in modulating the effects of nicotine in both human and animal behavioural studies.

Molecular docking study on platelet-activating factor antagonistic activity of bioactive compounds isolated from Guttiferae and Ardisia species.

A handful of bioactive compounds from plants have been reported to possess platelet-activating factor (PAF) antagonist activity. However, their mode of action is not well understood. Selected bioactive compounds that exhibit PAF antagonist activity and synthetic PAF antagonists were subjected to docking simulations using the MOE 2007.

Synthesis and evaluation of chalcone derivatives as inhibitors of neutrophils' chemotaxis, phagocytosis and production of reactive oxygen species.

Inhibitory effects on neutrophils' chemotaxis, phagocytosis and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are among the important targets in developing anti-inflammatory agents and immunosuppressants. Eight series of chalcone derivatives including five newly synthesized series were assessed for their inhibitory effects on chemotaxis, phagocytosis and ROS production in human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). Inhibition of PMNs' chemotaxis and phagocytosis abilities were investigated using the Boyden chamber technique and the Phagotest kit, respectively, while ROS production was evaluated using luminol- and lucigenin-based chemiluminescence assay.

Effects of novel diarylpentanoid analogues of curcumin on secretory phospholipase A2 , cyclooxygenases, lipo-oxygenase, and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1.

Arachidonic acid and its metabolites have generated a heightened interest due to their significant role in inflammation. Inhibiting the enzymes involved in arachidonic acid metabolism has been considered as the synergistic anti-inflammatory effect. A series of novel curcumin diarylpentanoid analogues were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory effects on activity of secretory phospholipase A2 , cyclooxygenases, soybean lipo-oxygenase as well as microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1.

Current prospects of synthetic curcumin analogs and chalcone derivatives against mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is amongst the foremost infectious diseases. Treatment of tuberculosis is a complex process due to various factors including a patient's inability to persevere with a combined treatment regimen, the difficulty in eradicating the infection in immune-suppressed patients, and multidrug resistance (MDR). Extensive research circumscribing molecules to counteract this disease has led to the identification of many inhibitory small molecules.

Synthesis and effects of pyrazolines and isoxazoles on the phagocytic chemotaxis and release of reactive oxygen species by zymosan stimulated human neutrophils.

A series of novel isoxazole and pyrazoline derivatives has been synthesized and evaluated for their effects on the chemiluminescence and chemotactic activity of human phagocytes. Their effects on the chemotactic migration of isolated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and on the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during respiratory burst of human whole blood and PMNs were carried out using the Boyden chamber technique and luminol-based chemiluminescence assay, respectively. Of the compounds tested, compounds 8, 9, 11 and 12 exhibited higher inhibitory activity on the release of ROS (with IC50 values ranging from 5.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of chalcone derivatives (mini review).

Chalcones are the principal precursors for the biosynthesis of flavonoids and isoflavonoids. A three carbon α, β-unsaturated carbonyl system constitutes chalcones. Chalcones are the condensation products of aromatic aldehyde with acetophenones in attendance of catalyst.

Anti-inflammatory trends of 1, 3-diphenyl-2-propen-1-one derivatives.

Chalcones (1, 3-Diphenyl-2-propen-1-one) are constituted by a three carbon α, β-unsaturated carbonyl system. The biosynthesis of flavonoids and isoflavonoids is initiated by chalcones. Notable pharmacological activities of chalcones and its derivatives include anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, antimalarial, antituberculosis, antitumor, antimicrobial and antiviral effects respectively.

Inhibitory effects of acetylmelodorinol, chrysin and polycarpol from Mitrella kentii on prostaglandin E₂ and Thromboxane B₂ production and platelet activating factor receptor binding.

Acetylmelodorinol, chrysin and polycarpol, together with benzoic acid, benzoquinone and stigmasterol were isolated from the leaves of Mitrella kentii (Bl.) Miq. The compounds were evaluated for their ability to inhibit prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and thromboxane B₂ (TXB₂) production in human whole blood using a radioimmunoassay technique.

Effects of diarylpentanoid analogues of curcumin on chemiluminescence and chemotactic activities of phagocytes.

Objectives: A series of 43 curcumin diarylpentanoid analogues were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory effects on the chemiluminescence and chemotactic activity of phagocytes in vitro.

Methods: The effects of the compounds on the respiratory burst of human whole blood and isolated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) were evaluated using a luminol-based chemiluminescence assay and their effect on chemotactic migration of PMNs was investigated using the Boyden chamber technique.

Key Findings: Compounds 6, 17, 25 and 30 exhibited significant inhibitory activity on the oxidative burst of PMNs.

Synthesis of novel 6-azapyrimidine acyclic nucleoside analogues and antiviral evaluation.

Acyclic nucleosides have been of considerable interest since the approval of aciclovir by the FDA to be used as an antiviral agent in the 1990s. The acyclic moieties and the bases used in the experiment were either available commercially or synthesized using literature methods. Vorbruggen coupling method was utilized involving reaction of persilylated heterocyclic bases with the appropriate acyclic moiety in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst.

6-Azathymidine-4'-thionucleosides: synthesis and antiviral evaluation.

The synthesis of dideoxy-6-azathymidine 4'-thionucleoside 1-(2,3-dideoxy-4-thio-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-(6-azathymidine) (2), and the L-nucleoside, 1-(4-thio-beta-L-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-(6-azathymidine) (3) and their evaluation against a wide panel of antiviral assays are described. The L-thionucleoside (3) was devoid of antiviral activity. The dideoxy-thionucleoside (2) was moderately active against vaccinia virus (VV) and the herpes simplex virus strains HSV-1 (strain KOS) and HSV-2 (strain G) (MIC 12 microM) and retained inhibitory activity vs a thymidine kinase-deficient strain HSV-1/TK(-), suggesting that (2) is not dependent on viral TK-catalysed phosphorylation for antiviral activity and/or may use an alternative metabolic activation pathway.