Day 2 :
Keynote Forum
Yibin Feng
The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Keynote: Drug discovery from chinese medicines: Update and prospect
Time : 12.00-12.20
Biography:
Yibin Feng is currently an Associate Professor cum Associate Director (Education) in School of Chinese Medicine, the University of Hong Kong. Dr. Feng awarded Bachelor degree in Chinese Medicine from Mainland China. He awarded his PhD degree in molecular medicine from Hokkaido University School of Medicine and finished postdoctoral research in the same University in Japan. Dr. Feng’s research interest focuses on clinical trial and experimental study for cancer, diabetes, hepatic and renal diseases by using recently developed techniques. He has published over 200 publications in these areas and serve as editor and reviewer for over 50 international journals.
Abstract:
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been used in China over two thousand years. Chinese medicines are medication materials including Chinese medicinal plants, animal parts and menerals. Chinese medicines have been intensive stuided for their scientific basis and evidence-based medicine. In the past years, several drugs and drug candidates were discovered from Chinese Medicines. Chinese medicines prefre use mutiple materials mix together to single materials to treat diseases. As a drug discovery resource and complementary and alternative medicine, Chinese Medicines no matter single pure compound or mutitple components are drug candidates. This topic will review drug discovery from Chinese medicines in the past, present and draw conclusion in terms of chmistry, pharmacology and clinical medicine. To discover more drug candidates, research model and platform for Chinese medicines are required somthing new in the fuuture. This work was financially supported in part by grants from RGC General Research Fund, Hong Kong SAR (Project Code: 10500362), Gala family trust for natural products (Project code: 200007008) and Goverment-Matching Funding (Project code: 207060411).
Keynote Forum
Yue Wei Guo
Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica- Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Keynote: Exploring for bioactive secondary metabolites from the Chinese medicinal mangroves
Time : 12.20-12.50
Biography:
Yue Wei Guo has completed his PhD from Naples University and Post-doctoral studies from Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare-CNR, Italy and Hokkaido University, Japan. He is the Professor of SIMM-CAS, a premier drug R/D organization. He has published more than 350 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of repute.He is intersted in Ethnobotany.
Abstract:
Mangroves comprise a large number of various salt-tolerant plants growing in tropical and subtropical intertidal estuarine zones. Historically, many mangrove plants were used to treat various diseases in Traditional Chinese medicine. Currently, the secondary metabolites found in mangroves represent an extremely rich source of novel chemical diversity for academic drug discovery and chemical biology programs. It is particularly true that the mangroves from Southern Coast of China are very prolific producers of bioactive natural products. Our group at SIMM has long been engaged in searching for novel secondary metabolites with pharmacological potential from Chinese mangrove medicinal plants. In collaboration with biologists and pharmacologists at SIMM, many mangroves used as fork medicine were chemically investigated and numerous novel isolates obtained were pharmacologically screened for activity in a variety of cell-based and pure enzyme assays designed to identify promising lead compounds for the development of drugs in the therapy of human diseases. This presentation will discuss examples of bioactive metabolites (structures and activities) from our recent discovery efforts.
- Track 3: Latest Trends in Ethnopharmacology
Track 7: Natural Products in Clinical Pharmacology
Track 8: Traditional Herbals in Treatment of Cancer
Track 13: Cardiovascular Pharmacology
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton
Session Introduction
Lawal Ejiwunmi Shehu
Oshodi/isolo Local Government, Nigeria
Title: Surface thermodynamics approach to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M-TB) – Human sputum interactions
Biography:
will update soon
Abstract:
This research work presents the surface thermodynamics approach to M-TB/HIV-Human sputum interactions. This involved the use of the Hamaker coefficient concept as a surface energetics tool in determining the interaction processes, with the surface interfacial energies explained using van der Waals concept of particle interactions. The Lifshitz derivation for van der Waals forces was applied as an alternative to the contact angle approach which has been widely used in other biological systems. The methodology involved taking sputum samples from twenty infected persons and from twenty uninfected persons for absorbance measurement using a digital Ultraviolet visible Spectrophotometer. The variables required for the computations with the Lifshitz formula were derived from the absorbance data. The Matlab software tools were used in the mathematical analysis of the data produced from the experiments (absorbance values). The Hamaker constants and the combined Hamaker coefficients were obtained using the values of the dielectric constant together with the Lifshitz Equation. The absolute combined Hamaker coefficients A132abs and A131abs on both infected and uninfected sputum samples gave the values of A132abs = 0.21631x10-21Joule for M-TB infected sputum and Ã132abs = 0.18825x10-21Joule for M-TB/HIV infected sputum. The significance of this result is the positive value of the absolute combined Hamaker coefficient which suggests the existence of net positive van der waals forces demonstrating an attraction between the bacteria and the macrophage. This however, implies that infection can occur. It was also shown that in the presence of HIV, the interaction energy is reduced by 13% conforming adverse effects observed in HIV patients suffering from tuberculosis.
Biography:
Yohanes Buang has completed his PhD from Saga University, Japan, and Postdoctoral studies from Institute Polytechnic de Grenoble, France. He is a Researcher and Lecturer at the Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science and Engineering Nusa Cendana University, Kupang Indonesia. He has published more than 15 papers in various reputed journals and has been serving as a consultant reviewer of reputed journal, such as Journal of Biochemical Pharmacology.
Abstract:
Increasingly interested of society in use and creation of herbal medicines has encouraged scientists/researchers to establish an ideal method to produce the best quality and quantity of pharmaceutical extracts. To have highest the antioxidative extracts, the method used must be at optimum conditions. Hence, the best method is not only able to provide highest quantity and quality of the isolated pharmaceutical extracts but also it has to be easy to do, simple, fast, and cheap. The characterization of solvents in maceration technique, in present study, involved various variables influencing quantity and quality of the pharmaceutical extracts, such as solvent’s optimum acidity-alkalinity (pH), temperature, concentration, and contact time. The shifting polarity of the solvent by combinations of water with ethanol (70:30) and (50:50) were also performed to completely record the best solvent system in application of maceration technology. Among those three solvents threated within Myrmecodia pendens, as a model of natural product, the results showed that water solvent system with conditions of alkalinity pH, optimum temperature, concentration, and contact time is the best system to perform the maceration in order to have the highest isolated antioxidative activated extracts. The optimum conditions of the water solvent are at the alkalinity pH 9 up, 30 mg/mL of concentration, 40 min of contact time, 100oC of temperature, and no ethanol used to replace parts of the water solvent. The present study strongly recommended the best conditions of solvent system to isolate the pharmaceutical extracts of natural products in application of the maceration technology.
Beshay N. Zordoky
University of Minnesota, USA
Title: Sex-related Differences in Doxorubicin-induced Cardiotoxicity
Biography:
Beshay N Zordoky has completed his PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences and his Post-doctoral training in Cardiovascular Research from University of Alberta, Canada. He is currently an Assistant Professor in the department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, USA. He has published 28 papers inpeer-reviewed journals, one book chapter, and more than 30 abstracts. He has been serving as a reviewer and an Editorial Board Member of a number of reputable journals. His research interests include cardio-oncology, cardiovascular pharmacology, and drug metabolism.
Abstract:
Background: Doxorubicin (DOX) is a very effective anticancer medication that is commonly used to treat both hematological malignancies and solid tumors. Nevertheless, DOX is known to have cardiotoxic effects that may lead to cardiac dysfunction and heart failure. In experimental studies, female animals have been shown to be protected against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity; however, the evidence of this sexual dimorphism is inconclusive in clinical studies. Therefore, we sought to investigate whether the genetic background could influence the sexual dimorphism of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Methods: Male and female Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and Spontaneous Hypertensive Heart Failure (SHHF) rats were used in this study. DOX was administered in 8 doses of 2 mg/kg/week; thereafter, the rats were followed for an additional 12 weeks. Cardiac function was assessed by trans-thoracic echocardiography, systolic blood pressure was measured by the tail cuff method, and heart and kidney tissues were collected for histopathology. Results: Female sex protected against DOX-induced weight loss and increase in blood pressure in the WKY rats, whereas it protected against DOX-induced cardiac dysfunction and the elevation of cardiac troponin in SHHF rats. In both strains, female sex was protective against DOX-induced nephrotoxicity. There was a strong correlation between DOX-induced renal pathology and DOX-induced cardiac dysfunction. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of studying the interaction between sex and genetic background to determine the risk of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. In addition, our findings suggest that DOX-induced nephrotoxicity plays a role in DOX-induced cardiac dysfunction.
Yu-Sheng Liu
The Second Hospital of Shandong University, China
Title: Sitagliptin Alleviated Myocardial Remodeling of Left Ventricle and Improved Cardiac Diastolic Dysfunction in Diabetic Rats
Biography:
Yu-Sheng Liu has completed his MD at the age of 35 years from Shandong University School of Medicine. He is attending physian of clinical genernal cardiology, specializing in heart failure and echocardiology. He has published more than 6 papers in SCI journals and has been serving as an editorial board member of repute.He is intersted in Pharmacology and Ethnopharmacology
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE Sitagliptin as one of DPP-â…£ inhibitors plays its biological role via improving the serum levels of GLP-1. Hence, we sought to determine the effects of sitagliptin on myocardial inflammation, collagen metabolism, lipids content and myocardial apoptosis in diabetic rats. METHODS The type 2 diabetic models were induced by small dosage streptozotocin on the basis of high-fat diet. The characteristics of the diabetic rats were evaluated by ECG, echocardiography and blood analysis. Cardiac inflammation, ï¬brosis, cardiomyocyte density, lipids accumulation, and RIP3 related to apoptosis were detected by histopathologic analysis, RT-PCR and Western-blot analysis to evaluate the effects of sitagliptin on myocardial remodeling of left ventricle. RESULTS Myocardial hypertrophy or apoptosis, inflammation, lipids accumulation, myocardial ï¬brosis, elevated collagen contents, RIP3 overexpression, and left ventricular dysfunction were detected in diabetic rats. Furthermore, sitagliptin could down-regulate the overexpression of RIP3 and alleviate cellular apoptosis in the myocardial tissues. Sitagliptin could significantly improve left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), +dp/dt max, reduce the E/E＇ratio, left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), -dp/dt max and Tau in diabetic rats. CONCLUSIONS Sitagliptin might exert a myocardial protective effect by inhibiting apoptosis, inflammation, lipids accumulation and myocardial ï¬brosis, implicating its potential role for the improvement of left ventricular function.
Hsing-Yu Chen
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan
Title: Identifying Chinese herbal medicine for menstrual disorder: implications from a nationwide database
Biography:
Hsing-Yu Chen is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctor and internal specialist in the department of TCM, division of Chinese internal medicine and pediatrics, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital (CGMH). He is interested in analyzing utilization patterns and effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) by using the National insurance database in Taiwan. The studied subjects include discovering herbal medicine network and core herbal treatments for menopause, pre-menstrual syndrome, primary dysmenorrhea, eczema, asthma, and breast cancer by using social network analysis and data mining on TCM prescription database.
Abstract:
Menstrual disorder occurs in women during their reproductive age with a quite negative impact on their daily lives. Chinese herb medicine (CHM) is commonly used for menstrual disorder and the goal of this study is to investigate the prescription patterns of CHM for menstrual disorder by using a nationwide database. Prescriptions of CHM were obtained from two million beneficiaries randomly sampled from the National Health Insurance Research Database, a nationwide database in Taiwan. Take premenstrual syndrome (PMS) as an example for analyzing TCM use in menstrual disorder. The ICD-9 code 625.4 was used to identify patients with PMS. Association rule mining and social network analysis were used to explore both the combinations and the core treatments for PMS. During 1998-2011, a total of 14,312 CHM prescriptions for PMS were provided. Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San (JWXYS) was the CHM which had the highest prevalence (37.5% of all prescriptions) and also the core of prescription network for PMS. For combination of two CHM, JWXYS with Cyperus rotundus L. was prescribed most frequently, 7.7% of all prescriptions, followed by JWXYS with Leonurus heterophyllus Sweet, 5.9%, and Cyperus rotundus L. with Leonurus heterophyllus Sweet, 5.6%. JWXYS-centered CHM combinations were most commonly prescribed for PMS. This is the first pharmaco-epidemiological study to review CHM treatments for PMS. Association rule mining and social network analysis could also use to analyze other menstrual disorder. The results of this study provide valuable references for further clinical trials and bench studies.
Yi-Hsuan Lin
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan
Title: Identifying Chinese herbal medicine for urticaria: from a nationwide database to the clinical trial
Biography:
Yi-Hsuan Lin is a Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctor and internal specialist in the department of TCM, division of Chinese internal medicine and pediatrics, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital (CGMH). She completed training course of Chinese and western internal medicine and thus has both certificates of western medicine internal specialists and TCM doctor. She is interested in TCM dermatology. She also has license of specialty in TCM Dermatology. She focuses her research in allergic skin disease including chronic urticaria and atopic dermatitis
Abstract:
Urticaria is a common skin disease that has a high impact on a patient’s daily life. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been frequently used for treatment of skin manifestations in addition to Western medicine. The aim of this study is to analyze a nationwide prescription database to explore the most commonly used CHM for urticaria. A nationwide CHM prescription database was used, and data from ambulatory visits of patients with a single diagnosis of urticaria (ICD-9 code: 708) were identified for the study. Association rule mining was applied to explore the core formula and popular combinations of CHM for urticaria. A total of 33,355 ambulatory visits made by 12,498 patients were included in this study. On average, 6.18 CHMs were used per prescription. Xiao Feng San (XFS) and Cryptotympana pustulata Fabricius were the most commonly used herbal formula (HF) and single herb (SH), found in 49.44% and 24.67% of all prescriptions, respectively. XFS with Cryptotympana pustulata Fabricius were used most frequently in a two-combination CHM (9.95%). XFS was the core formula for urticaria since it was included in nearly all combinations prescribed for the treatment of urticaria. Based on this result, we further design clinical trial and mast cell studies for urticaria to explore the efficacy and mechanism of CHM in urticaria.
Sherif Wagih Mansour
Zagazig University School of Medicine, Egypt
Title: Sensibility of male rats fertility against olive oil, Nigella sativa oil and pomegranate extract
Biography:
Prof. Sherif Wagih Mansour has completed his PhD at the age of 34 years from Zagazig University School of Medicine. He is the head of physiology dpt.. He has published more than 25 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an editorial board member of repute
Abstract:
To clarify the modulatory effects of daily consumption of pomegranate extract (PE), olive oil (OO) and Nagilla sativa oil (NSO) on antioxidant activity, sperm quality and pituitary-testicular axis of adult male wistar rats. Methods: Thirty-two adult male Wistar rats were divided into four equal groups, eight rats each. Using rat gastric tube, 1.0 ml distilled water, 1.0 ml PE, 0.4 ml NSO and 0.4 ml OO were orally adminsterd daily for 6 weeks in the first, second, third and fourth roups, respectively. Reproductive organs, body weight, sperm criteria, testosterone, FSH, LH, inhibin-B, lipid peroxidationand antioxidant enzyme activities were invesigated. At the end of the study protocole, analyses occurred at the same time. Data were analysed by ANOVA test and P < 0.05 was considererd to be a significant value. Results: In all studied groups, malonaldhyde level was significantly decreased accompanied with an increase in glutathione peroxidase and glutathione. Rats treated with PE showed an increase in catalase activities accompanied with an increase in sperm concentration which also was observed in NSO group. In PE treated group, sperm motility was also increased accompanied with decreased abnormal sperm rate. NSO, OO and PE treated gtoups showes an insignificant effect on testosterone, inhibin-B, FSH and LH in comparison with control group. Conclusions: These results show that administration of PE, NSO and OO could modify sperm characteristics and antioxidant activity of adult male wistar rats.
Rodolfo de Moraes Peixoto
Science and Technology of the Sertão Pernambucano, Brazil
Title: Treatment of goat mastitis experimentally induced by Staphylococcus aureus using a formulation containing Hymenaea martiana extract
Biography:
Rodolfo de Moraes Peixoto is a veterinarian, Master of Animal Science (2008-2009) and PhD in Animal Science Tropical by Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (2011-2014). The Doctorate was completed with 31 years old. Since 2009, he is a lecturer and researcher at the Federal Institute of Sertão Pernambucano (IF Sertão-PE). He has 30 articles published in scientific journals in the area of preventive veterinary medicine. His doctoral thesis received an honorable mention and another highlight at a conference in Brazil. Since 2014, he is coordinator of the ethics committee in the use of animals in research of the IF Sertão-PE.
Abstract:
The aim of the present study was to assess the in vivo potential of therapy based on Hymenaea martiana Hayne extract in mastitis cases among goats that were experimentally induced with strains of Staphylococcus aureus. The phytochemical characterization of the plant extract was performed using HPLC-DAD. Ten female goats were experimentally infected with a clinical strain of S. aureus. One group was treated with a commercial antimicrobial and another with ointment from natural plant extract. The diagnosis of mastitis was performed using a bacterial culture, SCC, CFU/mL and CMT. Three milk samples were subjected to chromatography to survey the constituents present in the ointment prepared with the plant extract. The results of the HPLC confirmed the presence of phenolic compounds in the chloroform and ethyl acetate. Concerning SCC and CFU/ml, the analysis of variance performed between the experimental periods confirmed that there was a higher score at the time of the first collection after infection in all of the experimental groups. After treatment with ointment containing the extract of H. martiana and commercial antimicrobials, these variables returned to values indicative of an absence of intra-mammary infection, based on the international standards for raw goat’s milk. In the present study, milk collected on the 32nd day post treatment with ointment containing the extract of H. martiana exhibited a significant reduction in CFU/ML, when compared with the control group. Antibacterial activity may be related to the classes of secondary metabolites found.
A John D E Britto
Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, India
Title: Molecular and phytochemical fingerprinting of anticancer drug yielding plants in south India
Biography:
A John D E Britto has completed 30 years of teaching and 25 years of research in the field of molecular biology, phytochemistry and ethnopharmacology. He has published papers in these areas of research in national and international journals and carried out major research projects funded by Government of India.
Abstract:
Studies were performed to select the superior genotypes based on intra-specific variations, caused by phytogeographical, climatic and edaphic parameters of three anti cancer drug yielding mangrove plants such as Acanthus ilicifolius L., Calophyllum inophyllum L. and Excoecaria agallocha L. using ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeats) markers and phytochemical analysis such as preliminary phytochemical tests, TLC, HPTLC, HPLC and antioxidant tests. The plants were collected from five different geographical locations of the East Coast of south India. Genetic heterozygosity, Nei’s gene diversity, Shannon’s information index and Percentage of polymorphism between the populations were calculated using POPGENE software. Cluster analysis was performed using UPGMA algorithm. AMOVA and correlations between genetic diversity and soil factors were analyzed. Combining the molecular and phytochemical variations superior genotypes were selected. Conservation constraints and methods of efficient exploitation of the species are discussed.
Abdul Jabbar Shah
COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Pakistan
Title: Antihypertensive effects and potential vascular mechanisms of the extract and fractions of Eruca sativa and Euricin
Biography:
Abdul Jabbar Shahis from COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Pakistan
Abstract:
Eruca sativa Mill., (Cruciferae) commonly known as “Rocket” (roquette) or “Arugula” and locally as “Taramera”. Traditionally, Eruca sativa has nutritional values due to the isothiocyanates (eg., euricin) and also been used as a traditional medicine for the management of cardiovascular disorders, particularly hypertension. The aim of the study was to investigate the blood pressure lowering effect of and potential vascular mechanisms of the extract and fractions of Eurca sativa and euricin in hypertensive and normotensive rats and isolated aorta. In in-vivo blood pressure study in normotensive and hypertensive rats under anaesthesia, crude extract of Eruca sativa (Es.Cr) and its nHexane (Es.nHexane), chloroform (Es.Chlor), ethyl acetate (Es.EtAc) and aqueous (Es.Aq) fractions caused a fall in mean arterial pressure (MAP) with more potency in hypertensive rats than normotensive rats. Erucin also caused a fall in MAP in both hypertensive and normotensive rats. In isolated rat aortic rings, crude extract and all fractions induced an endothelium-dependent relaxation mediated by L-NAME sensitive nitric oxide (NO) pathway, while erucin also caused a partial endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation mediated by nitric oxide. When tested against high K+-induced contractions in rat aorta preparations, crude extract and all fractions caused inhibition of the induced contractions. In isolated rabbit aorta, crude extract and all fractions exhibited phentolamine sensitive contractile effect on basal tension, except Es.Chlor. Es.Cr caused relaxation of high K+ (80 mM)-induced and phenylephrine (1 µM) pre-contractions, similar to verapamil, with EC50 values of 5.52 (3.8-7.2) and 7.4 mg/mL (5.8-9), respectively. Erucin also inhibited high K+ (80 mM) and phenylephrine (1 µM) pre-contractions, with EC50 values of 1.1 (0.3–2.0) and 1.8 µg/mL (1.0-2.8), respectively. Among the fractions tested, Es.nHexane, Es.EtAc, and Es.Aq were found more potent against high K+ than PE precontractions except Es.Chlor was equipotent against both PE and high K+. Es.Cr, erucin and all fractions shifted Ca++ concentration–response curves (CRCs) to the right similar to verapamil confirming calcium channel blocking (CCB) activity. The results of this study indicated that crude extract and its fractions possess antihypertensive, vasorelaxant and vasocontractile effects. Vasorelaxant effect mediated by calcium channel blocking and L-NAME sensitive NO mediated endothelium dependent effects. The vasoconstractile effects are mediated partially by α-adrenoceptor stimulation. This combination may provide pharmacological basis of medicinal use of Eruca sativain the treatment of hypertension. This study provides a evidence that medicinal plant extracts posses’ combination of constituents and collectively they act as regulator of body functions while a single compound isolated from same plant may not necessarily represent the pharmacological/biological activities of the parent plant
Laila Jafri
Quaid-i-Azam University, Pakistan
Title: Newer strategies in herbal drug research and development: focus on reverse pharmacology
Biography:
Laila Jafri has completed her PhD in April 2015 and has published 3 papers and 4 papers are submitted in well reputed journals.
Abstract:
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) are incretin hormones that potentiate insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner. Selective GLP-1 and GIP secretagogue are in development as novel treatments for type 2 diabetes. Here, recent reports indicate that H. nepalensis (crude extract and fractions) and its isolated compound lupeol stimulates secretion of GLP-1 and GIP in pGIP/neo STC-1cells. Lupeol stimulated GLP-1 and GIP secretion from STC-1 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Futhermore, proglucagon, GIP and prohormone convertase 3 genes regulating GLP-1 and GIP biosynthesis were analyzed by RT-PCR. Lupeol also promoted proglucagon, GIP and prohormone convertase 3 mRNA expression. The present results first time demonstrated that H. nepalensis (crude extract and fractions) and its isolated compound lupeol showed its modulation on both incretine hormones via promoting their secretion and biosynthesis.
Md. Mahbubur Rahman.
KNOTUS (Ex. Korean Animal Medical Science Institute), South Korea
Title: Antidiabetic Effects of Yam (Dioscorea batatas) and its Active Constituent, Allantoin, in a Rat Model of Streptozotocin-induced Diabetes
Biography:
Rahman has completed his PhD at the age of 31 years from Chonbuk National University and postdoctoral studies from Chonbuk National University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Dept of Pharmacology and toxicology. He is the Research Scientist of KNOTUS (Ex. Korean Animal Medical Science Institute). He has published 6 papers in reputed journals; more than 10 papers are inpreparation stage and has been serving as an editorial board member of Journal of Veterinary Science and Animal Welfare.
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacies of crude yam (Dioscorea batatas) powder (PY), water extract of yam (EY), and allantoin (the active constituent of yam) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats with respect to glucose, insulin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), C-peptide, glycated hemoglobin (HbAlc), lipid metabolism, and oxidative stress. For this purpose, 50 rats were divided into five groups: normal control (NC), diabetic control (STZ), and STZ plus treatment groups (STZ + PY, STZ + EY, and STZ + allantoin). After treatment for one-month, there was a decrease in blood glucose: 385 ± 7 in STZ, 231 ± 3 in STZ + PY, 214 ± 11 in STZ + EY, and 243 ± 6 mg/dL in STZ + allantoin, respectively which were significant statistical differences (p < 0.001) compared to STZ. With groups in the same order, there were significant decreases (p < 0.001) in HbAlc, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein. There were also significant increases (p < 0.001) in insulin, GLP-1, and C-peptide. The treatment effectively ameliorated antioxidant stress as shown by a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in malondialdehyde together with increases (p < 0.01) in superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione. The results indicate that yam and allantoin have antidiabetic effects by modulating antioxidant activities, lipid profiles and by promoting the release of GLP-1, thereby improving the function of β-cells maintaining normal insulin and glucose levels
Andrea C. Perez
Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil
Title: Hydroethanolic extract of Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl.) Miers flowers improves inflammatory and metabolic dysfunction induced by high-refined carbohydrate diet
Biography:
Andrea C Perez is a Professor and Researcher in Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Her main research field is Natural Products to treat inflammation, pain, diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Abstract:
Pyrostegia venusta is used in traditional Brazilian medicine as a general tonic to treat any inflammatory disease. Several studies have demonstrated that medicinal plants constitute a therapeutic approach for the treatment of obesity-related metabolic and inflammatory disarrangement. Accordingly, we investigated the effects of hydroethanolic extract of Pyrostegia venusta flowers (PvHE) supplementation for the treatment of inflammatory and metabolic dysfunction induced by high-refined-carbohydrate (HC) diet. Material and methods: The BALB/c mice were fed chow or HC diet for 8 weeks. Part of these animals was fed with HC diet supplemented with PvHE on the 9th week until the 12th week. At the end of the dietary intervention, animals were sacrificed. We observed that PvHE decreased adiposity and adipocyte area; improved glucose intolerance; reduced serum triacylglycerol levels and systemic inflammatory cells; and also reduced some inflammatory mediators levels in adipose tissue and liver. Conclusion: The results showed that PvHE has beneficial effects and may treat inflammatory and metabolic dysfunction induced by HC diet, that are associated to a negative modulation of the inflammatory process at systemic and local levels.
Biography:
we will update soon
Abstract:
Mechanism of most herbal drugs used for diabetes mellitus treatment has not been well defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two doses of cyclohexanic extract of walnut leaf onhomocysteine, lipids profil (total cholesterol, TG, HDL-c, LDL-c, VLDL) and indices of oxidative stress (SOD, GPx, CAT, MDA) in diabetic rats. Twenty-eight male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups, group I: control (received sesame oil as vehicle), group II: diabetic (received sesame oil), group III and IV: diabetic treated by 150 and 250 mg/kg bodyweight (BW) per day extract of walnut leaf, respectively. All groups were treated for 28 days via oral gavage. Diabetes was induced by single IP injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg BW). Fasting blood glucose (FBG) level and body weight were measured before injection, 3 days after injection, and on days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 of treatment. At the end of day 28, blood samples were collected via heart puncture and the sera were used for estimation of the above mentioned parameters. The results showed decrease in glucose level, TC, TG, LDL-c, VLDL-c, homocysteine, and MDA level and increase in the level of HDL-c in a dose-dependent manner at the end of 28 days (P<0.05). The activity of antioxidant enzymes increased in treated group compared with diabetic control (P<0.05). The results demonstrate that cyclohexane extract of walnut leaf has an overall beneficial effect on body weight, fasting blood glucose, lipids profile, antioxidant enzymes activity and homocysteine in an experimental model.
Biljana Božin
University of Novi Sad, Yugoslavia
Title: E-BaMiF- ethnopharmacology of balkan peninsula – miths and facts
Biography:
Biljana Božin has completed her PhD in the area of Biochemistry and pharmacology of medicinal plants at University of Novi Sad. She is an associate professor and teaches several courses in the field of medicinal plants (Pharmacognosy, Phytotherapy, Herb-drug interactions, Toxicology of medicinal plants, etc.). She is Head of Department of Pharmacy at Faculty of Medicine, and published more than 25 papers in reputed international journals and. Also, she is an editorial board member of the journal Biologica Serbica (previously Review of Research, Faculty of Sciences – Biology Series).
Abstract:
Ethnopharmacology of Balkan Peninsula – Miths and Facts (E-BaMiF): Ethnopharmacology of Balkan Peninsula is transmitted through generations, dates from 6th to 2nd centuries BC and originates from Illyrian tribes, Dacians, Thracians and Phrygian. Although originates from ancient times, the use of different medicinal plants is transmitted through generations and even today is widespread in certain regions of the Balkans. Most of them are used for therapeutic purposes, but their use in sacred and magical purposes is also widespread. Herbs are used either in fresh, raw or dried condition. Different herbal parts, depending on period of vegetation season, sometimes even in winter, are still the basis for preparation of traditional infusions, decocts, tinctures and especially original balms known as "mehlems" - fresh cuted herbal parts mixed with lukewarm resin, raw cow butter or honey. Majority of herbs is being used for treatment of illnesses of respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary and genital system, for treatment of skin conditions, as well as for nervous system and heart diseases. Among them, most popular are basil, St. John’s wort, yarrow, thyme, chamomile, mints, gentian, immortelle, catnip, rue, germander... But, among them, several poisonous plants could be also found (some of poisonous and hallucinogenic mushrooms, european birthwort, coltsfoot, aconite, different plants with cardiac glycosides, etc). No significant differences are noticed in the frequencies and specific uses of medicinal plants among different ethnical groups. However, longer ethnotherapeutic tradition possess inhabitants of sub- and Mediterranean areas, as well as those of the mountain areas of Balkan Peninsula.
- Young Researchers Forum
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton
Session Introduction
Noor Mohammed
University of Birmingham School of Bioscience, UK
Title: Regucalcin protects HepG2 cells from doxorubicin-induced apoptosis and autophagy
Biography:
Noor Mohammed has completed her Master degree (MSc) in Histology on March 2010 from University of Duhok (Kurdistan Region Government of Iraq) and has published her master thesis as two papers in local university journal. She worked as an Assistant Lecturer in biology department, University of Duhok since 2010, and then she started her PhD on September 2013 focusing on the mechanism effect of chemotherapy drugs on liver and kidney cell line
Abstract:
Regucalcin (RGN) is a cytosolic Ca2+-binding protein that was discovered in 1978 and is known to be a multi-functional protein involved in number of cellular processes including – calcium homeostasis by regulating Ca²+ binding protein activity such as Ca2+-ATPases, calmodulin kinase and PKC. This protein is mostly found in liver and kidney tissues. Furthermore, RGN also plays a defence role in Ca2+-mediated stress protection and apoptosis. Doxorubicin (DOX) is a potent anti-cancer drug that is used either in isolation or in combination with other drugs for treating variety of cancers. Several studies have shown that DOX induces p53 activation leading to apoptosis in both normal and tumour endothelial cardiomyocytes cells; by causing cytochrome c release from the mitochondria, resulting in caspase 3 activation and induction of apoptosis. Moreover, this drug has the ability to damage DNA by producing reactive oxygen species. A major problem of DOX treatment is that it is highly cardio- and hepato-toxic. In the current study we have investigated the molecular mechanisms of DOX-induced hepatic cell death and show that DOX can induce cell death in human HepG2 liver cells through a number of different mechanisms including; apoptosis, DNA damage and autophagy. However, necrosis does not appear to be involved in this process. Furthermore, over-expression of RGN in HepG2 cells was found to protect against the toxicity by DOX. Therefore increased expression of RGN in the liver could be a mechanism for protection against DOX-induced toxicity.
Noor Mohammed
University of Birmingham School of Biosciences, United Kingdom
Title: Regucalcin protects HepG2 cells from doxorubicin-induced apoptosis and autophagy
Biography:
Noor Mohammed has completed her Master’s degree (MSc) in Histology in March 2010 from University of Duhok (Kurdistan Region Government of Iraq) and has published her Master’s thesis as two papers in local university journal. She worked as an Assistant Lecturer in Biology Department, University of Duhok since 2010 then started her PhD in September 2013 focusing on the mechanism effect of chemotherapy drugs on liver and kidney cell line.
Abstract:
Regucalcin (RGN) is a cytosolic Ca2+-binding protein that was discovered in 1978 and is known to be a multi-functional protein involved in number of cellular processes including – calcium homeostasis by regulating Ca²+ binding protein activity such as Ca2+-ATPases, calmodulin kinase and PKC. This protein is mostly found in liver and kidney tissues. Furthermore, RGN also plays a defence role in Ca2+-mediated stress protection and apoptosis. Doxorubicin (DOX) is a potent anti-cancer drug that is used either in isolation or in combination with other drugs for treating variety of cancers. Several studies have shown that DOX induces p53 activation leading to apoptosis in both normal and tumour endothelial cardiomyocytes cells; by causing cytochrome c release from the mitochondria, resulting in caspase 3 activation and induction of apoptosis. Moreover, this drug has the ability to damage DNA by producing reactive oxygen species. A major problem of DOX treatment is that it is highly cardio- and hepato-toxic. In the current study we have investigated the molecular mechanisms of DOX-induced hepatic cell death and show that DOX can induce cell death in human HepG2 liver cells through a number of different mechanisms including; apoptosis, DNA damage and autophagy. However, necrosis does not appear to be involved in this process. Furthermore, over-expression of RGN in HepG2 cells was found to protect against the toxicity by DOX. Therefore increased expression of RGN in the liver could be a mechanism for protection against DOX-induced toxicity
Alexis St-Gelais
Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Canada
Title: Dirchromones and dircoxepines, a new group of cytotoxic organic sulfur compounds from Dirca palustris (Thymelaeaceae)
Biography:
Alexis St-Gelais is a current PhD candidate at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, and has received numerous scholarships to pursue his studies. He is also the co-founder and scientific Director of Laboratoire PhytoChemia, a respected essential oil quality control laboratory. His research interests include bioactive natural products, the study of volatile compounds, and chemotype determination.
Abstract:
Dirca palustris L. is a shrub that is endemic in the eastern part of North America, where it is commonly known as eastern leatherwood. It thrives under the canopy of the Canadian maple forests, and is the only native member of the Thymelaeaceae of the country. Its crushed bark was reportedly employed by the Iroquois to treat cancer. The plant also induces vomiting and vesication, and is a potent laxative. The highly cytotoxic dichloromethane extract from the ligneous parts of the plant was thus fractionated using a bioassay-guided strategy. Among other results, one of the active subfractions yielded several minority sulfur-containing compounds. They were characterized by NMR, HRMS, FTIR and UV spectroscopy, and named dirchromones and dircoxepines. Not only were they the first mention of organic sulfur compounds in the Thymelaeaceae, they also featured an original structure, unrelated to other known sulfur-bearing molecules in plants such as glucosinolates and cysteine-derived sulfoxides. The substitution pattern of dirchromones and the occurrence of dircoxepines can be explained by a common tentative metabolic relationship, although the origin of the parent compound remains unclear. Additionally, isolated dirchromones show a significant polarity-dependent cytotoxicity, with increasing activity and selectivity towards DLD-1 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells as the calculated logP increases.
Godwin U. Ebiloma
University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
Title: New trypanocides from Nigerian medicinal plants as leads for drug development against Human African Trypanosomiasis.
Biography:
Godwin U Ebiloma is a Graduate of Kogi State University and Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria, and is in his final year of PhD at the University of Glasgow, where he is studying Infection and Immunity. He is also a Biochemistry Lecturer at Kogi State University. He has published more than 15 papers in reputed journals. He is a visiting researcher at Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, and the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Tokyo. He is interested in parasite biochemistry and drug discovery.
Abstract:
African trypanosomiasis is a disease caused by infection of humans and animals with parasites called trypanosomes, usually through the bite of infected tsetse flies. Unfortunately, the current drugs are ineffective due to drug resistance and efforts towards new drug development are inadequate. Using in vitro models of Trypanosoma brucei, we used a multiple approach towards the identification of new lead compounds and evaluate their potency. The result shows that both crude extracts and their isolated active compounds have no detectable toxicity on Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK) cells, whereas promising activity was found against three strains of Trypanosoma brucei used in this study: (1) Wild type strain Trypanosoma brucei (s427-WT). (2) A resistant strain, B48 which was derived from a TbAT1-KO strain after increasing exposure to pentamidine and lacks both the TbAT1/P2 transporter and the high affinity pentamidine transporter (HAPT). (3) The pentamidine/melarsoprol-resistant Aquaporin 2+3 knockout TbAQP2+3-KO, which was obtained by the knockout of the aquaporin genes specifically implicated for resistance to pentamidine and melarsoprol. The isolated compounds were very active against all the trypanosomes strains tested. EC50 values for the isolated compounds were from 0.15 µg/ml. Fluorescence microscopic assessment of DNA configuration revealed cell cycle defects after ten hours of incubation with the natural compounds: DNA synthesis could not be initiated, leading to a dramatic reduction of cells in the S phase. Considering the high level of selectivity over human cell lines, these compounds could serve as lead compounds towards the identification of more efficient anti-trypanosome drugs
Nayan G Patel
Dharmsinh Desai University, India
Title: Validated HPTLC method for quantification of luteolin and apigenin in Premna mucronata Roxb., Verbenaceae
Biography:
Nayan G Patel has completed his Post-Graduate in Pharmacology from Anand Pharmacy College, Anand, Gujarat and pursuing his PhD in Dharmsinh Desai University. He is serving as an Assistant Professor at Faculty of Pharmacy, Dharmsinh Desai University, Nadiad, Gujarat since last two years and six months. The area of his interest is silver nanoparticles and its implications in various diseases. He also has a very good hands on pre-clinical animal studies with more than 10 types of research completed by him. He has published 4 papers in reputed journals and two still under communication. He is the recipent for grant of Rs. 50 lakhs from Department of Biotechnology, India this year for his proof of concept on research proposal related to use of silver nanoparticles in burns.
Abstract:
A simple, rapid and precise high-performance thin-layer chromatographic method was developed for quantitative estimation of luteolin and apigenin in Premna mucronata Roxb., family Verbenaceae. Separation was performed on silica gel 60 F254 HPTLC plates using Toluene: Ethyl acetate: Formic acid (6:4:0.3) as mobile phase for elution of markers from extract. The determination was carried out in fluorescence mode using densitometric absorbance-reflection mode at 366 nm for both luteolin and apigenin. The methanolic extract of Premna mucronata was found to contain 10.2 mg/g% luteolin and 0.165 mg/g% of apigenin. The method was validated in terms of linearity, LOD and LOQ, accuracy, precision and specificity. The calibration curve was found to be linear between 200-1000 ng/band for luteolin and 50-250 ng/band for apigenin. For luteolin and apigenin, the limit of detection was found to be 508.13 ng/band and 7.97 ng/band while the limit of quantitation was found to be 1539.78 ng/band and 24.155 ng/band, respectively. This developed validated method is capable of quantifying and resolving luteolin and apigenin in its plant raw-material.
Dike, Chinwe Nwakaego
College of Medicine University of Lagos, Nigeria
Title: Knowledge and practices of pharmaceutical waste management among Community Pharmacists in Lagos metropolis
Biography:
Chinwe Nwakaego Dike is the Chief Executive Officer of Medic Affairs Limited. For 16 years she has been practicing as a Community Pharmacist. She is a graduate of the University of Nigeria Nsukka with Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm). She recently concluded a Master’s program in Public Health from the University of Lagos with thesis on “Knowledge and practices of Pharmaceutical waste management among Community Pharmacists in Lagos metropolisâ€. She is a Fellow of West African Post-graduate college of Pharmacists and member of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN). She has a passion for public health advocacy and frequently volunteers her services to charity and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Abstract:
The fate of pharmaceutical waste becomes a growing concern as volumes of pharmaceuticals dispensed increases annually. Not only does pharmaceutical waste pose an environmental risk, it potentially poses a public health risk as well when it is not properly managed. The general objective of this study is to assess the knowledge and practices of Pharmaceutical waste management among Community Pharmacists in Lagos Metropolis. The study design was a descriptive cross-sectional study among Community Pharmacists practicing in different parts of Lagos Metropolis. The data was collected using pre-tested, structured, self and interviewer administered questionnaire. Stratified sampling method was used for selection of study subjects. Data was analyzed using Epi-Info statistical software version 7.1.5.2. Knowledge and practice responses were scored and graded as poor (˂50%) and good (≥50%). Mean age of the respondents was 44.5 ± 9.2 years. Majority of the respondents had good knowledge (78.2%), good reported practices (90.4%) but poor observed practices (66.9%) of pharmaceutical waste management. In the triangulation of knowledge, reported practices and observed practices of pharmaceutical waste management, the major challenge was in the observed practice component. There is therefore the need for the enforcement of pharmaceutical waste management practices by the relevant authorities.