Browsing by Author "University of Development Alternative"
Now showing 1 - 8 of 8
- Results Per Page
- Sort Options
Publication Metadata only Amoebicidal activity of Cassia angustifolia extract and its effect on Acanthamoeba triangularis autophagy-related gene expression at the transcriptional level(2021-08-01) Rachasak Boonhok; Suthinee Sangkanu; Roghayeh Norouzi; Abolghasem Siyadatpanah; Farzaneh Mirzaei; Watcharapong Mitsuwan; Nurdina Charong; Sueptrakool Wisessombat; Maria De Lourdes Pereira; Mohammed Rahmatullah; Polrat Wilairatana; Christophe Wiart; Hazel Anne Tabo; Karma G. Dolma; Veeranoot Nissapatorn; Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University; Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences; The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus; De La Salle University; Walailak University; Birjand University of Medical Sciences; CICECO – Instituto de Materiais de Aveiro; Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences; University of Tabriz; University of Development AlternativeCassia angustifolia Vahl. plant is used for many therapeutic purposes, for example, in people with constipation, skin diseases, including helminthic and parasitic infections. In our study, we demonstrated an amoebicidal activity of C. angustifolia extract against Acanthamoeba triangularis trophozoite at a micromolar level. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images displayed morphological changes in the Acanthamoeba trophozoite, which included the formation of pores in cell membrane and the membrane rupture. In addition to the amoebicidal activity, effects of the extract on surviving trophozoites were observed, which included cyst formation and vacuolization by a microscope and transcriptional expression of Acanthamoeba autophagy in response to the stress by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Our data showed that the surviving trophozoites were not transformed into cysts and the trophozoite number with enlarged vacuole was not significantly different from that of untreated control. Molecular analysis data demonstrated that the mRNA expression of AcATG genes was slightly changed. Interestingly, AcATG16 decreased significantly at 12 h post treatment, which may indicate a transcriptional regulation by the extract or a balance of intracellular signalling pathways in response to the stress, whereas AcATG3 and AcATG8b remained unchanged. Altogether, these data reveal the anti-Acanthamoeba activity of C. angustifolia extract and the autophagic response in the surviving trophozoites under the plant extract pressure, along with data on the formation of cysts. These represent a promising plant for future drug development. However, further isolation and purification of an active compound and cytotoxicity against human cells are needed, including a study on the autophagic response at the protein level.Publication Metadata only Anti-Acanthamoeba synergistic effect of chlorhexidine and Garcinia mangostana extract or α-mangostin against Acanthamoeba triangularis trophozoite and cyst forms(2021-12-01) Suthinee Sangkanu; Watcharapong Mitsuwan; Wilawan Mahabusarakam; Tajudeen O. Jimoh; Polrat Wilairatana; Ana Paula Girol; Ajoy K. Verma; Maria de Lourdes Pereira; Mohammed Rahmatullah; Christophe Wiart; Abolghasem Siyadatpanah; Roghayeh Norouzi; Polydor Ngoy Mutombo; Veeranoot Nissapatorn; Islamic University in Uganda; The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus; Chulalongkorn University; Walailak University; Universidade de Aveiro; Birjand University of Medical Sciences; Mahidol University; UNSW Medicine; University of Tabriz; Prince of Songkla University; Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho"; Burnet Institute; National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases; University of Development AlternativeAcanthamoeba spp. can cause amoebic keratitis (AK). Chlorhexidine is effective for AK treatment as monotherapy, but with a relative failure on drug bioavailability in the deep corneal stroma. The combination of chlorhexidine and propamidine isethionate is recommended in the current AK treatment. However, the effectiveness of treatment depends on the parasite and virulence strains. This study aims to determine the potential of Garcinia mangostana pericarp extract and α-mangostin against Acanthamoeba triangularis, as well as the combination with chlorhexidine in the treatment of Acanthamoeba infection. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the extract and α-mangostin were assessed in trophozoites with 0.25 and 0.5 mg/mL, for cysts with 4 and 1 mg/mL, respectively. The MIC of the extract and α-mangostin inhibited the growth of A. triangularis trophozoites and cysts for up to 72 h. The extract and α-mangostin combined with chlorhexidine demonstrated good synergism, resulting in a reduction of 1/4–1/16 of the MIC. The SEM results showed that Acanthamoeba cells treated with a single drug and its combination caused damage to the cell membrane and irregular cell shapes. A good combination displayed by the extract or α-mangostin and chlorhexidine, described for the first time. Therefore, this approach is promising as an alternative method for the management of Acanthamoeba infection in the future.Publication Metadata only Curcuma longa rhizome extract and Curcumin reduce the adhesion of Acanthamoeba triangularis trophozoites and cysts in polystyrene plastic surface and contact lens(2020-12-01) Watcharapong Mitsuwan; Suthinee Sangkanu; Chonticha Romyasamit; Chalermpon Kaewjai; Tajudeen O. Jimoh; Maria de Lourdes Pereira; Abolghasem Siyadatpanah; Sunil Kayesth; Muhammad Nawaz; Mohammed Rahmatullah; Mark S. Butler; Polrat Wilairatana; Christophe Wiart; Veeranoot Nissapatorn; Islamic University in Uganda; Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal university; The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus; The University of Queensland; University of Delhi; Chulalongkorn University; Walailak University; Rangsit University; Birjand University of Medical Sciences; Centro de Investigação em Materiais Cerâmicos e Compósitos; Mahidol University; University of Development Alternative© 2020 The Authors Curcuma longa and Curcumin have been documented to have a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects, including anti-Acanthamoeba activity. Hence, this study sought to explore the anti-adhesion activity of C. longa extract and Curcumin against Acanthamoeba triangularis trophozoites and cysts in plastic and contact lenses. Our results showed that C. longa extract and Curcumin significantly inhibited the adhesion of A. triangularis trophozoites and cysts to the plastic surface, as investigated by the crystal violet assay (P < 0.05). Also, an 80–90% decrease in adhesion of trophozoites and cysts to the plastic surface was detected following the treatment with C. longa extract and Curcumin at 1/2 × MIC, compared to the control. In the contact lens model, approximately 1 log cells/mL of the trophozoites and cysts was reduced when the cells were treated with Curcumin, when compared to the control. Pre-treatment of the plastic surface with Curcumin at 1/2-MIC reduced 60% and 90% of the adhesion of trophozoites and cysts, respectively. The reduction in 1 Log cells/mL of the adhesion of A. triangularis trophozoites was observed when lenses were pre-treated with both the extract and Curcumin. Base on the results obtained from this study, A. triangularis trophozoites treated with C. longa extract and Curcumin have lost strong acanthopodia, thorn-like projection pseudopodia observed by scanning electron microscope. This study also revealed the therapeutic potentials of C. longa extract and Curcumin, as such, have promising anti-adhesive potential that can be used in the management/prevention of A. triangularis adhesion to contact lenses.Publication Metadata only Nanotechnology applications of flavonoids for viral diseases(2021-11-01) Khoshnur Jannat; Alok K. Paul; Tohmina A. Bondhon; Anamul Hasan; Muhammad Nawaz; Rownak Jahan; Tooba Mahboob; Veeranoot Nissapatorn; Polrat Wilairatana; Maria de Lourdes Pereira; Mohammed Rahmatullah; Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University; Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal university; Walailak University; University of Tasmania; CICECO – Instituto de Materiais de Aveiro; University of Development AlternativeRecent years have witnessed the emergence of several viral diseases, including various zoonotic diseases such as the current pandemic caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Other viruses, which possess pandemic-causing potential include avian flu, Ebola, dengue, Zika, and Nipah virus, as well as the re-emergence of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) coronaviruses. Notably, effective drugs or vaccines against these viruses are still to be discovered. All the newly approved vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2-induced disease COVID-19 possess real-time possibility of becoming obsolete because of the development of ‘variants of concern’. Flavonoids are being increasingly recognized as prophylactic and therapeutic agents against emerging and old viral diseases. Around 10,000 natural flavonoid compounds have been identified, being phytochemicals, all plant-based. Flavonoids have been reported to have lesser side effects than conventional anti-viral agents and are effective against more viral diseases than currently used anti-virals. Despite their abundance in plants, which are a part of human diet, flavonoids have the problem of low bioavailability. Various attempts are in progress to increase the bioavailability of flavonoids, one of the promising fields being nanotechnology. This review is a narrative of some anti-viral dietary flavonoids, their bioavailability, and various means with an emphasis on the nanotechnology system(s) being experimented with to deliver anti-viral flavonoids, whose systems show potential in the efficient delivery of flavonoids, resulting in increased bioavailability.Publication Metadata only Opioid analgesia and opioid-induced adverse effects: A review(2021-11-01) Alok K. Paul; Craig M. Smith; Mohammed Rahmatullah; Veeranoot Nissapatorn; Polrat Wilairatana; Mariana Spetea; Nuri Gueven; Nikolas Dietis; Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University; University of Cyprus; Walailak University; Deakin University; University of Tasmania; Universität Innsbruck; University of Development AlternativeOpioids are widely used as therapeutic agents against moderate to severe acute and chronic pain. Still, these classes of analgesic drugs have many potential limitations as they induce analgesic tolerance, addiction and numerous behavioural adverse effects that often result in patient non-compliance. As opium and opioids have been traditionally used as painkillers, the exact mechanisms of their adverse reactions over repeated use are multifactorial and not fully understood. Older adults suffer from cancer and non-cancer chronic pain more than younger adults, due to the physiological changes related to ageing and their reduced metabolic capabilities and thus show an increased number of adverse reactions to opioid drugs. All clinically used opioids are µ-opioid receptor agonists, and the major adverse effects are directly or potentially connected to this receptor. Multifunctional opioid ligands or peripherally restricted opioids may elicit fewer adverse effects, as shown in preclinical studies, but these results need reproducibility from further extensive clinical trials. The current review aims to overview various mechanisms involved in the adverse effects induced by opioids, to provide a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology and, ultimately, to help develop an effective therapeutic strategy to better manage pain.Publication Metadata only Peganum harmala extract has antiamoebic activity to acanthamoeba triangularis trophozoites and changes expression of autophagy-related genes(2021-07-01) Rachasak Boonhok; Suthinee Sangkanu; Julalak Chuprom; Mayuna Srisuphanunt; Roghayeh Norouzi; Abolghasem Siyadatpanah; Farzaneh Mirzaei; Watcharapong Mitsuwan; Sueptrakool Wisessombat; Maria de Lourdes Pereira; Mohammed Rahmatullah; Polrat Wilairatana; Christophe Wiart; Lim Chooi Ling; Karma G. Dolma; Veeranoot Nissapatorn; Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University; Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences; The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus; Walailak University; Birjand University of Medical Sciences; CICECO – Instituto de Materiais de Aveiro; Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences; University of Tabriz; International Medical University; University of Development AlternativePeganum harmala, a well-known medicinal plant, has been used for several therapeutic purposes as it contains numerous pharmacological active compounds. Our study reported an anti-parasitic activity of P. harmala seed extract against Acanthamoeba triangularis. The stress induced by the extract on the surviving trophozoites for Acanthamoeba encystation and vacuolization was examined by microscopy, and transcriptional expression of Acanthamoeba autophagy-related genes was investigated by quantitative PCR. Our results showed that the surviving trophozoites were not transformed into cysts, and the number of trophozoites with enlarged vacuoles were not significantly different from that of untreated control. Molecular analysis data demonstrated that the mRNA expression of tested AcATG genes, i.e., ATG3, ATG8b, and ATG16, was at a basal level along the treatment. However, upregulation of AcATG16 at 24 h post treatment was observed, which may indicate an autophagic activity of this protein in response to the stress. Altogether, these data revealed the anti-Acanthamoeba activity of P. harmala extract and indicated the association of autophagy mRNA expression and cyst formation under the extract stress, representing a promising plant for future drug development. However, further identification of an active compound and a study of autophagy at the protein level are needed.Publication Metadata only Probiotics and amelioration of rheumatoid arthritis: Significant roles of lactobacillus casei and lactobacillus acidophilus(2021-05-01) Alok K. Paul; Anita Paul; Rownak Jahan; Khoshnur Jannat; Tohmina A. Bondhon; Anamul Hasan; Veeranoot Nissapatorn; Maria L. Pereira; Polrat Wilairatana; Mohammed Rahmatullah; Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University; Walailak University; CICECO – Instituto de Materiais de Aveiro; University of Development AlternativeRheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that can lead to disability conditions with swollen joints, pain, stiffness, cartilage degradation, and osteoporosis. Genetic, epigenetic, sex-specific factors, smoking, air pollution, food, oral hygiene, periodontitis, Prevotella, and imbalance in the gastrointestinal microbiota are possible sources of the initiation or progression of rheuma-toid arthritis, although the detailed mechanisms still need to be elucidated. Probiotics containing Lactobacillus spp. are commonly used as alleviating agents or food supplements to manage diarrhea, dysentery, develop immunity, and maintain general health. The mechanism of action of Lactobacillus spp. against rheumatoid arthritis is still not clearly known to date. In this narrative review, we reca-pitulate the findings of recent studies to understand the overall pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and the roles of probiotics, particularly L. casei or L. acidophilus, in the management of rheumatoid arthritis in clinical and preclinical studies.Publication Metadata only Zingiber officinale: Ayurvedic Uses of the Plant and In Silico Binding Studies of Selected Phytochemicals With Mpro of SARS-CoV-2(2021-01-01) Rownak Jahan; Alok K. Paul; Tohmina A. Bondhon; Anamul Hasan; Khoshnur Jannat; Tooba Mahboob; Veeranoot Nissapatorn; Maria de L. Pereira; Christophe Wiart; Polrat Wilairatana; Mohammed Rahmatullah; Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University; The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus; Walailak University; University of Tasmania; CICECO – Instituto de Materiais de Aveiro; University of Development AlternativeAmong the large number of plants that are part of the Ayurvedic system of medicine in India and Bangladesh, Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Zingiberaceae), or ginger in English, holds a special place and is often referred to as “Mahaushadha” (great medicine) and “Vishvabhesaja” (worldwide or universal herb) to signify its special status. The plant and particularly its rhizomes are used both in the raw and dry form for the relief of a multitude of disorders. Since a number of these disorders occur in patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), it was of interest to perform in silico studies (molecular docking) to evaluate the binding affinities of a number of constituents of Zingiber officinale with the 3C-like protease or main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2, which plays an essential role in the cleavage of viral polyproteins and subsequent viral replication. Our studies indicated that 2 of the compounds present in ginger, namely, chlorogenic acid and hesperidin, had high binding affinities for Mpro with predicted binding energies of −7.5 and −8.3 kcal/mol. The two-dimensional and three-dimensional interactions also showed that, while chlorogenic acid interacts with one of the His41 amino acids of the catalytic dyad of Mpro, hesperidin interacts with the other amino acid Cys145, which can account for their predicted high binding energies and, therefore, possibly can inhibit Mpro activity. Taken together, our findings indicate that ginger, besides alleviating the symptoms induced by SARS-CoV-2, may also play a role in inhibiting the virus.