Asmah Hamid

Nephroprotective effects of Zingiber zerumbet Smith ethyl acetate extract against paracetamol-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats

Paracetamol (PCM) overdose can cause nephrotoxicity with oxidative stress as one of the possible mechanisms mediating the event. In this study, the effects of ethyl acetate extract of Zingiber zerumbet rhizome [200 mg per kg of body weight (mg/kg) and 400 mg/kg] on PCM-induced nephrotoxicity were examined. Rats were divided into five groups containing 10 rats each. The control group received distilled water while other groups were treated with extract alone (400 mg/kg), PCM alone (750 mg/kg), 750 mg/kg PCM+200 mg/kg extract (PCM+ 200-extract), and 750 mg/kg PCM+400 mg/kg extract (PCM+400-extract), respectively, for seven consecutive days. The Z. zerumbet extract was given intraperitoneally concurrent with oral administration of PCM. Treatment with Z. zerumbet extract at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg prevented the PCM-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative impairments of the kidney, as evidenced by a significantly reduced (P<0.05) level of plasma creatinine, plasma and renal malondialdehyde (MDA), plasma protein carbonyl, and renal advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP). Furthermore, both doses were also able to induce a significant increment (P<0.05) of plasma and renal levels of glutathione (GSH) and plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. The nephroprotective effects of Z. zerumbet extract were confirmed by a reduced intensity of renal cellular damage, as evidenced by histological findings. Moreover, Z. zerumbet extract administered at 400 mg/kg was found to show greater protective effects than that at 200 mg/kg. In conclusion, ethyl acetate extract of Z. zerumbet rhizome has a protective role against PCM-induced nephrotoxicity and the process is probably mediated through its antioxidant properties.

Photobiostimulation effect on diabetic wound at different power density of near infrared laser

The photobiostimulation effects of near infrared 808 nm diode laser irradiance on diabetic wound were investigated. 120 rats were induced with diabetes by streptozotocin injection. Full thickness punch wounds of 6mm diameter were created on the dorsal part of the rats. All rats were randomly distributed into four groups; one group served as control group, whereas three groups were stimulated daily with unchanged energy density dose of 5 J/cm(2) with different power density, which were 0.1 W/cm(2), 0.2 W/cm(2) and 0.3 W/cm(2) with different exposure duration of 50s, 25s and 17s, respectively. Ten rats from each group were sacrificed on day 3, 6 and 9, respectively. Skin tissues were removed for histological purpose. The contraction of wound was found optimized after exposure with 0.1 W/cm(2). Based on the histological evidence, laser therapy has shown able to promote wound repair through enhanced epithelialization and collagen fiber synthesis. Generally, irradiated groups were advanced in terms of healing than non-irradiated group.

Light-based therapy on wound healing: A review

Wound healing is a complex matrix and overlapping process. In order to accelerate the healing process and minimize bacterial infection, light-based therapy was applied to stimulate bio-reaction to improve healing. The aim of this paper is to review the effects induced by light source (laser and incoherent light like LED) on different biological targets. The light-based therapy techniques were categorized according to the wavelength, energy density, type of irradiance and activity of tissues in the healing process. Out of 80 cases, 77% were animal studies, 5% were human studies and 18% were cell studies. Around 75% of light-based therapy has an advantage on tissue interaction and 25% has no effect or inhibition on the healing process. The appropriate dose appears to be between 1 and 5 J cm−2. At shorter wavelength, photobiostimulation would be effective with a high frequently administrated low-energy dose. On the other hand, for longer wavelength it is the reverse, i.e., more effective with a low frequent treated schedule and a high-energy dose.

Combination of Er: YAG laser and CO2 laser treatment on skin Tissue

Skin is the most important organ in our body, as it protects us from external environmental effects. Study the ability of the skin to stretch and the histological examinations of irradiated tissues have significant values in scientific and medical applications. Only a few studies have been done to study the correlation between epidermis ablation and the changes that occur at dermal levels when using dual lasers in ablative resurfacing mode. The aim of this work is to determine this correlation and to estimate the effects of multiple pulses on induced collagen remodeling and the strength of skin exposed with dual lasers in an in vivo rat model. All laser exposures led to mark improvement in the skins strength compared to their own controls. The histological investigation indicated that there was a thickness loss in the epidermis layer with the induction of deep collagen coagulation in the dermis layer as the dual laser pulses increased. Additionally, more collagen fibers were remolded in the treated samples by dual wavelengths. We conclude that by combining dual lasers with multiple pulses targeted at not only the epidermis layer of the skin, it could also induce some heat diffusion in the dermis layer which causes more coagulation of collagen fibers. The tensile results confirmed by our histological data demonstrate that the strength of irradiated skin with dual wavelengths increased more than using both lasers separately on the skin tissue since more collagen is induced.

The association of nuclear abnormalities in exfoliated buccal epithelial cells with the health status of different agricultural activities farmers in Peninsular Malaysia

BackgroundPesticide exposure possesses risk of genotoxicity to humans, particularly farmers. Despite accumulating evidences linking genotoxicity to pesticide exposure, epidemiological studies to address pesticide toxicity in occupationally exposed farmers in Malaysia remain underreported. Thus, this study was aimed to determine the presence of nuclear abnormalities through the assessment of micronucleus (MN) and binucleus (BNu) frequencies in exfoliated buccal epithelial cells from farmers who were exposed to pesticides. A cross-sectional study of farmers among different agricultural activities farmers in Bachok and Pasir Puteh, Kelantan, North East of Peninsular Malaysia was done to evaluate the presence of nuclear abnormalities and its correlation with their health status and farming activities.ResultsAnalysis of buccal cells revealed that the frequency of MN was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in farmers as compared to controls. In contrast, no significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed for BNu frequency in between groups. Correlation analysis showed that apart from a significant (p < 0.05) and positive correlation between the duration of fertilizers exposure and frequencies of MN (r = 0.42, P = 0.001) and BNu (r = 0.37, P = 0.02), no other correlation of various confounding factors on the formation of MN and BNu were observed.ConclusionIn conclusion, pesticide and fertilizers exposure may contribute to the promotion of nuclear anomalies among Malaysian farmers who are engaged in mixed plantation activities. Further assessment of larger populations is important to address and overcome the potential risk of pesticide-induced genotoxicity.

The effect of CO2 laser treatment on skin tissue

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of multiple pulses on the depth of injury caused by CO2 laser in an in vivo rat model.

Alocasia denudata Engler treatment enhance open wound healing activities in Wistar rat's skin.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE A. denudata is traditionally used to treat various skin disorders, including wounds. It is widely used by the traditional healers as an effective wound treatment. AIM OF STUDY This study was done to determine A. denudata treatment effects on open wound healing activities in Wistar rats skin. MATERIALS AND METHODS 120 Wistar rats (250-300 g) were divided into four main groups, 1.5% and 3% A. denudata stem juice treated group, 10% Solcoseryl® gel treated group as positive control and phosphate buffer saline (PBS) treated group as negative control. Six full thicknesses wounds (6mm) were induced bilaterally on the dorsal of the rats skin. Rats were sacrificed on day 1, 3, 6, 10 and 14. The percentage of wound contraction, biochemical estimations, macroscopic observation and histological examinations were done to evaluate the wound healing activities. RESULTS Results showed wounds treated with A. denudata stem juice possess a significant higher rate of wound contraction (p<0.001), total protein concentration (p<0.05), hexosamine concentration (p<0.001) and uronic acid concentration (p<0.001). Moreover, cathepsin B (p<0.05) and hydroxyproline (p<0.05) level showed lower concentration in wounds treated with A. denudata stem juice. Histological observation of wounds treated with A. denudata stem juice displayed organized epithelial layer with dense and compact collagen fibers. CONCLUSION Both doses of A. denudata stem juice were found to enhance wound healing process. However, wounds treated with 3% A. denudata stem juice were reported to be more effective as a wound healing agent thus support its traditional usage.

Wound treatment on a diabetic rat model by a 808 nm diode laser

This paper presents a study on the effect of laser irradiation on wound healing. 808 nm diode laser was employed to facilitate the healing of impaired wounds in experimental diabetes using a rat model. Diabetes was induced in male rats by a streptozotocin injection with a dose of 60 mg kg−1. The disease was verified via measurement of the blood glucose level, which was set having 20 mmol L−1 stability. The rats were randomly distributed into two groups; one served as a control group and the other group was treated with the laser. The power density of the laser used was 0.5 W cm−2 and the wounds were treated for 8 d with the contact time of one second daily. The energy density used was 0.5 J cm−2. The healing progress was recorded via a digital camera. The recorded images were then transferred into Inspector Matrox and image J programs for the accurate measurement of the healing area. The tissue details of the wound were studied through histology. The wound contraction rate of laser therapy group was found to be two times faster than control group. This indicates that the 808 nm diode laser can accelerate the wound healing process.

Herbal Formulation C168 Attenuates Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in HCT 116 Human Colorectal Carcinoma Cells: Role of Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage.

The use of herbal formulations has gained scientific interest, particularly in cancer treatment. In this study, the herbal formulation of interest, denoted as C168, is a mixture of eight genera of plants. This study aims to investigate the antiproliferative effect of C168 methanol extract (CME) on various cancer cells and its underlying mechanism of action on the most responsive cell line, namely, HCT 116 cells. CME exerted antiproliferative activities on HCT 116 colorectal carcinoma cells and HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells but not on CCD-841-CoN normal colon epithelial cells, Jurkat E6.1 lymphoblastic leukemic cells, and V79-4 Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts. Further investigation on HCT 116 cells showed that CME induced G2/M cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. Treatment of CME induced oxidative stress in HCT 116 cells by increasing the superoxide anion level and decreasing the intracellular glutathione. CME also increased tail moment value and H2AX phosphorylation in HCT 116 cells, suggesting DNA damage as an early signal of CME induced apoptosis. Loss of mitochondrial membrane potential in CME-treated cells also indicated the involvement of mitochondria in CME induced apoptosis. This study indicated the selectivity of CME toward colon cancer cells with the involvement of oxidative damage as its possible mechanism of action.

Hepatoprotective Effects of Zerumbone against Paracetamol-Induced Acute Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Background Zerumbone (ZER) is a major bioactive compound of Zingiber zerumbet, a wild ginger plant that has been documented to have anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. To investigate its hepatoprotective potential, this study was designed to determine the treatment effects of ZER on acute hepatotoxicity induced by paracetamol (PCM) in rats. Methods The control group was administered with phosphate buffer solution (PBS) while the other two groups received PCM alone (1000 mg/kg) and PCM + 25 mg/kg ZER, respectively, at 0 h and 4 h after PCM injection. After 24 h, the blood and liver were collected for differential white blood cell count, liver histological observation and biochemical analysis including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total protein concentration in serum and liver. Results Treatment with ZER was found to significantly reduce ALT (P = 0.041), AST (P = 0.044) and total hepatic protein (P = 0.045) in comparison to PCM-induced rats. Rats treated with ZER exhibited the normal structure of hepatocytes with no vacuolisation or necrosis and showed significantly reduced neutrophil count (P = 0.037). This finding suggests its ability to suppress the inflammatory processes caused by PCM overdosage and decrease the hepatocytes tendency to go through necrotic processes. Conclusion ZER possessed protective activity against PCM-induced acute hepatotoxicity in a rat model.