Salah M. Aly

Curcumin: A Potential Candidate in Prevention of Cancer via Modulation of Molecular Pathways

Cancer is the most dreadful disease worldwide in terms of morbidity and mortality. The exact cause of cancer development and progression is not fully known. But it is thought that cancer occurs due to the structural and functional changes in the genes. The current approach to cancer treatment based on allopathic is expensive, exhibits side effects; and may also alter the normal functioning of genes. Thus, a safe and effective mode of treatment is needed to control the cancer development and progression. Some medicinal plants provide a safe, effective and affordable remedy to control the progression of malignant cells. The importance of medicinal plants and their constituents has been documented in Ayurveda, Unani medicine, and various religious books. Curcumin, a vital constituent of the spice turmeric, is an alternative approach in the prevention of cancer. Earlier studies have shown the effect of curcumin as an antioxidant, antibacterial, antitumor and it also has a noteworthy role in the control of different diseases. In this review, we summarize the understanding of chemopreventive effects of curcumin in the prevention of cancer via the regulation of various cell signaling and genetic pathways.

Implications of Green Tea and Its Constituents in the Prevention of Cancer via the Modulation of Cell Signalling Pathway

Green tea is commonly used as a beverage worldwide, especially in China, Japan, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia. Green tea and its constituents have been considered very effective in the prevention and treatment of various diseases. It contains a variety of catechins, which show a pivotal role in the modulation of biological activities and also act as chemopreventive agents. Earlier studies have confirmed that green tea and its chief constituent epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) have a potential role in the management of cancer through the modulation of cell signaling pathways. In this review, we focused on the beneficial effects of green tea and its constituents in the cancer prevention and treatment and its impact on modulation of molecular pathways.

Therapeutic Implications of Black Seed and Its Constituent Thymoquinone in the Prevention of Cancer through Inactivation and Activation of Molecular Pathways

The cancer is probably the most dreaded disease in both men and women and also major health problem worldwide. Despite its high prevalence, the exact molecular mechanisms of the development and progression are not fully understood. The current chemotherapy/radiotherapy regime used to treat cancer shows adverse side effect and may alter gene functions. Natural products are generally safe, effective, and less expensive substitutes of anticancer chemotherapeutics. Based on previous studies of their potential therapeutic uses, Nigella sativa and its constituents may be proved as good therapeutic options in the prevention of cancer. Black seeds are used as staple food in the Middle Eastern Countries for thousands of years and also in the treatment of diseases. Earlier studies have shown that N. sativa and its constituent thymoquinone (TQ) have important roles in the prevention and treatment of cancer by modulating cell signaling pathways. In this review, we summarize the role of N. sativa and its constituents TQ in the prevention of cancer through the activation or inactivation of molecular cell signaling pathways.

Antimicrobials Use in Aquaculture and their Public Health Impact

Diseases are one of these primary limiting factors. Bacterial diseases are responsible for heavy mortality in both wild and cultured fish. Antibiotics used to control such infection and misuse as well as other sources of antimicrobials as using chicken manure or adoption of integrating fish system may emerge the development and spread of antimicrobial resistant bacteria and resistance genes and occurrence of antimicrobial residues. All that may induce a negative impact on human, fish and the environment. Aquaculture has become the fastest growing sector of food production in the world. Despite the encouraging trends, several constraints have negative impact on the growth of aquaculture. Therefore, strict measures, legislations and regulations for the use of antimicrobials in aquaculture should be developed and implemented, especially in developing countries, to avoid such negative impacts in human, fish, animals and environment. These consequences, in human, include increased number of infections, increased frequency of treatment failures and increased severity of infection that result a prolonged duration of illness, increased frequency of bloodstream infections, increased hospitalization, and increased mortality.

Biochemical and Pathological Studies on Peroxidases –An Updated Review

Peroxidases represent a family of isoenzymes actively involved in oxidizing reactive oxygen species, innate immunity, hormone biosynthesis and pathogenesis of several diseases. Different types of peroxidases have organ, tissues, cellular and sub-cellular level of specificities in their function. Different diseases lead to varied expressions of peroxidases based on several mechanisms proposed. Several researches are going on to understand its deficiency, over-expression and malfunction in relation with different diseases. Some common diseases of mankind like cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes directly or indirectly involve the role of peroxidases. So the status of peroxidase levels may also function as a marker of different diseases. Although many types of diseases in human beings have a strong correlation with tissue specific peroxidases, the clear role of these oxido-reductases is not yet fully understood. Here we are focusing on the role of peroxidases in relations with different diseases occurring due to oxidative stress.

Effect of Garlic, Echinacea, Organic Green and Vet-Yeast on Survival, Weight Gain, and Bacterial Challenge of Overwintered Nile Tilapia Fry (Orechromis niloticus)

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of some immunostimulants and probiotics on the survival rate, final weight, and disease resistance of overwintered tilapia fry. There were five treatments: T1 (control) fed a balanced diet (35% protein) without additives. Treatments 2 to 5 were fed diets supplemented with 4% garlic, 4 g/kg Echinacea, 4 g/kg Organic Green or 4 g/kg Vet-Yeast, respectively. Growth and resistance to disease challenge with Aeromonas hydrophila and Pseudomonas flourescens were not different among treatments, but survival of overwintered fry increased in treatments fed probiotics or immunostimulents. The use of garlic in overwintering feeds could allow hatchery operators to increase their prices for fry and fish farmers to stock production ponds earlier, increasing hatchery revenues by 74% and improving land use efficiency and productivity for the Egyptian aquaculture industry.

Novel antibacterial activity of Terfizia claveryi aqueous extract against clinical isolates of corneal ulcer

Terfizia claveryi was examined for in vitro antibacterial activity using the disc diffusion, well diffusion method, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). T. claveryi exhibited excellent antibacterial activity against all clinical isolates of corneal ulcer tested, especially against Pseudomonas aeruginosa which showed the maximum antibacterial activity with mean zone of inhibition 20.33 mm at concentration of 100 mg/ml. The MIC for Staphylococcus aureus ranged from 0.040-1.250 mg/ml and MBC for Escherichia coli was 75 μl/ml. In the present study, the MIC value of the active aqueous extract were lower than the MBC values suggesting that, T. claveryi aqueous extracts were bacteriostatic at lower concentration but bactericidal at higher concentration. Also, the bacterial zone of inhibition increased with the increasing concentration of T. claveryi aqueous extract. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report for the novel antibacterial activity of T. claveryi aqueous extract. This active compound may be used as alternative therapeutic drug for the control of corneal infections. However, further research is needed to examine its in vivo mechanism of action, toxicity, and therapeutic effect.

Association of Cytokeratin and Vimentin Protein in the Genesis of Transitional Cell Carcinoma of Urinary Bladder Patients.

The aim of study was to examine the localization and distribution of cytokeratin (CK) and vimentin protein and their association with clinical outcome of the TCC patients. Expression pattern of cytokeratin and vimentin was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in TCC cases and inflammatory lesions. Cytoplasmic expression of CK was noticed in 52.17% of TCC cases and its expression was not observed in inflammatory lesions of bladder specimens. Vimentin showed expression in 69.00% cases of TCC. Significant differences were noticed in expression pattern of CK and vimentin in inflammatory lesion and Transitional Cell Carcinoma cases. Vimentin expression increased with the grade of TCC and this difference was statistically significant whereas expression of CK decreased according to the grade of TCC. Furthermore, it was also observed that expression pattern of vimentin was high in ≥55 years as compared to <55 age group patients and these differences were significant in men as compared to women. Expression pattern of CK did not show any significant relation with age and gender. Therefore, it can be concluded that cytokeratin and vimentin will be helpful markers in the early diagnosis of Transitional Cell Carcinoma/bladder carcinoma.

Noble silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesis and characterization of fig Ficus carica (fig) leaf extract and its antimicrobial effect against clinical isolates from corneal ulcer

Nanotechnology is rapidly growing with nanoparticles produced and utilized in a wide range of pharmaceutical and commercial products throughout the world. In this study, fig ( Ficus carica ) leaf extracts were used for ecofriendly extracellular synthesis of stable silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by treating an aqueous silver nitrate (1 mM) solution and using the plant F. carica leaf extracts as reducing agents. The bioreduced silver nanoparticles were characterized by ultra violet visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The average particle size ranged from 5 to 40 nm. The particle size could be controlled by changing the reaction temperature, leaf broth concentration and AgNO 3 concentration. Further, these biologically synthesized nanoparticles concentration of 50 µl were found to be highly effective and exhibited maximum microbial activity with mean zone of inhibition 20.33±1.00 mm and 18.00±1.00 against pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus fumigatus isolated from human corneal ulcer patients. This environmentally friendly green synthesis is an eco-friendly approach to conventional chemical synthesis and can potentially be used in various areas such as food, cosmetics, and medical applications and hope the recent technology can provide next generation of anti-microbials. Keywords: Ficus carica , silver nanoparticles, characterization, antimicrobial activity. African Journal of Biotechnology , Vol 13(45) 4275-4281

Therapeutic implication of Terfezia claveryi extract on corneal ulcer of rabbit's eye.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of Terfezia claveryi crude extract on induced corneal ulcer in rabbit’s eye. Study Design: Study was carried out in Rabbits eye. Place and Duration of the Study: This study was conducted in the experimental laboratories at College of Applied Medical Sciences of Qassim University during the period from March to June 2013. Methodology: Crude aqueous extract of this truffle, in different concentrations, was introduced through intraperitoneal injection to rabbits for their safety dose. Original Research Article Aldebasi et al.; BJMMR, 8(10): 863-873, 2015; Article no.BJMMR.2015.517 864 Corneal epithelial wound was induced in different groups of rabbit’s eye with sodium hydroxide and later this wound was contaminated with some selected bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherchia coli to produce iatrogenic infection. The healing power of different concentrations of T. claveryi crude extract was observed by different clinical findings. Results: We observed that 1.5% crude extract of this desert truffle significantly healed the corneal ulcer almost within 9 days. Delayed response in healing was observed with 3% T. claveryi, while 5% extract developed some extra corneal complications. The healing response of corneal ulcer to topical application of different concentrations of T. claveryi extract was compared with a synthetic antibiotic (Vigamox 0.5%) as a reference standard drug. Conclusion: It was concluded that aqueous extract of T. claveryi has no significant toxic effects against liver and kidney function parameters. The antibacterial activity of this desert truffle recommends as an alternative medicine for some corneal infections. However, the therapeutic role of some specific ingredients present in this truffle needs further investigations.