November 2010
Toxicogenomics revolution in the optimisation of pharmaceutical drug development and drug safety evaluations
Modern high throughput screening methods in toxicology need to be developed. These new approaches are necessary to provide more insight into potential human toxicity than the old traditional methods. Toxicogenomics investigate the changes in gene expression profile following exposure to a toxicant. It offers the potential to identify a human toxicant earlier in drug development and to detect human-specific toxicants...
November 2010
Tissue distribution of intramuscularly and intratumouraly administered DNA plasmid harbouring apoptotic gene in mice
This study investigated the bio-distribution and persistence of plasmid DNA following intramuscular and intratumoural administration in a mice model. Validated quantitative method (real-time qPCR) was used to quantify plasmid distribution in the tissue samples collected at 15 min, 1 h, 24 h and 1 week after administration of 100 μg (1.5 x 1013 copies) of naked plasmids. Plasmids remained in the circulating blood (3.6...
November 2010
Knowledge and behavior of the pediatricians on rational use of antibiotics
This study was performed between June 17 - 20, 2009, in order to examine knowledge, behavior and the attitudes of pediatricians, who attended the 45th Turkish Congress of Pediatrics in Cappadocia, Turkey, about rational use of antibiotics and to investigate any affecting factors. This was a descriptive study that evaluated the pediatricians’ theory about rational use of antibiotics. The survey sheet used...
November 2010
Ethno medicines used for treatment of prostatic disease in Foumban, Cameroon
The medicinal plants used for the treatment of prostate diseases and related efficiency in Foumban were reviewed based on the ethnobotanic, some chemical and biochemical reports. A total of 40 plants species belonging to 29 families have been used to prepare 27 remedies, for treatment of specific prostate ailments such as prostatitis, prostatic adenoma (benign tumour hypertrophy) and cancer of prostate. Two plant...
November 2010
17β-estradiol attenuates LPS-induced interleukin-8 production by human peripheral blood monocytes through estrogen receptor-α activation
Proper regulation of the immune response is essential for immune homeostasis. Several proinflammatory cytokines released from activated monocytes mediate inflammation, including interleukine-8 (IL-8) which recruits neutrophils to the site of inflammation. 17β-Estradiol (E2) has a direct role in the modulation of the innate immune function and mediates profound effects on immune function of the monocytes. The...
November 2010
Evaluation of the chemical composition of Mucuna utilis leaves used in herbal medicine in Southeastern Nigeria
The increased interest in the biological activities of the leaves of Mucuna utilis necessitated this study which evaluated the chemical composition, especially the presence of antiphysiological and toxic factors in the leaves. The results of the phytochemical analyses were: alkaloid, 9.60 ± 0.141%; flavonoids, 4.90 ± 0.20%; saponins, 24.60 ± 1.979%; tannins, 32.55...
November 2010
Evaluation of anti-hyperglycemic and free radical scavenging activity of Melothria maderaspatana Linn. in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
The anti-hyperglycemic activity of aqueous extract of Melothria maderaspatana Linn. was evaluted in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Free radical scavenging activity of aqueous extract of M. maderaspatana was assessed in vitro using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH). Oral administration of aqueous extract of M. maderaspatana significantly decreased the blood glucose level...
November 2010
Anxiolytic action and safety of Kava: Effect on rat brain acetylcholinesterase activity and some serum biochemical parameters
Kava is a herbal anxiolytic drug. The present study investigates the response of central cholinergic neurotransmission to kava treatment by measuring acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in cortex, hippocampus and striatum of adult male rats. The present study demonstrates also the effect of chronic use of kava on some liver and kidney function parameters in the sera of rats. Kava administration (75 mg/kg) induced an...
November 2010
Changes in serum lipid profile following moderate exercise
In this study, 90 middle-aged men were randomly assigned to exercise (E, n= 44) and control groups (C, n= 46) to examine the role of physical exercise on serum lipoproteins. While the exercise group participated in a 2-month training program, the control group maintained their previous exercise habits. Serum triglycerides decreased from 1.54 ± 0.10 to 1.27 ± 0.08 mmol/1 (p<0.001) and high-density...
November 2010
Impact of saffron as an anti-cancer and anti-tumor herb
Cancer continues to represent the largest cause of mortality in the world and claims over 6 million lives each year. An extremely promising strategy for cancer prevention today is chemoprevention, which is defined as the use of synthetic or natural agents (alone or in combination) to block the development of cancer in human beings. Plants, vegetables, herbs and spices used in folk and...
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