Demethoxycurcumin from Curcuma longa Rhizome Suppresses iNOS Induction in an in vitro Inflamed Human Intestinal Mucosa Model

Somchit, Mayura,Changtam, Chatchawan,Kimseng, Rungruedi,Utaipan, Tanyarath,Lertcanawanichakul, Monthon,Suksamrarn, Apichart,Chunglok, Warangkana Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.4

Background: It is known that inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)/nitric oxide (NO) plays an integral role during intestinal inflammation, an important factor for colon cancer development. Natural compounds from Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae) have long been a potential source of bioactive materials with various beneficial biological functions. Among them, a major active curcuminoid, demethoxycurcumin (DMC) has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages or microglia cells. However, the role of DMC on iNOS expression and NO production in an in vitro inflamed human intestinal mucosa model has not yet been elucidated. This study concerned inhibitory effects on iNOS expression and NO production of DMC in inflamed human intestinal Caco-2 cells. An in vitro model was generated and inhibitory effects on NO production of DMC at 65 ${\mu}M$ for 24-96 h were assessed by monitoring nitrite levels. Expression of iNOS mRNA and protein was also investigated. DMC significantly decreased NO secretion by 35-41% in our inflamed cell model. Decrease in NO production by DMC was concomitant with down-regulation of iNOS at mRNA and protein levels compared to proinflammatory cytokine cocktail and LPS-treated controls. Mechanism of action of DMC may be partly due to its potent inhibition of the iNOS pathway. Our findings suggest that DMC may have potential as a therapeutic agent against inflammation-related diseases, especially in the gut.

Vanadate-Induced Renal cAMP and Malondialdehyde Accumulation Suppresses Alpha 1 Sodium Potassium Adenosine Triphosphatase Protein Levels

Somchit Eiam-Ong,Yuyen Nakchui,Mookda Chaipipat,Somchai Eiam-Ong 한국독성학회 2018 Toxicological Research Vol.34 No.2

It has been demonstrated that vanadate causes nephrotoxicity. Vanadate inhibits renal sodium potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na, K-ATPase) activity and this is more pronounced in injured renal tissues. Cardiac cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is enhanced by vanadate, while increased cAMP suppresses Na, K-ATPase action in renal tubular cells. There are no in vivo data collectively demonstrating the effect of vanadate on renal cAMP levels; on the abundance of the alpha 1 isoform (α₁) of the Na, K-ATPase protein or its cellular localization; or on renal tissue injury. In this study, rats received a normal saline solution or vanadate (5 mg/kg BW) by intraperitoneal injection for 10 days. Levels of vanadium, cAMP, and malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation were measured in renal tissues. Protein abundance and the localization of renal α₁-Na, K-ATPase was determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Renal tissue injury was examined by histological evaluation and renal function was assessed by blood biochemical parameters. Rats treated with vanadate had markedly increased vanadium levels in their plasma, urine, and renal tissues. Vanadate significantly induced renal cAMP and MDA accumulation, whereas the protein level of α₁-Na, K-ATPase was suppressed. Vanadate caused renal damage, azotemia, hypokalemia, and hypophosphatemia. Fractional excretions of all studied electrolytes were increased with vanadate administration. These in vivo findings demonstrate that vanadate might suppress renal α₁-Na, K-ATPase protein functionally by enhancing cAMP and structurally by augmenting lipid peroxidation.

Effects of three local Malaysian Channa spp. fish on chronic inflammation

Somchit, M.N.,Solihah, M.H.,Israf, D.A.,Zuraini, A.,Arifah, A.K.,Jais, A.M. Mat Kyung Hee Oriental Medicine Research Center 2004 Oriental pharmacy and experimental medicine Vol.4 No.2

Water and chloroform/methanol extracts of the three local Malaysian snakehead fish, Channa striatus (striped snakehead), Channa micropeltes (giant snakehead) and Channa lucius (blotched snakehead) were evaluated for inhibitory activity in chronic inflammation, using cotton pellet granuloma test. Both water extracts of C. striatus and C. micropeltes showed marked inhibition of the transudative and proliferative components of chronic inflammation (42.9 and 31.2% respectively for C. striatus, 35.6 and 26.2% for C. micropeltes) when compared to those of mefenamic acid (25.1 and 21.3% respectively) and piroxicam (36.1 and 26.2% respectively). The chloroform/methanol extracts did not exhibit any anti-inflammatory effects. These results indicated that C. striatus has more anti-transudative and anti-proliferative activities than the extract of C. micropletes. C. lucius extract in contrast, did not inhibit these two components. This present study indicated the beneficial effects of the water extracts of C. striatus and C. micropeltes, but not C. lucius on chronic inflammation.

Anti-ulcer and wound healing activity of Ruta graveolens

Somchit, Nhareet,Rahman, Shamima A.,Ahmad, Zuraini,Abdullah, Abdul Salam Kyung Hee Oriental Medicine Research Center 2003 Oriental pharmacy and experimental medicine Vol.3 No.3

The effects of ethanol extract of Ruta graveolens on ulceration induced by ethanol and wound healing properties were investigated in mice. Oral administration of the extract reduced the incidence of ulcer, ulcer index and ulcer length produced by ethanol. The gastroprotective effects of R. graveolens were observed in a dose-dependent manner. However, this activity was statistically less potent than the anti-ulcer drug, omeprazole. When the extract applied on the wound, it promoted wound healing in mice. The wound contraction was faster in these mice when compared to untreated wounds. Based on these present findings, R. graveolens possesses anti-ulcer activity and promotes incision wound healing in mice.

Vanadate-Induced Renal cAMP and Malondialdehyde Accumulation Suppresses Alpha 1 Sodium Potassium Adenosine Triphosphatase Protein Levels

Eiam-Ong, Somchit,Nakchui, Yuyen,Chaipipat, Mookda,Eiam-Ong, Somchai Korean Society of ToxicologyKorea Environmental Mu 2018 Toxicological Research Vol.34 No.2

It has been demonstrated that vanadate causes nephrotoxicity. Vanadate inhibits renal sodium potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na, K-ATPase) activity and this is more pronounced in injured renal tissues. Cardiac cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is enhanced by vanadate, while increased cAMP suppresses Na, K-ATPase action in renal tubular cells. There are no in vivo data collectively demonstrating the effect of vanadate on renal cAMP levels; on the abundance of the alpha 1 isoform (${\alpha}_1$) of the Na, K-ATPase protein or its cellular localization; or on renal tissue injury. In this study, rats received a normal saline solution or vanadate (5 mg/kg BW) by intraperitoneal injection for 10 days. Levels of vanadium, cAMP, and malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation were measured in renal tissues. Protein abundance and the localization of renal ${\alpha}_1-Na$, K-ATPase was determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Renal tissue injury was examined by histological evaluation and renal function was assessed by blood biochemical parameters. Rats treated with vanadate had markedly increased vanadium levels in their plasma, urine, and renal tissues. Vanadate significantly induced renal cAMP and MDA accumulation, whereas the protein level of ${\alpha}_1-Na$, K-ATPase was suppressed. Vanadate caused renal damage, azotemia, hypokalemia, and hypophosphatemia. Fractional excretions of all studied electrolytes were increased with vanadate administration. These in vivo findings demonstrate that vanadate might suppress renal ${\alpha}_1-Na$, K-ATPase protein functionally by enhancing cAMP and structurally by augmenting lipid peroxidation.

In vitro antimicrobial activity of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Euphorbia hirta

Reezal, I.,Somchit, MN,Nur, I. Elysha,Hasmawie, R.,Chong, PP,Mutalib, AR,Ahmad, Z. Kyung Hee Oriental Medicine Research Center 2003 Oriental pharmacy and experimental medicine Vol.3 No.4

Euphorbia hirta, locally called 'ara tanah' or 'susun nabi' in Malaysia is a small annual herb common to the tropical countries and belongs to the same family as the tic and tapioca. E. hirta has had a long history of usage in the treatment of various ailments. In this current study, in vitro sensitivity test of crude aqueous and ethanol extracts of leaves and barks of E. hirta was carried out against bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, Staphylocccus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) and fungi (Microsporum canis, Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis) using the discs diffusion method. The extract-impregnated discs (20, 40 and $80\;{\mu}g/{\mu}l$), the E. hirta extracts inhibited the growth of all the bacteria tested. The growth of C. albicans was inhibited in a concentration dependent manner by the aqueous leaves and barks extracts. C. tropicalis was found to be sensitive to the aqueous leaves extracts. The results were compared to antibacterial drugs of chloramphenicol, ampicilin, penicillin G, and enrofloxacine; and to antifungal drug of ketoconazole, itraconazole and miconazole. In this current study, it can be concluded that this plant has antimicrobial activity that is as potent as the standard antimicrobial drugs against certain microorganisms.

Egg Laying Capacity of Haplorchis taichui (Digenea: Heterophyidae) in Humans

Megumi Sato,Surapol Sanguankiat,Somchit Pubampen,Teera Kusolsuk,Wanna Maipanich,Jitra Waikagul 대한기생충학열대의학회 2009 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.47 No.3

Quantitative fecal egg counts represented as the number of eggs per gram of feces (EPG) are generally a reliable parameter to estimate the worm burden of intestinal and hepatic parasitoses. Although Haplorchis taichui (Digenea: Heterophyidae) is one of the most common minute human intestinal flukes, little is known about the relationship between EPG and the actual worm burden in patients or the severity of the disease. In the present study, fecal samples were collected from 25 villagers in northern Thailand before and after praziquantel treatment. The EPG values of each participant were determined by the modified cellophane thick smear method, and adult worms were collected from the whole stool after the treatment. Eggs per day per worm (EPDPW) of H. taichui were estimated 82 from egg counts and expelled worms. The EPG was not well correlated with the worm burden, and a reverse correlation was observed between the EPDPW and the worm burden.

In vitro antimicrobial activity of Cassia auriculata

Nur, I Elysha,Somchit, MN,Reezal, I,Zuraini, A,Mutalib, AR Kyung Hee Oriental Medicine Research Center 2005 Oriental pharmacy and experimental medicine Vol.5 No.1

Ethanol and aqueous extracts of Cassia auriculata were tested in vitro against fungi (Candida albicans and Microsporum canis) and bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteriditis, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis). M. canis showed dose-dependent susceptibility only towards ethanol leaf and bark extracts. C. albicans, were resistant to all types of plant extracts. Results were statistically smaller to antifungal drug ketoconazole and miconazole at equivalent concentration. Both ethanol and aqueous extracts of Cassia auriculata leaves and barks exhibit antibacterial activity against S. aureus and only the ethanol extracts of leaf and bark were detected against Bacillus subtilis. The results were compared to antibacterial drugs chloramphenicol, ampicillin, penicillin G, and enrofloxacin. The antibacterial activity was statistically similar to penicillin G. Based on the current findings, it can be concluded that this plant has antimicrobial activity, which is as potent as standard antimicrobial drugs.

Anchitrema sanguineum (Digenea: Anchitrematidae) Accidentally Found during Colonoscopy of a Patient with Chronic Abdominal Pain

Teera Kusolsuk,Nantana Paiboon,Somchit Pubampen,Wanna Maipanich,Paron Dekumyoy,Jitra Waikagul 대한기생충학열대의학회 2009 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.47 No.2

Aldosterone Rapidly Enhances Levels of the Striatin and Caveolin-1 Proteins in Rat Kidney: The Role of the Mineralocorticoid Receptor

Kevalin Inthachart,Krissanapong Manotham,Somchai Eiam-Ong,Somchit Eiam-Ong 대한내분비학회 2019 Endocrinology and metabolism Vol.34 No.3

Background: Striatin and caveolin-1 (cav-1) are scaffolding/regulating proteins that are associated with salt-sensitive high bloodpressure and promote renal sodium and water reabsorption, respectively. The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) interacts with striatinand cav-1, while aldosterone increases striatin and cav-1 levels. However, no in vivo data have been reported for the levels of theseproteins in the kidney. Methods: Male Wistar rats were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline solution, aldosterone alone (Aldo: 150 μg/kg bodyweight), or aldosterone after pretreatment with eplerenone, an MR blocker, 30 minutes before the aldosterone injection (eplerenone[Ep.]+Aldo). Thirty minutes after the aldosterone injection, the amount and localization of striatin and cav-1 were determined byWestern blot analysis and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results: Aldosterone increased striatin levels by 150% (P<0.05), and cav-1 levels by 200% (P<0.001). Eplerenone had no significant effect on striatin levels, but partially blocked the aldosterone-induced increase in cav-1 levels. Aldosterone stimulated striatinand cav-1 immunoreactivity in both the cortex and medulla. Eplerenone reduced cav-1 immunostaining in both areas; however, striatin intensity was reduced in the cortex, but increased in the medulla. Conclusion: This is the first in vivo study demonstrating that aldosterone rapidly enhances renal levels of striatin and cav-1. Aldosterone increases striatin levels via an MR-independent pathway, whereas cav-1 is partially regulated through MR.