Detection of Breast Cancer 1 (BRCA1) Gene Using an Electrochemical DNA Biosensor Based on Immobilized ZnO Nanowires

Herein we report an electrochemical DNA biosensor for the rapid detection of sequence (5’ AAT GGA TTT ATC TGC TCT TCG 3’) specific for the breast cancer 1 (BRCA1) gene. The proposed electrochemical genosensor is based on short oligonucleotide DNA probe immobilized onto zinc oxide nanowires (ZnONWs) chemically synthesized onto gold electrode via hydrothermal technique. The morphology studies of the ZnONWs, performed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), showed that the ZnO nanowires are uniform, highly dense and oriented perpendicularly to the substrate. Recognition event between the DNA probe and the target was investigated by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) in 0.1 M acetate buffer solution (ABS), pH 7.00;as a result of the hybridization, an oxidation signal was observed at +0.8 V. The influences of pH, target concentration, and non-complimentary DNA on biosensor performance were examined. The proposed DNA biosensor has the ability to detect the target sequence in the range of concentration between 10.0 and 100.0 μM with a detection limit of 3.32 μM. The experimental results demonstrated that the prepared ZnONWs/Au electrodes are suitable platform for the immobilization of DNA.

Salacca zalacca:A short review of the palm botany, pharmacological uses and phytochemistry

Salacca zalacca(Gaertn.) Voss(family Arecaceae) is the snake fruit commonly known in Malay language as salak in Malaysia. This exotic fruit has diverse and potential pharmacological properties due to its high antioxidant content. It is often consumed due to its sweet taste. The abundant natural sugar and fibre along with minerals and vitamin makes it a nutritious fruit. Phytochemical investigation on this fruit has revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenolics, glycosides as well as some volatile and aromatic compounds, including gallic acid, quercetin, chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, proanthocyanidins, lycopene and β-carotene. Pharmacological studies on the fruit flesh and peel have shown some tremendous antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antidiabetic potential. This review provides the botanical information of Salacca zalacca as well as its scientific investigations involving the distinct pharmacological and phytochemical benefits. This could help in highlighting the lacking data and research gaps on this plant.

Syzygium aromaticum ethanol extract reduces AlCl_3-induced neurotoxicity in mice brain through regulation of amyloid precursor protein and oxidative stress gene expression

Objective: To investigate the neuroprotective effects of Syzygium aromaticum(S.aromaticum)extract(500 mg/kg) on AlCl_3(300 mg/kg)-induced mouse model of oxidative stress and neurotoxicity.Methods: An ethanolic extract of S.aromaticum seeds was prepared and the active compounds were identified using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.BALB/c mice were divided into five groups(negative control, AlCl_3-treated, self-recovery, AlCl_3 + S.aromaticum, S.aromaticum only; n=10) and treated with AlCl_3 and S.aromaticum extract.Expression of oxidative markers [Superoxide dismutase 1(SOD1) and peroxiredoxin 6(Prdx6)] and amyloid precursor protein(APP) in the hippocampus and cortex was evaluated via PCR.Histopathological assessment was performed to investigate the extent of neurodegeneration.Results: It was observed that AlCl_3 exposure increased the expression of APP770 while simultaneously down regulated the expression of APP695.AlCl_3 also induced a significant decrease(P<0.05) and an increase(P<0.05) in the expression level of SOD1 and Prdx6, respectively.A substantial decrease substantial(P<0.05) in the density of Nissl substance was also observed in cortex of the mice treated with AlCl_3.Interestingly, treatment with S.aromaticum extract normalized the alterations in the expression level of SOD1, Prdx6 and APPisoforms and improved the neuronal structural damage.Conclusions: The results showed that S.aromaticum is a promising antioxidant and a neuroprotective agent.

Development of bis-thiobarbiturates as successful urease inhibitors and their molecular modeling studies

Bis-thiobarbiturate derivatives 1-15 have been synthesized, characterized by 1HNMR and El-MS and screened for urease inhibition. All compounds showed various degree of urease inhibitory activity with iC50 values ranging 7.45 ± 0.12 - 74.24 ± 0.81 μmol/L while the standard thiourea behaved normally （ICso = 21.10 ±0.12）. Compounds I （IC50= 7.45 ± 0.12 ]μmol/L）, 9 （IC50 =18,17 ± 1.03 bmol/L） and 13 （IC50= 8.61 ± 0.45 bmol/L） showed excellent urease inhibitory activity in the series. Molecular modeling studies were performed to understand the binding site with the bimetallic nickel center of the enzyme. Structure-activity relationship has also been established for these compounds. This study identified bis- thiobarbiturate as a novel class of urease inhibitors.

Antifungal activity of selected Malaysian honeys:a comparison with Manuka honey

Objective:To evaluate four selected Malaysian honey samples from different floral sources(Gelam,Tualang,Nenas and Acacia)for their ability to inhibit the growth of fungi and yeast strains(Candida albicans,Aspergillus niger,Epidermophyton floccosum,Microsporum gypseum,Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes).Methods:The broth microdilution method was used to assess the antifungal activity of honey against yeasts at different concentrations ranging from 0.01%to 70%(v/v).Minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC)of the honeys were determined by visual inspection and spectrophotometric assay.Minimum fungicidal concentration test was performed by further sub-culturing from the plates which showed no visible growth in the MIC assay onto Sabroud dextrose agar.Results:All tested Malaysian honeys except Gelam showed antifungal activity against all species analysed,with the MIC ranging from 25%(v/v)to 50%(v/v)while MIC of Manuka honey ranged between 21%to 53%(v/v).Candida albicans was more susceptible to honey than other species tested.Conclusions:Locally produced honeys exhibited antifungal activity which is less than or equal to that of Manuka honey.Our data showed evidence in support of the therapeutic uses of Malaysian honeys.

Morpholine hydrazone scaffold： Synthesis, anticancer activity and docking studies

In this paper, synthesis and anticancer activities of morpholine hydrazones scaffold（1-17） thoroughly studied. Small series of morpholine hydrazones synthesized by treating 5-morpholinothiophene-2-carbaldehyde with different aryl hydrazides to form morpholine hydrazones scaffold（1-17）. The in vitro anticancer potential of all these compounds was checked against human cancer cell lines like Hep G2（human hepatocellular liver carcinoma） and MCF-7（human breast adenocarcinoma）. Analogs 13 had similar substantial cytotoxic effects towards Hep G2 with IC_（50） value 6.31±1.03μmmol/L when compared with the standard Doxorubicin（IC_（50）value 6.00±0.80μmmol/L）; while compounds 5,8 and 9 showed potent cytotoxicity against MCF-7 with IC_（50） value 7.08±0.42μmmol/L, 1.26±0.34μmmol/L and11.22±0.22μmmol/L respectively when compared with the standard Tamoxifen（IC_（50）= 11.00±0.40μmol/L）. Molecular docking studies also performed to understand the binding interaction.