Catha edulis (Khat) is an evergreen shrub or small tree, traditionally used by various peoples of... more Catha edulis (Khat) is an evergreen shrub or small tree, traditionally used by various peoples of the Arabian Peninsula and Africa as an integral component of the socioeconomic traditions. It is believed that the psychostimulant nature and toxic nature of khat is primarily due to the presence of cathinone and cathine respectively. Studies have shown that khat chewing is closely associated with cardiac complications, especially myocardial infarction. Hence in this study, we exposed cathine-rich khat extract in a cardiomyoblast H9c2 (2-1) cell line to check the cell death mechanism. Extraction of Catha edulis leaves was done and the presence of cathine was confirmed with LC-MS-MS. The anti-proliferative activity was assayed using MTT and apoptosis detection by acridine orange/propidium iodide assay. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax protein and caspase-3/7 expression were analyzed. The level of reactive oxygen species generation was also evaluated. The khat extract showed an IC50 value of 86.5 μg/ml at 48 hours treatment. We have observed significant early apoptosis events by intervened acridine orange within the fragmented DNA with bright green fluorescence upon treatment. The Bcl-2 expression in the treatment with IC50 concentration of khat extract for 24, 48 and 72 hours of incubation significantly decreased with increase in bax level. The increased activation of caspase-3/7 was significantly observed upon treatment together with significant increase of ROS was detected at 24 and 48 hours treatment. Collectively, our results provide insight into the mechanisms by which Catha edulis leaves mediate cell death in cardiomyocytes. Catha edulis (Khat) is an evergreen psychotropic shrub or small treeExtraction of khat leaves was done and the presence of cathine was confirmed with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-mass spectrometryThe khat extract showed an IC(50) value of 86.5 μg/ml at 48 h treatment in H9c2 (2-1) cell lineThe observed cell death was associated with increased expression of Bcl2 and caspase-3Significant increase of reactive oxygen species was also detected in the cell with treatment. Abbreviations used: CNS: central nervous system; AMI: acute myocardial infarction; TLC: thin layer chromatography; ESI: electrospray ionization; FBS: fetal bovine serum; DMSO: dimethylsulfoxide; AO; acridine orange; PI; propidium iodide; HRP: horseradish peroxidase; HBSS: hank's balanced salt solution; DCFH-DA: 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate; NAC, 10 mM: NAC: N-acetyl cysteine; ROS: reactive oxygen species.
The effect of regular khat (Catha edulis) chewing on plasma lipid peroxidation as a biomarker of ... more The effect of regular khat (Catha edulis) chewing on plasma lipid peroxidation as a biomarker of oxidative stress and free radical activity (measured as plasma malondialdehyde, MDA), as well as on the lipid profile were investigated in male and female Yemeni khat chewers. Plasma levels of MDA were observed to be sex related, being significantly lower in females compared to males. Along the same line, plasma triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol were significantly lower in females, whereas plasma levels of HDL-cholesterol was significantly higher in females compared to males. The latter was surprisingly decreased in khat chewer females as compared to the non khat chewer females. Khat chewing observed to have greater effects, in the parameters investigated in this study, on females than in males suggesting the presence of sex related factors. The results of this pilot study recommend further investigation into the effects of Catha edulis chewing in females.
Objective: Several natural products are being increasingly used in the treatment of cancer to min... more Objective: Several natural products are being increasingly used in the treatment of cancer to minimize the adverse side effects of cancer chemotherapy. Zerumbone (ZER), the sesquiterpene derived from Zingiber zerumbet Smith, has been reported to have an in vitro anticancer effects against various human tumour cells as well as in vivo against a number of induced malignancies in mice. Previously we have reported the genotoxic effects of ZER in vitro against CHO cell lines. Material and Method: The aim of this study was to investigate the genotoxic effects of the combination of ZER along with cisplatin in CHO cells. Two cytogenetic endpoints were used, namely Chromosomal Aberrations assay (CA) and Micronucleus test (MN). Both cytogenetic endpoints were performed without any metabolic activation. Result: ZER treated cultures showed the significant increase in the frequency of the chromosome aberrations and MN induction. In CA assay, marked changes have been observed after co-treatment o...
Several natural products are being increasingly used in treatment of cancer to minimize the adver... more Several natural products are being increasingly used in treatment of cancer to minimize the adverse side effects of cancer chemotherapy. Zerumbone (ZER), the sesquiterpene derived from Zingiber zerumbet smith, has been reported to have an in vitro anticancer effects against various human tumour cells as well as in vivo against a number of induced malignancies in mice. Previously we have reported the genotoxic effects of ZER in vitro against CHO cell lines. The aim of this study was to investigate the genotoxic effects of combination of ZER along with cisplatin in CHO cells. Two cytogenetic end points were used, namely Chromosomal Aberrations assay (CA) and Micronucleus test (MN). Both cytogenetic endpoints were performed without any metabolic activation. ZER treated cultures showed significant increase in frequency of the chromosome aberrations and MN induction. In CA assay, marked changes have been observed after co-treatment of CHO cell lines with different concentration of ZER along with 5 µM Cisplatin when compared to ZER treatment alone, suggesting a possible synergistic genetoxic effects. Whereas, treatment of CHO cell lines with different concentrations of ZER along with 2.5 µM Cisplatin was found to reduce chromosomal aberrations, suggesting an antagonistic genotoxic effects. On the other hand, in MN induction test, co-treatment of CHO cell lines with both 2.5 µM and 5 µM Cisplatin and different concentration of ZER found to reduce the genotoxic effects compared to the 2.5 µM and 5 µM Cisplatin alone suggesting an antagonistic genotoxic effects. The genotoxic effects of combined low concentrations of Cisplatin with different concentrations of ZER could have an antagonist genotoxic potential in vitro in CHO cell lines.
Palm date fruits have been used for nutritional and medicinal purposes in Middle Eastern countrie... more Palm date fruits have been used for nutritional and medicinal purposes in Middle Eastern countries. They are used in folk medicine for treatment of liver diseases and highly recommended to be consumed by pregnant women before and after delivery. Therefore, the present work aimed to determine the total phenolic content and total flavonoids in three syrups obtained from palm dates extracted with aqueous ethanol (80%) and to evaluate in vitro their antioxidative properties. The new findings showed that the three tested syrups contained significantly different amounts of both total phenolic content and total flavonoids. Syrups can be arranged according to the increase of total phenolic contents and total flavonoids as follows: Yemeni-Rotab >-Saudi-Tamr > Iraqi-Tamr. The results of antioxidant activities of palm dates syrups obtained by using different in vitro methods were varied depending on the method used. According to the TBARS method, H 2 O 2 scavenging ability and DPPH methods, all syrups showed to have high to very high antioxidant activities. On the other hand, syrups showed low to intermediate antiox-idant activities when other methods were used, such as the scavenging ability of Å OH and NO and the ability to chelate Fe 2+ ions. Generally, the values of antioxidant activities of Rotab-syrup have been shown to be always the highest.
Background: Catha edulis (Khat) is an evergreen shrub or small tree, traditionally used by variou... more Background: Catha edulis (Khat) is an evergreen shrub or small tree, traditionally used by various peoples of the Arabian Peninsula and Africa as an integral component of the socioeconomic traditions. It is believed that the psychostimulant nature and toxic nature of khat is primarily due to the presence of cathinone and cathine respectively. Studies have shown that khat chewing is closely associated with cardiac complications, especially myocardial infarction. Hence in this study, we exposed cathine-rich khat extract in a cardiomyoblast H9c2 (2-1) cell line to check the cell death mechanism. Materials and Methods: Extraction of Catha edulis leaves was done and the presence of cathine was confirmed with LC-MS-MS. The anti-proliferative activity was assayed using MTT and apoptosis detection by acridine orange/propidium iodide assay. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax protein and caspase-3/7 expression were analyzed. The level of reactive oxygen species generation was also evaluated. Results: The khat extract showed an IC50 value of 86.5 µg/ml at 48 hours treatment. We have observed significant early apoptosis events by intervened acridine orange within the fragmented DNA with bright green fluorescence upon treatment. The Bcl-2 expression in the treatment with IC50 concentration of khat extract for 24, 48 and 72 hours of incubation significantly decreased with increase in bax level. The increased activation of caspase-3/7 was significantly observed upon treatment together with significant increase of ROS was detected at 24 and 48 hours treatment. Conclusion: Collectively, our results provide insight into the mechanisms by which Catha edulis leaves mediate cell death in cardiomyocytes.
Due to its stimulating and pleasurable effects, chewing the leaves of khat (Catha edulis)
is a wi... more Due to its stimulating and pleasurable effects, chewing the leaves of khat (Catha edulis) is a widespread habit among the people of East Africa and Arabian Peninsula. The aim of this study was to assess the genotoxicity of the fresh khat leaves extract in CHO cell lines using two cytogenetic endpoints, Chromosomal aberrations (CAs) assay and Micronucleus test (MN). The chromosome aberrations and micronucleus induction test were performed without any metabolic activation system. Data were analyzed by Chi-square using SPSS version 24.0. High concentrations of fresh khat leaves extract (500 and 5000 μg mLG1) were found to reduce the mitotic index (MI) significantly (p<0.05), while only the highest concentration (5000 μg mLG1) was found to induce chromosomal aberrations. In contrast, the results of MN induction test showed no significant micronuclei formation after treatment with different concentrations, however, the cytochalasin-B proliferation index (CBPI) was found to be affected by the highest concentration of the fresh khat leaves extract. Only high concentrations of fresh khat leaves extract induced chromosomal aberrations and dicentrics, rings chromosomes, breaks and exchanges were the main types of aberrations induced by fresh khat leaves extract.
Catha edulis (Khat) is an evergreen shrub or small tree, traditionally used by various peoples of... more Catha edulis (Khat) is an evergreen shrub or small tree, traditionally used by various peoples of the Arabian Peninsula and Africa as an integral component of the socioeconomic traditions. It is believed that the psychostimulant nature and toxic nature of khat is primarily due to the presence of cathinone and cathine respectively. Studies have shown that khat chewing is closely associated with cardiac complications, especially myocardial infarction. Hence in this study, we exposed cathine-rich khat extract in a cardiomyoblast H9c2 (2-1) cell line to check the cell death mechanism. Extraction of Catha edulis leaves was done and the presence of cathine was confirmed with LC-MS-MS. The anti-proliferative activity was assayed using MTT and apoptosis detection by acridine orange/propidium iodide assay. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax protein and caspase-3/7 expression were analyzed. The level of reactive oxygen species generation was also evaluated. The khat extract showed an IC50 value of 86.5 μg/ml at 48 hours treatment. We have observed significant early apoptosis events by intervened acridine orange within the fragmented DNA with bright green fluorescence upon treatment. The Bcl-2 expression in the treatment with IC50 concentration of khat extract for 24, 48 and 72 hours of incubation significantly decreased with increase in bax level. The increased activation of caspase-3/7 was significantly observed upon treatment together with significant increase of ROS was detected at 24 and 48 hours treatment. Collectively, our results provide insight into the mechanisms by which Catha edulis leaves mediate cell death in cardiomyocytes. Catha edulis (Khat) is an evergreen psychotropic shrub or small treeExtraction of khat leaves was done and the presence of cathine was confirmed with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-mass spectrometryThe khat extract showed an IC(50) value of 86.5 μg/ml at 48 h treatment in H9c2 (2-1) cell lineThe observed cell death was associated with increased expression of Bcl2 and caspase-3Significant increase of reactive oxygen species was also detected in the cell with treatment. Abbreviations used: CNS: central nervous system; AMI: acute myocardial infarction; TLC: thin layer chromatography; ESI: electrospray ionization; FBS: fetal bovine serum; DMSO: dimethylsulfoxide; AO; acridine orange; PI; propidium iodide; HRP: horseradish peroxidase; HBSS: hank&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s balanced salt solution; DCFH-DA: 2&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;,7&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;-dichlorofluorescin diacetate; NAC, 10 mM: NAC: N-acetyl cysteine; ROS: reactive oxygen species.
The effect of regular khat (Catha edulis) chewing on plasma lipid peroxidation as a biomarker of ... more The effect of regular khat (Catha edulis) chewing on plasma lipid peroxidation as a biomarker of oxidative stress and free radical activity (measured as plasma malondialdehyde, MDA), as well as on the lipid profile were investigated in male and female Yemeni khat chewers. Plasma levels of MDA were observed to be sex related, being significantly lower in females compared to males. Along the same line, plasma triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol were significantly lower in females, whereas plasma levels of HDL-cholesterol was significantly higher in females compared to males. The latter was surprisingly decreased in khat chewer females as compared to the non khat chewer females. Khat chewing observed to have greater effects, in the parameters investigated in this study, on females than in males suggesting the presence of sex related factors. The results of this pilot study recommend further investigation into the effects of Catha edulis chewing in females.
Objective: Several natural products are being increasingly used in the treatment of cancer to min... more Objective: Several natural products are being increasingly used in the treatment of cancer to minimize the adverse side effects of cancer chemotherapy. Zerumbone (ZER), the sesquiterpene derived from Zingiber zerumbet Smith, has been reported to have an in vitro anticancer effects against various human tumour cells as well as in vivo against a number of induced malignancies in mice. Previously we have reported the genotoxic effects of ZER in vitro against CHO cell lines. Material and Method: The aim of this study was to investigate the genotoxic effects of the combination of ZER along with cisplatin in CHO cells. Two cytogenetic endpoints were used, namely Chromosomal Aberrations assay (CA) and Micronucleus test (MN). Both cytogenetic endpoints were performed without any metabolic activation. Result: ZER treated cultures showed the significant increase in the frequency of the chromosome aberrations and MN induction. In CA assay, marked changes have been observed after co-treatment o...
Several natural products are being increasingly used in treatment of cancer to minimize the adver... more Several natural products are being increasingly used in treatment of cancer to minimize the adverse side effects of cancer chemotherapy. Zerumbone (ZER), the sesquiterpene derived from Zingiber zerumbet smith, has been reported to have an in vitro anticancer effects against various human tumour cells as well as in vivo against a number of induced malignancies in mice. Previously we have reported the genotoxic effects of ZER in vitro against CHO cell lines. The aim of this study was to investigate the genotoxic effects of combination of ZER along with cisplatin in CHO cells. Two cytogenetic end points were used, namely Chromosomal Aberrations assay (CA) and Micronucleus test (MN). Both cytogenetic endpoints were performed without any metabolic activation. ZER treated cultures showed significant increase in frequency of the chromosome aberrations and MN induction. In CA assay, marked changes have been observed after co-treatment of CHO cell lines with different concentration of ZER along with 5 µM Cisplatin when compared to ZER treatment alone, suggesting a possible synergistic genetoxic effects. Whereas, treatment of CHO cell lines with different concentrations of ZER along with 2.5 µM Cisplatin was found to reduce chromosomal aberrations, suggesting an antagonistic genotoxic effects. On the other hand, in MN induction test, co-treatment of CHO cell lines with both 2.5 µM and 5 µM Cisplatin and different concentration of ZER found to reduce the genotoxic effects compared to the 2.5 µM and 5 µM Cisplatin alone suggesting an antagonistic genotoxic effects. The genotoxic effects of combined low concentrations of Cisplatin with different concentrations of ZER could have an antagonist genotoxic potential in vitro in CHO cell lines.
Palm date fruits have been used for nutritional and medicinal purposes in Middle Eastern countrie... more Palm date fruits have been used for nutritional and medicinal purposes in Middle Eastern countries. They are used in folk medicine for treatment of liver diseases and highly recommended to be consumed by pregnant women before and after delivery. Therefore, the present work aimed to determine the total phenolic content and total flavonoids in three syrups obtained from palm dates extracted with aqueous ethanol (80%) and to evaluate in vitro their antioxidative properties. The new findings showed that the three tested syrups contained significantly different amounts of both total phenolic content and total flavonoids. Syrups can be arranged according to the increase of total phenolic contents and total flavonoids as follows: Yemeni-Rotab >-Saudi-Tamr > Iraqi-Tamr. The results of antioxidant activities of palm dates syrups obtained by using different in vitro methods were varied depending on the method used. According to the TBARS method, H 2 O 2 scavenging ability and DPPH methods, all syrups showed to have high to very high antioxidant activities. On the other hand, syrups showed low to intermediate antiox-idant activities when other methods were used, such as the scavenging ability of Å OH and NO and the ability to chelate Fe 2+ ions. Generally, the values of antioxidant activities of Rotab-syrup have been shown to be always the highest.
Background: Catha edulis (Khat) is an evergreen shrub or small tree, traditionally used by variou... more Background: Catha edulis (Khat) is an evergreen shrub or small tree, traditionally used by various peoples of the Arabian Peninsula and Africa as an integral component of the socioeconomic traditions. It is believed that the psychostimulant nature and toxic nature of khat is primarily due to the presence of cathinone and cathine respectively. Studies have shown that khat chewing is closely associated with cardiac complications, especially myocardial infarction. Hence in this study, we exposed cathine-rich khat extract in a cardiomyoblast H9c2 (2-1) cell line to check the cell death mechanism. Materials and Methods: Extraction of Catha edulis leaves was done and the presence of cathine was confirmed with LC-MS-MS. The anti-proliferative activity was assayed using MTT and apoptosis detection by acridine orange/propidium iodide assay. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax protein and caspase-3/7 expression were analyzed. The level of reactive oxygen species generation was also evaluated. Results: The khat extract showed an IC50 value of 86.5 µg/ml at 48 hours treatment. We have observed significant early apoptosis events by intervened acridine orange within the fragmented DNA with bright green fluorescence upon treatment. The Bcl-2 expression in the treatment with IC50 concentration of khat extract for 24, 48 and 72 hours of incubation significantly decreased with increase in bax level. The increased activation of caspase-3/7 was significantly observed upon treatment together with significant increase of ROS was detected at 24 and 48 hours treatment. Conclusion: Collectively, our results provide insight into the mechanisms by which Catha edulis leaves mediate cell death in cardiomyocytes.
Due to its stimulating and pleasurable effects, chewing the leaves of khat (Catha edulis)
is a wi... more Due to its stimulating and pleasurable effects, chewing the leaves of khat (Catha edulis) is a widespread habit among the people of East Africa and Arabian Peninsula. The aim of this study was to assess the genotoxicity of the fresh khat leaves extract in CHO cell lines using two cytogenetic endpoints, Chromosomal aberrations (CAs) assay and Micronucleus test (MN). The chromosome aberrations and micronucleus induction test were performed without any metabolic activation system. Data were analyzed by Chi-square using SPSS version 24.0. High concentrations of fresh khat leaves extract (500 and 5000 μg mLG1) were found to reduce the mitotic index (MI) significantly (p<0.05), while only the highest concentration (5000 μg mLG1) was found to induce chromosomal aberrations. In contrast, the results of MN induction test showed no significant micronuclei formation after treatment with different concentrations, however, the cytochalasin-B proliferation index (CBPI) was found to be affected by the highest concentration of the fresh khat leaves extract. Only high concentrations of fresh khat leaves extract induced chromosomal aberrations and dicentrics, rings chromosomes, breaks and exchanges were the main types of aberrations induced by fresh khat leaves extract.
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effects of cancer chemotherapy. Zerumbone (ZER), the sesquiterpene derived from Zingiber zerumbet smith,
has been reported to have an in vitro anticancer effects against various human tumour cells as well as in vivo
against a number of induced malignancies in mice. Previously we have reported the genotoxic effects of ZER
in vitro against CHO cell lines. The aim of this study was to investigate the genotoxic effects of combination of
ZER along with cisplatin in CHO cells. Two cytogenetic end points were used, namely Chromosomal Aberrations
assay (CA) and Micronucleus test (MN). Both cytogenetic endpoints were performed without any metabolic
activation. ZER treated cultures showed significant increase in frequency of the chromosome aberrations and
MN induction. In CA assay, marked changes have been observed after co-treatment of CHO cell lines with
different concentration of ZER along with 5 µM Cisplatin when compared to ZER treatment alone, suggesting
a possible synergistic genetoxic effects. Whereas, treatment of CHO cell lines with different concentrations of
ZER along with 2.5 µM Cisplatin was found to reduce chromosomal aberrations, suggesting an antagonistic
genotoxic effects. On the other hand, in MN induction test, co-treatment of CHO cell lines with both 2.5 µM and
5 µM Cisplatin and different concentration of ZER found to reduce the genotoxic effects compared to the 2.5 µM
and 5 µM Cisplatin alone suggesting an antagonistic genotoxic effects. The genotoxic effects of combined low
concentrations of Cisplatin with different concentrations of ZER could have an antagonist genotoxic potential
in vitro in CHO cell lines.
is a widespread habit among the people of East Africa and Arabian Peninsula. The aim
of this study was to assess the genotoxicity of the fresh khat leaves extract in CHO cell
lines using two cytogenetic endpoints, Chromosomal aberrations (CAs) assay and
Micronucleus test (MN). The chromosome aberrations and micronucleus induction test
were performed without any metabolic activation system. Data were analyzed by
Chi-square using SPSS version 24.0. High concentrations of fresh khat leaves extract
(500 and 5000 μg mLG1) were found to reduce the mitotic index (MI) significantly
(p<0.05), while only the highest concentration (5000 μg mLG1) was found to induce
chromosomal aberrations. In contrast, the results of MN induction test showed no
significant micronuclei formation after treatment with different concentrations, however,
the cytochalasin-B proliferation index (CBPI) was found to be affected by the highest
concentration of the fresh khat leaves extract. Only high concentrations of fresh khat
leaves extract induced chromosomal aberrations and dicentrics, rings chromosomes,
breaks and exchanges were the main types of aberrations induced by fresh khat leaves
extract.
effects of cancer chemotherapy. Zerumbone (ZER), the sesquiterpene derived from Zingiber zerumbet smith,
has been reported to have an in vitro anticancer effects against various human tumour cells as well as in vivo
against a number of induced malignancies in mice. Previously we have reported the genotoxic effects of ZER
in vitro against CHO cell lines. The aim of this study was to investigate the genotoxic effects of combination of
ZER along with cisplatin in CHO cells. Two cytogenetic end points were used, namely Chromosomal Aberrations
assay (CA) and Micronucleus test (MN). Both cytogenetic endpoints were performed without any metabolic
activation. ZER treated cultures showed significant increase in frequency of the chromosome aberrations and
MN induction. In CA assay, marked changes have been observed after co-treatment of CHO cell lines with
different concentration of ZER along with 5 µM Cisplatin when compared to ZER treatment alone, suggesting
a possible synergistic genetoxic effects. Whereas, treatment of CHO cell lines with different concentrations of
ZER along with 2.5 µM Cisplatin was found to reduce chromosomal aberrations, suggesting an antagonistic
genotoxic effects. On the other hand, in MN induction test, co-treatment of CHO cell lines with both 2.5 µM and
5 µM Cisplatin and different concentration of ZER found to reduce the genotoxic effects compared to the 2.5 µM
and 5 µM Cisplatin alone suggesting an antagonistic genotoxic effects. The genotoxic effects of combined low
concentrations of Cisplatin with different concentrations of ZER could have an antagonist genotoxic potential
in vitro in CHO cell lines.
is a widespread habit among the people of East Africa and Arabian Peninsula. The aim
of this study was to assess the genotoxicity of the fresh khat leaves extract in CHO cell
lines using two cytogenetic endpoints, Chromosomal aberrations (CAs) assay and
Micronucleus test (MN). The chromosome aberrations and micronucleus induction test
were performed without any metabolic activation system. Data were analyzed by
Chi-square using SPSS version 24.0. High concentrations of fresh khat leaves extract
(500 and 5000 μg mLG1) were found to reduce the mitotic index (MI) significantly
(p<0.05), while only the highest concentration (5000 μg mLG1) was found to induce
chromosomal aberrations. In contrast, the results of MN induction test showed no
significant micronuclei formation after treatment with different concentrations, however,
the cytochalasin-B proliferation index (CBPI) was found to be affected by the highest
concentration of the fresh khat leaves extract. Only high concentrations of fresh khat
leaves extract induced chromosomal aberrations and dicentrics, rings chromosomes,
breaks and exchanges were the main types of aberrations induced by fresh khat leaves
extract.