PMID: 

J Laryngol Otol. 2014 May ;128(5):454-62. Epub 2014 Apr 17. PMID: 24739140

Abstract Title: 

Effect of mobile phone use on salivary concentrations of protein, amylase, lipase, immunoglobulin A, lysozyme, lactoferrin, peroxidase and C-reactive protein of the parotid gland.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: The possibility of side effects associated with the electromagnetic waves emitted from mobile phones is a controversial issue. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of mobile phone use on parotid gland salivary concentrations of protein, amylase, lipase, immunoglobulin A, lysozyme, lactoferrin, peroxidase and C-reactive protein.METHODS: Stimulated salivary samples were collected simultaneously from both parotid glands of 86 healthy volunteers. Salivary flow rate and salivary concentrations of proteins, amylase, lipase, lysozyme, lactoferrin, peroxidase, C-reactive protein and immunoglobulin A, were measured. Data were analysed using t-tests and one-way analyses of variance.RESULTS: Salivary flow rate and parotid gland salivary concentrations of protein were significantly higher on the right side compared to the left in those that predominantly held mobile phones on the right side. In addition, there was a decrease in concentrations of amylase, lipase, lysozyme, lactoferrin and peroxidase.CONCLUSION: The side of dominant mobile phone use was associated with differences in salivary flow rate and parotid gland salivary concentrations, in right-dominant users. Although mobile phone use influenced salivary composition, the relationship was not significant.

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PMID: 

Biofactors. 2019 Mar ;45(2):169-186. Epub 2018 Nov 29. PMID: 30496629

Abstract Title: 

Dietary ursolic acid improves health span and life span in male Drosophila melanogaster.

Abstract: 

The health and life span of Drosophila melanogaster are partly determined by intestinal barrier integrity, metabolic rate as well as stress response and the expression of longevity-associated genes, depending on genetic and dietary factors. Ursolic acid (UA) is a naturally occurring triterpenoid exhibiting potential antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antiobesity activity and counteracting age-related deficits in muscle strength. In this study, UA was dietarily administered to wD. melanogaster which significantly elongated the health and life span of males. Spargel (srl) is the Drosophila orthologue of mammalian peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1α(PGC1α), an important regulator of energy homeostasis and mitochondrial function. Our results indicate that the health-promoting effect of UA, demonstrated by a significant increase in climbing activity, occurs via an upregulation of srl expression leading to a metabolic shift in the fly withoutreducing fecundity or gut integrity. Moreover, UA affected the flies' microbiota in a manner that contributed to life span extension. Srl expression and microbiota both seem to be affected by UA, as we determined by using srl-mutant and axenic flies. © 2018 BioFactors, 45(2):169-186, 2019.

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PMID: 

Anticancer Res. 2018 Dec ;38(12):6789-6795. PMID: 30504391

Abstract Title: 

Ursolic Acid Promotes the Sensitization of rhTRAIL-resistant Triple-negative Breast Cancer.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND/AIM: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) can be characterized as the deadliest breast cancer type considering the lack of efficacious therapeutics. Recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (rhTRAIL) is an encouraging anti-cancer therapeutic with the capacity to induce apoptosis in cancer cells but there are TNBCs less susceptible to rhTRAIL. The aim of this study was to assess the potential of the natural product ursolic acid (UA) to sensitize of rhTRAIL-resistant TNBCs.MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to evaluate apoptosis induction in rhTRAIL and UA-treated TNBC BT-20 and HCC1937 cells that are resistant to rhTRAIL, western blot analysis and Annexin V/PI assays were executed.RESULTS: UA increased the expression of death receptors 4 and 5 and decreased the expression of c-FLIPtranscriptionally sensitizing rhTRAIL-resistant TNBC cells to apoptosis induced by rhTRAIL.CONCLUSION: UA is a possible potent sensitizer of rhTRAIL-resistant TNBCs to rhTRAIL-induced apoptosis.

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PMID: 

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2014 ;18(7):992-1000. PMID: 24763879

Abstract Title: 

The effects of mobile phones on apoptosis in cerebral tissue: an experimental study on rats.

Abstract: 

INTRODUCTION: The concern about mobile phone effects is increasing as the number of users increasing too. Different studies have different results, so this topic is still open to discussion. Aim of this report was to investigate the effects of the mobile phones on the Bcl-2 gene and p53 proteins in rat brains.MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the study group of 10 rats; mobile phones that spread EMW at a frequency between 1900-2100 MHz and Specific Absorption Rate range between 0.005 W/kg and 0.288 W/kg (Dialing mode), 0.004 W/kg and 0.029 W/kg (Calling mode) were attached to rat ears for simulating usage in daily life for 7 times a day during 5 minutes (3 seconds dialing mode, 4 minutes and 47 seconds of calling mode) for a four week period. Sham group (n=10) rats were only immobilized without EMW exposure. Another group of rats (n=10) were counted as control without any application. immunohistopathological examination was performed for p53 and Bcl-2 expression.RESULTS: Immunohistopathological examinations revealed that the samples in the study group had more p53 and Bcl-2 positive stained cells and they were stained denser. In both evaluations, these differences between the study and control group were found statistically significant (p

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PMID: 

PLoS One. 2019 ;14(8):e0220641. Epub 2019 Aug 1. PMID: 31369638

Abstract Title: 

Use of antidepressants and risks of restless legs syndrome in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A population-based cohort study.

Abstract: 

Previous research has suggested an association between antidepressants use and clinical restless legs syndrome (RLS) in patients, but there has never been a single study investigating the risk of RLS in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients treated with antidepressants. Hence, we aimed to explore the association between IBS and RLS and to examine the risk of RLS in IBS patients treated with antidepressants. With the use of the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan, 27,437 adults aged≥ 20 years with newly diagnosed IBS (ICD-9-CM Code 564.1) and gender- and age-matched 54,874 controls without IBS were enrolled between 2000 and 2012. All patients were followed-up until RLS diagnosis, withdrawal from the National Health Insurance program, or end of 2013. We used the Cox proportional hazards model to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of RLS. RLS was more prevalent in IBS patients than in the non-IBS group (7.57 versus 3.36 per 10,000 person-years), with an increased risk of RLS (adjusted HR [aHR], 1.91; 95% CI, 1.52-2.40). Multivariate Coxproportional hazards analysis identified older age (age, 51-65 years; aHR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.09-2.56; and age>65; aHR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.02-2.48), hypothyroidism (aHR, 4.24; 95% CI, 1.92-9.37), CAD (aHR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.17-2.48), and depression (aHR, 3.15; 95% CI, 2.14-4.64) as independent RLS risk factors in IBS patients. In addition, the male SSRIs users were associated with significantly higher risk of RLS (aHR, 3.05 95% CI, 1.34-6.92). Our study showed that the IBS group has higher risk of RLS. Moreover, SSRIs use may increase the risk of RLS in male IBS patients.

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PMID: 

Phytomedicine. 2019 May 2 ;62:152945. Epub 2019 May 2. PMID: 31132750

Abstract Title: 

Cytotoxicity of cucurbitacin E from Citrullus colocynthis against multidrug-resistant cancer cells.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Cucurbitacin E (CuE) is an oxygenated tetracyclic triterpenoid isolated from the fruits of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad.PURPOSE: This study outlines CuE's cytotoxic activity against drug-resistant tumor cell lines. Three members of ABC transporters superfamily, P-glycoprotein (P-gp), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) and ABCB5 were investigated, whose overexpression in tumors is tightly linked to multidrug resistance. Further factors of drug resistance studied were the tumor suppressor TP53 and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).METHODS: Cytotoxicity assays (resazurin assays) were used to investigate the activity of Citrullus colocynthis and CuE towards multidrug resistant cancer cells. Molecular docking (In silico) has been carried out to explore the CuE's mode of binding to ABC transporters (P-gp, BCRP and ABCB5). The visualization of doxorubicin uptake was done by a Spinning Disc Confocal Microscope. The assessment of proteins expression was done by western blotting analysis. COMPARE and hierarchical cluster analyses were applied to identify, which genes correlate with sensitivity or resistance to cucurbitacins (CuA, CuB, CuE, CuD, CuI, and CuK).RESULTS: Multidrug-resistant cells overexpressing P-gp or BCRP were cross-resistant to CuE. By contrast, TP53 knock-out cells were sensitive to CuE. Remarkably, resistant cells transfected with oncogenicΔEGFR or ABCB5 were hypersensitive (collateral sensitive) to CuE. In silico analyses demonstrated that CuE is a substrate for P-gp and BCRP. Immunoblot analyses highlighted that CuE targeted EGFR and silenced its downstream signaling cascades. The most striking result that emerged from the doxorubicin uptake by ABCB5 overexpressing cells is that CuE is an effective inhibitor for ABCB5 transporter when compared with verapamil. The COMPARE analyses of transcriptome-wide expression profiles of tumor cell lines of the NCI identified common genes involved in cell cycle regulation, cellular adhesion and intracellular communication for different cucurbitacins.CONCLUSION: CuE represents a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of certain types of refractory tumors. To best of our knowledge, this is the first time to identify CuE and verapamil as inhibitors for ABCB5 transporter.

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PMID: 

Drug Chem Toxicol. 2019 Jul 12:1-11. Epub 2019 Jul 12. PMID: 31298051

Abstract Title: 

Cucurbitacin E glucoside frominhibits testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in mice.

Abstract: 

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disorder in men aged over 60 years and significantly contributes to the distressing lower urinary tract symptoms. Cucurbitacins are triterpene derivatives with diverse medicinal uses including prostate diseases. Cucurbitacin E glucoside was evaluated against testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia in mice. Our data indicate that it significantly inhibited the increase in prostate weight and prostate index. The compound ameliorated histopathological changes in prostatic architecture and inhibited the increase in glandular epithelial length induced by testosterone. These results were confirmed by decreased expressionof cyclin D1 in prostatic tissues compared to those obtained from the testosterone-alone group. Also, it showed significant antioxidant activity as evidenced by inhibiting lipid peroxides accumulation, glutathione depletion and superoxide exhaustion. Further, it exhibited anti-inflammatory activityas it decreased cyclooxygenase-2 and interleukin-1β protein expression in prostatic tissues. Masson's trichrome staining of prostate sections indicated obvious antifibrotic activity that was supported by decreased α-smooth muscle actin expression. In conclusion, Cucurbitacin E glucoside inhibits testosterone-induced experimental BPH in mice due to, at least partly, its antiproliferative, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic effects.

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PMID: 

Antioxidants (Basel). 2019 Jun 14 ;8(6). Epub 2019 Jun 14. PMID: 31197086

Abstract Title: 

BG-4 from Bitter Gourd () Differentially Affects Inflammation In Vitro and In Vivo.

Abstract: 

BG-4 isolated from bitter gourd has been reported for anti-cancer properties. The objective was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties of BG-4 in vitro and in vivo. Comparative study of the anti-inflammatory properties of BG-4 in vitro and in vivo was conducted on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated mouse macrophages, and on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. BG-4 reduced the production of pro-inflammatory markers in LPS-activated macrophages. On the other hand, intraperitoneal administration of BG-4 in DSS-induced colitis led to colon shortening, elevated neutrophils infiltration and myeloperoxidase activity, presence of blood in the stool, and loss of body weight, with differential systemic and local effects on pro-inflammatory cytokines in vivo. The results demonstrated that BG-4 differentially affected inflammation in vitro and in vivo.

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PMID: 

Bioorg Med Chem. 2019 Jul 15 ;27(14):3097-3109. Epub 2019 May 23. PMID: 31196754

Abstract Title: 

In vitro and in silico elucidation of antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities of bioactive compounds from Momordica charantia L.

Abstract: 

Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) has been used to manage diabetes and related conditions in various parts of the world. In the present study, ten compounds were isolated from acetone and methanol extracts of bitter melon. The chemical structures of compounds were unambiguously elucidated by 1D, 2D NMR, and high-resolution mass spectra. Identified compounds 1-7 exhibited significant inhibition ofα-amylase and moderate inhibition of α-glucosidase activities. Momordicoside G and gentisic acid 5-O-β-d-xyloside showed the highest inhibition of α-amylase (70.5%), and α-glucosidase (56.4%), respectively. Furthermore, molecular docking studies of isolated compounds 1-7 were able to bind to the active sites of both enzymes. Additionally, the isolated compounds 1-7 significantly attenuated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation, downregulating the expression of pro-inflammatory markers NF-κB, INOS, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and Cox-2 in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. One phenolicderivative, gentisic acid 5-O-β-d-xyloside, was isolated and identified for the first time from bitter melon, and significantly suppressed the expression of Cox-2 and IL-6 compared to the LPS-treated group. α-Amylase and α-glucosidase are targets of anti-diabetes drugs, our findings suggest thatcompounds purified from bitter melon may have potential to use as functional food ingredients for the prevention of type 2 diabetes and related inflammatory conditions.

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PMID: 

J Hum Reprod Sci. 2013 Apr ;6(2):124-8. PMID: 24082653

Abstract Title: 

Male reproductive health under threat: Short term exposure to radiofrequency radiations emitted by common mobile jammers.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Modern life prompted man to increasingly generate, transmit and use electricity that leads to exposure to different levels of electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Substantial evidence indicates that exposure to common sources of EMF such as mobile phones, laptops or wireless internet-connected laptops decreases human semen quality. In some countries, mobile jammers are occasionally used in offices, shrines, conference rooms and cinemas to block the signal.AIMS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the effect of short term exposure of human sperm samples to radiofrequency (RF) radiations emitted by common mobile jammers.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fresh semen samples were collected by masturbation from 30 healthy donors who had referred to Infertility Treatment Center at the Mother and Child Hospital with their wives. Female problem was diagnosed as the reason for infertility in these couples.STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: T-test and analysis of variance were used to show statistical significance.RESULTS: The motility of sperm samples exposed to jammer RF radiation for 2 or 4 h were significantly lower than those of sham-exposed samples. These findings lead us to the conclusion that mobile jammers may significantly decrease sperm motility and the couples' chances of conception.CONCLUSION: Based on these results, it can be suggested that in countries that have not banned mobile jammer use, legislations should be urgently passed to restrict the use of these signal blocking devices in public or private places.

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