Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Pretoria, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references.

published_or_final_version / Chinese Medicine / Master / Master of Philosophy

Although clinical outcomes of some cancer have been greatly improved by advancements made in surgery, chemo or radiotherapy and development of novel strategies such as molecular targeted therapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is particularly appreciated for cancer therapy in China based on its 5,000-year-old history, well established theoretical system and numerous exciting case reports. However, due to lack of quality assurance, laboratory evidences and well-designed clinical trials, TCM always encounters much skepticism and pessimism by the West. The study aims to identify the bioactive compounds in a Chinese herb Spatholobus suberectus (SS, 雞血藤) by targeting on lactate dehydrogenase A (LDH-A) in breast cancer. Glycolysis inhibition has been considered as important strategy to block cancer energy metabolism and therefore suppressing cancer growth. LDH-A has been demonstrated to be up-regulated in various cancer cells. In our study, 46 breast cancer specimens were collected to study the relation between LDH-A expression and clinicopathological characteristics including menopause, tumor size, node involvement, differentiation and pathological subtypes classified by estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and Her-2. LDH-A expression was found to be correlated significantly with breast cancer size and independent with other clinicopathological factors. LDH-A silencing in breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 resulted in an inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation, elevated intracellular oxidative stress, induction of mitochondiral pathway apoptosis and limited tumorigenic ability, indicating that LDH-A inhibition might offer a promising therapeutic strategy for breast cancer. SS is historically recommended to invigorate blood circulation and has been prescribed to treat diseases relating to blood stasis syndromes including menstrual abnormalities, anemia, numbness of the limbs, arthritis and cancer, etc. Our following study revealed that SS aqueous extracts could significantly inhibited breast cancer LDH-A expression and activity in both in vitro and in vivo models built by MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines. Bioactivity guided fractionation based on LDH-A activity, apoptosis and LDH-A expression further identified epigallocatechin (EGC) as the key compound responsible for the inhibited LDH-A expression. Mechanistic studies found that the inhibitory effect of EGC on LDH-A expression was mainly through promoting Hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) proteasome degradation rather than inhibiting transcription activity, which might be correlated with decreased binding between HIF-1α and Hsp90. Consistent with in vitro findings, EGC was also demonstrated effecitve in suppressing breast cancer growth in vivo correlating to down-regulation of LDH-A, HIF-1α and triggerment of apoptosis. This study provides preliminary laboratory evidences for applying SS in breast cancer therapy. However, further research is needed to evaluate its metabolism, the synergistic effects with chemotherapeutic agents and clinical efficiency. / published_or_final_version / Chinese Medicine / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Submitted in fulfillment for the Degree of Master of Technology (Biotechnology) in the Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 2009. / Information regarding the nutritional value of wild food plants in Africa and current information varies from source to source. Prior to commercialization of wild foods the nutritional, ethnobotanical, medical, chemical, anthropological and toxicity requires investigation. Plants from the Amaranthaceae family were chosen because the family is characterized by several species which are used by indigenous communities as a source of nutrition in different plants of the world. The focus of this study was to investigate the nutritional and biological activities of three plants from the Amaranthaceae family viz. Achyranthes aspera, Alternanthera sessilis and Guilleminea densa that are considered famine plants. This study aimed to determine the nutritional value (proximate, minerals and vitamins), biological activity, toxicity and potential of a tissue culture system for three species from the family Amaranthaceae. Nutritional analysis comprised of determining moisture, ash, protein, fat, carbohydrate, dietary fibre and energy. Mineral analysis of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, sodium and zinc was performed by microwave digestion and then analyzed by ICP Spectrophotometry. Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3 and Vitamin C were also analyzed. For biological and safety analyses aqueous and methanolic extracts were prepared. Anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of the extracts were tested; antimicrobial activity was tested by evaluating the bactericidal, fungal effect and minimum inhibitory concentration on selected bacteria and fungi using the agar disk diffusion method. Anti mosquito potential was determined by setting up repellency, larvacidal assay and insecticidal assay. The safety and toxicity analysis was carried out by measuring cytotoxicity, toxicity and mutagenicity. The potential of an in vitro tissue culture system of A. aspera, A. sessilis and G. densa was determined using micropropagation. A. aspera indicated significant amounts moisture, ash, dietary fibre, protein, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, magnesium and manganese. Plant extracts of A. aspera had antibacterial activity against the Gram negative bacteria Esherichia coli, Pseudomas aeroginosa and Salmonella typhi; Gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus epidermis and Staphylococcus aureus. The methanolic extract had antifungal activity against Sacchromyces cerevisiae and exhibited significant free radical scavenging activity as well as 85% repellency against Anopheles arabiensis. The aqueous extract stimulated the growth of the K562 (Chronic Myclogenous Leukaemia) cell line and the plant extracts showed no mutagenicity or toxicity. A. sessilis indicated significant levels of ash, dietary fibre, protein, energy, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, iron, magnesium and manganese present. Plant extracts of A. sessilis had antibacterial activity against Gram negative bacteria P. aeroginosa and Gram positive bacteria S. epidermis. The plant also showed antifungal activity against the yeasts S. cerevisiae and Candida albicans. The methanolic plant extract showed excellent antioxidant activity. The aqueous plant extract stimulated the growth of the K562 cell line and the plant extracts possessed no mutagenicity or toxicity. This plant grew well in a tissue culture system where it was propagated from callus to a fully grown plant able to survive in environmental conditions. G. densa has ash and dietary fibre, vitamin B2, vitamin B3 and iron. The plant extracts had antibacterial activity against Gram negative bacteria E. coli, P. aeroginosa and Klebsiella. oxytoca; Gram positive bacteria Baccilus stereathermophilus and S. aureus. The plant also has antifungal activity against C. albicans and significant repellency activity against A. arabiensis where it showed 100% repellency. This plant was not found to be mutagenic or toxic. The results obtained from this study show promising potential for the plants to be exploited as famine food plants. The nutritional value, biological activity and ability to micropropagate A. aspera, A. sessilis and G. densa indicates a good potential for purposes of harnessing biotechnological products.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Technology: Biotechnology, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / Dichrostachys cinerea, Carpobrotus dimidiatus, Capparis tomentosa and Leonotis leonurus are all plants that are indigenous to South Africa. These plants are used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. However, there is little or no scientific data to justify these traditional uses. Furthermore, it is difficult to reconcile traditional knowledge with scientific evidence because of the overwhelming targeting of signal-responsive systems by plant defensive compounds, multiple sites of action and the connectedness of the signaling pathways, which provide many cures and have pleiotropic effects. In order to evaluate the action spectrum of these plants, and validate its widespread use, this research evaluated the antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-mosquito and immunomodulatory properties of these plants. Antimicrobial activity of the extract was determined by evaluating the bactericidal and fungicidal action using the agar disc diffusion assay. Anti-oxidative properties of the extracts were tested using the DPPH photometric assay. Anti-inflammatory properties were carried out using the 5-lipoxygenase assay. The larvicidal, repellency and insecticidal assay was determined against A.arabiensis. The safe use of these plant extracts was determined by evaluating toxicity, a brine shrimp lethality assay and an in vitro cell culture system using human myelogenous leukemia cell line. Potential carcinogenic activity was evaluated using the Ames Salmonella Mutagenecity assay. The immunomodulatory activity of the extracts on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells 6 was evaluated on freshly harvested lymphocytes using the MTT assay. Cytokine response was evaluated by measuring the secretion of interferon-gamma and interleukin-10. Elucidation of the B cells, T cells, activated T cells, CD 4+, CD 8+ and NK cells was performed by flow cytometry. The extracts showed anti-microbial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella oxytoca, Salmonella typhimurium, Serratia marcescens, Bacillus cereus and Tricoderm sp. The highest activity was shown by methanolic and aqueous extracts of L. leonurus leaves followed by methanolic and aqueous extracts of D. cinerea. Extracts of C. tomentosa and D.cinerea demonstrated a higher degree of free radical scavenging than rutin, which was used as a standard indicating that these plants have strong antioxidant properties. None of the plants showed significant anti-inflammatory activity when compared to NDGA. In the anti-mosquito assays, the extracts showed strong repellency and insecticidal activity. L. leonurus extracts demonstrated the highest insecticidal and repellency activity against the mosquito, and was also found to cause ‗knockdown‘ and mortality. The extracts display no toxicity, cytotoxicity and mutagenicity. The immunological studies for immune modulation showed that the methanol extracts of these plants induce a Th1- predominant immune response because they significantly suppressed the secretion of IL-10 and augment IFN-γ production, which are hallmarks used to indicate a stimulation of the innate immune response. This study also provides new information, with respect to the potential use of these plants in producing a mosquito repellent and an immunostimulant.

Thesis (M.Phil.) - University of Queensland, 2006. / Includes bibliography.

Submitted in fulfillment for the Degree of Master of Technology (Biotechnology) in the Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 2009. / Information regarding the nutritional value of wild food plants in Africa and current information varies from source to source. Prior to commercialization of wild foods the nutritional, ethnobotanical, medical, chemical, anthropological and toxicity requires investigation. Plants from the Amaranthaceae family were chosen because the family is characterized by several species which are used by indigenous communities as a source of nutrition in different plants of the world. The focus of this study was to investigate the nutritional and biological activities of three plants from the Amaranthaceae family viz. Achyranthes aspera, Alternanthera sessilis and Guilleminea densa that are considered famine plants. This study aimed to determine the nutritional value (proximate, minerals and vitamins), biological activity, toxicity and potential of a tissue culture system for three species from the family Amaranthaceae. Nutritional analysis comprised of determining moisture, ash, protein, fat, carbohydrate, dietary fibre and energy. Mineral analysis of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, sodium and zinc was performed by microwave digestion and then analyzed by ICP Spectrophotometry. Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3 and Vitamin C were also analyzed. For biological and safety analyses aqueous and methanolic extracts were prepared. Anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of the extracts were tested; antimicrobial activity was tested by evaluating the bactericidal, fungal effect and minimum inhibitory concentration on selected bacteria and fungi using the agar disk diffusion method. Anti mosquito potential was determined by setting up repellency, larvacidal assay and insecticidal assay. The safety and toxicity analysis was carried out by measuring cytotoxicity, toxicity and mutagenicity. The potential of an in vitro tissue culture system of A. aspera, A. sessilis and G. densa was determined using micropropagation. A. aspera indicated significant amounts moisture, ash, dietary fibre, protein, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, magnesium and manganese. Plant extracts of A. aspera had antibacterial activity against the Gram negative bacteria Esherichia coli, Pseudomas aeroginosa and Salmonella typhi; Gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus epidermis and Staphylococcus aureus. The methanolic extract had antifungal activity against Sacchromyces cerevisiae and exhibited significant free radical scavenging activity as well as 85% repellency against Anopheles arabiensis. The aqueous extract stimulated the growth of the K562 (Chronic Myclogenous Leukaemia) cell line and the plant extracts showed no mutagenicity or toxicity. A. sessilis indicated significant levels of ash, dietary fibre, protein, energy, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, iron, magnesium and manganese present. Plant extracts of A. sessilis had antibacterial activity against Gram negative bacteria P. aeroginosa and Gram positive bacteria S. epidermis. The plant also showed antifungal activity against the yeasts S. cerevisiae and Candida albicans. The methanolic plant extract showed excellent antioxidant activity. The aqueous plant extract stimulated the growth of the K562 cell line and the plant extracts possessed no mutagenicity or toxicity. This plant grew well in a tissue culture system where it was propagated from callus to a fully grown plant able to survive in environmental conditions. G. densa has ash and dietary fibre, vitamin B2, vitamin B3 and iron. The plant extracts had antibacterial activity against Gram negative bacteria E. coli, P. aeroginosa and Klebsiella. oxytoca; Gram positive bacteria Baccilus stereathermophilus and S. aureus. The plant also has antifungal activity against C. albicans and significant repellency activity against A. arabiensis where it showed 100% repellency. This plant was not found to be mutagenic or toxic. The results obtained from this study show promising potential for the plants to be exploited as famine food plants. The nutritional value, biological activity and ability to micropropagate A. aspera, A. sessilis and G. densa indicates a good potential for purposes of harnessing biotechnological products.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-11-22Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:23:46Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000753775.pdf: 2035767 bytes, checksum: ebfefc2a3b2453fe0cfbdfbdf2c18d63 (MD5) / O cultivo da amora-preta (Rubus sp) vem despertando interesse dos fruticultores paulistas nos últimos anos devido ao seu alto potencial produtivo, sendo uma alternativa viável como fonte de renda. Os frutos possuem características nutricionais muito apreciadas nos dias de hoje além de se mostrarem muito versáteis do ponto de vista tecnológico. O presente trabalho foi dividido em 3 partes para maior compreensão e aprofundamento dos aspectos avaliados e objetivou caracterizar bromatologicamente e quanto ao conteúdo mineral os frutos de amora-preta colhidos em 3 diferentes estádios de maturação, bem como seu produto processado, a geleia; caracterizar a qualidade pós-colheita dos frutos em diferentes tempos de armazenamento sob refrigeração e das geleias; determinar os compostos com potencial antioxidante e sua estabilidade durante a elaboração e armazenamento das geleias e frutos, respectivamente. As avaliações foram realizadas na ocasião da colheita para o experimento 1 e também aos dias 3, 6, 9, 12 e 15 após a colheita para os demais experimentos a fim de avaliar a possível degradação dos nutrientes a antioxidantes. Ao final dos experimentos pode-se verificar que a amora-preta apresenta alto potencial para industrialização já que para a maioria dos compostos biotivos avaliados não houveram grandes alterações decorrentes do processamento. Esta característica faz com que os frutos de amoreira preta sejam ótima alternativa para o processamento / The cultivation of blackberry (Rubus sp) has attracted the interest of fruit growers in São Paulo in recent years due to its high yield potential as a viable alternative source of income. The fruit has nutritional characteristics greatly appreciated these days and presents great versatility from a technological point of view. This study was divided into 3 parts for greater understanding of the aspects evaluated and aimed to characterize the bromatological composition and mineral content of the fruits harvested at 3 different stages of maturation and its processed product, the jelly; it also aimed to characterize the quality of post-harvest fruit at different times of storage under refrigeration and the qualities of the jellies as well; and it also aimed to determine the potential antioxidant compounds stability during preparation and storage of jelly and fruit, respectively. Evaluations were performed at the time of harvest for Experiment 1 and also on days 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 after harvest for the other experiments in order to evaluate the possible degradation of the antioxidant nutrients. At the end of the experiments it was possible to conclude that the fruit has a high potential for industrialization since for most bioactive compounds evaluated there were no major changes resulting from the processing. This feature places the black mulberry fruit as a great alternative for processing.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:23:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-12-19Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:30:09Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 fujita_lff_me_arafcf.pdf: 249322 bytes, checksum: d125a8f4e5864fda566f61d8c78d8932 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / A palmeira Butia capitata (Mart.) Becc.), também conhecida como coquinho-azedo pode ser encontrada no Brasil em áreas de cerrado e/ou terrenos arenosos, como dunas e restingas. O fruto é utilizado em diversas preparações, com destaque para a polpa processada. É uma boa fonte de nutrientes e compostos bioativos, considerando sua composição química e nutricional. O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar as características físico-químicas, microbiológicas e farmacognósticas da polpa de Butia capitata (Mart.) Becc. produzida em Arinos – MG, Brasil. Foram analisadas três amostras de polpas comerciais de coquinho-azedo, referente à safra 2010-2011. Realizou-se a determinação granulométria da polpa, tamanho médio das partículas, composição centesimal, sólidos solúveis, acidez total titulável, possível presença de contaminação microbiológica quando comparada aos padrões estabelecidos na Resolução RDC nº. 12 de 02 de janeiro de 2001, identificação dos compostos secundários saponinas, alcalóides, heterosídeos cardiotônicos e flavonoides do extrato e das frações hexânica, acetato de etila, butanólica e aquosa, bem como quantificação de compostos fenólicos totais, teor de ácido ascórbico e atividade antioxidante total pelos métodos ABTS•+ e DPPH. Todas as análises foram realizadas em triplicata. Os resultados apontam o tamis de abertura com diâmetro de 0,42mm o menor tamanho da malha que poderia ser usado para despolpar o fruto do coquinho-azedo, a maior porcentagem de partículas retidas e acumuladas em relação à abertura da malha concentrada sobre o tamis 0,210mm, além de ser uma boa fonte de nutrientes, com teor de lipídeos de cerca de 2,8% e 63 mg de ácido ascórbico.100g-1 de amostra. Em relação às análises microbiológicas, todas as amostras analisadas apresentaram qualidade microbiológica... / The palm Butia capitata (Mart.) Becc.), also known as sour coquinho-azedo in Brazil can be found in grassland areas and/or sandy soils, such as dunes and sandbanks. The fruit is used in various preparations, especially the pulped. It is a good source of nutrients and bioactive compounds, considering its chemical and nutritional composition. This study aimed to evaluate the physico-chemical, microbiological and pharmacognostic pulp Butia capitata (Mart.) Becc. produced in Arinos - MG, Brazil. We analyzed tree samples of pulps commercial coquinho-azedo sour, referring to the 2010-2011 harvest. Was performed to determine particle size pulp, average particle size, chemical composition, soluble solids, titratable acidity, possible presence of microbiological contamination when compared to the standards established in Resolution RDC. 12 January 2, 2001, identification of secondary compounds saponins, alkaloids, glycosides and flavonoids cardiotonic extract and fractions of hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol and water, as well as quantification of total phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity by methods ABTS•+ e DPPH. All analyzes were performed in triplicate. The results indicate the sieves opening with a diameter of 0.42 mm the smallest mesh size that could be used for pulping the fruit of coquinho-azedo, the highest percentage of particles retained and accumulated on the opening loop concentrated on the sieves 0.210 mm, besides being a good source of nutrients, lipid content of about 2.8% and 63 mg of ascorbic.100g-1 sample. Regarding microbiological analysis, all samples showed satisfactory microbiological quality, revealing lower microbial counts with values within the limits established by Brazilian legislation for this type of product. The results of the fractionation and identification of secondary metabolites by Thin Layer... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Orientador: José Paschoal Batistuti / Coorientador: Luis Vitor Silva do Sacramento / Banca: Elaine Maria Ravasi Stefano Simionato / Banca: João Bosco Faria / Resumo: A palmeira Butia capitata (Mart.) Becc.), também conhecida como coquinho-azedo pode ser encontrada no Brasil em áreas de cerrado e/ou terrenos arenosos, como dunas e restingas. O fruto é utilizado em diversas preparações, com destaque para a polpa processada. É uma boa fonte de nutrientes e compostos bioativos, considerando sua composição química e nutricional. O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar as características físico-químicas, microbiológicas e farmacognósticas da polpa de Butia capitata (Mart.) Becc. produzida em Arinos - MG, Brasil. Foram analisadas três amostras de polpas comerciais de coquinho-azedo, referente à safra 2010-2011. Realizou-se a determinação granulométria da polpa, tamanho médio das partículas, composição centesimal, sólidos solúveis, acidez total titulável, possível presença de contaminação microbiológica quando comparada aos padrões estabelecidos na Resolução RDC nº. 12 de 02 de janeiro de 2001, identificação dos compostos secundários saponinas, alcalóides, heterosídeos cardiotônicos e flavonoides do extrato e das frações hexânica, acetato de etila, butanólica e aquosa, bem como quantificação de compostos fenólicos totais, teor de ácido ascórbico e atividade antioxidante total pelos métodos ABTS•+ e DPPH. Todas as análises foram realizadas em triplicata. Os resultados apontam o tamis de abertura com diâmetro de 0,42mm o menor tamanho da malha que poderia ser usado para despolpar o fruto do coquinho-azedo, a maior porcentagem de partículas retidas e acumuladas em relação à abertura da malha concentrada sobre o tamis 0,210mm, além de ser uma boa fonte de nutrientes, com teor de lipídeos de cerca de 2,8% e 63 mg de ácido ascórbico.100g-1 de amostra. Em relação às análises microbiológicas, todas as amostras analisadas apresentaram qualidade microbiológica... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The palm Butia capitata (Mart.) Becc.), also known as sour coquinho-azedo in Brazil can be found in grassland areas and/or sandy soils, such as dunes and sandbanks. The fruit is used in various preparations, especially the pulped. It is a good source of nutrients and bioactive compounds, considering its chemical and nutritional composition. This study aimed to evaluate the physico-chemical, microbiological and pharmacognostic pulp Butia capitata (Mart.) Becc. produced in Arinos - MG, Brazil. We analyzed tree samples of pulps commercial coquinho-azedo sour, referring to the 2010-2011 harvest. Was performed to determine particle size pulp, average particle size, chemical composition, soluble solids, titratable acidity, possible presence of microbiological contamination when compared to the standards established in Resolution RDC. 12 January 2, 2001, identification of secondary compounds saponins, alkaloids, glycosides and flavonoids cardiotonic extract and fractions of hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol and water, as well as quantification of total phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity by methods ABTS•+ e DPPH. All analyzes were performed in triplicate. The results indicate the sieves opening with a diameter of 0.42 mm the smallest mesh size that could be used for pulping the fruit of coquinho-azedo, the highest percentage of particles retained and accumulated on the opening loop concentrated on the sieves 0.210 mm, besides being a good source of nutrients, lipid content of about 2.8% and 63 mg of ascorbic.100g-1 sample. Regarding microbiological analysis, all samples showed satisfactory microbiological quality, revealing lower microbial counts with values within the limits established by Brazilian legislation for this type of product. The results of the fractionation and identification of secondary metabolites by Thin Layer... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre