• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.121-129
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• 2022

Despite considerable efforts, cancer remains an aggressive killer worldwide. Chemotherapeutic drugs that are currently in use lead to destructive side effects and have not succeeded in fulfilling expectations. For centuries, medicinal plants are used for treating various diseases and are also known to have anticancer activity. The main aim of this research was to evaluate antiproliferative activity of saffron, clove, fenugreek, and green tea on Vero and MDA-MB-231 cell lines and to subsequently analyze the effect of these extracts on IRAK-4, TAK1, IKK-alpha, IKK-beta, NF-Kappa B, IRF3, IRF7 genes in Toll Like Receptors (TLRs) pathway. Antiproliferative assay was done by Neutral Red Dye uptake assay. Methanolic extract of green tea was found to be most effective against both cell lines as IC₅₀ was achieved at least concentration of the extract. For molecular studies, MDAMB-231 cells were sensitized with methanolic extract of green tea at same IC₅₀, and RT-PCR was performed to determine the relative expression of genes. Expression of IRAK-4, TAK1, IKK-beta, NF-Kappa B, IRF3 genes was down regulated and IRF7 and IKKalpha was upregulated. Green tea has a potential cytotoxic effect on both cell lines which was demonstrated by its effect on the expression of (TLRs) pathway genes.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.125-131
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• 2003

Physiological activities of hot water extracts of 10 commercial instant curry powders and 6 spices, were investigated. All spice extracts except ginger showed significant antioxidant activities on the autoxidation of linoleic curry acid (p＜0.01). Antioxidant activities of clove and fennel were significantly higher than ${\alpha}-tocopherol$, instant curry powders, and other spices, Red pepper $(52.8{\pm}2.13%)$, clove, and coriander showed significant inhibitory activities against angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (p＜0.001). Cytotoxic effects of instant curry powder and spices against human cancer cell lines were examined through MTT assay. Black pepper $(29.31{\pm}2.21%\;cytotoxic\;rate)$ and cardamon $(19.41{\pm}3.92%)$ were effective against MCF-7 (p＜0.01), Clove $(42.92{\pm}5.57%)$ against HeLa (p＜0.01). Ginger $(34.21{\pm}1.11%)$, cardamon, and black pepper against A172 (p＜0.001), garlic $(82.88{\pm}0.53%)$ against SN12C (p＜0.001), garlic $(71.63{\pm}0.38%)$, red pepper, ginger, fenugreek, SPC, cumin, and MPC against SNU-638 (p＜0.001), and cassia $(82.84{\pm}16.92%)$ against A549 (p＜0.001).

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 1995

Pharmacognostic study was carried out on the seeds of Trigonella foenumgraecum L. (fenugreek) in order to establish its pharmacognostic characteristics. In view of its renewed interest as a dietary supplement among the local inhabitants afflicted with diabetes, its hypoglycaemic activity in normal as well as diabetic rats was also investigated. Oral glucose tolerance test showed that a suspension of the powdered trigonella seed inhibited the increase in blood glucose levels in normal rats that had been treated with an oral glucose load prior to the test. A reduction in the blood glucose levels was also observed when a suspension of the powdered seed was given by gastric intubation to the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. These findings suggested that trigonella seeds possessed some hypoglycaemic activities that might be useful to the diabetics.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.305-311
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• 2016

This study investigated the effects of a mixture of fenugreek seeds and Lespedeza cuneata extracts on testosterone synthesis in TM3 cells that were oxidatively stressed with $H_2O_2$. In order to oxidatively stress TM3 cells, the cells were treated with $50{\mu}M$ hydrogen peroxide for 4 hr in serum-free media. Yagwanmun-horopa mixture (YHM) showed neither cytotoxicity nor increment of cell proliferation in the oxidatively stressed TM3 cells in any concentration. When the cells were treated with hydrogen peroxide, testosterone levels decreased, but the testosterone level was returned to that of the control level in the presence of YHM. In order to find out the reasons for the increase of testosterone, the expression of the genes involved in the synthesis or disintegration of testosterone. On the other hand, the levels of $3{\beta}$-HSD4 and 17, 20-desmorase, which are involved in testosterone synthesis, were decreased through the use of hydrogen peroxide and were recovered through YHM treatment. Aromatase and $5{\alpha}$-reductase2, which convert testosterone to estradiol and dihydrotestosterone, respectively, were increased through the use of hydrogen peroxide, and were returned to control level through YHM treatment. These results suggest that YHM does not affect TM3 cell proliferation. However, YHM increases the expression of testosterone-synthesizing enzyme, which was decreased through oxidative stress, and decreases the expression of testosterone- converting enzyme, which was increased through oxidative stress. Therefore, it is reasonable that YHM has strong recovery activity on testosterone to normal level, even in the oxidatively stressed TM3 cells which mimics the andropause state.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.213-218
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• 2020

This study was conducted to develop a method of analysis for 4-hydroxy-L-isoleucine in the seed extract of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum), a health functional food that contains dietary fiber. The analytical method for 4-hydroxy-L-isoleucine was derived with O-phthaldialdehyde reagent (OPA) and determined by HPLC-PDA. The method was performed on a Capcell Pak C₁₈ UG 120 column (4.6×250 mm, 5 ㎛) in isocratic elution mode using disodium phosphate and acetonitrile. The validation of the developed analytical method was conducted by evaluating several parameters; selectivity, linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), accuracy and repeatability. Excellent linearity (R²=0.999) was observed for 4-hydroxy-L-isoleucine in the concentration range (5-100 ㎍/mL). Observed recoveries of these compounds were found to be between 91.7 and 96.4%. Precision was between 0.2 and 2.4% relative standard deviation (%RSD).

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.352-357
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• 2002

Antimutagenic effects of extracts from curry powder and its individual fourteen kinds of spices, were investigated by Ames test. The antimutagenic effects against a direct mutagen, 2-nitrofluorene(2 -NF) and two indirect mutagens, 2-anthramine(2-AT) and 2-acetamidofluorene (2-AE) in the S. typhimurium TA98 were tested. For the 2-NF, the antimutagenicity of cinnamon, fenugreek, fennel, ginger, clove, turmeric and celery seed were determined as 42, 38, 32, 28, 24, 23 and 20%, respectively. The antimutagenicity of clove against the 2-AT was the highest (116%), and followed by the order of celery seed(103%), cardamon(100%), red pepper(99%), cinnamon(92%), cumin(83%), ginger(82%), fennel(82%), coriander (71%), nutmeg(68%) and turmeric (55%). The results also showed that the antimutagenic effect of clove against the 2-AF was superior to other spices. In case of curry powder among more than 10 kinds of spices, the antimutagenenicity against the 2-AT and 2-AF showed 23% and 6%, respectively, but no effect was observed against the 2-NF.

• CELLMED
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.19.1-19.6
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• 2014

The most important reason mentioned for the early discontinuation of breast feeding and introduction of supplementary bottles is Perceived Insufficient Milk (PIM), which is relatively common in women. This is of public health concern because the use of breast milk substitutes increases the risk of morbidity and mortality among infants in developing countries and shortens birth intervals. Thus, a literary search in classical text for aetiopathogenesis, symptoms and treatment of PIM were appraised to implement in contemporary era. The classical Unani texts viz., Al Qanon fit Tib (Canon of Medicine), Al Hawi (Continens Liber), Zakheera Kharzam Shahi, Tarjuma Kamilus Sana, Tibbe Akbar, Akseer Azam, and Kitabul Kulliyat were reviewed. Further certain galactogogue herbs which are in use since antiquity such as fenugreek, cotton seeds, cumin, asparagus, black cumin etc were explored in different search engines on website for proven galactogogue activity. The causes of PIM are abnormal temperament of body or breast, anaemia, anxiety, depression, malnutrition etc. The principle treatment is treating the cause viz., the temperament is corrected by diet and drugs in abnormal temperament, elimination of humour is required in dominance of humour etc. The aforementioned drugs are proven scientifically for their galactogogue activity. The classical texts are having valuable information regarding PIM, which can be implemented in present era. Aforementioned Unani drugs are proven scientifically for with their galactogogue effect, however, clinical trials are scarce. Therefore, further randomized controlled clinical trials are recommended.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2009

Medicinal herbs are significant source of synthetic and herbal drugs. In the commercial market, medicinal herbs are used as raw drugs, extracts or tinctures. Isolated active constituents are used for applied research. For the last few decades, phytochemistry (study of plants) has been making rapid progress and herbal products are becoming popular. According to Ayurveda, the ancient healing system of India, the classical texts of Ayurveda, Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita were written around 1000 B.C. The Ayurvedic Materia Medica includes 600 medicinal plants along with therapeutics. Herbs like turmeric, fenugreek, ginger, garlic and holy basil are integral part of Ayurvedic formulations. The formulations incorporate single herb or more than two herbs (poly-herbal formulations). Medicinal herb contains multitude of chemical compounds like alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, resins, oleoresins, sesquiterpene, lactones and oils (essential and fixed). Today there is growing interest in chemical composition of plant based medicines. Several bioactive constituents have been isolated and studied for pharmacological activity. R. cordifolia is an important medicinal plant commonly used in the traditional and Ayurvedic system of medicine for treatment of different ailments. This review illustrates its major constituents, pharmacological actions substantiating the claims made about this plant in the traditional system of medicine and its clinical applications.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6945-6948
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• 2013

Background: Diosgenin, a steroidal saponin from a therapeutic herb, fenugreek (Trigonellafoenum-graceum L.), has been recognized to have anticancer properties. Telomerase activity is not detected in typical healthy cells, while in cancer cell telomerase expression is reactivated, therefore providing a promising cancer therapeutic target. Materials and Methods: We studied the inhibitory effect of diosgenin on human telomerase reverse transcriptase gene (hTERT) expression which is critical for telomerase activity. MTT- assays and qRT-PCR analysis were conducted to assess cytotoxicity and hTERT gene expression inhibition effects, respectively. Results: MTT results showed that $IC_{50}$ values for 24, 48 and 72h after treatment were 47, 44 and $43{\mu}M$, respectively. Culturing cells with diosgenin treatment caused down-regulation of hTERT expression. Discussion: These results show that diosgenin inhibits telomerase activity by down-regulation of hTERT gene expression in the A549 lung cancer cell line.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2004

Biotransformation process using microorganisms was examined to improve the bioconversion rate for the production of sotolon from the raw material. First, the extraction condition was optimized with regard to solvent type and pretreatment conditions. Dichloromethane was selected as a suitable solvent for the extraction of sotolon and sotolon-related compounds. Second, various microorganisms such as lactic acid-producing bacteria, yeast and fungi were tested for the biotransformation. Among the tested microbes, Agaricus blazei showed the highest conversion rate. Additives including amino acids, salts, and organic acids were investigated to test their effects on bioconversion. When the solution was added by isoleucine, ${\alpha}-ketoglutaric\;acid$, ascorbate, and $FeSO_4$ and later incubated by culture broth containing the mycelium of Agaricus blazei, the sotolon content increased up to about 77 times as compared to that of the raw material.