Aporn Chuncharunee | Mahidol University (original) (raw)

Papers by Aporn Chuncharunee

DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals), Sep 1, 2004

Journal of Natural Medicines, Jun 18, 2009

The protective effect of an ethanol extract of Curcuma comosa against cisplatin-induced renal tox... more The protective effect of an ethanol extract of Curcuma comosa against cisplatin-induced renal toxicity in mice was studied. Adult male mice were pretreated for 4 days with the ethanol extract of C. comosa [100-200 mg/kg body weight (BW), orally (p.o.)] before injection of cisplatin (12.5 mg/kg BW, intraperitoneally (i.p.)). Five days later the mice were killed, and blood samples were collected to determine blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and plasma creatinine levels. Kidneys were examined histopathologically and levels of lipid peroxidation, gluthathione (GSH) content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), gluthathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) activities were determined. Histological examinations revealed degenerative changes and tubular necrosis in mice treated with cisplatin, which were improved by pretreatment with C. comosa ethanol extract. Cisplatin raised BUN, creatinine, and kidney lipid peroxidation levels, and lowered kidney GSH content and levels of GPx, SOD, and CAT activities, all of which (except SOD and CAT) could be restored to normal values by pretreatment with 200 mg/kg BW of C. comosa ethanol extract. In addition, the ethanol extract of C. comosa and its isolated diarylheptanoid compound also exhibited radical scavenging activities. The results suggest that the ethanol extract of C. comosa exhibits effective protection against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity mediated through its antioxidant activity.

Future Pharmacology

Wound healing is the restorative process of skin or tissue injury, composed of the inflammatory, ... more Wound healing is the restorative process of skin or tissue injury, composed of the inflammatory, proliferative, maturation, and remodeling phases. The current study aimed to examine the efficacy of ASPP 092 (a well-characterized diarylheptanoid from Curcuma comosa Roxb) in modulating wound healing. Full-thickness excision wounds were made in rats and treated with either ASPP 092 (dose: 1 mg/mL and 2 mg/mL) or mupirocin (bioequivalent formulation). A control group treated with the vehicle (gel base) was also maintained. The healing efficacy of ASPP 092 was evaluated based on gross appearance, wound closure, and histopathology on days 3, 7, and 12 post-wounding. The expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) among the groups was also determined on day 3 post-wounding. Our results suggest that ASPP 092 treatment accelerated wound healing, as evidenced by rapid wound closure, re-epithelialization, and granulation of tissue formation with fewer inflammatory cells. More fibroblasts, collagen ...

Objective: To evaluate sexual dimorphism in the cranium and mandible of Thais by using Jorgensenu... more Objective: To evaluate sexual dimorphism in the cranium and mandible of Thais by using Jorgensenus craniometry and to develop a statistical model to determine sex from craniometrical measurements and indices. Methods: One hundred and one Thai skulls (66 males and 35 females) which ranged in age from 18 to 86 years were studied. Results: According to craniometry, the skull of a male is larger and higher than that of a female. Considering each individual measurement, although 26 of 30 measurements and 5 of 14 indices showed a statistically significant difference between males and females, they had some overlaps. To predict gender more accurately, a multiple logistic regression model based on 4 skull measurements (mm) i.e., nasion-basion length (M5), maximum breadth of the cranium (M8), facial length (M40), and bizygomatic breadth of the face (M45) was developed as follows: In (odds) = Z = -52.5312 + 0.27 M5 - 0.1867 M8 + 0.1268 M40 + 0.319 M45 The probability of being males (P) is the...

Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal

European Journal of Pharmacology, 2000

European Journal of Pharmacology, 2002

The plasma cholesterol-lowering effect and mechanism thereof of a choleretic phloracetophenone or... more The plasma cholesterol-lowering effect and mechanism thereof of a choleretic phloracetophenone or 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone (THA) were investigated in hypercholesterolemic male hamsters. Intragastric administration of THA (300-600 micromol/kg) twice a day for 7 days to these animals caused a dose- and time-dependent decrease in both plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels. THA at a dose of 400 micromol/kg reduced the cholesterol and triglyceride levels in plasma to 52% and 25% of the level in corresponding cholesterol-fed controls, respectively, with decreases in both plasma very low density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein cholesterol but not in high density lipoprotein cholesterol. THA did not significantly alter total hepatic cholesterol content but significantly increased the excretion of both bile acids and cholesterol into the intestinal lumen for elimination. Corresponding to the increase in bile acid excretion, THA caused a seven-fold increase in hepatic cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase activity. These results suggest that THA exerts its cholesterol lowering effect by increasing hepatic cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase activity which increases hepatic conversion of cholesterol to bile acid for disposal via biliary secretion. This compound may have a potential for future development as a therapeutic agent for lowering lipids in hypercholesterolemic patients.

OriginalArticle C ranioscopy is characteristics of the skull that cannot be measured. It is class... more OriginalArticle C ranioscopy is characteristics of the skull that cannot be measured. It is classified into either present/absent e.g., supraorbital foramen or slight/medium/marked. Distinguishing males from females and different ethnic groups using morphological characteristics of bone is important in the fields of physical and forensic anthropology. Various parts of skeleton were useful in sex determination such as the pelvis, femur, tibia, humerus, radius, mandible and cranium. 1-7 The cranium is an important source of information in forensic and anthropological investigators. There were extensive literatures on sex determination of cranium using both morphological and metrical criteria. 5 Likewise , mandible has also provided useful information in studies of sexual dimorphism. Morphological compari-ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of sexual dimorphism in the cranium and mandible of Thais using the Krogman's cranioscopy and the modified Krogman's cranioscopy t...

Pharmaceutical Sciences Asia

Curcuma comosa Roxb. (C. comosa, Zingiberaceae) is a medicinal herb containing diarylheptanoids w... more Curcuma comosa Roxb. (C. comosa, Zingiberaceae) is a medicinal herb containing diarylheptanoids with anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. The crude extract and its phenolic diarylheptanoid were shown to have hepatoprotection in vitro. The present study investigated the active principles and their underlying mechanisms that provided protection against thioacetamide (TA)-induced hepatotoxicity in vivo. Hepatic injury was induced in adult male mice by a single injection of TA (50 mg/kg BW, i.p.). C. comosa ethanol extract (5-500 mg/kg BW, p.o.), isolated diarylheptanoids: (3R)-1,7-diphenyl-(4E,6E)-4,6-heptadien-3-ol, (D-049) or (3S)-1-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-7-phenyl-(6E)-6-hepten-3-ol, (D-092), (1-25 mg/kg BW, i.p.), was given prior to receiving TA. Changes in plasma activity of alanine transaminase (ALT), hepatic glutathione (GSH) content, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP 2E1) were determined at 24 h after TA-treatment. C. comosa extract suppressed the elevation of plasma ALT level in the TA-induced acute hepatotoxicity with increases in hepatic SOD and CAT activities. The protective effect was observed at 1 and 6 h prior to receiving TA and the effective dose was at 25 mg/kg BW. For pretreatment with diarylheptanoids, only non-phenolic diarylheptanoid, D-049 (5-25 mg/kg BW), provided the protection, but not phenolic diarylheptanoid, D-092. Moreover, D-049 suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α and CYP 2E1. These findings suggest that D-049 is an active principle in C. comosa that contributes hepatoprotection against TA-induced oxidative damage. It may mediate through its increased intracellular antioxidant enzymatic detoxification, which subsequently decrease the formation of bioactive metabolites of TA.

Pharmaceutical Biology, 1998

ABSTRACT The effects of Curcuma comosa extracts on the growth of male reproductive organs were in... more ABSTRACT The effects of Curcuma comosa extracts on the growth of male reproductive organs were investigated in immature rats. Intragastric administration of a hexane extract at a dose of 500 mg/kg BW for 7 consecutive days significantly suppressed weights of testes, epididymis, ventral prostate, seminal vesicle and levator ani muscle, whereas the same dose of ethyl acetate extract did not affect the organ weights. Suppression of the growth of the organs by the hexane extract was dose-dependent. Histological examination revealed regression of the spermatogonium in the seminiferous tubules and necrosis of epithelial cells in the epididymis. All effects of the hexane extract were similar to the effects of estradiol. Concurrent treatment with either hCG or testosterone did not fully abolish the suppressing effects of the extract. The growth-suppressing effect of C. comosa extract on male reproductive organs can be attributed to inhibition of gonadotrophin secretion and subsequent reduction of testosterone production, or to direct action on the male accessory sex organs.

Background : Embryology studies require good quality embryonic images. In addition, many teratolo... more Background : Embryology studies require good quality embryonic images. In addition, many teratology studies require the critical gross examination of embryos to determine the exact stage of embryonic development, or the extent of malformations. Objectives : The present study was designed to develop an improved method for preparing embryos. Materials and Methods : Sixty fertilized chicken eggs were divided into 6 groups of 10 and incubated at 38°C for various time periods (18, 20, 25, 30, 55, 72 hrs) depending on the developmental stage of the embryos. After incubation, the embryos were removed from the shells and yolk sacs. In each group, 5 embryos were stained using the Mayer's carmine technique and the remaining 5 embryos were stained using the improved method. By the new method, the embryos were macerated in 3% potassium hydroxide for different length of time before the Mayer's carmine staining. Results : It was found that the whole mount chick embryos which were stained ...

The present study aimed to investigate the hepatotoxicity of zederone isolated from Curcuma elata... more The present study aimed to investigate the hepatotoxicity of zederone isolated from Curcuma elata in mice. Adult male mice were intraperitoneally injected with a single dose of zederone (50-300 mg/kg body weight [BW]). Twenty-four hours after the injection, zederone induced liver enlargement with scattered white foci over the organ. The medium lethal dose (LD50) value at 24 hours of zederone was approximately 223 mg/kg BW. Hepatic centrilobular necrosis with marked increases in plasma alanine transaminase activity and total bilirubin levels was observed. Zederone at a dose of 200 mg/kg BW markedly decreased the activity of superoxide dismutase and the hepatic glutathione content, whereas the activity of catalase was not altered. The compound at this dose also increased the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of Cyp2b10 and Cyp3a11, which are the main drug-metabolizing enzymes in the liver. The mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor a was increased. The nuclear...

Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet, 2012

The retinal pathophysiology of methanol intoxication is that formate inhibits retinal mitochondri... more The retinal pathophysiology of methanol intoxication is that formate inhibits retinal mitochondrial function and increases oxidative stress. To investigate the effect of coenzyme Q10 and curcumin on chronic methanol intoxication causing retinopathy in rats. The authors designed an experimental study of chronic methanol intoxication in rats depleted of folate with methotrexate. The studied group received methanol (2 mg/kg body weight in saline by intraperitoneal injection) and methotrexate (0.1 mg/kg body weight in saline by subcutaneous injection) every other day for ten weeks to induce chronic methanol intoxication, while another group received saline as vehicle and served as control group. The studied rats were confirmed to develop significant retinopathy after 10 weeks and then assigned to three treatment arms: either corn oil (as control) or coenzyme Q10 (20 mg/kg/day) or Curcuma longa extract (2.5 mg/kg/day) for four weeks. Eyes were enucleated and the retinal tissue was prepar...

The present study aimed to investigate the hepatotoxicity of zederone isolated from Curcuma elata... more The present study aimed to investigate the hepatotoxicity of zederone isolated from Curcuma elata in mice. Adult male mice were intraperitoneally injected with a single dose of zederone (50-300 mg/kg body weight [BW]). Twenty-four hours after the injection, zederone induced liver enlargement with scattered white foci over the organ. The medium lethal dose (LD50) value at 24 hours of zederone was approximately 223 mg/kg BW. Hepatic centrilobular necrosis with marked increases in plasma alanine transaminase activity and total bilirubin levels was observed. Zederone at a dose of 200 mg/kg BW markedly decreased the activity of superoxide dismutase and the hepatic glutathione content, whereas the activity of catalase was not altered. The compound at this dose also increased the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of Cyp2b10 and Cyp3a11, which are the main drug-metabolizing enzymes in the liver. The mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor a was increased. The nuclear...

Antiviral research, May 1, 2017

High viral load with liver injury is exhibited in severe dengue virus (DENV) infection. Mitogen a... more High viral load with liver injury is exhibited in severe dengue virus (DENV) infection. Mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) including ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK were previously found to be involved in the animal models of DENV-induced liver injury. However, the role of JNK1/2 signaling in DENV-induced liver injury has never been investigated. JNK1/2 inhibitor, SP600125, was used to investigate the role of JNK1/2 signaling in the BALB/c mouse model of DENV-induced liver injury. SP600125-treated DENV-infected mice ameliorated leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, hemoconcentration, liver transaminases and liver histopathology. DENV-induced liver injury exhibited induced phosphorylation of JNK1/2, whereas SP600125 reduced this phosphorylation. An apoptotic real-time PCR array profiler was used to screen how SP600125 affects the expression of 84 cell death-associated genes to minimize DENV-induced liver injury. Modulation of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9 expressions by SP600125 in DENV-infe...

Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 2016

To determine the protective effects of ethanol extracts of Curcuma comosa on kidney injury by cis... more To determine the protective effects of ethanol extracts of Curcuma comosa on kidney injury by cisplatin, mice were randomly assigned into 4 groups: Control, cisplatin control (12.5 mg/kg body weight (BW), i.p.), C. comosa+cisplatin (pretreatment with C. comosa at dose 200 mg/kg BW orally for 4 consecutive days before cisplatin injection), and C. comosa control groups. After five days, the renal tissues were collected to evaluate histopathological changes and inflammatory markers. This study elucidates the postulate of using C. comosa to counteract effect of cisplatin in terms of renal toxicity. The outcome shows that incidence of nephrotoxicity in cisplatin given along with C.comosa, decreased clinically and statistically, comparing with cisplatin given alone. It shows less of renal tubular damages and COX-2 expression. Also, the microscopic alteration showed a decreased number of swollen cells, necrotic and apoptotic cells. These aforementioned results proved the benefit use of C. comosa in aspect of renal protection. C. comosa can ameliorate cisplatin-induced kidney injury through the suppression of the inflammatory cytokine (COX-2) and its anti-oxidant properties. Therefore, it is a promising alternative regimen for the prevention of nephrotoxicity during cisplatin therapy.

Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal

Wound healing is the curative process of tissue injury, composed of three phases: the inflammator... more Wound healing is the curative process of tissue injury, composed of three phases: the inflammatory phase, proliferative phase, followed by the maturation cum remodeling phase. Various treatment options were previously depicted for wound healing, however a treatment that accelerates these phases would be highly valuable. Platelet aggregation at the bleeding vessels and release of various growth factors are the most promising factors that stimulates the wound healing progress. In the present study, we hypothesized that the freeze-dried platelet which were normally discarded from the blood banks due to invalidity, might be promising to accelerate the phases of wound healing. The invalid freeze-dried platelets were prepared to a gel form called invalid freeze-dried platelet gel (IF-PG), which was tested for its efficacy in a cutaneous punch wound model in rats. Mupirocin antibiotic gel was used as a bio-equivalent formulation. The wound healing phases and changes in the wound sites were determined by assessing the wound sizes, histopathological analysis, immunohistochemical staining. The re-epithelialization at the wound sites at different time intervals till the wound closure was also determined. Our results suggest the beneficial effects of IF-PG; in reducing the wound area and accelerating wound closure in the cutaneous punch wound in rats. Histopathology and immunostaining results support the improvements in the wound when treated with IF-PG, which were similar to that of mupirocin antibiotic gel. Our preliminary findings also warrant the competency of IF-PG in modulating the different phases of wound healing process. In conclusion, IF-PG might be a resourceful alternative for the wound care management, however further studies are required to validate its impact on various growth factors before proceeding to clinical studies.

The aim of this study was to examine the variation of the lumbar plexus in Thais in terms of its ... more The aim of this study was to examine the variation of the lumbar plexus in Thais in terms of its origin, branches, and variation of each branch. Anatomical dissections were conducted in 150 halves of formalin-embalmed cadavers. All preserved cadavers were Thais, ranging the age from 35 to 85 years old, 86 males and 64 females. The lumbar plexus was markedly composed of the first to fourth lumbar ventral rami (L 1 -L 4 ) in 81.33% of the plexuses (or 122 cases), but its origin varied, as it was derived from the ventral rami of the twelfth thoracic to fifth lumbar ventral rami (T 12 -L 5 ) in 18.67% of the cases. Eight branches of the plexus were found, including seven typical branches and an additional branch. The seven typical branches occured in 100% of cases, and they were the iliohypogastric, ilioinguinal, genitofemoral, lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh, femoral, obturator nerve and lumbosacral trunk. The additional branch, the accessory obturator nerve occurred in only 3.33%...

DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals), Sep 1, 2004

Journal of Natural Medicines, Jun 18, 2009

The protective effect of an ethanol extract of Curcuma comosa against cisplatin-induced renal tox... more The protective effect of an ethanol extract of Curcuma comosa against cisplatin-induced renal toxicity in mice was studied. Adult male mice were pretreated for 4 days with the ethanol extract of C. comosa [100-200 mg/kg body weight (BW), orally (p.o.)] before injection of cisplatin (12.5 mg/kg BW, intraperitoneally (i.p.)). Five days later the mice were killed, and blood samples were collected to determine blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and plasma creatinine levels. Kidneys were examined histopathologically and levels of lipid peroxidation, gluthathione (GSH) content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), gluthathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) activities were determined. Histological examinations revealed degenerative changes and tubular necrosis in mice treated with cisplatin, which were improved by pretreatment with C. comosa ethanol extract. Cisplatin raised BUN, creatinine, and kidney lipid peroxidation levels, and lowered kidney GSH content and levels of GPx, SOD, and CAT activities, all of which (except SOD and CAT) could be restored to normal values by pretreatment with 200 mg/kg BW of C. comosa ethanol extract. In addition, the ethanol extract of C. comosa and its isolated diarylheptanoid compound also exhibited radical scavenging activities. The results suggest that the ethanol extract of C. comosa exhibits effective protection against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity mediated through its antioxidant activity.

Future Pharmacology

Wound healing is the restorative process of skin or tissue injury, composed of the inflammatory, ... more Wound healing is the restorative process of skin or tissue injury, composed of the inflammatory, proliferative, maturation, and remodeling phases. The current study aimed to examine the efficacy of ASPP 092 (a well-characterized diarylheptanoid from Curcuma comosa Roxb) in modulating wound healing. Full-thickness excision wounds were made in rats and treated with either ASPP 092 (dose: 1 mg/mL and 2 mg/mL) or mupirocin (bioequivalent formulation). A control group treated with the vehicle (gel base) was also maintained. The healing efficacy of ASPP 092 was evaluated based on gross appearance, wound closure, and histopathology on days 3, 7, and 12 post-wounding. The expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) among the groups was also determined on day 3 post-wounding. Our results suggest that ASPP 092 treatment accelerated wound healing, as evidenced by rapid wound closure, re-epithelialization, and granulation of tissue formation with fewer inflammatory cells. More fibroblasts, collagen ...

Objective: To evaluate sexual dimorphism in the cranium and mandible of Thais by using Jorgensenu... more Objective: To evaluate sexual dimorphism in the cranium and mandible of Thais by using Jorgensenus craniometry and to develop a statistical model to determine sex from craniometrical measurements and indices. Methods: One hundred and one Thai skulls (66 males and 35 females) which ranged in age from 18 to 86 years were studied. Results: According to craniometry, the skull of a male is larger and higher than that of a female. Considering each individual measurement, although 26 of 30 measurements and 5 of 14 indices showed a statistically significant difference between males and females, they had some overlaps. To predict gender more accurately, a multiple logistic regression model based on 4 skull measurements (mm) i.e., nasion-basion length (M5), maximum breadth of the cranium (M8), facial length (M40), and bizygomatic breadth of the face (M45) was developed as follows: In (odds) = Z = -52.5312 + 0.27 M5 - 0.1867 M8 + 0.1268 M40 + 0.319 M45 The probability of being males (P) is the...

Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal

European Journal of Pharmacology, 2000

European Journal of Pharmacology, 2002

The plasma cholesterol-lowering effect and mechanism thereof of a choleretic phloracetophenone or... more The plasma cholesterol-lowering effect and mechanism thereof of a choleretic phloracetophenone or 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone (THA) were investigated in hypercholesterolemic male hamsters. Intragastric administration of THA (300-600 micromol/kg) twice a day for 7 days to these animals caused a dose- and time-dependent decrease in both plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels. THA at a dose of 400 micromol/kg reduced the cholesterol and triglyceride levels in plasma to 52% and 25% of the level in corresponding cholesterol-fed controls, respectively, with decreases in both plasma very low density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein cholesterol but not in high density lipoprotein cholesterol. THA did not significantly alter total hepatic cholesterol content but significantly increased the excretion of both bile acids and cholesterol into the intestinal lumen for elimination. Corresponding to the increase in bile acid excretion, THA caused a seven-fold increase in hepatic cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase activity. These results suggest that THA exerts its cholesterol lowering effect by increasing hepatic cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase activity which increases hepatic conversion of cholesterol to bile acid for disposal via biliary secretion. This compound may have a potential for future development as a therapeutic agent for lowering lipids in hypercholesterolemic patients.

OriginalArticle C ranioscopy is characteristics of the skull that cannot be measured. It is class... more OriginalArticle C ranioscopy is characteristics of the skull that cannot be measured. It is classified into either present/absent e.g., supraorbital foramen or slight/medium/marked. Distinguishing males from females and different ethnic groups using morphological characteristics of bone is important in the fields of physical and forensic anthropology. Various parts of skeleton were useful in sex determination such as the pelvis, femur, tibia, humerus, radius, mandible and cranium. 1-7 The cranium is an important source of information in forensic and anthropological investigators. There were extensive literatures on sex determination of cranium using both morphological and metrical criteria. 5 Likewise , mandible has also provided useful information in studies of sexual dimorphism. Morphological compari-ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of sexual dimorphism in the cranium and mandible of Thais using the Krogman's cranioscopy and the modified Krogman's cranioscopy t...

Pharmaceutical Sciences Asia

Curcuma comosa Roxb. (C. comosa, Zingiberaceae) is a medicinal herb containing diarylheptanoids w... more Curcuma comosa Roxb. (C. comosa, Zingiberaceae) is a medicinal herb containing diarylheptanoids with anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. The crude extract and its phenolic diarylheptanoid were shown to have hepatoprotection in vitro. The present study investigated the active principles and their underlying mechanisms that provided protection against thioacetamide (TA)-induced hepatotoxicity in vivo. Hepatic injury was induced in adult male mice by a single injection of TA (50 mg/kg BW, i.p.). C. comosa ethanol extract (5-500 mg/kg BW, p.o.), isolated diarylheptanoids: (3R)-1,7-diphenyl-(4E,6E)-4,6-heptadien-3-ol, (D-049) or (3S)-1-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-7-phenyl-(6E)-6-hepten-3-ol, (D-092), (1-25 mg/kg BW, i.p.), was given prior to receiving TA. Changes in plasma activity of alanine transaminase (ALT), hepatic glutathione (GSH) content, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP 2E1) were determined at 24 h after TA-treatment. C. comosa extract suppressed the elevation of plasma ALT level in the TA-induced acute hepatotoxicity with increases in hepatic SOD and CAT activities. The protective effect was observed at 1 and 6 h prior to receiving TA and the effective dose was at 25 mg/kg BW. For pretreatment with diarylheptanoids, only non-phenolic diarylheptanoid, D-049 (5-25 mg/kg BW), provided the protection, but not phenolic diarylheptanoid, D-092. Moreover, D-049 suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α and CYP 2E1. These findings suggest that D-049 is an active principle in C. comosa that contributes hepatoprotection against TA-induced oxidative damage. It may mediate through its increased intracellular antioxidant enzymatic detoxification, which subsequently decrease the formation of bioactive metabolites of TA.

Pharmaceutical Biology, 1998

ABSTRACT The effects of Curcuma comosa extracts on the growth of male reproductive organs were in... more ABSTRACT The effects of Curcuma comosa extracts on the growth of male reproductive organs were investigated in immature rats. Intragastric administration of a hexane extract at a dose of 500 mg/kg BW for 7 consecutive days significantly suppressed weights of testes, epididymis, ventral prostate, seminal vesicle and levator ani muscle, whereas the same dose of ethyl acetate extract did not affect the organ weights. Suppression of the growth of the organs by the hexane extract was dose-dependent. Histological examination revealed regression of the spermatogonium in the seminiferous tubules and necrosis of epithelial cells in the epididymis. All effects of the hexane extract were similar to the effects of estradiol. Concurrent treatment with either hCG or testosterone did not fully abolish the suppressing effects of the extract. The growth-suppressing effect of C. comosa extract on male reproductive organs can be attributed to inhibition of gonadotrophin secretion and subsequent reduction of testosterone production, or to direct action on the male accessory sex organs.

Background : Embryology studies require good quality embryonic images. In addition, many teratolo... more Background : Embryology studies require good quality embryonic images. In addition, many teratology studies require the critical gross examination of embryos to determine the exact stage of embryonic development, or the extent of malformations. Objectives : The present study was designed to develop an improved method for preparing embryos. Materials and Methods : Sixty fertilized chicken eggs were divided into 6 groups of 10 and incubated at 38°C for various time periods (18, 20, 25, 30, 55, 72 hrs) depending on the developmental stage of the embryos. After incubation, the embryos were removed from the shells and yolk sacs. In each group, 5 embryos were stained using the Mayer's carmine technique and the remaining 5 embryos were stained using the improved method. By the new method, the embryos were macerated in 3% potassium hydroxide for different length of time before the Mayer's carmine staining. Results : It was found that the whole mount chick embryos which were stained ...

The present study aimed to investigate the hepatotoxicity of zederone isolated from Curcuma elata... more The present study aimed to investigate the hepatotoxicity of zederone isolated from Curcuma elata in mice. Adult male mice were intraperitoneally injected with a single dose of zederone (50-300 mg/kg body weight [BW]). Twenty-four hours after the injection, zederone induced liver enlargement with scattered white foci over the organ. The medium lethal dose (LD50) value at 24 hours of zederone was approximately 223 mg/kg BW. Hepatic centrilobular necrosis with marked increases in plasma alanine transaminase activity and total bilirubin levels was observed. Zederone at a dose of 200 mg/kg BW markedly decreased the activity of superoxide dismutase and the hepatic glutathione content, whereas the activity of catalase was not altered. The compound at this dose also increased the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of Cyp2b10 and Cyp3a11, which are the main drug-metabolizing enzymes in the liver. The mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor a was increased. The nuclear...

Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet, 2012

The retinal pathophysiology of methanol intoxication is that formate inhibits retinal mitochondri... more The retinal pathophysiology of methanol intoxication is that formate inhibits retinal mitochondrial function and increases oxidative stress. To investigate the effect of coenzyme Q10 and curcumin on chronic methanol intoxication causing retinopathy in rats. The authors designed an experimental study of chronic methanol intoxication in rats depleted of folate with methotrexate. The studied group received methanol (2 mg/kg body weight in saline by intraperitoneal injection) and methotrexate (0.1 mg/kg body weight in saline by subcutaneous injection) every other day for ten weeks to induce chronic methanol intoxication, while another group received saline as vehicle and served as control group. The studied rats were confirmed to develop significant retinopathy after 10 weeks and then assigned to three treatment arms: either corn oil (as control) or coenzyme Q10 (20 mg/kg/day) or Curcuma longa extract (2.5 mg/kg/day) for four weeks. Eyes were enucleated and the retinal tissue was prepar...

The present study aimed to investigate the hepatotoxicity of zederone isolated from Curcuma elata... more The present study aimed to investigate the hepatotoxicity of zederone isolated from Curcuma elata in mice. Adult male mice were intraperitoneally injected with a single dose of zederone (50-300 mg/kg body weight [BW]). Twenty-four hours after the injection, zederone induced liver enlargement with scattered white foci over the organ. The medium lethal dose (LD50) value at 24 hours of zederone was approximately 223 mg/kg BW. Hepatic centrilobular necrosis with marked increases in plasma alanine transaminase activity and total bilirubin levels was observed. Zederone at a dose of 200 mg/kg BW markedly decreased the activity of superoxide dismutase and the hepatic glutathione content, whereas the activity of catalase was not altered. The compound at this dose also increased the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of Cyp2b10 and Cyp3a11, which are the main drug-metabolizing enzymes in the liver. The mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor a was increased. The nuclear...

Antiviral research, May 1, 2017

High viral load with liver injury is exhibited in severe dengue virus (DENV) infection. Mitogen a... more High viral load with liver injury is exhibited in severe dengue virus (DENV) infection. Mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) including ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK were previously found to be involved in the animal models of DENV-induced liver injury. However, the role of JNK1/2 signaling in DENV-induced liver injury has never been investigated. JNK1/2 inhibitor, SP600125, was used to investigate the role of JNK1/2 signaling in the BALB/c mouse model of DENV-induced liver injury. SP600125-treated DENV-infected mice ameliorated leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, hemoconcentration, liver transaminases and liver histopathology. DENV-induced liver injury exhibited induced phosphorylation of JNK1/2, whereas SP600125 reduced this phosphorylation. An apoptotic real-time PCR array profiler was used to screen how SP600125 affects the expression of 84 cell death-associated genes to minimize DENV-induced liver injury. Modulation of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9 expressions by SP600125 in DENV-infe...

Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 2016

To determine the protective effects of ethanol extracts of Curcuma comosa on kidney injury by cis... more To determine the protective effects of ethanol extracts of Curcuma comosa on kidney injury by cisplatin, mice were randomly assigned into 4 groups: Control, cisplatin control (12.5 mg/kg body weight (BW), i.p.), C. comosa+cisplatin (pretreatment with C. comosa at dose 200 mg/kg BW orally for 4 consecutive days before cisplatin injection), and C. comosa control groups. After five days, the renal tissues were collected to evaluate histopathological changes and inflammatory markers. This study elucidates the postulate of using C. comosa to counteract effect of cisplatin in terms of renal toxicity. The outcome shows that incidence of nephrotoxicity in cisplatin given along with C.comosa, decreased clinically and statistically, comparing with cisplatin given alone. It shows less of renal tubular damages and COX-2 expression. Also, the microscopic alteration showed a decreased number of swollen cells, necrotic and apoptotic cells. These aforementioned results proved the benefit use of C. comosa in aspect of renal protection. C. comosa can ameliorate cisplatin-induced kidney injury through the suppression of the inflammatory cytokine (COX-2) and its anti-oxidant properties. Therefore, it is a promising alternative regimen for the prevention of nephrotoxicity during cisplatin therapy.

Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal

Wound healing is the curative process of tissue injury, composed of three phases: the inflammator... more Wound healing is the curative process of tissue injury, composed of three phases: the inflammatory phase, proliferative phase, followed by the maturation cum remodeling phase. Various treatment options were previously depicted for wound healing, however a treatment that accelerates these phases would be highly valuable. Platelet aggregation at the bleeding vessels and release of various growth factors are the most promising factors that stimulates the wound healing progress. In the present study, we hypothesized that the freeze-dried platelet which were normally discarded from the blood banks due to invalidity, might be promising to accelerate the phases of wound healing. The invalid freeze-dried platelets were prepared to a gel form called invalid freeze-dried platelet gel (IF-PG), which was tested for its efficacy in a cutaneous punch wound model in rats. Mupirocin antibiotic gel was used as a bio-equivalent formulation. The wound healing phases and changes in the wound sites were determined by assessing the wound sizes, histopathological analysis, immunohistochemical staining. The re-epithelialization at the wound sites at different time intervals till the wound closure was also determined. Our results suggest the beneficial effects of IF-PG; in reducing the wound area and accelerating wound closure in the cutaneous punch wound in rats. Histopathology and immunostaining results support the improvements in the wound when treated with IF-PG, which were similar to that of mupirocin antibiotic gel. Our preliminary findings also warrant the competency of IF-PG in modulating the different phases of wound healing process. In conclusion, IF-PG might be a resourceful alternative for the wound care management, however further studies are required to validate its impact on various growth factors before proceeding to clinical studies.

The aim of this study was to examine the variation of the lumbar plexus in Thais in terms of its ... more The aim of this study was to examine the variation of the lumbar plexus in Thais in terms of its origin, branches, and variation of each branch. Anatomical dissections were conducted in 150 halves of formalin-embalmed cadavers. All preserved cadavers were Thais, ranging the age from 35 to 85 years old, 86 males and 64 females. The lumbar plexus was markedly composed of the first to fourth lumbar ventral rami (L 1 -L 4 ) in 81.33% of the plexuses (or 122 cases), but its origin varied, as it was derived from the ventral rami of the twelfth thoracic to fifth lumbar ventral rami (T 12 -L 5 ) in 18.67% of the cases. Eight branches of the plexus were found, including seven typical branches and an additional branch. The seven typical branches occured in 100% of cases, and they were the iliohypogastric, ilioinguinal, genitofemoral, lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh, femoral, obturator nerve and lumbosacral trunk. The additional branch, the accessory obturator nerve occurred in only 3.33%...