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Faculty of Health Sciences

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Author: search.filters.author.Mellem, John Jason

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    Antidiabetic potential of Brachylaena discolor
    (0189-6016, 2015) Mellem, John Jason; Baijnath, Himansu; Odhav, Bharti
    Background: The traditional African herbal medicinal system has many reports of anti-diabetic food plants with no known side effects. Such plants and their products have been widely prescribed for diabetic treatment with little known mechanistic basis of their functioning. Therefore, these natural products need to be evaluated scientifically in order to confirm antidiabetic property claims. Materials and Methods: In this study, leaves of Brachylaena discolor were evaluated for potential to inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The leaves were also screened for toxicity and free radical scavenging capacity. Results: Results from the study show that the methanolic extract gave a higher α-glucosidase inhibition potential and was able to effectively scavenge free radicals better than the aqueous extract. The toxicity, cytotoxicity and mutagenicity screen also showed that both plant extracts are safe for use. Conclusion: These results therefore indicate that B. discolor has the potential for use as a potential dietary adjunct or therapy for the treatment of diabetes.
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    Chemoprevention of Azoxymethane-induced Colonic Carcinogenesis in Balb/c mice using a modified Pectin Alginate Probiotic
    (International Institute of AntiCancer Research, 2015) Odun-Ayo, Frederick Oluwasheyi; Naicker, Thajasvarie; Reddy, Lalini; Mellem, John Jason
    Background: Increased intake of probiotic dietary fibre reduces colonic cancer risk. Modified citrus pectin (MCP) requires optimal bioactivity to inhibit galectin-3 (GAL-3) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This study evaluated the preventative effect of modified pectin alginate (MCPA) probiotic microbeads on azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colonic carcinogenesis in Balb/c mice. Materials and Methods: Optimization of AOM dose duration: 10-15 mg/kg was administered for 2-4 weeks. The optimal AOM dose was initiated prior to intake of MCPA, alginate probiotic (AP) microbeads and MCP in Balb/c mice for 16 weeks; samples were analyzed for colonic histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Results: AOM at 15 mg/kg for 4 weeks induced optimal GAL-3 and VEGF immunostaining. Furthermore, MCPA treatment reduced GAL-3 expression in the colon of AOM-treated mice compared to MCP. Conclusion: MCPA probiotic microbeads increase bioactivity and chemopreventative effect against pre-cancerous colonic lesions and adenocarcinoma through inhibition of GAL-3 and VEGF in the Balb/c mouse model of colonic carcinogenesis.