Utilization of Myristica fragrans Houtt. reduces serum sialic acid in type II diabetes mellitus (P3103)

Scientists are searching for new leads from the natural sources to combat different diseases. The studies were undertaken to discover new drugs from the natural sources. The beneficial effects of Myristica fragrans Houtt. are not limited to hypoglycemia only, but it also ameliorates diet induced obesity, insulin resistance, and exhibit cardioprotective effects. The studies attempt to investigate the effect of Myristica fragrans Houtt. fruit juice on a newly investigated risk factor, sialic acid in type II diabetes mellitus. A total of 48 type II diabetes mellitus patients, divided into group A (n=24), and group B (n=24) were investigated during the studies. The patients of group A were following Myristica fragrans Houtt. fruit juice treatment along with diet control, whereas the patients of group B were on diet control only. Serum sialic acid decreased in group A from 66.21±2.30 mg/dl to 63.59±2.10 mg/dl (<0.11) but, increased in group B from 66.55±1.70 mg/dl to 68.24±2.50 mg/dl (<0.12), compared to baseline. Post-treatment between group comparison revealed a significant difference (<0.05). The beneficial effects on fasting plasma glucose and glycohemoglobin were also greater in group A compared to group B as was the case with blood lipids, weight, and blood pressure. The studies provide another mechanism for the cardioprotective effect of Myristica fragrans Houtt. and further strengthen its value in the management of type II diabetes mellitus.

Abstract B46: Isolation, identification, and sensitivity pattern on fatty acid composition of edible oil in Bangladesh: From preclinical studies to international clinical trials

Bangladesh is a potential market for essential commodities, including edible oils, because of insufficient local production, a steadily growing population that now exceeds 150 million, and its improving economy. Edible oil is an energy-dense food nutrient providing 9.0 kcal/g. Oil rich in long chain monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially essential fatty acids (linoleic, and linolenic), is of primary importance for its digestion and absorption. Butter oil, corn oil, mustard oil, olive oil, palm oil, and soybean oil are the six major edible oils consumed in Bangladesh. Soybean oil is the highest consumed edible oil, catering to 59% of the demand. Find out a suitable variety of locally available edible oil for general mass to combat malnutrition and to control cardiovascular diseases and gastrointestinal disorders. Fatty acid analysis of six varieties included butter oil, corn oil, mustard oil, olive oil, palm oil, and soybean oil of locally consumed edible oils was carried out on a gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector and stainless steel-packed column. Nitrogen was used as a carrier gas. Corn oil contained the highest percentage of long chain monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids (93.10±3.59%) compared to mustard oil (79.25±5.99%), soybean oil (75.88±2.93), palm oil (51.48±0.75%), olive oil (24.18±.96%), and butter oil (8.29±1.33%). Corn oil with the highest percentage of monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids appears to be the most suitable edible oil for consumption, especially from the standpoint of cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal disorders, and nutritional rehabilitation of post-diarrheal patients.

Note: This abstract was not presented at the conference.

Citation Format: Md. Ariful Haque Mollik. Isolation, identification, and sensitivity pattern on fatty acid composition of edible oil in Bangladesh: From preclinical studies to international clinical trials. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fifth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2012 Oct 27-30; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2012;21(10 Suppl):Abstract nr B46.

Abstract A23: Practice-based interventions addressing cancer and chronic medical conditions in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America: From bench to bedside

Indigenous medicines are in great demand in both developed and developing countries in primary health care because of their great efficacy and no side effects. Today according to the World Health Organization, as many as 80% of the world's natives depend on indigenous medicines for their primary health care needs. Philadelphia is the largest city in the state of Pennsylvania, and the fifth-most densely populated large city in the United States of America, and the indigenous healing systems are still popular here. The studies were conducted during August 2010 to July 2012 using semi-structured questionnaires, open-ended questionnaires, informal interviews, and group discussions with neighborhood indigenous physicians as well as residents having thorough knowledge about medicinal plants. The data such as local name of medicinal plants, plant parts used, application etc. were collected. The voucher samples of the medicinal plants collected during the studies were properly identified with help of floras. The studies were includes information on 48 medicinal plants used for wide range of different types of cancer. Of these 21 medicinal plants are used against malignant tumor, 18 medicinal plants are used against leukemia cancer, 11 medicinal plants are used against breast cancer, 09 medicinal plants are used against colorectal cancer, 06 medicinal plants are used against lung cancer, 05 medicinal plants are used against lymphoma cancer, 03 medicinal plants are used against pancreas cancer, and one medicinal plant is used for blastoma cancer. An assessment of the scientific literatures revealed that preliminary studies conducted on some of the above medicinal plants justify their use to treat specific ailments as practiced by the indigenous physicians as well as residents. There is enough scope of the amalgamation of these medicinal plants in the main stream of prenatal medicines suggest today after the medicinal plants drug are subjected to the phytochemical and biological screening, together with clinical trials. The studies were to interact with neighborhood indigenous physicians as well as residents and document their knowledge on medicinal plants, their usage, and the types of cancer treated etc.. The formulations mostly contained single medicinal plant instead of multiple medicinal plants. These medicinal plants belonged to different growth and life forms. The knowledge evolved for a long time through trial and error.

Note: This abstract was not presented at the conference.

Citation Format: Md. Ariful Haque Mollik. Practice-based interventions addressing cancer and chronic medical conditions in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America: From bench to bedside. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fifth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2012 Oct 27-30; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2012;21(10 Suppl):Abstract nr A23.

Abstract A44: Practical habit and herbalism knowledge for prostate cancer-related problems among Bangladeshi immigrants to the United States: The experience of Bronx borough in New York City

In the United States, herbalism use is most prevalent among the immigrants. Very few studies have been conducted in the Bangladeshi immigrants to the United States of America on herbalism knowledge. Therefore a gap in knowledge exists. This study deals with the field observations recorded on the therapeutic applications of the herbalism used in prostate cancer related problems by the Bangladeshi immigrants of Bronx borough in the New York City. Fieldwork was carried out from August 2011 to November 2011. Semi structured interviews and guided field-walk methods were used to gather information on herbalism used by the Bangladeshi immigrants. Along with herbalism, information was also collected on herbalism parts used, formulations, and dosages. Information on phytochemicals as well as pharmacologic activity studies on this herbalism (if any) was obtained from several data bases. The collected information indicates that the following herbalism is used to treat prostate-cancer related problems: Swertia chirata Buch.-Ham. ex Wall., Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Citrus aurantiifolia (Christm.) Swingle, Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f., Plantago major L., Cocos nucifera L., Apis dorsata Fabricius, Allium sativum L., Ocimum gratissimum L., Saccharum officinarum L., Allium cepa L., Momordica charantia L., Areca catechu L., Piper nigrum L., Nigella sativa L., Lactuca sativa L., Ipomoea aquatica Forssk., Persea americana Mill., Panax ginseng C.A.Mey., Carica papaya L., Piper betle L., Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Oken, Ficus racemosa L., Azadirachta indica A.Juss., Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai, Solanum melongena L., Ananas comosus (L.) Merr., Ophicephalus striatus Bloch, Zea mays L., Borassus flabellifer L., Cucumis sativus L., Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper, Brassica napus L., Amaranthus tricolor L., and Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa. This study further highlighted the importance of gathering such ethnopharmacology information for effective conservation of the Bangladeshi immigrants' medicinal knowledge and medicinally important herbalism. It is important that modern scientific studies be conducted on this herbalism towards isolation and identification of compounds through which multi-drug resistant prostate cancer related problems can be effectively treated.

Note: This abstract was not presented at the conference because the presenter was unable to attend.

Citation Format: Md. Ariful Haque Mollik, Douglas James Trainor. Practical habit and herbalism knowledge for prostate cancer-related problems among Bangladeshi immigrants to the United States: The experience of Bronx borough in New York City [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Prostate Cancer Research; 2012 Feb 6-9; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(4 Suppl):Abstract nr A44.

Folk medicinal uses of Verbenaceae family plants in Bangladesh

Folk medicinal practitioners form the first tier of primary health-care providers to most of the rural population of Bangladesh. They are known locally as Kavirajes and rely almost solely on oral or topical administration of whole plants or plant parts for treatment of various ailments. Also about 2% of the total population of Bangladesh are scattered among more than twenty tribes residing within the country's borders. The various tribes have their own tribal practitioners, who use medicinal plants for treatment of diseases. The objective of the present survey was to conduct an ethnomedicinal survey among the Kavirajes and tribal practitioners to determine which species of plants belonging to the Verbenaceae family are used by the practitioners. The Verbenaceae family plants are well known for constituents having important bio-active properties. The present survey indicated that 13 species belonging to 8 genera are used by the folk and tribal medicinal practitioners of Bangladesh. A comparison of their folk medicinal uses along with published reports in the scientific literature suggests that the Verbenaceae family plants used in Bangladesh can potentially be important sources of lead compounds or novel drugs for treatment of difficult to cure debilitating diseases like malaria and rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract B73: Complementary and alternative medicine and the development of self in chronic diseases: A prospective, multicenter observational survey in the Munshiganj district of Bangladesh

Modern lifestyle has contributed to serious increases in chronic diseases like cancers and tumors, hypertension, heart diseases, and diabetes mellitus; as well as debilitating diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Currently, most medications or therapies for treatment of the above diseases have serious side-effects, which sometimes can be more life-threatening than the disease itself. It is important, therefore, to turn to medicinal plant sources for discovery of novel yet safe compounds, which has less or no side-effects to treat the above diseases. The present survey was carried out amongst the traditional health practitioners in the Munshiganj district of Bangladesh to collect information on medicinal plants used by them to treat the above diseases. Information was collected through a series of interviews with traditional health practitioners, rural and urban people. Field notes were recorded on the medicinal plants and their uses; following the methodology of Bhat et al. (1990) and Martin (1995). The identified medicinal plant specimens were stored at the Bangladesh National Herbarium; under the first author's collector series. The following medicinal plants or plant parts were found to be used as remedy for cancers & tumors: Achyranthes aspera (L), Morinda citrifolia (L), Linum usitatissimum (L), Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. Serr., Derris indica (Lam.) Bennet, Randia dumetorum (Retz.) Poir., Ficus racemosa (L), Ocimum tenuiflorum (L), Polygonum persicaria (L), Abrus precatorius (L), Cyrtandra cupulata Ridl., Myristica fragrans Houtt., and Nigella sativa (L). Medicinal plants used for treatment of hypertension included Bacopa monnieri(L) Pennell, Tinospora cordifolia (Thunb.) Miers, Plantago ovata Forssk., Cocos nucifera (L.), Allium sativum (L), and Manguera indica (L.). Medicinal plants used to treat heart diseases were Ocimum gratissimum (L), Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) W. & A., Cicer arietinum (L), and Swertia chirata Buch.-Hams. ex Wall. Anti-diabetes mellitus medicinal plants included Mentha spicata (L), Lepidagathis hyalina Nees, Citrus maxima Merr., Syzygium cumini(L.) Skeels., Tamarindus indica (L), Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt, Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f., Momordica charantia Descourt., Carica papaya (L), Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, and Emblica officinalis Gaertn. Plants used as remedy for rheumatoid arthritis included Datura metel(L), Achyranthes aspera (L), Ricinus communis (L), Piper betle (L), Calotropis gigantea (L.) W. TAiton, Basella alba (L), Musa sapientum (L), Nigella sativa (L), Aconitum napellus (L), Santalum album (L), Brassica napus (L), Curcuma longa (L), and Boerhavia diffusa (L). A survey of the scientific literature revealed that preliminary studies conducted on some of the above medicinal plants justify their use to treat specific ailments as practiced by the traditional health practitioners. Other medicinal plants need to be scientifically studied towards obtaining new and safer medicines for treatment of diseases like cancers and tumors, hypertension, heart diseases, and diabetes mellitus; as well as debilitating diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, which affect a large portion of the world's population and have become the foremost chronic diseases in modern times.

Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):B73.