1.Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activity and GC-MS Analysis of Carica papaya Leaves
Kooi-Yeong KHAW ; Nelson Jeng YEOU CHEAR ; Sathiya MARAN ; Keng Yoon YEONG ; Yong Sze ONG ; Bey Hing GOH
Natural Product Sciences 2020;26(2):165-170
Carica papaya is a medicinal and fruit plant owing biological activities including antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial and anticancer. The present study aims to investigate the acetyl (AChE) and butyryl (BChE) cholinesterase inhibitory potentials of C. papaya extracts as well as their chemical compositions. The chemical composition of the active extract was identified using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS). Ellman enzyme inhibition assay showed that the alkaloid-enriched leaf extract of C. papaya possessed significant anti-BChE activity with an enzyme inhibition of 75.9%. GC-MS analysis showed that the alkaloid extract composed mainly the carpaine (64.9%) – a major papaya alkaloid, and some minor constituents such as aliphatic hydrocarbons, terpenes and phenolics. Molecular docking of carpaine revealed that this molecule formed hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interactions with choline binding site and acyl pocket. This study provides some preliminary findings on the potential use of C. papaya leaf as an herbal supplement for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
2.Long-Term Effects of Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) Use
Darshan Singh ; Suresh Narayanan ; Oliver Grundmann ; Nelson Jeng Yeou Chear ; Vikneswaran Murugaiyah ; Shahrul Bariyah Sahul Hamid ; Nur Sabrina Mohd Yusof ; Eshal Bin Dzulkapli ; Vicknasingam Balasingam
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2020;16(No.4):64-72
Introduction: Kratom or (Mitragyna speciosa) leaves are consumed as a folk remedy and opioid substitute in the
Southeast Asian region. There is still a lack of information about the long-term or toxic-causing effects of kratom use.
Methods: A total of thirteen regular kratom users, with long-term (>20 twenty years) kratom use history were recruited
for this cross-sectional pilot study. Respondents were required to undergo a blood-test and laboratory anaysis was
conducted to determine the mitragynine content in an acquired street sample of kratom. Results: The regular, longterm consumption of brewed kratom decoction did not cause any significant alterations in haematological, kidney,
liver, thyroid, inflammatory and gastrointestinal analytes in a cohort of kratom users who had no history of substance
misuse. However, those who had a higher intake (>3 glasses per day) of kratom exhibited higher lipid values (except
for HDL-cholesterol), and a moderate elevation of homocysteine level. Conclusion: Long-term (>20 years with a
daily intake of ≥87.54mg of mitragynine) kratom consumption was not associated with altered biochemical levels,
although prolonged and heavy use (>3 glasses daily) may result in cardiovascular risks. The latter finding, however,
requires further investigation.