Day 1 :
Keynote Forum
Rongshi Li
University of Nebraska Medical Center, USA
Keynote: Marine natural products based drug discoveries
Time : 10:00
Biography:
Rongshi Li is a Professor of Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and University of Nebraska Medical Center. He spent 14 years in industry advanced from Scientist to Senior Vice President after his Post-doctoral training at University of California, San Francisco. He began his academic career in 2008 at Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida. In 2013, he was recruited to University of Nebraska Medical Center. Since 2008, he has published over 20 peer-reviewed articles, published and filed 31 US and PCT patents, edited two books and delivered over 40 invited talks.
Abstract:
Natural products and their derivatives account for about half of the New Chemical Entities (NCEs) for drug discovery to treat human diseases. For example, 78 of the 118 small-molecule NCEs identified for antibacterial agents were from either natural products or their derivatives during 30 years between 1981 and 2010. For anticancer drug discoveries, 85 of the 175 small molecules, for 70-year span from 1940 to 2010, were from natural products, their derivatives, metabolites and mimics. To date, natural products have provided the most successful supply of drug leads. Marine natural products have contributed to eight drugs or cosmeceuticals that were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency. In this talk, drug discoveries based on marine natural products will be discussed.
Keynote Forum
Liang Xu
University of Kansas Cancer Center, USA
Keynote: From Nature to Precision Cancer Medicine
Time : 10:25
Biography:
Liang Xu has completed his Post-doctorate training at Stanford University and started his own Lab at University of Michigan working on cancer drug discovery. He is a Co-Inventor of the first natural product Bcl-2 inhibitor that entered into clinical trials. He has more than 25 patents with four INDs in advanced clinical trials. He is a Professor of Cancer Biology at University of Kansas and has been funded by NIH, DOD and Komen Foundation. He is currently working on cancer drug discovery targeting the so far undruggable oncoproteins such as RNA-binding proteins.
Abstract:
Nature provides a rich resource for drug discovery for human diseases including cancer. Many current cancer drugs are originally discovered from nature, or natural products, or their derivatives / analogs. More natural products derived compounds are in drug discovery pipelines and various stages of clinical trials. Although dietary supplements cannot be marketed in the United States for the diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of disease, the use of botanicals and other dietary supplements for prevention and treatment of many diseases is highly promoted by lay press and high profile medical practitioners. Interest in non-pharmaceutical treatments has grown although the scientific evaluation of efficacy, safety and mechanism of action of popularly promoted botanicals is almost uniformly lacking. An important goal of our research is to address important public health issues for natural products potential use in cancer by documenting the efficacy, and identifying toxicities, of complex but well characterized and vouchered plant extracts that are analogous to dietary supplements available for over the counter use. Some compounds show promise for cancer by targeting cancer stem cells.
Keynote Forum
Dilip Ghosh
Soho Flordis International, Australia
Keynote: Phytopharmaceuticals: An emerging platform in modern medicine
Time : 11:10
Biography:
Dilip Ghosh has received his PhD in Biomedical Science from University of Calcutta, India. Previously, he held positions in Organon (India) Ltd.; HortResearch, New Zealand; USDA-ARS, HNRCA at Tufts University, Boston; The Smart Foods Centre, & Neptune Bio-Innovation Pty. Ltd., Australia. He is an international speaker, facilitator and author. He is a fellow of American College of Nutrition, professional member of AIFST, and also he is the Editorial Board Member of several journals. He has published more than 70 papers in peer reviewed journals, numerous articles in food and nutrition magazines and 4 books under CRC Press, USA.
Abstract:
A comprehensive review is presented which shows the plant kingdom as an almost inexhaustible reservoir of potential drugs. The longstanding, successful use of herbal drug combinations in traditional medicine makes it necessary to find a rationale for the pharmacological and therapeutic superiority of many of them in comparison to isolated single constituents. As a result a new category, “Phytopharmaceutical” has emerged in several countries. There are many definitions but the core essence is “Phytopharmaceutical drug which includes purified and standardized fraction with defined minimum four bio-active or phytochemical compounds (qualitatively and quantitatively assessed) of an extract of a medicinal plant or its part, for internal or external use of human beings or animals for diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of any disease or disorder but does not include administration by parental route” (CDSCO, Govt. of India, 2016). In last decade, we have seen the sluggish growth of Herbal/Ayurvedic products and decrease in Pharma R&D output in terms of reduction in number of NCEs and increasing cost of new drug discovery. Current allopathic practice is unable to meet the unmet needs of multi-component drug for multi target diseases. A number of problems, such as usefulness of RCTs in herbal medicine which are connected with the search for new prototype drugs of biological origin are also described. Special attention will be given on role of natural products in therapy; as biologically active compounds as such, as starting materials for (semi)synthetic drugs and, also as source of inspiration or as models for the synthesis of new drugs with better therapeutic, chemical or physical properties than the original compounds.
Keynote Forum
Fatma U Afifi-Yazar
The University of Jordan, Jordan
Keynote: From folkloric medicine to drug discovery
Time : 11:35
Biography:
Fatma U Afifi-Yazar is the Professor of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry and has obtained her Dr. Nat. Sci. from ETH Zurich (Switzerland) in 1977. Since 1982, she works at University of Jordan (UJ), School of Pharmacy where she teaches and supervises MSc and PhD students and holds administrative positions (Dept. Head, Dean). She has published more than 125 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of reputed journals. Her research projects were granted institutionally, governmentally and internationally. She received the "Distinguished Researcher Award" from the UJ for three successive years: 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Abstract:
Throughout the ages, humans have relied on nature-derived products for their basic needs; including medicines. A look back in the history of human civilizations reveals that in particular terrestrial plants have been used in form of folkloric medicines since ancient times. In spite of the development of several approaches and advanced techniques for drug discovery, natural products resisted and remained as a diverse and unique source for innumerable bioactive compounds in the treatment of various human diseases (chronic, infectious, new emerging Diseases) through the 20th and first decade of the 21st century. This presentation aims to shed light on the importance of herbal drugs, ethnopharmacology and traditional knowledge in transition from the folkloric medicine to the evidence based traditional medicine and drug discovery. Some examples will be given from Jordan, a small country with scarce vegetation, in search of plant-based new, safe and affordable drugs in management of diabetes and in treatment of breast cancer, conditions reaching alarming proportions both in Jordan and globally.
- Track 1: Natural Products
Track 2: New Sources and Approaches to Natural Products
Track 3:Natural Products Chemistry
Track 6: Medicinal Natural Products
Track 7: Natural Products as Anti-Cancer Drugs
Track 12: Bioactive Natural Products
Session Introduction
Liang Xu
University of Kansas Cancer Center, USA
Title: Natural products targeting RNA-binding protein Musashi
Biography:
Dr. Liang Xu did post-doc training at Stanford University and started his own lab at University of Michigan working on cancer drug discovery. He is a co-inventor of the first natural product Bcl-2 inhibitor that entered into clinical trials. He has >25 patents with four INDs in advanced clinical trials. He is a Professor of Cancer Biology at University of Kansas and has been funded by NIH, DOD and Komen Foundation. He is now working on cancer drug discovery targeting the so far undruggable oncoproteins such as RNA-binding proteins.
Abstract:
Musashi-1 (MSI1) is an RNA-binding protein that acts as a translation activator or repressor of target mRNAs. The best-characterized MSI1 target is NUMB mRNA, whose encoded protein negatively regulates Notch signaling. Additional MSI1 targets include the mRNAs for the tumor suppressor protein APC that regulates Wnt signaling and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor P21WAF-1. We hypothesized that increased expression of NUMB, P21 and APC, through inhibition of MSI1 RNA-binding activity might be an effective way to simultaneously downregulate Wnt and Notch signaling, thus blocking the growth of a broad range of cancer cells. We used a fluorescence polarization assay to screen for small molecules that disrupt the binding of MSI1 to its consensus RNA binding site. One of the top hits was (–)-gossypol (Ki = 476 ± 273 nM), a natural product from cottonseed, known to have potent anti-tumor activity and which has recently completed Phase IIb clinical trials for prostate cancer. Surface plasmon resonance and nuclear magnetic resonance studies demonstrate a direct interaction of (–)-gossypol with the RNA binding pocket of MSI1. We further showed that (–)-gossypol reduces Notch/Wnt signaling in several colon cancer cell lines having high levels of MSI1, with reduced SURVIVIN expression and increased apoptosis/autophagy. Finally, we showed that orally administered (–)-gossypol inhibits colon cancer growth in a mouse xenograft model. Our study identified (–)-gossypol as a potential small molecule inhibitor of MSI1-RNA interaction, and suggests that inhibition of MSI1’s RNA binding activity may be an effective anti-cancer strategy.
So-Young Park
Chungbuk National University, Republic of Korea
Title: Production of biomass and secondary metabolites from plant cell and organ culture using bioreactor system in medicinal plants
Biography:
So-Young Park has completed her PhD from Chungbuk National University during 1999-2002 in Korea and Postdoctoral studies from University of British Columbia, Canada. She is the Associate Professor of Department of Horticultural Science in Chungbuk National University. She has published more than 80 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of Journals such as Journal of Plant Biotechnology.
Abstract:
Plants have been an important source of pharmacologically active substances for thousands of years. It is estimated that approximately one quarter of all prescribed drugs contain plant extracts or active ingredients obtained from modeled on plant substances. Recently, increased emphasis is on the research of bioactive products from plants with potential pharmacological activity. Plant cell and tissue culture technology has been considered as a powerful tool for the biomass and bioactive compound production from those medicinal plants. In the past decade, tremendous progress has been made in this area and its importance has rapidly increased because of increased need for medicinal plant substances as sources of medicine and health food ingredients. Bioreactor culture system was applied for biomass and secondary metabolite production in medicinal plants. This system has been also refined to enhance the efficiency in terms of productivity and for cost reduction. For an efficient large-scale bioreactor culture, a perpetual explant source that is stable and fast growing is important. Majority of studies have been conducted on the cell and root cultures for biomass and secondary metabolite production for commercial purposes. Herein I would like to present an updated and comprehensive overview of in vitro biomass production system in various medicinal plants. Future perspectives of biomass and bioactive compound production have been also discussed.
Jae-Ha Ryu
Sookmyung Womens University, Korea
Title: Plant derived diarylheptanoids as Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitors
Biography:
Jae-Ha Ryu has completed his PhD at the College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Korea in 1989 and Post-doctoral studies from National Institute of Health, Maryland, USA. He got academic postion in 1992 at College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul Korea. He is the Director of Research Center for Cell Fate Control (Medical Research Center). His main research interest is to suggest leading compounds from medicinal plants for drug development, especially for the treatment of cancer and various metabolic diseases. He has published 150 papers in reputed journals.
Abstract:
The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a primary role in the differentiation, proliferation, and function of many cells but disruption of the pathway is involved in cancer development including colon cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in males and the second most common cancer in females, accounting for approximately 10% of all cancer-related deaths. Inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway can be a good strategy for chemoprevention and treatment of colorectal cancer. While screening for Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitors from medicinal plants, we found that (E)-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenylhept-4-en-3-one (compound 1), among six diarylheptanoids from lesser galangal (Alpinia officinarum), most potently suppressed Wnt3a-induced β-catenin/Tcell factor activity. Moreover, compound 1 suppressed proliferation of colon cancer cells by inhibiting β-catenin translocation to the nucleus by disrupting the β-catenin/galectin-3 complex. Furthermore, a structure–activity realtionship study implicated that the enone group in the linker is critical and the hydroxy substituent on the aromatic ring is generally preferred for activity. Our findings suggest that diarylheptanoids from lesser galangal exerts anticolon cancer activity by down regulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Bioactive diarylheptanoids and the basic understanding of their structure–activity relationship could be utilized to develop potential candidates for β-catenin-targeted cancer treatment.
Victor V. Semenov
Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia
Title: Synthesis of analogs of natural tubulin polymerization inhibitors using Parsley and Dill seed extracts
Biography:
Victor V. Semenov is working as the Head of Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory from N.D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences. He is the Author of 25 patents and 280 scientific articles. His research projects are Application of nitrogen heterocycles and nitrocompounds in drug design. Synthesis of analogs of natural antimitotics using allylpolyalkoxybenzenes from dill and parsley seed essential oils. Biological evaluation of compounds as tubulin modulators in the original sea urchin embryo assay. Development of chemical library for screening for anticancer, antibacterial, and antifungal activities in cooperation with National Cancer Institute (Bethesda, USA) and the University of Queensland (Brisbane, Australia).
Abstract:
Analogs of antimitotic natural products combretastatin A-4 (CA4), podophyllotoxin (PT) and flavanoids were synthesized using allylpolyalkoxybenzenes from Dill and Parsley seed essential oils. The targeted molecules were evaluated in vivo in a phenotypic sea urchin embryo assay for antimitotic and microtubule destabilizing activity. Structure activity relationship studies identified mostly active molecules with polymethoxyphenyl rings as potent antiproliferative agents. The effective threshold concentrations (EC) resulting in mitotic abnormalities in the sea urchin embryos were 0.25-1 nM. These molecules displayed high cytotoxicity against a panel of 60 human cancer cell lines including multi drug resistant cells. Cytotoxic effect of tested compounds was attributed to microtubule destabilization resulted in cell cycle arrest followed by apoptotic cell death. Considering encouraging data from phenotypic and mechanistic studies, some compounds may prove to be lead candidates for further in vivo studies to assess its potential as anti-tumor agents.
Abdul Aziz
University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
Title: “Scytonemin†pigment from Lyngbya notarisii (Menegh.) Wille (Cyanobacteria) may protect human skin from UV radiation.
Biography:
Abdul Aziz has completed his PhD from University of Durham in 1985. He is a professor of Botany, published over 100 research papers and served as a Chief Editor, Bangladesh J. Botany. He has developed large-scale Azolla pinnata (used as poultry and fish feed) production system in ponds round the year; bio-indicator of arsenic pollution and measuring arsenic in groundwater using Azolla filiculoides; discovered new phenomena of cyanobacterial morphogenesis like differentiation of a hormogonium or a hair depending on availability of PO4-P in the environment from a single cell; sorted out taxonomic confusions on stigonematalean members and Lyngbya notarisii.
Abstract:
Mature filament of Lyngbya notarisii (Menegh.) Wille, is characterized by having 10-12 layered sheath around a trichome with reddish-brown pigment called ‘scytonemin’. The filament attained about 3 cm long and 42 µm wide when grown in Chu 10D medium for 15 days under a continuous light flux of 50 µE m-2 s-1 and at a temperature of about 25º C. The ‘scytonemin’ produced by cells is diffused into a few innermost sheath layers. A filament when placed on a glass slide with Chu 10D medium and exposed to direct sunlight for two days, huge quantity of reddish-brown water-soluble ‘scytonemin’ oozes out through open end of the filament. The released ‘scytonemin’ after drying formed black flakes. The ‘scytonemin’ is known to protect cells from near UV radiation. Therefore, it may be used as a protecting agent of human skin from UV radiation and in other therapeutics. The filaments having large amount of sheath material may be processed for industrial uses.
Fatma U Afifi-Yazar
The University of Jordan, Jordan
Title: Anti-diabetic and anti-obesity potential of selected medicinal plants used in the traditional medicine of Jordan
Biography:
Fatma Ü Afifi-Yazar is a Prof. of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. She obtained Doctor of Natural Sciences from ETH Zurich (Switzerland) in 1977. Since 1982 she works at University of Jordan (UJ), School of Pharmacy where she teaches and supervises MSc and PhD students and hold administrative positions (Dept. Head, Dean). She has published more than 125 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of reputed journals. Her research projects were granted institutionally, governmentally and internationally. She received the "Distinguished Researcher Award" from the UJ for three successive years; 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Abstract:
In the recent decades complementary/alternative/integrative medicine flourished and lead to the renaissance of nutritional, clinical and scientific interest in plants' potential as preventive/therapeutic agents in the management/treatment of chronic diseases. Worldwide and in Jordan, the prevalence of type-2 diabetes (T2DM) and obesity has reached alarming proportions. In the Jordanian traditional medicine, Crataegus aronia L. and Adiantum capillus-veneris L. are two of the edible/medicinal plants used for the treatment of T2DM. The present study gives an overview of anti-diabesity plants of Jordan and discusses the LC-MS evaluation of the crude extract and in vitro and in vivo evaluation of different biological activities of A. capillus-veneris to evidence its claimed pharmacological potential. HPLC-MS analyses revealed the presence of ellagic acid (5.48 mg/g), rutin (4.77 mg/g), quercetin-3-O-glucoside (3.96 mg/g), ferulic acid (3.88 mg/g), gallic acid (3.44 mg/g), caffeic acid (1.55 mg/g), epicatechine (1.34 mg/g) and quercetine (0.43 mg/g). Hypocholesterolemic efficacy was evaluated in 10-weeks high-cholesterol-diet (HCD) fed rats and compared to atorvastatin. A. capillus veneris aqueous extract (500mg/kg body weight) decreased highly significantly the total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoproteins (LDL) in HCD-fed rats. Additionally, atherogenic index parameter of TC/HDL was normalized in A. capillus veneris-treated rats. Moreover, the plant extracts’ and some of the identified constituents’ role in modulating gastrointestinal carbohydrate and lipid digestion and absorption were demonstrated. The results indicate that A. capillus-veneris can be considered a potential candidate for the management of hypercholesterolemia, obesity and diabetes.
Ekenna Elikee
Ekenna Natures Ltd., Nigeria
Title: Efficacy of detogen-B, a medicinal plant formulation in cancer diseases
Biography:
Ekenna Elikee is a graduate of the University of Nigeria Nsukka and the MD Ekenna Natures Limited has devoted more than ten years after graduation in understanding the science of phytochemistry and using such knowledge in cure of so many intractable diseases including cancers, kidney/liver diseases and cardiovascular disorders.
Abstract:
Recent global statistics shows that cancers claim more than 8 million lives, while kidney diseases register up to one million cases annually, with most cases defying even the conventional orthodox medications. Hence, there is always need to explore alternative approaches to effective cures. Some cases of cancer and kidney failure that have been established in teaching hospitals or licensed diagnostic laboratories were subjected to our extemporaneous herbal preparations from already researched plants with established phytochemical properties. Histories of patients’ diets were taken, and the toxicological properties of the food additives noted as possible risk factors in the disease conditions. Following our treatment protocol, patients with cancers of the liver, cervix, bone, lungs including cirrhosis, fatty liver and severe kidney diseaseshave recovered and are now stable. Laboratory evidences from CT scans, X-ray images, and Bence Jones protein clearance tests were obtained. The first-line drug in these treatments is Detogen-B. This herbal formulation has passed through sub-acute and sub-chronic toxicity tests conducted by the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, in conjunction with the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). Animal organ tests showed a graphical increase in the mean weights of the liver, pancreas and lungs showing its activity in the regeneration of tissues. Reduction of LDL and triglycerides levels showed its detoxification and cardiovascular effects. The Haematological profile shows increase in the levels of WBC, MCH, MCHC and platelets without changes in the levels of RBC and procalcitonin. All these are indications of the effects of Detogen-B in the treatment of lesions, cancers, haemangioma and very degenerative disease conditions with immunostimulatory effects.
Alexander V.Sirotkin
Research Institute of Animal Production and Constantine the Philosopher University, Slovakia
Title: Food plants and plant molecules affect ovarian functions
Biography:
A V Sirotkin, PhD, Dr. Sc is working as Professor at the Constantine the Philosopher University, as a Research Scientist at Research Institute of Animal Production in Nitra and as a Visiting Professor at the King Saud University in Riyadh. He has more than 600 publications including 120 full papers in the international journals. He is a member of editorial boards of 4 international journals and a recipient of more than 10 national and international awards.
Abstract:
The aim of our in vitro and in vivo studies was to examine the potential influence of some medical and food plants and their constituents on ovarian functions. For this purpose, we have study the influence of green tea, rooibos, ginkgo, flaxseed, yukka extracts, as well as of plant molecules resveratrol, curcumin, quercetin, daidzein, diosgenin on proliferation, apoptosis, release of hormones and response to gonadotropins of porcine and rabbit ovarian cells as well as on rabbit fecundity. It was observed, that green tea, rooibos, ginkgo, flaxseed, extracts, as well as of resveratrol, curcumin, quercetin, daidzein, diosgenin are able to suppress proliferation, promote apoptosis, to alter the release of steroid hormones and to inhibit the response of cultured ovarian cells to hormonal stimulators FSH and IGF-I. Yukka extract expressed an opposite effect. Furthermore, feeding of rabbits with yukka increased their fecundity. These observations suggest potential direct inhibitory influence of food and medical plants green tea, rooibos, ginkgo, flaxseed on ovarian functions. The similarity in plant and plant constituent effects suggest that the observed plant effects can be due to presence of curcumin, quercetin, daidzein and diosgenin. The potential anti-reproductive effect of these plants should be taken into account by their consummation. On the other hand, yukka can be used as a natural stimulator of reproduction and fecundity.
Ping Zhou
Fudan University, China
Title: Isolation and characterization of a hyperbranched proteoglycan from Ganoderma lucidum for anti diabetes
Biography:
Ping Zhou has completed her BS degree study from Fudan University, China and PhD degree and Postdoctoral studies from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. She was appointed as a Staff Member at Fudan University and promoted to full Professor in 2005. She has focused on the Research of Biomedicine Materials and developed new drugs from natural herbs for diabetes treatment. She has published more than 100 scientific papers and got Science and Technology Award (Natural Science), Ministry of Education of China (2004), Wang Tianjuan Award for Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in China (2006) and Shanghai Natural Science Award (2011).
Abstract:
Inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) activity has been considered as a promising therapy approach to treat type-2 diabetes. In this work, a novel PTP1B activity inhibitor, named FYGL (Fudan-Yueyang-G. lucidum), was screened from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum and showed an efficient PTP1B inhibitory potency with IC50=5.12±0.05 μg/mL. The type-2 diabetic animals treated orally by FYGL showed an obvious decrease in the plasma glucose level and comparable with those treated by metformin, a clinic drug. The toxicity of FYGL is very low. FYGL is a water soluble hyperbranched proteoglycan with molecular weight (Mη) of 105. In addition, it was also found that FYGL could protect kidney against the renal functional and morphologic injuries by increasing the activities of antioxidants and inhibiting the accumulation of oxidation. The results indicate that FYGL may serve as a drug candidate or a health care food for the diabetic therapy and renal functional protection.
Daniel Motlhanka
Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Botswana
Title: Comparative Antioxidant And Total Phenolic Analysis Of Four Indigenous Herbal Tea Plants Of Botswana
Biography:
Professor Daniel Motlhanka has completed his PhD in Pharmacognosy from King’s College, University of London in United Kingdom in 2005. He is currently the only Professor of Pharmacognosy in Botswana. He is the leading expert in ethnopharmacological and phytochemical studies including isolation and identification of compounds from indigenous useful plants of Botswana. Professor Motlhanka is Head of Department of Basic Sciences at the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources. He has published tremendously on Bioactivity profiles of medicinal and food plants of Botswana. Prof Motlhanka who is also a herbalist is an expert in plant based extracts used to treat many ailments. He has made presentations in international conferences in Atlanta (USA), South Carolina (USA), North Carolina(USA), Alabama(USA), Florida(USA), Manchester (UK), London(UK), Harrogate(UK), Kent(UK), Malaysia, India, Italy, Germany, Finland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Mauritius, Kenya, Pretoria (RSA), Durban(RSA), Capetown(RSA), Zambia and many seminars in Waterloo (London),London Bridge( London), St Thomas (London), Kew Gardens (London) as well as a chain of local presentations in Botswana. Professor Motlhanka is member of many associations including the Society of Economic Botany. Prof Motlhanka is passionate about environmental conservation and cultivation of endangered plants germplasm.
Abstract:
As they say “several cups of tea a day keeps the doctor away!”but is this true or merely shear fiction? And is one type of tea any better than the other? There is strong evidence from the literature that herbal tea plants have health improving properties. One of the reasons for reputed properties of teas is related to the levels of antioxidants they contain. In this work, the antioxidant profiles of four herbal tea plants indigenous in Botswana (Artemisia afra, Lippia javanica, Lippia scabberima and Combretum hereroense were compared with commercial teas (Chinese Green tea, Rooibos and Five Roses). Free radical scavenging activity (FRSA) of the teas was evaluated spectrophotometrically as maximum fading power of 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) at 525nm. The total phenolic content of methanolic extracts was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteau method. At all tested concentrations, the scavenging power of C.hereroense(90%) fruit extract was higher than of all the other indigenous herbal teas and comparable to both Chinese Green Tea(90%) and control quercetin (91%). Between 100 and 200µg/ml, all tested extracts had scavenging potencies (≥90%) comparable to qurcetin and Chinese Green tea. The total phenolic content of C.hereroense (10680mg/L GAE) was tenfold greater than that of commercial teas. The other three tested indigenous herbal teas showed total phenolic contents (1000 to 2000mg/L GAE) comparable to the commercial teas including Chinese Green tea. These results support the long history of use of these traditional teas as health improving remedies and support their use in combating diseases associated with oxidative damage.
Essam A Makky
Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Malaysia
Title: Impact of ethno-medicinal plants on toothpaste improvement
Biography:
Dr. Makky is an Associate professor of Microbiology at University Malaysia Pahang, Malaysia. His broad research interests are in the areas of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. His main contributions have been in the areas of (i) Microbiology (Medical Microbiology, Applied Microbiology, Food Microbiology, Microbial ecology. (ii) Nanotechnology: Microbial production of Nanoparticles. (iii) Biotechnology: Bioremediation, Microbial Enzymes Biotechnology, Enzymes Purification, Water Microbiology, Microbial Fermentation, Microbial Physiology, Industrial Microbiology. (iv) Waste Management.
Abstract:
Objectives: The aim of this study to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of combined toothpaste with medicinal plants and the relations between the commercial toothpaste to its price and the patient age as well. Materials & Methods: Oral isolates of different patients aged 3 to 60 years were obtained, purified, and tested against four different ethno-medicinal plant extracts for antimicrobial activity. A total of 10 different commercial toothpastes (different brands and prices) were collected from the market, and the combined action of the medicinal plants and toothpastewas studied. Results: We found a higher bacterial population in the age group of 3–40 years than the group of 40–60 years, with approximately 44% and 32%, respectively. The combined action of ethanolic extract (alone) against oral isolates showed a synergistic effect, with 32.20, 30.50, and 25.42% for combinations A (Ci/Ca) , B (Ci/Ca/P) and C (Ci/Ca/P/N), respectively. By contrast, the combined action of ethno-medicinal plants with 10 different toothpastes improved the antimicrobial sensitivity by 60, 100 and 0% for combinations A, B and C respectively. Clinical relevance: The ethanolic extract of only combinations A and B with commercial toothpaste showed high antibacterial activity against oral isolates and the effectiveness of toothpaste is not related to the price.
Ray Cooper
Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Title: Chinese and botanical medicines: Myth or treasure?
Biography:
Abstract:
Although there is an enormous history of use of Chinese medicines (TCM) a better understanding of these preparations and formulae within the scientific and international community is needed. There is an urgent need to improve and promote this scientific inquiry in order to secure global acceptance. The aim of this paper is to present an improved quality roadmap for investigating TCM preparations and b) present several successful outcomes (case studies) on select botanicals and natural products to provide scientific data that substantiate the health claims. One example is the inhibition of ENOX2 (tNOX), a new molecular target to examine anticancer activity of green tea catechins. When the tNOX of cells is inhibited, the cells fail to enlarge after division, cease to divide and after a few days undergo apoptosis. In the area of bone healing there is new evidence on the natural chemicals from Sambucus williamsii and their benefits as a TCM drug. Other examples of well-known botanical medicines, (eg., cordyceps, red yeast rice, reishii), which are described in Chinese folklore will be presented.
Azza El Medany
Alexandria University, Egypt
Title: Green tea polyphenols for the protection against isoprenaline-induced myocardial infarction in experimental hyperhomocystemic rats
Biography:
Azza El Medany has completed her PhD from Alexandria University and Post-doctoral studies from Alexandria University College of Medicine. She is a Prof. of Pharmacology & vice Head of Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, KSU. She published more than 40 papers in the areas of GIT, CVS, Natural products & toxicological researches in reputed journals and serving as a membership of a number of professional bodies, was a speaker in a number of international conferences, the last ones in Singapore, Japan, Brazil & USA. She is a recipient of special awards in scientific research & teaching.
Abstract:
Green tea is a beverage that is popular worldwide. Polyphenols in green tea have been receiving attention for the maintenance of human health. The contribution of antioxidant activity in preventing diseases caused by oxidative stress has been focused upon. Hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In this study we investigated the effects of green tea extract (GTE) on isoprenaline (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction (MI) in hyperhomocysteinemic rats. Hhcy was induced by daily intake of methionine (1gkg-1body weight) in the drinking water for 4 weeks. MI was then produced by a single subcutaneous injection of ISO (300 mgkg-1). Electrographic parameters, heart rate, ST interval, blood pressure and serum levels of creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) & SGOT & lipid peroxidation (MDA&GSH) were measured in heart tissue as indices of oxidative stress. Hhcy resulted in significant blood pressure reduction, ST segment elevation and increase in heart rate, serum CK & LDH levels. Cardiac MDA was significantly increased, while GSH was decreased as compared to normal control group. All the previously mentioned parameters were significantly exaggerated in Hhcy rats treated with ISO as compared to Hhcy group. Administration of GTE during the induction of Hhcy showed a considerable reduction in serum markers of cardiotoxicity, heart rate, elevated ST segment & significant improve in the reduced blood pressure. Cardiac MDA was decreased while cardiac GSH was elevated. Hhcy+ISO caused disorganization of myocardial tissue which was restored in animals treated with GTE along with Hhcy+ISO. It can be concluded that GTE possesses an antioxidant activity and by virtue of this action it can protect the heart from Hhcy alone or Hhcy+ISO induced MI.
Russell Paterson
University of Minho, Portugal
Title: Medicinal mushrooms as sources of natural products
Biography:
Russell Paterson has completed his PhD from Manchester University, UK and Postdoctoral studies at Cornell University, USA. He is an Associate Director of a spin-off company in Portugal. He has published more than 200 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of repute. He has written various highly cited reviews on medicinal mushrooms. He has held a Professorial Chair on Ganoderma disease of oil palm in Malaysia: Ganoderma is also a medicinal mushroom. He was the Phytochemistry Special Issue Guest Editor on Ganoderma Phytochemistry in 2015.
Abstract:
Certain mushrooms have been used as medicines for over 2000 years. They are revered as being capable of curing numerous diseases particularly in the orient. Increasingly, they are being considered as sources of novel drugs worldwide. The activities ascribed to certain mushrooms cover the gamut of diseases from infections, diabetes, anti-inflammatory disease, to cancer. There is huge concern currently about resistance in pathogenic bacteria to antibiotics and mushroom may provide a source of much needed novel antibiotics. Much more information is being obtained on the activities of pure natural products from mushrooms and does the new information confirm the activities ascribed to the ancient remedies? There has not been enough use of valid scientific trials on humans in most cases and the use of crude extracts or whole mushrooms has obscured the source of activity. The activities ascribed to mushroom products will be described, as well the problems that require overcoming, based on recent papers by the author.
Biography:
Yohanes Buang has completed his PhD from Saga University, Japan, and Post-doctoral studies from Institute Polytechnic de Grenoble, France. He is a Researcher and Lecturer at the Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science and Engineering Nusa Cendana University, Kupang Indonesia. He has published more than 15 papers in various reputed journals and has been serving as a consultant reviewer of reputed journal, such as Journal of Biochemical Pharmacology.
Abstract:
Increasingly interested of society in use and creation of herbal medicines has encouraged scientists/researchers to establish an ideal method to produce the best quality and quantity of pharmaceutical extracts. To have highest the antioxidative extracts, the method used must be at optimum conditions. Hence, the best method is not only able to provide highest quantity and quality of the isolated pharmaceutical extracts but also it has to be easy to do, simple, fast, and cheap. The characterization of solvents in maceration technique, in present study, involved various variables influencing quantity and quality of the pharmaceutical extracts, such as solvent’s optimum acidity-alkalinity (pH), temperature, concentration, and contact time. The shifting polarity of the solvent by combinations of water with ethanol (70:30) and (50:50) were also performed to completely record the best solvent system in application of maceration technology. Among those three solvents threated within Myrmecodia pendens, as a model of natural product, the results showed that water solvent system with conditions of alkalinity pH, optimum temperature, concentration, and contact time is the best system to perform the maceration in order to have the highest isolated antioxidative activated extracts. The optimum conditions of the water solvent are at the alkalinity pH 9 up, 30 mg/mL of concentration, 40 min of contact time, 100°C of temperature, and no ethanol used to replace parts of the water solvent. The present study strongly recommended the best conditions of solvent system to isolate the pharmaceutical extracts of natural products in application of the maceration technology.
C Nirmala
Panjab University, India
Title: Bamboo shoot: A promising natural resource for the food and pharmaceutical industry
Biography:
C Nirmala is a Professor in the Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh. A Post-doc from the Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Hannover, Germany, she has worked on various aspects of bamboo like taxonomy, tissue culture, micropropagation and food and nutrition. The main focus of her research work is on the nutritive value and phytochemicals in bamboo shoots. She was the Chair, Technical Committee of World Bamboo Congress, 2015 (September 17-22, 2015) which was held in Damyang, Korea. She has more than 60 papers to her credit. Presently, she is a World Bamboo Ambassador and her aim is to promote bamboo as Wood and Food for the 21st century.
Abstract:
Bamboo is a fast growing, sustainable and environment friendly resource used not only as a building material, but also as food and medicine. Bamboo shoot, the young expanding tender culm is popularly consumed in East and Southeast Asia, including Japan, China, Korea, Thailand and some parts of India. Fresh shoots have a crisp, crunchy taste and sweet flavor, imparting a unique taste. Consumption of shoots once restricted to countries like China and India since long as traditional cuisine, is now gaining popularity worldwide due to its nutritive value and health benefits. The young shoots are delicious and rich in nutrients including proteins, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. In addition, they have several bioactive compounds that have health enhancing properties and provide protection against many diseases. Since the last decade, people have become very health conscious and prefer to eat foods that not only provide essential nutrients but also improve health thereby increasing the demand for natural foods especially healthy and organic. Due to the fact that synthetically produced compounds such as antioxidants are currently used in the food and pharmaceutical industries in order to prolong product shelf life, which may be harmful for health, there is a strong emphasis on the usage of natural resources to replace the synthetic ones. Bamboo shoot is a natural organic functional food rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds and beneficial for health. Hence, bamboo in general and shoots in particular have come in the forefront in development of modern functional foods and nutraceuticals.
Mohamed Hammad Adam Suleiman
King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia
Title: An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used by communities of Northern Kordofan region, Sudan
Biography:
Mohamed Hammad Adam Suleiman has completed his PhD in the year 2009 from Al-Neelain University, Khartoum, Sudan. He has published more than 5 papers in reputed journals and has supervised more than 10 MSc theses. Presently he is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, KSA.
Abstract:
Ethnopharmacological relevance: The present study provides significant ethnopharmacological information on plant species used in North Kordofan region, western Sudan. The study was undertaken with an aim to document the medicinal uses of the species known to some Northern Kordofan communities. Material & Methods: The study was conducted between 2012 and 2013. The plants were identified and voucher specimens prepared. Information was collected by means of semi-structured interviews with 258 informants (195 men and 63 women). In addition, the use value (UV) of the species was determined and the informant consensus factor (ICF) was calculated for the medicinal plants researched in the study. Further analysis was carried out to compare results with previous studies from the study area and other regions of Sudan. Results: A total of 44 plant species representing 24 families were found to be commonly used in the treatment of 73 different human health problems. The families most represented were Leguminosae (18%), Caesalpiniaceae (9%), Malvaceae (9%), Asclepiadaceae (6.8%) and Combretaceae (6.8%). The highest number of plant species are used against digestive system disorders (23 species) followed by microbial infections (21 species) and dermatology (19 species). Among all the plant parts leaves (20%), roots (19%), fruits and bark (14% each) were the most preferred plant parts used by the informants. There was strong agreement among the informants as to the usages of the plants (informant consensus factor 0.63-0.93). The most important plants on the basis of use value were Acacia nilotica, Acacia seyal, Balanites aegyptiaca, Cassia occidentalis, Cassia senna, Guiera senegalensis and Tamarindus indica. Conclusion: This study has helped to document information that may otherwise be lost to future generations. This is the first ethnobotanical study in which statistical calculations about plants are carried out by means of the ICF and UV methods in the study area. Plants with high ICF and UV values should be subjected for further phytochemical and pharmacological investigation for scientific validation.