Anonazepine, a new alkaloid from the leaves of Annona muricata (Annonaceae).

From the CHCl3-soluble extract of Annona muricata L. (Annonaceae) leaves, one new 3-benzazepine-type alkaloid, anonazepine (1), and four known aporphine-type alkaloids, (+)-laurotetanine (2), (+)-norglaucine (3), (-)-xylopine (4), and lanuginosine (5), were isolated. Except for (-)-xylopine (4), these remaining known alkaloids were first reported in A. muricata. The structures of the isolated alkaloids were established by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and MS, as well as comparison with literature data. The new 3-benzazepine-type alkaloid existed in an inseparable mixture of two equilibrium conformers. Its absolute configuration was determined based on comparing their experimental and calculated ECD data. The anti-inflammatory activity of the isolated alkaloids was investigated, but none of the alkaloids showed a significant result.

A new lignan from the flowers of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Malvaceae).

From MeOH-soluble fraction of the flowers of Hibiscus sabdariffa (Malvaceae), one new lignan, (+)-4-O-methyl-5'-methoxy-secoisolariciresinol (1), together with four known compounds (2-5) were isolated. The structures were elucidated based on NMR spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined based on the Cotton effects in the CD spectrum. Compounds 1, 3 and 4 showed antioxidant activities with the SC50 values of 56.9, 19.3 and 22.7 µM, respectively.

A new furanochromone from the leaves of Mimosa pigra.

Phytochemical study on the EtOAc-soluble extract of the leaves of Mimosa pigra led to the isolation of a new furanochromone, 6,8-dihydroxy-2-methyl-9H-furo[3,2-b]chromen-9-one (1), along with four known compounds (2-5). Their structures were elucidated based on the basis of the spectral interpretation. The plausible biosynthesis pathway for the formation of the new furanochromone was proposed. At a concentration of 100 µM, compound 1 showed no cytotoxicity against human MCF-7 breast cancer cell with a cell viability >50%.[Figure: see text].

Effect of the Optimize Heart Failure Care Program on clinical and patient outcomes - The pilot implementation in Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: The Ho-Chi-Minh-city Heart Institute in Vietnam took part in the Optimize Heart Failure (OHF) Care Program, designed to improve outcomes following heart failure (HF) hospitalization by increasing patient awareness and optimizing HF treatment. METHODS: HF patients hospitalized with left ventricular ejection-fraction (LVEF) <50% were included. Patients received guideline-recommended HF treatment and education. Clinical signs, treatments and outcomes were assessed at admission, discharge, 2 and 6 months (M2, M6). Patients' knowledge and practice were assessed at M6 by telephone survey. RESULTS: 257 patients were included. Between admission and M2 and M6, heart rate decreased significantly, and clinical symptoms improved significantly. LVEF increased significantly from admission to M6. 85% to 99% of patients received education. At M6, 45% to 78% of patients acquired knowledge and adhered to practice regarding diet, exercise, weight control, and detection of worsening symptoms. High use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system inhibitors (91%), mineralocorticoid-receptor-antagonists (77%) and diuretics (85%) was noted at discharge. Beta-blocker and ivabradine use was less frequent at discharge but increased significantly at M6 (from 33% to 51% and from 9% to 20%, respectively, p < 0.001). There were no in-hospital deaths. Readmission rates at 30 and 60 days after discharge were 8.3% and 12.5%, respectively. Mortality rates at 30 days, 60 days and 6 months were 1.2%, 2.5% and 6.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The OHF Care Program could be implemented in Vietnam without difficulty and was associated with high usage of guideline-recommended drug therapy. Although education was delivered, patient knowledge and practice could be further improved at M6 after discharge.

Procarcinogens - Determination and Evaluation by Yeast-Based Biosensor Transformed with Plasmids Incorporating RAD54 Reporter Construct and Cytochrome P450 Genes.

In Vietnam, a great number of toxic substances, including carcinogens and procarcinogens, from industrial and agricultural activities, food production, and healthcare services are daily released into the environment. In the present study, we report the development of novel yeast-based biosensor systems to determine both genotoxic carcinogens and procarcinogens by cotransformation with two plasmids. One plasmid is carrying human CPR and CYP (CYP3A4, CYP2B6, or CYP2D6) genes, while the other contains the RAD54-GFP reporter construct. The three resulting coexpression systems bearing both CPR-CYP and RAD54-GFP expression cassettes were designated as CYP3A4/CYP2B6/CYP2D6 + RAD54 systems, respectively and used to detect and evaluate the genotoxic potential of carcinogens and procarcinogens by selective activation and induction of both CPR-CYP and RAD54-GFP expression cassettes in response to DNA damage. Procarcinogens were shown to be predominantly, moderately or not bioactivated by one of the CYP enzymes and thus selectively detected by the specific coexpression system. Aflatoxin B1 and benzo(a)pyrene were predominantly detected by the CYP3A4 + RAD54 system, while N-nitrosodimethylamine only moderately activated the CYP2B6 + RAD54 reporter system and none of them was identified by the CYP2D6 + RAD54 system. In contrast, the genotoxic carcinogen, methyl methanesulfonate, was detected by all systems. Our yeast-reporter system can be performed in 384-well microplates to provide efficient genotoxicity testing to identify various carcinogenic compounds and reduce chemical consumption to about 53% as compared with existing 96-well genotoxicity bioassays. In association with a liquid handling robot, this platform enables rapid, cost-effective, and high-throughput screening of numerous analytes in a fully automated and continuous manner without the need for user interaction.

Contribution to study on selecting a drug list and estimating drug demand in Khanh Hoa Rehabilitation Nursing Hospital

To establish an appropriate hospital drug list, the local disease prevalence and the revision of drug treatment in Khanh Hoa Rehabilitation Nursing Hospital, a survey and statistics were taken in 9 years (1995-2003). The disease categories observed in the hospital were contained in 19 chapters of The International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems - 10th revision (ICD10). Three chapters associated with high prevalence are chapter VI (Diseases of the nervous system), chapter IX (Diseases of the circulation system), and chapter XIII (Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue). Based on the local disease prevalence observed in the hospital, treatment guidelines, management capability and payment ability of patients, the Multi-Attribute Decision Analysis Method (MADAM) was applied to list available drugs used in Khanh Hoa Rehabilitation Nursing Hospital. Five decision evaluation criteria including efficacy, safety, ease of use, cost of drug and origin of drug were weighted and scored for the choice of drugs. The obtained result was a drug list which almost uses and promotes the 4th Essential Drug Concept

Study on elaboration of drug list and calculating of drug needs of the hospital for looking after and functional restoration in Khanh Hoa province

The study was carried out in periods 1995-1999 and 2000-2003. The list included 199 drugs, in which there was 181 drugs belong to IV- Essential Drug List. From pattern of the disease of Khanh Hoa Rehabilitation Nursing Hospital determined through investigation during period 1995 to 2003 and selected pattern of 2000-2003 as the hospital’s pattern of disease, the researchers selected drugs to build a suitable drug list. The researchers determined 5 major selected criteria and marked them suitable to propose Drug list based on classifying group and subgroup of IV Essential Drug List. From the Drug List, formula for calculating needs and prediction cost of drug in 2004 was proposed. Sum up partially 1st quarter 2004, there was no differences between reality cost and predicted cost of drug

Study on acute oral toxicity of the seed of momordica cochinchinensis

The trial of acute oral toxicity of the seed of Momordica cochinchinensis in mice showed that LD50 of the seed powder is 92.27g/kg. The result of the study should be considered in the attempt to use the seed of Momordica cochinchinensis as a drug administered orally. While waiting for confirmation, it is necessary to inform in public that taking this seed orally should be avoided