Browsing by Author "Wamunyokoli, Fred"
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Item Advances in green nanobiotechnology: Data for synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles from ethanolic extracts of fruits and leaves of Annona muricata(Data in brief, 2019) Gavamukulya, Yahaya; El-Shemy, Hany A.; Meroka, Amos M.; Madivoli, Edwin S.; Maina, Esther N.; Wamunyokoli, Fred; Magoma, GabrielIn this data article, data obtained from an efficient, eco-friendly and low-cost method for the synthesis and recovery of Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using ethanolic extracts of Annona muricata fruits and leaves as reducing, stabilizing and capping agents has been reported. 99.7% pure silver nitrate was used as the inorganic ion source. The data was obtained using different spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The data is presented in form of images, Microsoft excel sheets, graphs,.raw files,.dpt files, PDF files, among others. Methods of analysis and interpretation of the data have also been presented. The data can be most useful to researchers, research students, industrialists and academicians to acquire knowledge on the green synthesis of AgNPs and relatedItem Annona muricata silver nanoparticles exhibit strong anticancer activities against cervical and prostate adenocarcinomas through regulation of CASP9 and the CXCL1/CXCR2 genes axis(Tumor Biology, 2021) Gavamukulya, Yahaya; Maina, Esther N.; El-Shemy, Hany A.; Meroka, Amos M.; Kangogo, Geoffrey K.; Magoma, Gabriel; Wamunyokoli, FredGreen synthesized nanoparticles have been earmarked for use in nanomedicine including for the development of better anticancer drugs. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to undertake biochemical evaluation of anticancer activities of green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from ethanolic extracts of fruits (AgNPs-F) and leaves (AgNPs-L) of Annona muricata. METHODS:Previously synthesized silver nanoparticles were used for the study. The effects of the AgNPs and 5-Fluorouracil were studied on PC3, HeLa and PNT1A cells. The resazurin, migration and colonogenic assays as well as qRT-PCR were employed. RESULTS: The AgNPs-F displayed significant antiproliferative effects against HeLa cells with an IC50 of 38.58 g/ml and PC3 cells with an IC50 of 48.17 g/ml but selectively spared normal PNT1A cells (selectivity index of 7.8), in comparison with first line drug 5FU and AgNPs-L whose selectivity index were 3.56 and 2.26 respectively. The migration assay revealed potential inhibition of the metastatic activity of the cells by the AgNPs-F while the colonogenic assay indicated the permanent effect of the AgNPs-F on the cancer cells yet being reversible on the normal cells in contrast with 5FU and AgNPs-L. CASP9 was significantly over expressed in all HeLa cells treated with the AgNPs-F (1.53-fold), AgNPs-L (1.52-fold) and 5FU (4.30-fold). CXCL1 was under expressed in HeLa cells treated with AgNPs-F (0.69-fold) and AgNPs-L (0.58-fold) and over expressed in cells treated with 5FU (4.95-fold), but the difference was not statistically significant. CXCR2 was significantly over expressed in HeLa cells treated with 5FU (8.66-fold) and AgNPs-F (1.12-fold) but under expressed in cells treated with AgNPs-L (0.76-fold). CONCLUSIONS: Here we show that biosynthesized AgNPs especially AgNPs-F can be used in the development of novel and better anticancer drugs. The mechanism of action of the AgNPs involves activation of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway through upregulation of CASP9 and concerted down regulation of the CXCL1/ CXCR2 gene axis.Item Annona muricata: Is the natural therapy to most disease conditions including cancer growing in our backyard? A systematic review of its research history and future prospects(Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine, 2017) Gavamukulya, Yahaya; Wamunyokoli, Fred; El-Shemy, Hany A.Annona muricata (A. muricata) is a tropical plant species belonging to family Annonaceae and known for its many medicinal uses. This review focuses on the research history of its traditional uses, phytochemicals, pharmacological activities, toxicological aspects of the extracts and isolated compounds, as well as the in vitro propagation studies with the objective of stimulating further studies on this plant for human consumption and treatment. A. muricata extracts have been identified in tropical regions to traditionally treat diverse conditions ranging from fever to diabetes and cancer. More than 200 chemical compounds have been identified and isolated from this plant, the most important being alkaloids, phenols and acetogenins. Using in vitro studies, its extracts and phytochemicals have been characterized as antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, larvicidal, and cytotoxic to cancer cells. In vivo studies have revealed anxiolytic, antistress, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antimalarial, antidepressant, gastro protective, wound healing, hepato-protective, hypoglycemic, anticancer and anti-tumoral activities. In silico studies have also been reported. In addition, clinical studies support the hypoglycemic as well as some anticancer activities. Mechanisms of action of some pharmacological activities have been elucidated. However, some phytochemical compounds isolated from A. muricata have shown a neurotoxic effect in vitro and in vivo, and therefore, these crude extracts and isolated compounds need to be further investigated to define the magnitude of the effects, optimal dosage, and mechanisms of action, long-term safety, and potential side effects. Additionally, more clinical studies are necessary to support the therapeutic potential of this plant. Some studies were also found to have successfully regenerated the plant in vitro, but with limited success. The reported toxicity notwithstanding, A. muricata extracts seem to be some of the safest and promising therapeutic agents of the 21st century and beyond that need to be studied further for better medicinal formulations and diseases management.Item Antiproliferative Activity, c-Myc and FGFR1 Gene Expression Profiles and Safety of Annona muricata Fruit Extract on Rhabdomyosarcoma and BALB/c Mice(Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medical Research, 2021) Chikwana, Naomi; Maina, Esther N.; Gavamukulya, Yahaya; Bulimo, Wallace; Wamunyokoli, FredRhabdomyosarcoma is an aggressive solid tumour of skeletal muscles origin whose current treatment is associated with high expenses, severe side effects, drug resistance and tumour regrowth. There is a need to develop safer and more effective chemotherapeutic agents. Annona muricata is one of the widely used plants in treating various diseases due to its reported effectiveness. However, there is a dearth of scientific information regarding the efficacy of Annona muricata on rhabdomyosarcoma and its safety. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Annona muricata ethanolic fruit extract on the antiproliferative activity and gene expression in RD cell line, including its biosafety in BALB/c mice. Materials and Methods: The resazurin metabolic assay was used to assess the antiproliferative and cytotoxic activities of Annona muricata ethanolic fruit extract on RD and Vero cells. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to assess the gene expression profiles on c-Myc and FGFR1 genes. To evaluate the safety of the Annona muricata ethanolic fruit extract, an acute oral toxicity study was conducted on BALB/c mice. Results: Annona muricata ethanolic fruit extract significantly inhibited the growth of RD cells in a concentration and time-dependent manner while being highly selective on the Vero cells (selectivity index of 6.10 at 72h) compared to a reference cancer drug, doxorubicin (Selectivity index of 1.38 at 72hr). The c-Myc and FGFR1 genes were under expressed in RD cells treated with Annona muricata ethanolic fruit extract with (3.4 and 6.1 fold), respectively, compared to untreated cells. Acute oral toxicity studies revealed no significant difference (p ≥ 0.05) between the treated mice and the control group, indicating the safety of the fruit extract. Conclusion: Annona muricata ethanolic fruit extract can serve as effective and safe anticancer agents against rhabdomyosarcoma and further develop into standard drugs. Non-human primate studies need to be undertaken to step towards the clinical utilization of the Annona muricata ethanolic fruit extract in the management of rhabdomyosarcoma.Item Dermaseptin B2’s Anti-Proliferative Activity and down Regulation of Anti-Proliferative, Angiogenic and Metastatic Genes in Rhabdomyosarcoma RD Cells in Vitro(Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology, 2021) Abdille, Ahmed A.; Kimani, Josephine; Wamunyokoli, Fred; Bulimo, Wallace; Gavamukulya, Yahaya; Maina, Esther N.Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most prevalent soft tissue sarcoma in children, representing approximately 50% of pediatric sarcomas and can develop in any part of the body though more frequently at the extremities. Aim: Evaluating the in vitro anti-proliferative activity of Dermaseptin B2 on Rhabdomyosarcoma RD (CCL-136TM) cells and its effect on the expression of MYC, FGFR1, NOTCH1, and CXCR7 genes involve in processes including proliferation, angiogenesis and metastasis. Methods: RD cells were grown in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium supplemented with 10% Fetal Bovine Serum. Exponentially growing cells were treated with Dermaseptin B2 and Antiproliferative activity was assayed using the resazurin and migration assays at three time-points. In order to determine the gene expression profiles of MYC, NOTCH1, FGFR1 and CXCR7, total RNA was extracted from the cells and q-RT-PCR was performed with β-Actin as reference gene. Results: Dermaseptin B2 inhibited the proliferation of RD cells in a time and concentration dependent manner as with IC50 values of 7.679 μM, 7.235 μM, 5.993 μM. The 2-dimentional wound healing assay showed inhibition of migration and motility of the RD cells at time-points of 6, 24, 48 and 72-hours with the greatest inhibition observed at 72-hours. Dermaseptin B2 downregulated the target MYC (fc; 1.5013, 1.5185, 2.4144), CXCR7 (fc; 2.8818, 4.4430, 3.9924), FGFR1 (fc; 2.3515, 2.0809, 2.2543), NOTCH1 (fc; 2.4667, 4.6274, 4.3352) genes for the three-time points respectively. NOTCH1 and CXCR7 showed higher fold changes with respect to β-Actin than MYC and FGFR1. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that Dermaseptin B2 is a target molecule for signaling pathways including PI3K/AKT, RTK and NOTCH pathways that could affect the transcription of these genes and overall inhibition of cancer progression. Further studies are needed to give a better understanding of the detailed mechanisms of action as well as the effects of the Dermaseptin B2 peptide in vivo.Item GC-MS Analysis of Bioactive Phytochemicals Present in Ethanolic Extracts of Leaves of Annona muricata: A Further Evidence for Its Medicinal Diversity(Pharmacognosy Journal, 2015) Gavamukulya, Yahaya; Abou-Elella, Faten; Wamunyokoli, Fred; El-Shemy, Hany A.Folk medicine has taken an important place especially in developing countries where limited health services are available. However, the absence of scientific evaluation of medicinal plants may cause serious adverse effects. Objective: To analyze the phytochemical composition of the ethanolic extracts of leaves of Annona muricata using gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Materials and methods: GC-MS Analysis was used. Results: The GC-MS Analysis revealed 25 constituents of which 12 of the compounds were identified. The major constituents were two unidentified compounds with percentage peak areas of 23.51% and 16.8%. Of the identified compounds, the outstanding in composition were 7-Tetradecenal, (Z) (peak area 9.39%), n-Hexadecanoic acid (peak area 7.12%), Oleyl Alcohol (peak area 6.15%), Phytol (peak area 5.61%), cis, cis, cis-7,10,13-Hexadecatrienal (peak area 4.26%), 2-Pentadecanol (peak area 3.93%), 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid, ethyl ester (peak area 3.21%), 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, butyl octyl ester (peak area 2.67%), and 1,E- 11,Z-13-Octadecatriene (peak area 2.15%), while the rest had less than 2% composition by peak area. Conclusion: The current study suggests that ethanolic extracts of leaves of Annona muricata are a potent therapeutic agent and paves the way for the development of several treatment regimens based on compounds from this extract.Item Green Synthesis and Characterization of Highly Stable Silver Nanoparticles from Ethanolic Extracts of Fruits of Annona muricata(Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials, 2020) Gavamukulya, Yahaya; Maina, Esther N.; Meroka, Amos M.; Madivoli, Edwin S.; El‑Shemy, Hany A.; Wamunyokoli, Fred; Magoma, GabrielGreen synthesis of nanoparticles from plant materials opens a new scope in nanobiotechnology and discourages the use of expensive toxic chemicals. The aim of this study was to develop and optimize a method for the synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) from ethanolic extracts of fruits of Annona muricata as well as to characterize the green synthesized AgNPs. AgNPs were synthesized via AgNO3 solution. The AgNPs were characterized using spectroscopy and microscopy techniques. The formed AgNPs had an absorption maximum of 427 nm and were stable under different temperature, pH and storage conditions. Fourier Transform Infrared Resorption spectroscopy revealed the functional groups responsible for the synthesis and stabilization of the AgNPs. Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis revealed a spherical nature of the AgNPs. Energy Dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy showed presence of Ag, Cl, Ca, and Si with Ag having the highest composition at 80%. X-ray diffraction and dynamic light scattering revealed a crystalline nature of AgNPs with an average size of 60.12 nm and a polydispersity index of 0.1235 respectively. Transmission Electron Microscopy analysis further confirmed the crystalline and spherical nature of the AgNPs. In this article, an efficient, eco-friendly and low-cost method for the synthesis and recovery of stable AgNPs using ethanolic extracts of Annona muricata fruits as both reducing and capping agents has been reported. The synthesized AgNPs could have many biomedical and clinical applications.Item In search of new anticancer drugs: Data for cytotoxic activities of green synthesized silver nanoparticles from ethanolic extracts of fruits and leaves of Annona muricata and 5- Fluorouracil against HeLa, PC3 and PNT1A cell lines(Data in brief, 2019) Gavamukulya, Yahaya; Maina, Esther N.; Meroka, Amos M.; El-Shemy, Hany A.; Magoma, Gabriel; Wamunyokoli, FredIn this article, we present data on the anticancer activities of green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from ethanolic extracts of fruits (AgNPs-F) and leaves (AgNPs-L) of Annona muricata and standard anticancer drug 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) on two cancer cell lines, i.e. cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa cells) and prostate adenocarcinoma (PC3 cells) as well as on an immortalized normal prostate cell line, PNT1A. The cytotoxicity on the cells was determined by measuring the absorbance signal of resazurin dye. It has long been known that metabolically active cells change the resazurin from blue (oxidized) to red (reduced) forms, corresponding to the absorbance signals at a wavelength of 570nm (A570) and 600nm (A600) respectively, from which therefore the effects of any treatments on percentage cell viability/death can be elucidated. The raw data values of the treatments against the HeLa, PC3 and PNT1A cells are shown in the different Tables. Examples of how the data can be analyzed have been illustrated using different growth inhibition curves. The data can be used by academics, students, and researchers working on development of anticancer drugs.Item Liquid Chromatography Single Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (LC/SQ MS) Analysis Reveals Presence of Novel Antineoplastic Metabolites in Ethanolic Extracts of Fruits and Leaves of Annona muricata(Pharmacognosy Journal, 2019) Gavamukulya, Yahaya; Maina, Esther N.; Meroka, Amos M.; Madivoli, Edwin S.; El-Shemy, Hany A.; Magoma, Gabriel; Wamunyokoli, FredAnnona muricata, a tropical plant species belonging to family Annonaceae is one of the most used plants in folk medicine because of its many medicinal uses. Despite its wide usage, there is still need to continue scientifically evaluating its medicinal properties in order to avoid any adverse effects. Elucidating the detailed chemical composition of this plant is a significant step towards this evaluation. Objective: The aim of this study was to conduct LC MS analysis on the ethanolic extracts of fruits and leaves of Annona muricata for detection of novel metabolites. Materials and Methods: Leaves and fruits of Annona muricata were collected from Eastern Uganda during the month January 2018. Extraction was conducted using the tissue homogenization method and the extracts were analyzed on an LC/SQ MS detection system. The results were obtained by analyzing the MS spectra using the retentions time and fragmentation patterns on the NIST Library. Results: The study revealed that the fruits extracts contain 1,3-Dimethylthiourea and (4-chlorophenyl)-[4-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-[(Z)-3-(dimethylamino) prop-1-enyl]quinolin-6-yl]-(3-methylimidazol-4-yl)methanol, which are reported antioxidant and antineoplastic agents. The leaves contained 2,4,6-Tribromoaniline another antioxidant and antineoplastic agent, while compound (dichlorozirconium(2+);dimethyl-bis(2-methyl-4- phenylinden-1-id-1-yl)silane was found in both extracts of fruits and leaves. Conclusion: The current study suggests that ethanolic extracts of fruits and leaves of Annona muricata contain compounds which are potent antioxidant, antineoplastic and therapeutic agents for various conditions and paves the way for the development of several treatment regimens from these plant parts. Finally, the compounds reported in this study have been identified for the first time as being found in Annona muricata.Item Phytochemical screening, anti-oxidant activity and in vitro anticancer potential of ethanolic and water leaves extracts of Annona muricata (Graviola)(Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine, 2014) Gavamukulya, Yahaya; Abou-Elella, Faten; Wamunyokoli, Fred; El-Shemy, Hany A.To determine the phytochemical composition, antioxidant and anticancer activities of ethanolic and water leaves extracts of Annona muricata (A. muricata) from the Eastern Uganda. Methods: Phytochemical screening was conducted using standard qualitative methods and a Chi-square goodness of fit test was used to assign the relative abundance of the different phytochemicals. The antioxidant activity was determined using the 2, 2-diphenyl2-picrylhydrazyl and reducing power methods whereas the in vitro anticancer activity was determined using three different cell lines. Results: Phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed that they were rich in secondary class metabolite compounds such as alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, flavonoids, coumarins and lactones, anthraquinones, tannins, cardiac glycosides, phenols and phytosterols. Total phenolics in the water extract were (683.69依0.09) µg/mL gallic acid equivalents (GAE) while it was (372.92 依0.15) µg/mL GAE in the ethanolic extract. The reducing power was 216.41 µg/mL in the water extract and 470.51 µg/mL GAE in the ethanolic extract. In vitro antioxidant activity IC50 was 2.0456 mg/mL and 0.9077 mg/mL for ethanolic and water leaves extracts of A. muricata respectively. The ethanolic leaves extract was found to be selectively cytotoxic in vitro to tumor cell lines (EACC, MDA and SKBR3) with IC50 values of 335.85 µg/mL, 248.77 µg/mL, 202.33 µg/mL respectively, while it had no cytotoxic effect on normal spleen cells. The data also showed that water leaves extract of A. muricata had no anticancer effect at all tested concentrations. Conclusions: The results showed that A. muricata was a promising new antioxidant and anticancer agent.Item Sub-acute and sub-chronic toxicity assessment of the antimicrobial peptide Dermaseptin B2 on biochemical, haematological and histopathological parameters in BALB/c mice and Albino Wistar rats(Heliyon, 2022) Abdille, Ahmed A.; Kitimu, Shedrack Reuben; Ndubi, Mark M.; Kimani, Josephine; Maina, Esther N.; Bulimo, Wallace; Gavamukulya, Yahaya; Wamunyokoli, FredDermaseptins (Drs) are peptides found in the skin secretions of a variety of Hylid frogs, particularly those belonging to the Agalychnis and Phyllomedusa families. Dermaseptin B2 (Drs B2), an amphipathic, α-helical polypeptide was reported as the most active of the Dermaseptin B family. We have previously shown that Drs B2 has strong anti-proliferative activities against RD cells in vitro and thus required further evaluations for future medical applications. Aim: The aim the study was to evaluate the 14-day sub-acute and 90-day sub-chronic toxicities Drs B2 in vivo. Materials and Methods: BALB/c mice were treated with increasing concentrations of 5–25 mg/kg of Drs B2. Rats were treated with 2, 4 and 10-fold concentrations of the calculated LD50 of Drs B2 following OECD recommendations. At the end of the experimentation periods, the animals were sacrificed and dissected to collect blood and selected organs for analysis of any effects caused by Drs B2 treatment on the biochemical, haematological, and histological parameters. Results: The 14-day sub-acute toxicity tests did not cause significant alteration in the biochemical, hematological and histological parameters. The 90-day sub-chronic toxicity study showed lower ALT and AST than control at doses 1.9 mg/kg and 4.6 mg/kg, respectively. Their haematology results also showed higher platelet count than the controls but the differences were not statistically significant. Histological analysis showed increased megakaryocytes in the spleen for both the mice and the rats. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that short term treatment of Drs B2 could be safe to the animals, however, long-term treatment can have mild effects on the liver parameters and cause an inflammatory response in the spleen.Item Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles from Ethanolic Extracts of Leaves of Annona muricata: A Green Nanobiotechnology Approach(Biotechnology Journal International, 2019) Gavamukulya, Yahaya; Maina, Esther N.; Wamunyokoli, Fred; Meroka, Amos M.; Madivoli, Edwin S.; El-Shemy, Hany A.; Magoma, GabrielThe biological green synthesis of nanoparticles via nanobiotechnology processes have a significant potential to boost nanoparticles production without the use of harsh, toxic, and expensive chemicals commonly used in conventional physical and chemical processes. Annona muricata, a tropical plant belonging to family Annonaceae is one of the most used plants in folk medicine because of its many medicinal uses and therefore presents a strong candidate for use in green synthesis. Aims: The aim of this study was to optimize a method for the synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) from ethanolic extracts of leaves of Annona muricata as well as to characterize the green synthesized AgNPs. Methodology: AgNPs were synthesized from Annona muricata leaves using AgNO3 solution. The AgNPs were characterized using spectroscopy and microscopy techniques. Results: The formed AgNPs had an absorption maximum at 429 nm using UV–Visible spectroscopy and were stable under different pH, temperature, and storage conditions. Fourier transform infrared analysis revealed the different functional groups responsible for the synthesis and stabilization of the AgNPs. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed a spherical nature of the synthesized AgNPs. Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy analysis showed presence of Ag, O, and Cl with Ag having the highest composition at 60%. X-Ray Diffraction and Dynamic Light Scattering revealed a crystalline nature of AgNPs with an average size of 87.36 nm and a polydispersity index of 0.16 respectively. Transmission Electron Microscopy analysis further confirmed the crystalline and spherical nature of the AgNPs. Conclusion: In this article, an efficient, eco-friendly and low-cost method for the synthesis and recovery of stable AgNPs using Annona muricata leaves ethanolic extracts as both a reducing and capping agent has been reported for the first time. The synthesized AgNPs could be promising candidates for many biomedical, clinical, engineering, and polymer applications.