Salivary biochemical assessments to determine smoking cessation under smoking cessation program

Background: The study aim was to investigate the potential of salivary biochemical assessments to determine smoking cessation in patients under smoking cessation programs. Methods: The study validated smoking behavior and degree of nicotine dependence using Fagerström test for nicotine dependence in smokers and non-smokers. Protein components were examined using Raman spectroscopy. Salivary MMP-8 levels were analyzed using Quantikine human total MMP-8 immunoassay-kits. Thiocyanate (SCN-) concentrations, peroxidase and glutathione-peroxidase activities were determined using spectrophotometric methods. Human mononuclear cell line was examined for M1 polarization. The data were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test and two-tailed paired t-test at α=0.05. Results: Amide I peak in smoker group was significantly reduced as compared to non-smokers (p<0.05). Sulfhydryl bond, dialkyl disulfides SS-stretch and corresponding disulphide bond at 500-545 cm-1 were significantly increased in smokers (p<0.05). The CH2 wag showed higher intensity amongst smoker group representing a recoil of carbon atoms. Salivary MMP-8 levels of participants after smoking cessation was significantly lower than smoking salivary levels (p<0.05). The SCN- and peroxidase concentrations were significantly higher in smoking group whereas an M1 polarization was seen in non-smokers. Conclusion: Salivary biochemical analysis can aid clinicians to verify smoking cessation in patients under smoking cessation programs.

Antileukemic Effect of Tualang Honey on Acute and Chronic Leukemia Cell Lines

Complementary medicine using natural product as antitumor is on the rise. Much research has been performed on Tualang Honey and it was shown to have therapeutic potential in wound healing, and antimicrobial activity and be antiproliferative against several cancer models such as human osteosarcoma (HOS), human breast (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231), and cervical (HeLa) cancer cell lines. To date, there was limited study on antileukemic properties of Tualang (Koompassia excelsa) Honey. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antileukemic effect of Tualang Honey on acute and chronic leukemia cell lines. Leukemia cell lines (K562 and MV4-11) and human mononuclear cell isolated from peripheral blood were grown in RPM1 1640 culture medium. The cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of Tualang Honey. After incubation, the evaluation of viability and apoptosis was performed. The morphological changes of leukemia cells were the presence of cytoplasmic blebs followed by apoptotic bodies and round shape of cells. IC50against K562 and MV4-11 was determined. Tualang Honey gave 53.9% and 50.6% apoptosis activity on K562 and MV4-11, respectively, while on human mononuclear cell it was 37.4%. Tualang Honey has the apoptosis-inducing ability for acute and chronic myeloid leukemia (K562 and MV4-11) cell lines.