INFLAMMATION AND PAIN

Name of Programme Leader: Prof Dr Daud Ahmad Israf Ali
Name of co-researchers:

• Prof. Dr. Mohd Roslan Sulaiman Assoc.
• Prof. Dr. Zainul Amiruddin Zakaria
• Dr. Tengku Azam Shah
• Dr. Ahmad Akira Omar Farouk
• Mr. Enoch Kumar Perimal
• Ms. Tham Chau Ling

SYNOPSIS

The inflammation and pain research team focusses its research efforts on the discovery of both natural and synthetic drug leads and elucidation of mechanisms of action in experimental models of inflammation and pain. The team is also interested in new/novel drug target evaluation through an understanding of the role of stathmin in inflammation and pain. The team is based at the Cell Signaling Laboratory in the Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences and has close collaboration with chemists from the Institute of Bioscience, UPM. To date several natural and synthetic compounds have been studied and shown to possess potential drug lead properties for further research and development in the therapeutics of chronic inflammatory disease. Recent efforts have enabled the team to optimize experimental models of asthma in which several of these compounds have been evaluated.

INTRODUCTION

Inflammation and pain are normal physiological responses towards trauma and infection. However these processes are operable in many chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, atherosclerosis and asthma and have been shown to be the basis of most, if not all, of these clinical entities. Despite the existence of a plethora of drugs used to treat chronic disease, research efforts are continually expanding in the search for more potent, selective and safer drugs. This is a global effort in the area of drug discovery and development. The Inflammation and Pain research team at UPM have been in operation since the late 90’s and involve the efforts of several scientists in developing research facilities, optimization of assay systems, disease models and other related methodologies. This is the only group in the country focussing on research efforts in this area.The objectives of this group involve the discovery of new drugs, their mode of action and application in several chronic inflammatory diseases. Our research efforts have yielded several new anti-inflammatory drug leads such as 2,6-bis-(4-hydroxyl-3-methoxybenzylidine)cyclohexanone (BHMC), 3-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)-1-(5-methyl-furan-2-y-l) propenone (HMP), flavokawin B, cardamonin, atrovirinone, zerumbone, 3-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-(5-methylfuran-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-one (L31) and 2,4,6-trihydroxy-3-geranylacetophenone (tHGA). The mode of action of these drug leads have been characterized in cellular and complete biological systems. Our group currently employs cell signaling approaches to identify and understand the mode of action of potential compounds. Several animal models are then employed to determine effects in complete biological systems. We frequently employ acute and chronic local inflammatory and pain models for these studies. We have recently optimized an acute allergic asthma model and successfully completed a trial involving a new cysteinyl leukotriene inhibitor. We are currently optimizing a chronic model that is more reflective of human asthma in terms of tissue remodelling that can be used to further study the therapeutic effects of new drug leads

STRENGTH

The teams strength stems from 15 years experience of senior staff in the area of immunopharmacology and neurophysiology. A strong culture of collaboration and successful history in grant acquisition has enabled the team to form a strong cohesive group with well-trained technical staff. The team has particular expertise in cell culture, bioassay development, protein purification and detection methods, signal transduction methodology and animal disease model testing. The lab is fully equiped and continuously being upgraded to provide excellent facilities for graduate students. The team is also working towards setting up a more specialized lab animal experimentation room for asthma therapeutic work.

ACHIEVEMENT

Name of articles/manuscripts/book published(significant publication for the last 3 years)

• Khalid, M.H., Akhtar, M.N., Mohamad, A.S., Perimal, E.K., Akira, A., Israf, D.A., Lajis, N. & Sulaiman, M.R. (2011). Antinociceptive effect of the essential oil of Zingiber zerumbet in mice: Possible mechanisms. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (in press).
• Lam, K.W., Uddin, R., Liew, C.Y., Tham, C.L., Israf, D.A., Syahida, A., Abdul Rahman, M.B., Ul-Haq, Z. & Lajis, N.H. (2011). Synthesis and QSAR analysis of chalcone derivatives as nitric oxide inhibitory agent. Medicinal Chemistry Research (in press).
• Lam, K.W., Tham, C.L., Liew, C.Y., Syahida, A., Abdul Rahman, M.B., Israf, D.A. & Lajis, N.H. (2011). Synthesis and evaluation of DPPH and anti-inflammatory activities of 2,6-bisbenzylidenecyclohexanone and pyrazoline derivatives. Medicinal Chemistry Research (in press).
• Sulaiman, M.R., Padzil, A.M., Shaari, K., Khalid, S., Shaik-Mossadeq, W.M., Mohamad, A.S., Ahmad, S., Akira, A., Israf, D.A. & Lajis, N.H. (2011). Antinociceptive activity of Melicope ptelefolia ethanolic extract in experimental animals. Journal of Biomedicine & Biotechnology (in press).
• Zakaria, Z.A., Rofiee, M.S., Somchit, M.N., Zuraini, A., Sulaiman, M.R., Teh, L.K., Salleh, M.Z., Long, K. (2011). Hepatoprotective activity of dried- and fermented-processed virgin coconut oil. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (in press)
• Zakaria, Z.A., Mohamad, A.S., Ahmad, M.S., Mokhtar, A.F., Israf, D.A., Lajis, N.H., Sulaiman, M.R. (2011). Preliminary analysis of the anti-inflammatory activity of essential oils of Zingiber zerumbet. Biological Research for Nursing, (in press).
• Z. A. Zakaria, M. K. Hussain, A. S. Mohamad, F. C. Abdullah, and M. R. Sulaiman (2011). Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Aqueous Extract of Ficus Deltoidea. Biological Research for Nursing, (in press).
• Perimal, E.K., Akhtar, M.N., Mohamad, A.S., Khalid, M.H., Ming, O.H., Khalid, S., Tatt, L.M., Kamaldin, M.N., Zakaria, Z.A., Israf, D.A., Lajis, N. & Sulaiman, M.R. (2011). Zerumbone-induced antinociception: involvement of the L-arginine-Nitric Oxide-cGMP-PKC-K(+) ATP channel pathways. Basic Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, 108: 155-162.
• Liew, C.Y., Lam, K.W., Kim, M.K., Harith, H.H., Tham, C.L., Cheah, Y.K., Sulaiman, M.R., Lajis, N.H. & Israf, D,A. (2011). Effects of 3-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)-1-(5-methyl-furan-2-y-l) propenone (HMP) upon signalling pathways of lipopolysaccharide-induced iNOS synthesis in RAW 264.7 cells. International Immunopharmacology, 11: 85-95
• Mohamad, A.S., Akhtar, M.N., Khalivulla, S.I., Perimal, E.K., Khalid, M.H., Ong, H.M., Zareen, S., Akira, A., Israf, D.A., Lajis, N. & Sulaiman, M.R. Possible participation of nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate/protein kinase C/ATP-sensitive K+ channels pathway in the systemic antinociception of flavokawin B. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology 108 (6), pp. 400-405
• Tham, C.L., Lam, K.W., Rajajendram, R., Cheah, Y.K., Sulaiman, M.R., Lajis, N.H., Kim, M.K. & Israf, D.A. (2011). The effects of a synthetic curcuminoid analogue, 2,6-bis-(4-hydroxyl-3-methoxybenzylidine)cyclohexanone on proinflammatory signaling pathways and CLP-induced lethal sepsis in mice. European Journal of Pharmacology, 652: 136-144.
• Zakaria, Z.A., Mohamed, A.M., Jamil, N.S.M., Rofiee, M.S., Hussain, M.K., Sulaiman, M.R., Teh, L.K., Salleh, M.Z. (2011). In vitro antiproliferative and antioxidant activities of the extracts of Muntingia calabura leaves. American Journal of Chinese Medicine 39 (1), pp. 183-200
• Zakaria, Z.A., Mohamed, A.M., Jamil, N.S.M., Somchit, M.N., Zuraini, A., Rofiee, M.S., Arifah, A.K., Sulaiman, M.R.(2011). In vitro cytotoxic and antioxidant properties of the aqueous, chloroform and methanol extracts of dicranopteris linearis leaves. African Journal of Biotechnology 10 (2), pp. 273-282
• Sulaiman, M.R., E.K. Perimal, M.N. Akhtar, A.S. Mohamad, M.H. Khalid, N.A. Tasrip, F. Mokhtar, Z.A. Zakaria, N.H. Lajis, and D.A. Israf (2010). Anti-inflammatory effect of zerumbone on acute and chronic inflammation models in mice. Fitoterapia (81): 855–858
• Israf DA, Tham CL, Syahida A, Lajis NH, Sulaiman MR, Mohamad AS, Zakaria ZA. (2010). Atrovirinone inhibits proinflammatory mediator synthesis through disruption of NF-kappaB nuclear translocation and MAPK phosphorylation in the murine monocytic macrophage RAW 264.7. Phytomedicine 17(10):732-9
• Harasstani OA, Moin S, Tham CL, Liew CY, Ismail N, Rajajendram R, Harith HH, Zakaria ZA, Mohamad AS, Sulaiman MR, Israf DA. (2010). Flavonoid combinations cause synergistic inhibition of proinflammatory mediator secretion from lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Inflammation Research 59(9):711-21.
• Liew CY, Tham CL, Lam KW, Mohamad AS, Kim MK, Cheah YK, Zakaria ZA, Sulaiman MR, Lajis MN, Israf DA. (2010). A synthetic hydroxypropenone inhibits nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, and proinflammatory cytokine synthesis. Immunopharmacology Immunotoxicology 32(3):495-506.
• Zakaria ZA, Patahuddin H, Mohamad AS, Israf DA, Sulaiman MR. (2010). In vivo anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous extract of the leaves of Piper sarmentosum. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 128(1):42-8.
• Tham CL, Liew CY, Lam KW, Mohamad AS, Kim MK, Cheah YK, Zakaria ZA, Sulaiman MR, Lajis NH, Israf DA. (2010). A synthetic curcuminoid derivative inhibits nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokine synthesis. European Journal Pharmacology 25;628(1-3):247-54.
• Sulaiman, M.R., Z.A. Zakaria, A.A. Rahman, A.S. Mohamad, M.N. Desa, J. Stanslas, S. Moin, and D.A. Israf (2010). Antinociceptive and antiedematogenic activities of andrographolide isolated from Andrographis paniculata in animal models. Biological Research for Nursing 11(3): 293-301.
• Sulaiman, M.R., T.A.S. Tengku Mohamad, W.M. Shaik Mossadeq, S. Moin, M. Yusof, A.F. Mokhtar, Z.A. Zakaria, D.A. Israf, and N. Lajis (2010). Antinociceptive activity of the essential oil of zingiber zerumbet. Planta Medica 76(2): 107-112.
• Khalid, S., W.M. Shaik Mossadeq, D.A. Israf, P. Hashim, S. Rejab, A.M. Shaberi, A.S. Mohamad, Z.A. Zakaria, and M.R. Sulaiman. (2010). In vivo analgesic effect of aqueous extract of tamarindus indica L. fruits. Medical Principles and Practice 19(4): 255-259.
• Zakaria, Z.A., A.S. Mohamad, C.T. Chear, Y.Y. Wong, D.A. Israf, and M.R. Sulaiman (2010). Antiinflammatory and antinociceptive activities of zingiber zerumbet methanol extract in experimental model systems. Medical Principles and Practice 19(4): 287-294
• Zakaria, Z.A., A. Mat Desa, K. Ramasamy, N. Ahmat, A.S. Mohamad, D.A. Israf, and M.R. Sulaiman. (2010). Lack of antimicrobial activities of Dicranopteris linearis extracts and fractions. African Journal of Microbiology Research 4(2):71-75.
• Sulaiman, M.R., Z.A. Zakaria, M.N. Somchit, M. Ismail, M.T. Hidayat, D.A. Israf and M. Adilius. (2010). Antinociceptive and Anti-inflammatory Effects of the Ethanolic Extract of Alpinia conchigera Rhizomes in Animal Models. Pharmaceutical Biology 48 (8): 861-868.
• Zakaria, Z.A., A.S. Sufian, K. Ramasamy, N. Ahmat, M.R. Sulaiman, A.K. Arifah, A. Zuraini, and M.N. Somchit. (2010). In vitro antimicrobial activity of Muntingia calabura extracts and fractions. African Journal of Microbiology Research 4(4): 304-308.
• Andoh T, Akira A, Saiki I, Kuraishi Y. (2010). Bradykinin increases the secretion and expression of endothelin-1 through kinin B2 receptors in melanoma cells. Peptides. 31(2):238-41.
• Fujita M, Andoh T, Ohashi K, Akira A, Saiki I, Kuraishi Y. (2010). Roles of kinin B1 and B2 receptors in skin cancer pain produced by orthotopic melanoma inoculation in mice. European Journal of Pain.14(6):588-94.
• Ka-Heng Lee, Farida Haryani Ab. Aziz, Ahmad Syahida, Faridah Abas, Khozirah Shaari, Daud Ahmad Israf, Nordin Haji Lajis (2009). Synthesis and biological evaluation of curcumin-like diarylpentanoid analogues for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase activities. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 44(8): 3195-3200.
• Zakaria, Z.A., M.R. Sulaiman, N.A. Morsid, A. Aris, H. Zainal, N.H. Mohd Pojan, and G. Hanan Kumar. (2009). Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of solanum nigrum aqueous extract in animal models. Methods and Findings in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology 31(2): 81-88.
• Zakaria, Z.A., G.H. Kumar, R.N.S.R. Mohd. Nor, M.R. Sulaiman, C.A. Fatimah, A.M.M. Jais, M.N. Somchit, and M.S. Ismail. (2009). Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties of an aqueous extract of Corchorus capsularis leaves in experimental animal models. Pharmaceutical Biology 47(2): 104-110.
• Sulaiman, M.R., Z.A. Zakaria, H.S. Chiong, S.K. Lai, D.A. Israf, and T.M. Azam Shah. (2009) Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of stachytarpheta jamaicensis (L.) Vahl (Verbenaceae)in experimental animal models. Medical Principles and Practice 18(4): 272-279.
• Sulaiman, M.R., Z.A. Zakaria, M. Adilius, A.S. Mohamad, M. Ismail, and D.A. Israf. (2009). Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of the ethanolic extract of Alpinia conchigera griff. Leaves in various animal models. Methods and Findings in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology 31(4): 241-247
• Sulaiman, M.R., E.K. Perimal, Z.A. Zakaria, F. Mokhtar, M.N. Akhtar, N.H. Lajis, and D.A. Israf. (2009). Preliminary analysis of the antinociceptive activity of zerumbone. Fitoterapia 80(4): 230-232.
• Shaik Mossadeq, W.M., M.R. Sulaiman, T.A. Tengku Mohamad, H.S. Chiong, Z.A. Zakaria, M.L. Jabit, M.T.H. Baharuldin, and D.A. Israf. (2009). Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of Mitragyna speciosa Korth methanolic extract. Medical Principles and Practice 18(5): 378-384.

Title of Paper presentation (international/local)

• Antinociceptive effect of L77 compound (chalcone derivative) in mice and its mechanisms of action. 10th International Annual Symposium (UMTAS 2011) Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.
• Involvement of nitric oxide cascade in antinociceptive action of Boesenbergia pandurata10th International Annual Symposium (UMTAS 2011) Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
• Peripheral antinociception of Flavokawin B by activation of the nitric oxide/cyclic GMP pathway10th International Annual Symposium (UMTAS 2011) Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.
• Antinociceptive effect of L31 compound in mice. 10th International Annual Symposium (UMTAS 2011) Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.
• Antinociceptive activity of Acmella uliginosa ethyl acetate fraction10th International Annual Symposium (UMTAS 2011) Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.
• Antinociceptive activity of Curcuma longa essential oil 10th International Annual Symposium (UMTAS 2011) Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.
• Anti-ulcerogenic activity of synthetic curcuminoid analogue (BHMC) 10th International Annual Symposium (UMTAS 2011), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.
• Antinociceptive activity of Boesenbergia pandurata - a preliminary study Malaysian Symposium of Physiology and Pharmacology, Universiti Putra Malaysia.
• Mohamad, A.S., Perimal, E.K., Khalid, M.H., Lee, M.T., Khalid, S., Ong, H.M., Mossadeq, W.M.S., Akhtar, M.N., Zakaria, Z.A., Israf D.A., Lajis, N.H. & Sulaiman, M.R. The role of nitric oxide/cyclic GMP/protein kinase C pathways in the antinociceptive activity of synthetic flavokawin B: possible mechanisms of action. 7th IMT-GT UNINET and the 3rd Joint International PSU-UNS Conference. Prince of Songkhla University, Thailand. 7-8 Oct 2010.
• Khalid, M. H., Akhtar, N., Mohamad, A. S., Perimal, K., Israf, D.A., Lajis, N.H., Sulaiman, M.R. Involvements of potassium channel activation in essential oil from Zingiber zerumbet (EOZZ) induced antinociceptive in animal model of pain. 7th IMT-GT UNINET and the 3rd Joint International PSU-UNS Conference. Prince of Songkhla University, Thailand. 7-8 Oct 2010.
• Antiinflammatory effect of synthetic curcuminoid derivative. 7th IMT-GT UNINET and the 3rd Joint International PSU-UNS Conference. Prince of Songkhla University, Thailand). 7-8 Oct 2010
• Perimal, E.K., Mohamad, A.S., Khalid, M.H., Akhtar, M.N., Israf, D.A., Lajis, N.H., Sulaiman, M.R. The role of nitric oxide/cyclic GMP/protein kinase C pathways in the antinociceptive activity of Zerumbone. 7th IMT-GT UNINET and the 3rd Joint International PSU-UNS Conference. Prince of Songkhla University, Thailand). 7-8 Oct 2010.
• Khalid, M.H., Mohamad, A.S., Perimal, E.K., Sulaiman, M.R. Involvements of GABAergic system in essential oil from Zingiber zerumbet induced antinociceptive activity. The 1st Pharmaceutical Sciences Conference and Exhibition. Penang. 27-28 Sept 2010.
• Revathee R., Lam K.W., Tham C.L., Lajis N.H., Sulaiman, M.R., Israf, D.A. Synthetic chalcones inhibit proinflammatory mediator secretion in LPS-induced macrophage and endothelial cells. The 1st Pharmaceutical Sciences Conference and Exhibition. Penang. 27-28 Sept 2010.
• Tham, C.L., Ang, K.P., Lam, K.W., Harasstani, O.A., Cheah, Y.K., Sulaiman M.R., Lajis, N.H. & Israf, D.A. BHMC attenuates LPS-induced vascular hyperpermeability, adhesion molecule expression, and transendothelial migration via selective disruption of p38 MAP kinase activity. The 1st Pharmaceutical Sciences Conference and Exhibition. Penang. 27-28 Sept 2010.
• Norazren, I., Jambari, N.N., Khozirah, S., Sulaiman, M.R., Lajis N.H., Israf, D.A. Dose-response attenuation of airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation in acute asthmatic mice following treatment with a synthetic geranyl acetophenone. The 1st Pharmaceutical Sciences Conference and Exhibition. Penang. 27-28 Sept 2010.
• Lee M.T., Ong, H.M., Khalid, S., Mohamad, A.S., Tham, C.L., Khalid, M.H., Perimal, E.K., Akhtar, M.N., Zakaria, Z.A., Lajis, N.H., Israf, D.A., Sulaiman, M.R. Preliminary study of antinociceptive activity of 2,6,-bis-4-(hydroxyl-3-methoxybenzylidine)-cyclohexanone, a curcuminoid derivative, and its suitable route of administration. The 1st Pharmaceutical Sciences Conference and Exhibition. Penang. 27-28 Sept 2010.
• Ong, H.M., Lee, M.T., Khalid, M.H., Khalid, S., Perimal, E.K., Mastuki, S.N., Zakaria, Z.A., Mohamad, A.S., Lajis, N.H., Israf, D.A., Sulaiman, M.R. Antinociceptive activity of Acmella uliginosa hexane fraction. The 1st Pharmaceutical Sciences Conference and Exhibition. Penang. 27-28 Sept 2010.
• Kamaldin, M.N., Sulaiman, M.R., Mohamad, A.S., Perimal, E.K. Antiulcerogenic effect of Flavokawin B and Zerumbone on HCL/ethanol-induced ulcer in mice. The 1st Pharmaceutical Sciences Conference and Exhibition. Penang. 27-28 Sept 2010.
• Mohamad, A.S., Perimal, E.K., Khalid, M.H., Suloon, J., Lee, M.T., Ong, H.M., Makhtar, N.A., Khalid, S., Zakaria, Z.A., Lajis, N.H., Israf, D.A., Sulaiman, M.R. Involvement of ATP-sensitive K+ channel pathway in the peripheral antinociceptive induced by synthetic flavokawin B in mice. The 1st Pharmaceutical Sciences Conference and Exhibition. Penang. 27-28 Sept 2010.
• Preliminary study of antinociceptive effect of a synthetic curcuminoid derivative. The 1st Pharmaceutical Sciences Conference and Exhibition. Penang. 2010.
• Anti-inflammatory properties of Melicope ptelefolia ethanolic extract on acute and chronic inflammation induced rats. The 1st Pharmaceutical Sciences Conference and Exhibition. Penang. 2010.
• Ong, H.M., Khalid, M.H., Khalid, S., Perimal, E.K., Zakaria, Z.A., Mohamad, A.S., Lajis, N.H., Israf, D.A., Sulaiman, M.R. Antinociceptive activity of Acmella uliginosa aqueous fraction. The 11th Symposium of Malaysian Society of Applied Biology. Kota bahru, Kelantan. 13-15 June 2010.
• Khalid, M.H., Mohamad, A.S., Perimal, E.K., Sulaiman, M.R. Possible mechanisms of essential oil of Zingiber zerumbet induced antinociceptive activity in mice. The 11th Symposium of Malaysian Society of Applied Biology. Kota bahru, Kelantan. 13-15 June 2010.
• Anti-inflammatory properties of Melicope ptelefolia ethanolic extract on acute and chronic inflammation induced rats.1st Pharmaceutical Sciences Conference and Exhibition 2010. Penang, 27th - 28th Sept 2010.
• Mohamad, A.S., Suloon, J., Lee, M.T., Perimal, E.K., Ong, H.M., Nor-Adilah, B.M., Nur-Hayati, S.B., Nor-Asmara, T., Khalid, M.H., Khalid, S., Zakaria, Z.A., Lajis, N.H., Israf, D.A. & Sulaiman, M.R. The anti-inflammatory activities of synthetic Flavokawin B on acute and chronic inflammation models in mice. The 11th Symposium of Malaysian Society of Applied Biology. Kota bahru, Kelantan. 13-15 June 2010.
• Khalid, S., Azzyati, M.P., Mohamad, A.S., Perimal, E.K., Zakaria, Z.A., Ong, H.M., Khalid, M.H., Israf, D.A., Puziah, H., Saripah, R., Sulaiman, M.R. Anti-inflammatory effect activities of Garcinia nigrolineata G. aqueous fruit extract. The 11th Symposium of Malaysian Society of Applied Biology. Kota bahru, Kelantan. 13-15 June 2010.
• Perimal, E.K., Mohamad, A.S., Khalid, M.H., Nor-Asmara, T., Suloon, J., Lee, M.T., Ong, H.M., Nor-Adilah, B.M., Nur-Hayati, S.B., Khalid, S., Akhtar, M.N., Zakaria, Z.A., Lajis, N.H., Israf, D.A. & Sulaiman, M.R. Dose dependent effect of zerumbone on carrageenan-induced paw oedema and granuloma tissue formation in mice. The 11th Symposium of Malaysian Society of Applied Biology. Kota bahru, Kelantan. 13-15 June 2010.
• Khalid, M.H., Mohamad, A.S., Perimal, E.K., Nur-Hayati, S.B. & Sulaiman, M.R. Possible mechanisms of essential oil of Zingiber zerumbet induced antinociceptive activity in mice. The 11th Symposium of Malaysian Society of Applied Biology. Kota Bahru, Kelantan. 13-15 June 2010
• Mohamad, A.S.,, Azzyati, M.P., Khalid, S., Perimal, E.K., Sulaiman, M.R., Zakaria, Z.A., Israf, D.A., Akhtar, M.N., & Lajis, N.H. Evaluation of The Antinociceptive Activity of Synthetic Flavokawin B in Mice. The International Workshop on Chemoprevention and Translational Research. Confederation of Scientific and Technological Associations in Malaysia (COSTAM) & Society for Free Radical research (SFRR, Asia/Malaysia). Langkawi. 9-12 July 2009
• Perimal, E.K., Sulaiman, M.R., Israf, D.A., Lajis, N.H., Mohamad, A.S., Akhtar, M.N. & Zakaria, Z.A. Anti-nociceptive Properties of Zerumbone. The International Workshop on Chemoprevention and Translational Research. Confederation of Scientific and Technological Associations in Malaysia, (COSTAM) & Society for Free Radical research, (SFRR, Asia/Malaysia). Langkawi. 9-12 July 2009.
• Liew, C.Y., Tham, C.L., Lam, K.W., Cheah, Y.K., Sulaiman, M.R., Lajis, N.H. & Israf, D.A. A synthetic hydroxypropenone inhibits nitric oxide synthesis and iNOS gene expression. 3rd Regional Conference on Molecular Medicine, Kota Bahru, Kelantan. 2-4 May 2009.
• Tham, C.L., Liew, C.Y., Lam, K.W., Cheah, Y.K., Sulaiman, M.R., Lajis, N.H., Israf, D.A. A synthetic diarylpentanoid inhibits the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in human monoblastoid leukemic cells. 3rd Regional Conference on Molecular Medicine, Kota Bahru, Kelantan. 2-4 May 2009.

AWARDS / OTHERS

2011

1. Silver Award PRPI. Antinociceptive activity of flavokawin B on chemical and thermal models of nociception in mice.
2. Silver Award PRPI. Anti-inflammatory effect of zerumbone on acute and chronic inflammation models in mice.
3. Excellent Oral Presentation Award (2010). Bioscience for The Future, 7th IMT-GT UNINET, Prince Songkhla University
4. Silver Award PRPI. Preliminary analysis of the antinociceptive activity of zerumbone.
5. Silver Award PRPI. Antinociceptive activity of the essential oil of zingiber zerumbet.

2010

1. Gold Award PRPI. Flavonoids Synergize to Inhibit Major Proinflammatory Mediator Secretion and Protect Mice against Lethal Sepsis
2. Gold Award PRPI. BHMC, Curcuminoid Derivative, Attenuates Proinflammatory Mediator and Adhesion Molecule Expression via Selective Disruption of p38 MAP Kinase Activity
3. Silver Award PRPI. The antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Mitragyna speciosa korth extract
4. Silver Award PRPI. Apoptotic cell death in the mechanism of hepatotoxicity induced by azole anti-fungal drug itraconazol

2009

1. Silver Award PRPI. Diuretic properties of Orthosiphon stamineus beth: Potential use in sports medicine
2. Bronze Award PRPI. Antinociceptive and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Ficus deltoidea Leaves Extracts.

2007 : Bronze Award PRPI. Antinociceptive and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Ficus deltoidea Leaves Extracts

2006 : Silver Medal International Invention Innovation Industrial Design & Technology Exhibition. Melicope ptelefolia: a natural inhibitor of inflammation and an antioxidant.

2005

1. Silver Award PRPI.Poster Presentation, UPM: Effect of Citrus mitis extract on lipid profile and lipid peroxidatation index in rats fed with high fat diet.
2. Silver Award PRPI. An In vitro study on the effect of Nigella sativa in Alzheimer’s Disease induced cell line.
3. Silver Award Higher Education Institutes R&D Expo. Drug-like anti-inflammatory activity of a natural product isolated from Alpinia rafflesiana in a cellular model of inflammation.

2004

1. Bronze Medal - Expo Science, Technology and Innovation. Antinociceptive (Pain-killing) agents from three local Channa spp. fish extracts
2. Bronze Medal - Institute of Biosciences Invention and Research Exhibition. Cloning and sequencing of human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) gene for clinical application of wound healing.
3. Bronze Medal - Institute of Biosciences Invention and Research Exhibition. Fatty acid composition of three Malaysian Channa spp. fish
4. Silver Medal - Science, Technology & Innovation Expo. Drug-like anti-inflammatory activity of a natural product isolated from Alpinia rafflesiana in a cellular model of inflammation.
5. Silver Award - Institute of Bioscience R&D Exhibition. Isolation of bioactive compounds from Garcinia cowa Roxb.)
6. Bronze Award - Institute of Bioscience R&D Exhibition. Novel drug target discovery through expression analysis of the macrophage proteome following treatment with NSAIDs.

RESEARCH GRANT

FACILITIES

Cell Signaling Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences with the following facilities and equipment:

• Tissue culture room
• Cell banking
• Microscopy (light and fluorescence) with image analysis system
• Gel imaging system
• Colour and luminescent plate readers
• Plethysmography equipment
• HPLC system
• Ultrasonic nebulizer
• Probe sonicator
• General biomedical lab equipment

RESEARCH COLLABORATORS

Prof. Dr. Khozirah Shaari (Institute of Bioscience, UPM)
Dr. Kim Min Kyu(Institute of Bioscience, UPM)
Dr. Muhammad Nadeem Akhtar (Institute of Bioscience, UPM)
Prof. Dr. Mohd Nordin Hj Lajis (Taibah University, Saudi Arabia)
Mohd Helme Mohd Helan (IBRC, SIRIM Berhad) Shamimi Khalid (IBRC, SIRIM Berhad)
Marzuki A. Bakar (Hub Technologies (M) Sdn. Bhd.)

UPM Research cluster: Health
Keywords: inflammation, pain, pharmacology, drug discovery, asthma, immunopharmacology, cell signaling, molecular pharmacology

CONTACT US

Cell Signaling Laboratory
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone:+603 8947 2337