Biology, Medicine, & Natural Product Chemistry
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Phenolic, Flavonoid Contents, Antioxidant, and Antibacterial Activity of Selected Eucalyptus Species: Review
Many medicinal plants and their essential oils are used to treat or prevent diseases without the risk of mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, or teratogenicity. Eucalyptus essential oils are commonly used as preservatives, flavoring agents, and various consumer goods. Eucalyptus leaves are being widely studied due to their volatile essential oils, including 1,8-cineole, p-cymene, α- and β-pinene, limonene, citronellal, citral, eudesmol, terpinen-4-ol, terpineol, α–phellanderene, and 9β-sitosterol. Among these compounds, 1,8-cineole is the most abundant. Eucalyptus leaves are rich in flavonoids and phenolic compounds and are thus a great source of antioxidants. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays were used to measure antioxidant capacity. The antioxidant activity of Eucalyptus essential oil is stronger than that of standard antibiotics such as erythromycin, cefixime, and gentamicin due to the presence of significant terpenoids in addition to phenolic chemicals and flavonoids. A lower IC50 indicates greater antioxidant potential. Phenolic compounds and flavonoids are often associated with beneficial health outcomes, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, anticancer properties, reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, prevention of age-related neurodegenerative diseases, and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. Flavonoids also play essential roles in plants, including protecting against reduction, fertility, reproduction, and infection. Due to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and immunomodulatory properties, flavonoids are crucial for pharmacological, medical, and nutraceutical applications
Potential Effects of Myrmecodia Pendants (Ant Nests) on Healing Bone Injuries
Myrmecodia pendens is a medical plant that can have a healing effect on bone injuries. Bone injuries can occur due to many things, including injuries due to infection, non-infection, degeneration and neoplasms. Bones are the most important part of the body for the human body because the decreased bone function will affect human activities. Therefore better bone healing is needed. This review article aims to study and analyze the role of Myrmecodia pendens in the bone wound healing process. Several studies show that Myrmecodia pendens contain flavonoids, vitamins, terpenoid saponins, quones, and glycosides, as well as anti-inflammatory substances. These ingredients are markers in the healing process. Myrmecodia pendens has been proven to speed up the healing process. The conclusion shows that Myrmecodia pendens is a medicinal plant that can speed up the healing process of bone injuries
In-Ovo Antiviral Activity of Hibiscus sabdariffa against Newcastle Disease Virus
Newcastle disease is a highly contagious viral infection affecting poultry and wild birds. The causative agent is Avian paramyxovirus 1 (APMV-1), causing significant economic losses despite vaccination efforts due to its high mortality rate. Hibiscus sabdariffa was identified at Modibbo Adama University Yola, and laboratory assays were performed at the National Veterinary Research Institute Vom. The study explores the antiviral effects of extracts from H. sabdariffa calyx against a virulent strain of Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) using embryonated chicken eggs (ECE). Standard methods were employed for cytotoxicity assay, embryo infective dose 50 (EID50) determination, and therapeutic antiviral assays. Methanol was used for extraction and phytochemical analysis, revealing various bioactive compounds like cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, and phenols. Toxicity assay showed cytotoxicity at concentrations over 25 mg/ml, but therapeutic antiviral assays demonstrated virus replication inhibition at concentrations as low as 5 mg/ml. These findings suggest the potential of H. sabdariffa calyx extracts as safe and effective treatments for NDV, with promising therapeutic antiviral properties. Further pharmaceutical research is recommended to explore their use in developing novel Newcastle Disease treatments
The Effectiveness of Fragrant Pandan Leaves Ethanol Extract in Reducing Cholesterol Levels In High-Fat Diet-Induced Rats
Coronary heart disease was the primary cause of death in Asia in 2019. Indonesia is the country with the highest increase in cholesterol levels in Southeast Asia. One of the causes of coronary heart disease is consuming foods high in cholesterol. The commonly given therapy is simvastatin. However, long-term use of simvastatin can cause side effects, so it is necessary to use other alternatives. Pandanus ammaryllifolius also known as fragrant pandan is a plant that is often found in Indonesia and is used in the culinary industry. This study aims to test the effectiveness of fragrant pandan leaves ethanol extract (FPLEE) in reducing cholesterol levels in rats. A total of 30 rats were split into six groups (NC, C+, C-, T1, T2, and T3) and induced on a high-fat diet, except the NC group for 14 days. For the next 14 days, C+ was given a high-fat diet, C- was given simvastatin, T1, T2, and T3 were respectively given FPLEE doses of 8, 16, and 32 mg/200 g BW/day. Next, cholesterol levels were measured. The results of cholesterol levels were tested statistically using One-Way ANOVA and post hoc LSD tests with a = 0.05. There is no substantial difference between NC, C-, and T2. There is a significant difference between T1 and C+ with a higher T1 value. Meanwhile, for T3, there is no significant difference between T3 and NC, C-, and C+. Thus, the most effective dose for reducing cholesterol levels is 16 mg/200 g BW/day
Physical Characteristics of Immobilized Cells Acetobacter xylinum of Various Concentrations of Na-alginate
Immobilization of Acetobacter xylinum cells by trapping technique is considered one way to maintain cell viability and can be used repeatedly. The purpose of this study was to determine the physical characteristics of immobilized cells in different concentrations of Na-alginate and apply them to the manufacture of nata de coco, as well as to see the surface and pore shape of immobilized cells after fermentation. This study used a descriptive method with visual observation. This study used one factor, namely various concentrations of Na-alginate, namely 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5% w/v. The immobilized cells applied to the manufacture of nata de coco had only a Na-alginate concentration of 3% resulting in a nata fiber layer close to that of a control. Immobilized cells with a Na-alginate concentration of 2% have a cracked, slightly pore surface with a size of 60.37 μm, while a Na-alginate concentration of 5%, have a smooth surface, many pores, with a size of 10.55 μm. Thus, the concentration affects the characteristics of immobilized cells. Application of immobilized cells with a Na-alginate concentration of 3% produces nata de coco with a fairly thick and stable fiber layer characteristic (close to control)
Hippocratea africana Ethanol Root Extract and Fractions Attenuate Doxorubicin-Induced Testicular Toxicity and Oxidative Stress
Hippocratea africana root, used locally in treating poisoning, was investigated to confirm its antidotal potential in rats. The root extract (200-600 mg/kg) and fractions; dichloromethane (DCM) and aqueous, 400 mg/kg) were evaluated for hepatoprotective activity against doxorubicin-induced testicular toxicity in male rats. Testosterone level, lipid profile indices, testicular oxidative stress markers, and testis histology were used to assess the testicular protective effect of the extract. The root extract (200-600 mg/kg) and fractions, dichloromethane (DCM) and aqueous, 400 mg/kg reduced the serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and VLDL that were elevated by doxorubicin. In contrast, the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) reduced by doxorubicin was increased by the extract and fractions co-administration. Testosterone level, which was significantly (p<0.05) reduced by doxorubicin, was significantly (p<0.05-0.01) elevated by the root extract and fractions co-administration. The levels of GSH, GST, SOD, GPx, and CAT that were decreased by doxorubicin were significantly (p<0.01) elevated, and raised MDA level was reduced by the root extract and fractions. Histology of the testes sections of extract/fractions -treated animals showed absent/or reductions in the pathological features compared to the organotoxic-treated animals. The chemical pathological changes were consistent with histopathological observations, suggesting marked testicular protective potential. The anti-toxic effect of this plant may in part be mediated through the chemical constituents of the plant. The plant, H. africana possesses anti-toxicant properties which can be exploited in the treatment of doxorubicin-related toxicities
The Comparison of Long-term Effect Between Intermittent Fasting and Calorie Restriction on Neurological Parameters of Mice
Intermittent fasting (IF) and calorie restriction (CR) were purported to have health benefits. This research aimed to determine the long-term effect of IF and CR on selected neurological parameters in mice. Swiss Webster male mice were divided into 3 groups: ad libitum feeding (AL), IF, and CR. Mice in each group received the treatment for 16 weeks. They were then tested for anhedonia, depression, aggressiveness, and social approach. They were also subjected to contextual fear conditioning tests to model PTSD. Compared to AL, sucrose intake in the IF group was lower, while the CR group showed higher intake (p<0.01). This anhedonia characteristic shown in the IF group was confirmed not related to depression, as shown by significantly lower immobility time in the forced swimming test compared to AL (p<0.05). In the resident-intruder test, attack numbers in the IF group were fewer than in the AL group (p<0.05). As demonstrated by the results of the three-chamber test, the reduced aggressiveness in IF mice was unrelated to a deficit in sociability. In the fear extinction test (PTSD model), mice in the IF group showed lower freezing compared to those in AL (p<0.001). Although both IF and CR caused a reduction in total food intake, in the mice model tested, IF was shown to have favorable impacts on neurological parameters
The Effect of Use of Local Organic Microorganism Fertilizers on Rice Media, Banana Sticks, And Tongol Fish on The Growth of Arabika Coffee Plants (Coffea arabica L.) in The Gunung Karang Garden, Pandeglang District
Arabica coffee plants (Coffea arabica L.) are plantation commodities with high economic value. Efforts that can be made in farming without using chemicals that will damage the environment is by utilizing local microorganisms (MOL). For farmers who demand the use of cheap and practical fertilizers, they can be directed to use local microorganism organic fertilizers made from rice, banana stems, and tuna. This study aims to determine the effect of using local microorganism organic fertilizers made from rice, banana stems, and tuna on the growth of C. arabica plants. The type of research to be carried out is experimental research. This research method uses a Completely Randomized Factorial Design (CRFD) consisting of 2 factors and 3 replications. The first factor is the source material consisting of 3 levels, namely: M1 = stale rice, M2 = banana stem, and M3 = tuna. The second factor is the fermentation period consisting of: H1 = 2 weeks fermentation and H2 = 4 weeks fermentation. The measured parameters of C. arabica plants are height, number of leaves, and stem diameter. The results showed that rice, banana stem, and tuna can be made into MOL fertilizers. The use of MOL organic fertilizers (stale rice, banana stem, and tuna) affects the growth of C. arabica, which can be seen from the parameters of plant height, number of leaves, and stem diameter. M3H2 MOL organic fertilizer (tuna fermented for 4 weeks) provides optimal growth of C. arabica in terms of plant height, number of leaves, and stem diameter
Leaf Extract of Kentut (Paederia foetida L.) as a Preventive Measure Against Interleukin-6 Expression in the Liver of Mice in a Sepsis Model Injected with Escherichia coli
Kentut leaves (Paederia foetida L.) are a medicinal plant that can be used as a preventative medicine against sepsis. This plant contains secondary metabolite compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenoids, saponins, and other active compounds. This research aims to to determine the influence and effective dosage of Kentut leaf extract as a preventive measure against IL-6 expression in the livers of mice in a sepsis model injected with E. coli. The method used was a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The study involved 24 white male mice divided into 6 groups. Data analysis was performed using One way ANOVA. The average values of IL-6 expression in the mouse livers for each group are as follows: KN at 7.09%±0.06; K+ at 26.36%±0.02; K- at 72.60%±0.05; PI (100mg/kgBW) at 71.04%±0.04; PII (300mg/kgBW) at 62.22%±0.02; and PIII (500mg/kgBW) at 40.92%±0.01. The research results indicate an influence of kentut leaf extract as a preventive measure against IL-6 expression in the livers of mice in the sepsis model injected with E. coli, with a significance value of 0.000 or p-value < 0.005. The effective dosage of kentut leaf extract as a preventive measure against IL-6 expression is the PIII dosage of 500mg/kg BW. The anti-inflammatory mechanism in sepsis is thought to be caused by the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolic acids, and terpenoid compounds. The most likely anti-inflammatory mechanism is believed to involve flavonoids inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymes involved in the synthesis of inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which can trigger IL-6 production
Antibacterial Potential of Freshener Water Based on Siwalan Coir Extract (Borassus flabellifer) and Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) Against Airborne Bacteria
Air is an important part of life. The Quality of air can be seen from three parameters, namely chemical, physical, and biological parameters. One of the biological parameters of air quality can be seen from the presence of microorganisms such as bacteria. The presence of airborne microorganisms, especially in enclosed spaces can affect human health, one of which can cause respiratory infections. On the other hand, people often use air freshener products. Therefore, this research was conducted with the aim of analyzing the potential of air freshener based on siwalan (Borasus flabellifer) coir extract and lemongrass as antibacterial against airborne bacteria. This research is an experimental research with a pre test-post test design. The data obtained is in the form of the value of the Total Plate Count of indoor air bacteria before and after treatment using air freshener based on coir extract of siwalan and lemongrass. The results showed that both formulations (P1 and P2) of air freshener based on coir extract and lemongrass were able to reduce the number of airborne bacterial colonies in the room, with a significance value of 0.000<0.05