Biology, Medicine, & Natural Product Chemistry
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Antibacterial Activity of Bacteriocin from Pediococcus pentosaceus Against Propionibacterium acnes: Molecular Docking, In Vitro, and 16S rRNA Genetic Identification
Full text linkThis study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial potential of bacteriocin produced by lactic acid bacteria against Propionibacterium acnes through an integrative approach involving molecular docking, in vitro assays, and genetic identification using 16S rRNA sequencing. The target protein PDB 7LBU, representing the cell wall of P. acnes, was docked with Small Bacteriocin obtained from PubChem. The best binding affinity was recorded at –7.5 kcal/mol, indicating a stable interaction, supported by cavity analysis and ligand–protein interaction mapping using PyMOL. The results of the in vitro study, as determined by antibacterial activity testing against P. acnes, showed an average inhibition zone of 20.6 mm. In addition, genetic identification through BLAST confirmed the isolate as Pediococcus pentosaceus strain DSM 20336 with a similarity of 99.64%. These findings indicate that the bacteriocin derived from P. pentosaceus has promising potential as a natural agent in the development of alternative therapies for acne
Phagochytosis Activity Test of Red Ginger and Angkak Combination Extract by Carbon Clearance Method
Full text linkRed ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe var. rubrum) and angkak (Oryza sativa) are used in traditional chinese medicine to improve body health. Both are known to have immunostimulatory activity that increases phagocytic activity of macrophage. This study aims to determine the phagocytic activity of the combination extract of red ginger and angkak using carbon clearance method. Combination of red ginger and angkak (7:3) was kinetically macerated in ethanol 96%. Twenty white mice were divided into 5 groups, such as control group (CMC-Na 0.5%), positive control (Levamisole 2.5 mg/kgBB), and three experiment group that was given red ginger extract (105 mg/kgBB), angkak extract (105 mg/kgBB), and combination extract of red ginger-angkak (150 mg/kgBB). All treatments were given orally for sevendays, consecutively. The phagocytosis index (IF) value was determined on day 8 by injecting carbon intravenously and immunostimulant activity was shown if IF>1. The highest IF value of three extracts was shown by combination extract (1.2489±0.0261) compared to red ginger and angkak extract, mentioned 1.2030±0.0448 and 1.0537±0.0254, respectively. Moreover, the IF values of combination extract and red ginger were significantly (p0.05) lower compared to the levamisole group (1.5187±0.0534). It could be concluded that the combined extract of red ginger-angkak showed the greatest phagocytic activity against male white mice compared to extract of red ginger and angkak itself
Effectiveness of Traditional Remedies Pucuk Jarak and Bedak Langeh in Melongas Massage on the Growth and Development of Stunted Toddlers
Full text linkStunting is a serious health problem among toddlers, characterized by delayed physical growth due to inadequate nutrition, a history of infectious diseases, low maternal education, and suboptimal parenting. In North Lombok Regency, the prevalence of stunting remained high at 19.3% in 2023. Efforts to address this issue have not only focused on nutritional interventions but also included complementary non-pharmacological therapies, such as melongas massage, which has been traditionally practiced using pucuk jarak and bedak langeh remedies. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of these two remedies on the growth and development of stunted toddlers. A quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group design was applied, involving 72 stunted toddlers divided into three groups: pucuk jarak, bedak langeh, and control. The intervention was carried out for four weeks with melongas massage administered twice weekly. The measured parameters included body weight, height, appetite, sleep quality, and immune function. The results showed that the pucuk jarak group experienced more significant improvements across all parameters compared to the bedak langeh and control groups. Phytochemical tests supported these findings, showing total flavonoid levels of 53.32 mgQE/g in pucuk jarak compared to 3.58 mgQE/g in bedak langeh. The high flavonoid content is believed to play an important role in improving metabolism, appetite, growth, and immunity in toddlers. Thus, melongas massage using pucuk jarak has the potential to serve as a complementary strategy rooted in local wisdom for accelerating stunting reduction programs in North Lombok
Intraosseous Capillary Hemangioma of the Nasal Dorsum in an Adolescent
Full text linkHemangioma is a benign vascular tumor that commonly occurs in children, but its presentation on the nasal dorsum is rare, especially among adolescents. This case report describes a 16-year-old male patient with a progressively enlarging, painful nasal mass over seven months. Clinical workup including CT-scan, angiography, and FNAB revealed a vascular lesion suggestive of hemangioma. The patient underwent pre-operative embolization followed by surgical excision. Histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluations confirmed the diagnosis of intraosseous capillary hemangioma. Postoperative follow-up showed good aesthetic and functional outcomes with no recurrence. This report highlights the importance of comprehensive diagnostic and surgical approaches for managing rare hemangioma of the nasal dorsum to minimize complications and preserve facial structure
Effect of Solvent Polarity on Extraction Yield, Phytochemical Composition, and Antioxidant Activity of Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb. and Moringa oleifera Lam.
Full text linkThe present study investigated the effect of solvent polarity on extraction yield, phytochemical composition, and antioxidant activity of Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb. rhizomes and Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves. Maceration was carried out using ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, and n-hexane for 72 hours (1:10 w/v). Extraction yield, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and DPPH radical scavenging activity were determined. Results demonstrated a clear polarity-dependent trend. Ethanol yielded the highest extract recovery for both species (17.55 ± 0.97% and 22.93 ± 0.65%), while n-hexane showed the lowest yield. Ethanol extracts exhibited the greatest TPC and TFC values, 47.12 mg GAE/g and 6.76 mg QE/g for C. xanthorrhiza, and 25.91 mg GAE/g and 4.67 mg QE/g for M. oleifera, respectively. Correspondingly, ethanol fractions displayed the strongest antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 22.70 and 29.80 mg/mL, indicating an inverse correlation between phenolic load and radical scavenging capacity. The study confirms that solvent polarity is a critical determinant of phytochemical recovery and antioxidant potency. The novelty of this work lies in the first comparative evaluation of C. xanthorrhiza and M. oleifera extracted under identical solvent systems, providing a rational framework for solvent selection in phytopharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. Further work should isolate and characterize the active antioxidant constituents from the most potent extracts
Modulatory Efficiency of Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) on Collagen-Induced Platelet Aggregation and Dysfunction
Full text linkPlatelet aggregation, coagulation, and activation are crucial for hemostasis. Collagen treatment can impair hemostatic processes leading to bleeding disorders like thrombosis; vitamin C may mitigate these effects. Hence, modulatory efficiency of vitamin C on collagen-induced platelet aggregation and dysfunction was investigated. Thirty (30) Wistar rats (135g-155g) were divided equally into; Group 1 (Control), Group 2 (Collagen-induced), and Group 3 (Collagen + Vitamin C treated). Platelet aggregation, prothrombin time, bleeding time, fibrinogen levels assessed coagulation and platelet function. Thromboxane B2 and P-selectin levels measured platelet and endothelial activation. Platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and plateletcrit (PCT) evaluated platelet production and size variability. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Group 2 exhibited higher platelet aggregation, prolonged prothrombin and bleeding times and elevated fibrinogen, thromboxane B2, and P-selectin levels, along with increased platelet count, MPV, PDW, and PCT, compared to Group 1. Group 3 showed significant reductions in all these parameters compared to Group 2 (p < 0.05). Vitamin C demonstrated significant modulatory effect on collagen-induced platelet aggregation and dysfunction which suggests that vitamin C may have therapeutic potential in mitigating platelet dysfunction and coagulation impairments associated with collagen-induced pathophysiological conditions
Correlation of Allergic Rhinitis Patient Questionnaire with Skin Prick Test Results at Saiful Anwar Regional Hospital
Full text linkObjective: To determine the optimal cut-off value of the Allergic Rhinitis Patient Questionnaire as a diagnostic tool and its correlation with Skin Prick Test (SPT) results; Methods: The data used were medical records at the ENT Polyclinic dr. Saiful Anwar Hospital with cross sectional method then the data was processed with the SPSS application; Results.: Demographic data are dominated by males (56.3%) with an age range of 19-59 years (74.7%). The most common symptom complained was nasal congestion (71.3%). The trigger of symptoms is dominated by dust allergens (77%). The most common classification of Allergic Rhinitis (AR) is moderate – severe (50.6%) with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score > 5 and dominated by complaints of sleep disturbances (57.5%). The optimal limit value of the Allergic Rhinitis Patient Questionnaire is 10, where patients with a score value ³ 10 can be assumed to suspect AR. There is a significant correlation between the results of the assessment using the Allergic Rhinitis Patient Questionnaire and the results of the SPT examination. Conclusion: Patients with a total score of Allergic Rhinitis Patient Questionnaire ³ 10 were assumed to be suspected of AR and the results of the questionnaire assessment correlated with the SPT results
Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Peptide Fractions of Morinda lucida and Alstonia boonei and Protective Effects against Lead-induced Toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster
Full text linkMorinda lucida and Alstonia boonei are widely used in ethnomedicine for treating and managing various ailments and have been validated for several biological activities. This study investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of partially purified peptide fractions of Morinda lucida (MLP) and Alstonia boonei (ABP) and their protective effect against lead (Pb)-induced toxicity on wild-type Drosophila melanogaster. Peptide fractions were partially purified using solid phase extraction and evaluated for antioxidant activities using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhyhdrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed via protein denaturation and membrane stabilisation assays. Flies were treated with Pb (10 mM), peptide fractions (50 and 100 µg/10g diet), and co-treatment of Pb plus the fractions. After treatment, homogenized flies were analysed for total thiol (TSH) and non-protein thiol (NPSH) content, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity, nitric oxide (NO) (nitrite/nitrate) and hydroperoxide levels. The peptide fractions showed significant in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Both fractions (50 and 100 µg/10g diet) maintained a balanced redox status of flies. Pb exposure reduced survival rates and increased oxidative stress markers compared to control untreated flies. Co-treatment with MLP and ABP (50 and 100 µg/10g diet) improved antioxidant enzyme activities (GST, NPSH and Total thiol) and accumulation of NO and hydroperoxide in Pb-treated flies. Therefore, the peptide fractions from M. lucida and A. boonei may be sources of bioactive agents with therapeutic potential against oxidative stress and inflammation associated with lead toxicity
Antimalaria Potential and Toxicological Evaluation of Synclisia scabrida (Miers) Ex Oliv Methanol Root Extract in Plasmodium berghei-infected Mice Model
Full text linkDespite the artemisinin-based combination therapy for malaria treatment, it remains a public health concern globally. Therefore, there is an urgent need for novel antimalarial drugs to arrest this perceived threat to global malaria control. This study aims to investigate the antimalarial potential of S. scabrida (SS) and evaluate its possible effect on haematological and biochemical parameters. Malaria was inoculated in mice using Plasmodium berghei. After 72 h, they were orally treated for four days as follows: Group 1: 10 mL/kg % Dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO); Group 2: 140 mg/kg Artemether/lumefantrine; Groups 3, 4 and 5: 500, 250, 125 mg/kg SS methanolic extract, respectively. SS methanolic extract significantly reduced parasite density and percentage parasitemia (p < 0.05) at all doses used in the study, non-significantly increased haematological, biochemical parameters and distorted liver architecture; when compared to the negative control. SS methanolic extract exhibited good antimalarial activity against Plasmodium berghei. Lower SS dose did not cause significant changes to the lipid profiles. However, the high dose may not be safe since there were some adverse effects shown on the liver and kidney status. Further studies are warranted to determine the effect of the middle and the lowest doses on the liver and kidney
In Silico Exploration of Bioactive Compounds from Dracaena cochinchinensis as Potential Inhibitors of Streptococcus pyogenes Inosine-5'-Monophosphate Dehydrogenase (IMPDH)
Full text linkThe emergence of multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pyogenes presents a significant global health threat, demanding the urgent discovery of novel antibacterial agents. This study utilized a comprehensive in silico framework to investigate 17 compounds from the traditional medicinal plant Dracaena cochinchinensis as potential inhibitors of Inosine-5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), a validated antimicrobial drug target. The workflow included predictive modeling of physicochemical properties, pharmacokinetics (ADME), toxicity profiles, and molecular docking simulations to elucidate binding affinities and interaction patterns within the enzyme's active site. Physicochemical analysis revealed that 11 of the 17 compounds exhibited drug-like properties. Molecular docking identified several ligands with high binding affinities, notably Isopimaric acid (-8.2 kcal/mol) and Cochinchinenene D (-8.1 kcal/mol), whose stability was mediated by interactions with key catalytic residues. ADMET predictions indicated that most compounds possess favorable pharmacokinetic profiles. Crucially, Isopimaric acid demonstrated a superior safety profile, with a high LD50 (5000 mg/kg), no predicted mutagenicity, and no risk of drug-induced liver injury (DILI). This computational investigation successfully identified Isopimaric acid as a standout candidate, and its combination of strong target affinity and a favorable ADMET profile positions it as a promising scaffold for the development of novel antibacterial agents against S. pyogenes. These findings provide a strong impetus for experimental validation