Pancreatic Lipase Inhibitory Activity of Endophytic Actinobacteria from Rhododendron spp.

Antiobesity medication is available as therapeutic compounds that can reduce fat digestion by the inhibition of pancreatic lipase. Actinobacteria have the potency as source of bioactive compounds with various biological function including as pancreatic lipase inhibitor. However, the potency of endophytic actinobacteria from Rhododendron spp. as source of pancreatic lipase inhibitor producer has not been reported yet. The aim of this study was to examine the potential of pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity of 23 endophytic actinobacteria from Rhododendron spp.; to characterize their colony based on morphology and molecular analysis. Screening test of pancreatic lipase inhibitor was conducted using the supernatant of endophytic actinobacteria, lipase pancreatic porcine (L3126) and p-nitrophenyl butyrate. The supernatant of selected isolates was extracted using ethyl acetate. The result showed that various inhibitory activities ranging between 0.00 until 91.69%. There were 11 out of 23 isolates that have potential as pancreatic inhibitor. Amongst them, the extract of four selected isolates, i.e. RZP 1.3, RSSB 3.2, RSS 2.1, and RJB F3.2 demonstrated inhibitory percentage of more than 80%. The RJB F3.2 extract showed to have IC50 value by 431.48 µg mL-1 compared to control, i.e. Xenical (89.07 µg mL-1). Phytochemical analysis exhibited that the extract of the selected isolates contained alkaloid which may function as pancreatic lipase inhibitor. Based on the morphological character, the selected isolates have various morphological colonies and 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed the sequence homology to Streptomyces spp. The data clearly indicate that endophytic actinobacteria from Rhododendron spp. have potency as pancreatic lipase inhibitor producer and further studies could be explored for the development of antiobesity agent.

Antidiabetic Potential of Methanol Extract of Flamboyant (Delonix regia) Flowers

Providing scientific evidences for the medicinal benefits and possible toxic effects of the flamboyant flowers (Delonix regia (Bojer ex Hook.) Raf.) are very important to implementing the medicinal plant in this modern era. This study aimed to investigate antidiabetic potential of methanol extract of flamboyant flowers using a completely random design. Twenty-four male rats were randomly divided into 6 treatment groups with 4 replications: healthy rats (normal control, P1), diabetic rats treated with flamboyant flower extract of 0 (negative control, P2), 100 (P3), 200 (P4), and 400 mg/kg BW (P5), and rats which were induced by 0.45 mg/kg BW of Glibenclamide (positive control, P6). Diabetic condition was achieved by a single injection of alloxan 150 mg/kg BW. Treatments were given once a day for 14 days. On day 0, 3 and 18 blood samples were withdrawn from rats’ orbital vein for glucose measurement. All rats were sacrificed for liver, gastrocnemius muscles and pancreatic tissues collection. The liver and gastrocnemius muscle were subjected for glycogen measurement whereas pancreatic tissues were processed for histological examinations. Data was analyzed by ANOVA and followed by Duncan test. The results showed that flamboyant flowers extracts significantly (p<0.05) reduced blood glucose as well as degeneration and necrosis of pancreatic β cells. Optimal dose to decrease blood glucose and pancreatic cell degeneration was 200 mg/kg BW; whereas optimum dose to decrease pancreatic cell necrosis was 400 mg/kg BW. In conclusion, flamboyant flower extract can reduce blood glucose in rats. This is the first that shows antidiabetic potential of local Flamboyant flower extracts along its toxicity effect to pancreatic tissues. These information could become a basic consideration for the use of the plant extracts as a candidate to cure patients with diabetic problems.

Diversity of Pathogenic Fungi and Disease on Vegetable Crops at Polyculture Systems

Vegetables polyculture system is potentially increasing pathogenic fungi diversity because various plant hosts are available. There is no data about patogenic fungi diversity at polyculture vegetable farming in Serang village, District of Karangreja, Purbalingga Regency. This study aimed to determine patogenic fungal diversity and disease percentage caused by the fungi at polyculture vegetable farming in Serang village, District of Karangreja, Purbalingga Regency. This research used purposive random sampling. Infected plants were collected at ten polyculture farming locations and fungal identification was performed at the laboratory. Fungi were identified morphologically based on the signs, symptoms, as well as macroscopic and microscopic characters. The fungi's pathogenity was determined by applying Koch's postulate test. The data were analyzed descriptively through literature comparison. The results showed that seven fungal species were found at polyculture farms in Serang Village. The obtained fungi were Colletotrichum sp., Fusarium sp., Alternaria sp., Septoria sp., Cercospora sp., Botryodiplodia sp., and Nigrospora sp. The lowest damage was 18.24% on tomato fruit infected by Fusarium sp. and the highest was on chili plants which was caused by Colletotrichum sp. The data is the first report for polycuture system. The obtained data has important implication for the management of vegetables farming in Serang Village.

Conservation Status of Agarwood-Producing Species (Gyrinops versteegii) in Indonesia

Aquilaria malaccensis and Gyrinops versteegii are agarwood producing plant species that is widely used because of its fragrance. Gyrinops versteegii has not been much cultivated and along with the decreasing population of G. versteegii in its natural habitat. This study aimed to assess scarcity status of Gyrinops versteegii based on distribution records from both herbarium and field exploration to assist the formulation of its conservation policy. Distribution data were obtained from online database and also from field exploration in Lombok, Sumbawa, and Flores Islands to obtain the population information. Area of Occupancy (AOO) and Extent of Occurrence (EOO) were calculated using GeoCAT (Geospatial Conservation Assessment Tool) and IUCN status recommendation was discussed. The estimated EOO was 868,422,919 km2, exceeding the value required for the threatened category. Based on EOO, it is included in the Least Concern (LC) category, but the EOO covers a large area of the ocean so the AOO was 116 km2 as meets criterion B (AOO<500 km2). It can be categorized into endangered (EN). Population data and conservation status of G verstegii are very important to provide recommendations on the quota wild-harvesting of agarwood by stakeholders.

Effects of Light Environments on Leaf Traits and Phenotypic Plasticity of Canna indica

Canna indica L (African arrowroot), is a beneficial, multi-use tropical perennial with a worldwide distribution, but relatively unexplored. This plant has the potential to be developed as a food crop in an intercropping system, utilizing idle land under commercial plantations such as rubber or teak. This study aimed to determine the best light-growing conditions for C. indica. A completely randomized design was used with growth light as the treatment consisting of 25%, 50%, and 100% of natural light, respectively. Leaf traits, growth characteristics, and phenotypic plasticity were used to measure C. indica’s response to different treatments. The results of this study showed that C. indica grown in low light has the best growth with increased height, leaf area, root and shoot dry weights, but decreased leaf thickness, which caused the increase in specific leaf area, leaf area ratio, and leaf weight ratio, but decreased root to shoot ratio. Based on leaf traits and biomass allocation, the phenotypic plasticity index was 0.23, a typical number for shade tolerant species. These findings were the first time to be reported for C. indica. For agroforestry practices, it can be recommended that C. indica be used as an intercropping plant under tree canopies.

Blood-Glucose Levels of Rats Given High-Fat Diets after Administration of Neem Leaf Ethanolic Extract

Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Neem) is a medicinal plant that contains antioxidants, antihyperlipidemia, and has antidiabetic activity. This research aimed to examine the effect of neem leaf ethanolic extract on blood glucose levels of white rats given high-fat rations. The male white rats (Rattus norvegicus L.) with two months of age were used. The treatment of test animals consisted of six treatment groups and four replications, namely: the control group (P0); given high fat rations + duck egg yolk 2.5 ml/200gBW (P1); given high-fat rations + 8 mg/200gBW simvastatin (P2); and P1+ the dose of neem leaf ethanolic extract of 75; 100; and 125 mg/200gBW (P3; P4; and P5). Blood-glucose levels were analyzed by colorimetric enzymatic method using Roche Diagnostics Cobas C reagents kits. Blood-glucose level was determined using Roche / Hitachi cobas c systems automatically. Homogeneous and normally distributed data of blood-glucose levels, body weight and feed consumption were analyzed statistically using ANOVA followed by Duncan's test with a significance level of 5% using SPSS 16.0 software. The results indicated that giving the neem leaf ethanolic extract of could reduce the blood glucose levels. In this study, it was concluded that the neem leaf ethanolic extract of could potentially be used as an alternative to cure diabetes mellitus.

The Histomorphometry of Liver and Kidney of Hyperglycemic Albino Rats after Treatment with Tithonia diversifolia Leaf Extract

Tithonia diversifolia can be used as an antidiabetic, so it is necessary to study the safety of its use, especially the side effects on the liver and kidneys. This study aimed to determine the effect of using T. diversifolia leaf extract through histomorphometry observations of the liver and kidneys of hyperglycemic albino rats. The study design used a completely randomized design (CRD). This study used 20 male albino rats which were divided into five treatment groups, there were T0 (rat normal/control), T1 (hyperglycemic rat without T. diversifolia leaf extract), T2 (hyperglycemic rat administered with Glibenclamide 10 mg/kg BW), T3 (hyperglycemic rat administered with T. diversifolia leaf extract 150 mg/kg BW), T4 (hyperglycemic rat administered with T. diversifolia leaf extract 300 mg/kg BW). Every treatment was repeated four times. The damage of hepatocyte and the glomerular cell was observed through histological structure observation by histomorphometry method using a photomicrography microscope (Olympus BX51). The results indicate that there were significant differences (P < 0.05) in the variable of hepatocytes diameter and there was no significant different (P > 0.05) result on glomerular diameter, as well as kidney and liver weight. It was concluded that T. diversifolia leaf extract of 150 mg/kg BW and 300 mg/kg BW are safe to be used as antidiabetic. It does not cause any side effects on the liver and kidneys of hyperglycemic albino rats. Thereby T. diversifolia leaf extract can be further tested as preparation of biopharmaca which can be used as herbal medicines for diabetics.

The Mitotic Index of Cajanus cajan from Kisar Island, in the Southwest of Maluku

The mitotic index of the roots of pigeon pea can be the basis for determining the growth of pigeon pea. The purpose of this research was to determine the time of root cell division, to observe the mitotic phases, and to determine the mitotic index of pigeon pea root cells. The preparation of the pigeon pea was carried out for 4 days to grow the roots. The roots were cut off at 08.00, 08.15, and 08.30 WIT (Eastern Indonesian Time). The roots were cut 0.5-1cm. Carnoy’s solution was used as the fixative solution using the Squash technique. The prepared roots were then observed using an Olympus cx-22 microscope and an OptiLab camera with a magnification of 100x40. The data were descriptively analyzed to describe the images of mitotic phases and the mitotic index presentation in the root cells of pigeon pea. The results of this research showed that the cell division of the pigeon pea roots began at 08.00 WIT, which was marked by the presence of a lot of prophase. The next phases that appeared were prometaphase, metaphase, and anaphase which occurred from 08.15 to 08.30 with different numbers. The highest mitotic index occurred at 08.15, when most of the root cells underwent metaphase. This study succeeded in revealing that the optimum time for pigeon pea root cell division is 08.15 WIT. In the future, this research can help pigeon pea farmers in Southwest of Maluku to carry out vegetative reproduction which is closely related to this mitotic study.

Potential of Calliandra calothyrsus Leaf Extract to Maintain Estrogen Concentration and Uterine Thickness in Rats

Calliandra calothyrsus Meissn. leaf extract is potential as phytoestrogens. It influenced male mice reproduction, rat estrous cycle, and ovarian histology in previous study. This research aimed to prove the C. calothyrsus leaf extract potential as phytoestrogen source and the effect on endometrial thickness where the embryo implantation take place in early pregnancy. This study used a Completely Randomized Design used 54 days old female rats (Rattus norvegicus). Rats were divided into K as control group (treated with 0.5% Na-CMC as placebo) and P1, P2, and P3 as three groups with C. calothyrsus leaf extract administration with doses of 17.5; 35; and 70 mg/ kg bw respectively. Treatments were given 1 ml/rat/day orally for 20 days. At day 21st, animals were euthanized to collect blood samples for estrogen hormone analysis. After the dissection, all uterus were collected and weighed. Histological preparation was done with paraffin method and Hematoxylin-Eosin staining. The effective dose was 70 mg/ kg bw that did not decrease the weight of the uterus and the body. This dose even maintained the normal diameter and thickness of uterine walls (endometrium, myometrium, and perimetrium layers) like control rats. The extract in this study could increase estrogen concentration in female rats. This research novelty is that C. calothyrsus leaf extract (70 mg/ kg bw) can be used as an alternative herbal suplement to maintain uterine wall thickness and estrogen concentration in productive women. With further clinical research, this extract is a good candidate as potential estrogen source to overcome women infertility or pregnancy difficulties due to problem of endometrial thickness and lack of endogenous estrogen.

Study of the Germination of Six Begonia Species as an Effort to Preserve Genetic Resources

Begonia is an ornamental plant that has a high level of morphological diversity. Begonia propagation is mostly done vegetatively and very rarely to propagate sexually. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the ability of six types of Begonia seeds to germinate. Six types of Begonia, namely B. x albopicta W. Bull 'Coral Rubra', B. gambutensis Ardi & D.C.Thomas, B. multistaminea Burt-Utley, B. nelumbifolia Schltdl. & Cham., B. ulmifolia Wild. and B. varipeltata D.C.Thomas. were grown in a petri dish and placed in a growth chamber with a temperature of 23.6 ℃, humidity of 74.5%, and a light intensity of 3,431 lux. The results showed that the different types of Begonia showed significant differences in all the parameters tested. B. nelumbifolia required 7.89 ± 0.18 days to germinate and is the fastest time than other types. The highest percentage of seed germination was also obtained by this species, amounting to 63.22%. In addition, B. nelumbifolia showed the best response to the germination rate coefficient, germination rate index, and germination index. This study revealed complete information about the germination of six types of Begonia. In addition, the ability to produced many seeds and the ease of germination made this plant have the potential to be cultivated through seeds. Furthermore, the information can be used as a basis for seed storage as an ex-situ conservation method to maintain genetic diversity.