Increasing antioxidant activity of soursop (Annona muricata L.) and noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) leaves fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum BP102

Free radicals are constantly produced by either cell metabolism or from external sources. At high concentration, they induced a tissue damage called oxidative stress. Soursop leaf (Annona muricata L.) and noni leaf (Morinda citrifolia L.) are medicinal plants with potency as antioxidants. This study aimed to evaluate the capacity of Lactobacillus plantarum BP102 in elevating the antioxidant activity of soursop and noni leaves. Dried-powder and methanol extract of soursop and noni leaves were diluted with sterile distilled water 3 g/30 mL and 0.3 g/30 mL, respectively, inoculated with 1% (v/v) of L. plantarum BP102 inoculum. The antioxidant activity was carried out using the 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. The antioxidant activity increased in dried-powder and methanol extract of soursop and noni leaves with different activity levels after being fermented using L. plantarum BP102 based on IC50. The increasing antioxidant activity in dried-powder of soursop leaves IC50 6.41±0.06 to 0.034±0.01 mg/mL (99.5%) was higher than of the methanol extract IC50 2.78±0.00 to 0.11±0.01 mg/mL (96%). Unfortunately, the effect of fermentation towards noni leaves could only be observed in the form of methanol extract IC50 12.8±0.01 to 0.33±0.02 mg/mL (increased by 97.4%), the dried-powder of noni leaves was suspended and produced a dark color. The probiotic L. plantarum BP102 was used as a fermented agent in increasing the bioactive compounds especially related to antioxidant activity.

Antibacterial and antibiofilm effect of silver and gold nanoparticles in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Nosocomial infections of the urinary tract are the most common nosocomial infections. Infectious diseases currently pose a life threatening due to the increasing phenomenon of infectious agent resistance. One of the factors known to cause resistance to broad-spectrum antimicrobials agent is the susceptibility to biofilm formation. The use of silver nanoparticles (NPs) is now regarded as one of the most promising strategies to target infections associated with biofilms. This study aims to determine the application of nanotechnology in the form of metal nanoparticles in targeting the formation of biofilms on infectious agents. The antibacterial and antibiofilm activity test was performed on a 96-well microtiter plate on uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) at concentrations of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 ppm. The results showed the addition of silver and gold nanoparticles at different concentrations affected and inhibited the growth of UPEC and prevented the formation of biofilms, as indicated by a decrease in the OD value. In conclusion, silver and gold nanoparticles have antibacterial and antibiofilm effects on UPEC.

Virtual prediction of purple rice ferulic acid as anti-inflammatory of TNF-α signaling

Purple rice is one of the main sources of ferulic acid (FA). Some studies reported anti-inflammatory properties of FA, but the interaction of FA with TNF-α signaling has not been elucidated. TNF-α is a target for anti-inflammatory drug research due to its major role in the inflammatory process. This study aims to investigate the interaction of FA with TNF-α and TNF-α receptor (TNFR) through in silico study and evaluate the drug-like properties and biological activity of FA. The interactions among FA (CID 445858), TNF-α (2AZ5), and TNFR (1NCF) were docked by Hex 8.0.0 Cuda, then visualized by Discovery Studio 2020 and LigPlot V.1.4.5. Apigenin-7-glucuronide (AG, CID 5319484) was used as the positive control. The drug-like properties were predicted by Lipinski’s rule of five and the biological activity was analyzed by PASS online. FA showed good properties as a drug-like molecule and biological activity as an anti-inflammatory. FA also showed good interaction with TNF-α and TNFR. FA bound to TNF-α at Asn92(B), Val91(B), Leu93(B), Phe124(B), Phe124(D), and Leu93(D) residues with docking energy of -214.6 kJ/mol, and bound to TNFR at Pro16(A), Glu56(B), Cys55(B), Glu54(B) residues with docking energy of -191.1 kJ/mol. FA could inhibit TNF-α – TNFR interaction by binding to TNFR at Glu54 residue, the same inhibition mechanism to AG which bind to TNFR at Glu54 and Val90. The current study shows that FA has the potential as an anti-inflammatory of TNF-α signaling and can be developed as an oral anti-inflammatory drug candidate.

Could scoring tailed and dumbbell-shaped nuclei increase the sensitivity of micronucleus analysis as a biomarker of radiation exposure?

In the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay, micronuclei (MNi), nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs), and nuclear budding (NBUD) are the most commonly analysed morphological types of nuclear abnormalities. In contrast, tailed and dumbbell-shaped nucleus have historically received little attention in the CBMN assay. Interestingly, the incidence of tailed and dumbbell-shaped nuclei in lymphocytes is closely related with that of dicentric chromosomes or NPBs in the CBMN assay. To provide a better picture of the implications and significance of tailed and dumbbell-shaped nuclei as markers of radiation exposure, a literature review was performed in this study. Twenty articles were found in PubMed, PubMed Central, and manually searched. The articles were screened and those that met the inclusion criteria and did not meet the exclusion criteria were reviewed by all authors. At the end, nine articles were included. In conclusion, the assessment of in vivo tailed nuclei in blood smears and accounting for the occurrence of dumbbell-shaped nuclei in the CBMN assay can increase the sensitivity of the CBMN assay for biodosimetry involving a high dose exposure.

Potency of endophytic fungi from Nauclea orientalis L. as antioxidant producer

Nauclea orientalis L. is widely distributed in Indonesia. Secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, polyphenols, and saponins are abundant in the bark of N. orientalis L. These compounds have the potential to act as antioxidants. Endophytic fungi, through genetic transfer and coevolution, can produce the same metabolites as their host plant. As a result, understanding the potential of endophytic fungi from N. orientalis L. to produce antioxidant compounds that can be developed is critical. According to the findings of this study, twelve isolates have the potential to produce secondary metabolites with antioxidant properties. Three isolates had high antioxidant activity: DB2 was identified as Aspergillus minisclerotigenes with an IC50 of 21 g/mL containing tannins, terpenes, and flavonoids, AB3 as Colletotrichum perseae with an IC50 of 31 g/mL containing tannins and terpenoids, and AB1 as Diaporthe tulliensis with an IC50 of 48 g/mL containing tannins. The secondary metabolite group has the potential to be developed into an antioxidant agent

A review of patterns and geographical distribution of human-wildlife conflicts in Indonesia

The unprecedented growth of human-dominated landscapes has led to population decline and the extinction of many animal species. A major paradigm shift that perceived wildlife as problem animals into threatened species that need protection triggered human-wildlife conflict studies. Although human-wildlife conflict incidences can be found globally, they have unique characteristics in each region of the world. However, little is known about the characteristics of human-wildlife conflicts in Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia. There is a need for a comprehensive insight into human-wildlife conflict studies in Indonesia to understand past advancements and propose future priorities. This study examined the literature that provides the overall view of the human-wildlife conflict patterns in the country. The results showed that there was a comparatively small number of studies because this field was a relatively new subject in Indonesia. Furthermore, there were big gaps regarding animal species and the geographic distribution of study sites. A total of 35 species belonging to eight taxonomic groups experienced conflicts with humans. However, the studies heavily focused on three groups of animals and certain areas of the country. The predominant conflict sites were secondary forest, agroforestry, and farmlands. The conflicts in these areas unveiled the significance of local beliefs and social norms for formulating mitigation strategies.

Begonia ’Crested‘: A new variety of Begonia from interspecific hybridization of Begonia sudjanae C.A Janson × Begonia puspitae Ardi

Improvement of leaf shape characters in Begonia can be done through hybridization between two different species of Begonia. This study aims to produce a new variety of Begonia to better improve the quantitative, qualitative characters and increase its genetic diversity. The study was conducted in the green house of Bogor Botanic Gardens. Two native species of Indonesia, Begonia sudjanae C.A Janson as the female parent and Begonia puspitae Ardi as the male parent. The mature F1 seeds were sown and selections were made among the plants produced. Observation results the characteristics of the new variety Begonia Crested as follows: stem type rhizomatous, leaves simple, ovate, peltate with strongly undulate base. Leaves margin is crenate and apex is acuminate. Colour on the upper surface are yellow green group RHS Colour Chart: (YG 144 A) strong yellow green, colour of veins on upper side is (YG 144 D) light yellow green. Inflorescence peduncle with 20 cm long branched symmetrically. The name Begonia Crested as the selected F1 plants are propagated in a vegetative method with leaves cutting, registered on the Center of Plant Variety Protection (PPVTPP) by No. 846/PVHP/2020. This new variety is beautiful and exotic leaves ornamental Begonia which will be developed as commercials ornamental plants.

Prediction of protein venom epitope (kistomin) from Calloselasma rhodostoma using immunoinformatics to design vaccine based on epitope

accines based on epitope are alternative treatments for snakebite aside from anti-venom immunoglobulin, which is specific and not cross-reaction. However, the potential kistomin epitope has not been known. This study identified the region of T cells epitope and evaluated their immunogenicity to induce an immune response by in-silico. Sequences of kistomin were collected from Swiss-Prot with ID P0CB14. The physico-chemical and conserved domain of kistomin were predicted by using ProtParam and the NCBI database. The T cell epitope was predicted by using the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) method on the IEDB website. Epitopes with MHC-IC50 values more than 250 nM were further analyzed for conservation and immunogenicity on the IEDB website as well. After that, the candidate 9-mer epitope was interacted by simulated docking with four Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules (5ENW, 6VB0, 3PGD, 6DIG). The conserved 9-mer epitope candidates with high immunogenicity and having similarities with the 15-mer epitope candidates are 4-VLLVTICLA-12 and 27-NVNDYEVVY-35. The 4-VLLVTICLA-12 candidate epitope interacted at β-sheet structure of four MHC. In contrast, The 27-NVNDYEVVY-35 candidate epitope interacted at α-helix and β-sheet structures of HLA-B*15:02 MHC. This study suggested 27-NVNDYEVVY-35 is potentially used as vaccine from envenomation Calloselasma rhodhostoma. In future studies, other alelles can be used to predict epitope from metalloproteinase domain in kistomin.

Bacterial infections in COVID-19 patients and their possible treatments. A review

The COVID-19 pandemic, which started in the beginning of 2020 was triggered by a new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections, severely affected various sectors, especially health. The effect of COVID-19 on patients is exacerbated by bacterial co-infections and secondary bacterial infections. There are few studies on how bacterial co-infections and secondary bacterial infections worsen COVID-19 patients, including in Indonesia. Therefore, it is necessary to update and summarize the understanding of bacterial infections characteristics to help optimize the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment decisions. Antibiotics have been used in COVID-19 patients to treat bacterial infections to date, which could contribute to antimicrobial resistance in the future. The review s objective is to summarize bacterial infections in COVID-19 patients and several possible treatments, including antibiotics, phage therapy, probiotics/prebiotics, and nanomedicine for antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) delivery

The portrait of neem leaves-based high performance wound healing activity on zebrafish

This study was designed to evaluate the role of sliced and dropping models of neem leaves (Azadirachta indica) and environmental factors on zebrafish wound shrinkage. This study employed two treatment models: neem leaf slices and drops model. The treatment in the neem leaf slice model was the control group (fish was injured without neem leaf slices treatment, and G1-G3 of each fish was injured at 0.3 cm + 0.5, 1, and 2 g. Treatment in the neem leaf drop model was control group (fish was injured without neem leaves drops, and G1-G3 of each fish was injured at 0.3 cm + 1, 2, 4 drops. Findings suggest that there is a significant difference between the control group by treating G1, G2, and G3 on the shrinkage of zebrafish wound area both in the neem leaf slice and drop models, but G1 was not significantly different from G2 and G3, as well as G2 and G3 both in the neem leaf slice and drop model. Neem leaves contain nutrients that play a vital role in the formation of collagen and the formation of new capillaries to help speed up the wound healing process. The healing process involves the dynamic interaction of physiological factors.