Microscopic and physicochemical evaluation of <em>Ruta angustifolia</em> leaves

Background: There are thousands of species of known medicinal plants in the world. Ruta angustifolia L. has been widely used in traditional medication for jaundice and liver disease. Previous studies have shown that R. angustifolia leaves can inhibit the hepatitis C virus in Huhit culture cells, reduce the value of NS3 protein, and possess a synergistic effect in combination with antiviral drugs. Therefore, this plant is potential to be developed as a drug candidate. Characteristics of plants including microscopic, physicochemical properties, and phytochemical profiles are necessary information to ensure the quality of raw material in drug development. Objective: This study was carried out to examine the microscopic and physicochemical including the standardized parameter of R. angustifolia leaves to fulfil the quality raw materials as traditional medicine. Methods: Simplicia of R. angustifolia leaves obtained from Jombang, East Java, were observed under a microscope and determined its physicochemical properties referred to the Materia Medica Indonesia V. The TLC and HPLC profiles of extract were determined as well. Results: Microscopic analysis were conducted by transfection sections and the presence of epidermis cells, palisade, mesophyll with stomata, and Ca-oxalate crystal were found. The standard parameter obtained value of loss of drying, extractive value in water and ethanol, and ash value. The TLC and HPLC profiles of leaves extract demonstrated to contain with flavonoid, terpenoids, and alkaloids. Conclusion: Ruta angustifolia obtained from Jombang, east Java, has a specific character in microscopic analysis. The physicochemical properties analysis of R. angustifolia leaves as a raw material met the requirements according to Materia Medica Indonesia V.

Spatiotemporal proximity of rubella cases to the occurrence of congenital rubella syndrome in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

INTRODUCTION

Rubella infection during early pregnancy may cause fatal consequences such as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). The incidence rate (IR) of CRS confirmed cases in Yogyakarta, Indonesia between July 2008 and June 2013 was high at 0.05 per 1,000 live births. This study aimed to discover the spatiotemporal pattern of rubella and CRS and also identify whether the proximity of rubella cases was associated with the occurrence of CRS cases.

METHODS

This observational research used a spatiotemporal approach. We obtained CRS and rubella surveillance data from Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Provincial, and District Health Offices in Yogyakarta, Indonesia during January-April 2019. The home addresses of rubella and CRS cases were geocoded using the Global Positioning System. Average of the nearest neighbour and space-time permutation analyses were conducted to discover the spatiotemporal patterns and clusters of rubella and CRS cases.

RESULTS

The peak of rubella cases occurred in 2017 (IR: 22.3 per 100,000 population). Twelve confirmed cases of CRS were found in the 2016-2018 period (IR: 0.05 per 1,000 live births). The occurrence of CRS in Yogyakarta was detected 6-8 months after the increase and peak of rubella cases. The spatiotemporal analysis showed that rubella cases were mostly clustered, while CRS cases were distributed in a dispersed pattern. Rubella cases were found within a buffer zone of 2.5 km from any CRS case.

CONCLUSIONS

Rubella cases were spatiotemporally associated with the occurrence of CRS in Yogyakarta. We recommend strengthening the surveillance system of CRS and rubella cases in order to contain any further spreading of the disease.

Synergistic anti-hepatitis C virus activity of Ruta angustifolia extract with NS3 protein inhibitor

Background Medicinal plants are known to perform many pharmacological actions due to their chemical metabolites, which include antiviral effects. Previously, the extract of Ruta angustifolia was shown to have potential anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) activity without any cytotoxicity, with a 50% inhibitory concentration of 3.0 μg/mL and a 50% cytotoxicity concentration of >100 μg/mL. Furthermore, the combination of medicinal plants and current anti-HCV agents, such as a direct-acting antiviral agent, was shown to potentiate their overall effectiveness. In the course of this study, the ethanolic extract of R. angustifolia was evaluated for its anti-HCV effects; specifically, the mechanism of action on HCV NS3 and NS5A protease was investigated. Methods Analysis of the use of this extract in conjunction with current NS3 inhibitor drugs, simeprevir (SMV) and telaprevir (TVR), was performed. Anti-HCV activity was performed by in vitro culture of hepatocyte cells. The cells were infected and treated with various concentrations of the sample. HCV inhibition was calculated and CompuSyn software analysis was used to determine the synergistic effect of the combination. Results Results demonstrated that R. angustifolia extract inhibited the post-entry step and decreased the protein levels of HCV NS3 and NS5A. The combination of extract and SMV and TVR mediated a synergistic effect. Conclusions These findings suggest that combining R. angustifolia extract with current anti-HCV drugs should be considered when developing alternative and complementary anti-HCV medicines.

Antiviral Activities of Curcuma Genus against Hepatitis C Virus

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the major public health problems in the world. Even though the new agents are shown to increase the sustained virology response, however, there are still many people who cannot access the therapy due to the high cost. Moreover, the emergence of resistance and side effects presented the necessity to develop alternative treatment agents for HCV infection. Plants of the genus of curcuma are popular among traditional medicines in the world, including Indonesia. They have been used for many herb remedies and reported to possess many biological activities. Several plants from the curcuma genus were known as treatment agents in liver disease and jaundice. Our current study determines antiviral activities of Curcuma domestica, Curcuma xanthorrhiza, and Curcuma heyneana against HCV and further examines the mechanism of actions. Antiviral activity was performed by in vitro culture cells using Huh 7.5it cells and treated with the mixture of extract and virus JFH1. The effects of extracts in HCV life cycle were determined by mode of action analysis to examine the action of substances in the entry or post entry steps. The results revealed that ethanol extract of C. domestica, C. xanthorrhiza, and C. heyneana showed strong anti-HCV activities with IC50 values of 1.68 ± 0.05, 4.93 ± 0.42 and 5.49 ± 0.59 μg/mL, respectively without any cytotoxicity effect. Mode of action analysis demonstrated that of C. domestica and C. heyneana exhibit HCV in the entry step, while C. xanthorrhiza inhibit in the entry and post entry steps of HCV life cycle. Docking analysis to predict the interaction of curcumin, the main compound of curcuma genus, revealed a strong interaction between curcumin and 4GAG receptor, a protein involved in the entry step of HCV infection. Moreover, it was also reported to possess good interaction with 4EAW, an HCV NS5B, which plays an important role in HCV replication. These results suggested that C. domestica, C. xanthorrhiza, and C. Heyneana possessed strong inhibition against hepatitis C virus, therefore they may be good candidates for anti-HCV agents.

Antiviral activities of Indonesian medicinal plants in the East Java region against hepatitis C virus

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver disease and a potential cause of substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. The overall prevalence of HCV infection is 2%, representing 120 million people worldwide. Current standard treatment using pegylated interferon and ribavirin is effective in only 50% of the patients infected with HCV genotype 1, and is associated with significant side effects. Therefore, it is still of importance to develop new drugs for treatment of HCV. Antiviral substances obtained from natural products, including medicinal plants, are potentially good targets to study. In this study, we evaluated Indonesian medicinal plants for their anti-HCV activities.

Methods

Ethanol extracts of 21 samples derived from 17 species of medicinal plants explored in the East Java region were tested. Anti-HCV activities were determined by a cell culture method using Huh7.5 cells and HCV strains of 9 different genotypes (1a to 7a, 1b and 2b).

Results

Four of the 21 samples tested showed antiviral activities against HCV: Toona sureni leaves (TSL) with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of 13.9 and 2.0 μg/ml against the HCV J6/JFH1-P47 and -P1 strains, respectively, Melicope latifolia leaves (MLL) with IC₅₀ of 3.5 and 2.1 μg/ml, respectively, Melanolepis multiglandulosa stem (MMS) with IC₅₀ of 17.1 and 6.2 μg/ml, respectively, and Ficus fistulosa leaves (FFL) with IC₅₀ of 15.0 and 5.7 μg/ml, respectively. Time-of-addition experiments revealed that TSL and MLL inhibited both at the entry and post-entry steps while MMS and FFL principally at the entry step. TSL and MLL inhibited all of 11 HCV strains of all the genotypes tested to the same extent. On the other hand, FFL showed significantly weaker inhibitory activities against the HCV genotype 1a strain, and MMS against the HCV strains of genotypes 2b and 7a to a lesser extent, compared to the other HCV genotypes.

Conclusions

Ethanol extracts of TSL, MLL, MMS and FFL showed antiviral activities against all the HCV genotypes tested with the exception that some genotype(s) showed significant resistance to FFL and to MMS to a lesser extent. These plant extracts may be good candidates for the development of anti-HCV drugs.

Noise exposure and noise induced hearing loss among Kuala Lumpur traffic point duty personnel

Thirty-two points in Kuala Lumpur were selected where traffic personnel were on duty. Sound level readings were taken three times a day. Generally, the traffic noise levels were between 75 dBA to 85 dBA. The maximum sound level recorded was 108.2 dBA. Noise emitted by traffic equipment and vehicles were up to 133 dBA. Results of audiometric tests revealed that out of 30 who were tested, 24 or 80% were positive for noise-induced hearing loss. A questionnaire survey revealed a lack of knowledge on occupational safety and personal protective equipment.