Callyspongia spp.: Secondary Metabolites, Pharmacological Activities, and Mechanisms

One of the most widespread biotas in the sea is the sponge. Callyspongia is a sponge genus found in the seas, making it easily available. In this review, the pharmacological activity and mechanism of action of the secondary metabolites of Callyspongia spp. are addressed, which may lead to the development of new drugs and targeted therapeutic approaches. Several scientific databases, such as Google Scholar, PubMed, ResearchGate, Science Direct, Springer Link, and Wiley Online Library, were mined to obtain relevant information. In the 41 articles reviewed, Callyspongia spp. was reported to possess pharmacological activities such as cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines (36%), antifungal (10%), anti-inflammatory (10%), immunomodulatory (10%), antidiabetic and antiobesity (6%), antimicrobial (8%), antioxidant (4%), antineurodegenerative (4%), antihypercholesterolemic (2%), antihypertensive (2%), antiparasitic (2%), antiallergic (2%), antiviral (2%), antiosteoporotic (2%), and antituberculosis (2%) activities. Of these, the antioxidant, antituberculosis, and anti-inflammatory activities of Callyspongia extract were weaker compared with that of the control drugs; however, other activities, particularly cytotoxicity, show promise, and the compounds responsible may be developed into new drugs.

Gelling Power Alteration on Kappa-Carrageenan Dispersion through Esterification Method with Different Fatty Acid Saturation

The physicochemical properties of κ-carrageenan gels and their ester forms derived from different fatty-acid saturations were characterized and compared with those of native κ-carrageenan. Furthermore, stearic and oleic acids were used as the saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, respectively. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra confirmed the introduction of the ester into the κ-carrageenan backbone. The thermogravimetric analysis showed that thermal stability increased along with the level of unsaturation, but there was a decrease in viscosity, hardness, and syneresis, which caused the consistency of the product to become more elastic. The results also showed that the ester form still has a swelling ability that is almost the same as that of κ-carrageenan. After being formulated into a gel dosage form, the product was successfully produced from the ester with unsaturated fatty acids, and it was more elastic than native κ-carrageenan and had good physical properties with spreadability that meets the requirements for topical preparations.

Molecular docking and molecular dynamics studies of bioactive compounds contained in noni fruit (Morinda citrifolia L.) against human pancreatic α-amylase

Human pancreatic α-amylase inhibition is currently a promising therapeutic target against type 2 diabetes (DMT2) because it can reduce aggressive digestion of carbohydrates into absorbable monosaccharides. In Indonesia, medicinal plants, e.g. Morinda citrifolia fruit, have been empirically utilized as a blood-sugar reducer, however, the inhibitory activity of compounds in this plant against human pancreatic α-amylase is still limited or none. Therefore, this study aimed to test the interaction of 7 compounds (americanin, asperulosidic acid, damnacanthal, quercetin, rutin, scopoletin, and ursolic acid) contained in noni fruit against human pancreatic α-amylase by molecular docking and molecular dynamics and compared their binding modes with that of acarbose. Results of the molecular docking simulation indicated that the ursolic acid compound possesses the best binding energy (-8.58 kcal/mol) and comparable to that of acarbose (-8.59 kcal/mol). The molecular dynamics study at 100 ns simulation, the values of RMSD, RMSF, the radius of gyration (Rg), the solvent-accessible surface area (SASA), principal component analysis (PCA), and MM-PBSA binding free energy were stable and identical to those of acarbose. It could be concluded that ursolic acid might be potential in inhibiting human pancreatic α-amylase, thus, potential to be developed as an anti-DMT2 drug candidate. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Effect of water reservoirs types on the prevalence and antibiotic resistance profiles of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from bathroom water in hospitals

This study was aimed to isolate and characterize Pseudomonas aeruginosa antibiotic resistance profiles that isolated from bathroom water of five hospitals in Bandung, Indonesia, with different types of water reservoirs. Total of 25 water samples from bathrooms of five hospitals were collected and analyzed for the existence of P. aeruginosa colonies on the surface of MacConkey agar media using a streak plate method and identified using phenotypic identification and a series of biochemical tests. All P. aeruginosa isolates were tested against ceftazidime, piperacillin/tazobactam, ciprofloxacin, meropenem, and gentamicin containing in paper disc, using the agar diffusion method. Of all samples, the total number of P. aeruginosa isolates was less than that of non-P. aeruginosa. In hospitals that use permanent bathtubs, a greater total bacterial count was obtained than those using pails. From 110 isolates, 14.54% were multidrug resistance antibiotics. The majority of the resistant isolates were from hospital B with permanent bathtubs. Of 25 isolates from that hospital, P. aeruginosa isolates were resistant to ceftazidime (20%), piperacillin/tazobactam (4%), ciprofloxacin (20%), and gentamicin (20%). The multiple antibiotic resistance index value of P. aeruginosa isolates was 0.4–0.6. Thus, it can be concluded that the bathroom wáter in the hospital with permanent bathtubs were potential reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant P. aeruginosa.

Antibacterial activity and subchronic toxicity of Cassia fistula L. barks in rats

•

Extract and ethyl acetate fraction of Cassia fistula L. have potent antibacterial activity against resistant bacteria such as Salmonella typhosa.

•

Extract and Ethyl acetate fraction of Cassia fistula L. barks revealed the most active in vivo antibacterial activity.

•

At 1000 mg/kg dose of extract exposured for 90 days, histological damages were found either in liver or kidney, but after 30 days the abnormality fully were recovered.

Increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance necessitates the development of more potent antibiotics. The aim of this work was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Cassia fistula L. barks as an alternative agent for resistant pathogenic bacteria. The C. fistula barks were extracted with ethanol, followed by partition of the extract to give n-hexane, ethyl acetate and water fractions. An in vitro antibacterial assay was conducted to evaluate inhibitory activity of the extract and fractions against Salmonella typhosa and Shigella dysenteriae. An in vivo antibacterial activity was examined using S. typhosa-infected mouse models, in which the colony number of S. typhosa were counted from the infected rats’ feces. Assesment on safety of the extract was conducted by a subchronic toxicity test which mainly examined alteration occured in biochemical parameters and hystopatological conditions of livers and kidneys. The results showed that the ethanol extract inhibited the growth of both S. typhosa and S. dysenteriae with the MIC of 0.3125% w/v, and the ethyl acetate fraction with the MIC of 0.625% b/v. In the in vivo antibacterial assay, the extract at three doses decreased the colony number of S. typhosa significantly, and after the fourth to sixth days, the precentage of decrease reached more than 90% by 1000 mg/kg dose. The subchronic toxicity test revealed that after the extract exposured for 90 days, a dose of 1000 mg/kg induced liver and kidney damages histologically, however, it returned to normal condition after 30 days of recovery. The results of this study indicated that the extract of C. fistula L. barks had potent in vivo antibacterial activity against S. typhosa as sample of resistant bacteria, and is safe to be used as a herbal medicine, preferably at a dose lower than 1000 mg/kg.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Lung Cancer Risk Factors in West Bandung Society

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, so prevention of lung cancer is necessary. The aim of this study was to measure level of knowledge, attitude, and actions concerning risk factors of lung cancer in West Bandung.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The research was conducted by quantitative study design with a quasi-experimental approach. Measurement of respondents' knowledge, attitudes, and actions was carried out by giving questionnaires of knowledge, attitudes, and actions. Questionnaires were given to respondents before and after providing education about risk factors of lung cancer. Respondents were from 42 societies in Bandung. The data obtained were tested by using comparison and correlation test.

RESULTS

The results showed a significant difference between knowledge and attitudes (P = 0.001). Meanwhile, the action did not change significantly (P > 0.05). Correlation test showed that knowledge and attitude had a correlation of P = 0.001 in the pretest and P = 0.23 (P < 0.05) in the posttest.

CONCLUSION

This research concludes that the level of knowledge and attitudes toward risk factors of lung cancer has increased.

In-Vivo Effectiveness of 5% Azadirachta indica Oil Cream as Anti-Scabies

Scabies is an infectious skin disease caused by mite Sarcoptes scabiei. Neem tree (Azadirachta indica) has the potential to be used as an anti-parasite due to the presence of azadirachtin compound that is commonly found in the seeds. The aim of this study was to evaluate in-vivo effectiveness of neem oil as an anti-scabies. This study used an experimental method.  The effectiveness of the cream as an anti-scabies was tested on New Zealand white rabbits which were infected with scabies. Permethrin cream was used as a positive control and cream base was used as a negative control.  Cream was applied once daily and left for 8 hours. The data were analyzed using Kruskal Wallis and Mann Whitney. Dermal acute irritation test was performed by applying  0.5 g cream on the rabbit dorsal. We found that 5% neem oil cream was effective as an anti-scabies with 20-21 days recovery time. The recovery time is longer than permethrin cream (7-8 days), but shorter compared to negative control with recovery time over 30 days. Primary irritation index for 5% neem oil creams was 0, indicating negligible irritation category. In conclusion, A. indica cream was effective for the treatment of scabies although its recovery time is shorter than permethrin cream.  Keywords: effectiveness test, irritation test, neem oil cream, scabies