Separation Methods of Phenolic Compounds from Plant Extract as Antioxidant Agents Candidate

In recent years, discovering new drug candidates has become a top priority in research. Natural products have proven to be a promising source for such discoveries as many researchers have successfully isolated bioactive compounds with various activities that show potential as drug candidates. Among these compounds, phenolic compounds have been frequently isolated due to their many biological activities, including their role as antioxidants, making them candidates for treating diseases related to oxidative stress. The isolation method is essential, and researchers have sought to find effective procedures that maximize the purity and yield of bioactive compounds. This review aims to provide information on the isolation or separation methods for phenolic compounds with antioxidant activities using column chromatography, medium-pressure liquid chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, counter-current chromatography, hydrophilic interaction chromatography, supercritical fluid chromatography, molecularly imprinted technologies, and high-performance thin layer chromatography. For isolation or purification, the molecularly imprinted technologies represent a more accessible and more efficient procedure because they can be applied directly to the extract to reduce the complicated isolation process. However, it still requires further development and refinement.

Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Pharmaceutical Impurities: Design and Synthesis Methods

The safety of a medicinal product is determined by its pharmacological and toxicological profile, which depends not only on the active substance's toxicological properties, but also on the impurities it contains. Because impurities are a problem that must be considered to ensure the safety of a drug product, many studies have been conducted regarding the separation or purification of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and the determination of impurities in APIs and drug products. Several studies have applied molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) to separate impurities in active ingredients and as adsorbents in the sample preparation process. This review presents the design of MIPs and the methods used to synthesise MIPs to separate impurities in APIs and drug product samples, the application of MIPs to separate impurities, and a view of future studies involving MIPs to remove impurities from pharmaceutical products. Based on a comparison of the bulk and surface-imprinting polymerisation methods, the MIPs produced by the surface-imprinting polymerisation method have a higher adsorption capacity and faster adsorption kinetics than the MIPs produced by the bulk polymerisation method. However, the application of MIPs in the analysis of APIs and drug products are currently only related to organic compounds. Considering the advantages of MIPs to separate impurities, MIPs for other impurities still need to be developed, including multi-template MIPs for simultaneous separation of multiple impurities.

Microsphere molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction for diazepam analysis using itaconic acid as a monomer in propanol

Diazepam (DZP) is a benzodiazepine drug used as an anti-drug and sedative. It is often misused to induce or create euphoria in combination with other drugs (high or fly sensation) or administered alone. So far, screening for DZP abuse with sensitive analytical methods is needed, as its small concentrations make it difficult to detect. Increased sensitivity of the analytical method can be obtained by using a preparation method that selectively separates the analyte from the sample matrix. Molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) is one of the preparation solutions with good selectivity, specificity, and sensitivity. MIP was made from DZP as a template, itaconic acid, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate in a composition of 1:4:20. MIP was made by precipitation polymerisation to obtain microsphere polymer type. MIP had a binding capacity value of 0.0557 mg/g and followed the Freundlich isotherm. Application of the microsphere MIP on spiked blood serum resulted in a recovery of 105.63 ± 1.0% for MIP compared to 21.28 ± 0.4% for non-imprinted polymer, with the imprinting factor value reaching 4.96. Hence, MIP DZP with itaconic acid as a functional monomer and propanol as a porogen, fabricated by the precipitation polymerisation method, is a promising sorbent for DZP extraction in biological fluids.

Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum and Leuconostoc mesenteroides starter cultures in lower salt concentration fermentation on the sauerkraut quality

This research was aimed to study the effect of Lactobacillus plantarum and Leuconostoc mesenteroides starter cultures application in lower salt concentration fermentation on sauerkraut quality. Fresh cut cabbage was fermented with different starter cultures (L. plantarum, L. mesenteroides or the combination) at different lower salt concentration (0.5% or 1%) at 28oC for 5 days. The obtained sauerkrauts were subjected to evaluation of the quality i.e. total lactic acid bacteria, pH, total acidity, total phenolic content and DPPH scavenging activity analysis. The sulforaphane content analysis was performed by using LC-MS. The starter cultures increased total lactic acid bacteria, total acidity and decreased pH. L. mesenteroides resulted in the highest total phenolic content and the lowest IC50 value. Sauerkraut with the addition of L. mesenteroides contains sulforaphane higher 848.65 ng/g than that of control 776.47 ng/g. The results analysis of LC-MS also detected another compound, namely 2-phenethyl isothiocyanate, an antimicrobial compound. The sauerkraut is potential in functional food development with antiproliferative, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer activities.

Chloroquine or sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine for the treatment of uncomplicated, Plasmodium falciparum malaria during an epidemic in Central Java, Indonesia

A recent malaria epidemic in the Menoreh Hills of Central Java has increased concern about the re-emergence of endemic malaria on Java, which threatens the island's 120 million residents. A 28-day, in-vivo test of the efficacy of treatment of malaria with antimalarial drugs was conducted among 167 villagers in the Menoreh Hills. The treatments investigated, chloroquine (CQ) and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP), constitute, respectively, the first- and second-line treatments for uncomplicated malaria in Indonesia. The prevalence of malaria among 1389 residents screened prior to enrollment was 33%. Treatment outcomes were assessed by microscopical diagnoses, PCR-based confirmation of the diagnoses, measurement of the whole-blood concentrations of CQ and desethylchloroquine (DCQ), and identification of the Plasmodium falciparum genotypes. The 28-day cumulative incidences of therapeutic failure for CQ and SP were, respectively, 47% (N = 36) and 22% (N = 50) in the treatment of P. falciparum, and 18% (N = 77) and 67% (N = 6) in the treatment of P. vivax. Chloroquine was thus an ineffective therapy for P. falciparum malaria, and the presence of CQ-resistant P. vivax and SP-resistant P. falciparum will further compromise efforts to control resurgent malaria on Java.

Risk-based versus alternative algorithms for antibiotic prophylaxis among women seeking early suction abortion: a cost-effectiveness simulation

BACKGROUND

Particularly in resource-poor settings, simple, inexpensive, and cost-effective algorithms are needed to direct antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent sequelae of infections with Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and bacterial vaginosis-associated organisms among women undergoing abortion.

GOAL

To assess the prevalence of and risk factors for infections among women seeking abortion in Bali, Indonesia, and to use these data in designing a cost-effective risk-based prophylaxis algorithm.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional analysis and data-based simulation of risk-based and alternative prophylaxis algorithms were performed.

RESULTS

The risk-based algorithm would have provided prophylaxis to 70% (95% CI, 53-83%) of women with cervical infection, 64% (95% CI, 54-74%) of those with bacterial vaginosis, and 57% (95% CI, 42-72%) of those with trichomoniasis. For cervical infection, the algorithm was more cost effective than all others evaluated. The cost-effectiveness was acceptable for bacterial vaginosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk-based algorithms may be cost effective in identifying women likely to benefit from preabortion prophylaxis. Prospective evaluation is needed to validate these findings.

Reproductive health and STDs among clients of a women's health mobile clinic in rural Bali, Indonesia

Recent studies in Indonesia have reported significant levels of STDs in low-risk urban groups. To gather data on rural women, a prevalence study was undertaken in Bali utilizing a women's health mobile clinic. Rural (n=312) women were tested for vaginal reproductive tract infections (RTIs) by on-site wet mount, for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis by unamplified DNA (Gen-Probe) test, and for syphilis by rapid plasma reagin (RPR). Results were: candidiasis 5.8%; bacterial vaginosis (BV) 37.2%; trichomoniasis 15.1%; gonorrhoea 0.7%; chlamydial infection 5.6%; syphilis 0%. Overall 55.1% had at least one RTI and 19.2% had at least one STD. Reported non-monogamy, pain with urination and genital lesions, observed cervical friability and cervical motion tenderness were associated with cervical STD infection (P<0.05). We conclude that there is a need for improved services for STD prevention and RTI/STD management in rural Bali, and for condom promotion.

Performance of the OptiMAL assay for detection and identification of malaria infections in asymptomatic residents of Irian Jaya, Indonesia

The OptiMAL assay, a new immunochromatographic "dipstick" test for malaria based on detection of Plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH), is purported to detect infections of approximately 200 parasites/microL of blood and to differentiate between Plasmodium falciparum and non-P. falciparum. We evaluated OptiMAL performance by comparing the test strip interpretations of two independent readers with consensus results obtained independently by expert malaria microscopists. Unbiased measures of sensitivity were derived by applying the OptiMAL test for detection and differentiation of light, asymptomatic infections by P. falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. OptiMAL readings were separated in time to determine whether the reaction signal was stable. Microscopy identified infections in 225 of 505 individuals screened; those with P. falciparum (n = 170) averaged 354 asexual forms/microL and P. vivax/Plasmodium malariae (n = 112) averaged 216 asexual forms/microL of blood. Concordance between OptiMAL and microscopy was 81% and 78% by the two independent readings. The assay's sensitivity for detection of any malaria species was 60.4% and 70.2% respectively and specificity was 97% and 89%. Most cases identified by microscopy as P. falciparum were graded as negative or non-falciparum by both OptiMAL readers. OptiMAL false negatives as well as misidentifications were related to low parasitemias (< 500/microL). The OptiMAL assay demonstrated 88-92% sensitivity for detecting infections of 500-1,000 parasites/microL, a range covering the mean parasitemia of primary symptomatic P. falciparum infections in malaria-naïve Indonesian transmigrants. This device was markedly less sensitive than expert microscopy for discriminating between malaria species and is presently unsuited for use as an epidemiological screening tool. The OptiMAL assay is not approved for diagnostic use but is commercially available for research purposes only.

Cervical cancer screening in Bali: a public health issue

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women in developing countries. Regarding cervical cancer in Bali, we sought to determine the incidence, to evaluate existing preventive and screening programs, to identify the population being screened, and to examine the methods of testing. The records of the Udayana Teaching Hospital pathology laboratory and Cancer Registry were reviewed, retrospectively. The incidence of cervical cancer in Bali is 7/100,000. There has already been a substantial increase in the number of Papanicolaou tests (PT) from 767 in 1990 to 1,355 in 1992. In 63% of these tests the results were Class II, indicating a need for attention to infection. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia has a statistically significant increase with age. The number of PT performed peaks in the 35-44 year age group, with a sharp decline thereafter. Fifty-four percent of PT are performed in the capital city, which has only 20% of the female population. Bali Hindu women make up 94% of the female population, but receive only 81% of PT, while Muslim women make up 5% of the population and receive 12% of PT. Seventy-eight percent of PT contain no endocervical cells. There has already been a promising increase in the number of PT performed in Bali. Public health promotion efforts as well as outreach programs should be expanded, perhaps using the Banjar system, to reach older and rural women. Collectors of Pap smears should be instructed on the importance of endocervical sampling.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated male and female genital carcinomas in a Hindu population. The male as vector and victim

Epidemiologic, histologic and immunohistochemical data concerning male (penile) and female (cervical and vulvar/vaginal) genital carcinomas in a Hindu population are reported. The data are from Bali, an Indonesian Hindu island in a country with a predominantly Muslim population. In contrast to the surrounding Muslim population, circumcision is rare in the people of Bali, and the rate of phimosis in grown men is very high. The Balinese epidemiologic data of 1985 to 1986 were compared with 1986 data from The Netherlands. In Bali, cervical carcinoma was the most frequent carcinoma in women, and vulvar/vaginal carcinoma ranked seven. These carcinomas were much less frequent in The Netherlands. In Balinese men, penile carcinoma is the second most frequent carcinoma, whereas it is rarely diagnosed in The Netherlands. Penile carcinomas are found in Bali in younger age groups than in The Netherlands. Based on the immunohistochemical staining results, it is estimated that over 75% of the studied Balinese genital carcinomas contain human papillomavirus (HPV). The data presented in this paper may indicate that the cofactor of impeded postcoital hygiene can be of great importance for male and female HPV-associated genital carcinogenesis. It is clear that Balinese men, in particular men with extreme phimosis, are both vectors and victims of HPV. In The Netherlands the man is exclusively the vector of HPV.

Maternal mortality in Indonesia and Egypt

Twenty-three percent of deaths to women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in Bali, Indonesia and Menoufia, Egypt were due to maternal causes. Among the younger women, the percentage was even higher. In both areas complications of pregnancy and childbirth were a leading cause of death (the first cause in Bali, the second in Menoufia). In both sites, postpartum hemorrhage was the most common cause of maternal death. Relative to the United States, the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births was 20 times higher in Menoufia and 78 times higher in Bali. Families of women of reproductive age who died were interviewed about the conditions leading to death and other characteristics of the deceased. Completed histories were reviewed by a Medical Panel who were able to assign a cause of death in more than 90% of cases. Two-thirds of the maternal deaths occurred to women who were over 30 and/or who had 3 children--the usual targets of family planning programs. Other possible intervention strategies include antenatal outreach programs, training of traditional birth attendants, and better hospital management of obstetric emergencies.

Reproductive mortality in two developing countries

Reproductive mortality includes mortality attributable to pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth and its sequelae, and contraception. Reproductive mortality has been estimated for the United Kingdom, the United States, and for states of the US. However, it has not previously been measured for developing countries, where maternal mortality often remains distressingly high. This paper reports on data from one governorate of Egypt, where reproductive mortality was 46 per 100,000 married women ages 15-49 (2.2 per cent of this was attributable to contraception), and one province of Indonesia, where reproductive mortality was 70 per 100,000 (of which 1.4 per cent was due to contraception). In both locations, complications of pregnancy and childbirth were a leading cause of death in the age group studied (the first cause in Indonesia, second in Egypt). Contraceptive prevalence was 24 per cent of married women ages 15-49 in Egypt and 48 per cent of this age group in Indonesia.