Borneo International Journal of Biotechnology (BIJB)

Analyzing Cymbopogon sp methanolic extracts via liquid chromatography

Ibtisam Abdul Wahab, Hannis Fadzillah Mohsin, Kathleen J. Jalani — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0800

Cymbopogon species can be utilized in various ways. It is applied in cooking, aromatherapy, among others. The essential oil is also used extensively in traditional medicine. From the literatures, it possesses various classes of compounds, for example, terpenoids and flavonoids. In this study, an unidentified Cymbopogon methanolic was subjected to a Reversed Phased-High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC). The mobile phase was adapted from the national herbal monograph, comprising of 0.3% formic acid and acetonitrile. The HPLC chromatograms were recorded, and two major peaks were observed. Both signals were apparent in the stepwise gradient, when compared to the fast mode. In the absence of the standard monoterpenoids, geraniol, geranial and neral could be further investigated from this sample. In conclusion, a specimen of C. citratus could be involved in the experimental procedures.

Trends of Traditional Postpartum Practices Utilizing Local Medicinal Plants from Kota Belud, Sabah

Fadzilah Awang-Kanak — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0800

Ethnogynaecology is a field of study that focuses on managing gynaecological-related issues including postpartum care, through the utilization of traditional healers, tribal communities, and local practitioners. Traditional knowledge of Sabah medicinal plants is insufficiently documented, despite Sabah is home to more than 42 different ethnics and rich in flora diversity. This study aims to record medicinal plants from Kota Belud, that have been used as traditional remedies during postpartum care for mothers. This work also provides brief details of plant parts used as traditional remedies and the administrating methods. A total of nine plant species, namely Aloe vera, Bambusa sp., Benincasa hispida, Cosmos caudatus, Curcuma longa, Curcuma xanthorrhiza, Ficus septica, Momordica charantia, Zingiber zerumbet, were traditionally employed for postpartum care, a period spanning 40 to 90 days post-partum. The ethnopharmacological data gathered directly from these communities has the potential to serve as a substantial foundation for future research in natural product development and drug discovery.

Molecular Detection of Schmallenberg Virus: An Initiative to Approach Sero-Positive Samples

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0800

Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is a pathogen of veterinary importance that was first detected in the European ruminant population in 2011. Since then, the RNA virus has spread to various parts of the world, causing clinical manifestations such as abortions, stillbirths, and congenital malformations in ruminants. There are no molecular surveillance studies for SBV in Malaysia, and this study aimed to perform molecular detection of SBV using the positive SBV serum samples from small ruminants collected from selected farms in Terengganu and Negeri Sembilan in 2019. A molecular technique, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to analyze 78 serum samples in comparison to an in-house synthesized positive control of the SBV L segment sequence. None of the serum samples tested were positive for SBV RNA but this does not rule out the absence of SBV in animals. This was due to the fact that an undetectable viraemia period of SBV after a short duration of the active viral infection cycle or the presence of neutralizing antibodies could eliminate the viral particles from the bloodstream over time. It is therefore highly recommended to take samples from acutely infected animals.

The Antihyperglycemic Activity of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza Roots Extract in STZ-induced Diabetic Mice

Intan Zulaikha Md Zainin, Julenah Ag Nuddin2, Ruzaidi Azli Mohd Mokhtar — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0800

Mangrove plants are believed to possess a wide range of bioactive compounds due to their ability to thrive in harsh conditions enduring high salinity, low air humidity and high temperature. Bruguiera gymnorrhiza is one of the mangrove species that is commonly found in Sabah and its root has been discovered to have antidiabetic activity. However, previous investigations focused solely on ethanolic extract of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza root (BGR). Thus, this study aimed to assess antihyperglycemic activity of BGR methanolic extract in various fractions (aqueous, butanol, chloroform) using streptozocin-induced diabetic mice as an experimental model. The diabetic mice were administered different fractions of BGR extract at dose of 250 mg/kg with metformin (200 mg/kg) serves as standard drug. Blood glucose levels were measured on day 0th, 7th and 14th following the oral administration of BGR fractions in a fasting state mice. After 14 days treatment period, the results showed that the aqueous fraction of BGR extract significantly reduced the blood glucose levels in diabetic mice compared to other BGR fractions. The significant antihyperglycemic effect observed in aqueous fraction of BGR extract strongly indicates the presence of major potent antidiabetic components for decreasing the elevated blood glucose levels in diabetic mice.

Screening of coumarin derivatives as a potential Alzheimer’s Disease treatment drugs on Drosophila melanogaster

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0800

Alzheimer's disease (AD) stands as the most prevalent form of neurodegenerative ailment worldwide, characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques. Unfortunately, there is currently no effective cure for this condition. To investigate potential treatment options, researchers have turned to Drosophila melanogaster as an ideal animal model for studying AD. In this context, coumarin, a naturally occurring phytochemical initially discovered in tonka bean, and its derivatives have garnered significant attention for their diverse beneficial biological properties. The present study aimed to explore the efficacy of coumarin derivatives in mitigating the adverse effects of Aβ aggregation. Using the Drosophila model expressing human Aβ42, researchers observed a rough eye phenotype (REP) and decreased lifespan. To evaluate the neuroprotective effects of coumarin derivatives, the treated groups' eye morphology was compared with both positive and negative control groups. Encouragingly, the group treated with S5-44 exhibited the most favourable eye morphology, closely resembling that of the positive control group compared to other coumarin derivatives. Moreover, the group treated with S3-18 displayed a longer lifespan in comparison to the negative control group. In summary, most coumarin derivatives utilized in this study partially restored the REP, while one derivative even extended the lifespan of Drosophila. These promising findings suggest that coumarin derivatives have the potential to serve as neuroprotective drugs for the treatment of AD. Further research and development in this area may open new avenues for combating this debilitating disease.

Evaluation of Total Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity in Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Leucosyke capitellata

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0800

Leucosyke capitellata is rich in tannins, steroids, and flavonoids and has been traditionally used in the Philippines and Sabah, Malaysia, for treating inflammation, hypertension, and diabetes. However, scientific research on L. capitellata remains limited. This study aims to investigate the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant potential of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts from the leaves, roots, and stems of L. capitellata. The TPC was measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu method, and the antioxidant activity was assessed through DPPH scavenging. Among the extracts, the ethanolic root extract exhibited the highest TPC (135.655 ± 0.045 mg GAE/g). All extracts demonstrated significant antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ < 50 µg/mL), with the leaves aqueous extract showing the highest antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 5.274 µg/mL) despite having a relatively low TPC (37.737 ± 0.013 mg GAE/g). This discrepancy between TPC and antioxidant activity highlights the complex nature of plant extracts and suggests that factors beyond TPC contribute to their antioxidant mechanisms. These findings indicate that L. capitellata is a promising source of natural antioxidants.

Investigation of bacterial antigenic fragments OMPs as a potential vaccine candidate against vibriosis in TGGG

Iffah Md Daud, Rukmiyatul Rahim, Cahyo Budiman, Mohd Tamrin Lal, Zarina Amin — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0800

Aquaculture holds a crucial position in the economies of developing nations, making significant contribution to both food security and income. Despite its importance, aquaculture encounters challenges including bacterial infections threats like vibriosis that caused by Vibrio spp. Concerns regarding antibiotic resistance have prompted a shift towards usage of vaccine as a sustainable alternative treatment method. This study focused on the development of a fusion fragment protein GADPH-OmpK as a potential vaccine candidate against vibriosis in hybrid TGGG Grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus x E. lanceolatus) and the impact it has on the expression of immune genes. The fusion fragment protein was successfully overexpressed and used to intraperitoneally immunize hybrid TGGG grouper. The immunogenetic expression of Interleukin-2, Interleukin-6 and Interferon-ϒ in the results indicated that the vaccine elicits a considerable immune response in the fish, demonstrating its potential in enhancing aquaculture sustainability. Overall, this research presents a promising avenue for advancing aquaculture practices and mitigating antibiotic resistance issues in fish farming since recombinant protein vaccine offer various advantages.