Norrizah Jaafar Sidik

In vitro Xanthine Oxidase (XO) and Albumin Denaturation Inhibition Assay of Barringtonia racemosa L. and Total Phenolic Content Analysis for Potential Anti-Inflammatory Use in Gouty Arthritis -

Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro anti-inflammatory activities and total phenolic content (TPC) of methanolic extracts of infloresence axes, endosperms, leaves, and pericarps of Barringtonia racemosa L. Methods: The anti-inflammatory study was conducted by assessing the potential through xanthine oxidase (XO) and albumin denaturation inhibition assays. Meanwhile, the TPC in the extracts were assessed by Folin-Ciocalteu assay. Results: In the XO inhibition assay, the infloresence axes extract was found to exert the highest inhibition capacity at 0.1% (w/v) with 59.54 ± 0.001% inhibition followed by leaves (58.82 ± 0.001%), pericarps (57.99 ± 0.003%), and endosperms (57.20 ± 0.003%) extracts. Similarly in the albumin denaturation inhibition assay, the infloresence axes extract had shown the greatest inhibition capacity with 70.58 ± 0.004% inhibition followed by endosperms (66.80 ± 0.024%), leaves (65.29 ± 0.006%), and pericarps extracts (43.33 ± 0.002%). Meanwhile, for TPC analysis, leaves extract was found to have the highest phenolic content (53.94 ± 0.000 mg gallic acid equivalent [GAE]/g DW) followed by infloresence axes (31.54 ± 0.001 mg GAE/g DW), endosperms (22.63 ± 0.001 mg GAE/g DW), and the least was found in pericarps (15.54 ± 0.001 mg GAE/g DW). Conclusion: The results indeed verified the in vitro anti-inflammatory activities of B. racemosa and supported its potential to be used in alleviating gouty arthritis and XO-related diseases.

Effect of artificial lighting on typhonium flagelliforme for indoor vertical farming

Lately, the idea of indoor vertical farming has caught a wide attention throughout the world either for domestic or commercial purposes. This is one of the ideal decisions in modern agriculture technique when the land area for the plantation activities has become the major concern especially in the urban area. However, certain factors must be considered to mimic the actual condition of the outdoor natural environment. One of the critical elements for the plant to grow is the light source. Therefore, the purpose of this project is to study the effects of few artificial lights such as daylight compact fluorescent light (CFL), blue and red colours of light emitter diode (LED), with a wavelength of 475 nm and 650 nm, respectively, towards the height of the plant, chlorophyll content in the leaves, carbon dioxide release as well as their water contains in the leaves of Typhonium Flagelliforme plants. Based on the result obtained in this research, the blue light promotes and enhances the height of the plant as well as contains the most water in the leaves. Meanwhile, the red light encourages the production of the chlorophyll in the leaves. However, the red LED emits more carbon dioxide compared to others

Effects of natural and synthetic cytokinin hormone on shoot regeneration of rockmelon (Cucumis melo) Glamour cv. by using nodal explants

Rockmelon Glamour cv. belongs to Cucurbitaceae family and the fruit enriched with nutrients that can reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and asthma. Using in vitro culture technique, rockmelon was able to mass propagate and commercially cultivated in order to meet rising market demand. The objectives of this study were to develop a micropropagation protocol for mass production of new Glamour cv. new plantlets and to acclimatize the plantlets to the ex vitro condition for further growth process. In this research, both natural (zeatin) and synthetic (kinetin) hormones were supplemented in MS media at different concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 2 mg/L) for shoot proliferation from nodal explants of rockmelon Glamour cv. Shoots were successfully regenerated from node explant in all tested medium after 4 weeks. MS supplemented with 0.1 mg/L kinetin gave the highest number of shoots (1.83±1.89), nodes (4.33±3.31), and leaves (4.11±3.18). Regenerated shoots were transferred to the root induction medium containing IAA at different concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 2 mg/L) and shoots was highly elongate and root proliferated in MSO. Healthy grown plantlets were acclimatized to three different growth media. In vermiculite growth media, plantlets were successfully survived (81±23.09%) after 6 weeks. In conclusion, kinetin synthetic hormone was able to give high number of shoots regenerated from nodal explants of rockmelon Glamour cv. compared to zeatin and plantlets were able to survive in the external condition in the vermiculite growth media.

Phaleria macrocarpa Fruits Methanolic Extract Reduces Blood Pressure and Blood Glucose in Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats (SHR)

Methanolic extract of Phaleria macrocarpa fruits was evaluated for the anti-hypertensive and antihyperglycaemic capacity. For a period of three weeks, 18 male young Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats (SHR) were divided into three experimental groups and received commercial rat pellets as their maintenance diet. At the same duration, SHR in Group 1 received 2 ml/kg/day of distilled water and served as a negative control. Meanwhile, SHR in Group 2 and Group 3 received 0.5 mg/kg/day of Telmisartan (positive control) and 500 mg/kg/day P. macrocarpa fruits methanolic extract, respectively. Bodyweight, arterial blood pressure and blood glucose were measured on a weekly basis. All SHR showed significant increased (p 0.05) between groups. Blood pressure and blood glucose significantly decreased (p<0.05) in SHR treated with Telmisartan and P. macrocarpa compared to negative control. These results lead us to conclude that P. macrocarpa fruits methanolic extract exhibit anti-hypertensive and antihyperglycaemic activities.