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Fulltext Is there a risk of suburban transmission of malaria in Selangor, Malaysia?

Braima KA, Sum JS, Ghazali AR, Muslimin M, Jeffery J, Lee WC, et al.

PLoS One, 2013;8(10):e77924.
PMID: 24194901 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077924

BACKGROUND: The suburban transmission of malaria in Selangor, Malaysia's most developed and populous state still remains a concern for public health in this region. Despite much successful control efforts directed at its reduction, sporadic cases, mostly brought in by foreigners have continued to occur. In addition, cases of simian malaria caused by Plasmodium knowlesi, some with fatal outcome have caused grave concern to health workers. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of local malaria transmission in suburban regions of Selangor, which are adjacent to secondary rainforests.
FINDINGS: A malaria survey spanning 7 years (2006 - 2012) was conducted in Selangor. A total of 1623 laboratory confirmed malaria cases were reported from Selangor's nine districts. While 72.6% of these cases (1178/1623) were attributed to imported malaria (cases originating from other countries), 25.5% (414/1623) were local cases and 1.9% (31/1623) were considered as relapse and unclassified cases combined. In this study, the most prevalent infection was P. vivax (1239 cases, prevalence 76.3%) followed by P. falciparum (211, 13.0%), P. knowlesi (75, 4.6%), P. malariae (71, 4.4%) and P. ovale (1, 0.06%). Mixed infections comprising of P. vivax and P. falciparum were confirmed (26, 1.6%). Entomological surveys targeting the residences of malaria patients' showed that the most commonly trapped Anopheles species was An. maculatus. No oocysts or sporozoites were found in the An. maculatus collected. Nevertheless, the possibility of An. maculatus being the malaria vector in the investigated locations was high due to its persistent occurrence in these areas.
CONCLUSIONS: Malaria cases reported in this study were mostly imported cases. However the co-existence of local cases and potential Plasmodium spp. vectors should be cause for concern. The results of this survey reflect the need of maintaining closely monitored malaria control programs and continuous extensive malaria surveillance in Peninsula Malaysia.
Fulltext First report of brown widow spider sightings in Peninsular Malaysia and notes on its global distribution

Muslimin M, Wilson JJ, Ghazali AR, Braima KA, Jeffery J, Wan-Nor F, et al.

J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis, 2015;21:11.
PMID: 25995738 DOI: 10.1186/s40409-015-0010-2

The brown widow spider (Latrodectus geometricus Koch, 1841) has colonised many parts of the world from its continent of origin, Africa. By at least 1841, the species had successfully established populations in South America and has more recently expanded its range to the southern states of North America. This highly adaptable spider has been far more successful in finding its niche around the world than its famous cousins, the black widow, Latrodectus mactans, found in the south-eastern states of North America, and the red-back, Latrodectus hasselti, found mostly in Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
Feeding behavior of Mimomyia (Etorleptiomyia) luzonensis (Ludlow, 1905) (Diptera, Culicidae) in Peninsular Malaysia

Braima KA, Muslimin M, M Ghazali AR, Wan-Nor F, Wilson JJ, Jeffery J, et al.

Acta Trop, 2017 Jul;171:138-140.
PMID: 28359829 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.03.025

Mosquitoes are vectors of various human diseases in the tropics including yellow fever, dengue, malaria and West Nile virus. Mosquitoes can act as vectors between wildlife and humans, which is particularly important for diseases where wild animals serve as reservoirs of parasites in the absence of human infections. Research has mainly focused on the medical impacts of Anopheles, Aedes, Mansonia and Culex, however, very little attention has been directed towards other mosquito genera, especially those which act as vectors of diseases of wildlife. We have observed adults of Mimomyia (Etorleptiomyia) luzonensis (Ludlow, 1905) feeding on a toad, Ingerophrynus parvus, near an oil palm plantation settlement in Setia Alam, Selangor state, Peninsular Malaysia. Mimomyia is known to feed on reptiles and amphibians, and is a documented vector of several arboviruses, including West Nile virus. The observation of Mimomyia feeding on a common toad near a human settlement highlights a need to understand the relationships between mosquitoes, toads and humans from an ecological perspective. We report on-site observations of the feeding habit of Mimomyia; the first records from Malaysia.
Fulltext Study of heavy metal levels among farmers of Muda Agricultural Development Authority, Malaysia

Ghazali AR, Abdul Razak NE, Othman MS, Othman H, Ishak I, Lubis SH, et al.

J Environ Public Health, 2012;2012:758349.
PMID: 22536276 DOI: 10.1155/2012/758349

Heavy metals, particularly cadmium, lead, and arsenic, constitute a significant potential threat to human health. This study was conducted to determine the levels of cadmium, lead, and arsenic in nail samples from farmers at Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA), Kedah, Malaysia, and evaluate factors that can contribute to their accumulations. A total of 116 farmers participated in this study. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to analyze concentration of heavy metals in the nail samples and questionnaires were given to participants to get demographic, health status, and their agricultural activities data. In this paper, the level of heavy metals was within the normal range and varies according to demographic factors. We found that there were significant correlations between working period with level of lead and arsenic (r=0.315 and r=0.242, resp., P<0.01) and age with lead level (r=0.175, P<0.05). Our findings suggested that agricultural activities could contribute to the accumulation of heavy metals in farmers. Hence, the control of environmental levels of and human exposure to these metals to prevent adverse health effects is still an important public health issue.
Safety assessment of natural products in Malaysia: current practices, challenges, and new strategies

M Pauzi NA, Cheema MS, Ismail A, Ghazali AR, Abdullah R

Rev Environ Health, 2021 Sep 27.
PMID: 34582637 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2021-0072

The belief that natural products are inherently safe is a primary reason for consumers to choose traditional medicines and herbal supplements for health maintenance and disease prevention. Unfortunately, some natural products on the market have been found to contain toxic compounds, such as heavy metals and microbes, as well as banned ingredients such as aristolochic acids. It shows that the existing regulatory system is inadequate and highlights the importance of thorough safety evaluations. In Malaysia, the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency is responsible for the regulatory control of medicinal products and cosmetics, including natural products. For registration purpose, the safety of natural products is primarily determined through the review of documents, including monographs, research articles and scientific reports. One of the main factors hampering safety evaluations of natural products is the lack of toxicological data from animal studies. However, international regulatory agencies such as the European Food Safety Authority and the United States Food and Drug Administration are beginning to accept data obtained using alternative strategies such as non-animal predictive toxicological tools. Our paper discusses the use of state-of-the-art techniques, including chemometrics, in silico modelling and omics technologies and their applications to the safety assessments of natural products.
Fulltext The Relationship Between Tear Ferning Patterns and Non-invasive Tear Break-up Time in Normal Asian Population

Sharanjeet-Kaur, Ho CY, Mutalib HA, Ghazali AR

J Optom, 2016 Jul-Sep;9(3):175-81.
PMID: 26652245 DOI: 10.1016/j.optom.2015.10.004

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between tear ferning patterns (TFP) and non-invasive tear break-up time (NIBUT) in normal Asian subjects.

METHODS: One hundred and forty-five adults with no ocular surface disorders were recruited. TFP and NIBUT were determined. Tears were collected using a capillary tube and allowed to air dry at room temperature for 10min. TFP was later observed using a light microscope and classified according to Rolando's classification. Measurement for NIBUT was obtained using a Tearscope with the slit lamp magnification.

RESULTS: It was found that there is no significant difference between gender in TFP (Z=-1.77, P>.05) and NIBUT (Z=-1.475, P>.05). There is also no significant difference between Malay, Chinese, Indian, and other races in TFP, (H(3)=4.85, P>.05) and NIBUT (H(3)=2.18, P>.05). However, there is a significant difference between age groups of 20-29, 30-39, 40-49,and 50-60 years old in both TFP (H(3)=28.25, P
Potential chemoprevention activity of pterostilbene by enhancing the detoxifying enzymes in the HT-29 cell line

Harun Z, Ghazali AR

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2012;13(12):6403-7.
PMID: 23464466

Detoxifying enzymes are present in most epithelial cells of the human gastrointestinal tract where they protect against xenobiotics which may cause cancer. Induction of examples such as glutathione S-transferase (GST) and its thiol conjugate, glutathione (GSH) as well as NAD(P)H: quinoneoxidoreductase (NQO1) facilitate the excretion of carcinogens and thus preventing colon carcinogenesis. Pterostilbene, an analogue of resveratrol, has demonstrated numerous pharmacological activities linked with chemoprevention. This study was conducted to investigate the potential of pterostilbene as a chemopreventive agent using the HT-29 colon cancer cell line to study the modulation of GST and NQO1 activities as well as the GSH level. Initially, our group, established the optimum dose of 24 hours pterostilbene treatment using MTT assays. Then, effects of pterostilbene (0-50 μM) on GST and NQO1 activity and GSH levels were determined using GST, NQO1 and Ellman assays, respectively. MTT assay of pterostilbene (0-100 μM) showed no cytotoxicity toward the HT-29 cell line. Treatment increased GST activity in the cell line significantly (p<0.05) at 12.5 and 25.0 μM. In addition, treatment at 50 μM increased the GSH level significantly (p<0.05). Pterostilbene also enhanced NQO1 activity significantly (p<0.05) at 12.5 μM and 50 μM. Hence, pterostilbene is a potential chemopreventive agent capable of modulation of detoxifiying enzyme levels in HT-29 cells.
Fulltext Oral supplementation of L-glutathione prevents ultraviolet B-induced melanogenesis and oxidative stress in BALB/c mice

Nagapan TS, Lim WN, Basri DF, Ghazali AR

Exp Anim, 2019 Nov 06;68(4):541-548.
PMID: 31243189 DOI: 10.1538/expanim.19-0017

Dietary antioxidant supplements such as L-glutathione have gained considerable attention in dermatology and cosmeceutical fields. L-glutathione possesses antiaging, antimelanogenic, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of L-glutathione on melanogenesis activity and oxidative stress in ultraviolet B (UVB)-irradiated BALB/c mice. Eighteen female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: a control group (n=6), a group without UVB irradiation and L-glutathione administration; a UVB irradiated group (n=6), a group irradiated with a UVB dose of 250 mJ/cm2 for 3 min; and a treatment group (n=6), a group irradiated with UVB and treated with 100 mg/kg of L-glutathione by oral gavage. Treatment was given for 14 days, and UVB irradiation was given on days 9, 11, and 13. Oral L-glutathione significantly (P<0.05) reduced lipid peroxidation and elevated superoxide dismutase activity the and glutathione level. L-glutathione also inhibited melanin content and tyrosinase activity significantly (P<0.05) as compared with the UVB-irradiated group. Histopathological examination also showed that L-glutathione reduced the deposition of melanin pigment in the basal layer of the epidermis as compared with that in UVB-irradiated mice. All in all, the present study demonstrated that L-glutathione has the potential to be developed as a photoprotection agent against UVB-induced oxidative stress and melanogenesis.
Fulltext Bactericidal Effect of Pterostilbene Alone and in Combination with Gentamicin against Human Pathogenic Bacteria

Lee WX, Basri DF, Ghazali AR

Molecules, 2017 Mar 17;22(3).
PMID: 28304328 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22030463

The antibacterial activity of pterostilbene in combination with gentamicin against six strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were investigated. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of pterostilbene were determined using microdilution technique whereas the synergistic antibacterial activities of pterostilbene in combination with gentamicin were assessed using checkerboard assay and time-kill kinetic study. Results of the present study showed that the combination effects of pterostilbene with gentamicin were synergistic (FIC index < 0.5) against three susceptible bacteria strains: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli O157 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 15442. However, the time-kill study showed that the interaction was indifference which did not significantly differ from the gentamicin treatment. Furthermore, time-kill study showed that the growth of the tested bacteria was completely attenuated with 2 to 8 h treatment with 0.5 × MIC of pterostilbene and gentamicin. The identified combinations could be of effective therapeutic value against bacterial infections. These findings have potential implications in delaying the development of bacterial resistance as the antibacterial effect was achieved with the lower concentrations of antibacterial agents.
Total Protein Concentration and Tumor Necrosis Factor α in Tears of Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Amil-Bangsa NH, Mohd-Ali B, Ishak B, Abdul-Aziz CNN, Ngah NF, Hashim H, et al.

Optom Vis Sci, 2019 12;96(12):934-939.
PMID: 31834153 DOI: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000001456

SIGNIFICANCE: Total protein concentration (TPC) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) concentration in tears are correlated with severity of retinopathy. However, minimal data are available in the literature for investigating tear TPC and TNF-α concentrations in Asian individuals with different severity of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).
PURPOSE: This study evaluated differences of TPC and TNF-α concentrations in tears at different severity of NPDR among participants with diabetes in comparison with normal participants.
METHODS: A total of 75 participants were categorized based on Early Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy Study scale, with 15 participants representing each group, namely, normal, diabetes without retinopathy, mild NPDR, moderate NPDR, and severe NPDR. All participants were screened using McMonnies questionnaire. Refraction was conducted subjectively. Visual acuity was measured using a LogMAR chart. Twenty-five microliters of basal tears was collected using glass capillary tubes. Total protein concentration and TNF-α concentrations were determined using Bradford assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.
RESULTS: Mean ± SD age of participants (n = 75) was 57.88 ± 4.71 years, and participants scored equally in McMonnies questionnaire (P = .90). Mean visual acuity was significantly different in severe NPDR (P = .003). Mean tear TPC was significantly lower, and mean tear TNF-α concentration was significantly higher in moderate and severe NPDR (P < .001). Mean ± SD tear TPC and TNF-α concentrations for normal were 7.10 ± 1.53 and 1.39 ± 0.24 pg/mL; for diabetes without retinopathy, 6.37 ± 1.65 and 1.53 ± 0.27 pg/mL; for mild NPDR, 6.32 ± 2.05 and 1.60 ± 0.21 pg/mL; for moderate NPDR, 3.88 ± 1.38 and 1.99 ± 0.05 pg/mL; and for severe NPDR, 3.64 ± 1.26 and 2.21 ± 0.04 pg/mL, respectively. Tear TPC and TNF-α concentrations were significantly correlated (r = -0.50, P < .0001). Visual acuity was significantly correlated with tear TPC (r = -0.236, P = .04) and TNF-α concentrations (r = 0.432, P < .0001).
CONCLUSIONS: This cross-sectional study identified differences in tear TPC and TNF-α concentrations with increasing severity of NPDR.
Fulltext Chemopreventive Effects of Oral Pterostilbene in Multistage Carcinogenesis of Skin Squamous Cell Carcinoma Mouse Model Induced by DMBA/TPA

Surien O, Masre SF, Basri DF, Ghazali AR

Biomedicines, 2022 Oct 28;10(11).
PMID: 36359262 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112743

Skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a type of non-melanoma skin cancer. Pterostilbene is a natural compound proven to exhibit various pharmacological properties, including chemo-preventive effects. This study aimed to explore the chemo-preventive effect of oral pterostilbene during initiation, promotion or continuous on multistage skin SCC mouse models induced by 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)/12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). The experimental design consists of five groups of female Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice, with two control groups of vehicle and cancer. Three oral pterostilbene groups consisted of orally administered pterostilbene during initiation, promotion, or continuously. Oral pterostilbene significantly reduced the number and volume of tumours. Oral pterostilbene demonstrated less severe skin histology changes compared to the cancer control group, with less pleomorphic in the cells and nuclei, and the basement membrane remained intact. Our results showed fewer invasive tumours in oral PT-treated groups than in cancer groups that displayed mitotic bodies, highly pleomorphic cells and nuclei, and basement membrane invasion. The cell proliferation marker (Ki-67) was reduced in oral pterostilbene-treated groups. Overall, oral pterostilbene is a promising chemo-preventive intervention due to its anti-initiation and anti-promotion on skin carcinogenesis. Thus, the potential molecular mechanisms of oral pterostilbene chemo-prevention agent should be explored.
Fulltext Pterostilbene Inhibits the Melanogenesis Activity in UVB-Irradiated B164A5 Cells

Basri DF, Lew LC, Muralitharan RV, Nagapan TS, Ghazali AR

Dose Response, 2021 11 17;19(4):15593258211047651.
PMID: 34840540 DOI: 10.1177/15593258211047651

Pterostilbene is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. However, its chemopreventive effects via anti-tyrosinase activity and inhibitory effects on melanin content have not been reported previously. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the anti-melanogenic activity of pterostilbene on UVB-irradiated B164A5 mouse melanoma cells. The effects of pterostilbene and resveratrol on cell viability were determined by MTT assay, whereas melanin content and tyrosinase assay were employed to assess melanogenesis activity. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the tyrosinase expression. Based on the MTT assay, the IC50 value of pterostilbene on UVB-irradiated B164A5 cells was 34.0 ± 3.43 μM, in comparison to resveratrol (>100 μM). Next, 5 and 10 μM pterostilbene showed a significant dose-dependent inhibition (P < .01) of tyrosinase activity in UVB-irradiated B164A5 cells at 37.14 ± 2.71% and 58.36 ± 6.8%, respectively. The findings from the tyrosinase assay also confirmed the downregulation of tyrosinase expression in UVB-irradiated B164A5 cells as measured by Western blot analysis. Finally, 10 μM pterostilbene showed a significantly decreased melanin content (P < .01) in UVB-irradiated B164A5 cells, at 27.34 ± .98 μg/mL. In conclusion, pterostilbene showed anti-melanogenic activity that was 10 times more potent than resveratrol in the UVB-irradiated B164A5 cell.
Fulltext Potential Chemopreventive Role of Pterostilbene in Its Modulation of the Apoptosis Pathway

Surien O, Masre SF, Basri DF, Ghazali AR

Int J Mol Sci, 2023 Jun 03;24(11).
PMID: 37298657 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119707

Cancer incidence keeps increasing every year around the world and is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Cancer has imposed a major burden on the human population, including the deterioration of physical and mental health as well as economic or financial loss among cancer patients. Conventional cancer treatments including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy have improved the mortality rate. However, conventional treatments have many challenges; for example, drug resistance, side effects, and cancer recurrence. Chemoprevention is one of the promising interventions to reduce the burden of cancer together with cancer treatments and early detection. Pterostilbene is a natural chemopreventive compound with various pharmacological properties such as anti-oxidant, anti-proliferative, and anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, pterostilbene, due to its potential chemopreventive effect on inducing apoptosis in eliminating the mutated cells or preventing the progression of premalignant cells to cancerous cells, should be explored as a chemopreventive agent. Hence, in the review, we discuss the role of pterostilbene as a chemopreventive agent against various types of cancer via its modulation of the apoptosis pathway at the molecular levels.
Fulltext Probiotic potentials of Lactobacillus plantarum isolated from fermented durian (Tempoyak), a Malaysian traditional condiment

Ahmad A, Yap WB, Kofli NT, Ghazali AR

Food Sci Nutr, 2018 Sep;6(6):1370-1377.
PMID: 30258578 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.672

Lactic acid bacterium isolated from fermented durian (tempoyak) was investigated for its potentials as a probiotic strain. Bacterial tolerance toward gastrointestinal environment, adhesion, and cytotoxic activity in human colon adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29 was evaluated. 16S rRNA sequencing identified the lactic acid bacterium as Lactobacillus plantarum. The bacterium demonstrated good tolerance toward gastrointestinal pH 2.0 and 0.3% bile salts. It showed strong adhesive capacity in human intestinal cell line, HT-29, with an adhesion index of 159 ± 10. Cytotoxicity of L. plantarum was investigated using both live bacterial cells (BC) and cell-free supernatant (CFS). Findings showed that both BC and CFS of L. plantarum reduced proliferation of HT-29 colon adenocarcinoma cells using MTT assay. The results imply potential probiotic properties of L. plantarum isolated from tempoyak.
Cytotoxic effect of organotin(IV) benzylisopropyldithiocarbamate compounds on Chang liver cell and hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cell

Awang N, Kamaludin NF, Ghazali AR

Pak J Biol Sci, 2011 Aug 01;14(15):768-74.
PMID: 22303582

Cancer is one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity in world. New compounds are currently being synthesized to combat this disease. The organotins are gaining more attention as anti-cancer agents due to their potent cytotoxicity properties. In this study, a series of newly synthesized organotins namely dimethyltin (IV) (compound 1), dibutyltin (IV) (compound 2) and triphenyltin (IV) benzylisopropyldithiocarbamate (compound 3) were assessed for their cytotoxic activities against human Chang liver cells and hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells. The cytotoxicity of these organotins in both cells upon 24 h treatment was assessed using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Compound 2 and 3 exhibited potent cytotoxic activities towards both cells where the IC50 values were less then 10 microM. The IC50 value for compound 2 was 2.5 microM in Chang liver cells and 7.0 microM in HepG2 cells whereas compound 3 exhibited an IC50 value of 1.5 microM in Chang liver cells and 2.5 microM in HepG2 cells. Therefore, compound 2 and 3 were more toxic against human Chang liver cells as compared to hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells. Interestingly, compound 1 did not have any IC50 value in both cells and hence can be classified as non-toxic. In conclusion, organotin (IV) benzylisopropyldithiocarbamate with insertion of dibutyl and triphenyl functional group possess potent cytotoxicity properties. Structural modification of these compounds can be carried out in further studies to produce less or non toxic effects towards normal human cell.
Neurobehavioral Performance of Estate Residents with Privately-Treated Water Supply

Mohd Ridzwan SF, Anual ZF, Sahani M, Ghazali AR

Iran J Public Health, 2013 Dec;42(12):1374-86.
PMID: 26060639

Neurotoxicants present in water supply may affect human functions in terms of attention, response speed and perceptual motor speed. Neurobehavioural performance can be influenced by gender, age and education levels. This study aims to assess the neurobehavioral performance of palm oil estate residents with private water supply in southern Peninsular of Malaysia.
Cytotoxic and antioxidant effects of methoxylated stilbene analogues on HepG2 hepatoma and Chang liver cells: Implications for structure activity relationship

Hasiah AH, Ghazali AR, Weber JF, Velu S, Thomas NF, Inayat Hussain SH

Hum Exp Toxicol, 2011 Feb;30(2):138-44.
PMID: 20385705 DOI: 10.1177/0960327110368739

Stilbenes possess a variety of biological activities including chemopreventive activity. This study was conducted to evaluate the structural activity relationships of six methoxylated stilbene analogues with respect to their cytotoxic effects and antioxidant activities on HepG2 hepatoma and Chang liver cells. The cytotoxic and total antioxidant activities of six stilbene analogues were determined by MTT and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assays, respectively. We found that the cis-methoxylated stilbene: (Z)-3,4,4'-trimethoxystilbene was the most potent and selective antiproliferative agent (IC₅₀ 89 µM) in HepG2 cells. For the total antioxidant activity, compounds possessing hydroxyl groups at the 4' position namely (E)-3-methoxy-4'-hydroxystilbene, (E)-3,5-dimethoxy-4'-hydroxystilbene (pterostilbene), (E)-4-methoxy-4'-hydroxystilbene showed the highest antioxidant activity. Structure activity relationship studies of these compounds demonstrated that the cytotoxic effect and antioxidant activities of the tested compounds in this study were structurally dependent.
Fulltext Viability and Antioxidant Effects of Traditional Cooling Rice Powder (bedak sejuk) Made from Oryza sativa ssp. Indica and Oryza sativa ssp. japonica on UVB-Induced B164A5 Melanoma Cells

Ghazali AR, Muralitharan RV, Soon CK, Salyam T, Ahmad Maulana NN, Mohamed Thaha UAB, et al.

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2020 Nov 01;21(11):3381-3386.
PMID: 33247699 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2020.21.11.3381

BACKGROUND: Traditional cooling rice powder (bedak sejuk) is a fermented rice-based cosmetic that is applied topically on one's skin, as an overnight facial mask. According to user testimonies, bedak sejuk beautifies and whitens skin, whereby these benefits could be utilised as a potential melanoma chemopreventive agent.
OBJECTIVE: Hence, this study aimed to determine the effects of bedak sejuk made from Oryza sativa ssp. indica (Indica) and Oryza sativa ssp. japonica (Japonica) on UVB-induced B164A5 melanoma cells, and also identify the antioxidant capacities of both types of bedak sejuk.
METHODS: The optimum dose of Indica and Japonica bedak sejuk to treat the cells was determined via the MTT assay. Then, the antioxidant capacities of both types of bedak sejuk were determined using the FRAP assay.
RESULTS: From the MTT assay, it was found that Indica and Japonica bedak sejuk showed no cytotoxic effects towards the cells. Hence, no IC50 can be obtained and two of the higher doses, 50 and 100 g/L were chosen for treatment. In the FRAP assay, Indica bedak sejuk at 50 and 100 g/L showed FRAP values of 0.003 ± 0.001 μg AA (ascorbic acid)/g of bedak sejuk and 0.004 ± 0.0003 μg AA/g of bedak sejuk. Whereas Japonica bedak sejuk at 50 g/L had the same FRAP value as Indica bedak sejuk at 100 g/L. As for Japonica bedak sejuk at 100 g/L, it showed the highest antioxidant capacity with the FRAP value of 0.01 ± 0.0007 μg AA/g of bedak sejuk which was statistically significant (p < 0.05) when compared to other tested concentrations.
CONCLUSION: In conclusion, Japonica bedak sejuk has a higher antioxidant capacity compared to Indica bedak sejuk despite both being not cytotoxic towards the cells. Regardless, further investigations need to be done before bedak sejuk could be developed as potential melanoma chemoprevention agents.
Fulltext Effects of palm oil tocotrienol-rich fraction on biochemical and morphological alterations of liver in fenitrothion-treated rats

Jayusman PA, Budin SB, Ghazali AR, Taib IS, Louis SR

Pak J Pharm Sci, 2014 Nov;27(6):1873-80.
PMID: 25362611

Indiscriminate application of organophosphate (OP) pesticides has led to environmental pollution and severe health problems. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of palm oil tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) on biochemical and morphological changes of the liver in rats treated with fenitrothion (FNT), a type of OP pesticide. A total of 28 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups; control group, TRF-supplemented group, FNT-treated group and TRF+FNT group. TRF (200 mg/kg) was supplemented 30 minutes prior to FNT (20 mg/kg) administration, both orally for 28 consecutive days. Following 28 days of treatment, plasma biochemical changes and liver morphology were evaluated. The body and absolute liver weights were significantly elevated in TRF+FNT group compared to FNT group. TRF administration significantly decreased the total protein level and restored the activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in TRF + FNT group. In contrast, total bilirubin level, γ-glutamyltranferase (GGT) and cholinesterase activity in TRF + FNT group did not significantly differ from FNT group. Administration of TRF also prevented FNT-induced morphological changes of liver as observed by electron microscope. In conclusion, TRF supplementation showed potential protective effect towards biochemical and ultrastructural changes in liver induced by FNT.
Loneliness and depression among the elderly in an agricultural settlement: mediating effects of social support

Wan Mohd Azam WM, Din NC, Ahmad M, Ghazali SE, Ibrahim N, Said Z, et al.

Asia Pac Psychiatry, 2013 Apr;5 Suppl 1:134-9.
PMID: 23857850 DOI: 10.1111/appy.12061

INTRODUCTION: Loneliness has long been known to have strong association with depression. The relationship between loneliness and depression, however, has been associated with other risk factors including social support. The aim of this paper is to describe the role of social support in the association between loneliness and depression.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study examined the mediating effects of social support among 161 community-based elderly in agricultural settlement of a rural area in Sungai Tengi, Malaysia. Subjects were investigated with De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale and Medical Outcome Survey Social Support Survey. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, linear and hierarchical regression.
RESULTS: Results indicated that social support partially mediated the relationship between loneliness and depression.
DISCUSSION: This suggests that social support affects the linear association between loneliness and depression in the elderly.
KEYWORDS: depression; elderly; loneliness; rural community; social support
Study site; FELDA Sungai Tengi, Selangor, Malaysia
Device, Questionnaire & Scale: De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale; Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15): Medical Outcome Survey Social Support Survey

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