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The use of essential oils in atopic dermatitis: a review

Azhari H, Ng SF, Mohd Razali R, Loo HL

Curr Med Res Opin, 2024 Apr 25.
PMID: 38625386 DOI: 10.1080/03007995.2024.2340734

Atopic dermatitis (AD) has become a common childhood disease that affects a large number of children worldwide and has become a chronic skin disease that causes huge economical and psychological damage to the whole family. Despite the use of steroids, immunosuppressants, and various topical preparation, the prognosis is still poor. Hence, this review aimed to explore the potential of using essential oils (EO) as an active ingredient in managing AD. The review was completed by using Pubmed, Scopus, and Medline to search for relevant articles that study the pathophysiology of AD, the properties of EO, the use of EO in managing AD, and the suitable advanced formulation to incorporate EO. From the review conducted, it was concluded that EO have huge potential in managing AD and can be used as complimentary therapeutic agents in AD treatment. Scientists and industries should venture into commercializing more topical products with EO to help manage AD more effectively.
Fulltext DFT Studies of the Photocatalytic Properties of MoS2-Doped Boron Nitride Nanotubes for Hydrogen Production

Itas YS, Suleiman AB, Ndikilar CE, Lawal A, Razali R, Ullah MH, et al.

ACS Omega, 2023 Oct 17;8(41):38632-38640.
PMID: 37867711 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c05907

This study investigated the photocatalytic properties of MoS2-doped boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) for overall water splitting using popular density functional theory (DFT). Calculations of the structural, mechanical, electronic, and optical properties of the investigated systems were performed using both the generalized gradient approximation and the GW quasi-particle correction methods. In our calculations, it was observed that only (10, 10) and (12, 12) single-walled BNNTs (SWBNNTs) turned out to be stable toward MoS2 doping. Electronic property calculations revealed metallic behavior of (10, 10)-MoS2-doped SWBNNTs, while the band gap of (12, 12) SWBNNT was narrowed to 2.5 eV after MoS2 doping, which is within the obtained band gaps for other photocatalysts. Hence, MoS2 influences the conduction band of pure BNNT and improves its photocatalytic properties. The water-splitting photocatalytic behavior is found in (12, 12) MoS2-doped SWBNNT, which showed higher water oxidation (OH-/O2) and reduction (H+/H2) potentials. In addition, optical spectral calculations showed that MoS2-doped SWBNNT had an optical absorption edge of 2.6 eV and a higher absorption in the visible region. All of the studied properties confirmed MoS2-doped SWBNNT as a better candidate for next-generation photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution through the overall water-splitting process.
The potentials of boron-doped (nitrogen deficient) and nitrogen-doped (boron deficient) BNNT photocatalysts for decontamination of pollutants from water bodies

Itas YS, Isah KA, Nuhu AH, Razali R, Tata S, K A N, et al.

RSC Adv, 2023 Aug 04;13(34):23659-23668.
PMID: 37564254 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra03838f

This work investigates the structural, elastic, electronic, and photoabsorption properties of boron- (N-deficient) and nitrogen- (B-deficient) doped single-walled boron nitride nanotube (SWBNNT) for photocatalytic applications for the first time. All calculations of the optimized systems were performed with DFT quantum simulation codes. The results of the structural analysis showed that SWBNNT is stable to both B and N dopants. It was also observed that the photodecomposition activity of the B-doped nanotube improved significantly under the condition of slight compressive stress, while it decreased for the N-doped nanotube. Therefore, N-doped SWBNNT showed poor performance under external pressure. Both B and N-doped systems could narrow the wide band gap of SWBNNT to the photocatalytic region below 3 eV, therefore this material can be used as photocatalysts in water splitting for hydrogen evolution, dye degradation, wastewater treatment, etc. Analysis of the optical properties revealed that B-doped SWBNNT absorbs more photons in the visible range than the N-doped SWBNNT and can therefore be considered as a more efficient photocatalyst. In addition, it was found that all doped nanotubes are anisotropic since the absorption in one direction of nanotube axes is worse than the other.
Fulltext Genomic Alterations, Gene Expression Profiles and Functional Enrichment of Normal-Karyotype Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Based on Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing

Ambayya A, Razali R, Sulong S, Zulkefli ES, Yap YY, Sathar J, et al.

Cancers (Basel), 2023 Feb 22;15(5).
PMID: 36900179 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051386

Characterising genomic variants is paramount in understanding the pathogenesis and heterogeneity of normal-karyotype acute myeloid leukaemia (AML-NK). In this study, clinically significant genomic biomarkers were ascertained using targeted DNA sequencing and RNA sequencing on eight AML-NK patients' samples collected at disease presentation and after complete remission. In silico and Sanger sequencing validations were performed to validate variants of interest, and they were followed by the performance of functional and pathway enrichment analyses for overrepresentation analysis of genes with somatic variants. Somatic variants involving 26 genes were identified and classified as follows: 18/42 (42.9%) as pathogenic, 4/42 (9.5%) as likely pathogenic, 4/42 (9.5%) as variants of unknown significance, 7/42 (16.7%) as likely benign and 9/42 (21.4%) as benign. Nine novel somatic variants were discovered, of which three were likely pathogenic, in the CEBPA gene with significant association with its upregulation. Transcription misregulation in cancer tops the affected pathways involving upstream genes (CEBPA and RUNX1) that were deregulated in most patients during disease presentation and were closely related to the most enriched molecular function gene ontology category, DNA-binding transcription activator activity RNA polymerase II-specific (GO:0001228). In summary, this study elucidated putative variants and their gene expression profiles along with functional and pathway enrichment in AML-NK patients.
Fulltext Comparing the Biology of Young versus Old Age Estrogen-Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer through Gene and Protein Expression Analyses

Siddig A, Wan Abdul Rahman WF, Mohd Nafi SN, Sulong S, Yahya MM, Al-Astani Tengku Din TAD, et al.

Biomedicines, 2023 Jan 12;11(1).
PMID: 36672708 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11010200

Background: Breast cancer developed at a young age (≤45 years) is hypothesized to have unique biology; however, findings in this field are controversial. Methods: We compared the whole transcriptomic profile of young vs. old-age breast cancer using DNA microarray. RNA was extracted from 13 fresh estrogen receptor (ER)-positive primary breast cancer tissues of untreated patients (7 = young age ≤45 years and 6 = old age ≥55 years). In silico validation for the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by young-age patients was conducted using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Next, we analyzed the protein expression encoded by two of the significantly down-regulated genes by young-age patients, Glycine N-acyltransferase-like 1 (GLYATL-1) and Ran-binding protein 3 like (RANBP3L), using immunohistochemical analysis in an independent cohort of 56 and 74 ER-positive pre-therapeutic primary breast cancer tissues, respectively. Results: 12 genes were significantly differentially expressed by young-age breast cancers (fold change >2 or <2- with FDR p-value < 0.05). TCGA data confirmed the differential expression of six genes. Protein expression analysis of GLYATL-1 and RANBP3L did not show heterogeneous expression between young and old-age breast cancer tissues. Loss of expression of GLYATL-1 was significantly (p-value 0.005) associated with positive lymph node status. Higher expression of RANBP3L was significantly associated with breast cancers with lower histopathological grades (p-value 0.038). Conclusions: At the transcriptomic level, breast cancer developed in young and old age patients seems homogenous. The variation in the transcriptomic profiles can be attributed to the other clinicopathological characteristics rather than the age of the patient.
Structural, mechanical, electronic and optical properties of N-decorated single-walled silicon carbide nanotube photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution via water splitting: a DFT study

Itas YS, Razali R, Tata S, Kolo M, Osman H, Idris AM, et al.

Sci Technol Adv Mater, 2023;24(1):2271912.
PMID: 38024795 DOI: 10.1080/14686996.2023.2271912

This work investigates the fundamental photocatalytic properties of nitrogen-doped single-walled silicon carbide nanotubes (N-doped SWSiCNTs) for hydrogen evolution for the first time. Investigations of the structural, mechanical, electronic, and optical properties of the studied systems were carried out using popular density functional theory implemented in quantum ESPRESSO and Yambo codes. Analysis of the structural properties revealed high mechanical stability with the 3.6% and 7.4% N-doped SWSiCNT. The calculated band gap of the N-doped SWSiCNT with 3.6% demonstrated a value of 2.56 eV which is within the photocatalytic range of 2.3 eV-2.8 eV. The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) potentials of the 3.6% N-doped SWSiCNT also showed good agreement with previous theoretical data. The studied material showed the best photocatalytic performance in both parallel and perpendicular directions by absorbing photons in the visible region. Therefore, the observed structural, mechanical, electronic and optical behaviors demonstrated by the 3.6% N-doped SWSiCNT exposed it as a better photocatalyst for hydrogen production under visible light.
Anxiety, depression and marital satisfaction in women with hyperemesis gravidarum: A comparative cross-sectional study in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Klang, Malaysia

Azlan WAW, Ramalingam M, Razali R, Abdullah MF, Rahman FNA

Asia Pac Psychiatry, 2022 Mar;14(1):e12416.
PMID: 32929893 DOI: 10.1111/appy.12416

INTRODUCTION: Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) is a severe form of vomiting that occurs among pregnant mothers. Due to the nature of HG, pregnant mothers may feel fatigued and burdened by it and questions have been raised about the emergence of psychiatric illness during this period of vulnerability.
METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), M.I.N.I (MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview) and ENRICH- EMS (Evaluation and Nurturing Relationship Issues, Communication and Happiness - Marital Satisfaction Scale) were performed in a group of 112 pregnant women.
RESULTS: There were no differences in the prevalence rate of any anxiety disorder among the patient with HG vs comparative group (9% vs 3%, P > 0.05) and depressive disorder in women with HG vs comparative group (16% vs 8%, P > 0.05) respectively. There were associations between HG and gravida, past history of miscarriage, and gestational diabetes (P
Fulltext Structure-Function Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Proteases and Their Potential Inhibitors from Microbial Sources

Razali R, Asis H, Budiman C

Microorganisms, 2021 Nov 30;9(12).
PMID: 34946083 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122481

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is considered the greatest challenge to the global health community of the century as it continues to expand. This has prompted immediate urgency to discover promising drug targets for the treatment of COVID-19. The SARS-CoV-2 viral proteases, 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro) and papain-like cysteine protease (PLpro), have become the promising target to study due to their essential functions in spreading the virus by RNA transcription, translation, protein synthesis, processing and modification, virus replication, and infection of the host. As such, understanding of the structure and function of these two proteases is unavoidable as platforms for the development of inhibitors targeting this protein which further arrest the infection and spread of the virus. While the abundance of reports on the screening of natural compounds such as SARS-CoV-2 proteases inhibitors are available, the microorganisms-based compounds (peptides and non-peptides) remain less studied. Indeed, microorganisms-based compounds are also one of the potent antiviral candidates against COVID-19. Microbes, especially bacteria and fungi, are other resources to produce new drugs as well as nucleosides, nucleotides, and nucleic acids. Thus, we have compiled various reported literature in detail on the structures, functions of the SARS-CoV-2 proteases, and potential inhibitors from microbial sources as assistance to other researchers working with COVID-19. The compounds are also compared to HIV protease inhibitors which suggested the microorganisms-based compounds are advantageous as SARS-CoV2 proteases inhibitors. The information should serve as a platform for further development of COVID-19 drug design strategies.
Fulltext Students' acceptance to distance learning during Covid-19: the role of geographical areas among Indonesian sports science students

Syahruddin S, Mohd Yaakob MF, Rasyad A, Widodo AW, Sukendro S, Suwardi S, et al.

Heliyon, 2021 Sep;7(9):e08043.
PMID: 34611566 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08043

This study was conducted to investigate the perspectives of sports science students on factors affecting distance learning in the setting of Indonesian higher education institutions (HEIs). This study proposed an extended technology acceptance model (TAM) with eight variables; experience, enjoyment, self-efficacy, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude, intention to use, and actual use. An online survey was used to collect data from 1291 respondents. The structural model was examined through the partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The multi-group analysis (MGA) was conducted to understand the role of geographical areas in moderating all hypothetical relationships. The findings show that the respondents were not excited about online learning due to weak means (below 3) for most items of five variables; enjoyment, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude, and intention to use. All relationships were supported except the relationship between experience and perceived usefulness. The strongest significant relationship emerged between intention to use and actual use. Meanwhile, the least significant relationship was found between self-efficacy and perceived usefulness. Three out of 12 hypotheses were confirmed regarding the differences of geographical areas (rural and urban) regarding all relationship paths. The findings add to a deeper understanding of the acceptability of distance learning during pandemics like COVID-19.
Soluble Expression and Catalytic Properties of Codon-Optimized Recombinant Bromelain from MD2 Pineapple in Escherichia coli

Razali R, Budiman C, Kamaruzaman KA, Subbiah VK

Protein J, 2021 06;40(3):406-418.
PMID: 33713245 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-021-09974-9

Bromelain, a member of cysteine proteases, is found abundantly in pineapple (Ananas comosus), and it has a myriad of versatile applications. However, attempts to produce recombinant bromelain for commercialization purposes are challenging due to its expressibility and solubility. This study aims to express recombinant fruit bromelain from MD2 pineapple (MD2Bro; accession no: OAY85858.1) in soluble and active forms using Escherichia coli host cell. The gene encoding MD2Bro was codon-optimized, synthesized, and subsequently ligated into pET-32b( +) for further transformation into Escherichia coli BL21-CodonPlus(DE3). Under this strategy, the expressed MD2Bro was in a fusion form with thioredoxin (Trx) tag at its N-terminal (Trx-MD2Bro). The result showed that Trx-MD2Bro was successfully expressed in fully soluble form. The protein was successfully purified using single-step Ni2+-NTA chromatography and confirmed to be in proper folds based on the circular dichroism spectroscopy analysis. The purified Trx-MD2Bro was confirmed to be catalytically active against N-carbobenzoxyglycine p-nitrophenyl ester (N-CBZ-Gly-pNP) with a specific activity of 6.13 ± 0.01 U mg-1 and inhibited by a cysteine protease inhibitor, E-64 (IC50 of 74.38 ± 1.65 nM). Furthermore, the catalytic efficiency (kcat/KM) Trx-MD2Bro was calculated to be at 5.64 ± 0.02 × 10-2 µM-1 s-1 while the optimum temperature and pH were at 50 °C and pH 6.0, respectively. Furthermore, the catalytic activity of Trx-MD2Bro was also affected by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or metal ions. Altogether it is proposed that the combination of codon optimization and the use of an appropriate vector are important in the production of a soluble and actively stable recombinant bromelain.
Cardiovascular risk factors of Alzheimer's disease and other neurocognitive disorders in Malaysia

Ibrahim B, Suppiah S, Piersson AD, Razali RM, Mohamad M, Abu Hassan H, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2021 05;76(3):291-297.
PMID: 34031325

INTRODUCTION: Risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) have been increasingly implicated in the development of dementia but little is known about the effects in a Malaysian population. We aimed to determine the interaction between sociodemographic and CVD risk factors among the dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients in Malaysia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the memory clinic at Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL). Medical records data from 2014 to 2019 were extracted. Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) test was used to assess the neurocognitive function of patients.
RESULTS: A total of 298 patients (30 MCI, and 268 dementia) were evaluated, with dementia patients consisting of 78 Alzheimer's disease (AD), 93 Vascular dementia (VaD), 94 Mixed dementia, 2 early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD) and 1 Logopenic Progressive Aphasia type of AD (LPA). MCI and dementia were significantly associated with a history of CVD, particularly stroke (p=0.023).
CONCLUSION: Given that stroke significantly predicted the risk of developing vascular dementia among the patients in a central Malaysian population, lifestyle modifications are recommended to alleviate these risk factors of CVD.
A case-control study of determinants for COVID-19 infection based on contact tracing in Dungun district, Terengganu state of Malaysia

Awang H, Yaacob EL, Syed Aluawi SN, Mahmood MF, Hamzah FH, Wahab A, et al.

Infect Dis (Lond), 2021 03;53(3):222-225.
PMID: 33307916 DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2020.1857829
Fulltext The associations between behavioral-psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and coping strategy, burden of care and personality style among low-income caregivers of patients with dementia

Baharudin AD, Din NC, Subramaniam P, Razali R

BMC Public Health, 2019 Jun 13;19(Suppl 4):447.
PMID: 31196141 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-6868-0

BACKGROUND: The main aim of this study was to determine the association between Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) and caregiver burden, and the mediating role of coping strategy and personality style of caregivers to patients with dementia (PWD).
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 202 caregivers to PWD in home-based settings. Recruited caregivers were administered questionnaires regarding BPSD which was measured using Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Questionnaire (NPI-Q), caregiver burden using Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Brief COPE for coping strategies and Big-Five Inventory which measured personality traits.
RESULTS: Majority of the caregivers were female (71.3%), aged 50 and above (55%), single (46%), married (43.6%), working full time (45%) while the rest work part time (22.3%), unemployed (7.4%) and retiree (25.2%), and majority were parents (58.9%) and spouse (18.3%). The duration of caregiving was less than a year (33.7%) while the rest are more than a year. Results demonstrated that the most frequent types of BPSD exhibited by PWD was irritability, followed by apathy and agitation. All of the types of BPSD showed to be significantly correlated to caregiver burden except for anxiety, elation and appetite. Of personality traits, only conscientiousness was found to mediate the relationship between BPSD and caregiver burden (p
Fulltext Validation of the Malay Version of Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III in Detecting Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia

Kan KC, Subramaniam P, Shahrizaila N, Kamaruzzaman SB, Razali R, Ghazali SE

Dement Geriatr Cogn Dis Extra, 2019 02 08;9(1):66-76.
PMID: 31043965 DOI: 10.1159/000495107

Background/Aims: This study aimed to investigate the validity and reliability of the Malay version of Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III (ACE-III) for detecting mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia.
Methods: A total of 152 participants (dementia = 53, MCI = 38, controls = 61) were recruited from two teaching hospitals. The Malay version of ACE-III was translated following the standard guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation of measure. All the participants were assessed with the Malay version of ACE-III and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).
Results: The reliability of the Malay version of ACE-III was good with Cronbach's α coefficient of 0.829 and intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.959. There was a strong positive correlation between the Malay version of ACE-III and MMSE (r = 0.806). Age (r = -0.335) and years of education (r = 0.536) exerted a significant correlation with total score performance. The cutoff score to discriminate dementia from healthy controls was 74/75 (sensitivity = 90.6%, specificity = 82.0%) whereas to discriminate MCI, the cutoff score was 77/78 (sensitivity = 63.2%, specificity = 63.9%). The diagnostic accuracy of ACE-III was higher than that of MMSE in the detection of dementia (area under the curve: ACE-III = 0.929 vs. MMSE = 0.915).
Conclusions: The Malay version of ACE-III demonstrated to be a reliable and valid screening tool for dementia.
Incidence and predictors of multimorbidity among a multiethnic population in Malaysia: a community-based longitudinal study

Hussin NM, Shahar S, Din NC, Singh DKA, Chin AV, Razali R, et al.

Aging Clin Exp Res, 2019 Feb;31(2):215-224.
PMID: 30062670 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-018-1007-9

BACKGROUND: Multimorbidity in older adults needs to be assessed as it is a risk factor for disability, cognitive decline, and mortality.
AIMS: A community-based longitudinal study was performed to determine the incidence and to identify possible predictors of multimorbidity among multiethnic older adults population in Malaysia.
METHODS: Comprehensive interview-based questionnaires were administered among 729 participants aged 60 years and above. Data were analyzed from the baseline data of older adults participating in the Towards Useful Aging (TUA) study (2014-2016) who were not affected by multimorbidity (349 without any chronic diseases and 380 with one disease). Multimorbidity was considered present in an individual reporting two or more chronic diseases.
RESULTS: After 1½ years of follow-up, 18.8% of participants who were initially free of any diseases and 40.9% of those with one disease at baseline, developed multimorbidity. The incidence rates were 13.7 per 100 person-years and 34.2 per 100 person-years, respectively. Female gender, smoking, and irregular preparing of food (lifestyle) were predictors for incidence of multimorbidity, especially in those without any disease, while Body Mass Index (BMI) 22-27 kg/m2 and inadequate daily intake of iron were identified as predictors of multimorbidity among participants who already have one disease.
CONCLUSIONS: The incidence rates of multimorbidity among Malaysian older adults were between the ranges of 14-34 per 100 person-years at a 1½-year follow-up. Gender, smoking, BMI 22-27 kg/m2, inadequate daily intake of iron and lack of engagement in leisure or lifestyle physical activities were possible predictors in the development of multimorbidity. There is a need to formulate effective preventive management strategies to decelerate multimorbidity among older adults.
Fulltext Effect of Age on the Protein Profile of Healthy Malay Adults and its Association with Cognitive Function Competency

Abu Bakar ZH, Damanhuri HA, Makpol S, Wan Kamaruddin WMA, Abdul Sani NF, Amir Hamzah AIZ, et al.

J Alzheimers Dis, 2019;70(s1):S43-S62.
PMID: 30594926 DOI: 10.3233/JAD-180511

BACKGROUND: Many studies on biochemical and psychological variables have aimed to elucidate the association between aging and cognitive function. Demographic differences and protein expression have been reported to play a role in determining the cognitive capability of a population.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the effect of age on the protein profile of Malay individuals and its association with cognitive competency.
METHODS: A total of 160 individuals were recruited and grouped accordingly. Cognitive competency of each subject was assessed with several neuropsychological tests. Plasma samples were collected and analyzed with Q Exactive HF Orbitrap. Proteins were identified and quantitated with MaxQuant and further analyzed with Perseus to determine differentially expressed proteins. PANTHER, Reactome, and STRING were applied for bioinformatics output.
RESULTS: Our data showed that the Malay individuals are vulnerable to the deterioration of cognitive function with aging, and most of the proteins were differentially expressed in concordance. Several physiological components and pathways were shown to be involved, giving a hint of a promising interpretation on the induction of aging toward the state of the Malays' cognitive function. Nevertheless, some proteins have shown a considerable interaction with the generated protein network, which provides a direction of focus for further investigation.
CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated notable changes in the expression of several proteins as age increased. These changes provide a promising platform for understanding the biochemical factors affecting cognitive function in the Malay population. The exhibited network of protein-protein interaction suggests the possibility of implementing regulatory intervention in ameliorating Malay cognitive function.
Kratom and Future Treatment for the Opioid Addiction and Chronic Pain: Periculo Beneficium?

Ismail I, Wahab S, Sidi H, Das S, Lin LJ, Razali R

Curr Drug Targets, 2019;20(2):166-172.
PMID: 28443503 DOI: 10.2174/1389450118666170425154120

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), a naturally existing plant found in South-East Asia, is traditionally used as a herb to help elevate a person's energy and also to treat numerous medical ailments. Other than the analgesic property, kratom has been used as an agent to overcome opioid withdrawal as it contains natural alkaloids, i.e. mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, and MGM-9, which has agonist affinity on the opioid receptors, including mu (µ) and kappa (κ). The role of neural reward pathways linked to µ-opioid receptors and both dopaminergic and gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic interneurons that express µ-opioid receptors were deliberated. However, kratom has been reported to be abused together with other illicit substances with high risk of potential addiction. There are also anecdotes of adverse effects and toxicity of kratom, i.e. tremor, fatigue, seizure, and death. Different countries have distinctive regulation and policy on the plantation and use of this plant when most of the countries banned the use of it because of its addiction problems and side effects. The aim of this review is to highlight on the potential use of kratom, unique 'herbs" as a substitution therapy for chronic pain and opioid addiction, based on the neurobiological perspective of pain and the underlying mechanism of actions of drug addiction.
Fulltext The Effectiveness of a Web-Based Health Education Tool, WESIHAT 2.0, among Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Vanoh D, Shahar S, Razali R, Ali NM, Manaf ZA, Mohd Noah SA, et al.

J Alzheimers Dis, 2019;70(s1):S255-S270.
PMID: 31256116 DOI: 10.3233/JAD-180464

BACKGROUND: Intervention strategies, especially online based approaches, are considered to be beneficial in improving the health of the senior. The effectiveness of such approaches is yet to be determined.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the web-based application, WESIHAT 2.0©, for improving cognitive function, physical fitness, biochemical indices, and psychosocial variables among older adults in Klang Valley, Malaysia. The cost analysis of WESIHAT 2.0© was also determined.
METHOD: The study utilized a two-arm randomized controlled trial with 25 subjects in each of the intervention and control groups. The participants chosen for the study included those who were 60 years and above with at least secondary education and had internet access using a computer at home. The intervention group was exposed to the website (30 minutes per day, 4 days per week) for six months, while the control group was given health education pamphlets. Activity-Based Costing method was used to determine the cost saved using WESIHAT 2.0© as compared to using the pamphlet.
RESULTS: Significant intervention effects were observed for self-perception of disability and informational support scores. WESIHAT 2.0© was able to save costs in improving the self-perception of disability score and the informational support score at MYR 6.92 and MYR 13.52, respectively, compared to the conventional method.
CONCLUSION: WESIHAT 2.0© was able to save costs in improving the self-perceived disability and informational support scores for the intervention group.
Fulltext In Vitro Antiatherothrombotic Effects of Extracts from Berberis Vulgaris L., Teucrium Polium L., and Orthosiphon Stamineus Benth

Mohd Nor NH, Othman F, Mohd Tohit ER, Md Noor S, Razali R, Ahmad Hassali H, et al.

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2019;2019:3245836.
PMID: 31001352 DOI: 10.1155/2019/3245836

Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The pathogenesis is mainly due to atherosclerosis, plaque rupture, and platelet thrombus formation. The main risk factors for coronary artery disease include obesity, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, diabetes, and high blood pressure. As a part of disease management, treatment options using anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs can be applied with addition to lipid-lowering medication. However, medicinal plants comprising antiatherothrombotic effects can be used as options to combat the disease rather than drug therapies with lesser adverse effects. Therefore, the haematological effect of Berberis vulgaris L., Teucrium polium L., and Orthosiphon stamineus Benth extracts was studied using in vitro model to prevent and to treat coronary atherothrombotic disease. The aqueous, methanol, and polysaccharide extracts of B. vulgaris, T. polium, and O. stamineus, respectively, were studied for their anticoagulant and antiplatelet effect on human whole blood. Extracts were subjected to the prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) test for anticoagulant activity. The antiplatelet activity was investigated using an electrical impedance method. B. vulgaris aqueous extract (BVAE), B. vulgaris polysaccharide extract (BVPE), T. polium aqueous extract (TPAE), and T. polium polysaccharide extract (TPPE) significantly prolonged the coagulation time in a concentration-dependent manner (p<0.05). The administration of BVAE demonstrated the most effective antiplatelet activity against platelet aggregation caused by arachidonic acid (AA) and collagen. These antiplatelet activities may correspond to the presence of higher total phenolic compound, which thus inhibit the platelet aggregation activity. In conclusion, these findings provide strong evidence on the antiatherothrombotic effect of BVAE and TPAE.
DNA damage and protein oxidation associated with ageing correlate with cognitive dysfunction in a Malaysian population

Abdul Sani NF, Ahmad Damanhuri MH, Amir Hamzah AIZ, Abu Bakar ZH, Tan JK, Nor Aripin KN, et al.

Free Radic Res, 2018 Sep;52(9):1000-1009.
PMID: 30079776 DOI: 10.1080/10715762.2018.1506877

Ageing is associated with increased oxidative stress accompanied by cognitive decline. The aim of this study was to evaluate oxidative stress biomarkers and their possible relationship with cognitive performances during ageing among the Malay population. Approximately 160 healthy Malay adults aged between 28 and 79 years were recruited around Selangor and Klang Valley. Cognitive function was assessed by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), forward digit span (FDS), backward digit span (BDS), digit symbol, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test immediate recalled [RAVLT(I)] and delayed recalled [RAVLT(D)], and visual reproduction immediate recalled (VR-I) and delayed recalled (VR-II). DNA damage, plasma protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were also determined. Cognitive function test showed significant lower scores of MoCA, BDS, RAVLT(I), RAVLT(D), digit symbol, VR-I, and VR-II in the older age group (60 years old) compared with the 30-, 40-, and 50-year-old group. The extent of DNA damage was sequential with age: 60 > 50 > 40 > 30, whereas protein carbonyl was higher in 40-, 50-, and 60-year-old groups compared with the youngest group (30 years old). However, the MDA level was observed unchanged in all age groups. Approximately 21.88% of the participants had cognitive impairment. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that DNA damage and protein carbonyl levels are predictors for cognitive impairment in healthy Malays. In conclusion, cognitive decline occurred in healthy adult Malay population at an early age of 30 years old with corresponding higher DNA damage and protein oxidation.

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