This study aims to explore Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Islamic Social Finance activities in Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (BPMB) as one of the Development of Financial Institutions (DFIs) in Malaysia and their impact on sustainability post-coronavirus disease (COVID-19) (2021-2023). A semi-structured interview was conducted among the top management and employees of BPMB. Resultantly, the bank has aligned its Islamic Social Finance and CSR activities with the third Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). Nevertheless, the impact on banking sustainability post-pandemic remains uncertain as efforts towards SDG remain at the preliminary stage. Conclusively, Islamic Social Finance and CSR are critical to enhance banking sustainability. This study provide insight to other DFIs in understanding the role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Islamic Social Finance activities in achieving sustainability post pandemic.
Lung cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer are the most prevalent fatal types of cancers globally. Gallic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid) is a bioactive compound found in plants and foods, such as white tea, witch hazel and it has been reported to possess anticancer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study we have redesigned our previously reported anticancer nanocomposite formulation with improved drug loading based on iron oxide magnetite nanoparticles coated with polyethylene glycol and loaded with anticancer drug gallic acid (Fe₃O₄-PEG-GA). The in vitro release profile and percentage drug loading were found to be better than our previously reported formulation. The anticancer activity of pure gallic acid (GA), empty carrier (Fe₃O₄-PEG) nanocarrier and of anticancer nanocomposite (Fe₃O₄-PEG-GA) were screened against human lung cancer cells (A549), human breast cancer cells (MCF-7), human colon cancer cells (HT-29) and normal fibroblast cells (3T3) after incubation of 24, 48 and 72 h using (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) MTT assay. The designed formulation (Fe₃O₄-PEG-GA) showed better anticancer activity than free gallic acid (GA). The results of the in vitro studies are highly encouraging to conduct the in vivo studies.