METHODS: The information regarding the use of P. betle was retrieved from the books consisting of a Malay medical manuscript with an identification number MSS 2219 from the National Library of Malaysia. PubMed, ScienceDirect and Scopus databases were used to collect information regarding the scientific evidence for the medicinal use of P. betle. This review was written following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The keywords used for searching the articles included P. betle, antimicrobial, analgaesic, haepatic and gastric.
RESULTS: MSS 2219 showed that P. betle has varied medicinal uses and based on that, it can be grouped into six categories. P. betle application method was different in different conditions. In terms of the literature search, 226 articles were found, 75 articles were extracted for detailed analysis and only 23 met the inclusion criteria. The information was related to the chemical assays, in vivo and in vitro studies.
CONCLUSION: In summary, P. betle has the potential to treat medical conditions in various types of categories as recorded in the Malay medical manuscripts and also based on scientific publications. For clinical purposes, more information is required, such as the specific mechanism involved, the best extraction method and the best dosage for treatment.
METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and the Malaysian Medical Repository (MyMedR) were used for a search conducted up to May 2022. Relevant search terms included 'Organ donation' and 'Malaysia'. Journal articles related to knowledge, attitudes and intention were grouped under the general public and health science. Students and health personnel were included. Eligible studies were reviewed by two independent reviewers. Any disagreements were resolved by consensus with a third reviewer.
RESULTS: The 31 included articles revealed an increased level of awareness among the public regarding organ donation. The analysis identified that nonrecognition of brainstem death (38.5%), no knowledge of how to contact the Organ Transplant Coordinator (82.3%) and never approaching the families of a potential donor (63.9%) led to a lack of confidence among healthcare practitioners to promote organ donation.
CONCLUSION: The shortage of organ donors is the result of the failure to identify the expected donor, obtain consent and procure the organs due to the passivity of Malaysian health professionals in promoting the organ donation process.