The introduction of good and services tax (GST) that has replaced the sales and services tax (SST) had contributed to the rising cost of living in Malaysia. The focus of this research was to present a data article on the response and perception of Malaysian households about the increasing cost of living. A descriptive research design was adopted in this study. Data were obtained from randomly selected 751 respondents of households across Malaysia. The data were collected through a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out using tables and percentages. The findings show the negative perceptions of Malaysian households on the increase in the cost of living. There are various causes of the rising cost of living and can be inferred based on the perspective of income changes, price changes and patterns household consumption expenditure.
Winged bean seed (WBS) is an underutilized tropical crop. The current study evaluates its potential to reduce blood pressure (BP) in spontaneously hypertensive rats and finds that it reduces BP significantly, in a dose-dependent manner. Five peptides with the sequences, RGVFPCLK, TQLDLPTQ, EPALVP, MRSVVT and DMKP, have been characterized in terms of their stability against ACE via in vitro and in silico modelling. All peptides exhibited IC50 values between 0.019 and 6.885 mM and various inhibitory modes, including substrate, prodrug and true inhibitor modes. The toxicity status of non-Current Good Manufacturing Practice (non-CGMP) peptides is evaluated and the results show that such peptides are toxic, and thus are not suitable to be tested in animals, particularly in repeated-dose studies. In short, WBS hydrolysate demonstrated in vitro ACE inhibitory properties and in vivo blood pressure lowering efficacy in rat models, fostering its potential as a functional food ingredient. Non-CGMP grade peptides are toxic and unfit for testing in animal models.
This study developed and characterized a pH-sensitive gelatin-based film incorporated with anthocyanin from roselle extracts (Hibiscus sabdariffa) at varying concentrations (0%-15%). The addition of anthocyanins significantly influenced the film's properties, reducing tensile strength from 1.5 to 1.1 MPa while increasing elongation at break from 312% to 416%. Water vapor permeability also increased with anthocyanin concentration, ranging from 1.02 to 1.47 × 10-⁸ g·m-¹·s-¹·Pa-¹. The film displayed a distinct color change from red to yellow-green across pH 3-10 and when exposed to ammonia gas, highlighting its potential for real-time detection of volatile basic compounds. Fourier transform infrared analysis revealed molecular interactions between gelatin and anthocyanins, with increasing roselle extract concentrations as it showed enhanced amide A, I, II, and III functional groups. Scanning electron micrographs revealed increased surface roughness and microstructural changes with anthocyanin addition. These findings demonstrate the potential of 15% roselle anthocyanin-gelatin films as eco-friendly, pH-sensitive smart packaging materials for food applications.
β-Carboline is a crucial compound in medicinal chemistry known for its versatile pharmacological activities. Recent research has focused on hybrid molecules incorporating a β-carboline scaffold linked to other pharmacophore moieties. These hybrid compounds have demonstrated diverse therapeutic properties, including anticancer, antianxiety, antimalarial, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antileishmanial, and antioxidant effects. This review highlights studies conducted from 2014 to the present with a particular emphasis on the development of β-carboline hybrid compounds and their derivatives as potent anticancer agents. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis reveals that these hybrids exhibit significant cytotoxicity against various cancer cell lines. This review aims to inspire further research into the novel synthesis and evolution of β-carboline hybrids and their derivatives, potentially leading to new therapeutic advancements.