The popularmedicinal mushroomGanodermalucidum was often cultivated by the natural-log. Generally the short log after cultivation were discarded and became pollutant. Rapid and less destructive method of analysis technical by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Two-dimension Infrared (2DIR) correlation spectroscopy were selected to determine the composition changes of the logs after G.lucidum cultivation after first year to fifth year. The FTIR accumulated spectra formed without processed baseline showed the samples relied upon a sequenced increase of higher level than spectrum control Q (Q = Quercus acuttisima) from L + Q-5 (L = Lingzhi), L + Q-3, L + Q-1 to L + Q-2. The spectrum L + Q-4 has the optimum highest peak at box B, C and E from this lumped spectral view. The split spectra pinpointed on the fingerprint region of a sample begins from peak 1737 cm-1. ascribed C = O stretching vibration on acetyl and carboxyl hemicellulose group bonding gradually faded from L + Q-1 to L + Q-4 but appeared again on L + Q-5, possibly due to the degradation of hemicellulose. The absorption of peak around 1626 cm-1,1318 cm-1 and 781 cm-1 could be the characteristic absorption peak of calcium oxalate monohydrate. The correlation table indicated, most of the original structure of the building block of the wooden part was deteriorated and marked the lowest correlation value of the 4th year sample with control Q. The sudden changing pattern of 2nd derivative spectrum L + Q-3 to more flatten pattern spectrum L + Q-4 ascribed the changing contents of cellulose and hemicellulose included the lignin within one year during the G. lucidum cultivation. The 2DIR spectrum of the raw material sample precisely showed that the active site with red color was clustered with the area around 1800-1700 cm-1, 1450-800 cm-1 and 750-400 cm-1. In between, the range 1450-800 cm-1 was the most active cluster. Each of the sample showed the different sequence of autopeak comparison. This study has examined the impact of G. lucidum on the degradation of Q. acuttisima in term of their ecosystem life chain. The components of healthy Q. acuttisima wood including lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose and calcium oxalate monohydrate underwent changes after different years of G. lucidum cultivation.
In this work, the bioactive compounds which was obtained by extracting Quercus infectoria via two extraction methods; Soxhlet and supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) extraction, were analyzed using total phenolic content and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl) free radical scavenging activity analysis. The aim of this study is to compare the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of Quercus infectoria extract acquired from SC-CO2 extraction with those from Soxhlet extraction method. The results showed the used of SC-CO2 extraction give the lowest extraction yield as compared to Soxhlet extraction. The selectivity of Q. infectoria extracts using SC-CO2 extraction was better which in contrast with Soxhlet extraction method since it shows higher total phenolic content (143.75 ± 1.06 mg GAE/g sample). This study also revealed that the extracts from both extraction methods can posses’ antioxidant activity and comparable to those obtained from commercial antioxidant.
Phenolic acids of oak gall were extracted using ultrasonic-probe assisted extraction (UPAE) method in the presence of ionic liquid. It was compared with classical ultrasonic-bath assisted extraction (CUBAE) and conventional aqueous extraction (CAE) method, with and without the presence of ionic liquid. Remarkably, the UPAE method yielded two-fold higher extraction yield with the presence of ionic liquid, resulting 481.04 mg/g for gallic acids (GA) and 2287.90 mg/g for tannic acids (TA), while a decreased value of 130.36 mg/g for GA and 1556.26 mg/g for TA were resulted with the absence of ionic liquid. Intensification process resulted the highest yield of 497.34 mg/g and 2430.48 mg/g for GA and TA, respectively, extracted at temperature 50 °C with sonication intensity of 8.66 W/cm2 and 10% duty cycle, diluted in ionic liquid, 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, [Bmim][Tf2N] at concentration of 0.10 M with sample-to-solvent ratio 1:10 for 8 h. Peleg's model successfully predicted the UPAE process confirming that extraction capacity is the controlling factor in extracting phenolic acids. Hence, it can be concluded that UPAE method and ionic liquid have synergistic effect as it effectively enhanced the extraction efficiency to increase the bioactive constituents yield.
Natural history collections and tropical tree diversity are both treasure troves of biological and evolutionary information, but their accessibility for scientific study is impeded by a number of properties. DNA in historical specimens is generally highly fragmented, complicating the recovery of high-grade genetic material. Furthermore, our understanding of hyperdiverse, wide-spread tree assemblages is obstructed by extensive species ranges, fragmented knowledge of tropical tree diversity and phenology, and a widespread lack of species-level diagnostic characters, prohibiting the collecting of readily identifiable specimens which can be used to build, revise or strengthen taxonomic frameworks. This, in turn, delays the application of downstream conservation action. A sizable component of botanical collections are sterile-thus eluding identification and are slowing down progress in systematic treatments of tropical biodiversity. With rapid advances in genomics and bioinformatic approaches to biodiversity research, museomics is emerging as a new field breathing life into natural collections that have been built up over centuries. Using MIGseq (multiplexed ISSR genotyping by sequencing), we generated 10,000s of short loci, for both freshly collected materials and museum specimens (aged >100 years) of Lithocarpus-a widespread tropical tree genus endemic to the Asian tropics. Loci recovery from historical and recently collected samples was not affected by sample age and preservation history of the study material, underscoring the reliability and flexibility of the MIGseq approach. Phylogenomic inference and biogeographic reconstruction across insular Asia, highlights repeated migration and diversification patterns between continental regions and islands. Results indicate that co-occurring insular species at the extremity of the distribution range are not monophyletic, raising the possibility of multiple independent dispersals along the outer edge of Wallacea. This suggests that dispersal of large seeded tree genera throughout Malesia and across Wallacea may have been less affected by large geographic distances and the presence of marine barriers than generally assumed. We demonstrate the utility of MIGseq in museomic studies using non-model taxa, presenting the first range-wide genomic assessment of Lithocarpus and tropical Fagaceae as a proof-of-concept. Our study shows the potential for developing innovative genomic approaches to improve the capture of novel evolutionary signals using valuable natural history collections of hyperdiverse taxa.
Quercus infectoria gall, which is known as manjakani in Malaysia, was traditionally used in treating diseases. The bioactive compounds from the galls can be extracted using various extraction methods. In this study, supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) extraction was used to study the effects of CO2 flow rate on the yield, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of Q. infectoria extract by fixing the pressure and temperature at the highest density (P: 30 MPa, T: 40°C). The results were compared with those acquired from the Soxhlet extraction method. The results showed that the Soxhlet extraction had a higher percentage of extraction yield than SC-CO2 extraction. The selectivity of Q. infectoria extracts using SC-CO2 extraction was better than the Soxhlet extraction method. Meanwhile, the extraction efficiency using the SC-CO2 extraction ranged from 46% to 53%. The SC-CO2 extraction also yielded higher total phenolic content than using the Soxhlet extraction method when 2 mL/min of CO2 flow rate was applied (203.53 mg GA/g sample). This study also revealed that the extracts from the SC-CO2 extraction showed a better radical scavenging activity compared to the Soxhlet extraction when analysed using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl) radical scavenging activity assays.radical scavenging activity compared to the Soxhlet extraction when analysed using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl) radical scavenging activity assays.
Staphylococcus aureus tahan Methicillin (MRSA) adalah patogen yang mudah tersebar dan cenderung untuk menjadi multi-rintangan terhadap hampir semua terapi antibiotik yang terdapat di pasaran kini. Gal daripada Quercus infectoria atau lebih dikenali sebagai manjakani di Malaysia telah diketahui mempunyai aktiviti anti-bakteria. Tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk mengkaji kesan kombinasi ekstrak gal daripada Q. infectoria dengan vankomisin terhadap lima strain MRSA dan dua strain Vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA). Proses pengekstrakan dilakukan menggunakan pelarut aseton, metanol dan akues. Teknik mikro pencairan bersiri kaldu dijalankan menggunakan plat telaga 96 bagi menentukan nilai Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). Kesan interaksi di antara gal Q. infectoria dengan vankomisin dikaji menggunakan teknik checkerboard bagi mendapatkan nilai indek Fractional Inhibitory Concentration (FIC). Hasil kombinasi ekstrak gal dan vankomisin menunjukkan terdapat aktiviti yang sinergi pada ekstrak aseton terhadap MRSA ATCC 43300 (0.3124), Sa7 (0.3750) dan VISA U9495 (0.3750), manakala ekstrak akues terhadap MRSA Sa7 (0.4167) dan VISA U9495 (0.3958) dan N316 (0.5000). Sebaliknya kombinasi metanol dan vankomisin menunjukkan kesan yang sinergi terhadap ATCC 49476 (0.3750) sahaja manakala aditif terhadap enam lagi strain MRSA yang diuji. Kesan interaksi ini menunjukkan potensi dan kepentingannya dalam pembangunan dan modifikasi agen anti-MRSA.
Parasitic diseases represent one of the causes for significant global economic, environmental and public health impacts. The efficacy of currently available anti-parasitic drugs has been threatened by the emergence of single drug- or multidrug-resistant parasite populations, vector threats and high cost of drug development. Therefore, the discovery of more potent anti-parasitic drugs coming from medicinal plants such as Quercus infectoria is seen as a major approach to tackle the problem. A systematic review was conducted to assess the efficacy of Q. infectoria in treating parasitic diseases both in vitro and in vivo due to the lack of such reviews on the anti-parasitic activities of this plant. This review consisted of intensive searches from three databases including PubMed, Science Direct and Scopus. Articles were selected throughout the years, limited to English language and fully documented. A total of 454 potential articles were identified, but only four articles were accepted to be evaluated based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Although there were insufficient pieces of evidence to account for the efficacy of Q. infectoria against the parasites, this plant appears to have anti-leishmanial, anti-blastocystis and anti-amoebic activities. More studies in vitro and in vivo are warranted to further validate the anti-parasitic efficacy of Q. infectoria.
The present study investigated the effects of Quercus infectoria (QI) gall extract on the proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin, and the morphology of a human fetal osteoblast cell line (hFOB 1.19).
Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Antarctica, Cladosporium arenosum from marine sediment sand. Argentina, Kosmimatamyces alatophylus (incl. Kosmimatamyces gen. nov.) from soil. Australia, Aspergillus banksianus, Aspergillus kumbius, Aspergillus luteorubrus, Aspergillus malvicolor and Aspergillus nanangensis from soil, Erysiphe medicaginis from leaves of Medicago polymorpha, Hymenotorrendiella communis on leaf litter of Eucalyptus bicostata, Lactifluus albopicri and Lactifluus austropiperatus on soil, Macalpinomyces collinsiae on Eriachne benthamii, Marasmius vagus on soil, Microdochium dawsoniorum from leaves of Sporobolus natalensis, Neopestalotiopsis nebuloides from leaves of Sporobolus elongatus, Pestalotiopsis etonensis from leaves of Sporobolus jacquemontii, Phytophthora personensis from soil associated with dying Grevillea mccutcheonii.Brazil, Aspergillus oxumiae from soil, Calvatia baixaverdensis on soil, Geastrum calycicoriaceum on leaf litter, Greeneria kielmeyerae on leaf spots of Kielmeyera coriacea. Chile, Phytophthora aysenensis on collar rot and stem of Aristotelia chilensis.Croatia, Mollisia gibbospora on fallen branch of Fagus sylvatica.Czech Republic, Neosetophoma hnaniceana from Buxus sempervirens.Ecuador, Exophiala frigidotolerans from soil. Estonia, Elaphomyces bucholtzii in soil. France, Venturia paralias from leaves of Euphorbia paralias.India, Cortinarius balteatoindicus and Cortinarius ulkhagarhiensis on leaf litter. Indonesia, Hymenotorrendiella indonesiana on Eucalyptus urophylla leaf litter. Italy, Penicillium taurinense from indoor chestnut mill. Malaysia, Hemileucoglossum kelabitense on soil, Satchmopsis pini on dead needles of Pinus tecunumanii.Poland, Lecanicillium praecognitum on insects' frass. Portugal, Neodevriesia aestuarina from saline water. Republic of Korea, Gongronella namwonensis from freshwater. Russia, Candida pellucida from Exomias pellucidus, Heterocephalacria septentrionalis as endophyte from Cladonia rangiferina, Vishniacozyma phoenicis from dates fruit, Volvariella paludosa from swamp. Slovenia, Mallocybe crassivelata on soil. South Africa, Beltraniella podocarpi, Hamatocanthoscypha podocarpi, Coleophoma podocarpi and Nothoseiridium podocarpi (incl. Nothoseiridium gen. nov.) from leaves of Podocarpus latifolius, Gyrothrix encephalarti from leaves of Encephalartos sp., Paraphyton cutaneum from skin of human patient, Phacidiella alsophilae from leaves of Alsophila capensis, and Satchmopsis metrosideri on leaf litter of Metrosideros excelsa.Spain, Cladophialophora cabanerensis from soil, Cortinarius paezii on soil, Cylindrium magnoliae from leaves of Magnolia grandiflora, Trichophoma cylindrospora (incl. Trichophoma gen. nov.) from plant debris, Tuber alcaracense in calcareus soil, Tuber buendiae in calcareus soil. Thailand, Annulohypoxylon spougei on corticated wood, Poaceascoma filiforme from leaves of unknown Poaceae.UK, Dendrostoma luteum on branch lesions of Castanea sativa, Ypsilina buttingtonensis from heartwood of Quercus sp. Ukraine, Myrmecridium phragmiticola from leaves of Phragmites australis.USA, Absidia pararepens from air, Juncomyces californiensis (incl. Juncomyces gen. nov.) from leaves of Juncus effusus, Montagnula cylindrospora from a human skin sample, Muriphila oklahomaensis (incl. Muriphila gen. nov.) on outside wall of alcohol distillery, Neofabraea eucalyptorum from leaves of Eucalyptus macrandra, Diabolocovidia claustri (incl. Diabolocovidia gen. nov.) from leaves of Serenoa repens, Paecilomyces penicilliformis from air, Pseudopezicula betulae from leaves of leaf spots of Populus tremuloides. Vietnam, Diaporthe durionigena on branches of Durio zibethinus and Roridomyces pseudoirritans on rotten wood. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes.
Conventional and modern cancer treatment were reported to manifest adverse effects to the patients. More researches were conducted to search for selective cytotoxic agent of plant natural product on cancer cells. The presences of wide range phytochemicals in Quercus infectoria (QI) extract have been implicated with the cytotoxic effect against various types of cancer cell which remain undiscovered. This present study aimed to evaluate cytotoxic effect of QI extracts on selected human cancer cells and then, the most potent extract was further analysed for general phytochemical constituents. QI galls were extracted successively with n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol yielded three main extracts; n-hexane (QIH), ethyl acetate (QIEA) and methanol (QIM), respectively. The most potent extract was qualitatively analysed for the present of tannin, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, terpenoids, flavonoids and phenolic compounds. Next, the extracts were tested to determine the cytotoxic activity against cervical cancer cells (HeLa), breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) and liver cancer cells (Hep G2) using MTT assay. Cytotoxic activity of QI extracts against normal fibroblast (L929) cell line was also evaluated to determine the cytoselective property. Meanwhile, DMSO-treated cells served as negative control while cisplatin-treated cells served as positive control. The most potent extract then chosen to be further investigated for DNA fragmentation as hallmark of apoptosis using Hoechst staining. Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannin, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, terpenoids, flavonoids and phenolic compounds. QIEA extract exhibited the most potent cytotoxic activity against HeLa cells with (IC50 value = 6.33 ± 0.33 μg/mL) and showed cytoselective property against L929 cells. DNA fragmentation revealed QIEA induced apoptosis in the treated cells. The richness of phytochemical constituents in QIEA extract might contribute to the potency of cytotoxic activity towards HeLa cells.
Bioactive compounds from Quercus Infectoria (manjakani) were extracted with six different types of solvents: 100% methanol, ethanol, acetone, aqueous and 70% methanol and ethanol. High Performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to identify and quantify the active compounds, namely gallic acid and tannic acid. Total phenolics content were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu while antioxidant and antibacterial activity were tested using DPPH free radicals scavenging and disc diffusion assay. The result revealed that aqueous extract contained the highest concentration of bioactive compounds compared to other types of solvents which are 51.14 mg/g sample and 1332.88 mg/g sample of gallic acid and tannic acid respectively.. The highest level of phenolic compound was found in 100% acetone extract (121 mg GAE/g). The results demonstrated that aqueous extract gives the highest antioxidant activity approximately 94.55% while acetone extract gives the largest inhibition zone for disc diffusion assay which is 19.00 mm respectively. The results revealed rich sources of gallic acid and tannic acid in Q. infectoria which might provide a novel source of these natural antioxidant and antibacterial activity.
Effects of different types of solvent on the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Quercus infectoria extract have not been well documented. Therefore, extraction process was conducted using conventional Soxhlet extraction with six different types of solvent (100% methanol, ethanol, acetone, water and 70% methanol, and ethanol). High performance liquid chromatography was implemented to identify gallic acid and tannic acid in the extracts. Water extracts contained the highest concentration of both gallic acid and tannic acid compared to other types of solvent; 51.14 mg/g sample and 1332.88 mg/g sample of gallic acid and tannic acid. Meanwhile, antioxidant and antibacterial activity were tested using DPPH free radicals scavenging and disc diffusion assay. Results demonstrated that water extracts gave the highest antioxidant activity (approximately 94.55%), while acetone extract gave the largest inhibition zone for disc diffusion assay (19.00mm respectively). The results also revealed rich sources of gallic acid and tannic acid in Q. infectoria which might provide a novel source of these natural antioxidant and antibacterial activity.
The present study aims to investigate the analgesic activity of the methanol extract of the galls of Quercus infectoria in rats using hot plate and tail-flick methods. The extract was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 20 mg/kg while morphine sulfate and sodium salicylate (10 mg/kg) served as standards. The methanol extract exhibited significant analgesic activity in the tail-flick model (P < 0.05) by increasing the reaction time of the rats to 8.0 sec at 30 min after treatment in comparison to control (4.4 sec). Morphine sulfate produced a reaction time of 11.9 sec in the same test. At the peak of activity (30 min), the extract produced maximum possible analgesia (MPA) of 34.2%, whilst morphine sulfate achieved a peak MPA of 70.9%. No analgesic effects have been observed using sodium salicylate in the tail-flick model. In the same model, the extract and sodium salicylate demonstrated comparable reaction times. Tail-flick is a better method to evaluate analgesic activity as no significant results were observed for all treatments using hot plate with the exception of morphine sulfate, which showed significant results only at 45 and 60 min after treatment. In conclusion, the methanol extract of the galls of Quercus infectoria displayed analgesic activity.
The development of reliable and green methods for the fabrication of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) has many advantages in the field of nanotechnology. In this direction, the present work describes an eco-friendly and cost-effective protocol for the production of silver NPs (AgNPs) using an aqueous extract of Quercus semecarpifolia leaves. Different techniques were carried out for the characterisation of the synthesised AgNPs. The ultraviolet-visible spectroscopic analysis showed the highest absorbance peak at 430 nm. The particle size and structure were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy as well as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. From TEM imaging, it was revealed that the formed particles were spherical with an average size of 20-50 nm. The crystalline nature of the NPs was determined by X-ray powder diffraction patterns. Thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis were also evaluated by a temperature increment from 100 to 1000°C. Bio-inspired synthesis of AgNPs was performed for their pharmacological evaluation in relation to the activities of the crude methanolic, n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and aqueous extracts. Good cytotoxic activity was exhibited by the green-synthesised AgNPs (77%). Furthermore, the AgNPs were found to exhibit significant antioxidant activity at 300 μg/ml (82%). The AgNPs also exhibited good phytotoxic potential (75%).
Antimicrobial activities of plants have long been evaluated for their promising use as antimicrobial agent and in minimizing the unwanted resistance effects of microorganisms. The study was conducted to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Quercus infectoria gall crude extracts against multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria in vitro. The screening test was determined by disc diffusion technique using sterile filter paper discs impregnated with 1 mg/ disc (50 mg/ml) aqueous and ethanol extracts of Q. infectoria galls tested on five selected MDR bacterial strains. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the twofold serial micro dilution technique at concentration ranging from 5.00 mg/ml to 0.01 mg/ml. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was determined by sub culturing the microtitre wells showing no turbidity on the agar plate to obtain the MBC value. Both extracts showed substantial inhibitory effects against methicillin resistant coagulase negative Staphylococcus (MRCoNS) and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). A slightly reduced inhibitory zone diameter was observed with MDR Acinetobacter sp. while no inhibitory effect was displayed among the extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBL) K. pneumoniae and ESBL E. coli isolates. A significant difference in the zone sizes between both extracts was only observed in MRSA (p < 0.05). The MIC values ranged from 0.08 mg/ml to 0.63 mg/ml for aqueous and ethanol extracts against MRSA, MRCoNS and MDR Acinetobacter sp. while their MBC to MIC ratio values were 2 and less. The Q. infectoria gall extracts have shown very promising in vitro antibacterial activities and may be considered as a potentially good source of antimicrobial agent especially against MDR Gram positive bacteria.
Introduction: In Malaysia, herbal medicines are used for variety of reasons including health promotion and home remedies during pregnancy and postpartum with Manjakani (Quercus infectoria) as one of the most commonly consumed herbs. Herbal medicines consumption had been linked to heavy metals contamination and transfer from mother to infant and may affect infant’s growth and development. This study aims to (i) determine Manjakani consumption among postpartum mothers, (ii) quantify its heavy metals level, namely lead, cadmium, arsenic and chromium, and (iii) determine health risk associated with its consumption. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 106 postpartum mothers was carried out in Kuala Lumpur. Six samples of Manjakani were sampled and extracted using microwave digester and analysed using Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Non-carcinogenic health risks for herbal medicine consumption were calculated using Hazard Quotient (HQ). Results: Manjakani was consumed by 16% of mothers (n=17). Highest level of the metals was shown by chromium with mean concentration of 4210 ± 1910 ug/kg, followed by lead (170.8 ± 193.2), arsenic (39.3 ± 27.1) and cadmium (7.7 ± 0.76). There were no significant non-carcinogenic health risks with lead, arsenic, chromium and cadmium contamination (HQ < 1). Conclusion: Manjakani is consumed by mothers during confinement period. Heavy metals were quantified in Manjakani although no significant association was observed with socio-demographic characteristics and birth outcomes.
The reduced efficacy of the mainstay antimalarial drugs due to the widespread of drugresistant Plasmodium falciparum has necessitated efforts to discover new antimalarial drugs with new targets. Quercus infectoria (Olivier) has long been used to treat various ailments including fever. The acetone extract of the plant galls has recently been reported to have a promising antimalarial activity in vitro. This study was aimed to determine the effect of the Q. infectoria gall acetone crude extract on pH of the digestive vacuole of Plasmodium falciparum. A ratiometric fluorescent probe, fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-dextran) was used to facilitate a quantitative measurement of the digestive vacuole pH by flow cytometry. Mid trophozoite stage malaria parasites grown in resealed erythrocytes containing FITC-dextran were treated with different concentrations of the acetone extract based on the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50). Saponin-permeabilized parasites were analyzed to obtain the ratio of green/yellow fluorescence intensity (Rgy) plotted as a function of pH in a pH calibration curve of FITC-dextran. Based on the pH calibration curve, the pH of the digestive vacuole of the acetone extract-treated parasites was significantly altered (pH values ranged from 6.35- 6.71) in a concentration-dependent manner compared to the untreated parasites (pH = 5.32) (p < 0.001). This study provides a valuable insight into the potential of the Q. infectoria galls as a promising antimalarial candidate with a novel mechanism of action.
Introduction: Cervical cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death among females in less developed countries. Drugs used in the treatment of cervical cancer were reported to exert a cytotoxic effect on the normal cells. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Quercus infectoria (QI) vaginal cream towards cervical cancer cell, HeLa and its toxicity effect on the female rat model. Methods: MTT assays were utilized to determine the median concentration (IC50) for cell cytotoxicity of QIA and QI vaginal cream against cervical cancer cells, HeLa. Expression of HPV E6 and E7 protein in HeLa cells treated with QI vaginal cream for 24 hours were conducted by Western blot analysis. In separate experiments, the toxicity of QI vaginal cream on a lower reproductive tract of the female rat model has been assessed by histopathological examination after application for three weeks. The antioxidant activity of QIA extract and QI vaginal cream were assessed by DPPH radical scavenging assay. Results: A moderate cytotoxicity activity exerted by QIA extract and QI vaginal cream against HeLa cell with IC50 values of 13.90 ± 2.27, and 20.80 ± 1.94 respectively. Furthermore, QI vaginal cream suppressed the expression of HPV E6 and E7. Daily application of QI vaginal did not exert any inflammation to the vaginal mucosa and cervix. QIA extract and QI vaginal cream demonstrated high DPPH radical scavenging activity. Conclusion: Formulated QI vaginal cream has cytotoxic effect on HeLa cells without causing an adverse effect on the lower reproductive tract in female rat model.
The galls of Quercus infectoria are commonly used in Malay traditional medicine to treat wound infections after childbirth. In India, they are employed traditionally as dental applications such as that in treatment of toothache and gingivitis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of galls of Quercus infectoria Olivier against oral bacteria which are known to cause dental caries and periodontitis. Methanol and acetone extracts were screened against two Gram-positive bacteria (Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 and Streptococcus salivarius ATCC 13419) and two Gram-negative bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277 and Fusobacterium nucleatum ATCC 25586). The screening test of antibacterial activity was performed using agar-well diffusion method. Subsequently, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by using twofold serial microdilution method at a concentration ranging between 0.01 mg/mL and 5 mg/mL. Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was obtained by subculturing microtiter wells which showed no changes in colour of the indicator after incubation. Both extracts showed inhibition zones which did not differ significantly (P < 0.05) against each tested bacteria. Among all tested bacteria, S. salivarius was the most susceptible. The MIC ranges for methanol and acetone extracts were the same, between 0.16 and 0.63 mg/mL. The MBC value, for methanol and acetone extracts, was in the ranges 0.31-1.25 mg/mL and 0.31-2.50 mg/mL, respectively. Both extracts of Q. infectoria galls exhibited similar antibacterial activity against oral pathogens. Thus, the galls may be considered as effective phytotherapeutic agents for the prevention of oral pathogens.