Immunostimulant Compounds Identification in Indonesian Underutilized Zingiberaceae Spices

Spices are known for its health beneficial effect beside its function as flavouring and condiment. This study aimed to screen immunostimulant activities of 12 underutilized species of Zingiberaceae grown in Indonesia. The compound associated with immunostimulant activity in the most active sample was identified by linking the chromatogram profile of hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water fractions of the selected spices to its activity using orthogonal projection to the least square (OPLS) analysis, followed by LC-MS characterization. The result showed that Alpinia malaccensis and Zingiber ottensii had the highest lymphocyte cell proliferation index (SI) at concentrations of 400 ppm. A. malaccensis was chosen for the next step. The results of OPLS analysis showed that the retention time interval which strongly correlated with the immunostimulant activity was 27.0 – 28.5 minutes, which were abundant in methanol fraction. The mass spectra analysis of methanol fraction using UHPLC-HRMS showed that the respective retention time was attributed to flavokawain B. This compound was reported to increase rat splenocyte proliferation in vivo

Implementing parasite genotyping into national surveillance frameworks: Feedback from control programmes and researchers in the Asia-pacific region

The Asia-Pacific region faces formidable challenges in achieving malaria elimination by the proposed target in 2030. Molecular surveillance of Plasmodium parasites can provide important information on malaria transmission and adaptation, which can inform national malaria control programmes (NMCPs) in decision-making processes. In November 2019 a parasite genotyping workshop was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, to review molecular approaches for parasite surveillance and explore ways in which these tools can be integrated into public health systems and inform policy. The meeting was attended by 70 participants from 8 malaria-endemic countries and partners of the Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network. The participants acknowledged the utility of multiple use cases for parasite genotyping including: quantifying the prevalence of drug resistant parasites, predicting risks of treatment failure, identifying major routes and reservoirs of infection, monitoring imported malaria and its contribution to local transmission, characterizing the origins and dynamics of malaria outbreaks, and estimating the frequency of Plasmodium vivax relapses. However, the priority of each use case varies with different endemic settings. Although a one-size-fits-all approach to molecular surveillance is unlikely to be applicable across the Asia-Pacific region, consensus on the spectrum of added-value activities will help support data sharing across national boundaries. Knowledge exchange is needed to establish local expertise in different laboratory-based methodologies and bioinformatics processes. Collaborative research involving local and international teams will help maximize the impact of analytical outputs on the operational needs of NMCPs. Research is also needed to explore the cost-effectiveness of genetic epidemiology for different use cases to help to leverage funding for wide-scale implementation. Engagement between NMCPs and local researchers will be critical throughout this process