Starfruit Leaves as Glucose Absorption Inhibitor in Mice's Small Intestinal Epithelial Cells

Background: Starfruit (Averrhoa carambola) leaves contain flavone derivatives that exhibit anti-hyperglycemic effects. This study aims to determine the effect of starfruit leaves in reducing glucose absorption in intestinal epithelial cells of mice. Methods: This study was done by performing perfusion on the small intestines of mice. The mice that were used in this study were divided into four groups. The control group was given glucose solution without infused starfruit leaves whereas, the remaining 3 groups were given 3 mmol (540 mg/dL) glucose solution with infused starfruit leaves of varying concentrations; 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg. Samples were collected at 0, 15th, 30th, 45th, and 60th minute. The sample was tested for glucose levels using spectrophotometry. Results: Test of significance showed a significant difference between the control group and the test group with p < 0.05. Conclusions: Starfruit leaves have a reduction effect towards glucose absorption in the small intestines in Wistar strains where the group using 600 mg/kg of infused starfruit leaves have the most significant effect as compared to other groups

Mitochondrially-Encoded Adenosine Triphosphate Synthase 6 Gene Haplotype Variation Among World Population During 2003-2013

Background: Adaptation and natural selection serve as an important part of evolution. Adaptation in molecular level can lead to genetic drift which causes mutation of genetic material; one of which is polymorphism of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The aim of this study is to verify the polymorphism of mitochondrially-encoded Adenosine Triphosphate synthase6gene (MT-ATP6) as one of mtDNA building blocks among tropic, sub-tropic, and polar areas. Methods: This descriptive quantitative research used 3,210 mtDNA sequences, taken from GenBank, as secondary data from 27 different populations. The data were grouped into 3 population groups based on the climates of their location. After grouping, the sequences were then aligned and trimmed using Unipro EUGENE, and analysed by Arlequin and MitoTool. Results: Results demonstrated 21 haplotypes distributed among 3 populations with variations between each climate population. In the tropic and sub-tropic populations, the dominant haplotype is h1 while h6 is dominant in the polar population. Conclusions: There is a variation of haplotype polymorphism between tropic, sub-tropic, and polar climate population. &nbsp