AN INITIAL STUDY OF IMPERATA CYLINDRICA LEAVES POTENTIAL AS HERBAL MEDICINAL INGREDIENTS

Objective: In traditional medicines, Imperata cylindrica (hereinafter referred to as I. cylindrica) roots are more frequently used than its leaves. The aim of this study was to determine three parameters, namely the content of total phenolic compounds, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity of I. cylindrica leaves and roots extracts. Then, root extract parameters were used as a comparison to evaluate the benefits of I. cylindrica leaves as herbal medicine. Methods: The total polyphenol content was measured by using the Folin-Ciocalteu method and total flavonoid content was measured by using aluminium chloride method due to measure the antioxidant activity using 1,1-diphenyl-method 2-pikrilhidrazil (DPPH) method. All methods used visible spectrophotometry. Results: The percentages of total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and IC50 of antioxidant activity of I. cylindrica leaves extract were 8.1 % (GAE), 2.1% (QE) and 80 ppm, respectively. Then, the measurement results of I. cylindrica roots extract showed the percentages of total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and IC50 of antioxidant activity were 1.13% (GAE), 0.28% (QE) and 368 ppm, respectively. Conclusion: The result showed that I. cylindrica leaves extract contained phenolic compounds and flavonoids and had antioxidant activity. The three phenolic compounds, flavonoids and antioxidant activity, have been shown to have effects on health. Therefore, the potential of I. cylindrica leaves utilization as herbal medicine can be promoted more widely

ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC ACTIVITY OF IMPERATA CYLINDRICA ROOT METHANOL EXTRACT IN RATS

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the inhibitory activity of Imperatacylindrica root methanol extract on glucose absorption level in intestine of male Wistar strain rats at a dose of 90 mg/kg-bw, which is a dose having antihypertensive activity. Methods: Extract inhibitory activity on the glucose absorption level in the intestine of the rats followed Soedigdo-Marsongkohadi method. Glucose absorption level was measured from a mixture of 30 mmol glucose in 0.9 % sodium chloride solution as the control solution and a mixture of the extract at the dose of 90 mg/kg-bw in another control solution as the tested solution Results: The result showed that the extract at the dose of 90 mg/kg-bw had significant activity (p<0.05) to decrease the glucose absorption level in the intestine of the rats. Conclusion: I. cylindrica root methanol extract at the dose of 90 mg/kg-bw had a significant activity to inhibit the glucose absorption level in the intestine of the rats. Thereby, the extract at the dose of 90 mg/kg-bw had antihyperglycemic activity

ROLE OF STUDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM IN THE NATIONAL CHILD IMMUNIZATION MONTH TO REALIZE THE HEALTHY HUMAN RESOURCES

The community service program refers to the lecturer and student activities that support real facilities to implement various academic activities that can have an impact on the community. The COVID-19 pandemic caused many Indonesian children did not receive complete routine immunization. Based on that condition the Ministry of Health launched National Child Immunization Month 2022/BIAN to boost the routine immunization coverage of the children. The BIAN socialization, the first step the team members met the Village Head and his staff to invoke for permission and support from local leaders to socialize BIAN to the community. Then, the doctors and midwives in Primary Health Care, community unit officers, and village cadres were met to be asked for guidance. The BIAN socialization was decided to be performed by two ways: By including BIAN socialization events at routine Primary Health Care events and implementation by several meetings in each Community Unit. Vaccination data in Mekarwangi Village were 60% of children that have been vaccinated and 40% have not been vaccinated. This situation is not only due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also because the understanding and awareness of the parents about vaccination is still low. The BIAN socialization explained the benefits of vaccination and invited the parents to participate in preventing and maintaining the health of their families, especially their children by participating the immunization of their children in BIAN activities. The events involved 286 mothers. The community service program students have contributed in realizing healthy human resources

Oropharyngeal Colonization by Streptococcus pneumoniae among Medical Students in Indonesia

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae may colonize the upper respiratory tract without causing any symptoms. Medical students may be inhabited by these bacteria and transmit them to patients who were prone to infections. Streptococcus pneumoniae resistance to antibiotics was recently reported. This study was conducted to determine whether there was Streptococcus pneumoniae colonization among Medical Students of the Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran Batch 2011 and analyze its susceptibility patterns towards several antibiotics.Methods: A descriptive study was conducted involving 75 Medical Students of the Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran Batch 2011 that met the selection criteria. After informed consent, oropharyngeal throat swab was taken and further identification was carried out. Once Streptococcus pneumoniae colony was identified, susceptibility testing would be performed.Results: The identification results indicate that 7 students (9%) were colonized by Streptococcus pneumoniae. The susceptibility test showed that out of 7 isolates, 2 were resistant to 1 antibiotic, 1 was resistant to 2 antibiotics, and 4 were resistant to 3 antibiotics. Meanwhile, Streptococcus pneumoniae was resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (71%), oxacillin (71%), erythromycin (57%), and levofloxacin (14%).Conclusions: Streptococcus pneumoniae colonization is found among medical students. All Streptococcus pneumoniae are resistant to one or more antibiotics, mostly to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and oxacillin. [AMJ.2016;3(3):349–54] DOI: 10.15850/amj.v3n3.878

Gallic Acid Content and Antioxidant Activity of Pomegranate Peel Ethanol Extract

Ethanol extract of Pomegranate peel is proven to have the ability to inhibit the proliferation of cervical cancer HeLa cells. It was reported that this extract contains ellagic acid, gallic acid, and punicalagin which are identified as major effectors of antitumor activity. Gallic acid has been demonstrated to have an antioxidant activity that can influence cancer cell proliferation. The aim of the study was to identify the gallic acid content in pomegranate peel ethanol extract and to measure its antioxidant. This study was an experimental study performed at the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory and Central Laboratory of Universitas Padjadjaran Bandung, Indonesia during September-December 2019. Gallic acid concentration was measured by using a high-performance liquid chromatography method (HPLC) and the antioxidant activity was measured by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The extract contained 616.97 mg/kg of gallic acid with an antioxidant activity of IC50 6.1 µg/mL. In conclusion, gallic acid has cytotoxic and antitumor effects from its ability to modulate antioxidant/pro-oxidant balance and inhibit reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, both gallic acid content and antioxidant activity parameters can be used as markers in pomegranate peel extract which shows activities that inhibit HeLa cell proliferation. Kandungan Asam Galat dan Aktivitas Antioksidan Ekstrak Etanol Kulit DelimaEkstrak etanol kulit buah delima terbukti dapat menghambat proliferasi sel kanker serviks (sel HeLa). Ekstrak ini telah dilaporkan mengandung asam ellagat, asam galat, dan punicalagin yang diidentifikasi sebagai  efektor utama dari aktivitas anti-tumor. Berdasarkan pernyataan sebelumnya, pemeriksaan ekstrak akan dilakukan dengan mengidentifikasi salah satu senyawa tersebut yaitu asam galat. Aktivitas antioksidan dapat mempengaruhi proliferasi sel kanker, oleh karena itu, akan ditentukan pada ekstrak. Penelitian ini dilakukan di Laboratorium Biokimia dan Biologi Molekuler dan Laboratorium Sentral Universitas Padjadjaran periode September-Desember 2019. Kandungan asam galat diukur dengan metode kromatografi cair kinerja tinggi (KCKT) dan aktivitas antioksidan diukur dengan metode 1,1-difenil-2-pikrilhidrazil (DPPH). Ekstrak mengandung asam galat 616,97 mg/kg dan memiliki aktivitas antioksidan IC50 6,1 μg/mL. Berdasarkan aktivitasnya, asam galat mempunyai efek sitotoksik dan antitumor yang dihasilkan oleh kemampuannya untuk memodulasi keseimbangan antioksidan/pro-oksidan dan menghambat spesies oksigen reaktif. Aktivitas antioksidan yang sangat kuat dari ekstrak juga disebabkan oleh adanya asam galat; asam galat dikenal sebagai antioksidan kuat. Antioksidan mampu melindungi sel normal dengan menurunkan level ROS, sehingga memproteksi sel dari kerusakan. Dengan demikian, kedua parameter tersebut dapat digunakan sebagai bagian dari penanda untuk ekstrak kulit delima yang mempunyai aktivitas menghambat proliferasi sel HeLa

Larvicidal Effects of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsley) A. Gray Leaf Water Extract against Culex sp. Larvae

  Background: There are various vector mosquitoes that cause filariasis such as Culex sp. Controlling the number of vectors with larvacide can reduce the spread of this disease. The extracts of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsley) A. Gray leaves are known to have larvicidal effects on Aedes aegypti larvae. The purpose of this study is to determine the larvicidal effects of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsley) A. Gray leaf water extract against Culex larvae.Methods: This was an experimental study conducted during the period of October to November 2012 at the Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran. First trials were conducted to find the most effective larvicidal concentration of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsley) A. Gray leaf water extract in killing 25 Culex larvae. A concentration of 100 ml was decided as the testing concentration which would be compared to a positive control containing Abate® and a negative control containing distilled water. The number of dead larvae was calculated every hour for 48 hours.Results: Effective larvicidal concentration of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsley) A. Gray leaf water extract was 60% (p=0.000 compared to negative control), which was lower than Abate®. Result also showed LC50 and LC90 of 24% and 42%, respectively.Conclusions: Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsley) A. Gray leaf water extract has a larvicidal effect on  Culex sp. larvae, although it is not as effective as Abate®, Hence, this leaf may be used as an alternative larvacide as these plants are easily available in the community and inexpensive.Keywords: Culex sp., filariasis, larvacide, Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsley) A. GrayDOI: 10.15850/amj.v2n1.44

Oropharyngeal Colonization by Streptococcus pneumoniae among Medical Students in Indonesia

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae may colonize the upper respiratory tract without causing any symptoms. Medical students may be inhabited by these bacteria and transmit them to patients who were prone to infections. Streptococcus pneumoniae resistance to antibiotics was recently reported. This study was conducted to determine whether there was Streptococcus pneumoniae colonization among Medical Students of the Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran Batch 2011 and analyze its susceptibility patterns towards several antibiotics.Methods: A descriptive study was conducted involving 75 Medical Students of the Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran Batch 2011 that met the selection criteria. After informed consent, oropharyngeal throat swab was taken and further identification was carried out. Once Streptococcus pneumoniae colony was identified, susceptibility testing would be performed.Results: The identification results indicate that 7 students (9%) were colonized by Streptococcus pneumoniae. The susceptibility test showed that out of 7 isolates, 2 were resistant to 1 antibiotic, 1 was resistant to 2 antibiotics, and 4 were resistant to 3 antibiotics. Meanwhile, Streptococcus pneumoniae was resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (71%), oxacillin (71%), erythromycin (57%), and levofloxacin (14%).Conclusions: Streptococcus pneumoniae colonization is found among medical students. All Streptococcus pneumoniae are resistant to one or more antibiotics, mostly to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and oxacillin. [AMJ.2016;3(3):349–54] DOI: 10.15850/amj.v3n3.878

Effects of Ageratum conyzoides Leaf Decoction on Glucose Absorption in Rat’s Small Intestine

Background: Obesity is one of the health problems caused by excessive glucose intake which exceeds normal body requirement. To prevent health problems, Indonesian natives used traditional herbs, such as Ageratum conyzoides (billygoat weeds). The study aimed to discover the effect of Ageratum conyzoides leaf decoction on glucose absorption in the small intestine of rats.Methods: An experimental study was conducted at the Biochemical Laboratory of Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran. Two groups of six rats were given Ageratum conyzoides leaf decoction with dosages 0.89 and 1.33 g/kgbw respectively. Each rat was given glucose solution as a control, decoction administration along with the glucose solution, and glucose solution again to discover the effect of decoction in the absorption function after the administration of decoction was discontinued. Glucose absorbed by the intestine was measured every 15 minutes in 1 hour after the administrationof the solution.Results: Glucose absorption was impeded in dosage 1 and 2 with a mean of the gap between glucose absorbed concentration before given decoction and after given decoction were 73.97 and 45.09 mg/dl respectively. Analysis using paired t-test resulted in insignificant meaning (p-value of dosage 0.89 g/kgbw=0.08; p-value of dosage 1.33 g/kgbw=0.06). In the last glucose perfusion, absorption increased in both dosages after administration of decoction was discontinued.Conclusions: Ageratum conyzoides leaf decoctioncan inhibit the glucose absorption in the small intestine but is not statistically significant. Further investigation may be needed  by using a higher concentration of Ageratum conyzoides and/or other filtration methods