PHOSPHORYLATION OF CALCIUM/CALMODULIN-DEPENDENT PROTEIN KINASE II (CAMKII) AND EXTRACELLULAR REGULATED KINASE (ERK) IN STRIATUM MEDIATE NICOTINE DEPENDENCE IN BALB/C MICE

Objective: Nicotine is an active compound in tobacco and has a rewarding effect in the central nervous system (CNS), which may lead to dependence. Although nicotine dependence is elucidated by brain mechanisms, synaptic molecular substrates underlying the dependence remain unclear. We hypothesized that reward signaling is mediated by dopamine and glutamate receptors, in where calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) may mediate the synaptic signaling of dependence. Methods: To investigate the roles of both CaMKII and ERK on nicotine dependence were assessed by conditioned place preference (CPP) methods followed by dissection. One day after conditioning, preference scores were measured to evaluate nicotine dependence. Mice were sacrificed and their striatum were dissected out for immunoblotting analyses of CaMKII and ERK phosphorylation. Results: Nicotine-induced conditioned place preference as a symptom of nicotine dependence. CaMKII and ERK phosphorylation in striatum significantly increased along with the development of nicotine dependence. Conclusion: We should next apply pharmacological strategies to manipulate CaMKII and ERK signaling. In particular, disruption of reconsolidation by disrupting CaMKII and ERK signaling may propose an attractive therapeutic approach to inhibit nicotine dependence

Role of dopamine D2 receptor in the generation of nicotine dependence(ニコチン依存性形成におけるドパミンD2受容体の役割に関する研究)

Tohoku University福永浩司課

NATURAL PLANT REMEDIES FOR DEPRESSION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, UPDATE REVIEW

COVID-19 is disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus which was first discovered in Wuhan, China on the end of 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic generates many sufferers to experience symptoms of depression. Natural plant has been used for a long time for various ailments, including depression. This literature review aims to describe various types of plants and their mechanisms that can be used to help deal with symptoms of depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article was compiled by conducting a literature search using the keywords “covid-19”, “depression”, and “natural products” on PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Library engine searching and followed the inclusion criteria, namely, the maximum literature publications from the last 10 y in English and discuss natural products that can be used to help overcome depression during the covid-19 pandemic.  We found that thirteen medicinal plants are noteworthy to be considered as antidepressant drug candidates. The medicinal compounds need to be developed furthermore in the future since Covid-19 pandemic is not over yet. These plants have established the molecular mechanism to remedies depression and hopefully can be alternatives medicine to treat depression that have mild side effects compared to synthetic drugs

Edukasi Hidup Sehat Tanpa Diabetes Dengan Pemanfaatan Tanaman Obat Bagi Masyarakat Desa Mekarjaya Banjaran

Diabetes mellitus in Indonesia now ranks 5th with the highest number of diabetes mellitus sufferers in the world. At present, the prevalence has increased from 6.2% compared to 2019. Diabetics need to get effective and safe drugs in order to avoid various complications. In addition to using pharmacological therapy, it is also necessary to carry out non-pharmacological therapy. One type of medicinal plant that is known to be effective in reducing sugar is ginger and cinnamon, but there has not been much reported on its processing other than in the form of a decoction or marinade. The purpose of carrying out this PPM activity is to increase the knowledge and understanding of the people of Mekarjaya Banjaran Village regarding the use of medicinal plants as anti-diabetics, and provide knowledge about making ginger-cinnamon instant powder drinks. The activity method is carried out in 3 stages, namely the planning, implementation, evaluation and follow-up stages. The results of this PPM activity show that the community has a better understanding of efforts to be healthy in preventing diabetes through the use of ginger-cinnamon medicinal plants, and how to process them through instant powders. The evaluation is carried out based on the results of the initial test and the final test as a method for measuring the achievements of this PPM activity

POTENTIAL ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITIES OF FRACTIONS FROM PURIFIED EXTRACT OF LAWSONIA INERMIS LEAVES IN ALLOXAN–INDUCED DIABETIC MICE

Objective: This research was conducted to determine the potential antidiabetic activity fractions of purified extract Lawsonia inermis leaves in mice (Mus musculus) and identification of the compound. Methods: The method included maceration, purification using ethanol and distilled water was followed by liquid-liquid extraction using ethyl acetate and magnesium sulfate as drying agents. Furthermore, the extract was analyzed using thin layer chromatography (TLC) for testing the purified extract. Fractionation using vacuum liquid chromatography, antidiabetic activity test of fractions at dose 100 mg/kgBW with alloxan induced and compound identification by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using HPLC connected to a Q-TOF spectrometer equipped with an ESI source, with Phenomenon column C8, and methanol with 0.3% formic acid as solvent. Results: The results showed that from the purification step of L. inermis leaves by vacuum liquid chromatography method, 7 fractions were obtained, i.e. A-G fractions. While the antidiabetic activity of fractions shown by decreasing blood sugar level in mice on the 15th day were 64, 75, 73, 73, 57, 45 and 67%, respectively. The identified compounds from each fraction were the ester groups namely 12-hydroxy-methyl abietate, 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl ester, dehydromorroniaglycone, and (E)-hexadecyl-ferulate; the steroid group namely siraitic acid E; phenylpropanoid groups namely umbelliferone and bletilol C, and the alkaloid groups namely moupinamide and valine. Conclusion: L. inermis leaves had activity in lowering blood sugar levels. LC-MS/MS analysis revealed the presence of ester groups, steroid groups, phenylpropanoid groups and alkaloid groups. The presence of these compounds mostly contribute to antidiabetic activity

Edukasi Tentang Diabetes Melitus dan Pemanfaatan Kayu Manis sebagai Tanaman Obat Antidiabetes Kepada Masyarakat

The number of people with diabetes mellitus is increasing every year, even statistics show that in 2020 Indonesia is ranked 7th in the world. Many people still do not know how to understand diabetes mellitus and a healthy lifestyle, as well as the use of medicinal plants as antidiabetic. The use of herbal medicine has many advantages. One type of medicinal plant that is effective as a diabetes treatment therapy in the Indonesian Traditional Medicine Formulary (FROTI) is cinnamon. This activity has the aim of providing socialization and education to the public in the health sector about diabetes mellitus and anti-diabetic medicinal plants, especially cinnamon which is developed in dye bags. The implementation method is carried out virtually, considering the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 3 stages, namely the planning stage, the implementation stage and the follow-up stage. The result of this PPM activity is the implementation of online seminars and education through infographic posters and videos and shows that the public is becoming more educated in their knowledge about diabetes treatment efforts by utilizing various types of medicinal plants and how to process them. The results of this activity can be concluded that the education and information activities carried out can increase public understanding and knowledge about diabetes mellitus, as well as understanding of various types of antidiabetic medicinal plants that can be utilized by the community .This is based on the results of the pre-test and post-test as a measure of the success of this PPM activity

α-Mangostin hydrogel film with chitosan alginate base for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) treatment: study protocol for double-blind randomized controlled trial

Background: Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (RAS) is a common ulcerative disease of the oral mucosa which is characterized by pain, and recurrent lesions in the oral cavity. This condition is quite painful, causing difficulty in eating, speaking and swallowing. Topical medications have been used for this condition, but the obstacle in using topical medications is the difficulty of achieving drug effects due to saliva wash out. This problem can be overcome by film hydrogel formulation which can protect the ulcer and reduce the pain to some extent. α-mangostin is a xanthone isolated from the rind of the mangosteen fruit. One of the activities of α-mangostin is anti-inflammatory effects, which operate through the characteristic mechanism of inhibiting the inflammatory response. This protocol study aims to investigate the efficacy of an α-mangostin hydrogel film with a chitosan alginate base for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) in comparison with a placebo over a period of 7 days.Study design: This is a two-arm, double blinding, randomized controlled trial enrolling patients with RAS. The efficacy test of α-mangostin Hydrogel Film will be tested against the placebo. Patients with RAS will be allocated randomly into the two arms and the hydrogel film will be administered for 7 days. The diameter of ulcer and visual analog scale (VAS) score will be used as the primary efficacy endpoint. The outcome measure will be compared between the two arms at the baseline, day 3, day 5, and at the end of 7 days.Discussion: The purpose of this clinical research is to provide scientific evidence on the efficacy of α-mangostin hydrogel film with a chitosan alginate basis in treating recurrent aphthous stomatitis. The trial is expected to improve our capacity to scientifically confirm the anti-inflammatory effectiveness of α-mangostin compounds in a final formulation that is ready to use.Trial registration: NCT06039774 (14 September 2023)

LONG-TERM COVID-19 EFFECT TO ENDOTHELIAL DAMAGE TROUGH EXTRINSIC APOPTOSIS LED TO CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE PROGRESSION: AN UPDATE REVIEW

Covid-19 can involve persistence, sequelae, and other medical complications that last weeks to months after initial recovery; these prolonged symptoms called as long-term covid-19 effect. Symptoms, signs, or abnormal clinical parameters persisting two or more weeks after Covid-19 onset that do not return to a healthy baseline can potentially be long-term effects of the disease. SARS-CoV-2 affects the cardiovascular system and causes conditions such as myocarditis, arrhythmias, and myocardial injury. Vascular damage from Covid-19 has been affected directly by the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection and indirectly by systemic inflammatory cytokine storm. This damage can be long-lasting and lead to various cardiovascular complications. Fas ligand (FasL) - Fas complex is a death factor that induces cell apoptosis. Fas and FasL have been detected in the endothelial wall, and it has been proposed that Fas-mediated apoptosis has a role in physiological and pathological cell turnover in the endothelial wall. High concentrations of inflammatory cytokines, such as cytokines storm induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection, are thought to increase the expression of FasL, which leads to an increase in the regulation of extrinsic apoptosis in endothelial cells leading to endothelial damage. This article summarises the current understanding of the long-term covid-19 effect on endothelial damage through extrinsic apoptosis Fas-FasL complex

Herbal Medication of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: A Narrative Review

A mouth ulcer or recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a mouth mucous tissue inflammation. This disease mainly occurs in patients 10-40 years of age, preferably in women and high socioeconomic backgrounds. The cause of mouth ulcers or RAS could be trauma, infection, digestive problems, or blood disorders. Herbal practitioners widely use herbs, folks, and society to treat various diseases. This research aimed to describe the herbal treatment for RAS. The review results show there are nine plants with the ability to cure RAS, they are Persea americana Mill., Averrhoa bilimbi L., Abrus precatorius Linn., Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze., Psidium guajava L., Kaempferia galanga Linn., Aloe vera, Curcuma longa and Citrus hystrix DC. The most parameters used in the studies are clinical trials and in vitro tests

Building Resilient Communities: Rapid Response to a Crisis through Nusantara Module’s Character Education and Social Contribution Initiative

The primary objective of this research was to investigate the execution of the Nusantara Module program at Universitas Padjadjaran (Unpad), Indonesia, and examine its impact on participating students, emphasizing the program’s adaptability and response to the Cianjur earthquake catastrophe in 2022. This study used a mixed-method approach, combining the qualitative analysis of program papers and communication with the quantitative analysis of post-program surveys and verbatim analysis of student responses. This research revealed systematic methods such as regular meetings, rapid issue resolution, monthly reporting, rigorous evaluation, and post-program surveys. The findings show that students were quite satisfied with the cultural interchange, academic and non-academic learning experiences, hospitality, excursions, and amenities provided. However, areas for improvement were highlighted, including extending module destinations, resolving financial issues, addressing social integration obstacles, improving communication, addressing facility concerns, and improving program management. The contributions of this study extend to both academia and practice. Academically, this research augments the understanding of program management, student mobility, disaster response, and community engagement within the Indonesian educational landscape. Practically, this study provides a blueprint for educational institutions aiming to enhance the resilience and effectiveness of their programs in times of crisis. By elaborating on the implications and contributions of this research, we underscore its significant and far-reaching impact on educational practices, disaster management strategies, and community well-being