Islamic transformation centre – leveraging on e-baitulmal through the quadruple helix model (QHM) collaboration

Economy is a system of collection and distribution of resources. However, loans nowadays imbalances the world economy by making the rich richer and the poor poorer. This paper intends to propose a conceptual solution that provides a holistic development of economy focusing on Zakat, Musharakah, Mudharabah and Baitulmal with “ukhrawi” (or Hereafter) elements. The paper is based on literature review, real world observations and adopting business model canvas (BMC) framework in building a conceptual solution for holistic development of Islamic economy. This paper explores the opportunity of providing holistic and balanced economy to entrepreneur by leveraging the baitulmal just like what the Prophet Muhammad’s صلى الله عليه وسلم used to do during his time, and at the same time generating sustainable revenue and profit utilizing technology-based solution. The findings of this paper show that information system, through the creative use of ICT and Internet, can popularizes baitulmal function to entrepreneurs to build businesses based on sound human values and principles that takes into account the numerous benefits and virtues offered to the human beings, world, and profits

In vivo analgesic effect of aqueous extract of Tamarindus indica L. fruits.

To study the effects of Tamarindus indica L. aqueous fruit extract on the antinociceptive activities in rodent models. Methods: The analgesic effect was evaluated using acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate and formalin tests. Results: The extract (60–600 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the writhing test in a dose-dependent manner with the percentage of analgesia recorded between 51.8 and 74.1%. In addition, the extract also significantly (p < 0.05) increased the latency time in the hot plate test in a dose-dependent manner. Further study showed that the extract elicited inhibitory activity in both the early and late phases of the formalin test. Moreover, pretreatment with 5 mg/kg naloxone, a nonselective opioid receptor antagonist, significantly (p < 0.05) modified the antinociceptive effect of the extract in all tests. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of T. indica possesses potential antinociceptive activity at both the peripheral and central levels, which are mediated via activation of the opioidergic mechanism

Zerumbone-induced antinociception: involvement of the L-arginine-nitric oxide-cGMP -PKC-K+ ATP channel pathways.

This study investigated the antinociceptive effects of zerumbone in chemical behavioural models of nociception in mice. Zerumbone given through intraperitoneal route (i.p.) produced dose-related antinociception when assessed on acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing test in mice. In addition, the i.p. administration of zerumbone exhibited significant inhibition of the neurogenic pain induced by intraplantar (i.pl.) injection of capsaicin and bradykinin. Likewise, zerumbone given by i.p. route reduced the nociception produced by i.pl. injection of glutamate and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). The antinociception caused by zerumbone in the acetic acid test was significantly attenuated by i.p. pre-treatment of mice with l-arginine (nitric oxide precursor) and glibenclamide (ATP-sensitive K(+) channel inhibitor). However, the antinociception of zerumbone was enhanced by methylene blue (non-specific gyanylyl cyclase inhibitor). Together, these results indicate that zerumbone produces pronounced antinociception against chemical models of nociception in mice. It also strongly suggests that the l-arginine-nitric oxide-cGMP-PKC-K(+) ATP channel pathways, the TRPV1 and kinin B2 receptors play an important role in the zerumbone-induced antinociception

Antinociceptive activity of a synthetic chalcone, flavokawin B on chemical and thermal models of nociception in mice

The present study examined the potential antinociceptive activity of flavokawin B (6'-hydroxy-2',4'-dimethoxychalcone), a synthetic chalcone using chemical- and thermal-induced nociception models in mice. It was demonstrated that flavokawin B (FKB; 0.3, 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg) administered via both oral (p.o.) and intraperitoneal (i.p.) routes produced significant and dose-dependent inhibition in the abdominal constrictions induced by acetic acid, with the i.p. route producing antinociception of approximately 7-fold more potent than the p.o. route. It was also demonstrated that FKB produced significant inhibition in the two phases of the formalin-induced paw licking test. In addition, the same treatment of flavokawin B (FKB) exhibited significant inhibition of the neurogenic nociceptive induced by intraplantar injections of glutamate and capsaicin. Likewise, this compound also induced a significant increase in the response latency period to thermal stimuli in the hot plate test and its antinociceptive effect was not related to muscle relaxant or sedative action. Moreover, the antinociception effect of the FKB in the formalin-induced paw licking test and the hot plate test was not affected by pretreatment of non-selective opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone. The present results indicate that FKB produced pronounced antinociception effect against both chemical and thermal models of pain in mice that exhibited both peripheral and central analgesic activity

In vivo Evaluation of Analgesic, Anti-Inflammatory and Antipyretic Activities of Aqueous Extract from Tamarindus Indica l. Fruit

Pharmacological studies were conducted with the aqueous extract of Tamarindus indica L. fruits (TFAE) on experimental animals for evaluating the analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory activities and to elucidate its mechanism of action. In the analgesic test, three experimental models of nociception used to study the analgesic activity of extract namely, acetic acid-induced abdominal constrictions test and hot-plate test in mice and formalin test in rats. TFAE produced inhibitory effect in all experimental models used. Further study showed that the extract elicited inhibitory activity in both the early and late phases of the formalin test. In addition, TFAE also produced significant inhibition effect (p<0.001) in glutamate and capsaicin-induced paw licking models. Pre-treatment with 5 mg/kg naloxone, a non-selective opioid receptor antagonist, significantly (p<0.001) antagonised the antinociceptive effect of the extract in all tests. This shows the analgesic effect is associated with stimulation of opioid receptors in central brain system. In addition, TFAE also showed anti-inflammatory activity through carrageenan-induced paw edema model and significantly (p<0.001) inhibited inflammation-induced by carrageenan edemogens. In acute chronic inflammation model, Tamarind provoked a significant reduction of both proliferative and transudative phase when tested on cotton pellet-induced granuloma model. At 600mg/kg, TFAE caused maximum inhibition of granuloma with 22.00%. TFAE also elicited antipyretic action when tested in yeast-induced hyperthermia in mice. In the rota rod test, TFAE treated mice did not show any significant motor performance alterations with the dose of 600 mg/kg and this shows that TFAE has no sedative effect. Furthermore, subacute toxicity of 28 consecutive days also shown, there were no deaths or toxic signs recorded in the rats given 1.5, 2.25 and 5.0 g/kg of TFAE

Exploration of the low arithmetic achievement on primary students: Teacher’s perspectives

According to the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), the level of Mathematics achievement in Malaysia for primary levels has seemed to be steadily decreased from 2003 to 2007. Although there are many efforts done by the government, NGOs, societies and parents in order to increase students’ performance in mathematics, it is still decreasing significantly and unfortunately the same problems carry until when it comes to secondary level. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the causes of weaknesses of students’ achievement from the teachers’ perspectives. In addition, this paper aims to determine the effective strategies approaches for low achievement in mathematics and lastly to improvise the teaching and learning process for the future. An exclusive interview with the experienced mathematics teachers from a public and private school was conducted

Antinociceptive activity of methanolic extract of Acmella uliginosa (Sw.) Cass.

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Acmella uliginosa (Sw.) Cass. is a medicinal herbaceous plant that is commonly used by the Malay community in Malaysia to relieve pain often associated with mouth ulcers, toothache, sore throat, and stomach ache. Aim: The study was carried out to investigate the antinociceptive effect of the methanolic extract of A. uliginosa (Sw.) Cass. flowers (MEAU) using murine models of chemicals and thermal nociception. Materials and methods: Chemicals (acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction and formalin-, capsaicin-, glutamate-induced paw licking test) and thermal models (hot plate test) of nociception in mice were employed to evaluate the MEAU analgesic effect. The extract was given via oral administration at doses of 3, 10, 30 and 100 mg/kg. Results: It was demonstrated that MEAU produced significant antinociceptive response in all the chemical- and thermal-induced nociception models, which indicates the presence of both centrally and peripherally mediated activities. Furthermore, the reversal of antinociception of MEAU by naloxone suggests the involvement of opioid system in its centrally mediated analgesic activity. Moreover, MEAU-treated mice did not show any significant motor performance alterations. No mortality and signs of toxicity were recorded following treatment of the MEAU. Conclusion: The results from the present study appear to support the folkloric belief in the medicinal properties of A. uliginosa (Sw.) Cass. which against pain at both central and peripheral levels, in which the central antinociception is probably due to the participation of the opioid receptors

Anti-inflammatory effect of Mitragyna speciosa crude methanol extract on the guinea pig ileum.

In a recent study, we have shown that the crude methanol extract of Mitragyna speciosa (of the family Rubiaceae) exerted significant in vivo anti-inflammatory activities in rodents as evident in the carageenan-induced paw edema and cotton pellet-induced granuloma tests [1], but the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. Our present study aims to explore the anti-inflammatory activities of this plant in vitro in order to rationalize the traditional use of this plant in the treatment of some stomach ailments [2]. The pharmacologic actions of M. speciosa were assessed by measuring the mechanical activity of isolated guinea pig ileum strips in an organ bath. The resultant methanol extract (0.01–0.05mg/ml) caused a stimulatory effect followed by a relaxation of ileal activities at a higher dose (0.3–5mg/ml) (p&lt;0.05). These results indicate that M. speciosa exert spasmogenic effects at a lower dose and a spasmolytic effect at a higher dose thus corroborating the use of plant in the treatment of diarrhoea and constipation. Moreover, results indicated that pretreatment with M. speciosa (0.3–5mg/ml) which were tested positive for flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, sterols and tannins produced significant concentration-dependant inhibition of spasmogenic activities when exposed to single submaximal contraction induced by histamine (H) and bradykinin (B). These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory activity of M. speciosa is mediated possibly through the H and B receptor antagonism, thus providing a scientific basis for the folkloric use of this plant in stomach disorders

Antinociceptive Activity of Melicope ptelefolia Ethanolic Extract in Experimental Animals

Melicope ptelefolia is a medicinal herb commonly used in Malaysia to treat fever, pain, wounds, and itches. The present study was conducted to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of the Melicope ptelefolia ethanolic extract (MPEE) using animal models of nociception. The antinociceptive activity of the extract was assessed using acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, hot-plate, and formalin-induced paw licking tests. Oral administration of MPEE produced significant dose-dependent antinociceptive effects when tested in mice and rats using acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction test and on the second phase of the formalin-induced paw licking test, respectively. It was also demonstrated that MPEE had no effect on the response latency time to the heat stimulus in the thermal model of the hot-plate test. In addition, the antinociception produced by MPEE was not blocked by naloxone. Furthermore, oral administration of MPEE did not produce any effect in motor performance of the rota-rod test and in acute toxicity study no abnormal behaviors as well as mortality were observed up to a dose level of the extract of 5 g/kg. These results indicated that MPEE at all doses investigated which did not produce any sedative and toxic effects exerted pronounce antinociceptive activity that acts peripherally in experimental animals

Uncovering Prospective Role and Applications of Existing and New Nutraceuticals from Bacterial, Fungal, Algal and Cyanobacterial, and Plant Sources

Nutraceuticals are a category of products more often associated with food but having pharmaceuticals property and characteristics. However, there is still no internationally accepted concept of these food‐pharmaceutical properties, and their interpretation can differ from country to country. Nutraceuticals are used as part of dietary supplements in most countries. They can be phytochemicals which are biologically active and have health benefits. These can be supplied as a supplement and/or as a functional food to the customer. For human health and longevity, these materials are likely to play a vital role. Consumption of these items is typical without a therapeutic prescription and/or supervision by the vast majority of the public. The development of nutraceuticals can be achieved through many bioresources and organisms. This review article will discuss the current research on nutraceuticals from different biological sources and their potential use as an agent for improving human health and well‐being, as well as the gaps and future perspective of research related to nutraceutical development