Stingless bee honey improves spatial memory in mice, probably associated with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and Inositol 1,4,5- triphosphate receptor type 1 (Itpr1) genes

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of stingless bee honey (SBH) supplementation on memory and learning in mice. Despite many studies that show the benefits of honey on memory, reports on the nootropic effects of SBH are still lacking, and their underlying mechanism is still unclear. SBH is a honey produced by the bees in the tribe of Meliponini that exist in tropical countries. It features unique storage of honey collected in cerumen pots made of propolis. This SBH may offer a better prospect for therapeutic performance as the previous report identifies the presence of antioxidants that were greater than other honey produced by Apis sp. In this study, SBH was tested on Swiss albino mice following acute (7 days) and semichronic (35 days) supplementation. Experiments were then conducted using Morris water maze (MWM) behaviour analysis, RT-PCR for gene expression of mice striatum, and NMR for metabolomics analysis of the honey. Results indicate spatial working memory and spatial reference memory of mice were significantly improved in the honey-treated group compared with the control group. Improved memory consolidations were also observed in prolonged supplementation. Gene expression analyses of acutely treated mice demonstrated significant upregulation of BDNF and Itpr 1 genes that involve in synaptic function. NMR analysis also identified phenylalanine, an essential precursor for tyrosine that plays a role at the BDNF receptor. In conclusion, SBH supplementation for seven days at 2000 mg/kg, which is equivalent to a human dose of 162 mg/kg, showed strong capabilities to improve spatial working memory. And prolonged intake up to 35 days increased spatial reference memory in the mice model. The phenylalanine in SBH may have triggered the upregulation of BDNF genes in honey-treated mice and improved their spatial memory performance

Drying of stingless bees pot-pollen using swirling fluidized bed dryer

High moisture content in stingless bees pot-pollen makes preservation difficult. Since potpollen is heat sensitive, using conventional drying techniques below 40-C is time consuming. A fluidized bed dryer (FBD) with swirling distributor is proposed for rapid drying of the pot-pollen while conserving the nutrients. The objectives of this study are to investigate the possibility of using swirling FBD to dry pot-pollen, and to investigate the effect of distributor type and superficial air velocity on pot-pollen drying. Stingless bees pot-pollen from the state of Pahang, Malaysia was dried at different conditions. Three distributor types: perforated, 45- inclination angle, and 67- inclination angle were tested at three superficial air velocities of 1.0 m/s, 1.5 m/s, and 2.0 m/s. Then, moisture content before and after drying were studied. To ensure swirling FBD would preserve the nutrition content of pot-pollen, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis on the pot-pollen before and after drying was also carried out. It was found that at higher velocity, the drying rate increased. The 67- swirling distributor has the best drying performance, followed by the 45- swirling and perforated distributor. The highest reduction in moisture content, 13.5% in this study was found when using 67- distributor at 2.0 m/s. This translates to a drying rate of 0.450%/min, about 6.2 times faster than conventional FBD, 5.6 times faster drying rate compared to hot air dryer (HAD) at 45 -C, 44.5 times higher than oven drying at 30 -C, and also a staggering 225 times quicker than cyclic convective dryer (CCD). It is also comparable to lower power levels of microwave assisted vacuum dryer (MW-VD), without damaging pot-pollen nutrients. The NMR analysis showed no adverse effect due to drying. Hence, it is possible to dry pot-pollen rapidly using swirling FBD without damaging its nutrition content, and using the 67- swirling distributor is preferred

Potential anti-viral compounds from Malaysian Plant Natural Product Repository and Database (MyNature50000) for DENV2

Dengue virus (DENV) is a globally significant human pathogen that annually infects more than ∼300 million of the Earth’s population. While the clinically approved anti-dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia is available for treating such infection, its treatment is limited to those infected with DENV of serotypes 3 and 4 only. However, the vaccine is no longer available to treat dengue infections following the suspended use of Dengvaxia after several discoveries on the side effects of the vaccine on humans. In view of this recent development, a collection of plant extracts in the MyNature50000 library showing potential anti-dengue activities were explored. In this work, the DENV2 NS2B-NS3 bioassay was setup and optimized to evaluate the potential inhibitory activity of plant extracts stored in the MyNature50000 natural product collections. A total of 150 plants were examined using the high-throughput screening assay, among which four candidate plants showed potential as inhibitors of the DENV2 NS2B-NS3 protease, with exceptional inhibition activity >95% with corresponding IC50 values ranging within 2 − 5 µg/mL. Two local plants, Syzygium campanulatum (‘Kelat Paya’) and Syzygium grande (‘Keriang Batu’), were phytochemically analyzed and the data revealed existence of cyclododecane, n-hexadecanoic acid and caryophyllene, all of which are compounds well-known for their inhibitory activity against DENV2 NS2B-NS3. Additionally, MTT assays showed that both plants were mildly cytotoxic on mammalian cell lines, with IC50 values >20 µg/mL, indicating their prospective use as drugs to combat DENV

SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance in Malaysia: displacement of B.1.617.2 with AY lineages as the dominant Delta variants and the introduction of Omicron during the fourth epidemic wave

Objectives This study reported SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequencing results from June 2021 to January 2022 from seven genome sequencing centers in Malaysia as part of the national surveillance program. Methods COVID-19 samples that tested positive by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and with cycle threshold values <30 were obtained throughout Malaysia. Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 complete genomes was performed using Illumina, Oxford Nanopore, or Ion Torrent platforms. A total of 6163 SARS-CoV-2 complete genome sequences were generated over the surveillance period. All sequences were submitted to the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data database. Results From June 2021 to January 2022, Malaysia experienced the fourth wave of COVID-19 dominated by the Delta variant of concern, including the original B.1.617.2 lineage and descendant AY lineages. The B.1.617.2 lineage was identified as the early dominant circulating strain throughout the country but over time, was displaced by AY.59 and AY.79 lineages in Peninsular (west) Malaysia, and the AY.23 lineage in east Malaysia. In December 2021, pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia facilitated the introduction and spread of the BA.1 lineage (Omicron variant of concern) in the country. Conclusion The changing trends of circulating SARS-CoV-2 lineages were identified, with differences observed between west and east Malaysia. This initiative highlighted the importance of leveraging research expertise in the country to facilitate pandemic response and preparedness

SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance in Malaysia: displacement of B.1.617.2 with AY lineages as the dominant Delta variants and the introduction of Omicron during the fourth epidemic wave

Objectives: This study reported SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequencing results from June 2021 to January 2022 from seven genome sequencing centers in Malaysia as part of the national surveillance program. Methods: COVID-19 samples that tested positive by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and with cycle threshold values <30 were obtained throughout Malaysia. Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 complete genomes was performed using Illumina, Oxford Nanopore, or Ion Torrent platforms. A total of 6163 SARS-CoV-2 complete genome sequences were generated over the surveillance period. All sequences were submitted to the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data database. Results: From June 2021 to January 2022, Malaysia experienced the fourth wave of COVID-19 dominated by the Delta variant of concern, including the original B.1.617.2 lineage and descendant AY lineages. The B.1.617.2 lineage was identified as the early dominant circulating strain throughout the country but over time, was displaced by AY.59 and AY.79 lineages in Peninsular (west) Malaysia, and the AY.23 lineage in east Malaysia. In December 2021, pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia facilitated the introduction and spread of the BA.1 lineage (Omicron variant of concern) in the country. Conclusion: The changing trends of circulating SARS-CoV-2 lineages were identified, with differences observed between west and east Malaysia. This initiative highlighted the importance of leveraging research expertise in the country to facilitate pandemic response and preparedness