PEMBERDAYAAN KELOMPOK DASAWISMA MELALUI PEMANFAATAN TOGA BERBASIS IPTEK DAN APLIKASI TEMUAN ILMIAH

Abstrak: Kelurahan Ipilo merupakan salah satu kelurahan di Kota Gorontalo yang umumnya masih memiliki pekarangan yang luas untuk pemanfaatan TOGA. Berdasarkan pengamatan, beberapa ibu rumah tangga telah menanam TOGA, namun belum memahami manfaat TOGA secara ilmiah dan belum memahami cara penggunaan TOGA. Oleh karena itu, permasalahan yang muncul adalah kecenderungan masyarakat untuk memilih obat tradisional masih rendah dibandingkan dengan obat sintetik, yang diketahui jika obat sintetik dikonsumsi dalam jangka panjang memiliki efek samping yang sangat berpengaruh terhadap status kesehatan. Pengabdian masyarakat ini bertujuan untuk memberikan pelatihan dan pendampingan kepada masyarakat sejumlah 30 peserta yang terdiri atas kelompok Dasawisma dan anggota PKK di kelurahan Ipilo Kota Gorontalo ¬untuk mengoptimalkan TOGA. Kegiatan ini dilakukan dalam 3 tahap. Tahap pertama; Edukasi berupa penyuluhan dan demonstrasi, tahap kedua; monitoring dan evaluasi, tahap ketiga; Tindak lanjut hasil monev berupa pendampingan dan fasilitasi kepada anggota Dasa Wisma, kader dan Kelompok UP2K PKK Kel. Ipilo dalam pembuatan produk herbal serta praktek nyata kewirausahaan melalui kegiatan bazar. Hasil kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini antara lain (1) adanya peningkatan pemahaman masyarakat kelurahan Ipilo mengenai khasiat ilmiah TOGA berdasarkan hasil pre-test (86%) dan post-test (99%); (2) adanya peningkatan kepercayaan penggunaan obat tradisional dibandingkan dengan obat sintetik dalam pengobatan sendiri berdasarkan hasil monitoring dan evaluasi baik secara langsung maupun melalui Whatsapp Group "Keluarga Herbal Sehat"; (3) adanya peningkatan keterampilan masyarakat dalam berinovasi untuk mengolah TOGA menjadi produk yang bernilai ekonomis, berupa produk makanan berbahan tanaman obat (daun ceri) yaitu puding susu ceri dan minuman susu jagung ceri; dan (4) adanya fasilitasi bagi masyarakat untuk mendapatkan sertifikat Keamanan Pangan. Abstract: Ipilo Village is one of the villages in Gorontalo City which generally still has a large yard for the use of TOGA. Based on observations, several housewives have planted TOGA, but do not understand the benefits of TOGA scientifically and do not understand how to use TOGA. Therefore, the problem that arises is that the tendency of people to choose traditional medicines is still low compared to synthetic drugs, which is known if synthetic drugs are consumed in the long term it has side effects that greatly affect health status. This community service aims to provide training and assistance to the community, especially the Dasawisma group and PKK members in Ipilo Village to optimize TOGA. This activity is carried out in 3 stages. The first stage; Education in the form of counseling and demonstrations, the second stage; monitoring and evaluation, third stage; The follow-up to the results of the monev was in the form of mentoring and facilitation to Dasa Wisma members, cadres and the UP2K PKK Group Kel. Ipilo in the manufacture of herbal products as well as the real practice of entrepreneurship through bazaar activities. The results of this community service activity include (1) an increase in the understanding of the Ipilo village community regarding the scientific efficacy of TOGA based on the results of pre-test (86%) and post-test (99%); (2) there is an increase in trust in the use of traditional medicines compared to synthetic drugs in self-medication based on the results of monitoring and evaluation both directly and through the Whatsapp Group "Healthy Herbal Family"; (3) there is an increase in community skills in innovating to process TOGA into products that have economic value, in the form of food products made from medicinal plants (cherry leaves), namely cherry milk pudding and cherry corn milk drink; and (4) facilitation for the community to obtain a Food Safety certificate. 

Antibacterial Activity of Pasak Bumi Stem (Eurycoma longifolia J.) Extract against Salmonella typhi

Typhoid fever is caused by consuming food or water contaminated with Salmonella typhi. The disease develops from bacterial infection through the consumption of contaminated sustenance and drink. The bacterium can cause bacteremia, which is bacteria living in the blood, penetrating the mucosal epithelium of the small intestine and entering the lymphatic flow. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the potential inhibitory effect of ethanol extracts derived from stems of Eurycoma longifolia (pasak bumi) on the growth of Salmonella typhi bacteria. Compounds such as alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, and tannins in pasak bumi stems possessed antibacterial properties. Extracts were made using 96% ethanol at varying concentrations (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%) with distilled water and chloramphenicol as negative and positive control. The result showed that pasak bumi stem extracts inhibited Salmonella typhi, with increasing efficacy at higher concentrations and statistical analysis reported significant differences between all treatment groups (p<0.001). Average zone diameter was 0 mm and 23.10 mm for negative and positive control, as well as 2.75 mm, 4.10 mm, 5.24 mm, 6.98 mm, and 8.55 mm for 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% extracts, respectively. This study provided verification of antibacterial effects of pasak bumi stem ethanol extracts against Salmonella typhi

LESSONS AND NEW PERSPECTIVES: IS CONVALESCENT PLASMA THERAPY EFFECTIVE ON COVID-19 PATIENTS?

Objective: Recently, convalescent plasma (CP) therapy has shown promising evidence in the treatment of several serious contagious diseases, including SARS-CoV, Influenza and Ebola. We conducted a systematic review to extract data about using CP treatment for COVID-19 patients and it’s effectively. Methods: The retrieval of studies was conducted according to Cochrane Collaboration and from electronic databases including PubMed, Medline, and others (medRxiv and BioRxiv). Searching of the available evidence concerning CP treatment of COVID-19 patients was conducted in journal articles published between December 2019 and October 2020. The articles were further screened based on inclusion and exclusion criteria to identify the high-quality studies for analysis. Results: A total of 18 CP studies were included in this review. We found variance regarding the effectiveness of CP in the reduction of mortality rate, length of stay, and increased discharging rate. Several findings show CP therapy is effective in increasing viral negativity, neutralizing antibodies to recipients, does not cause harmful adverse reactions and in some cases can improve clinical symptoms. This therapy is presently considered effective for generating good clinical outcomes when given early in the course of the disease. Conclusion: The effectiveness of CP in terms of mortality, length of stay, and increased discharging patients is still debatable. However, CP therapy is effective in increasing the negativity of SARS-CoV-2 test, neutralizing antibody titer and is safe so it can be considered for COVID-19 patients. CP should not be given in the initial disease course but is recommended for the early disease course

Aktivitas antioksidan dan uji sitotoksik infusa daun jarak pagar (Jatropha curcas)

Antioxidants are crucial in preventing cell damage caused by oxidation from oxidants. The use of antioxidants from natural products such as Jatropha curcas leaves can counteract free radicals due to the presence of secondary metabolites. The main aims of the study were to determine the antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of the infusion of J. curcas leaves. The sample was extracted using the infusion method. A qualitative phytochemical screening was carried out using the test tube method, antioxidant assay using the DPPH method and cytotoxic using the BSLT method. The results showed that the infuse of J. curcas leaves contained secondary metabolites such as polyphenols and tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins. In the antioxidant activity test, infuse of J. curcas leaves and vitamin C (control) the IC50 was 58.90±2.34 ppm and 8.78±0.21 ppm respectively. The infused cytotoxic test contained an active toxic compound in shrimp larvae with an LC50 of 200.28 ppm (LC50 ≤ 1000 ppm). Based on the results of the study, infuse of J. curcas leaves showed potential as an antioxidant and anticancer agent with a strong classification

Tempeh-Based Supplement Decreases Blood Glucose Levels Through Inhibiting Rage and NF-κB Activity in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Mice Model

Objective: Hyperglycemia promotes inflammation through inducing the formation of AGE products, which bind with receptor AGE (RAGE) products in cell membranes, leading to the activation of necrosis factor–kappa beta (NF-κB). This study aimed to analyze the effects of tempeh-based supplement (TBS) preparations of γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) tempeh against mRNA expressions of RAGE and NF-κB on the pancreas of a type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) mice model. Material and Methods: This research was a quasi-experiment, with pre and post-tests with a control design for blood glucose levels; and post-test only utilizing control for mRNA RAGE and NF-κB expressions. A total of 30 male mice, 8-10 weeks old, weighing 20-25 g were divided into 6 treatment groups: non-diabetic, Diabetic, Diabetic+metformin, Diabetic+TBS 10 mg/100 g BW, Diabetic+TBS 20 mg/100 g BW, and Diabetic+TBS 40 mg/100 g BW. STZ induction once a day for two days was preceded by NA to create a DM mice model; meanwhile, TBS was administrated once a day for 21 days. Results: The mean difference of fasting glucose levels in the diabetic+TBS 40 mg/100 g BW group was the highest when compared to the diabetic group (159.52±1.85) mg/dL. One-way ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences in fasting glucose levels, RAGE and NF-κB expressions in the Diabetic+TBS group at various dosage levels compared to the diabetic control group. Relative mRNA expressions of RAGE and NF-κB were downregulated in the treatment group compared to the diabetic control group. Conclusion: TBS can decrease fasting blood glucose levels and downregulate relative mRNA expressions of RAGE and NF-κB in type 2 DM mice

CHITOSAN NANOPARTICLES MEDIATED DELIVERY OF MIR-106B-5P TO BREAST CANCER CELL LINES MCF-7 AND T47D

Objective: The development of nanomedicine, such as miRNA transfection to cancer cells,has widely gained interest in the past decade. Unfortunately, miRNA tends to decay easily by the cellular enzymatic process and requires a carrier. As a cationic biopolymer, chitosan is widely known as a non-viral vector. However, research about chitosan as a miRNA delivery system remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the effect and characters of synthetic miRNA loaded chitosan nanoparticles on breast cancer cell lines. Methods: To obtain the nanocomplex, chitosan-antimiR-106b-5p was formulated using natriumtripolyphosphate through ionic gelation methods. The nanochitosan formula was characterized by using gel electrophoresis; Nano Quant for encapsulation of entrapment quantification; morphology appearance as viewed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), nanochitosan size analysis; in vitro analysis using MCF-7 and T47D breast cancer cell lines; in silico prediction of possible gene target; polymerase chain reaction analysis and gel electrophoresis for E2F1/GAPDH expression. Results: The efficiency entrapment value was 96.7%, particle size analysis was 458±11.79 nm, and polydispersity index (PDI) was 0.65±0.07, with spherical morphology as viewed in SEM. There was no significant difference between the nanochitosan supplemented group and the control group in MCF-7 cells (p=0.067). However, the ratio of E2F1 to GAPDH was significantly lower than the control group after nanochitosan antimiR-106b-5p was loaded at concentration 140 nmol (p=0.022) and 35 nmol (p=0.016). Conclusion: Our nanochitosan formula is non-toxic to use in MCF-7 cell lines. Most importantly, as the formula was conjugated to synthetic antimiR-106b-5p, the E2F1 expression decreased

Resistance to doxorubicin correlated with dysregulation of microRNA-451 and P-glyoprotein, caspase 3, estrogen Receptor on Breast Cancer cell line

Doxorubicin (Dox)has beenused widely in breast cancer therapy. One of the problems in chemotherapy is the development of resistance to chemotherapy that lead to metastasis and relapse aggressiveness of cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA that regulate protein expression and play role in carcinogenesis, as well as cancer chemotherapy resistance. MiR-451 is classified as tumour suppressor miRNA, that binds to messenger RNA (mRNA) of MDR1, and leads disruption of  P-glycoprotein (Pgp) expression. Thestudy aimed to investigate the association between miR-451 and Pgp related with Dox resistance mechanism. In silico analysis was conducted to predict the binding affinity between miR-451 and mRNA of MDR1. The MCF-7 cell line was used as wild type model, while MCF-7/Dox was used as a model of resistance. qPCR was conducted to calculated miR-451 expression and immunocytochemistry was used to observe Pgp expression. miRNA was down-regulated in both on MCF-7 and MCF-7/Dox. On the other hand, Pgp expression was detectable in the cytoplasmic and cytoplasmic membrane in MCF-7/Dox. The Pgp expression was higher in the MCF-7/Dox compared to MCF-7. In conlusion, the over expression of Pgp is associated with the resistance to MCF-7/Dox

Anti-inflammatory activities of flavonoid derivates

Background and purpose: Flavonoids are a group of phytochemicals found abundantly in various plants. Scientific evidence has revealed that flavonoids display potential biological activities, including their ability to alleviate inflammation. This activity is closely related to their action in blocking the inflammatory cascade and inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory factors. However, as flavonoids typically have poor bioavailability and pharmacokinetic profile, it is quite challenging to establish these compounds as a drug. Nevertheless, progressive advancements in drug delivery systems, particularly in nanotechnology, have shown promising approaches to overcome such challenges. Review approach: This narrative review provides an overview of scientific knowledge about the mechanism of action of flavonoids in the mitigation of inflammatory reaction prior to delivering a comprehensive discussion about the opportunity of the nanotechnology-based delivery system in the preparation of the flavonoid-based drug. Key results: Various studies conducted in silico, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials have deciphered that the anti-inflammatory activities of flavonoids are closely linked to their ability to modulate various biochemical mediators, enzymes, and signalling pathways involved in the inflammatory processes. This compound could be encapsulated in nanotechnology platforms to increase the solubility, bioavailability, and pharmacological activity of flavonoids as well as reduce the toxic effects of these compounds. Conclusion: in Summary, we conclude that flavonoids and their derivates have given promising results in their development as new anti-inflammatory drug candidates, especially if they formulate in nanoparticles

Anti-inflammatory activities of flavonoid derivates

Background and purpose: Flavonoids are a group of phytochemicals found abundantly in various plants. Scientific evidence has revealed that flavonoids display potential biological activities, including their ability to alleviate inflammation. This activity is closely related to their action in blocking the inflammatory cascade and inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory factors. However, as flavonoids typically have poor bioavailability and pharmacokinetic profile, it is quite challenging to establish these compounds as a drug. Nevertheless, progressive advancements in drug delivery systems, particularly in nanotechnology, have shown promising approaches to overcome such challenges. Review approach: This narrative review provides an overview of scientific knowledge about the mechanism of action of flavonoids in the mitigation of inflammatory reaction prior to delivering a comprehensive discussion about the opportunity of the nanotechnology-based delivery system in the preparation of the flavonoid-based drug. Key results: Various studies conducted in silico, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials have deciphered that the anti-inflammatory activities of flavonoids are closely linked to their ability to modulate various biochemical mediators, enzymes, and signalling pathways involved in the inflammatory processes. This compound could be encapsulated in nanotechnology platforms to increase the solubility, bioavailability, and pharmacological activity of flavonoids as well as reduce the toxic effects of these compounds. Conclusion: in Summary, we conclude that flavonoids and their derivates have given promising results in their development as new anti-inflammatory drug candidates, especially if they formulate in nanoparticles