Aeroallergen sensitizations with special reference to fungi sensitization

The present study is aimed to profile the prevalence and determine the risk of aeroallergen sensitization including fungi on gender, ethnicity, and age groups. 225 of the university community population were interviewed using a standard questionnaire by allergists to collect information on demographic including gender, ethnicity, and age. To confirm the prevalence of the aeroallergens sensitization, the gold standard procedure, i.e. skin prick testing was performed using commercial aeroallergens. Of the subjects, 93 (41.3%) were categorised as atopic. The most prevalent positive SPT among the general and the atopic population were house dust mites, (32.4%; 78.5%), followed by German cockroach (20%; 48.3%), fungal (7.55%; 18.2%), and cat dander (4.8%; 11.8%) respectively. The prevalence of fungi sensitization among the atopic population is doubled to the general population and considerably high compared to the World Allergy report. Among the 17 fungal sensitized subjects, 9 (52.9%) were monosensitized to Aspergillus fumigatus, 4 (23.5%) to Penicillium notatum, 2 (11.8%) to Candida albicans, and one (5.9%) to Alternaria alternata. One (5.9%) subject was oligosensitized to both Alternaria alternata and Aspergillus fumigatus. Male subjects were with the higher risk to fungi sensitization compared to female, Chinese ethnicity subjects to other ethnicities, and subjects with ≥20 years of age to other age groups. Sensitization is high to both Aspergillus fumigatus and Penicillium notatum. Thus, it is an indicator not to be taken lightly as these fungi are also highly prevalent at UPSI and have been associated with the sick building syndrom

Phytochemical Screening of leaves of Polyalthia sclerophylla using Classical Methods and GC-Mass Spectroscopy: Cytotoxicity and Antibacterial Activities

Background: Polyalthia sclerophylla (P. sclerophylla) is a member of the Annonaceae family, with a wide distribution in tropical and subtropical regions. In traditional Chinese medicine, various members of this genus have been employed as medicinal plants to address refractory ailments. The current study aims to extract the leaves of Polyalthia sclerophylla (TLPS) and determine their chemical contents using GS-Mass and standard phytochemical techniques.Methods: The antibacterial and cytotoxicity activities of TLPS were used to evaluate its bio-medical characteristics. In that sequence, three solvents were used to extract TLPS to produce three samples: MTLPS, DTLPS, and HTLPS.Results:  Phytochemical analysis indicated terpenoids and glycosides in all prepared models, but no alkaloids were observed. The GC-Mass data showed twenty-one chemical compounds. Pyridine, 2-Undecanol, 2-methyl-2-oxiranyl- and cyclobutanone were observed with higher percentages, while the 2(5H)-Furanone, 5-methyl, 1,1,3-Trimethylcyclopentane and 1,6-Heptadiene were observed with lower rates. The cytotoxicity study of TLPS was performed using Alamar blue assay using MG-63 cells. However, results show no detrimental influence at any dosage as cell availability increased. MTLPS, DTLPS and HTLPS were treated with six bacteria pathogens, and all of them showed significant effects against these bacteria to inhibit the growth of the bacteria. The extract of methanol (MLPS) was more effective in inhibiting the development of the bacteria compared with the DTLPS and HTLPS.Conclusion: The current work has shown that the chemical composition of crude TPLS varies, leading to notable chemical, biological, and medicinal features, and their non-toxic impact.Keywords: Polyalthia sclerophylla; GS-Mass; Antibacterial; Cytotoxicity activity