Scanning Electron Microscopic Investigation of the Eviscerated Strands of Perhentian Island Bohadschia spp

As a defense reaction, the species Bohadschia grafeii and probably also another species, which we temporarily named as Bohadschia spp., eviscerate plenty of noodle-like threads which stick to the intruder’s body. These species belonging to the order holothuridae, are also known as ‘timun laut kuning’ and ‘timun laut batik’ amongst the local populace at the resort islands of Perhentian, Terangganu, Malaysia. The eviscerated materials are probably collagen-based materials exhibiting unique features when observed under the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The threads, measuring 0.3 to 2.5 mm in diameter with variable length are white in colour, shiny and are sticky in nature. Under the SEM, the features which confer the ability for the threads to stick to many different types of surfaces are clearly displayed. The presence of cup-like structures distributed along the threads do provide possible explanation of the possible vacuum suctional ability that makes the threads stick fast to almost any surface. The role of this defense system, at least in the two species mentioned here, has not been described earlier

Does Extract of Pleurotus sajor-caju affect Liver Enzymes and Histological Integrity?

Pleurotus sajor-caju (PSC) was believed to have both antihyperlipidemic and hepatoprotective activities. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of PSC on liver enzymes and histological integrity. This study used five groups of rats fed with ghee in the ratio 32g ghee per 68g pellet to induce hypercholesterolemia and one group was fed on cholesterol free basal diet. Rats treated with 100 mg/kg of PSC for a month was found to have an effect on the liver enzymes activities since plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentration in this group showed a significant reduction (P<0.05) and a higher percentage reduction (66.01%) as compared to 20 mg/kg-PSC and 200 mg/kg- PSC treatment groups. The plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) only showed a mild increased by 35.04% and 15.00% respectively in 100 mg/kg-PSC treatment group and there was no significant increased (P>0.05) found in these both AST and ALT concentrations. Atorvastatin treatment also showed reduction in ALP enzymes but no significant reduction (P>0.05) as compared to 100 mg/kg-PSC treatment group. On the other hand, plasma AST and ALT in 20 mg/kg of atorvastatin treatment were increased in percentage by 275.97% and 112.50% respectively indicated the adverse effects of statin in term of elevation of plasma enzymes activities. On the histological part, there was no significant finding in the micrograph study between treatment and hypercholesterolemic (HPC) liver rat. The micrograph of rat liver treated with 100 mg/kg PSC showed smooth and clear surface of hepatocytes compared to HPC group