Cytotoxicity evaluation of phytochemicals from stingless bee (Tetragonula biroi) propolis

Three prenylated flavonoids (1-3) were isolated from Tetragonula biroi propolis. The structures of the isolated compounds were characterized by NMR, IR, and UV spectroscopic and mass spectrometric analyses. The cytotoxicity activity of the crude extracts, fractions and the isolated compounds were established against four cell lines such as Caco-2, HeLa, MCF-7, and OVK-18. Among the tested compounds, compound 1 showed cytotoxicity activity against MCF-7 cell lines, whereas compound 2 showed good activity against Caco-2 and OVK-18 cell lines with IC50 values of 14.73 and 14.44, respectively. Moreover, compound 3 exhibited strong activity against OVK-18 cell lines. These findings contribute to the phytochemical understanding of the T. biroi propolis, and their cytotoxicity effects for future pharmaceutical purposes.

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-acne activities of stingless bee (Tetragonula biroi) propolis

We collected stingless bee propolis Tetragonula biroi in order to find materials for medicine and cosmetics applications from tropical rainforest resources. Even though this bee has some biological functions including a cancer cell line, hair growth promotion, asthma remedy, α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition, and antiviral action, the investigation on anti-acne has not been reported yet. This study was to focus on propolis Tetragonula biroi extracts and leads us to isolate active compounds for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-acne. We used methanol to obtain the extract from this propolis and assayed it with antioxidants, anti-inflammation, and anti-acne. The extract showed strong activity in antioxidants by DPPH radical scavenging activity (82.31% in 6.25 μg/ml). Via a column chromatography and Reveleris PREP purification system, we isolated 3'-O-methyldiplacone, nymphaeol A, and 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-6-geranyl flavonol. These compounds showed potential biological activity with IC₅₀ for antioxidant 6.33, 15.49, 17.32 μM; and antiinflammatory 121.54, 121.20, 117.31 μM. The isolated compounds showed anti-acne properties with properties 0.00, 14.11, and 13.78 mm for the inhibition zone (at a concentration of 1 μg/well), respectively. The results indicated that the propolis extract of Tetragonula biroi has the potential to be developed as a cosmetic agent; however, further work needs to be done to clarify its application.

Screening of Selected Stingless Bee Honey Varieties for ACE2-Spike Protein-Binding Inhibition Activity: A Potential Preventive Medicine Against SARS-Cov-2 Infection

The broader objective of this study is to identify natural materials that might inhibit the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We have focused on stingless bee honey, which has a unique taste that is both sweet and sour and sometimes bitter. We screened 12 samples of honey from 11 species of stingless bees using an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)-spike protein-binding assay and phytochemical analysis. Ten of the samples showed inhibition above 50% in this assay system. Most of the honey contained tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenoids, carotenoids and carbohydrates. Our findings in this in vitro study showed that honey from stingless bees may have a potent effect against SARS-CoV-2 infection by inhibiting the ACE2-spike protein-binding.

Cytotoxicity effect of honey, bee pollen, and propolis from seven stingless bees in some cancer cell lines

Our effort to find new material for anti cancer from natural resources leads us to focus on stingless bee products such as honey, bee pollen, and propolis. The products were from seven stingless bees named Homotrigona fimbriata, Heterotrigona itama, Heterotrigona bakeri, Tetragonula sarawakensis, Tetragonula testaceitarsis, Tetragonula fuscobalteata, Tetragonula laeviceps. The stingless bee products were evaluated for their cytotoxicity effect on MCF-7, HeLa and Caco-2 cancer cell lines. This is the first time to be reported that the honey, ethanol extracts of bee pollen and propolis of H. fimbriata displayed more potent cytotoxicity than other stingless bee products. By chromatography and biological activity-guided fractionation, ethanol extract of propolis from H. fimbriata was fractionated and isolated its active compound named mangiferonic acid. Mangiferonic acid showed a cytotoxicity effect with IC₅₀ values 96.76 µM in MCF-7, >110.04 µM in HeLa, and > 110.04 µM in Caco-2, respectively. These results exhibited the potential of ethanol extracts from propolis of H. fimbriata to be further developed for drug and experiments to verify the function are essential.

Antioxidant and UV-Blocking Properties of a Carboxymethyl Cellulose-Lignin Composite Film Produced from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch

Oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) pulp with the highest cellulose content of 83.42% was obtained from an optimized process of acid pretreatment (0.5% v/v H2SO4), alkaline extraction (15% w/w NaOH), and hydrogen peroxide bleaching (10% w/v H2O2), respectively. The EFB cellulose was carboxymethylated, and the obtained carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was readily water-soluble (81.32%). The EFB CMC was blended with glycerol and cast into a composite film. Lignin that precipitated from the EFB black liquor was also incorporated into the film at different concentrations, and its effect on the UV-blocking properties of the film was determined. Interestingly, the EFB CMC film without lignin addition completely blocked UV-B transmittance. The incorporation of lignin at all concentrations significantly enhanced the UV-A blocking and other physical properties of the film, including the surface roughness, thickness, and thermal stability, although the tensile strength and water vapor permeability were not significantly affected. Complete UV-A and UV-B blocking were observed when lignin was added at 0.2% (w/v), and the film also exhibited the highest antioxidant activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals with an half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 3.87 mg mL-1.

Plant description, phytochemical constituents and bioactivities of Syzygium genus: A review

This article attempts to report native growth, plant description, phytochemical constituents and bioactivities of Syzygium aqueum, S. aromaticum, S. cumini, S. guineense and S. samarangense. Those are the large public species in the Syzygium genus and some of them have been used as traditional medicines. Different parts (leaves, seeds, fruits, barks, stem barks and flower buds) of each species plant are rich in phytochemical constituents such as flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, glycosides and phenolics. Antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, toxicity, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anthelmintic activities are reported in various extracts (methanol, ethanol and aqueous) from different parts of Syzygium sp. The bioactivities were studied by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays for antioxidant, 5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazoly)-3-(4-sulfophenyl) tetrazolium and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2-5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays for anticancer, α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition assays for antidiabetic, agar well diffusion method for antimicrobial and brine shrimp lethality assay for toxicity. Moreover, this review shows that phytochemical constituents of each species significantly presented various bioactivities. Therefore, this review suggests that there is great potential for obtaining the lead drug from these species.

New derivatives of a natural nordentatin

New derivatives were obtained from natural nordentatin (1) previously isolated from the methanol fraction of Clausena excavata by an acylation method. Herein, we report ten new pyranocoumarin derivatives 1a–1j. Their structures were elucidated based on UV-vis, FT-IR, NMR, and DART-MS data. The α-glucosidase inhibition and anticancer activities of nordentatin (1) and its derivatives were also evaluated. The α-glucosidase inhibition assay exhibited that the derivatives 1b, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1h, 1i, and 1j possess higher inhibitory activity for α-glucosidase with IC50 values of 1.54, 9.05, 4.87, 20.25, 12.34, 5.67, and 2.43 mM, whereas acarbose was used as the positive control, IC50 = 7.57 mM. All derivatives exhibited a weak cytotoxicity against a cervical cancer (HeLa) cell line with the IC50 between 0.25 and 1.25 mM. They also showed moderate to low growth inhibition of a breast cancer (T47D) cell line with IC50 values between 0.043 and 1.5 mM, but their activity was lower than that of the parent compound, nordentatin (1) (IC50 = 0.041 mM).

Phytoconstituents of Genus Micromelum and Their Bioactivity—a Review

The genus Micromelum belongs to the Rutaceae family. As its rich bioactive constituents its stems, flowers, leaves, and roots have been used in traditional medicine, for the treatment of various diseases from ancient time. Phytochemically, many bioactive compounds, including coumarins, polyoxygenated flavonoids, phenylpropanoic acid derivatives, quinolone alkaloids, and also carbazole alkaloids, have been reported as secondary metabolites of the Micromelum spp. including many new compounds. Therefore, Micromelum spp. are considered potential for drug leads. In this article, we present an overview of secondary metabolites isolated from genus Micromelum and their bioactivities that have been reported between 1982 and 2019.

Carbazomarin: A New Potential of α-Glucosidase Inhibitor From Clausena excavata Roots

Continuing our exploration for dual functions antidiabetic and antioxidant agents from Myanmar medicinal plant , a new carbazole-pyranocoumarin conjugate, carbazomarin-C (1) along with a known carbazole alkaloid, mukonine (2) and a pyranocoumarin, xanthoxyletin (3), was isolated from the roots of Clausena excavata. The chemical structures of these compounds were identified using a combination of spectroscopic methods. Among isolates, there was a strong inhibition of compounds (1) and (3) on yeast α-glucosidase in a dose-dependent manner. It was shown when p-nitrophenyl-α-d-glucopyranoside was used as a substrate in vitro with IC50 values 0.22 and 4.81 mM, respectively. However, all isolated compounds displayed no inhibition against DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radicals.

A new pyrano coumarin from Clausena excavata roots displaying dual inhibition against α-glucosidase and free radical

A new pyrano coumarin, identified as excavatin A (1) together with two known compounds nordentatin (2) and binorpocitrin (3) was isolated from the 95% EtOH extract of Clausena excavata. All structures were elucidated by using spectroscopy methods such as extensive NMR and HR-FAB-MS spectrometry. All the isolated compounds were tested on antidiabetes activity by using α-glucosidase inhibition assay and the antioxidant activity by DPPH assay. Compounds 1-3 showed antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ values 0.286, 0.02, 0.278 mM. Among them, 2 exhibited inhibition activity against maltase (IC₅₀ 5.45 µM) and sucrase (IC₅₀ 43.57 µM). However, compounds (1) and (3) displayed inhibition on yeast α-glucosidase with IC₅₀ values 1.92 and 5.58 mM.[Figure: see text].

Identification of Pinocembrin as an Anti-Glycation Agent and α-Glucosidase Inhibitor from Fingerroot (Boesenbergia rotunda): The Tentative Structure⁻Activity Relationship towards MG-Trapping Activity

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disease that is caused by a malfunction of carbohydrate metabolism, which plays an important role in the development of long-term diabetic complications. The excess glucose can be transformed to methylglyoxal (MG), a potential precursor of glycation. Glycation is a spontaneous non-enzymatic reaction that initially yields advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), which ultimately triggers several severe complications. Therefore, the inhibition of AGEs formation is the imperative approach for alleviating diabetic complications. The aim of this research was to investigate the glycation and α-glucosidase inhibitory abilities of compounds isolated from fingerroot. The dichloromethane extract afforded three flavanones, two chalcones, two dihydrochalcones, and one kavalactone. Most of the isolated compounds showed higher inhibition effect against AGEs formation than aminoguanidine (AG). Subsequent evaluation in MG-trapping assay indicated that their trapping potency was relatively comparable to AG. Their structure-activity relationships (SAR) of MG-trapping activity were investigated using the comparison of the structures of flavonoids. In addition, pinocembrin displayed moderate α-glucosidase inhibition against both maltase and sucrose, with IC₅₀ values of 0.35 ± 0.021 and 0.39 ± 0.020 mM, respectively.

Epidemiology of Childhood Cancer in Indonesia: Study of 14 Population Based Cancer Registries

Background: Childhood cancer was about 3%-5% cases of all cases. Dharmais National Cancer Hospital was pointed out by Ministry of Health as National Quality Control of Cancer Burden Data in 2016. To provide national cancer burden data, Ministry of Health established 14 population based cancer registries in 2016, located in 14 provinces in Indonesia. The coverage area was 26 districts/municipalities in each selected provinces with total coverage number of population was 14% of Indonesia. Aim: This study was to describe quality data of 14 population based cancer registries in Indonesia and to describe the epidemiology of childhood cancer during 2008-2012. Methods: We used 14 population based cancer registries data that collected in Office of National Quality Control of Cancer Burden Data, Dharmais National Cancer Center, within age 0-19 years old during 2008-2012. We analyzed quality data of 14 population based cancer registries data based on WHO-IARC rules for cancer registry data. Results: There were 4156 cases. The average of percentage microscopic verification was 59%, 7 out of 7 provinces had lower percentage of microscopic verification. The highest was South Sulawesi (98%) followed by Central Java (92.9%), and East Borneo (79.4%). Most of them had over 25% of DCO. DKI Jakarta had the highest incidence age-standardized rate (7.1) followed by Bali (4.9) and North Sulawesi (4.8). The most frequent childhood cancer cases were in male (57%), between 10-14 years old. Both in male and female had similar rank of the most frequent cases, other malignant epithelial (22.4%: 17.2%), leukemia (19.3%: 14.3%), and other and unspecified malignant tumor (9.4%: 8.4%). Conclusion: The coverage and quality data of childhood cancer in 14 population based cancer registries data were low. Each population based cancer registries should improve the process of cancer registration.

Epidemiology of Female Breast Cancer in West Jakarta, Indonesia

Background: Breast cancer was the most common cancer in the world. GLOBOCAN 2012 estimated the incidence of female breast cancer in Indonesia was 40.3 per 100,000 and the mortality rate was 16.6 per 100,000. In 2016, Dharmais National Cancer Center was appointed as Regional Population Based Cancer Registry in West Jakarta. West Jakarta was a municipality with 2,281,945 populations, being the 2nd largest population in DKI Jakarta Province. Aim: This study was to evaluate the quality of population based cancer registry data and to describe the epidemiology of female breast cancer in West Jakarta, Indonesia during 2008-2012 and to compare with GLOBOCAN 2012 . Methods: We used population based cancer registry data with ICD - O code C50.0-C50.9 in female who live in West Jakarta. The population based cancer registry data were collected in Dharmais National Cancer Center. We evaluated the quality of population based cancer registry data based on WHO-IARC rules for cancer registry data. Results: The quality of population based cancer registry data were microscopic verification (70%); DCO percentage (20.8%), and unknown age (0%). The trend of female breast cancer was increasing during 2008-2012. Age-standardized rate incidence was 19.3 per 100,000. The most of frequent were in 45-49 years old, not other specific location subtopography (81.5%), the histopathology type was ductal and lobular neoplasm (51.8%), in stage III (44%), and with metastases to bone (34%). The average of length of duration was 29.1 months, most of them were unknown of last status contact (84%). Conclusion: The coverage and quality data of West Jakarta population based cancer registry need to be increased and establish a follow-up system to decrease the unknown last contact status of patients.

Arylalkanones from Horsfieldia macrobotrys are Effective Antidiabetic Agents Achieved by α-Glucosidase Inhibition and Radical Scavenging

Horsfielda macrobotrys Merr has long been used by Dayak people in East Kalimantan of Indonesia, for diabetes therapy. Inspired by ethnopharmacological use and promising α-glucosidase and radical scavenging activities, an attempt to identify the active components was carried out. Bioassay-guided isolation yielded two related arylalkanones named 1-(2,4,6-trihydroxyphenyl)-9-phenylnonan-1-one (1) and malabaricone A (2). Arylalkanone 1 showed potent radical scavenging comparable with that of the standard antioxidant, ascorbic acid, and promising inhibition against α-glucosidases. Noticeably, arylalkanone 1 was 3-30 times more potent than malabaricone A (2) in all bioassays examined, thus suggesting the critical role in exerting bioactivities of the hydroxy group on the aryl moiety. This hypothesis was also supported by reduction in inhibitory effects of the methyl ether analogues 1a and 2a. Arylalkanone 1 inhibited yeast α-glucosidase in a mixed-type manner in which the noncompetitive pathway was dominant over competitive inhibition. This study is the first report of α-glucosidase inhibition of arylalkenone-type compounds and the first phytochemicals from H. macrobotrys.

Arylalkanones from Horsfieldia macrobotrys are effective antidiabetic agents achieved by α-glucosidase inhibition and radical scavenging

Horsfieldia macrobotrys Merr has long been used by Dayak people in East Kalimantan of Indonesia, for diabetes therapy. Inspired by ethnopharmacological use and promising α-glucosidase and radical scavenging activities, an attempt to identify the active components was carried out. Bioassay-guided isolation yielded two related arylalkanones named 1-(2,4,6-trihydroxyphenyl)-9-phenylnonan-1-one (1) and malabaricone A (2). Arylalkanone 1 showed potent radical scavenging comparable with that of the standard antioxidant, ascorbic acid, and promising inhibition against α-glucosidases. Noticeably, arylalkanone 1 was 3-30 times more potent than malabaricone A (2) in all bioassays examined, thus suggesting the critical role in exerting bioactivities of the hydroxy group on the aryl moiety. This hypothesis was also supported by reduction in inhibitory effects of the methyl ether analogues la and 2a. Arylalkanone 1 inhibited yeast α-glucosidase in a mixed-type manner in which the noncompetitive pathway was dominant over competitive inhibition. This study is the first report of α-glucosidase inhibition of arylalkenone-type compounds and the first phytochemicals from H. macrobotrys.

Novel homozygous mutation in DSP causing skin fragility-woolly hair syndrome: report of a large family and review of the desmoplakin-related phenotypes

Desmoplakin is an important cytoskeletal linker for the function of the desmosomes. Linking desmoplakin to certain types of cardiocutaneous syndromes has been a hot topic recently. Skin fragility-woolly hair syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder involving the desmosomes and is caused by mutation in the desmoplakin gene (DSP). We report five members from a large family with skin fragility-woolly hair syndrome. The index is a 14-year-old girl with palmoplantar keratoderma, woolly hair, variable alopecia, dystrophic nails, and excessive blistering to trivial mechanical trauma. No cardiac symptoms were reported. Although formal cardiac examination was not feasible, the echocardiographic evaluation of the other two affected younger siblings was normal. Homozygosity mapping and linkage analysis revealed a high LOD score region in the short arm of chromosome 6 that harbors the DSP. Full sequencing of the DSP showed a novel homozygous c.7097 G>A (p.R2366H) mutation in all affected members, and the parents were heterozygous. This is the report of the third case/family of the skin fragility-woolly hair syndrome in the literature. We also present a clinical and molecular review of various desmoplakin-related phenotypes, with emphasis on onset of cardiomyopathy. The complexity of the desmoplakin and its variable presentations warrant introducing the term 'desmoplakinopathies' to describe all the phenotypes related to defects in the desmoplakin.