In vitro study on efficacy of SKF7, a Malaysian medicinal plant product against SARS-CoV-2.

Background: In early 2020, COVID-19 pandemic has mobilized researchers in finding new remedies including repurposing of medicinal plant products focusing on direct-acting antiviral and host-directed therapies. In this study, we performed an in vitro investigation on the standardized Marantodes pumilum extract (SKF7) focusing on anti-SARS-CoV-2 and anti-inflammatory activities.

Methods: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential of the SKF7 was evaluated in SARS-CoV-2-infected Vero E6 cells and SARS-CoV-2-infected A549 cells by cytopathic effect-based assay and RT-qPCR, respectively.

Inhibitory effect of food-functioned phytochemicals on dysregulated inflammatory pathways triggered by SARS-CoV-2: a mechanistic review.

Inflammatory cascades of the dysregulated inflammatory pathways in COVID-19 can cause excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines leading to cytokine storm syndrome (CSS). The molecular cascades involved in the pathways may be targeted for discovery of new anti-inflammatory agents. Many plant extracts have been used clinically in the management of COVID-19, however, their immunosuppressive activities were mainly investigated based on activity.

Neurological Applications of Celery (): A Scoping Review.

is an indigenous plant in the family Apiaceae, or Umbelliferae, that contains many active compounds. It has been used traditionally to treat arthritic conditions, gout, and urinary infections. The authors conducted a scoping review to assess the quality of available evidence on the overall effects of celery when treating neurological disorders.

Immunomodulatory Activities of L. Leaf Juice in a Non-Lethal, Symptomatic Dengue Mouse Model.

The role of L. leaf juice in immune dysregulation caused by dengue virus infection remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory activities of the freeze-dried leaf juice (FCPLJ) on AG129 mice infected with a clinical DENV-2 (DMOF015) isolate.

Preliminary study on the expression of endothelial cell biology related genes in the liver of dengue virus infected mice treated with Carica papaya leaf juice.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to profile and identify the endothelial cell biology related genes that are affected by dengue virus infection in the liver tissue of AG129 mice, with and without Carica papaya leaf juice treatment.

Results: The dengue fever mouse model was established by intraperitoneal inoculation of dengue virus, New Guinea C strain at 2 × 10 PFU. Daily oral administration of 1000 mg/kg freeze-dried C.

Effect of freeze-dried Carica papaya leaf juice on inflammatory cytokines production during dengue virus infection in AG129 mice.

Background: Carica papaya leaves have been used for traditional treatment of dengue fever and have been reported to exhibit an immunomodulatory activity by affecting the level of cytokine production in vitro and in vivo. Due to the lack of adequate in vivo evidence in dengue disease model, the present study was initiated to screen and identify the cytokines affected by freeze-dried C. papaya leaf juice (FCPLJ) treatment in AG129 mice infected with DEN-2 dengue virus.

The effect of freeze-dried Carica papaya leaf juice treatment on NS1 and viremia levels in dengue fever mice model.

Background: Carica papaya leaf juice (CPLJ) was well known for its thrombocytosis activity in rodents and dengue patients. However, the effect of CPLJ treatment on other parameters that could contribute to dengue pathogenesis such as nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) production and viremia level have never been highlighted in any clinical and in vivo studies. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of freeze-dried CPLJ treatment on NS1 and viremia levels of dengue fever mouse model.

Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum Molecular Markers of Antimalarial Drug Resistance in a Residual Malaria Focus Area in Sabah, Malaysia.

Chloroquine (CQ) and fansidar (sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine, SP) were widely used for treatment of Plasmodium falciparum for several decades in Malaysia prior to the introduction of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) in 2008. Our previous study in Kalabakan, located in south-east coast of Sabah showed a high prevalence of resistance to CQ and SP, suggesting the use of the treatment may no longer be effective in the area. This study aimed to provide a baseline data of antimalarial drug resistant markers on P.

Genetic Diversity of Plasmodium falciparum Populations in Malaria Declining Areas of Sabah, East Malaysia.

Malaysia has a national goal to eliminate malaria by 2020. Understanding the genetic diversity of malaria parasites in residual transmission foci can provide invaluable information which may inform the intervention strategies used to reach elimination targets. This study was conducted to determine the genetic diversity level of P.

Mutations of pvdhfr and pvdhps genes in vivax endemic-malaria areas in Kota Marudu and Kalabakan, Sabah.

Background: Malaria cases persist in some remote areas in Sabah and Sarawak despite the ongoing and largely successful malaria control programme conducted by the Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, Ministry Of Health, Malaysia. Point mutations in the genes that encode the two enzymes involved in the folate biosynthesis pathway, dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) enzymes confer resistance to pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine respectively, in both Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax.

Plasmodium vivax population structure and transmission dynamics in Sabah Malaysia.

Despite significant progress in the control of malaria in Malaysia, the complex transmission dynamics of P. vivax continue to challenge national efforts to achieve elimination. To assess the impact of ongoing interventions on P.

High prevalence of mutation in the Plasmodium falciparum dhfr and dhps genes in field isolates from Sabah, Northern Borneo.

Background: Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) has been in use for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Malaysia since the 1970s and is still widely employed in spite of widespread clinical resistance. Resistance to SP is known to be mediated by mutations in the pfdhfr and pfdhps genes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the distribution of pfdhfr and pfdhps gene polymorphism in Plasmodium falciparum field isolates from Kalabakan, Sabah, in northern Borneo.

High prevalence of pfcrt K76t mutants among Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Sabah, Malaysia.

Chloroquine (CQ) remains the first line drug for the prevention and treatment of malaria in Malaysia in spite of the fact that resistance to CQ has been observed in Malaysia since the 1960s. CQ-resistance is associated with various mutations in pfcrt, which encodes a putative transporter located in the digestive vacuolar membrane of P. falciparum.