Antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of Nypa fruticans Wurmb. vinegar sample from Malaysia

Objective: To study the antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of nipa palm vinegar(NPV) used in traditional Malay medicine for treating diabetes. Methods: NPV was extracted using liquid-liquid extraction method and the obtained samples were subjected to antidiabetic studies using normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat models whereas antidoxidant activities were investigated via in vitro antioxidant tests namely 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid free radicals scavenging activities and the reducing power assay. Results: Single administration of NPV and its extracts were not effective in both normal and diabetic rats. In intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test, NPV and its aqueous extract showed significant blood glucose lowering effect. In the sub-acute study, compared with the diabetic control, aqueous extract of NPV showed the most notable blood glucose lowering effect(56.6%) and a significant improvement in serum insulin levels(79.8%, P<0.05). To assess NPV's antioxidant activity, three in vitro antioxidant tests were employed: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl and 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid free radical-scavenging assays, and the reducing power assay. Ethyl acetate extract had the greatest antioxidant potential and content of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. A linear positive correlation between the antioxidant parameters was observed. Chemical profiling analysis of aqueous extract of NPV revealed the presence of acetic acid(35.25%), the main active constituent which significantly contributed to the observed antidiabetic activity. Conclusions: Aqueous extract of NPV possesses antihyperglycaemic activities comparable to the metformin, while the ethyl acetate extract precipitated significant antioxidant effects attributable to its high phenolic content. These findings suggest that antioxidant compounds of NPV do not contribute much towards the overall observed antidiabetic effect.

Immunomodulatory effects of selected Malaysian plants on the CD18/11a expression and phagocytosis activities of leukocytes

Objective:To investigate the effects of 20 methanolic extracts from Malaysian selected plants on CD18/11 a expression and phagocytosis activity of leukocytes using flow cytometry analysis.Methods:The effects of methanolic extracts on CD18/11 a expression and phagocytosis of leukocytes were measured by labelling the cells with CD18-fluorescein isolhiocyanaie and ingestion labelled with Escherichia coli-fluorescein isothiocyanate and then analyzed using flow cytometer.Results:About 12 out of 20 methanolic extracts of selected Malaysian medicinal plants significantly(P≤0.05) inhibited the CD18/1 la expression of leukocytes at both concentrations of 6.25 μg/mL and 100 μg/mL in dose dependent manner.The most active inhibitory was shown in Citrus aurantifolia(Christm.) Swingle and Alpinia galangal(L.) Willd.at dosage 100ug/mL.Moreover,the Orthosiphon aristatus(Blume) Miq(O.aristatus).showed the highest stimulatory activity at the concentration of 100 μg/mL.Other than that,four plant extracts significantly(P<0.05) rose the phagocytosis activities of leukocytes in dose dependent manner.However,Annona muricata L.and O.aristatus showed the highest stimulated activities at the 100 pg/mL concentration.Conclusions:The results suggest that methanolic extracts of Cirrus aurantifolia.Alpinia gaiangal,O.aristatus and Annona muricata are able to modulate innate immune system and can potentially be recognized as therapeutic agents for modulating immune system.

The activity of <i>Rhaphidophora pinnta</i>Lf. Schott leaf on MCF-7 cell line

Ekor naga’s leaf (Rhaphidophora pinnata (Lf) Schott) is a type of vines and climbing plant. The leaves are elongated round and hollowed inside. This plant had been using for the treatment of breast cancer. Extraction with percolation method has been done in ekor naga’s leaves with ethanol, and fractionated by nhexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate using liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). Cytotoxicity assay of ethanol extract, n-hexane fraction, chloroform fraction, ethyl acetate fraction and water fraction against MCF-7 cells were done using MTT method (3-(4,5-dimetiltiazol-2-il)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide). Phytochemical screening results showed the presence of the compounds such as triterpenoida/steroid, alkaloid, flavonoid, tannin, and saponin. n-hexane fraction was positive for the presence of triterpenoida/steroid, chloroform fraction containing alkaloids, saponin and triterpenoid;ethyl acetate fraction contained, flavonoid, tannin, and the fraction of water indicated the presence of tannin and saponin. Secondary metabolite compounds in ethanol extract, chloroform fraction and ethyl acetate fraction gave positive results against MCF-7 cells. Cytotoxicity assay of MCF-7 cell line showed that crude ethanol extracts had 112.240 mcg/ml IC50 chloroform fraction IC50 was 59.082 mcg/ml, and ethyl acetate fraction IC50 was 812.663 mcg/ml.

Influence of International Financial Reporting Standards Application on Education Accounting in Indonesia

This study aims to explore fundamental issues related to IFRS adoption in Indonesia,including how educational accounting anticipates IFRS implementation in 2012,the readiness of Indonesian accountants to face the implementation of IFRS and the liberalization of accounting services and PPA preparedness to make accountants,who are competent and able to compete in the global market.The research method used in this research is descriptive research method by using data from various sources of literature such as books,information from mass media and internet.The results of this study indicate that IFRS implementation will be done taking a lot of changes in mindset,paradigm,and accounting teaching patterns.A curriculum improvement should be made to create accountants ready to compete in the global marketplace.

Effect of Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Postharvest Quality of Barangan Banana

An experiment retail film packaging system was used to compare the atmospheric composition within sealed packs containing barangan banana fruits. This research was done in order to study the effect of packaging films with different permeability properties on the physicochemicalproperties of barangan banana during storage at room temperature （28 ± 2 °C） and at 15 °C. The films used were 0.09 mm low density polyethylene （LDPE）, 0.04 mm polypropylene and 0.057 mm LDPE compared with unwrapped fruits as control. Barangan bananas were evaluated each 5 days intervals for changes in moisture content, total sugars, vitamin C, hardness and color. Unwrapped barangan bananas were overripe and soft after 15 days at both temperature conditions. Sealed packages especially using LDPE at 15 °C delayed the development of the yellow color of banana until 20 days of storage and had the lowest weight loss.

Effect of Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Postharvest Quality of Rambutan cv. Binjai

An experiment on retail film packaging system was conducted to compare the atmospheric composition within sealed packs containing rambutan fruits. This research was done in order to study the effect of packaging films with different permeability on the some of physicochemical properties of rambutan during storage at 10℃. The films used were 0.090 mm low density polyethylene （LDPE）, 0.040 mm polyprophylene and 0.057 mm LDPE compared unwrapped fruits. Fruits were evaluated every 5 days for changes in moisture content, total sugars, vitamin C, hardness and color. Unwrapped rambutan had severe browning after 10 days. Sealed packages especially the LDPE had delayed the development of the browning for 20 days of storage and had the lowest weight loss.

On Deciding Sustainable Distribution Center of a Supply Chain

A supply chain is a network that performs the procurement of raw material, the transportation of raw material to intermediate and end products, and the distribution of end products to retailers or customers. Installation and operation of distribution centers and all downstream members play a vital role in fulfilling the customers demand and have a great impact for supply chain management performance. In this paper we address a new approach for solving a supply chain optimization model to decide distribution centers based on environmental consideration.

The Current Status of Riparian Vegetation along Bank of Kelantan River after the Worst Flood for Decades

Undeniably Kelantan is one of the east coast states of Malaysia,which has faced yearly flooding catastrophe especially during north-east-monsoon season.The aims of this study are to record the land uses from upstream to downstream of Kelantan River basin,and to record the riparian vegetation that are resistance and susceptible to flood situations in affected areas along the bank of Kelantan River after December 2014 when the worst flood was recorded for decades.A serial of surveys were conducted at 9 sampling sites(S1 to S9)from the upstream to the downstream in the basin.The massive clearing in the forest in the basin particularly in the upper streams was a serious problem.Heavy loads of sedimentations greatly affected the hydrological system of Kelantan River.There were 64 plant species were recorded in this study.Most sampling sites were submerged and most of the riparian plants survived although the flood levels reached 10 m.On the other hand,some commercial tree species such as Elaeis guenensis,Lansium parasiticum and Nephelium lappaceum could not thrive in flooding conditions.It should be noted that the populations of noxious,such as Mimosa pigra and Piper aduncum had colonized most parts of riparian zones.Perhaps due to the disturbances of catchment and riparian vegetations,the river water regimes have been transformed.Therefore,the ecological assessments and socio-economic approaches were recommended in order to mitigate the flood situation.