Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant bioactive polyphenolic compound among the green tea constituents and has been identified as a potential anticancer agent in colorectal cancer (CRC) studies. This study was aimed to determine the mechanism of actions of EGCG when targeting the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathway in CRC. The MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay was performed on HT-29 cell line and normal cell line (3T3) to determine the EGCG toxicity. Next, western blot was done to observe the expression of the related proteins for the ER stress pathway. The Caspase 3/7 assay was performed to determine the apoptosis induced by EGCG. The results demonstrated that EGCG treatment was toxic to the HT-29 cell line. EGCG induced ER stress in HT-29 by upregulating immunoglobulin-binding (BiP), PKR-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha subunit (eIF2α), activating transcription 4 (ATF4), and inositol-requiring kinase 1 alpha (IRE1α). Apoptosis was induced in HT-29 cells after the EGCG treatment, as shown by the Caspase 3/7 activity. This study indicates that green tea EGCG has the potential to inhibit colorectal cancer cells through the induction of ER stress.

Mikania micrantha is commonly consumed as traditional medicine in some countries, including Malaysia. Little is known about the antioxidant properties and phytochemicals of M. micrantha. This study was aimed to investigate the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant capacities of the leaves and stems of M. micrantha of hot water, cold water, 70% ethanol, ethyl acetate, and hexane extracts. Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride colorimetric assays were used to determine the TPC and TFC, respectively. The antioxidant capacities were determined using rapid, inexpensive and small-scale microplate of five different antioxidant assays. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to chemically profile and characterize the phytochemicals. In comparison with different solvents, the ethyl acetate stems (EAS) and leaves (EAL) extracts of M. micrantha had the significantly greatest TPC (141 ± 0.51 mg gallic acid equivalent/g) and TFC (70.1 ± 0.92 catechin equivalent/g), respectively. Moreover, EAS extract had the significantly greatest antioxidant capacities using DPPH (EC50 = 324 ± 61.4 μg/mL), ABTS (0.53 ± 0.01 mmol trolox equivalent/g), FRAP (1.28 ± 0.05 mmol Fe 2+ /g), phosphomolybdenum antioxidative power (219 ± 7.03 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/g), and β-carotene bleaching (108 ± 2.23%) assays. GC-MS analysis of EAS showed the presence of sesquiterpenes (30.46%), phenol (16.38%), and alkane hydrocarbons (10.45%), which may contribute to its antioxidant capacities. These findings suggest the stems extract of M. micrantha using ethyl acetate as the potential source of natural antioxidant agents and its utilization to prevent oxidative damage-related diseases could be further explored.

Packaging of foods by using edible antimicrobial films (EAF) incorporated with essential oils is able to reduce the spoilage of food due to surface contamination. Essential oils are highly volatile and have strong aromas that can affect their function and consumer acceptance. This paper discussed the effect of cinnamon essential oil (CEO) concentrations on the antimicrobial activity and sensory acceptability of EAF produced from seaweed through a casting method. The CEO was added into the formulations at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 g/kg levels. The EAF showed antimicrobial activity against the tested microorganisms with the highest antimicrobial activity at the concentration of 40 g/kg CEO. However, based on the results obtained from a sensory evaluation using a 7-points hedonic scale, the overall acceptability was 3.23 which was lower than the minimum acceptability score of 4. Hence, the highest acceptable level of CEO in the EAF was 30 g/ kg. It is recommended that the CEO of 30 g/kg could be incorporated into edible film and act as an alternative method to extend the shelf life of packaged foods.

Mikania micrantha Kunth (Asteraceae) or locally known as "Selaput tunggul" is a perennial creeping vine that widely used by local practitioners for treatment or prevention of various diseases. In Malaysia, M. micrantha is consumed as a juice (by boiling in hot water) as an alternative to reduce cholesterol, high blood pressure, and glucose. Hyperlipidemia is defined as increased blood cholesterol, triglycerides or both, while hypertension is defined as persistent elevation of systolic (> 140 mmHg) and diastolic (> 80 mmHg) blood pressures [1]. A combination of different strategies is used to treat and manage hyperlipidemia and hypertension. One of them is through inhibition of the key enzymes responsible for hyperlipidemia and hypertension. Aim: To examine the potential of various extracts of the leaves and stems of M. micrantha to inhibit enzymes relevant to hyperlipidemia i.e., pancreatic lipase (PL), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarylcoenzyme A reductase (HMGR) and hypertension i.e., angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE).