In malaria infection, the Plasmodium parasites break down hemoglobin in the host's red blood cells into toxic free heme and amino acids. Plasmodium is also capable of converting free heme to non-toxic hemozoin through a polymerization process. Malaria infection, on the other hand, also triggers the formation of free radicals that affect the pathophysiology of malaria. Suruhan leaf (Peperomia pellucida (L.)Kunth) has long been used as an antimalarial and is known to contain large flavonoids that function as antioxidants. In this study, leaf extraction, inhibitory activity of heme polymerization assay, and antioxidant activity assay were performed. Organoleptically, leaf extract obtained in the form of dry blackish green coloured extractswith a bitter taste and the typical scent of suruhan leaves. The yield of the extract obtained was 18.28%, water content was 7.73%, drying shrinkage was 9.16%, and total ash content was 0.46%. The IC50 value of inhibition activity of heme polymerization of ethanol extract of the Suruhan leaves was 0.93 mg / mL, smaller compared to chloroquine(1.48 mg / mL)while the value of IC50. antioxidant activity of ethanol extract of leaf syrup was 32.94 mg / mL compared to Vitamin C of 4 mg/mL. In conclusion,ethanolic leaves extract of suruhan has inhibitory activity of heme polymerization and antioxidant activity so that it has potentiality as antimalarial drugs
The occurrence of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUD) in Indonesia has not been widely reported. However, the incidence of the disease has increased due to dietary cat patterns. The diet habitually consists of commercial dry food only, without wet food, such as meat. FLUD often affects certain breeds of cats. Surgical therapy is the first option to remove kidney stones; however, rural areas in Indonesia often lack animal surgical facilities. This condition requires alternative therapies to cure the disease. A one-year-old male Angora cat was brought to Rumah Satwa veterinary clinic in Tanah Datar, Indonesia, for examination, with a history of urination difficulties or dysuria, pain in the abdomen when being handled, and lack of desire to mate. A macroscopic examination of urine showed a cloudy and dense appearance. The ultrasound examination revealed a stone (struvite) and a thickening of the urinary bladder wall. The angora cat was diagnosed with obstructive FLUD caused by urolithiasis. A capsule containing 125 mg Keji Beling (Strobilanthes crispus, Bl) extract was administered to the cat once daily to aid the struvite stone dissolution. Keji Beling is a herbal plant easily found in Indonesia and used to treat human kidney stones. After 32 days of therapy, the clinical condition of the cat improved. The ultrasound examination did not find any stones left in the bladder. In conclusion, based on local wisdom, Keji Beling leaves can potentially be an alternative therapy for FLUD in Angora cats with certain conditions.
Background: Corynebacterium diphtheriae, C. ulcerans, and C. pseudotuberculosis are known as diphtheria-causing bacteria. Although diphtheria therapy is administered based on the clinical manifestations, some cases are mild and atypical. The immediate and accurate identification of diphtheria-causing bacteria is of paramount importance to prevent the spread of the disease and provide case management as early as possible. Unfortunately, conventional methods as the gold standard are time-consuming. Objectives: This study aimed to develop and implement a multiplex real-time PCR with the dtxR and tox genes as the target to identify three species of diphtheria-causing bacteria and screen their toxigenicity quickly and accurately. Methods: The research sample encompassed seven reference strains, one synthetic DNA, 30 archived isolates, and 924 clinical specimens isolated from 311 diphtheria cases and 613 close contacts. The conventional methods as the gold standard and the established PCR assay were used to verify the results of multiplex real-time PCR developed in this study. Results: The multiplex real-time PCR could identify seven reference strains, one synthetic DNA, and 30 archived isolates as accurately as the conventional methods and the established PCR. Similar to established PCR, the multiplex real-time PCR identified diphtheria-causing bacteria in 120 (38.6%) out of 311 and 12 (2%) out of 613 clinical specimens from diphtheria cases and close contacts, respectively. Meanwhile, the conventional methods identified diphtheria-causing bacteria in 79 (25.4%) out of 311 and three (0.5%) out of 613 clinical specimens. Conclusions: The multiplex real-time PCR developed in this study can be used to identify three species of diphtheria-causing bacteria and screen their toxigenicity quickly and accurately. However, in this study, nodiphtheria-causing bacteria other than C. diphtheriae was found in the clinical samples using the PCR or conventional methods. PCR is more sensitive than the conventional methods and can be used as an additional test in diphtheria laboratories.
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