Pusat Pengajian Sains Perubatan - Tesis

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    Screening of the anti-proliferative effects of baicalein and carbon nanodot combination on hela cancer cells
    (2025-01)
    Partheeban, Yugaashini
    This study identifies the anti-proliferative effects of a novel combination therapy using baicalein, a flavonoid, and carbon nanodots (CDs) on HeLa cervical cancer cells. Baicalein, known for its potent anti-cancer properties, has shown limitations in clinical applications due to low bioavailability. Carbon nanodots, with their excellent biocompatibility, solubility, and drug delivery potential, were used as a carrier to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of baicalein. The study evaluated the anti-proliferative effects of the baicalein-carbon nanodot (Bai-CDs) combination in comparison to standalone treatments of baicalein, CDs, and cisplatin on HeLa cells using the MTT assay. Results demonstrated that the combination therapy significantly inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner with the IC50 69.85 ± 4.145μg/ml and p-value less than 0.05. These findings highlight the potential of the Bai-CDs combination as a new therapeutic strategy for cervical cancer, providing enhanced bioavailability and targeted anti-cancer effects while minimizing adverse outcomes associated with conventional chemotherapy
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    Anticancer effects of apis cerana and heterotrigona itama honeys on temozolomide-resistant glioblastoma cells
    (2025-01)
    Hui, You Ying
    Glioblastoma is characterized by high aggressiveness and poor prognosis with median survival rate of less than 15 months. Due to the complexity of surgery to remove whole tumour and rapid development of chemoresistance towards temozolomide (TMZ), apitherapy using honey emerges as potential alternative treatment for glioblastoma due to its rich phenolic compounds with high antioxidant properties. However, the difference between Apis cerana honey and Heterotrigona itama honey for anti-glioblastoma effects has not been extensively studied. In this study, the phytochemical composition of A. cerana and H. itama honey were compared using phytochemical screening test and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. Their antioxidant capabilities were also compared using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Then, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of both honeys on TMZ-resistant glioblastoma cell line (DBTRG-05MG cells) were determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, while the analysis of cancer invasiveness and recurrence were determined through scratch assay and clonogenic assay respectively. After that, gene expressions between both honey-treated DBTRG-05MG cells were compared using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to elucidate their effects towards apoptosis (MDM2 gene), metastasis (WNT5A gene) and chemoresistance (YTHDF2 gene). The analysis revealed that A. cerana honey contained higher levels of alkaloid and saponin as compared to H. itama honey, which contributed to its higher antioxidant activity as evidenced via the DPPH assay. This data was also supported by its lower IC50 value (130.5 ± 33.1 mg/mL) than H. itama honey (185.8 ± 27.6 mg/mL) in 72-hour treatment on DBTRG-05MG cells. In contrast, H. itama honey contained higher levels of flavonoid than A. cerana honey. Both honeys shared similar functional groups as indicated in FTIR analysis. A. cerana honey exerted strong inhibitory effect towards invasiveness and migration of DBTRG-05MG cells with its lowest closure percentage up to 72 hours while H. itama honey exerted strong prophylactic effect towards recurrence of DBTRG-05MG cells with its lowest colony number formed. However, there was no significant difference in MDM2, WNT5A and YTHDF2 expressions between honey-treated DBTRG-05MG cells. These findings suggest that A. cerana honey could be more effective in killing TMZ-resistant glioblastoma cells while H. itama honey could be more effective in preventing glioblastoma recurrence. The anticancer effect of each phytochemical in both honeys should be further investigated in future for better elucidation towards apoptotic, metastasis and chemoresistance mechanisms
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    Evaluation of etlingera elatior flower aqueous extract (EEAE) as treatment of colon cancer in rat model (pilot study)
    (2025-01)
    Shuang, Wee Lu
    Colon cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum. Therefore, sometimes it is also known as colorectal cancer (CRC). It is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, even though there are available treatments for colon cancer, undesirable side effects often accompany it. Etlingera elatior, known as bunga kantan in Malaysia, is a traditional medicinal plant with high potential therapeutic effects with excellent antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammation, and anti-ageing properties. However, limited scientific research has been conducted on its antitumour effects against colon cancer. Therefore, this study investigates the in vivo antitumour effects of E. elatior flower aqueous extract (EEAE). EEAE is extracted using the sonication method. Toxicological assessment was performed using the brine shrimp lethality assay (BSLA) with a series of concentrations including concentrations of 10 mg/ml, 1 mg/ml, 3 mg/ml, 300 μg/ml, 100 μg/ml, 30 μg/ml, and 10 μg/ml. The LC50 of EEAE determined after the 24-hour incubation period was 2286 ppm (μg/ml), classifying EEAE as non-toxic based on Meyer and Clarkson toxicity standards. The antitumour efficacy of EEAE was further evaluated in an Azoxymethane-induced colon cancer model using male Sprague-Dawley rats. Histological analysis with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and Masson-Trichrome (MT) staining demonstrated substantial improvements in colon morphology upon treatment with EEAE. These findings suggest that EEAE is a promising natural product with antitumour properties against colon cancer, with no observed toxicity in vivo. Further research is warranted to explore its therapeutic potential and underlying mechanisms
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    The effect of 660nm light-emitting diode irradiation on human gingival fibroblast cell proliferation
    (2025-01)
    JiaQi, Wang
    Light therapy has become a common treatment modality in various medical fields, including dermatology, dentistry, and cosmetics. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of 660 nm ligh-emitting diode on the proliferation and viability of human gingival fibroblasts in vitro. The cells were irradiated with 660nm light-emitting diode for 60 and 120 seconds 24-hours post-seeding. After 24- and 48-hours irradiation, cell count, and viability were determined. The results then were analysed using a one-way ANOVA test (p < 0.05). The findings revealed a significant increase in cell proliferation rate and viability in the irradiated groups compared to the control group, with the 120 seconds irradiation group showing the highest enhancement at both time points. These results suggest that 660 nm LED light can effectively promote the proliferation and viability of human gingival fibroblasts, highlighting its potential as a valuable tool in regenerative dentistry and periodontal therapy
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    The evaluation of etlingera elatior flower (bunga kantan) aqueous extract (EEAE) effects on cognitive impairment improvement in diabetic rats (pilot study)
    (2025-01)
    Zeny, Toh
    Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health concern that affects individuals across all countries, sexes, and age groups. It increases the risk of developing multi-organ complications, including cognitive impairment, which is often linked to hyperglycaemia, oxidative stress, insulin resistance, neurovascular dysfunction, and neuroinflammation. Although the pharmaceutical antidiabetic drugs are effective in controlling blood glucose levels, they are often associated with various side effects. Hence, the trend of using medicinal plants that contain bioactive compounds to improve diabetes-induced cognitive impairment is increasing due to their minimal side effects and cost-effectiveness. This pilot study aims to evaluate the effects of Etlingera elatior flower aqueous extract (EEAE) on improving cognitive impairment in diabetic rats. Nine Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly separated into three groups (n=3/group): (1) normal control group, (2) diabetic control group, and (3) diabetic treatment group receiving 1000 mg/kg EEAE orally for 6 weeks. The DPPH assay was used to measure the antioxidant activity of EEAE, which showed that EEAE exhibited moderate antioxidant potential. Furthermore, EEAE treatment showed slight improvements in fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels and body mass index (BMI) compared to the diabetic control group. Additionally, it improved all parameters related to spatial learning and memory in the Morris Water Maze (MWM) test Histological examination of brain tissue using haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining revealed reduced neuronal degeneration with fewer microglia in the EEAE-treated group. These findings suggest that the antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects could be due to the anthocyanins, a bioactive compound in EEAE. Therefore, it can potentially be developed as a natural therapeutic product in improving diabetes-induced cognitive impairment