Pusat Pengajian Sains Kesihatan - Monograf
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- PublicationEffects of piper sarmentosum on human foetal osteoblast cells (hFOB 1.19) viability and morphology(2025)Abdelhameed, Khald Abdelsalam AliOsteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder characterised by low bone mass and deteriorated bone microarchitecture, resulting in an increased susceptibility to fracture. The viability and activity of osteoblasts are central to the bone-forming and remodelling processes, which render them an attractive target for therapy. Piper sarmentosum (PS), a medicinal plant commonly used in Southeast Asia, has been shown to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective effects, but its effects on osteoblast cells are largely unknown. This study aimed to determine the effects of PS extract on viability, proliferation, and morphology in human foetal osteoblast cells (hFOB 1.19) and to study its cytotoxic effect. The half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of PS extract was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT assay). Proliferation and morphological appearance utilising the half maximal effective concentration (EC50) treatment were determined by Trypan Blue Exclusion Assay and characterised on a phase contrast inverted microscope. General toxicity was also evaluated using the Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT). The data showed that the PS extract at an EC50 of 1.062 mg/mL promoted osteoblast cell proliferation in vitro in comparison to the PAM EC50 of 12.80 μg/mL. The morphological examination disclosed preservation of the cell architecture and absence of apoptotic or necrotic changes. Additionally, the BSLT showed a 50% fatality rate at EC50, indicating that the extract was hazardous at its EC50 for Artemia salina. In summary, the PS extract demonstrated biological activity in hFOB 1.19 cells. These findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the safety and potential application of PS in bone health and warrant further investigation into its molecular mechanisms and therapeutic implications.
- PublicationThe association between sleep quality, body mass index (BMI), and night eating syndrome (NES) among undergraduate students in Universiti Sains Malaysia(2026)Salim, Nur Alia MaisarahThis study aimed to determine the prevalence of Night Eating Syndrome (NES) and examine its association with sleep quality and Body Mass Index (BMI) among undergraduate students at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). A cross-sectional study was conducted among 196 undergraduate students from the School of Health Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, and School of Dental Sciences at the USM Health Campus, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire comprising sociodemographic information, the Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and selfreported weight and height for BMI calculation. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data, while Chi-square and Fisher's Exact tests were used to determine associations between variables. The prevalence of NES among respondents was 13.3%, while 63.8% of students reported poor sleep quality. Most respondents had normal BMI. A significant association was found between NES and sleep quality, with students who had NES being more likely to experience poor sleep quality (χ² = 13.603, p < 0.001). However, no significant association was observed between NES and BMI categories (Fisher's Exact Test, p = 0.313). In conclusion, NES was significantly associated with sleep quality but not with BMI categories among undergraduate students in this study. These findings highlight the importance of early screening for NES and the promotion of healthy sleep habits among university students. The findings may also assist university health services in developing targeted interventions to improve students' eating behaviours and sleep quality.
- PublicationUltra-processed food consumption and its relationship with mental health status among undergraduate students in health campus Universiti Sains Malaysia(2026-06)Rakbi, Nik Nurina AzzahUltra-processed food (UPF) consumption has increased among university students due to its convenience, affordability, and accessibility. At the same time, mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and stress have become more common in young adults. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to determine the association between UPF consumption and mental health status among undergraduate students in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Health Campus. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 136 undergraduate students aged 19-27 years. Data were obtained through a socio-demographic questionnaire, a 3-day 24-hour dietary recall and the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales (DASS-21). Nutritionist Pro software was used to analyse nutrient intake from UPFs, and mental health status was assessed based on DASS-21 scores. Spearman's correlation test was used to determine the relationship between UPF consumption and mental health status. The median (IQR) total energy intake from UPFs was 732.72 kcal (Q1 = 480.40 kcal, Q3 = 991.91 kcal). Most respondents had normal levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Significant positive correlations were observed between depression scores and carbohydrate intake (r=0.174, p=0.043) and fibre intake (r=0.282, p < 0.001) from UPFs. Anxiety scores were positively correlated with energy intake (r=0.266, p=0.002), carbohydrate intake (r=0.285, p<0.001), protein intake (r=0.231, p=0.007), fat intake (r=0.241, p=0.005), saturated fat intake (r=0.175, p=0.043), dietary fibre intake (r=0.249, p=0.004), and iron intake (r=0.185, p=0.032) from UPFs. In addition, fibre intake from UPFs was significantly associated with stress scores (r=0.239, p=0.005). However, all significant correlations were weak in strength. These findings demonstrate the need to encourage healthier eating habits and awareness of the potential impact of UPF consumption on the mental health of university students.
- PublicationComparative effects of apis cerana and heterotrigona itama honeys on sensitizing mcf-7 breast cancer cells to doxorubicin(2026-01)Xuan, Kam BaoBreast cancer marked the highest morbidity and mortality rate in females worldwide, including Malaysia. Doxorubicin is an anthracycline commonly used in breast cancer chemotherapy. However, its effectiveness often limited by chemoresistance and adverse effects. Honey, a natural product consisting various phytochemicals with multiple bioactive properties, has the potential as a chemosensitizing agent. This study aimed to determine the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of Apis cerana (honey bee) honey, Heterotrigona itama (stingless bee) honey and Doxorubicin on MCF-7 breast cancer cells, to identify the combination index (CI) of combination treatments of A. cerana honey with Doxorubicin (AC + Doxo), and H. itama honey with Doxorubicin (HI + Doxo), as well as to compare the sensitizing effect of both combined treatments in metastasis inhibition on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Honey quality and phytochemical tests were performed to determine the quality of honey and detect the major compounds. The IC50 value of single treatment and CI of combined treatments on MCF-7 breast cancer cells were identified using MTT assay. The sensitizing effects in anti-metastasis of AC + Doxo and HI + Doxo were compared using migration assay. The quality of both honeys is within the acceptable range. Both honeys consist of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and saponins, but absence of tannins. Both honeys showed dose-dependent reduction in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, where A. cerana honey (22.98 ± 5.6 mg/mL at 24 hours, 11.78 ± 3.4 mg/mL at 48 hours and 6.92 ± 2.0 mg/mL at 72 hours) has a lower IC50 value than H. itama honey (55.07 ± 23.0 mg/mL at 24 hours, 52.42 ± 11.2 mg/mL at 48 hours and 30.32 ± 5.0 mg/mL at 72 hours). Doxorubicin (0.7562 ± 0.1 μg/mL at 24 hours, 1.066 ± 0.4 μg/mL at 48 hours and 1.098 ± 0.5 μg/mL at 72 hours) has a lower IC50 value than both honeys. A. cerana and H. itama honeys showed synergistic effects on MCF-7 breast cancer cells when combined with Doxorubicin, depending on the concentration of honey. In migration assay, treated MCF-7 breast cancer cells demonstrated slower wound closure compared to the non-treated group. HI + Doxo showed significantly stronger migration inhibitory effect on MCF-7 breast cancer cells than that of AC + Doxo and single treatments. These findings suggested both honeys enhance sensitivity of MCF-7 breast cancer cells to Doxorubicin. A. cerana honey showed stronger cytotoxicity effects than H. itama honey on MCF-7 breast cancer cells, while H. itama honey has greater anti-metastasis synergistic effects on MCF-7 breast cancer cells.
- PublicationComparison of plasmid dna yield and purity among column-based extraction of different membrane setups(2026-01)Helmee, HazeemPlasmids, characterized as circular, double-stranded DNA molecules are used for many molecular biology protocols that require high fidelity of DNA integrity. Silica or glass fibre spin columns form the most common method for the purification of plasmids, in terms of speed and reproducibility. However, the expense incurred by commercial kits may limit their use in high throughput applications or in an educational context. Considering that membrane properties affect flow dynamics, clogging tendency and DNA recovery efficiency, systematic control of pore size or column stacking configuration may provide significant variations in plasmid yield and purity. Exploring alternative glass-fibre membrane configurations may offer a more flexible and cost-effective option while still producing DNA suitable for downstream work. This study aimed to compare plasmid DNA yield and purity obtained using self-assembled glass-fibre membrane spin columns with different membrane configurations and to evaluate how consistently each configuration performs when bacterial cell input is reduced. Recombinant E. coli DH10B carrying the pET-14b-EhCL plasmid was revived and mass-cultured to generate cell pellets. Plasmid DNA was purified using columns assembled with different glass-fibre membrane setups (80/22 μm, 80/45 μm, and 80/45/22 μm), with an 80/80 μm configuration used as the control reference. DNA concentration and purity were assessed by spectrophotometry using A260/A280 and A260/A230 ratios. Differences in yield and purity among configurations were analysed using one-way ANOVA (P < 0.05). To examine performance across varying input, serial dilutions (2X to 0.125X) were tested and evaluated using linear regression (R²) to describe each setup’s dynamic profile range. Plasmid yield differed across membrane configurations. The 80/80 μm setup produced the highest yield and was significantly higher than 80/45 μm and 80/45/22 μm. The 80/45/22 μm configuration also outperformed 80/45 μm, while 80/22 μm yielded higher than 80/45 μm. For A260/A280, all configurations were within or close to the expected DNA purity range and did not differ significantly. In contrast, A260/A230 showed significant differences involving the 80/22 μm setup compared with 80/45 μm and 80/45/22 μm. Across serial dilutions, the most stable linear yield trend was observed for 80/45/22 μm (R² = 0.924), followed by 80/80 (R² = 0.8556), 80/22 (R² = 0.7823), and 80/45 μm (R² = 0.6871). Overall, glass-fibre configuration influenced plasmid DNA yield and affected A260/A230 purity more noticeably than A260/A280. The 80/80 μm setup delivered the strongest yield, while the 80/45/22 μm arrangement showed the most consistent yield scaling across different input levels. These findings suggest membrane stacking can be tailored depending on whether maximum yield or more predictable performance across variable samples is the priority.