Unveiling antioxidant capacity of standardized chitosan-tripolyphosphate microcapsules containing polyphenol-rich extract of Portulaca oleraceae.

The medicinal plant Portulaca oleraceae has a long history of usage in traditional medicine. Plant extracts have several interesting pharmacological effects but have some drawbacks that can be addressed via capsulation with chitosan. This work set out to do just that tally up the antioxidant effects of a polyphenol-rich P. olerace extract and see how capsulation affected them. The reflux extraction and response surface methodology (RSM) were carried out to optimize the phenolic and flavonoid content of P. oleraceae extract. Additionally, high-resolution mass spectrometry was employed to determine the secondary metabolite present in the extract. The microcapsules of extract-loaded chitosan were prepared using the ionic gelation method and characterized in terms of size, encapsulation efficiency (EE), and morphology of microcapsules. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) was used to observe the successful production of microcapsules with a principal component analysis (PCA) approach. The antioxidant activity of microcapsules was established using the radical scavenging method. According to RSM, the highest amounts of TPC and TFC were obtained at 72.894 % ethanol, 2.031 h, and 57.384 °C. The compounds were employed from the optimized extract of P. oleraceae including phenolics and flavonoids. The microcapsules were secured with a %EE of 43.56 ± 2.31 %. The characteristics of microcapsules were approved for the obtained product's successful synthesis according to the PCA. The microcapsules have antioxidant activity in a concentration-dependent manner (p < 0.0001). The findings of this study underscored the benefits of employing chitosan as a nanocarrier for extract, offering a promising approach to enhance plant-derived therapies.

Phytochemical Analysis by FTIR of Zanthoxylum Acanthopodium, DC Fruit Ethanol Extract, N-hexan, Ethyl Acetate and Water Fraction.

Background: Andaliman fruit is used as spice in Batak cuisine, North Sumatera, Indonesia. The potency of andaliman fruit extract as herbal medicine is widely studied. Many studies elaborate the benefits of andaliman fruit extract as an antioxidant, antibacterial or anticancer. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the phytochemical compounds of andaliman fruit extract and its fractions. Methods: The andaliman fruit was originated from Balige city, Tobasa Regency, North Sumatera. The extract was made by maceration within ethanol and followed by fractionation with n-hexan, ethyl acetate and water. The phytochemical screening by chemical reactions, thin layer chromatography, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer were performed. Results: This study found andaliman fruit ethanol extract consists of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, triterpens, and steroids. The n-hexan fraction consists of triterpens and steroids, ethyl acetate fraction consists of flavonoids and glycosides, and water fraction consists of alkaloid, flavonoid, and glycosides. Andaliman fruit ethanol extract had eight color spots, n-hexan and ethyl acetate fraction had five color spots and water fraction had two color spots. Andaliman fruit ethanol extract had functional group of C-H alkanes, =C-H alkenes (aliphatic), O-H, C=C alkenes, C=C aromatics, C≡C alkynes, C-O, C=O, and NO2. The n-hexan fraction had C-H alkanes, =C-H alkenes (aliphatic), O-H, C=C alkenes, C-O, C=O, and NO2. The ethyl acetate fraction had C-H alkanes, =C-H alkenes (aliphatic), O-H, C=C alkenes, C=C aromatics, C-O, C=O, and NO2. The water fraction had C-H alkanes, =C-H alkenes (aliphatic), O-H, C=C aromatics, C≡C alkynes, and C-O. Conclusion: Phytochemical screening found that andaliman fruit ethanol extract, n-hexan, ethyl acetate and water fraction positive of phytochemical compounds. The FTIR of andaliman fruit ethanol extract, n-hexan fraction, ethyl acetate fraction, and water fraction showed the absorbance of C-H alkanes, O-H, C-O, and C=C alkenes indicating the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, and triterpenoid saponin.

Natural Antioxidant Activities of Plants in Preventing Cataractogenesis.

A cataract is a condition that causes 17 million people to experience blindness and is the most significant cause of vision loss, around 47.9%. The formation of cataracts is linked to both the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the reduction of endogenous antioxidants. ROS are highly reactive molecules produced by oxygen. Examples of ROS include peroxides, super-oxides, and hydroxyl radicals. ROS are produced in cellular responses to xenobiotics and bacterial invasion and during mitochondrial oxidative metabolism. Excessive ROS can trigger oxidative stress that initiates the progression of eye lens opacities. ROS and other free radicals are highly reactive molecules because their outer orbitals have one or more unpaired electrons and can be neutralized by electron-donating compounds, such as antioxidants. Examples of natural antioxidant compounds are vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene. Numerous studies have demonstrated that plants contain numerous antioxidant compounds that can be used as cataract preventatives or inhibitors. Natural antioxidant extracts for cataract therapy may be investigated further in light of these findings, which show that consuming a sufficient amount of antioxidant-rich plants is an excellent approach to cataract prevention. Several other natural compounds also prevent cataracts by inhibiting aldose reductase and preventing apoptosis of the eye lens.

Effects of Binahong (Anredera cordifolia (Tenore) Steenis) Extracts on the Levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA) in Cataract Goat Lenses.

Cataracts are one of the most causes of blindness in the world. Oxidative stress can form pathological conditions such as cataracts. This oxidative stress ability can be measured by the malondialdehyde (MDA) biomarker. Binahong leaves (Anredera cordifolia (Tenore) Steenis) are native plants from Indonesia that are used to treat various diseases including cataract treatment. Binahong leaf (Anredera cordifolia (Tenore) Steenis) has a high amount of flavonoids and is rich in antioxidants that can be used to treat cataracts. Objective. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of binahong leaf extract on the levels of MDA in a goat lens with cataract-induced material. Method. As many as possible, 40 goat eye lenses were divided into several groups, namely, group I normal lenses as controls (glucose 5.5 mM), group II lenses were cataract induced with glucose concentration of 55 mM, group III lenses with glucose 55 mM + binahong leaf extract (100 µg/ml), group IV lens with glucose 55 mM + binahong leaf extract (200 µg/ml), and group V lens with glucose 55 mM + quercetin (positive control). Biochemical parameters measured in the lens homogenate are malondialdehyde lens morphology in all groups' observations and comparisons made. Results. The results of the study found that the lens group with the addition of binahong extract showed more results transparency compared to lens groups induced by glucose concentrations of 55 mM). This shows that the diabetic cataract group experienced high oxidative stress due to the accumulation of sorbitol compounds derived from glucose which caused turbidity in the goat eye lens and increased levels of lens MDA. Binahong levels at concentrations of 100 or 200 can inhibit MDA production. Conclusion. Binahong (Anredera cordifolia (Tenore) Steenis) extract has the ability to inhibit the production of MDA levels. In glucose-induced goat lenses, binahong extract and quercetin show antioxidant and anticataract properties.

Antibacterial activity of betle leaf (Piper betle l.) extract on inhibiting Staphylococcus aureus in conjunctivitis patient.

The aim of this study is to determine the antibacterial activity of Piper betle L. leaf extract on inhibiting Staphylococcus aureus in conjunctivitis patient. This study follows a post-test only group experimental design. Antibacterial activities of five Piper betle L. extract concentrations (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, and 3%) against Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated by agar well diffusion method. The negative control group (P-) was treated with standard 10% DMSO solution, the positive control group (P+) with ceftriaxone. The diameters of clear zone surrounding the well were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis test and showed that in between 1% and 1.5%; 1.5% and 2%; 2% and 2.5%; 2.5% and 3% concentrations do not show a significant difference but in between 0.5% and 1%; 0.5% and 1.5%; 0.5% and 2%; 0.5% and 2.5%; 0.5% and 3%; 1% and 2%; 1% and 2.5%; 1% and 3%; 1.5% and 2.5%; 1.5% and 3%; 2% and 3% concentrations, Piper betle L. leaf extract shows a significant difference on inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. In conclusion the results obtained show that that Piper betle L. leaf extract has a significant potential use as an antibacterial agent.

Massive orbital myiasis arising from nasal myiasis in an Indonesian patient with diabetes.

PURPOSE: Orbital myiasis is a rare condition. We report a case of massive orbital myiasis (ophthalmomyiasis profunda) arising from nasal myiasis and caused by Chrysomya bezziana in a patient with diabetes. OBSERVATIONS: A 55-year-old woman presented with massive orbital myiasis from larvae invading the entire orbit, with only a small part of sclera and bulbar conjunctiva left of the ocular structures left unaffected. The patient complained of breathing difficulty and drooping of the left eyelid with no other significant complaints. Computed tomography of paranasal sinuses was performed to determine the extent of intraocular invasion of larvae and the surrounding area that might be involved. The larvae filled the nasal and orbital cavity with bony destruction. The patient had a history of diabetes mellitus with uncontrolled blood sugar. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: Orbital myiasis is an infestation of any anatomical structure of the orbit with larvae from the order Diptera. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of massive orbital myiasis arising from nasal myiasis caused by C. bezziana in a patient with diabetes. Eliminating the causative larvae and topical treatment with antibiotics eye ointment therapy improved the patient's symptoms. Epidemiological data are required to improve documentation of the incidence rate of myiasis.

Association between Frequency of Prosthesis Cleaning and the Discharge Characteristics and the Tear Film in Subjects with Anophthalmic Socket after Eviceration with Dermis Fat Graft.

AIM: To analyze the associations between frequency of prosthesis cleaning with the discharge characteristics and the tear film in subjects with anophthalmic socket post evisceration with dermis fat graft. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study is an analytic observational with cross sectional design study with control. The subjects of the study were unilateral acquired anophthalmic socket after evisceration with dermis fat graft at University of Sumatera Utara General Hospital which amounts to 30 subjects or 60 eyes (30 unilateral anophthalmic sockets, 30 contralateral eyes). Data was obtained from April 2018 to May 2018. RESULT: There is significant association between frequency of prosthesis cleaning and the frequency of discharge (P = 0.001) and tear film quantity (P = 0.024). There is also significant association between the tear film quantity and the frequency of discharge (P = 0.024). CONCLUSION: There was a significant association between frequency of prosthesis cleaning with the frequency of discharge and the tear film in subjects with Acquired Unilateral anophthalmic socket post-evisceration with dermis fat graft.

Epidemiological Characteristics of Work-Related Ocular Trauma among the Carpenters in Medan, Indonesia.

BACKGROUND: Medan is the capital of North Sumatera Province and the most industrialised area of North Sumatera. One of the largest industries in Medan is the wooden industry. Ocular trauma is often happened in Medan and causes a serious problem. AIM: This study aimed to analyse the correlation between ocular trauma among the carpenters and the using of eye protection during work and educational level. METHODS: This study is conducted among the carpenters that work in the wooden industry. There were 30 carpenters that being observed about age, educational level and working hours and the using of eye protection during work that might be related to ocular trauma. All carpenters completed a comprehensive examination and interview. RESULTS: The most common age range of ocular trauma was between 26-45 years (56.7%), and all were male. Most of the traumatised carpenters educational level had a higher educational level (50%), and workers that had traumatised works more than 8 hours a day (66.7%). From this study, there was a significant correlation between ocular trauma among the carpenters and age (p = 0.047), and working hours (p = 0.039). CONCLUSION: No significant correlation between ocular trauma among the carpenters and the using of eye protection during work (p = 0.464), and educational level (0.925) was found. Furthermore to anticipate the high rate of worked-related ocular trauma required labour regulations that cover the age of recruitment workers and working hours a day. Work safety regulation protects the workers from work-related ocular trauma.

The Correlation between Daily Lens Wear Duration and Dry Eye Syndrome.

AIM: To analyze the correlation between the daily lens wear duration and dry eye syndrome. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study was an analytic cross sectional study using consecutive sampling conducted among the students in Economy and Bussiness Faculty and Faculty of Humanities in University of Sumatera Utara aged between 17 to 23 that wore contact lens continously for at least a year and 5 days a week. The symptoms were assessed using Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire-8 (CLDEQ-8) and interview about their contact lens comfort; eye drops usage, contact lens washing habit, daily circumstances, places to buy contact lens and personal experince in wearing contact lens. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 53 students. All of them were female and wore softlens wearers. The mean duration of daily wear was 8.19 ± 2.20 hours. The most common symptom experienced was dry eye and the least symptom experienced was removing lens. The most frequent symptom experienced was closing eyes and the least frequent symptom experienced was removing lenses. This study used Exact Test as analysis statistic method. The result was p > 0.05 which means there is no correlation between daily lens wear duration and dry eye syndrome. CONCLUSION: This study showed that dry eye syndrome was not correlated with daily lens wear duration, but affected by many factors such as contact lens, lens care solution, eye drops usage and environment.