1.A Scoping Review of the Prevalence of Fascioliasis in Malaysia and Risk Factors for Infection
Mohamad Ahmad Najib ; Noor Jamil Noor Izani ; Wan Abdul Wahab Wan Nor Amilah ; Arizam Muhamad Faez ; Zainuddin Shafizol
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2020;27(1):22-36
This review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of ruminant and human
fascioliasis in Malaysia and to identify research gaps in knowledge of the prevalence of fascioliasis
in Malaysia and risk factors for the disease using available evidence-based data. We conducted a
scoping review based on the framework of Arksey and O’Malley. The preferred reporting items for
systematic reviews and meta-analyses were used to guide the review process. The citation search
was performed between May and September 2018. Using specific keywords, literature published
between 1998 to September 2018 was retrieved from electronic databases. Six articles related to
fascioliasis in Malaysia were included in the final review from 1,932 screened articles and reports.
Five studies focused on ruminants, including cattle, buffaloes, sheep and goats in the states of
Terengganu and Perak. The most frequent ruminant fascioliasis outbreaks involved cattle and
goats, with a prevalence of 82%–95% and these outbreaks occurred in Terengganu. Only one study
examined the risk of fascioliasis in cattle. In the study, the age and sex of the cattle were important
risk-related parameters. The search returned only one documented report of a suspected case
of human fascioliasis with an atypical clinical presentation. At present, human fascioliasis in
Malaysia remains under-reported and its prevalence remains unknown. The data summarised in
this review based on existing evidence identifies research gaps on fascioliasis in ruminants and
humans.
2.Antimicrobial effects of Quercus infectoria gall extract on the cell morphology of Streptococcus agalactiae, Proteus vulgaris and Candida albicans
Wan Nor Amilah binti Wan Abd Wahab ; Norhaswani binti Abd Rahman ; Mohammad Lukman bin Yahaya ; Nur Saeida binti Baharuddin ; Noor Izani bin Noor Jamil
Malaysian Journal of Microbiology 2017;13(1):13-19
Aims: Quercus infectoria (QI) gall extract is known to have broad spectrum anti-microbial activity in vitro. However, its
mechanism of microbial growth inhibition is not well understood. The objectives of this study were to determine the
antimicrobial effect of methanolic QI gall extract on bacteria and yeast and changes to their cell morphology.
Methodology and results: The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of methanolic QI gall extract against
Streptococcus agalactiae (ATCC 13813), Proteus vulgaris (ATCC 49312) and Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) were
determined using two fold serial microdilution technique at concentrations ranging from 0.01 mg/mL to 5.00 mg/mL (for
bacteria) and 0.02 mg/mL to 12.00 mg/mL (for yeast). Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum
fungicidal concentration (MFC) were determined by subculturing the broth from the microtitre wells which showed no
apparent growth or turbidity onto the nutrient agar plates. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to analyze
the morphology of bacteria and yeast cells treated with 1× MIC and 4× MIC of the extract. Substantial antimicrobial
activity was observed against ATCC strains of S. agalactiae, P. vulgaris and C. albicans in this study. The MBC/MFC to
MIC ratio (≤4) indicated the methanolic QI gall extract was bactericidal and fungicidal against all the tested strains.
Changes to the cell morphology were more obvious at higher extract concentration (4× MIC).
Conclusion, significance and impact of study: This study showed that QI gall extract has antimicrobial effects on the
bacterial and yeast cell morphology and thus, provides scientific information suggesting its possible antimicrobial
mechanisms on the cell wall and membrane integrity.
3. Proapoptotic activities of Oroxylum indicum leave extract in HeLa cells
Nurul Hidayah WAHAB ; Nur Afina Mohd DIN ; Yee Ying LIM ; Noor Izani Noor JAMIL ; Nor Fazila Che MAT
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 2019;9(8):339-345
Objective: To examine the proapoptotic properties of Oroxylum indicum methanol extract on cervical cancer cells. Methods: Methylene blue assay was used to determine the IC