Aims: The aim of the study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of Nauclea subdita (Korth) Steud against six pathogenic microorganisms. Methodology and results: Young and matured trees of N. subdita were cut and separated into bark and wood parts, respectively, prior to extraction process. Phytochemical screening tests, antimicrobial activity, minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were determined. Preliminary screening for phytochemical components showed that both young and matured tree had similar constituents. Extracts from matured tree showed more potency in terms of the zones of inhibition sizes than the young tree. Extract of N. subdita was more potent to both marine bacteria, Vibrio parahaemoliticus and V. alginolyticus, while Candida albican and Aspergillus niger were resistant to it. The sensitivity test showed that 500 µg/mL is the optimum concentration for extract of bottom sapwood of mature tree to act as bactericidal. Conclusion, significance and impact study: The results from this study suggest that N. subdita bark and wood extracts may serve as potential source of antimicrobial agents for future development in medicine applications.
Anti-Infective Agents

(T2DM) among the younger age groups is a growing concernworldwide. Thus, assessing the perception of risk andknowledge among those at risk may provide an opportunityfor early intervention, delay or even prevent the onset. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine theperceived risk of developing T2DM and its knowledgeamong the offspring of diabetic patients.Methods: A cross sectional study using a self-administeredquestionnaire was conducted among university studentswhose parents had type 2 diabetes to determine theirperceived risk and knowledge on T2DM. Results: A total of 336 university students participated inthis study and 56.5% of them correctly identified themselvesat risk of developing T2DM. About half of them (52.7%) hadhigher knowledge of T2DM. Male students appeared to havebetter risk perception (p=0.024) compared to females whilethose with mothers affected by T2DM appear to have higherknowledge regarding diabetes (p=0.007). Most of theirinformation regarding T2DM was obtained from the internet(87.5%) and other family members (77.9%).Conclusion: The students whose mothers had T2DM appearto have better knowledge and information regarding T2DMand this was mostly obtained from the internet and familymembers. Awareness regarding diabetes and healthylifestyles advice through primary patients may be beneficialfor their offspring.

Background: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a widely used anti-neoplastic and immunosuppressive agent that is associated with adverse side effects including reproductive toxicity. Aquilaria malaccensis (AM) is a traditional medicinal plant which was reported to exhibit high anti-oxidant and free radical scavenging properties. The present study was aimed to evaluate the protective effects of AM leaves extract on sperm quality following toxic exposure to CP. Methods: Forty-eight male Sprague Dawley rats were allocated into eight groups of six rats (n = 6): control, CP only (200 mg kg−1), AM only (100 mg kg−1, 300 mg kg−1 and 500 mg kg−1) and CP + AM (100 mg kg−1, 300 mg kg−1 and 500 mg kg−1). Animals were sacrificed after 63 days of treatment and the sperm from the caudal epididymis was taken for sperm analysis. Results: The body and the reproductive organs weight, sperm count and motility did not differ between CP and other groups (P > 0.05). A significant increase (P < 0.05) in percentage of the dead and abnormal sperm were seen in the CP alone treated group compared to the control group. Co-administration of AM to the CP exposed rats significantly reduced the (P < 0.05) percentage of abnormal sperm as compared to the CP only group. Conclusion: Overall, the present results represent the potential of AM to protect against CP induced reproductive toxicity.