The integration of human knowledge between the medical and health care sciences with revealedknowledge was established since the era of Al-Razi (Rhazes), Ibn Sina (Avicenna), Ibn Rushd (Averroes), Al-Zahrawi (Albucasis) and others. However, the glorious period of Islamic medicine gradually declined afterthe period of 'Abbasiyyah and 'Uthmaniyyah. At present, many scholars tend to separate the modernmedicine and the revealed knowledge, resulting in the disconnection between these two fields. There islittle to suggest the presence of reference collections that integrate the Qur’an and Hadith with medicine.This review aimed to fill that gap. Relevant Qur’anic verses and authentic Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad(peace be upon him; henceforth PBUH) in relation to a specific field in medicine i.e. the anatomy of humanmusculoskeletal system was extracted. The musculoskeletal system is unique in which it forms the‘backbone’ of normal human posture. The system plays a vital role in maintaining human daily activities.From this review, it is noted that many Qur’anic verses and Hadith relate to the musculoskeletal system. Afew examples include the number human joints and its relationship with the daily prayers (Salah), the dailycharitable act recommended to all Muslim, the coccyx bone that is indestructible and shall be the source forhuman resurrection during the hereafter, and others. These examples necessitate for a more in-depthanalysis to enlighten the revealed knowledge from the medical perspective.

Introduction: Hypercholesterolemia has been proven as a main pathogenic trigger for pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis characterised by chronic inflammatory process and increased expression of inflammatory markers. In this study; Trihoney (a combination of three types of natural honey namely: Trigona, mellifera, and Dorsata) was investigated for its anti-inflammatory effect in hypercholesterolemic atherosclerotic rabbits. Methods: Thirty male New Zealand white rabbits (NZW) were grouped into: normal diet (C), normal diet with 0.6g/kg/day of Trihoney (C+H), 1% cholesterol diet (HCD), 1% cholesterol diet with 0.6g/kg/day of Trihoney (HCD+H), and 1% cholesterol diet with 2mg/kg/day of atorvastatin (HCD+At.). After 12 weeks of starting the experiment, animals were sacrificed and serum analysed for homocysteine and pro-atherogenic inflammatory markers such as: interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Fasting serum glucose was analysed to assess glycaemic status. Results: Trihoney treated group showed significantly lower (p<0.05) serum IL-1β and IL-6 compared to the HCD group. Trihoney supplementation resulted in significant (p<0.001) reduction of serum TNF-α compared to HCD group. Experimental group HCD had serum homocysteine level comparable to that of the control groups without any significant difference despite little increase in the mean value. Trihoney treated group had serum homocysteine comparable to the controls. All experimental groups showed fasting serum glucose comparable to the control. Conclusion: This study showed that Trihoney has an anti-inflammatory function and may be used as an adjuvant to statins for management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases even in diabetic subjects.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of naturally derived phenylpropanoids from Alpinia conchigera (A. conchigera) Griff. and its synthetic analogues, as well as interactions between selected compounds with first-line tuberculosis (TB) drug, rifampicin, against Mycobacterium smegmatis, a potential opportunistic nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) and a surrogate organism for TB. Methodology and results: Twelve phenylpropanoids of A. conchigera were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against M. smegmatis (ATCC 14468). The phenylpropanoid compound from A. conchigera with the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration and bactericidal (MIC, MBC) values were selected for checkerboard tetrazolium microplate assay (TEMA) with rifampicin to determine drug interactions. A majority of the compounds had antimicrobial activity, however, purified natural compound 1'S-1'-acetoxychavicol acetate (ACA) showed the highest antimicrobial activity with an MIC value of 62.5 µg/mL against M. smegmatis. The combination of ACA and rifampicin produced indifferent interaction with fractional inhibition concentration (FIC) index of 1.5, while the combination of rifampicin and ACA synthetic analogue 4-allyl-2,6- methoxyphenyl isobutyrate produced a synergistic interaction effect with FIC index of 0.5. None of the compounds tested were bactericidal but appear to be bacteriostatic. Conclusion, significance and impact of study This study presents the first report on the antimicrobial potential of natural A. conchigera-derived ACA against M. smegmatis as well as the synergistic interaction of 4-allyl-2,6- methoxyphenyl isobutyrate with rifampicin which warrants further investigation.
Anti-Infective Agents ; Alpinia ; Mycobacterium smegmatis

Introduction: Fall is a health problem for older persons. This study investigates the potential factors of concern: the nutritional status of older persons and non-communicable disease association with incidence of falls. Methods: This study used data from NHMS 2018, and conducted a cross-sectional design by applying two-stage stratified cluster sampling. Descriptive statistics such as the percentage of each variable were done. Factors associated with falls were determined at both univariate and multivariable levels using simple logistic regression and multiple logistic regression. The data were presented as standard values for each analysis and adjusted odds ratios with 95% CI with p values (<0.05). Results: A total of 3,867 from 3,977 elderly (mean age 68.2+ 6.85) were recruited with the response rate of 97.2%. Factors associated with fall were 70 years old and above (AOR= 1.34, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.64), obesity (AOR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.21, 1.98), undernutrition (AOR=1.59, 95% CI: 1.30, 1.94), persons with 2 NCDs (AOR=1.49, 95% CI: 1.15, 1.92) and persons with 3 NCDs (AOR=1.63, 95% CI: 1.23, 2.16). Conclusions Advanced age, malnutrition, obesity, and having two or more NCDs are associated with falls in the NHMS 2018 study. In conclusion, falls are prevalent among older persons. There is an urgent need for public health strategies and programmes to decrease the incidence of modifiable risk factors and early identification of those at risk. Implementation of fall preventive programs which includes multifactorial interventions at hospitals and homes can also significantly reduce incidence of falls among older persons