The development of drug resistance is one of the most severe concerns of malaria control because it increases the risk of malaria morbidity and death. A new candidate drug with antiplasmodial activity is urgently needed. This study evaluated the efficacy of different dosages of aqueous extract of Strychnos ligustrina combined with dihydroartemisinin and piperaquine phosphate (DHP) against murine Plasmodium berghei infection. The BALB/c mice aged 6-8 weeks were divided into 6 groups, each consisting of 10 mice. The growth inhibition of compounds against P. berghei was monitored by calculating the percentage of parasitemia. The results showed that the mice receiving aqueous extract and combination treatment showed growth inhibition of P. berghei in 74% and 94%, respectively. S. ligustrina extract, which consisted of brucine and strychnine, effectively inhibited the multiplication of P. berghei. The treated mice showed improved hematology profiles, body weight, and temperature, as compared to control mice. Co-treatment with S. ligustrina extract and DHP revealed significant antimalarial and antipyretic effects. Our results provide prospects for further discovery of antimalarial drugs that may show more successful chemotherapeutic treatment.

This study aimed to evaluate three sets of B1 gene DNA primer for the diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii. The DNA of Toxoplasma gondii that stored on liquid nitrogen was isolated using DNAzol™ reagent. The first step of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCRs) was performed using external and internal primer sets, respectively, and then nPCR. PCR products sequencing was performed by Apical Science. All sequences were analysed using CLC Sequence Viewer Version 8.0 software and compared to sequence database that deposited in ToxoDB (Toxoplasma gondii genome database) using BLAST (https://toxodb.org/toxo/app). Each B1 gene primer was evaluated by performing single PCR (forward and reverse) and nested PCR reactions. Three sets of B1 gene primer have different amplification precision. According to the results of amplicon sequencing, the primer set #2 has the best amplification precision of B1 gene.

Toxoplasma gondii pathogenicity depends on the type derived from a clonal population. A genetic analysis of the locus has been carried out to determine the different genotypes of T. gondii (strain types I, II, and III) that are associated with human toxoplasmosis. The several genotypes of T. gondii (strain types I, II, and III) that are linked to human toxoplasmosis have been identified through genetic study of the locus. In this investigation, PCR-RFLP was found to be a useful, and simple method genotypic characterization. The objective of this study was to genotyping characterize T. gondii RH and BEV strains isolates by PCR-RFLP using several restriction enzymes. T. gondii tachyzoite DNA was extracted and amplified by PCR using dense granule genetic markers (GRA1 and GRA7) designed with Primer3plus. The amplification were digested using the restriction enzymes. The PCR-RFLP amplified dense granule products was used to classify strains into two genotypes of T. gondii (virulent and avirulent). The results demonstrated that the RFLP patterns of the GRA1 and GRA7 gene area digested by DdeI, MvaI, HinfI, RsaI, and Sau96I enzymes can be used to identify virulent or avirulent strains of T. gondii. Toxoplasma gondii RH and BEV strain produced different digestion product which can be used to distinguished the strains.

Malaria is still one of the most highly pathogenic diseases, which remains a significant problem for public health. Natural compounds are alternative ways as an antimalarial compound that are applied for the artemisinin combination. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a combination of S. ligustrina extract and DHP on the differential leukocytes percentages. This study used 100 mice which were divided into five groups. Group A and B were used for the healthy mice and infected-untreated groups, respectively. Group C used as a controlled drug, received 222 mg/kg BW of DHP. Group D received 300 mg/kg BW of aqueous extract of S. ligustrina. Group E received a combination between 111 mg/kg BW of DHP and 200 mg/kg BW of aqueous extract S. ligustrina. The findings demonstrated that DHP and S. ligustrina extract had an impact on neutrophils, lymphocytes, inhibition, and percentages of parasitemia. The findings revealed that treatment groups C, D, and E reduced the percentage of parasitemia. The percentage of neutrophils in treated groups was significantly higher than in group A (P<0.05). The percentage of lymphocytes was lower in the treated groups, while the percentages of eosinophils, monocytes, and basophils did not significantly different (P<0.05). This study found that group D and E had the same effect on the leucocyte profile as group C. Our findings suggest that the aqueous extract of S. ligustrina, as well as the combination treatment with DHP, have the potential to lead to the discovery of new antimalarial medicines.

Drying with the fluidized bed dryer type is a drying process by blowing hot air from the bottom onto a stretch of material, so that the material scatters to resemble fluid properties. The drying method with dry air is used to speed up the drying process and maintain the quality of the dry ingredients. The purpose of this service is to provide theoretical and practical drying training to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) group so that they are able to produce dry materials of good quality, namely green color and low water content so they are not easily damaged and can last longer. The assistance was carried out for Naphyco MSME partners and representatives of RW 10 residents, Tanah Baru Village, North Bogor District, Bogor City in October 2022 at Naphyco MSME partner locations. The training was carried out using two methods, namely presentation and hands-on practice of drying medicinal plants with a fluidized bed dryer. The positive impact of this assistance is to gain knowledge about how to dry medicinal plants faster than drying them in direct sunlight, and also to obtain leaves of medicinal plants that are green in color (not brown). The achievement of mentoring activities can be seen from the results of the pre-test and post-test. The results of the questionnaire showed an increase in participant knowledge from a good score of 55.6% to 88.9%, a moderate score from 22.2% to 0% and a value less than 22.2% to 11.1%. There was also an increase in participants' interest in the questionnaire statements who strongly agreed from 66.7 to 88.9%, who agreed from 33.3% to 11.1%. The results of the questionnaire above need to be continued with a mentoring program for other MSME members to produce quality products as raw materials.