Introduction. Biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs‐GA) were successfully synthesised using Garcinia atroviridis leaf extract as a reducing agent, which has ethnopharmacological claims against various diseases including cancer. Aim of the Study. Aim of the study is to discover whether AgNPs‐GA has cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on cancerous (A549) and noncancerous (BEAS‐2B) human lung cells. Materials and Methods. The cytotoxicity profiles of AgNPs‐GA were characterized by MTT assay, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, and DAPI and AOPI double staining, whilst genotoxicity was assessed using Comet Assay analysis. The level of silver ions (Ag⁺) and cellular uptake of AgNPs‐GA were evaluated by ICP‐OES and TEM analyses, respectively. Results. A significant cytotoxic effect was observed by AgNPs‐GA on both A549 and BEAS‐2B cell lines, with IC₅₀ values of 20–28 μg/ml and 12–35 μg/ml, respectively. The cytotoxicity profile of AgNPs‐GA was also accompanied by a pronounced increase in ROS production, DNA damage, and apoptosis. Moreover, Ag⁺ was also detected in cells exposed to AgNPs‐GA threefold higher compared to controls. In this study, AgNPs‐GA were endocytosed within lysosomes, which may direct to secondary toxicity effects including oxidative stress, impairment of the cell membrane, DNA fragmentation, and cell death. Conclusions. Taken together, novel toxicological‐related mechanisms by AgNPs‐GA were proposed involving the generation of ROS that causes DNA damage which led to programmed cell death in both A549 and BEAS‐2B cells. Therefore, a combination of scientific assessments is constantly needed to ensure that the quality of biosynthesized nanoparticles is controlled and their safe development is promoted.

Plants have a wide range of active compounds crucial in treating various diseases. Most people consume plants and herbals as an alternative medicine to improve their health and abilities. A. angustiloba extract showed antinematodal activity against Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, antitrypanosomal action against Trypanosoma brucei and anti-plasmodial activity against the chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum K1 strain. Moreover, it has demonstrated growth inhibitory properties towards several human cancer cell lines, such as MDA-MB-231, SKOV-3, HeLa, KB cells and A431. DPPH and ABTS assays were carried out to determine the antioxidant activity of the aqueous and 60% methanolic extract of A. angustiloba leaves. Moreover, total phenolic and flavonoid contents were quantified. The presence of potential active compounds was then screened using liquid chromatography coupled with a Q-TOF mass spectrometer (LC–MS) equipped with a dual electrospray ionisation (ESI) source. The EC₅₀ values measured by DPPH for the 60% methanolic and aqueous extracts of A. angustiloba leaves were 80.38 and 94.11 µg/mL, respectively, and for the ABTS assays were 85.80 and 115.43 µg/mL, respectively. The 60% methanolic extract exhibited the highest value of total phenolic and total flavonoid (382.53 ± 15.00 mg GAE/g and 23.45 ± 1.04 mg QE/g), while the aqueous extract had the least value (301.17 ± 3.49 mg GAE/g and 9.73 ± 1.76 mg QE/g). The LC–MS analysis revealed the presence of 103 and 140 compounds in the aqueous and 60% methanolic extract, respectively. It consists of phenolic acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, amino acids, glycosides, alkaloids, etc. It can be concluded that the therapeutic action of this plant is derived from the presence of various active compounds; however, further research is necessary to determine its efficacy in treating diseases.

Honey is at high risk for the adulteration in global trade. Studies on the authenticity of stingless bee honey from Trigona spp. is necessary since the market demand for this product is increasing, particularly in Malaysia, due to its high nutritional value. FTIR spectroscopy has recently been used approach for a rapid and non-destructive measurement of honey quality and discriminate adulterated honey. The purpose of this study is to determine the FTIR and elementary content of Trigona spp. and Apis spp. honey, and further investigate the influence of the additional adulterants to the measured spectra absorbance. Both Trigona spp. and Apis spp. honey exhibit almost identical IR spectra curves, but there are notable different of their absorbance peak at the identified functional group regions. There is a correlation of the measured absorbance to the actual composition of Trigona spp. honey, which emphasized the low carbohydrate but high water content of the honey. Water or vinegar diluted honey has segregated absorbance peak from the pure honey. Our finding indicated that the FTIR is applicable in discriminate of pure and adulterated Trigona honey, but a further investigation on physico-chemical properties such as elementary content is needed for a comprehensive analysis.

The rapid emergence of resistance bacteria toward various antibiotics may associate with higher medical cost and increase mortality rate. Hoya diversifolia was used to cure skin diseases and alleviate rheumatism pain. The aim of this study is to evaluate in vitro antibacterial properties of H. diversifolia ethanolic leaves extract against several Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. The antibacterial study was determined based on pattern of inhibition zones using disc diffusion assay and also minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). It is shown that the extract can inhibit the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus. The lowest MIC values of extract were 25 mg/mL for MRSA and E. coli as well as 100 mg/mL for B. cereus at 24 and 48 hours of incubation period. The plant had potential to act as antibacterial agent that can be applied in pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields.

Cervical cancer has been ranked as the third most common cancer among women worldwide. As an alternative to existing preventive and treatment measures, natural plants have been seen to carry potential therapeutic value against cancers. These include Streblus asper which proved to possess anti-cancer effects on several types of cancer. In the present study, we observed that S.asper is able to induce apoptosis on cervical cancer cells through the regulation of several apoptotic proteins. This analysis was performed using both in vitro and in vivo models. The protein expression was analysed using antibody array, 28 protein markers were found differentially expressed in both study models. Based on these findings, we propose that S.asper induces apoptosis on cervical cancer cells through TNF signaling which in turn triggers the activation of SMAC pathway and blockage of NF-κB cascade. It is also suggested that the apoptosis inducement is assisted by the HSP60 downregulation which subsequently results in p53 activation and survivin down-expression. Our study provides a preliminary understanding on selective apoptotic mechanism induced by S.asper on cervical cancer.