Introduction. Propolis has been used traditionally in several countries for treating various diseases as it possessed healing properties including antioxidant and anticancer qualities. In Peninsular Malaysia, Tetrigona apicalis is one of the species of stingless bees mainly found in virgin jungle reserves which largely contribute to propolis production. Therefore, this study is designed to evaluate the phytochemical contents, antioxidant properties, and the cytotoxic effect of ethanolic crude of propolis extract against MCF7 and MCF 10A cell lines. Method. The ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) was extracted using 80% ethanol. Identification of phytochemical contents and antioxidant properties of EEP was analysed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and using 2, 2′‐azinobis (3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid) (ABTS) method, respectively. The EEP cytotoxic activity was evaluated on MCF7 and MCF 10A using 3‐(4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2, 5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Results. Phytochemical contents of EEP demonstrated 28 compounds in which caryophyllene (99%), β‐amyrin (96%), α‐amyrin (93%), and caryophyllene oxide (93%) were the main compounds. The percentage of ABTS⁺ scavenging activity of EEP showed an inhibition of 9.5% with half‐inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value of 1.68 mg/mL. The EEP reduced MCF7 cells viability at IC₅₀ value of 62.24 μg/mL, 44.15 μg/mL, and 32.70 μg/mL at 24, 48, and 72 hours, respectively. The IC₅₀ value of MCF 10A was 49.55 μg/mL, 56.05 μg/mL, and 72.10 μg/mL at 24, 48, and 72 hours, respectively. The EEP cytotoxic effect of T. apicalis was more selective towards MCF7 at 72‐hour incubation with a selectivity index (SI) of 2.20. Conclusion. The EEP has been shown to have antioxidants and potential bioactive compounds and inhibited proliferation of the MCF7 cells. Further studies on the EEP role in the apoptosis pathway and its screening towards other cell lines will be evaluated.

Propolis is known to exhibit various phytochemical compounds that aid in several biological activities. The current study investigates the phytochemical compounds of ethanolic extract of propolis of Tetrigona apicalis (EEP) using Q-TOF LC-MS, its antioxidant properties using DPPH and ABTS⁺ radical scavenging assays, total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid content (TFC), using Folin-Ciocalteu and Aluminium Chloride method, respectively, as well as proapoptotic effects, based on the selected IC₅₀ of the cytotoxic study conducted for EEP using annexin V-FITC assay. Terpene and polyphenol were among of 17 identified compounds. The EC₅₀ of EEP for DPPH and ABTS⁺ was 1.78 mg/mL and 1.68 mg/mL, while the EEP exhibited TPC and TFC values of 31.99 mgGAE/g and 66.4 mgQCE/g, respectively in which the parameters were strongly correlated. The IC₅₀ of EEP effectively induces apoptosis in MCF7 cells. In conclusion, EEP possessed important phytochemical compounds that work excellently as antioxidants and anticancer agents.

Excessive deposit of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) were recently shown to be positively correlated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aims to investigate the thickness of EAT and its association with the components of metabolic syndrome among multi-ethnic Malaysians with and without acute coronary syndrome (ACS). A total of 213 patients were recruited, with the thickness of EAT were quantified non-invasively using standard two-dimensional echocardiography. EAT thickness among the Malaysian population was prompted by several demographic factors and medical comorbidities, particularly T2DM and dyslipidaemia. ACS patients have significantly thicker EAT compared to those without ACS (4.1 mm vs 3.7 mm, p = 0.035). Interestingly, among all the races, Chinese had the thickest EAT distribution (4.6 mm vs 3.8 mm), with age (p = 0.04 vs p < 0.001), and overall diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.028) was also found to be associated with EAT thickness. Further study is warranted to investigate its role as a cardiovascular risk marker among Malaysians with ACS.

Background: Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) are essential fatty acids that protect cellular structures and provide energy, particularly for fetal growth and development. The maternal supplementations of omega-3 LCPUFA may affect the rate of intelligence in early childhood development. Objective: This systematic review aims to synthesize available evidence on the impact of omega-3 LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy toward intelligence in early childhood development by analyzing the outcomes specifying the aspects of intelligence such as neurodevelopment, social-emotional, language, attention, behavior, cognition, vision, hearing, and motor skills. Methods: We will only include randomized controlled trials on pregnant women supplemented with omega-3 LCPUFA interventions and the outcome measured is the children’s intelligence. Based on the World Health Organization's definition of early childhood, we will include children aged 8 years or younger. Children’s intelligence can be indicated using several tools measuring their intelligence index, such as neurodevelopment, social-emotional, language, attention, behavior, cognition, vision, hearing, and motor skills. Irrelevant and unavailable studies will be excluded. A systematic search will be conducted in 3 electronic databases, namely PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane using relevant and synonymous terms. Study screening and selection will be conducted by the authors based on eligibility criteria. Upon encountering conflicting decisions, a discussion will be held to reach a consensus. The screening and selection process will be recorded using a PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) flowchart. The included studies will be subjected to bias and quality assessment in accordance with the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) assessment tool for randomized controlled trials. Results: An initial search was conducted on November 1, 2023, which returned 1998 studies for screening. The extracted data will be classified into groups and subgroups according to the indicator of intelligence measured in the study. Next, the extracted data will be summarized using tables of evidence. Whenever possible, a meta-analysis of homogeneous groups of studies will be conducted using statistical software such as RevMan (version 5.4; Cochrane Collaboration). Studies with significant heterogeneity will be discussed narratively. The systematic review is estimated to be published in November 2025. Conclusions: This systematic review will systematically pool the evidence on the potential use of omega-3 LCPUFA supplementation to improve children’s intelligence status. This review is also important in addressing any existing knowledge gaps on this topic. Finally, a deeper understanding of the association between the consumption of omega-3 LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy and children’s intelligence will aid policy makers, health care practitioners, and mothers with more informed evidence-based decisions. Trial Registration: PROSPERO CRD42023463910; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42023463910 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/60417

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is an emerging cardiometabolic risk factor in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). While SGLT-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) offer cardiovascular benefits, their specific effects on EAT and left ventricular (LV) remodeling and function in Asian populations remain understudied. This study investigated the relationship between SGLT-2i on cardiometabolic parameters, EAT thickness and LV function in Malaysian patients with T2DM and coronary artery disease (CAD). A total of 360 patients with T2DM and CAD were divided into non-SGLT-2i and SGLT-2i groups. Anthropometric, cardiometabolic, and echocardiographic measurements were analyzed at baseline and post-6 months for 302 patients who competed the study (n = 151 per group). Both groups showed improvements in glycemic control (fasting blood glucose − 1.7 vs. − 2.6 mmol/L; HbA1c − 0.3% vs. − 0.6%; all p < 0.001). Broader cardiometabolic benefits were observed predominantly among SGLT-2i group, including greater reductions in body mass index (– 0.7 vs. − 0.3 kg/m²) and serum lipid concentrations (all p < 0.001), a marked decrease in EAT thickness (–1 .5 mm vs. + 0.6 mm, p < 0.001), and concomitant improvements in left ventricular structure, with reductions in LV mass (– 20 vs. + 7.8 g) and increased LV ejection fraction (+ 4.6% vs. − 1.0%) (all p ≤ 0.01). Within the SGLT-2i group, EAT reduction was associated with lower body weight and BMI (p < 0.05) but was independent of glycemic changes. Reductions in body weight and BMI were associated with improvements in LV diameter and mass (p < 0.05) and although not directly mediated by changes in EAT. Beyond glycemic control, SGLT-2i was associated with reduced EAT thickness and improved LV remodeling and function in Malaysian T2DM patients with CAD. The reduction in EAT thickness specifically was associated with lower body weight and BMI. These findings provide Asian population–specific evidence with distinct cardiometabolic and adiposity traits.