Background Each part of H. annuus plants is traditionally used as medicinal remedies for several diseases, including malaria. Antimalarial activity of the leaf and the seed has already been observed; however, there is no report about antimalarial activity of the other parts of H. annuus plants. In this study, we assess in vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity of each part of the plants and its mechanism as antimalarial agent against inhibition of heme detoxification. Objective To investigate the antimalarial activity of various parts of H. annuus. Methods Various parts of the H. annuus plant were tested for in vitro antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 strain (chloroquine-sensitive), in vivo antimalarial activity against P. berghei using Peters' 4-day suppressive test in BALB/c mice, curative and prophylaxis assay, and inhibition of heme detoxification by evaluating β-hematin level. Results Ethanol extract of the roots showed the highest antimalarial activity, followed by ethanol extract of leaves, with IC50 values of 2.3 ± 1.4 and 4.3 ± 2.2 μg/mL, respectively and the percentage inhibition of P. berghei of 63.6 ± 8.0 and 59.3 ± 13.2 at a dose of 100 mg/kg, respectively. Ethanol extract of roots produced an ED50 value of 10.6 ± 0.2 mg/kg in the curative test and showed an inhibition of 79.2% at a dose of 400 mg/kg in the prophylactic assay. In inhibition of heme detoxification assay, root and leaf ethanol extracts yielded a lower IC50 value than positive (chloroquine) control with a value of 0.4 ± 0.0 and 0.5 ± 0.0 mg/mL, respectively. Conclusion There were promising results of the ethanol extracts of root of H. annuus as a new source for the development of a new plant-based antimalarial agent.

This study informs the use of short story as media for motivating students improvement in reading that is tested in third semester B class at Muhammadiyah University of Bengkulu, based on research in EFL students classrooms state, a good indicator of improved motivation and interest in reading can be used by the short story (Ceylan,2016). This method in this research used experimental methods, based on the research conducted. The result showed there was an improvement in students’ motivation in reading. The mean score of the pre-test was 67,64. Then the mean score of the post-test is 94,11. There was an improvement in students’ scores between pre-test and post-test, it is improved 39,13%. It means the result of the test was satisfactory and show the best achievement. So, it can be concluded that improving students’ motivation in reading by using short stories as media is improved. It means that this technique can be used by other researchers to improve the same reading skill.

Senyawa antioksidan alami dapat ditemukan dalam buah-buahan. Salah satu contoh limbah tanaman yang merupakan sumber antioksidan alami yaitu kulit buah naga (Dragon fruit) yang merupakan limbah buah naga (Hylocereus polyrhizus) yang pemanfaatan dan penelitiannya masih terbatas. Pada Penelitian ini dilakukan Isolasi Senyawa antioskidan yang terdapat pada kulit buah naga merah (KBNM). simplisia KBNM segar diekstraksi dengan metode maserasi dengan menggunakan pelarut methanol. Proses selanjutnya dilakukan pemisahan kepolaran kandungan kimia dengan metode cair-cair, esktrak disuspensikan menggunakan air dan di partisi dengan hexan dan etil asetat. Fraksi n-heksan direkristalisasi selanjutnya dilakukan isolasi menggunakan kromatografi lapis tipis (KLTP). Berdasarkan hasil KLTP fraksi n-heksan diperoleh 8 pita tetapi hanya pita 6 (isolat I) dan 8 (isolat II) yang aktif sebagai antioksidan setelah penyemprotan DPPH. Hasil spektroskopi UV-Vis isolat II diduga merupakan senyawa flavonoid. Hasil pengujian aktivitas antioksidan diketahui bahwa ekstrak methanol, fraksi n-heksan dan etil asetat dari kulit KBNM (Hylocereus polyrhizus) memiliki aktivitas antioksidan yang kurang aktif, sedangkan fraksi air tidak aktif sebagai antioksidan.