Purple-fleshed sweet potato (PFSP) (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam) has been known to possess high amount of anthocyanins which contribute to its antioxidant activity. However, a few reports are available concerning its anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. In this study, PFSP “Tainung 73,” which is locally grown in Taiwan, was steamed and extracted using acidified ethanol pH 3.5 under 80°C. Two kinds of crude anthocyanins extracts were obtained, namely, SP (Steamed, Peeled) and SNP (Steamed, No Peeled). Then, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of these extracts were investigated. Cell viability assay (MTT) showed that SP and SNP extracts were not toxic to RAW 264.7 cells. They even exhibited anti-inflammatory activities by suppressing the production of NO and proinflammatory cytokines, such as NF-κβ, TNF-α, and IL-6, in LPS-induced macrophage cells. Anticancer activities of these extracts were displayed through their ability to inhibit the growth of cancer cell lines, such as MCF-7 (breast cancer), SNU-1 (gastric cancer), and WiDr (colon adenocarcinoma), in concentration- and time-dependent manner. Further studies also revealed that SP extracts could induce apoptosis in MCF-7 and SNU-1 cancer cells through extrinsic and intrinsic pathway. In the future, PSFP extracts may have potential to be applied in nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and food industries.

Siglec-7 (sialic acid–binding immunoglobulin-like lectin 7) is an immune checkpoint-like glycan recognition protein on natural killer (NK) cells. Cancer cells often upregulate Siglec ligands to subvert immunosurveillance, but the molecular basis of Siglec ligands has been elusive. In this study, we investigated Siglec-7 ligands on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) B cells. CLL B cells express higher levels of Siglec-7 ligands compared with healthy donor B cells, and enzymatic removal of sialic acids or sialomucins makes them more sensitive to NK cell cytotoxicity. Gene knockout experiments have revealed that the sialyltransferase ST6GalNAc-IV is responsible for the biosynthesis of disialyl-T (Neu5Acα2–3Galβ1–3[Neu5Acα2–6]GalNAcα1–), which is the glycotope recognized by Siglec-7, and that CD162 and CD45 are the major carriers of this glycotope on CLL B cells. Analysis of public transcriptomic datasets indicated that the low expression of GCNT1 (encoding core 2 GlcNAc transferase, an enzyme that competes against ST6GalNAc-IV) and high expression of ST6GALNAC4 (encoding ST6GalNAc-IV) in CLL B cells, together enhancing the expression of the disialyl-T glycotope, are associated with poor patient prognosis. Taken together, our results determined the molecular basis of Siglec-7 ligand overexpression that protects CLL B cells from NK cell cytotoxicity and identified disialyl-T as a potential prognostic marker of CLL.

Introduction: Supplementation of the diet with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been associated with multiple health benefits. This study aimed to determine total lipid and omega-3 content in two fishes from Indonesia, which were Pangasius pangasius (P. pangasius) and Chanos chanos (C. chanos). Methods: Total lipid was extracted from P. pangasius and C. chanos and the lipid content was then analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results: Lipid content of C. chanos (4.63±3.84%) was higher than P. pangasius (3.94±1.43%) but less than that found in Salmo salar (S. salar) which was found to contain 6.98±2.56% lipid. Furthermore, polyunsaturated fatty acid omega-3 (EPA and DHA) analysis showed that C. chanos oil contained 0.36% EPA and 1.17% DHA. These levels are lower than that found in S. salar, often referred to as the "gold standard" for omega-3 fatty acids. Conclusion: C. chanos contains considerable amounts of EPA and DHA. As it is widely available in Indonesia, it may be used as source of omega-3 fatty acids instead of salmon.

Objective: Polyscias scutellaria Fosberg as one of the indigenous plants from Indonesia has been used as traditional medicines for several ailments, such as reduce body odor. However, there is no scientific research to verify this property. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of P. scutellaria Fosberg against bacteria that cause body odor.Methods: Since body odor is caused by activities of bacteria that live in the armpits, bacteria from human armpit were isolated and identified as Acinetobacter sp. The bacteria have the potential to be pathogenic and resistant to common antibiotics. P. scutellaria was extracted using different solvents, i.e., hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol. Using these extracts, the antibacterial activity of P. scutellaria against Acinetobacter sp. was tested through well diffusion and colony-forming unit methods.Results: Hexane and ethyl acetate fractions of P. scutellaria extract showed strong antibacterial activities against Acinetobacter sp., while methanol fraction did not exhibit any antibacterial activity against these bacteria.Conclusion: P. scutellaria extract has the potential to be used as an antibacterial agent against Acinetobacter sp. on human armpit.

Objective: Polyscias scutellaria Fosberg as one of the indigenous plants from Indonesia has been used as traditional medicines for several ailments, such as reduce body odor. However, there is no scientific research to verify this property. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of P. scutellaria Fosberg against bacteria that cause body odor.Methods: Since body odor is caused by activities of bacteria that live in the armpits, bacteria from human armpit were isolated and identified as Acinetobacter sp. The bacteria have the potential to be pathogenic and resistant to common antibiotics. P. scutellaria was extracted using different solvents, i.e., hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol. Using these extracts, the antibacterial activity of P. scutellaria against Acinetobacter sp. was tested through well diffusion and colony-forming unit methods.Results: Hexane and ethyl acetate fractions of P. scutellaria extract showed strong antibacterial activities against Acinetobacter sp., while methanol fraction did not exhibit any antibacterial activity against these bacteria.Conclusion: P. scutellaria extract has the potential to be used as an antibacterial agent against Acinetobacter sp. on human armpit.