Maranta arundinacea L. (MA) is a food that contains phytochemicals such as phenols, saponins, and flavanones that are beneficial to the body. Several studies have also reported that MA contains soluble fibre. These indicate its potential use to prevent and treat diseases. The present review explored the literature on the potential benefits of MA. Published MA-related studies were searched for up to October 2018 using the PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCO, and Scopus databases, as well as Google Scholar up to October 2020. The keywords used were ‘Maranta arundinacea’ OR ‘arrowroot’ OR ‘maranta’ OR ‘West Indian arrowroot’ OR ‘obedience plant’ OR ‘Bermuda arrowroot’ OR ‘araru’ OR ‘ararao’ OR ‘hulankeeriya’ OR ‘Marantaceae’ OR ‘garut’ OR ‘ararut’ OR ‘irut’. The present review included ten in vitro studies, nine of which involved experimental animals, and eight studies in humans. In vitro and in vivo studies in animals show that MA has antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, prebiotic, antibacterial, immunomodulatory, anti-ulcerative, anti-diarrhoeal, hypoglycaemic, hypocholesterolaemic, and antihypertensive properties. However, studies involving humans were quasi experimental, without control and non-randomised, with a small number of subjects. The results of human studies have not shown a significant change in health effects. In the future, MA may increase food diversity by serving as a functional foodstuff. However, additional human research must be conducted.

Background: Noncontact Electro Capacitive Cancer Therapy (ECCT) is a novel treatment modality in cancer. Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) has a major role in the outgrowth of metastatic breast cancer. Interleukin 18 (IL18) plays a role in macrophage alteration, which leads to excessive angiogenesis. This study aims to elaborate on the association of CCL2, IL18, IL23α, and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) expression with the anti-proliferative effect of ECCT in rat breast tumor tissue.   Methods: Low intensity (18 Vpp) and intermediate frequency (150 kHz) alternating current-electric field (AC-EF) between two capacitive electrodes were exposed as external EF to a rat cage. Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups of six replicates. Breast tumor tissues were collected from 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced rats. Two groups were non DMBA-induced rats without ECCT exposure (NINT) and with (NIT). The other two groups were DMBA-induced rats without ECCT exposure (INT) and with (IT). Mammary glands and breast tumor tissues were collected from each group and preserved. Hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemistry staining were performed on paraffin sections of tissues using anti-PCNA, anti-ErbB2, anti-Caspase3, and anti-CD68. CCL2, IL18, IL23α, and TNF-α mRNA relative expressions were analyzed using qRT-PCR. Results: ECCT exposure may cause the reduction of PCNA protein expression as well as ErbB2 on breast tumor tissues, but it causes the increase of Caspase3 and macrophage CD68 protein. In rat breast tumor tissues of IT groups, the mRNA expression of CCL2 and IL18 are significantly down-regulated, in contrast with the up-regulated expression of these cytokines in tumor tissues of the INT group. IL23α and TNF- α expression remained similar in both groups. Conclusion: CCL2 and IL18 expressions have an association with the inhibition of breast tumor cell proliferation affected by ECCT exposure

The G71R mutation is present, but very rare, in Javanese-Indonesians and Malay-Malaysians. Thus, G71R mutation may not contribute to the high incidence of the neonatal jaundice in South-east Asian populations. DHPLC analysis is a very useful method for detecting the G71R mutation.

This study were to evaluate the properties of kefir prepared with a combination of goat milk and black rice extract and its influence on the improvement of β-cells in streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA)-induced diabetic rats. Kefir was divided into four groups using the following materials: goat milk (GM), goat milk+inulin (GM+IN), goat milk+black rice extract (1:1)(GM+BRE), and goat milk+black rice extract+ inulin (GM+BRE+IN). After fermentation, all kefir were stored at 4°C for 1 and 7 d, and then were analyzed for microbial, chemical properties and antioxidant activity. Furthermore, three kinds doses of kefir combination from goat milk and black rice extract (GM+BRE) were administered to rats. Thirty male rats 8-12 weeks old were divided into 6 groups: 1) negative control (normal rats); 2) positive control (untreated diabetic rats); 3) diabetic rats fed kefir (1.0 ml); 4) diabetic rats fed kefir (2.0 ml); 5) diabetic rats fed kefir (4.0 ml), and 6) diabetic rats received glibenclamide. After 28 d experiment, the rats were sacrificed for sampling pancreatic tissues. Subtitution of goat milk with black rice extract in kefir fermentation could decrease their pH and increase in radical-scavenging activity. Inulin addition able to increase (p<0.05) in radical-scavenging activity of kefir. Alcohol and total phenolic contents of kefir increased (p<0.05) after 7 d of storage, while the pH decreased. To improve insulin-producing pancreatic β-cells in diabetic rats, it was required at least 2.0 ml dose of kefir combination from goat milk and black rice extract to achieve similar effect to glibenclamide as antidiabetic agent.

Background and aims: High levels of non-HDL and atherogenic cholesterol can induce inflammation, and as risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. This study was to evaluate the effects of fiber-rich snacks on non-HDL cholesterol, atherogenic index, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in type 2 diabetes patients (T2DM). Material and Methods: Twenty T2DM patients, were recruited from the Policlinic of Endocrine, Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The subjects received daily 32g fiber-rich snacks made of Dioscorea esculenta, arrowroot, cassava and pumpkin for 4 weeks. Fasting non-HDL cholesterol, atherogenic index, CRP and HbA1c levels were measured before and after intervention. Paired t-test was used to evaluate the results. Results: The fiber-rich snack intervention in T2DM patients significantly reduced levels of non-HDL cholesterol and CRP levels (p<0.05), but the decreased the atherogenic index was not significant (p>0.05). The intervention also significantly reduced the CRP levels (p<0.05) but did not affect HbA1c levels. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference decreased significantly after consuming the snacks (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study showed fiber-rich snack has a positive effect in improving non-HDL cholesterol, atherogenic index and CRP levels but does not affect HbA1c levels in T2DM patients.