Indonesian Journal of Life Sciences

Benefits of Chia Seeds as a Functional Food for Cardiovascular Diseases Prevention: A Review

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 09:21:53 SE Asia Daylight Time

In order to increase the overall health while keeping the lifestyle, the interest of consuming lipid-based food or lipid-modifying foods are growing. Chia seed is an annual herbaceous plant that is rich in lipids (30–33%), carbohydrates (2–41%), dietary fiber (18–30%), and protein (15–25%). Chia seeds also contain high amounts of bioactive compounds, such as omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and polyphenols to prevent some chronic diseases. Its rate of consumption has grown over the years due to its health benefits for chronic conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Some studies have been done to prove the benefits of consuming chia seeds. The aim of this paper is to review the morphology, composition, and benefits of chia seeds towards the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Analyzing the Effects of Kefir on the Gut Microbiota Strains in Alzheimer’s Patients

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 09:35:36 SE Asia Daylight Time

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that progresses over time and slowly deprives patients of their memory, cognitive abilities, and eventually, capability to carry out even the simplest activities, and even affects the gut microbiota. Studies suggest changes in gut microbial diversity and abnormalities in the gut-brain axis are associated with AD. Probiotics, known for their numerous health benefits, are well recognized as one of the most effective prophylactic strategies against cognitive deterioration in AD. In order to grow, the gut microbiota needs nutrients including Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria which are frequently linked to the therapeutic potential of kefir. It is proven to modulate the immune system and maintain gut health by modifying the gut microbiota, lowering the prevalence of inflammation as well as oxidative stress, which slows down the progression of AD. Thus, this review summarizes the possible benefits of probiotics, specifically, kefir, on the gut microbiota strains in Alzheimer’s patients. A literature search was conducted on scientific platforms using Google Scholar and PubMed. Given the inclusion criteria and the limitation on the publication year, 53 scientific articles were selected for further analysis. Keyword searches were limited to the following. (1) Alzheimer’s disease and/or (2) gut microbiota and/or (3) probiotics and/or (4) kefir. The findings of this study clarify the association between probiotics and AD in altering the gut microbiota by improving the proliferation of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and subsequently slowing the progression of AD.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease (AD); gut microbiota; probiotics; nutrients; bioactive compounds; kefir

The Antioxidant Activity of Ambon Banana Peel (Musa paradisiaca AAA) against Breast Cancer: A Review

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 09:39:17 SE Asia Daylight Time

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer in women around the globe, especially those coming from a low-income population like Indonesia. As a preventive measure, consuming balanced diets containing high antioxidant sources are therefore recommended to reduce the risk of breast cancer. Banana peels, for instance, are an undervalued source of antioxidants which also possess high economic and nutritional values. This review aims to provide systematic information about the bioactive composition of ambon banana peels (Musa paradisiaca L. var. sapientum), their antioxidant mechanism on breast cancer, as well as their potential incorporation into food products such as flour, cookies, and chips. The review was conducted by examining literature from the past 10 years (2013-2023) that fit the inclusion criteria. Based on the collected studies, ambon banana peel contains high amounts of bioactive compounds, primarily polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, tannins, saponins, and ferulic acid. Even after the peels are converted into processed food products, the antioxidant activity remains high with proper thermal processing conditions. These antioxidant properties of ambon banana peels provide a promising potential in the treatment of breast cancer through various modes of action, however, clinical studies involving humans are still lacking to further emphasize its therapeutic effects.

The Ability of Aquatic Carnivorous Plants Utricularia vulgaris L. as Heavy Metal Bioremediators

Mukhamad Su'udi, Fahma Wardah Sururin, Kurnia Dwi Ardiyanti — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 09:42:42 SE Asia Daylight Time

Utricularia vulgaris is one of the aquatic carnivorous plants that is able to grow in low-nutrient environmental conditions. This unique plant is also a macrophytic plant whose entire body except for the flowers is submerged in water. Utricularia vulgaris also has no roots so it grows to float in water. The plant was found growing in an environment polluted by heavy metals. Several studies have shown that U. vulgaris is able to absorb several types of heavy metals effectively, such as Cu, Mn, Zn, and Fe. These heavy metals are needed in small amounts by organisms, but in high amounts they can inhibit the growth of aquatic organisms. Utricularia vulgaris, a carnivorous plant, has shown the potential to absorb heavy metals, making it a subject of interest for phytoremediation.

CRISPR-Cas9 Mediated Gene Therapy: Current Advancements and Applications Towards Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff Disease

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 09:46:45 SE Asia Daylight Time

Tay-Sachs disease and Sandhoff disease are neurodegenerative diseases that are classified as autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorders. They are commonly caused by a mutation that occurs in the HEXA and HEXB genes, which are responsible for encoding beta-hexosaminidase-A (Hex A) and beta-hexosaminidase-B (Hex B). Furthermore, Sandhoff's disease symptoms include spinocerebellar ataxia, motor degeneration, sensorimotor neuropathy, tremor, dystonia, and psychosis, which are comparable to Tay-Sachs disease symptoms. The current treatment of Tay-sachs include enzyme replacement therapy, bone marrow transplantation, and administration of genetically modified stem cells with HexA which do not impede neurological dysfunction and were not effective in the long run. On the other hand, there is no standard treatment for Sandhoff but it utilizes bone marrow transplantation which is ineffective. So far, there is only one available gene editing treatment. Therefore, it might be necessary to consider gene editing as a prospective treatment for both diseases, with CRISPR being a primary method. By utilizing Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) as the delivery method for the CRISPR-Cas9 system, it can replace the defective HEXA or HEXB gene with a modified gene termed HEXM, which was found to be the gene codes for the Hex subunit of the same enzyme that is missing in Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff disease. Several challenges of implementing CRISPR-Cas9 technology to treat Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff disease include off-target mutations, unintentional cleavage of the non-targeted sites, and bioethical challenges. Further studies can be explored using various CRISPR-Cas9 systems to improve its efficiency.