Phytochemical Analysis by FTIR of Zanthoxylum Acanthopodium, DC Fruit Ethanol Extract, N-hexan, Ethyl Acetate and Water Fraction.

Background: Andaliman fruit is used as spice in Batak cuisine, North Sumatera, Indonesia. The potency of andaliman fruit extract as herbal medicine is widely studied. Many studies elaborate the benefits of andaliman fruit extract as an antioxidant, antibacterial or anticancer. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the phytochemical compounds of andaliman fruit extract and its fractions. Methods: The andaliman fruit was originated from Balige city, Tobasa Regency, North Sumatera. The extract was made by maceration within ethanol and followed by fractionation with n-hexan, ethyl acetate and water. The phytochemical screening by chemical reactions, thin layer chromatography, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer were performed. Results: This study found andaliman fruit ethanol extract consists of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, triterpens, and steroids. The n-hexan fraction consists of triterpens and steroids, ethyl acetate fraction consists of flavonoids and glycosides, and water fraction consists of alkaloid, flavonoid, and glycosides. Andaliman fruit ethanol extract had eight color spots, n-hexan and ethyl acetate fraction had five color spots and water fraction had two color spots. Andaliman fruit ethanol extract had functional group of C-H alkanes, =C-H alkenes (aliphatic), O-H, C=C alkenes, C=C aromatics, C≡C alkynes, C-O, C=O, and NO2. The n-hexan fraction had C-H alkanes, =C-H alkenes (aliphatic), O-H, C=C alkenes, C-O, C=O, and NO2. The ethyl acetate fraction had C-H alkanes, =C-H alkenes (aliphatic), O-H, C=C alkenes, C=C aromatics, C-O, C=O, and NO2. The water fraction had C-H alkanes, =C-H alkenes (aliphatic), O-H, C=C aromatics, C≡C alkynes, and C-O. Conclusion: Phytochemical screening found that andaliman fruit ethanol extract, n-hexan, ethyl acetate and water fraction positive of phytochemical compounds. The FTIR of andaliman fruit ethanol extract, n-hexan fraction, ethyl acetate fraction, and water fraction showed the absorbance of C-H alkanes, O-H, C-O, and C=C alkenes indicating the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, and triterpenoid saponin.

Analysis of factors influencing acute respiratory infection among under-five children in Sering Public Health Centre, Medan Tembung subdistrict.

INTRODUCTION: Nowadays, acute respiratory infection (ARI) is the most common cause of high morbidity and mortality rate in children. ARI is defined as an infection either in the upper or lower respiratory tract that lasts for 14 days and caused by either viruses or bacteria. The incidence of ARI in 2017 is 20.54%, with the most prominent characteristic in children aged 1 to 4 years. Factors that affect ARI frequency are gender, birth weight, nutritional status, immunization status, vitamin A status, exclusive breastfeeding, smoke exposure, family income, and mother's formal education. AIM: This study aims to find out risk factors that potentiate ARI among children from age 1 to 5. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study used a descriptive-analytical method with a cross-sectional study approach. The data is taken by consecutive sampling method with a questionnaire as the tool. RESULTS: The bivariate analysis result using Fisher's exact test shows that there is no relation between sex (p=0.642), birth weight (p=0.683), completion of immunization (p=0.195), vitamin A supplementation (p=1.000), exclusive breastfeeding (p=0.157), crowding (p=1.000), family income (p=0.658), knowledge (p=1.000), attitude (p=0.156), and behavior (p=1.000) with the frequency of ARI. The bivariate analysis result using Kruskal-Wallis test shows that there is no significant difference between groups in each factor of smoke exposure (p=0.988) and mother's formal education (p=0.899) with the frequency of ARI. CONCLUSIONS: There is no relation between each factor with ARI frequency and there is no significant difference between groups in each factor with ARI frequency.

Effects of Vitamin E Supplementation to Metabolic Markers on Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity creates health problems by increasing the risks of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. Obesity leads to insulin resistance, higher blood glucose and cholesterol levels. Adipose tissues synthesize adiponectin which acts as anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and anti-atherogenic agent. Meanwhile, vitamin E is an antioxidant that acts as an anti-inflammation. AIM: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of vitamin E supplementation to metabolic markers on diet-induced obesity in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four mice (Mus musculus, L) aged four weeks were divided into six groups which were fed different diets and given vitamin E in different dosages or methods. The period of treatment was 18 weeks. The mice body weights were measured every week; blood sugar and cholesterol levels were measured every six weeks, and the adiponectin level measurement was done at week 18. RESULTS: A repeated measures ANOVA showed that body weight and cholesterol level within groups were not significantly different [F(15, 54)=1.417, 0.173 and F(10, 36)=1.391, 0.224 respectively]. The glucose levels were found to be significantly different [F(7.646, 27.526)=2.625, 0.030]. There was no significant difference in the adiponectin levels. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin E supplementation could not prevent the increase of body weight, the elevation of blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and also could not increase adiponectin level.