Ira Arundina

Rice husk-derived liquid smoke is a biomass pyrolysis product rich in phenolic compounds with reported biological activities. However, its differential effects on cancer cells and stem cells remain insufficiently understood. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of rice husk liquid smoke on HeLa cells and its impact on the viability of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED). Rice husk liquid smoke was produced through pyrolysis and diluted with sterile distilled water to obtain working concentrations. HeLa cells were treated with concentrations ranging from 5% to 80%, while SHED cells were exposed to concentrations of 2.5% to 20%. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay after 24 hours of treatment. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for HeLa cells was determined using dose–response analysis. Rice husk liquid smoke induced a concentration-dependent reduction in HeLa cell viability, with substantial inhibition observed even at low concentrations. The calculated IC50 confirmed strong cytotoxic activity against cancer cells. In contrast, SHED cells showed greater tolerance to treatment, maintaining viability above 70% across all tested concentrations. Rice husk-derived liquid smoke produced a marked reduction in HeLa cell metabolic viability, whereas SHED cells maintained comparatively higher viability across the tested concentrations. These findings suggest its potential as a natural bioactive agent with relevance in both anticancer applications and regenerative medicine.

Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for approximately 90% of oral cancers, with tobacco exposure representing one of its major risk factors. The tobacco carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) induces oral epithelial dysplasia, a premalignant lesion. Caspase-8 and caspase-9 are initiator caspases that trigger apoptosis in dysplastic cells. Currently, disease management focuses on prevention. Moderate-intensity exercise has been reported to modulate apoptosis-related signaling and may contribute to cancer prevention. Objective To evaluate the potency of moderate-intensity exercise on caspase-8 and -9 expression in a DMBA-induced oral dysplasia rat model. Methodology A total of 24 Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: K1 (no exercise, no DMBA), K2 (exercise, no DMBA), K3 (no exercise, DMBA), K4 (exercise, DMBA). Exercise consisted of moderate-intensity swimming at 70% MWC, performed 3x/week for 6 weeks. DMBA (0.02 mg/kg body weight) was injected into the buccal mucosa of the canine region twice weekly for 2 weeks. At the 7th week, the rats were anesthetized with ketamine (10 mg/kg body weight), euthanized by cervical dislocation, and buccal tissue specimens were collected. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to obtain caspase-8 and -9 expression. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 29.0. Results All groups presented significant differences in caspase-8 (p = 0.004) and caspase-9 (p <0.001) expression. Caspase-8 and caspase-9 expression was significantly higher in K4 than in K3, with expression restored to levels comparable to the untreated control group (K1). Conclusion Moderate-intensity exercise restored caspase-8 and caspase-9 expression suppressed by DMBA exposure, suggesting preservation of apoptotic signaling in DMBA-induced Wistar rats.

Saussurea lappa, a medicinal plant, is known for its anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. This study explored the effects of nanoparticle of Saussurea lappa on stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) proliferation at various concentrations, aiming to assess its potential in promoting stem cell growth. The preparation of nanoparticles from Saussurea lappa was accomplished through an encapsulation method utilizing Eudragit RS 100.Simultaneously, the cytotoxic effects of nanoparticle of Saussurea lappa on HeLa cells were evaluated by determining its IC₅₀, providing insights into its anticancer properties. The dual focus on enhancing stem cell proliferation and inhibiting cancer cell growth highlights the therapeutic versatility of nanoparticle of Saussurea lappa. SHED proliferation was assessed at concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50, 100, and 200 µg/ml after exposure for 24, 48, and 72 hours. Cell viability was measured using absorbance assays. Additionally, the inhibitory effects of nanoparticle of Saussurea lappa on HeLa cells were evaluated to determine the IC₅₀ value. The nanoparticle Saussurea lappa demonstrates a concentration- and time-dependent effect on cell proliferation. At high concentrations (100–800 µg/mL), it significantly reduces cancer cell viability, indicating strong cytotoxic potential. For SHED cells, proliferation decreases notably at 12.5 µg/mL (p < 0.0001) across 24, 48, and 72 hours, with inhibitory effects diminishing at higher concentrations. Nanoparticle of Saussurea lappa shows promising dual effects as a stimulant of SHED proliferation and an inhibitor of cancer cell growth. These findings suggest its potential therapeutic applications in regenerative medicine and cancer treatment, warranting further investigation into its underlying mechanisms and clinical efficacy.

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a major contributing pathogen in periodontitis and triggers an inflammatory response that leads to tissue damage, primarily through the activation of proinflammatory cytokines such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Saussurea costus, a medicinal plant known for its anti-inflammatory properties, offers a potential alternative to prevent inflammation. This study explores the effects of S. costus nanoparticles on inflammation in periodontitis, specifically examining their ability to reduce the expression of NF-κB and TNF-α. Twenty male Wistar rats were injected with P. gingivalis into the central incisor region of the mandible to induce periodontitis. The rats were then treated with S. costus nanoparticles, alongside a control group. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to assess the expression of NF-κB and TNF-α at two time points: 2 and 5 days posttreatment. Bone and lower anterior gingival sulcus tissues were analyzed for immunohistochemical expression of these markers. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests. Treatment with S. costus nanoparticles resulted in significantly lower expressions of NF-κB and TNF-α compared with the control group at both 2 and 5 days posttreatment (p < 0.05). The S. costus nanoparticles effectively reduced NF-κB and TNF-α expression in periodontitis, with a more pronounced effect observed on day 5 compared with day 2, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent in managing periodontal inflammation.

In recent years, liquid smoke rice husk (LSRH) has shown its therapeutic potency to diabetes, wound healing, stomatitis, and periodontitis. The phenol, 6-octadecenoic acid, oleic acid, and 9-octadecanoic acid were responsible for their therapeutic effect. The LSRH also demonstrated their potential for infectious diseases such as coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Therefore, the molecular dynamics (MDs) simulation and pharmacophore analysis was performed to analyse the binding stability of 6-octadecenoic and oleic acid. Based on MD simulation, 6-octadecenoic and oleic acids seemed to retain their interactions with Ser144 and Thr24, respectively, with hydrogen bond distance less than 2.9 Å. This interaction was stable during the simulation and has hydrophobic and hydrogen bonds/acceptors. The 6-octadecenoic acid and oleic acid were confirmed to have great potency as inhibitors for COVID-19. These compounds also showed that the existence of hydrophobic and hydrogen bonds/acceptors could increase biological activity.

Introduction. Periodontitis therapy employing nanomaterials with submicron sizes holds promise for enhancing osteogenesis and facilitating periodontal cell proliferation. This study aims to assess the potential of nanoparticle‐based rice husk liquid smoke (n‐RHLS) in an animal model of periodontitis by evaluating the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor‐kβ (RANK), and receptor activator of nuclear factor‐kβ ligand (RANKL). Methods. Twenty‐eight male Wistar rats were inoculated with 10⁹ CFU/ml of Porphyromonas gingivalis in the sulcus mandibular incisor region to create periodontitis and subsequently treated with n‐RHLS while the control with saline. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on the mandibular incisor to assess OPG, RANK, and RANKL expression 2 and 7 days after treatment. Results. OPG expression exhibited a significant increase at both 2 and 7 days, while RANKL expression decreased notably after 7 days of treatment using n‐RHLS (p < 0.05). In contrast, RANK expression did not show significant differences compared to the control groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion. Nanostructured liquid smoke derived from rice husk nanoparticles (n‐RHLS) demonstrates potential as a therapeutic agent for periodontitis, especially on OPG/RANK/RANKL expression, by modulating OPG and RANKL expression to support periodontal tissue health.

Objectives Liquid smoke rice husk has been researched and proved to consist of antibacterial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and growth factor stimulatory properties. By these complex properties, the liquid smoke rice hull is able to purpose as a novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) inhibitor. The research was conducted to analyze the role of the dominant compound in rice husk liquid smoke against one of the main proteases in complex with inhibitor N3 of COVID-19 and 6LU7 protein data bank (PDB) ID. Material and Methods The Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) 2020.0901 (Chemical computing group) was used to analyzed the interaction. The molecular structure test, including phenol, mequinol, 2-methoxy-phenol, 6-octadecenoic acid, oleic acid, 9-cctadecenoic acid, was chosen. The lopinavir as positive control and 6LU7 as COVID-19 protein were chosen. All the protein analyses were conducted using docking molecular. Result The phenol, 2-methoxy-phenol, mequinol and 9-octadecenoic acid have higher binding free energy that causes difficult to bind to the active site of protein 6LU7 (−3.4758, −3.5509, −3.6845, and −5.0173 kcal/mol, respectively). The minor component of liquid smoke, such as 6-octadecenoic acid and oleic acid, has the binding free energy (−5,5327 and −5,4208 kcal/mol) and more factor of binding presumably as active COVID-19 inhibitor. Conclusion The liquid smoke rice husk has active component like 6-octadecenoic acid and oleic acid are presumably as active COVID-19 inhibitor.