Research title: Natus: The New Remedial for Microbial Caused Diseases
Researchers:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Darah Ibrahim
Prof. Ibrahim Che Omar
Lee Chee Keong
Contact:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Darah Ibrahim
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Attached: A image file depicting the process of NATUS Preparation and SEM micrographs of "Candida albicans" before and 36 hours after treatment with Stichopus chloronatus extracts
Gamat is a well known species of sea cucumber among traditional medicinal practitioners in Malaysia. However, gamat (Stichopus variegatus) is approaching extinction. Therefore, alternative member of the sea cucumbers will have to be investigated, including the determination of the standard method of extraction, following scientific protocols. Compounds from natural resources are preferred to be used as alternative remedies since they are safe and do not contain chemicals which are toxic to human and environment.
Solution: A novel extraction method has been developed to produce potential antimicrobial compounds, especially as antifungal agents from another member of sea cucumber, Stichopus chloronatus which was found effective to combat various types of ringworm infections caused by dermatophytes and also pathogenic yeasts. The novel extraction
method produces powdered extract that can easily be used to formulate into cream,
ointment, lotion or solution.
Advantages of the invention
1. The use of Stichopus chloronatus which is abundant in Malaysian waters as raw materials for traditional medicines.
2. The efficacy and potency of the productsAre better than gamat (using our novelmethod of extraction).
3. Has great potential in commercialization.
4. Diversify applications of sea cucumbersto prevent extinction.
Images available from author:
Figure 1: A flow chart of the NATUS preparation
Stichopus chloronatus
Extracts from S. Chloronatus
Ointment preparation usingextract from S. Chloronatus
SEM micrographs of control Candida albicans cells (A)and after 36 hours treated (B)
with the extracts at 12.5 mg/ml
