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Obesity bears multivariate causes and manifestations. Simple anthropometric and non-invasive physical markers are being proposed for easy and early detection of obesity-induced disrupted energy homeostasis and metabolic disorders. Adipose-tissuederived hormone, leptin is largely known for its role in energy homeostasis and paradoxically, higher serum leptin corresponds to higher degree of obesity. Thus, this study aims to investigate the association of plasma leptin with common physical measures of adiposity in a multiethnic, young adult Malaysian population. Methodology: Based on BMI, 185 volunteering participants were grouped as underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese. Standardized anthropometric and bio-electrical impedance assessment (BIA) measure of adiposity was done using Karada Scanner while plasma leptin was measured using a sandwich ELISA assay technique. Results: A total of 61, 45, 56 and 23 Malaysian Malays, Chinese, Indian and other minor groups, respectively were included in this study. Out of this, 28 were underweight, 100 were normal weight, 29 were overweight and 27 were obese (n=27). One-way ANOVA revealed a significant difference among all variables except height and waist-hip ratio. The multiple regression analysis predicted plasma leptin value based on age, weight, height, body age, resting metabolic rate, visceral fat, total body fat, and body mass index in both male (R2=0.54) and females (R2=0.23). The results show that weight, resting metabolic rate, visceral fat and body were reliable predictors for plasma leptin between all the groups. Conclusion: Anthropometric indices can be used as predictors of serum leptin in adults irrespective of their body weight. This observation thus emphasizes the clinical significance of simple non-invasive physical markers for detection of obesity-induced metabolic disorders.

Background: Momordica cochinchinensis (Cucurbitaceae) is a nutritionally and medicinally important fruit restricted to South East Asia with diverse morphological and genetic variations but there is limited information on its medicinal potential. Methods: M. cochinchinensis aril from 44 different samples in Australia, Thailand and Vietnam were extracted using different solvents and tested for its anticancer potential. Anticancer activity of M. cochinchinensis aril on breast cancer (MCF7 and BT474) and melanoma (MM418C1 and D24) cells were compared to control fibroblasts (NHDF). The cytotoxicity of the cells following treatment with the aril extract was determined using CCK-8 assay. Biochemical and morphological changes were analysed using flow cytometry, confocal and transmission electron microscopy to determine the mechanism of cell death. Results: The water extract from the aril of M. cochinchinensis elicited significantly higher cytotoxicity towards breast cancer and melanoma cells than the HAE extract. The IC50 concentration for the crude water extract ranged from 0.49 to 0.73 mg/mL and induced both apoptotic and necrotic cell death in a dose- and time-dependant manner with typical biochemical and morphological characteristics. The greatest cytotoxicity was observed from Northern Vietnam samples which caused 70 and 50% melanoma and breast cancer cell death, respectively. Conclusions: The water extract of M. cochinchinensis aril caused significant apoptosis and necrosis of breast cancer and melanoma cells, with varieties from Northern Vietnam possessing superior activity. This highlights the potential of this fruit in the development of novel anticancer agents against such tumours, with specific regions on where to collect the best variety and extraction solvent for optimum activity.

Clinacanthus nutans is a medicinal Asian plant often propagated by stem cuttings but little is known about the genetic relationships between existing accessions and the extent of homogeneity. In this study, we examined the genetic homogeneity in 12 C. nutans samples from Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam reproduced by vegetative propagation from different regions between and within countries, and compared it to sexually propagated Andrographis paniculata (same family), related Clinacanthus siamensis (same family) and an out-group (different family) using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and microsatellite markers. There was a high genetic similarity between C. nutans accessions from all countries, with identical genetic profiles even though they were geographically distant. C. nutans clustered closely with C. siamensis and was distant from A. paniculata and the out-group. Genetic similarity for C. nutans was almost double that of A. paniculata, but the combined clustering analysis revealed higher diversity in C. nutans. These results provide fundamental knowledge in future planting decisions and options, and also facilitate further germplasm conservation of C. nutans and other vegetatively propagated medicinal species.