Page 25 - Drug Discovery and Development: Prospects and Challenges

Drug Discovery and Development: Prospects and Challenges / 15
unpublished). Another study showed that triterpenoids from Luvunga
scandens inhibited breast cancer cells (Al-Zikri et al., 2014). To extend
our research, we have collaborated with other Kulliyah to study marine-
based products. One of the studies was focused on sea cucumber and
seaweed (Ruslan, et al., 2021). Sea cucumbers, such as Holothuria edulis
Lesson and Stichopus horrens Selenka, were reported to possess potent
cytotoxic activities (Althunibat et al., 2013).

Brothers and sisters,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Anti-hyperglycemic
Insulin resistance is the main precursor of non-insulin-dependent diabetes
mellitus (type 2 diabetes). Insulin resistance is characterised by reduced
insulin-stimulated glucose absorption in muscle and adipose tissue and
impaired insulin-suppressed glucose production in the liver due to obesity
(Reaven, 1988). According to the International Diabetes Federation
(IDF), the number of diabetic people in the population is projected to
increase to 578 million by 2030 (International Diabetes Federation, 2021)
(International Diabetes Federation, 2021).
A recent study reported that over 800 plant species have been proven
to treat diabetes, which is mostly based on various in vitro study models
and animal testing (Furman et al., 2020). In our research, we also applied
the cell culture method for anti-diabetes and anti-obesity assays using
3T3-L1 preadipocytes cells. Preadipocyte cells need to be induced with
a chemical cocktail to become adipocytes cells. The cocktail consists of
3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), dexamethasone, and insulin. The
stimulation process takes place from 8 to 14 days to allow the adipocyte
to reach maturity (Table 1 and Figure 13). The proliferation of adipose
tissue comprises the expansion of mature adipocytes and the production
of new adipocytes from locally resident preadipocytes (Lai et al., 2012).
The formation of lipid droplets (Figure 14) indicates that the adipocyte
cells have undergone a differentiation process. This stage allows us to
manipulate or test their response toward the treatment.