Introduction: Eurycoma longifolia (E. longifolia) which is better known locally as Tongkat Ali is an indigenous plant in Malaysia. It belongs to the family of Simaroubaceae and is popular as a traditional medicine for its aphrodisiac properties. Throughout the years, several studies have been conducted to prove its effect on aphrodisiac action, antimalarial, antibacterial and anxiolytic properties but its effect to the cardiovascular system had not been fully explored. This study was aimed to demonstrate the changes that take place in the isolated heart following the injection of the extract. Methods: Three parameters that were measured included the coronary perfusion pressure (CPP), the left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and the heart rate (HR). Eighteen isolated rat hearts were used and were divided equally into three groups. The first group was to observe the effect of Isoprenaline, a beta agonist while the second group was to see the effect of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide (NO) donor. The dose which gave the maximum effect for these two positive controls was used to compare with the effect of E. longifolia water extract in the third group of rats. Isolated heart was mounted using the Langendorff apparatus and perfused with modified Krebs-Henseleit buffer. Doses of controls and the extract were instilled through an injection port, and the effect of each dose was monitored. Results: E. longifolia extract was found to reduce the CPP in normotensive rat at two of the highest doses. A dose of 1.0 mg of the extract reduced the CPP significantly from 34.52 +/- 4.99 mmHg of the baseline value to 31.99 +/- 4.93 mmHg while the dose of 10.0 mg of the extract reduced the CPP significantly to 32.67 +/- 3.89 mmHg. However, there were no significant changes of effect of the extract on the LVDP and HR as compared to control. Conclusion: These early findings suggest that E. longifolia extract may have vasodilatory property, which supports its traditional usage with minimum cardiovascular side effects.

Background: There is no histological study evaluating the effects of insulin-containing cream on skin injury. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of insulin-containing creams on wound healing. Methods: Creams consisting of nine parts of oil and one part of aqueous phase (9:1) mixed with 1.5 mL human insulin were prepared. Eighteen male guinea pigs were divided into three groups; the control (9:1 C) group received cream without insulin. The experimental groups received Humulin N (9:1 N) and Humulin R (9:1 R) respectively. A 1 cm(2) wound of 1-2 cm thickness was created in the skin. Each animal received 0.5 g of the respective creams which was topically applied once a day for 14 days. The progress of wound healing was monitored daily. Skin tissues were excised at the 14th days from the wound sites and processed for light microscopy. Results: Skin wound treated with the long acting insulin Humulin N had an accelerated wound healing process with restoration of vascular network, increased collagen deposition and early complete wound remodeling. Conclusions: Insulin cream with long acting mechanism facilitates in normalizing cell permeability, promoting vascularization, reducing exudation and stimulate proliferation of cells. These properties render insulin cream suitable for expediting wound healing.