MSc/PhD Abstract (Neuroscience)

looking into neural plasticity, regeneration and stem cells biology research...... (study plan on request)

BSc. Thesis Abstract

SCREENING OF CHEMICALLY SYNTHESIZED ANALOGUES OF ZERUMBONE FOR ANTI-CANCER PROPERTIES AND IN-VIVO INVESTIGATION OF ZERUMBONE IN FEMALE BALB/C MICE WITH CERVICAL INTRAEPITHELIAL NEOPLASM.

May 2006

INTRODUCTION: Zerumbone from rhizomes of a subtropical ginger Zingiber zerumbet was initially found its anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory activities. IL-6 and TNF-α was the proinflamatory cytokine in cervical cancer. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies from our laboratory demonstrated that zerumbone possesses anti-cancer properties in both ovarian and cervical cancer. However, studies on the synthetic zerumbone derivatives for its cytotoxic ability in cervical cancer remains unresolved. Therefore, we investigated the cytotoxic effects of several synthetic zerumbone derivatives compare to zerumbone in human cervical cancer cells and the effect of active compound on serum IL-6 and TNF-α level in CIN-induced female balb/c mice.

METHODOLOGY: Present study, we screened in vitro several synthetic analogues using MTT assay on human cervical cancer cells, HeLa. Later in the in vivo studies, pregnant mice were exposed with Diethylstilbestrol (DES) to induce CIN on offspring. After delivery, the induced offspring mice were treated with saline and cispatin as control, zerumbone at 3 levels of dosage. Prior to sacrifice, Serum were sampled to measure IL-6 and TNF-α level. All treated and untreated mice were dissected out their cervix for Hemoxylene and Eosin (H&E) staining.

RESULT: Our in vitro studies demonstrated that zerumbone, the parent compound has the most cytotoxic effect on cervical cancer cells among the analogues. In vivo studies showed that zerumbone at high level (16mg/kg) was as effective as cisplatin in reducing serum IL-6 level of CIN-induced mice, but not TNF-α level. Thus, serum IL-6 was good marker for CIN. Both high level zerumbone and cisplatin were observed for their comparable effectiveness for regression of CIN.

CONCLUSION: Both in vivo and in vitro studies demonstrated the cytotoxic activities of the zerumbone on human cervical cancer cells. Thus, zerumbone results again provide inputs with regards for the future development of anti-cervical cancer drugs in Malaysia.

Education Background

BSc. (1^st class Honours) Biomedical Science, YR 2006. {CGPA: 3.868}.

University Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang.

Malaysia High School Cert. (STPM), YR 2002.

S.M.K. Abdul Rahman Talib (SMKART), Kuantan.

Malaysia Education Cert. (SPM), YR 2000.

S.M.K. Tengku Panglima Perang Tengku Muhammad (SMKTPPTM), Kuantan.

Research Publication

Final Year BSc. (Hon) Thesis, YR 2006

Chong Yee Hang. Screening of chemically synthesized analogue of zerumbone for anti-cancer properties and in-vivo investigation of zerumbone in female balb/c mice with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasm (Abstract) & (Details on request).

Work Experience/Internship Training (New)

Research Assistant - Neuroscience (May 2007–Apr 2008).

School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University. (Details on request)

Laboratory Demonstrator - Medical Biochemistry (Jul 2006–Apr 2007).

Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University Putra Malaysia. (Details on request)

Internship attachment in Laboratory of Pathology (Apr–Jun 2005).

General Hosptal of Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA), Kuantan, Malaysia.

Conference/Seminar/Workshop Participation (New)

11^th International Brain Research Organization (IBRO), Associate School of Neuroscience in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 3rd - 7th Dec 2007.

Monash University.

Workshop on Advance Live cell imaging. 11 - 12th Sept 2007.

Monash University.

Workshop on Molecular Morphology, Imaging, Gene Expression and Behavioral Analysis.
20 - 24th Nov 2006.

Monash University.

6^th National Health Science Symposium, The Mines, Malaysia, 6 - 7^th June 2006

Poster presenter:

Screening of chemically synthesized analogue of zerumbone for anti-cancer properties and in-vivo investigation of zerumbone in female balb/c mice with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasm.

Academic Award/Achievement (New)

National Higher Education Fund Corporate (PTPTN) loan, YR2003-2006.

National Higher Education Fund Corporate (PTPTN).

**Converted to Scholarship, due to graduation with BSc. (1^st class Honours), YR 2006.

Selected Six Presenter of Final Year BSc. (Hon) Project, YR 2006.

Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University Putra Malaysia.

Dean’s List Award (Six consecutive semesters), YR 2003-2006.

Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University Putra Malaysia.

OUTSTANDING SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT AND EXCELLENCE, YR2004.

Golden Key International Honour Society, University Putra Malaysia.

Cert. of Excellent in SPM, YR 2002.

Yayasan Pahang (Pahang State Foundation), Malaysia.

Language Proficiency (New)

*Japanese Language Proficiency Test 3 (JLPT3), 7th Dec 2008.

*Japanese Language Proficiency Test 4 (JLPT4), 3rd Dec 2006, score: 324 (max 400)

*International English Language Test System (IELTS), 4th Nov 2006, Band 7 (max 9)

*Malaysia University English Test (MUET): Band 4 (max 6), YR 2002

Co-curriculum Activities - selected (New)

Malaysia Aikido Association (Aikikai), Active member, YR 2007 – Present.

~2nd Grade (kyu) holder, YR 2008.

~H. Yamada shihan Aikido Seminar. 6th – 8th Jun 2008.

~2nd Malaysia Multimedia University (Malacca) Aikido Seminar. 19th – 20th Apr 2008.

~Ikuhiro Kubota Shihan (7th Dan) Aikido Seminar. 4th - 5th Mar 2008.

~Tony Smibert (6^th Dan) Aikido Seminar. 7th - 9th September 2007.

~8th Malaysian Aikido Seminar, Seiichi Sugano Shihan (8th Dan). 20th - 22^nd Jul 2007.

~Ikuhiro Kubota Shihan (7^th Dan) Aikido Seminar. 16th - 18^th Mar 2007.

Seishinkai Aikido UPM club, Assistant secretary, YR 2003-2006.

~5^th grade (kyu) holder, YR 2005.

~Annual Aikido UPM Camp (Kuala Selangor, Selangor and Selesa Hill Resort, Pahang).

~Aikido Demonstrations (UPM bazaar).

AIESEC UPM society, Active member, YR 2003-2004.

~National Leadership Development Seminar (NLDS), University Utara Malaysia.

St John Ambulance Pahang, Active member, YR 2002-2003.

~Basic first aid and nursing course, YR 2002.

~Highway Ambulance activity.

Taekwan-Do MGTF Pahang, Active member, YR 2000-2003.

~1^st Degree (Dan) Black belt holder, YR 2002.

~Pahang State Taekwan-Do GTF Tournament, YR 2002/2003 (Gold and Silver Medal).

Ping Pong club, vice president, YR2000-2002.

~Kuantan District Ping Pong Tournament MSSD.

Chinese Language Society, Active member, YR2000-2002

~Kuantan District General Knowledge Competition.