Science Letters XX(X)

Transcription

Science Letters XX(X)
Science Letters 8(2) 2014
SCIENCE LETTERS
Science Letters is a peer-reviewed, open-access, and biannually online-published international journal for
the complete coverage of all topics in science and technology related areas. Science Letters aims to be
recognized as an important forum for researchers from academic and private arenas to exchange the
latest results from research especially in science and technology in a broad sense, both original papers
and reviews
Publication Frequency
Science Letters is published online and in print in January and July, two issues a year. We accept regular
article submissions throughout the year.
Title
Page
Effects of Reductant Concentration and Reduction Temperature in Synthesis of Copper
Nanoparticles on Their Metal-Metal Bonding Properties
Takafumi Maeda, Hiroaki Nakazawa, Yoshio Kobayashi, Yusuke Yasuda and
Toshiaki Morita
Health Benefits and Effects of Selected Herbal Plants on Mammalian Reproductive
System: A Review
Marysia Julius Booh, Nooraain Hashim, Nur Hilwani Ismail, Dzulsuhaimi Daud,
Nurdiana Samsurizal and Mohd Fakharul Zaman Raja Yahya
1
i
10
Science Letters 8(2) 2014
Effects of Reductant
Concentration and Reduction
Temperature in Synthesis of
Copper Nanoparticles on Their
Metal-Metal Bonding Properties
Science Letters
Vol 8, No 2,1-9
© 2014 Sci.Lett
www.scienceletters.uitm.edu.my
Takafumi Maeda1, Hiroaki Nakazawa1, Yoshio Kobayashi1, Yusuke Yasuda2
and Toshiaki Morita2
Abstract
The present work describes synthesis of metallic Cu nanoparticles in aqueous solution, and
metal-metal bonding with the use of the nanoparticles. The metallic Cu nanoparticle colloid
solution was prepared by mixing a 0.01 M aqueous solution of (CH3COO)2Cu and a 0.2-1.0 M
aqueous solution of hydrazine (reductant) in the presence of 0.0005 M citric acid and 0.005 M
n-hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (stabilizers). Reduction temperatures were 30-80oC
(TCu). The size of the Cu particles decreased and increased in the range of 60-80 nm with
increasing the hydrazine concentration from 0.2 to 1.0 M and the TCu, respectively. These
results could be explained by the increases in the number of generated metallic Cu nuclei and
in collision frequency of particles, respectively. A main component in the particle was metallic
Cu, and the metallic Cu particles were polycrystalline. Discs of metallic Cu were successfully
bonded under annealing at 400oC and pressurizing at 1.2 MPa for 5 min in H2 gas with help of
the metallic Cu particles, and then a shear strength required for separating the bonded Cu
discs was measured. Dependences of shear strength on hydrazine concentration and TCu was
explained by the apparent particle size and the amount of impurity. As a result of optimization
of preparation conditions, a shear strength as high as 36.6 MPa was recorded for a colloid
solution prepared at the hydrazine concentration of 0.6 M and the TCu of 50oC.
Keywords
copper, nanoparticle, metal-metal bonding
1
Department of Biomolecular Functional Engineering, College of Engineering, Ibaraki University, 4-12-1 Nakanarusawa-cho, Hitachi, Ibaraki 316-8511, Japan
2
Hitachi Research Laboratory, Hitachi Ltd., 7-1-1 Omika-cho, Hitachi, Ibaraki 319-1292, Japan
Corresponding Authors:
Takafumi Maeda and Yoshio Kobayashi, Department of Biomolecular Functional Engineering, College of Engineering,
Ibaraki University, 4-12-1 Naka-narusawa-cho, Hitachi, Ibaraki 316-8511, Japan
Email: [email protected] (Maeda Takafumi), [email protected] (Yoshio Kobayashi)
1
Science Letters 8(2) 2014
Introduction
Sn-Pb alloy has been widely used for many years as a solder or a filler in metal-metal bonding of
components in electronic products, because they have low melting point [1-3]. Lead is showing a
tendency to limitation on its use because of its toxicity for living bodies. Therefore, due to health and
environmental concerns, the components in electronic products are mounted with Pb-free solders. Pbfree solders based on Sn have been developed as new solders [4-10], because the Sn-based solders also
have a low melting point. Low melting point of filler is a useful property for metal-metal bonding, because
metallic materials can be bonded using the alloy at low temperature. However, the bonded materials may
be released at temperatures higher than its melting point due to remelting of the alloy. Metal-metal
bonding is typically implemented by applying both pressure and heat to the materials to be bonded,
which promotes diffusion of metals into the materials [11-16]. Since nanoparticles of metals have a total
apparent surface area larger than that of their bulk, they can contact the materials, efficiently so that
effective metal-metal bonding is provided by using the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles have another
advantage over their bulk, as follows. In general, a decrease in a size of material to nanometer order
provides a depression of its melting point [17-20]. The phenomenon can be applied to metal-metal
bonding at low temperature. Studies on metallic Ag nanoparticles as the filler have been performed by
various researchers [21-25]. The metallic Ag nanoparticles have high electric, thermal conductivities and
chemical stability. The Ag-based nanoparticles have an excellent ability of the metal-metal bonding.
However, they take high cost, and electric migration of the Ag filler takes place, which deteriorates the
bonding [26-28]. Metallic Cu is also a candidate as the filler for bonding, since it also has high electric
conductivity and high thermal conductivity. In addition, it is available at low cost, and has excellent antiionic migration property. Several methods have been proposed for preparing nanoparticles of metallic Cu
[29,30]. Our group has studied on metal-metal bonding process using metallic Cu nanoparticles prepared
with the direct reduction of Cu ions, in which a shear strength was achieved at 37.7 MPa [31]. The work
and a preliminary experiment indicated that their bonding properties were strongly dependent on
fabrication conditions such as concentrations of chemicals and reaction temperature. The present work
studied on effect of reductant concentration and reduction temperature in synthesis of copper
nanoparticles on their morphology. Their metal-metal bonding property was also investigated.
Materials and method
Chemicals
A chemical used as a source of metallic Cu nanoparticles was copper acetate monohydrate
((CH3COO)2Cu·H2O) (> 99%). Citric acid monohydrate (> 99.5%) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide
(CTAB) (99%) were used as stabilizers. Hydrazine monohydrate (> 98.0%) was used as a reductant. All
chemicals were purchased from Kanto Chemical Co., Inc., and were used as received. Water that was ionexchanged and distilled with Yamato WG-250 was used in all the preparations, and was deaerated by
bubbling with N2 gas for 30 min prior to preparation of aqueous solutions of copper salt and hydrazine.
Preparation
Colloid solutions of Cu nanoparticles were prepared by reducing copper ions with hydrazine. Freshly
prepared hydrazine aqueous solution was added to (CH3COO)2Cu monohydrate aqueous solution
o
containing citric acid and CTAB under vigorous stirring at 30-80 C (TCu). Initial concentrations of copper,
hydrazine, citric acid and CTAB were 0.01, 0.1-1.0, 0.0005 and 0.005 M, respectively. The reaction time
was 3 h. After the reaction, the obtained particles were washed by repeating a process several times,
which was composed of centrifugation at 10,000 rpm, removal of supernatant, addition of water, and
shake of the mixture with a vortex mixer for dispersing the particles. The particles were dried at room
temperature under vacuum after the final removal of supernatant to obtain powder of the particles.
2
Science Letters 8(2) 2014
Characterization
The particles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD)
and thermal analysis (TG-DTA). TEM photographs were taken with a JEOL JEM-2100 microscope operating
at 200 kV. Samples for TEM were prepared by dropping and evaporating the particle colloid on a
collodion-coated copper grid. Dozens of particle diameters in TEM images were measured to determine
number-averaged particle size and standard deviation of particle size distribution. XRD measurements
were carried out with a RAD-B X-ray diffractometer operating at 50 kV and 150 mA with CuKα radiation.
For preparing the powder sample for the XRD measurement, supernatant of the particle colloid solution
was removed with decantation, and then residue was dried at room temperature for 24 h in vacuum.
Powder samples were sandwiched between copper discs (a stage (diameter: 10 mm, thickness: 5 mm)
o
and a disc (diameter: 5 mm, thickness: 2.5 mm), and pressed at 1.2 MPa under annealing in H 2 at 400 C
for 5 min with a Shinko Seiki vacuum reflow system. For measurements of bonding strength, shear
strengths, which were required to separate the bonded disc and stage, were measured with a Seishin SS100KP bond tester. The surface of each copper disc was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM),
with a JEOL JSM-5600LV microscope after the measurement of shear strength.
Results and discussion
Effect of hydrazine concentration
Figure 1 shows photographs of the colloid solutions prepared at various hydrazine concentrations. All the
colloid solutions had a color of reddish brown, which indicated that metallic Cu particles were produced.
TEM images of the Cu nanoparticles are shown in Figure 2. Sizes of the particles fabricated at the
hydrazine concentrations of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 M were 70±15, 73±15, 71±13, 69±12 and 75±18 nm,
respectively. There was no large difference in the particle size among the hydrazine concentrations: The
particle size was not dependent on the hydrazine concentration. This result on the tendency of particle
size was coincident with our previous work [31]. XRD patterns of the Cu particles are shown in Figure 3.
For all samples, three peaks were recorded at 43.3, 50.4 and 74.1 degree. The peaks were attributed to
the (111), (200) and (220) planes of cubic copper (JCPDS card No. 04-0836). A peak assigned to Cu2O
(JCPDS card No. 05-0667) was also detected faintly at 36.5 degree, for each sample. There was no large
difference in the patterns among the samples examined.
Figure 4 shows photographs of the copper stages after the measurement of shear strength. Reddish
brown products that were obviously metallic Cu were observed in widespread area on the stage for all the
samples examined. Figure 5 shows a shear strength as a function of the reductant concentration. Shear
strengths reached values as high as 23.1, 20.5, 22.1, 27.3 and 18.5 MPa for the hydrazine concentrations
of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0, respectively. The shear strength tended to increase with the increase in
hydrazine concentration from 0.2 to 0.8 M. Reduction of some Cu ions was probably uncompleted at the
low hydrazine concentrations, which formed Cu oxide. Volume of Cu oxide decreased during the bonding
in H2 gas, because oxygen was eliminated from the Cu oxide through the reduction of Cu oxide. This
resulted in production of voids in the particles during bonding, which probably made the bonding weak at
the low hydrazine concentrations. The increase in hydrazine concentration up to 1.0 M decreased the
shear strength. At the hydrazine concentration as high as 1.0 M, unreacted hydrazine was probably
remained in the solution, which also produced the voids in the particles during bonding. Consequently,
the decrease in shear strength took place with increasing the hydrazine concentration over 0.8 M. Figure
6 shows SEM images of the copper stages after the measurement of shear strength. For all the samples,
many dimples were observed accompanying with sharp tips on the surface. The dimples are formed in
bonded region when metals that are strongly bonded are separated. Accordingly, these observations of
dimples supported that the discs were strongly bonded.
3
Science Letters 8(2) 2014
Figure 1 Photographs of colloid solutions prepared at hydrazine
concentrations of (a) 0.2, (b) 0.4, (c) 0.6, (d) 0.8 and (e) 1.0 M
Figure 2 TEM images of various particles. The samples were the particles
contained in the same colloid solutions as in Figure 1.
Figure 3 XRD patterns of various particles. The
samples were the particles contained in the same
colloid solutions as in Figure 1. ●: Cu, ∆; Cu2O
4
Science Letters 8(2) 2014
Figure 4 Photographs of copper discs after measurement of shear strength. The
samples used as fillers for bonding were the particles contained in the same
colloid solutions as in Figure 1.
Shear strength (MPa)
40
30
20
10
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
Hydrazine concentration (M)
Figure 5 Shear strength as a function of hydrazine concentration.
The samples used as fillers for bonding were the particles
contained in the same colloid solutions as in Figure 1.
Figure 6 SEM images of copper disc surfaces after measurement of shear
strength. The samples used as fillers for bonding were the particles contained in
the same colloid solutions as in Figure 1.
Effect of TCu
Figure 7 shows photographs of the particle colloid solutions prepared at various TCus. For all the samples,
the colloid solutions with the color of reddish brown prepared, and the particle were highly dispersed.
Figure 8 shows TEM images of the particles. Sizes of the particles were 71±13, 62±14, 69±12, 82±15,
o
79±22 and 84±18 nm for TCus of 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 C, respectively. The particle size tended to
increase with an increase in TCu. The high temperatures moved particles actively, which provided
promotion of particle collision following aggregation and growth of the particles [32]. Figure 9 show XRD
patterns of the particles. There was no large difference among the patterns obtained. Peaks were
5
Science Letters 8(2) 2014
recorded mainly at 43.3, 50.4 and 74.1 degree for all the samples. The peaks were also attributed to the
cubic copper. A peak assigned to Cu2O was also detected faintly at 36.5 degree, for each sample.
Figure 10 shows photographs of the copper stages after the measurement of shear strength. It was also
confirmed that metallic Cu with the color of reddish brown were observed in widespread area on the
stage. Figure 11 shows dependence of the shear strength on the TCu. The particles had shear strengths of
o
22.1, 22.2, 36.6, 25.9, 24.1 and 26.1 MPa for the TCu of 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 C, respectively. These
values were over 20 MPa, which meant that the discs were strongly bonded for all the samples examined.
o
The shear strength for 50 C was the largest among the TCus examined. In the low TCu range lower than
o
50 C, the particle sizes were small, compared to those for high TCus. Small particles tend to aggregate
because of their large surface energy, which results in an increase in apparent particle size. A similar
tendency was considered to take place for the low TCu samples during the preparation of powder samples.
As a result, contact areas of the particles and the Cu discs were small, so that the shear strengths were
small for the low TCu. Though aggregation of particles was probably controlled at the high TCu, the particle
size increased with increasing the TCu. Consequently, the increase in particle size also decreased the
contact areas of the particles and the Cu discs, which decreased the shear strength. Figure 12 shows SEM
images of the copper stages after the measurement of shear strength. For all the samples, many dimples
were formed on the surface, which supported the strongly bonding.
Figure 7 Photographs of colloid solutions prepared at TCus of (a)
o
30, (b) 40, (c) 50, (d) 60, (e) 70 and (f) 80 C.
Figure 8 TEM images of various particles. The samples were the particles
contained in the same colloid solutions as in Figure 7.
6
Science Letters 8(2) 2014
Figure 9 XRD pattern of various particles. The samples
were the particles contained in the same colloid
solutions as in Figure 7. ●: Cu, ∆; Cu2O
Figure 10 Photographs of copper discs after measurement of shear strength. The
samples used as fillers for bonding were the particles contained in the same
colloid solutions as in Figure 7.
Figure 11 Shear strength as a function of TCu. The samples used as
fillers for bonding were the particles contained in the same colloid
solutions as in Figure 7.
7
Science Letters 8(2) 2014
Figure 12 SEM images of copper disc surfaces after measurement of
shear strength. The samples used as fillers for bonding were the
particles contained in the same colloid solutions as in Figure 7.
Conclusions
A synthesis method of metallic Cu nanoparticles in aqueous solution was proposed. The colloid solutions
of metallic Cu nanoparticles were prepared by reducing of 0.01 M Cu ions with 0.2-1.0 M hydrazine in the
o
o
presence of 0.0005 M citric acid and 0.005 M CTAB in water at 30-80 C. At the constant TCu of 30 C, there
was no large difference in the particle size among the hydrazine concentrations examined. The shear
strength increased with the increase in hydrazine concentration in the range of 0.2-0.8 M, because the
small particles could contact the Cu discs efficiently. The increase up to 1.0 M decreased the shear
strength because of the large amount of impurity derived from the high hydrazine concentration. At the
constant hydrazine concentration of 0.6 M, the particle size increased with the increase in TCu, which was
explained by the collision frequency of particles. The shear strength was 36.6 MPa that was the largest
among the samples examined, which was explained by the apparent particle sizes.
Acknowledgement
This work was partially supported by Hitachi, Ltd. We express our thanks to Prof. T. Noguchi in College of
Science of Ibaraki University, Japan for their help for TEM observation.
References
[1]
T. Gorewoda, J. Anyszkiewicz, Z. Mzyk, L. Buzek. Spectrochim. Acta. B, 2014; 92, 29-33.
[2]
C. Kanchanomai, W. Limtrakarn, Y. Mutoh. Mech. Materi., 2005; 37, 1166-1174.
[3]
E.A. Howell, C.M. Megaridis, M. McNallan. Int. J. Heat Fluid Fl., 2004; 25, 91-102.
[4]
C.Y. Yu, W.Y. Chen, J.G. Duh. J. Alloy. Compd., 2014; 586, 633-638.
[5]
W.L.R. Santos, C. Brito, J.M.V. Quaresma, J.E. Spinelli. Mater. Sci. Eng. B, 2014; 182, 29-36.
[6]
M.M. Billah, K.M. Shorowordi, A. Sharif. J. Alloy. Compd., 2014; 585, 32-39.
[7]
A. Boulouiz, A. Sabbar. Thermochim. Acta, 2014; 575, 151-158.
8
Science Letters 8(2) 2014
[8]
L. Zhang, J.G. Han, Y. Guo, C.W. He. Microelectron. Reliab., 2014; 54, 281-286.
[9]
E. H. Wong, S. K. W. Seah, J. F. J. M. Caers, Y. S. Lai. Int. J. Fatigue, 2014; 59, 43-49.
[10]
Y. Tang, G.Y. Li, Y.C. Pan. Mater. Design, 2014; 55, 574-582.
[11]
N. Hosseinabadi, R. Sarraf-Mamoory, A.M. Hadian. Ceram. Int., 2014; 40, 3011-3021.
[12]
J. Cao, J. Liu, X. Song, X. Lin, J. Feng. Mater. Design, 2014; 56, 115-121.
[13]
R.S. Tashi, S.A.A.A. Mousavi, M.M. Atabaki. Mater. Design, 2014; 54, 161-167.
[14]
[15]
C. A. Leon-Patiño, E.A. Aguilar-Reyes, M. Braulio-Sánchez, G. Rodríguez-Ortiz, E. Bedolla-Becerril.
Mater. Design, 2014; 54, 845-853.
B. Lee, H. Jeon, K.-W. Kwon, H.-J. Lee. Acta Mater., 2013; 61, 6736-6742.
[16]
H.Y. Chen, J. Cao, J.K. Liu, X.G. Song, J.C. Feng. Comput. Mater. Sci., 2013; 71, 179-183.
[17]
D. Chen, T.S. Totton, J.W.J. Akroyd, S. Mosbach, M. Kraft. Carbon, 2014; 67, 79-91.
[18]
[20]
H. Friedman, S. Reich, R. Popovitz-Biro, P. von Huth, I. Halevy, Y. Koltypin, A. Gedanken, Z. Porat.
Ultrason. Sonochem., 2013; 20, 432-444.
D Hasa, D. Voinovich, B. Perissutti, G. Grassi, S. Fiorentino, R. Farra, M. Abrami, I. Colombo, M.
Grassi. Eur. J. Pharm. Sci., 2013; 50,17-28.
T. Ivas, A.N. Grundy, E. Povoden-Karadeniz, L.J. Gauckler. Calphad, 2012; 36, 57-64.
[21]
E. Ide, S. Angata, A. Hirose, K.F. Kobayashi. Acta Mater., 2005; 53, 2385-2393.
[22]
J. Yan, G. Zou, Ai-ping Wu, J. Ren, J. Yan, A. Hu, Y. Zhou. Scr. Mater., 2012; 66, 582-585.
[23]
Y. Yasuda, E. Ide, T. Morita. Jpn. J. Appl. Phys., 2009; 48, 125004-
[24]
Y. Kobayashi, T. Shirochi, Y. Yasuda, T. Morita. J. Min. Metall. B, 2013; 49, 65-70.
[25]
T. Maeda, Y. Kobayashi, Y. Yasuda, T. Morita. Adv. Mat. Res., 2013; 622-623, 945-949.
[26]
A.V. Anikeenko, N.N. Medvedev, N.F. Uvarov. Solid State Ionics, 2013; 251, 13-17.
[27]
J.H. Kim, S.-D. Park. Eng. Fail. Anal., 2013; 28, 252-263.
[28]
C. Peng, J.O. Almeira, A. Abou-Shady. Sep. Purif. Technol., 2013; 118, 591-597.
[29]
X. Cheng, X. Zhang, H. Yin, A. Wang, Y. Xu. Appl. Surf. Sci., 2006; 253, 2727-2732.
[30]
[31]
Q. Liu, D. Zhou, Y. Yamamoto, K. Kuruda, M. Okido. Trans. Nonferrous. Met. Soc. China, 2012; 22,
2991-2996.
Y. Kobayashi, T. Shirochi, Y. Yasuda, T. Morita. Int. J. Adhes. Adhes., 2012; 33, 50-55.
[32]
R.K. Joshi. Solid State Commun., 2006; 139, 201-204.
[19]
9
Science Letters 8(2) 2014
Health Benefits and Effects of
Selected Herbal Plants on
Mammalian Reproductive
System: A Review
Science Letters
Vol 8, No 2,10-14
© 2014 Sci.Lett
www.scienceletters.uitm.edu.my
Marysia Julius Booh, Nooraain Hashim, Nur Hilwani Ismail, Dzulsuhaimi
Daud, Nurdiana Samsurizal and Mohd Fakharul Zaman Raja Yahya
Abstract
This article aims at reviewing the health benefits and potential effects of selected herbal
plants which included Averrhoa bilimbi, Cosmos caudatus and Pereskia bleo on mammalian
reproductive systems. All these three herbal plants under study are enriching with potent
anti-oxidant, anti-microbial and anti-carcinogen properties that are crucial in maintaining
well-being. Averrhoa bilimbi has shown to increase infertility rate in adult female mice by
using 14.4 ml/kg body weight of extracted Averrhoa bilimbi juice. Cosmos caudatus able to
take action as therapeutic agent and repair bone damage in elderly women which
phytoestrogens contains in it can mimic the effects of estrogen. Cosmos caudatus is reported
to exhibit radical-scavenging activity which important to maintaining the production of quality
sperm. Recognized for its anti-proliferation and cytotoxic activity that attacks a few human
cancer cell lines, Pereskia bleo showed the ability to protect the normal mouse fibroblast cells
from the natural or oxidant-induced cell death caused by programmed cell death or apoptosis.
Keywords
Averrhoa bilimbi, Cosmos caudatus, Pereskia bleo, herbal plants, reproductive system, infertility
School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam, 40450
Selangor Darul Ehsan
Corresponding Author:
Marysia Julius Booh, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM),
Shah Alam, 40450 Selangor Darul Ehsan
Email:[email protected]
Introduction
Herbs are identified as versatile plants with their amazing scents, colours and flavours. They are used by
humans since ancient times in many ways such as in cooking and cosmetics, also in dyeing textiles [1]. The
supple and tender leaves, aerial or entire parts of herbal plants and the shoots of woody plants are edible.
The more fibrous plant parts such as unripe pods are being sliced, diced, chopped, grated or shredded
10
Science Letters 8(2) 2014
into different shapes and sizes of tiny portions to enable easy digest [2]. They are believed can prevent
diverse chronic maladies and showed outstanding healing properties, and hence the consumption of the
herbal plants also plays a renowned nutritional role in diet, as they were taken daily during mealtime [3],
[4]. The nutritional benefits of the herbal plants are attributed from the mixture of active compounds and
enrich with carbohydrates, protein, minerals and vitamin [5-6].
These Nutritional benefits are primarily importance in determining semen quality and quantity [7-11]. In
adult animals, the effects of under-nutrition, malnutrition and nutrient imbalances may include reduced
androgen secretion and low semen quality [7,9]. Healthy sperm production can be easily disturbed and it
can take place at dissimilar periods of a lifetime of a male. Hence, it is really important to take into
consideration the intake of nutrients from herbs that can aid in the physical mechanism that yields high
quality of sperm. Androgen and anti-Müllerian are both hormones that activate specific pathways for the
development of male reproductive system [12]. Although the testis formation is not hormone dependent
but most of the masculinization processes depend on normal testicular hormone production and on the
crucial part, cellular development of a testis is dependent on the local action of hormone [13]. Wilson [14]
stated that androgen is the most vital hormone for the Wolffian ducts to undergo normal development
and differentiation into epididymis, vas deferens and seminal vesicles.
This review highlights the health benefits and possible effects of herbal plants on mammalian
reproductive system with the emphasis given on three species which are Averrhoa bilimbi, Cosmos
caudatus and Pereskia bleo as in Malaysia specifically, the knowledge and practices on the native use of
herbal plants are predominantly passed on verbally, from one generation to another and has largely
remained undocumented [15].
Health benefits and properties of herbal plants under study
Averrhoa bilimbi
Its local name in Malaysia is “Belimbing buluh or Belimbing asam”. Averrhoa bilimbi is sensitive to cold,
especially when it is still immature. Averrhoa bilimbi is acidic and due to this property, the A. bilimbi fruits
have been used as bleaching agent for stains or tarnished the brass. Health benefits of Averrhoa bilimbi
are well known, it has been widely used in traditional medicine for cough, cold, itches, boils, rheumatism,
syphilis, whooping cough and hypertension [16].
The aqueous and chloroform extracts of leaves and fruits of A. bilimbi possess antibacterial activity which
can deter the activities of gram positive and negative bacteria [17]. In another study, Mein and Mohamed
[18] proved that A. bilimbi contains flavonoids bioactive compounds luteolin and apigenin which are the
antibacterial growth compounds. The anti-diabetic property was revealed with prolonged intake of
aqueous fraction at the dose of 125 mg/kg body weight. It significantly suppressed the blood glucose and
the triglyceride concentrations of diabetic rats [19].
Cosmos caudatus
In Malaysia, Cosmos caudatus is locally known as “Ulam raja" [20]. It is indigenous to humid regions of
America and has been introduced and commercialized in Java where it is frequently planted as a
decorative plant [21]. Traditionally, this plant is said to be useful in “cleansing the blood” and able to
promotes healthy bone formation [5,22].
Nurul and her colleagues [23] had studied the antioxidant effects of both Cosmos caudatus and
Polygonum minus in refrigerated duck meatballs and found that C. caudatus is more effective in
preventing microbial growth. This added property of the plant revealed its potential to be used as a
natural resource for enhancing fresh food especially meats. Nor Hafipah [24] reported that C. caudatus
extract is able to fight five microbial strains comprising of two gram positive bacteria, Bacillus substilis and
11
Science Letters 8(2) 2014
Staphylococcus aureus; two gram negative bacteria, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; and
one fungus, Candida albicans.
Pereskia bleo
Pereskia bleo or commonly known in Malaysia as “Jarum tujuh bilah” are found to possess cytotoxic
activity that attacks a few human cancer cell lines [25]. Some ethnic groups in Malaysia are consuming
this plant due to its medicinal properties [26].
Lee and his colleagues [25] examined the anti-proliferation activities in vitro in both normal mouse
fibroblast (NIH/3T3) and mouse mammary cancer (4T1) cell lines and found that the t-butanol extract had
the highest antioxidant property. However, all other extract types of P. bleo showed the ability to protect
the normal mouse fibroblast cells from the natural or oxidant-induced cell death caused by programmed
cell death or apoptosis. The fractions of the crude methanol and ethyl acetate leaf extracts of the plant
possess high cytotoxic effects against human nasopharyngeal epidermoid carcinoma cell lines [27].
Meanwhile, combination of crude methanol of the leaf and stem extracts of this plant yield out promising
results as anti-proliferative activity against the human mammary cell lines. Hence, this miraculous plant is
believed to have anti tumour, anti-rheumatic, anti-ulcer and anti-inflammatory activities [28]. Based on a
study conducted by Tan and his colleagues [29], the methanolic extract of P. bleo induced apoptosis in
breast carcinoma, T47-D cell line. Using either fresh leaves or concoction that brewed from dried plants,
the major studies conducted on this plant had focused on its anti-proliferation, anti-cancer and antinociceptive properties.
Effects of selected herbal plants on fertility
The intakes of different herbal plants in daily consumption may bring different effects on fertility. They
can either have positive or negative effects towards fertility. Through the screening fertility test done by
Herrera and his colleagues [30] had revealed that the antifertility effects of A. bilimbi fruit juice in adult
female mice by using the modified method of Hall et al., [31]. The test showed that using 14.4 ml/kg body
weight of extracted juice of A. bilimbi gave 63.3% increase in infertility rate over the positive and the
negative control groups.
Meanwhile, in the ovariectomized rat model, the dose of 500 mg/kg of C. caudatus given to
postmenopausal osteoporosis rats showed its protective effect on the bone [32]. Therefore, at the
specified dose, “ulam raja” may be able to take action as the therapeutic agent and to repair bone
damage in elderly women. Estrogen is the hormone that plays vital role in women reproductive system
where its insufficiency may increase the risk of developing osteoporosis. Badeau et al., [33] stated that
estrogen has antioxidant properties which could increase the expression of glutathione peroxidase in
osteoclasts. Many plants include Cosmos caudatus are claimed to contain phytoestrogens which mimic
the effects of estrogen [34]. Recently, radical-scavenging activities of compounds isolated from this plant
have been reported [35]. The radical-scavenger able to get rid the excessive amount of free reactive
oxygen species which can disrupt sperm function and thus, diminish the quality of the sperm.
There is no research has been done to determine the effect of Pereskia bleo on the mammalian
reproductive system and thus, the antifertility or fertility effects caused by this herb are yet to be
documented.
Conclusion
These three herbal plants under study possessed the properties that are able to ward off pathogens and
have useful application in medical. Their medicinal properties are crucial in maintaining one’s good health
and their effects towards reproductive ability shown remarkable potential. Hence, rapid research
12
Science Letters 8(2) 2014
developments need to be done to discover more of their health benefits and effects imposed to fertility.
Extension study of the isolation of the chemical constituents of these three herbs also relevant to be carry
on as they can be commercialize into different applications in pharmacology.
Acknowledgement
The authors would like to thank School of Biological sciences and Research Management Institute, UiTM.
References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]
[11]
[12]
[13]
[14]
[15]
[16]
[17]
[18]
[19]
[20]
[21]
[22]
[23]
[24]
[25]
[26]
[27]
J. Linford. Guide to Herbs: A Comprehensive Guide to Herbs and Their Uses, Parragon, UK, 2012; 814.
S.F. Sulaiman, A.A.B. Sajak, K.L. Ooi, Supriatno, E.M. Seow. J. Food Comp and Anal, 2011; 24, 506515.
H.C. Ong. Sayuran: Khasiat Makanan dan Ubatan, Kuala Lumpur, 2004; 2–9.
A. Mediani, A. Faridah, A. Khatib, H. Maulidiani, S. Khozirah, H.C. Young, N.H. Lajis. Food Res. Int.,
2012; 49, 763-770.
J. Samy, M. Sugumaran, K.L.W. Lee. Herbs of Malaysia: An introduction to medicinal, culinary,
aromatic and cosmetic uses of herb, Selangor, 2005; 23.
S. Ismail. Sayuran tradisional ulam dan penyedap rasa Malaysia, UKM, Malaysia, 2000.
R. Aman. Ulam dan Sayuran Tempatan Semenanjung Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 2002; 15–17.
A. Riaz. Pak. J. Pharm. Sci., 2010; 23(3), 291 – 294.
B.W. Brown. Reprod. Nutr. Dev., 1994; 34, 89–114.
J.J. Robinson. Anim. Reprod. Sci., 1996; 41, 25–34.
G.J. Garvey, G. Hanh, V.R. Lee, R.D. Harrison. Int. J. Environ. Health Res., 2001; 11, 63 – 71.
J.C. Petherick. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci., 2005; 90, 185–205.
K. Chan. Trends. Pharmacol. Sci., 1995; 16, 182-187.
J.J. Robinson, C.J. Ashworth, J.A. Rooke, L.M. Mitchell, T.G. McEvoy. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol.,
2006; 126, 259–276.
G.B. Martin, D. Blache, D.W. Miller, P.E. Vercoe. Animal, 2010; 4(7), 1214–1226.
J. Knez. Reprod. BioMed. Online, 2013; 26, 440-448.
R.M. Sharp. Toxicol. Lett., 2001; 120, 221-232.
J.D. Wilson. Annu. Rev. Physiol., 1978; 40, 279-306.
R.A.B.C. Ikarastika, C.G. Carolina, D.F. Patricia, F. Boylan. J. Ethnopharmacol., 2012; 144(3), 741 –
746.
A. Faridah, K. Shaari, N.H. Lajis, D. A. Israf, Y. Umi Kalsom. Food Chem, 2006; 95, 566-573.
Z. A. Zakaria, H. Zaiton, E.F.P Henie, A.M Mat Jais, E.N.H Engku Zainuddin. Int. J. of Tropical Med.,
2007; 2(3), 96 – 100.
K.H. Miean, S. Mohamed. J. Agric. Food Chem., 2001; 49, 3106-3112.
B.K.H. Tan, C.H. Tan, P.N. Pushparaj. Life Sci., 2005; 76 (24), 2827-2839.
H.C. Ong, J. Norzalina. Fitoterapia., 1999; 70, 10-1.
N. Fuzzati, Sutarjadi, W. Dyatmiko, A. Rahman, K. Hostettmann. Phytochemistry, 1995; 39, 409 –
412.
I.H. Burkill. A Dictionary of the Economics Products of the Malay Peninsula, Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia, 1966; 1-2.
J.S. Fisher. Repro., 2004; 127, 305-315.
H. Nurul, A. Ruzita, A.P. Aronal. Int. Food Res. J., 2010; 17, 893 – 894.
M.R. Nor Hafipah, A.S. Othman, S. Abubakar, U.A. Qamar. J. Med. Plants Res., 2010; 4(8), 669-673.
H.L. Lee, H.M. Er, A.K. Radhakrishnan. Malays. J. Sci., 2009; 28(3), 225- 239.
H.L. Lee, H.M. Er, A.K. Radhakrishnan. J. Sci. Technol. In the Tropics, 2010; 6, 31-38.
S.N. Abd Malek, N. Abdul Wahab, H. Yaacob, K.S. Sim, S.L. Hong, G.S. Lee, S.N.S.A. Rahman. Int. J.
Cancer Res., 2008; 4(1), 20 – 27.
13
Science Letters 8(2) 2014
[28]
[29]
[30]
[31]
[32]
[33]
[34]
[35]
K.L. Goh. Malaysian Herbaceous Plants, Malaysia, 2000.
M.L.Tan, S.F. Sulaiman, N. Najimuddin, M.R. Samian, T.S. Tengku Muhammad. J. Ethnopharmacol.,
2004; 96, 287 – 294.
C.L. Herrera, P.M. Cuasay, E.V. Ramos, E.P Chavez, L.A. Dayap, B.C. Rabang. The Philipp. J. Sci.,
1986; 307-314.
I.R. Hall, G.L. Carlson, G.S. Abernathan, C. Piantadosi. J. Med. Chem., 1974; 17(12), 1255.
M. Norazlina. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med., 2012; 814-817.
M. Badeau, H. Adlercreutz, P. Kaihovaara, M.J. Tikkanen. J. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol., 2005; 96(34), 271–278.
I. Woclawek-Potocka, C. Mannelli, D. Boruszewska, I. Kowalczyk-Zieba, T. Waśniewski, D.
Skarżyǹski. Int. J. Endocrinol., 2013.
A. Faridah, K. Shaari, N.H. Lajis, D. A. Israf, Y. Umi Kalsom. Nat. Prod. Sci., 2003; 9, 245-248.
14