Final Year Project (FYP) Summary

Before I continue with the story of my life, I’m gonna write about my FYP first since its one of the requirement my lecturer asked me to post. So, as a 4th year student of Biomedical Science in IIUM Kuantan, I am required to do a final year project as one of the prerequisite to graduate. So I am now in the process of conducting said project.

My FYP is entitled, ‘Toxicity Study of Crude Hexane Extract of Sapium baccatum’. The research main objective is to observe the toxicity level of the plant extract. This is done by administering certain dosages of the extract in specimens (e.g.: rats) and observing their percentage of motility. After an observation period of 14 days, the rats will be dissected and their livers will be taken and stored. These livers will then be analyzed through gross and histological observation in order to see whether the extract has affected them or not. Gross examination includes the possible presence of spots, change of colour or texture, reduction or increase of size, etc., while histological examination includes the percentage/ratio of dead and live cells, change in size of cells, and so forth. We’re expecting to see some toxicity effects on the liver as it has been proven that the plant contains alkaloid, which is quite a toxic substance.

Unfortunately, we have yet to find the LD50 (Lethal Dose) of the compound which can cause the immediate death of at least 50% of the specimen used. It seems that even with the presence of alkaloid, the plant extract may not be that toxic or harmful to the rats, which is a good thing for the future of pharmaceutical development but will make it tricky for me to present the results for my paper. Nevertheless, we’re still trying, and hopefully, we will find the dose we’re looking for.

Another problem that’s giving me a big headache is the fact that my extract can’t be easily or fully dissolved in either DMSO or saline solution. I’m trying to get my hands on some CMC but it seems that chemical is low in stock in both Kulliyyah of Science and Pharmacy. If anyone has any suggestions on how to possibly dilute the extract, I would greatly appreciate the input. Anyway, that’s all for now, wassalam.