Anti-inflammatory Effects of Channa micropeltes Extract through NF-κB and TNF-α in Diabetic Rat

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disorder of carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism caused by impaired insulin secretion, insulin action, or both characterized by hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemic condition is associated with inflammation process leading to complications. Food supplements play an important role in controlling protein metabolism and have anti-inflammatory properties such as Channa micropeltes (CM). This study aimed to analyze the effect of CM extract on the levels of molecular markers Nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB) and Tumor Necrosis Factor alfa (TNF-α) in normal and diabetic rats. The experimental design of this investigation was a post-test-only control group design and the samples were the diabetic model group given CM extract at 16 mL/kgBB dose, and negative control group for 14 days, respectively. Serum concentrations of    NF-κB and TNF-α were measured by ELISA. DM-CM group showed decreasing levels of NF-κB. TNF- α was detected with the lowest level in the N-CM group. The levels of TNF- α declined close to normal levels in the DM-CM group. Hence, the conclusion was the CM at a dose of 16 mL/kg BW for 14 days in Wistar rats can reduce Nf-κB and TNF-α in groups of normal and diabetic rats

Activity Test of Cassia alata L. Leaf Extract on Kidney Histopathology Damage Score of Diabetes Mellitus Model

Diabetic nephropathy is a disease experienced by diabetic patients. In this disease, damage to the glomerulus occurs. The administration of antidiabetic drugs tends to cause unwanted side effects, so there is a need for alternative treatment from herbs, one of which is Cassia alata L. Cassia alata L. leaves have chemical content such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and saponins. Flavonoids reduce blood glucose levels by increasing insulin secretion and mimetic agents, tannins slow carbohydrate digestion and saponins repair pancreatic beta cells and increase glycogen in the liver. This study aims to determine the effect of Cassia alata L. ethanol on the histopathology damage score of male white rat kidney (Rattus norvegicus) induced by streptozotocin. The test animals used were 30 male white rats divided into six treatment groups, each group consisting of five male white rats, namely the normal control group, negative control group, positive control group, treatment group with doses of 500 mg/kg BW, 600 mg/kg BW, and 700 mg/kg BW. The parameters evaluated were kidney tissue damage score and histopathology image analysis. The results showed that the ethanol extract of Cassia alata L. leaves contain alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins. The ethanol extract of Cassia alata L. leaves in doses of 500 mg/kg BW, 600 mg/kg BW and 700 mg/kg BW has the activity of reducing the score of kidney tissue damage in male white rats and a dose of 700 mg/kg BW is the best dose in reducing the score of kidney tissue damage in diabetes mellitus models with a score of 2

The Development of Antioxidant Nutraceuticals containing Chrysanthemum indicum L. Gummy Candy

Chrysanthemum flowers (Chrysanthemum indicum L.) have been shown to contain flavonoid compounds and exert antioxidant activity. This brings Chrysanthemum indicum potential to be developed as a nutraceutical product. This study aims to evaluate the antioxidant activity of Chrysanthemum flowers before and after the formulation of Chrysanthemum indicum flower extract as a gummy candy. Gummy candy formulas were developed using variations of gelatin and pectin as gelling agents. In this study, Chrysanthemum flower extract was formulated into gummy candy. The physical characteristics evaluated include organoleptic tests, weight uniformity, elasticity, and moisture content. Optimization was performed using the simplex lattice design (SLD) method with the aid of the Design Expert software Ver. 13. The antioxidant activity of the chrysanthemum flower extract and gummy candy extract was evaluated using the DPPH radical scavenging method. Ascorbic acid was used as a positive control. The optimum formula for preparing the gummy candy was 11.51% of gelatin and 1.24% of pectin. The evaluation of weight uniformity, elasticity, and moisture content suggested that there is no significant difference between the optimum formula and the predicted value. Both the chrysanthemum flower extract and chrysanthemum flower gummy candy had strong antioxidant activity. The IC50 value of the extract was 67.80 ± 2.37 mg/mL while the gummy candy IC50 value was 82.93 ± 2.55 mg/mL. The antioxidant activity of Chrysanthemum indicum was slightly decreased after being formulated into gummy candy. These studies suggested that scientists are expected to anticipate the decrease of Chrysanthemum antioxidant activity in the gummy manufacturing process

Effect of Black Glutinous Rice Fermented Beverage on Short-Chain Fatty Acid Levels in Metabolic Syndrome Rats

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) represents a combination of metabolic factors that can elevate the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and coronary heart disease (CHD). The high prevalence of MetS results in a significant socio-economic burden. However, current management approaches have limitations, prompting the exploration of functional foods and nutraceuticals as promising alternatives. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the impact of Black Glutinous Rice Fermented Beverage (BGRFB) on Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA) concentration in a MetS rat model. Rats were induced with a high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ)-nicotinamide (NA) to induce MetS conditions. BGRFB was administered as a treatment to the MetS rat group. The results showed that the Negative Control (NC) group exhibited a significant decrease in SCFA levels compared to the normal group (N). However, administration of BGRFB to the T2 group resulted in a significant increase in SCFA levels. The SCFA levels in the T2 group were higher but not significantly different from the Positive Control (PC) group treated with metformin. Increasing SCFA production could be an effective strategy in addressing Mets. This study demonstrates the potential of BGRFB as a therapy to enhance SCFA production and improve MetS. The outcomes of this investigation are anticipated to provide insights into novel dietary approaches for MetS management

Antibacterial Activity of Euphorbia tirucalli against Lactobacillus acidophilus: An In Vitro Study

Dental caries is a common oral disease that occurs due to excessive interaction between tooth structure, bacterial biofilm, and glucose. Lactobacillus acidophilus is the main cause of dentin dental caries, which can be prevented using anticaries agents. However, current anticaries agents may cause some side effects. Therefore, there is a need for natural anticaries agents with minimal side effects. Euphorbia tirucalli contains flavonoids, tannins, and saponins that contribute to its antibacterial activity. This study aimed to determine the antibacterial activity of E. tirucalli against L. acidophilus bacterial growth. This was an in-vitro study with a post-test-only control group design, divided into three groups. The positive control group received 0.2% chlorhexidine digluconate, the negative control group received aquadest, and the intervention groups received extracts with concentrations of 10 mg/mL, 20 mg/mL, 30 mg/mL, 40 mg/mL, and 100 mg/mL. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was examined post-treatment using the agar dilution method. The differences in colony growth were analyzed using Cramer's V and Fisher's Exact Test, with p<0.05 considered significant. E. tirucalli extracts showed antibacterial effects against L. acidophilus with a concentration of 40 mg/mL as the MIC. Extract groups with concentrations of 40 mg/mL and 100 mg/mL showed significant differences in L. acidophilus growth compared to the negative control group (p<0.001). The study concluded that E. tirucalli extract has antibacterial activity against the growth of L. acidophilus, with MIC of 40 mg/mL

Using Macroscopic, Microscopic, and FTIR Spectroscopy combined with Chemometrics to Authenticate Arabica Coffee from Antbush

Limited coffee stocks, high consumption, export demands, and increasing prices may contribute to counterfeiting. In other countries, including India and Africa, coffee forgery using antbush has been extensively established. Due to its abundance in Indonesia, unscrupulous coffee growers allegedly employ antbush (Senna occidentalis) as an adulterant in coffee to increase commercial earnings. This study aims to authenticate coffee from antbush using macroscopic and microscopic differences and FTIR spectroscopy combined with chemometrics. The arabica coffee samples from various regions were oven-roasted to a second crack and milled. The materials were then examined under macroscopic, microscopic, and infrared spectroscopic conditions. The obtained responses were used to monitor the qualitative and quantitative information in the targeted samples. Antbush in coffee samples is successfully identified microscopically by remnants of palisade tissue as well as the structural differences of the endosperm. In addition, FTIR spectroscopy combined with multivariate calibration can accurately estimate the concentration of antbush as adulterants in the target sample. Principle component regression (PCR) provides the best modeling for the relationship between the actual value. FTIR predicted the value of antbush with the lowest RMSEC and RMSEP values of 0.852 and 0.896, respectively, with the coefficient of determination (R2) in calibration and validation models of 0.9996 and 0.9967, respectively. The combination of macroscopic, microscopic, and FTIR spectroscopy offered reliable tools to authenticate arabica coffee from antbush

Analysis of Diclofenac Sodium in Traditional Medicine (Jamu) for Rheumatism in Banjarmasin using TLC-UV-Vis Spectrophotometric Method

Jamu is one of Indonesia's most consumed traditional medicines. The government has clearly stated that traditional medicines are strictly prohibited from containing chemicals, both isolated and synthetic. Diclofenac sodium is one of the Non-Steroid Anti Inflammation Drug (NSAID) class drugs that have an effect as a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory, which is also often misused in traditional medicine preparations. The purpose of this study is to determine whether there is a chemical content of diclofenac sodium contained in the preparation of jamu pegal linu circulating in Banjarmasin using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and to determine whether the validation of the method using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer meets the established requirements. The results of qualitative analysis using thin-layer chromatography showed that 4 out of 7 samples identified positively contained diclofenac sodium with an Rf value of 0.825. The results of quantitative testing using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer showed the acquisition of an r-value of 0.9996, %RSD of 0.97%, % recovery of 95.28%, 92.82%, and 95.48% for the addition of standard solutions of 10 ppm, 15 ppm, and 20 ppm, as well as LOD & LOQ values of 1.1625 ppm and 3.8750 ppm. Based on the analysis results, it can be stated that 4 out of 7 samples of jamu pegal linu circulating in the Banjarmasin area are positive for diclofenac sodium with levels ranging from 10.257 - 18.465 mg/g (1.026% - 1.846%)

Sleep Disorder and its Treatment: From Nature to Laboratory

Sleep is the natural cellular repair mechanism to improve and restore central neural mechanism, memory, hormonal imbalance, and finally, cell rejuvenation. Sleep disorder is characterized by insomnia, circadian rhythm disorder (CRD), sleep apnea, narcolepsy, parasomnia, and restless leg syndrome (RLS) or periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD). Both oversleeping and less sleeping are associated with sleep disorders (SD). Anxiety, schizophrenia, weight loss/gain, hypothyroidism, and oxidative stress are the most common outcomes of SD. There is also a genetic explanation behind circadian rhythmicity, circadian disorder, narcolepsy-cataplexy syndrome, fatal familial insomnia, and somnambulism. Excessive work pressure, stress, and consumption of caffeine and alcohol collectively push a person toward sleep deprivation. Anxiety, schizophrenia, weight loss/gain, hypothyroidism, and oxidative stress are the most common outcomes of SD. Adenosine, melatonin, dopamine, serotonin, gamma amino butyric acid (GABA), orexin, and histamine regulate SDs by various pathways. Among natural sources, Centella asiatica, Bacopa monnieri, Acorus calamus, Withania somnifera, Nardostachys jatamansi, Poria cocos is, Valeriana officinalis, Matricaria chamomilla, Lavandula angustifolia, Nelumbo nucifera, Melissa officinalis, Convolvulus pluricaulis, Camellia sinensis, Ziziphus jujube, Datura stramonium, Zhizhipus jujube, Passiflora incarnata, and Moringa oleifera showed remarkable effects on different forms of SDs through GABAA, serotonin, and melatonin receptors. Pramipexole, ropinirole, rotigotine, clonazepam, lorazepam, estazolam, zolpidem, lemborexant, daridorexant, and suvorexant showed its activity in the treatment of SDs as a dopamine agonist, inhibitor of GABAA receptor, dual orexin receptor antagonist, respectively. This article focused on the types of SDs, the effects of SDs on mental health, receptors involved in the sleep cycle, and the impact of natural molecules and synthetic molecules in the management of SDs

Synergism of Anti-Malarial Effect of Carica papaya L. and Moringa oleifera Leaf Extracts in Mice

Malaria parasites, Plasmodium spp, can develop resistance to anti-malarial drugs. Hence, potential alternative therapeutic agents should be explored. This research aimed to investigate the anti-malarial effect of a combination of Carica papaya and Moringa oleifera leaf extract. Peter’s test performed on Balb/c mice to investigate the malarial parasite growth inhibition. Mice were infected with Plasmodium berghei by intraperitoneal injection to provoke rodent malaria. After infection, we grouped every 5-6 mice into different treatment groups, including a negative control group, a positive control group treated with artesunate, a moringa group, a papaya group, and a combination therapy group. Treatments were initiated 3 hours after infection (day 0) and continued every day until day 3. On day 4, we examined a thin smear of the tail vein blood for parasitemia to calculate the suppression rate. The result shows that the parasite suppression rate of C. papaya leaf extract (CPLE) is 15.02 % (percent parasitemia 4.56±1.96), the suppression rate of M. oleifera leaf extract (MOLE) is 17.32% (percent parasitemia 4.44±1.78) and that of the combination extract (CE) is 28.73% (percent parasitemia 3.82±1.48).  In conclusion, there is a synergism of the anti-malarial effect of the combined leaf extract of C. papaya and M. oleifera

Formulation and Sunscreen Activity Test of Lotion of Buas-Buas (Premna Serratifolia Linn.) Leaf Extract

Excessive UV exposure can cause various skin disorders, so protection from UV rays is needed by using sunscreen. One of the plants that have the potential as a sunscreen is buas-buas leaf (Premna serratifolia Linn.) which contains flavonoid compounds. Sunscreen formulated in lotion form is the most common preparation found in the market. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physical characteristics of lotion preparations and to determine the potential of lotion of buas-buas leaf extract as a sunscreen. Buas-buas leaf extract was obtained through maceration extraction with 96% ethanol solvent. Lotion with the active substance of buas-buas leaf extract was made with concentration variations of 1, 2, and 3%. Evaluation of the physical characteristics of the lotion was tested with organoleptic observation parameters, homogeneity, pH, spreadability, and adhesion. Then, it was tested for sunscreen potential using UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Data were analyzed with SPSS Statistics 22 software, namely the One Way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) test. The results of the study were the three lotion formulas of buas-buas leaf extract met all the requirements of the physical characteristics evaluation test. The SPF value of F1 (1%) is 7.12 (extra protection), F2 (2%) is 9.54 (maximum protection) and F3 (3%) is 15.68 (ultra protection). Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that the lotion of buas-buas leaf extract meets the requirements of evaluating the physical characteristics of lotions and has activity as a sunscreen