Fluorescent microscopy evaluation of diode laser effect on the penetration depth of turmeric (Curcuma longa) extract cream on skin tissues of Wistar rats.

The study investigates the effect of diode laser exposure on curcumin's skin penetration, using turmeric extraction as a light-sensitive chemical and various laser light sources. It uses an in vivo skin analysis method on Wistar strain mice. The lasers are utilized at wavelengths of 403 nm, 523 nm, 661 nm, and 979 nm. The energy densities of the lasers are 20.566 J/cm2, 20.572 J/cm2, 21.162 J/cm2, and 21.298 J/cm2, which are comparable to one another. The experimental animals were divided into three groups: base cream (BC), turmeric extract cream (TEC), and the combination laser (L), BC, and TEC treatment group. Combination light source (LS) with cream (C) was performed with 8 combinations namely 523 nm ((L1 + BC) and (L1 + TEC)), 661 nm ((L2 + BC) and (L2 + TEC)), 403 nm ((L3 + BC) and (L3 + TEC)), and 979 nm ((L4 + BC) and (L4 + TEC)). The study involved applying four laser types to cream-covered and turmeric extract-coated rat skin, with samples scored for analysis. The study found that both base cream and curcumin cream had consistent pH values of 7-8, within the skin's range, and curcumin extract cream had lower viscosity. The results of the statistical analysis of Kruskal-Wallis showed a significant value (p < 0.05), which means that there are at least two different laser treatments. The results of the post hoc analysis with Mann-Whitney showed that there was no significant difference in the LS treatment with the addition of BC or TEC when compared to the BC or TEC treatment alone (p > 0.05), while the treatment using BC and TEC showed a significant difference (p < 0.05). Laser treatment affects the penetration of the turmeric extract cream into the rat skin tissue.

Lacrimal Gland Histopathology and Secretory Function in Sjögren's Syndrome Mice Model Treated with Moringa oleifera Lam. Leaf Extract.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of Sjögren's syndrome involves the activation of NF- κB, producing proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1α, IL- 1ß, IL-6, IL-17, and interferon-γ. Through oxidative stress, they will cause necrosis and apoptosis of lacrimal gland cells, resulting in impaired secretory function or reduced tear production. Moringa oleifera leaf extract is known to have strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on lacrimal gland histopathology and secretory function in Sjögren's syndrome mice model. METHODS: The experimental study had a post-test only control group design with 32 eight-week-old male mice of the BALB/c strain divided into four groups, negative control (C-), which was not induced by SS, positive control (C+), treatment 1 (T1), and treatment 2 (T2) induced by Sjögren's syndrome by immunizing with the 60-kD Ro antigen (SSA) as much as 100 µg. After 42 days, the T1 group was given dexamethasone 1.23 mg/kg BW/day orally for 14 days, whereas T2 was given dexamethasone 1.23 mg/kg BW/day and Moringa oleifera leaf ethanol extract 200 mg/kg BW/day orally for 14 days. At the end of the study, lacrimal gland histopathology and secretory function (tear production) were examined. Statistical analysis using F ANOVA/Kruskal-Wallis was followed by partial difference test with the Least Significant Difference post hoc test/Mann-Whitney. Significant if p < 0.05. RESULTS: The comparison of lacrimal gland histopathology in T1 (p = 0.044) and T2 groups (p = 0.020) obtained significant results (p < 0.05) when compared to C+. However, the comparison of tear production in T1 (p = 0.127) and T2 groups (p = 0.206) was not significant (p > 0.05) when compared to the C+ group. CONCLUSION: The administration of Moringa oleifera leaf extract 200 mg/kg BW for 14 days could significantly improve lacrimal gland histopathology but was not effective in increasing tear production in Sjögren's syndrome mice model.

Modulation effects of Etlingera elatior ethanol extract as anti-inflammatory on chronic kidney disease in mice with hypertension and diabetes.

The incidence of diabetes increased significantly around the world in accordance with lifestyle and change in eating behaviour. Streptozotocin-Nicotinamide (STZ-NA) is capable of inducing Diabetes Mellitus type 2 in experimental animals for insulin resistance. In this research, we inspect the therapeutic potential of Etlingera elatior ethanol extract (EEEE) on diabetes associated with diabetic nephropathy and hypertension complications in mice models. Diabetes and hypertension are induced in mice using STZ 45 mg/kgBB and NA 110 mg/kgBB, followed by unilateral ureter ligation (UUO) for 4 weeks after a week of STZ-NA induction. The EEEE solution was given in the last 4 weeks with doses of 200, 400, 600, and 800 mg/kgBB. The results of this study prove the effect of vanillic acid on improving systolic blood pressure, plasma creatinine, plasma glucose, albuminuria and reducing the inflammatory marker high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Histopathology of kidney is under investigation for being part of diabetes hypertension pathology. Treatment using EEEE 600 and 800 mg/kgBB for 4 weeks in experimental mice results in the decrease of plasma glucose, systolic blood pressure, plasma creatinine, albuminuria, and hs-CRP, including the restoration of kidney histology significantly compared to 200 and 400 mg/kgBB doses. This result concludes that EEEE offers modulation effects on diabetes hypertension control by reducing blood glucose rate, blood pressure rate, kidney defect, and inflammation markers.

Phytochemical evaluation of Plumbago zeylanica roots from Indonesia and assessment of its plumbagin concentration.

INTRODUCTION: Plumbagozeylanica grows widely in many tropical countries. In Indonesia, this plant, known as Daun Encok, has some beneficial effects on human health.

Improvement in inflammation and airway remodelling after acupuncture at BL13 and ST36 in a mouse model of chronic asthma.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Chronic asthma is commonly resistant to steroid therapy. Acupuncture has an anti-inflammatory effect and has been widely used as an add-on therapy for asthma. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of acupuncture on the inflammatory response and airway remodelling in the bronchioles of an asthma mouse model. METHODS: A chronic asthma model was produced in female BALB/c mice by ovalbumin (OVA) sensitisation. 32 mice were randomised into four groups: control; asthma (OVA); OVA+BL13; and OVA+BL13+ST36. OVA was administered by intraperitoneal injection on days 0 and 14 followed by aerosol exposure of 1% OVA three times a week for 6 weeks. Manual acupuncture (MA) was performed three times a week for 6 weeks at BL13 alone, or BL13 in combination with ST36, in the two MA-treated groups. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected to determine eosinophil and neutrophil counts and lung tissue was prepared for histological examination. RESULTS: A pronounced reduction in the neutrophil count was achieved after MA at BL13+ST36 (P=0.005) while the eosinophil count was lowered after MA both at BL13 (P=0.007) and BL13+ST36 (P=0.006). Reduction in the bronchiolar epithelial and smooth muscle thickness and the number of goblet cells was observed after MA at BL13 (P=0.001, P=0.001 and P=0.002, respectively) and BL13+ST36 (P=0.001, P=0.002 and P=0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture can reduce the inflammatory response and prevent airway remodelling in a chronic asthma mouse model.