Comparison of UVA vs UVB Photoaging Rat Models in Short-term Exposure.

Background: Prolonged exposure to sunlight is known to induce photoaging of the skin, leading to various skin changes and disorders, such as dryness, wrinkles, irregular pigmentation, and even cancer. Ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation are particularly responsible for causing photoaging. Objective: This study aims to identify and compare photoaging rat models exposed to UVA and UVB. Methods: This research method compared macroscopic (scoring degree of wrinkling) and microscopic (histology) signs and symptoms on skin samples of rat exposed to UVA and UVB for 4 weeks at a radiation dose of 840mJ/cm2. Results: The results of this study indicated that the degree of wrinkling was highest in rat skin exposed to UVB rays by 51% (p<0.05). UVB histological results showed that the epidermis layer (40 µm, p<0.05) was thickened and the dermis layer (283 µm, p<0.05) was thinned in the skin of mice exposed to UVB light. The UVB group, showed the density of collagen in the dermis with a mean value of 55% (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that short-term exposure to UVB radiation (in the acute, subacute or subchronic phase) induces more rapid and pronounced damage to rat skin when compared to UVA radiation exposure.

Clinacanthus nutans leaf extract reduces pancreatic ß-cell apoptosis by inhibiting JNK activation and modulating oxidative stress and inflammation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Background: Controlling apoptosis induced by oxidative stress in pancreatic ß-cells provides promising strategies for preventing and treating diabetes. Clinacanthus nutans leaves possess bioactive constituents with potential antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms by which C. nutans extract protects pancreatic ß-cells from apoptotic damage in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of 45 mg/kg STZ, followed by 28 days of treatment with C. nutans leaf extract and Glibenclamide as the standard drug. At the end of the study, blood samples were collected to measure glucose levels, oxidative stress markers, and inflammation. Pancreatic tissue was stained immunohistochemically to detect c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and Caspase-3 expression. Results: The administration of C. nutans leaf extract to diabetic rats significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, malondialdehyde, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels, while concurrently enhancing the activity of superoxide dismutase. The immunohistochemical studies revealed a decrease in the expression of JNK and caspase-3 in the pancreatic islets of diabetic rats. Conclusion: Clinacanthus nutans exhibits the potential to protect pancreatic ß-cells from apoptosis by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation.

Clinacanthus nutans L Extracts Reduce the Serum Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, Malondialdehyde, and Interleukin-6 Levels and Improve the Langerhans Islet Area in Diabetic Rat Models.

Background: Diabetes mellitus-induced hyperglycemia increases oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokine production, which play a significant role in the damage and apoptosis of pancreatic ß cells. Therefore, the administration of medications that can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation plays an important role in diabetes treatment. Objective: To probe the Clinacanthus nutans leaf extract effect on oxidative stress and inflammatory markers and the Langerhans islet area in diabetic rat models. Design: An experimental laboratory in the animal model. Methods: Twenty-five diabetic rat models were randomly assigned into 5 clusters. Clusters 1, 2, and 3 were administered with C. nutans leaf extract in aqueous suspension with vehicle 1% Na-CMC at 75 mg/kg body weight (BW), 150 mg/kg BW, and 300 mg/kg BW, respectively. Cluster 4 was diabetic control rats administered with metformin at a 21 mg/rat dose. Cluster 5 was a control diabetic rat only administered with 1% Na-CMC suspension. Treatment was administered orally for 14 days. On the 15th day, the rats were sacrificed to obtain blood samples and pancreatic tissues. Serum interleukin (IL)-6, malondialdehyde (MDA), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Histopathological examination was performed by counting the Langerhans islet areas. Results: The average IL-6, MDA, and TNF-α levels declined in the cluster receiving C. nutans extract and were significantly different from the untreated cluster (P < .05). Histopathological examination revealed a significant upsurge in the Langerhans islets area in diabetic rats receiving C. nutans extract at doses of 75 and 150 mg/kg (P < .05). Conclusion: C. nutans leaf extract reduced the serum MDA, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels, and increased the Langerhans islets area in a diabetic rat model.

Dietary Supplement Consumption and Mental Health in Indonesian Adults During Second Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic.

Purpose: This study aimed to measure supplement consumption behavior and mental health status among Indonesian adults during the second year of COVID-19. Participants and Methods: Online questionnaire regarding supplement consumption, and Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) was distributed from March to June 2021 and obtained 1006 valid and completed questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted to determine the frequency and predictor factors of the respondents' supplement consumption behavior and mental health status. Results: Respondents were divided into two groups, vulnerable and non-vulnerable individuals. The finding showed that 34.5% respondents were vulnerable individuals, including the elderly and those with comorbid disease(s). The vulnerable and non-vulnerable groups exhibited a high prevalence of supplement consumption, with the vulnerable group demonstrating a greater tendency for regular use. The incidence of mental health problems in both groups did not significantly differ (23-38%), where anxiety was higher than depression and stress. Supplement consumption was associated with mental health status. Several positive predicting factors for supplement consumption behavior included older age, higher economic status, and higher education. While the younger age and unmarried respondents were more likely to develop mental health problems. Conclusion: Taken together, given dietary supplement consumption increased during the pandemic and the potential associations between supplement consumption and mental health, controlling the correct information and regulation regarding supplements, especially their risks and benefits, was important. Additionally, support for mental health issues was necessary, since it might affect self-medication behavior.

Effect of Intravenous Glutamine on Caspase-12 Expression in the Apoptosis of the Glomerular Epithelial Cells of Male Rats Exposed to Cisplatin.

OBJECTIVE: Cisplatin is potent chemotherapy for broad-spectrum malignancies treatment, but its use is limited by organ toxicity effects, including nephrotoxicity. Glutamine prevents cisplatin nephrotoxicity by inhibiting the oxidative stress in kidney cell apoptosis. METHODS: This research examined the nephroprotective effects of intravenous glutamine on the glomerular epithelium of male rats (Rattus norvegicus). 30 male rats were randomly divided into (1) P0 as the control group; (2) P1 that was administered with single dose cisplatin (20 mg/kg BW) intraperitoneal injection; and (3) P2 that was administered with intravenous injection of glutamine (100 mg/kg BW) and single-dose cisplatin (20 mg/kg BW) intraperitoneal injection. The measurement of caspase-12 expression and apoptotic cells was performed using immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: The caspase-12 expression are as follows: P0 = 0.5 ± 0.15; P1 = 4.1 ± 0.86; P2 = 2.54 ± 0.72. The apoptotic cells are as follows: P0 = 14.5 ± 5.23 cells/field of view; P1 = 52.7 ± 17.06 cells/field of view; P2 = 31.5 ± 6.73 cells/field of view. There is a decrease in the caspase-12 expression and apoptotic cells after intravenous glutamine administration in male white rats' glomerular epithelial cells exposed to cisplatin. The decrease of caspase-12 expression is followed by a decrease in glomerular epithelium apoptosis after intravenous glutamine administration. CONCLUSION: Immunohistochemical examination can be used as a marker of the nephrotoxic effect of cisplatin on the renal glomerular epithelium. Glutamine has been observed to give nephroprotective effect to cisplatin nephrotoxic effects.
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The self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system of Petiveria alliacea extract reduced the homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance value, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α level in diabetic rat models.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Metaflammation plays a significant role in the pathogenesis, development, and complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). This inflammation is associated with insulin resistance. Therefore, the inflammatory pathways have been targeted for pharmacological treatment. Petiveria alliacea can decrease blood glucose levels and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities; however, there are still insufficient data regarding its efficacy for the treatment of DM. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) of P. alliacea leaf extract on the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA)-insulin resistance (IR) value and interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five diabetic rat models were randomly divided into five groups. The first group received the SNEDDS of P. alliacea leaf extract at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight (BW), the second group received it at a dose of 100 mg/kg BW, the third group received it at a dose of 200 mg/kg BW, the fourth group received 18 mg of metformin, and the fifth group only received the SNEDDS formula. The treatment was administered once a day, orally, for 14 days. On the 15th day after treatment, the rats were sacrificed to obtain blood samples for cardiac examination. The IL-6, TNF-α, and insulin levels in the serum were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The HOMA-IR value was calculated using a formula. RESULTS: The mean IL-6 and TNF-α levels were low in the group that received the SNEDDS of P. alliacea leaf extract. There was no significant difference in the insulin level in all treatment and control groups. However, a significant difference in the HOMA-IR value was noted between the group that received the SNEDDS of P. alliacea leaf extract and metformin and the group that did not receive treatment (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The SNEDDS of P. alliacea leaf extract reduced the HOMA-IR value and suppressed the TNF-α and IL-6 levels in the STZ-induced diabetic rat model.