Fetal protective effect of Indonesian propolis from Apis mellifera against rifampicin-pyrazinamide induced impaired pregnancy in BALB/c mice.

OBJECTIVES: Anti-tuberculosis drugs rifampicin and pyrazinamide combination in pregnancy can cause morphological, visceral and skeletal damage. Several studies showed that propolis improves pregnancy outcomes. This study aims to determine the fetal protective effect of propolis in BALB/c mice given the anti-tuberculosis drug combination rifampicin and pyrazinamide. METHODS: A total of 21 pregnant mice were randomly divided into three groups: the normal group (N) was given distilled water as a vehicle, the positive control group (RP) were given rifampicin 15 mg/kg BW, pyrazinamide 35 mg/kg BW and the treatment group (IP) were given rifampicin 15 mg/kg BB, pyrazinamide 35 mg/kg BW and propolis 400 mg/kg BW. The treatment was given during the period of organogenesis, from day 6 to day 15. Laparotomy was performed on the 18th day of pregnancy. Maternal and fetal body weight, fetal length, number of fetuses, and skeletal defects of fetuses were used as parameters to identify the teratogenic effect. All data were analyzed using the ANOVA. RESULTS: All groups significantly differed between maternal and fetal body weights (p<0.05). The administration of rifampicin-pyrazinamide and propolis during pregnancy did not significantly affect the number of fetuses (p>0.05). The administration of propolis protects the fetus from skeletal abnormalities. While in the RP and IP groups, we can find resorption sites and haemorrhagic. CONCLUSIONS: This study may suggest the protective effects of propolis against rifampicin pyrazinamide-induced impaired pregnancy.

Malondialdehyde and TNF-α lowering effects of purified gambier (Uncaria gambir Roxb.) in diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: Malondialdehyde (MDA) is one of a dominat marker in oxidative stress condition, and when inflammation occurred tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α) played a significant influence in the propagation this process. Purified gambier (Uncaria gambier Roxb.) contained 90% catechin which is proven to have antioxidant activity and may prevent unwanted inflammatory responses during diabetic state. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research was to assess how purified gambier affected plasma MDA and TNF- α levels in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, 35 rats were used. Alloxan 120 mg/kg BW intraperitoneal injection was administered to induce diabetes conditions in rats. All animals were divided into 5 groups, diabetic control group treated with vehicle, positive control group treated with glibenclamide dose 0.45 mg/kg BW), and treatment groups treated with purified gambier dose of 2.5; 5 and 10 mg/kg BW. All animals were treated respectively for 14 days. Plasma MDA and TNF- α levels were measured on day 3, and 14. RESULTS: Two-way ANOVA was applied to analyze all of the data, these findings suggested that purified gambier has antioxidant-related anti-inflammation actions. possesses blood sugar-lowering activity (p<0.05). The plasma MDA and TNF- α level of treatment group were significantly reduced (p<0.05) compared to diabetes control group. CONCLUSION: These results depicted that at doses of 2.5-10 mg/kg BW, purified gambier has antioxidant-associated anti-inflammation effects when given for 14 days on diabetic rat model by reducing plasma levels MDA and TNF-α.

Blood pressure lowering effects of Vernonia amygdalina Del. Aqueous fraction on hypertensive Wistar Kyoto rats.

OBJECTIVES: Vernonia amygdalina (VA) is a plant that consumed as vegetable by Indonesians contained numerous secondary metabolites. VA's pharmacological action, including its antioxidant properties, anticancer, antidiabetic, and hepatoprotective. The purpose of this research is to reveal the activity of Vernonia amygdalina. leafs aqueous fraction (VALAF) as a blood pressure-lowering agent in hypertensive model. METHODS: Combination of prednisone and NaCl were used as hypertensive inducer. The animals were split into five different groups, normal control group treated with distilled water, treatment VALAF groups with dose of 10; 20 and 40 mg/kg BW respectively, while the last group was treated with captopril at dose of 2.25 mg/kg BW. All animals were given an oral treatment for 15 days. On days 5, 10, and 15, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and blood flow (BF) were all measured. On days 0 and 15, NO level were assessed. All data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA, and Duncan Multiple Range Test. RESULTS: The V. amygdalina leaf aqueous fraction has blood pressure lowering activity. The blood pressure parameter of the rats treated with VALAF were lower as compared to the normal control group (p<0.05). NO levels in the VALAF group were not significantly higher than in the normal control group (p>0.05). The VALAF 20 give the greatest percentage of decrease in blood pressure, heart rate and blood volume on the 15th day of examination. CONCLUSIONS: These study indicated that V. amygdalina leaf aqueous fraction has the potential to be an alternative therapy for managing blood pressure in hypertensive animal models.