The Effect of Physalis angulata L. Administration on Gene Expressions Related to Lung Fibrosis Resolution in Mice-Induced Bleomycin.

Purpose: To explore the potential therapeutic effects of Physalis angulata L. (Ciplukan) extract on lung fibrosis resolution in a Bleomycin-induced mouse model, researchers conducted a comprehensive study. The study focused on key genes associated with fibrosis progression, including Nox4, Mmp8, Klf4, and FAS, and assessed their mRNA expression levels following the administration of Ciplukan extract. Methods: A Bleomycin-induced mice model was divided into seven groups to investigate the effects of ciplukan extract on fibrosis-related gene expressions. Mice were induced with subcutaneously injected Bleomycin to generate lung fibrosis and given different doses of the Ciplukan extract for four weeks. Lung fibrosis mRNA expression was analyzed by semi-quantitative PCR for Nox4, Klf4, Mmp8, and FAS. Results: The administration of ciplukan extract resulted in a significant decrease in mRNA expression of Nox4 with p-value=0.000, Mmp8 with p-value =0.002, and Klf4 with p-value =0.007, indicating potential antifibrotic effects. However, FAS expression remained unchanged (p-value=0.127). Conclusion: Ciplukan extract exhibited promising effects on fibrosis-related gene expressions, particularly Nox4, Mmp8, and Klf4. This study suggests that the extract has the potential to intervene in fibrosis progression, offering a potential avenue for therapeutic strategies.

Physalis angulata Linn. as a medicinal plant (Review).

There are numerous medicinal benefits from herbal plants, with many herbal medicines being used as 'Jamu', 'standardized herbal medicines' and phytopharmaceuticals. Physalis angulata Linn. (P. angulata L.), a plant utilized for both medicinal and food consumption purposes in a number of tropical and subtropical nations, is widely studied for its beneficial properties. The present review summarized the scientific evidence which suggested that P. angulata L. possesses antibacterial, anticancer, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic and antidiabetic properties. Furthermore, the various pharmacological studies that have been conducted utilizing in vivo and in vitro models, as well as the identification of phytochemical components with therapeutic value are described. In addition, the present review explained the solvents and the toxicity tests that were used for the investigation of P. angulata L. The authors aspire that this literature review will provide an overview for researchers regarding the scientific progress of P. angulata L. over the past ten years and the potential areas of future research.

The Efficacy of Topical Formulation Containing Ciplukan (Physalis angulata Linn.) in Modulating Interleukin-17 and Interferon Gamma Expression in Mice (Mus musculus) Psoriasis Model.

Background: Interleukin 17 (IL-17) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris (PV). Topical corticosteroids are still utilised as first-line therapy for mild to moderate PV. However, long-term use of corticosteroid is associated with various side effects. Physalis angulata Linn. (Ciplukan) possesses anti-inflammatory properties that could serve as a potential alternative topical therapy for PV. Objective: To assess the efficacy of topical ciplukan as an anti-inflammatory agent targeting the expression of IL-17 and IFN-γ. Methods: Psoriasis was induced using imiquimod cream, therefore divided into five groups. Group I, the psoriasis control group, received only imiquimod cream. Groups C1 and C2 received imiquimod cream followed by a mixture of Ciplukan and vaseline in a 1:2 and 1:4 ratio, respectively. Group M, the standard therapy group, received imiquimod cream, followed by mometasone furoate cream. Lastly, group V, the vehicle group, received imiquimod cream followed by vaseline album. Expression of IL-17 and IFN-γ in mice's skin tissue was analysed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) after seven days of treatment. Results: The mean expression of IL-17 in Group C1 (22.60) was significantly lower (p = 0.012) than in the psoriasis control group (23.60), and there was no significant difference (p = 0.613) in Group M (22.41). The mean expression of IFN-γ in Group C1 (26.97) and Group C2 (27.03) was also significantly lower (p = 0.026 and p = 0.026, respectively) than Group I (28.80), and there was no significant difference (p = 0.180 and p = 0.093, respectively) than Group M (26.03). Conclusion: Expression of IL-17 and IFN-γ in the ciplukan group is lower than in the psoriasis control group, and there is no significant difference compared to the standard therapy group.

Effect of Resveratrol in Melinjo Seed (Gnetum gnemon L.) Extract on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients and its Possible Mechanism: A Review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Diabetes mellitus is the third leading cause of death in Indonesia (6.7 %), followed by stroke (21.1 %) and coronary heart disease (12.9 %). The prevalence of diabetes worldwide continues to increase on a yearly basis, including in Indonesia. Diabetes is a significant burden for many countries due to the high costs of treatment and reduced productivity of diabetes patients. Comprehensive strategies to prevent and treat diabetes are therefore mandatory. Oral hypoglycemic drugs are the first-line therapy for diabetes mellitus patients; however, these oral drugs still have several side effects. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct studies on medicinal plants with hypoglycemic effects to identify substances that have an anti-diabetic potential resembling physiological processes in the body. Indonesian people often use herbal medicines empirically, but the benefits have not been scientifically documented. Melinjo (Gnetum gnemon L.) is a native Indonesian gymnosperm plant, and the seeds are often processed into food. Melinjo seeds extract contains many polyphenols, including trans-resveratrol. CONCLUSION: Studies on the health benefits of resveratrol are widely available, including antidiabetes and blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Potential role of ß-carotene-modulated autophagy in puerperal breast inflammation (Review).

Puerperal breast inflammation is common in the first 6-8 weeks postpartum, and without proper management, may lead to a decrease in breastmilk production and early cessation of breastfeeding. Recent studies showed that carotenoids decrease the severity of puerperal breast inflammation. This article summarizes the significant findings on ß-carotene with a potential role as an autophagy modulator in puerperal breast inflammation. Puerperal milk stasis causes an increase in inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory cells, leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) activation that causes oxidative damage to mammary glands and affects breast milk secretion. ß-carotene has an anti-inflammatory effect related to its ROS-scavenging activity and modulates autophagy, thus stimulating the removal of damaged cellular structures and supporting milk gland survival. ß-carotene modulates autophagy through phosphorylation of NF-κB, JNK, p38, Akt, and Nrf2, affects the ratio of Microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3)-II/LC3-I, and has a role in the regulation of the JAK2/STAT3, PI2K/Akt/mTOR and AMPK pathways. Although the in vitro and in vivo studies showed promising results, further studies on humans are required to better conclude the potential role of ß-carotene in managing puerperal breast inflammation.

The Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Marine Sponge Stylissa carteri Induces Breast Cancer Cell Death via Upregulation of Mcl-1S: an In vitro Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potency of the fraction of marine sponge Stylissa carteri in inducing cell death, inhibiting spheroid growth, and its impact on pro-apoptotic protein Mcl-1S in breast cancer cells. METHODS: Stylissa carteri were collected from Pramuka Island followed by ethanol extraction and ethyl acetate fractionation. To evaluate the cytotoxic effect of fraction, the HCC-1954, MDA MB 231, and MCF-7 cells were treated with the fraction of Stylissa carteri and MTT assay was then performed. The effect on spheroid growth was evaluated in HCC-1954 cells. The combined effect of the ethyl acetate fraction and paclitaxel were analyzed using combination index (CI) and immunoblotting on the pro-apoptotic protein Mcl-1S. Furthermore, compounds in this fraction were identified using GC-MS. RESULTS: Data showed that both the MDA MB 231 and HCC-1954 cells were interestingly more sensitive to the fraction as compared with MCF-7 cells. The IC50 of the ethyl acetate fraction on HCC-1954, MDA MB 231 and MCF-7 were 4.1 µg/ml, 3.9 µg/ml, and 123.8 µg/ml, respectively. In addition, the fraction triggered spheroid destruction within 10 days. The CI of paclitaxel and ethyl acetate fraction of Stylissa carteri were less than 0.52. Moreover, this combination induced upregulation of the Mcl-1S protein. Furthermore, some fatty acid-based structures were predicted as the major compounds in this fraction. CONCLUSION: The ethyl acetate fraction of Stylissa carteri induces cell death and spheroid destruction in aggressive breast cancer cells. It has a synergistic cytotoxic effect with paclitaxel on MDA MB 231 cell death and upregulates Mcl-1S protein.