Antioxidant works against oxidant and free radicals is by donating electrons it encompasses to the radical molecules and therefore neutralising the oxidation process in the biological system. Hypercholesterolemia has been identified as one the primary predisposing factor for chronic health diseases in most industrial and developed countries.Hypercholesterolemia contributes to nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD). Gynura procumbens is not toxic and exhibit anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive and wound healing properties where the extract of this plant contains active chemical constituents such as tannins, terpenoids, sterol glycoside, saponins and flavonoids. New Zealand White Rabbits were fed with high cholesterol diet for ten weeks. Liver weight and serum liver function test (LFT) including ALP, ALT, AST and GGT were determined and analyzed. Rabbits that were given high cholesterol diet show the symptom of liver injury. ALP, ALT, AST and GGT levels indicate the liver injury. Liver injury of rabbits that were supplemented with Gynura procumbens extracts were reduced compared to rabbits that were given high cholesterol diet but not given any supplement of extract. ALP, ALT, AST and GGT level on rabbits were given the extract were improved compared to HCD. Supplementation of the extract lowered the levels of liver enzymes compared to the HCD.
BACKGROUND: Croton caudatus Geiseler (CCG), a local herb that empirically has been used as traditional medicine for malaria, fever, convulsions, and rheumatic arthritis. This study aimed to investigate the effect of CCG on reproductive and biochemical parameters in male Wistar rats.METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar male rats were divided randomly into four groups, which were treated with CCG aqueous root extract at the concentration of 0-16 mg/kg, via oral gavage. After 21 days of treatment, blood, sperm, and testes were harvested for analyses. Sperm parameters were evaluated using computer-assisted sperm analyser (Hamilton Thorne Sperm Analyzer), and morphometric analyses of histological changes were performed.RESULTS: CCG extract at 8 and 16 mg/kg significantly (p<0.05) increased the total sperm count, concentration, and motility; whereby, only 16 mg/kg significantly decreased the percentage of abnormal sperm morphology. Testosterone hormones levels were the highest in 4 mg/kg CCG but were slightly decreased in 8 and 16 mg/kg CCG. The histological results showed a significant increase in the germinal epithelial height, decrease of lumen size at 16 mg/kg of CCG extract. No significant changes of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and creatinine levels in serum from all CCG extract groups. However, the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level in 8 mg/kg CCG was elevated, and the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level was decreased in all CCG extract groups.CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the CCG extract at 4 mg/kg has the potential to enhance spermatogenesis activity within the seminiferous tubules in rats without any hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity effect on the liver and kidney.KEYWORDS: Croton caudatus Geiseler, rats, spermatogenesis, seminiferous tubules, testis, testosterone
BackgroundRoots and leaves of the Cermela Hutan (Phyllanthus gomphocarpus Hook. F) plant were studied to determine antioxidant activity, phytochemical compounds, proportion of carbohydrate, crude protein, moisture, ash, fat, total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC).Material/MethodsTen percent (10%) aqueous extract from both Phyllanthus gomphocarpus roots (PGR) and leaves (PGL) were used in this study. Antioxidant activity characterization by TPC, TFC, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity, and phytochemical screening, as well as proximate analysis from both extracts were analyzed in this study.ResultsPhyllanthus gomphocarpus roots (PGR) and leaves (PGL) tested positive for flavonoid, saponin, tannins, and terpenoids, but PGR showed negative result for anthraquinones. In average weight of 100.0 g dry sample, the carbohydrates, protein, moisture, ash, fat, and energy content in PGR and PGL were 80.9%, 5.5%, 7.8%, 3.4%, 2.4%, and 367 Kcal/100 g, and 66.5%, 14.8%, 10.7%, 6.5%, 1.5%, and 399 Kcal/100g, respectively. Antioxidant assessments using FRAP and DPPH assay showed that PGL extracts possessed higher antioxidant capacity by reducing the ferric ion-TPTZ complex by 0.14 mg/ml ±0.0018 and higher scavenging activity, 83.83% ±0.54 as compared to PGR, 0.07 mg/ml ±0.0035 for FRAP and 62.87% ±1.33 for DPPH, respectively. The total phenolics content was significantly higher in PGL (208.77 mg GAE/g ±3.79) as compared to PGR (27.53 mg GAE/g ±0.42). However, there was no significant different in the total flavonoid contents for PGR (34.8 mg QE/g ±3.12) and PGL (32.43 mg QE/g ±3.92).ConclusionsFurther investigations are suggested to isolate and characterize the other active constituents from this plant in combatting diseases.
Phyllanthus gomphocarpus Hook. F is a herb found in tropical rainforest countries and has been widely used in traditional medicine especially in Peninsular Malaysia to treat male infertility problems and increase human health. Ten percent aqueous extraction of PGR was prepared by heating in 40º C for 12 hours and its decoction were freeze dried to obtain crude extract. Total numbers of 24 male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups which NEC, POC, PGR50 and PGR800. Except for NEC group, other groups were induced genitotoxicity by oral supplementation of 200 mg/kg of BPA for 21 consecutive days. For PGR50 and PGR800 groups, the animals were concomitantly supplemented with 50 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg of PGR extracts respectively. Blood and testes sample were collected for hormonal and testes morphometric analysis. Results clearly showed that that testosterone (T), the most important hormone in spermatogenesis process were significantly increased in PGR supplemented groups (p<0.05) compared to NEC and POC groups. For the level of DHT, FSH, and LH hormonal level, the results were varies and can be explained with the deterioration effects of BPA and the hormonal regulations itself. Testes morphometric study showed no significant difference in the seminiferous tubule diameter in each groups but was significantly increased (p<0.05) in the epithelium height, which indicates higher rate of spermatogenesis process. In addition, PGR possessed a protective effect against the toxicity effects of BPA. In conclusion, PGR was suggested to enhance male fertility through improvement of androgenic hormones and possessed a protective effect against genitotoxicity of BPA.
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