BACKGROUND: Extensive intracellular and extracellular formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) is considered a causative factor for vascular injury triggered by hyperglycemia in diabetes. The hyperglycemia will cause accumulation of AGEs, damage to pericytes, nerve growth factor (NGF), glial acid fibrillary protein (GFAP) and increase in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). AIM: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of RAGE inhibition in suppressing the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy through modulation of the inflammatory pathway involving NGF, GFAP, and VEGF. METHODS: The design was in vivo experimental study. Thirty white rats were induced with Alloxan monohydrate. Rats were divided into 5 groups, normal, negative control, groups with an anti-RAGE dose of 1 μg/uL, the dose of 10 μg/uL and 100 μg/uL. After 4 weeks of treatment, HbA1c, NGF, and GFAP levels were measured using ELISA. Quantification of VEGF expression was done using the ImageJ® application. Data was expressed with mean ± SD. Independent T-test with ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc was done. RESULTS: RAGE inhibitors yielded a significant decrease in blood glucose and HbA1c levels. VEGF and RAGE expression were reduced in anti-RAGE groups in various doses. Inhibition of RAGE reduced the damage of retinal pericytes, by reducing GFAP and increasing NGF, and reduced the formation of new blood vessels, by decreasing VEGF expression, in diabetic retinopathy. CONCLUSION: Inhibition of receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) was effective in suppressing the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy.

Abstract   Infectious disease is one of the most common diseases in the world. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli are two common causes of infection and are resistant to many antibiotics, so the new agents are needed to overcome antibiotic resistance. Cinnamon is often used as a preservative because it has antibacterial activity. Cinnamomum burmannii is kind of native cinnamon from Indonesia. The antimicrobial active compounds cinnamaldehyde and eugenol are the main reasons for its antibacterial activity. This study observed the efficacy of the cinnamon extract (Cinnamomum burmannii) as antibacterial against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. An experimental study, in vitro using Post-test Only Control Group Designed, has been done in Microbiology and Biotechnology Laboratory of Medical Faculty of Sriwijaya University. Cinnamon was extracted, then tested for its antibacterial activity using well diffusion and serial dilution to determine diameter of inhibition zone and minimum bactericidal concentration. Phytochemical tests were also conducted to determine the antibacterial compounds of cinnamon extract. Ethanol extract of cinnamon was able to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus with MBC 5% and inihibitory zone 6,84±0,68 mm and Escherichia coli with MBC 10% and inhibitory zone 5,69±0,69 mm. Cinnamon extract which has the greatest effectiveness is concentration of 40% with inhibition zone 15,69±0,80 mm (Staphylococcus aureus) and 9,63±0,59 mm (Escherichia coli). This ability is due to the antibacterial compounds as evidenced by positive results in various phytochemical tests. Cinnamon extract is effective as antibacterial against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in vitro.   Keywords: efficacy, antibacterial, Cinnamomum burmannii, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli

Abstract Background Aloe vera is a plant that has been used as an alternative drug. This plant contains various compounds, like anthraquinone, saponin, flavonoid, alkaloid, and tannin that has an antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Both of it were responsible for the infection incident. This study aims to determine the efficacy of Aloe vera sap as an antibacterial against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Methods An experimental study, in vitro using post-test only control group design, has been done at laboratory of Medical Faculty of Sriwijaya University, by examining the antibacterial activity of Aloe vera sap in five different concentration (5%, 10%, 20%, 40%, dan 80%) using well diffusion and solid dillusion method to determine the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). And then continued with the phytocemical screening to determine the compound inside the Aloe vera sap. Results Aloe vera sap were able to kill Staphylococcus aureus at 5% and Eshcerichia coli at 80%. Compatibility test showed that Aloe vera sap with concentration of 10%, 20%, 40%, and 80% are compatible with amoxicillin, therefore 80% is compatible with cefotaxime. This ability due to the compound that it contains, which is alkaloid, flavonoid, tannin, quinone, and saponin. Conclusion Aloe vera sap is effective as an antibacterial against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.   Keyword: Aloe vera sap, antibacterial, efficacy, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli.

BACKGROUND: Depression is a psychiatric disorder that has become a serious health problem in the past decade. This disorder is characterized by prolonged dysphoric mood, and in more severe condition would result in decreased self-care and even life-threatening action. Serotonin is believed to play a role in the regulation of mood elation in depressive disorders. Decreased levels of serotonin in the hippocampus will cause an increased dopamine in mesolimbic dopamine neuronal cells. An effective and commonly used drug is the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, namely, fluoxetine. However, this agent has so many side effects, one of them is erectile dysfunction. In order to find the better treatment, exploration and discovery of therapeutic modalities need to pursued using natural materials. AIM: This study aimed to explore and evaluate antidepressant effects of cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmannii) extract (CE). METHODS: A total of 30 male Wistar rats were obtained from Eureka Research Laboratory (Palembang, Indonesia). Cinnamon simplisia was obtained from the Institute for Research and Testing of Traditional Medicine, Tawangmangu, Central Java, Indonesia. Rats were induced using chronic mild stress (CMS). CMS was a form of stress induction performed on experimental animals continuously, for 4 weeks. Forced swimming test (FST) was a test conducted to assess mobility in animal model. After induction for 4 weeks, rats were randomly divided into six groups which each contained five rats: Normal control group, CMS group (negative control), CMS + fluoxetin (Fluox 1: mg/kg), CMS + CE 25 mg/kg, the CMS + CE 50 mg/kg, and the CMS + CE 100 mg/kg. Treatment with fluoxetine or CE was given for 14 days intragastrically using gastric sonde. After treatment and FST, organ evacuation was performed and followed by immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent examination. RESULTS: This study showed that CE with dose of 25 mg/kg BW to dose 100 mg/k BW could reduce the duration of immobility when compared to the CMS group. Clinically, CE possessed the potential to reduce the duration of immobility and potentially reduce symptoms of depression. Histologically, CE showed the potential to improve serotonin levels in the hippocampus with increasing doses. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha expression in the hippocampus as a marker of inflammation had increased in the CMS group. CE was able to reduce the expression of TNF-alpha compared to the CMS group. CONCLUSION: CE possessed antidepressant efficacy by inhibiting the inflammatory process in the hippocampus so it was able to optimally increase serotonin levels in the hippocampus.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the neuronal cell protective effect from kayu manis extract by inhibition activating active caspase-3 in Wistar rats lir psychotic-like behavior on haloperidol therapy.Methods: An experimental in vivo study, an 8-week-old male Wistar rats (n=30) were used. Wistar rats were randomized into six groups. Group A: 5 rats as control without induced psychosis-like behavior and aquadest or drugs. Group B: 5 rats were induced psychosis-like behavior (ketamine 30 mg/kgBW, intraperitoneal for 5 days) and aquadest. Group C: 5 rats were induced psychosis-like behavior and haloperidol 0.5 mg/kgBW, per oral, 28 days. Group D: 5 rats were induced psychosis-like behavior, haloperidol 0.5 mg/kgBW, and kayu manis extract 50 mg/kgBW, per oral, 28 days. Group E: 5 rats were induced psychosis-like behavior, haloperidol 0.5 mg/kgBW, and kayu manis extract 100 mg/kgBW, per oral, 28 days. Group F: 5 rats were induced psychosis-like behavior, haloperidol 0.5 mg/kgBW, and kayu manis extract 200 mg/kgBW, per oral, 28 days. Negative symptoms of schizophrenia were assessed by social interactivity test pre and post. Apoptosis of neuronal cells in ventral tegmental area was assessed by immunohistochemistry of active caspase-3. The area stained was calculated as a percentage of total area within a field by program ImageJ.Results: Active caspase-3 percentage area for group's treatment with only haloperidol was more wide than groups treatment with combination haloperidol and kayu manis extract. Conclusion:Kayu manis extract can protect neuronal cell death through inhibition activating of active caspase-3 in Wistar rats psychotic-like behavior on haloperidol therapy.

Herbal medicine is growing quite rapidly, especially in every area that has traditional medicine using natural ingredients that are believed to treat disease. In addition, the use of herbal medicines is believed to have fewer side effects compared to conventional medicine. WHO also recommends the use of traditional and herbal medicines in efforts to maintain health, as well as prevent and treat diseases ranging from mild to chronic diseases. Based on the various problems faced, the purpose of implementing community service is to increase public knowledge and understanding of medicinal plants, independent health screening and self-medication and the role of supplements (vitamins and herbs) in health care and disease prevention efforts.

Myocardial fibrosis is a pathological condition that responsible for initiation of heart failure. Neurohormonal endogen, angiotensin II, has a potential role to activate endothelin I, TGF-β1, myocardial fibroblast, extracelullar matrix deposition, structural changes and decreasing of cardiac function. Fibrotic process is also influenced by PPAR γ. Telmisartan has a potential effect to inactivate angiotensinergic system and to activate PPAR γ. It is expected that telmisartan has optimal effect to protect myocardial fibrosis. To know the role of variation dose of telmisartan to decrease collagen type 1 fraction volume in cardiac tissue of Wistar rats. Ten-week-old male Wistar Rat (n = 30) were randomized into five groups, and each group consisted of 6 rats. Group 1 : negative control. Group 2 : rats were induced by intake Nacl 8% doses 2% body weight for eight weeks. Group 3 : rats were induced by intake Nacl 8% doses 2% body weight and telmisartan 3 mg/kgBB for eight weeks. Group 4 : rats were induced by intake Nacl 8% doses 2% body weight and telmisartan 6 mg/kgBB for eight weeks. Group 5 : rats were induced by intake Nacl 8% doses 2% body weight and telmisartan 12 mg/kgBB for eight weeks. Collagen volume fraction was assessed by immunohistochemistry and ImageJ program. ANOVA test followed pos hoc test was used to analyzed each variable. Collagen volume fraction significantly decreased in group 3, 4 and 5 compared in group 2. Telmisartan decreases collagen type 1 volume fraction of myocardial tissue .

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