Kaempferia galanga L. Extract Administration Attenuate Aquaporin-4 Expression in Traumatic Brain Injury: An Experimental Study in Rats

Abstract

Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is still a major health problem in the world. It might cause long-term disability that affect socio-economic life and become nation health burden. Post-traumatic cerebral edema might develop and commit to an unfavorable prognosis. Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) is water channel protein and a key regulator of water metabolism in the brain. Although the mechanism of AQP4 in the regulation of post-traumatic brain edema remains controversial, AQP4-lacking mice show better survival and decreased brain edema. Thus, novel strategies that suppress AQP4 become a potential field. We hypothesized that Kaempferia galanga L. may suppress brain expression of AQP4 following TBI and possibly limit the development of cerebral edema due to its neuroinflammation properties. Method: We conducted TBI to experimental rats, then given Kaempferia galanga L. extract at a dose of 600 mg/kg BW and 1200 mg/kg BW. Evaluation intensity of AQP4 expression by immunohistochemistry was performed 24 and 48 hours later to see its therapeutic effect. Results: Administration of Kaempferia galanga L. extract at a dose of 1200 mg/kg BW showed weak expression of AQP4 in all samples, both 24 and 48 hours following traumatic brain injury treatment. Conclusions: Intensity of AQP4 expression in rats' brain was lower at 24 and 48 hours after TBI in rats receiving Kaempferia galanga L. extract with dose 1200 mg/ kg BW compared to the other groups. Our result indicates that Kaempferia galanga L. might affect the expression of brain AQP4 in a dose-dependent manner.

Effect of Kencur (Kaempferia galanga L.) Ethanolic Extract Treatment on Cerebral Caspase-3 Expression in Traumatic Brain Injury Rat Models

“…A previous study by Sagita et al ( 14 ) also showed significant differences in the expression of MDA (malondialdehyde) in rats with trauma treated with Kaempferia galanga L. ethanolic extract compared to those that were not treated with this extract. Another study by Niantiarno et al ( 9 ) on the expression of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) as a water channel protein and a key regulator of water metabolism in the brain found that the intensity of AQP4 increased in rats with traumatic brain injury, and this expression decreased after treatment with Kaempferia galanga L. ethanolic extract at a dose of 1,200 mg/kgBW/day within 24 h and 48 h.…”