The Effect of Extract Areca Seeds (Areca catechu L.) on the Thickness of the Colonic Tunica Muscularis in Mice (Mus musculus) Feeded Trichuris muris Infective Eggs Peroral

Abstract

One species of worm Trichuris trichiura that is often used in research on experimental animals is Trichuris muris. Administration of T. muris infective eggs can significantly increase the thickness of the tunica muscularis of the colon. This thickening of the tunica muscularis intestine is associated with increased contractility of smooth muscle cells lining the intestinal wall. Increased contractility is one of the important mechanisms in expulsion of gastrointestinal parasites. In recent years, various researches on the development of natural and traditional ingredients have been developed to see the effect of areca seeds on changes in the thickness of the tunica muscularis in the large intestine. Flavonoids, alkaloids and tannins contained in areca nut have a role in the immune response and the eradication of worm parasites which have an influence on the thickness of the tunica muscularis of the colon. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of ethanol extract and ethylacetate fraction of areca seeds on changes in the thickness of the tunica muscularis colon in male mice fed T. muris infective eggs orally. This research is a quasi-experimental study with post-test only control group design conducted at the FMIPA, Universitas Sumatra Utara, Medan. A sample of 10 male mice was randomly assigned to 7 group: (1) negative control;(2) induction of 200 T. muris infective eggs (positive control); (3) positive control and ethanol extract of areca seeds (EEAS), 100 mg/kgbw; (4) positive control and EEAS, 150 mg/kgbw;(5) positive control and the ethylacetate fraction of areca seeds (EAFAS), 100 mg/kgbw; (6) positive control and EAFAS, 150 mg/kgbw; (7) positive control and albendazole, 1mg/20g. The mean differences in the groups were analyzed by the Kruskal Wallis Test method. The results of statistical analysis showed an increase in the thickness of the tunica muscularis colon in the positive control (Mean = 1008.39) compared to the negative control (Mean = 666.16). The thickness of the tunica muscularis colon in group P1 (Mean = 237.34), group P2 (Mean = 216.33), group P3 (Mean = 373.30), group P4 (Mean = 339.69) and group P5 (Mean = 361.26). Pairwise statistical significance (p value) between all groups was p < 0.001. Areca seeds ethanol extract 150 mg/kgbw can effectively reduce the thickness of the tunica muscularis of the colon.