Review of the pharmacological properties of marine macroalgae used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus in Indonesia

Indonesia is the largest archipelagic country in the world, with 70% of its territory covered by oceans that are rich in various types of biological resources. Indonesia's biodiversity has made it possible to develop natural medicine. Marine algae have enormous potential, but the types of marine algae used still need to be more varied. Research on the pharmacology of marine macroalgae has been conducted in Indonesia, but studies on such topic related to diabetes mellitus (DM) still need to be completed. This study provides a comprehensive dataset of pharmacological anti-diabetic potential of marine macroalgae used for managing DM and reports on preclinical trials that provide pharmacological evidence. Data on the Indonesian marine macroalgae used to lower blood glucose were obtained from online sources. The bioactive chemicals of marine macroalgae have been found efficient at blocking several diabetes enzymes in in-vivo and in-vitro studies, and such chemicals have anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, antioxidant, and other therapeutic benefits. The Google Scholar was used to search for the pharmacological literature with the keywords marine AND macroalgae AND diabetes AND Indonesia. Pharmacological research on the anti-diabetic activity of marine macroalgae has been carried out on five major Indonesian islands, including Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, Sulawesi, and Papua, which encompassed 12 provinces: Southwest Papua, South Sulawesi, West Kalimantan, Riau Archipelago, Banten, West Java, North Sulawesi, East Java, Yogyakarta, Maluku, Jakarta, and Bengkulu. Articles on preclinical tests (in vitro and in vivo) were also used for the phytochemical problem section. The results briefly describe which class of algae has been widely used in Indonesia as an anti-diabetic. The findings of this research can be utilized to help find DM treatment drugs based on natural resources from marine macroalgae.

Investigation of Cox-2 inhibition of Laportea decumana (Roxb). Wedd extract to support its analgesic potential

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Itchy leaves Laportea decumana (Roxb). Wedd is an indigenous plant in Maluku, Indonesia, and is used traditionally to treat complaints such as fatigue and joint and muscle pains.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To provide scientific proof of the analgesic effect of L. decumana ethanolic extract tested in in vivo assays while investigating its bioactive phytochemicals using liquid chromatography tandem high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) profiling and Cox-2 inhibition assay.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To investigate the analgesic activity of the ethanolic extract, assays were conducted on male mice Balb/c strain by chemical induction using acetic acid (i.p.) and heat induction (hotplate). Mice were divided into six groups consisting of six mice, i.e., the baseline group; positive control group (paracetamol 80 mg/kg BW); groups treated with extracts in dosages of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg bodyweight (BW); and negative control group (acetic acid 0.6%, i. p.). The crude extract was partitioned with liquid-liquid fractionation to yield hexane, ethyl acetate, and water fractions. The extract and fraction were assayed for Cox-2 enzyme inhibition, and the chemical profiles were analyzed using untargeted LC-HRMS.

RESULTS

The analgesic assays revealed the dose-dependent effect of the extracts, of the effect of treatment with 400 mg/kg BW was not significantly different with that of paracetamol (p < 0.05). The ethyl acetate fraction showed IC50 of 19.25 μg/mL on Cox-2 inhibition (IC50 celexocib 18.48 μg/mL). LC-HRMS showed a distinctive profile of the ethyl acetate fraction compared with those in the extract and other fractions.

CONCLUSIONS

This study presents scientific evidence of the analgesic activity of the L. decumana ethanol extract given orally to experimental animals. Inflammatory inhibition plays a role in the overall analgesic mechanism by Cox-2 inhibition of the extract and all fractions. This finding is also supported by the phytochemical profiles of the extract and fractions, showing the presence of compounds reported elsewhere as anti-inflammatory activity.

Flavonoid from Moringa oleifera leaves revisited: A review article on in vitro, in vivo, and in silico studies of antidiabetic insulin-resistant activity

Diabetes mellitus (DM) occurs when the body experiences insulin deficiency or is unable to use insulin appropriately, which increases the blood glucose levels over the threshold. Moringa oleifera leaf is a widely used and scientifically proven herbal medicine to treat DM. The demand for the development of new drugs has prompted in vitro, in vivo, and in silico studies of antidiabetic insulin-resistant activity. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive study of the types of flavonoid and nonflavonoid compounds that have antidiabetic activity in insulin resistance mellitus using in vitro, in vivo, and in silico approaches. The literature review was conducted in accordance with the offered reporting items for systematic review. Major bibliographic databases, i.e. Scopus, PubMed, and DOAJ, covering original articles about the aforementioned issues between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2021 were used. In this study, 274 articles were retrieved, of which 4 were duplicates, and after the titles were read, only 108 were left for analysis. After the abstract screening, 32 articles were eligible for the literature review. The results exhibit that flavonoids, including quercetin and kaempferol, and nonflavonoids, including anthraquinone, cytogluside (glycoside), hemlock tannin, phenolic steroid, and 2-phenylchromenylium (anthocyanins), have potential insulin-resistant antidiabetic activity in vitro, in vivo, and in silico. This has broadened the research into the development of new drugs.

Application of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) for the Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) of Moringa oleifera: Extraction Yield, Content of Bioactive Compounds, and Biological Effects In Vitro

This study optimized ultrasound-assisted extraction conditions to maximize the extraction yield, total flavonoid content (TFC), total phenolic content (TPC), and DPP IV enzyme inhibitory activity from Moringa oleifera. The four UAE factors, solvent ratio (A), solvent-solid ratio (B), extraction temperature (C), and extraction time (D), were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). A Box-Behnken design was used for the experimental design. The optimal conditions were found to be a 50% v/v solvent ratio, a 30% v/w solvent-solid ratio, 35 °C extraction temperature, and 45 min extraction time. The experimental value of extraction yield (R₁), TFC (R₂), TPC (R₃), and DPP IV enzyme inhibitory activity (R₄) (87.99% w/w, 56.63 mg QE/g extract, 97.26 mg GAE/g extract, and 93.32% inhibition, respectively) agreed with those predicted by RSM models (88.10% w/w, 56.61 mg QE/g extract, 97.16 mg GAE/g extract, and93.38% inhibition, respectively), thus demonstrating the appropriateness of the model used and the ability of the RSM to optimize the extraction conditions. Excellent DPP IV enzyme inhibitory activity was exhibited by M. oleifera compared with the standard, sitagliptin. While the modeled equation fits the data, the t-test is not significant, suggesting that the experimental values agree with those predicted by the RSM-BBD.

Prevention of Inflammation-Driven Colon Carcinogenesis in Human MUC1 Transgenic Mice by Vaccination with MUC1 DNA and Dendritic Cells

The preventive efficacy of MUC1-specific DNA immunization on inflammation-driven colon carcinogenesis in human MUC1 transgenic (MUC1.Tg) mice was investigated. Mice were vaccinated with MUC1 DNA mixed with autologous bone-marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs), and then colonic tumors were induced by azoxymethane (AOM) injection and oral administration of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Two types of tumors, squamous metaplasia and tubular adenoma, were observed. Both expressed high levels of MUC1 as indicated by the binding of anti-MUC1 antibodies with different specificities, whereas MUC1 expression was not detected in normal colonic mucosa. When mice were immunized with MUC1 DNA + BMDCs, tumor incidence, tumor number, and tumor size were significantly reduced. In contrast, vaccination with MUC1 DNA alone or BMDCs alone was ineffective in reducing tumor burden. Inflammation caused by DSS was not suppressed by the MUC1 DNA + BMDCs vaccination. Furthermore, MUC1 protein expression levels, as judged by anti-MUC1 antibody binding in tumors grown after vaccination, did not significantly differ from the control. In conclusion, an inflammation-driven carcinogenesis model was established in MUC1.Tg mice, closely resembling human colon carcinogenesis. In this model, vaccination with MUC1 DNA + BMDCs was effective in overriding MUC1 tolerance and reducing the tumor burden by a mechanism not affecting the level of colonic inflammation.

The Role of Andrographis paniculata in Modulating the Immune Response in Cancer-Associated Chronic Inflammation, Angiogenesis, and Metastasis

The immune system plays an essential role in cancer pathogenesis through providing an inflammatory immune response. Chronic inflammation causes tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis facilitated by interactions between tumor, immune, and stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Various inflammatory mediators and growth factors secreted by cells in the TME exert a synergistic effect on cancer promotion. Thus, the development of cancer therapies that lead to inhibition of the activity of immune cells, cytokines, chemokines, and cancer-inducing growth factors is a promising therapeutic strategy. Andrographis paniculata (A. paniculata) is an ethnomedicinal plant with immunomodulatory and anticancer activity. A. paniculata can also inhibit the resistance of chemotherapy agents associated with the TME as adjuvant chemotherapy. This review focuses on the mechanism of A. paniculata in suppressing cancer-associated chronic inflammation, angiogenesis, and metastasis through modulation of the immune response. The results show that A. paniculata exerts anticancer effects directly targeting cancer cells, inhibiting cancer growth by modulating immune responses. A. paniculata exerts anticancer effects by inhibiting the production of cytokines, growth factors, and chemokines via the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-ĸB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathways. In addition, this review provides a new hypothesis regarding the potential of A. paniculata to serve as an anticancer agent that can inhibit cancer cell proliferation at the angiogenesis and metastatic stages through regulating inflammation due to interactions between cancer cells, immune cells, and stromal cells in the TME.

Animal Models of Alcoholic Liver Disease for Hepatoprotective Activity Evaluation

Background: The reported statistics suggest that alcoholic liver disease is on the rise. Furthermore, medications used to treat the disease have unpleasant effects, and this necessitates the need to continuously investigate hepatoprotective agents. This study investigates animal models of alcoholic liver disease used to evaluate hepatoprotective activity. Content: A good number of published articles evaluating hepatoprotective activity were summarized. The studies used three ethanol-induced liver injury models: the acute ethanol-induced liver injury model, the chronic ethanol-induced liver injury model, and Lieber– DeCarli model. Summary: Wistar rats were primarily used in the ethanol-induced liver injury model. High levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) and histopathological alterations were found in all animal models (acute ethanol-induced liver injury, chronic ethanol-induced liver injury, and Lieber–DeCarli models). Severe steatosis was shown in both chronic ethanol-induced liver injury and Lieber–DeCarli models. However, fibrosis was undetected in all models.

Terpenoid-lupeol of red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) and its immunomodulatory activity

Red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus, (F.A.C. Weber) Britton and Rose) has been reported to have various biological activities such as antimicrobial, anti-hypercholesterolemia, anti-diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular risk reduction, health supplement, and melanoma cell inhibitory. The red thick peel of this fruit is just practically a waste that is possibly utilized to maintain health, therefore this research aimed to isolate and identify active compounds of H. Polyrhizus peels which can improve the immune system of body. In order to simplify methanol extract was partition and fractionation. The active compounds of petroleum ether fraction were separated and purified using preparative thin layer chromatography. The identification of the compounds structure was conducted through spectroscopic techniques, including UV, FT-IR, ¹³CNMR and 1HNMR spectroscopy. The data of spectra revealed that the isolate is lupeol. The statistical analysis of macrophage activity showed that the isolate with concentrations of 100, 50, 25, 12.5 and 6.25μg/mL could activate the macrophages higher than control negative. Terpenoid generated from the isolation of Hylocereus polyrhizus was identified as lupeol (1-isopropenyl-3a,5a,5b,8,8,11a-hexamethyl-eicosahydrocyclopenya [α] chrysen-9ol. In vitro test shows that the isolated compound had an immunomodulatory activity by increases macrophage phagocytosis of latex beads.

Immunomodulatory activity and phytochemical content determination of fractions of suji leaves (Dracaena angustifolia (Medik.)Roxb.)

Suji is a plant that has long been used as food colorant and medicinal plant in Indonesia. This study aimed to determine the immunomodulatory activity of fractions obtained from suji leaves by using in vitro phagocytic macrophage assay and also to determine the phytochemical compounds of the most active fraction. Initially, Suji dry leaves powder were macerated with 96% ethanol upon filtration, then the filtrate obtained was evaporated to dryness. The extract obtained was triturated with chloroform to give fraction soluble (F1) and insoluble fraction (F2). Then, F1 was partitioned using a mixture of hexane-methanol-water (25: 14: 1 v /v) to give two layers, namely upper layer (F3) and lower layer (F4). Furthermore, the four fractions (F1, F2, F3 and F4) were tested by in vitro phagocytic macrophages method at the concentration of 10, 25, 50 and 100 µg/mL. The parameters used were the Phagocytic Index (PI) and the Phagocytic Capacity (PC). Macrophage phagocytic in vitro assay showed that fractions of the suji leaf ethanolic extract could improve the phagocytic activity of macrophages. The fraction that demonstrated the highest activity was subjected to phytochemical study by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). Based on the data obtained, F3 was the most active fraction, because it has the highest PC and PI values compared to other fractions or negative control. TLC test revealed that F3 contained terpenoids and flavonoids.

Estrogenic Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Papaya Peels (Carica Papaya L.) on Uterine Weight and Mammae Gland Proliferation on Ovariectomy Rats

Papaya bark is one of Indonesia's natural wealth that contains flavonoid compounds such as myricetin and kaempferol that included in the phytoestrogen compounds. The aim of this study is to examine the estrogenic effects of ethanolic extract of papaya peels (EEPP), on the development of mammae gland and the increasing of uterine weight. The in vivo test was performed with ovariectomy in Sprague Dawley female rats that caused the rats to be in an estrogen deficiency state. After 30 days of treatment, animals are sacrificed to take the uterus and mammae glands. Measurement of uterine weight and mammae gland are observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining method to know the lobulus development and AgNOR staining to determine the proliferation level of mammae gland epithelial cells. The test results showed that EEPP concentration of 500 and 1000 mg/kgBW were able to increase uterine weight and proliferation of mammae gland. From the results of this study, papaya bark has the potential to be one of the phytoestrogens compound to maintain female reproductive health and woman beauty.Keyword: ethanolic extract of papaya peels (EEPP), phytoestrogen, ovariectomized rats, uterine weight, mammae proliferation

Different 4T1 Cells Migration under Caesalpinia sappan L. and Ficus septica Burm.f Ethanolic Extracts

Secang (C. sappan L.) and awar (F. septica Burm.f) are known of Indonesian traditional medicine that highly consumed throughout centuries in order to cure various diseases. Recently, researchers also concern about its effects as anti-cancer on various cell types. This study was conducted to understand the ethanolic extract of C. sappan L. (ECS) and F. septica Burm.f (EFS) effects on 4T1 cells migration at various concentrations. Firstly, we examine cell proliferation profile with MTT assay under treatment with the extracts and obtained the IC50 value of ECS (20 μg/mL) and EFS (15 μg/mL). Subsequent assay conducted was to examine the cells migration under low concentration resulting in the migration inhibitory effect of both EFS and ECS with different intensity.  EFS performed better migration inhibitory effect than ECS. Finally, we conducted gelatin zymography and western blot and revealed that the migration inhibitory effect of EFS may correlate to the lowering of protein expression of MMP9 and Rac-1 after 24 hours of treatment. We conclude that both extracts are potential to be developed as anticancer agent and EFS is more potent for anti-metastasis.Keywords: C. sappan L., F. septica Burm.f, 4T1, anti-migration

Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) Inhibits Migration and Metastasis on 4T1 Breast Cancer Cells

Metastasis is the main cause of death among brast cancer patient. Pleorotus ostreatus is known as anticancer agent that inhibits angiogenesis. Ethanolic extract of Pleorotus ostreatus (EEP) which contains lovastatin is predicted to inhibit metastatic cancer through inhibition of MMP-2 and MMP-9. The aim of this study was to determined antiproliferative and anti metastatic activity of EEPw (Ethanolic extract of wet Pleorotus ostreatus) and EEPd (Ethanolic extract of dried Pleorotus ostreatus ) in 4T1 metastatic breast cancer cells line. Qualitative analysis of lovastatin was determined by thin layer chromatography (TLC) using dicloromethan and etil acetat as mobile phase and lovastatin standard. Scratch wound healing assay was used to determine migration inhition ability of EEP while MMP-9 and MMP-2 activity were analysed by gelatine zymography. Molecular docking was performed to know the interaction between lovastatin and MMP-2 & MMP-9. The result showed that EEPw and EEPd contain lovastatin which were proved by spray reaction with anisaldehid. Each of EEPw and EPPd had cytotoxic activity with IC50 760 and 400 μg/mL respectively. Both of them inhibited closure for about 50 % on 4T1 metastatic breast cancer cells line compared to control. Either EEPw or EEPd decreased MMP-9 expression level compared to control. Lovastatin had higher affinity to bond with either MMP-2 or MMP-9 than native ligand. Overall, EEP could be developed as anticancer agent which was targeted on MMP-2 and MMP-9.Keywords : Pleurotus ostreatus, 4T1 metastatic cells, MMP-2, MMP-2, antimetastatic

Cardioprotective Effect of Kelor (Moringa oleifera) Leaf Ethanolic Extract against Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Rats

The usage of doxorubicin (DOX) as an anticancer drug in cancer patient may cause several side effects. One of that is cardiotoxicity by inducing the expression of nitric oxide synthase which may release nitric oxide (NO) resulting reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cardiac. DOX needs to be combined with antioxidant since it could supressed ROS in the cardiac and reduce cardiomyopathy. Kelor (Moringa oleifera) is known as the source of antioxidant. This study aim to observe the treatment effects of ethanolic extract of kelor (EEK) on histopathology profile and concentration of NO in rats cardiac. The result from the hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that EEK improved the histopathology profile of rats’ cardiac. Compared with the DOX-only treatment, the structure of cardiac muscle cells treated by ethanolic extract of kelor is more well-arranged and the cells’ nucleus still visible. Concentration of NO was measured by cardiac puncture method. The result showed that the concentration of NO was decrease in line with increasing dose levels of EEK in combination with DOX. But at rats only given with EEK, the concentration of NO is quite high. In conclusion, EEK could be a cochemotherapy agent by reducing the cardiotoxicity effect of DOX.Keywords : doxorubicin, Moringa oleifera, nitric oxyde, histopathology 

Immunomodulatory Effects of Ethanolic Extract of Thyphonium flagelliforme (Lodd) Blume in Rats Induced by Cyclophosphamide

The present study aimed to examine the immunomodulatory effect of ethanolic extract of Typhonium flagelliforme (Lodd) Blume in cyclophosphamide-treated rats. The immunomodulatory effects were determined by lymphocytes proliferation, phagocytic activity of macrophages, plasma cytokines of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1α, interleukin-10 levels, and killer T cells (CD8+ T cells) counts. The results showed that the administration of ethanolic extract of T flagelliforme reduced immunosupessive effect on lymphocyte proliferation, increase the number and phagocytic activity of macrophages in cyclophosphamide-treated rats. Moreover, the ethanolic extract of T flagelliforme also significantly ( P < .05) improved the immune system activities especially the proliferation of CD8+T cells and reduced the suppressive effects on cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1α. In conclusion, the ethanolic extract of T flagelliforme has immunomodulatory properties in cyclophosphamide-treated rats. The results suggest that T flagelliforme can reduce immunosuppresive effect caused by a chemotherapeutic agent.

Antiproliferative effect of gynura procumbens (lour.) Merr. Leaves etanolic extract on 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)antracene induced male rat liver

PURPOSE

The leaves of Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr. has been traditionally used as anticancer. Ethanolic extract of G. procumbens leaves (EGP) showed cytotoxic activity and anticancer activity in animal cancer model. This study was conducted to observe antiproliferative effect using male rat's liver cells induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)antracene (DMBA).

METHODS

Forty days old Sprague Dawley male rats were divided into 4 groups, (1) 0.5 % CMC Na, (2) 20 mg/kg BW DMBA p.o ten times in three weeks, (3) DMBA+300 mg/kg BW of EGP, and (4) DMBA+750 mg/kg BW of EGP. The extract was dissolved into 0.5 % CMC-and administered daily per oral one week before, during and terminated 1 week after the DMBA induction. After sixthteen week experiment, rat livers were sectioned and stained with Haematoxyllene and Eosin (H&E) and AgNOR.

RESULTS

Histopatology profile showed no primary liver tumor on DMBA group. mAgNOR value of DMBA+300 mg/kg BW EGP showed significant antiproliferative effect compared to DMBA group.

CONCLUSION

Ethanolic extract of G. procumbens leaves showed antiproliferative activity on male rats liver induced by DMBA.