Antioxidant and Nephroprotective Effects of Okra Pods Extract (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) against Lead Acetate-Induced Toxicity in Mice

In this study, we determine the curative effects of okra pods (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) extract against lead acetate toxicity in mice kidney. n-Hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol solvent were used for extracting okra pods. The role of the extract as an antioxidant was tested by DPPH and FRAP methods. The methanol extract was used for experiments in animals. A total of 30 male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into six equal groups: normal control, negative control (lead-induced), and treatment groups (lead-induced for 28 days and administration of methanol extract at doses of 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW for the 28 days). The following were analyzed in all groups: activity of the antioxidant enzymes, namely, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT); oxidant level, namely, malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO); and markers of kidney injury, namely, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cre). Kidney histopathology was also evaluated. This study showed that the methanol extract showed the highest antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ is 35.21 µg/mL, and FRAP is 57.58 µM Fe^2+/g). The CAT and SOD activities increased significantly in okra-treated groups (P < 0.05). The okra administration groups experienced a significant decrease in MDA, NO, BUN, and Cre levels (P < 0.05). Thickness of the epithelial proximal tubule, diameter of the proximal tubule, and percentage of necrotic cells in proximal tubule decreased, but the diameter ratio of glomerular Bowman's capsule in mice treated with okra was optimally improved and repaired like normal control (P < 0.05). The results of this study reveal that methanol extract has a very strong antioxidant effect and can reduce the influence of toxicity induced by lead acetate in mice kidney.

Okra Polysaccharides Improves Spleen Weight and B-Lymphocytes Proliferation in Mice Infected by Staphylococcus aureus

<p class="IsiAbstrakIndo"><span lang="EN-GB">Okra (</span><em><span lang="EN-GB">Abelmoschus esculentus</span></em><span lang="EN-GB">) is reported to have various biological functions such as antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammation. However, only few studies have been reported immunomodulatory activities of okra to prevent disease caused by bacteria infection. In this study, the immunomodulatory activities of polysaccharides from okra pods were investigated further through the spleen weight and B-lymphocytes proliferation in mice infected by </span><em><span lang="EN-GB">Staphylococcus aureus</span></em><span lang="EN-GB">. Okra polysaccharides were obtained by water extraction and ethanol precipitation. Okra polysaccharides with doses of 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg BW were orally administrated to mice with or without </span><em><span lang="EN-GB">Staphylococcus aureus</span></em><span lang="EN-GB"> infection. Spleen weight was evaluated in both treatment group and control group. B-lymphocytes proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay using LPS induction. Results showed that okra polysaccharide at the doses of 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg increased spleen weight (p &lt; 0.05) significantly. While at the dose of 75 and 100 mg/kg, it increased the B-lymphocytes proliferation (p &lt; 0.05) significantly. There is positive correlation between the spleen weight and B-lymphocytes proliferation by 73.3%. These result reveal that okra polysaccharide could improve the immune response and be utilized as a novel candidate of neutraceutical.</span></p>

Effect on Polysaccharide Krestin from Coriolus versicolor Extract on Phagocytic Activity and Capacity of Mus musculus Exposed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

<p><em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa </em>is an opportunistic bacterium that causes infections in human. The wall cell of its bacteria contains lipopolysaccharide as virulency factors to protect it from human immunity. Lipopolysaccharide can inhibit phagocytosis in the body. Polysaccharide krestin (PSK) from <em>Coriolus versicolor </em>extract contains β-glucan that can increase phagocytic activity and capacity. This research aimed to identify the effect on polysaccharide krestin from <em>C. versicolor</em> extract on phagocytic activity and capacity of mice exposed by <em>P. aeruginosa</em>. The design of this research was experimental design. There were six treatment groups. The phagocytic activity and capacity were counted on slide smears of mice peritoneal fluid. The data was analyzed by using one way ANOVA. The results of the phagocytic activity and capacity showed that PSK was added before exposure (P1) or after exposure (P2) or before-after exposure (P3) had potential to increase phagocytic activity and capacity.  The conclusion of the research was that adding polysaccharide krestin either before exposure or after exposure or both of them could increase phagocytic activity and capacity. The benefits of this research to development of science are expected to reduce human infection and to utilize natural ingredients as immunomodulator.</p><p><strong>How to Cite</strong></p><p>Wahyuningsih, S. P. A., Savira, N. I. I, &amp; Darmanto, W. (2016). Effect on Polysaccharide Krestin from Coriolus versicolor Extract on Phagocytic Activity and Capacity of Mus musculus Exposed by <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em>. <em>Biosaintifika: Journal of Biology &amp; Biology Education</em>, 8(3), 308-313. </p>