BACKGROUND<br />Hypertension is the main cause of morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular diseases. Many herbs/spices appear to have significant effects in favorably modulating high blood pressure. A jamu formulation containing 6 plant extracts, Formula Jamu Antihipertensi (FJA), has been described previously. This research study aimed to evaluate the effect of FJA as antihypertensive agent in mild to moderate hypertensive patients. <br /><br />METHODS<br />This double-blind experimental study was conducted in 40 hypertensive patients, who were randomized into two groups. The first group was treated with oral administration of 2 g FJA and the second group 25 mg captopril daily for 4 weeks. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as liver and kidney function were followed up every week. Independent- t test and two-way ANOVA were used to analyze the data with a level of significance of 0.05.<br /><br />RESULTS<br />The results showed that after the treatment, FJA and captopril were capable of significantly decreasing systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p &lt;0.05). The decrease in systolic blood pressure between the two groups was identical (p&gt;0.05), while the decrease in diastolic blood pressure was greater in the FJA group than in the captopril group (p &lt;0.05). <br /><br />CONCLUSION<br />From this study it may be concluded that administration of FJA for 4 weeks is equally effective as captopril in reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with mild and moderate hypertension. Thus, natural plants and herbs can be our source of drugs, with fewer side effects and better bioavailability for treatment of hypertension in the future.

Background: Leaves extract of Sauropus androgynous (Sa) or Moringaoleiefera(Mo) alone has been shown to increase hemoglobin level in iron deficiency anemia. The combination of the two extracts have been known to potentially have a synergistic effect on anemia. The objective of this study is to compare the anti-anemic effect of Sa, Mo alone and their combination on iron deficiency anemia in rats. Methods: Thirty female wistarstrain rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: normal, iron deficiency anemia, Sa, Mo and the combination of Sa and Mo. Beside the normal group, rats were fed Fe-deficient diet to induce iron-deficiency anemia. Level of hemoglobin, ferritin and plasma MDA were measured on day 8 (after induction of anemia) and day 29. Data were analyzed using One Way ANOVA followed by LSD post hoc test. Result: The rats fed with Fe-deficient diet for 7 days shown significantly had a lower plasma Hb and ferritin levels and higher plasma MDA levels compared to the normal group (p <0.05) After the treatment, the rats given the extracts significantly had a higher mean of Hb and Ferritin and a lower mean of MDA level compared to anemic control. The mean Hb, ferritin and MDA level of the combination group were close to normal group. Conclusion: The combination of the leaves extract of Sauropus androgynous or Moringaoleiefera is more effective against iron deficiency anemia compared to extract alone in rats. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.18(1) 2019 p.136-140

Background: DNA damage caused by excessive ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation on the skin triggers the response to inflammatory and immunosuppression. The bixin from Bixa orellana L. has been proven to be able to inhibit cyclo-oxygenase. Objective: to verify whether the bixin lotion has the effect to offer protection against inflammation and immunosuppression due to acute UVB irradiation in shaved BALB /c mice. Methods: Protection against inflammation and immunosuppression, respectively were studied in 4 groups of mice. Each group was treated respectively with topical application of base lotion as a control; bixin lotion doses of 0.5 mg; 2.5 mg and 125 mg, for 10 days prior to and during the UVB irradiation. The Inflammation was induced by UVB irradiation, 360 mJ/cm2 once a day for 3 consecutive days, whereas the immunosuppression was induced by UVB irradiation, 360 mJ/cm2 once a day for 5 consecutive days. The inflammatory response was measured as an increase in middorsal skinfold thickness at the peak response. The immune response was measured as the contact hypersensitivity (CHS) response to oxasolon sensitization. Results: The results indicated that in concentration range used, bixin lotion significantly decreased the middorsal skinfold thickness at 72 hours after UVB radiation (p <0.05) compared to the control, but there was no significant difference between couples of the dose of bixin. Bixin lotion was also capable to restore the suppression of CHS from 34.22% in the control group to 11.4%; 0.5% and 0% at doses of 0.5; 2.5 and 125 mg respectively (p <0.05). Conclusion: Bixin lotion has the potential to reduce the inflammatory edema reaction and the suppression of CHS of mice induced by UVB radiation. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.18(1) 2019 p.107-111

Background: Mirabilis jalapa L. protein (MJ-Protein) has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro. Thus, it has a potential protective effect against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced skin damage. Objective: To determine the protective effect and mechanism of MJ protein in UVB-radiation exposed mouse skin. Methods: In this experimentalstudy, 30 female BALB/c mice aged 6 weeks were exposed to a single dose of UVB irradiation with 3 minimal erythema doses (MEDs) and continued with the treatment of 0.6 mg MJ-Protein topically. The number of apoptotic body (sunburn cells) formed in epidermal layers of mouse dorsal skin was assessed at 1, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120h after UVB irradiation was compared to that of the control group. The difference in the sunburn cells number between two groups were analyzed using independent T-test with the level of significance of 0.05. The apoptosis mechanism was confirmed qualitatively by caspase-3 and DNA fragmentation analysis in vitro. Results:At 24 h after the UVB exposure (peak time for sunburn cells formation), there was a significant increase in the sunburn cells number in the group treated with topical application of MJ-Protein. There was increased caspase-3 expression and DNA fragmentation in HeLa cells treated with MJ-Protein. Conclusions: MJ-Protein protects againts UVB-induced skin damage in mice trough apoptosis induction.

Background : UVB radiation responsible for the most important biological effects including Vitamin D3 synthesis and inflammation. UVB radiation are absorbed by 7-dehydrocholesterol in the plasma membrane of epidermal cells resulting in production of cis-previtamin D3. In the other hand, an exposure to UVB leads to cutaneous tissue inflammation modulates by TNF-α which also increases platelet activating factor. VEGF and PDGF induced by TNF-α during wound healing, characterized with angiogenesis and reephitalization. Furthermore, vitamin D plays a role in inflammation inhibition and upregulates growth factors. However, the study of the mechanism has not yet been thoroughly investigated. Methods: This study uses post test only group design, subjected wistar rats divided into four groups. Control group, non irradiated with UVB, and the other three groups, treated with graded UVB dose started with 1 MED (50 mJ/cm2), 2 MED (100mJ/cm2) and 3 MED (150 mJ/cm2) and investigated at 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours post UVB irradiation. Result : The serum level of vitamin D, VEGF and PDGF were increasing due to UVB dose addition. The highest level was reached at 6 hours post radiation using 3 MED, which gradually decrease up to 48 hours (p =0,000). The rise of vitamin D after UVB radiation, inhibit TNF-α induction in every dose accordant UVB dose addition and the lowest level is using 3 MED at 12 hours post radiation (p =0,000). TNF-α reach its highest level at 24 hours post radiation using 1 MED, it is related with the acute phase of inflammation. Conclusion : This study reveal that higher UVB irradiance increases vitamin D and inhibit TNF-α which also promotes VEGF and PDGF. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.19(4) 2020 p.749-754