Objectives Tobacco smoking remains the primary cause of preventable mortality and morbidity in the world. The complexity of the nicotine dependency process included the withdrawal effect that triggers recurrence being the main problem. Quercetin, known as an antioxidant, binds free radicals and modulates endogenous antioxidants through Nrf2 activations is expected as a potential agent to reduce the risk of nicotine dependence. This research aims to evaluate quercetin’s effects on reducing the risk of nicotine addiction. Methods Conditioned Place Preference (CPP) with a biased design was used to evaluate nicotine’s reward effects in male Balb/C mice. Preconditioning test was performed on day 1; conditioning test was done twice daily on day 2–4 by administering quercetin (i.p.) 50 mg/kg along with nicotine (s.c.) 0.5 mg/kg or Cigarette Smoke Extract (CSE) (s.c.) contained nicotine 0.5 mg/kg; and postconditioning test was performed on day 5 continue with extinction test on day 6, 8, 10, 12, and reinstatement test on day 13. The duration spent in each compartment was recorded and analyzed. Results Nicotine 0.5 mg/kg and CSE 0.5 mg/kg significantly induced reward effects (p<0.05). There was no decrease of reward effect during the extinction-reinstatement stage of the postconditioning phase (p>0.05), while quercetin 50 mg/kg both induced along with nicotine or CSE was able to inhibit the reward effect of nicotine (p>0.05). Conclusions Quercetin reduced the risk of nicotine dependence and has a potential effect to use as a therapy for nicotine dependence, especially as a preventive agent.

Diabetes melitus memiliki prevalensi yang cenderung meningkat dari tahun ke tahun sehingga dibutuhkan obat yang efektif dengan efek samping minimal untuk menanggulangi sindroma metabolik ini. Salah satu tanaman yang secara empiris banyak digunakan masyarakat untuk pengobatan diabetes adalah beras ketan hitam (Oryza sativa L. var glutinosa). Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui rendemen, metabolit sekunder, aktivitas, dan dosis efektif dari ekstrak beras ketan hitam dalam menurunkan kadar glukosa darah mencit (Mus musculus) diabetik. Untuk meningkatkan kadar glukosa darah digunakan aloksan. Selanjutnya dilakukan pemberian ekstrak beras ketan hitam dengan variasi dosis 195 mg/kg BB; 390 mg/kg BB; 780 mg/kg BB, kontrol negatif, kontrol normal, dan Glibenklamid sebagai kontrol positif. Pengukuran kadar glukosa darah dilakukan pada hari ke- 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, dan 10 menggunakan glukometer. Hasil perhitungan rendemen ekstrak etanol beras ketan hitam diperoleh sebesar 1,44% dan terdeteksi metabolit sekunder berupa senyawa golongan fenol, saponin, flavonoid, alkaloid, dan tanin. Hasil analisis data kadar glukosa darah menunjukkan ekstrak etanol beras ketan hitam memiliki aktivitas dalam penurunan kadar glukosa darah   (?<0.01) dengan dosis paling efektif 195 mg/kg BB yang bila dibandingkan dengan Glibenklamid diperoleh nilai ? > 0.05 dalam menurunkan kadar glukosa darah sehingga dapat disimpulkan ekstrak etanol beras ketan hitam memiliki aktivitas dalam menurunkan kadar glukosa darah.

Allergen extract as allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is the only causative therapy and provides protection or tolerance to an allergen in the long term. However, allergen extracts from different countries may have different effectiveness. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Indonesian shrimp allergen extract (SAE) as an immunotherapy agent with a mouse model of allergies in the gastrointestinal tract. Mice were divided into five groups consisting of the naïve group, allergic group, and the allergic group received SAE immunotherapy at high dose (100µg/week), moderate dose (50µg/week), and low dose (10µg/week). Each group received treatment in the sensitization and desensitization phases, which was then followed by an oral challenge of SAE 100µg. The effectiveness of SAE immunotherapy was assessed based on the parameters of systemic allergic symptoms, IL-10 mRNA expression in ileum tissue, and IgG2a serum concentration. We found that SAE immunotherapy decreased the systemic allergic symptoms score, regardless of dosage, and the effect persisted on the third challenge. IgG2a as a parameter of humoral immunity showed a significant increase in the high-dose immunotherapy group, and IL-10mRNA expression as a parameter of cellular immunity also showed an increase in the high-dose group. Both data showed a dose-dependent manner. It can be concluded that SAE has excellent effectiveness as an immunotherapy agent and dose-dependent characteristics.