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: Iron overload can cause DNA oxidation which increase TGF β1, type 1 fibrilarprotein and myocardium fibrosis. Myocardium fibrosis is the main cause of death on the state of iron overload. The iron influx towards the cell during iron overload is still unknown, some research suggested LTCC acts as iron influx. This research aims to investigate the role of azelnidipine as type L calcium channel blocker, lowering TGF β1, collagen and myocardium fibrosis. Method: The research subjects consisted of 25 male Balb-C mice(8 weeks, 30-40mg) divided into 5 groups. Group 1 (NaCl+S) 0,3 cc Na Cl 0,9% (I.P) and drug solvent (Aquabidest, CMC and Nipagin) orally. Group 2Fe+S) 0.3 cc 1,5 mg Fe+sucrose (Venofer®) (I.P) and drug solvent (Aquabidest, CMC and Nipagin) orally. Group 3 (Fe+Dfx) 1,5 mg Fe+sucrose (Venofer®) (I.P) and deferasirox 20 mg/kg body weight/day orally, group 4 (Fe+Azl) 1,5 mg Fe+sucrose (Venofer®) (I.P) and azelnidipine 14 mg/day orally and group 5 (Fe+Dfx-Azl) 1,5 mg Fe+sucrose (Venofer®) (I.P) and mixture of deferasirox 20 mg/kg body weight/day and azelnidipine 14 mg/day orally. Fe-sucorse was diluted with NaCl 0.9 %. Intraperitoneal injection were administered intermittently for 60 days of treatment. Result: The highest Expression of TGF β, collagen I and fibrosis area fractions are in group Fe+S. The result of Post Hoc test between 2 treatment groups indicated that there were no difference in TGF β expression between groups NaCl+S with Fe+Dfx (P>0.05) , Fe+Dzl (P>0.05). There are no significant in collagen expression between groups NaCl+S with Fe+Dfx (P > 0.05) ,Fe+Dzl (P>0.05). Conclusion: Azelnidipine, LTCC have roles on the influx of iron into the myocardium, lowering TGF β, collagen Iexpressionsand myocardium fibrosis. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.19(2) 2020 p.223-228

<p>Physical activity (PA) has a positive effect on preventing risk on cardiovascular and metabolic syndrome, including obesity. Learning behavior that tends to be sedentary causes medical students to tend to be physically inactive. This present study aimed to associate the physical activity (PA) level with blood pressure, body mass index, and non-fasting blood glucose level (NFBG) among medical students. This cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March in 2019 on the first-year medical students at Sultan Agung Islamic University (UNISSULA). A total of 167 medical students (64.7% female and 35.3% male) were enrolled in this study. The international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ)-short form was used to measure the PA level. The activity level was classified into low, moderate, and high. Blood pressure and glucose level were measured using a digital sphygmomanometer and NFBG dipstick. The association between PA level and Body Mass Index (BMI), Blood Pressure (BP), and NFBG level were analyzed using Spearman's correlation test. Chi square test was done to analyse the difference of PA level between male and female groups. The majority of the respondents had a low PA level (64.7%). A positive association was shown between PA level and BMI (p&lt;0.05, r=0.192). Female medical students tend to be physically inactive than males (OR 2.004, 95% CI (1.038-3.8690)). Female students need to be encouraged to do more physical activity. The university's policies that promote physical outdoor activity need to be suggested.  </p>