Sodium nitrate (NaNO2) widely used as food additive for coloring and preserving meat has been reported to induce oxidative stress and cause histopathologic changes, nitrosative tissue damage, and lipid peroxidation in liver and kidney. Therefore, the present study compared the curative effect of chlorophyll from Sauropus androgynus (L) Merr and Cu-chlorophyllin as antioxidant in NaNO2-induced female Wistar rats based on haematological, serum biochemical, and histological evaluation. Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into six groups of five rats each. NaNO2 were given at a subacute dose of 50 mg/kg bw intraperitoneally for 10 days. Chlorophyll from S. androgynus and Cu-chlorophyllin from K-Liquid™ were given in the following 14 days at the two doses: 0,016 mg/mL and 0.008 mg/mL. NaNO2 exposure resulted in significant reductions (p < 0.05) in values of packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and red blood cell (RBC) count, transferrin, and ferritin and elevation in malondialdehyde (MDA) level and schistocytes percentage with insignificant reductions in serum albumin and transferrin levels. Histology of kidney and liver were changed insignificantly (p > 0.05) to normal values. Chlorophyll from S. androgynus and Cu-chlorophyllin possess antioxidant potentials to protect against toxicities induced by sodium nitrate.

Background: Beneficial effect of katuk (Sauropus androgynus L Merr) leaves (CSA) as one of medicinal plant in Indonesian jamu may potential to cure diabetes mellitus (DM) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) as well as its well-known effect to increase breast milk production. Objectives: This study was aiming to explore the hypoglycemic effects of CSA in streptozotocininduced DM rats (STZ) and antianemia effects in IDA rats (FeD). Material and Methods: STZ male Wistar rats were treated with CSA, commercial chlorophyll (Chln) and glibencamide. Blood glucose levels and histological changes of liver, kidney and pancreas were analyzed after 14 days treatment. At separate experiment, FeD female Wistar rats were treated with CSA and Chln. The treatment was performed orally at the 1 st -20 th day of pregnancy. Levels of Hb, Fe and ferritin blood serum, number and body weight of the offspring were analyzed on 21 st day (post-partum). Results: Treatment of CSA for 14 days to diabetic animals demonstrated the hypoglycemic effect, however the histological analysis suggested that the scores of liver, kidney and pancreas were higher than that in the normal group. Moreover, CSA exerted a significant restorative effect by returning the levels of hemoglobin, serum iron, and serum ferritin. A fetus analysis suggested that the fetus body weight of in the CSA and Chln groups was similar to that in the normal group. Conclusion: CSA treatment are potential as a new herbal supplement to cure DM and IDA. However, the safety dose should be considered to prevent the toxicity.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a useful fruit which mostly consumed as fresh fruit and can also be used as a various of processed products. Reports proved pomegranate were beneficial to health. Polyphenolic compounds in pomegranate especially ellagitannin (hydrolyzed), anthocyanins, gallotannin,and ellagic acid can maintain oral hygiene, healthy skin from the effects of free radicals caused by UV radiation, has the ability to synthesize cholesterol, destroying free radicals in the human vascular system and can prevent prostate cancer. In vitro and in vivo test has shown the fruit is acting as anti diabetic drug, and hypolipidemic, anticarcinogenic, antibacterial, anti inflamation, and antiviral. This review presenting an overview about the bioactive compound contents, physiological and health function of the fruit.

Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality from common childhood infections and is the world's leading preventable cause of childhood blindness. Studies showed that carotenoid is one of the promissed vitamin A sources. However the studies on carotenoid from yellow banana peel and its potential as a natural source of vitamin A has not been widely reported. This study was conducted to measure the blood serum retinol levels of rats after administration of β-carotene from yellow ambon banana peel. This was an experimental study with post test only control group design, with sample size of 18 rats with age 1 month, devided into 3 groups. The β-carotene dose administered based on the dose of red capsules vitamin A are (200,000 doses SI) for toddlers aged 12-59 months. Serum retinol levels were measured using a spectrophotometer according metide. This present study showed that the blood serum level in group treated with of β-carotene from yellow ambon banana peel (28.35 ± 1.61 mg/dL), was significantly different (p < 0.05) from that of control group (22.08 ± 1.35 mg/dL). The β-carotene from yellow ambon banana peel are potential as provitamin A.