Background and purpose: Recently, we have highlighted the immunomodulatory activity of Curcuma mangga Val. on phagocytosis ability. The current study was conducted to determine the immunomodulatory effects of the standardized extract of C. mangga rhizomes by in vitro and in vivo studies. Experimental approach: The C. mangga extract was standardized according to a guideline for herbal preparation. The extract was investigated for its immunomodulatory effects on gene expression of cytokines, cytokines and antibody production as well as delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response. The gene expression of cytokines on lipopolysaccharide-induced-RAW 264.7 cells was analysed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. The effect of the extract on DTH response was investigated by the paw edema method, meanwhile the effects of the extract on antibody and cytokine production from normal and cyclophosphamide-induced Salmonella typhimurium infected rats were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Findings/Results: The extract of C. mangga demonstrated an inhibitory effect on gene expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-6 as compared to lipopolysaccharide-induced cells. The extract also depicted inhibitory activity on IL-4 production as compared to the negative control. Whereas, the DTH response and production of immunoglobulin G from both groups after treatment with C. mangga extract were higher than those of negative control ( P < 0.05). Conclusion and implications: The results indicated that the C. mangga extract has immunomodulatory effects, emphasizing its potential to be developed as immunotherapeutic agent.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is still a health problem both in developed and developing countries. Hypertension can cause various complications; one of them is cognitive function impairment. AIM: This study aimed to look at the relationship of hypertension with cognitive function. This research can also be useful to help optimise the health of the elderly, maximise quality of life and avoid hypertension as a risk factor for cognitive impairment in the elderly at the Karya Kasih Nursing Homes, Medan from May to June 2018. METHODS: This research was carried out by analytic observational with cross-sectional research approach. In this study, 57 elderly from Karya Kasih Nursing Homes Medan who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria participated. Assessment of cognitive function used Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Six Item Cognitive Impairment Test (6CIT) and Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMT) instruments. RESULT: This study obtained a significant relationship between the history of hypertension with impaired cognitive function (p = 0.003). The results of the cognitive function examination with MMSE showed that among 57 elderly, 16 people (43.2%) were normal and 21 people (56.8%) had impaired cognitive function in the first degree hypertension group, besides that, 3 people were normal (15%) and 7 people (85%) had impaired cognitive function in the second degree hypertension group (p = 0.031). Based on the result of mild and severe cognitive function impairment, among 12 people (57.1%) and 9 people (42.9%) had a mild and severe cognitive function impairment, respectively, in first-degree hypertension. 3 people (17.6%) and 14 people (82.4%) had a mild and severe cognitive function impairment, respectively, in the second-degree hypertension (p = 0.013). The 6-CIT instrument also showed a significant relationship between the severity of hypertension and impaired cognitive function (p = 0.027), and there was no significant relationship with AMT instruments (p = 0.078). CONCLUSION: There was a relationship between the history or duration and degree of hypertension with cognitive dysfunction in the elderly at the Karya Kasih Nursing Home Medan.

Background: Curcuma heyneana (Valeton & Zijp.) or temu giring has various pharmacological activities. However, its hepatoprotective activity toward ethanol induction has never been carried out. Objectives: The objective of this research was to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of the C. heyneana rhizome extract toward Wistar rats induced by ethanol. Methods: The research was initiated with the determination of curcuminoid content, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and characterization of extract using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Hepatoprotective activity was tested using the C. heyneana extract at doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg with 5 g/kg ethanol as an inducer. Aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), liver weight, and macroscopic and microscopic liver were used as parameters. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The curcuminoid content of the extract was 1.18% (w/w). Total phenolic content of the C. heyneana extract was 400.37 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g sample, while total flavonoid content was 27.25 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g sample. Nine compounds were identified in the extract. Administration of the extract at doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg kept the liver normal. It was identified macroscopically from the dark red color without any white spot and normal liver weight. Furthermore, at doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg, the extract inhibited AST and ALT elevation, which was significantly different from the negative control group (P < 0.05). The extract also prevented hepatocyte injury that was seen microscopically. Conclusions: It can be concluded that the C. heyneana extract at doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg is effective as hepatoprotective in the liver injury induced by ethanol.

BACKGROUND: Helminthiasis in school-aged children potentially causing physical growth and intellectual development retardation. Trichuriasis was the most common type of helminthiasis in children. AIM: To investigated the efficacy and side effects of albendazole, albendazole combined with levamisole and mebendazole combined with levamisole for trichuriasis and ascariasis. METHODS: This study was conducted as a double-blind, randomised clinical trial by comparing the efficacy and side effects of albendazole, albendazole combined with levamisole and mebendazole combined with levamisole for trichuriasis. The sample of this study were 180 elementary school students at Deli Serdang Regency State Elementary School, Medan, Indonesia. The study was conducted from April to June 2015. RESULT: The cure rate of helminthiasis on the 7th day was 81.7% after albendazole therapy, 88.3% after albendazole levamisole therapy, and 83.3% after mebendazole combined with levamisole therapy (p = 0.577). Cure rate on the 14th day was 88.3%, 95%, and 91.7% for albendazole, albendazole combined with levamisole, and mebendazole combined with levamisole therapy, respectively (p = 0.418). On the 21th day, the cure rate was 88.3%, 96.7%, and 91.7% (p = 0.230). Combination of albendazole and levamisole showed the highest cure rate, despite the statistically insignificant difference for all groups (p > 0.05). Combination of albendazole combined with levamisole showed better cure rate for mild trichuriasis (95.8%) than albendazole therapy (46.2%) and mebendazole combined with levamisole (83.3%), (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Single-dose albendazole, a combination of albendazole and levamisole, and a combination of mebendazole and levamisole had similar efficacy in reducing egg count in helminthiasis. Combination of albendazole and levamisole showed better cure rate for mild trichuriasis and mixed infections. Side effects were similar in all treatment groups.

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