Background Elephantopus scaber (ES) and Sauropus androgynous (SA) have been frequently reported to possess antibacterial activity through in vitro, but in vivo studies about the protective effect of combined ES and SA have acquired less attention. Objectives To evaluate protective effect of combined ethanol extract of ES and SA on hormone imbalance and renal and hepatic necrosis formation in Escherichia coli -infected pregnant mice. Materials and methods A total of 28 pregnant Balb/c mice were divided into seven groups (n = 4): control, E. coli -infected pregnant mice, infected pregnant mice received 200 mg/kg ES, infected pregnant mice received combined 150 mg/kg ES and 37.5 mg/kg SA (75:25), 100 mg/kg ES and 75 mg/kg SA (50:50) , 50 mg/kg ES and 112.5 mg/kg SA (25:75), and only 150 mg/kg SA. Pregnant mice were orally treated with combined ES and SA on day 1–4th of pregnancy. On the 4th day, mice were infected with 10 7 CFU/mL of E. coli and continuously treated with ES and SA until the 16th day of pregnancy. After treatment, the kidney and liver were prepared for histological examination using H&E staining. The blood serum was collected in each stage of pregnancy and measured by ELISA assays. Results Combined ES and SA gave an impact on altering the prolactin level. Combined ES and SA at ratio dose 75:25 was able to restore progesterone to normal levels (P < 0.05). The level of estradiol (E2) was relatively stable in the presence of E. coli and treatment. Treatment with 200 mg/kg ES, combined 50 mg/kg ES and 112.5 mg/kg SA (25:75) and 100 mg/kg ES and 75 mg/kg SA (50:50) demonstrated an immunomodulatory effect on the Gr1 + cell of E. coli treated-pregnant mice. E. coli infection significantly increased renal tubules and hepatic necrosis in pregnant mice compared to control (P < 0.05). Combined SA and ES at ratio dose 75:25 significantly demonstrated remarkable renal and hepatic protection activity in infected pregnant mice. Conclusion The present study provided the establishment of combined ES and SA could be used to invent potent hormonal balancing agent and hepato-renal protective agent in infected pregnant mice.

Background: Rempah-rempah are endemic spices from Nusantara (South East Asia Archipelago’s), these spices are traditional food flavor Nusantara for centuries. Rempah-rempah were traditionally processed such as: boiled, fried, distillated, fermented, extracted, and fresh crushed mixture with others food component. These food were served for daily food such as main food, beverage, hot drink, snacks, crackers, etc.  Nowadays, modern and westernized synthetic ingredients and food flavors are rapidly substitute traditional food. Such habit have been invaded to the all of the globalized world. Conversely, many Indonesian researchers have been investigated that rempah-rempah have rich of phyto-pharmaceuticals components as herbal medicine or functional food. Phyto-pharmaceutical components in rempah-rempah have been investigated o potential role as immunomodulatory agent, antioxidants, analgesics, digestive, carminative, and antibacterial, as well as others remedial action for some physiological effects [1,2]. There were, Indonesian Gingers (Zingiberaceae), Katuk (Sauropus androgunus (L.) Merr), Andaliman (Zanthoxylum acanthopodicum), Antarasa (Litsea cubeba), Kecobang (Nicolai speciosa Horan), Tapak Liman (Elephantropus scaber)[1], Kedondong laut (Polyscias obtusa)[1], Mengkudu (Morinda citrifolia), Kapulaga (Amomum cardamomum), Sereh (Cymbopogon fleuopsus), Sirsak (Anona muricata), and Kunyit (Curcuma sp.). Almost all of rempah-rempah have not clearly investigated yet, only traditionally understanding have been known such as preventing for many degenerative metabolism and infectious diseases. Others problem are packaging, canning, preserving and others possibilities for marketing have been needed for future improvement of rempah-rempah as Indonesian traditional flavor and functional food. Keywords: Functional food, Indonesian flavor, rempah-rempah and spices.

Background Hyperlipidemia triggers atherosclerosis by involving immune cells, such as T-cells. T-cells plays a role in worsening conditions during a high-fat diet (HFD). Objective The research aimed to analyze the role of single garlic oil (SGO) on T-cells activation and its proinflammatory cytokine expression in HFD mice. Methods Mice were divided into six groups: ND (normal diet); HFD (high-fat diet without treatment); HFD + Simv (HFD + simvastatin 2.6 mg/kg body weight); and HFD + SGO 1–3 (high-fat diet + single garlic oil in a dose of 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg body weight), respectively. Treatments were orally given every day for 45 days. At the end of treatments, lymphocytes were isolated from mice spleen. The relative number of T-cells and proinflammatory cytokines were measured using flow-cytometry and analyzed using one-way ANOVA (p < 0.05). Result Our result indicated that HFD mice had lower naive T cells (CD4+CD62L+) than normal mice (p < 0.05). SGO treatment in HFD mice increased the relative number of naïve T cells. HFD treatment increased the expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ through NF-κB expression. Furthermore, SGO treatment improved the expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ. Conclusion Our study suggests that SGO could act as a promising prospect for therapy to improve chronic inflammation in a HFD.

Background and Aim: Marsilea crenata is an aquatic plant that contains high antioxidants level and could prevent cell damages caused by free radicals. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of M. crenata ethanol extract on luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone levels, sperm quality, and testis histology of adult male rats induced by monosodium glutamate (MSG). Materials and Methods: This study randomly divided 48 male rats into eight groups (n=6): control group; MSG group (4 mg/g body weight [b.w.] for 30 days); MS1, MS2, and MS3 groups (4 mg/g b.w. MSG and M. crenata ethanol extract at dose 0.216, 0.432, and 0.648 mg/g b.w., respectively, for 30 days); and S1, S2, and S3 groups (M. crenata ethanol extract at dose of 0.216, 0.432, and 0.648 mg/g b.w., respectively, for 30 days). The blood sample was collected on days 0 and 30 to determine the LH and testosterone levels. The animals were dissected on day 30, and the testes were isolated for morphometric, histology (spermatogenic cell number), and malondialdehyde (MDA) examination. Moreover, semen was collected to determine the sperm quality parameter. Results: The LH and testosterone levels significantly increased (p<0.05) after M. crenata administration at all doses. The higher dose of M. crenata ethanol extract demonstrated a high decrease in MDA level in MSG-treated rat testis; increase of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, and Leydig cells number; and increase of seminiferous tubular diameter and germinal epithelium thickness. Conclusion: The ethanol extract of M. crenata can improve the levels of LH, testosterone, sperm quality, number of testis morphometric, spermatogenic, and Leydig cells in MSG-treated male rats.

Context: The development of apoptotic agent from natural plant products may have a beneficial effect as a promising candidate for cancer therapy. The study about the efficacy of Phaleria macrocarpa leaves on breast cancer is still limited. Aims: To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-breast cancer activity of P. macrocarpa leaves extract by in silico analysis. Methods: The compounds of the ethanol extract of P. macrocarpa were identified by Liquid Chromatography–High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS) analysis. Fourteen bioactive compounds of P. macrocarpa leaf were analyzed to determine the biological activity using Prediction of Activity Spectra for Substances (PASS) server. The network analysis was analyzed using STRING (https://string-db.org/). Twelve selected compounds were docked with several protein targets, including caspase 3, Bax and Bcl-2. Molecular docking was done by Pyrx 0.8 software and visualized by Discovery Studio software. The pharmacological properties of investigated bioactive compounds were analyzed using the SwissADME web server. Results: The twelve from fourteen bioactive compounds of P. macrocarpa leaf have anticancer properties and might be expected to involve in p53 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways related to cancer. The molecular docking result showed that sesamin from the lignans group has the best binding affinity to caspase-3 and Bax. Meanwhile, corymboside from the flavonoid group has the best binding affinity to Bcl-2. Conclusions: The bioactive compounds of P. macrocarpa leaves extract might potentially modulate apoptosis and cell growth. Further research should be performed to validate the activity of P. macrocarpa bioactive compounds for target cancer development.