Hormone-balancing and protective effect of combined extract of Sauropus androgynus and Elephantopus scaber against Escherichia coli-induced renal and hepatic necrosis in pregnant mice

Abstract

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.

The combination of Elephantopus scaber and Sauropus androgynus promotes erythroid lineages and modulates follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels in pregnant mice infected with Escherichia coli

“…This study revealed that FSH levels in infected pregnant mice were increased significantly after receiving combined ES and SA at a ratio of 25:75 (Table-1). However, in a previous study [9], estrogen levels were stable after receiving E. coli injection along with ES and SA in combination. Several factors may explain these differences in estrogen levels after E. coli infection.…”

“…Christina et al [9] demonstrated that E. coli infection increases fetal reabsorption and decreases serum progesterone levels, which are needed during a normal mouse pregnancy. Their study suggested that hormonal changes during pregnancy produced an adverse effect [9]. The use of a powerful natural bioactive compound from plants is urgently needed to prevent the adverse effects of E. coli infection during pregnancy.…”

“…Djati et al [13] demonstrated that the combination of ES and SA acted synergistically to balance the level of erythrocyte precursors (TER119 + VLA4 + ), mature erythrocytes (TER119 + VLA4 -), and prolactin levels in pregnant mice infected with Salmonella Typhi or typhoid. Christina et al [9] also demonstrated that combining ES and SA at a ratio of 75:25 protected renal and hepatic regions from E. coli infection and balanced several reproductive hormones including estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin in E. coli-infected pregnant mice.…”

“…Available at www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.14/May-2021/43.pdf Sauropus androgynus (SA), or Katuk, is a medicinal plant used commonly to treat cough and fever, and as a lactation enhancer. This plant has several biological activities, including a hormonal balancing effect in infected pregnant mice [9], as well as antioxidant and antibacterial activities [10]. SA contains several vitamins, such as Vitamin C, B1, B2, B3, C, and E. This plant also has mineral content that could improve the erythropoiesis process [11].…”

“…A previous study focused on the effects of both plants on erythropoiesis and prolactin hormone levels following S. Typhi infection [13] and progesterone, estrogen, and prolactin hormone levels after E. coli infection [9]. However, the effects of ES and SA on erythroid progenitor (TER119 + VLA + and TER119 + CD34 + ) changes and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels resulting from an E. coli infection have not been established.…”