@article {1331, title = {Immunomodulatory Effect of Methanolic Extract and Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Bengkoang (Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urban) Tuber in Mice}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {13}, year = {2021}, month = {January 2021}, pages = {59-65}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {59}, abstract = {

Background: Recently, interest in the use of herbal medicine that can modulate the immune system is increasing in the pandemic situation. One plant that can be developed as an immunomodulator is bengkoang (Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urban). Objectives: To evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of a methanolic extract of bengkoang (MEB) and the ethyl acetate fraction of bengkoang (EAFB) in mice induced by the hepatitis B vaccine. Materilas and Methods: Thirty healthy male mice were divided into six groups namely, control, standard levamisole, MEB (100 and 200 mg/kg BW), and EAFB at 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight (BW). The treatments were given for 18 days, and hepatitis B vaccine was injected intraperitoneally twice during the treatment. Assessment of the immunomodulatory effect was carried out against nonspecific and specific immune response parameters. Results: The MEB and EAFB could significantly increase phagocytic capacity, the spleen index, and lymphocyte proliferation. MEB stimulated IgG production, while EAFB, 100 mg/kg BW suppressed immunoglobulin G (IgG) production; otherwise, at the higher dose, EAFB increased IgG production. EAFB also increases nitric oxide production, while MEB had no effect. The higher dose of MEB tended to increase tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels and decrease interleukin (IL)-10, while EAFB tended to decrease TNF-α and increase IL-10, but these changes were not significant. Conclusion: Based on this study, MEB and EAFB could increase the innate immune response and stimulate the humoral immune response but had no effect on cytokine production, which may have potential usefulness of bengkoang to treat immunomodulatory-related disease.

}, keywords = {Bengkoang (Pachyrizus erosus (L.) Urban), Dietary fiber fraction, Immunomodulatory effect, Lymphocyte proliferation, Phagocytic macrophages activity}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2021.13.9}, author = {Tanti Azizah Sujono and Arief Nurrochmad and Endang Lukitaningsih and Agung Endro Nugroho} } @article {1236, title = {Caesalpinia sappan L. Wood is a Potential Source of Natural Phosphodiesterase-1 Inhibitors}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {12}, year = {2020}, month = {September 2020}, pages = {1206-1217}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {1206}, abstract = {

Introduction: A decrease in cAMP and cGMP levels in the brain is linked to human cognitive problems. The degradation of cellular cAMP and cGMP is attributed to phosphodiesterases (PDEs), which constitute a superfamily of enzymes. The inhibition of PDE1 is a promising mechanism to increase cAMP and cGMP levels associated with cognitive disorders. Caesalpinia sappan L. (CS) wood is a natural coloring agent usually consumed as a traditional refreshment or drink by people in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. However, scientific evidence regarding the inhibitory activity of CS wood against PDE1 has yet to be obtained. This study aimed to investigate the potency of CS wood as a PDE1 inhibitor. Methods: The ethanol extract of CS wood and its fractions were evaluated in vitro by using a cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase assay kit. The presence of brazilin in the extract and fractions was analyzed by thin-layer chromatography. In silico assay was performed using MOE software to obtain insights into the interaction between compounds in the CS wood and the enzyme. Results: Ethanol extract and ethyl acetate soluble fraction effectively inhibited the PDE1 activity. Interestingly, brazilin, the major compound in CS wood, also exhibited a potent inhibitory effect on the enzyme. The in silico assay revealed that the interaction between tetraacetylbrazilin and brazilin with the PDE1B active site involved hydrogen bonding and π{\textendash}π interactions. Conclusion: Ethanol extract, ethyl acetate soluble fraction, and brazilin inhibited the PDE1 activity. CS wood and its chemical constituent could be developed as natural cognitive enhancers.

}, keywords = {Brazilin, Caesalpinia sappan L., Herbal cognitive enhancer, Phosphodiesterase inhibitor, Phytotheraphy, Tetraacetylbrazilin}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2020.12.169}, author = {Helmi and Nanang Fakhrudin and Arief Nurrochmad and Ari Sudarmanto and Zullies Ikawati} }