Sri Puji Astuti Wahyuningsih

Crude Polysaccharides from Okra Pods (Abelmoschus esculentus) Grown in Indonesia Enhance the Immune Response due to Bacterial Infection

Okra pods were widely consumed by Indonesians to maintain health. The aim of this study was at investigating the potential of crude polysaccharides from okra pods on immune response in mice infected with Staphylococcus aureus. Thirty male Balb/C mice were divided into six groups: normal control, negative control, and treatment groups (administration of crude polysaccharides at doses of 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg). Crude polysaccharides were administrated for fourteen days. Furthermore, mice were exposed to S. aureus at the fifteenth day. Two weeks after the end of treatment, the parameters were measured. This study showed that crude polysaccharides at a dose of 75 and 100 mg/kg improved phagocytic activity, spleen index, and splenocytes proliferation. Rising of TNF-α levels was shown in groups treated with crude polysaccharides at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg. All treatment groups showed a decreasing level of IL-17. Crude okra polysaccharides also showed a slight increase in NK cells activity and IFN-γ level. Thus, crude okra polysaccharides could act as an effective material to enhance immune response including phagocytic activity, spleen index, splenocytes proliferation, and control immune responses through cytokine production.

The effect of polysaccharides krestin bioactivity from coriolus versicolor to estradiol levels on Mus musculus estrous cycle

This study aimed to determine the activity of polysaccharide krestin (PSK) from Coriolus versicolor extract to the duration of estrous cycle and estradiol levels. PSK was administrated for 24 days in female Mus musculus, strain Balb/C, 10 weeks old, weight about 25-30 grams. Polysaccharide krestin given in sub-chronic dose. There were 4 groups, i.e K0 (0 mg/kg BW), P1 (15 mg/kg BW), P2 (30 mg/kg BW), and P3 (60 mg/kg BW). Each treatment group contained 7 replications. Data were analyzed using One Way ANOVA and Duncan test at α = 5%. The duration of estrous cycle was determined by vaginal smear methods. The estradiol levels were measured using ELISA kit. The results show that the administration of PSK decreased the duration of estrous cycle with an average of 4.4 days. Polysaccharide krestin dose of 15 and 60 mg/kg BW did not affect the estradiol levels. Decrease of estrous cycle duration was still in the range of normal estrous time between 4-6 days. PSK dose of 15 and 60 mg/kg BW can be used as a therapeutic dose.