UNAIR NEWS – “Based on this research, it was concluded that the ethanol extract of Polygonum minus leaves can protect the aortic wall against exposure to cadmium chloride in mice.” That is the conclusion of research on ethanol extract of polygonum minus leaves conducted by Lita Rakhma Yustinasari, drh., M. Vet and team.
Previously, drh. Lita explained that exposure to cadmium (Cd) through consumption of contaminated water, food, and through inhalation by air pollution can damage the cardiovascular system. That, she explained, could be done by promoting endothelial damage which in turn could contribute to infection, vascular injury and atherosclerosis.
Meanwhile, continued drh. Lita, polygonum minus has a high content of polyphenols, vitamin C and β carotene. Furthermore, she explained, the plant has an etinavonoid called quercetin which is connected with antioxidant activity.
“Therefore, this experiment was conducted to study the protective effect of ethanol extract of Polygonum minus leaves on aortic histopathology induced cadmium chloride in mice,” she said.
In her research, she explained that thirty male mice with an average weight of 25-35 grams were randomly allocated into five treatment groups. The treatment group, she explained, were given ethanol extract of Polygonum minus leaves for three days before treatment. After 21 days of treatment, she continued, all animals from each group were sacrificed according to standard procedures.
“Negative control showed a significant difference compared to all treatment groups,” she said.
In the end, she said that cadmium toxicity is usually involved with the depletion of cellular GSH and protein-bound sulfhydryl groups. That, she stressed, results in disturbance of the cellular redox balance which leads to an increase in ROS production. Later accumulation of mononuclear cells, proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, and formation of fibrous tissue lead to further enlargement and formation of more complex lesions.
“Histopathological changes in arterial walls are the final stage of the process of atherosclerosis, which can be evaluated,” she concluded.
Author: Nuri Hermawan
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
Reference:
http://ivj.org.in/users/members/viewarticles.aspx?ArticleView=1&ArticleID=8926
Putri Anggraheni Kusumaningrum, Lita Rakhma Yustinasari, Iwan Syahrial Hamid, Sri Agus Sudjarwo, Kuncoro Puguh Santoso, Chairul Anwar and Agus Widodo. 2019. Protective Effect of Polygonum minus Leaves Ethanol Extract on Cadmium Chlorideinduced Alteration of Aortic Histopathology in Mice (Mus musculus).
