UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) inaugurated Professor on Thursday, October 8. Prof. Dr. Dra. Sri Puji Astuti Wahyuningsih, M.Si as one of Professor in Animal Physiology.
Prof. Tutik has officially become one of Professor in Faculty of Science and Technology UNAIR. Located at Garuda Mukti Hall, UNAIR Campus C Management Office, Prof. Tutik delivered her inauguration speech entitled “The Role of Nutraceutical Potential in Regulating Immune Function and Oxidative Stress”.
According to her, free radicals are formed due to metabolic activity. The presence of free radicals in the form of reactive oxygen has binding properties against deoxyribonucleic acid (ADN). It can also cause autoxidation or lipid peroxidation, and it can activate programmed cell death.
“The more free radicals that enter the body, the more immune cells are damaged,” she explained.
Free radicals can interfere with cell function, and cell function becomes abnormal. It lowers the body’s defence system and the body becomes weak and gets sick quickly. Besides, free radicals can trigger the formation of new abnormal cells for tumor and cancer.
The body makes endogenous antioxidants that can ward off free radicals. The process of making endogenous antioxidants is the formation of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GSH).
Furthermore, Prof. Tutik explained that okra contains flavonoids, quercetin, lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamin C. High amounts of vitamin C in okra have scavenger activity that can reduce free radicals.
“Okra also contains polysaccharides that have the potential to modulate immune function through activation of immune cells,” she explained.
The results showed that the methanol extract of okra pods had a hepatoprotective activity with serum biochemical indicators. Okra extract can also restore damaged liver tissue to normal.
Moreover, methanol extract from green okra pods can also reduce lead toxicity. Okra has nephroprotective potential by reducing lead acetate toxicity.
“It shows that the methanol extract from okra pods has antioxidant activity and plays a protective role against lead poisoning,” he said.
In the end of the inauguration, Prof. Tutik explained that nutraceutical is an alternative or functional food or material that can regulate immune function to prevent oxidative stress. nutraceutical is cheaper and easier to find.
“Nutrasetic consumption has various immune regulatory functions which ultimately depend on the balance between oxidants and antioxidants to prevent disease and improve health,” she concluded. (*)
Author: Sandi Prabowo
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
