Acta Biochimica Indonesiana

Traditional medicinal plants in Barangay Dagbasan, Mabinay, Philippines: an ethnobotanical documentation of local knowledge and practices

Alexander S. Baena — 2025-12-04

Background: Traditional medicinal plants constitute an essential component of primary healthcare in rural Philippine communities, yet systematic documentation remains limited in many regions.

Objective: This study aimed to document traditional healing practices utilizing medicinal plants in Barangay Dagbasan, Mabinay, Negros Oriental, Philippines, identifying plant species used for various ailments, commonly used plant parts and preparation methods, and pathways of traditional knowledge transmission.

Methods: A qualitative ethnobotanical approach employing rapid ethnographic assessment was conducted through semi-structured interviews, participatory demonstrations, and guided field walks. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis with frequency counts for plants, ailments, plant parts, and preparation methods.

Results: Thirty-three biomedicinal plant species were documented, including several Philippine Department of Health-approved plants. The most commonly treated ailments were cough (15%), wounds (15%), stomachache (9%), fever (8%), and diarrhea (7%). Leaves were the most frequently utilized plant part (56%), with preferred preparation methods being topical application (23%), ingestion (21%), and decoction (13%).

Conclusion: Barangay Dagbasan maintains rich ethnobotanical traditions providing essential healthcare access. However, limited knowledge about certain plant parts, external knowledge contamination through social media, and conservation concerns necessitate interventions including pharmacological validation, conservation programs, and educational initiatives to preserve traditional knowledge while ensuring sustainable medicinal plant use.

Effect of Elastomull® elastic bandaging on second-degree burn wound healing in Wistar rats: A preliminary study

Naynuunis Zulfachri — 2025-12-02

Background: Second-degree burns are the most common burn injuries, requiring effective wound management to prevent complications. While silver sulfadiazine is the gold standard treatment, the role of elastic bandaging in enhancing healing remains unclear.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of Elastomull® elastic bandaging combined with silver sulfadiazine in treating second-degree burns in Wistar rats.

Methods: Six male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: K(+) group treated with silver sulfadiazine and Elastomull® bandaging, and K(-) group treated with silver sulfadiazine alone. Second-degree burns were induced using a 100°C iron applied for 5 seconds. Wound areas were measured every three days for 18 days and analyzed using Independent-Samples T-Test.

Results: The K(+) group consistently showed smaller wound areas from day 3 onwards, with greater total healing (1.87 ± 0.25 cm²) compared to K(-) group (1.03 ± 0.53 cm²). However, differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Elastomull® bandaging showed clinical trends toward improved burn healing but lacked statistical significance, likely due to small sample size. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Nephroprotective effects of ethanolic extract of Ganoderma lucidum against diethylene glycol-induced acute kidney injury in rats

Hernayanti — 2025-12-05

Background: Diethylene glycol (DEG) contamination in pharmaceutical preparations has caused numerous cases of acute kidney injury, particularly in pediatric populations. Current treatments are expensive and not readily accessible in resource-limited settings. Ganoderma lucidum, a medicinal mushroom rich in triterpenoids, flavonoids, and ergothioneine, may offer a natural therapeutic alternative.

Objective: This study evaluated the nephroprotective potential of ethanolic G. lucidum extract against DEG-induced acute kidney injury in rats.

Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: healthy control, DEG-induced control (5 g/kg BW), three G. lucidum treatment groups (250, 500, 750 mg/kg BW for 7 days plus DEG), and fomepizole control (5 mg/kg BW plus DEG). Renal function markers (β2-microglobulin, malondialdehyde) and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride) were measured on day 11.

Results: DEG significantly elevated β2-microglobulin (0.73 vs. 0.29 ng/mL) and malondialdehyde levels (3.368 vs. 0.72 μmol/L) while reducing electrolytes. G. lucidum extract at 500 and 750 mg/kg BW significantly improved all parameters, achieving efficacy comparable to fomepizole (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Ethanolic G. lucidum extract demonstrates significant nephroprotective effects against DEG-induced kidney injury, with 500 mg/kg BW as the optimal therapeutic dose.

Purification of total IgG from sars-cov-2 convalescent serum

Arfat Lusinanto — 2025-12-05

Background: Convalescent plasma contains neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 but also potentially harmful inflammatory cytokines. Purified immunoglobulin G fractions offer a safer therapeutic alternative by concentrating antibodies while removing inflammatory mediators.

Objective: To establish a systematic protocol for purifying total IgG from SARS-CoV-2 convalescent serum using sequential chromatographic techniques.

Methods: Serum from 90 recovered donors was pooled into three independent samples. Purification employed four sequential steps: ammonium sulfate precipitation (50% saturation), Sephadex G-100 size-exclusion chromatography, DEAE-Cellulose ion-exchange chromatography, and Protein A affinity chromatography. Purity was assessed by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and radial immunodiffusion.

Results: Starting from serum with 19.68 ± 7.27 mg/mL IgG and 110.47 ± 11.99 mg/mL total protein, the four-step purification yielded final IgG concentration of 1.14 ± 0.70 mg/mL with 1.19 ± 0.16 mg/mL total protein. This achieved 6.3-fold purification with purity ratio of 1.01 ± 0.38 and 5.8% recovery. Native PAGE confirmed high purity with a single IgG band.

Conclusion: Sequential chromatography successfully purified total IgG from convalescent serum, providing a laboratory-scale method for preparing safer immunoglobulin therapeutics.

Dose-dependent nephroprotective effects of turmeric extract against diclofenac-induced kidney injury in rats

Renya Rosari Amapiran — 2025-12-26

Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, particularly diclofenac sodium, are widely prescribed but can cause nephrotoxicity through oxidative stress mechanisms. Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) contains curcumin and other bioactive compounds with potent antioxidant properties that may protect against drug-induced kidney damage.

Objective: To evaluate the dose-dependent effects of turmeric ethanol extract on kidney histopathology in rats with established diclofenac sodium-induced nephrotoxicity.

Methods: Twenty-eight male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal control, diclofenac (10 mg/kg for 7 days), and two treatment groups receiving diclofenac followed by turmeric extract at 100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg for 14 days. Kidney histopathology was assessed using the Arsad scoring system by a blinded pathologist.

Results: Significant differences existed between groups (p < 0.001). The negative control exhibited severe kidney damage with hydropic degeneration, granular casts, and cellular casts (mean score: 2.78 ± 0.24). Treatment with 100 mg/kg showed partial improvement (1.65 ± 0.31), while 200 mg/kg demonstrated substantial improvement approaching normal histology (0.52 ± 0.18) with only minimal residual damage.

Conclusion: Turmeric extract demonstrates significant dose-dependent nephroprotective effects against diclofenac-induced kidney damage, with 200 mg/kg providing superior protection, suggesting potential therapeutic applications in mitigating NSAID-induced nephrotoxicity.

Detection of latent tuberculosis infection in household contacts of drug-resistant tuberculosis patients using interferon-gamma release assay: a study at Universitas Indonesia Hospital

Muhammad Faris Indratmo — 2025-12-02

Background: Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) poses significant public health challenges in Indonesia. Household contacts of DR-TB patients face elevated risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, which may remain latent and asymptomatic.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among household contacts of DR-TB patients using interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA).

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Universitas Indonesia Hospital from February to May 2023. Eighteen asymptomatic household contacts from six confirmed DR-TB index cases were enrolled. Participants underwent clinical evaluation, chest radiography, and LTBI screening using the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) assay.

Results: Among 18 participants (mean age 33.3 years; 55.6% female), 8 (44.4%) tested positive for LTBI, while 10 (55.6%) tested negative. The highest IGRA positivity rates were observed in adolescents aged 12–16 years (66.7%) and young adults aged 17–25 years (60.0%). All participants were clinically asymptomatic with normal chest radiographs.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates substantial LTBI prevalence among household contacts of DR-TB patients. The findings underscore the importance of systematic contact tracing, IGRA-based screening, and timely tuberculosis preventive therapy to reduce disease transmission and progression in high-risk populations.

Effect of turmeric extract on glutathione levels in diclofenac-induced oxidative stress in rats

Cynthia Benedikta Jumba — 2025-12-06

Background: Glutathione (GSH), the primary endogenous antioxidant, protects cells against oxidative stress. Diclofenac sodium, a commonly prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), depletes GSH through hepatic metabolic byproducts, causing oxidative damage.

Objective: To evaluate the protective effect of turmeric extract (Curcuma longa L.) on glutathione levels in rats subjected to diclofenac-induced oxidative stress.

Methods: Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=7): normal control, negative control (diclofenac sodium 10 mg/kg body weight [BW]), and two treatment groups receiving turmeric extract (100 mg/kg BW or 200 mg/kg BW) following diclofenac induction. Diclofenac was administered for 7 days; turmeric extract was given orally for 14 days. Cardiac blood glutathione levels were measured spectrophotometrically.

Results: Turmeric extract significantly increased glutathione levels in diclofenac-induced rats compared to negative controls (p<0.05). The 200 mg/kg BW dose produced superior protection, elevating GSH levels significantly above all groups (p<0.001), demonstrating a dose-dependent antioxidant effect.

Conclusion: Turmeric extract demonstrates significant dose-dependent antioxidant activity against diclofenac-induced oxidative stress, with the 200 mg/kg BW dose achieving superior GSH elevation (p < 0.001), suggesting potential as a protective agent against NSAID-induced oxidative damage.

Age-dependent effects of Spirulina platensis on hepatic protein carbonylation in Wistar rats

Reni Paramita — 2025-12-02

Background: Oxidative stress tends to rise as age increases, with the liver being notably affected. Changes in liver function are closely linked to oxidative stress, which targets hepatocytic proteins. Free radicals that attack the liver can cause damage to its proteins, which can be measured through carbonyl level. Spirulina platensis, is a blue-green sea algae which grow in sea waters throughout the world and have been consumed as antioxidants.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Spirulina platensis administration on carbonyl level in the liver tissues of young adult rats with different ages.

Methods: Male Wistar rats aged 8 weeks, 14 weeks, and 20 weeks were given 200 mg/kg BW S. platensis extract orally once a day for 29 days until aged 12 weeks, 18 weeks, and 24 weeks. Control group of each age (only given aquadest)

Results: The 12-week group given spirulina showed an increase in carbonyl level of 1,215 times compared to the control group. The 18-week group given spirulina showed a reduction in carbonyl level of 0.686 times compared to the control group. The 24-week group given spirulina showed an increase in carbonyl level of 0.924 times compared to the control group.

Conclusion: Spirulina platensis administration decreased the carbonyl level in 18-weeks and 24-weeks old rat compared to control group.

Concentration-dependent photostability of phycocyanin under UV-A and UV-B irradiation

Nurfarida Ulfah — 2025-12-05

Background: Indonesia's tropical location results in intense UV exposure, necessitating effective photoprotective agents. Phycocyanin from Spirulina platensis shows promise as a natural sunscreen ingredient, yet systematic evaluation of its photostability across concentrations remains limited.

Objectives: To evaluate phycocyanin stability and antioxidant activity under UV-A and UV-B irradiation across different concentrations.

Methods: Phycocyanin (200, 250, 300, and 350 ppm) was exposed to UV-A (365 nm, 2.8 mW/cm²) and UV-B (312 nm, 3.2 mW/cm²) irradiation for up to 30 minutes. Pigment concentration and DPPH radical scavenging activity were measured using UV-Vis spectrophotometry.

Results: Phycocyanin exhibited concentration-dependent stability, with 300–350 ppm demonstrating optimal performance. UV-B caused greater degradation than UV-A, with concentration losses of 14.19–43.43 ppm (UV-B) versus 6.85–16.63 ppm (UV-A) after 30 minutes. Antioxidant activity decreased minimally under UV-A (≤1.85%) but more substantially under UV-B (≤1.97%). The 350 ppm concentration showed highest stability and antioxidant retention (98.9% and 98.0%, respectively).

Conclusion: The 300–350 ppm range represents the optimal concentration for photoprotective applications, supporting phycocyanin's potential as a natural sunscreen ingredient.

Proteostasis disruption under hypoxia: therapeutic targets in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases

Susi Rahmiyati — 2025-12-23

Proteostasis, the integrated network regulating protein synthesis, folding, trafficking, and degradation, is essential for cellular function and organismal health. Reduced oxygen availability disrupts proteostasis through increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, impaired ATP-dependent protein folding, and altered chaperone expression. In cancer, tumor cells exploit chronic unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling to enhance survival, angiogenesis, and therapeutic resistance. Inhibition of IRE1α and PERK pathways has shown efficacy in preclinical models, though clinical translation faces challenges including off-target toxicity. In neurodegenerative diseases—Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis—chronic hypoxia accelerates protein aggregate accumulation through oxidative modifications and impaired autophagy-lysosome function. Therapeutic strategies targeting γ-secretase, BACE1, and protein clearance pathways have demonstrated limited clinical success despite mechanistic rationale. Understanding hypoxia-induced proteostasis failure may inform therapeutic development, though significant obstacles remain in translating preclinical findings to effective treatments for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.