In vivo anti-inflammatory activity of anti-atherosclerotic herbs using white male rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is plaque formation in the arteries, which eventually narrows and gradually shocks them at a specified period. The continuous formation will lead to acute or chronic inflammation and higher probability of atherosclerosis. A combination of herbs consisting of Tanjung leaves (Mimusops elengi L.), starfruit leaves (Averrhoa carambola L.), and temulawak (Curcuma xanthorrhiza R.) as an herb drink is empirically believed to have an anti- atheroscleroticeffect as itcontains a potential flavonoid with anti-inflammatory properties (such as quercetin) that may help prevent atherosclerosis. An anti-inflammatory activity test was conducted using the in vivo method on 32 white male rats of the Sprague-Dawleystrain. The result shows that carrageenan 1%-induced (inflammatory agent) and divided into five groups: a negative control (Na CMC 0.5%); a positive control (sodium diclofenac 2%); dosage I (2.7 mL of herb extract/200 g body weight); dosage II (3.6 mL of herb extract/200 g body weight), and dosage III (4.5 mL of herb extract/200 g body weight). To begin with, 24 grams of anti-atherosclerotic herbs in 60