use of local kelor (moringa oleifera) leaves powder from West Nusa Tenggara to increase the neutrophile cell phagocyte index and its function on rats with PEM infected by staphylococcus aureus
Indonesia reportedly ranksthird in the prevalence of acute malnutrition in the Asia Pacific.Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) has a high prevalence in the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province with over600 cases reported by the Health Department from January to October 2015, especially among children under five of which 31 cases led to death. Meanwhile, the nutrition status is accurately determined through blood biochemical and hematology tests. The Neutrophil index is an important biomarker in combating infectious agents, such as Staphylococcus aureus which is oftenthe cause of contagious diseases. Individuals suffering from Protein-Energy Malnutrition are most vulnerable to these types of infections. Fortunately, kelor (Moringaoleifera) has been found to have nutritious contents, especially protein and iron (Fe), butits potential has not been extensively explored in the West Nusa Tenggara. This study aims to confirm the effect of the local kelor (Moringa oleifera) leaves powder in increasing the Innate Immune Response of sample rats with Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM). A post-test randomized control group design was used with 20 rats grouped into five with a period of 56 days. The hematology examination used micros 6.0 (CBC-analyzer), neutrophile phagocyte index with gradient density technique, whileall data analyses were conducted using the One-way Anova.