Ficus deltoidea ameliorates biochemical, hormonal, and histomorphometric changes in letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome rats

Background Insulin resistance and hormonal imbalances are key features in the pathophysiology of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). We have previously shown that Ficus deltoidea var. deltoidea Jack (Moraceae) can improve insulin sensitivity and hormonal profile in PCOS female rats. However, biological characteristics underpinning the therapeutic effects of F. deltoidea for treating PCOS remain to be clarified. This study aims to investigate the biochemical, hormonal, and histomorphometric changes in letrozole (LTZ)-induced PCOS female rats following treatment with F. deltoidea. Methods PCOS was induced in rats except for normal control by administering LTZ at 1 mg/kg/day for 21 days. Methanolic extract of F. deltoidea leaf was then orally administered to the PCOS rats at the dose of 250, 500, or 1000 mg/kg/day, respectively for 15 consecutive days. Lipid profile was measured enzymatically in serum. The circulating concentrations of reproductive hormone and antioxidant enzymes were determined by ELISA assays. Ovarian and uterus histomorphometric changes were further observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Results The results showed that treatment with F. deltoidea at the dose of 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day reduced insulin resistance, obesity indices, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), malondialdehyde (MDA), testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to near-normal levels in PCOS rats. The levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), estrogen, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) are also similar to those observed in normal control rats. Histomorphometric measurements confirmed that F. deltoidea increased the corpus luteum number and the endometrial thickness. Conclusions F. deltoidea can reverse PCOS symptoms in female rats by improving insulin sensitivity, antioxidant activities, hormonal imbalance, and histological changes. These findings suggest the potential use of F. deltoidea as an adjuvant agent in the treatment program of PCOS.

Comprehensive Review on Ficus Deltoidea Effervescent Mouthwash Formulation in Treating Oral Pathogens

Ficus deltoidea or its well-known local name Mas Cotek belongs to the family of Moracaeae. This native plant is commonly found in Malaysia, other tropical and subtropical countries. Oral periodontal disease is an alarming disease and the utilization of herbal plants in treating oral pathogens has raised attention and concern. Therefore the main objective of this study was to review the effectiveness of effervescent mouthwash formulation of the FDL on treating oral pathogens. Plaque accumulation and oral microorganisms are the main predisposing factors to oral periodontal diseases. Herbal mouthwash has been of particular interest these days to treat oral pathogens. Different effervescent agents such as citric acid, tartaric acid, and sodium bicarbonate were used in formulating effervescent mouthwash by different methods with varying concentrations. FDL leaves have claimed to possess different properties such as antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties which are helpful in treating many diseases. Post compression parameters such as effervescent time, moisture content, and in vitro antibacterial test were reviewed in this study. FDL has shown a strong correlation to the presence of high content of polyphenols, flavonoids, saponin, tannins, and triterpenoids. In conclusion, the type of preparation choosen is by using wet granulation method and the suitable ratio is 2:1.

Comparison of the Antioxidant Activity of Malaysian Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) Extracts with that of Selected Natural Products and its Effect on the Viability of Myoblast Cells in Culture

Ginger has been proven to possess various therapeutic effects, including antibacterial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. However, data on the comparison of ginger antioxidant activity with that of other natural products are still lacking. This study aimed to analyse and compare the antioxidant properties of two types of Malaysian ginger extracts (GE1 and GE2) with that of selected natural products. The antioxidant activities were measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, while cell viability was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfonyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay. The order of the DPPH scavenging activities was as follows: vitamin C > palm tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) > á-tocopherol > N-acetylcysteine (NAC) > Ficus deltoidea > butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) > Centella asiatica > GE2 > GE1 > Moringa oleifera > Kelulut honey; the order of the mean FRAP value was as follows: NAC > á-tocopherol > BHT > TRF > Ficus deltoidea > Moringa oleifera > GE2 = GE1 > Centella asiatica > Kelulut honey. The viability assays showed that both ginger extracts significantly increased the percentage of viable cells (p < 0.05). In conclusion, neither of the ginger extracts was cytotoxic toward cells and both possessed comparable antioxidant properties, indicating their potential for ameliorating oxidative stress.

Antimutagenic, Cytoprotective and Antioxidant Properties of Ficus deltoidea Aqueous Extract In Vitro

Ficus deltoidea var. deltoidea is used as traditional medicine for diabetes, inflammation, and nociception. However, the antimutagenic potential and cytoprotective effects of this plant remain unknown. In this study, the mutagenic and antimutagenic activities of F. deltoidea aqueous extract (FDD) on both Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 and TA 100 strains were assessed using Salmonella mutagenicity assay (Ames test). Then, the cytoprotective potential of FDD on menadione-induced oxidative stress was determined in a V79 mouse lung fibroblast cell line. The ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay was conducted to evaluate FDD antioxidant capacity. Results showed that FDD (up to 50 mg/mL) did not exhibit a mutagenic effect on either TA 98 or TA 100 strains. Notably, FDD decreased the revertant colony count induced by 2-aminoanthracene in both strains in the presence of metabolic activation (p < 0.05). Additionally, pretreatment of FDD (50 and 100 µg/mL) demonstrated remarkable protection against menadione-induced oxidative stress in V79 cells significantly by decreasing superoxide anion level (p < 0.05). FDD at all concentrations tested (12.5–100 µg/mL) exhibited antioxidant power, suggesting the cytoprotective effect of FDD could be partly attributed to its antioxidant properties. This report highlights that F. deltoidea may provide a chemopreventive effect on mutagenic and oxidative stress inducers.