The Activities of Pegagan Embun (Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam.) on TNF-α, Macrophages and Leukocytes Male White Mice Exposed by H5N1 Virus Antigens

Abstract

Introduction: Pegagan embun (Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam.) has been known to have immunostimulatory activity, it can increase the activity and capacity of mice macrophage phagocytosis at optimum dose of 200 mg/kgbw. Aim: This study aims to determine the activity of the ethanol extract of pegagan embun on TNF-α levels, total macrophages, total leukocytes, and percentage of leukocytes types. Methods: Mice were divided into four groups, one group as control was given 0.5% Na CMC suspension, three groups were given pegagan embun extract at a dose of 10 mg/kgbw, 50 mg/kgbw and 200 mg/kgbw orally for 7 days. On the 8th day, all mice were induced with 0.3 mL H5N1 vaccine subcutaneously, then left for 24 hours. After 24 hours, the mice were sacrificed and then TNF-α levels, total macrophages, total leukocytes, and percentage of leukocytes types were determined. The research data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA (significance was taken at p<0.05) and continued with the Duncan test. Results: The results showed that pegagan embun extract significantly reduce TNF-α levels and total macrophages, also significantly increase total leukocytes and percentage of leukocyte types in mice (p<0.05). Significant increases and decreases occurred on average at doses of 50 mg/kgbw and 200 mg/kgbw. Conclusion: Based on these results, it can be concluded that pegagan embun extract have immunomodulatory activity. Key words: Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam., Immunomodulators, TNF-α, Macrophages, Leukocytes, Leukocytes types.