Abstract

Background:
Fermented Crescentia cujete L (SFC) is a potential alternative therapy for ischemic stroke. However, the effects of SFC on various organs, the immune system, antioxidant levels, and MDA still need to be better understood.

Aim:
This study aimed to analyze the effects of SFC in rat models through a 14-day repeated-dose oral toxicity study, focusing on histopathology, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) levels, COX-2, antioxidants, and MDA.

Methods:
This study used 20 male Sprague Dawley rat models. Rats were divided into four groups: 0 mg/kg BW SFC, 50 mg/kg BW SFC, 500 mg/kg BW SFC, and 2000 mg/kg BW SFC. The therapy was administered orally and repeated once daily for 14 days. On day 15, the rats were euthanized, and samples were collected. The samples were tested against histopathology, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, antioxidant level, and MDA. The data were statistically analyzed.

Results:
The results indicated that SFC did not affect histopathology (p≥0.05), except for an increase in BALT activity in lung tissue and congestion in the stomach mucosa (p≤0.05). SFC did not influence the rats’ serum protein levels (p≥0.05), but it did increase the level of GM-CSF and decrease the level of COX-2 in the serum and various organs (p≤0.05). Additionally, SFC increased the activity of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and total antioxidants while decreasing the MDA level at a dosage of 2000 mg/kg BW (p≤0.05).

Conclusion:
The 14-day repeated-dose oral toxicity study of SFC did not show severe histopathological changes; however, it increased GM-CSF and antioxidant levels, which suppressed COX-2 and MDA levels.

Key words: Antioxidant; COX-2; Fermented Crescentia cujete L; GM-CSF; Histopathology.