Doctor of Medicine Innovative Study examines the potential of Alang-Alang Root Extract in Improving Steroidogenesis and Sexual Behavior in Aging Model Rats

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• Kamis, 28 Maret 2024
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Located in the Hall Room, Udayana University Postgraduate Program Building, Denpasar, a Doctoral Promotion examination was held with Promovendus candidate Dr. I Nyoman Gede Wardana, S.Ked., M.Biomed with the dissertation title "The Effect of Ethanol Extract of Alang-Alang Root (Imperata Cylindrica L.) on Levels of Cyclooxygenase-2, Malondialdehyde, Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein in the Testis, Serum Testosterone Levels, and Sexual Behavior of Male Wistar Rats Aging Model." (27/3/2024)

The normal aging process causes a decrease in serum testosterone levels due to reduced steroidogenesis in Leydig cells, supported by the theory of low grade chronic inflammation (inflammaging) and oxidative stress. Under these conditions, increased COX-2 can suppress the expression of StAR protein, and oxidative stress can inhibit the activity of steroidogenesis enzymes. This study examines the effects of ethanol extract of alang-alang root in aging model rats at a dose of 100 mg/kgBB on steroidogenesis and sexual behavior. The study also explored the mechanism of action of the extract against inflammaging and oxidative stress by measuring the levels of COX-2, MDA, and StAR protein in the testes of rats.

This experimental study used a randomized post-test only control group design. Twenty male Wistar rats that had been induced aging with D-galactose were randomly divided into two groups, namely the control group (P0) which was given distilled water + Tween20 solution and treatment (P1) which was given ethanol extract of alang-alang roots at a dose of 100 mg/kgBB. Both groups were treated orally for 28 days. On the 28th day, sexual behavior parameters were measured during the night cycle. On the 29th day, rat blood was taken to measure serum testosterone levels, then testes were taken to measure COX-2, MDA, and StAR levels. Independent t-test was used to test for differences in the mean levels of serum testosterone, COX-2, MDA, StAR protein, and sexual behavior parameters in the two groups, followed by path analysis test.

The results showed significant differences in the mean levels of COX-2, MDA, and StAR protein in testicular tissue between the control and treatment groups (p < 0.0001). In addition, there was a significant difference in the mean serum testosterone levels between the two treatment groups (p < 0.0001). Sexual behavior parameters were also significantly different between the two groups, including mounting latency, intromission latency, ejaculation latency, postejaculatory mounting interval, mounting frequency, and intromission frequency (p < 0.0001). Path analysis showed that the effect of COX-2 through StAR protein on serum testosterone level was 41.48% and the effect of MDA through StAR protein on serum testosterone was 25.96%. 

The conclusion of this study is that the administration of ethanol extract of alang-alang roots at a dose of 100 mg/kgBB for 28 days can increase steroidogenesis in Leydig cells of aging model rats through a decrease in COX-2 and MDA levels. This increase in steroidogenesis is followed by an increase in sexual behavior.

This examination was chaired by the Dean of FK Unud Prof. Dr. dr. Komang Januartha Putra Pinatih, M.Kes., with a team of examiners:

1. Prof. Dr. dr. I Nyoman Mangku Karmaya, M.Repro., PA(K) (Promoter)

2. Prof. Dr. dr. I Made Oka Adnyana, Sp.S (K) (Copromoter I)

3. Prof. Dr. dr. Bagus Komang Satriyasa, M.Repro (Copromoter II)

4. Prof. Dr. dr. I Made Jawi, M.Kes

5. Prof. drh. I Nyoman Mantik Astawa, Ph.D.

6. Prof. Dr. dr. I Wayan Putu Sutirta Yasa, M.Si

7. Prof. dr. I Made Ady Wirawan, S.Ked, MPH, Ph.D.

8. Dr.dr. I Made Muliarta, S.Ked., M.Kes

9. Dr.dr.Ni Made Linawati, S.Ked.,M.Si

10. Dr. dr. Ida Ayu Ika Wahyuniari, M.Kes

While academic invitations are :

1. Dr. dr. I Gusti Ayu Widianti, M.Biomed

2. Dr. dr. Dewa Ayu Agus Sri Laksemi, M.Sc

3. Dr. dr. Putu Ayu Asri Damayanti, M.Kes

4. Dr. dr. Made Agus Hendrayana, M.Ked.

5. Dr. dr. I Made Pande Dwipayana, Sp.PD-KEMD, FINASIM

In this exam, Dr. dr. I Nyoman Gede Wardana, S.Ked., M.Biomed., was declared to have graduated as the 411th Graduate Doctor of Medical Science Doctoral Study Program with cumlaude predicate.

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