Comparative Effect of Yellow Root (Arcangelisia Flava (L) Merr) Water and Brackish Water Decoction on Biochemical Profiles of Renal Function and Histopathological Profiles of Renal and Uterus in Wistar Female Rats

The yellow root (Arcangelisia flava (L) Merr) is a medicinal plant used traditionally in Borneo, Indonesia for several diseases but on the other hand it contains berberine alkaloids considered as harmful compounds and it has been banned in some ASEAN region for traditional medicines. Empirically, as local wisdom, the people do not boil yellow roots with water but with brackish water. This study aims to determine the effects of yellow root decoctions with water and those with brackish water on blood biochemical and histopathological profile of renal and uterus of Wistar rats after subchronic treatment. A total of 70 Wistar female rats were divided into 7 groups, 3 groups were given yellow root water decoctions and 3 groups were given yellow root brackish water decoctions with doses equivalent to 1.25, 2.5 and 5 g/kgBW of dried yellow root respectively, while the control group was only given aquadest. After 28 days of treatments blood samples were obtained for biochemical examination followed by surgical examination to see the histological features of different organs. The results showed that there were significant differences on the data of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels of water decoction of yellow root in comparison to normal group while those of brackish water decoction were not significant except the biggest dose. The histopathological features of rats treated by all doses of the yellow root water decoctions showed organ damage compared to normal group while only the highest dose of the yellow root brackish water decoction gave the damages shown by, hemorrhage, degeneration and necrosis of the kidney as well as epithelial damage and inflammatory infiltration of the uterus. So the result support the decision of ASEAN Traditional Medicine and Health Supplement Scientific Committee to inhibit the use of Arcangelisia flava in traditional medicine but on the other hand the people can still use the brackish water decoction as local wisdom.There is no significant different on berberin contents of the water and brackish water decoction so the different effects are not directly correlated to berberine contents. © 2023 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.