Activities of Andrographis paniculata (AS201-01) Tablet on Cox-2 and Prostaglandin Expression of Placental of Plasmodium berghei Infected Mice

Abstract

Background: Placental malaria has ability to upregulate prostaglandin synthesis by increasing cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) enzyme activity. Cox-2 and prostaglandin have a role in causing uterine contraction and therefore can cause abortion or preterm labor. Tablet AS201-01 containing the ethyl acetate fraction of Andrographis paniculata was tested in vivo on pregnant mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. AS201-01 inhibited the growth of P. berghei, increased TGF-β expression, decreased TLR-4 expression and apoptosis index of placental tissue in P. berghei infected pregnant mice and thus prevented placental malaria complications. These effects were correlated with the decrease of Cox-2 and prostaglandin expression.

Methods: Twenty-four pregnant mice (Balb/c) were divided into 4 groups (n=6). Mice were maintained at Animal Laboratory of Institute of Tropical Disease, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia in 2016. G1 were uninfected pregnant mice, G2 untreated infected pregnant mice, G3 infected pregnant mice treated with AS201-01, and G4 infected pregnant mice treated with DHP tablet. All infection groups (G2-G4) were inoculated with 1x106 of P. berghei parasite on day 9 of gestation and treated on day 11. All mice were terminated at day 15 of gestation, and placental tissue was collected. Cytokine expression of Cox-2 and prostaglandin were evaluated using immunohistochemistry.

Results: G3 was found to have lower Cox-2 and prostaglandin expression compared to G4 and G2, but higher compared to G1. Cox-2 and prostaglandin expression was significantly different among groups (P<0.001).

Conclusion: This study demonstrates the ability AS201-01 tablets have to decrease Cox-2 and prostaglandin expression on placental of P. berghei infected mice and therefore eliminates the adverse effects of placental malaria.