J. Pharm. Pharmacogn. Res., vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 979-990, Jul-Aug 2025.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56499/jppres24.2134_13.4.979Original Article
Effect of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Aiton) Hassk. on aortic hyperglycemia via JAK family expression
[Efecto de Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Aiton) Hassk. sobre la hiperglucemia aórtica a través de la expresión de la familia JAK]
Putri Cahaya Situmorang1*, Rony Abdi Syahputra2, Etti Sartina Siregar1, Mimmy Sari Syah Putri3, Trina Ekawati Tallei4, Eka Setiawan1
1Department of of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia.
2Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia.
3Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia.
4Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Sam Ratulangi University, Manado, Indonesia.
*E-mail: putri.cahaya@usu.ac.id
Abstract
Context: Hyperglycemia is a significant contributor to the development of atherosclerosis and is a major risk factor. The process initiates with the phosphorylation of JAK1 and JAK2, subsequently leading to the activation of STAT3, which results in atherosclerotic damage to vascular endothelial cells. Rhodomyrtus tomentosa is an antioxidant botanical in traditional medicine with the capacity to mitigate oxidative stress.
Aims: To analyze JAK family expression in aorta tissue after administration of R. tomentosa.
Methods: A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was utilized to test Wistar rats in six groups: K+: alloxan-induced diabetes, K-: untreated animals, and K0: diabetic rats + metformin. Groups K1, K2, and K3 received R. tomentosa at 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg BW. R. tomentosa was taken orally for two weeks. Next, the animals were dissected to take the aorta for analysis of immunohistochemistry with JAK family expression and also for analysis of the lumen and thickness of the aorta.
Results: Hyperglycemic aortic tissue alters histologically, changing lumen size and tunica intima thickness and also media tunica layers. Foam cells produce fat and plaque streaks that thicken and restrict blood channel lumens. This restriction can slow blood flow. R. tomentosa restored lumen size similar to the untreated group. JAK1 and JAK2 inhibit pro-inflammatory protein function; however, JAK3 expression in aortic tissue decreases when R. tomentosa dosage increases.
Conclusions: Hyperglycemic aortic tissue has histological modifications, such as changes in lumen diameter and hypertrophy of the tunica intima and media, resulting in foam cell development, lipid streaks, and plaque-induced vascular constriction. Administering R. tomentosa restores lumen size and modulates JAK protein expression, with JAK1 and JAK2 levels inhibiting pro-inflammatory proteins, while JAK3 expression diminishes with increasing dosage.
Keywords: aortic; JAK1; JAK2; JAK3; plant extract.
Resumen
Contexto: La hiperglucemia contribuye significativamente al desarrollo de la aterosclerosis y es un factor de riesgo importante. El proceso se inicia con la fosforilación de JAK1 y JAK2, que posteriormente conduce a la activación de STAT3, lo que produce daño aterosclerótico a las células endoteliales vasculares. Rhodomyrtus tomentosa es un antioxidante botánico en la medicina tradicional con la capacidad de mitigar el estrés oxidativo.
Objetivos: Analizar la expresión de la familia JAK en el tejido de la aorta después de la administración de R. tomentosa.
Métodos: Se utilizó un diseño completamente aleatorizado (CRD) para evaluar ratas Wistar en seis grupos: K+: diabetes inducida por aloxano, K-: animales no tratados y K0: ratas diabéticas + metformina. Los grupos K1, K2 y K3 recibieron R. tomentosa a 100, 150 y 200 mg/kg de peso corporal. R. tomentosa se tomó por vía oral durante dos semanas. A continuación, se diseccionaron los animales para extraer la aorta para el análisis de inmunohistoquímica con la expresión de la familia JAK y también para el análisis del lumen y el grosor de la aorta.
Resultados: El tejido aórtico hiperglucémico se altera histológicamente, cambiando el tamaño del lumen y el grosor de la túnica íntima y también las capas de la túnica media. Las células espumosas producen estrías de grasa y placa que engrosan y restringen los lúmenes de los canales sanguíneos. Esta restricción puede ralentizar el flujo sanguíneo. R. tomentosa restauró el tamaño del lumen de manera similar al grupo no tratado. JAK1 y JAK2 inhiben la función de la proteína proinflamatoria; sin embargo, la expresión de JAK3 en el tejido aórtico disminuye cuando aumenta la dosis de R. tomentosa.
Conclusiones: El tejido aórtico hiperglucémico presenta modificaciones histológicas, como cambios en el diámetro del lumen e hipertrofia de la túnica íntima y media, lo que resulta en el desarrollo de células espumosas, estrías lipídicas y constricción vascular inducida por placa. La administración de R. tomentosa restaura el tamaño del lumen y modula la expresión de la proteína JAK; los niveles de JAK1 y JAK2 inhiben las proteínas proinflamatorias, mientras que la expresión de JAK3 disminuye con el aumento de la dosis.
Palabras Clave: aórtica; extracto de planta; JAK1; JAK2; JAK3.
Citation Format: Situmorang PC, Syahputra RA, Siregar ES, Putri MSS, Tallei TE, Setiawan E (2025) Effect of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Aiton) Hassk. on aortic hyperglycemia via JAK family expression. J Pharm Pharmacogn Res 13(4): 979–990. https://doi.org/10.56499/jppres24.2134_13.4.979
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