Abstract

This study aims to determine the therapeutic effect of Peronema canescens leaves extract (PCLE) on improving the immune system and anti-inflammatory applications in the incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) as a model of COVID-19 disease. Rats were given induction of 5 mg/kg bw by treatments for 14 days with lipopolysaccharide. Examination of locomotor activity and clinical was observed every day and on the 7th and 14th days, the hematological parameters were completely tested. There was a decrease in the pneumonia index and the percentage of relative lung weight compared to the negative control group (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05). The complete results in the Imboost® and PCLE groups showed a significant increase in total white blood cells compared to the negative control group (p < 0.01). In the percentage of lung capacity scoring (%), all test groups experienced a very significant increase compared to the negative control group (p < 2.2 × 10−16). The proinflammatory cytokine biomarker tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) showed a significant decrease in all test groups compared to the negative control (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05). The PCLE effectively treated pneumonia or reduced lung damage due to ARDS as indicated by macroscopic observations, hematological examinations, decreased levels of the proinflammatory cytokine biomarker TNF-α, and histology in rats.

Key words: Peronema canescens leaves extract; acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS); lipopolysaccharide (LPS); Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α); cytokines; histopathology