Activity of Kincung Flowers (Etlingera Elatior (Jack) R.M.Sm.) on Total Leukocytes and Percentage of Leukocytes in Allergic Male White Mice

Introduction: Kincung Flower (Etlingera elatior (Jack) R.M.Sm.) is a native herbal plant in Southeast Asia that traditionally used to many diseases, especially in Indonesia. Aim: This study was conducted to determine the activity of kincung (Etlingera elatior (Jack) R.M.Sm.) on the total number of leukocytes and differential leukocyte cells in allergic mice. Material and Methods: The semi-solid extract of Kincung flower (Etlingera elatior (Jack) R.M.Sm.) was made by the maceration method using 70% ethanol solvent. The animals used were 20 male white mice that have allergies of skin that treated with 20% albumen antigens given on the first day 0.2 mL/20 g intraperitoneally, then on the seventh day are given antigens with the same dose subcutaneously. Allergic mice indicated by redness at the injection site. It divided into four groups: the negative control group and three dose groups (100; 300; and 1000 mg/kg). On the seventh day after administration of the extract, observed the value of total leukocytes and differential leukocyte cells in mice. Results: The results after administration of extracts in 3 dose groups (100; 300; and 1000 mg / kg) and the negative control group showed sequentially the total number of leukocytes was: 3.95; 4.73; 6.01; and 3.6 x103/μL and the percentage of leukocytes consisting of lymphocytes: 67.6%; 62.0%; 56.8% and 70.0%, neutrophils: 22.4%; 29.2%; 36.8% and 20.0%, eosinophils: 6.4%; 5.8%, 4.2% and 6.6%, monocytes: 3.6%; 3.0%, 2.2% and 3.4%, and basophils: 1.8%; 1.4; 0.8% and 2.0%. It concluded that kincung flowers could increase total leukocytes significantly (p<0.05), decrease lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils significantly (p<0.05), increase neutrophils significantly (p<0.05), and reduce monocytes insignificantly (p>0.05). Conclusion: Kincung flowers (Etlingera Elatior (Jack) R.M.Sm.) can be used as an immunomodulator and decreasing the percentage of basophil cells, and eosinophils can used as an anti-allergic drug.