Effects of Miana (Coleus scutellariodes (L) Benth) to Expression of mRNA IL-37 in Balb/c Mice Infected Candida albicans

Background: Miana (Coleus scutellariodes (L) Benth) are a herbal medicine with potential anti-inflammatory properties in patients infected with vulvovaginal candidiasis. The objective of this work was to the analyze IL-37 expression following administration of miana leaf extract (MLE) in an animal model of vulvovaginal candidiasis. Material and Methods: Adult Balb/c mice, aged 8–12 weeks and weighing 30–40 g, were divided into five groups. Four groups were administered Candida albicans via intravaginal inoculation with a diluted dose of 10^-2/ ml and were treated with either MLE, a placebo, or ketoconazole; one group constituted the healthy control and was only treated with MLE. Real-time PCR was used to measure the expression of IL-37. Results: These findings indicated that a component within MLE may mediate its anti-inflammatory characteristics, as indicated by the increase in mRNA IL-37 expression in mice inoculated with C. albicans. The highest increase in fungal load to 101.6 CFU was observed in the placebo group at day 14. Whereas for the mice treated with MLE at 750 mg/kg b.w, the fungal load only increased to 30.0 CFU, similar to that of mice treated with ketoconazole (29.6 CFU). In the mice treated with MLE at 500 mg/kg b.w, the fungal load increased to 68.2 CFU. Conclusion: Fungiostatic effect of MLE 750 mg/kg BB is not less than ketoconazole and MLE may act as anti-inflammatory throught its role as an antioxidant so it could potentially be used as an alternative treatment in humans especially patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis.