Analysis of Several Inflammatory Markers Expression in Obese Rats given Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng Ethanol Extract

Introduction: Oxidative stress is one of the inflammatory events caused by obesity. This condition is characterized by an increase in various inflammatory markers, such as intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), and a cluster of differentiation 40 (CD40). This study aimed to analyze the effect of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng ethanol extract on ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and CD40 in obese rats. Methods: The study used a pure experimental method with a completely randomized design. There were 6 groups, namely, C− (negative control), C+ (positive control), CMC (soluble control), EE300 (P. amboinicus ethanol extract, 300 mg/kg body weight [BW]), EE600 (P. amboinicus ethanol extract, 600 mg/kg BW) and EE900 groups (P. amboinicus ethanol extract, 900 mg/kg BW). Results: The results showed low levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in the blood plasma, especially in the EE900 group, but the difference was not substantial. The same trend also occurred in the expression of CD40 in the tunica intima layer of the rat aorta. Conclusions: Thus, the administration of 900 mg/kg BW P. amboinicus ethanol extract for 45 days has the potential to treat obesity in rats through the suppression of oxidative stress and inflammatory markers (ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and CD40).