Effect of Sargassum Hystrix Extracts on Weight and Blood Biochemical Profile of Wistar Rats Under Condition of Swimming Stress and Fasting

Abstract

The research aimed to understand the effect of ethanolic extract of Sargassum hystrix on the cortisol hormone, glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol parameters as a stress indicator through in vivo assay. The in vivo assay was conducted using 3 m.o female Wistar rats (weight approximately 110 · 10⁻³ kg to 160 · 10⁻³ kg). The total of 35 rats was clustered into seven groups including four controls group (normal, fasting, negative and positive control treated with diazepam 0.81 mg ⋅ kg⁻¹) and three treatment groups which received S. hystrix ethanolic extract of (150, 300, and 450) mg ⋅ kg⁻¹, respectively. Both negative and positive controls received a combination of fasting treatment (ad libitum drink and no food were given) and 5-min swimming. This stressor was given every day for 10 days. Weight measurement was performed every day. A blood sample was collected on day-0 (baseline), day-5 and day-10 for the analysis of glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and cortisol hormone. The result showed that all treatment using the ethanolic extract of S. hystrix could reduce the stress indicated by the reduction of glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol level. A dose of 150 mg ⋅ kg⁻¹ extract showed a decrease of cortisol hormone levels comparable to standard diazepam drugs, whereas doses of 300 mg ⋅ kg⁻¹ and 450 mg ⋅ kg⁻¹ exhibit an ability to lower cortisol levels faster on the 5th day in vivo treatment. This result suggested that S. hystrix extracts have a potential as an anti-stress agent.