PUMPKIN [CUCURBITA MOSCHATA (DUCHESNE EX LAMK) DUCHESNE EX POIRET] SEED AS IMMUNONUTRIENT FOR WOUND INFECTION TREATMENT IN DIABETES MELLITUS

• Main Author: Putri Dwita, Lusi
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/45380
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

The wound healing process generally delayed by the presence of metabolic disorders, nutritional deficiencies and chronic physiological imbalances. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the main causes of impaired of wound healing process in human. Hyperglycemia, disorder of immune system function, and the presence of microflora aggravate the wound severity. Immunonutrient contained arginine and glutamine known could enhance immune system function and plays an important role in wound healing process mainly involve in the synthesis of collagen tissue. This immunonutrient can be found in plant seeds such as pumpkin seeds. This research aim is to study the effectivity of pumpkin seed [Cucurbita moschata (Duchesne ex Lamk) Duchesne ex Poiret] as an immunonutrient to treat wound infection in DM condition infected with microbes isolated from diabetic patient. The study begins with collection, identification, and preparation of pumpkin seeds into powder form, followed with in vivo test on infected wound of DM mice with microbes isolated from DM patient and test on immune response. Two doses of pumpkin seeds are used in this experiment i.e. 3.9 and 7.8 g/kg mouse body weight. Mice were previously induced with aloxan monohydrate to become diabetic, then wounded by using hot plate in combination with excisional method. To induce wound infection, the clinical microbial isolated from diabetic patient were inoculated. The pumpkin seeds effect in wound healing was evaluated through the presence of wound contraction and wound appearance such as the presence of erythema, edema and pus. The role of pumpkin seeds on the immune system is tested through carbon clearance test and organ index. During the experiment the blood glucose level were also measured. Result showed that the microbial isolated from DM patient were identified consist of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacter, and fungi. The two doses of pumpkin seeds i.e 3.9 and 7.8 g/kg which is equivalent to 30 and 60 g of pumpkin seeds for human used could induced significantly (p<0.05) higher rate of wound healing process indicated through wound contraction (45.6±8.72 % for dose 3.9 g/kg, 55.37±5.17 % for 7.8 g/kg) compared to control (22.86±8.84 %) started from day 4 to 14 of oral administration of pumpkin seeds. The dose of 7.8 g/kg showed the higher rate of wound healing compared to dose 3.9 g/kg of pumpkin seeds. Through carbon clearance test, the two doses of pumpkin seeds showed strong immunostimulation effect indicated through its phagocytic index i.e., 1.7 and 1.6 respectively for dose 3.9 and 7.8 g/kg of pumpkin seeds. On day 14, the two doses of pumpkin seeds also decreasing the blood glucose level significantly (p<0.05). Based on this result the pumpkin seeds can be used as immunonutrient to stimulate wound healing process and prevent the chronic severe wound infection in diabetic condition.