Antioxidant Activity of Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) Leaf Extract on the Levels of Ovarian Oxidative Stress and Reproductive Hormone in Rattus norvegicus Exposed to Cigarette Smoke

BACKGROUND: Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is a wild plant that grows in Indonesia and is considered a weed, but it has the highest antioxidant activity in the leaves and stems. Cigarette smoke is one of the exogenous free radicals that can enter blood circulation, interfering with all cells and tissues in the body, including reproductive organs. AIM: The research aims to examine the antioxidant effect of purslane leaf extract on oxidative stress levels (ovarian malondialdehyde [MDA] levels) and reproductive hormone levels (follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH] and 17ß-estradiol) in female white rats exposed to cigarette smoke. METHODS: This study is an experimental study with randomized post only control group design, using 12-week-old female Wistar strain Rattus norvegicus weighing about 200–250 g divided into four treatment groups (n = 6). Negative control without exposure to cigarette smoke and purslane leaf extract (K), cigarette group with cigarette smoke 1 stick/day administration without purslane leaf extract (P1), purslane group with purslane leaf extract 200 mg/Kg BW without exposure to cigarette smoke (P2), and group the group with cigarette smoke 1 stick/day accompanied by purslane leaf extract 200 mg/Kg BW administration (P3). Ovarian MDA measurement measures MDA levels as an indicator of oxidative stress in the ovaries determined by the spectrophotometry method. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method measured the measurement of FSH and 17ß-estradiol levels in blood taken intracardially through the right ventricle of the heart. RESULTS: The results showed that purslane leaf extract at a 200 mg/Kg BW dose reduced ovarian MDA levels of female white rats exposed to cigarette smoke significantly with p < 0.05. CONCLUSION: However, there has been no significant change in FSH and 17ß-estradiol.