Administration of ethanol extract of galangal (Alpinia Galanga) on histopathology of male mouse (Mus musculus) lungs exposed to lead acetate

Objective: This research aims to assess the preventive effect of ethanol extract of red galangal (Alpinia Galanga) on type I pneumocyte cell necrosis and proliferation of type II pulmonary pneumocytes in male mice (Mus musculus) exposed to lead acetate-induced damage. Method: A total of 25 male mice aged 2.5-3 months and weighing 25-30 g were divided into five groups. The negative control group (K-) received oral water without lead acetate exposure, while the positive control group (K+) received 20 mg/kg BW of lead acetate. The treatment groups P1, P2, and P3 were exposed to lead acetate at a dose of 20 mg/kg BW/day and received red galangal extract at doses of 200 mg/kg BW, 400 mg/kg BW, and 800 mg/kg BW, respectively. All treatment groups were administered lead and ethanol extract of galangal orally from days 4 to 24 at a rate of 0.2 ml/head. Results: The Mann-Whitney U statistical test revealed a significant increase in type I pneumocyte cell necrosis and type II pneumocyte cell proliferation in the lungs of male mice (Mus musculus) exposed to lead acetate (p<0.05). Administration of ethanol extract of galangal after exposure to lead acetate significantly reduced type I pneumocyte cell necrosis and type II pneumocyte cell proliferation (p<0.05). The highest dose of galangal ethanol extract, 800 mg/kg BW, showed a significant decrease in type II pneumocyte cell proliferation (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study concludes that red galangal extract has a preventive effect in reducing the damage to type I and type II pneumocytes in the lungs of male mice (Mus musculus) exposed to lead acetate.