Pengaruh Ekstrak Temu Giring terhadap Kadar Kortisol Serum dan Histopatologi Korteks Prefrontal Mencit Model Chronic Mild Stress

Abstract

Depression is a serious mental disorder with a relatively high prevalence in Indonesia. Although conventional antidepressants are effective, their use is limited by side effects and treatment resistance. Therefore, alternative therapies derived from natural products are needed. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ethanol extract of temu giring (Curcuma heyneana) on serum cortisol levels and prefrontal cortex histopathology in mice subjected to chronic mild stress (CMS). This experimental study employed a posttest only control group design. Twenty-four male balb/c mice were designated into the following groups: normal control, negative control, positive control (fluoxetine 10 mg/kg BW), and treatment groups receiving ethanol extract at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW. The dose was administered orally 30 minutes before daily CMS exposure for 21 consecutive days, which consisted of various mild stressors. Serum cortisol levels were measured using an ELISA method. Data were analyzed using Shapiro-Wilk, Levene’s test, one-way ANOVA, and post hoc LSD test. Histopathological analysis of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) was conducted using light microscopy at 100× and 400× magnification. The results showed that CMS significantly increased serum cortisol levels and induced histopathological alterations, including disorganization of the cortical layer and damage to granular and pyramidal cells. Administration of the temu giring extract reduced serum cortisol levels compared to the negative control, with the 200 mg/kg BW dose showing the most optimal effect. Additionally, the temu giring extract improved histopathological features of the prefrontal cortex structure. In conclusion, the ethanol extract of Curcuma heyneana exhibits potential antidepressant effects by lowering serum cortisol levels and improving histopathology in the prefrontal cortex of CMS-induced mice.