Proving the Potential of Purple Sweet Potato Tuber as an Alternative Substitute for Estrogen, I Wayan Sugiritama Wins Doctor of Medicine Degree

Proving the Potential of Purple Sweet Potato Tuber as an Alternative Substitute for Estrogen, I Wayan Sugiritama Wins Doctor of Medicine Degree

 

Located in the graduate courtroom lt. III, Denpasar Postgraduate Building, the Doctoral Promotion exam has taken place with the promovendus candidate, dr. I Wayan Sugiritama, M.Kes., with the dissertation title "Effect of Purple Sweet Potato (Ipomea Batatas L) Ethanol Extract on DNA Methylation and Estrogen Receptor Expression α and β, and Proliferation of the Vaginal Epithelium in Animal Menopause Models." (26/6/2023)

 

The prevalence of vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women is very high and can interfere with quality of life. In cases of vaginal atrophy, the vaginal epithelium becomes very thin and undergoes decreased maturation, which is caused by estrogen deficiency. Estrogen through ERα and ERβ plays a role in regulating vaginal epithelial proliferation and differentiation, besides that through epigenetic mechanisms it is also able to regulate its receptor expression. In cases of vaginal atrophy, there was a decrease in expression of ERα and ERβ, as well as markers of ki-67 cell proliferation. Hormone Replacement Therapy (TSH) has been shown to be effective in treating the symptoms of vaginal atrophy, but it increases the risk of cancer, so it is necessary to look for an alternative to estrogen. Phytoestrogens are a promising alternative to estrogen because they can act as estrogen agonists without causing harmful side effects. Anthocyanins are known to have activity as a phytoestrogen and are effective in preventing vaginal atrophy. Purple sweet potato tubers cultivated by farmers in Bali have high anthocyanin content, so they have the potential to prevent and improve symptoms of vaginal atrophy.

 

This study was a purely experimental study using the Post Test Only Control Group Design method. The aim was to determine the effect of giving ethanol extract of purple sweet potato tubers on ERα and ERβ DNA methylation levels, ERα and ERβ mRNA expression, ki-67 mRNA expression, and vaginal epithelial thickness in animal models. menopause. A total of 32 female Wistar rats aged 16-18 weeks which had been ovariectomized bilaterally were divided into 2 groups, namely the Treatment Group (P) and the Control Group (P-). Group P was given ethanol extract of purple sweet potato tubers at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight/day, while group P- was given 1 ml of saline for 30 days. At the end of the experimental animal treatment, vaginal tissue was taken for DNA extraction, mRNA extraction and making histology slides with haematoxylin-eosin staining. The results of the study found that the P group had significantly lower levels of ERα and ERβ DNA methylation compared to the P- group. The expression level of ERα and ERβ mRNA in the P group was significantly higher than that in the P- group. The P group also had ki-67 mRNA expression and significantly higher vaginal epithelial thickness compared to the P- group.

 

The novelty of the study was that the ethanol extract of purple sweet potato tubers proved effective in preventing vaginal atrophy in menopausal animal models characterized by thicker vaginal epithelium in the treatment group compared to the control. In this study it was proven that the ethanol extract of purple sweet potato tubers could reduce the level of ERα and ERβ DNA methylation, increase the expression of ERα and ERβ mRNA, increase the expression of ki-67 mRNA. These findings are able to explain the mechanism of purple sweet potato tuber ethanol extract in preventing vaginal atrophy in menopausal animal models, namely through epigenetic mechanisms, regulation of estrogen receptor expression and increased vaginal epithelial proliferation.

 

The implication of this study is that it is proven that the ethanol extract of purple sweet potato tubers has phytoestrogen activity in menopausal animal models. These findings indicate the potential for developing purple sweet potato tubers as an alternative to estrogen, which requires further research. Purple sweet potato needs to be studied further to find out its benefits in preventing and treating other menopausal symptoms caused by estrogen deficiency. In addition, there is evidence that the ethanol extract of purple sweet potato tubers has epigenetic activity as a basis for further research, which aims to understand the effect of purple sweet potato on the DNA methylation level of other genes, as well as on other epigenetic mechanisms such as the effect on histones and micro- RNAs.

The exam was led by the Dean of FK Unud Dr. dr. Komang Januartha Putra Pinatih, M.Kes., with the testing team:

1. Dr. dr. I Made Jawi, M.Kes (Promoter)

2.Dr. dr. Ni Made Linawati, M.Si (Co-promoter I)

3.Dr. dr. Ni Putu Sriwidyani, Sp.PA(K) (Co-promoter II)

4. Dr. dr. I Nyoman Adiputra, MOH., PFK

5. Prof. Dr. dr. I Made Bakta, Sp. PD-KHOM

6. Dr. dr. A.A Ngurah Subawa, M.Sc

7. dr. I Made Ady Wirawan, S.Ked, MPH., Ph.D

8.Dr. dr. I Made Sudarmaja, M. Kes

9.Dr. dr. Ida Ayu Ika Wahyuniari, S.Ked., M.Kes

10. dr. I Wayan Sumardika, S.Ked., M.Med.Ed., Ph.D

 

While academic invitations are:

1.Dr. dr. I Nyoman Hariyasa Sanjaya, Sp.OG, Subsp., K.Fm

2.Dr. dr. Luh Putu Ratna Sundari, S.Ked., M.Biomed

3.Dr. dr. Agung Wiwiek Indrayani, M.Kes

4.Dr. dr. Dewa Ayu Agus Sri Laksemi, M.Sc

5.Dr. dr. I Wayan Juli Sumadi, Sp.PA., Subsp.MS(K)

 

In this exam, Dr. dr. I Wayan Sugiritama, M.Kes., was declared the 388th Doctor Graduate of the Doctoral Degree in Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University with a very satisfactory predicate.