The effect of maja fruit (Aegle marmelos (L) correa) on inflammation markers involved in the aging process

Background: Aging is a process that every living creature will pass through and involves various factors. Increased inflammatory factors can be caused by hypoxia which forms Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and damages macromolecules and causes the acceleration of the aging process. Maja plants, empirically have long been used as medicinal plants, research on Maja leaves shows anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential. Objective: The purpose of this study was to find out and understand the potential of Maja fruit in the presence of inflammatory markers of IL-6 and TNF-α which are involved in the aging process. Methods: This research was in vivo experimental, using male experimental animals Sprague Dawley rats divided into 8 groups (n = 4), and divided into 2 groups (fed with Maja ethanol extract (400 mg/ kg/day, 14 days) and not force-fed). Each group was divided into 4 subgroups (normoxia, hypoxia (O2 8%, N2 92%) for 3, 7 and 14 days). At the end of the trial period, animal blood was examined for IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations using the ELISA method. Results: The results showed an increase in levels of IL-6 and TNF-α both in the group fed and not fed in line with the duration of hypoxia when compared with controls. However, groups that are not force-fed show a higher pattern compared to those who are force-fed. Conclusion : The ethanol extract of Maja fruit can help slow down the aging process.