Published Paper Details:

Introduction: BDNF has potent effects on neural synapses and high expression in the brain. Its pathway affects cell survival and other biological processes, namely neurite and axonal growth. Kaempferia galanga L. (aromatic ginger) has many active substances with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Administration of antioxidants can modulate BDNF levels useful for reducing the progression of traumatic brain injury. We analyzed the expression of BDNF in the injured brains of the rats after administration of Kaempferia galanga L. extract. Methods: This experiment analyzes the expression of BDNF in four different group of Wistar rats (Ratus novergicus) based on the presence of TBI using Feeney TBI weight drop model and Kaempferia galanga L. extract administration into Groups A (no trauma & extract), B (with trauma & no extract), C (with trauma and 600 mg/kgbw extract), and D (with trauma and 1200 mg/kgbw extract). Groups B, C, and D are further divided into those who had their BDNF measured on 24- (B24, C24, and D24) and 48-hours post-trauma & extract administration using immunohistochemistry evaluation. Results: BDNF expression were found to be statistically significant between Group A with both B24 (p = 0,009) and D24 (p = 0,009) on the 24-hour post-trauma decapitation analysis. On the 48 hours after trauma and extract administration, Group B48 (p = 0,002), C48 (p = <0,001), and D48 (p <0,001) were found to be significantly different with Group A. In all the rats receiving trauma & extract administration, there were no statistically significant differences between groups. Conclusion: There was a significant difference in the results of BDNF expression within 24 and 48 hours in the control group without treatment with the other three groups, namely the control group with treatment, the treatment group with Kaempferia galanga L. extract 600 mg/kgbw, and the treatment group with Kaempferia galanga L. extract 1200 mg/kgbw. There was no significant difference in the results of BDNF expression both within 24 hours and 48 hours in the control group with the treatment group with 600 mg/kg Kaempferia galanga L. extract, and the treatment group with 1200 mg/kg Kaempferia galanga L. extract, However, there is an increase in the level of BDNF expression from the graphs of the results of the assessment of BDNF expression at 24 and 48 hours. Therefore, the administration of Kaempferia galanga L. extract to patients with brain injury can be considered as an option in increasing brain BDNF levels which are neuroprotective, but larger and specific studies are needed to determine the appropriate dose and duration for the use of Kaempferia galanga L. extract as a neuroprotectant agent in brain injuries.