The standardization and efficacy of fermented Crescentia cujete (L.) in combination with enrofloxacin against artificially induced pneumonic pasteurellosis in rat models

This study aimed to elucidate the efficacy of FCC in combination with enrofloxacin against artificially induced PP in rat models.

Pasteurella multocida is an opportunistic bacterium that causes pneumonic pasteurellosis (PP). The common treatment against PP is using antibiotics in conjunction with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This combination presents various complications, i.e., immune-depression. Hence, the alternative therapy to replace the effects of NSAIDs needs to be clarified. One of them is using fermented calabash [Crescentia cujete (L.)] (FCC).

This study proved that FCC could be used in rat models as an alternative anti-inflammatory treatment in combination with enrofloxacin against PP. Further research is needed to explore other effects of FCC to support the current findings.

The calabash was collected and fermented. Moreover, the product of FCC was standardized regarding its biochemical compounds using Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. This study used 30 male Sprague Dawley rats, weighing 251.52 ± 2.65 grams, 6 months old. The rats were divided into six groups as follows: G1 (control); G2 (infected with Pasteurella multocida + untreated); G3 (infected + 20 mg/kg enrofloxacin); G4 (infected + 20 mg/kg enrofloxacin + 30 mg/kg ibuprofen); G5 (infected + 20 mg/kg enrofloxacin + 2.96 mg/kg FCC); and G6 (infected + 20 mg/kg enrofloxacin + 5.92 mg/kg FCC). The treatment was given once daily for 7 days. On day eight, the rats were radiographed. The serum was collected and tested against C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin. The rats were euthanized and lung tissue was collected for histopathology and immunohistochemistry against CD4+, CD8+, and COX-2. The data were analyzed using SPSS.

This study indicated that FCC contains choline, phytonadione, alpha-tocopherol, and retinol. Moreover, using FCC as a combination therapy with enrofloxacin against PP in group G6 promotes a repair of radiology image compared to other treatments (p < 0.05). Group G5 and G6 showed increased activity of bronchial-associated lymphoid tissue, immune expression of CD4+ and COX-2, and the level of CRP and procalcitonin within the lung tissue (p < 0.05). Group G6 indicated better effects in various parameters in this study. However, the FCC has not influenced the immune expression of CD8+ during PP (p > 0.05).