COMBINATION OF PURPLE SWEET POTATO EXTRACT WITH RED FRUIT, IS IT SAFE?

COMBINATION OF PURPLE SWEET POTATO EXTRACT WITH RED FRUIT, IS IT SAFE?

I Made Jawi

Dep. Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Udayana University

Email madejawi@unud.ac.id

The discovery of a combination drugs to treat Covid-19 has caused a long debate in various media. This debate occurs because there are differences of opinion between the inventors or researchers of the combination drug and observers in this case, the medical community who sees the weaknesses and benefits of combination of drugs. Combination of drugs actually have advantages and disadvantages that affect the patient's recovery. Pharmacologically, the combination of 2 or more active ingredients will interact either with direct chemical interactions, pharmacokinetic interactions or pharmacodynamic interactions. The three types of interactions will have an impact on the efficacy of combination of drugs. Generally, when it is associated with the hope of a therapeutic effect, of course a good combination of drugs is to  reduce the bad effects of each single drug and increase the good effects of each drug. Chemical interactions will cause changes in the structure of the active ingredients, causing different effects from the previous drugs or active ingredients. The new effects can be beneficial and can even cause toxic effects so that further research is needed. Pharmacokinetic interactions means that certain active ingredients can inhibit or accelerate the absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of other active ingredients, so that they also have an effect on the resulting therapeutic effects. Pharmacodynamic interactions means that there is an interaction at the target drug workplace. The target site of action for the drug is protein both receptors and enzymes so that when given a combination of drug it can increase the effect on the target or weaken the effect on the target. As a result, the therapeutic effect can be strengthened or eliminated.

Medicines from natural ingredients, which are better known as herbal medicines, when combined will also cause beneficial effects and adverse effects similar to conventional medicines. This occurs because herbal medicines or extracts from plants contain active ingredients called secondary metabolites which can have pharmacological effects on the human body. Secondary metabolites are ligands that can interact with other secondary metabolites so that they can amplify the therapeutic effect or weaken the expected therapeutic effect. Secondary metabolites can also interact with various proteins in the cell, causing changes in the structure of these proteins, causing pharmacological effects.

The secondary metabolites found in purple sweet potato tuber extract are a class of flavonoids, especially anthocyanins, which have antioxidant properties. Red fruit has also been studied to have secondary metabolites that have antioxidant properties. Secondary metabolites when consumed for therapeutic purposes require consideration of the correct dosage for optimal good effects. In general, a safe dose is the lowest dose so that the expected side effects are minimal.

To prove that the combination of small doses of purple sweet potato tuber extract with red fruit is better for its antioxidant properties, a study was carried out on rats experiencing oxidative stress.

The results of research on rats proved that giving a combination of purple sweet potato extract with red fruit at half the dose of a single dose had the same effect and did not cause any toxic effects on the liver and kidneys. The combination of purple sweet potato extract with red fruit in small doses can even improve liver and kidney function as evidenced by a decrease in ALT, which is one marker of liver function. Increased renal function is evidenced by a significant decrease in BUN and serum creatinine.

The use of purple sweet potato tubers and red fruit when combined requires a smaller dose than each single dose, so that adverse side effects can be avoided. Therefore, if both natural ingredients are available, it is safe for consumption in small doses and even improves the function of the liver and kidneys, which are 2 important organs for protecting the body. Good luck.