Effectiveness of Tengkawang Fruit Extract (Shorea stenoptera Burck), Virgin Coconut Oil and Astaxanthin to Albumin, Total Protein and Hemoglobin in Malnourished Animal Model as Antistunting Supplement

Stunting is a linear growth disorder caused by malnutrition and chronic infectious diseases. Tengkawang fruit (Illipe nut), Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) and astaxanthin is a potential to improve nutritional status since it riches of essential fatty acids contain. This study aimed to determine the antistunting effect of the tengkawang fruit extracts, VCO and astaxanthin in animal model of malnutrition. We established the malnourished animal model through a low-protein diet for 24 days. The malnourished rats were divided into 4 groups, including VCO, astaxanthin, and two dose groups which given of tengkawang extract of 100 and 300mg/kgBW, respectively. Changes in body weight and blood protein (albumin, total protein, and hemoglobin) levels in four experiment groups were compared to the normal control group. We found that body weight of malnourished animal was significantly increased in VCO, astaxanthin, and TFE doses of 100 and 300mg/kgBW, such as 71%, 93%, 63% and 61%, respectively, compared to normal group (p<0.05). Albumin, total protein, and hemoglobin levels were increased in VCO, astaxanthin, and TFE doses of 100 and 300mg/kgBW but the highest increase was found in dose of 300mg/kgBW by 30%, 34%, and 49%, respectively. Moreover, the highest-level Albumin, total protein, and hemoglobin was reached by tengkawang extract of 300mg/kgBW, such as 4.03±0.17; 7.77±0.35; 13.90± 0.82g/dL, respectively, compare to other groups, including astaxanthin and VCO. The conclusion of this study that there is a change significantly increased in body weight, albumin, total protein, and hemoglobin showing tengkawang fruit extract dose 300mg/kgBW can improve blood protein profile in malnourished animals.