Advancement of sciences and technology also influences the scope of histologic researches. At first, research was descriptive and began to shift toward the experimental direction from network analysis to the sub-cellular level. Nevertheless, the histologic structure of the researched organ still cannot be ignored. This was delivered by Prof. Dr. Istriyati, M.S., when inaugurated as a professor of Faculty of Biology on Thursday (14/7) at UGM Senate Hall.
In her speech entitled Histology in Applied Biology, Istriyati mentioned that development of histological research also occurs in some areas, such as parasitology and microbiology. Histological research in the field of parasitology which has been done is to determine the inhibitory power of meniran (phyllanthus Niruri L.) extract on the level of parasitemia/ excerpt of the blood and response to immune/footage in the form of a lien. Research is conducted by infecting Trypanosoma evansi/Surra disease on histological structure of kidney, liver and mice brain (Mus musculus) after receiving ethanolic treatment or extract of meniran’s root. "The benefit is an alternative medicine to cure surra diseases because the drugs that have been used, such as suramin, are reported to cause resistance to the protozoa causing surra disease," she explained.
Meanwhile in the field of microbiology, histological research which has been conducted is to determine the bacteria on the incised wound of mice’s skin in the process of wound healing. Wastes discharged into the river can cause histological damage to internal organs and gills of various types of fish in the region.
Further, the lady born in Kebumen, December 2, 1945, said that now many ways have been tried to search for natural ingredients originally from Indonesia or secondary metabolites of plants/marine life of Indonesia which have the possibility to be used for human welfare. Some of these secondary metabolites have hormonal activity, spermicide, anti-proliferation, and trigger apoptosis as well as sitoxic, drug to cure disease in humans or animals, curcuma or its derivatives. "This is all done by observing and analyzing the thin incision of tissue daubed with dye which is appropriate with the objectives," she explained.
Istriyati said that as a basic science, histology is widely used for the analysis associated with a thin slice of animal tissues. The method for studying and tools used are attempted to be adjusted with the aim so that the conclusions are accurate.