The aim of this study is to investigate anticancer activity of methanol extract (ethylacetate, n-buthanol and water partitions) and water extract from Sarang semut (local name), Myrmecodya pendens which is one of Rubiaceae family. Within Papua area (Indonesia), this medicinal plant has been used traditionally as alternative treatment for ulcer, tumor and cancer. In this study, the extracts of this plant were tested for their activities in some cancer cells (HeLa and MCM-B2 cell). The result showed that water extract of this plant has better anti cancer activity compared to other extracts. The IC50 value of water extract A is 27.61 ppm (HeLa) and 54.57 ppm (MCM-B2), while water extract B is 29.36 ppm (HeLa) and 74.20 ppm (MCM-B2). Our study concluded that polar extract (water) exhibited higher anticancer activity than non-polar extracts (ethylacetate and n-buthanol).

Mahkota dewa (Phaleria macrocarpa [Scheff.] Boerl.) is a poisonous plant, but almost all parts of the plants can be used as a traditional medicine. Consuming the plant directly can cause swollen, sprue, numb at tongue, fever, even unconscious. Although the plant can conquere various diseases, from diabetes mellitus, hemorrhoid, impotency to cancer, but research on the plant is still limited. A research was conducted to find out antioxidant activities at a parts of mahkota dewa plant by free radical scavenging method (DPPH). The highest activities of the parts of plant are young fruits and old fruits in the ethanol and methanol solvents. Then after partitioned based on the polarity (ethylacetate, n-buthanol and water) showed that n-buthanol extract of young fruits gave inhibition value IC 50 = 41,07 ppm.

SHerbal products in powder or capsule forms made of sarang semut plant have been widely distributed in market. This plant is believed to treat several diseases, such as cancer, gout, liver, stroke, heart, hemorrhoid, back pain, allergy, and as tonicum to increase sexual desire. Information on the plants was still limited on plant distribution, ecology, ethnobotany, and taxonomy, without research on toxicity and clinical aspect. Considering that sarang semut products has been distributed at market and limited scientific publication of the plant, hence acute toxicity test of sarang semut extract should be conducted. The results showed that dose of 375 mg/kg bw caused liver degeneration on day-5 and normal on day-19. Whereas dose of 3750 mg/kg bw caused cell necrosis up to day-12, degeneration still apparent on day-26.

Effect of butanol extract of maturated mahkota dewa (Phaleria macrocarpa) fruit on kidney tissue of Mice (Mus musculus

PENDAHULUANKemajuan teknologi tidak terlepas dari peningkatan jumlah penduduk, pertumbuhan industri, polusi dan perubahan gaya hidup yang berakibat pada memburuknya kondisi lingkungan. Keadaan ini, memicu munculnya jenis penyakit degeneratif yang justru lebih sulit diatasi dibanding penyakit infektif. Bahkan penyakit degeneratif (seperti kanker, hepatitis, jantung, artritis, diabetes dsb) telah banyak merenggut nyawa manusia. Belakangan diketahui bahwa kerusakan lingkungan berhubungan dengan perubahan iklim global yang mengancam tenggelamnya daratan, sampai timbulnya penyakit baru yang sulit disembuhkan. Hal tersebut mendorong munculnya istilah back to nature yang bukan saja menganjurkan masyarakat untuk peduli pada lingkungan, tetapi juga mengkonsumsi herbal. Di Amerika pada periode 1990-1997 penggunaan herbal meningkat hingga 385% dengan menghabiskan 4-12 milyar dolar setiap tahunnya (Eisenberg et al., 1993).ABSTRACT Industrial growth, pollution, and the change of life style cause environmental degradation. This condition enhances the occurrence of degenerative diseases that more difficult to conquer than infective diseases. This promotes the use of herbs in America up to 385% in period 1990-1997, wasting 4-12 billion dollar each year. World Health Organization (WHO) estimates approximately 4 billion or 80% of world citizens use herbs for their health care. Kulit lawang plants are medicinal plants grown endemically in Papua and Maluku regions. The existence of the plants in Maluku islands is considered as endangered species. Information on the plants in scientific publication is relatively limited. meanwhile Cinnamomum sp. is known having high antioxidant compound. This research aimed to find out hepatoprotector effect of kulit lawang water extract through observation of MDA and SOD of venous blood of rat intoxicated with CCl 4. Dosage used was based on result of effective dosage test which showed that water extract of kulit lawang plant of 20 mg/kg bw as highest dosage that did not harm animal health. Result of hepatoprotector effect test showed that MDA and SOD of control were 230.12 U/ml and 1243.00 ρ ρ ρ ρ ρmol/ml, whereas water extract of kulit lawang was 414.45 U/ml and 793.00 ρ ρ ρ ρ ρmol/ml, á-tocopherol 416.42 U/ml and 782.33 ρ ρ ρ ρ ρmol/ml, and curcumin 426.07 U/ml and 734.00 ρ ρ ρ ρ ρmol/ml. This showed that water extract of kulit lawang plant has antioxidant properties and potential as hepatoprotector of oxidative damage.

Mahkota dewa (Phaleria macrocarpa [Scheff.] Boerl.) is an Indonesians traditional medicinal plant used to treat various diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, hemorrhoid, impotency and cancer. Almost all parts of the plants can be used as traditional medicine, but if directly consumed, it can cause swollen, sprue, numb at tongue, fever, even unconsciousness. This research was carried out to find out recovery of liver tissue damage of mice administered intraperitoneally with subchronic dosage of butanol extract 170 mg/kg body weight. Observation on first week showed that there is light degeneration (vacuolization) which is getting better on second week and apparently normal on forth week.

Mahkota dewa (Phaleria macrocarpa [Scheff.] Boerl.) is a poisonous plant, but almost all parts of the plants can be used as a traditional medicine. Consuming the plant directly can cause swollen, sprue, numb at tongue, fever, even unconscious. Although the plant can conquere various diseases, from diabetes mellitus, hemorrhoid, impotency to cancer, but research on the plant is still limited. A research was conducted to find out effect of subchronic dosage of butanol extract of maturated mahkota dewa fruit. Observation was carried out on liver tissue which is main organ detoxifying poison in the body. Dosage of butanol extract of 0; 42,5; 85 and 170 mg/kg body weight was administered intra peritoneally to mice. The result showed that butanol extract of maturated mahkota dewa fruit did not affect liver tissue, although at dosage 170 mg/kg body weight, a vacuolization on liver's tissue, was occurred.© 2006 Jurusan Biologi FMIPA UNS SurakartaKey words: Phaleria macrocarpa, mahkota dewa, plant extract, mice, Mus musculus, liver, vacuolization