The Potential of Katuk Hutan (Phylanthus reticulus) as a Medicinal Plant

Abstract

Katuk Hutan (Phylanthus reticulus) is a pioneer plant that grows in Papua. This plant belongs to the Phylantaceae family, which is commonly used as a medicinal plant. This study aimed to determine the potential of katuk hutan (P. reticulus) as a medicinal plant. The method used in phytochemical testing. A colour-changing test did a phytochemical analysis. Antioxidant activity was tested by DPPH radical rinsing activity mechanism method, and antimicrobial testing was used the diffusion method using Propionibacterium acnes, Streptococcus sobrinus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans fungi. To test the toxicity of P. reticulatus leaves using the Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BLST) method. P. reticulus with a yield of 12.48-27.60%, containing alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, saponins, tannins, triterpenoids, carotenoids, coumarin; and is a powerful antioxidant with an IC value of <50. P. reticulus can inhibit P. acnes, E. coli and C. albicans fungi and cannot inhibit S. sobrinus bacteria. The leaves of P. reticulus have a very high toxicity potential as a cancer drug.