Eleutherine americana Merr., a medicinal plant, which has been widely cultivated in South East Asia. Ethnobotanically, the plant is known for treating coronary abnormality. Other pharmacological investigations showed its potency as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents, and also as inhibitors ofα-glucosidase, HIV replication,and topoisomerase II. Phytochemically, three groups of compounds have been isolated i.e. naphthalene, naphtoquinone and anthraquinone. This review highlights recent data on biological activities and discusses strategies for developing the plant into a more valuable commodity

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Pumpkin seeds has long been used as a source of nutrition. Based on its content, it is possible that part of this plant used as immunonutrient. The purpose of this research is to study the immunomodulatory activity of pumpkin seeds. It effects on the nonspecific immune response was determined through carbon clearance test, organ indexes (liver, spleen and thymic gland) and mice peritoneal exudate activity (PEA). The effects on specific immune response were determined through total antibody titre, delayed type of hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction and number of lymphocytes. On non specific immune response test, pumpkin seed at a low dose (PLD-3.8g/kg bw) and at a high dose (PHD-7.6g/kg bw) showed immunostimulanting effect with phagocytic index of 1.219 and 1.347, respectively. PHD increased PEA activity (p<0.01) in lysing microbes. On specific immune response test, PLD and PHD showed immunostimulation effect indicated through 50% haemaglutination activity (HA titre) i.e., 1:512 and 1:2048, respectively compared to than that of control (1:256) for secondary antibody titre. Through cellular immunity test, 48 hours after challenged, PHD showed significant (p<0.05) increased in footpad thickness. After 7 days administration, both doses of pumpkin increased lymphocytes number significantly (p<0.05). Based on the data it can be concluded that, pumpkin seeds have immunomodulatory effects, and can therefore be used as immunonutrient

Chapter 1 12 soil erosion. J. curcas L.is also known as the source of biodiesel, because from the seed, oil can be isolated by direct compression. This oil is used as a biofuel, candle and soap production, lighting and lubricant. In Europe the deoiled seedcake is believed to be suitable as animal feedstock and biofertilizer. In some rural areas in Indonesia the latex was traditionally used for treating toothache. Since J. curcas L. is considered as a future source of biodiesel, many people in Indonesia plant it in a huge plantation. they think if they can produce high amounts of oil from J. curcas L., it will replace the petroleum usage. Although, J. curcas L.is known to have many other usages, but the farmer did not realize they thought this plant only produced oil without any beneficial usage. So, they will be loss. This situation leads to a new concept that J. curcas L. should not only be used as biodiesel source, but it should give additional values to a farmer who plants this crop. 1 Ricinus communis seed 45-50 Non edible 2 Jatrophacurcas kernel 40-60 Non edible 3 Arachis hypogea kernel 35-55 Edible 4 Ceiba pentandra kernel 24-40 Non edible 5 Hevea brasilensis kernel 40-50 Non edible 6 Cocos nucifera kernel 60-70 Edible 7 Moringa oleifera seed 30-49 Edible 8 Aleurites moluccana kernel 57-69 Non edible 9 Sleichera trijuga kernel 55-70 Non edible Azadirachta indica kernel 40-50 Non edible Adenanthera pavonina Kernel 14-28 Edible Elais guineensis Pulp + Kernel 46-54 Edible Theobroma cacao Seed 54-58 Edible Sterculia foetida kernel 45-55 Non edible Callophyllum inophyllum kernel 40-73 Non edible Shorea stenoptera kernel 45-70 Edible Sesamum orientale seed 45-55 Edible Croton tiglium kernel 50-60 Non edible Annona muricata kernel 20-30 Non edible Annona squamosal seed 15-20 Non edible Cinnamomum burmanni seed 30 Edible Oryza sativa Bran 20 Edible Zea mays Germ 33 Edible Chapter 1 14 The aim of this thesis is to give an overview of the additional values of Jatropha curcas L. plant by characterization of its natural products that can be used as a safe pharmaceutical product. In addition the detoxicification of the plantcake allowing it to be used for animal stock has been researched. This thesis is a part of larger project for valorization Jatropha curcas L. plantation, especially in Indonesia. Recent developments in the technology of detoxification process and application of this ethnomedicinal plant to new fields of experimental medicine are reviewed in chapter 2. In this chapter recent data on biological activities, concepts and strategies for turning a toxic plant into a valuable crop with high pharmaceutical value are also discussed. A group of toxic compounds, which are relevant to study in J. curcas, are phorbol esters (PEs) since they are known as tumour promoter. In analysing those phorbol esters, phorbolmyristic acetate is used as a standard. This compound has two isomers which are α and β. In chapter 3 the differences between both isomers are discussed using LC-UV and LC-MS. Selecting wrong standard can ...