Background and purpose: Polysaccharide sulfate is a major active phytochemical constituent of Caulerpa racemosa , whereas the Eleutherine americana (Aubl) Merr has antioxidant properties. The aim of this research was to investigate the combined effect of polysaccharide sulfate that was isolated from C. racemosa and E. americana on the macrophage activity. Experimental approach: The phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of E. americana extracts in water and various ethanol concentrations were studied using the Folin-Ciocalteu and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl- hydrate (DPPH) methods, respectively. Polysaccharide sulfate was isolated from C. racemosa by precipitation method. To assess the macrophage activity, mice were treated orally for 14 days with either a combination of polysaccharide sulfate and E. americana 96% ethanol extract at a specific ratio or with each extract alone. Macrophages were isolated and the phagocytic activity was measured by assessing the ability of the macrophages to phagocytose latex particles and nitric oxide (NO) levels were assessed using a colorimetric assay. Findings / Results: The E. americana crude extract in water exhibited the highest yield (13.04%), compared with the extract in 96% ethanol, which had the highest phenolic content (6.37 ± 0.16 mg/g gallic acid equivalent) and the strongest antioxidant activity (IC50, 22.63 ± 1.09 μg/mL). The combination of extracts, when both extracts were administered at 65:65 mg/kg BW, resulted in the highest increases in phagocytosis activity (62.73 ± 5.77%) and NO levels (16.43 ± 1.37 μmol/L). Conclusion and implications: The results of this study confirmed the non-specific immunostimulant properties of the combination of polysaccharide sulfate and E. americana and justified their use in traditional medicine. The observed increase in macrophage activity appeared to be correlated with the increased ability of mice to fight infection.

Introduction: Antituberculosis drugs are associated with hepatic and renal toxicities due to drug’s radical metabolites. Kleinhovia hospita L extract possesses a potent antioxidant capacity that can be beneficial in eradication of oxidative-induced cell damage. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of K. hospita hydro-alcoholic extract on biomarkers and structure changes in liver and kidney induced by a combination of antituberculosis drugs (CAD), comprising isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol in Wistar rats. Methods: Thirty-five male Wistar rats were assigned into one of the five groups: control, CAD, and CAD with K. hospita extract in three different doses (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg). The extract was administered three hours prior to CAD and all treatments were carried out for 28 days. Following the last day of treatment, blood samples and organs were collected for biomarker analysis and histopathological examinations. Results: Twenty-eight days of CAD treatment in rats induced marked elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum creatinine and urea levels compared to controls. K. hospita extract at higher doses (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) significantly improved ALT, urea and creatinine levels in the rats treated with CAD (P<0.05), although it did not significantly reduce AST. Furthermore, liver and renal tissue damages induced by CAD were restored with K. hospita extract treatment, especially at higher doses. Conclusion: Kleinhovia hospita extract treatment has the potential to protect the liver and renal damage induced by toxic doses of CAD.

Rimpang Lengkuas (Alpinia galanga L.) merupakan tanaman yang telah banyak digunakan sebagai rempah dan obat tradisional dalam kehidupan sehari-hari. Tanaman ini mengandung senyawa bioaktif flavonoid yang memiliki efek antioksidan. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui pengaruh ketinggian tempat tumbuh terhadap aktivitas antiokasidan dan toksisitas dari ekstrak rimpang lengkuas (Alpinia galanga L.). Ekstraksi dilakukan dengan cara maserasi sedangkan kadar polifenol dan flavonoid total dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode Folin-ciocalteu dan metode kolorimetri yang dianalisis dengan menggunakan alat spektrofotometer UV-Vis. Uji aktivitas antioksidan dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode DPPH (2,2-Difenil-1-Pikrihidrazil) dan sitotoksisitas dengan menggunakan metode BSLT (Brine Shrimp Lethaly Test). Ekstraksi menggunakan pelarut etil asetat diperoleh rendemen sebesar 2,24% untuk dataran rendah,  3,51% dataran sedang dan dataran tinggi sebesar 3,77%. Analisis kadar fenolik dan flavanoid diperoleh berturut turut dari dataran rendah ke tinggi sebesar 6,08±0,26% dan 2,25±0,05%, 5,09±0,14% dan 1,09±0,08, 5,47±0,24% dan 1,16±0,3%. Aktifitas antioksidan yang tertinggi diperoleh pada dataran rendah diperoleh IC50 332,48 bpj, kemudian pada dataran tinggi dengan IC50 447,14 bpj dan pada dataran sedang diperoleh IC50 sebesar 518,57 bpj. Uji sitotoksik terhadap ketiga ekstrak menunjukkan hasil LC50 yang tidak terlalu berbeda antara ketiga lokasi tersebut.

Saat ini pemerintah tengah menggalakan penggunaan bahan tanaman untuk pemeliharaan kesehatan. Untuk mencapai tujuan tersebut salah satu cara adalah melalui ibu-ibu kader PKK. Kelurahan Bontolebang merupakan salah satu kelurahan dari kecamatan Galesong Utara yang diprogramkan oleh pemda Kabupaten Takalar sebagai desa sehat. Kendala yang dihadapi oleh khalayak sasaran adalah masih kurangnya pengetahuan tentang manfaat tanaman obat dan cara mengolahnya menjadi sediaan jamu sederhana. Metode yang digunakan adalah: Penyuluhan tentang tanaman obat dan cara mengolahnya serta pelatihan pembuatan sediaan-sediaan jamu sederhana. Kegiatan pengabdian telah dilaksanakan tanggal 14 September 2019 diikuti lebih dari 50 orang ibu-ibu kader PKK Kelurahan Bontolebang serta ibu-ibu PKK dari Kecamatan Galesong utara lainnya.Hasil pelaksanaan memberikan nilai tambah pengetahuan dari khalayak sasaran tentang pengolahan jamu sederhana dan alat-alat peraga utama yang digunakan disumbangkan ke khalayak sasaran .

Zerumbone has been reported for their several biological activities. In our interest to this compound, we have identified and analyzed its content in Zingiber zerumbet, a medicinal plant from Indonesian traditional medicine and investigated its inhibitory activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a known infection bacteria of tuberculosis. Analysis of zerumbone was performed with densitometry to leave, rhizome, flower, and stem of Z. zerumbet which was extracted with various solvent system and extraction methods to determine the best method to isolate zerumbone from Z. zerumbet. Result showed that the highest zerumbone was in rhizome while was not observed in other part. Analysis with various solvent and extraction methods showed the highest yield of zerumbone can be extracted by n-hexane (maceration) and reflux extraction method (methanol). Furthermore, inhibitory activity of zerumbone against M. tuberculosis was tested using Lowenstein Jensen medium by counting the number of M. tuberculosis colony growth in medium. Resulted inhibitory activity of zerumbone at all test concentration (0.5, 0.1, 0.05, 0.01, 0.005%) with the growth of 10, 12, 14, 15, and 50 colonies of M. tuberculosis was observed, respectively. This is indicate that zerumbone can be used as an alternative choice for treatment tuberculosis in the future.