Preliminary Study on Immunomodulatory Effect of Sarang-Semut Tubers <i>Myrmecodia tuberosa</i> and <i>Myrmecodia pendens</i>

Abstract

Problem Statement: Sarang-Semut tubers, Myrmecodia tuberosa and M. pendens (Rubiaceae) are both medicinal plants originating from Papua which have broad range of therapeutic values including those to improve vitality. Nevertheless, no scientific proof is available so far on their immunomodulatory effect. The purpose of this study was to reveal the potency of Sarang-Semut tubers as immunomodulatory agent by evaluating their effects on Balb/c mice lymphocytes proliferation and macrophage phagocytosis by in vitro techniques. Approach: Bioactivity assays were performed on the raw extracts and fractions. Extracts were obtained by macerating the pulverized samples in ethanol 95%, followed by successive fractionation to yield n-hexane, ethyl acetate and water fractions. Series of extracts and fractions were made to concentration 10, 20, 50 and 100 µg mL −1 by adding 0.5% Tween 80. Lymphocytes proliferation was observed by the MTT reduction method and analyzed using microplate reader at 550 nm. Macrophage phagocytosis activity was determined based on the number of latex beads uptake by the macrophage cells. Results: All extracts and fractions significantly increased the lymphocytes proliferation and macrophage phagocytosis activity in comparison to negative control. The ethyl acetate fraction of M. pendens (50 µg mL −1 ) showed the highest activity in lymphocytes proliferation assay, but the highest macrophage phagocytic index was shown by M. tuberosa ethanol extract (50 µg mL −1 ). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that Sarang-Semut tubers are potential to be developed as immunomodulatory agents.

The N-Hexane Fraction of Myrmecodia Pendans Inhibits Cell Survival and Proliferation in Colon Cancer Cell Line

“…It is traditionally used for the treatment of various diseases, from minor ailments such as nausea to severe illnesses such as breast cancer [6].…”

“…Sarang Semut (Myrmecodia pendans) is one of the traditional plants that have been used by locals in Indonesia to empirically treat various diseases [6][7]. Sarang Semut is a member of Rubiaceae family, which two genus are naturally become ant nest (Sarang Semut) including Myrmecodia (45 species) and Hypnophytum (26 species) [8].…”

Compounds from the Antioxidant Active Fraction of M. Platytyrea

“…Other research discovered that the ant plants contained active compounds which inhibited xanthine oxidase activity (Hari Susanti 2014) and are possible to be developed as immunomodulatory (Hertiani et al 2010;Sumardi et al 2013) and antimicrobial (Efendi et al 2013) agents. The bio-synthesis of silver nanoparticles by using the water extract of M. pendan was also documented (Zuas et al 2014).…”

Evaluation of Immunomodulatory Effect: Selection of the Correct Targets for Immunostimulation Study

“…For examples, Rhaphidophora korthalsii was found to stimulate immune cell proliferation, cytokines expression and natural killer cell cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo (Yeap et al, 2007;2011a;2011b). On the other, Elephantopus scaber and Vernonia amygdalina were found to be the major ingredient in a traditional herbal formula, which carries the immunomodulatory effect (Ho et al, 2009;Yeap et al, 2010;Hertiani et al, 2010). A variety of substances have been discovered that bind to the surface of lymphocytes, thus stimulating them to undergo mitosis (Lao et al, 2001).…”