| Abstrak/Abstract |
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 ?g 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 ?g mL-1) showed the highest activity in
lymphocytes proliferation assay, but the highest macrophage phagocytic index was shown by M.
tuberosa ethanol extract (50 ?g mL-1). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that Sarang-Semut tubers
are potential to be developed as immunomodulatory agents. |
