The Scientific Base of Myrmecodia pendans as Herbal Remedies.

ABSTRACT

Aims: To find out the scientific base of the traditional plant Myrmecodia pendans as a new natural source for herbal remedies in aspect of its therapeutic compounds and cytotoxic effect on normal cells. Study Design: Experimental laboratory, in vitro study. Place and Duration of Study Laboratorium Bio Core Faculty of Dentistry Trisakti University, Jakarta, Balai Penelitian Tanaman Rempah dan Obat (BALITRO), Bogor and Pusat Studi Satwa Primata, Bogor, between March to August 2014. Methodology: Several extraction methods of Myrmecodia pendans using maceration technique was done to evaluate their phytochemical contents and cytotoxic effects using (3-(4,5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) tetrazolium (MTT) assay method. Results: The phytochemical test of both ethanol 70% extract and boiling water extraction produce active phenolic compounds, especially those of flavonoids. There is no cytotoxic effect of the ethanol 70% dried extract on fibroblast cells by MTT assay method. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test showed significant differences of % inhibition cells growth effect between M. pendans extracts and control group (p=0.00<0.05). Tukey’ high significant difference (HSD) test showed significant differences of % inhibition cells growth effect between each concentrations of 500; 250; 100; 50; 25; 12,5; 6,25; 3,125; 1,56 to 1.000 ppm and also between 1.000 ppm to control (p=0.00<0.05). Conclusion: Myrmecodia pendans can be used as herbal remedies and moreover, the water boiling extraction can be employed as a simple manner for community herbal medicine without any toxic effect on cells.