Anticarcinogenic activity of methanol extract of Melastoma malabathricum leaves is attributed to the presence of phenolics compounds and the activation of endogenous antioxidant system

Melastoma malabathricum (M. malabathricum) extracts have been reported to exert various pharmacological activities including antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activities. The objective of the present study was to determine the anticarcinogenic activity of its methanol extract (MEMM) against the azoxymethane (AOM)-induced early colon carcinogenesis in rats. Rats were randomly assigned to five groups (n=6) namely normal control, negative control, and treatment (50, 250 or 500 mg/kg of MEMM) groups. Colon tissues were harvested for histopathological analysis and endogenous antioxidant system determination. MEMM was also subjected to HPLC analysis. Findings showed that MEMM significantly (p<0.05) reversed the AOM-induced carcinogenicity by: i) reducing the formation of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in colon tissues, and; ii) enhancing the endogenous antioxidant activity (catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase). Moreover, various phenolics has been identified in MEMM. In conclusion, MEMM exerts the in vivo anticarcinogenic activity via the activation of endogenous antioxidant system and synergistic action of phenolics.

Organic Amendments Effects on Nutrient Uptake, Secondary Metabolites, and Antioxidant Properties of Melastoma malabathricum L.

Amelioration of soil acidity can boost soil fertility, hence increasing nutrient uptake, secondary metabolite, and its antioxidant potential. In the present study, the effectiveness of food waste compost and palm kernel biochar was assessed as soil amendments for Melastoma malabathricum L. grown in acidic soil conditions. A six-month greenhouse study was conducted using completely randomized design (CRD) with three treatment groups, including control plants (T1), plants amended with palm kernel biochar (T2), and plants amended with food waste compost (T3). Data analysis revealed that Melastoma malabathricum L. amended with T3 recorded the highest total chlorophyll content (433.678 ± 13.224 µg g−1 DW), followed by T2 and T1. The increase in chlorophyll content was contributed by the increase in soil pH. This was shown by the positive significant correlations between soil pH and chlorophyll a (r2 = 0.96; p ≤ 0.01) and chlorophyll b (r2 = 0.778; p ≤ 0.01). In addition, the same treatment exhibited the highest total anthocyanin content (leaves; 36.1 × 10−2 ± 0.034 mg/g DW and root extract; 8.9 × 10−2 ± 0.020 mg/g DW), total phenolic content (stem extract; 4930.956 ± 16.025 mg GAE/g DE), and total flavonoid content (stem extract; 209.984 ± 0.572 mg QE/g DE). Moreover, this study also found that the highest antioxidant potential against 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-Azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radicals was exhibited by samples supplemented with food waste compost (T3), followed by palm kernel biochar (T2). This indicates that the soil amendments have the capacity to enhance the secondary metabolites that protect plants, therefore ameliorating Melastoma malabathricum L.’s response towards acidic stress, and resulting in better antioxidant properties. Furthermore, this study also recorded better nutrient uptake in T3. With the significantly higher levels of macronutrient in the soil, the food waste compost could enhance the nutrient properties, secondary metabolites, and antioxidant capacity of Melastoma malabathricum L. grown in acidic soil conditions.

The Effect of Simplisia Drying Method on Antioxidant Activity of Senggani Fruit Extract (Melastoma Malabathricum L.) by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl)

Senggani fruit (Melastoma Malabathricum L.) contains anthocyanin that functioning as an antioxidant. Anthocyanin are tremendously sensitive to thermal processes which trigger phytochemical or photo-oxidation reactions that can open anthocyanin rings. The objective of this study is to identify the effect of the simplicia drying method on the antioxidant activity of Senggani fruit extract. Senggani fruit extract was prepared by obtaining samples of ripe fruit, dry sorting, washing, wet sorting, and drying using two methods; sunlight and oven at 70oC. After the simplicia was dry, it was blended and sifted until smooth. The fine simplicia was macerated with 96% ethanol and evaporated to gain a crude extract. The crude extract was assessed with reagents for phytochemical screening. Furthermore, the crude extract was examined for antioxidant activity by the DPPH method. This study implies that the simplicia and crude extract of Senggani fruit from drying in sunlight and oven possess different organoleptic properties such as color, smell, and taste. In phytochemical testing with reagents, it was discovered that anthocyanin compounds were unveiled in drying utilizing sunlight while employing an oven at 70oC; no anthocyanins were found. The antioxidant testing of Senggani fruit extract revealed that the drying method employing sunlight had an IC50 value of 18.8 g/mL while the oven temperature of 70oC owned an IC50 value of 28.3 g/mL. Based on the study results, it can be identified that the simplicia drying method affects the antioxidant activity of the Senggani fruit extract. The drying method in the sun produces extracts with greater antioxidant activity while drying in an oven at 70oC results in a degradation process of anthocyanin compounds, thereby decreasing the antioxidant activity of the Senggani fruit extract.

Analisis Komposisi Serbuk Arang Karamunting (Melastoma Malabathricum) Dengan Serbuk Arang Sirih Hutan (Piper Aduncum) Terhadap Kualitas Briket Arang

Pertambahan penduduk yang semakin meningkat menimbulkan kekhawatiran akan terjadi kelangkaan bahan bakar akibat peningkatan kebutuhan bahan bakar di masa yang akan datang. Biomassa berpotensi menjadi sumber energi alternatif ditengah terbatasnya cadangan energi fosil. Briket arang adalah salah satu sumber energi alternatif berbasis biomassa (tumbuhan) yang dapat mendukung pemenuhan kebutuhan energi, membuka lapangan kerja serta emisi yang relatif ramah lingkungan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mencari kombinasi komposisi terbaik campuran arang Karamunting (Melastoma malabathricum) dan Sirih Hutan (Piper aduncum) terhadap kualitas briket arang. Proses pengarangan menggunakan tungku pengarangan dengan metode tidak langsung. Pola penelitian yang digunakan adalah rancangan acak lengkap (RAL) dengan 5 perlakuan yaitu (A) komposisi 100% Karamunting dan 0% Sirih Hutan, (B) 75% Karamunting dan 25% Sirih Hutan, (C) 50% Karamunting dan 50% Sirih Hutan, (D) 25% Karamunting dan 75% Sirih Hutan, serta (E) 0% Karamunting dan 100% Sirih Hutan. Perlakuan terbaik terhadap kualitas briket arang perlakuan A (100% karamunting) dengan nilai kerapatan 0,666 g/cm3, kadar air 3,697%, keteguhan tekan 15,079 kg/cm2, kadar zat mudah menguap 16,70%, kadar abu 7,30%, kadar karbon terikat 76,00% dan kalor 6.807,33 kal/g. Briket arangdengan campuran serbuk arang karamunting 75% dan sirih hutan 25% adalah komposisi campuran terbaik dengan sifat kualitas briket arang; kerapatan 0,664 g/cm3, kadar air 4,521%, uji tekan 14,559kg/cm2, kadar zat mudah menguap 18,3,7%, kadar abu 7,80%, karbon terikat 72,90%, dan nilai kalor 6.556,66 kal/g.

TLC-contact bioautography and disc diffusion method for investigation of the antibacterial activity of Melastoma malabathricum L. leaves

The emergence of multi-resistant strains of bacteria reinforces the need to discover new antibacterial agents that are able to combat resistant microorganisms. Medicinal plants are a valuable natural source of bioactive substances against various infectious diseases. Melastoma malabathricum L. is an important herb that is traditionally used to treat several ailments associated with microbial infection diseases such as wounds, diarrhea, dysentery, and toothache. This study investigated extracts of M. malabathricum L. for antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Disc diffusion and TLC-contact bioautography techniques were employed to examine antibacterial properties of n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol extracts with observations of diameter inhibition zones and Rf values. Investigation of active compounds in TLC-bioautography used several reagents including citroboric, cerium (IV) sulfate and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), continued by identification of chromatogram profiles through densitometry analysis. The three extracts showed good inhibition against bacterial strains with diameter inhibition zones in the range of 8.0 – 14.0 mm with a number of active spots on TLC-contact bioautography for each extract. This plant may serve as useful source of antibacterial agents for resistant microorganisms and further investigation is needed of its bioactive pure compounds as well as their particular therapeutic potentials and applications.

Phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of Melastoma malabathricum and Chromolaena odorata by DPPH radical scavenging method

Melastoma malabathricum and Chromolaena odorata are classified under broad-leaved weeds that are widely spread in the open land area. Melastoma malabathricum is commonly known as ‘‘senduduk’’, and C. odorata is locally known as “Pokok Kapal Terbang”. Both weeds are categorized as potential weeds as they have high nutritive value and are rich in chemical compounds. This study aimed to determine their chemical constituents and possible potential for antioxidant activity as these weeds have been reported to possess antioxidant properties. Screening of the plants was performed using standard methods and revealed the existence of various secondary metabolites such as saponins, terpenoids, phenols, tannins, and flavonoids of both weed extracts. Antioxidant activity was validated by the DPPH radical scavenging assay of M. malabathricum and C. odorata crude ethanol extract. The IC50 values for the percentage radical scavenging effects for the extracts were determined. The IC50 value of M. malabatrichum extract was 81.116 μg/mL, C. odorata was 312.903 μg/mL, Vitamin C was 31.023 μg/mL and BHA was 71.521 μg/mL respectively. The study showed that the antioxidant activity of M. malabatrichum was more potent and better than C. odorata.

Medicinal plants used by traditional healers for hemorrhoid treatment in Borneo island: Ethnopharmacological study RISTOJA

Borneo is known as the third largest island in the world, which has enormous biodiversity. For generations, the locals used to utilize surrounding plants to treat diseases and maintain their health. Hemorrhoid is one of the diseases which is often treated using medicinal plants. An ethnopharmacological study (RISTOJA) was conducted to find potential plants to be developed in Borneo island by interviewing selected local traditional healers. Identification of medicinal plants was performed, followed by descriptive and literature studies. The most important medicinal plants were defined using the calculation of frequency of citation (FC), use value (UV), and choice value (CV). In order to establish scientific evidence, a literature review was conducted focused on the benefit and toxicity using electronic search engines Pubmed, DOAJ, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The evidence was collected from empirical use to in-vitro, animal, or clinical studies. There were 49 species under 31 families used in herbal formula for hemorrhoids. Based on FC, UV, CV, and literature review, Curcuma longa L., Graptophyllum pictum (L.) Griff., Melastoma malabathricum L., and Cocos nucifera were confirmed to have enough scientific evidence regarding its safety and efficacy. Accordingly, those plants have the potential to be further developed.

Natural colonization of vegetation under twenty years restoration of ex-cement mining

Biodiversity loss can be drastically aggravated by mining activities. Opened pit mining removes all material, including vegetation, above the ore deposit. Cement industries always implement opened mining as they process all rocks into cement. Restoration is known as the best human interference to drive the damaged ecosystem to recover. This study aimed to observe vegetation that was naturally grown under Pinus sp after 20 years of planting on ex-cement mining. The study was conducted in Sukabumi District, in three sites that were distributed in Cicantayan (2 sites) Sub District and Cibadak Sub District. Each location disses ivided into three points to conduct analysis vegetation in transects, for trees 2 units (10 x 10 m), shrubs 4 units (5 x 5 m), and grasses 5 units (1x1 m). The study resulted after 20 years of planting with Pinus (3 x 3 m) the sites recorded have been inhabited by 13 new species. They are 4 woody trees species, 4 species of shrubs, and 5 species of under-story (grasses). Tree stratum new inhabitants are Ficus spp, Macaranga gigantea, Schima wallichii, and Hibiscus tilliaceus, with the important value index (IVI) 57.83%; 53.67%; 33.17 %, 26.5%; respectively. Shrub’s stratum is inhabited by Mimosa invisa (IVI 76.66%); Eupatorium odoratum (IVI 76.66 %); Melastoma malabathricum (IVI 73.83%); and Clibadium suninamensis (IVI 72.837%). Whereas grasses stratum inhabited by Imperrata cyllindrica (IVI 98.77%); Brachiaria decumbens (IVI 98.60%); Themedia gigantea (IVI 43.11%); Setaria spp (IVI 31.83%), Cymbophogon citratus (IVI 27.69%). Shortly, restoration has encouraged natural colonization even acid mine drainage on the body waters remains occurred.

Vegetation Analysis of Invasive Plants in Batang Gadis National Park Resort 7 Sopotinjak

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the type and diversity of invasive plants in Batang Gadis National Park (BGNP). Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in Batang Gadis National Park Resort 7 Sopotinjak, Mandailing Natal from February until April 2021. This study using the quadratic method by making transects and each transect is divided into 8 plots. Laying plots by purposive sampling as many as 8 plots. Results: BGNP Resort 7 had the invasive plants consisted of 12 families, 20 species and 1287 individuals. The highest species was found in Melastoma malabathricum L (230) and the highest important value index was found in Strobilanthes reptans (35.82%), while the species with the lowest significance index was Ageratum conyzoides (3.40%). The invasive plant diversity index was categorized as moderate (H'= 2.43).