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The use of organic solvents in the extraction process may harm health and the environment. An alternative that can be done is to use safe and environmentally friendly solvents such as enzymes. The purpose of this study was to compare the secondary metabolites profile and total flavonoid and phenolic content of Sargassum polycystum extracted using 70% ethanol solvent and crude cellulase enzymes. Sargassum polycystum was collected from the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) region. Sargassum polycystum was extracted by sonication method using two solvents, namely 70% ethanol and crude cellulase enzymes. Crude extracts of the two solvents were then tested for phytochemical screening using the tube test, while determination of total flavonoid and phenolic content of the extract was conducted by using UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Crude Cellulase Enzyme produces extract yield65.5% higher than ethanol. Both crude extracts contain the same secondary metabolites, namely flavonoid, phenolic, tannin, saponin, and steroid compounds. The total flavonoid content of ethanol extract and cellulase enzyme extract was 36.327 ± 0.278 mg EQ/g extract and 43.296 ± 0.151 mg EQ/g extract, respectively. These two results are significantly different. While total phenolic content of the two extracts was not significantly different, which are 2.1207 ± 0.0219 mg GAE/gextract and 2.1600 ± 0.0381 mg GAE/g extract respectively for ethanol and cellulase enzymes. Cellulase enzyme is more effective in extracting flavonoid and phenolic compounds, so it can be used as an alternative solvent for extracting Sargassum polycystum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The search for alternative medicines for diabetes mellitus, which are relatively safe and inexpensive, is still being carried out. One of the plants on the island of Lombok known to have a relatively high antidiabetic activity based on the community's practical experience is the seeds of Makasar fruit [Brucea javanica (L.) Merr]. Apoptosis has a strong relationship with muscle atrophy in the incidence of diabetes. The casphase-3 marked with Bax can be a parameter to see the pre-apoptotic state. The purpose of this study was to observe Bax expression as a marker of muscle cell Pre-Apototic State after therapy using seed extract of Makasar fruit. We used the immunohistochemistry (IHC) test to observe Bax expression in Wistar strain male white rat muscles. Five treatments were used which is positive control (Glibenclamide 1.35 mg/kg BW), Normal (without diabetes), negative control (diabetes), and ethanol extract of Makasar fruit seeds with a dose of 20 and 30 mg/kg BW. The expression was obtained from quantification using ImageJ software using area fraction and area percentage tools. The histology of the tissue obtained from the microscope photo was then adjusted to the threshold to obtain the area and percentage expression. We found that the positive control was able to reduce Bax protein expression in muscle tissue to near normal (0.981%) or not significantly different from normal controls (0.676%). Whereas in the treatment group, both the dose of 20 mg/kg BW (11.775%) and 30 mg/kg BW (10.075%) of ethanol extract of Makassar fruit seeds could not reduce Bax expression in muscle tissue. Further research with different dosages and extract need to be studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Free radicals are an atom or molecule that has unpaired electrons which make them reactive and unstable that caused various damages to the cells. The natural antioxidants are very needed to inhibit free radicals. Brucea javanica (L) Merr, known as “Wali”, is one of the local plants that potential as a natural antioxidants due to the content of phenolic compound. The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant activity by using DPPH method and the total phenolic content in the ethanol extract of Wali seeds derived from maceration and soxhletation. The results of antioxidant activity measurements showed that ethanol extract of Wali seeds derived from maceration had a strong activity (IC50 of 64,703 ppm), while the extract from soxhletation had a moderate activity (IC50 of 121,739 ppm). The total phenolic compounds responsible to the antioxidant activity of ethanol extract of Wali seeds derived from maceration and soxhletation were 4.946,35 mg EAG/100g and 3.830,72 mg EAG/100g, respectively. The ethanol extract of Wali seeds derived from maceration has higher antioxidant activity and total phenolic content than the extract from soxhletation with a significant different (p<0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brucea javanica (L) Merr, locally called “Wali”, is a plant traditionally used to treat diabetes mellitus by local people in Lombok. The people daily consumed the seed to control the blood glucose into normal level. However, the mechanism of action of Wali seed as antidiabetic agent was still unclear. Hence, in this study we investigate the proposed mechanism of action of Wali seed suspensed and ethanolic extract trough measuring the glycogen content in liver and muscles and observing the pancreatic histology of diabetic rats. Wali seed extract (dose 20 and 30 mg/kg BW) and suspense (25 and 50 mg/kg BW) have comparable antidiabetic activity with glibenclamide. Treatments of Wali seed extract and suspense showed dramatically higher glycogen level both in liver and muscles than all controls. Treatment with glibenclamide and Wali seed extract and suspense the pancreas to normal architecture, regeneration of β-cell and enhanced morphology of the β- cells in the islets of Langerhans. The proposed mechanism of action of Wali seed extract and suspense is by converting blood glucose to glycogen storage trough glycogenesis and by recovering the islets of Langerhans of pancreas damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol), the major secondary metabolite of clove (Syzygiumaromaticum) has been widely used in medicine due to its biological properties. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of eugenol on the fasting blood glucose (FBG)and histological pattern of pancreas and liver of alloxan-diabetic rats. Eugenol was extracted and isolated from cloves leaves oil and further was screened by in vivo model of diabetic rats. Diabetic condition was induced with alloxan monohydrate (125 mg/kgbw, iv). Rats were divided into five groups: eugenol with 3 serial doses of 5 mg/kgbw (D1), 10 mg/kgbw(D2), 15 mg/kgbw (D3); positive control-glibenclamid 1.35 mg/kgbw (D4); normal control (D5) and negative control-CMC-Na 0,5% (D6). The treatments were performed daily for 15 days. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) level of D1 to D5 before treatment was404, 363, 319, 313, and 113 mg/dL, respectively; and after 15 days was reduced to be 294, 181, 97, 112, and 94 mg/dL, respectively. Statistically, blood glucose reduction of D1, D2, and D3 were significant (P>0,05) compared to positive control. D3 seems to be effective dose causinghypoglycaemic. Histological studies of pancreas and liver indicated that D3 mayimprove the morphology of Langerhans and liver into normal condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]