Sinensetin content in java tea (Orthosiphon aristatus (Blume) Miq.) based on age level of leaf.

Java tea (Orthosiphon aristatus (Blume) Miq.) is one of the plant's origin materials for herbal medicine commonly used as a diuretic, renal stones remedy, and to lower high blood pressure. The quality determination of the material is by measuring the sinensetin leaf content. Like other flavonoid derivatives, the sinensetin content in the leaf is affected by the age of the leaves. This study aims to measure the sinensetin content of java tea leaves based on their age level. The leaves are divided into four groups: young leaves (M), old leaves (T), a mixture of young and old leaves (C), and senescent leaves/yellow (K). The sample was prepared by ultrasonication extraction method using ethanol. Next, the sinensetin content was determined using the TLC densitometry method. The stationary phase silica gel 60 GF 256 and Chloroform: Ethyl Acetate (6:4) as mobile phase with a development distance of 8 cm and measured at a wavelength of 366 nm Fluorescent. The sinensetin contents of M, T, C, and K were 0.0104; 0.0078; 0.0105; and 0.0071%, respectively, which showed a very significant difference (P=1.24 x 10−6) in the single factor ANOVA test). Therefore, the utilization of java tea as a single ingredient or a mixture in traditional medicine is advisable not to separate the young and old leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]