WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES

Saptarini et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

SJIF Impact Factor 2.786

Volume 3, Issue12, 381-387. Research Article ISSN 2278 – 4357

ANTIDIABETIC AND ANTIDIARRHEAL ACTIVITY OF Myrmecodia

pendens

Nyi Mekar Saptarini*1 and Dytha Andri Deswati2

1
Faculty of Pharmacy, Padjadjaran University, Jl Raya Bandung Sumedang Km 21
Jatinangor, West Java, Indonesia, 45363.
2
Departement of Pharmacy, FMIPA, University of Al Ghifari, Jl Cisaranten Kulon 140,
Bandung, West Java, Indonesia.

Article Received on
08 Oct 2014,
Revised on 1 Nov 2014,
Accepted on 25 Nov 2014
*Correspondence for Author
Nyi Mekar Saptarini
Faculty of Pharmacy,
Padjadjaran University, Jl Raya
Bandung Sumedang Km 21
Jatinangor, West Java,
Indonesia, 45363.
Chemical constituens, Decocta
ABSTRACT
Myrmecodia pendans can be used as candidates of antidiabetic and
antidiarrheal drug because of its flavonoids and tannins. This
hypothesis must be proved scientifically. The aims of this study is to
reveal the antidiabetic and antidiarrheal activity of M. pendans
decocta. The steps of this study are extraction, phytochemical
screening, antidiabetic and antidiarrheal activity test on Swiss-Webster
mice. The results showed that the M. pendans contain tannins,
flavonoids, quinones, and saponins. The effective dose for antidiabetic
and antidiarrheal activity is 26 mg decocta/20 g BW.
KEYWORDS: Myrmecodia pendans, Antidiabetic, Antidiarrheal,

INTRODUCTION
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic disorders of fat, carbohydrate, and protein
metabolism that results from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action (sensitivity), or both.
Goals of therapy in DM are directed at reducing symptoms of hyperglycemia, reducing the
onset and progression of retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy complications, intensive
therapy for associated cardiovascular risk factors, and improving quality and quantity of life.
[1]
Based on the pattern of Indonesia's population growth, estimated in 2020, the population
above 20 years old is 178 million, with DM prevalence assumption is 4.6%, so there will be
8.2 million people with DM. [2]

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Diarrhea is an increased frequency and decreased consistency of fecal discharge as compared

to an individual’s normal bowel pattern. Frequency and consistency are variable within and
between individuals. Diarrhea may be associated with a specific disease of the intestines or
secondary to a disease outside the intestines. For instance, bacillary dysentery directly affects
the gut, whereas DM causes neuropathic diarrheal episodes. [1]

Myrmecodia pendans derived from the Papua jungles, are epiphytes on other trees which
engaged tightly with special ants. These plants used as traditional remedies, such as to treat
cancer, gout, heart disease, stroke, liver, hemorrhoids, back pain, allergies, tonic to enhance
sexual arousal. The chemical constituents in this plant are flavonoids, tannins, tocopherols,
[3]
and minerals (Ca, Na, K, Zn, Fe, P, and Mg) . Considering its chemical constituents, it is
hypothesized the ant plants has antidiabetic and antidiarrheal activity. This study aims to
reveal the antidiabetic and antidiarrheal activity of M. pendans decocta. Our research based
on empirical dose, i.e. 10 g M. pendans boiled in 200 mL water.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Materials
M. pendans obtained from Papua. Taxonomic determination was conducted by the Herbarium
Bandungense, School of Life Sciences and Technology, ITB, Indonesia.

Methods
Extraction and phytochemical screening
Weight of 1.3, 2.6, and 5.2 g of M. pendens, extracted with 100 mL aquadest at 90 C for 30
minutes. Then, filtered in 100 mL volumetric flask and filled to 100 mL with aquadest.
Phytochemical screening to decocta were conducted with Fransworth methods. [4]

Antidiabetic Activity Test

All animals were weighted and grouped randomly (n= 5). Blood samples for blood glucose
determination were colleted from the tail artery. Initial glucose blood concentration
determined (T0), then each mouse was given 1 mL preparation/20 g BW orally, i.e. positive
control group was given 0.0182 mg glibenclamide, three test groups given 13, 26, and 52 mg
decocta respectively, and negative control group was given physiological saline. After 30
min, the blood glucose determined (T1). After 60 min, 50% glucose was given for all groups,
except the negative control group and the blood glucose determined immediately (T2). Blood
[5]
glucose level determined at minute 90, 120, 150, 180, and 210 (T3-T7) . Determination of

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the blood glucose level was done by glucose oxidase principle using onetouch glucometer
strips and reported in mg/dL.

Antidiarrheal Activity Test

All animals were weighted and grouped randomly (n= 5). Each mouse was given 1 mL
preparation/20 g BW orally, i.e. positive control group was given 0.0052 mg loperamide HCl,
three test groups was given 13, 26, and 52 mg decocta, and negative control group was given
physiological saline. One hour after treatment, all mice were given 750 L castor oil/20 g
BW orally. Responses that occur in each mice was observed for 4 hours. Parameters observed
was fecal weight, onset and frequency of diarrhea. [5]

Statistical Analysis
Statistical comparisons were performed by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed
by Newman Keulls test.

RESULTS AND DISSCUSSION

The aims of phytochemical screening is to determine the class of chemical constituens in
decocta. The results showed that decocta contain tannins, flavonoids, saponins, and quinones.
On glucose tolerance, hyperglycemia occurs only during few hours after the administration of
[5]
glucose as diabetogen. Treatment with glibenclamide and decocta with three variation
doses made reduction of blood glucose levels. After administration glucose as diabetogen,
blood glucose levels increased which inhibited by chemical constituents which have
antidiabetic activity. Based on literature predicted that flavonoids, tannins, and saponins in
decocta have antidiabetic activity.

Table 1 Blood Glucose Levels

Blood glucose levels (mg/dL) at observed time (min)
Group
0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210
Negative control 80.25 81.66 145.61 152.59 158.93 149.30 144.81 137.74
Positive control 78.15 75.08 97.78 93.936 85.59 74.41 72.28 70.33
Decocta 13 mg 82.38 81.98 142.11 147.8 132.40 99.87 92.12 83.86
Decocta 26 mg 71.41 70.05 128.32 137.6 115.78 100.44 91.58 81.69
Decocta 52 mg 77.32 72.34 95.64 106.428 77.45 68.14 58.70 48.25

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Figure 1 The graph of blood glucose levels versus time

Flavonoids may preserve -cell function by reducing oxidative stress-induced tissue damage
[6]
and therefore protect against the progression of insulin resistance to type 2 diabetes .
Another publication said that flavonoids is insulin mimetics, through influencing the
pleiotropic mechanisms, to attenuate the diabetic complications; stimulate glucose uptake in
peripheral tissues, and regulate the activity and/or expression of the rate-limiting enzymes
[7]
involved in carbohydrate metabolism pathway . It has been suggested that flavonoids are
cleaved by specific enzymes before absorption. Lactasephlorizin hydrolase, anchored in the
[8,9]
brush-border membrane in the small intestine, catalyzes extracellular hydrolysis of some .
Another enzyme, cytosolic β-glucosidase, located intracellularly, requires active transport of
hydrophilic glucosides into the cells. [8]

Tannins can stimulate glucose and fat metabolism, thus prevent their accumulation.
Hypoglycemic activity of tannins occur due to increased glycogenesis. Tannins are
astringent, constrict the intestinal epithelial membrane thus inhibit the enhancement of sugar
absorption and the rate of blood sugar . [10]

Saponin significantly ameliorated clinical symptoms of diabetes including the elevated blood
glucose, body weight loss as well as the increased food and water intake. [11] The antidiabetic
effect of saponin is partly due to insulin release from the existing cells of the pancreas.
Hypoglycaemic activity of saponin were stimulation of insulin, secretion and release,
regeneration of beta cells of Langerhans islets, activation of enzymes responsible for glucose
utilization. [12]

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Table 2 Observed Parameters of Antidiarrheal Activity

Group Fecal weight (mg) Diarrheal onset (min) Diarrheal frequency
454 60 3
326 60 3
Negative
847 75 7
control
618 90 6
596 75 4
Average 568.2 72 4.6
450 120 3
231 150 3
Positive
181 180 1
control
219 105 3
302 150 4
Average 276.6 141 2.8
347 120 3
984 90 6
Decocta
117 120 2
13 mg
373 120 3
266 120 2
Average 417.4 114 3.2
447 75 2
509 90 3
Decocta
261 150 2
26 mg
443 100 3
164 150 1
Average 364.8 113 2.2
139 180 2
311 90 3
Decocta
243 120 1
52 mg
192 180 1
259 105 2
Average 228.8 135 1.8
Castor oil contain ricinoleic acid triglyceride which undergo hydrolysis in the small intestine
by pancreatic lipase into glycerol and ricinoleic acid. As an anionic surfactant, this substance
[5]
will reduce the absorption of fluid and electrolytes and stimulate intestinal peristalsis.
Based on literature predicted that flavonoids and tannins have antidiarrheal activity.

Tannins work as astrigent, so the mucous membranes become dry and form a thight junctions
which resistant to inflammation of microorganisms. Tannins also inhibit secretion of chloride
ions through the bonding between the intestine tannate protein with tannins. Flavonoids have
antidiarrheal effect by blocking the chloride receptors in the intestinal thus reducing the
[13, 14]
chloride secretion. Flavonoids also inhibit the initiation process and inflammation
[14]
which increase intestinal peristaltic. Flavonoids have been known to inhibit contractions
induced by spasmogenes [15] and inhibit diarrhea induced by castor oil. [16]

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Figure 2 Chart of observed parameters of antidiarrheal activity

The significant difference of antidiabetic and antidiarrheal activity occurred in the negative
control group compared to the positive control, decocta 13, 26, and 52 mg groups; decocta 13
mg group compared to the positive control and 52 mg decocta groups; decocta 26 mg group
compared to the 52 mg group decocta.

CONCLUSION
The effective dose for antidiabetic and antidiarrheal activity is 26 mg decocta/20 g BW.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We thank Acep Andriana and Muhammad Miftah Urip for their technical support.

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