Partomuan Simanjuntak

Ability of endophytic filamentous fungi associated with Cinchona ledgeriana to produce Cinchona alkaloids

We have investigated the ability of endophytic filamentous fungi associated with Cinchona ledgeriana (Rubiaceae) to produce Cinchona alkaloids on potato dextrose agar medium and in a synthetic liquid medium. It was found that all twenty-one endophytic fungi produce Cinchona alkaloids, despite their genetic differences.

Composition of endophytic fungi living in Cinchona ledgeriana (Rubiaceae).

A total of 21 endophytic filamentous fungi were isolated from the young stems of Cinchona ledgeriana (Rubiaceae) cultivated in West Java, Indonesia. They were classified into six genera, namely nine Phomopsis spp., six Diaporthe spp., two Schizophyllum spp., two Penicillium spp., one Fomitopsis sp., and one Arthrinium sp. by using nucleotide sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) including 5.8S ribosomal DNA region and phylogenetic analysis.

GALLIC ACID FROM PODS OF JIRINGA (ARCHIDENDRON JIRINGA [JACK] I.C. NIELSEN) AND ITS ANTIOXIDANT

Objective: This study was aimed to isolate and investigate antioxidant activity of gallic acid in pods of jiringa ( Archidendron jiringa [Jack] I.C. Nielsen). Methods: Pods of jiringa were extracted by maceration. Phenolic compounds were tested using FeCl3. Identification of pure compound was obtained from spectra data from nuclear magnetic resonance of proton H (1H NMR), NMR of carbon (13C NMR), infra-red, and mass spectrometry. Antioxidant activity was investigated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl method. Results: The IC50 of gallic acid from jiringa’s pods ( A. jiringa [Jack] I.C. Nielsen) was 3.65 μg/ml. This value showed that gallic acid from jiringa’s pods ( A. jiringa [Jack] I.C. Nielsen) had high antioxidant activity. Conclusions : Gallic acid presents in pods of jiringa ( A. jiringa [Jack] I.C. Nielsen) and has high antioxidant activity.

Isolation and Identification of Iridoid from Water Extract of Leaves of Vitex pinnata Linn. as Antioxidant

Indonesia is rich with potential plants to be developed as drug materials. Research reported that more than 250 species of medicinal plants from 165 genus and 75 families have been used by Dayak Ransa tribe in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Almost 200 species of wood plants have been used by Dayak Kenyah tribe in Apo Kayan plateau, Indonesia, as medicines [1]. Aceh province also has many potential plants for drug materials. One of them is Halban/Laban (Vitex pinnata Linn. Syn. Vitex pubescens Vahl.). Local people of Aceh province knew this plant as ‘Oun Mane’ and it is used as medicine for its anticholesterol, fever and stomach ache properties [2]. Burkill [3] also reported that the barks of this plant can relieve stomach ache, while its leaves can be used as medicine for fever and wounds. Fruits of V. pinnata contain a flavan-type flavonoid compound in the isomeric mixture [4]. Products from plants are rich with bioactive compounds that act as antioxidant to reduce excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by physiological process and many normal exogenic factors. Excessive ROS enhancement causes oxidative stress, leading to tissue damage by DNA, protein and lipid destruction [5]. The antioxidant in the body neutralizes free radicals. Therefore, foods rich in antioxidant are really needed by the body and the discovery of natural antioxidant from plant is continuously researched. Phenolic compound Isolation and Identification of Iridoid from Water Extract of Leaves of Vitex pinnata Linn. as Antioxidant