Mitragyna is a genus belonging to the Rubiaceae family and is a plant endemic to Asia and Africa. Traditionally, the plants of this genus were used by local people to treat some diseases from generation to generation. Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) Havil. is a controversial plant from this genus, known under the trading name “kratom”, and contains more than 40 different types of alkaloids. Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine have agonist morphine-like effects on opioid receptors. Globally, Mitragyna plants have high economic value. However, regulations regarding the circulation and use of these commodities vary in several countries around the world. This review article aims to comprehensively examine Mitragyna plants (mainly M. speciosa) as potential pharmacological agents by looking at various aspects of the plants. A literature search was performed and information collected using electronic databases including Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, directory open access journal (DOAJ), and Google Scholar in early 2020 to mid-2021. This narrative review highlights some aspects of this genus, including historical background and botanical origins, habitat, cultivation, its use in traditional medicine, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity, abuse and addiction, legal issues, and the potential of Mitragyna species as pharmaceutical products.

Studies of in vitro cytotoxic activity of Sungkai leaf (Peronema canescens Jack) using a human colon and cervical cancer cells have not been reported to date; the report was still limited to bioactivity in seawater shrimp larvae. The leaves of this plant contain many secondary metabolites with potential cytotoxic activity. Plants were a source of natural medicinal ingredients for cancer treatment are known as herbal medicines. Anticancer activity of a natural substance, in vitro cell line assays, can be used. This study aimed to determine the cytotoxicity (IC50) of P. canescens leaf of the chloroform, ethyl acetate, and ethanol extract against HT-29 colon cancer and HeLa cervical cancer cells. The P. canescens leaf was extracted by the maceration method using methanol solvent. The dried sample was separated by the liquid-liquid method and successive polarity gradient eluents: chloroform, ethyl acetate, and ethanol. Cell line to used HT-29 and HeLa cells, Cytotoxicity test with MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl azole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) method. The concentration used was from 1.5µg/mL to 200.0 µg/mL. The cytotoxic activity values (IC50) of each extract on HT-29 and HeLa cells were chloroform (10.353 µg/mL and 38.913µg/mL), ethyl acetate (48.635µg/mL and 28.186µg/mL), and ethanol (42.017µg/mL), and 253.190µg/mL), respectively. The results showed that the cytotoxic activity of chloroform extracts had a strong cytotoxic effect and a moderate effect on HeLa cervical cancer cells. Anticancer research opportunities are wide open for further studies.

The numerous applications of nanochitosan in a variety of sectors, including medicine, food, and agriculture, attract researchers to work toward the development of environmentally favorable, safe, and efficient synthesis methods. Currently, a biological approach is being developed to synthesize nanochitosan to address the limitations of conventional methods. The synthesis of biogenic pathways employs biological entities, including plant extracts and microorganisms, as nanoparticle-forming agents. The use of extracts is more desirable due to the simple working procedure, the absence of hazardous chemicals, the economic benefits, and the use of basic equipment. This article highlights the role of biomolecules in plant extracts, including polyphenols, terpenoids, citric acid, alkaloids, and polysaccharides, in the synthesis of nanochitosan. Nanoparticle preparation protocols and characterization using zeta potential analysis techniques, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-visible spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) are briefly described. The potential applications of green nanochitosan are also discussed, considering the results of biological activity testing and the potential mechanisms associated with these activities. According to the results of numerous studies highlighted in this review, nanochitosan synthesis utilizing plant extracts appears to be a promising alternative approach to conventional methods.

Gamma irradiation is a widely used method for decontaminating medicinal plants, including Kleinhovia hospita (Tahongai). However, the high energy inherent in this process, coupled with the paucity of scientific reports detailing changes in the K. hospita metabolite profile, necessitates an investigation into its effects. Hence, this study examined the effects of gamma irradiation at varying doses (0–25 kGy) on the metabolite profile of the ethanolic extract of K. hospita utilizing 1H-NMR combined with a chemometric approach. The concentrations of some identified metabolites present in the sample were determined by the quantitative 1H-NMR technique. Our investigation successfully identified 20 metabolites in the K. hospita sample. Both the quantitative analysis and the PLS-DA modeling demonstrated that gamma irradiation doses up to 5 kGy induced no significant differences in the metabolite profiles (p-value > 0.05), indicating high similarity with the control group. Conversely, a significant alteration in the metabolite profile emerged only at an exposure dose of 10 kGy or higher, characterized by the loss of characteristic amino acid and cycloartane triterpenoid signals. Consequently, the 10 kGy level signifies the point at which substantial alterations to the K. hospita metabolome are initiated, thereby demanding prudence in its application.

Kamboja (Plumeria acuminata Ait) plant is traditional medicine used as medication for ulcer and abscess. Steroid and tanin is component of chemical compound in kamboja leaves that supposed to have antibacterial activity. This study aims to determine the content of secondary metabolites and effective concentration of methanol extracts of kamboja leaves as antibacterial. Identification contains of secondary metabolites by used reagent Mayer, Dragendorf, Liebermann-Burchard, FeCl, Mg powder and HCl. Analysis of secondary metabolites characterized by the presence of sediment or froth. The antibacterial activity test carried out by agar diffusion method. Inhibition zone is analyzed by Anava and Duncan test. Secondary metabolite the compound containing steroid and tanin. The effective concentration of 40% were significantly different with a value of p = 0.00 (p<0.05) on the growth of Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and a concentration of 30% is very significantly different from the value of p = 0.00 (p<0.05) on the growth of Escherichia coli bacteria in vitro.