The objective of this study is to investigate the phytochemical constituents of Wualae fruit extract and its cell-protecting activity towards CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity. Phytochemical screening performed in this study was alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin, tannin, and terpenoid. Extract was also characterized to specify the quality. The cell-protecting of extract was performed to Wistar male rats to measure their total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, SGOT, SGPT, and ALP levels post-treated with Wualae fruit extract at dose 200, 300, and 400 mg/kgBw for 7 d, and induced with CCl₄ the next day. Histopathology of intestine and liver organ was also performed. Our study found that extract contains alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids. We found extract decreases levels of total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, SGOT, SGPT, and ALP at dose of 200, 300, and 400mg/kgBw (p<0.05), although histopathological results demonstrated that dose of 400mg/kgBw showed some necrosis at villi and steatosis at liver. In conclusion, Wualae fruit extract has protective effect toward CCl_4- induced hepatotoxicity at dose 200 and 300mg/kgBw and able to decreases bilirubin, SGOT, SGPT, and ALP levels. Flavonoid contains in extract is suspected plays role in its cell-protecting effect.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disease easily complicated by tuberculosis (TB) due to impaired function of the innate immune response. The successes of the discovery of immunomodulatory compounds needs to be continued to introduce new insights into the innate immune response. In previous studies, plant compounds of Etlingera rubroloba A.D. Poulsen (E.rubroloba) were demonstrated to have potential as an immunomodulators. This study aims to isolate and identify the structure of the compounds of E.rubroloba fruit that could effectively improve the function of the innate immune response in individuals with DM infected with TB. The isolation and purification of the compounds of the E.rubroloba extract were carried out by radial chromatography (RC) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Identification of the isolated compound structures was determined by measuring the proton (¹H) and carbon (¹³C) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). In vitro testing was performed on the immunomodulating activity of the extracts and isolated compounds on DM model macrophages infected with TB antigens. This study succeeded at isolating and identifying the structures of two isolate compounds, namely Sinaphyl alcohol diacetat (BER-1), and Ergosterol peroxide (BER-6). The two isolates were more effective as immunomodulators than the positive controls were, which differed significantly (* p < 0.05) at the reducing interleukin-12 (IL-12) levels and Toll-like receptor-2 (TLR-2) protein expression and increasing the human leucocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) protein expression in DM infected with TB. The isolated compound was discovered in E. rubroloba fruits, which has been reported to have the potential to be developed as an immunomodulatory agent. Follow-up testing to determine the mechanism and effectiveness of these compounds as immunomodulators for DM patients is required so that they are not susceptible to TB infection.

Immunomodulator is an ingredient or drug that can modulate immune system functions and activities. This study was conducted to determine the effect of ethanol extract of Melophlus sarasinorum sponge on macrophage phagocytosis activity. Twenty four male mice balb/c were divided into six groups. The first group received 100 mg/kg of ethanol extract of Melophlus Sarasinorum sponge, the second group received 200 mg/kg of ethanol extract of Melophlus sarasinorum sponge, the third group received 300 mg/kg of ethanol extract of Melophlus Sarasinorum sponge and the fourth group received 400 mg/kg of ethanol extract of Melophlus Sarasinorum sponge. The positive control group received Phyllanthus niruri linn extract (Stimuno®) 0,13 mg/g and the negative control group received NaCMC 0,5%. The extract was orally administered from first day to seventh day. On the eighth day, each of the mice was injected Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (SA) 0.5 mL intraperitoneally. Macrophage cell activity is calculated from smears of peritoneal fluid of mice. Increased doses of ethanol extract of Melophlus sarasinorum sponge increase the amount of macrophage phagocytosis activity that are 25,25% (negative control), 61,5% (positive control), 55,75% (100 mg/kg), 60,75% (200 mg/kg), 62,25% (300 mg/kg) dan 66,25% (400 mg/kg). The results showed that the ethanol extract of Melophlus sarasinorum sponge has the potential as immunomodulator at a doses of 300 mg/kgBB and 400 mg/kg with no significantly different effectiveness with positive control in increasing macrophage cell phagocytosis activity based on the result of post-hoc statistical test of Tukey (sig.> 0,05).

Background and Objective: Etlingera rubroloba (E. rubroloba) A.D. Poulsen is an endemic plant in South-East Sulawesi and is a newly discovered species. This plant is expected to have the potential as an immunomodulator in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), which can prevent tuberculosis infection by increasing the phagocytic function of macrophage cells and interleukin-12 (IL-12) levels. Materials and Methods: Phytochemical analysis of the ethanolic extract of the fruit of E. rubroloba A.D. Poulsen using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was carried out. The immunomodulatory potential in vivo on BALB/c mice model DM was carried out by oral induction of TB antigen with extract dose, control positive, negative and normal groups. Furthermore, the phagocytic activity of macrophage cells can be seen with a microscope and the levels of IL-12 with the Elisa kit. Results: The results showed the ethanol extract of the fruit of E. rubroloba contained eight chemical compounds and had potential as immunomodulators in BALB/c DM mice induced by TB antigen by increasing the phagocytic activity of macrophage cells and levels of IL-12, which were significantly different from the negative control (p<0.05). Conclusion: The chemical composition of the ethanol extract of the fruit of E. rubroloba has the potential as an immunomodulator in TB antigen-induced DM in vivo.

Etlingera elatior (Jack) R.M Smith or locally in Southeast Sulawesi known as Wualae fruit has activity as an immunomodulator by increasing phagocytosis activity. Prior studies have been conducted to observe the effect of E. elatior as an immunomodulator, thus further study is needed to observe the production of cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6 which are responsible for the immune responses. Etlingera elatior fruit macerated with 96% ethanol for three days and produced a total of ±74.6 g concentrated extract. Experimental animals used were divided into four groups (n=4) and treated orally once a day for seven days as follows: group I (0.5% Na CMC); group II (Stimuno®); group III (E. elatior fruit extract dose of 300 mg/kg BW); and group IV (E. elatior fruit extract dose of 400 mg/kg BW). On the eight-day, animals were infected with Staphylococcus aureus intraperitoneally and left for an hour. Thereafter, blood was collected and assayed using ELISA Kit (Elabscience rat IL-1β and Elabscience rat IL-6). Results demonstrated that group IV increased levels of IL-1β and group III and IV increased level of IL-6 (p<0.05). Increased levels of IL-1β and IL-6 are associated with phagocytosis in the immune response. In conclusion, E. elatior fruit extract at doses of 300 and 400 mg/kg BW increases levels of IL-1β and IL-6.

Etlingera rubroloba A.D Poulsen is a genus Etlingera found in Southeast Sulawesi. This plant is widely used in local communities to relieve joint pain and increase stamina. Previous researchers isolated and identified this plant to obtain the compounds sinapyl alcohol diacetate and stigmasterol. However, these two compounds have never been reported on the Xanthine Oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity in vitro. The results of phytochemical screening have also not been reported in this plant. Therefore, in this study, a phytochemical screening test was conducted using colour reagents, and an in vitro test for XO inhibitory activity was carried out using the XO Kit. The results showed that E. rubroloba contains secondary metabolites of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, and the value of the percent XO inhibitory activity at a concentration of 320 µg/mL, namely sinapyl alcohol diacetate 85.52%, stigmasterol 90.42%, and allopurinol 97.63%, as a positive control. This research will be a reference in the development of antihyperuricemia medicine of nature.