The crude methanol extracts and fractions of the root and stem barks of Dillenia serrata Thunb. showed 64% to 73% inhibition on the production of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) in lipopolysaccharide-induced human whole blood using a radioimmunoassay technique. Three triterpenoids isolated from the root bark of the plant, koetjapic (1), 3-oxoolean-12-en-30-oic (2), and betulinic (3) acids, exhibited significant concentration-dependent inhibitory effects on PGE₂ production with IC₅₀ values of 1.05, 1.54, and 2.59 μM, respectively, as compared with the positive control, indomethacin (IC₅₀ = 0.45 μM). Quantification of compounds 1 and 3 in the methanol extracts and fractions were carried out by using a validated reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method. The ethyl acetate fraction of the stem bark showed the highest content of both compound 1 (15.1%) and compound 3 (52.8%). The strong inhibition of the extracts and fractions on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzymatic activity was due to the presence of their major constituents, especially koetjapic and betulinic acids.

Marantodes pumilum (Blume) Kuntze (synonym: Labisia pumila (Blume) Fern.-Vill), Primulaceae, is well known for its traditional use as a post-partum medication among women in Malaysia. Three varieties of M. pumilum, var. alata Scheff., var. pumila and var. lanceolata (Scheff.) Mez. are commonly used. Nowadays, M. pumilum powder or extracts are commercially available as herbal supplements and beverages. Authentication of the variety is an important component of product quality control. Thus, the present work was aimed to compare the three varieties using microscopic, spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques. Microscopic anatomical examination and powder microscopy were performed on fresh and dried plant materials, respectively. Fingerprint profiles of the varieties were obtained using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, high performance thin layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography. The microscopic examination showed presence of anisocytic stomata, scale and capitate glandular trichome in all varieties. The type of stomata and trichomes, outline structure of stem and leaf margin, petiole and midrib, organization of vascular system, areolar venation, pattern of anticlinal walls, the distribution of secretory canals and cell inclusion as well as the measurement of selected structures could be used to distinguish and identify each variety of M. pumilum. In addition, spectroscopic and chromatographic fingerprint analyses of the three varieties exhibited distinguishable profiles based on the intensity of certain peaks or bands. The findings from this study will provide systematic identification for these varieties

Songi (Dillenia serrata) is a tree endemic to Southeast Sulawesi and its stem bark been used in folk medicine. Nonetheless, only a handful scientific knowledge regarding chemistry and biological activities has been investigated on the plant. The present study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity of the stem bark of the plant. Methanol extract and organic fractions (petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and methanol) of the dried powdered stem bark of songi were evaluated for phytochemical screening, total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), DPPH, FRAP, and XO in vitro assays. Flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, steroids, and saponins present in the extract. TPC and TFC in extract were 59.2 mg GAE/g and 23.4 mg QE/g. The contents in organic fractions were in solvent-dependent manner (methanol>ethyl acetate>petroleum ether). Extract and fractions scavenged DPPH radicals (48.2–59.7%) at 100 μg/mL compared to ascorbic acid, trolox, and gallic acid (90.3–93.8%). FRAP values varied from 0.8–3.4 μg/μg equivalent trolox amount (quercetin and gallic acid were 25.7 dan 32.4 μg/μg, respectively). They also inhibited xanthine oxidase (15.3–50.3%) at 100 μg/mL (allopurinol, 98.2%). The study concluded the potential of methanol extract and organic fraction of the stem bark of songi, thus highlighted the prospect of songi to be used in herbal and drugs development from nature.

The fruit of Melothria scabra Naudin is traditionally used by natives of South East Sulawesi and has economic values in the local markets. Nonetheless, little scientific information was gained from this plant to support its development for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical aspects. This study aimed to investigate the phytochemicals contained in the ethanol extract and organic fractions (methanol, ethyl acetate, and hexane) of the fruits using specific reagents and an LC-MS/MS analysis, as well as to evaluate their total phenolics, total flavonoids, and DPPH radical scavenging activity using a dot-blot staining and spectrophotometric assays. Results showed that the fruits of M. scabra contained alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, and saponins. Six compounds were successfully identified from the ethanol extract of the fruits for the first time that is D-1-[(3-carboxypropyl)amino]-1-deoxyfructose (1), fructose-C3H5NO (2), valine (3), 1β, 3α, 9β-trihydroxyeudesma-5,11(13)-dien-12-oic acid (4), Cucurbitacin B-2-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), and 2-heptyl-3-hydroxy-4(H)-quinolone (6). Total phenolics in the extract and organic fractions were in the range of 54.2 ± 2.4 to 259.1 ± 8.4 mg GAE/g, while total flavonoids were in the range of 1.6 ± 0.2 to 22.4 ± 0.2 mg QE/g. The ethanol extract and its organic fractions (methanol and ethyl acetate) were potent radical scavengers with SC50 values ranging from 20.7 to 37.5 µg/mL when compared with ascorbic acid, gallic acid, and quercetin (SC50 of 2.8 to 9.4 µg/mL). This study concludes that M. scabra fruits could be developed as a source of natural antioxidant agents for nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals purposes.