Adelina Simamora1, Adit Widodo Santoso2, Kris Herawan Timotius1
1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Krida Wacana Christian University, Jakarta, 11510, INDONESIA.
2Department of Herbal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Krida Wacana Christian University, Jakarta, 11510, INDONESIA.
Pharmacognosy Communications,2018,8,3,103-107.
DOI: 10.5530/pc.2018.3.22.
Published: July 2018
Type: Original Article
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Myristica fragrans Houtt is used as a spice in Indonesia. This study aimed to scientifically validate the traditional use of mace from M. fragrans. Methods: The mace was extracted with methanol and ethyl acetate, and the chemical composition was analysed by GC–MS. The extracts were evaluated for their antibacterial activities against seven different bacteria based on a well diffusion method, their antioxidant activities based on DPPH radical scavenging assay, and their α-glucosidase inhibitory activities in vitro. Results: Four major components were identified from both extracts: sabinene, methoxyeugenol, myristicin, and elemicin. The methanol extract (ME) had higher methoxyeugenol, myristicin and elimisin levels, whereas sabinene was dominant in ethyl acetate extract (EAE). Both extracts showed good antibacterial activity against S. aureus only. Both extracts showed good antioxidant activities, in which EAE showed stronger activity than ME (IC50 94 μg GAE/ml and IC50 162 μg GAE/ml, respectively). Furthermore, both extracts inhibited α-glucosidase more strongly than the standard acarbose, in which ME (IC50 7.50 μg GAE/ml) exhibited stronger α-glucosidase inhibitory capacity than EAE (IC50 10.65 μg GAE/ml). Conclusion: The results suggest that ME and EAE of M. fragrans have biological activities with high potential for pharmacological uses.
Key words: Antibacterial, Antioxidant, GC-MS, α-glucosidase inhibition, Myristica fragrans.