Screening and Antidiarrheal Activity Testing of Sembung Rambat (Mikania micrantha) Leaves

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of diarrhea in Indonesia is exceedingly high. In consequence, it causes an increment of morbidity and mortality rate in toddlers. Furthermore, every year more than 1.3 billion toddlers suffer from diarrhea, and 3.2 million experience death from this disease. Based on empirical evidence in Pelita Jaya, Pesisir Barat of Lampung, Sembung Rambat (Mikania micrantha) leaves are commonly used to treat diarrhea, rheumatism, and bleeding wounds. In addition, alkaloids are one of the compounds contained in sembung rambat leaves that can reduce or inhibit the disposal of waste substances from the body or have antidiarrheal properties. AIM: The research aims to prove the potential effect of sembung rambat (M. micrantha) leaf extract as an antidiarrheal agent by screening and conducting a pharmacological test on male Swiss mice. METHODS: The phytochemical qualitative analysis was employed to screen the M. micrantha leaf extract. Moreover, the antidiarrheal effect was tested using the intestinal transit method of diarrhea in mice induced by Oleum Ricini. RESULTS: The phytochemical screening results show that there are the secondary metabolites of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and saponins contained in the extract. The measurement of the marker length on the intestine length (ratio) after t = 65 min exhibits that the ethanol extract of sembung rambat (M. micrantha) leaf contains an antidiarrheal activity with a dose variation of 100 mg/kg BW, 150 mg/kg BW, and 200 mg/kg BW. CONCLUSIONS: Ethanol extract of sembung rambat (M. micrantha) leaves at various doses of 100 mg/kg BW, 150 mg/kg BW, and 200 mg/kg BW possesses antidiarrheal activities. The most effective dose is 200 mg/kg BW as it performed the closest ratio to the positive control group.