Preliminary Study on Immunomodulatory Effect of Sarang-Semut Tubers Myrmecodia tuberosa and Myrmecodia pendens

Problem Statement: Sarang-Semut tubers, Myrmecodia tuberosa and M. pendens (Rubiaceae) are both medicinal plants originating from Papua which have broad range of therapeutic values including those to improve vitality. Nevertheless, no scientific proof is available so far on their immunomodulatory effect. The purpose of this study was to reveal the potency of Sarang-Semut tubers as immunomodulatory agent by evaluating their effects on Balb/c mice lymphocytes proliferation and macrophage phagocytosis by in vitro techniques. Approach: Bioactivity assays were performed on the raw extracts and fractions. Extracts were obtained by macerating the pulverized samples in ethanol 95%, followed by successive fractionation to yield n-hexane, ethyl acetate and water fractions. Series of extracts and fractions were made to concentration 10, 20, 50 and 100 μg mL^-1 by adding 0.5% Tween 80. Lymphocytes proliferation was observed by the MTT reduction method and analyzed using microplate reader at 550 nm. Macrophage phagocytosis activity was determined based on the number of latex beads uptake by the macrophage cells. Results: All extracts and fractions significantly increased the lymphocytes proliferation and macrophage phagocytosis activity in comparison to negative control. The ethyl acetate fraction of M. pendens (50 μg mL^-1) showed the highest activity in lymphocytes proliferation assay, but the highest macrophage phagocytic index was shown by M. tuberosa ethanol extract (50 μg mL^-1). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that Sarang-Semut tubers are potential to be developed as immunomodulatory agents.