Medicinal Properties of Ant Nest Plant (Myrmecodia Genus): A Comprehensive Review

Septriyanto Dirgantara; Muhamad Insanu; Irda Fidrianny

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2022.8481

Authors

Septriyanto Dirgantara Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, School of Pharmacy, Bandung Institute of Technology, Bandung, Indonesia; Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Cenderawasih University, Jayapura, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9978-5204
Muhamad Insanu Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, School of Pharmacy, Bandung Institute of Technology, Bandung, Indonesia
Irda Fidrianny Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, School of Pharmacy, Bandung Institute of Technology, Bandung, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2022.8481

Keywords:

Myrmecodia, Ant nest plant, Phytochemistry

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The Myrmecodia genus belongs to the Rubiaceae family, which has the characteristic of an epiphytic plant. This genus spread from Malaysia, through the Philippines, Sumatra, Borneo, Java, New Guinea (Papua), Cape York to the Solomon Islands and Pacific region. It has been empirically proven to treat gout, inflammation, muscle pain relief, strengthen the body’s immunity, and cancer treatment.

AIM: This article reviewed the scientific work about the Myrmecodia genus concerning their traditional uses, phytochemical compounds, and pharmacological activities of Myrmecodia.

METHODS: The sources were from the scientific literature online database, including Science Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar between 1978 and 2021. Furthermore, 112 articles were collected, while 61 full-text were assessed for eligibility.

RESULTS: The Myrmecodia extract has many pharmacological activities, namely antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxic, and anticancer.

CONCLUSION: Moreover, this review may be used as scientific literature for the next investigations on the genus Myrmecodia, especially regarding pharmacological properties such as in vitro and in vivo studies and isolation of the active compounds.

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