Meniran (Phyllanthus niruri Linn.) contains active compounds such as flavonoid, tannin, alkaloid, saponin and terpenoid. Flavonoids have some benefits, including anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. Tannin is efficacious as antioxidants and antibacterial agents. Saponin has the ability as antimicrobials, while terpenoid is able to inhibit the activity of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The obstacle in the application of plant extracts is their low solubility in the digestive tract so that absorption in blood plasma is low. To optimize the effect of herbal medicines, it is necessary to develop a formulation that can improve solubility, stability, bioavailability, and a system that focuses on application effectiveness.

The use of nanoparticles as drug carriers and drug delivery systems has developed in recent years. The small size of particle has a number of advantages over conventional carrier systems: higher stability against gravity aggregation and separation; higher optical clarity; and increased bioavailability. The reduced particle size causes bioactive agents to be absorbed easily, able to penetrate the mucus layer, or be absorbed directly by cells. Therefore, in the study done by Sabdoningrum et all (2021) they aim to review the characteristics and phytochemical content of nanoparticles extracts of meniran (Phyllanthus niruri Linn.) using the ball mill method. The powder-loaded ball mill and the ambient balls are rotated at a speed of 1000 rpm. Characterization used Particle Size Analyzer (PSA) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). On particle size characterization by PSA, the specimen was dissolved in 3 ml of ethanol. The solute was then put into a tube with a maximum solution height of 15 mm. Then the diameter distribution of the specimens was measured using the VASCO Nano Particle Analyzer. This examination was carried out based on the Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) method using the Zetasizer Nano ZS (Malvern Instruments).

In the morphological characterization by SEM, the powders of meniran nano extract were placed on the butt using a double-sided tape. The powders were conditioned to be electrically conductive with a thin layer of platinum beam from the coating for 30 seconds at pressure below 2 Pa and current strength of 30 mA. Photographs were taken at electron voltage of 10 kV at the desired magnification.

The results of the Particle Size Analyzer (PSA) test on the production of meniran (Phyllanthus niruri Linn) extract nanoparticles with the ball milling method at 1000 rpm could be seen to produce an average of 192.6 nm of meniran extract nanoparticles. Characterization conducted by PSA showed samples with nano size. Nanoparticles were solid colloidal particles with a diameter of 1-1000 nm. Nanoparticles synthesized from polymeric or macromolecular materials generally had size range between 1 to 1000 nm. The required nanoparticle size in the drug delivery system was 50-300 nm. Particle size played an important role in determining drug distribution and release, targeting ability of nanoparticle systems, and toxicity. Synthesis of nanoparticles in the top-down method was conducted by milling. Synthesis of nanoparticles by grinding different elements in an inert atmosphere used milling and annealing. The top-down method was known to have the advantages of efficient method and phase formation at low temperatures.

The results of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed that from the overall production of nanoparticles, it could be seen that some of the nanoparticles were already nano-sized. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was a method of researching the surface structure of a sample. This instrument provided a large depth of field, i.e. the sample area could be viewed in a sufficiently large focus. SEM had the advantage of a relatively wide magnification range. The images produced by this instrument appeared in three-dimensional form, made it more attractive to human eye and made it easier for researchers to analyze. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) provided detailed surface information by tracing the sample in a raster pattern with an electron beam. The scatter pattern created by the interaction of the sample with the electron beam produces information about the size, shape, texture, and composition of the sample. SEM results of meniran (Phyllanthus niruri Linn) extract nanoparticles showed amorphous morphology and the presence of agglomeration in milling treatment had a small particle size morphology.

Advantages of using nanoparticles: controlled size, narrow size distribution, selectivity and precision. The antibacterial ability of nanoparticles is influenced by the physical characteristics of the nanomaterial such as size, shape, and surface properties. The ratio of surface area to volume increases with the smaller particle size so that the nanoparticles have a stronger antibacterial ability. The smaller the nanoparticle size, the greater the antimicrobial effect.

Author:  Emy Koestanti Sabdoningrum

Title: Characterization and Phytochemical Screening of Meniran (Phyllanthus niruri Linn) Extract’s Nanoparticles Used Ball Mill Method ( Emy Koestanti Sabdoningrum*, Sri Hidanah, Sri Chusniati, Soeharsono)

Journal: Pharmacogn J. 2021; 13(6)Suppl: 1568-1572 A Multifaceted Journal in the field of Natural Products and Pharmacognosy

More information about the article can be accessed through the following link: http://www.phcogj.com/v13/i6