According to several studies, Dayak onions (Eleutherine sp) have various activities depending on the active compounds they contain. The active compounds contained in Dayak onions are partly due to different places of growth. The difference in active compounds in Eleutherine sp can be detected by GC-MS analysis.
Eleutherine is a plant commonly found in Kalimantan, especially in East Kalimantan. The Dayak tribe of Central Kalimantan utilizes Eleutherine palmifolia (L) tubers to treat high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, wounds, and ulcers. A scientific review confirms the use of the Eleutherine plant in wound healing. In addition, the active compound components of the Eleutherine species induce antibacterial and antioxidant bioactivity that can help the healing process. When administered in vitro at a concentration of 100 mg/mL, Eleutherine bulbosa had a wound healing power value of 23.6 percent in a study of various wound healing medicinal plants grown in Peru. Other studies were conducted on Eleutherine plants of various species, particularly Eleutherine indica which grows in India and China. The results showed that the topical application of 2.5% methanol extract ointment accelerated the process of skin wound healing in vivo by stimulating the production of Smad-collagen. Several studies have shown that Eleutherine bulbosa induces anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial activity that aids wound healing. Based on research on the activity of Dayak onions as antioxidants, Eleutherine americana (Merr) from South Kalimantan has an IC50 of 50.42 ppm. It shows significant antioxidant activity.
In addition to functioning for wound healing, the active compound components of the Eleutherine species induce antibacterial and antioxidant bioactivity that can help the healing process. Eleutherine americana (Merr) extract reduced the growth of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 23235 and ATCC 27664, Streptococcus mutant, and S. pyogens. At doses of 62.5 – 1000 g/mL in all isolates and 250 g/mL in ATCC 23235 and ATCC 27664 also suppressed the growth of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by denaturing the cytoplasm and dissolving the membrane, causing leakage in the cell wall. The phytochemical screening of Eleutherine americana (Merr) found alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenoids, steroids, saponins, and tannins. Eleutherine bulbosa/Eleutherine americana (Merr) /Eleutherine palmifolia originates from India and Indonesia (Kalimantan and Sulawesi). Based on previous studies, the results of which were compared with existing publications, it was clear that there were differences in the active compounds detected by GC-MS analysis. Certain new components, apart from the same, were found at different concentrations, possibly influenced by factors such as where the plant grew which affected the amount, type, and concentration of the active compound and was detected by GC-MS analysis. Gas chromatography is a technique used to separate compounds that may be present in a sample. The time it takes for a particular compound to travel the length of the column is known as the retention time (RT) representing the identifying characteristic.
Several GC-MS analytical studies of various Eleutherine species have been published. The results of the GC-MS analysis of the ethanolic extract of Eleutherine palmifolia Linn tuber showed the presence of 17 compounds, including cyclohexane, which may be responsible for the antimicrobial activity, while small concentrations of other compounds had a synergistic effect that increased the antimicrobial activity of cyclohexane. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the active components in the ethanolic extract of Eleutherine sp tubers obtained by maceration with 70% ethanol as solvent. Chemical compounds were analyzed using GC-MS, while the mass spectra of compounds found in extracts were compared with those in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) library. Initial phytochemical screening revealed the presence of bioactive compounds such as triterpenoids, steroids, and tannins. Mass spectral measurements revealed 13 peaks, indicating the presence of a number of active phytochemical components including 1H-Indene, 2-butyl-5-hexyloctahydro; Benzene, 1,2,3-trimethyl; and Phenol, 2,5-bis (1,1-dimethyl ethyl). The active chemicals found in Eleutherine sp tubers have antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties that promote wound healing. Further research on the pharmacological activity of compounds in Eleutherine sp which is currently ongoing is expected to ensure that the wound healing process can be accelerated. The findings of this study can provide more information about the components of the active compound Eleutherine sp. which promotes biological activity to aid wound healing.
Author: Esti Hendradi
Title:
Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and GC-MS Analysis of Ethanol Extract of Bulbs of Eleutherine sp.
Link:
https://www.tjnpr.org/img/manuscript_2251_10-TJNPR-2022-M057%20Galley%20Proof%20C.pdf
