PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND ANTIPYRETIC EFFICACY OF BAJAKAH KALALAWIT (Uncaria gambir) STEM EXTRACT IN SPRAGUE DAWLEY RAT MODEL OF FEVER

Abstract

Fever is a common physiological response associated with infection and inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the antipyretic effect of bajakah kalalawit (Uncaria gambir) stem extract using Sprague Dawley rats as an experimental animal model. The extract was prepared using ethanol extraction and administered orally at 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg concentrations to fever-induced rats. Pyrexia was induced using a standard fever induction method, and body temperature was measured at regular time intervals before and after treatment. The results demonstrated that 200 mg/kg bajakah kalalawit extract reduced elevated body temperature in treated groups compared to the negative control group. The antipyretic activity is believed to be associated with the presence of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, and phenolic compounds, which may inhibit prostaglandin synthesis involved in fever development. The findings suggest that bajakah kalalawit stem extract has potential as a natural antipyretic agent and may serve as an alternative herbal therapy for fever management.

Demam merupakan respons fisiologis yang umum terjadi akibat infeksi dan peradangan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi efek antipiretik ekstrak batang bajakah kalalawit (Uncaria gambir) menggunakan tikus Sprague Dawley sebagai hewan model percobaan. Ekstrak diperoleh melalui metode ekstraksi etanol dan diberikan secara oral pada 100mg/kg dan 200mg/kg terhadap tikus yang telah diinduksi demam. Pengukuran suhu tubuh dilakukan secara berkala sebelum dan sesudah perlakuan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ekstrak 200 mg/kg bajakah kalalawit mampu menurunkan suhu tubuh yang meningkat pada kelompok perlakuan dibandingkan kelompok kontrol negatif. Aktivitas antipiretik diduga berkaitan dengan kandungan senyawa bioaktif seperti flavonoid, tanin, dan senyawa fenolik yang berperan dalam menghambat sintesis prostaglandin penyebab demam. Disimpulkan bahwa ekstrak batang bajakah kalalawit berpotensi dikembangkan sebagai agen antipiretik alami dan alternatif terapi herbal untuk penanganan demam.