TNF-a Production Inhibitory Activity, Phenolic, Flavonoid and Tannin Contents of Selected Indonesian Medicinal Plants

Abstract

In this study 28 Indonesian medicinal plants species has been screened as potential Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-a inhibitor. Plant materials were extracted with methanol. The activity test was performed on human monocyte-derived THP-1 (ATCC No. TIB 202) which was stimulated by Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The TNF-a production and cell viability were determined by commercial ELISA kit and WST-1, respectively. All extracts were determined for their phenolic, flavonoid and tannin contents by spectrophotometry and chromatography methods. From 40 plant materials, 5 plant materials had cell viability lower than 70% at 10 ppm concentration and about 8 plant materials had good cell viability higher than 90% at 10 ppm concentration. Among 8 plant materials extract which had good cell viability, only Avicennia sp. stem and Goniothalamus macrophyllus leaf methanol extracts had high TNF-a inhibitory activity. The total phenolic, flavonoid and tannin contents were varied depending on the sample. No correlation was found between TNF-a inhibitory activity with the total phenolic content, flavonoid content and tannin content. In conclusion, among Indonesian medicinal plants, the highest potential as TNF-a inhibitors were Avicennia sp. stem and G. macrophyllus leaves.