Pharmacognostic Characteristics and Antioxidant Activity of Gendola Stem (Basella Rubra L.) Ethanol Extract from South Kalimantan

Background: Gendola (Basella rubra L.) is a medicinal plant native to South Kalimantan. Therefore, this research aims to determine the antioxidant activity of B. rubra and the specific as well as nonspecific parameters of its ethanolic stem extract through pharmacognostic tests. Objective: The specific parameters comprise of the extract composition, phytochemical screening, TLC profile, organoleptic, and microscopic variables. Meanwhile, drying shrinkage and ash content were the non-specific parameters. Materials and Methods: The Indonesian Herbal Pharmacopoeia was used as a reference for the pharmacognostic test method. Also, the antioxidant activity was determined through the DPPH method, which was based on the IC₅₀ value. Results: A tasteless, brownish-purple powder with a characteristic smell, was obtained from the simple organoleptic assay while the epidermis, cortex, endodermis, pith, xylem, phloem, cambium, cell walls, stoma, epidermal, guard, and neighboring cells were observed through microscopic examinations. The B. rubra stem contains phenolic compounds, flavonoids, steroids, tannins, and saponins. A good TLC profile was shown by the eluents of n-hexane: ethyl acetate (3:7) and chloroform: methanol (9:1). The B. rubra simplicia stem had a water- and ethanol-soluble extract, drying shrinkage, total ash, and acid insoluble ash contents of 16.433% ± 0.252, 10.5% ± 0.173, 8.467% ± 0.153, 6.5% ± 0.1, and 0.517% ± 0.115, respectively. Conclusion: Moreover, the pharmacognostic test results were acceptable. The B. rubra stem ethanol extract had an antioxidant activity of 344,096 ppm based on the IC₅₀ value.