Antihypertensive, Antidiabetic, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities of Indonesian Traditional Medicine

Background: Indonesian people have long used herbal medicine (jamu) to overcome various diseases, including hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are two diseases that are directly related and require proper and thorough management. Objectives: The present study investigated the antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and cytotoxic activities ethanol extracts of Indonesian traditional medicine (jamu). Material and Methods: Jamu was extracted by maceration using ethanol. Antihypertensive and antidiabetic activity investigated by measurement of ACE inhibitor, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, and antioxidant activity at a concentration ranging from 125-1000 μg/mL, respectively, by in vitro method. Cytotoxic evaluation of the extract was carried out using Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT). Results: measurements of ACE inhibitors, alpha-glucosidase inhibitor and antioxidant activity showed that herbal extracts had ACE inhibitors, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, and antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 292.15 μg/mL, 36.13 μg/mL, and 24.43 μg/mL respectively. Ethanol extract of herbal medicine (jamu) exerts a cytotoxic effect on larvae of shrimp Artemia salina with an IC50 value of 215.04 μg/mL. Conclusion: Jamu extract has antihypertensive and antidiabetic activity in vitro and cytotoxic effects.