Crude drug sample data base

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Crude drug name

Market nameBenalu the (Benalu teh)
Original plant nameScurrula atropurpurea Danser
Family nameLoranthaceae
Used partClassificationPlant origin
Sub classification others
Collection informationRepublic of Indonesia, Dr. Spriyatna Stardjo
Collection date1990/02/23
CollectorTsuneo Namba
IdentifierMangestuti Agil
RemarksThe contents are ground form of the plant.
TMPW No.10617

Scientific information data base

Crude drug nameIndonesian name,
English name		Benalu teh
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Original plant nameScurrula atropurpurea Danser
Family nameLoranthaceae
Used partWhole plant
Distribution areaIt is a tea epiphytic-parasitic plants, grows in tea plantations in Java and Sumatera, Indonesia. The epiphytes have a high tolerant to the tea tannin and alkaloids grow well on the plant twigs and branches of the tea plant especially in neglected tea planted areas.
DescriptionIt is a woody stem epiphyte with cylindrical twigs, brown spotted. Leaves single, oval with spiked tips, 5-9 cm length and 2-4 cm width. Upper blade is green and bottom side is brown. Flower composite in an umbrella type, 4-6 flowers in leaf base or stem; corolla has four part curved, stamen red, 2-3 mm, stigma in tomblike form. Fruit is brown of 8 mm in length. Seeds small and black. It has haustorial root attached into its host, yellow-brown [3].
Frequency in useModerate.
Pharmacological effectA bioactivity in vitro cancer cell invasion test has been conducted in mice. Result indicated that octadeca-8,10,12-trynoic cid could inhibite the cancer cell invasion (99.4％) at a concentration of 10 mg/ml. Result also indicated that the compound is obtained in Scurulla atropurpurea and has an anti-cancer property [1].

A research has been conducted on the biological activity of Scurulla atropurpurea infusum against immune system activity of mice. Results showed that the infusum did not show a significant difference on the concentration of IgG (P>0,01), but there was an increase of the concentration of IgG up to 97,0 mg/dl at a dose of 150 mg/100 ml per bodyweight [2].

A research has been conducted to reveal the selenium concentration in the Scurulla atropurpurea used by people in Gunung Gede Biosphere Reserve in Indonesia. Results showed that selenium in the active form such as glutathione peroxide was extracted and enriched by the microbial activity during the fermentation of the tea epiphyte infusion. Recent study indicates that selenoprotein in methylated forms are the active species against tumor and this compounds are produced at the greatest amounts with excess selenium intakes by plants. From a study among cancer incidence, it was shown that individuals with lower selenium levels have higher incidence of several types of cancer [3].

From the bioassay experiment on the cholesterol reduction analysis, it was indicated that fermented tea of Scurulla atropurpurea has considerable activity in reducing total cholesterol and the bad LDL cholesterol, while increasing the good HDL cholesterol [3].
Medical systemIndonesian medicine (Jamu)
Traditional usageThe plant is belived to have lots of curing properties, from small infections to cancer. The dried plants are sold in plastic bags and are popularly known to have an anti-cancer property. People generally infuse the plants as medicinal tea. [3]
Formulation1) Tumour/tumor and cancer:
 Take 1-2 whole plants, 1 root of Imperata cylindrica, some amount of fennel seeds and Alyxia reinwardtii bark. Add 3 glasses of water and boil the mixture. Filter, drink 1/2 glass of the decoction each day [1].
ReferencesResearch paper[1] http://www.iptek.net.id/ind/pd_tanobat/view.php?id=140, as of Mar 14 2007.
[2] http://digilib.litbang.depkes.go.id/go.php?id=jkpkbppk-gdl-grey-1998-djoko-139-benalu, as of Mar 14 2007.
[3] http://www.unesco.org/mab/bursaries/mysrept/2002/nurhidayat/FinalMABReport.pdf#search='benalu%20teh', as of Mar 14 2007.
Last renewal date2024/02/29
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