The Effects of Malaysian Herb, Labisia pumila var. alata on Oestrous Cyclicity and Reproductive Parameters of Nulliparous Rats

Traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and applications of Labisia pumila: A comprehensive review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Labisia pumila (Blume) Fern.-Vill, also known as Kacip Fatimah, is a traditional medicinal herb common throughout Southeast Asia. It is primarily used to facilitate childbirth and postpartum recovery in women. Additionally, it can also be used to treat dysentery, rheumatism, gonorrhea, and as an anti-flatulent.

AIM OF THIS REVIEW

This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the traditional uses, botany, cultivation, phytochemistry, pharmacological effects, practical applications, and potential uses of L. pumila (LP). Furthermore, we also explore the safety of this plant and its potential prospects for application.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The keywords "Labisia pumila," "Kacip Fatimah," and "Marantodes pumilum" were used to collect relevant information through electronic searches (including Elsevier, PubMed, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, CNKI, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science).

RESULTS

This review summarizes 102 chemical components from different parts of the plant, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, saponins, and other chemical components. In addition, we also address the associated cultivation conditions, traditional uses, pharmacological effects and toxicity. A large number of reports indicate that LP has various pharmacological effects such as antioxidant, phytoestrogenic, anti-inflammtory, antimicrobial, anti-osteoporosis and anti-obesity properties. These results provide valuable references for future research on LP. In addition, LP is also a potential medicinal and edible plant, and is currently sold on the market as a dietary supplement.

CONCLUSIONS

LP is a renowned traditional ethnic medicine with numerous pharmacological activities attributed to its bioactive components. Therefore, isolation and identification of the chemical components in LP can be a focus of our future research. Current studies have focused only on the effects of LP on estrogen deficiency-related diseases in women and bone diseases. There is no scientific evidence for other traditional uses. Therefore, it is important to further explore its pharmacological activities and fill the research gaps related to other traditional uses. Furthermore, research on its safety should be expanded to prepare clinical applications.

Safety of an aqueous ethanolic extract of Labisia pumila as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on aqueous extract of Labisia pumila as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The NF is a standardised hydroalcoholic extract from a dried whole plant (including roots) of L. pumila, mixed with maltodextrin (as a drying aid), and proposed by the applicant to be used as a food supplement in amounts up to 750 mg/day. The target population is the general adult population, except pregnant and lactating women. The major constituents of this NF are carbohydrates (up to 85.5%), with a smaller amount of proteins (up to 6.5%), gallic acid (up to 3.7%) and fats (up to 1.6%). The Panel considers that taking into account the composition of the NF and the proposed conditions of use, consumption of the NF is not nutritionally disadvantageous. The provided genotoxicity studies do not raise concerns about the genotoxicity of the NF. Based on the available toxicological data, the Panel considers an intake of up to 5 mg/kg body weight per day as safe. For the target population, this level corresponds to 350 mg/day, which is lower than the use level proposed by the applicant. The Panel concludes that the NF is safe for the target population up to 350 mg/day.

Gallic acid and myricetin-rich Labisia pumila extract mitigated multiple diabetic eye disorders in rats

Diabetes affected about a quarter of a billion people globally, and one out of four diabetics has eye or vision problems. This study investigated whether gallic acid and myricetin-rich Labisia pumila extract (LP) consumption would help prevent diabetic eye disorders and some probable biochemistry involved relating to inflammation, vascular leakage, and oxidative tension. Male rats were divided into four groups (n = 6), namely healthy control, diabetic non-treated control, and hyperglycemic rats treated with 150 or 300 mg/kg LP. Intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg streptozotocin was used to induce diabetes. Rats were fed in the morning and evening. Diabetic retinopathy was graded in rats using a dilated retinal digital ophthalmoscopy. Rats were sacrificed at 12 weeks and the retina, optic nerve, cornea, lens, sclera, ciliary bodies, iris, and conjunctiva were examined histologically. The diabetic rats consuming LP for 10 weeks showed dose-dependent, histopathologically-reduced eye abnormalities (keratopathy, cataract, sclera, conjunctiva, ciliary bodies, iris, limbus, corneal edema, epithelial barrier inefficiency, shallow punctate keratitis, lower basal layer cell density, retinopathy, glaucoma, and corneal changes). The LP significantly suppressed inflammation [increased serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2)], vascular leakage [claudin-1], abnormal vascularization [vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)], oxidative tension [malondialdehyde/reduced glutathione ratio], and hyperglycemia [fasting blood glucose] of the diabetic rats. The LP consumption was significantly protective against diabetic eye disorders and optic nerve dysfunction which were related to inflammation, vascular leakage, abnormal vascularization, and oxidative tension, which most likely influenced eye hemorrhage and collagen cross-linkage. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The study shows that gallic acid and myricetin-rich Labisia pumila (LP) leaf consumption may be used as a complementary therapy for managing diabetes (fasting blood glucose) and preventing diabetic eye disorders (keratopathy, cataract, sclera, conjunctiva, ciliary bodies, iris, limbus, corneal edema, epithelial barrier inefficiency, shallow punctate keratitis, lower basal layer cell density, retinopathy, glaucoma, and corneal abnormalities). The LP consumptions reduced the serum biomarkers for inflammation (serum tumor necrosis factor-α TNF-α; prostaglandin-E2), vascular leakage/abnormalities (claudin-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF), and oxidative tension (malondialdehyde/reduced glutathione MDA/GSH ratio). The LP was eye-protective probably by normalizing fasting blood glucose, reducing inflammation, oxidative tension, vascular leakage, and irregular vascularization.