Effect of methanolic extract of myrmecodia platytyrea tuber on the cytokine level in sprague dawley rats

Myrmecodia platytyrea is known as ant-nest plant, belonging to the Rubiaceae family which is believed to have a potential anti-inflammatory activity. The decoction of the plant's tuber is used for the treatment of inflammation-related disorders such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, coronary heart diseases and others. Furthermore, the tuber consists of many polyphenol compounds. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of methanolic extract of Myrmecodia platytyrea tuber on the inflammation markers such as the cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) in female Sprague Dawley rats treated for 14 days (p.o.) daily. The administration of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of M platytyrea extract on treated rats revealed no significant differences (p>0.05) on body weight, food and water intake compared to control rats (normal saline, p.o.). Blood drawn at the end of the study via cardiac puncture was analysed using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for the measurement of rat TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. However, there were no significant differences in the level of cytokines compared to control. In conclusion, 14-day oral administration of M. platytyrea methanolic extract of M. platytyrea tuber did not cause any elevation of cytokine levels of the female Sprague Dawley rats.