Prospect of katuk plant (Sauropus androgynus) to be developed as a medicinal product

Prospect of katuk plant (Sauropus androgynus) to be developed as a medicinal product

1999

A:PS

The leaves of katuk (Sauropus androgynus L. Merr) have been used for decades by our ancestor as herbal medicine to increase breast milk secretion. Dung manure of 20 tons mixed with 190 kg nitrogen, 87.5 kg phosphorus, and 87.5 kg K2O per ha is the best fertilizer for katuk fields. Soil moisture at 80% field capacity is another prerequisite for better plant growth and production of leaves. The best method to produce medicinal product from katuk leaves was found consisting of the following steps: (1) drying the leaves at 45 degree C; (2) extraction the leaves using ethanol 70% by a combination of stirring and maceration for 24 hours; (3) drying the extract (after evaporation) by mixing with aerosil, avicel, and cassava starch; and (4) compressing the tablets containing viscous katuk extract 45%, drying substance 45%, isintegrating substance (explotab) 6%, binding substance (colidon) 3%, and lubricating substance 1%. The compressed tablets are coating with film. Dry extract of katuk (DEK) is relatively safe for mother and baby rats and also for goats. DEK increase production of breast milk. Clinical test for human being is still studied, however many baby's mothers commonly consume katuk leaves as vegetable and cooked salad. Katuk leaves as medicine can be processed in the industry, and financial analyses give IRR of 33%, B/C ratio of 3.17, and PBP of 3.90.

v.21(4):59-64, INDONESIAN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT JOURNAL

Research > Published Articles