Tetracera Scandens as a Medicinal Plant: Secretory Structures, Histochemistry, and Antibacterial Activity

Tetrascera scandens, a member of Dilleniaceae, is used for traditional medicine; the stem is utilized by the Anak Dalam tribe of Jambi Province, Sumatera island, Indonesia, to treat diarrhea symptoms. The aims of this study were to identify the secretory structures, histochemical aspects, and the antibacterial potency of T. scandens stem. Histological study of the secretory structures of T. scandens stem was carried out. The species has idioblast cells and trichomes as its secretory structures. Histochemical analysis indicated the substance secreted by T. scandens idioblast cells mainly contains alkaloids, terpenoids, and phenols. Trichomes of T. scandens only contain flavonoids. The antibacterial activity of methanol extracts was tested against Staphyllococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Different concentration of extracts was tested using the well diffusion method. According to the results, 100 mg/mL T. scandens extract showed the best inhibitory activity with a maximum inhibition zone of 17.7 mm against S. aureus and of 12.5 mm against E. coli. This study provides scientific evidence that the stem of T. scandens has antibacterial activity and justifies its use by the local community

Rekayasa Ekspresi Gen Pembungaan Hd3a Dibawah Kendali Promoter Rol C Pada Jarak Pagar (Jatropha Curcas L.) [Engineering of Expression of Hd3a Flowering Gene Driven by Rol C Promoter on Physic Nut {Jatropha Curcas L.)]

Flowering in jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) was considered as one of major factors that contribute to its productivity. Small number of female flowers produced in each inflorescence was believed as the main cause of low seed production.Introduction of Hd3a flowering gene driven by rol C promoter was supposed to improve total number of flowers including female flower.The objective of this research was to optimize cell proliferation and regeneration medium in Jatropha transformation method mediated by Agrobacterium, to obtain transgenic Jatropha containing Hd3a flowering gene as well as to understand the effect of this transgene on jatropha flowering character.Callus induction medium containing 0.5 mg/1 IBA added with 3 g/1 PVP produced the highest frequency of shoot formation.We obtained 26.67% to 33.33% putative transgenic plantlets that were able to grow in 40mg/l hygromycin selection medium. PCR analysis revealed that seven out of 10 putative transgenic plantlets were positively transgenic.Extremely early flowering character that was confirmed by histological analysis was also shown by some transgenic plantlets