Abstract

Bilirubin (BR) lowering potential of Orthosiphon stamineus (OS) aqueous extract was evaluated in temporarily jaundiced adult rats. Treatment of these rats with OS aqueous extract for three days reduced the BR level significantly to the normal value. Whereas smaller dose (50 mg/kg body weight) resulted in the reduction in BR level from 2.53 ± 0.16 to 1.12 ± 0.17 mg/dL, higher doses of 500 and 1250 mg/kg body weight were found to be more effective in reducing the BR level from 2.44 ± 0.12 to 0.52 ± 0.12 mg/dL and from 2.67 ± 0.29 to 0.32 ± 0.21 mg/dL, respectively. Therefore, OS aqueous extract can be used to reduce BR concentration to a normal level in jaundiced subjects.

Key words: Orthosiphon stamineus, Misai Kuching, hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice, bilirubin.