Medicinal Properties of Ant Nest Plant (Myrmecodia Genus): A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The Myrmecodia genus belongs to the Rubiaceae family, which has the characteristic of an epiphytic plant. This genus spread from Malaysia, through the Philippines, Sumatra, Borneo, Java, New Guinea (Papua), Cape York to the Solomon Islands and Pacific region. It has been empirically proven to treat gout, inflammation, muscle pain relief, strengthen the body’s immunity, and cancer treatment. AIM: This article reviewed the scientific work about the Myrmecodia genus concerning their traditional uses, phytochemical compounds, and pharmacological activities of Myrmecodia. METHODS: The sources were from the scientific literature online database, including Science Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar between 1978 and 2021. Furthermore, 112 articles were collected, while 61 full-text were assessed for eligibility. RESULTS: The Myrmecodia extract has many pharmacological activities, namely antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxic, and anticancer. CONCLUSION: Moreover, this review may be used as scientific literature for the next investigations on the genus Myrmecodia, especially regarding pharmacological properties such as in vitro and in vivo studies and isolation of the active compounds.