Introduction
Labisia pumila (Myrsinaceae), popularly known as "Kacip Fatimah", has been used by Malay women for many generations to induce and facilitate childbirth as well as a post-partum medicine (Burkill, 1935). There are 3 main varieties of L. pumila found in Malaysia; var. alata, var. pumila and var. lanceolata (Stone, 1988). The plants are usually boiled and the water soluble extract taken as supplement drink.

Due to the popularity of Kacip Fatimah, there are now readily available commercial preparations of the plant, both sold in the form of capsules and claimed to contain the grinded plant or part of it, or as canned or bottled drinks. However, to date, there is no standard to check these products. Despite the many claims on the wonders of Kacip Fatimah, scientific evidence on its actual mode of actions or even its potential toxicity is not available.

Based on the fact that the plant is being used by local women to induce childbirth or post-partum, the possibility of it being a phytoestrogen is highly likely. An earlier in-vitro study using human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells of the Ishikawa-Var I line showed that the ethanolic extract of the roots of L. pumila var. alata exhibited a weak but specific estrogenic effect on the cells, resulting in enhanced secretion of alkaline phosphatase (Jamal, 1999). Studies in IMR showed that the water extract of the Kacip Fatimah could displace the binding of 17b-estradiol to anti-estradiol, making it similar to other estrogens such as estrone and estriol (Husniza et al, 2000). When given to normal rats, the extract was found to cause increase in the level of free testosterone. This may prove to be an important finding especially for women, as testosterone is known to be associated with increased libido and sexuality.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Project Title:
Estrogenic and androgenic activities of Kacip Fatimah
(Labisia pumila var. alata and var. pumila )

 

The main objectives of this project therefore:

1. To develop standardized techniques for the cultivation and process of Kacip Fatimah (KF) plant, and laboratory procedures for the preparation of the standardized water extract of KF for use in in-vitro, in-vivo studies and clinical trials.
2. To use molecular techniques to determine the estrogenic and androgenic activities of KF using cell lines such as MCF-7 and MFM-223.
3. To determine the hormonal effects of KF on normal and ovarectomised female rats.
4. To determine the toxicological effects of KF on normal female rats as well as embryonic development and reproductive functions.
5. To undertake clinical trials on the standardised KF preparation : Phase 1 (normal female subjects), Phases 2 and 3 (female patients).

 

Period of the project : 3 Years (2001 - 2004)

Achievements

- Nill

Project Status

- On-going