Phytochemical Screening, Antioxidant Activity, and Acute Toxicity Evaluation of Physalis angulata L. Leaf Infusion

Background: Physalis angulata L. (ciplukan) is an herbal plant rich in secondary metabolites and has antioxidant activity. Antioxidant activity of this plant is commonly the reason why people of many Asian countries use this plant as traditional medicine or a supplement through the infusion/tea brewing method. Aims: This study aims to be an exploratory study to identify the metabolite molecules that are extracted using the infusion method and their acute toxicity. Methods: Simple phytochemistry screening tests are conducted to identify the secondary metabolites composition of ciplukan leaf infusion. Antioxidant activity using DPPH radicals was conducted to obtain the inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of the solution. Twenty-five female mice were divided into 5 groups: a control group and ciplukan leaf infusion with doses 1, 5, 10, and 15 g/kg BW. Infusion was administered on day one, while the mortality rate and toxicity symptoms were observed in 14 days. Results: Ciplukan leaf infusion contains alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins, which are all successfully extracted by water as a polar solvent. This solution has an IC50 DPPH value of 106.81 µg/ml, which is categorized as a moderately active antioxidant extract. Acute toxicity test showed no mortality and toxicity symptoms in each group, resulting in an LD50 value of more than 15 g/kg BW. Conclusion: Ciplukan leaf infusion as a polar extract successfully extracted polar molecules alkaloid, flavonoid, and tannin which have moderate antioxidant activity. This infusion showed no mortality up to 15 g/kg BW.