Phyllanthus Niruri Extract Could Improve Immunoglobulin-M Anti Phenolic Glycolipid-1 Level in Seropositive Contact of Hansen’s Disease Patients

Abstract

Number of Hansen's disease (HD) in Indonesia is classified as number three in the world after India and Brazil. New HD patients tend to increase since there is a possibility that seropositive HD is turning into manifest HD. Phyllanthus niruri  Linn  is an herb that stimulating human immunity to protect from diseases. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of P niruri extract to the IgM anti PGL - 1 level of seropositive contact of HD patients. Thirty two subjects aged 12-25 year were recruited for this study. The P. niruri group received 50 mg P. niruri extract/day orally for one month. Seropositive HD was determined by examining IgM anti PGL– 1 level. Daily intake was determined by recall method. There was no significant difference daily intake between two groups (P > 0.05).  The IgM anti PGL - 1 level in subject with P. niruri showed lower decrement than the control group, but it was of insignificant difference (P= 0.171). There was no significant change of IgM anti PGL – 1 level between both groups. However, IgM anti PGL – 1 level in the subject in the Phyllantus niruri Linn showed lower decrement.