PENANG, 19 May 2014 – The leaves of Orthosiphon stamineus, Benth or more commonly known as Misai kucing, is known for its efficacy in treating diabetes, lowering blood cholesterol levels and lowering blood pressure when boiled in water and drunk.

Now, through the discovery and study by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (SPS) lecturers led by Dr. Yam Mun Fei, compounds known as Sinensetin and Eupatorin extracted from the leaves of Misai kucing have been identified in helping to reduce inflammation and also stop the ulceration of the stomach lining.

This food supplement in tablet form is named Eusinorthec, and it is the result of fractional processing (fractionation method) of Misai kucing leaf extract in which the key ingredients that inhibit the inflammatory gene or either having anti-inflammatory or anti-arthritis properties were isolated.

“Arthritis or joint diseases caused by swelling of the joints can be treated with this product with no side effects, unlike the steroids that are often marketed.

“The test results on animals were promising as swelling was reduced after four hours of taking Eusinorthec,” Yam said, adding that this supplement was intended to be marketed at RM1 for each tablet.

“Each tablet contains 30 microgrammes of Sinensetin and 47 microgrammes of Eupatorin,” Yam added.

According to another SPS lecturer, Professor Dr. Mohd Zaini Asmawi who is also Yam’s supervisor, this product has been registered for trademark and is in the process of looking for companies to conduct clinical trials on Eusinorthec.

“Clinical trials are relatively expensive and time consuming to conduct. Therefore, we are still studying and looking for the commercial potential of this product,” Mohd Zaini added.

According to Yam, the breakthrough came after a decade of intensive research and many attempts to find the best method to extract the herb’s compounds.

Yam added that his Ph.D. thesis won the best USM research thesis and a bronze medal at the Exposition on Invention of Institution of Higher Learning (PECIPTA) 2013.

Eusinorthec was also among the 19 products that won gold award at the International Invention, Innovation & Technology Exhibition (ITEX) 2014 held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre recently.

Misai kucing is widely grown in tropical areas, and the plant can be easily distinguished by its white or purple flowers that resemble cat whiskers. - Translation: Yong Check Yoon & Tan Ewe Hoe/Text: Nor Rafizah Md Zain/Photo: Mohd Fairus Md Isa