炮竹紅(花丁子)~神奇作用.Russelia equisetiformis medicinal uses .Manfaat Bunga Air Mancur

炮竹紅學名Russelia equisetiformis 

別名:爆仗竹、吉祥花、紅長花、花丁子、炮竹花,觀音柳性味：味甘、性平。

生物碱，类黄酮，皂苷，单宁，类固醇和萜类化合物。

功效：活血、袪瘀、消腫、續筋接骨、治骨折、跌打挫傷、骨折筋傷、刀傷金瘡。

[用法用量] 外用：鲜品适量，捣敷。内服：煎汤，10-15g。

《新华本草纲要》：搗爛外敷患用于治骨折跌打挫傷。

  Recently it has been the subject of a few research studies, which have generally borne out the traditional uses of the plant. However these have not been replicated outside Nigeria.The latest research “Anti-inflammatory activity of Russelia equisetiformis Schlect and Cham: identification of its active constituents” published in the Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology, 2012 Vol. 1 (1) pp.25-29, by Awe Emmanuel Olorunju et al. states “lupeol isolated from extract of Russelia equisetiformis possesses anti-inflammatory activity in acute and certain aspects of chronic

Native to Mexico. - Recently introduced to the Philippines. Constituents - Leaves yielded alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, steroids, and terpenoids. (see study below)  (9) - Study of essential oil yielded 20 compounds. The major constituents were hexadecanoic acid methyl ester 11.04%, 11-methyltetracosane 8.44%, n-docosane 7.66%, α-pinene 7.26%, octadecanoic acid methyl ester 6.37%, eicosanoic acid methyl ester 6.16%, ctadecanoic acid ethyl ester 5.69%, geranic acid 5.60%, methyl tetradecanoate 5.27%, ß-pinene 4.60%. (15) - Phytochemical screening of extracts and fractions yielded alkaloids, steroids, tannins, terpenoids.  - Studies suggest anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, anticonvulsant, antidiabetic, membrane stabilizing, hair growth-promoting, CNS depressant, anti-malarial properties. Uses Folkloric • No known folkloric medicinal use in the Philippines. • In southwestern Nigeria, used for diabetes and leukemia. • Used to treat malaria, cancer, and inflammatory diseases.  • Used to promote hair growth. * In Colombia, decoction of entire plant use for kidney stones.  Others • Leaf and stem extract of R equisetiformis used as ingredient in cosmetic products. Studies • Antimicrobial: Antimicrobial effect of a methanolic extract was noted on S. aureus, S. albus, S. typhi, P. aeruginosa and K. edwardsiella. The effect was attributed to triterpenes in the extract. • Diabetes / Leukemia: Phytochemical Screening of Cnidoscolus Aconitifolius and Russelia Equisetiformis Used for the Treatment of Diabetes and Leukemia. • Antinociceptive: Results of study of whole plant extracts effect of Russelia equisetiformis confirmed the traditional uses of RE in the treatment of inflammation and pain. •Antiinflammatory / Analgesic: In a study of the methanolic extract of E equisetiformis in rats and mice using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, acetic acid-induced writhing and tail-flick testing, results suggested that the extract possesses potential anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.  • Hair-Growth Promoting Effect: Topical application of the methanol extract of the whole plant of R equisetiformis on a known diameter of shaved area of the back of albino wistar rats produced a significant increase in the rate of hair growth. The hair growth promoting potential is attributed to the presence of triterpenes and flavonoids in the plant extracts. (5) • Membrane Stabilizing Activity: Study showed the aqueous-ethanol extract of R equisetiformis possess membrane stabilizing activity in a concentration-dependent manner as evidenced by significant changes of membrane stabilization of RBC exposed to heat stress-induced hemolysis. • Hepatic Function Impairment: Methanol and aqueous extracts of Rusellia equisetiformis were evaluated for effects on hepatic functions. Results showed impairment of liver function with a dose-dependent elevation of enzymes ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, with a significant reduction in serum protein. The effects were more pronounced with the methanol extract. • Antioxidant / Antimicrobial / Cytotoxicity: Study of extract and fractions showed significant antioxidant potential using a DPPH scavenging and linoleic acid oxidation assays. Extracts and fractions also showed antimicrobial activity against selected bacterial and fungal strains. On cytotoxicity testing by hemolytic assay, results showed minor cytotoxicity as percentage lysis of RBCs below 5.0%. • CNS Depressant Activity: Study evaluated crude methanol extracts and fractions of R equisetiformis in mice using amphetamine-induced stereotypy, picrotoxin-induced convulsion and phenobarbitone sleeping time. Results showed central nervous system depressant activities. • Anti-Inflammatory: Study isolated lupeol. The lupeol extract showed significant and dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity in acute and chronic models of inflammation viz egg albumin-induced paw edema, formaldehyde–induced arthritis and cotton pellet granuloma in-vivo tests. Prednisolone was used standard drug. • Anticonvulsant: Study of methanol extracts of RE for anticonvulsant activity using picrotoxin (PCT) showed significant protective activity against picrotoxin, probably through GABAergic neurotransmission, and/or facilitating GABAergic actio in the brain. Results suggest a potential use as supplementary therapy for management and/or control of childhood convulsions and epilepsy • Antimalarial / Plasmodium berghei: Study evaluated the antiplasmodial potential of ethanol extract of Russelia equisetiformis in chloroquine Plasmodium infected mice. Results showed an antimalarial effect with a significant decrease in parasitaemia (p<0.05). Plant extract was devoid of toxicity at highest tested dose of 5000 mg/kg.

Bunga air mancur adalah tanaman hias yang berbentuk seperti air mancur dengan posisi tumbuh mengarah ke atas, kemudian menjuntai ke bawah. Bunga ini memiliki nama ilmiah (botanical name) Russelia equisetiformis Schltdl. & Cham dan dalam bahasa Inggris disebut dengan nama Fountain plant atau Coral plant.

Manfaat Bunga Air Mancur

Bunga Air Mancur memiliki banyak manfaat dan khasiat yang baik untuk kesehatan. Daun bunga air mancur mengandung flavonoida yang baik untuk manusia dan juga bunga.

Bagi bunga sendiri flavonoida memegang peranan penting untuk pembentukan kelopak bunga dengan cara memikat serangga agar menghinggapi bunga dan membantu proses penyerbukan, namun tidak semua serangga tertarik karena senyawa ini memiliki rasa pahit. Bagi manusia flavonoida sangat penting untuk kesehatan karena berfungsi sebagai :

1. Anti oksidan
2. Mengusir polusi dalam tubuh
3. Mencegah penuaan dini
4. Menghindari penyakit mematikan
5. Mencegah penyakit aterosklorosis
6. Penolak alergi
7. Mengusir virus
8. Sebagai anti diare
9. Menghindari thrombus atau penggumpalan darah
10. Meningkatkan sistem kekebalan tubuh

Bunga air mancur juga bisa digunakan untuk obat penurun panas karena daun dan bunganya mengandung saponin dan polifenol. Saponin sendiri merupakan senyawa alam yang rumit dengan massa dan molekul sangat besar dan memiliki kegunaan yang sangat luas. Ciri khas dari saponin mempunyai rasa pahit yang menusuk dan mampu menyebabkan bersin serta iritasi pada selaput lender, tetapi mampu menghancurkan butir darah atau hemolisis pada darah. Manfaat saponin pada manusia adalah :

1. Efektif mencegah kanker usus
2. Menghambat pertumbuhan sel karsinoma manusia
3. Sebagai anti oksidan
4. Menghambat pertumbuhan sel kanker prostat
5. Anti inflamasi dan anti jamur

Polifenol dalam tumbuhan berperan memberi warna pada daun tumbuhan, sedangkan pada manusia polifenol memiliki peran sebagai anti oksidan yang baik untuk kesehatan. Anti oksidan ini membantu mengurangi resiko penyakit jantung, pembuluh darah dan kanker serta mengurangi resiko penyakit Alzheimer. Selain itu polifenol mempunyai manfaat :

1. Menetralkan radikal bebas yang memiliki efek merusak terhadap sel sel dan jaringan tubuh
2. Mampu memperlambat proses penuaan
3. Mencegah timbulnya penyakit
4. Menurunkan resiko penyakit jantung dan kardiovaskular
5. Menghambat pertumbuhan kanker
6. Memperlambat keropos tulang
7. Menurunkan berat badan
8. Merangsang tubuh untuk membakar lebih banyak lemak dan kalori