Orthosiphon stamineus Benth (Family: Lamiaceae) or locally known as Misai Kucing has been widely used in Malaysia for treating kidney problems, gout, and diabetes. This study aims to evaluate the possible toxic effect after following fourteen days oral administration of methanol extract of O. stamineus in female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Control groups were treated orally with distilled water (vehicle) while the four test groups were treated up to fourteen days with 0.5 g/kg, 1 g/kg, 3 g/kg and 5 g/kg body weight of methanol extract of O. stamineus respectively. Toxicity of the methanol extract of O. stamineus was evaluated by the incident of lethality, side-cage observation and blood serum biochemical parameters. No lethality or adverse toxic signs were seen during the experimental period. A significant decrease in several serum biochemical parameters i.e. AST and ALT and increase in liver weight was observed in young female SD rat after being fed fourteen days with methanol extract of O. stamineus. No delayed toxic effect and lethality was observed in all rats during fourteen days of recovery period. In conclusion, methanol extract of O. stamineus within these range and treatment duration would not cause any severe toxic effects and organ damages in rats.
A number of health databases is now available in Malaysia, but few are accessible to the general public. However, recently a service was launched nationwide via a videotex system to also target the Malaysia public. This service is provided by the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in collaboration with several Malaysian Government ministries and agencies. Access to health information via videotex, be it medical, pharmaceutical or environmental is viewed as an effective means of on-line information dissemination. It provides not only rapid retrieval but is also economical and interactive, particularly suitable for a developing country.