Pharmacological Activity of Starfruit Plant (Averrhoa carambola L.)”

Abstract

Averrhoa carambola or known as sweet starfruit is a plant that grows in tropical countries such as India, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Sweet starfruit can be eaten directly or processed first. In several countries, sweet starfruit is used as herbal medicine. WHO predicts that around 80% of the population in developing countries use plants as a source of medicine. The parts of sweet starfruit that are used for treatment are roots, leaves and fruit. Sweet Carambola is a rich source of nutrients and minerals in the form of potassium, magnesium and phosphorus and is also a rich source of vitamins. Carambola also contains phytochemical components such as flavonoids, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, and saponins as biologically active components which are responsible for the bioactivity that occurs. Sweet star fruit is also high in natural antioxidants. Carambola has antibacterial, antihyperglycemic, antihypertensive, antitumor, neuroprotective pharmacological activities. In addition, sweet star fruit leaves can be used as antipruritic, antipyretic, and antihelmintic. Pharmacological studies show that extracts or active components of sweet star fruit show various therapeutic effects. In this review article, we have summarized the various pharmacological activities found in star fruit. Study searches were carried out using electronic databases in the form of Google Scholar, Elsevier, Science Direct, Wiley, Pubmed, and Mendley. The inclusion criteria in the search for articles are in the form of articles in Indonesian and English published in the last 10 years and the exclusion criteria are in the form of articles that cannot be accessed in full. The studies that were found were in the form of experimental studies which showed the pharmacological activity of the starfruit plant in experimental animals.