Mengungkap Potensi Senyawa Antibakteri dan Batas Aman Konsumsi Buah Areca catechu (Pinang) secara In Silico

Abstract

Areca catechu (betel nut) is a tropical plant that has been widely used in traditional medicine, particularly its fruit. Betel nut is known to contain various bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, tannins, and flavonoids, which have potential antibacterial properties. This study aims to investigate the antibacterial potential of compounds found in betel nut fruit and to evaluate their safety limits for consumption. The research was conducted in silico using a descriptive–exploratory approach with data obtained from the PubChem, PASS Online (Way2Drug), and ProTox databases. The results identified three major compounds in betel nut fruit—arecoline, procyanidin A1, and flavonoids—which exhibit potential antibacterial activity. Based on toxicity assessments, arecoline was classified as “slightly toxic” with an LD₅₀ value of 550 mg/kg and showed potential neurotoxic and carcinogenic effects. Meanwhile, procyanidin A1 and flavonoids were categorized as “relatively safe” with LD₅₀ values of 2,500 mg/kg, although they demonstrated potential nephrotoxic effects. These findings indicate that although these compounds have antibacterial potential, their safety for consumption must be carefully considered