Qibtiyah 1

Maryatul Qibtiyah

Kevin J Mayor

English for Specific Purpose II

11 May 2015

Jambu Monyet or Cashew (Anacardium occidentale)

Anacardium occidentale or jambu monyet/jambu mete (in Indonesian) is one of plants

used for traditional medicine. All the parts of this plant have different function such as : the

shell can be used for covering bark or sprue medicine; the young leaves can be eaten for

lalapan (edible uncooked leaves or vegetables); its fruit can be used for sweets, jam, or rujak

(Indonesian traditional food from papayas leaf, jambu mete, tamarind, and terasi grinded

into one) (Kusrini 1). The fruit juice and the nutshell oil are both said to be folk remedies for

cancerousulcers, elephantiasis and warts. The oily substance from pericarp is used for cracks

on the feet. Old leaves are applied to skin afflictions and burns. In the Gold Coast, the bark

and leaves are used for sore gums and toothache. Decoction of the astringent bark is

suggested for severe diarrhoea and thrush. In India, bark is used in herbal tea for asthma, cold

and congestion and as an antidote for snake envenomations (Hemshekhar 122).

Fig. 1. Anacardium occidentales Fruit and Nut

Anacardium occidentales nutshell contains compound called anacardic acid.

Anacardic acid is a mixture of several closely related organic compounds, each consisting of

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salicylic acid substituted with an alkyl chain. The traditional Ayurveda depicts nutshell oil as

a medicinal remedy for alexeritic, amebicidal, gingivitis, malaria and syphilitic ulcers

(Hemshekhar 122).

Fig. 2. Structure of Anacardic Acid

Anacardic acid has solid formed and white-coloured. It shows biology activities such

as anti-bacteria, anti-microbial, inhibitor of prostaglandine, tirosinase and lipoxigenase

synthesis (Risfaheri 8). The other biology activities are anti-cancer activity, anti-

inflammatory activity, and anti-parasite. The enduring research and emerging evidence

suggests that anacardic acid could be a potent target molecule with bactericide, fungicide,

insecticide, anti-termite and molluscicide properties and as a therapeutic agent in the

treatment of the most serious pathophysiological disorders like cancer, oxidative damage,

inflammation and obesity (Hamshekhar 122).

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Works Cited

Hamshekhar, Mahadevappa, et al. Emerging Roles of Anacardic Acid and Its Derivatives: A

Pharmacological Overview. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology 110

(2011):122132. Print.

Kusrini, Dewi, Mahendra Ismardiyanto. ASAM ANAKARDAT DARI KULIT BIJI

JAMBU METE (Anacardium occidentale L) YANG MEMPUNYAI AKTIVITAS

SITOTOKSIK. JSKA Vol.VI.No.1 (2003): 1-4. Print.

Risfaheri, Sari Intan Kailaku. TEKNOLOGI PENGEMBANGAN PRODUK TURUNAN

MINYAK KULIT BIJI METE. Prosiding Seminar Nasional Teknologi Inovatif

Pascapanen untuk Pengembangan Industri Berbasis Pertanian (2011): 677-690.

Print.