SELF-MEDICATION WITH HERBAL PRODUCT AND SUPPLEMENTS FOR WEIGHT LOSS AMONG MALAYSIANS

• Main Author: Yadiswaren, Tamilarsi
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/45070
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Self-medication is defined as health activities to treat oneself with or without drugs using information obtained from previous experience. The use of herbal medicine and supplements for weight loss is becoming increasingly common worldwide. This study aimed to determine the factors such as demographic parameter on the practice, attitude and people awareness of herbal products and supplements for weight loss and also to evaluate the quality of the products based on their specific and non-specific parameters. The method was performed using a cross-sectional study, using a validated questionnaire. To determine the quality of the herbal products commonly used for weight loss among Malaysians characterization and chromatogram pattern were done. Among 376 respondents, 89 (23.7%) were male and 287 (76.3%) were female. Practice of selfmedication was high at the age of 18-35 years, single and female. Comparison of two study groups showed no differences in education level, 188 (50%) were less than secondary level and 188 (50%) were more than secondary level. Common herbal products and supplements consumed were green tea 162 (43.1%), Garcinia cambogia 112 (29.8%), herbal tea 58 (15.4%) and others such as caffeine and fat burners 44 (11.7%). Based on the characterization of the products, they fulfilled the requirements of the standardization which includes the chromatogram pattern using thin layer chromatogram (TLC). Phytochemical screening of green tea and Garcinia cambogia confirmed the presence of alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin, terpenoids and tannin. Herbal tea indicated the presence of alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin and terpenoids. As a conclusion, green tea(Camellia sinensis), Garcinia cambogia and herbal tea which consists mixture of Cassia angustofolia, Pimpinella anisum and Cinnamomum zeylanicum was identified as the most common herbal product used for weight loss among Malaysians, used mainly by single females, mostly expected that the products would make them feel and look good. Most of the products were consumed for more than 6 months. All the studied products were in good quality and fulfilled the quality requirement.