EAF and CE showed high activity against DPPH radical and
strong ferric reducing power. The three major compounds in
the EAF were found to be rosmarinic acid, procyanidin B1, and
a polymer of procyanidin B1. Rosmarinic acid and procyanidin
B1 were confirmed and quantified using the HPLC/UV technique.
The contents of procyanidin B1 and rosmarinic acid in
the EAF were found to be 3.236 ± 0.280 mg/g dry sample and
20.688 ± 1.573 mg/g dry sample, respectively. Rosmarinic acid
and procyanidin B1 showed strong DPPH scavenging capacity.
The presence of these compounds in sarang semut may
explain some of the health benefits observed in its traditional
applications. Further study is needed to analyze the whole
range of compounds and also to monitor the toxicity effect of
the water extract as it is used traditionally.