<![CDATA[Diarrhea remains a major public health problem in Indonesia, particularly in rural areas with limited access to healthcare. In Aceh Province, it is a leading cause of medical visits among children under five. Reliance on traditional herbal medicine persists due to limited access to conventional drugs and concerns over the side effects of synthetic antidiarrheals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the secondary metabolite profile and antidiarrheal activity of the ethyl acetate fraction of Daemonorops draco (Willd.) Blume (jernang fruit) as a potential Indonesian herbal medicine. Dried fruits of D. draco were macerated using 70% ethanol, followed by liquid-liquid fractionation with n-hexane and ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate fraction was subjected to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry quadrupole time-of-flight (LCMS-QTOF) analysis for secondary metabolite identification. Antidiarrheal activity was evaluated in vivo using male mice induced with castor oil. Parameters assessed included diarrhea onset time, fecal frequency, fecal weight, and fecal consistency. Pharmacognostic evaluation of the simplicia was conducted in accordance with the Indonesian Herbal Pharmacopoeia standards. The simplicia met pharmacopeial standards with a high ethanol-soluble extract content. LC-MS/QTOF analysis identified flavonoids, terpenoids, lignans, alkaloids, and sphingolipids. The ethyl acetate fraction significantly delayed diarrhea onset and reduced fecal frequency and weight in a dose-dependent manner, with the highest dose (100 mg/kg body weight) showing the strongest effect, although lower than loperamide. The ethyl acetate fraction of D. draco fruit exhibits significant antidiarrheal activity and contains diverse bioactive secondary metabolites, supporting its potential development as a safe, locally sourced herbal antidiarrheal agent.]]>
