Ingredients Of Traditional Medicine Research Articles

Ethnobotany and diversity of Citrus spp. (Rutaceae) as a source of “Kem-kem” traditional medicine used among the Karo sub-ethnic in North Sumatra, Indonesia

The Karo sub-ethnic is one of five Batak sub-ethnicities in the Karo Regency, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia. They are famous for their local knowledge about the traditional use of medicinal plants to treat various diseases. The “Kem-kem” traditional medicine is one of the traditional healing practices that involve using plants passed down through generations from their ancestors. One of the plant genus group in the Rutaceae family utilized in the traditional “Kem-kem” healing practice is a citrus known as “Rimo”. This study aims to document the local knowledge about the diversity of Citrus spp. as Kem-kem's herbal medicinal plant. This study was conducted from April to July 2023 in the Kabanjahe and Berastagi districts, Karo Regency, North Sumatra. Data was collected using interviews with traditional healers, herbal medicine vendors, and direct observations at traditional markets, involving a total of 8 Citrus spp. The Karo uses “Rimo” with different local names as sources of traditional medicinal ingredients in practicing “Kem-kem”. There are 15 local names comprising eight species of Citrus. Four are hybrids, i.e., Citrus x aurantiifolia (Christm.) Swingle, Citrus × aurantium L, Citrus × junos Siebold ex Yu.Tanaka, and Citrus × taitensis Risso. Two of the remaining species are recognized in infraspecific rank, one variety (Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis (Hoola van Nooten) Swingle) and one form (Citrus × aurantium f. deliciosa (Ten.) M.Hiroe). They were used as material sources for Kem-kem traditional medicine to treat at least nine health problems. There are two species with six local names included in the Least Concern (LC) category, namely C. medica (Rimo Gawang, Rimo Hantuantu, Rimo Kayu), C. medica var. sarcodactylis (Rimo Kuku Harimau), and C. medica (Rimo Telur Buaya), C. maxima (Burm.) Merr. (Rimo Malem). Nine local names are included in the Not Evaluated (NE) category, namely C. × junos (Rimo Kejaren), C. × taitensis (Rimo Jungga), C. × aurantium f. deliciosa (Rimo Keling), C. × aurantium (Rimo Kersik), Citrus hystrix DC. (Rimo Mukur), C. × taitensis (Rimo Puraga), C. × aurantium (Rimo Kalele), Citrus swinglei Burkill ex Harms (Rimo Pagar), and C. x aurantiifolia (Rimo Bunga). Rimo Kejaren (C. × junos) is a species that has the most benefits.

Phytochemical Screening of Coconut Pistil Extract (Pistillum Cocos nucifera) as Traditional Medicine

The coconut plant is a plant that has many benefits for human life. Every part of the coconut plant has great benefits for life, such as the trunk, roots, fruit, even the fruit or pistil of the coconut also provides many health benefits. Villagers use coconut pistil as a traditional medicine in the treatment of diarrhea. Traditional medicine can be obtained from plants that contain secondary metabolite compounds. Secondary metabolite compounds are active compounds found in plants to defend themselves from harmful environmental attacks. The purpose of this study is to identify secondary metabolite compounds present in coconut pistils. Identification of secondary metabolite compounds is carried out qualitatively, namely conducting phytochemical tests (phytochemical screening) in the laboratory. Phytochemical Screening is a simple and effective method. The results of this study indicate that coconut pistil (pistillum Cocos Nucifera) positively contains secondary metabolite compounds of flavonoids, saponins, tannins, terpenoids and phenolics. So that coconut pistil can be used as one of the traditional medicinal ingredients

EFFECT OF EXTRACTION METHOD ON ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF PALM PALM LEAVES (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is a plant that is native to Africa and South America. This plant can grow well in tropical areas, such as Indonesia. Indonesia is currently one of the largest producers of palm oil worldwide. As the area of palm oil plantations increases, the potential for waste from this plant continues to increase. The potential for palm oil leaf waste production in Indonesia is 658 kg dry matter/hectare/year. Palm oil leaf waste has been widely processed into organic fertilizers and animal feeds. This plant has the potential to be developed into a source of traditional medicinal ingredients. Based on the abundant sources of palm oil leaves and their pharmacological potential, palm oil leaves can be used as a source of raw materials for traditional medicine. This study aimed to compare the antioxidant activities of oil palm leaf extracts obtained by maceration and reflux to determine which extraction method produces the best antioxidant activity. Extraction was carried out using 70% ethanol solvent by maceration and reflux. The results of the phytochemical screening showed that oil palm leaves contain flavonoids, polyphenols, saponins, quinones, steroid-triterpenoids, and monoterpene-sesquiterpenes. Antioxidant activity using a UV-Visible spectrophotometer with DPPH free radicals showed that the extract obtained by maceration and reflux methods had IC50 values of 46.61 ± 1.76 ug/mL and 55.21 ± 2.91 ug/mL respectively. Therefore, extraction by maceration produces a better antioxidant activity. Keywords: Palm leaves; Traditional medicine; Extraction; Active compound stability; Antioxidant

Study Of Types Of Weeds That Have The Potential As Traditional Medicine Ingredients Used By The Community In North Bolaang Mongondow Regency

This research aims to obtain data on weed types that have the potential to be used as medicinal plants and are used by the community in the district. North Bolaang Mongondow Includes 1). Sangkub District, 2) Bintauna District, 3) Kaidipang District, 4) Pinogaluman District. The methods used in this research were field observations and interviews with healers and people who use weed as a traditional medicinal plant. The data/samples that will be taken over 4 sub-districts. The ethnic diversity that exists in Indonesia means that the use of weed as medicine is increasingly diverse. North Sulawesi Province has a wealth of plants as traditional medicines which can be processed to national standards into herbal medicines. The indigenous population in North Bolaang Mongondow Regency consists of the Kaidipang tribe and the Bintauna tribe. Various ethnic groups, including the Sangihe ethnic group and the Mongondow ethnic group, still use weed as an ingredient in traditional medicine. Weeds are wild plants defined as nuisance plants because they interfere with farmers' activities in cultivating crops and can reduce crop production. Apart from disturbing cultivated plants, weeds can be used as medicinal raw materials. Many types of weeds are used by the community as traditional medicine. Certain types of weed have been developed in the form of industrial-scale medicines. These weed species include Peperomia pellucida (L.), Cyperus rotundus L., Heliotropium indicum L., Eleusine indica (L.) Gaernt, Ageratum conyzoides L. The results of the research show that people in East Bolaang Mongondow Regency still use weed as a mixture of traditional medicinal ingredients. Keywords: medicinal plants, potential of weeds as medicinal plants Abstrak Tujuan penelitian ini adalah memperoleh data jenis gulma yang berpotensi sebagai tumbuhan obat dan dimanfaatkan masyarakat di Kab. Bolaang Mongondow Utara Meliputi 1). Kecamatan Sangkub, 2) Kecamatan Bintauna, 3) Kecamatan Kaidipang, 4) Kecamatan Pinogaluman. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah observasi lapangan, wawancara pengobat dan masyarakat pengguna gulma sebagai tumbuhan obat tradisional. Data/sampel yang akan diambil meliputi 4 kecamatan. Keanekaragaman etnis yang ada di Indonesia menyebabkan pemanfaatan gulma sebagai obat juga semakin beraneka ragam. Provinsi Sulawesi Utara memiliki kekayaan tumbuhan sebagai obat tradisional yang bisa diolah berstandar nasional menjadi obat herbal. Penduduk asli di Kabupaten Bolaang Mongondow Utara terdiri dari suku Kaidipang dan Suku Bintauna. Berbagai etnis diantaranya etnis Sangihe, etnis Mongondow masih erat menggunakan gulma sebagai bahan obat tradisional. Gulma merupakan tumbuhan liar didefinisikan sebagai tumbuhan pengganggu karena mengganggu kegiatan petani dalam budidaya tanaman dan dapat menurunkan produksi tanaman. Gulma selain mengganggu tanaman budidaya, dapat dimanfaatkan sebagai bahan baku obat. Banyak jenis gulma yang dimanfaatkan oleh masyarakat sebagai obat tradisional. Ada jenis gulma tertentu sudah dikembangkan dalam bentuk obat skala industri. Spesies gulma tersebut antara lain Peperomia pellucida (L.), Cyperus rotundus L., Heliotropium indicum L., Eleusine indica (L.) Gaernt, Ageratum conyzoides L. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa masyarakat di Kabupaten Bolaang Mongondow Timur masih menggunakan gulma sebagai campuran ramuan obat tradisional. Kata kunci: tumbuhan obat, potensi gulma sebagai tumbuhan obat.

PENYULUHAN TENTANG OBAT TRADISIONAL TERHADAP PENYAKIT ASAM URAT DI SMK SWASTA YAPIM BIRU-BIRU

Pain in the joint area is common condition that occurs in gout sufferers. Pain in the joint area occurs because the uric acid level in the blood is too high. High levels of uric acid will cause a buildup of crystals in the joint area. If gout sufferers take analgesic drugs continuously, undesirable effects can occur. So gout sufferers need treatment without drugs to treat it. A non-drug treatment to relieve pain in the joint area and reduce uric acid levels is a concoction of soursop leaves. Soursop leaves contain the natural antioxidant acetogenin and several phenolics, which work by inhibiting the action of xhantin oxidase which is responsible for converting hypoxhantin into xhantin. The aim of this community service is to provide information to the public about the benefits of soursop leaves as a traditional medicinal ingredient in treating gout. The implementation of this PKM activity was carried out at the Yapim Biru-biru Private Vocational School, which is a vocational high school located in Delitua, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Next, students had their level of knowledge measured by being given a quiz and the results showed that 9 out of 10 questions students were able to understand the benefits of soursop leaves as a non-drug treatment for gout.

Analysis of tensile strength of composite fiber reinforced with areca Nut Skin Fiber using BQTN 157 EX Resin

In the development of materials science, especially polymers, natural fibers such as areca nut shell fiber are increasingly attractive to use. The use of synthetic polymer materials made from fiber can replace conventional materials such as metal, wood and leather. They can replace conventional materials with the advantages of lower price, environmental friendliness, and recyclability. Areca nut shell fiber, as an example of a natural fiber, has great potential in the furniture industry, crafts, and as an ingredient in traditional medicine. This fiber is used as a reinforcing material in composites with an Unsaturated Polyester Yukalac resin matrix. Unsaturated Polyester Yukalac resin, with characteristics such as stiffness, flexibility, water resistance, chemical resistance and weather resistance, is used as a matrix in making composites. The aim of this research is to make a plastic composite prototype reinforced with areca palm fiber, varying the volume fraction of areca nut shell fiber by 30%:50%, 50%:60%, 70%:70%, 90%:80% and for the matrix using polyester resin. BQTN 157 EX. The fiber composition is arranged in a mold in the same direction using the hand lay up method. Composite testing is in the form of a tensile test referring to the ASTM 638-03 standard. The results of the largest tensile testing process were with a volume fraction of 50% with an average value of 7.11 MPa, and for tensile testing the lowest was a volume fraction of 70% with an average value of 6.17 MPa, it can be concluded for reinforced plastic composites Areca nut shell fiber has considerable ability to be applied as a structural material. This is a step towards the development of innovative and environmentally friendly composite materials for various industrial applications.

Morphological study and DNA fingerprint pattern of Goniothalamus tapis and G. umbrosus (Annonaceae) using M13 marker and its taxonomic implication

Abstract. Mahadi I, Fathurrahman F, Sofiyanti N, Susatya A. 2023. Morphological study and DNA fingerprint pattern of Goniothalamus tapis and G. umbrosus (Annonaceae) using M13 marker and its taxonomic implication. Biodiversitas 24: 6299-6306. The species of Goniothalamus (Blume) JD Hooker & Thomson (Annonaceae) is widely considered a source of traditional medicine and containsoniothalamin, which is used for anti-cancer and anti-bacterial drugs. Goniothalamus tapis and G. umbrosus are traditional medicines in Sumatra, Indonesia, and Malaysia Peninsula, respectively. The community uses this plant as a source of traditional medicinal ingredients. Clinically, Goniothalamus contains the compound goniothalamin, an anti-cancer and anti-bacterial drug. The existence of this plant is gradually maintained. G. tapis is often used as a traditional medicine for the Malay community in Sumatra, and G. umbrosus is widely used by the Malay community in the Peninsular Malaysia. These two plants are morphologically similar, but the two species are different. Some researchers consider these plants to be the same. For this reason, it needs to be studied by combining two methods, both molecular and morphological. G. tapis and G. umbrosus are species of the Goniothalamus distributed in Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia. Their taxonomic status needs to be clarified due to the morphological character similarity. This study aimed to study the morphological characters of G. tapis and G. umbrosus as well as their DNA fingerprint pattern using M13 Marker. The morphological examination showed that G. tapis and G. umbrosus characters are distinguished by leaf, flower, and fruit. This result is supported by a DNA fingerprint pattern using an M13 marker. The results show that these two species are different both in terms of morphology and fingerprints. So, it can be concluded that these two species are different.

Comparative Metabolomics Analysis of Different Perilla Varieties Provides Insights into Variation in Seed Metabolite Profiles and Antioxidant Activities.

Perilla seeds are essential functional foods and key ingredients in traditional medicine. Herein, we investigated the variation in phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activities of twelve different perilla seeds. The seeds showed significant variations in total phenolic and flavonoid contents ranging from 16.92 to 37.23 mg GAE/g (GAE, gallic acid equivalent) and 11.6 to 19.52 mg CAE/g (CAE, catechin equivalent), respectively. LC-QqQ-MS (liquid chromatography triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry)-based widely targeted metabolic profiling identified a total of 975 metabolites, including 68-269 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs). Multivariate analyses categorized the seeds into four groups based on the seed coat and leaf colors. Most key bioactive DAMs, including flavonoids (quercetin-3'-O-glucoside, prunin, naringenin, naringenin chalcone, butin, genistin, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, etc.), amino acids (valine, lysine, histidine, glutamine, threonine, etc.), and vitamins (B1, B3, B6, U, etc.) exhibited the highest relative content in PL3 (brown seed, purple leaf), PL1 (white seed, green-purple leaf), and PL4 (white seed, green leaf) groups, respectively. Meanwhile, key differentially accumulated phenolic acids showed a higher relative content in PL1 and PL4 than in other groups. Both seeds exhibited high antioxidant activities, although those of PL2 (brown seed, green leaf) group seeds were the lowest. Our results may facilitate the comprehensive use of perilla seeds in food and pharmaceutical industries.

Pengobatan Tradisional Untuk Menyembuhkan Demam Pada Anak dalam Naskah Buku Isi Warni Warni

The manuscript entitled Buku Isi Warna Warni is a manuscript that contains many traditional medicine ingredients such as medicine for fever in children. The purpose of this study is to present edits and translations of fever treatment texts in children contained in the BIWW manuscript and explain the function of traditional medicine contained in the manuscript. The methods used in this study are data collection, data processing, data analysis and presentation of data analysis results. At the data collection stage, field studies and literature studies are carried out. The data processing stage, philological work steps are carried out from manuscript description, transliteration, editing and translation. In studying the content of the content, a pragmatic approach is used. The source of the data used is the BIWW manuscript which is still written in Javanese script and is stored at the Demak Regency Library and Archives Office. The result of this study is the editing of text that has been cleared of errors and the translation of the text into Indonesian. In addition, there is a function of traditional medicine, especially the treatment of fever in children. This function is the function of education on the types of fever that are often suffered. As for the function of knowledge about herbal medicines derived from plants and other complementary ingredients. In addition, it is also described how to mix herbs and effective methods used to give fever medicine ingredients to children. The functions contained in the BIWW text are still relevant because they can be applied as treatment in today's society.
 Keywords: BIWW script; traditional medicine: philology; pragmatics; child fever.

Identifikasi Tumbuhan Obat Tradisional di Kecamatan Seram Utara Barat Kabupaten Maluku Tengah

Inventorying and identifying plant species as ingredients for traditional medicines is very important because they have the potential to develop herbal medicines that have health and economic value. This study aims to identify various types of medicinal plants that are used by the community in the North West Seram District, Central Maluku Regency. Identified 13 species and 12 plant families consisting of Panadanaceae, Araceae, Acanthanthes, Annoaceae, Piperaceae, Aceanthaeae, Asteraceae, and Phyllantasheae. Lamiaceae, Poaceae, Zingiberaceae, and Garicaceae are used as traditional medicine. The Araceae family is most widely used as a traditional medicinal ingredient. Part of the leaf with a percentage of 59% is used by boiling as a traditional medicine.

Identification of the Diversity of Medicinal Plants Used by Battra in North Bengkulu

All kinds of plants that are found in nature and have medicinal properties are considered medicinal plants. Utilization of medicinal plants can be used directly and mixed. Battra is a person who has knowledge of traditional medicine and is capable of concocting medicinal plants. North Bengkulu is one of the districts that still use conventional medical care. Utilizing medicinal plants that are proven to be able to treat those derived from natural ingredients can be healthful because of very few side effects compared to drugs that contain chemicals. The goal of the study was to catalog the various medicinal herbs used by Battra North Bengkulu. This study used 10 respondents' interviews as its approach. Battra uses 64 species from 37 families of medicinal plants as traditional medicinal ingredients. The most common type of family is Fabaceae. The habitus group that is widely used is 45% trees. Types of diseases that are commonly treated traditionally using these plants include fever, toothache, itching, cramps, internal heat, scales, stomach pain, malaria, long-term fever, colds (cholera), ulcers, lungs, kidney stones, jaundice, high blood pressure, appendicitis, fussy children, eye disease, intestinal worms, kesapo, sprains, tumors and gout. In the processing of medicinal plants by Battra in North Bengkulu, 11 processes the highest drug processing method was by boiling as much as 37%.

Implementation and financial analysis of good agricultural practices (GAPs) of True Cardamom (Amomum compactum SoL.): The experience from smallholders’ farmers

True cardamom is a biopharmaceutical plant used for the essential ingredients of traditional medicines, spices, additives, and herbs in various industries. Farmers should adopt Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for good quality and productivity, which can increase cultivation costs. Evaluating the implementation of GAP and the financial aspect is important to see its feasibility. This study aims to assess GAP’s application level and its financial analysis based on adoption. Respondents were taken using the Cluster Random Sampling method, which determined as many as 43 farmers in Cisolok District. Based on the level of implementation of True Cardamom’s GAP, the farmers are categorized as high, medium, and low adoption with a percentage of 25%, 75%, and 0%, respectively. The financial analysis results of the Net Present Value (NPV) of high-category farmers and medium-category are IDR 88,603,622.39 and IDR. 31,879,670.82, respectively. The high-category GAP adoption has a higher value of Net Benefit-Cost Ratio than the others, medium-category, 4.5 and 2.4, respectively. So do the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) values; high-category has an IRR value more significant than the other which the IRR is higher than the interest rate (11%). Cardamom business is declared financially feasible with a payback period at the application level of GAP for high and medium categories: two years, two months, and five years and six months, respectively.

Innovative extraction technologies of bioactive compounds from plant by-products for textile colorants and antimicrobial agents

AbstractThe agriculture and horticulture industries generate many by-products while processing commodities, leading to significant environmental and societal dilemmas. Bioactive compounds obtained from by-products of plants are also known as ingredients in traditional medicines and the food industry due to their potential health benefits for humans as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial agents. On the other hand, an extensive array of colorants from natural sources has been scrutinized recently in different sectors to mitigate the negative ecological impacts of synthetic dyes, especially in modern textile manufacturing. Approaching these matters, this paper reviews various chemical compositions of plant secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acids, essential oils, tulipalins, and factors that influence the isolation process. Moreover, the article offers an updated view of the advanced technologies for extraction, focusing on eco-friendly solvents such as water, supercritical carbon dioxide, and deep eutectic solvents. Eventually, a comparison of different extraction methods is highlighted to devise the most appropriate strategy for industries. Graphical abstract

Garcinia mangostana Suppresses Triacylglycerol Synthesis in Hepatocytes and Enterocytes.

Regulation of diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) and pancreatic lipase (PL) activities is important in the treatment of triacylglycerol (TG)-related metabolic diseases. Garcinia mangostana, also known as mangosteen, is a traditional medicine ingredient used in the treatment of inflammation in Southeast Asia. In this study, The ethanolic extract of G. mangostana peel inhibited human recombinant DGAT1 and DGAT2, and PL enzyme activities in vitro. The inhibitory activity of DGAT1 and DGAT2 enzymes of four representative bioactive substances in mangosteen was confirmed. In addition, G. mangostana was confirmed to suppress the serum TG levels in C57 mice by inhibiting the absorption and synthesis of TG in the gastrointestinal tract. Through this study, it was revealed that G. mangostana extract could be useful for the prevention and amelioration of TG-related metabolic diseases such as obesity and fatty liver.

Kajian Penerapan Cara Pembuatan Obat Tradisional yang Baik pada Industri Ekstrak Bahan Alam di Indonesia

Good Manufacturing Practices for Traditional Medicine (GMP for TM) must be applied by Traditional Medicine Businesses in Indonesia, namely Traditional Medicine Small Businesses (TMSB), Traditional Medicine Micro Businesses (TMMB), Traditional Medicine Industry (TMI) and Active Traditional Medicine Ingredients Industries (ATMII), to ensure the quality of the products produced. At the end of 2021, the Indonesian FDA established the most recent GMP for TM standards, which follow the PIC / PE 009-015 standard that must be applied by TMI and ATMII, with an appendix related to GMP for Active Ingredients Traditional Medicine (ATMI) for ATMII. This study aims to determine the GMP profile for TM implementation, specifically in 17 ATMII in Indonesia, and to provide recommendations to the Indonesian FDA in supervising and assisting ATMII. The method was carried out by creating a list of questions from 17 aspects of GMP for Active Ingredients TM, including aspects of product development and technology transfer, to be filled out independently by 17 IEBA, followed by verification and assessment of compliance with the implementation of GMP for TM with the conclusion of the assessment results of the categories are very good, good, sufficient, and poor. According to the findings of the current GMP for TM application, 6 ATMII (35.3%) received a very good assessment result, 6 ATMII (35.3%) received a good assessment result, 3 ATMII (17.6%) received sufficient assessment results, and 2 ATMII (11.8%) received poor assessment results. The current GMP for TM implementation by ATMII that requires attention are Contract Manufacturers (Including Laboratories), product development and technology transfer, personnel, quality control, and validation, whose average level of fulfilment is still less than 80%. These aspects are critical because they significantly influence the consistency of the quality.

Phytochemicals and biological activities of <i>Tetrapleura tetraptera</i> seed extracts

Tetrapleura tetraptera, also known commonly as Prekese or Aidan fruit in Ghana and Nigeria, respectively, is noted for its use in herbal preparations. The fruit in particular is employed as an ingredient in traditional medicine and as a spice across West-Africa. The seed, which forms part of the fruit, is discarded together with the spent fruit. This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition as well as the biological activity of the hexane and ethanol extracts of the prekese seed. Our investigation revealed that the extracts contained valuable secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and glycosides. All extracts exhibited mild to good levels of antimicrobial activity against the tested microorganisms. The ethanol extract had a better biological activity compared to the hexane extract. The biological activities of both the hexane and ethanol extracts were lower compared to those of ciprofloxacin and ketoconazole.

The architecture of green space by medicinal plants in the university and its impact on people’s ealth, education and environmental in the Post-Pandemic Time

Medicinal plants have played an essential role in human healthcare as essential ingredients in traditional medicines and the combination of novel drugs. The architecture of the green space in the university is mainly aimed at the cultivation of plant species that have an eye-catching application. But the green space including medicinal plants in the university space has both effects on the physical and mental health of people and has a good view. It can also be used for teaching students. Therefore, the architectural style of successful herbal botanical gardens needs to reflect a broad understanding of botany and encourage creative thinking in garden design and interpretation. Medicinal Plants gardens are more than just a “pleasant place to visit” because of their unique combination of resources, and it offers a unique opportunity to use plants for human well-being. As a result, the architectural design of the garden may have an impact on its performance. The purpose of this article is to describe the effect of medicinal plants on people’s health and education, as well as their architectural design in universities.

Utilization of Phytochemical Content of Nipah Leaf Extract in the Coastal Area of Indonesia

Nypa fruticans Wurmb or ‘nipa’ is a palm plant that includes mangrove commodities, found along the mouths of tropical and subtropical rivers. Nipah forests in Indonesia are spread on the coast of the islands of Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua. Coastal communities in Indonesia usually use nipah as an ingredient in traditional medicine, food coloring, to various handicrafts. The main phytochemical composition of nipah is polyphenols, phenolics, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and saponins. Therefore, the knowledge and utilization of this nipah plant need to be sought and studied more deeply to optimize its utilization. This study aims to find out the utilization of the phytochemical composition of nipah leaf extract on the coast of Indonesia. The results of the literature study on the phytochemical content of nipa leaves and their use have the potential as traditional medicine, and can act as antioxidants, antidiabetics, antimicrobials (antifungals and antibacterials), anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic. In addition to medicine, nipah plants are also used as roofs, livestock pens, or huts in gardens, brooms, handicrafts, fishing gear, as food coloring, as a source of food and beverages, to renewable energy fuel sources.

In vitro sterilization and callus induction from Cananga odorata forma genuina steenis explants

Cananga odorata (ylang-ylang) is a plant with numerous uses, including ornamental use, traditional medicinal ingredient, as fragrance, and cosmetics. The high market demand for ylang-ylang essential oil needs to be supported by information on the in vitro process of callus formation to supports the secondary metabolites production without having to cut or harvest the trees so that biodiversity is maintained. The aims of this study were to analyze the explants sterilization method using sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solution that was most suitable for the ylang-ylang initiation, and to analyze the effect of BAP and NAA treatment on the formation of ylang-ylang callus. The design used is a completely randomized design. The methods used included the preparation, sterilization, and callus induction using a combination of BAP and NAA hormones with twenty four treatment combinations. The results are: the sterilization of explants with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solution at a concentration of 20% (v/v) 10 minutes followed by a concentration of 15% (v/v) 20 minutes was able to produce sterile explants in as much as 67.5% of cases. At the callus induction stage, the highest score of callus formation in leaf explants was in media-23 (BAP 4 ppm plus NAA 5 ppm).

The ethnomedicinal use of vultures by traditional health practitioners in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

African traditional medicine contributes to greater healthcare coverage by providing primary healthcare to rural dwellers, who often have limited access to modern medical services. However, the prevalence of traditional medicine use has been reported to put pressure on biological resources upon which it relies. Indigenous people have identified many wild animals as possessing curative properties. The use of animals and their body parts as ingredients in traditional medicine is often poorly regulated and therefore represents a major challenge for biodiversity conservation. We investigated traditional health practitioners’ ethnomedicinal use of vultures in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In-depth interviews were conducted with 26 traditional health practitioners from two district municipalities. Data collected were analysed through qualitative and quantitative methodologies. We documented seven parts of the vulture that traditional health practitioners used in KwaZulu-Natal. When the Use Value (UV) index was calculated for each part, the head obtained the highest (0.92). Consensus on parts and their uses was generally low across the study group. Of the 21 uses reported for vulture parts, 71% were spiritual-based. The participants were aware of the hunting of vultures through the use of poison but demonstrated different views about the risks associated with using such material. Overall, our findings confirm the increasing use of African vultures in traditional medicine. Raising awareness and upscaling the active involvement of traditional health practitioners in natural resource management may benefit vulture conservation and that of other species commonly used in belief-based practices.