GALENICAL : Jurnal Kedokteran dan Kesehatan Mahasiswa Malikussaleh
Vol. 5 No. 3 (2026): GALENICAL : Jurnal Kedokteran dan Kesehatan Mahasiswa Malikussaleh - Juni 2026

Dayak Onion (Eleutherine palmifolia (L.) Merr.): Ethnomedicinal Use, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology

Mulyati Sri Rahayu (Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Malikussaleh, Aceh, Indonesia)
Sri Wahyuni (Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Malikussaleh, North Aceh Regency, Aceh Province, Indonesia)
Fury Maulina (Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Malikussaleh, North Aceh Regency, Aceh Province, Indonesia)
Cut Asmaul Husna (Department of Pulmonology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Malikussaleh, North Aceh Regency, Aceh Province, Indonesia)
Meutia Maulina (Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Malikussaleh, North Aceh Regency, Aceh Province, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
27 Jul 2026

Abstract

  Plants, plant components, and phytochemicals have long been used in disease prevention and treatment. Indonesia, known for its rich biodiversity, is the habitat of the Dayak onion (Eleutherine palmifolia (L.) Merr.), a plant species recognized for its unique characteristics. E. palmifolia is an indigenous species to Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, and has been traditionally used as a medicinal remedy for various health problems. The therapeutic benefits of E. palmifolia are attributed to its bioactive compounds including flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, and naphthoquinones. This plant displays a variety of beneficial effects, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antidiabetic properties, and has potential as an anticancer and antiuricemic agent. Long-term use of high concentrations of this extract may lead to liver damage due to its cytotoxic properties, with toxicity increasing as the concentration of the E. palmifolia bulb extract increases. Further research is warranted to optimize these benefits, determine the optimal dosages, and establish safety guidelines. This review provides a thorough, well-structured analysis of the current advancements related to the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity of E. palmifolia. These insights have the potential to facilitate the exploration of various aspects and novel treatments involving E. palmifolia in contemporary medicine. The increasing interest in these remedies has stimulated intensified research investigating diverse elements, including cultural importance, scientific validity, and risk-benefit assessments.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

galenical

Publisher

Subject

Education Health Professions Immunology & microbiology Public Health Veterinary

Description

The focus of interest include but are not limited to: 1. Biomedical sciences: anatomy and physiology, cell biology, biochemistry, microbiology, genetics and molecular biology, immunology, mathematics and statistics, and bioinformatics. 2. Clinical medicine: internal medicine, general surgery, ...