Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity
Vol. 26 No. 7 (2025)

Ethnomedicinal survey and scientific validation of inflammation-healing plants used by the Tengger community in East Java, Indonesia

WEKA SIDHA BHAGAWAN (Doctoral Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Airlangga. Jl. Dr. Ir. H. Soekarno, Surabaya 60155, East Java, Indonesia)
WIWIED EKASARI (Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Airlangga. Jl. Dr. Ir. H. Soekarno, Surabaya 60155, East Java, Indonesia)
MANGESTUTI AGIL (Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Airlangga. Jl. Dr. Ir. H. Soekarno, Surabaya 60155, East Java, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
14 Jul 2025

Abstract

Abstract. Bhagawan WS, Ekasari W, Agil M. 2025. Ethnomedicinal survey and scientific validation of inflammation-healing plants used by the Tengger community in East Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 26: 3160-3173. This study investigates the profound ethnomedicinal knowledge of the Tengger community in East Java, Indonesia, with a specific focus on plant species traditionally used to manage inflammation and pain-related conditions. The primary objective was to meticulously document the medicinal plants utilized by the community and assess their pharmacological relevance through literature-based validation. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews and in-depth observations with selected informants, using a snowball sampling technique. Quantitative indices (species use value, family use value, fidelity level, and informant consensus factor) were applied to evaluate each species' cultural and therapeutic significance. A total of 82 plant species belonging to 42 families were identified and utilized in various preparations to treat 15 inflammation and pain-related disorders. Notably, 4 of the 6 plant species with the highest species use value have been scientifically validated for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities, providing a solid foundation for the community's traditional knowledge. However, the pharmacological properties of Borreria laevis and Elaeocarpus longifolius remain unexplored. The enduring use of these medicinal plants is a testament to the community's rich ethnomedical tradition, and further pharmacological investigations may lead to the discovery of new therapeutic agents for treating inflammation and pain.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

biodiv

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology

Description

The Biodiversitas Journal was first published in 2000 by the Department of Biology, FMNS, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia, then in 2006 it was co-published by the Society for Indonesian Biodiversity and that department; since 2017 it was also hosted by Smujo. From 2003-2012 it was ...