Science and Technology Indonesia
Vol. 11 No. 3 (2026): July

Unravelling the Potential of Wild Endemic Sumatran Turmeric (Curcuma sumatrana Miq.) as a Candidate of Herbal Medicine for Neurodegenerative Diseases

Putra Santoso (a:1:{s:5:"en_US"
s:82:"Biology Department Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Universitas Andalas"
})

Syafruddin Ilyas (Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, North Sumatra, 20155, Indonesia)
Rita Maliza (Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Andalas, Kampus UNAND Limau Manis Pauh, Padang, West Sumatra, 25163, Indonesia)
Indah Fajarwati (Biomedical Research Center, Research Organization for Health, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Cibinong, West Java, 16911, Indonesia)
Rauza Sukma Rita (Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Andalas)
Aldi Tamara Rahman (Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Andalas, Kampus UNAND Limau Manis Pauh, Padang, West Sumatra, 25163, Indonesia)
Jihan Aprilia Nawawi (Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Andalas, Kampus UNAND Limau Manis Pauh, Padang, West Sumatra, 25163, Indonesia)
Ivan Petrovsky (Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Andalas, Kampus UNAND Limau Manis Pauh, Padang, West Sumatra, 25163, Indonesia)
Muhammad Samudra Ilham (Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Andalas, Kampus UNAND Limau Manis Pauh, Padang, West Sumatra, 25163, Indonesia)
Ananda Fitriana (Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Andalas, Kampus UNAND Limau Manis Pauh, Padang, West Sumatra, 25163, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
21 Jun 2026

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases pose significant health challenges, while synthetic drugs are often associated with detrimental side effects. Hence, the search for herbal medicines is warranted. Curcuma sumatrana is traditionally used by Minangkabau people as a herbal medicine, but it remains scientifically underexplored. This study aims to evaluate its neuroprotective potential through phytochemical profiling, computational analyses, and biological assays. LC-MS/MS-QTOF profiling identified 13 compounds in the rhizome extract, predominantly terpenoids. In silico analyses predicted antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antineurodegenerative activities, while drug-likeness assessment suggested favorable bioavailability for all identified compounds. Furthermore, molecular docking targeting neurodegeneration-associated proteins revealed strong interactions of compounds namely brefeldin A, nigakilactone K, genistein, and 8-epi-loganic acid-6’-O-β-D-glucoside with MAPK1, TNF-α, BACE1, and CASP3, respectively. In addition, the extract exhibited notable antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay and ameliorated monosodium glutamate-induced cognitive impairment, hippocampal neurodegeneration, and elevated brain malondialdehyde levels in mice. Hence, C. sumatrana is a promising herbal medicine for neurodegenerative diseases, plausibly acting through the modulation of neurodegeneration-related pathways and antioxidant mechanisms. These findings provide a foundation for future drug discovery by identifying bioactive compounds with potential applications in the management of neurodegenerative disorders.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

JSTI

Publisher

Subject

Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Chemical Engineering, Chemistry & Bioengineering Environmental Science Materials Science & Nanotechnology Physics

Description

An international Peer-review journal in the field of science and technology published by The Indonesian Science and Technology Society. Science and Technology Indonesia is a member of Crossref with DOI prefix number: 10.26554/sti. Science and Technology Indonesia publishes quarterly (January, April, ...