Majalah Obat Tradisional
Vol 31, No 2 (2026)

A Narrative Review: Bioactive Components and Antifungal Effects of Curcuma xanthorrhiza

Catur Aryanto Rahman (Doctor of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia 55281)
Djoko Santosa (Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia 55281)
Purwanto Purwanto (Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia 55281)
Eka Noviana (Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia 55281)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Aug 2026

Abstract

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) pose a significant threat to morbidity and mortality, particularly due to the increasing resistance of fungal pathogens to conventional antifungal drugs. Curcuma xanthorrhiza has been recognized for its diverse bioactive compounds, which hold potential as alternative agents to address these challenges. This study aims to identify the bioactive components of C. xanthorrhiza with antifungal properties, evaluate the antifungal effects demonstrated in previous studies, and establish correlations between the bioactive components and their antifungal activities as reported in various studies. A comprehensive narrative review was conducted using reputable databases, collecting research articles published in the last 15 years. Data from the selected studies were analyzed descriptively to assess the frequency of active compounds and their antifungal effects. The analysis identified several key bioactive compounds, including xanthorrhizol and curcuminoids, with varying degrees of antifungal activity. Xanthorrhizol emerged as the most extensively tested compound, demonstrating inhibitory effects against Candida albicans. The study also categorized the efficacy of these compounds based on the extraction methods employed and the fungal species tested. These findings reinforce the significant antifungal potential of C. xanthorrhiza, particularly its key bioactive components, which may serve as promising alternatives to conventional antifungal therapies. The antifungal mechanisms of key bioactive compounds, particularly xanthorrhizol and curcuminoids, are summarized and illustrated in this review, providing insights into their therapeutic roles and supporting future research aimed at addressing the growing challenge of antifungal resistance.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

TradMedJ

Publisher

Subject

Health Professions Medicine & Pharmacology Public Health

Description

raditional Medicine Journal (Majalah Obat Tradisional), or Trad. Med. J. (ISSN 1410-5918 (print) and ISSN 2406-9086 (online)), is an international scientific journal published by Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, three times annually. Collaborating with Indonesian Pharmacist Association, ...