Medicinal plants used by traditional healers for hemorrhoid treatment in Borneo island: Ethnopharmacological study RISTOJA

Abstract

Borneo is known as the third largest island in the world, which has enormous biodiversity. For generations, the locals used to utilize surrounding plants to treat diseases and maintain their health. Hemorrhoid is one of the diseases which is often treated using medicinal plants. An ethnopharmacological study (RISTOJA) was conducted to find potential plants to be developed in Borneo island by interviewing selected local traditional healers. Identification of medicinal plants was performed, followed by descriptive and literature studies. The most important medicinal plants were defined using the calculation of frequency of citation (FC), use value (UV), and choice value (CV). In order to establish scientific evidence, a literature review was conducted focused on the benefit and toxicity using electronic search engines Pubmed, DOAJ, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The evidence was collected from empirical use to in-vitro, animal, or clinical studies. There were 49 species under 31 families used in herbal formula for hemorrhoids. Based on FC, UV, CV, and literature review, Curcuma longa L., Graptophyllum pictum (L.) Griff., Melastoma malabathricum L., and Cocos nucifera were confirmed to have enough scientific evidence regarding its safety and efficacy. Accordingly, those plants have the potential to be further developed.