Unlocking traditional knowledge: Ethnobotanical diversity and pharmacological applications of medicinal plants in madura island, indonesia

Abstract

Indonesia is one of the world’s megadiverse countries with abundant medicinal plant resources. Madura Island, East Java, is well known for its rich ethnobotanical traditions, where medicinal plants are widely used for traditional healing and primary health care. This systematic literature review synthesized ethnobotanical and phytochemical information on medicinal plants used across Madura Island, with particular emphasis on Sumenep Regency. Publication data were retrieved from the Scopus database using a structured keyword search strategy, covering the study period from 2019 to 2025. Publications were screened and selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, following a four-stage bibliometric framework comprising search preparation, publication selection, data processing, and visualization. A total of 144 medicinal plant species belonging to 53 families were identified, including cultivated, wild, and introduced plants. Zingiberaceae was the dominant family, followed by Asteraceae, Acanthaceae, and Lauraceae. Leaves were the most frequently used plant part because of their accessibility and sustainable harvesting. The documented species were classified into seven therapeutic groups, with the highest use for urogenital and gynecological disorders, followed by internal and gastrointestinal diseases. Commonly used species, including Curcuma longa , Zingiber officinale , and Andrographis paniculata , contain bioactive compounds such as curcuminoids, gingerols, and andrographolide, representing terpenoid, phenolic, and flavonoid classes. These compounds exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities, supporting their pharmaceutical potential. Keyword co-occurrence mapping using VOSviewer identified four research clusters: ethnobotanical diversity, community and geographic context, global herbal medicine perspectives, and East Java–focused stamina-related studies. These findings highlight Madura’s ethnobotanical heritage and its potential for future phytopharmaceutical development.