Indonesian Medicinal Plants for Anticancer

Abstract

The potential of Indonesia's natural wealth of plants to be developed as anticancer agents is enormous, thanks to its abundant biodiversity. Indonesia has become a "natural laboratory" with various plants traditionally used for treatment, including cancer, by local communities. This potential is supported by several primary factors: extensive biodiversity, bioactive compound content, and empirical use in traditional medicine. Several studies have identified several Indonesian plants that show potential as anticancer agents: Tapak Dara (Vinca rosea), Taxol (Taxus sp), Lempuyang Wangi (Zingiber zerumbet), Temu Kunci (Boesenbergia pandurata), Melinjo/Tangkil (Gnetum gnemon), Soursop leaves (Annona muricata), Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum), and Typhonium flagelliforme (Typhonium flagelliforme). Despite its great potential, developing anticancer drugs from Indonesian plants faces several challenges: scientific proof, standardization, high research and development costs, and regulatory and patent aspects. To address these challenges, a comprehensive development strategy is needed, including: Enhancing collaboration between research institutions, universities, the pharmaceutical industry, and the government; Conducting ethnobotanical studies to document traditional knowledge of medicinal plants; Developing standardized herbal formulas (phytopharmaceutics) that have supporting scientific data; Strengthening basic research to identify and test specific bioactive compounds; and Encouraging innovation in the extraction and purification of active compounds.