Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

A systematic review of Indonesian traditional Jamu medicine

Yusmaniar Yusmaniar¹, Fatwa Hasbi¹, Rubiyanti Rani²

¹Poltekkes Kemenkes Jakarta II, Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia 12120; ²Poltekkes Kemenkes Tasikmalaya, Tasikmalaya, Indonesia 46115.

For correspondence:- Rubiyanti Rani Email: rani.rubiyanti@yahoo.co.id Tel:+6285317157670

Accepted: 6 June 2024 Published: 30 June 2024

Citation: Yusmaniar Y, Hasbi F, Rani R. A systematic review of Indonesian traditional Jamu medicine. Trop J Pharm Res 2024; 23(6):1021-1029 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v23i6.13

© 2024 The authors.
This is an Open Access article that uses a funding model which does not charge readers or their institutions for access and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0) and the Budapest Open Access Initiative (http://www.budapestopenaccessinitiative.org/read), which permit unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited..

Abstract

Purpose: To systematically review the Indonesian Jamu reference book and summarize the available literature on commonly used formula for conditions like hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, skin diseases, arthritis, sexual disorders, and liver health. Gaps are highlighted and recommendations are made for future studies.

Methods: Relevant information was extracted from book chapters into predefined categories. PubMed and Scopus were searched systematically for clinical trials, animal studies, and in vitro experiments evaluating Jamu formula and ingredients described in the book. Thirty (30) eligible studies were analyzed regarding proposed mechanisms of action, safety and efficacy.

Results: Significant anti-hyperlipidemic, antihypertensive, hepatoprotective and other relevant bioactivities were demonstrated in animal models evaluating formulations containing Curcuma xanthorrhiza, Curcuma longa, Orthosiphon stamineus, celery, green tea and Caesalpinia sappan. Small pilot trials also showed beneficial effect, but clinical studies are limited regarding quality and sample sizes.

Conclusion: The findings provide preliminary pharmacological evidence largely supporting traditional Jamu use. However, well-designed randomized controlled trials in larger patient samples are needed to conclusively demonstrate therapeutic efficacy and clinical safety.

Keywords: Jamu, Medicinal plants, Traditional medicine, Clinical trials, Herbal safety, Standardization, Mechanism of action