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.

The prevalence of impaired liver function in developing countries is increasing. Indonesia has several traditional medicines that can be used as alternative treatments for liver dysfunction. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of hepatoprotector jamu formula (combination of Curcuma longa, Curcuma xanthorrhiza, and Taraxacum officinale) compared to Fructus schizandrae fruit extract for treating mild liver injury. This study was a RCT using parallel open label design which involved 60 subjects for 42 days of intervention. The parameters used to evaluate efficacy were Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT) and Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT). There was a significant difference of average SGPT levels on day 21 and day 42 compared to day 0 in both hepatoprotector jamu group and Fructus Schizandrae extract group (p < 0.001). Compared to the baseline, there were a significant difference of average SGOT levels on the follow up days in hepatoprotector jamu group (p=0.023 on day 21; p=0.003 on day 42) as well as Fructus Schizandrae extract group (p=0.028 on day 21; p=0.042 on day 42. The efficacy of hepatoprotector jamu formula was comparable to Fructus schizandrae extract in improving mild liver injury.

Indonesia is one of the wealthiest countries in biological resources that have potential as medicinal plants. Medicinal plants can be an alternative in treating diseases such as urinary tract problems by the people of eastern Indonesia. The study aims to evaluate the use of medicinal plants for various urinary tract problems in east Indonesia, including their efficacy and safety based on the literature review. This research was conducted by interview method and field survey. The data were collected from traditional health practitioners in eastern Indonesia. Data were analyzed using Frequency of Citation (FC) and the Use value (UV). The results showed a total of 222 plants species belonging to 78 families were identified for treating urinary tract problems in east Indonesia. The most prevalent of these was the Euphorbiaceae family. The species which had the highest value were Orthosiphon aristatus (FC 12.52%, UV 0.31), Sericocalyx crispus (FC 7.80%; UV 0.19), Phyllanthus niruri (FC 6.35%; UV 0.16) were the vast majority commonly used plant species in the treatment of urinary tract problems. The most common parts used were leaves (44.87%) and herbs (10.66%). The ethnomedicinal flora in east Indonesia is quite diverse for treating urinary tract problems.

The herbal ingredients consisting of temulawak (Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb.), turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), and meniran (Phyllanthus niruri L.) have been used to improve physical fitness. However, the effect of these herbs on the quality of life is not yet known. This study aims to assess the effect of physical fitness herbal formula on quality of life. This study used a randomized controlled trial design. A total of 100 subjects were given herbal formula and 101 subjects were given a placebo. Herbal formula was made by boiling 4 cups (800 ml) of water until it boils, adding simplicia then reducing the heat, waiting for about 15-30 minutes until only two cups (400 ml) of water remained, filtered and put in a special thermos. The herbs and placebo were taken twice a day for 42 days. Before the study and on day 42th, subjects were examined for their quality of life using the Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire. The results showed that there were no significant changes in the mental component summary and the dimensions of physical function, role of emotions, energy, mental health, social function, and general health. However, in the physical component summary and the dimensions of physical role and pain there was a significant increase in the quality of life (p=0,032; p=0.005; p=0.017). In conclusion, the physical fitness herbal formula can improve the physical component summary of quality of life, especially the dimensions of physical roles and pain.

Fibro Adenoma Mammae (FAM) is a benign tumor that sometimes causes clinical symptoms like pain. Not all women who suffer from FAM in Indonesia are willing to undergo surgery and choose to drink jamu. In fact, scientific evidence regarding jamu efficacy is limited. This study aims to determine the effect of jamu consumption on the size and clinical symptoms of FAM patients. A total of 26 women with FAM who came to RRJ Hortus Medicus and met the inclusion and exclusion criteria participated in this study until finish. Subjects were asked to drink boiled water of 8 plants Simplicia with a certain dose every day for 16 weeks. A breast ultrasound to determine tumor size was performed at baseline and day-112. Clinical symptoms were assessed at baseline and every 2 weeks. The result showed that the tumor average size was decreased from 13.89+ 6.47mm to 11.79+5.74mm (paired t-test p<0.001). About 88.46% of the subjects experienced a decrease in tumor size. The pain subsided and disappeared in 69.23% and 30.77% of subjects, respectively. The itching that was complained by one subject subsided since week 6. The administration of jamu for 16 weeks has the potential to reduce tumor size and clinical symptoms.