ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL STUDY OF ANTIHYPERLIPIDEMIC IN THE PONDOKSALAM REGION, PURWAKARTA, WEST JAVA, INDONESIA

Muhammad Hibban Dzakir, Nawa Aulia Salsabila, Alvin Afriza, Kania Indrawati, Muzaki Muhammad Asari,
Resti Fuji Lestari, Saida Rahma Sinta, Reffa Witny Aoulia, Reva Fayza Zahra, Zamitha Nafishah, Melah
Parohah, Dewi Hartati, Rida Nazah, Dedeh Deswita, Amelia Lestari Putri, Aulia Pitria Handayani and Maulana
Yusuf Alkandahri*

ABSTRACT

The use of traditional medicinal plants has significant advantages for cultural development, acceptability and economic affordability. In addition, medicinal plants are claimed to be able to cure several types of diseases
compared to modern medicines. This research aims to document and preserve the use of ethnomedicine to treat
hyperlipidemia by people in the Pondoksalam Region, Purwakarta, West Java, Indonesia. Fieldwork was carried
out from March to April 2024 using direct interviews, questionnaires and discussions. Plant species are identified
based on standard taxonomic methods, flower morphological characteristics, and where possible, using samples for
comparison, as well as consultation with experts and the literature. The plant types obtained were grouped into
families according to the Cronquist classification system. Plant names were checked against the Plant List
(www.plantlist.org) and the International Plant Name Index (www.ipni.org). This study reports that 30 plant
species are commonly used by people in the Pondoksalam Region to treat hyperlipidemia. Among the various plant
parts used, leaves (56.7%) are most often used in making medicine, followed by fruit (23.3%), rhizome (10%),
stem, rind, and seeds (3.3% respectively). Meanwhile, the most frequently used preparation method was infusion
(56.7%), followed by decoction (20%), juice (20%), and paste (3.3%). The research results confirm that the
Sundanese people in the Pondoksalam Region still rely heavily on medicinal plants for the treatment of
hyperlipidemia. However, efforts to preserve medicinal plants and the local wisdom of the people in this area have
not been significant. Therefore, it is recommended that local indigenous communities and the government carry out
in situ and ex situ conservation strategies for medicinal plants in the Pondoksalam Region, so that the availability
of medicinal plants in the region is maintained.

Keywords: Traditional medicine, Ethnomedicinal plants, Pondoksalam Region, Antihyperlipidemic.