Ethnobotany of gout remedies among the Madurese People in Pamekasan District, East Java, Indonesia

Article Sidebar

PDF
Published: 2026-02-22
DOI: https://doi.org/10.13057/asianjethnobiol/y090101
Keywords:
Ethnobotany, gout, Madurese Culture, traditional herbal medicine
Article Metrics

Abstract Views: 495
File Views: 372

Main Article Content

ANDRIANSYAH ♥
Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Islam Madura. Jl. Pondok Pesantren Miftahul Ulum Bettet, Pamekasan 69351, East Java, Indonesia
AKHMAD FATHIR
Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Islam Madura. Jl. Pondok Pesantren Miftahul Ulum Bettet, Pamekasan 69351, East Java, Indonesia
LINDA TRI ANTIKA
Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Islam Madura. Jl. Pondok Pesantren Miftahul Ulum Bettet, Pamekasan 69351, East Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract. Andriansyah, Fathir A, Antika LT. 2026. Ethnobotany of gout remedies among the Madurese People in Pamekasan District, East Java, Indonesia. Asian J Ethnobiol 9: y090101. https://doi.org/10.13057/asianjethnobiol/y090101. Traditional herbal medicine represents an important component of Madurese Cultural Heritage and continues to be widely used for managing chronic conditions such as gout. However, ethnobotanical studies that specifically document gout-related herbal practices within the Madurese Cultural context remain limited. This study aimed to document medicinal plant species used for gout treatment among the Madurese Community in Pamekasan District, East Java, Indonesia, including plant parts, preparation methods, and the cultural rationale underlying their selection. Fieldwork was conducted from October to November 2024 using purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews with 30 informants across 17 villages. The study documented 27 medicinal plant species belonging to 13 families, incorporated into 30 traditional herbal formulations. The Zingiberaceae family was the most dominant, comprising 10 species, with Curcuma longa and Zingiber officinale showing the highest cultural prominence (RFC = 0.70 and 0.57, respectively). Rhizomes were the most frequently utilized plant parts, while decoction was the primary preparation method (60%), reflecting both practical efficiency and cultural preference. The predominance of rhizome-based remedies is culturally linked to the Madurese perception of “warming” plants that restore bodily balance and alleviate joint discomfort associated with gout. Although therapeutic efficacy is interpreted empirically rather than biochemically, these practices align with the known anti-inflammatory and uric acid-related potential of rhizomatous plants reported in previous studies. This research addresses a key gap in Indonesian ethnobotanical literature by providing the first systematic documentation of gout-specific herbal practices among the Madurese Community, integrating quantitative ethnobotanical indices with cultural interpretation. The findings emphasize traditional medicine as a biocultural system that connects health practices, ecological availability, and cultural identity, while offering a foundation for future pharmacological validation, biodiversity conservation, and culturally responsive health strategies.

Article Details

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Articles
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Ethnobotany of gout remedies among the Madurese People in Pamekasan District, East Java, Indonesia. (2026). Asian Journal of Ethnobiology, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.13057/asianjethnobiol/y090101

References

Abdullah S, Musa Y, Kuswinanti T, Jayadi M, Neswati R. 2020. Arbuscular mycorrhizae exploration and identification on sugarcane plantations in humid tropic area of Indonesia. Plant Cell Biotechnol Mol Biol 21 (40): 82-91.

Adiyasa MR, Meiyanti M. 2021. Pemanfaatan obat tradisional di Indonesia: Distribusi dan faktor demografis yang berpengaruh. J Biomedika Kesehat 4 (3): 130-138. https://doi.org/10.18051/jbiomedkes.2021.v4.130-138. [Indonesian]

Afriani AI, Pangesti GMY. 2023. Effectiveness of honey and black cumin oil in healing of perineal wounds in postpartum women. J Kebidanan 15 (2): 192-203. https://doi.org/10.35872/jurkeb.v15i02.650.

Al-Dulaimy WYM, Hussein AA, Mahdi MA, Kadhom M. 2023. In vitro inhibition of xanthine oxidase purified from arthritis serum patients by nanocurcumin and artemisinin active compounds. Molecules 28 (13): 5124. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28135124.

Amrati FEZ, Bourhia M, Slighoua M, Salamatullah AM, Alzahrani A, Ullah R, Bari A, Bousta D. 2021. Traditional medicinal knowledge of plants used for cancer treatment by communities of mountainous areas of Fez-Meknes-Morocco. Saudi Pharm J 29 (10): 1185-1204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsps.2021.09.005.

Aziz N, Jamil RT. 2021. Biochemistry, Xanthine Oxidase. StatPearls, Orlando.

Azizah N, Purnamaningsih SL, Fajriani S. 2019. Land characteristics impact productivity and quality of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc) in Java, Indonesia. Agrivita 41 (3): 439-449. https://doi.org/10.17503/agrivita.v41i3.2321.

Ballester P, Cerdá B, Arcusa R, Marhuenda J, Yamedjeu K, Zafrilla P. 2022. Effect of ginger on inflammatory diseases. Molecules 27 (21): 7223. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27217223.

Bano A, Ahmad M, Hadda TB, Saboor A, Sultana S, Zafar M, Khan MPZ, Arshad M, Ashraf MA. 2014. Quantitative ethnomedicinal study of plants used in the skardu valley at high altitude of Karakoram-Himalayan range, Pakistan. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 10: 43. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4269-10-43.

Bisset S, Sobhi W, Attoui A, Lamaoui T, Jardan YAB, Das S, Alam M, Kanouni KE, Rezgui A, Ferdjioui S, Derradji Y, Khenchouche A, Benguerba Y. 2023. Targeting oxidative stress markers, xanthine oxidase, TNFRSF11A and cathepsin L in curcumin-treated collagen-induced arthritis: A physiological and COSMO-RS study. Inflammation 46 (1): 432-452. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10753-022-01745-7.

Boarescu I, Pop RM, Boarescu PM, Bocșan IC, Gheban D, Bulboacă AE, Buzoianu AD, Bolboacă SD. 2023. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) root capsules enhance analgesic and antioxidant efficacy of diclofenac sodium in experimental acute inflammation. Antioxidants 12 (3). https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12030745.

Chumroenphat T, Somboonwatthanakul I, Saensouk S, Siriamornpun S. 2019. The diversity of biologically active compounds in the rhizomes of recently discovered Zingiberaceae plants native to North Eastern Thailand. Pharmacogn J 11 (5): 1014-1022. https://doi.org/10.5530/pj.2019.11.160.

Costa FVD, Guimarães MFM, Messias MCTB. 2021. Gender differences in traditional knowledge of useful plants in a Brazilian community. PLoS One 16: e0253820. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0253820.

Estiasih T, Maligan JM, Witoyo JE, Mu’alim AAH, Ahmadi K, Mahatmanto T, Zubaidah E. 2025. Indonesian traditional herbal drinks: Diversity, processing, and health benefits. J Ethn Foods 12: 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42779-025-00267-5.

Fathir A, Haikal M, Wahyudi D. 2021. Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used for maintaining stamina in Madura ethnic, East Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22 (1): 386-392. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d220147.

Fitriana, Muhammad AN, Meriyanti GAKR, Sidiq I, Masrida WO, Nur Hasanah Haris R, Burhan HT. 2022. Studi etnobotani tumbuhan berpotensi sebagai obat tradisional untuk penyakit hipertensi dan asam urat di Kecamatan Mowila. J Penelit Sains Kesehat Avicenna 1 (3): 39-51. https://doi.org/10.69677/avicenna.v1i3.25. [Indonesian]

Gackowski M, Przybylska A, Kruszewski S, Koba M, Mądra-Gackowska K, Bogacz A. 2021. Recent applications of capillary electrophoresis in the determination of active compounds in medicinal plants and pharmaceutical formulations. Molecules 26 (14): 4141. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26144141.

Galozzi P, Bindoli S, Doria A, Oliviero F, Sfriso P. 2021. Autoinflammatory features in gouty arthritis. J Clin Med 10 (9): 1880. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10091880.

GBD 2021 Other Musculoskeletal Disorders Collaborators. 2023. Global, regional, and national burden of other musculoskeletal disorders, 1990-2020, and projections to 2050: A systematic analysis of the global burden of disease study 2021. Lancet Rheumatol 5 (11): e670-e682. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2665-9913(23)00232-1.

Gu X, Tang D, Xuan Y, Shen Y, Lu LQ. 2023. Association between obstructive sleep apnea symptoms and gout in US population, a cross-sectional study. Sci Rep 13 (1): 10192. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-36755-4.

Hildasari N, Hayati A. 2021. Potensi keanekaragaman flora sebagai tumbuhan obat di Wana Wiyata Widya Karya, Sanggar Indonesia Hijau, Kabupaten Pasuruan. Sciscitatio 2 (2): 4-81. https://doi.org/10.21460/sciscitatio.2021.22.70. [Indonesian]

Husain F, Yuniati E, Arsi AA, Wicaksono H, Wahidah BF. 2021. Ethnobotanical knowledge on jamu herbal drink among consumer in Semarang. IOP Conf Ser Earth Environ Sci 743 (1): 012019. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/743/1/012019.

International Society of Ethnobiology (ISE). 2006. ISE Code of Ethics. International Society of Ethnobiology, Bangkok. https://ethnobiology.net/code-of-ethics/.

Jadid N, Kurniawan E, Himayani CES, Andriyani, Prasetyowati I, Purwani KI, Muslihatin W, Hidayati D, Tjahjaningrum ITD. 2020. An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by the Tengger Tribe in Ngadisari Village, Indonesia. PLoS One 15: 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0235886.

Kulkova J, Kulkov I, Rohrbeck R, Lu S, Khwaja A, Karjaluoto H, Mero J. 2023. Medicine of the future: How and who is going to treat us? Futures 146: 103097. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2023.103097.

Lagha AB, Azelmat J, Vaillancourt K, Grenier D. 2021. A polyphenolic cinnamon fraction exhibits anti-inflammatory properties in a monocyte/macrophage model. PLoS One 16 (1): e0244805. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0244805.

Lee CY, Lian IB, Jhan YN, Yang SF, Chang CK. 2022. Lifestyle and symptom risk factors for dry eye disease in Asian gout population: A population-based case-control study. J Clin Med 11 (24): 7378. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11247378.

Lefrioui Y, Chebaibi M, Bichara MD, Mssillou I, Bekkari H, Giesy JP, Bousta D. 2024. Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used in North-Central Morocco as natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents. Sci Afr 25: e02275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02275.

Li R, Yu K, Li C. 2018. Dietary factors and risk of gout and hyperuricemia: A meta-analysis and systematic review. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 27 (6): 1344-1356. https://doi.org/10.6133/apjcn.201811_27(6).0022.

Matin M, Singla RK, Jóźwik A. 2025. Health-promoting and medicinal properties of Zingiberaceae family plants: A minireview with a special focus on galangal, turmeric, cardamom, and ginger. Curr Res Biotechnol 2628 (25): 100329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crbiot.2025.100329.

Mohos V, Fliszár-Nyúl E, Poór M. 2020. Inhibition of xanthine oxidase-catalyzed xanthine and 6-mercaptopurine oxidation by flavonoid aglycones and some of their conjugates. Intl J Mol Sci 21 (9): 3256. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21093256.

Myers M, Ruxton CHS. 2023. Eggs: Healthy or risky? A review of evidence from high quality studies on hen’s eggs. Nutrients 15 (12): 2657. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15122657.

Ndavaro NK, Hegbe ADMT, Dramani R, Dicko A, Sahani WM, Natta AK. 2024. Effect of age, gender and formal education on endogenous knowledge of woody plants in communities bordering forest patches of the Lubero Mountain Massif (DR Congo). Ethnobot Res Appl 28: 1-21. https://doi.org/10.32859/era.28.10.1-21.

Nirvanashetty S, Panda SK, Jackson-Michel S. 2022. Safety evaluation of oleoresin-based turmeric formulation: Assessment of genotoxicity and acute and subchronic oral toxicity. Biomed Res Intl 2022: 5281660. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/5281660.

Nisyapuri FF, Iskandar J, Partasasmita R. 2018. Studi etnobotani tumbuhan obat di Desa Wonoharjo, Kabupaten. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indo 4: 122-132. https://doi.org/10.13057/psnmbi/m040205. [Indonesian]

Phillips O, Gentry AH, Reynel C, Wilkin P, Galvez-Durand BC. 1994. Quantitative ethnobotany and Amazonian conservation. Conserv Biol 8 (1): 225-248. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-1739.1994.08010225.x.

Pieroni A, Price L. 2020. Eating and Healing: Functional Foods or Food Medicines? On The Consumption of Wild Plants among Albanians and Southern Italians in Lucania. CRC Press, London. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781482293616-13.

POWO. 2024. Kew: Plants of The World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Rizal S, Kartika T, Septia GA. 2021. Studi etnobotani tumbuhan obat di Desa Pagar Ruyung Kecamatan Kota Agung Kabupaten Lahat Sumatera Selatan. Sainmatika J Ilm Matemat Ilmu Pengetah Alam 18 (2): 222-230. https://doi.org/10.31851/sainmatika.v18i2.6618. [Indonesian]

Salihu T, Olukunle JO, Adenubi OT, Mbaoji C, Zarma MH. 2018. Ethnomedicinal plant species commonly used to manage arthritis in North-West Nigeria. S Afr J Bot 118: 33-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2018.06.004.

Sekine M, Okamoto K, Pai EF, Nagata K, Ichida K, Hille R, Nishino T. 2023. Allopurinol and oxypurinol differ in their strength and mechanisms of inhibition of xanthine oxidoreductase. J Biol Chem 299 (9): 105189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105189.

Sokołowicz Z, Kačániová M, Dykiel M, Augustyńska-Prejsnar A, Topczewska J. 2023. Influence of storage packaging type on the microbiological and sensory quality of free-range table eggs. Animals 13 (12): 1899. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13121899.

Stati G, Rossi F, Sancilio S, Basile M, Di Pietro R. 2021. Curcuma longa hepatotoxicity: A baseless accusation. Front Pharmacol 12: 780330. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.780330.

Sumarni W, Sudarmin S, Sumarti SS. 2019. The scientification of jamu: A study of Indonesian’s traditional medicine. J Phys Conf Ser 1321 (3): 032057. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1321/3/032057.

Syahidah, Lestari ASRD, Arif A, Taskirawati I, Makkarennu, Fardhatillah, Zhafira R, Pratama MRA, Sulaeha S, Anita SH, Ghozali M, Sari FP, Martino AD, Fatriasari W. 2025. Lignin from the sugar palm’s fiber (Arenga pinnata Merr.) as a potential active compound in packaging. Case Stud Chem Environ Eng 11: 101133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscee.2025.101133.

Tefu MO, Sabat DR, Muki S, Taek D. 2023. The use value of medicinal plant species of Dawan (Amanatun) community in Hoineno Village, South Central Timor District. Biosfer J Tadris Biol 13 (2): 149-162. https://doi.org/10.24042/biosfer.v13i2.13927.

Utami NURR, Rahayuningsih M, Abdullah M, Haka FH. 2019. Ethnobotany of medicinal plants surrounding communities on Mount Ungaran, Central Java. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 5 (2): 205-208. https://doi.org/10.13057/psnmbi/m050210.

Wahyuni FRE, Ege B, Bustami Y. 2023. The potential of the Zingiberaceae family as spice plants medicinal effectiveness. JPBIO 8 (2): 293-301. https://doi.org/10.31932/jpbio.v8i2.2790.

Wu ZD, Yang XK, He YS, Ni J, Wang J, Yin KJ, Huang JX, Chen Y, Feng YT, Wang P, Pan HF. 2022. Environmental factors and risk of gout. Environ Res 212: 113377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.113377.

Xue H, Xu M, Gong D, Zhang G. 2023. Mechanism of flavonoids inhibiting xanthine oxidase and alleviating hyperuricemia from structure-activity relationship and animal experiments: A review. Food Front 4 (4): 1643-1665. https://doi.org/10.1002/fft2.287.

Zhang Y, Chen S, Yuan M, Xu Y, Xu H. 2022. Gout and diet: A comprehensive review of mechanisms and management. Nutrients 14 (17): 3525. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14173525.

Zheng W, Lu P, Jiang D, Chen L, Li Y, Deng H. 2023. An ultrasonographic study of gouty arthritis: Synovitis and its relationship to clinical symptoms: A retrospective analysis. Health Sci Rep 6 (6): e1312. https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.1312.