Ethnobotany and Sustainable Use of Medicinal Plants in Toraja: Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Conservation

Abstract

The Toraja people have long utilized various species of medicinal plants as part of their local wisdom for maintaining health, with this knowledge being passed down through generations. The effectiveness of these plants in treating various diseases is believed to be linked to their pharmacological potential, supported by bioactive compounds. This study aims to identify the phytochemical contents of medicinal plant species used by the Toraja people, explore the relationship between active compounds and their therapeutic properties in traditional medicine, and discuss the importance of conservation and sustainable practices in the use of these plants. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with informants selected using Snowball and Purposive Sampling methods. Field exploration documented plant species based on these interviews, and samples were collected for identification and herbarium specimen preparation. Phytochemical data were obtained through a literature review of research databases such as Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar, focusing on the phytochemical components of species identified in previous ethnobotanical studies. The study identified 94 medicinal plant species from 46 families, which contain phytochemical compounds supporting their traditional therapeutic uses. Phytochemical analysis revealed dominant compounds such as flavonoids (e.g., quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, luteolin, rutin, catechin, apigenin, vitexin, isovitexin) and terpenoids (e.g., phytol, squalene, limonoids, β-carotene, carvacrol, momordicin, xanthorrhizol), known for their pharmacological activities, including wound healing, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, anti-ulcer, antihypertensive, antihyperlipidemic, antimalarial, and anticancer effects. Among these species, 28 species (30%) are wild plants, and 66 species (70%) are cultivated. The majority of species have a status of Least Concern (LC), while some are more threatened, including Santalum album (VU) and Swietenia macrophylla (EN). This study emphasizes the importance of sustainable harvesting and conservation efforts to protect valuable medicinal plant resources for future generations. Conservation strategies can be implemented through various approaches, including in-situ and ex-situ conservation, sustainable harvesting, customary protection, and cultivation practices following Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). The research provides scientific insights into the pharmacological basis of traditional medicinal plant use, highlights their potential for modern drug development, and underscores the urgent need for integrated conservation strategies to ensure their long-term availability.