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Phytochemical composition and health properties of Sembung plant (Blumea balsamifera): A review

Authors

  • I Widhiantara Medical Science Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Jalan P.B. Sudirman, Denpasar City, Bali Province 80234, Indonesia
  • I Jawi Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Jalan P.B. Sudirman, Denpasar City, Bali Province 80234, Indonesia

Keywords:

Asteraceae, Blumea balsamifera, future medicine, medicinal uses, phytochemical constituents

Abstract

Indonesia’s mindset has been focusing on the use of natural medicines, food, and healing practices widely recognized by the nation’s culture. Traditional medicines and herbs used in traditional medicine can often lead to the discovery of drugs against certain diseases. The aim of this review was to study evidence-based data on the importance of Sembung plant, Blumea balsamifera, as a potential traditional medicine. The distribution, ethnopharmacology, secondary metabolites, and bioactivity against several diseases are focused in this review. Information and research related to Sembung plant were searched using the terms “B. balsamifera,” “phytochemicals,” and “pharmacological activity” on ResearchGate, Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, and scientific information-based databases up to 2020. Several ethnomedical articles recommend B. balsamifera for the treatment of sinusitis, colic pain, cough, kidney stones, flu, or as a diuretic. This knowledge has already been applied in several countries in Southeast Asia. B. balsamifera has been reported to contain several phytochemicals both volatile (terpenoids, fatty acids, phenols, alcohol, aldehydes, ethers, ketones, pyridines, furans, and alkanes) and non-volatile (flavonoids, flavanones, and chalcones). Extracts and phytochemicals of B. balsamifera contain several biological capacities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, anti-infertility, hepatoprotective activity, antidiabetic, gastroprotective, antitumor, anticancer, and immunomodulatory agent against Coronavirus disease-19 infection. This review provides essential data for the potential application of B. balsamifera as a nutraceutical or in future medicinal preparations. Keywords: Asteraceae, Blumea balsamifera, future medicine, medicinal uses, phytochemical constituents

Author Biography

I Widhiantara, Medical Science Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Jalan P.B. Sudirman, Denpasar City, Bali Province 80234, Indonesia

Study Program of Biology, Faculty of Health, Science, and Technology, Dhyana Pura University, Jalan Raya Padang Luwih, Dalung, North Kuta, Badung, Bali Province 80361, Indonesia

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