BRIN identifies nine mangrove species from Aceh with potential medicinal uses

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Alin Fithor, a researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), said nine species of mangrove plants from Tadu Raya, Nagan Raya Regency, Aceh, had potential medicinal uses.

Alin said the nine species comprised seven true mangroves and two plants associated with mangrove ecosystems.

“The true mangrove species are Avicennia marina, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata, Rhizophora stylosa, Sonneratia alba and Sonneratia caseolaris. The plants associated with mangrove ecosystems are Acanthus ilicifolius and Nypa fruticans,” she said in a statement in Jakarta on Friday.

Alin explained that local people had long used plants from mangrove forests to help maintain their health, particularly their leaves and fruit.

These traditional uses addressed a range of complaints, including bruising, burns, chickenpox, fever, diarrhoea, itching, skin wounds, stomach aches, mouth ulcers and toothache.

Alin said mangrove plants contained various bioactive compounds. Researchers had recorded compounds including alkaloids, phenolics, steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids and saponins. These compounds may have antibacterial, anticancer, antidiabetic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antitumour and antiviral properties.

“However, we distinguish between traditional medicinal plants and plants whose medical benefits have been scientifically proven. Further research is therefore needed to test the pharmacological effectiveness of mangroves as potential medicinal ingredients,” she said.

Alin also highlighted threats to mangrove habitats. Logging and coastal development can cause habitat loss and disrupt the sustainability of mangrove ecosystems.

The research was published in the March 2026 issue of Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity, Volume 27, Number 3, under the title ‘Species Composition and Medicinal Uses of Mangrove Plants in Southwest Aceh, Indonesia’. The research team comprised Alin Fithor, Wintah, Moh. Husein Sastranegara and Kiswanto.