Prone To Extinction, UNP Students Successfully Map The Distribution Of Koenih Rimbo (Curcuma Sumatrana), A Potential Anti-cancer Medicinal Plant

Padang – In an effort to preserve Koenih Rimbo (Curcuma sumatrana), the Biology Creative Student Research (PKM-RE) Team, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Universitas Negeri Padang (UNP) has successfully mapped the distribution of medicinal plants known to contain anti-cancer compounds.

The research team led by Chelsylia Dara Pratama with members Cici Adelia Putri, Nagra Aulia Valofi, Siti Aisyah and Habibullah Djoelvinanda, under the guidance of Dr. Dwi Hilda Putri, S.Si., M. Biomed, succeeded in mapping the distribution of the koenih rimbo population in three areas.

“( The locations found by ardiyani in 2011) and Koto Pulai, Nagari Kambang Timur, Lengayang District, Pesisir Selatan Regency, West Sumatra Province (locations that have not been found in articles and journals),” said Dr. Dwi Hilda through a written statement received by UNP Public Relations, Wednesday (17/7/2024).

She further explained that the koenih rimbo distribution map was made with comprehensive information containing coordinate points from the exploration results in each plant distribution area. This information will make it easier to find the distribution of plant populations in the future. 

“Furthermore, the mapping can facilitate sustainable planning and management. This research also succeeded in characterizing the morphology of koenih rimbo in each area,” explained the UNP Biology Lecturer.

Not only that, according to him, the resulting koenih rimbo distribution map is also in the process of obtaining a simple patent at the Directorate General of Intellectual Property of the Ministry of Law & Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia. 

“Other outputs that will also be produced by the UNP PKM-RE Team are scientific articles and IPR,” he added.

It is known that koenih rimbo plants are known as medicinal plants that are found to contain compounds that have potential as anti-cancer drugs. This plant was first described in 1861 by Friedrich Anton Wilhelm Miquel in a forest located in West Sumatra province. 

Further plant exploration was conducted by Dr. Marlina Ardiyani, a researcher at the Biosystematics and Evolution Research Center, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) in 2011. Ardiyani managed to find six locations of koenih rimbo distribution in West Sumatra, namely Maninjau, Sianok Gorge, Anai Valley, Kayutanam, Ulu Gadut and bukit barisan. Based on the IUCN Red List category, koenih rimbo plants are in Vulnerable status. 

“The small population, limited distribution, lack of cultivation and habitat degradation in nature make this plant vulnerable to extinction. Conservation efforts are important things that must be done to preserve koenih rimbo so that it does not become extinct,” he concluded. (Utr / UNP Public Relations)