Scientific Validation of Jackfruit Leaf Efficacy in Balinese Traditional Medicine

Recent scientific investigations, finalized in 2025, have provided robust confirmation for the traditional uses of jackfruit leaves (Artocarpus heterophyllus) within Balinese healing customs. This validation draws directly from ancient wisdom documented in manuscripts such as the Usada Tenung Tanialara. This modern verification marks a significant convergence point where centuries-old folk remedies meet cutting-edge phytochemistry.

The research successfully isolated a substantial quantity of bioactive compounds within the leaf structure. These include antioxidants, flavonoids, and saponins, which account for the plant material's potential as both an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent. The precise identification of these phytochemical constituents—specifically flavonoids, tannins, and steroids—in the ethyl extract of the jackfruit leaves directly correlates with their historical application. Flavonoids are well-known for their capacity to mitigate inflammation by controlling the release of inflammatory mediators from mast cells. Simultaneously, saponins appear to promote the generation of new epithelial cells, thereby accelerating the process of epithelialization. These molecular actions underpin the traditional Balinese treatments for fever management, expedited wound healing, and the resolution of inflammatory conditions.

Further laboratory studies involving Sprague-Dawley rat models demonstrated the extract’s efficacy in hastening the recovery from burn injuries. In a specific trial, the group administered the extract at a dosage of 376 mg/kg of body weight (designated as Group G3) achieved complete restoration of the affected tissue by the fourteenth day of observation. This represented the swiftest healing rate compared to all other control groups examined. This outcome strongly substantiates the role of secondary metabolites, such as the identified flavonoids and saponins, in suppressing bacterial proliferation and lessening the severity of lesions during the acute inflammatory phase.

The jackfruit tree, botanically classified under the Moraceae family, serves as a vital resource extending beyond herbal medicine into nutrition; its fruit can weigh up to 35 kg and is a valuable source of carbohydrates and vitamins. However, it is the leaves, often overshadowed by the fruit, that are now capturing the attention of contemporary science due to their rich chemical profile. Compounds like cycloeucalenol, artocarpin, and artocarpanone, also isolated from the plant, possess documented antibacterial properties. This broadens the scope of the leaves' utility beyond mere anti-inflammatory support.

In the specific context of Bali, where indigenous healing practices are deeply interwoven with the local botanical environment, the scientific endorsement received in 2025 injects new momentum into the preservation and detailed study of this agro-botanical heritage. The findings from 2025 do more than simply validate historical prescriptions; they establish a precise chemical foundation necessary for creating standardized phytomedicines. These future preparations can be directly informed by the accumulated wisdom of Balinese healers who practiced under the established system of the Usada Tenung Tanialara.