Digital Profiling of Wound-Healing Plants in Malay Medical Manuscripts: Philological and Ethnobotanical Analysis for the Development of an Integrated Taxonomic Model

Malay medical texts like Kitab Tib safeguard a wealth of traditional pharmacological knowledge detailing diverse concoctions of indigenous flora for the treatment of wounds and ailments. Nevertheless, this wisdom is confined to archaic manuscripts and oral traditions that are at risk of vanishing due to a lack of formal heirs and the disparity between conventional terminology and contemporary scientific categorisation. In light of the worldwide challenge of antibiotic resistance and the escalating costs of chronic wound management, the systematic conversion of this legacy into scientific paradigms has become increasingly imperative. This concept document outlines a three-phase transdisciplinary research approach that combines philological examination of manuscripts, anthropological fieldwork with traditional medical practitioners and Orang Asli communities, and the creation of a digital ontology model. This paper illustrates the utilisation of the "Wound Ethnobotanical Cross-Translation Table" via a pilot study on Chromolaena odorata (pokok kapal terbang), correlating traditional medical expressions like "stop bleeding" and "dry the wound" with contemporary pathophysiological processes such as haemostasis and epithelialization. Initial results suggest notable congruence between indigenous knowledge and current scientific data, thereby affirming the methodological dependability of application across the full range of documented wound-healing botanical species. This document outlines the empirical study's progression through three stages, culminating in the creation of a prototype interactive digital database, "e-Luka Perubatan Tradisional Melayu" (Malay Traditional Wound Medicine). The suggested framework possesses strategic promise as a catalyst for advancing traditional Malay medicine into scholarly discussion and contemporary health science, in accordance with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka's goals to enhance the Malay scientific lexicon and safeguard manuscripts as vital data resources.

Malay medical manuscripts, ethnobotany, ontology model, wound care, digital profiling

1. Abdallah, H. (2024). Redefining science for sustainable development: The nexus of endogenous knowledge systems and scientific paradigms. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR), 6(5), 1-14. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Abdul Latif, M., Mustafa, A., Keong, L. C., & Hamid, A. (2024). Chromolaena odorata layered-nitrile rubber polymer transdermal patch enhanced wound healing in vivo. Plos one, 19(3), e0295381. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Ahmad, S. (2002). Traditional medicine in Southeast Asia with special reference to Malaysia and Indonesia. In Geography, Culture and Education (pp. 51-64). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Alabi, M. A., Olusola-Makinde, O., & Oladunmoye, M. K. (2019). Evaluation of phytochemical constituents and antibacterial activity of Chromolaena odorata L. leaf extract against selected multidrug-resistant bacteria isolated from wounds. South Asian J Res Microbiol, 5(3), 1-9. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Amil, M. A., Koo, J. H., Yah, X. Y., Salam, N. A., & Zakaria, M. M. (2026). Microbial Contamination in Hard-Shell Capsule Traditional Medicines and Health Supplements in Malaysia: GMP Regulatory Oversight and Encapsulation Practices. Germs, 16(2), 9. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Aziz, N. A., Mohamad, M., Mohsin, H. F., Mohamad Nor Hazalin, N. A., & Abdul Hamid, K. (2020). The pharmacological properties and medicinal potential of Chromolaena odorata: A review. International Journal of Pharmaceuticals, Nutraceuticals and Cosmetic Science (IJPNaCS), 2, 30-41. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Aziz, M. H. A., Yusoff, A. N. M., & Magima, M. M. (2023). The use of herbs according to the perspective of traditional Malay medicine in Selangor, Malaysia. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 13(12), 1102–1115. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Che Hassan, N. H., Wan Mohd Saman, W. S., & Shaifuddin, N. (2023). Balancing sustainability factors in the implementation of digital libraries for Malay manuscripts: A framework proposal. Journal of Information and Knowledge Management (JIKM), 2(SI), 242-263. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Coque, T. M., Cantón, R., Pérez-Cobas, A. E., Fernández-de-Bobadilla, M. D., & Baquero, F. (2023). Antimicrobial resistance in the global health network: known unknowns and challenges for efficient responses in the 21st century. Microorganisms, 11(4), 1050. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Ding, C. M. (2014). The application of Malay indigenous scientific and technical knowledge in the production of Malay manuscripts. Persidangan Antarabangsa Manuskrip Melayu, 3(1), 1-12. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Fauzi, N., Najid, M. H. M., Ibrahim, N., & Sahbudin, M. A. (2025). Digitalizing Malay Medical Manuscripts: A Database-Driven Approach to Preservation, Knowledge Management and Intellectual Property. Journal of Al-Tamaddun, 20(2), 199-210. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Fredriksson, M. (2022). Balancing community rights and national interests in international protection of traditional knowledge: a study of India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library. Third World Quarterly, 43(2), 352-370. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Hadi, A. C., & Harun, J. (2022). Analisis filologi dan medik dalam manuskrip Kitab Tib: Satu pendekatan transdisiplin. Jurnal Melayu, 21(1), 45–60. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Harun, J. (2015). Kitab Tib: Warisan khazanah intelek Melayu. Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Harun Mat Piah. (2006). Traditional Malay Medicine from Old Malay Texts. International Journal of the Malay World and Civilisation (Iman) 3(3), 2015: 3-17. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Jalaluddin, N. H. (2014). Semantik dan Akal Budi Melayu. Bangi: Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Kodoh, J., Mojiol, A. R., Lintangah, W., Gisiu, F., Maid, M., & Liew, K. C. (2017). Traditional knowledge on the uses of medicinal plants among the ethnic communities in Kudat, Sabah, Malaysia. Int. J. Agr. Forest. Planta, 5, 79-85. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Li, H.F., Feng, H., Wang, Y., Pan, Z.C., Yin, L., Qiu, H.L., Qiao, H., Zhao, J.Q., Xia, X.Y., Hou, J.C. and Wang, R.X.,(2024). Evaluation of hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, skin irritation and allergy, and antimicrobial properties of active fraction from the ethanol extract of Chromolaena odorata (L.) RM King & H. Rob. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 331, 118330. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Luu, N. D. H., Do, T. D. N., Nguyen, T. T. T., Nguyen, T. T. T., Nguyen, T. P., Hoang, L. S., & Tran, N. Q. (2023). Topical cream based on nanoformulation of Chromolaena odorata extract for accelerating burn wound healing. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 82, 104360. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Nazir, A., Nazir, A., Zuhair, V., Aman, S., Sadiq, S. U. R., Hasan, A. H., Tariq, M, Rehman, L.U., Mustapha, M.J. & Bulimbe, D. B. (2025). The global challenge of antimicrobial resistance: mechanisms, case studies, and mitigation approaches. Health Science Reports, 8(7), e71077. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Owoyele, B. V., Oguntoye, S. O., Dare, K., Ogunbiyi, B. A., Aruboula, E. A., & Soladoye, A. O. (2008). Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities from flavonoid fractions of Chromolaena odorata. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 2(9), 219-225. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Pandith, H., Zhang, X., Liggett, J., Min, K. W., Gritsanapan, W., & Baek, S. J. (2013). Hemostatic and wound healing properties of Chromolaena odorata leaf extract. International Scholarly Research Notices, 2013(1), 168269. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Paul, R., Hazra, A., Chatterjee, S., Biswas, R., Choudhury, S.S., Mitra, A.K., Uti, D.E. and Dhara, B.(2026). Chromolaena odorata: An Ethnobotanical Herb with a Wide Spectrum of Pharmacological Activities. Natural Product Communications, 21(3), 1934578X261429665. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Pranata, A., Rahayu, H. M., & Qurbaniah, M. (2025). Pengembangan buku saku etnobotani jamu pasca melahirkan pada masyarakat Melayu. Didaktika Biologi: Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan Biologi, 9(1), 31–39. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Otabor, J. I., Egbon, I., Toews, M. D., & Uyi, O. (2025). The Double-Edged Sword: Local Perspectives on the Spread, Impact, Management, and Uses of the Invasive Chromolaena odorata in Southern Nigeria. Sustainability, 17(8), 3514. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Rai, P. K., & Singh, J. S. (2024). Ecological insights and environmental threats of invasive alien plant Chromolaena odorata: Prospects for sustainable management. Weed Biology and Management, 24(1), 15-37. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Ramya, R., Othman, R., Hatta, F. A. M., & Wan, W. S. H. (2024). The Ethnobotanical Elements in Traditional Malay Medical Knowledge: A Review. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2903. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Sarwi, F. S., Winarto, Fatimah, S., Sari, EF, & Fadilah, AM (2026). Ethnoscience and local wisdom in science education for conservation: A systematic review with bibliometric mapping. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 9(7). Sa [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Wang, J., Xu, C., Wong, Y. K., Li, Y., Liao, F., Jiang, T., & Tu, Y. (2019). Artemisinin, the magic drug discovered from traditional Chinese medicine. Engineering, 5(1), 32-39. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Yusoff, S. A., & Daud, H. (2013). Kitab tib: Kaedah perubatan Melayu tradisional. International Journal of Creative Future and Heritage (TENIAT), 1(2), 107-114. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Vijayaraghavan, K., Rajkumar, J., Bukhari, S. N. A., Al Sayed, B., & Seyed, M. A. (2017). Chromolaena odorata: A neglected weed with a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities. Molecular medicine reports, 15(3), 1007-1016. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Zakaria, F., & Zainal, H. (2017). Traditional Malay medicine in Singapore: a gramscian perspective. Indonesia and the Malay World, 45(131), 127-144. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Assessment of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Repositioning TVET for Economic Development in Nigeria
• Teachers’ Use of Assure Model Instructional Design on Learners’ Problem Solving Efficacy in Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya
• “E-Booksan Ang Kaalaman”: Development, Validation, and Utilization of Electronic Book in Academic Performance of Grade 9 Students in Social Studies
• Analyzing EFL University Students’ Academic Speaking Skills Through Self-Recorded Video Presentation
• Major Findings of The Study on Total Quality Management in Teachers’ Education Institutions (TEIs) In Assam – An Evaluative Study