Advances in Pseudostellaria heterophylla Research: Current Status and Future Directions.

People of Central Kalimantan have knowledge and utilization of plants as a medicine for generations inherited from their ancestors orally with no written archives. The research aims to find out the potential of the importance of developing an Islamic-integrated reference book of medicinal plants typical of Central Kalimantan. The book is a suplement in a lecture that contains the utilization of medicinal plants in the people of Central Kalimantan integrated with the utilization of plants as a medicine according to Qur'an and Hadith with to instill religious values of a healthy lifestyle and the relationship between humans and natural environment. The research is descriptive qualitative research using observation method, interviews, and surveys. The data collection uses Google Form questionnaire distributed to 24 students of semester 6. The interview question sheets are given to three lecturers of Biology Education Study Program FTIK IAIN Palangka Raya including the observation sheets. The survey result indicates that 68% of respondents know information about medicinal plants typical of Central Kalimantan from websites, 48% of respondents know the information from research journals, and 28% from their families. All respondents (100%) state the need for developing a reference book of medicinal plants typical of Central Kalimantan. The reference book is expected to become an additional information material on the utilization of medicinal plants by the people of Central Kalimantan and the utilization of medicinal plants described in Qur'an and hadith as support in lecture to train religious values of a healthy lifestyle and the relationship between humans and natural environment.

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Indonesian society used family medicinal plants to prevent infection by enhancing immunity. Consumption of medicinal plants as herbal medicine should have scientific consideration so that the benefits can be proven and do not cause harmful side effects. Cultivation of medicinal plants is necessary to meet the needs of the family's medicinal plants independently.Methods: We designed a community-based education to improve literacy about the cultivation and utilization of family medicinal plants to farmer groups at Blunyahrejo, Yogyakarta. The study used a quasi-experimental research design with one group pre-post-test design. The group received an intervention in the form of training on the use and cultivation of medicinal plants. Community literacy was measured before and after participants attended the training. The 1st post-test has been conducted right after the training and the 2nd post-test was carried out after 3 months of intervention. The data were analyzed by a paired t-test.Results: The total number of participants who participated was 28 people. Observations have also been done during and after the training. The study showed that there was an increase in knowledge about the cultivation and utilization of family medicinal plants between the pre-test and 1st post-test, 1st post-test and 2nd post-test, and the pre-test and 2nd post-test (9.96%; 1.98%; 12.04%).Conclusion: The training improved the literacy about the cultivation and utilization of family medicinal plants of the farmer group in Blunyahrejo, Yogyakarta. Although the number of participants was quite small, participants showed a positive response during and after the training. Community leaders often reported the activities of farmer groups that showed enthusiasm for maintaining and continuing the cultivation of medicinal plants after the training.

Students' knowledge about plants is crucial. The school environment serves not only as a place containing various types of plants but also as a learning resource. Some plants available in the school environment have the potential for medicinal use as well as aesthetic purposes. The purpose of this activity is to enhance student's knowledge about the utilization of plants in the school environment through educational activities at SDN Kuin Cerucuk V, Banjarmasin. The activity was conducted at SDN Kuin Cerucuk V with 64 students from grades 4, 5, and 6, along with 7 teachers. Besides the importance of conducting education about medicinal plants, similar activities regarding the utilization of medicinal plants in the vicinity of SDN Kuin Cerucuk V, Banjarmasin, have not been conducted before. Based on the service results, it is known that the educational activity on the utilization of plants around the environment shows a positive response and enthusiasm. The educational activities were carried out through lectures in classrooms and using posters as a publication medium. The results of the education show that there was an increase in students' knowledge, with a pre-education average of 10.91 and a post-education average of 89.01. The improvement in knowledge can contribute to teaching and learning activities

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) is a classical medicinal and edible herb as well as a spice, but the physicochemical and biological properties of its polysaccharides have not been fully studied. In this study, the polysaccharides were extracted using an ultrasonic-assisted method and purified from fresh coriander, and then the coriander polysaccharide (CSP) fraction was separated using an agarose gel Q-Sepharose Fast Flow column. The total sugar content, protein content and monosaccharides composition of CSPs were determined using a phenol-sulfuric acid method, Coomassie Brilliant Blue method and HPLC. The structural characterization was detected using ultraviolet spectrophotometry and FT-IR spectroscopy. DPPH and ABTS free radicals were used to explore their antioxidant activities, while the inhibitory abilities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase were used to evaluate their hypoglycemic activity. After that, the immunomodulatory and antitumor activities were investigated using macrophage RAW264.7 and HepG2 cells as the targets. The results showed that the total sugar and protein contents of CSPs were 66.90 ± 1.44% and 1.06 ± 0.32%, respectively. CSPs were mainly composed of fucose, rhamnose, arabinose, galactose, glucose, galacturonic acid and glucuronic acid, with a molar ratio of 1.13:15.11:9.60:25.98:1.55:44.33:2.29, and may be an acidic heteropolysaccharide containing pyran rings, α- and β-glycosidic bonds and glucuronic acid. Results from in vitro experiments of biological activities showed that the IC50 of CSPs for scavenging DPPH and ABTS free radicals were 0.759 mg/mL and 1.758 mg/mL, respectively; the IC50 values for inhibiting the activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase were 0.634 mg/mL and 2.178 mg/mL, respectively; the CSPs with a concentration of 25~200 μg/mL showed no obvious toxicity to macrophage RAW264.7, and when treated with 100 μg/mL of CSPs, the relative cell phagocytosis capacity and secreted nitric oxide amount of RAW264.7 were 153.75 ± 12.01% and 133.56 ± 5.37%, respectively; CSPs showed a concentration-dependent ability to inhibit the growth of HepG2 cells within the test concentration of 0.25-2.0 mg/mL. Summarizing the results, due to their excellent antioxidant, immunomodulatory and anti-tumor activities, the coriander acid polysaccharides were expected to show good potential in comprehensive development of food and medicine.

Ethnobotanical survey on medicinal plants used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus by Ayurveda and traditional medicine practitioners in Galle district of Sri Lanka


 
 
 This study was conducted in Murut indigenous people inhibited two villages of Keningau district of Sabah Borneo which is blessed with vast cultural diversities. In this regard, 120 randomly selected households from the Nabaai and Gana tribes of Murut community were investigated with a view to identify their homestead plants, use pattern and also their Traditional Knowledge on plant utilization. Five major research tools (e.g., review of secondary information, key Informant interview, household survey with semi-structured questionnaire and focus group discussion) was employed in this study. It is found that the plant species found in the homestead of the Nabaai and Gana tribes are utilized for three main reasons i.e., i) food production, ii) medicine, and iii) fuel wood. There are 23 utilization pattern has been identified in this study which is much lesser than what was found a decade ago (68 utilization). The Nabaai and Gana tribes practice Traditional Knowledge in their daily life especially, in medicinal plant utilization. The findings also show that most of the Traditional Knowledge on plant utilization is lying with the respondents with low income group (59%) because of their high dependency on utilization of the surrounding resources in their daily life. Appropriate steps to preserve and conserve the Traditional Knowledge on plant utilization possessed and practiced by the Murut indigenous communities are deemed necessary before this huge nature treasure is forgotten.
 
 

An ethnopharmacological study is an initial step for the development of jamu, which has been simultaneously conducted throughout Indonesia. This study aimed to explore the utilization of medicinal plants in Baturraden, a region with relatively rich plant biodiversity in Java. Our research is a quantitative ethnobotanical study reporting the utilization of medicinal plants as a single plant botanical preparation in the studied area. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 36 informants on the local names, indications, parts used, method of preparation, and application of the plants. The species use-value (SUV), relative frequency citation (RFC), and the fidelity level (FL) of each species were calculated accordingly. The study recorded the utilization of 47 species of medicinal plants, which were employed to treat 32 ailments. Leaves, decoctions, and oral were recorded as the most commonly used plant part, herbal preparation, and application. There were 24 botanical preparations with the FL value of 100%, which were indicated for the treatment of fourteen diseases/symptoms. Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinale, Piper betle, Cymbopogon citratus, Andrographis paniculata, Syzygium polyanthum, Citrus aurantiaca, and Zingiber montanum were considered as the most important and valuable plants by the local community. Hence, those plants should be evaluated further for their pharmacological activity and developed into standardized botanical preparations.

Based on interviews with a partner, the following community partner issues were lack of medicinal plants gardens around the Al Mubarak Sudiang Islamic boarding school, lack of knowledge and introduction to the types of plants with medicinal properties, and lack of knowledge about the health benefits of medicinal plants. Using traditional medicinal plants is the community's active participation in solving health problems. The community service partner were students in Al Mubarak boarding school. The solution to overcome the partner's problems was empowerment with a participatory learning approach emphasizing learning through consultation, training, coaching, and demonstration/simulation of medicinal plant cultivation and utilization. Then, the authors evaluated program implementation and sustainability before and after activities. The evaluation showed increased achievement levels in all success indicators. Thus, this community service had significant benefits for all participants. In conclusion, the empowerment of students in Al Mubarak Sudiang Islamic Boarding School can increase their knowledge in medicinal plants cultivation and utilization, skills in medicinal plants cultivation, and medicinal plants utilization. The local government should support and participate in the sustainability of this community service through small industries producing healthy drinks from medicinal plants.

The diversity of plants in Indonesia means that many plants have the potential to be used as medicine by the community. Because of its potential as a medicine, many people do not know about it, so it is important to study it. The use of medicinal plants by the community has been passed down from generation to generation, so there is still a lack of documentation regarding the use of medicinal plants. This study aims to identify medicinal plants in the Saradan Kesatuan Pemangkuan Hutan (KPH) area as well as the utilization of plants that are often used as medicine by the community in the Saradan KPH area. The research was conducted in March 2022. Ethnobotanical data were collected using the roaming method and the structured interview method using ethnobotanical interview sheets. Identification of medicinal plants using the help of books on medicinal plants by Widyaningrum. The selection of respondents was carried out randomly, according to the study, which documented 32 species of medicinal plants from 18 families. The most commonly found families of medicinal plants are the Zingiberaceae and Euphorbiaceae families. The leaves are the most useful part of the plant. and the method of treatment with medicinal plants is mostly done by boiling and pounding. The medicinal plant diversity documented in KPH Saradan village is 32 species. Ocimum basilicum L., Alpinia Galanga L. Willd., Zingiber officinale Rosc., and Curcuma domestica Val. medicinal plants that are most widely used by the community around KPH Saradan.

Historically, medicinal herbs have been playing an essential role in the development of novel medications as well as the manufacturing of traditional herbal remedies. Brazil is among the nations in which commercialization of medicinal herbs is becoming more prevalent. This growth is attributed to the wealthy diversity of plants as well as the low cost of the therapy, as demonstrated by the fact that 82% of Brazilians use medicinal herbs on a regular basis to safeguard their good health. Utilizing qualitative as well as quantitative approaches, the primary objective of the investigation was to examine the way the aforementioned goods were being traded in São Luís marketplaces on the streets. According to information from stallholders, 86 products have been identified, the most of which were in oil form. These products have a variety of uses, including antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and expectorant qualities. The five most popular products in terms of sales and demand have been identified according to the samples that had been collected. These consist of andiroba oil, copaiba oil, pequi oil, castor oil, and the annatto syrup. Without knowing the products' origins, the individuals being interviewed reported that they were merely selling them. The vast majority of the products (≈ 80%) did not have labels specifying indications, how to use, contraindications, origin, or validity and, for the few that did, the information was incomplete. The study demonstrated that although the utilization of medicinal plants is an essential component of conventional medicine, merchants continue to have a deficiency of technical knowledge that put human health at risk through carelessness or even inappropriate usage of these products.

Medicinal plant species detection by comparison review

This study aims to analyze local wisdom Cikondang community in the use of medicinal plants. This research used qualitative method with emic and ethical approach to explain the relationship of public knowledge about the type and utilization of medicinal plants in the view of science. Determination of respondents conducted by purposive sampling, taken 30% of the total respondent. The data of the knowledge of the use of medicinal plants obtained through interview techniques as many as 39 respondents. Cikondang people know 27 known medicinal plants and commonly used. Zingiberaceae family has a type that is more widely used as a medicinal plant. The most widely used plant part is leaf and medicinal plant processing which mostly done by boiling. The species with the highest value of use is owned by Curcuma longa L. with a value of 4.28, which states important species / priorities, while the species with the lowest SUV value is Aracchis hypogaea L. of 0.15, which states species are less important and can be replaced by other plants.

Hyptis capitata Jacq. plant has been using for traditional medicine. Utilization of medicinal plant must always consider to given dose because of toxic effect when too much medicine is taken. The aim of this study was to measure the liver damage in mouse caused by H. capitata Jacq. leave extract when it was given an excessive dose. Either 300 (P1), 600 (P2) or 900 (P3) µg H. capitata Jacq. leave extract was given orally to mice every 24 hours during 14 days. Zero point five ml ethanol 96% was given daily (K-) and without given anything (K+) was also conducted as a control. The result showed that mice given P3 treatment had the highest liver damage. The liver damage in mice was not statistically significant difference between P3 and K- treatments. The lowest liver damage was in mice given K+ treatment. There was no significant difference between P1 and P2 treatments on mice liver damage. Utilization of medicinal plant as traditional medicine should always be consider to doses.

Abstract. Mawadha NR, Febryano IG, Tsani MK, Duryat. 2023. Utilization of medicinal plants by the Lintang Tribe Community in Talang Baru Village, Empat Lawang District, Indonesia. Asian J Ethnobiol 6: 20-25. The use of plants as medicine is still maintained for generations. This study aimed to determine the plant species, parts, and habitus used as medicine by the Lintang Trible, Empat Lawang District, South Sumatra, Indonesia. Data were collected using a qualitative approach through in-depth interviews involving observations and documentation studies. Data analysis was carried out descriptively to determine the use of plants in traditional medicine. The results showed that 57 species of plants belonging to 35 families were used as medicine. The most widely used plant family was Zingiberaceae because they can grow easily and are widely used as cooking spices by the people in Talang Baru Village. The plant parts used were root, stem, fruit, flower, leaf, shoot, rhizome, sap, bark, and fruit skin. The leaf was the most widely used part of the plant because it is easy to obtain, has many properties, and removing several leaves will not damage the plants. The plants used can be found in various habitus, namely herb, vine, fern, palm, shrub, tree, and succulent plants. Herbs were the most used plants for medicine. The government should support the conservation of these medicinal plants by creating special places to cultivate medicinal plants so that they remain sustainable.

Background: Plants have been a part of rural areas’ people's life from birth to die since prehistoric times and their utilization is an important traditional culture in the worldwide. However, this is a lack of ethnobotanical study in Laos. The aim of the study is to record the plants' species and explore their medical utilization in Nakeu village, Hinboon district, Khammouan province, middle part Laos. Methods: Ethnobotanical survey was conducted from August 2018 to July 2019. One hundred and fifty key information (81 males and 69 females). Ethnomedicinal data were collected through semi-structured interviews with key informants. Results: The total 79 plant species belong to 46 families were recorded as wild medicinal important. Life form importance value (LIV) was highest in tree 52%, followed by shrub 29%, liana 14%, grass 4%. The medicinal plants are used for stomach problems, heart disease, kidney problems, fever, and others, respectively. Used value (UV) was highest in Ocimum americanum (0.93). This knowledge will support primary health care providers and policymakers in decision-making on the utilization of medicinal plants. Conclusion: In Hinboon district, Khammouane province, Lao PDR, are some of the richest in species of medicinal plants in developing countries, and indeed in Asia. It is worth pointing out the exceptional long list of medicinal plants which are used for traditional medicine and documented as used in the treatment of different common sicknesses. Health policies have to promote the utilization of medicinal plants as part of a strategy to improve the basic health and livelihoods of rural communities throughout the country. Further exploration is needed on the bioactive compound and chemical factor contents of medicinal plants.