Botanical Importance Research Articles

Plants of Religious Belief and their Ethno - Botanical Importance in Ratnagiri District

Plants of Religious Belief and their Ethno - Botanical Importance in Ratnagiri District

On a Collection of Plants from Netarhat Plateaux, Palamau District, Bihar - a Critical Area of Botanical Importance

102 plant species collected from Netarhat Plateaux, Bihar by the present authors is apart from its enumeration, an addition to Haines' record (1921) from Netarhat, mention of which was made by H. F. Mooney (1944;. And since tne region is phytogeoafraphically important, the paper also deserves its utility from conservation point of view.

Crossing the Caucasus hunting for plants: the collection itinerary of the botanists Stéphen Sommier and Émile Levier in the summer of 1890

ABSTRACT Stéphen Sommier and Émile Levier were eminent botanists and plant collectors (but also ethno-anthropologists, geographers and photographers), best known for their scientific travels in Italy and abroad. This study accurately reconstructs the travel and collection itineraries of a trip through the Caucasus in 1890. The botanical importance of this journey is significant, with over 10,000 specimens collected, more than 1600 taxa identified, and over 250 newly described taxa based on the collected samples. The locations visited are placed in a time sequence on up-to-date georeferenced topographic maps. Furthermore, using dedicated heatmaps, we show the sites where the two explorers collected specimens that were later identified as taxa new to science. These maps will also be useful to botanists, historians, scholars and curators of natural history museums, who work with Caucasian flora and vegetation, ethno-anthropology, history of photography, and landscape.

Anticipation and Verification of Dendrobium-Derived Nanovesicles for Skin Wound Healing Targets, Predicated Upon Immune Infiltration and Senescence.

Dendrobium, with profound botanical importance, reveals a rich composition of bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides, flavonoids, alkaloids, and diverse amino acids, holding promise for skin regeneration. However, the precise mechanism remains elusive. Seeking a potent natural remedy for wound healing, exocyst vesicles were successfully isolated from Dendrobium. This investigation aimed to employ bioinformatics and in vivo experiments to elucidate target genes of Dendrobium-derived nanovesicles in skin wound healing, focusing on immune infiltration and senescence characteristics. C57 mice experienced facilitated wound healing through Dendrobium-derived nanovesicles (DDNVs). Bioinformatics analysis and GEO database mining identified crucial genes by intersecting immune-related, senescence-related, and PANoptosis-associated genes. The identified genes underwent in vivo validation. DDNVs remarkably accelerated skin wound healing in C57 mice. Bioinformatics analysis revealed abnormal expression patterns of immune-related, senescence-related, and pan-apoptosis-related genes, highlighting an overexpressed IL-1β and downregulated IL-18 in the model group, Exploration of signaling pathways included IL-17, NF-kappa B, NOD-like receptor, and Toll-like receptor pathways. In vivo experiments confirmed DDNVs' efficacy in suppressing IL-1β expression, enhancing wound healing. Plant-derived nanovesicles (PDNV) emerged as a natural, reliable, and productive approach to wound healing. DDNVs uptake by mouse skin tissues, labeled with a fluorescent dye, led to enhanced wound healing in C57 mice. Notably, IL-1β overexpression in immune cells and genes played a key role. DDNVs intervention effectively suppressed IL-1β expression, accelerating skin wound tissue repair.

Systematic Approach and Ethno Botanical Importance of Plants - Sugali Tribe inhabitants of Adilabad and Komaram Bheem Asifabad Districts, Telangana State, India

The preliminary investigations of Systematic Approach and Ethno Botanical Importance of Plants used by Sugali Tribe inhabitants of Adilabad and Komaram Bheem Asifabad district, Telangana State, India with their recipes, preparation of drugs, administration, and usage form several centuries. The Sugali tribe possessing rich folklore information forms the prime source and exists scope to extend scientific research in further isolation and characterization of active principle involved in the pharmacological utility. The folklore claims were conducted and collaborated with phyto-chemical evidences of the respective crude drugs. Keeping in view of the fact potential source of medicinal plants of folklore origin need to be preserved and conserved. 74 crude drugs (species) belong to 63 genera and 29 families were collected based on folk-lore knowledge. The pattern of the plant use as per habitat (terrestrial, aquatic/epiphytes), habit (growth form), plant part (tissue) and taxonomic category (Systematically families), nativity and occurrence (wild/cultivated) were established.

Modeling of the Ecological Niche of Anogeissus leiocarpa (DC.) Guill & Perr and Conservation Strategies in the Context of Climate and Global Change (Benin, West Africa)

The objective of this work is to study the ethno botanical importance of Anogeissus leiocarpa and the potential impacts of climate and global changes on the spatial distribution of the species in order to contribute to its conservation and sustainable use. One hundred and eighty-nine (189) peoples were surveyed in the ten phytodistricts of Benin. Occurrences of Anogeissus leiocarpa downloaded from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) website (www.gbif.org; https://doi.org/10.15468/ dl.qgwnvf) was supplemented with those collected in the field to model the spatial distribution and the ecological niche of the species. Environmental climatic data were downloaded from Worldclim and Africlim website at the resolution of 2.5 minutes; non-climatic environmental data as soil, population and distance to dwellings (Settlement) were respectively downloaded from ISRIC and SEDAC website at the same resolution. The results of five modeling algorithms were compared: Maxent, BRT, RF, GLM, and GAM. From the main results, Anogeissus leiocarpa is well known and variously used by the surveyed population. Three categories of use were named: wood use (64 %), medicinal use (35 %) and spiritual or medico-magical use (1 %). The most named parts of the plants are the trunk and the leaves. Seven (7) forms of usage were named: service wood, decoction, timber, fuelwood, power, toothpick and trituration. Maxent and BRT algorithms have shown the best performance to predict suitable areas of Anogeissus leiocarpa (compared to RF, GLM and GAM) and were therefore combined to define conservation strategies for the species. Globally, there is an extension of the new suitable areas of the species. The suitable areas of the species are seldom threatened by climate change in Africa and Benin. Also, the protected areas of Benin will remain effective for the conservation of the species in the present and in the future.

Berries as a case study for crop wild relative conservation, use, and public engagement in Canada

Societal impact statementPlant biodiversity is fundamental to the future of food security and agriculture. Berries are the most economically important fruit crops in Canada. Within this article, we explore the nutritional, cultural, and botanical importance of berries, including crop wild relatives (plant species that are closely related to domesticated crops) and plants that are significant to Indigenous Peoples. Using berries as a case study, we explore opportunities for the conservation, use, and public engagement of crop wild relatives. Our objective is to lay the groundwork for future collaborative efforts across these diverse plants.SummaryConservation of plant biodiversity, in particular crop wild relatives including those tended and cultivated by Indigenous Peoples, is critical to food security and agriculture. Building on the 2019 road map for crop wild relatives, we examine berries as a case study for crop wild relative conservation, use, and public engagement. We focus on berries due not only to their economic, cultural, and nutritional importance but also because they are consumed fresh, providing a unique opportunity for individuals and communities to connect with plants. We outline health benefits, geographic distribution, and species at risk for Canadian berries. We describe practices, strategies, and approaches used by Indigenous Peoples to steward berries and emphasize the importance of traditional knowledge. We highlight opportunities for in situ and ex situ berry conservation and use of berries in plant breeding and Indigenous foodways. Our aim is to lay the groundwork for future collaborative efforts in these areas and to showcase berries as a useful case study for conservation of food plant biodiversity and public engagement.

PHYTOCHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF ARMORACIA RUSTICANA

Background: Medicinal plants have been commonly used for the treatments of various ailments since pre – historic times. They are cheap and easily available with minimum toxic effects which make them more convenient to use.
 Objective: This study provides a deep insight to Armoracia rusticana, commonly known as Horseradish, highlighting its medicinal and botanical importance.
 Methodology: A total of 50 published research articles were thoroughly studied and data was fetched and formulated accordingly.
 Results: Armoracia rusticana is a perennial and annual crop. Its roots and leaves are used as medicaments. Horseradish extracts are obtained by hot and cold extraction techniques. Phytochemical analysis is followed by Spectroscopy and chromatography for structure analysis and isolation of therapeutic active compounds. Its phytoconstituents include essential oils, sinigrin, sinigrin derived allyl isothiocyanate and diallylsulphide, vitamin C, glucosinolates and many other compounds. The pungent aroma of Armoracia rusticana is attributed to allyl isothiocyanate. Another reported medicinal compound is Glucosinolate. These are sulfur containing compounds employed in the prevention of serious illnesses including cancer.
 Conclusion: The plant as a whole has wide therapeutic applications including anti – bacterial, anti – oxidant and anti – inflammatory action. Therefore it can be used as a basis for further research on its medicinally active constituents and properties.

Butea monosperma: a leguminous species for sustainable forestry programmes

Forestry and greening programs in urban area are faced due to lack of awareness about multiple roles/benefits of trees, especially their role in drought proofing, prevention of soil and water run-off, degraded land restoration, livelihood security and sustainable development. In this regard, Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taubert, a medium-sized legume tree species, has gained much importance because of its multipurpose usage and well adaptability to forestry programs. We have documented the importance of Butea monosperma by surveys and compared with available literature. During the exhaustive surveys, 250 locals were interviewed between 2014 and 2016. We recorded maximum information of Butea monosperma viz. botanical description, traditional knowledge, commercial status, medicinal values and ecological importance. Globally, a reduction in its distribution has categorized it as an endangered species; the main reasons are overexploitation and inadequate awareness. Thus, the present paper deals with the beneficial uses and effectiveness of Butea monosperma for urban forestry and greening which could lead to generate interest in rising demand and value to broaden the scope for conservation, value addition and identification of multipurpose species.

\u201cIt may also have prevented churchgoers from falling asleep\u201d: southernwood, Artemisia abrotanum L. (fam. Asteraceae), in the church bouquet, and its contemporary presence as a heritage plant in Sweden

IntroductionSouthernwood, Artemisia abrotanum L., is a plant that has been cultivated for centuries. Most probable is that it has its origin in the eastern Mediterranean area. It has been kept for its fragrance and has a history of being a medicinal and insect-repellent plant. In earlier centuries, the plant was commonly found in peasants’ gardens in Sweden and utilised especially as a component in the bouquets brought to church by women. The aim of this article is to bring together data about Artemisia abrotanum and to summarise its cultural history and folk botanical importance. In Sweden, it is still grown in some gardens in the countryside and is esteemed for its fragrance.MethodsIn the early twentieth century, various folklore archives in Sweden (Lund, Uppsala) distributed questionnaires about the use of church bouquets. These records provided interesting information about the importance of southernwood and other species. We have also used data found in ethnographic records and local historical reports. Between 2007 and 2017, a nationwide inventory organised by the Programme for Diversity of Cultivated Plants (POM) documented and gathered several heirloom varieties of southernwood.Results and discussionTogether with a few other domestic plants of foreign origin (e.g. Lavandula angustifolia Mill., Tanacetum balsamita L., and Tanacetum vulgare L.), Artemisia abrotanum has been cultivated throughout Sweden in peasants’ gardens as a medicinal plant and for its fragrance. According to the sources, Artemisia abrotanum was one of the most common species cultivated by the Swedish peasantry. Although used in folk medicine and to some extent as a repellent, it was most esteemed for its fragrance. Peasant women would carry a twig of the plant in the obligatory church bouquet or in the hymnal when attending the services in the Lutheran church on Sundays. In Sweden, this custom with the church bouquet has been known since the time of the Reformation in the sixteenth century and survived until the late nineteenth century, when major changes took place in connection with industrialisation, modernisation, secularisation and urbanisation. Although the custom with the church bouquet disappeared, nationwide inventories conducted by the Programme for Diversity of Cultivated Plants in 2007–2015 revealed that the plant still exists in many gardens on the countryside throughout Sweden as a cultural relict and reminiscence plants. People care for the plant, have sentiments for it and it is spread from person-to-person. Several heirloom varieties have been discovered, which will be preserved ex situ for the future.ConclusionsSouthernwood was probably the most commonly used herb in the peasant women’s church bouquet until the end of the nineteenth century. It had a satisfying fragrance and was easy to grow. Although the custom has disappeared, the plant has survived until the present day in many gardens as a reminiscence of the custom of former times.

GIS Based Multi-Criteria Decision Making for Identification of Important Plant Areas: A Case Study in Johor, Malaysia

Important Plant Areas (IPA) is a concept developed by Plantlife International to identify sites of exceptional botanical importance for conservation priority. The three main criteria for IPA are presence of threatened species, exceptional botanical richness and threatened habitats. Studies have shown that scoring method based on expert judgement is widely used in IPA identification as it is the easiest to understand and implement. However, reported drawbacks were uncertainty in score judgement and effect of the weighted score on each criterion was not understood. Therefore, a robust scoring system was needed to overcome this obscurity. The current study utilized Kepong Herbarium records, GIS-based multi-criteria decision making and analytical hierarchy process to identify IPA in the state of Johor, Malaysia. These techniques were considered to be effective tools in providing decision support for spatial planning aimed for plant conservation in Malaysia.

Bioactive Compounds, Pharmacological Actions, and Pharmacokinetics of Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium).

Plants have been used since ancient times to cure certain infectious diseases, and some of them are now standard treatments for several diseases. Due to the side effects and resistance of pathogenic microorganisms to antibiotics and most drugs on the market, a great deal of attention has been paid to extracts and biologically active compounds isolated from plant species used in herbal medicine. Artemisia absinthium is an important perennial shrubby plant that has been widely used for the treatment of several ailments. Traditionally, A. absinthium has always been of pharmaceutical and botanical importance and used to manage several disorders including hepatocyte enlargement, hepatitis, gastritis, jaundice, wound healing, splenomegaly, dyspepsia, indigestion, flatulence, gastric pain, anemia, and anorexia. It has also been documented to possess antioxidant, antifungal, antimicrobial, anthelmintic, anti-ulcer, anticarcinogenic, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, antidepressant, analgesic, immunomodulatory, and cytotoxic activity. Long-term use of A. absinthium essential oil may cause toxic and mental disorders in humans with clinical manifestations including convulsions, sleeplessness, and hallucinations. Combination chemotherapies of artemisia extract or its isolated active constituents with the currently available antibabesial or anti-malarial drugs are now documented to relieve malaria and piroplasmosis infections. The current review examines the phytoconstituents, toxic and biological activities of A. absinthium.

Synsepalum chimanimani (Sapotaceae), a new species from the Chimanimani Mountains of Mozambique and Zimbabwe, with notes on the botanical importance of this area.

Synsepalum chimanimani S.Rokni & I.Darbysh., sp. nov., a small tree endemic to the forests of the southern foothills of the Chimanimani Mountains of Mozambique and Zimbabwe, is described and illustrated. The differences in morphology and distribution between the new species and the related S. kaessneri and S. muelleri, with which it has been confused, are clarified. The new species is globally Endangered due to ongoing habitat loss within its restricted range. The botanical importance and conservation of the Chimanimani foothills is also discussed, and they are highlighted as a candidate Important Plant Area.

Notes on Justicia sect. Monechma (Acanthaceae) in Angola, including two new species

Two new species of Justicia sect. Monechma, Justicia cubangensis and J. eriniae, are described from Angola. Their affinities are reviewed, together with a discussion on the correct generic name to apply to these species. A conspectus of Justicia sect. Monechma 'Group I' in Angola is presented, including a key to the species and notes on habitat and distribution for each taxon. Two new combinations and one new name are provided for species for which there was no previous name available in Justicia, and lectotypes are proposed for four names. Twelve species are recognised in this group in total, eight of which are currently believed to be endemic to Angola. Justicia subsessilis is recorded in Angola for the first time, and J. laeta is placed in sect. Monechma, having previously been tentatively referred to sect. Tyloglossa. Monechma carrissoi is considered to be conspecific with J. virgultorum and so is synonymised here. In addition, the botanical importance of the type locality of J. cubangensis, the Cuchi River gorge of the Cubango drainage, is highlighted and two further new provincial records for Cuando Cubango are noted from this site: Eriocaulon angustibracteum (Eriocaulaceae) and Crepidorhopalon schweinfurthii (Linderniaceae).

A revision of the Crepidorhopalon whytei complex (Linderniaceae) in eastern Africa

The Crepidorhopalon whytei (Linderniaceae) species complex is revised using morphological analyses. Based primarily on variations in indumentum, floral morphology, corolla colour and seed morphology, four species are formally recognised within this group in eastern Africa. Crepidorhopalon whytei s.str. is widespread in the highlands of eastern Africa, extending from South Sudan and Ethiopia in the north through to western Tanzania in the south. A new combination in Crepidorhopalon is made for Lindernia flava (= C. flavus), which is confined to the Manica Highlands of the Mozambique-Zimbabwe border. Two new species are described, C. namuliensis which is known only from Mt Namuli in northern Mozambique and C. kwaleensis which is known only from the coastal lowlands of southeast Kenya. A fifth, imperfectly known species is documented from the Nguru Mountains of Tanzania where it is so far known from a single collection. Three names are lectotypified. The habitat requirements and distribution are documented and the extinction risk is assessed for each species. Crepidorhopalon flavus is assessed as globally Vulnerable and C. kwaleensis as globally Endangered, while C. namuliensis and C. whytei are currently considered to be of Least Concern, although the latter is declining markedly in parts of its range. The botanical importance of the key sites for the newly recognised taxa is discussed.

Nutritional analysis of some selected medicinal plants of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Plant biodiversity contribute significantly to human health, nourishing and nurturing them and alleviating their acute and chronic diseases. Plants not only served as curing agents since long but also providing basic nutrients like carbohydrates, protein, fat etc. These nutrients have essential role in supporting human body requirements for vigor, used in different physiological and morphological functions. In present study, Cucumis sativus, Portulaca oleracea, Malus baccata, Saxifraga flagillaris, Geranium wallichianum and Monotheca buxifolia, were assessed for their nutritional and proximate composition (ash, moisture, protein, carbohydrates and fat) subjected to Association of Official Analytical Chemist (AOAC) procedure based to their ethno botanical importance. In results, the comparative assessment of these selected plants showed that Carbohydrates was highest in Monotheca buxifolia (74.27%), followed by Geranium wallichianum (64.68%) and Saxifraga flagillaris (62.79%). Ash content was highest in Portulaca oleracea (26.44%), followed by Malus baccata (22.83%) and Cucumis sativus (20%). Malus baccata possessed highest percentage of moisture (18.69%). Saxifraga flagillaris has highest percentage of protein (4.37%). Cucumis sativus consisted of highest percentage of fat (14%). It is concluded from the present study that medicinal plants play crucial role in human life and are praiseworthy springs of food nutrients and therapeutics associate in human health. Keywords: Carbohydrates; Fat content; Medicinal plants; Nutritional analysis; Protein content http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2018.700114

Exploration of Phytoconstituents from Mussaenda roxburghii and Studies of Their Antibiofilm Effect.

In the context of ethno botanical importance with no phytochemical investigations, Mussaenda roxburghii have been investigated to explore it's phytoconstituents and studies of their antibiofilm activity. Four compounds have been isolated from the aerial parts of this plant and were characterized as 2α,3β,19α,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (1), β-sitosterol glucoside (4), lupeol palmitate (5), and myoinositol (6). All these compounds were tested for antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Compound 1 exhibited three times more antibiofilm activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) at 0.74 mm compared to that of streptomycin. Molecular docking studies exhibited a very high binding affinity of 1 with P. aeruginosa quorum sensing proteins and motility associated proteins viz. LasR and PilB, PilY1, PilT, respectively. Compound 1 was also found to be non-cytotoxic against sheep RBC and murine peritoneal macrophages at selected sub-MIC doses.

Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. (Lamiaceae): It’s Ethnobotany & in vitro regeneration

Objectives: Since the beginning of human civilization various herbal medicines are employed for healing human and animal. Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth., locally known as Patchouli (Assamese) is a very important medicinal plants belongs to mint family i.e. Lamiaceae. The main aim of this study was to collect ethnobotanical information’s and to study its in vitro regeneration results. All possible ethnobotanical literatures have been cited here. Methods: In vitro propagation was achieved from leaf and nodal explants of Pogostemon cablin on MS medium. Results: Callus development and in vitro axillary shoot formation was successfully made in MS basal medium containing BA (4.0 mg/L), NAA (2.0 mg/L)+ IAA (1.0 mg/L) and BA (3 mg/L)+IAA (1 mg/L). MS basal medium containing IBA (0.1/L) and Kn (2.5 mg/L) was best for induction of multiple shoots within 4 weeks of culture. Combination of NAA (0.1 mg/L). Kn (0.1 mg/L) and CH (100 mg/L) was best for callus induction which later on formed multiple shoots and caused elongation of roots. Micro shoots of varied length were produced on MS medium. Rooted plantlets were successfully acclimatized in green house for 1 month and then were transferred to the field. Conclusion: It can be concluded that pogostemon cablin has immense ethno botanical importance. For its rapid multiplication, in vitro technique was found very successful. In MS medium supplemented with Kn 2.5 mg/L and IBA 0.1mg/L found maximum multiplication rate. In this proportion rates of shoot generation, leaf, rooting, callus formation was maximum.

Tree diversity and conservation value of Ngovayang’s lowland forests, Cameroon

The Ngovayang Massif of southern Cameroon is a range of small hills near the Atlantic coast, in the Lower Guinea floristic region. This region is known to harbor forests with high levels of biodiversity and endemism, but this Massif is botanically poorly known. We assessed tree species diversity, floristic composition and level of endemism of the Ngovayang forest, comparing it with other sites in Central Africa. Five 1-ha permanent plots within old-growth lowland forests of the Ngovayang Massif were censused. A total of 2,658 individuals with dbh ≥ 10 cm were recorded, belonging to 293 species, 170 genera and 60 families. The mean number of stems was 532 ± 75 stems ha−1. Taking into account other data available, the list of vascular plants known in the Massif reaches a total of 450 species. We found 47 species of high conservation value, including Cameroon endemics and other rare and threatened species. Species richness and endemism are comparable to those of the richest known sites in Central African forests. The forests of Ngovayang were found to be particularly rich in Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae. Topographic heterogeneity, high precipitation and atmospheric humidity owing to the proximity of the ocean, and permanence of a forest cover during past geological times probably all contribute to explaining the Massif’s high tree diversity and endemism. This study highlights the botanical importance of the poorly studied Ngovayang forest within the Lower Guinea region, justifying efforts for improved assessment of this value and for the development of suitable national conservation strategies.

Phytochemical constituents and ethnobotany of the leaf extract of bitter leaf (<i>Vernonia amygdalina</i>) Del

The phytochemical screening and ethno botanical importance of the leaf of Vernonia amygdalina Del. were investigated. The secondary metabolites in the leaf were identified to establish a relationship between them and their therapeutic properties. The leaves were sun dried, pulverized and sieved. The resulting powdered extract was used in running a phytochemical test. A chemical analysis was also ran to determine the moisture content, ash value, protein, fats, carbohydrate and fibre value of the leaf. The results of the phytochemical screening showed that carbohydrates, saponins, alkaloids, tannins, proteins and steroid occurred in very high concentration (+ + +), while flavonoids and glycosides occurred in high concentration (++).The concentration of resins was low (+).Acidic compounds and oils were not observed (-). Similarly, the chemical analysis revealed the presence of fat, protein, carbohydrate, fibre, ash and moisture, necessary for human growth and development..Vernonia amygdalina has been found useful in ethnomedicine.Keywords: Phytochemical, ethnobotany, Vernonia amygdalina, therapeutic properties, ethnomedicineJournal of Pharmaceutical and Allied SciencesVol. 7 No. 3 (2010)