Ethnobotanical Data Research Articles

Ethnomedicinal survey of anti-urolithiatic medicinal plants used in the region of Mascara, Algeria

Objective: To conduct an ethnomedicinal survey and conserve traditional medicinal practices in the Mascara region of northwestern Algeria. In this region, traditional medicinal knowledge has primarily been transmitted orally, and the study aims to document it in written form for better utilization in the field of pharmacology. Methods: Purposive sampling with semi-structured questionnaires was adopted with ethnobotanical data obtained from 135 local informants, including 22 herbalists. The study participants were asked about their sociodemographic profiles and ethnomedicinal knowledge about anti-urolithiatic medicinal plants. Results: Sixty-three anti-urolithiatic species belonging to 59 genera and 32 families were inventoried. All plants are prescribed orally, and decoction presents the most common preparation method (46.0%). Seeds are the most used parts (27.0%). The most frequent botanical families were Apiaceae, Lamiaceae, Fabaceae, and Rosaceae. The predominant anti-urolithiatic plants are Hemiaria hirsute L., Hordeum vulgare L., Linum usitatissimum L., Zea mays L., Lavandula angustifolia Mill., and Apium graveolens L. Conclusions: This study highlights the diversity of the phytotherapeutic practices used against urolithiasis in the region of Mascara. It also suggests that ethnomedicine is well-entrenched in local health practices in this area. However, this knowledge acquired by the local inhabitants over the centuries risks disappearing since it is mainly held by older people and is not documented.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in Sekela District, northwestern Ethiopia

BackgroundPeople in Sekela District, like others in Ethiopia, have a long tradition of using medicinal plants to treat human and livestock ailments. However, medicinal plants and their associated indigenous knowledge are currently under threat. Thus, the study was carried out to compile ethnobotanical knowledge about medicinal plants in the district. MethodsA total of 352 informants from six study sub-districts (328 general and 24 key informants) were selected randomly and purposefully. Individual interviews, focus group discussions, guided field walks, and market surveys were used to acquire ethnobotanical data using semi structured interview questions. The informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level, preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, medicinal use, and Analysis of Variance were used. ResultsA total of 121 medicinal plants belonging to 106 genera and 55 families were documented. The Asteraceae family had the most species with 11 (9 %), followed by Lamiaceae with 8 (6.6 %), while leaves were the most utilized part with 56 (37 %). The majority of the remedies were made as a concoction (32, 17 %) and delivered orally (98, 57 %). There was a statistically significant difference in indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants among genders, ages, marital status, educational levels, and occupations (p ˂ 0.05). The dermatological disease categories had the highest ICF (0.92) in human ailments. ConclusionThe study revealed that Sekela District is rich in medicinal plants for treating human and livestock ailments, and has indigenous knowledge to utilize these resources effectively. However, overgrazing, agricultural expansion, and improper harvesting techniques threaten medicinal plants. This signals the need to make significant efforts to raise public awareness about their conservation and sustainable use.

Ethnopharmacological Investigation of Plants Used in the Treatment of Breast Cancer in Northern Cameroon

IntroductionTherapeutic activities of medicinal plants are due to the different secondary metabolites, which are stored in their organs and constitute a large reservoir. These medicinal plants could allow the development of new biomolecules, which would constitute an alternative against highly toxic breast cancer chemotherapy. The present study identifies the medicinal plants used by the traditional medicine practitioners of the northern region of Cameroon in the treatment of this pathology. MethodsA semistructured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic information from participants as well as ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological data of the different treatments. The approach used to conduct the survey was an interview with the traditional medicine practitioners of the region using the local language. ResultsAs a result, 131 traditional healers were interviewed; they provided 50 therapeutic recipes made from 37 plant species belonging to 21 families. The recipes presented are mainly formulated from a single plant (74%) while among the combinations, associating two plants was predominant (18%). The bark was the most used organ (46%) while the most used preparation methods were decoction (52%) and maceration (36%). Treatments were mainly administered orally for an unlimited duration (until recovery). The plants listed were found to be rich in secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, or tannins that revealed anticancer activities through literature. ConclusionsThe results of the present work constitute a strong basis for the search of new anticancer chemotherapeutic agents that would be more available and less invasive.

Traditional knowledge of wild plants on traditional tools, materials, products and economic practices in southern Yemen

BackgroundThe traditional knowledge in southern Yemen is rich in wild medicinal and food plants, which has been documented in our previous studies. In addition, other significant and general traditional usage for the daily livelihood requirements of local people (beyond medicinal and food plant uses) has not been studied before and needs urgent documentation.MethodsEthnobotanical data on of wild plants used by local people in southern Yemen were collected by oral questionnaire interviews. Most informants (n = 1020) were local elderly from 15 different localities in southern Yemen. The local names and non-medicinal and non-food uses of plants were identified and analyzed.ResultsThe ethnobotanical data resulted various traditional uses of 73 plant species distributed in 28 families. The most represented families were Fabaceae, Asteraceae and Malvaceae. The most growth forms were trees and shrubs. Seven main and common categories of traditional uses were determined and classified as handicraft, health aids, livestock husbandry and beekeeping, economic and commercial plant products, agriculture tools, construction timber and fuel. The most cited species were identified for Ziziphus spina-christi, Vachellia tortilis, Vachellia nilotica, Anisotes trisulcus, Dracaena hanningtonii (Sansevieria ehrenbergii) and Aerva javanica, which have multi-purpose values of traditional usage. Nine major traditional uses of local wild plants were recorded: handicraft, agriculture tools, products aid general health, economic products, construction timber, livestock husbandry, bee keeping, fuel and ornamental.ConclusionsDespite the challenges on local traditional knowledge of wild plants, it still requested vital to many usages of traditional life and still have an economic value and heritage required of develop the daily livelihood level of the local people especially in rural areas. This includes the traditional uses of wild plants in handicraft skills, tools of agriculture, constructions. The importance of the continuity of traditional industries and their transmission to generations lies in the local population’s reliance on local natural resources without relying on external resources in situations such as wars. This is the first study that contributes to documenting and analyzing the indigenous knowledge on traditional general usage of wild plants in southern Yemen.

Phytochemical Investigation of Polyphenols from the Aerial Parts of Tanacetum balsamita Used in Transylvanian Ethnobotany and Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeability Assay.

In this study, based on ethnobotanical data recorded in Transylvania, the polyphenolic compounds and the permeability of the aerial part's extract of Tanacetum balsamita were investigated. Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was applied for the analysis of the extracts. Parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA) for the gastrointestinal tract and the blood-brain barrier was conducted. In the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the species traditionally used for wound, furuncle, and liver disorders, 92 polyphenols were characterized (e.g., flavonoid, hydroxycinnamic acid, catechin, dihydroxybenzoyl, lignan derivatives, and a monoterpene) including 54 compounds identified for the first time in the plant. In the PAMPA tests, eight components were shown to be capable of passive diffusion across the studied membranes. These include apigenin and seven methoxylated flavonoid derivatives. Based on these results, methoxylated flavonoids might promote the pharmacological potential of T. balsamita to be applied in the enhancement of novel remedies.

Ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal plants used in traditional treatment of respiratory system disorders in the Southeast region of Morocco

The use of medicinal plants in primary healthcare in Africa, especially among populations in developing countries, is a common practice. To identify the most commonly used medicinal plants in traditional medicine for treating common respiratory disorders, an ethnobotanical survey was conducted in the Draa Tafilalet region, South-Eastern Morocco, involving 235 herbalists and sellers of medicinal plants from three provinces (Errachidia, Tinghir, and Zagora). Ethnobotanical data were evaluated using use value (UV), frequency of citation (FC), relative frequency of citation (RFC), and family importance value (FIV). The survey identified a total of 76 species belonging to 39 families, with the most represented being Lamiaceae, Apiaceae, and Asteraceae, followed by Fabaceae. As for the most commonly used species against respiratory disorders, they include Origanum vulgare L. (UV = 0.413), Artemisia herba-alba (UV = 0.370), Foeniculum vulgare (UV = 0.357), Thymus vulgaris (UV = 0.332), Lavandula dentata (UV = 0.319), Matricaria chamomilla (UV = 0.311), Nigella sativa (UV = 0.302), Allium sativum L. (UV = 0.298), Eucalyptus globulus (UV = 0.289), and Plantago major L. (UV= 0.281). Decoction (48.68%) and infusion (47.37%) are the most recommended preparation methods by herbalists for remedies. Leaves are the most prescribed part, while the majority of plants are exclusively administered orally (92.11%). This ethnobotanical survey holds the potential to aid scientists and researchers in identifying plants that treat common respiratory disorders, potentially invaluable for the development of novel drugs.

The diversity and significance of wild edible vegetable plants in Aceh Tamiang, Indonesia

Abstract Wild vegetable species are native or naturalized plants that thrive in their natural habitat. This study aims to look into indigenous knowledge about using plants as vegetables and how it affects food security and diversity in the Aceh Tamiang region. Plant material was randomly collected from three subdistricts in Aceh Tamiang, Indonesia. Ethnobotanical data was collected through investigations and semi-structured interviews. A total of 90 respondents, 30 from each sub-district, were selected randomly. Data was cross-checked and verified using the informant context approach and group discussions. The data were examined employing descriptive statistics and quantitative ethnobotanical approaches. We discovered 42 different species of wild vegetables. The majority of these plants are harvested from the wild by consumers in the area. These findings suggest that various plants are able to be consumed raw, which could be a valuable resource for the local community during times of food insecurity.

Harvesting nature's bounty: exploring the ethnobotanical landscape of wild edible plants in the Awi Agäw community, Northwestern Ethiopia

BackgroundFeeding the world's future population while still facing a variety of socioeconomic and climate change scenarios with uncertain outcomes is a key global societal concern that should be addressed in a science-based manner. Ethiopia boasts a great diversity of wild edible plant species (WEPS), but millions of its citizens still suffer from chronic hunger every year. In this context, we here document the use and conservation of WEPS in the Awi Agäw community, Northwestern Ethiopia.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional study from October 2021 to June 2022. Ethnobotanical and conservation status data were collected via semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, field walks and market surveys. A total of 374 respondents from three districts (Guangua, Jawi and Ankasha) were purposely selected for the study. Descriptive statistics, including preference rankings, frequencies and direct matrix rankings, were employed for the data analysis.ResultsWe identified a total of 39 WEPS plant taxa distributed among 26 families and 32 genera. The Moraceae and Rosaceae had the greatest numbers of plants, with five and three species, respectively. The WEPS are regularly consumed in the study area to alleviate hunger. However, threats such as habitat loss, agricultural expansion, deforestation for firewood and other reasons, and pesticide use threaten WEPS availability.ConclusionTherefore, community-based conservation interventions need to be encouraged to safeguard WEPS and associated traditional knowledge. Furthermore, nutritional quality analysis is recommended for the selection of promising WEPS candidates.

A Review Study on Traditional Herbal Medicines of Bangladesh against Different Skin Disorders

Traditional herbal medicines (THM) are used by almost 75%–80% of the people in Bangladesh to treat various types of skin diseases. This review includes ethnobotanical data as well as relevant scientific studies on plants used in traditional medicine in Bangladesh to treat various types of skin disorders like inflammatory skin disorders, viral infections, bacterial infections, fungal infections, parasitic infections, pigmentation disorders, skin cancers, trauma and other skin disease conditions. Using specified key phrases, information on the traditional herbal medicinal plants of Bangladesh that are effective against various skin ailments was collated from several electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Springer and others. A total of 45 relevant publications were investigated, providing complete information on 221 distinct herbal plant species belonging to 73 families utilised by the diverse peoples of Bangladesh for the treatment of skin problems. The most often utilised plant organ in this study was leaves, followed by roots, fruits, entire plants, barks, seeds, stems, rhizomes and flowers. The Asteraceae family has the most species, whereas in terms of plant habit, herbs have the most species. Azadirachta indica, Curcuma longa, Vitex negundo, Aegle marmelos, Allium sativum and Lawsonia inermis are the most commonly utilised species. This research might be used as a beginning point for a systematic search for natural herbal remedies to treat skin diseases in Bangladesh’s flora.

Ethnomedicinal Plants and Herbal Preparations Used by Rural Communities in Tehsil Hajira (Poonch District of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan).

The present study emphasizes the importance of documenting ethnomedicinal plants and herbal practices of the local rural communities of Tehsil Hajira (Pakistan). The aim was to document, explore and quantify the traditional ethnomedicinal knowledge. Ethnobotanical data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed using various quantitative indices. The results showed that 144 medicinal plant species from 70 families and 128 genera play an important role in herbal preparations. The most common type of preparation was powder (19.0%), followed by paste (16.7%), aqueous extract (15.7%), decoction (14.7%) and juice (11.0%). Fragaria nubicola (0.94) and Viola canescens (0.93) had the highest relative frequency of mention (RFC), while Berberis lycium (1.22) and Fragaria nubicola (1.18) had the highest use value (UV). Geranium wallichianum (85.5), Ligustrum lucidum (83) and Indigofera heterantha (71.5) were the most important species in the study area with the highest relative importance (RI) value. The diseases treated were categorized into 17 classes, with diseases of the digestive system and liver having the highest Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) value, followed by diseases of the oropharynx and musculoskeletal system. Important plants mentioned for the treatment of various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are Zanthoxylum alatum, Berberis lycium, Mentha longifolia, Punica granatum, Rubus ellipticus and Viola canescens. New applications of rarely documented plants from this area are: Oxalis corniculata paste of the whole plant to treat vitiligo, Carthamus tinctorius flowers to treat chicken pox, Dioscorea deltoidea tuber powder to treat productive cough, Inula cappa root decoction to treat miscarriage, Habenaria digitata tuber juice for the treatment of fever, Viola canescens leaves and flowers for the treatment of sore throat and Achillea millefolium root and leaf juice for the treatment of pneumonia. These plants may contain interesting biochemical compounds and should be subjected to further pharmacological studies to develop new drugs. Traditional medicinal knowledge in the area under study is mainly limited to the elderly, traditional healers and midwives. Therefore, resource conservation strategies and future pharmacological studies are strongly recommended.

Knowledge and practices of traditional management of child malnutrition and associated pathologies in Benin

BackgroundChild malnutrition is a major public health challenge, affecting millions of children worldwide, with alarming proportions of children under five in Benin. The complexity of managing this condition is increased by its potential association with opportunistic pathologies. An interesting approach arises from the use of medicinal plants, to address child malnutrition and its associated pathologies. This study aimed to document the knowledge and practices of Beninese mothers and traditional practitioners with regard to the use of medicinal plants to treat child malnutrition and associated diseases.MethodsA total of 844 Beninese mothers and 201 traditional healers were surveyed between March 2022 and August 2023 in the communes of Karimama, Bopa and Za-Kpota in Benin. The respondents’ knowledge of child malnutrition and associated pathologies was explored. The ethnobotanical data collected from the subjects concerned the medicinal recipes used to treat child malnutrition, the medicinal plants that make them up and the methods of use. These data were analyzed using ethnobotanical indices such as the Informant Consensus Factor, the frequency of citation of medicinal recipes types and medicinal plants, and the contribution of plants to medicinal recipes.ResultsAll respondents cited a total of 82 plant species used to treat child malnutrition and associated diseases. These plants were grouped into 37 botanical families, the most common of which were Fabaceae, Malvaceae and Annonaceae. The leaves were the most commonly used part of the plant species identified. The mothers shared 122 medicinal recipes, ranging from recipes based on a single plant to more complex compositions involving five plants. The most notable plants were Moringa oleifera Lam, Phyllanthus amarus Schumach & Thonn, Senna siamea (Lam.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby, Carica papaya L. and Ocimum gratissimum L. Traditional healers provided 52 plants in 71 recipes, with Moringa oleifera featuring prominently in both single-plant and multiplant formulations.ConclusionThis study made it possible to constitute a rich base of medicinal recipes used against malnutrition and associated pathologies, with the preponderant involvement of certain plant species. It is therefore necessary to deepen research on these different identified species in order to scientifically assess their potential.

Medicinal ethnoveterinary plants used for treating livestock ailments in the omo-gibe and rift valley basins of Ethiopia

BackgroundTraditional medical practices have been used to maintain animal health for millennia and have been passed down orally from generation to generation. In Ethiopia also, plants are the primary means by which the indigenous people in remote areas treat the illnesses of their animals. The present study was therefore, carried out to document the type and distribution of medicinal plants of the county.MethodsTo collect ethnobotanical information, a total of 205 informants (133 men and 72 women) were selected. Among these 121 traditional medicine practitioners, while the remaining 84 were selected through a systematic random sampling method. Ethnobotanical data were collected between January 2023 and August 2023 through semi-structured interviews, participant observation, guided filed walks and focus group discussions. Using descriptive statistics, the ethnobotanical data were analyzed for the Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) and Fidelity Level (FL) values, preference, and direct matrix rankings. SPSS 26.0 and PAST 4.11 software were used in data analysis.ResultsTotally, 78 ethnoveterinary medicinal plants distributed in 36 families were identified in the study area. Asteraceae was the dominant family with 9 species (14%), followed by Euphorbiaceae with 8 species (12%). Herbs 42(56%), wild collected 62 (66%), and leaf part (52%) made the highest share of the plant species. Hordeum vulgare L. had the highest fidelity level (FL = 98%) for treating bone fractures. Blackleg, bloat, and endoparsistes each had the highest values of the consensus factor among the informants (ICF = 1). According to preference ranking, Withania somnifera was the most potent remedy for treating blackleg. Knowledge of medicinal plants was shared through storytelling within families.ConclusionIn the study area, there is broad access to traditional medicinal plants that can treat ailments in animals. Conservation efforts should be prioritized to protect medicinal plants from threats such as agricultural expansion, drought, and development. Further research should be conducted to explore the potential of different medicinal plants for treating common livestock ailments.

Weeds used as medicine by Gaddis and Gujjars of Nurpur Valley in Western Himalayan Region of Himachal Pradesh, India

Weed species considered as pariahs of plant kingdom as they spread very rapidly and have a competitive edge on top of indigenous species in the areas they invade. Although the use of weeds is less desirable, tribal people still use them for several purposes. This paper intent to highlight the utilization pattern of weeds by Gaddis and Gujjars of Nurpur Valley in Western Himalayan Region of Himachal Pradesh, India. The ethnobotanical data was collected by descriptive survey along with the observations and interviews were conducted. It was then analysed quantitatively by using use value and fidelity level. A total of 29 weed plants inherent in the 19 families were distinguished that are being practiced in traditional medicines to treat many diseases. The high use value is calculated for Cannabis sativa (1). Maximum diseases (37%) are treated by using the whole plant and the most popular method of medication is decoction. The gathered statistics will act as a catalyst for re-evaluating the potential cultivation of certain weed species under controlled conditions as well as exploring their utility in plant-based medicine.

Metabolomic and chemometric analyses of St. John's wort and related Asian Hypericum species linked to bioactivity

Ethnopharmacological relevancePlants in the genus Hypericum (Hypericaceae), include more than 500 species worldwide, and many are valued for their medicinal properties, and are used as traditional herbal medicines. However, only H. perforatum is officially recognized as herbal drug in several pharmacopoeias, and used as an antidepressant clinically. Hypericum perforatum had been used as an herbal medicine since the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. -220 A.D.) in China. It taxonomically belongs to the section Hypericum in the genus Hypericum. There are about 42 species in the section Hypericum, with six species occurring in China. All six are recorded as traditional herbal medicines for treating aliments, including hepatitis, malaria, traumatic hemorrhage, irregular menstruation, wounds, and bruises. Aim of the studyThe study aimed to characterize the chemical profiles of five phylogenetically related Hypericum species, and compare their metabolites with three H. perforatum products. Informed by ethnobotanical use, the extracts prepared from the five species were further investigated into anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antiplasmodial activity. This study tested the hypothesis that systematic metabolomic and bioactivity characterization of species in section Hypericum will help to validate their phytotherapeutic use and reveal potential drug lead compounds. Materials and methodsTargeted and non-targeted metabolic analyses coupled with chemometrics were conducted on H. perforatum and four medicinal species, H. attenuatum, H. enshiense, H. erectum, and H. faberi, native to China from section Hypericum. UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS and UPLC-TQD-MS/MS were used for non-targeted and targeted metabolic analyses, respectively. Cytotoxicity bioassays on four cancer cell lines, anti-inflammation tests and anti-plasmodial activity on Plasmodium falciparum 3D7, selected based on traditional medicinal use, were evaluated on extracts from Hypericum species. Progenesis QI and EZinfo were used for chemometrics analysis to link the chemical profile and bioassay activity to aid in the identification of bioactive compounds. ResultsIn total, 58 compounds were identified from the five species, including compounds with well-characterized bioactivity. Hypericum attenuatum, H. erectum, and H. perforatum, displayed the highest cytotoxicity, and contain the cytotoxic compounds petiolin A, prolificin A, and hypercohin G, respectively. Hypericum faberi and H. perforatum showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity, with pseudohypericin, quercetin and chlorogenic acid being observed at higher concentrations. Hypericum perforatum and H. erectum showed anti-plasmodial activity, with higher hyperforin and xanthones in these species that may account for the anti-plasmodial activity. ConclusionsThis study characterized the chemical differences among five Hypericum species using metabolomics. These ethnomedically important species were tested for their biological activities in three distinct in vitro assays. The ethnobotanical data were useful for identifying bioactive Hypericum species. Hypericum attenuatum, H. erectum and H. faberi are promising phytotherapeutic species, although they are much less studied than H. perforatum, St. John's wort. Combining ethnobotanical surveys with chemometric analyses and bioactivity screening can greatly enhance the discovery of promising active constituents.

A Comprehensive Review on Elaeocarpus floribundus Blume

Abstract: Elaeocarpaceae comprises of 615 species in 12 genera which belongs to angiosperm. It is a tropical and subtropical family with few genera extending into the temperate zone. The genus Elaeocarpus consists of about 350 species distributed through Eastern Asia and the Pacific region. Around 2 genera and 33 species of the family are distributed in India. Elaeocarpus floribundus (family: Elaeocarpaceae), commonly known as Indian olive, is famous for its fruits and their medicinal uses. Traditionally local people use leaves for rheumatism, fruits for dysentery and diarrhea and infusion of the bark and leaves are used as mouthwash for inflamed gum. The researchers are attracted to the plant due to its various pharmacological properties like antioxidative capacity, antimicrobial, antihistaminic, antidiarrheal, etc., of different extracts of this plant. The review also aimed to study the morphological characterization and presence of phytochemicals like phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, proteins, and carbohydrates. A domain in which the plant has ability to treat cancer, diabetes and infectious diseases. The ethnobotanical and pharmacological data would enable a comprehensive study of the Indian olive.

USO DE PLANTAS MEDICINAIS DA COMUNIDADE MARRUÁS DO MUNICÍPIO DE CRAÍBAS-AL, COMO FERRAMENTA NA CONSTRUÇÃO DO CONCEITO DE EDUCAÇÃO AMBIENTAL.

Environmental awareness was applied in this work with the aim of instigating environmental awareness in local communities in the Alagoas countryside, with the aim of building, together with the community, a concept of environmental education, using medicinal plants as a tool. For this purpose, visits were made to the target communities, and semi-structured questionnaires were applied, emphasizing the informants' socio-economic data, as well as ethnobotanical data. The study was carried out in the Marruás community, district of Craíbas – AL, between the months of February and October 2010. 100 interviews were carried out with residents, aged 12 to 80, appointed by the community leader. 40 plant species were surveyed, distributed in 35 families. Most interviewees cited Myracrodruon urundeuva Fr. Allem, known as aroeira, as the most used, followed by Melissa officinalis L. (lemon balm) and Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf. (Holy grass). The predominance of leaves (97%) was observed in relation to other vegetative organs, followed by the bark (6%). The local disappearance of some species such as Chenopodium ambrosioides L. (mastruz) and Eucalyptus globulus Labill was recorded. (eucalyptus). The data obtained reveals the need for instructions to promote the sustainable use of medicinal plants in communities like this, creating a perspective of conservation and management of local vegetation.

Medicinal plants, biodiversity, and local communities. A study of a peasant community in Venezuela

ObjectiveThe main objective of this research was to record ethnobotanical data on the use and exploitation of medicinal plants, highlighting their importance for the biodiversity, culture, and tradition of a peasant community in Venezuela.Sample/methodThe study involved a population of 120 individuals, from which a sample size of 34 people was calculated using the formula for finite populations. A simple random sampling technique was employed, and all the participants were administered the TRAMIL (Traditions Medicine in Island) survey.Statistical analysisThe ethnopharmacological table was constructed, and descriptive statistics were used for analysis.ResultsA total of 116 species of medicinal plants were documented to treat various health conditions. The informants reflected through their responses that they used medicinal plants in the first instance to address a health condition, employing varied forms of plant preparation, which include decoction (65.16%), raw consumption (16.77%), maceration (8.38%), and infusion (7.09%). The most commonly used plant parts are leaves, flowers, fruits, bark, peels, roots, and bulbs, while the most commonly used botanical families are Lamiaceae, Fabaceae, Rutaceae, Malvaceae, Verbenaceae, Acanthaceae, Asteraceae, and Euphorbaceae. On the other hand, the species with the highest TRAMIL Significant Use Level were Oregano orejón (Coleus amboinicus Lour.) (68.29), Malojillo [Cymbopogon citratus (D.C.) Stapf.] (60.97), Tua (Jatropha gossypiifolia L.) (34.15), Colombiana [Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers.] (34.15), Poleo [Micromeria brownei (Sw.) Benth.] (29.27), Pasote (Chenopodium ambrosioides L.) (29.27), Llantén (Plantago major L.) (26.83), Te negro [Phyla stoechadifolia (L.) Small] (26.83), Yerbabuena (Mentha sp.) (21.85), and Curia (Justicia pectoralis Jacq.) (21.95).ConclusionThe community of El Onoto de El Valle de Tucutunemo, Aragua State, Venezuela has a notable utilization of medicinal plant species in their instance to treat different health conditions, with the predominant focus on treating flu and stomach ailments. It is important to emphasize that all individuals approached through various data collection instruments reported using medicinal plants, both individually and within their families, spanning a wide range of ages from children to the elderly. This reflects that the use of medicinal plants is part of their cultural heritage and ancestral roots.

Identification of Potential Inhibitors of Three NDM Variants of Klebsiella Species from Natural Compounds: A Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamics Simulation, and MM-PBSA Study.

Klebsiella species have emerged as well-known opportunistic pathogens causing nosocomial infections with β-lactamase-mediated resistance as a prevalent antibiotic resistance mechanism. The discovery and emergence of metallo-β-lactamases, mainly new- Delhi metallo-β-lactamases (NDMs), have increased the threat and challenges in healthcare facilities. A computational screening was conducted using 570 natural compounds from Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical data to discover promising inhibitors for NDM-6, NDM-9, and NDM-23 of the Klebsiella species. Using homology modeling on the Raptor-X web server, the structures of the three NDM variants were predicted. The structures were validated using various computational tools and MD simulation for 50 ns. Lipinski - Vebers' Filter and ADMET Screening were used to screen 570 compounds, followed by docking in Biovia Discovery Studio 2019 using the CDOCKER module. GROMACS was used to simulate the compounds with the highest scores with the proteins for 50 ns. Using the MM-PBSA method and g_mmpbsa tool, binding free energies were estimated and per-residue decomposition analysis was conducted. The three structures predicted were found stable after the 50 ns MD Simulation run. The compounds Budmunchiamine-A and Rhamnocitrin were found to have the best binding energy towards NDM-6, NDM-9, and NDM-23, respectively. From the results of MD Simulation, MM-PBSA binding free energy calculations, and per-residue decomposition analysis, the Protein-ligand complex of NDM-6 with Budmunchiamine A and NDM-9 with Rhamnocitrin was relatively more stable than the complex of NDM-23 and Rhamnocitrin. The study suggests that Budmunchiamine-A and Rhamnocitrin are potential inhibitors of NDM-6 and NDM-9, respectively, and may pave a path for in-vivo and in-vitro studies in the future.

Ethnobotanical Study of Mosquito Repellent Plants Used in Seweyna District, Bale Zone, Southeast, Ethiopia.

Malaria control efforts through vector control strategies are hindered by the development of insecticide resistance by major malaria vectors in many malaria-endemic areas, which necessitate the need for alternative control measures. The aim of this study was to document plants traditionally used as mosquito repellents in Seweyna district, southeastern Ethiopia. The ethnobotanical data were collected using semistructured interviews, field observation, and guided field walks in four kebeles of the district with 98 informants. A total of 19 plant species were used by the local community as mosquito repellent, with 42.1% being trees. These plant species belong to 12 families. Of these families, the family Burseraceae was the most represented, with four species, followed by Fabaceae (3 species). The most frequently mentioned plant species were Mimusops kummel (90.81%), followed by Acokanthera schimperi (84.69%), Boswellia microphylla (79.6%), and Calpurnia aurea (79.6%). The stem was the most common plant part used (47.3%) to repel mosquitoes. Most of the local communities (52.6%) use the burning of either fresh or dry plant parts to generate smoke, which is the most common practice. The current ethnobotanical study indicates that the local community in the Seweyna district uses the plants to repel mosquitoes. In the future, the repellent efficacy of these plants against the major malaria vector should be tested under laboratory and field conditions. Besides, the identification of the bioactive compounds responsible for the repellent activity should also be determined.

Folk Knowledge and Perceptions about the Use of Wild Fruits and Vegetables-Cross-Cultural Knowledge in the Pipli Pahar Reserved Forest of Okara, Pakistan.

Wild fruits and vegetables (WFVs) have been vital to local communities for centuries and make an important contribution to daily life and income. However, traditional knowledge of the use of wild fruits is at risk of being lost due to inadequate documentation. This study aimed to secure this knowledge through intermittent field visits and a semi-structured questionnaire. Using various ethnobotanical data analysis tools and SPSS (IBM 25), this study identified 65 WFV species (52 genera and 29 families). These species, mostly consumed as vegetables (49%) or fruits (43%), were predominantly herbaceous (48%) in wild and semi-wild habitats (67%). 20 WFVs were known to local communities (highest RFC), Phoenix sylvestris stood out as the most utilized species (highest UV). Surprisingly, only 23% of the WFVs were sold at markets. The survey identified 21 unique WFVs that are rarely documented for human consumption in Pakistan (e.g., Ehretia obtusifolia, Euploca strigosa, Brassica juncea, Cleome brachycarpa, Gymnosporia royleana, Cucumis maderaspatanus, Croton bonplandianus, Euphorbia prostrata, Vachellia nilotica, Pongamia pinnata, Grewia asiatica, Malvastrum coromandelianum, Morus serrata, Argemone mexicana, Bambusa vulgaris, Echinochloa colonum, Solanum virginianum, Physalis angulata, Withania somnifera, Zygophyllum creticum, and Peganum harmala), as well as 14 novel uses and five novel edible parts. Despite their ecological importance, the use of WFVs has declined because local people are unaware of their cultural and economic value. Preservation of traditional knowledge through education on conservation and utilization could boost economies and livelihoods in this and similar areas worldwide.