Ethnomedicinal Plants Research Articles

Ethnomedicinal Plants, Associated Indigenous Knowledge and Phytochemical Composition of Extracts with Significant in vitro Antidiabetic Activity

Ethnomedicinal Plants, Associated Indigenous Knowledge and Phytochemical Composition of Extracts with Significant in vitro Antidiabetic Activity

Review of ethnomedicinal plant Helicteres isora Linn. and its traditional uses in India

This paper provides information on the ethnomedicinal and traditional uses of the medicinal plant Helicteres isora. Ethnomedicine has been used as a starting point in drug discovery, specifically pharmacological techniques. India has a rich tradition of plant-based knowledge of health care. A large number of plants, plant extracts, decoctions, and pastes are mostly used by tribal peoples for the treatment of various diseases. The uses of different plant parts by the local peoples in different aspects have been studied by several workers. The whole plant of Helicteres isora has excellent medicinal properties from ancient times. The parts of a plant that have been widely used in Ayurvedic medicine include roots, leaves, seeds, and fruits. Different types of pharmacological activities found are antidiabetic, anticancer, antioxidant, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-diarrheal, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, brain oxidant potency, etc. Helicteres isora is a rich source of antioxidants, carbohydrates, proteins, Fiber, phosphorus, calcium, and iron. The plant also exhibits the activity of demulcent and astringent activities. Every part of the medicinal uses of Helicteres isora Linn., having the above activities. In this study, we investigated the traditional uses of Helicteres isora plants. Ethnomedicinal data were collected by using semi-structured and open- ended questionnaires. Field excursions with expert lecturers and traditional healers were carried out. Descriptive statistics were used to present data.

HPLC analysis and antimicrobial activity of Vitex altissima leaves extracts

The exploration of ethnomedicinal plants for phytochemical and pharmacological properties is crucial for developing novel therapeutics for chronic diseases. Vitex altissima, known as the Peacock chaste tree, is a significant member of the Verbenaceae family, is widely utilized in traditional medicine. This study investigates the phytochemical composition and antibacterial properties of V. altissima, a plant recognized for its medicinal use by various indigenous communities, including the Malayali tribes of Servarayan hills. The study involved extracting phytochemicals from the leaves of V. altissima using hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol through soxhlet extraction. The extracts were analyzed for secondary metabolites, including carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, steroids, glycosides, alkaloids, tannins, phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, anthraquinones, oils and resins, diterpenes, phlobatannins and coumarins. Quantitative assessments of phenolic compounds, flavonoids and alkaloids were performed. Column chromatography was employed to fractionate the methanolic extract, resulting in 12 distinct fractions. These fractions were screened for antibacterial activity against E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus using the agar well diffusion method. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined through a 2-fold serial dilution technique. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was utilized to identify the polyphenolic compounds responsible for antibacterial activity. Phytochemical screening revealed a diverse array of bioactive compounds in the extracts, with methanol extracts showing the highest total phenolic content (218 ± 7.21 mg GAE/g of extract) and significant antibacterial activity. The ethyl acetate extract exhibited the highest total flavonoid content (40.67 ± 6.65 mg QE/g of extract). Among the fractions, the column fraction from the chloroform-methanol gradient (VACF) demonstrated superior antimicrobial activity, particularly against S. mutans and P. aureginosa. The MIC values for VACF were 427 µg/mL for P. aeruginosa and 400 µg/mL for S. aureus, indicating potent antibacterial properties. HPLC analysis identified key polyphenolic compounds, including p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid and elagic acid, as the primary contributors to the antibacterial activity. The presence of these compounds aligns with the observed antimicrobial efficacy and highlights the potential of V. altissima extracts as a source of natural antibacterial agents.

An integrated strategy for deciphering quality markers of Terminaliae Belliricae Fructus based on a three-dimensional characteristic model

Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. is an ethnomedicinal plant that has been utilized in Tibetan and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Nevertheless, its quality standard officially listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia does not include any content determination of the indicator components of Terminaliae Belliricae Fructus, which constrains the effective quality evaluation of medicinal material and related products. In this paper, a three-dimensional “content-pharmacokinetics-pharmacology” network strategy was developed to identify the quality markers (Q-markers) of Terminaliae Belliricae Fructus. in terms of “measurability”, “traceability” and “effectiveness”. Chromatographic fingerprint analysis was performed to outline its chemical contour, and identify the differential components of 17 batches of Terminaliae Belliricae Fructus. combined with multivariate statistics analysis and UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis. Serum pharmacochemistry analysis was implemented on rats, and 25 prototype components absorbed into the blood were identified. By network pharmacology analysis, a component-disease-target-pathway network was constructed, thus validating the effectiveness of the chemical components of Terminaliae Belliricae Fructus. Afterwards, the above screened candidate components were put into construction of three-dimensional "radar chart". According to the calculated regression area (RA) and coefficient of variation (CV) values, the potential Q-markers was determined, followed by “specificity” evaluation. Ultimately, ellagic acid (EA), chebulagic acid (CHA), gallic acid (GA), chebulinic acid (CA), corilagin (CO) and chebulanin (CH) were specified as the Q-markers of Terminaliae Belliricae Fructus. Owing to high content, good pharmacokinetic property, high pharmacological activities and specificity. The screened Q-markers could offer a scientific foundation for the quality control of Terminaliae Belliricae Fructus, and the proposed strategy is demonstrated to be reliable and feasible for deciphering Q-markers of TCM.

A chromosome level reference genome of Diviner’s sage (Salvia divinorum) provides insight into salvinorin A biosynthesis

BackgroundDiviner’s sage (Salvia divinorum; Lamiaceae) is the source of the powerful hallucinogen salvinorin A (SalA). This neoclerodane diterpenoid is an agonist of the human Κ-opioid receptor with potential medical applications in the treatment of chronic pain, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Only two steps of the approximately twelve step biosynthetic sequence leading to SalA have been resolved to date.ResultsTo facilitate pathway elucidation in this ethnomedicinal plant species, here we report a chromosome level genome assembly. A high-quality genome sequence was assembled with an N50 value of 41.4 Mb and a BUSCO completeness score of 98.4%. The diploid (2n = 22) genome of ~ 541 Mb is comparable in size and ploidy to most other members of this genus. Two diterpene biosynthetic gene clusters were identified and are highly enriched in previously unidentified cytochrome P450s as well as crotonolide G synthase, which forms the dihydrofuran ring early in the SalA pathway. Coding sequences for other enzyme classes with likely involvement in downstream steps of the SalA pathway (BAHD acyl transferases, alcohol dehydrogenases, and O-methyl transferases) were scattered throughout the genome with no clear indication of clustering. Differential gene expression analysis suggests that most of these genes are not inducible by methyl jasmonate treatment.ConclusionsThis genome sequence and associated gene annotation are among the highest resolution in Salvia, a genus well known for the medicinal properties of its members. Here we have identified the cohort of genes responsible for the remaining steps in the SalA pathway. This genome sequence and associated candidate genes will facilitate the elucidation of SalA biosynthesis and enable an exploration of its full clinical potential.

Traditional ethnobotanical knowledge of important local plants in Sudhnoti, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.

This research purpose was focused to document the traditional ethnobotanical knowledge (TEK) associated with important wild plants and indigenous communities residing in mountainous zone of District Sudhnoti of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan and to determine their conservation status with suggestions and recommendations to protect and propagate the rare and endangered wild flora of the area for sustainable use. The data regarding traditional ethnomedicines (TEMs) and phytogeography with conservation analysis of wild plants were collected via structured and semi structured interviews of 150 participants belonging to various professions and of both genders. Prior consent and permission were obtained from family heads and from all the participants, and the data were shared with all the informants through the local female translator guide. To validate the collected data, various microstatistical tools, such as the informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL) and data matrix ranking (DMR) were used. The relative frequency of citations (RFC) and rank order of popularity (ROP)were also calculated to determine and authenticate the relative importance of TEMs which may be further studied in future research and used for drug discovery. In the present study, 150 locally important plants belonging to 69 families were documented, and the Rosaceae was the most dominant and prevalent family. The results indicated that many locally important plants have multiple uses such as food, medicine, fodder, shelter, ornamental and fuel. The TEMs obtained from these plants have been known to be useful for curing various infirmities such as flu, renal disorders, fever, malaria, cough, migraine, whooping cough, influenza, skin rashes, allergies, stomach aches, wounds and bruises, diabetes, tumours and joint pains. The ICF analysis revealed that renal calculus, malaria, fever, whooping cough, rheumatoid arthritis and arthritis were prevalent infirmities of the mountainous area. The FL analysis indicated the popularity of these plants used in various TEMs and among these Artemisia maritima and Berberis lycium were the most common. The DMR indicated that Pinus roxburghii was the most common species being used for multipurpose by the indigenous communities. The highest use value index was found for Indigofera linifolia. The relative frequency of citations was calculated to determine the importance of plants in traditional ethnomedicine, highlighting Morus nigra, Pinus wallichiana, and Rosa indica as significant species. The Jaccard index indicated a high level of novelty in the research which can be exploited for neo-drug discovery and drug development. In conclusion, this study has successfully documented the ethnobotanically and ethnomedicinally important plants in District Sudhnoti, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. The findings of this research contribute to the preservation and documentation of cultural heritage, as well as provide a foundation for further studies in ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology and biodiversity conservation efforts for sustainable provision of wild flora to the indigenous communities which will also assist in combating drasting climatic changes.

Unveiling the therapeutic potentialities and chemical characterization of methanolic Merremia vitifolia (Burm.f) Hallier f. stem extract: A Multi-faceted investigation via in vitro, in vivo, and in silico approaches

Current study focused on Merremia vitifolia an ethnomedicinal plant, aiming to explore its medicinal properties comprehensively. Through qualitative and quantitative analysis, the study investigated the phytochemical components of M. vitifolia stem extract and assessed its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antidepressant, anxiolytic, locomotor, and antidiarrheal activities. The evaluation involved a combination of in vitro, in vivo, and in silico approaches.In-vitro antioxidant activity was determined using the DPPH scavenging assay, while anti-inflammatory activity was assessed via a protein denaturation assay. In-vivo experiments included tests for antidepressant effects (FST, TST), anxiolytic effects (EPM, HBT), locomotor effects (OFT, HCT), and analgesic activity (formalin-induced licking test and acetic acid-induced writhing test). Additionally, the antidiarrheal effect was evaluated through castor oil-induced diarrhea and gastrointestinal motility tests. Fifteen bioactive compounds were identified based on their biological activities from GC/MS data and subjected to in silico molecular docking; ADME/T profiling and pass prediction.MEMVS had an IC50 value of 74.97 μg/mL and MEMVS elicited 77.17 ± 0.39 % inhibition protein denaturation compared to standard (87.23 ± 0.30 %) at 500 μg/mL. In addition, MEMVS induced a dose-dependent reduction in analgesic, neuropharmacological assay, inhibition in diarrheal feces count, and intestinal motility with a significant value (aP< 0.001). In computer-aided investigation, all compounds adhere to Lipinski's rule of five and demonstrate highest binding affinity to isolates compared to standard drugs, confirming laboratory findings.Research findings suggest that MEMVS holds promising potential, as a multifaceted therapeutic agent, exhibiting antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diarrheal and neuropharmacological properties. However, further investigation is needed to fully harness its medicinal benefits.

Herbal plant formulations used by the Malay ethnic traditional practitioners in the management of diabetes

Diabetes is a serious and chronic ailments affecting millions of people worldwide with high rates of morbidity and mortality including Malaysia. The used of ethno-medicinal plants among the traditional practitioners are still reliable to treat diabetes. Hence, this study aimed to collect information regarding polyherbal formulations used by the traditional practitioners in the management of diabetes via ethnobotanical survey. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted from February 2022 to March 2022 to discover the potential herbal plant formulations used by the practitioners in Peninsular Malaysia. Information was gathered from the informal semi-structured interview session with the selected herbal practitioner informants. The respondents were comprised of old or experience persons, traditional healers and medicinal herbal sellers who practice and have experience in the use of medicinal plants to treat the diabetes. A total of sixteen polyherbal formulations were gathered from the ethnobotanical survey conducted. The leaves are the most commonly used plant part, usually in the fresh form and mainly prepared through decoction method as well as administered orally for the diabetes remedies. This study has revealed sixteen potential polyherbal plant formulation remedies used by Malay practitioners in Peninsular Malaysia as diabetes remedies which could be beneficial as a guide in the development of plant-based medication in pharmaceutical or nutraceutical industries.

Hepatoprotective ethnomedicinal plants of Mavilan and Koraga tribes of the Western Ghats region of Kerala, India

Hepatoprotective ethnomedicinal plants of Mavilan and Koraga tribes of the Western Ghats region of Kerala, India

Evaluation of phytochemical, trace metals content, antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of Bonnaya Ruellioides (Colsm.) Spreng: An ethnomedicinal plant of North Eastern India

Bonnaya ruellioides (Colsm.) Spreng is an ethnomedicinal plant widely found in Manipur, a northeastern state of India and it belongs to the Linderniaceae family. The study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical content, trace metals, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of this ethnomedicinal plant in various extracts including chloroform, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water extracts. Phytochemical analysis was done using standard protocols, trace metals content by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS), antioxidant by DPPH, Reducing Power and ABTS assay. Antimicrobial activity of the plant was also determined by Zone of Inhibition (ZOI) assay. Phytochemicals such as phenol, saponin, flavonoid, alkaloid, and terpenoid were detected in the water extract, whereas tannin, glycoside, flavonoid, steroid, alkaloid, and terpenoid were found in the plant extracts of petroleum ether, chloroform, and ethyl acetate. Trace elements detection using AAS revealed the presence of Fe (0.298 ± 0.011 mg/g), Zn (0.083 ± 0.003 mg/g), Cu (0.024 ± 0.002 mg/g) and Mn (0.014 ± 0.002 mg/g) in the plant. Further, evaluation of antioxidant activity using DPPH scavenging assay in chloroform and methanol extracts recorded 411.59 ±2.62 IC50 (μg/mL ± SD) and 80.96 ± 0.68 IC50 (μg/mL ± SD) respectively. Reducing power activity of the chloroform and methanol extracts showed 249.27 ± 1.48 μM FeSO4/mg sample and 44.55 ± 0.47 μM FeSO4/mg sample, respectively, and for ABTS assay, 281.82 ± 2.19 TEAC/g dw and 168.65 ± 2.06 TEAC/g dw are recorded respectively. The antimicrobial study of the chloroform and petroleum ether extracts showed negative results for all the selected pathogens of bacterial and fungal strains. At the same time, the methanol extract showed positive for bacterial strains including Micrococcus luteus (17.50 ±0.54) mm and Escherichia coli (15.0 ± 2.0) mm, while negative for all the fungal strains. The results of the study demonstrated for the first time that B. ruellioides plant has notable phytochemical, essential trace metals, promising antioxidant and antimicrobial capacity. Thus, the findings of our study will contribute a scientific insight into the therapeutic applications of this ethnomedicinal plant in folklore medicines and enable the prediction of further applications in drug development.

In vitro antiplasmodial and anticancer analyses of endophytic fungal extracts isolated from selected Nigerian medicinal plants

Ethnomedicinal plants are thought to have better prospects of harboring endophytes that produce natural products with pharmacological activities. This study aimed to investigate the antiplasmodial and anticancer properties of secondary metabolites of endophytic fungi from three medicinal plants. The endophytic fungi included Lasiodiplodia theobromae isolated from Cola acuminata, Curvularia lunata Bv4 isolated from Bambusa vulgaris, and Curvularia lunata Eg7 isolated from Elaeis guineensis. The identification of the fungi was based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS-rDNA) sequence. The fungi were subjected to solid-state fermentation and the secondary metabolites were extracted with ethyl acetate. In vitro antiplasmodial screening of extracts was performed using the SYBR green I-based fluorescence assay on the chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strain DD2. The cytotoxicity of the extracts on human red blood cells and Jurkat (leukemia) cells was assessed using the tetrazolium-based colorimetric MTT assay. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis was used to identify the constituents of the fungal extracts. The extract of L. theobromae showed the best antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum (IC50 = 5.4 µg/mL) and was not harmful to erythrocytes (CC50 > 100 µg/mL). All three fungal extracts showed a weak cytotoxic effect against Jukart cell lines (CC50 > 100 µg/mL). GC–MS analysis of the three endophytic fungal extracts revealed the presence of forty major bioactive compounds, including: oxalic acid, isobutyl nonyl ester, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, and hexadecanoic acid, among others. The endophytic fungi from the medicinal plants in this study were promising sources of bioactive compounds that could be further evaluated as novel drugs for the treatment of malaria caused by P. falciparum-resistant strains.

An ethnobotanical investigation of medicinal plants used among rural communities in Northeastern Madhya Pradesh, India: a quantitative study

The present study aims to document and analyze information related to significant ethnomedicinal plants in rural communities of Northeastern Madhya Pradesh, India. Data collection involved the use of open-ended and semi-structured questionnaires to gather information on ethnomedicinal plant usage, including specific plants, applications, and traditional healing practices. Quantitative indices such as Relative frequency of citation (RFC), Use value (UV), Family use value (FUV), Informant consensus factor (ICF), and Jaccard’s coefficient of similarity (JCS) were employed to quantify and analyze the gathered information. A total of 201 medicinal plants, belonging to 170 genera and 76 families, were recorded for treating various diseases, with trees (43%), herbs (33%), and climbers (13%) being predominantly used. Plants such as Hedychium coronarium and Cordia macleodii exhibited high RFC and high UV, particularly for treating eye and blood pressure problems. Vanda tessellata showed a high informant consensus factor for treating ear-related problems. Positive correlations were found between RFC and UV (0.631) and RFC and FUV (0.159). The study highlights the prevalence of traditional healing practices using medicinal plants in the area. Documentation of ethnomedicinal species and their therapeutic applications could stimulate further exploration into phytochemical and pharmacological investigations, potentially leading to the development of novel pharmaceuticals.

Spatial distribution of the ethnomedicinal plant Aglaonema simplex at the Sakaerat Environmental Research Station, Northeastern Thailand

Abstract. O-thong N, Tasen W, Marod D, Thinkampheang S, Phumphuang W. 2024. Spatial distribution of the ethnomedicinal plant Aglaonema simplex at the Sakaerat Environmental Research Station, Northeastern Thailand. Biodiversitas 25: 3043-3050. Aglaonema simplex Blume (Araceae) is an evergreen herbaceous plant used ornamentally and in traditional medicine. Although the usefulness of this plant has been widely studied and reported, its ecology remains poorly understood. In this study, we examined the effects of various environmental factors on the spatial distribution of A. simplex in a Dry Evergreen Forest (DEF) at the Sakaerat Environmental Research Station (SERS) in Northeastern Thailand. All individual plants were counted; their positions were recorded within a 16-ha Forest Dynamics Plot (FDP), and their distribution pattern was analyzed using Ripley's K function. The spatial distribution of A. simplex was determined using a generalized linear model that incorporated plant density and topographic and edaphic variables within the 16-ha study plot. We found a total of 11,232 A. simplex individuals with a density of 702 individuals ha-1, with a clumped distribution pattern. The modeling results showed that the spatial distribution of A. simplex was positively influenced by soil clay content, soil pH, exchangeable magnesium, and adult tree density; it was negatively influenced by sapling density and rocky outcrops. These findings contribute to the broader understanding of the ecological niche of A. simplex. They can be used to design integrated land management approaches that balance ecological conservation with economic development goals.

Novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying anti-nociceptive effect of myricitrin against reserpine-induced fibromyalgia model in rats: Implication of SIRT1 and miRNAs

Ethnopharmacological relevanceManilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen, also termed sapodilla or chikoo, is a significant plant in ethnomedicine because of its long history of traditional medical applications. In diverse cultures, sapodilla is believed to protect against oxidative stress, inflammation, and some chronic diseases because of its high antioxidant content. The naturally occurring antioxidant myricitrin (MYR) flavonoid is primarily found in the leaves and other plant parts of sapodilla and it is well-known for having therapeutic qualities and possible health advantages. Aim of the studyTo appraise the possible impact of MYR on a rat model of reserpine-induced fibromyalgia (FM) and explore its mechanism of action. Materials and methodsIsolation and identification of MYR with more than 99% purity from Manilkara zapota leaves were primarily done and confirmed through chromatographic and spectrophotometric techniques. To develop FM model, reserpine (RSP) was injected daily (1 mg/kg, s.c.) for three successive days. Then, MYR (10 mg/kg, i.p.) and pregabalin (PGB, 30 mg/kg, p.o.) were given daily for another five days. Behavioral changes were assessed through open field test (OFT), hot plate test, and forced swimming test (FST). Further analyses of different brain parameters and signaling pathways were performed to assess monoamines levels, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, apoptotic changes as well as silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) and micro RNAs (miRNAs) expressions. ResultsFrom High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis, the methanol extract of sapodilla leaves contains 166.17 μg/ml of MYR. Results of behavioral tests showed a significant improvement in RSP-induced nociceptive stimulation, reduced locomotion and exploration and depressive-like behavior by MYR. Biochemical analyses showed that MYR significantly ameliorated the RSP-induced imbalance in brain monoamine neurotransmitters. In addition, MYR significantly attenuated oxidative stress elicited by RSP via up-regulating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein expressions, enhancing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, and reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) content in brain. The RSP-provoked inflammatory response was also diminished by MYR treatment as shown by a significant decreased NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome expression along with reduced levels of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Furthermore, the anti-apoptotic activity of MYR was demonstrated by a marked rise in Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX)/B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) ratio by lowering Bcl-2 while increasing BAX levels. In addition, MYR treatment significantly boosted the expression of SIRT1 deacetylase in RSP-treated animals. Interestingly, molecular docking showed the ability of MYR to form a stable complex in the binding site of SIRT1. Regarding miRNAs, MYR effectively ameliorated RSP-induced changes in miR-320 and miR-107 gene expressions. ConclusionOur findings afford new insights into the anti-nociceptive profile of MYR in the RSP-induced FM model in rats. The underlying mechanisms involved direct binding and activation of SIRT1 to influence different signaling cascades, including Nrf2 and NF-κB/NLRP3 together with modulation of miRNAs. However, more in-depth studies are needed before proposing MYR as a new clinically relevant drug in the management of FM.

3-Hydroxyneocryptolepine, a new indoloquinoline alkaloid from the roots of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schltr

Phytochemical investigations of the African ethnomedicinal plant Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schltr. (Apocynaceae) have yielded only a small number of rare naturally occurring indoloquinoline alkaloids. Our recent work has resulted in the isolation of a new indoloquinoline named 3-hydroxyneocryptolepine, which was obtained from an ethanolic extract of the roots. The structure of the compound was elucidated based on 1D and 2D NMR as well as HRESIMS spectral evidence. LDL uptake promotion activity of the compound in HepG2 cells was not significant.

Ethnomedicinal plants used for treating urinary tract infections in the Philippines: a systematic review

Ethnomedicinal plants used for treating urinary tract infections in the Philippines: a systematic review

Documentation of ethnomedicinal orchids from Jammu and Kashmir, India

Orchids are a group of plants famous for their showy and beautiful flowers. Besides their aesthetic value, these are also used traditionally for their ethnomedicinal properties. In Jammu and Kashmir, India, 21 orchid species from 17 different genera have been documented for their utilization as ethnomedicinal plants. Rhizomes and tubers of these orchids are the main plant parts to be used to cure many disorders like gastro-intestinal, skeleton-muscular, neurological and others.

Ethnomedicinal Uses of Plant Species in Panchase Protected Forests (A Case Study including the Kaski, Parbat &amp; Syangja Districts of Nepal)

Ethnomedicinal plants, which have been utilized by indigenous communities in Nepal for centuries, hold promise for treating various ailments. Globally, medicinal plants are integral to healthcare systems, with Nepal renowned for its rich biodiversity and indigenous knowledge. This manuscript explores the ethno-medicinal practices within Nepal's Panchase protected forest, aiming to validate traditional remedies and contribute to healthcare improvement. Through a comprehensive study involving reconnaissance surveys, interviews, and data analysis, 103 ethno-medicinal plants from 58 families were documented, with Asteraceae being dominant. Various plant parts were utilized for treating 57 ailments, with leaves being most common. Gastrointestinal issues were prevalent, with plants such as Gheu kumari and Harro being frequently employed. Additionally, plants such as Dhursul and Ghodtapre were used for fever and migraine, while Khole Saag and Pani Amala addressed blood pressure and diabetes concerns. This study focuses on the importance of traditional medicine in rural healthcare and underscores the need for its preservation. Conservation efforts and intergenerational knowledge transfer initiatives are vital to safeguarding indigenous wisdom. Phytochemical and pharmacological studies are recommended to validate traditional knowledge scientifically. The commercial cultivation of medicinal plants could alleviate pressure on natural habitats and promote sustainable healthcare practices. This research contributes to the documentation of valuable ethno-medicinal knowledge, emphasizing its potential for socioeconomic development and healthcare enhancement in Nepal's rural communities.

A report on ethnomedicinal plants used for the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis by the tea tribes of Morigaon district of Assam, India

A report on ethnomedicinal plants used for the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis by the tea tribes of Morigaon district of Assam, India

Impact of extraction techniques and process optimization on antioxidant and antibacterial potential of Kalanchoe pinnata leaf extract

ABSTRACT Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers. is an ethnomedicinal plant known for its antioxidant, antibacterial, and therapeutic potential. The current study was an effort to explore the impact of extraction technique on the phytochemical, antioxidant, and antibacterial profile of the plant extracts. K. pinnata leaf extracts were prepared using conventional solvent extraction (100% methanol; 50% methanol: 50% water; 100% water), microwave-assisted extraction at 700-W power (3 min; 6 min; 9 min), and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) (3500 psi; 4500 psi; 5500 psi). Best results were attained from SFE in terms of total phenolic content (240 ± 3 mg GAE/g), total flavonoid content (165.2 ± 0.4 mg QE/g), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging potential (91.9 ± 0.4%), 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid assay value (8.04 ± 0.03 mMol TE/g) and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay value (471.7 ± 0.8 µg/mL). K. pinnata leaf extracts have been found to be most effective against Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (22.20 ± 0.95 mm) and least effective againstProteus vulgaris (0 ± 0 mm). High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of K. pinnata extract showed that it contains flavanol quercetin (2.0 ± 0.1 mg/g). It is evident from the findings of current study that K. pinnata extract can effectively treat bacterial infections and can cure metabolic disorders by reducing oxidative stress. Application of advance extraction techniques enhances the biological activity of plant extracts.