Ethnobotanical Information Research Articles

Ethnobotany of Wild and Semi-wild Edible Plants of Konso Ethnic Community, South Ethiopia

This paper presents the knowledge on wild/semi-wild edible plant species (WEPS) of Konso ethnic community of southern Ethiopia. Ethnobotanical information was collected through focus group discussions, observations, interviews, and preference ranking. A total of 154 edible parts were recorded from 127 plant species with fruit (71), leaves (35) and tubers/roots (18) accounted for the major edible parts. Fruit of Opuntia ficus-indica L., and leaves and young shoots of Leptadenia hastata Vatke were most sought after. Excessive harvesting and acquisition of land for crop cultivation is currently threatening Canthium pseudosetiflorum Bridson, Hyphaene thebaica (L.) Mart., Ficus sycomorus L. and O. ficus-indica, among others. Wise use of these plant species would ensure their sustainable availability and local food sovereignty.

English

In order to promote Congolese folk medicine, which has been proven to be a viable alternative for our population confronted with health problems due especially to the lack of easy access to primary care and considering the multiplicity of diseases which daily torment them, a survey of the antibacterial activity of three medicinal plants used in herbal medicine by the healers in the city of Lubumbashi has been carried out. Tests of sensitivity of the microbes towards the plant extracts have been achieved in order to search for their therapeutic efficiency since according to the ethnobotanical information, they are used against many diseases. After analysis, the results showed that, as far as their inhibitory capacity on the microbes is concerned, the three plants (Terminalia mollis, Diospyros batocana andAntidesma venosum) were bioactive. Proteus mirabilis is the microbe more sensitive to the extracts of T. mollis whereas Salmonella typhii showed greater sensitivity to extracts of D. batocana and A. venosum. Concerning Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumoniae, no sensitivity was observed towards extracts of A. venosum. Key words: Antibacterial activity, medicinal plants, microbe sensitivity.

Ethno-botanical study of medicinal plants of Paddar Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India

The Paddar Valley, historically known as Sapphire Valley situated in Kishtwar district, is a prime landmark in the Jammu region of J&K state and is known for its rich cultural and plant diversity because of diverse habitats such as rivers, streams, meadows and steep mountain slopes. The area is located in the dry temperate region comprising typical vegetation which disappears completely on the eastern slopes, dominated by a variety of economical species which play an important role in the rural life. The inhabitants are dependent on plant resources for food, fuel, timber, shelter, fodder/forage, household articles and traditional medicines in treating diseases like malaria, cancer, gastro-intestinal ailments, etc. This paper deals with the observations on traditional therapeutic application by the inhabitants of Paddar Valley. The ethno-botanical information on medicinal plants would not only be useful in conservation of traditional cultures and biodiversity but also community health care and drug development. Exploration survey in Paddar Valley has revealed that people collect and sell these medicinal species through local intermediaries / contractors to earn their livelihood. But the scientific cultivation and appropriate post-harvest management would improve employment opportunity and income of local farmers in the region.

Influence of traditional markets on plant management in the Tehuacán Valley.

BackgroundThe Tehuacán Valley, Mexico is a region with exceptionally high biocultural richness. Traditional knowledge in this region comprises information on nearly 1,600 plant species used by local peoples to satisfy their subsistence needs. Plant resources with higher cultural value are interchanged in traditional markets. We inventoried the edible plant species interchanged in regional markets documenting economic, cultural and ecological data and about their extraction and management in order to: (1) assess how commercialization and ecological aspects influence plant management, (2) identify which species are more vulnerable, and (3) analyze how local management contributes to decrease their risk. We hypothesized that scarcer plant species with higher economic value would be under higher pressure motivating more management actions than on more abundant plants with lower economic value. However, construction of management techniques is also influenced by the time-span the management responses have taken as well as biological and ecological aspects of the plant species that limit the implementation of management practices. Plant management mitigates risk, but its absence on plant species under high risk may favor local extinction.MethodsSix traditional markets were studied through 332 semi-structured interviews to local vendors about barter, commercialization, and management types of local edible plant species. We retrieved ethnobotanical information on plant management from ten communities in a workshop and sampled regional vegetation in a total of 98 sites to estimate distribution and abundance of plant species commercialized. Through Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) we analyzed the amount of variation of management types that can be explained from socioeconomic and ecological information. A risk index was calculated relating distribution, abundance, economic value and management of plant resources to identify the most vulnerable species.ResultsWe recorded 122 edible plant species interchanged in the main regional markets. CCA explained significantly 24% of management variation, spatial distribution and plant parts used being particularly important in management decisions. The indeterminate 76% of variation suggests that management decisions depend on particular variables that are not explained by the ecological and socioeconomic factors studied and/or their high variation in the context at the regional scale. The risk index indicated that management was the factor that mostly influences decreasing of risk of interchanged plant species. We identified Clinopodium mexicanum, Pachycereus weberi, Dasylirion serratifolium, Disocorea sp., Ceiba aesculifolia, Neobuxbamia tetetzo, Lippia graveolens, Litsea glaucescens, L. neesiana, Jatropha neopauciflora, Agave potatorum and other agave species used for producing mescal among the more endangered plant species due to human pressure, their relative scarcity and limited or inexistent management.ConclusionSpatial distribution and plant parts used are particularly meaningful factors determining risk and influencing management actions on edible plant species interchanged in the region. Limited or inexistent management may favor extinction of local populations under risk. Local management techniques synthesize knowledge and experiences crucial for designing sustainable management programs. Traditional management techniques supported by ecological information and environmental management approaches could make valuable contributions for sustainable use of plant species, particularly those becoming economically important more recently.

Ethnobotanical study on traditional use of medicinal plants in South-Western Serbia, Zlatibor district

Ethnopharmacological relevance: This paper provides significant ethnobotanical information on medicinal plant uses in the Zlatibor district, South-Western Serbia.Materials and methods: A survey was performed using questionnaires with 220 informants (mean age 47, 79% female, 21% male). In addition, the use value and the relative importance of species were determined and the informant consensus factor was calculated for the medicinal plants included in the study. Intended plants usage was compared with previous ethnobotanical literature, with reference to the neighboring areas of Zlatibor district.Results: The informants provided data for 69 medicinal plants belonging to 36 families. Rosaceae, Lamiaceae and Asteraceae were the predominant locally used families. The species with the highest use value were Mentha piperita, Matricaria chamomilla, Hypericum perforatum and Achillea millefolium. The most frequently reported medicinal uses were ones for treating gastrointestinal ailments, respiratory problems and skin diseases. Usually, the administration was primarily oral followed by topical applications. All different plant parts were utilized, however leaves were the most exploited parts of the plants.Conclusions: Folk medicine in South-Western Serbia, Zlatibor district is intended mainly as a mode of primary health care in healing of minor illnesses. The results indicate a slight reduction in the ethnobotanical and medical knowledge in this area, when compared with neighboring regions.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by Kurd tribe in Dehloran and Abdanan districts, Ilam province, Iran

This paper provides significant ethnobotanical information on pharmaceutical plant uses, where some degree of acculturation exists, so that there is urgency in recording such data. The aim of this work is to catalogue, document, and make known the uses of plants for folk medicine in Dehloran and Abdanan districts, Ilam Province, Iran. An analysis was made of the species used, parts of the plant employed, preparation methods, administration means, and the ailments treated in relation to pathological groups. A folk botanical survey was carried out from February 2007 to October 2009. The information was collected from 81 persons (60% men and 40% women) in 20 villages. The informants reported data on 122 species, belonging to 49 botanical families, were claimed as medicinal. This work is focused on human medicinal plant uses, which represent 95% of the pharmaceutical uses. The most commonly represented families were Asteraceae (37.5%), Lamiaceae (20.8%), Rosaceae (18.7%), Fabaceae (16.7%) and Apiaceae (14.6%). Some of the uses were found to be new when compared with published literature on ethnomedicine of Iran. The folk knowledge about medicinal plant use is still alive in the studied region, and a number of scarcely reported plant uses has been detected, some of them with promising phytotherapeutical applications. The results of the study reveal that some of species play an important role in primary healthcare system of these tribal communities.

Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants used by Malayali Tribes in Yercaud Hills of Eastern Ghats, India

Medicinal plants have played an important role in treating and preventing a variety of diseases throughout the world. India is one of the most medico-culturally diverse countries in the world where the medicinal plant sector is part of a time honoured tradition that is respected even today. The present study was initiated with an aim to identify traditional healers who are practicing herbal medicine among the Malayali tribes in Yercaud hills of Eastern Ghats, India and to document their indigenous knowledge on the utilization of medicinal plants particularly most common ethnomedicinal plants. The ethnobotanical information was collected through interviews among local traditional healers in the study area. A total of 90 species of plants distributed in 80 genera belonging to 44 families were identified as commonly used ethnomedicinal plants in the study. As a result, the present study revealed that the information documented regarding the therapeutic uses will provide basic data for further studies mainly focused on conservation, cultivation and economic welfare of the tribal population.

Biological Activities and Chemical Characterization ofCordia verbenaceaDC. as Tool to Validate the Ethnobiological Usage

Knowledge of medicinal plants is often the only therapeutic resource of many communities and ethnic groups. “Erva-baleeira”, Cordia verbenacea DC., is one of the species of plants currently exploited for the purpose of producing a phytotherapeutic product extracted from its leaves. In Brazil, its major distribution is in the region of the Atlantic Forest and similar vegetation. The crude extract is utilized in popular cultures in the form of hydroalcoholic, decoctions and infusions, mainly as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents. The aim of the present study was to establish a chemical and comparative profile of the experimental antibacterial activity and resistance modifying activity with ethnopharmacological reports. Phytochemical prospecting and HPLC analysis of the extract and fractions were in agreement with the literature with regard to the presence of secondary metabolites (tannins and flavonoids). The extract and fraction tested did not show clinically relevant antibacterial activity, but a synergistic effect was observed when combined with antibiotic, potentiating the antibacterial effect of aminoglycosides. We conclude that tests of antibacterial activity and modulating the resistance presented in this work results confirm the ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological information, serving as a parameter in the search for new alternatives for the treatment of diseases.

Current status of Indian medicinal plants with aphrodisiac potential

In India, indigenous remedies have been used in treatment of sexual dysfunction since the time of Charaka and Sushruta. Plants have been always an exemplary source of drugs and many of the currently available drugs have been derived directly or indirectly from them. An aphrodisiac is defined as an agent that arouses sexual desire. Erectile dysfunction or sexual dysfunction (ED or SD) or male impotence is defined as the inability of a man to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient for mutually satisfactory intercourse with his partner. Sexual health and function are important determinants of quality of life. To overcome the problem of male sexual (or) erectile dysfunction, various Indian natural aphrodisiac plants potentials were preferred. The ethnobotanical information reports that about 200 plants possess aphrodisiac potential. Out of several Indian medicinal plants, 33 plants were reviewed. In this review, studies on Indian medicinal plants were reviewed and their possible therapeutic applications were discussed. This review discusses about aphrodisiac potential of Indian medicinal plants, its botanical name, common name, family, extract, models used, part used and references, which are helpful for researchers to develop new herbal aphrodisiac formulations. In the recent years, interest in drugs of plant origin has been progressively increased.

Ethnobotanical investigation of traditional medicinal plants commercialized in the markets of Mashhad, Iran.

An ethnobotanical survey on the medicinal plant species marketed in Mashhad city, northeastern Iran, was conducted in order to document traditional medicinal knowledge and application of medicinal plants. This study was undertaken between 2011 and 2012. The indigenous knowledge of traditional healers used for medicinal purposes were collected through questionnaire and personal interviews during field trips. Ethnobotanical data was arranged alphabetically by family name followed by botanical name, vernacular name, part used, folk use, and recipe. Correct identification was made with the help of the various Floras and different herbal literature at the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Herbarium (FUMH). The present investigation reported medicinal information for about 269 species, belonging to 87 vascular plant families and one fungus family. The most important family was Lamiaceae with 26 species, followed by Asteraceae with 23, Fabaceae with 20, and Apiaceae with 19. Herbal medicine uses reported by herbalists was classified into 132 different uses which show significant results to treat a wide spectrum of human ailments. Plants sold at the market were mostly used for digestive system disorders, respiratory problems, urological troubles, nervous system disorders, skin problems, and gynecological ailments. This survey showed that although people in study area have access to modern medical facilities, a lot of them still continue to depend on medicinal plants for the treatment of healthcare problems. The present paper represents significant ethnobotanical information on medical plants which provides baseline data for future pharmacological and phytochemical studies.

An Ethnobotanical Study of Plants used for the Treatment of Diabetes in the Warangal District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Herbal medicine is gaining popularity both in developing and developed countries because of their natural origin. The herbal drugs with antidiabetic activity are yet to be commercially formulated as modern medicines, even though they have been acclaimed for their therapeutic properties in the traditional systems of medicine. Ethnobotanical documentation is one way of capturing this body of knowledge. An Ethnobotanical survey was conducted on the medicinal plants frequently used for the management of diabetes mellitus in Warangal district, Andhra Pradesh by traditional healers. Information was obtained through structured questionnaire administered to traditional healers and herbalists in the region. The study revealed 15 species of plants belonging to 13 families. The decoction of the roots leaves and barks of these plants are the most commonly used while the extracts are taken orally for long period of time usually between 6 and 12 months, depending on the severity of the ailments. Chloroxylon swietenia and Costus speciosus of the families Rutaceae and Zingiberaceae respectively, were repeatedly mentioned by the traditional healers as the two mostly used for the management of diabetes mellitus in the study area. There is urgent need of recording all ethnobotanical information before they are lost and continuous efforts should be made to collect the information which will provide avenue for future generation.

Ethnobotanical Importance and Phytochemical Analysis of Some Medicinal Plants Commonly Used As Herbal Remedies in Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti- State, Nigeria

Ten medicinal plants including Aframomumme leguata, Chromolaenaodorata, Cissampelousowariensis, Pergulariadaemia,Perquetinanigrensis, Ocimumbascilicum, Ocimumgratisimum, Tithorniadiversifolia, Venoniaamygdalina, Zingiberofficinale used for curing different ailments in the Oye Local Government area of Ekiti Stat, Nigeria were examined in this study. The contents of all the plants were found used for different types of ailments. The plants were found to contain alkaloids, saponin, tannins, phylobatanins, flavonoids, terpenoids and cardiac glycosides. Also the quantitative analysis was conducted to reveal amounts of phytochemicals in these plants. Results obtained revealed that ethnobotanical information obtained from these plants could constitute a baseline for the production of synthetic drugs from them. The fresh seeds and rhizomes of Aframomummeleguata and Zingiberoficinale respectively and the fresh leaves of Chromolaenaodorata, Cissampelousowariensis, Ocimumbascilicum, Ocimumgratisimum, Perquetinanigrensis, Pergulariadaemia,Tithorniadiversifolia and Venonaamygdalina were randomly collected from selected villages in Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State. The selected villages were Ayede, Ilupeju, Isan, Itaji and Omu-ijelu. Recognizance surveys and visits were carried out in the villages selected in order to intimate the residents of the aims and objectives of the study and enlist their support for the study. In each of these villages, five respondents who have maintained continuous domicile in the villages for a period of not less than 20 years were chosen and interviewed with the aid of semi- structured questionnaire matrix. The interviews were conducted with a fairly open framework that allowed for focused, conversational and two-way communication. Voucher specimens of the above stated plants were collected and were deposited at the herbarium of the Department of Plant Science, Ekiti-State University, Ado-Ekiti. The medicinal uses of the plants were documented. Samples of the plants were air dried for two weeks, after which they were grounded into powder using a mechanical blender before being subjected to phytochemical screening. The phytochemical screening of the samples was carried out on the aqueous extract of

Pharmacognostical studies of leaves of Combretum albidum G. Don

Background:Combretum albidum Don belonging to family Combretaceae is an unexplored medicinal plant in the Indian medicinal system. According to ethnobotanical information, the leaves are used in the treatment of peptic ulcer and its fruits are used in diarrhoea and dysentery. Stem bark is used in the treatment of jaundice and skin diseases. The problem encountered in standardisation of this medicinal plant is its identification by source.Materials and Methods:The pharmacognostical studies were carried out in terms of organoleptic, macroscopic, microscopic, physicochemical, florescence and phytochemical analysis. Physicochemical parameters such as total ash, moisture content and extractive values are determined by World Health Organization guidelines. The microscopic features of leaf components are observed with Nikon lab photo device with microscopic units.Results:Macroscopically, the leaves are simple, obovate in shape, acuminate apex, entire margin and smooth surface. Microscopically, the leaves showed a large vascular strand that consists of thick walled xylem elements mixed with xylem fibres and phloem which is present in a thin layer along inner and outer portions of xylem. External to the xylem occur a thin line of sclerenchyma. Powder microscopy revealed glandular trichomes in the adaxial epidermal peelings also shows the non-glandular trichomes fairly common in powder and epidermis with anisocytic stomata. Vessels elements are narrow, long, cylindrical and dense multi-seriate bordered pits. Xylem fibres are thin and long, with thick walls, which are lignified. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of carbohydrate, glycoside, saponin, flavonoid, phytosterols and phenolic compounds.Conclusions:The results of the study can serve as a valuable source of pharmacognostic information as suitable standards for identification of this plant material in future investigations and applications.

Traditional knowledge on medicinal and food plants used in Val San Giacomo (Sondrio, Italy)—An alpine ethnobotanical study

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThis work increases the ethnobotanical data from Northern Italy and, in particular, the Lombardy region, till now poorly documented, safeguarding the local folk knowledge, and provides information on new or scarcely reported properties of medicinal plants, whose traditional use needs to be validated experimentally. Aim of the studyThe present study aimed to gather, analyse and evaluate the ethnobotanical information on the species used for medicinal and food purposes by the native people of Val San Giacomo. Materials and methodsThe plant use was documented by speaking with more than 100 people, mainly over 60 years old, born and resident in Val San Giacomo. Information was collected using semi-structured interviews and then analysed by indices such as Ethnophytonomic Index (EPI), Ethnobotanicity Index (EI), relative frequency of citation (RFC), use value (UV), relative importance (RI) and factor informant consensus (FIC). ResultsInformation on 66 plants belonging to 35 families (Asteraceae, Rosaceae and Lamiaceae, mainly) was gathered. The preference ranking placed Achillea moschata Wulfen at first place, both for the citation number and for RFC and UV. Arnica montana L., Thymus pulegioides L. and Artemisia genipi Stechm. were also in relevant use. Sixty species were wild and six were cultivated. Leaves, flowers, complete aerial parts and fruits were the plant parts most commonly used for remedy preparation (infusion, especially). The interviewees collected local flora for medicinal purposes, specifically. About 51.5% of the plant species were used to treat gastrointestinal tract of humans as digestive, depurative, appetiser, laxative, astringent and carminative remedies. About 56% of the plants were used in cookery, 24.2% in veterinary field, and 3% as cosmetics. The calculated indices demonstrated that in the studied area there is a small retention of plant knowledge. Only 6.2% of the autochthonous plants proved useful in folk tradition. Despite this, the uses of Sempervivum montanum L., Rhododendron ferrugineum L. and Panicum miliaceum L. were never documented by other ethnobotanical investigations conducted in the alpine area. ConclusionsThis survey was an extension of the ethnobotanical investigations performed in the Italian Alps. A study like this, though performed in a small area with a reduced traditional knowledge, could be the basis for subsequent research on the species that are interesting from a phytochemical point of view and on the potential use of their active metabolites.

An inside to the Better Understanding of the Ethnobotanical Route to Drug Discovery- the Need of the Hour

For pharmaceuticals ranging from Digitalis to vincristine, the ethnobotanical approach to drug discovery has proven successful. The value of ethnobotanical information in drug development is based on several factors, which are discussed. Published ethnomedical information has many strengths and weaknesses relative to the ability to establish a corresponding biological effect in the laboratory. The ability to correlate ethnomedical reports with corresponding scientific studies could lead to improved selection of plants for further scientific studies. The application of NAPRALERT database in this regard is also discussed. An elaborate plant to drug pathway has been traced out for young researchers to make the drug discovery pathway more approachable. Various cautions related to possible errors during the ethnobotanical approach have also been highlighted.

Medicinal utilization of exotic plants by Bapedi traditional healers to treat human ailments in Limpopo province, South Africa

Ethnopharmacological relevanceMost exotic plants are usually labelled as alien invasives and targeted for eradication. However, some of these exotic plants play an important role in the traditional primary healthcare sector of the Bapedi culture in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The medicinal uses of most of these species have neither been documented nor their biological activity evaluated. Aim of the studyTo make an inventory of exotic species employed by Bapedi traditional healers to treat different human ailments in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Materials and methodsSemi-structured interviews, observation and guided field walks with 52 traditional healers were employed to obtain ethnobotanical data during first half of 2011 on the use of exotic plant species by Bapedi healers to treat human ailments. Based on ethnobotanical information provided by these healers, specimens were collected, numbered, pressed, and dried for identification. ResultsA total of 35 exotics species belonging to 21 families and 34 genera, mostly from the Fabaceae and Solanaceae (11.4% for each), Apocynaceae and Asteraceae (8.5% for each) were used by Bapedi healers to treat 20 human ailments. Trees (45.7%) and herbs (37.1%) are the primary source of medicinal plants. Species most frequently reported were used for the treatment of hypertension (35%), diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction and gonorrhoea (25% for each). The highest consensus from individual accounts of the traditional healers on the use of exotic plant remedies in this study was noted for the three ailments. These were for Catharanthus roseus (gonorrhoea, 60%), Punica granatum (diarrhoea, 38.4%) and Ricinus communis (sores, 21.5%). Of the 35 exotic plant species recorded, 34.2% are regulated by the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (1983) (CARA) No. 43 of 1983 either as worst weeds or invaders. ConclusionThe present study demonstrated that exotic plant species play an important part as medicinal remedies employed by Bapedi healers to treat different human diseases in the Limpopo Province. The use of these species as alternative sources of medicinal remedies could alleviate harvesting pressure of wild indigenous plants, thereby enhance biodiversity's region. However, there is a need to formulate an appropriate policy to retain some of the useful medicinal exotics (listed under CARA No. 43 of 1983) within the environment before their medicinal value vanishes as they are eradicated through management strategies adopted by the South African government.

Medicinal plants used by the Bapedi traditional healers to treat diarrhoea in the Limpopo Province, South Africa

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThis paper provides ethnobotanical information on medicinal plants used to treat diarrhoea in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Documentation of this nature usually provides the basis for selecting medicinal plants for future phytochemical and pharmaceutical studies aimed at developing new, effective and affordable plant-derived diarrhoea remedies. Aim of the studyTo record and document medicinal plants used by the Bapedi traditional healers to treat diarrhoea in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Materials and methodsIn order to record and document medicinal plants used by the Bapedi traditional healers to treat diarrhoea, 51 healers from 17 municipalities covering Capricorn, Sekhukhune and Waterberg districts in the Limpopo Province, South Africa were interviewed between January and July 2011. Data collected included the names of plants, plant part(s) used, methods of herbal preparation, administration, dosage and duration of treatments. Voucher specimens of the plants used by the Bapedi traditional healers to treat diarrhoea were collected, identified and deposited as future reference material at the Larry-Leach Herbarium (UNIN), University of Limpopo. ResultsA total of 20 plant species representing 16 families and 20 genera were found to be commonly used by the Bapedi traditional healers to treat and manage diarrhoea in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. The largest proportion of the medicinal plants belonged to the families Anacardiaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Malvaceae (10% each). The most frequently used species were Punica granatum (39.2%), Grewia bicolor (33.3%), Dombeya rotundifolia (21.6%), Commiphora marlothii (19.6%) and Acacia senegal (13.7%). The roots were the most commonly used plant part (50%), followed by leaves (20%), bark (15%), fruits (10%), pericarp, seed, tuber and whole plants (5% each). Mono therapies based on preparations made from a single plant species were the most dominant (90%). All medicinal preparations were taken orally for 1 week or until diarrhoea subsided. The therapeutic claims of the medicinal plants documented in this study are well supported by literature, with 70% of the species having anti-diarrhoeal properties or are used as diarrhoea remedies both in South Africa and also in other countries. ConclusionThis study reveals that local communities in the Limpopo Province, South Africa still depend on traditional medicines for basic healthcare; and the use of traditional medicines is still an integral part of their socio-cultural life.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants of Resunga hill used by Magar community of Badagaun VDC, Gulmi district, Nepal

Present study aims to explore the ethnobotanical information on medicinal plants used by Magar community of Badagaun VDC of Gulmi district. The study was carried out during different periods of the year 2010. Informations on plant and plant parts uses were collected interviewing key informants by using semi-structured open-ended questionnaire. Altogether 161 different plant species belonging to 87 familes and 144 genera were documented and majority of them are herbs. In terms of plant parts use, leaf and stem/bark are in top priorities. These plants are used to treat different ailments ranging from gastro-intestinal to headache and fever, respiratory tract related problems to dermatological problems, snake bite to ophthalmic and cuts and wounds. Easy access to modern medicines and less recognition of traditional healers are the main causes leading to decrease in interest of young generation in the use of traditional medicinal practices. Scientific World, Vol. 10, No. 10, July 2012 p54-65 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/sw.v10i10.6863

Avicenna's (Ibn Sina) the Canon of Medicine and Saffron (Crocus sativus): A Review

In this review, we introduce the traditional uses of saffron and its pharmacological activities as described by either Avicenna in Book II, Canon of Medicine (al-Qanun fi al-tib) or from recent scientific studies. Modern pharmacological findings on saffron are compared with those mentioned in Avicenna's monograph. A computerized search of published articles was performed using MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science databases as well as local references. The search terms used were saffron, Crocus sativus, crocin, crocetin, safranal, picrocrocin, Avicenna and 'Ibn Sina'. Avicenna described various uses of saffron, including its use as an antidepressant, hypnotic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, bronchodilatory, aphrodisiac, inducer of labour, emmenagogue and others. Most of these effects have been studied in modern pharmacology and are well documented. The pharmacological data on saffron and its constituents, including crocin, crocetin and safranal, are similar to those found in Avicenna's monograph. This review indicates that the evaluation of plants based on ethnobotanical information and ancient books may be a valuable approach to finding new biological activities and compounds.

Translational application of novel withanolides for cancer treatment from Physalis species and other Solanaceae

Natural products have been the most significant source of drugs and drug leads in history. Plant biodiversity provides a resource of unlimited structural diversity for drug lead and molecular probe discovery programs such as those currently underway at the University of Kansas. Technology is gradually overcoming the traditional difficulties encountered in natural products research by improving access to biodiverse resources and ensuring compatibility of samples with high throughput procedures. Our drug lead discovery effort is aimed at uncovering bioactive molecules from plants of the U.S. Great Plains. Approaches utilized in the selection of samples consist of biodiversity-based collections and ethnobotanical information on the medicinal uses in the areas of study. In order to identify antiproliferative compounds, a library of over 1,200 plant extracts was tested for antiproliferative activity against an array of cell lines [melanoma cell lines (B16F10, SKMEL28); human head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) cell lines (MDA1986, JMAR, UM-SCC-2, JHU011); medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) cell lines (TT and DRO81–1), and a non-malignant cell line (MRC5)]. In vitro experiments included evaluation of anticancer activity and effects on cell proliferation by MTS assay and trypan blue exclusion. Apoptosis and cell cycle arrest were characterized by annexin V-propidium iodide (PI) flow cytometry and confirmed by Western Blot analysis for activation of caspase 3 and cleavage of PARP as well as cell-cycle specific proteins. Analysis of specific pathways including modulation of Akt, MAP-kinase and RET phosphorylation were evaluated in vitro as well as ex vivo in treated mice using Western blot analysis. Physalis longifolia Nutt. and several related members in the Solanaceae were identified as the most active of the species tested in this study. This led to the discovery of over 30 withanolide-type steroidal lactones, 16 of which are new compounds. In addition to withaferin A (WA), 14 withanolides showed IC50 values in the range between 0.067 and 9.3µM in vitro by MTC with selectivity of 3 to 20 fold compared to normal cells. A mechanistic study showed that WA induced apoptosis and cell death in HNSCC and MTC cells as well as modulation of the cell cycle from G0/G1 arrest to a shift to G2/M and S-phase. Western blot analysis demonstrated that cancer cells treated with WA exhibited inhibition of Akt and caspase-3 expression, and cleavage of PARP. WA was further evaluated in vivo in a metastaic murine model of MTC. All treated animals were alive, showing tumor regression and growth delay without toxicity or weight loss at six weeks post-treatment. Tumor cells treated with WA demonstrated inhibition of total and phospho-RET levels by Western blot analysis in a dose dependent manner (almost complete inhibition with treatment of 5µM WA) as well as potent inhibition of phosphor-ERK and phosphor-Akt levels. WA was shown to be a novel natural-product RET-inhibitor with efficacy in a metastatic murine model of MTC. This investigation constitutes the first report of the antiproliferative activity of WA and other withanolides against MTC and HNSCC. Procurement and screening protocols, isolation and structure determination, lead optimization, and antiproliferative activities of withanolides will be presented.