Ethnobotanical Investigation Research Articles

Ethnobotanical Investigation of Medicinal Plants and their Importance, Traded in the Public Herbal Markets and Centers of Gaza Strip, Palestine

A comprehensive assessment of medicinal plant variety used in folk treatment in Gaza was conducted in order to discover medicinal plants still in use by therapists and their relevance in health care. By interviewing 20 informants from various places, an ethnobotanical survey was undertaken to examine and document plant species utilized in traditional medicine. The research identified 72 different medicinal pqlant species belonging to 33 different families. Plant components that were most commonly used were leaves (41%), stems (18%), and seeds (14%). The most common ailments treated were gastrointestinal, circulatory, and urinary system issues.

Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants Used against Infertility in the Nyong and So’o Division (Cameroon) and Pro-fertilizing Activities of Mammea africana (Clusiaceae) Aqueous Extract Rats

Background: World-renowned as primary healthcare, traditional medicine often represents the only therapeutic resource for many communities with very low incomes, although it shows valuable benefits. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the medicinal plants used to treat infertility in the Nyong & So’o Division (Cameroon) and the effect of Mammea africana, the most commonly used medicinal plant extract, on reproductive parameters in female rats.
 Methods: First, a transversal and analytic investigation using semi-structured interviews was conducted on a sample of 22 traditional healers. Secondly, two pharmacological assays were carried out to evaluate M. africana aqueous extract activities in 8-10-week-old female Wistar rats. During 14 days, non-ovariectomized (Novx) mice were given distilled water (DW) at 10 mL/kg and M. africana extract at 40, 80, and 160 mg/kg. In the end, cervical smears were realized, animals were sacrificed, and extract activities were evaluated on reproductive parameters. The estrogenic activities of M. africana extract were assessed on estrogenic-dependent tissues per os in ovariectomized (Ovx) rats in the second assay. They received respectively distilled water (DW), estradiol valerate (E2V) at 1 mg/kg, and the extract at the aforesaid doses, and 3 groups were co-treated with E2V (0.75 mg/kg) and the extract. A sham-operated group received DW
 Results: Ethnobotanical investigation revealed that 20 species of plant belonging to 13 different families are used to treat infertility. Mammea africana was the most used plant and its extract at 80 mg/kg aqueous extract induced a significant increase (p <0.001) of FSH, LH, and estradiol in Novx rats compared to control. Furthermore, the extract induced the maturation of ovarian follicles. M. africana extract exhibited also estrogenic activities in Ovx rats. Indeed, M. africana aqueous extract induced the formation of stratum corneum in the vagina of Ovx rats. E2V activities at 0.75 mg/kg were maximized by M. africana extract.
 Conclusion: To sum up, many species are used in the Nyong & So’o Division to manage reproductive failure. Among them, Mammea africana is the most commonly used and possesses estrogenic-like activities.

Etnobotánica de los criollos del Chaco Subhúmedo argentino I: Correspondencias botánico-fitonímicas y caracterización general de un nuevo complejo biocultural

The general aim of this work is to distinguish and identify the Creole of the Argentine Subhumid Chaco as a new bio-cultural complex, to describe the botanical correspondences of their phytonymy, and to carry out a general characterization of their ethnobotany. Six field works were carried out between October 2017 and March 2022 in the center-north of Chaco Province. Classic ethnobotanical methodology was applied. This consisted of interviews and the collection of herbarium material with 51 collaborators from the area. A total of 541 matches between 369 botanical taxa and 457 types of vernacular names were obtained from 2075 reports; 1625 Criollos’ plant uses or meanings were registered. This refers to a total of 420 taxa throughout 4290 reports or mentions. Results from quantitative comparisons with Criollos’ phytonymic correspondences registered in neighboring areas of the Subhumid Chaco allow us to infer that the latter belong to the same bio-cultural complex proposed here. If we added these phytonyms to those obtained in the field it makes a total of 837 correspondences among 662 types of vernacular names assigned to 537 plant taxa, and three mushrooms. On the other hand, results of the quantitative comparisons between this phytonymy and those found in ethnobotanical investigations with Criollos from the Humid and Semiarid Chaco allow us to infer substantial differences between them, which reaffirms the condition of the Criollos of the Subhumid Chaco as a new bio-cultural complex.

Traditional Herbal Remedies in the Management of Metabolic Disorders in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review of Ethnobotanical Studies and Pharmacological Activities.

MetS are common throughout the world, including Ethiopia. These have traditionally been treated using medicinal plants, particularly in rural areas where they are freely accessible. This systematic review tried to investigate the treatment of MetS with Ethiopian medicinal herbs and made recommendations for more validation research. A careful analysis of the literature was also conducted on the therapeutic effects of these and other Ethiopian medicinal plants with hepatoprotective and antihypertensive activities. The relevant keywords "Ethnomedicinal + hypertension," "Ethnopharmacological + hypertension," "Ethnomedicinal + hepatitis, jaundices, and liver disease," "Ethnopharmacological + hepatic disorder," and "Ethnomedicinal + weight loss" were used to search for relevant articles in the major electronic scientific databases, including PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The search strategy included all articles with descriptions that were accessible until April 30, 2022. The study's subjects, methods, or year of publication were no restrictions in the search. The outcomes were compiled using descriptive statistics. Fifty-four (54) studies were examined in the review that satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the treatment of MetS in Ethiopia. The most often used ethnobotanical plant species for the treatment of hypertension and hepatic disorders were Moringa stenopetala and Croton macrostachyus. Both hepatic and hypertensive disorders were treated more frequently with leaves (52% and 39%, respectively) than with roots (20% and 13%, respectively). Some intriguing studies came from an ethnobotanical investigation into medicinal herbs' hepatoprotective and antihypertensive properties. The most often investigated medicinal plant for its antihypertensive effects is Moringa stenopetala. The study revealed that Ethiopians often use anti-MetS herbal remedies. We advocate the experimental validation of the commonly used medicinal plants with the identification of active compounds and the development of effective alternative drugs for the treatment of MetS.

Phytochemical Screening of Some Medicinal Plants in Al Jouf, KSA

The utilization of ethnobotanical and phytochemical investigations in the discovery of novel medications is beneficial. Screening for phytochemicals is an important step in detecting the bioactive ingredients of medicinal plants which are used in conventional therapy. For the first time, 23 medicinal plants utilized in Saudi Arabian traditional therapy were examined. From August 2020 to July 2021, ethnobotanical fieldwork was conducted. There was some plant species identified, divided into pertinent families. Standard procedures were used to screen these medicinal plants for the occurrence of glycosides, alkaloids, saponins, resins, saponins, tannins, and flavonoids. Among the medicinal plants used, the most common phytochemicals were alkaloids (95.65%), glycosides (86.96%), saponin (82.61%), tannins (73.91%), flavonoids (56.52%), and resin (52.17%). The least widely distributed chemicals, on the other side, were resins. Trigonella foenum-graecum L., Pimpinella anisum L., and Cuminum cyminum L. seeds were shown to contain all six categories of secondary metabolites. The ethnographic importance of these medicinal plants is consistent with the content of secondary metabolites.

An Ethnobotanical Study of Wild Edible Plants in Tach Gayint District, South Gondar Zone, Amhara Region, Northwestern Ethiopia.

The purpose of this study was to carry out an ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological investigation on wild edible plants and their value to households in the Tach Gayint district of South Gondar Zone of northwestern Ethiopia. A total of 175 informants (56 women and 119 males) were interviewed for ethnobotanical data, and 25 of them were key informants. Data collection techniques included semistructured interviews, guided field walks, and focus group discussions. Quantitative analytical tools were employed for ethnobotanical methods including preference ranking and direct matrix ranking techniques to analyse the data. 36 species of wild edible plants have been identified in the study area. Of these plant species, shrubs account for 15 (42%), followed by herbs 13 (36%) and trees 8 (22%). Regarding the edible parts, fruits account for 19 (53%) followed by young shoots, leaves, and flowers, 4 (11%) for each. These plant species are eaten raw (86%) or cooked (14%) and most are collected by younger people for herding cattle. According to the preference ranking analysis, the fruit of Opuntia ficus-indica is the most preferred plant species because its sweet taste. Although Cordia africana, the most commonly used multipurpose wild edible plant species, is mostly exploited due to human activity, activities such as the production of charcoal, the gathering of firewood, the construction of homes, and the use of agricultural tools all played a significant role in the plant's eventual extinction. In the study area, agricultural expansion was the main cause of putting wild edible plants in danger. It is best to cultivate and manage edible plants in a backyard garden and to perform more research on popular edible plant species.

Ethnobotanical and Floristic Investigations of Datura Species in Mali

Aims: This work aimed to investigate the floristic composition and the different medicinal uses of Datura species in addition to people perceptions about them.
 Place and Duration of Study: The floristic study has been conducted in three sites located in the region of Sikasso (Mali) during October, 2019. The ethnobotanical one was carried out in five zones located in different regions of Mali in order to register the maximum of relevant information about Datura’s therapeutic virtues.
 Methodology: A floristic and ethnobotanical investigation on Datura species was carried out based on a stratified probabilistic sampling plan. The free consent and the availability of the respondents was an important criterion during the ethnobotanical survey. Besides, the characteristic parameters of floristic diversity and relative frequencies were calculated based on literature formula.
 Results: The floristic survey allowed to register three species of Datura: D. stramonium (65.38%), D. innoxia (19.23%) et de D. ferox (15.38%). Around these species, 148 plants belonging to 39 species divided in 32 genus and 18 families. Herbaceous represented 94.87% of these inventoried species. With high coefficients of similarity (Cs>50%), we noted an identical floristic diversity inside the three sites. Moreover, Tousseguela had the highest specific diversity index (1.21). The ethnobotanical survey targeted 118 people in five 5 localities with about 77% of men. If 50% of them found Datura to be useful, 50% considered it to be useful with distrust or dangerous. The data showed that the local populations use Datura in the treatment of many diseases; the most cited were dermatosis (16.98%) and swelling (14.15%). The leaves (93.83%) and seeds (14.81%) were the most exploited organs mainly in the form of decoction (61.18%) and by oral route, massage (15.66%) and bath (13.25%).
 Conclusion: These results reveal the floristic richness of Datura genus and its associated species.

Ethnomedicinal and Ethnobotanical Investigations and Documentation of Plants Used by Traditional Healers of Eastern India

Introduction:This study is an effort to document extensively and systematically the ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal knowledge in the four districts (Puri, Cuttack, Bhadrak, and Mayurbhanj) of Odisha in Eastern India. It provides new insights into the rich ethnomedicinal knowledge and plants biodiversity in these four districts.Methods:The method of convenience sampling was conducted to get the ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal knowledge of the healers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the information got was quantified and documented with the aid of various databases. Eleven traditional healers endowed information on their traditional medicinal knowledge. 74 plant species belonging to 44 botanical families are documented and among these 44 botanical families, five (Rutaceae, Malvaceae, Astaraceae, Annonaceae, and Euphorbiaceae) are mostly used by the healers. The healers mainly use leaves and roots in the medicine's preparation.Results:Twenty-five ailments are treated by these traditional healers, which are majorly dominated by dermatological treatments. The pharmacological mining of these 74 plants revealed that a few pharmacological and biological activities of each medicinal plant had been studied. Our study revealed that these four districts of Odisha have a rich biodiversity of medicinal plants.Conclusion:Promoting the plantation of some of these species can enhance the income of the traditional healers of these districts and simultaneously make the exploitation of these plant species sustainable. We also found that the pharmacological and biological activities of many plant species are yet to be explored.

Indigenous Health Care Practice of Tribal People: A Case Study of Gadadi Village, Kalahandi, District of Odisha

Herbal medicine, spiritual beliefs, & procedure treatments and activities are utilized in indigenous healing beliefs and practices to make a diagnosis, cure, and protect each and every disease rather than ailments. According to the World Health Organization, it is mainly started practicing by indigenous or native communities, or near to 80% of the demography for certain Asian countries depend upon it for general practice. An ethnobotanical investigation of such tribal regions confirmed that indigenous tribes in Kalahandi district, Odisha, have been using 30 tree species. Herbal medicines have been identified to be more broadly used by modern medicine mostly in the study region. Paper plants for different diseases have become explored, as are their utilizes, horticultural identities, local names, parts of the plant used, and medicinal preparation. Keywords: Traditional Medicine, Traditional Healer Practice, Environment, Superstitions, Traditional Health Care System

Ethnobotanical Study of Plants Used by Traditherapists for the Treatment of Malaria in the City of Butembo, North Kivu, East of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Malaria is a serious public health problem in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in general and in the city of Butembo in particular. To complete the lack of information, the objective of this article is to identify the different plant species used in the traditional treatment of malaria in the city of Butembo. Ethnobotanical investigations were conducted among 91 traditherapists. Semi-structured interviews with the use of a pre-established questionnaire were used for data collection. This study allowed the inventory of 26 plant species belonging to 18 botanical families. The species of the Asteraceae family are the most solicited by the therapists of the city of Butembo (25.27%). This family is followed by the Myrtaceae and Rubiaceae families, each with a total of 12.09%. Then come the Caricaceae, Poaceae, and Fabaceae with respectively 9.89%, 9.89%, and 8.79% of citations. Leaves are the most used organ (70.33%) in the preparation of drugs. The pharmaceutical form of preparation is decoction (81.32%). The antimalarial recipes are administered by oral (100%). The species most solicited by the therapists are Artemisia annua (12.09%), Eucalyptus maideni var globulus (10.99%), Cinchona ledgeriana (10.99%), Cymbopogon citratus (9.89%), Carica papaya (9.89%), Cassia occidentalis (7.69%), and Bidens pilosa (8.79%). In consideration of these results, phytochemical and pharmacological analysis of these plants is essential to help validate their traditional use and to find new plants with antimalarial potential that would play the first role in the development of improved traditional medicines (ITM) with antimalarial activity.

Survey and Ethnobotanical Investigations of Key Non-Timber Forest Products in Home Gardens and Sacred Forests in Cross River State, Nigeria

A survey and ethnobotanical investigations were done in six Local Government Areas (LGAs), Cross River State, Nigeria, to examine the social and economic value and management practices of the primary Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in home gardens and sacred forests. The six LGAs were purposively selected based on the vegetation types. The vegetation types include tropical high forest/freshwater swamp mosaic as ecotype 1, tropical high forest as ecotype 2 and tropical high forest/savannah mosaic as ecotype 3 for Akpabuyo and Akamkpa, Ikom and Obubra, and Obudu and Boki. The study was conducted in 12 sacred forests and 60 home gardens in 30 randomly selected communities within the 11six LGAs. A stratified multi-stage random sampling was used with group interviews, personal observation and structured questionnaires as study tools. Also, a simple close traverse was adopted for area determination for home gardens and sacred forests, while the stock survey approach was used for identification, enumeration and measurements of NTFPs/ tree species in the study areas. One thousand and fifty questionnaires were administered to respondents randomly selected from 30 communities in the six LGAs to provide data on NTFPs. Results showed that 69.5% and 61.5% of the respondents were involved in home garden farming and sacred forest conservation, while 64.2% were farmers and only 21% were involved in NTFPs production to supplement farm income. The product contributed significantly to household food security, and the majority of the respondents (62.9%) were women. Volume production in ecotypes 1, 2 and 3 was 18.40, 14.00 and 13.18 m³/ha, respectively. The analysis of variance showed that the number of stem/ha, the dbh (cm), the based area (m²/ha) and the volume (m³/ha) were not significantly different in the three ecotypes. The results also showed that ethnobotanical practices of NTFPs in home gardens and sacred forests have assisted in having proper methods of conservation and sustainable management of the existing forest products. Recommendations were proffered to eradicate or ameliorate the perceived problems. Finally, this study provides relevant information which would be inestimable in promoting and improving improper management of NTFPs in home gardens and sacred forests.

Ethnobotanical investigation of medicinal plants in Buska Mountain range, Hamar district, Southwestern Ethiopia

BackgroundDespite the fact that ethnobotanical studies have been conducted in various parts of Ethiopia, compared with the existence of the multitude and diverse ethnic groups and their associated traditional knowledge, the studies are not comprehensive enough for all the localities and communities in the country. This is also true for the Hamar community of Southwestern Ethiopia, who are totally dependent on plants and plant products for their livelihood. Hence, this investigation was done to identify and record medicine plants and the native wisdom of the community in the area.MethodsThree hundred twenty six (326) informants were selected from the 12 lowest governmental units (Kebeles) applying Cochran’s formula through stratified random sampling technique. From the total informants, 74 (48 males and 26 females) were purposively selected for in-depth discussion. Semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, guided field walks as well as market surveys were used for data collection. Standard ethnobotanical analytical tools comprising ranking and comparison were used for the analysis. Preference ranking, pair-wise comparison, informant consensus factor, direct matrix ranking, Cultural Significance Index (CSI) and Jaccard’s similarity coefficient (JCS) as well as Analysis of Variances (ANOVA), applying SPSS (version 20) were computed.ResultsA total of 145 species practical to cure about 72 ailments of livestock and humans were recorded. Families Fabaceae (with 22% of species), Asteraceae (11%), and Lamiaceae (9%) were discovered as the most dominant families in the area. Shrubs contributed the most (40%) to the growth forms followed by herbs (26.5%). Fresh leaves of the plants were parts that are used most frequently in the area. The highest ICF value (0.94) was recorded for reproductive problem categories. There was a relatively very high dependence of the community on plants and plant products together with a hoarded indigenous knowledge in the area that positively correlated with age (r = 0.82).ConclusionThe study's findings revealed that Buska Mountain range is a home for highly diverse and most dependable plant species and associated indigenous knowledge. However, because of the realized environmental threats in the area, the conservation efforts of the community should be invigorated and supported in order to sustain the biodiversity in general and the medicinal plant species in particular.

Tuberous plants with active compounds against helminths in livestock: A systematic review

Background: The rise in drug-resistant to helminths has posed a challenge on conventional techniques of controlling parasitic illnesses in livestock. Using less conventional approaches such as plant extracts on the other hand, is encouraged. This research explored tuberous plants used in developing anthelmintics and identified active compounds associated with the plants. Methods: From October 2020 to February 2021, a comprehensive literature search was conducted using search engines such as Google Scholar, NISCAIR Online Periodicals Repository, NCBI, Taylor and Francis Online, Wiley Online Libraries, Science Direct, ResearchGate, and Springer Link. This evaluation included only ethnobotanical papers that showed tuberous plants with anthelmintic properties. Results:  Forty-eight ethnobotanical investigations recorded plants with tuber portions that were utilized to combat helminths. There were 43 plants identified, divided into 24 families. seven plants were found to be the most culturally important plants in the management of helminths; these were Dioscorea deltoidea, Dioscorea bulbifera, Dioscorea alata, Gloriosa superba, Curcuma longa, Dioscorea pentaphylla, and Cyperus rotundus. The common phytochemical classes were phytosterols, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, essential oils, flavonoids, and terpenoids. Conclusions: Dioscorea deltoidea, Dioscorea bulbifera, Dioscorea alata, Gloriosa superba, Curcuma longa, Dioscorea pentaphylla, and Cyperus rotundus were shown to be the most culturally important plants for helminth control. These plants are mostly found in India and Nepal. There is need to investigate other tuberous plants to identify unique compounds that are active against helminths to develop more robust anthelminthic drugs and reduce anthelmintic resistance levels. Keywords: Anthelmintic, ethnobotanical, tubers, active compound, anthelmintic resistance, livestock  

Tetraclinis articulata (vahl) masters: An insight into its ethnobotany, phytochemistry, toxicity, biocide and therapeutic merits.

Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Masters, commonly known as Sandarac tree and Araâr, is the only species representing the genus Tetraclinis Masters. The plant has been extensively used for medicinal, artistic, and ritual purposes since its first recorded use in 1800 B.C. Recently, a full range of ethnobotanical investigations has been undertaken to document the plant’s empirical knowledge. They reported the use of different parts, such as leaves, stems, cones, bark, and roots, as part of folk healing practices to manage diabetes mellitus, hypertension, fever, stomach disorders, and diarrhea, among others. The phytochemical studies have identified at least 130 compounds from leaves, cones, resin, bark, and woods. These chemical constituents are categorized into phenolic acids, flavonoids and their derivatives, volatile compounds, phytosterols, and fatty acids, among others. Furthermore, they have strongly been correlated with the promising antimicrobial, antioxidant, neuroprotective, antiurolithiatic, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and cytotoxic properties of the plant. Toxicological studies argued that the plant is quite safe and devoid of eventual toxicity; however, in-depth investigations are required to validate the safety of the plant. The remarkable antimicrobial and antioxidant potencies of various extracts from the plant against a wide range of foodborne pathogens support their possible use to increase the shelf life of foodstuffs in the food industry. Likewise, various plant-based extracts have been proven to exert substantial biocidal properties, making them potential alternatives to synthetic pesticides in agriculture. The present review provides an up-to-date comprehensive insight about the ethnobotanical uses of T. articulata, along with its phytochemistry and biological activities to furnish directions for further studies. We also discussed the biocidal potency of the plant and highlighted its usage to extend the shelf life of perishable foods.

Walking around the Autonomous Province of Trento (Italy): An Ethnobotanical Investigation.

The Trentino-South Tyrol region is a special statute region of northeastern Italy. This territory is of particular interest for its morphology, flourishing vegetation, and history, having been a meeting area among different civilizations. Hence, Trentino is characterized by an ethnic plurality and a rich ethnobotanical knowledge, even if the available information is fragmentary, widely dispersed, and often guarded in oral popular culture. To fill this gap, in the present work 200 subjects were interviewed using an ethnobotanical survey. The resulting 817 citations referred to 64 native species, used either for human or animal health or for domestic purposes. As a second step, for each plant exploited for medicinal purposes, local importance was evaluated by calculating their relative frequency of citation. Moreover, the main traditional preparations were discussed. Among them, the most cited and exploited ones are Achillea millefolium, Arnica montana, Hypericum perforatum, Malva sylvestris, Pinus mugo, and Satureja montana, for which a deeper analysis has been performed. Lastly, the ethnobotanical knowledge of the plants growing in this territory will add a piece to the mosaic of traditional medicine in Italy and may lay the foundation for a nature-aided drug discovery process.

Wild edible plants contributing to the traditional foods of Mardin (Turkey) Province

This study comprises the ethnobotanical investigation of wild edible plants that contribute to the creation of the gastronomic image of Mardin cuisine. The edible plants specific to the region were determined and the local uses made with these plants were recorded. The studies were carried out in 56 neighborhoods with high ethnobotanical potential in 9 districts of Mardin in 2019 and 2020. Plant samples distinguished as a result of interviews with a total of 202 participants were collected and classified. It was determined that 117 taxa belonging to 34 families and 92 genera were utilized for food purposes as a result of the study. The use of 26 taxa as the food was recorded for the first time. Also, 4 of the taxa used are endemic. Among the endemics, the use of Centaurea sclerolepis Boiss. and Stachys menthoides Kotschy & Boiss. as food was recorded for the first time. In addition, the Use Value (UV) index and Informant consensus factor (ICF) was calculated. Taxa with the highest UV value are as the following: Gundelia mesopotamica Fırat (UV: 0.81), Malva neglecta Wallr. (0.74), Rumex crispus L. (0.54), Notobasis syriaca (L.) Cass. (0.44), Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn., Onopordum carduchorum Bornm. & Beauverd (0.40), Sinapis arvensis L. (0.34) and Urtica dioica L. (0.33). ICF ranges from 0.83 to 0.97 based on use reports against each usage category. Pickle had the highest ICF value (0.97), seasonings and beverages, the lowest ICF value was recorded (0.83).

Evaluation of phytochemical, physicochemical and biochemical analysis of saaranai ver chooranam (the root of Trianthema decandra linn,)-a Siddha herbal medicine

Abundant herbal remedies separately or in combination have been recommended in various medical treatises for the remedy of different diseases, Trianthema decandra Linn, (Family: Aizoaceae) familiarly known as Vellai Saaranai (Tamil) and Punarnavi (Sanskrit) is a procumbent herb widespread in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and also found abundantly in India. It has been widely known in different system of traditional medicines, used efficiently in Siddha for the treatment of diseases and ailments of human beings. The current study aims to endow up-to date standardized data of Saaranai ver chooranam (SVC) indicated for Gunmam with distinct observations such as physicochemical, phytochemical, biochemical, HPTLC, analysis of heavy metal, microbial load, specific pathogen, pesticide residue, aflatoxin parameters were evaluated as per PLIM guidelines, gathered and orchestrated in a prompt manner on this paper, to explore and inspire further ethno-botanical and ethno-pharmacological research and investigations towards drug discovery.

Poorly Investigated Ecuadorian Medicinal Plants.

Ecuador has, in proportion of its size, one of the richest floras of Latin America and the world; the country also has an immense cultural heritage due to the presence of different ethnic groups that have implemented the use of many wild and cultivated plants, mainly as medicinal remedies. In a recent publication, we have summarized the results of research activities recently carried out on about 120 plants native to Ecuador, which includes the structures of non-volatile isolated compounds, as well as the chemical composition of essential oils (EOs) and the in vitro tested biological activity data. For the sake of completeness, we have collected in this paper the main information obtained from recent ethnobotanical investigations on other important Ecuadorian medicinal plants for which phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological studies are, however, still largely lacking. Thus, one of the objectives of this paper is to preserve the traditional knowledge of Ecuadorian Indigenous communities which, being transmitted orally, is in danger of becoming lost. Moreover, it is our intention to stimulate more extensive studies on the rich medicinal flora of the country, which can provide economic and social benefits, especially to the people who traditionally cultivate or collect the plants.

An ethnobiological study on traditional knowledge associated with black-boned sheep (Ovis aries) in Northwest Yunnan, China

BackgroundBlack-boned sheep is a precious genetic resource with black quality traits cultivated by the Pumi people in Tongdian Town, Lanping County, Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, Northwest Yunnan, China. It has been included in the “National Breed List of Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources.” The local communities have a deep understanding of black-boned sheep. The traditional knowledge of black-boned sheep is essential to their conservation and sustainable development. In spite of this, there was no information on traditional knowledge associated with black-boned sheep so far. The aim of this study wasaimed to document traditional knowledge and culture, to elucidate information about forage plants, and to investigate the conservation strategy of black-boned sheep.MethodFour field surveys were conducted from July 2019 to May 2021. A total of seven villages and the Pumi Culture Museum in Lanping County are being investigated. A semi-structured interview method was used to interview 67 key informants. During the investigation, we also participated in the grazing activities of black-boned sheep, observed the appearance characteristics and the herd structure of the black-boned sheep, and demonstrated traditional knowledge regarding black-boned sheep, including grazing methods, forage plants, and related customs and habits.ResultsWe assumed that a majority of people in the current study sites were able to could distinguish black-boned sheep from their relatives by their black bones, blue-green gums, and blue-purple anus. The local people manage their black-boned sheep based on the number of sheep by sex, age, and role in a flock in the different breeding environments. Different grazing strategies have been adopted in different seasons. Through ethnobotanical investigations, 91 species of forage plants in 30 families were identified, including herbaceous, shrubs, lianas, and trees. Among all the plant species consumed by the black-boned sheep, Rosaceae species make up the greatest number, with 16, followed by Asteraceae, with 9, and 8 species of Fabaceae and Poaceae. Considering the abundance of forage plants and the preference for black-boned sheep, Prinsepia utilis and the plants of Rubus, Berberis, and Yushania occupy dominant positions. Plants used for foraging are divided into two categories: wild and cultivated. Due to the lack of forage plants in fall and winter, the local people mainly cultivate crops to feed their black-boned sheep. In addition, the black-boned sheep is an influential cultural species in the local community and plays a prominent role in the cultural identity of the Pumi people.ConclusionSheep play an essential role in the inheritance of the spiritual culture and material culture of the Pumi ethnic group. The formation of the black-boned sheep is inseparable from the worship of sheep by the Pumi people. With a long-term grazing process, the locals have developed a variety of traditional knowledge related to black-boned sheep. This is the experience that locals have accumulated when managing forests and grasslands. Therefore, both the government and individuals should learn from the local people when it comes to protecting black-boned sheep. No one knows black-boned sheep better than them. The foremost evidence of this is the rich traditional knowledge of breeding black-boned sheep presented by key informants.

Ethnobotanical investigation of medicinal plants of serawai tribe in Bengkulu as a potential of biology teaching materials

The Serawai tribe is one of the indigenous tribes who live in the Bengkulu Province. The Serawai people still use medicinal plants because of the high trust of the Serawai people towards traditional medicine. Local plants have enormous potential to be developed as a source of learning biology. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to obtain information about the species of plants used by the Serawai tribal community in Tanjung Aur Village, Bengkulu as medicinal plants that have the potential as learning resources in biology learning at the high school level. The ethnobotanical studies covered include plant species, plant families, organs used, processing methods, and use value indexes (UV) for each plant. The ethnobotany study in this research used a qualitative descriptive-analytical method. Based on the results of the ethnobotanical study, there are 44 species of medicinal plants and 23 families. The most widely used plant part is the leaf with a percentage of 52.27%. The highest Use Value is Kaempferia galangal L from the Zingebareceae family. Based on the curriculum, the results of the investigation of medicinal plants can be used as teaching materials in biodiversity and plant topics for the grade of 10-th of high school. Teaching materials can form to be learning modules of medicinal plants.