Ethnopharmacological Research Articles

Influence of Ayurveda in traditional health practice of tribe of Shahapur and Jawhar forest area of Maharashtra

Background: The ancient traditional system of medicine of India knows as “Ayurveda” uses natural sources as the base of medicine as per fundamental principles. The traditional folk healers also retain such knowledge gained from their ancestors of proper usage of natural resources available in their native flora, for the management of disease. Hence this study was planned to document tribal knowledge from the Jawhar and Shahapur Forest division of Maharashtra, India and verified with reported information of the Ayurveda. Methods: Data was collected by recording detail interview of 47 respondents during Medico-ethno-botanical survey in the year 2018-19. Collected data was analyzed using quantitative tools, like Use Value (UV), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), Family Importance Value (FIV), and Fidelity Level (FL). Collected claims were also validated from 20 books including classical textbooks of Ayurveda and ethno medicine and other search engines. Results: Total 182 Ethno medicinal claims consisting of 10 compound formulations were reported for combating 68 different types of diseases and symptoms. Data of 99 plant species belonging to 88 genera and 48 families were recorded from 47 respondents. The highest use value (UV) 0.13 was recorded for Holarrhena pubescens Wall. ex G. Don and Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers. It was observed that 16 claims of a single drug and all compound formulations are not recorded in the classical textbooks of Ayurveda Conclusion: Almost 95% of tribal health practice is according to the Ayurveda. However, novel folk claims could be explored for bioactive and further pharmacological activities to introduce in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia. Key words: Ayurveda, Ethno medicine, Folklore claim, Validation.

Ethno Medicinal Plants Used for Wound Healing Properties in Tinsukia District, Assam: A Comprehensive Review

Wound healing is a vital physiological process that helps to retain the integrity of the skin after it has been damaged, whether by accident or by a deliberate operation. In Tinsukia district, Assam, tribal people and folklore traditions employ a wide variety of plants/plant extracts/decoctions or pastes to cure wounds. This study is designed to explore the ethnomedicinal plants used for the wound healing properties by the people of Tinsukia district, Assam. The Documentation of potential ethnobotanical information of traditionally used medicinal plant with wound healing activity will facilitates the scientific evaluation to look forward into a leading scientific prospect for the development of new herbal therapy for wound healing.

Prospects for controlling future pandemics of SARS in highlights of SARS-CoV-2.

Throughout human history infectious diseases have emerged to become global threats once in a while. Sometimes the previously established infections surfaced due to geographical extension or by increasing their transmissibility or pathogenicity while in other instances new infections have periodically emerged by transmitting from animals to humans. A proper strengthening of the existing health care system, disease surveillance, advancement in medical technology and healthy lifestyle is a must for controlling the future re-emergence of pandemics. Similarly, a deeper understanding of (1) key medical and social elements; (2) treatment and prevention options; (3) epidemic preparedness of the health care system; and (4) investing in ethno medicine research is necessary to prevent the future devastating pandemic emergencies.

The Therapeutic Properties, Ethno pharmacology and Phytochemistry of Atriplex Species: A review

Atriplex species are prospective natural candidates for possible drug development because of their antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, molluscicidal and antifungal properties. These pharmacological actions are associated to the presence of valuable biochemicals such as terpenoids, hydroxyecdysone, flavonoids and phenolics. These plants also have nutritional properties being rich source of proteins, vitamin A, vitamin C, flavonoids and amino acids. The proper utilization of the substances obtained from these plants can enhance the finesse of these abilities. Atriplex species are used as conventional cure of diseases due to their exceptional therapeutic uses. Plants of this genus have been employed by the common folk in several regions of the world to treat diabetes, jaundice, thyroid and liver disorder, snake bite and against infections in digestive, respiratory and urinary tract which indicate the worth of the herbs belonging to the genus Atriplex. These plants are not only medicinally important but are also important to boost economy specifically due to insecticidal properties of some species which make them suitable to be used for insecticidal applications in agriculture. In view of the medicinal and scientific uses along with the bioavailability of precious chemicals of Atriplex species, a comprehensive review is compiled which focuses on the detailed profile of chemicals present, medicinal uses of extracts, pharmacological functions and biological activities of Atriplex species so as to correlate the available data and explore their potential uses in all possible aspects.

Evaluation of In vitro Antioxidant and Qualitative Phytochemical Analysis of Methanol Leaf Extract of Fadogia cienkowskii Scheinf Fam. Rubiaceae

Aim: Fadogia cienkowskii Scheinf has been used in ethno medicine for the treatment of pyrexia, convulsion in children, inflammation and malaria. The aim of this work is to ascertain the presence of some phytochemicals in the leaf of Fadogia cienkowskii Scheinf and to investigate the antioxidant property of the methanol leaf extract of the plant. 
 Study Design: This work was designed to investigate the presence of some phytochemicals in the plant and to further evaluate the antioxidant property of the methanol leaf extract of the plant using three models.
 Methodology: The pulverized leaves (1 kg) was extracted with 5.0 L of 95% methanol employing cold maceration technique. The extract obtained was dried using rotatory evaporator. 
 Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical evaluations were carried out using standard methods. Antioxidant capacity was investigated using 2,2 diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl, ferric reducing antioxidant power and total antioxidant capacity models. 
 Results: The percentage yield of extract is 20%. Flavonoids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, terpenoids, alkaloids and steroids were present in the extract. Total phenol concentration was 0.55+ 0.13 ug/ml. The amount of flavonoid was 3.28+0.01 g by gravimetry with sample weight of 5+0.02 gm. The antioxidant activity of the plant methanol leaf extract showed maximal effect as demonstrated by its EC 50 of 3.811+0.03 ug/ml compared with the ascorbic acid standard 4.989+0.02 ug/ml using DPPH method. This result was validated by the FRAP and TAC models. 
 Conclusion: The presence of polyphenolic biomolecular compounds in the extract confirms the use of the plant in Ethnomedicine.

Pharmacognostic and phytochemical characterization of Maerua angolensis DC.

Maerua angolensis DC is a medicinal plant widely used in ethnomedicine in northern Nigeria. It is used to treat disease conditions like skin infections, sexually transmitted diseases, peptic ulcers and wounds amongst others. The plant is well known in Fulani Fulfude as leggal baali (or leggal mbaali). The plant was subjected to pharmacognostic and physicochemical characterization to establish standard profiles for authentication of the plant which could be useful for further study on the plant. The chromatographic (TLC and HPLC) and phytochemical profiles were conducted along with the leaf microscopy and chemomicroscopy, using standard methods. The result established the chromatographic profile of the leaf extract. The qualitative phytochemical screening showed the presence of carbohydrates, saponins, anthraquinones and cardiac glycosides. The chemomicroscopy revealed the presence of lignin, cellulose, tannin, starch and oil, while mucilage and protein were not seen. The total ash content and moisture content were 12.1 and 7.0%, respectively and were within WHO limits. Extracts of the plant showed high hygroscopic character. The result provides good information for the authentication and use of the plant in further research and development. Key words: Maerua angolensis, pharmacognostic character; phytochemicals, chromatographic profile.

A review on phytochemical and pharmacological activities of some ethnomedical plants used by tribal and folk peoples of AndhraPradesh in animal health care

Folk people are the main natives of the countryside and forests. They are always being much closed to nature. They are fully dependent on their surroundings for their basic needs. Even during diseased conditions, they mainly rely on the use of traditional medicines available in their surroundings. They believe in trees as God and use their products for their wellbeing. They have full belief in nature and their belongings. They utilized locally available plants and other natural materials for the treatment of several diseases. But this knowledge of traditional medicines is found to be confined only up to tribes and folk people of the society. Thus, it is required that such useful knowledge about indigenous medicines should be documented, popularized, and systematized for the welfare of human society. The present paper is an effort to reveal the importance of ethno medicines for tribes as well as the whole society.

ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS USED BY THE ETHNIC COMMUNITIES OF ALIPURDUAR DISTRICT OF WEST BENGAL, INDIA

Scientific documentation of traditional knowledge on ethnobotanical plants used by the ethnic people of Alipurduar district of West Bengal, India has been done by conducting field surveys during July 2018 to January 2020. With the help of pretested semi-structured questionnaires, knowledgeable ethnic people of the studied areas were interviewed to record their traditional knowledge on plants and their utilization for daily livelihood. The questionnaires covers various aspects (vernacular name(s), parts use, ethno medicinal uses, disease treated, mode of preparation, other uses, among others) of each and every plant species having ethnobotanical values. Standard methods for plant collection and herbarium techniques were followed and identification was done with the help of relevant sources. In the present survey, 84 plant species of 44 families have been documented. Asteraceae dominates (8 species) among the plant families. Based on growth habit, herb (35.71 %) dominates among plant types and were mostly collected from their natural habitat (58.33 %). A total of 143 ethnobotanical uses were recorded under 5 numbers of used categories, viz. ethnomedicine (EM), edible plant (EP), magico-religious (MR), ethno-veterinary (EV) and narcotic (N), of which all the plants (100.0 %) were used under ethno medicinal category. Altogether 77 types of common physical problems, grouped into 22 major problems were found to be treated by the herbal medicine. Leaves were found to be the dominant (40.91 %) plant part among others used for the preparation of medicine. In most of the cases medicines were prepared following extraction methodology (41.11 %) and were taken orally (62.64 %) or topically (36.36 %). Collected information clearly suggests that the ethnic people are largely dependent on plant species for their daily needs, especially for primary healthcare. Future research on these medicinal plants can lead to the discovery of unique phytochemical and newer drugs for the treatmen

Diuretic Activity of Indian Medicinal Plant: A Review

Diuretics are commonly defined as drugs that increase the amount of urine produced by kidney. A precise definition is that diuretics are the agent which augment the renal excretion of sodium and either chloride or bicarbonate primarily, and water excretion secondarily. The term “saluretic” is sometime used to describe a drug that increase the renal excretion of sodium and chloride ion Diuretics are responsible for increase the rate of urine flow, sodium excretion and to maintain the volume and composition of body fluids in a various clinical Disorders. But drug-induced diuresis is very much beneficial in such type of life-threatening disorders like CHF, hypertension, renal failure, Liver cirrhosis and often pregnancy toxaemia.[1] Diuretics relieve pulmonary congestion and peripheral edema. This decreases cardiac workload, oxygen demand and plasma volume, thus decreasing blood pressure. Thus, diuretics play an important role in hypertensive patients.[2] Plant medicine is commonly used in the traditional treatment of some renal diseases, and many plants are reported to possess significant diuretic activity. The diuretic activity of a number of plants used in ethno medicine as diuretic agents has been confirmed in experimental animal. [3]The progress of a polyherbal formulation is a tough job because of the large number of different chemical compounds present in the different medicinal plants.

Ethno-botanical Survey on Medicinal plants used by Tribes of Karanja (Ghadge) Tahsil of Wardha District, Maharashtra, India

Introduction: Tribals or forest dwellers have much knowledge of the drugs growing around them. Most of this treasure of knowledge has been passed orally without any written documents. It is therefore very important to preserve and protect the traditional knowledge and also to prepare a digital data base of traditional medicine. Aim & Objectives: Ethno-botanical survey on medicinal Plants used by the Tribes of Karanja (Ghadge) Tahsil of Wardha District, Maharashtra, India and to prepare the ethno-botanical database of study area. Material & Methods: Ethno-botanical study was conducted through field surveys. Data was collected using questionnaire, interviews and discussions. The collected data was investigated using specific quantitative parameters including Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), Relative popularity level (RPL), Use value (UV), Fidelity level (FL), Relative frequency citation (RFC) and Rank order priority (ROP). Observations & results: Total 7 local informants were interviewed for Ethno-botanical data. Total 65 plants associated to 46 families were verified, authenticated and then recognized with ethno medicinal uses. Informants used 10 types of parts of plant from 6 kind of habitat and do the management of the patients with 6 type of medicinal preparations through 5 routes of administrations. Values obtained by calculating ICF, UV, RFC, FL, RPL and ROP were suggestive of informant’s knowledge regarding particular plant species in treating the particular ailment. Conclusion: The present work would be useful in identification of newer species and their therapeutic applications.

Biological Screening of Medicinal Plants Collected from Eastern Ghats of India Using Artemia salina (Brine Shrimp Test)

Medicinal plants constitute important components of flora and are widely distributed in different regions of India. Based on ethnomedical significance, we have collected several medicinal plants used in traditional medicine from Eastern Ghats of India and evaluated for their biological activity. In the present study, a method utilizing brine shrimp (Artemia salina Leach) lethality was used to screen medicinal plants for their biological activity. Aqueous extracts from 118 Indian medicinal plants were screened by the brine shrimp lethality assay and found eleven out of the 118 extracts showed significant toxicity to the brine shrimp (＜60 μg/ml). Polygonum cuspidatum and Syzygium cumini extracts have exhibited potent activity with LC50 13.5 and 20, respectively. The results were analyzed within the context of the available traditional knowledge and uses for these plants. Present study could be useful in the search for new antitumor compounds from the Indian flora.

Antiparasitic Effects of Selected Isoflavones on Flatworms.

SummaryMedicinal plants have been successfully used in the ethno medicine for a wide range of diseases since ancient times. The research on natural products has allowed the discovery of biologically relevant compounds inspired by plant secondary metabolites, what contributed to the development of many chemotherapeutic drugs. Flavonoids represent a group of therapeutically very effective plant secondary metabolites and selected molecules were shown to exert also antiparasitic activity. This work summarizes the recent knowledge generated within past three decades about potential parasitocidal activities of several flavonoids with different chemical structures, particularly on medically important flatworms such as Schistosoma spp., Fasciola spp., Echinococcus spp., Raillietina spp., and model cestode Mesocestoides vogae. Here we focus on curcumin, genistein, quercetin and silymarin complex of flavonolignans. All of them possess a whole spectrum of biological activities on eukaryotic cells which have multi-therapeutic effects in various diseases. In vitro they can induce profound alterations in the tegumental architecture and its functions as well as their activity can significantly modulate or damage worm´s metabolism directly by interaction with enzymes or signaling molecules in dose-dependent manner. Moreover, they seem to differentially regulate the RNA activity in numbers of worm´s genes. This review suggests that examined flavonoids and their derivates are promising molecules for antiparasitic drug research. Due to lack of toxicity, isoflavons could be used directly for therapy, or as adjuvant therapy for diseases caused by medically important cestodes and trematodes.

Acute and Sub-chronic Toxicity Studies on Methanol Stem Bark Extract of Frankincense Tree (Boswellia dalzielii) and Leaves Extract of Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus)

Aim: Frankincense tree (Boswellia dalzielii) and Kenaf (H. cannabinus) are plants abundantly found in north-western Nigeria. These plants are very popular among the locals as potent sources of ethno medicine. The present study investigates the oral acute toxicity potentials of methanolic stem bark extract of frankincense tree and Kenaf leaves, as well as sub-chronic toxicity potentials of the plants extracts on the kidney and liver of Albino rats.
 Study Design: Laboratory-experimental design was used for this study.
 Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out between September 2019 and November
 2019 at Biochemistry laboratory, Sokoto State University, Sokoto, Nigeria.
 Methodology: For the oral acute toxicity study, the revised “Up and Down” test (Limit Dose Test) was used to determine the LD50 of the extracts. For sub-chronic toxicity study, twenty albino rats were used for each plant, and were divided into four groups of five animals each. Group I (control), Group II (received 200 mg extract/kg body weight), Group III (received 400 mg extract/kg body weight) and Group IV (received 800 mg extract/kg body weight). All administrations were given orally for 28 days. Liver and kidney markers were determined using standard methods.
 Result: The oral acute toxicity test of the plant extracts at 3000 mg/kg body weight showed no mortality for 24 hours and subsequent 14days of administration. LD50 for both plants is therefore greater than 3000 mg/kg. The result shows no significant differences (p > 0.05) on liver and kidney function biomarkers investigated when Group II, III and IV are compared with control.
 Conclusion: This suggests that Frankincense stem bark and kenaf leaves extracts may be safe in rats at doses less than or equal 3000 mg/kg.

Cheek list of ethno botanical plants of tehsil colony, Samarbagh, District Dir lower, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan

A comprehensive survey of Ethno medicinal plants was carried out in Tehsil Colony Samar Bagh Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A total of 50 plant species were collected from March to September along with their local name, botanical name, English name, family, habit, part use, method of use and Ethno medicinal uses. The data were collected through questioners and interviews of local peoples. Complete information was collected about the uses of plants in the current study. Many of the plants were observed to be used for multipurpose like Allium sativum of Amaryllidaceous and Coriandrum sativum of Apiaceae. Herbaceous cover was dominated with 20 species (40%) followed by trees with 17 species (34%) and then by shrubs with 13 species (26%). About 25 different families were recorded that use for the treatment of different diseases like constipation, diarrhea, digestion, dysentery and blood sugar. Herbaceous cover was dominated with 21 species followed by trees with 09 species and then by shrubs with 10 species. The local area Tehsil Colony Samar Bagh is rich in medicinal plants and can be used for curing different diseases instead of using imported medicines. But unfortunately due to unawareness of the indigenous peoples these plants Species are going to be endangered because they uproot and demolish these plants for burning purposes. The local area (Dir Lower) is rich in medicinal plants and can be used for curing different diseases instead of using imported medicines. The extraction of different chemicals from the local plants can also be done to support Pakistan’s health issues and economy. But unfortunately due to unawareness of the indigenous peoples these plants are going to be endangered because they uproot and demolish these plants for burning purposes mostly. Indigenous knowledge regarding medicinal plants collection and their proper mode of administration should be collect from the local people to preserve these plants properly.

Ethno–medicobotany of Yavatmal District (M.S.) India

Yavatmal district is inhabited by about 14 tribal communities. First hand ethnomedicinal information was collected directly from field survey of tribal villages and forest areas of the district. Present paper deals with ethno medicinal uses of 78 plant species belonging to 47 families used locally for prevention and treatment of various diseases. Sixty two species are used in mono-herbal treatments, while 29 are used in poly-herbal formulations. Observations regarding exploitation of these species are also reported, which will help in conservation and restoration of the species.

The Study of Ethnobotanical Uses by Local Healers in Taktse Chiwog from Central Bhutan

Aim: To document the ethnobotanical uses in Taktse Chiwog (Village blocks) by local healers.
 Study Design: Semi-structured interview and direct interview was conducted with the prior approval from the Chiwog official. Two local healers/informants were contacted for interview before field visits based on their popularity and experience of using medicinal plants in their locality.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Taktse Chiwog, Trongsa Dzongkhag, Bhutan between July and October 2019.
 Methodology: Two local healers were identified based on their experience on ethno medical practice. Multiple approaches were taken such as botanical inventories, collection of plant specimens, semi-structured and direct interviews with local healers including free listing (FL) and preference ranking (PR) to collect the information on medicinal use/s using questionnaires.
 Results: Eighty Two plant species from forty nine families were recorded with their ethno medicinal uses by the local healers against various ailments and diseases.
 Conclusion: This study suggests that most of the medicinal plants available within locality are commonly used by the healers for the treating different diseases, dislocation and fracture of musculoskeletal system.

Phytochemistry and method preparation of some medicinal plants used to treat asthma-review

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in the present day in which its incidence and severity are increasing. It is highly prevalent global disease; affecting approximately 300 million individuals worldwide. Different medicinal plants have been discovered and used in traditional medicine practices for the treatment of asthma in different part of the world since prehistoric times. The aim of this review article is to explore and compile the ethno medicinal uses, phytochemistry and method of preparation of commonly used medicinal plants for the management of asthma in Ethiopia. A comprehensive and systematic web-based search of full length experimental, ethno-botanical and ethno medicinal survey articles from scientific database like Pub Med, Science Direct, Web of Science and Google Scholar, were undertaken using key words: asthma, medicinal plants, ethno-botanical, herbal, phytochemistry so as to document this review article. About 23 medicinal plants like Papilionaceae, Caricaceae, Moringaceae, Liliaceae, Asteraceae etc. were found among the most common used medicinal plants in the society for the treatment of asthma. A good number of contemporary medicines have evolved from traditional medicines thus in the present circumstances, our traditional system must be given an objective and critical examination. Further research must be carried out to determine the fraction(s)/compounds that are mostly responsible for the observed anti-asthmatic activity as this will lead to drug development. As well, the potency of plants used in combination as beside being used individually should be further researched. It is recommended that further research is needed to anti-asthmatic plants and standardization of herbal formulations/preparations and to determine their side effect, efficacy, safety etc.

Antioxidant activities of Dhanwantaram Kashayam -an Ayurvedic poly herbal formulation alleviates diabetic complications in rats.

Phytochemicals of ethno medicines are being developed as effective drugs with minimum or no toxic side effects. Dhanwantaram Kashayam (DK) is a polyherbal formulation used as a potent general health tonic and is found to have antioxidant activities, but there are no proper scientific studies on its possible benefits. In this study we investigated the antioxidant and antidiabetic properties of DK and trying to explore the possibility of employing DK for the treatment of diseases like diabetes mellitus caused by the imbalance in Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). We investigated the effect of DK on normal and rat model of diabetes. Rats were fed with DK for 21days. Fasting blood glucose level, haemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin, non enzymatic antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, reduced glutathione, and MDA were evaluated. DK was found to ameliorate the disease symptoms of diabetes. A significant decrease in non enzymatic antioxidants - vitamin C, vitamin E, reduced glutathione and an increase in MDA and fasting blood glucose level was observed in diabetic rats. Administration of DK resulted significant increase in non enzymatic antioxidant levels both in diabetic and normal rats and a decrease in MDA, fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and HOMA-IR index was observed. This study reveals the protective role of DK in diabetic condition through its antioxidant and antihyperglycemic activity. Our results strongly indicate the possibility of DK being developed as a potent antidiabetic drug. DK could be an alternative in the treatment of diseases with ROS imbalance to expensive and toxic synthetic 'medicines'.

Nerium indicum(Linn.): A potential phytomedicine against various health problems

Nerium indicum (Linn Apocyanaceae family) is wild plant and commonly known as “Kaner”. It is used against various health problems in India and China as ethno medicine. India and China is among the oldest civilizations on earth. Ethno medicines are developed in ancient time by experiences sharing with nature. Aim of the present study is to explore the ancient knowledge of phytomedicine in context of modern science. Vedic period is the oldest cultural representation of human civilization. Ayurvedic system of medicine was developed in ‘Susruta Samhita’ and ‘Charak Samhita’. Nerium indicum (Linn.) is one of the thousands of plants mentioned in Ayurvedic system of India as important medicine for the treatment of various ailments. The flowers and leaves of N. indicum have been used to stimulate cardiac muscle, relieve pain and eliminate blood stasis. Present review mainly deals with the phytomedicinal properties such as analgesic, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, insecticidal/molluscicidal, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, anti-cancer, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-feedent activity of N. indicum. Its role as bioindicator in predicting the environmental condition is also discussed. N. indicum contains glycoside, oleandrin, tannin, volatile oil 0.25%. Glucoside, neriin and oleandrin are found in leaves of this plant. Nerium indicum is one of the wild plants, which is commonly used in various cultures as ethnic medicine. Although recent researches on its medicinal properties had established its therapeutic value in treatment of ailments, yet lot of studies are still required to explain its potentials as safe phytomedicine.

Remdesvir-A Boon or a Bane..?

Remdesivir is an antiviral drug, a novel nucleotide analog prodrug. It has been found to be an in-vitro potent inhibitor of RNA viruses including (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) SARS-CoV-2 but its in-vivo potency is still under active investigations. Coronavirus disease 2019 is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. In the absence of a proven effective therapy, current management with remdesivir appears to have a favorable clinical safety profile, as reported on the basis of experience, including healthy volunteers and patients treated for acute Ebola virus infection.