Flora Of Pakistan Research Articles

Morpho-anatomical studies of family lamiaceae species of district Lahore, Punjab: a revision to flora of Pakistan

BackgroundThis study was aimed to determine the taxonomic position and delimitation of fifteen Lamiaceae taxa using leaf epidermal morpho-anatomical features in Lahore. A main objective of the study was also the revision and upgradation of Lamiaceae taxa in the flora of Pakistan, as no details of studied species are found in the flora of Pakistan.MethodsThe examination of significant anatomical parameters, such as epidermal cell shape and size, stomatal types, guard and subsidiary cells shape and size, stomatal cavity size, trichome size and shape, oil droplets, crystals, and secretory cavity characteristics were studied using light microscopic (LM) and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) techniques. Among all the studied Lamiaceae species, these anatomical features varied significantly. Principal component analysis and correlation were done to distinguish the species’ similarities.ResultsMost species had pentagonal and hexagonal epidermal cells with straight anticlinal wall thickness. On the adaxial surface, paracytic stomata were found in Ocimum basilicum L. and Rosmarinus officinalis L. Diacytic stomata was observed in Ajuga reptans L. and anisocytic stomata in Galeopsis tetrahit L. In the abaxial surface, trichomes were present in five species, i.e., Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. A. reptans, Thymus vulgaris L., M. haplocalyx, and Salvia splendens Ewat. In S. splendens, peltate and glandular trichomes were seen whereas, in other species, trichomes were long, unbranched glandular and had tapering ends. In adaxial side trichomes were present only in M. suaveolens, A. reptans, S. bazyntina, O. basciculum, S. splendens, S. officinalis, S. rosemarinus. In other species, trichomes were absent on the adaxial surface. In abaxial view, M. suaveolens had the largest length of trichomes, and O. basciculum had the smallest. S. splendens L. had the largest trichome width, while T. vulgaris had the smallest.ConclusionHence, according to these findings, morpho-anatomical traits are useful for identifying Lamiaceae taxa. Also, there is a need of upgradation and addition of studied taxa in flora of Pakistan comprehensively.

Physalis ixocarpa: new species of genus physalis to the flora of Pakistan from mountainous region of district Shangla, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan.

In the western mountainous region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan at the Shangla district, we found Physalis ixocarpa for the first time, not yet reported from Pakistan. Physalis ixocarpa was unidentified and has no ethnobotanical record in the flora of Pakistan. It is a member of family Solanaceae and having a close relation with Solanum tuberosum and Lycopersicon esculentum. The stem is prostrate with a dichotomous pattern of branches having leaves flower and fruits. Leaves are smooth, ovate and the margins of leaf blade dentation are poorly developed. The average length and width of the leaves are 6.50 and 3.61 cm respectively. P. ixocarpa grows to the length of 4-5 feet and an annual herb. The flowers of the plants are yellow in color and having purple color spots on the petals which are star-shaped. The round berry fruits are surrounded by persistent calyx and purple in color. The fruits are the 3-6cm in diameter. The plants are found in the different localities of district Shangla especially in Bar and Koz Kana. The life cycle of reporting plant is started in May and completed in November.

A panoramic review on ethnomedicinal, therapeutic, phytochemical, and advance attributes, of the genus Ziziphus Mill., native to Pakistan

Background: Medicinal plants have gained prime importance in treating several fatal diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and eczema, because they are a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals and a safer alternative to synthesized chemical compounds. Genus Ziziphus Mill. belongs to the family Rhamnaceae, which comprises 100 accepted plant species and is well known for multipurpose applications such as food, fodder, fuels, medicine, timber, alcohol, cosmetics, poison, etc. Six species of the genus Ziziphus are indigenous to Pakistan, famous as Ziziphus nummularia (Burm.f.) Wight & Arn., Ziziphus mauritiana Lam., Ziziphus jujuba Mill., Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf., Ziziphus rugosa Lam., Ziziphus oxyphylla Edgew. Method: Several search engines and online databases, including Sci-hub, PubMed, Google Scholar, Flora of Pakistan, research gate, and Science Direct, were used to perform an exhaustive literature survey for this review. Both original research studies and relevant review articles done till 2022 were included. Result: These species have been used in traditional and Ayurveda medicine to treat diseases like fever, skin infections, urinary problems, diabetes, etc. Numerous components of Ziziphus species have been found, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, and organic acids, to exhibit a variety of biological properties, including anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-hair fall, antinociceptive, antipyretic, larvicidal, and anti-diabetic actions. Conclusion: This review demonstrates the phytochemical composition, traditional uses, pharmacological properties, and nanoparticle-based activity of the genus Ziziphus and lays down a scientific foundation for further investigation on the usage of Ziziphus. Moreover, this review indicates that jujube has a hair growth effect because of its high nutritional value and pharmacological activities. Keywords: Cancer; Ethnobotany; Nanoparticles; Pharmacology; Phytochemical; Ziziphus.

Occurrence of Artemisia chinensis (L.) plant (Asteraceae) in the Northeastern (Gilgit-Baltistan) Pakistan: Evidence From Molecular Phylogeny of nrDNA and cpDNA Sequences

Artemisia chinensis L. referred as Crossostephium chinensis (L.) Makino in the Flora of China is a rare and conceivably threatened plant species with an unclear origin in Asia. The species has been acknowledged so far from some islands of Taiwan. However, as it is extensively cultivated for ornamental and medicinal purposes in Japan, China, and the Philippines, it is still challenging to delimit its native range. This study confirms the presence of A. chinensis from Northern (Gilgit-Baltistan) Pakistan using molecular phylogenetic analysis and by assessing its distribution. The species were found in one site in the Skardu District of GB Pakistan and phylogenetic analysis indicated a close resemblance of the collected A. chinensis from the Skardu region with species of subgenus Pacifica of the genus Artemisia reported globally. According to the outcomes of the present study, it is proposed that broader field surveys should be conducted to acknowledge the distribution of A. chinensis plant from other districts of GB and cities of Pakistan as well. It is proposed that A. chinensis plant is present in North Pakistan and this plant should be mentioned and retained as rare species in the flora of Pakistan.

Plants secondary metabolites (PSMS), as an investigational source against COVID-19 from flora of Pakistan

Plants secondary metabolites (PSMS), as an investigational source against COVID-19 from flora of Pakistan

Additions to invasive flora of Pakistan including two new generic records

Additions to invasive flora of Pakistan including two new generic records

Artemisia chamaemelifolia Vill: a rare species of genus Artemisia (Asteraceae-Anthemideae) now present in the northeast (Gilgit-Baltistan) region of Pakistan

Artemisia chamaemelifolia Vill. is a perennial herb from the genus Artemisia of the Asteraceae family. This plant is mostly distributed in Armenia, Russia, Georgia and the Eurasian mountains including Cantabrian chain, Spanish Sierra Nevada, the Alps (France and Italy), Azerbaijan, Pyrenees, the Balkan range (Bulgaria), northeast and east Anatolia (Turkey) and the mountain regions of Northern Iran. In continuation of our preceding papers on Northeastern Pakistani Artemisia, here we report the local occurrence of A. chamaemelifolia from Pakistan by critically analyzing its geographical distribution. To date, we have found the species in 4 major areas of Ghizer, Gilgit, Hunza-Nagar and Skardu districts of Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. Phylogenetic analysis with maximum likelihood approach using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA showed resemblance of northeastern Pakistani A. chamaemelifolia with other Artemisia species reported from other parts of the world. This species has been listed as critically endangered in the national IUCN red list of many countries. It is recommended that A. chamaemelifolia plant should be included in the rare plant species list in the flora of Pakistan. It will ensure conservation approaches to circumvent its extinction from the country.

NEW DISTRIBUTION REPORT ON THE ALIEN SPECIES ARTEMISIA VERLOTIORUM LAMOTTE (ASTERACEAE-ANTHEMIDEAE) FROM GILGIT-BALTISTAN REGION OF PAKISTAN

Artemisia verlotiorum Lamotte (Asteraceae), a species described from Europe but native to East Asia is an alien and/or invasive species grow naturally in many European regions, North and South Africa, South America, Australia, New Zealand and Western Asia. In continuance to our work on Northeastern Pakistani Artemisia, here we report the first local occurrence of verlotiorum Lamotte. from Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan by investigating its geographical distribution and phylogenetic analysis. To date, we have observed the species in stony landscapes of Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan. Phylogenetic analysis of Northeastern Pakistani A. verlotiorum with maximum likelihood approach using its internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and external transcribed spacer (ETS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) sequences showed its resemblance with other Artemisia species reported from different parts of the world. This species needs to be included in the rare plant species list in the flora of Pakistan and immediate conservative approaches should be adopted to impede its extinction from the country.

Eco-Taxonomic Study of Family Poaceae (Gramineae)

Background: The study of species diversity, its conservations and extinction can be done by using systematics in plant biodiversity. Poaceae is a very diverse grass family with great economic importance as it contains crops like rice, maize, oats, wheat, etc.
 Objectives: The current study was undertaken in district Charsadda during 2017-18 in flowering season to collect different grass species from the area.
 Methodology: Grass specimens were gathered, preserved, mounted and then identified from the available literature/native flora (Flora of Pakistan). Ecological parameters like habitat, class, life cycle and biological spectra were determined. A total of 51 taxa comprised of 34 genera, 5 subfamilies and 11 tribes of grasses were collected from the District Charsadda. The subfamily Panicoideae was the leading family with highest number of genera, taxa and tribes, followed by Pooideae.
 Results: The biological spectrum showed that in the life-form class, therophyte had the highest number of species 32 (62.74%), followed by hemicryptophyte having 13 species (25.49%). In the Leaf size class, microphylls were dominant with 24 species (47.05%) followed by nanophylls having 14 species (27.45%). The adaptational survival of plants showed that 32 species (62.74%) were terrestrial and 19 species (37.25%) were amphibious in our study. The Life-cycle class depicted that 33 species (64.70%) were annual, 17 species (33.33%) were perennial and 1 species (1.960%) was annual or perennial. The Palatability class showed that 35 species (68.62%) were highly palatable, followed by less-palatable 11 species (21.56%), non-palatable 2 species (3.921%) and moderately palatable 3 species (5.882%). The Abundant class were determined through species rating scale in ecology Acfor (Abundant Common Frequent Occasional Rare) scale to describe species abundance in a given area; 26 species (50.98%) were occasional, 12 species (23.52%) were frequent, 7 species (13.72%) were rare, 5 species (9.803%) were common and only 1 species cynodon dactylon (1.960%) was abundant in the whole area and present everywhere in the research area in every season.
 Conclusion: It has been concluded from the study that unwise collection, over-grazing, over-exploitation, over-consumption and overutilization are major biotic factors, which affect the diversity of the grasses in the area and affect the populations’ sustainability on the earth crust. Therefore, the study aims to document and explore wild grasses from the area, which might help in future researches. This survey will be helpful in identifying plant wealth and status for their exploitation on systematic approaches and scientific basis.

Molecular phylogeny of Artemisia (Asteraceae-Anthemideae) with emphasis on undescribed taxa from Gilgit-Baltistan (Pakistan) based on nrDNA (ITS and ETS) and cpDNA (psbA-trnH) sequences

Background – Gilgit-Baltistan, the Northeast region of Pakistan, is well known for its floristic diversity, including members of the genus Artemisia. Artemisia is a large, taxonomically complex genus including ~500 species of both herbs and shrubs. This study was conducted to determine the phylogenetic position of ten undescribed Artemisia taxa from northern Pakistan, using nrDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS), external transcribed spacer (ETS) and cpDNA intergenic spacer (psbA-trnH) regions.Methods – The phylogenetic relationships of 28 taxa of Artemisia using separate and combined data sets of sequences of three markers (ITS, ETS and psbA-trnH) were analysed with maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian approaches. Key results – The results resolve northeastern Pakistani Artemisia, which represent five morphologically defined subgenera, into ten major clades. Subgenera Artemisia and Absinthium are shown to be polyphyletic, while Dracunculus, Pacifica and Tridentatae appear monophyletic. All species of subgenus Seriphidium are retrieved in a single clade that also includes annual species from subgenus Artemisia. In the Flora of Pakistan, Seriphidium is described as a separate genus but in this study, Seriphidium fell within the genus Artemisia. In addition, on the basis of phylogenetic analysis, we present evidence that ten as-yet undescribed taxa are present in northeastern Pakistan based on newly recognized three groups (Groups I, II and III) of taxa within the genus Artemisia. One undescribed taxon from group I was placed within the subgenus Dracunculus clade and the remaining nine taxa from groups II and III were placed in the subgenus Absinthium clade. Morphological studies coupled with modern molecular techniques may lead to a new infrageneric classification of the genus Artemisia. It will also clarify and characterize the undescribed taxa reported in this study.

Comparison of Anti-HCV Activity of Multiple Punica granatum Extracts and Fractions in Virus-infected Human Hepatocytes.

Plants extracts and their bioactive constituents can provide an alternative approach for new treatment. Pakistani flora reveals a huge, largely untapped source of potential antiviral constituents. High-cost concerns of direct-acting anti-HCV drugs limit their employment specifically in developing countries like Pakistan. Therefore, discovery of inexpensive and nontoxic agents is needed for HCV treatment. In this study, we used plasmid constructs of pCR3.1/FLAGtag/HCV NS3/4A (genotype 1a & 3a) and Punica granatum extracts (PK AV 003) and semi-purified fractions (P1-P11) were evaluated for their anti-HCV activity. Acetone extract along with two fractions (P4 & P11) revealed a useful therapeutic index. The fractions P4 (IC50=28.5±0.02 µg/ml; IC25=16±0.02 µg/ml) and P11 (IC50=72±0.02 µg/ml; IC25=41±0.03 μg/ml) dramatically suppressed HCV replication as measured by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and HCV NS3 protein expression level in transient transfection model. Consistent with suppression in genome replication, inhibition of HCV infectious particles by PK AV 003 extract was also judged in an infectious model system. This data is the first description of Pakistani indigenous cultivated fruit-producing plant, Punica granatum, possessing anti-HCV activity. Further analyses are being performed for investigating the mechanistic studies and structural characterization of purified fractions of PK AV 003. Our findings suggest that PK AV 003 fruit extract might be useful as an add-on therapeutic candidate for treating HCV infection.

Describing one generic and two new species record to the flora of Pakistan using LM and SEM methods.

Common mulberry weed (Fatoua villosa (Thunb.) Nakai) and creeping amaranth (Amaranthus crassipes Schlecht) are reported for the first time in Pakistan's flora as these were not listed in any other literature nor identified before in Pakistan. Plants were found as a result of taxonomic studies performed in 2013 in Peshawar, Pakistan. Detail study was performed for the exact identification. Morphological results were compared with Flora of China and Flora of North America. Plant distribution along with its habitat and adjacent species was also recorded. Scanning electron and light microscopy was performed for the confirmation of epidermal appendages on leaf epidermis and palyno-morphological characters.

Variation in Phenolic Profile, β-Carotene and Flavonoid Contents, Biological Activities of Two Tagetes Species from Pakistani Flora.

The objective of present study was to evaluate the variation in phenolic profile, β-carotene, flavonoid contents, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Tagetes erecta and Tagetes patula (T. erecta and T. patula) through different in vitro assays. Antioxidant activity was determined through 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation assays and antibacterial and antifungal activities studied using the disc diffusion and resazurin microtiter-plate assays against bacterial and fungal strains. Moreover, total phenolics (TP), total carotenoids (TC) and total flavonoids (TF) were also determined. Highest (TP 35.8 mg GAE/g) and TF (16.9 mg CE/g) contents were found in MeOH extract of T. patula. T. erecta extract showed higher TC contents (6.45 mg/g) than T. patula extract (6.32 mg/g). T. erecta exhibited the highest DPPH radical-scavenging activity (IC50 ) (5.73 μg/mL) and inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation (80.1%). RP-HPLC revealed the presence of caffeic acid, sinapic acid and ferulic acid in Tagetes extracts, m-coumaric acid in T. erecta whereas chlorogenic acid in T. patula extract only. Both extracts possessed promising antimicrobial activity compared to the ciprofloxacin and flumequine (+ve controls) against Bacillus subtilis and Alternaria alternate. Both extract were rich source of polyphenols exhibiting excellent biological activities.

Phenolic compounds’ characterization of Artemisia rutifolia spreng from Pakistani flora and their relationships with antioxidant and antimicrobial attributes

ABSTRACTArtemisia rutifolia (Asteraceae) had been used in traditional medicines for the treatment of different ailments. In the current study, an effort was made to explore the phenolic composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of different solvent extracts obtained from A. rutifolia leaves. The reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) analysis revealed the higher extent of polyphenolic compounds (i.e., gallic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, syringic acid, sinapic acid, p-coumaric acid, m-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, vanillic acid, myricetin, and quercetin) in methanol extract. Methanol extract consistently showed the highest total phenolic contents (98 ± 2 µg GAE/mg of plant extract), total flavonoid contents (28 ± 0.0 µg QE/mg of plant extract), antimicrobial activity, free radical (DPPH) scavenging (IC50 = 39 µg/mL) activity, and reducing power (18.3 ± 0.2 mg GAE/g of plant extract) followed by those of chloroform and hexane extracts, respectively. The current study concluded that extracts of A. rutifolia are novel natural source of antioxidative and antimicrobial agents for the treatment of oxidative stress-related disorders and microbial infections.

Chemical composition, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of essential oils from leaves of three Melaleuca species of Pakistani flora

This study presents essential oil composition of three Melaleuca species namely, Melaleuca bracteata F. Muell, Melaleuca fulgens R. Br. subsp. steedmanii and Melaleuca leucadendron (L.) L. collected from different regions of Pakistan. The chemical composition of essential oils was analyzed by GC-FID and GC–MS. Eugenol methyl ether was identified as a principal component in M. bracteata (82.3%), M. fulgens (87.8%) and M. leucadendron (95.4%) oils. In vitro antibacterial studies were done by agar well diffusion and microdilution method and the tested essential oils exhibited bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects against the tested foodborne pathogens at 4–8µg/ml. Time kill assay showed significant bactericidal effect of oils for four weeks. The antioxidant potential was assessed by free radical scavenging activity and reducing power assay. The oils showed strong antioxidant activity with approximately 89.0–89.5% inhibition of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical and ferric reducing power in the range of 1.94±0.007–2.04±0.04% at 100µg/ml.

Ethnomedicines and anti-parasitic activities of Pakistani medicinal plants against Plasmodia and Leishmania parasites.

BackgroundLeishmaniasis and malaria are the two most common parasitic diseases and responsible for large number of deaths per year particularly in developing countries like Pakistan. Majority of Pakistan population rely on medicinal plants due to their low socio-economic status. The present review was designed to gather utmost fragmented published data on traditionally used medicinal plants against leishmaniasis and malaria in Pakistan and their scientific validation.MethodsPub Med, Google Scholar, Web of Science, ISI Web of knowledge and Flora of Pakistan were searched for the collection of data on ethnomedicinal plants. Total 89 articles were reviewed for present study which was mostly published in English. We selected only those articles in which complete information was given regarding traditional uses of medicinal plants in Pakistan.ResultsTotal of 56 plants (malaria 33, leishmaniasis 23) was found to be used traditionally against reported parasites. Leaves were the most focused plant part both in traditional use and in in vitro screening against both parasites. Most extensively used plant families against Leishmaniasis and Malaria were Lamiaceae and Asteraceae respectively. Out of 56 documented plants only 15 plants (Plasmodia 4, Leishmania 11) were assessed in vitro against these parasites. Mostly crude and ethanolic plant extracts were checked against Leishmania and Plasmodia respectively and showed good inhibition zone. Four pure compounds like artemisinin, physalins and sitosterol extracted from different plants proved their efficacy against these parasites.ConclusionsPresent review provides the efficacy and reliability of ethnomedicinal practices and also invites the attention of chemists, pharmacologist and pharmacist to scientifically validate unexplored plants that could lead toward the development of novel anti-malarial and anti-leishmanial drugs.

Ethnoecological Studies of Herbs and Shrubs of Miani Sahib Graveyard, Lahore City, Punjab, Pakistan

This survey was carried out to prepare a plant inventory for the exploration of the ethnobotanical importance of the plants in the Miani Sahib Graveyard and to understand the effectiveness of graveyards in conserving plant diversity. Plants were collected in different seasons of the year and were dried, pressed, mounted and identified with the help of Flora of Pakistan. Our ethnobotanical study was carried out by interviewing the herbal drug dealers, timber dealers, fuel wood sellers, and the local elderly people residing in the adjacent areas of Miani Sahib and hakims through a questionnaire. Cyperaceae was noticed as the dominant plant family, showing the highest FIVI value. They are used in fever, flue, cough, asthma, digestive troubles, piles, diabetes, urinary diseases, male sexual diseases, gynecological diseases, joint pains and inflammation, ear diseases, tooth problems, cuts and wounds, dermal problems, and as cooling agents and other miscellaneous uses.

Investigation of Genetic Diversity among Medicago species using RAPD Markers

Aims: Medicago is known as the Queen of forage with potential economic importance to our society. The present study aimed at the use of RAPD-PCR DNA marker to identify the genetic fingerprints affinities of six species of Alfalfa. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Department of Genetics, Garden Campus, Hazara University, Mansehra Pakistan during February, 2011 to August, 2013. Methodology: In this study, six species of Medicago namely TWAL (Tetraploid Wisconsin Alfalfa Line), Medicago arborea, Medicago falcata, Medicago sativa, Medicago lupulina and Medicago polymorpha were used to explore the diversity of alfalfa. Seven out of 120 decamers produced 34 polymorphic loci with 100% polymorphism to identify the different species of Medicago crop. The Original Research Article Murtaza et al.; BBJ, 6(2):79-86, 2015; Article no.BBJ.2015.029 80 range of polymorphic loci was observed from 300 to 700 bp. Eleven species specific loci were generated by seven decamers. Primer B-18 generated single specific locus 700 bp against genomic DNA of M. lupulina and it is important to identify particular species of Alfalfa. The bivariate data were recorded as the presence of locus 1 and absence 0 and then this data was transferred into A and C respectively to make it suitable for DNAMAN software (version 5.2.2.0; Applied Biostatistics Inc). Moreover, cluster analysis was performed using sequence alignment and divergence function of the DNAMAN against the bivariate data collected from the products of decamers. All members clustered in a unique pattern except M. falcata and M. lupulina those shared 86% homology. Three distinct groups were observed during UPGMA (Unweighted pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean). During the phylogenetic study, TWAL was observed to have genetic diversity from other five species of Alfalfa. Conclusion: So, the present study is enabling us to discriminate different species of Alfalfa and it could be useful to identify and authenticate different species of the same genus of medicinal important plant from the Flora of Pakistan.

Chemical Composition and Antifungal Activity of the Essential Oil of Galium tricornutum subsp. longipedanculatum from Pakistan

About 24 species of the genus Galium are reported from Pakistan, distributed from plains to mountains. In Flora of Pakistan, Nazimuddin et al. recognized two subspecies of Galium tricornutum, i.e., subsp. tricornutum and subsp. longipedanculatum [1]. Most species of the genus have medicinal properties, and reports showed that cleavers (Galium) have anti-elastase and anti-collagenase activities [2]. In traditional Chinese medicine, Galium verum L. is often used in the treatment of hepatitis and phlebophlogosis [3]. Literature reveals that the medicinal plants of the genus Galium are widely used in the folk medicine of various countries [4] for the treatment of jaundice [5], as an antitumor, antimicrobial, and antiinflammatory [6], and for the treatment of gout and epilepsy [7]. Medicinal plant species of the genus Galium have been used as a source of dye, therapeutics, and food for years. Literature reviews show reports on the essential oil content of members of this genus [8–10]. A thorough review of the literature shows that our report is the first report on the essential oil composition of the Galium tricornutum subspecies longipedanculatum. A voucher specimen (SHPC-024) has been deposited in the Herbarium, Department of Botany, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Sheringal and at the Herbarium of the University of Karachi (No. 7399). GC and GC/MS analysis showed that the oil is composed of eucalyptol (20.8%), L-camphor (13.9%), L-borneol (11.6%), myrtenol (5%), 2-methyl-2-adamantanol (3.0%), and -cubene (2.6%), as shown in Table 1.

Ethno-medicinal Uses of Plants from District Bahawalpur, Pakistan

The present study conducted in district Bahawalpur of Southern Punjab province, Pakistan to enlist the medicinal plants and their uses among local people. Previous studies focus primarily on the exploration of medicinal plants of Cholistan desert while rest of the area remained un-explored. The ethno-medicinal survey was conducted regularly for a period of 10 years and tries to eradicate the errors in the utilizations of the plants and to finally to document ethno-medicinal uses of plant species through questionnaire and personal interviews during field trips. Plants with their correct nomenclature were arranged by family name, vernacular name, parts used and ethno-medicinal uses. For the identification of plants we used field guides and flora of Pakistan and as a result 123 plant species currently under utilization by local people were identified. Previously we collected all the plant specimens, after careful identification we preserved and mounted on herbarium sheets, were placed in the department of Botany, Govt. Sadiq Egerton College, Bahawalpur, Pakistan. The study will provide a baseline for future studies relating to pharmacological, chemical isolations, taxonomic and well as biochemical studies by giving a quick approach to the specific plant species.