Folklore Information Research Articles

Anti-Tumor Activities/Alternative Therapy of Some Selected Nigerian Medicinal Plants

Cancer is a high mortality disease of public concern. Effectiveness of chemotherapy is often limited by toxicity to untargeted tissues among other serious side’s effects. Alternative therapy such as herbal remedies for cancer, which may have the potential to offer more efficacy and less side effects have, however, not been rigorously studied or tested. The Aim of this present study therefore was to validate the anti-cancer properties (using tumor cells) of some selected Nigerian medicinal herbal remedies used by the population in Watsilla, Michika LGA. Phytochemical analysis, Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the selected medicinal plants were carried out as preliminary studies. The selected herbal extracts revealed the presence of alkaloid, essential oil, phenol, glycosides, flavonoid, tanin, terpenoid, proteins and saponins. The medicinal plants demonstrated good antioxidant activity with IC50 ranging from 0.42-0.54 which is lower than IC50 of Ascorbic acid (IC50 0.60 and 0.66) in both DPPH and H2O2 free radical scavenging activity model used in this study.The brine shrimp toxicity results, a preliminary anti-cancer studies, indicated that 100% of the plant extracts tested had LC50 values lower than 1000 μg/mL; Heamatostaphisbarteri (LC50 23.31μg/mL),Cyanoglossum officinal’(LC50 50.32μg/mL), Ximenia americana (LC5086.57μg/mL) and Anchus officinalis(LC50 54.37μg/mL), are excellently none toxic and surely have no obvious danger of outright toxicity during acute exposure. Thus, from the analysis it was concluded that, thesemedicinal plants demonstrated good phytochemical constituents, antioxidant activities and notoxicity on brine shrimp, with a potential to reducing the risk of tumor causing diseases, thereby confirming folkloric information of the usage of the plant as a remedy for common maladies like tumors that lead to various cancers.From the results it was found that the antimicrobial, antioxidant and antitumor activities showed better results than the standard. Bergenin has been found to have some antimicrobial, antioxidants and anti-tumor activities. Key words: Medicinal plants, pyhtochemistry, anti-tumor, antioxidant activity, chemotherapy.

Systematic Approach and Ethno Botanical Importance of Plants - Sugali Tribe inhabitants of Adilabad and Komaram Bheem Asifabad Districts, Telangana State, India

The preliminary investigations of Systematic Approach and Ethno Botanical Importance of Plants used by Sugali Tribe inhabitants of Adilabad and Komaram Bheem Asifabad district, Telangana State, India with their recipes, preparation of drugs, administration, and usage form several centuries. The Sugali tribe possessing rich folklore information forms the prime source and exists scope to extend scientific research in further isolation and characterization of active principle involved in the pharmacological utility. The folklore claims were conducted and collaborated with phyto-chemical evidences of the respective crude drugs. Keeping in view of the fact potential source of medicinal plants of folklore origin need to be preserved and conserved. 74 crude drugs (species) belong to 63 genera and 29 families were collected based on folk-lore knowledge. The pattern of the plant use as per habitat (terrestrial, aquatic/epiphytes), habit (growth form), plant part (tissue) and taxonomic category (Systematically families), nativity and occurrence (wild/cultivated) were established.

Description of the “Barbarians” in the Qing Dynasty Album “Pictures of Miao from the Entire Guizhou” (“Quanqian Miaotu”)

The article examines the album “Pictures of Miao from the Entire Guizhou” (全黔苗圖 Quanqian miaotu, Xyl. F-27), stored in the St. Petersburg State University Academic Library. The key objectives of the article are to determine the place of the album in the Chinese tradition of describing foreigners; description of the source structure; as well as highlighting ethnographic and folklore information in the album about foreigners. The relevance of the study is seen in the timeliness of a comparative analysis of this album with similar copies stored in research centers around the world and studied over the past few decades. The author sets himself the task of studying this album and identifying its key features. The methodology uses historical comparative studies, which allows to come to general conclusions based on the material of several similar albums. The Album contains valuable ethnographic information about ethnic groups of Guizhou. Descriptions together with hand-written illustrations contain information about the location of particular ethnic groups, their traditional activities, household items, agriculture, clothing. Details concerning the religious activities and rituals reveal the specifics of different ethnicities. This paper discusses various funeral rites making it possible to look at the albums as a source for further research on these groups. Speaking of folklore, it reflects the realities of daily life; for example weaving, drums, birds, tigers are mentioned in the descriptions. Nevertheless, the similarity in linguistic and cultural forms in the Qing Albums and the folklore of the peoples of Southeast Asia can indicate the possibility of relationship and cross-borrowing between administrative documents (such as Albums) and folk narratives. The article is supplied with a table and illustrative material.

The Folklore Buried in Dictionaries

Dictionaries are an unexpected, and underused, source of folklore data. In this introduction to a selection of articles addressing the virtues and peculiarities of such a repurposing of dictionaries, the authors raise some general issues and briefly sketch the wider intellectual and social historical background to the compilation of dictionaries, especially in Europe in recent centuries, that explains the presence of folkloric information. They also introduce the articles that follow.

The Effect of Khaya senegalensis on the Endometrial and Vaginal Epithelium: A Histological and Morphometrical Study

Introduction: Khaya senegalensis is a plant with many medicinal uses and application which could serve as an available and alternative source of medication. It has been used traditionally as an abortifacient agent following folkloric information handed down by word mouth. The aim of this study is to validate this claim by investigating the effect of the extract on the endometrial and vaginal epithelium. Methodology: Four groups of albino rats were administered different dosages of the extract orally and after 28 days, the rats were sacrificed. The micrographs of the uterus and vagina were studied for histologically observations. Morphometric analysis was also carried out to determine the thickness of the epithelial lining in all groups. Measurements were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test using GraphPad Prism. Results: Histological observations showed that the extract at a concentration of 50mg/kg and 200mg/kg disrupted the epithelial lining and as the concentrations administered increased, surface and stromal endometrial glands became smaller and sparse and the endometrial stroma became less compact. Morphometric analysis revealed a significant increase of endometrial epithelium in the group administered the least concentration of the extract. Vaginal epithelial thickness was also significantly reduced in all groups. Conclusion: Results obtained suggests that the extract has an anti-fertility effect on the lining of the uterus and vagina. Further studies are recommended.

Ethno-veterinary uses of medicinal plants in district Bandipora of Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory

Plants due to their medicinal properties are essential component of health industry and are utilized in averting various ailments. A study was carried to understand the quickly vanishing traditional information of medicinal plants in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Information was collected using purposive sampling to reach the target population. A total of 103 people comprising tribal people, medical practitioners, traditional healers and locals were interviewed throughout the study. A total of 29 species were found in the study area which were having ethanoveterinary uses. During the survey it was observed that the most dominant families with respect to number of species were Lamiaceae followed by Asteraceae, Liliaceae, Ranunculaceae, Apiaceae, Pinaceae, Salicaceae, Malvaceae (2 each) and remaining families having one species. It was also observed that elderly population have better folklore information and males are more respondent than the females. Furthermore, the valuable folk knowledge about flora and fauna is playing an essential role in supporting healthcare system of both livestock and human in these remote areas which lack modern medical care.

Analgesic Activity of Conyza Floribunda Extracts in Swiss Albino Mice

Traditional medicine still plays an important role in managing infections especially in Africa. Extracts of Conyza floribunda Kunth are used to treat sore throat, ringworm and other skin related infections, toothache and to stop bleeding from injuries. Extracts from the plant have been reported to exhibit antibacterial and antifungal activities. Previous phytochemical studies on the plant yielded terpenoid, sterols and flavonoids. The aim of the present study was to determine the analgesic activity Conyza floribunda extracts. Methanol, DCM and n -hexane extracts of the plant were subjects to toxicity, hot plate latency and acetic acid induced-writhing tests using Swiss Albino Mice. The plant extract showed analgesic activity in both hot plate latency and acetic acid induced-writhing tests. The extracts significantly increased the response time in the animals compared to the negative control. In the hot plate latency test, the analgesic activity of the extracts and that of morphine rose over time to peak at 90 minutes and then decreased afterwards. In the acetic acid-induces writhing test, administration of the plant extracts significantly reduced the number of abdominal contractions compared to the negative control. The percentage inhibitions of abdominal contractions were 67.2, 46.5 and 39.4 for methanol, DCM and n -hexane extracts respectively. The findings from this study have confirmed the folkloric information that extracts from C. floribunda have analgesic properties. We therefore recommend the extracts from the plant for use in pain management. Further studies should be carried out to isolate and characterize the analgesic principles from the plant. Keywords: Conyza floribunda , Toxicity test, Analgesic activity, Hot plate test, Writhing test DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-12-01 Publication date: June 30 th 2021

Herding, Warfare, and a Culture of Honor: Global Evidence

According to the widely known 'culture of honor' hypothesis from social psychology, traditional herding practices are believed to have generated a value system that is conducive to revenge-taking and violence. We test this idea at a global scale using a combination of ethnographic records, historical folklore information, global data on contemporary conflict events, and large-scale surveys. The data show systematic links between traditional herding practices and a culture of honor. First, the culture of pre-industrial societies that relied on animal herding emphasizes violence, punishment, and revenge-taking. Second, contemporary ethnolinguistic groups that historically subsisted more strongly on herding have more frequent and severe conflict today. Third, the contemporary descendants of herders report being more willing to take revenge and punish unfair behavior in the globally representative Global Preferences Survey. In all, the evidence supports the idea that this form of economic subsistence generated a functional psychology that has persisted until today and plays a role in shaping conflict across the globe.

Herding, Warfare, and a Culture of Honor: Global Evidence

According to the widely known ‘culture of honor’ hypothesis from social psychology, traditional herding practices are believed to have generated a value system that is conducive to revenge-taking and violence. We test this idea at a global scale using a combination of ethnographic records, historical folklore information, global data on contemporary conflict events, and large-scale surveys. The data show systematic links between traditional herding practices and a culture of honor. First, the culture of pre-industrial societies that relied on animal herding emphasizes violence, punishment, and revenge-taking. Second, contemporary ethnolinguistic groups that historically subsisted more strongly on herding have more frequent and severe conflict today. Third, the contemporary descendants of herders report being more willing to take revenge and punish unfair behavior in the globally representative Global Preferences Survey. In all, the evidence supports the idea that this form of economic subsistence generated a functional psychology that has persisted until today and plays a role in shaping conflict across the globe.

ИСТОРИОГРАФИЧЕСКИЙ ОБЗОР ИССЛЕДОВАНИЙ ФОЛЬКЛОРА СЛАВЯНСКИХ НАРОДОВ В РЕСПУБЛИКЕ БАШКОРТОСТАН

В Республике Башкортостан, помимо коренного народа – башкир, насчитывается свыше 100 народностей, переселившиеся на современную территорию в разное время. По переписи 2010 г. численность белорусов, марийцев, мордва, русских, татар, удмуртов, украинцев и чувашей превышает 10 тыс. человек. Из славянских народов численность русских составила 1432906, украинцев – 39875, белорусов – 11680, поляков 504 человека. Переселившиеся народы сохранили традиционный фольклор своих предков, который на новой территории наполнялся локальными особенностями.В 2020 г. в Республике Башкортостан будет проходить Всемирная Фольклориада, в рамках подготовки к которой в Государственном автономном учреждении науки «Башкирская энциклопедия» ведётся работа по теме «Разработка научно-методических основ и подготовка энциклопедии “Фольклор народов Башкортостана”». Накопленный методический опыт в организации диктует необходимость концентрации наработанных научных знаний по тематике в целях наиболее полного изучения темы и выработки критериев включения статей в энциклопедию. Поэтому в данной работе проводится историографический обзор научных трудов по фольклору славянских народов на территории Республики Башкортостан, определяются основные тенденции исследований, ведущие учёные-исследователи славянского фольклора Башкортостана, а также проводится обзор некоторых особенностей методологии изучения регионального фольклора.Цель. Обзор научных трудов по славянскому фольклору в Республике Башкортостан и обобщение основных итогов исследований по теме для дальнейшей выработки критериев включения статей в энциклопедическое издание.Метод или методология проведения работы. Научно-практическую методологию определяют методы историко-сравнительного, системного анализа материла.Результаты. Концентрация и научное обобщение региональной фольклорной информации наработанных научных знаний по тематике для наиболее полного изучения заявленной темы и выработки критериев включения статей в энциклопедию.Область применения результатов. Результаты исследования будут применены в энциклопедии «Фольклор народов Башкортостана», которая будет служить источником для дальнейших исследований и использоваться для презентации современного состояния фольклора региона во время проведения Всемирной Фольклориады в 2020 г. в Башкортостане.

Роль сценического воплощения музыкального фольклора в становлении профессиональной компетентности руководителя творческого коллектива

Роль сценического воплощения музыкального фольклора в становлении профессиональной компетентности руководителя творческого коллектива

Роль сценического воплощения музыкального фольклора в становлении профессиональной компетентности руководителя творческого коллектива

Роль сценического воплощения музыкального фольклора в становлении профессиональной компетентности руководителя творческого коллектива

Survey and their conservation measures on medicinal plants of soar valley, Pithoragarh, Uttrakhand

The western Himalayas are famous for its rich medicinal and aromatic plant biodiversity and also known as treasure of medicinal and aromatic plants. Nowadays, due to increasing awareness towards herbal products there is tremendous pressure on Himalayan medicinal plants. the natural environment of this region has been affected to a great extent due to overgrazing, cultivation in slopes, sub marginal lands, ruination of forest, change in weather pattern and unplanned developmental activities. the indiscriminate and over-exploitation have severely disturbed the ecological balance. Survey on the medicinal and aromatic plants has been undertaken in different adjacent villages of Soar valley Pithoragarh and other nearby areas. The Medicinal Plants were collected on the basis of literature and folklore information, there proper herbarium of collected plants was prepared and identification was undertaken from authentic sources. The unscientific, over and irregular exploitation of medicinal plants of Soar valley has resulted in very fast depletion as well as extinction of some important medicinal plant species. The threat of extinction can be reduced by developing their agro-technology, adopting scientific methods of collection, in-situ and ex-situ conservation. the aim of this survey is to create awareness among local people about this depleting valuable herbal heritage and to motivate them for its conservation.

Therapeutic Protection from Hepatic Injury and Chemical Constituents of Buchanania angustifolia Roxb

The use of modern medicines in the treatment of diseases instead of traditional medicine is causing different adverse effects. Therefore, there is need to search new bioactive compounds to treat different diseases. Buchanania angustifolia has been used in traditional medicine in the treatment of different diseases. On the basis of folkloric information, B. angustifolia aerial parts extracts have been selected for their antioxidant and hepatoprotective potentiality and phytochemical constituents. Qualitative phytochemical screening of B. angustifolia extracts revealed the presence of phytochemical constituents such as steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, carbohydrates, oils and amino acids. BA-1 and BA-2 compounds isolated from hydroalcoholic extract using chromatography and were identified as linolenic acid and mixture of stigmasterol and β-sitosterol. Antioxidant activity was performed on superoxide, hydroxyl and 1-(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenylethylamino) propane hydrochloride free radicals. The B. angustifolia extracts showed dose-dependent activity on free radicals. The hydroalcoholic extract showed better activity. The extracts showed hepatoprotective activity on thioacetamide-induced liver intoxication in rats, and hydroalcoholic extract exhibited significant restoration of the altered biochemical parameters due thioacetamide-induced liver intoxication. Among the tested extracts of B. angustifolia, hydroalcoholic extract showed higher antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity and stigmasterol and β-sitosterol were isolated. Further research is needed to evaluate other pharmacological activities and to isolate the other bioactive compounds from B. angustifolia.

PHRASEOLOGICAL NEOLOGISMS AND OCCASIONALISMS IN MODERN CZECH LITERATURE (in a novel “Night in Meidlovarna” by czech writer Eva Hauserova )

Introduction. Language is stipulated with the operation and interaction betweenthe traditional, regulatory signs and non-traditional, innovative units in it. Pre-requisites andconsequences of unconventional use of established collocations, as well as the linguisticpotential of phraseological units with the modified form / semantics / context are activelystudied by linguists working in a topical communicative-and-pragmatic field of linguistics.While the study of the factors, which stipulate the choice of phraseological units in the courseof arranging the formulation, and the motives or reasons of a speaker’s non-compliance withthe established convention while their use, the researchers focus on various communicative areas,i.e. the areas of phraseological units operation. Phraseological innovation should be deemed,based on the experience of the major Czech phraseological school, as any transformation,which makes any deviations from the modern Czech phraseological standard established inthe codification sources obvious in the semantic and / or formal structure of a traditionalphraseological unit. In belles-lettres texts, phraseological units serve as a valuable source ofbackground information about the national culture and mentality. The writers, in their searchfor unique means for expression of their thoughts, attempt to expand the expressive ability ofthe phraseological units, therefore they tend to offer the readers the modified variants of themmore and more often. Such creative modification of a phraseological unit makes a text uniqueand novel. The paper focuses on determining the idioms and phraseological units transformationsin the novel “Night in Meidlovarna” by Czech writer Eva Hauserová. The paper suggeststhe ways of idioms and phraseological units author’s transformations.Purpose. Comparison of phraseological stock in various languages primarily witnessesof historical contacts, the unity of geographical territory or – vice versa – of various natural orsocialcircumstances. Comparative analysis of two languages can reveal abundant linguoculturologicaland folklore information. Methods. The research is grounded on the methods of componental analysis, structuraland semantic analysis, and contextual analysis.Results. The article deals with issues of transformation of Czech phraseological unitsin belles-lettres texts and their translation into Ukrainian. Modern Czech literature is rich inthe examples of structural and semantic modifications of the phraseological units. As an exampleof author’s interpretation, a novel by Czech writer Eva Hauserova “Night in Meidlovarna” (Nightsat Party Central) has been studied. The collected material enabled to determine how oftenthe author applied the method of author’s transformation of the Czech phraseological units, howmuch the author’s substitution of the phraseological units’ content differs from the commonlyused one, and to identify the methods of phraseological unit transformation in the text. Thearticle also analyzes the difficulties the interpreter faces while translating the Czech author’sphraseological units into Ukrainian.

Phytochemical analysis and antibacterial activity of the Hugonia mystax aerial parts

Background: The microorganisms, in particular, bacterial strains have been getting resistance to antibiotics due to indiscriminate use of them against different diseases. Hence, there is a need to isolate new antibiotics from natural sources which have less cost, more efficacy, and less side effects. Aim: Hugonia mystax has been using in a traditional medicine. On the basis of the ethno medical, folkloric information the author selected the H. mystax aerial parts to study its phytochemical constituents and capacity of its antibacterial activity to provide the scientific evidence to its traditional use. Materials and Methods: Phytochemical analysis was performed using standard test procedures and antibacterial activity was tested using cup plate method. Results: Qualitative phytochemical screening of H. mystax extracts exposed the presence of different phytochemical constituents in it like steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, phenols, tannins, saponins, and carbohydrates. The extracts gave negative results for the amino acids and oils. The selected plant extracts showed the antibacterial activity along with the standard drug rifampicin. Ethyl acetate extract showed more activity on tested microorganisms compared to hydroalcoholic and hexane extracts. Three extracts showed more antibacterial activity on Gram-negative bacteria than Gram-positive bacteria. Conclusion: The further research is need to evaluate more pharmacological activities and in isolation of bioactive compounds

Place-lore concerning bog bodies and a bog body concerning place-lore

ABSTRACTThe aim of this article is to introduce what kind of place-lore concerning bog bodies can be found in Estonian folklore. How could this place-lore be used by archaeologists? There is folklore describing people buried in swamps and bogs and drowning in wetlands. Moreover, some place-lore mentions finds of human remains from wetlands, which refers to incidents where bog bodies were found in the past but of which we do not have any knowledge based on archaeological records. The case-study presented in this paper illustrates the complex relationship between an archaeologically documented find, the Rabivere bog body and place-lore. There are various stories about the Rabivere bog body, and this place-lore has been used to interpret the bog find. This paper gives an example how folkloric information can provide a rather different picture about the past in comparison with archaeological data, bringing out the possibilities and difficulties of this kind of interdisciplinary approach.

Pühast Võhandust, Pühalättest ja ohvrijärvest Otepää lähistel [Sacred waters: the River Võhandu, Spring Pühaläte and sacrificial lake near Otepää

Pühast Võhandust, Pühalättest ja ohvrijärvest Otepää lähistel [Sacred waters: the River Võhandu, Spring Pühaläte and sacrificial lake near Otepää

The fruit extract of Berberis crataegina DC: exerts potent antioxidant activity and protects DNA integrity.

BackgroundDried fruits of Berberis crataegina (Berberidaceae) have been frequently consumed as food garniture in Turkish cuisine, while its fruit paste has been used to increase stamina and in particular to prevent from cardiovascular dysfunctions in Northeastern Black Sea region of Turkey. This study investigated this folkloric information in order to explain the claimed healing effects as well as to evaluate possible risks.MethodsTotal phenolic, flavonoid and proanthocyanidin contents and antioxidant capacity of the methanolic fruit extract were evaluated through several in vitro assays. The cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of B. crataegina fruit extract were also assessed in both cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) and human peripheral blood lymphocytes.ResultsThe extract showed protective effects against ferric-induced oxidative stress and had a relatively good antioxidant activity. It also ameliorated the H2O2 mediated DNA damage in lymphocytes, suggesting the protective effect against oxidative DNA damage.ConclusionThe methanolic extract of B. crataegina fruits may be a potential antioxidant nutrient and also may exert a protective role against lipid peroxidation as well as oxidative DNA damage.

Wound healing effect of flavonoid rich fraction and luteolin isolated from Martynia annua Linn. on streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

ObjectiveTo evaluate wound healing potential of flavonoid fractions of Martynia annua (M. annua) Linn. leaves in diabetic rats on the basis of folkloric information and preliminary study. MethodsThe flavonoid compound luteolin and apigenin were isolated from dried leaves of plant by column chromatography. The two concentrations (0.2% and 0.5% w/w) of luteolin and flavonoid fraction were selected for topically applied as ointment on diabetic wound. The Povidone Iodine Ointment USP was used as a reference. On 18th days, protein content, hydroxyproline and antioxidants (SOD, CAT and GSH) level in granuloma tissues were determined. ResultsThe results showed that, percent wound contraction were observed significantly (P<0.01) greater in MAF fraction and 0.5% w/w of luteolin treatment groups. Presence of matured collagen fibres and fibroblasts with better angiogenesis were observed in histopathological studies. ConclusionsIn conclusion, our findings suggest that flavonoid fraction (MAF) and luteolin (0.5% w/w) may have potential benefit in enhancing wound healing in diabetic condition, possibly due to free-radical scavenging activity of plant.