Important Medicinal Plant Species Research Articles

Ethnomedicinal survey of the Paliyar tribe: a case study of Kadamalaikundu, Theni District

AbstractThe Paliyar tribe of Kadamalaikundu, Theni District of Tamil Nadu, India, has been deeply associated with forestry and ethnomedicinal practices for ages. The study aimed to identify the important medicinal plant species used by this tribe for ethnomedicinal purposes in the local vicinity. Eighty-nine informants were interviewed using the ‘specimen display’ and forest walk method, semi-structured open-ended questionnaires, interviews, and personal observations. The people from the region reported ninety-three plant species having medicinal properties. The Solanaceae family was recorded as the most dominant plant family, reporting seven different species of medicinal plants, followed by six species of the Acanthaceae family. In the study, Coccinia grandis had the highest use value (2.5), followed by Withania somnifera (2). In contrast, Cardiospermum halicacabum, Gossypium hirsutum, and Ocimum tenuiflorum with use value (1) and the ICF (Informant Consensus Factor) of value 1 accounted for 15 diseases out of forty-one categorized ailments. This study confirmed that the Paliyar tribe was dependent on a large number of medicinal plants for their primary healthcare and veterinary well-being, which require immediate conservation owing to their population fragmentation and the reluctance of the younger generation to adopt ethnomedicinal practices as occupation, which could lead to the loss of traditional knowledge as well. The study also documented the various important medicinal plant uses that could pave the way to the new pharmacological dimensions for modern wellness programs.

First Steps towards Pre-Breeding of Sideritis scardica: A Phenotypic, Agronomic, and Phytochemical Profiling Approach

Sideritis scardica (S. scardica) Griseb., also known as mountain tea, is an important medicinal and aromatic plant species. Due to the high cross-pollination ability of the species, diverse genotypes and phenotypes occur naturally. Considering that superior uniform genotypes are necessary for highly qualitative and sustainable production, this study aimed to conduct a pre-breeding evaluation of three clones (SID1, SID2, and SID3) originating from a selected S. scardica population growing in Greece. According to a phenotypic and agronomic evaluation, SID2 seemed to be superior among the three clones, expressing a good profile with desirable traits (i.e., desired inflorescence length and leaf surface, high length of stems, and high fresh and dry plant biomass). Furthermore, SID3 presented some remarkable measurements regarding morphological (upright growth habit) and agronomic (high number of stems and plant dry weight, desired plant surface) traits. The phytochemical profile of the three clones was assessed with regard to their volatile and polyphenolic compounds. Forty-four constituents were identified in S. scardica essential oil, including hydrocarbon monoterpenes, sesquiterpenoids, oxygenated monoterpenes, and other groups (monoterpene ketones, saturated fatty alcohols, benzoic esters). Liquid chromatographic analysis revealed SID2 as the clone most abundant in the major polyphenolic metabolites: verbascoside (2234.3 mg 100 g−1), isoscutellarein-7-O [6″-O-acetyl]-allosyl(1 → 2) glucoside (1456.5 mg 100 g−1), and 4-methyl hypolaetin-7-O [6″-O-acetyl]-allosyl(1 → 2) glucoside (861.8 mg 100 g−1). The results indicate the ability to combine morphological, agronomic, and phytochemical traits, in order to identify superior S. scardica genotypes for further evaluation and utilization in breeding programs, aiming to create cultivars or varieties for farming purposes with desired performance and high quantitative and qualitative yields.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by Lao ethnic group in Central Laos

Results from an ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by Lao ethnic group between 2021 and 2023 identifying the medicinal plants use of 76 species 68 genera 43 families. The primary emphasis of the study was on the medicinal plants, we tested the differences between informant knowledge and informant age using linear regression. The most important medicinal plant species, including Blumea balsamifera, Chromolaena odorata, Smilax glabra, and Zingiber montanum (all with a Use Value of 1.00), were followed by Phyllanthus emblica (0.95) and Cucumis sativus (0.88). Remarkably, 65 plant species achieved the highest Fidelity Level with a 100% FL value. Within ailment categories, Respiratory system symptoms garnered the highest Informant Agreement Ratio value of 1.00. The Jaccard’s Similarity Index ranged from 0.0581 to 0.2690, with the highest JI observed between cultivated and market plants. The UPGMA cluster analysis indicated that wild plants exhibited lower similarity to the other areas. There were no significant differences in the number of plants known among different informants based on their age. In this research, we found that two plant species, Solanum lasiocarpum (used for nourishing the body) and Morinda coreia (employed in treating amenorrhea), have never been reported for their medicinal use before. These findings underscore the risk of traditional knowledge erosion, driven by the absence of written documentation and the influence of modern medical practices. The data obtained from this study is of immense value in formulating conservation strategies that can benefit both the Bolikhamxay province and the nation as a whole.

Genome-wide identification and integrated analysis of the FAR1/FHY3 gene family and genes expression analysis under methyl jasmonate treatment in Panax ginseng C. A. Mey.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Mey.) is an important and valuable medicinal plant species used in traditional Chinese medicine, and its metabolite ginsenoside is the primary active ingredient. The FAR1/FHY3 gene family members play critical roles in plant growth and development as well as participate in a variety of physiological processes, including plant development and signaling of hormones. Studies have indicated that methyl jasmonate treatment of ginseng adventitious roots resulted in a significant increase in the content of protopanaxadiol ginsenosides. Therefore, it is highly significant to screen the FAR1/FHY3 gene family members in ginseng and preliminarily investigate their expression patterns in response to methyl jasmonic acid signaling. In this study, we screened and identified the FAR1/FHY3 family genes in the ginseng transcriptome databases. And then, we analyzed their gene structure and phylogeny, chromosomal localization and expression patterns, and promoter cis-acting elements, and made GO functional annotations on the members of this family. After that, we treated the ginseng adventitious roots with 200 mM methyl jasmonate and investigated the trend of the expression of four genes containing the largest number of methyl jasmonate cis-acting elements at different treatment times. All four genes were able to respond to methyl jasmonate, the most significant change was in the PgFAR40 gene. This study provides data support for subsequent studies of this family member in ginseng and provides experimental reference for subsequent validation of the function of this family member under methyl jasmonic acid signaling.

The conversion of monolignans to sesquilignans and dilignans is closely correlated to the regulation of Arctium lappa seed germination.

The secondary metabolic conversion of monolignans to sesquilignans/dilignans was closely related to seed germination and seedling establishment in Arctium lappa. Arctium lappa plants are used as a kind of traditional Chinese medicines for nearly 1500years, and so far, only a few studies have put focus on the key secondary metabolic changes during seed germination and seedling establishment. In the current study, a combined approach was used to investigate the correlation among secondary metabolites, plant hormone signaling, and transcriptional profiles at the early critical stages of A. lappa seed germination and seedling establishment. Of 50 metabolites in methonolic extracts of A. lappa samples, 35 metabolites were identified with LC-MS/MS and 15 metabolites were identified with GC-MS. Their qualitative properties were examined according to the predicted chemical structures. The quantitative analysis was performed for deciphering their metabolic profiles, discovering that the secondary metabolic conversion from monolignans to sesquilignans/dilignans was closely correlated to the initiation of A. lappa seed germination and seedling establishment. Furthermore, the critical transcriptional changes in primary metabolisms, translational regulation at different cellular compartments, and multiple plant hormone signaling pathways were revealed. In addition, the combined approach provides unprecedented insights into key regulatory mechanisms in both gene transcription and secondary metabolites besides many known primary metabolites during seed germination of an important traditional Chinese medicinal plant species. The results not only provide new insights to understand the regulation of key medicinal components of 'ARCTII FRUCTUS', arctiin and arctigenin at the stages of seed germination and seedling establishment, but also potentially spur the development of seed-based cultivation in A. lappa plants.

An Efficient Micropropagation Protocol For Mucuna Pruriens (L.) Dc.

An efficient protocol was developed for rapid micropropagation of Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC., an important medicinal plant species of Bangladesh. For the purpose, leaf segments, nodal segments and shoot apices of in vitro grown seedlings and cotyledon segments of immature seeds of field grown plants were cultured on agar solidified MS medium supplemented with different combinations of PGRs (Plant Growth Regulators). Only leaf and cotyledon segments produced light green to green friable/ compact callus in some of the media combinations. Combination and concentration of PGRs played important role in induction of such tissue. The induced tissues failed to differentiate on further culture in a wider spectrum of PGR supplemented media. On the other hand nodal segments and shoot apices produced multiple shoot buds when grown on a wide range of PGRs (BAP, NAA, IAA, Kn) supplemented media. Maximum number of multiple shoot buds were produced in medium containing 1.5 mg/l BAP + 1.0 mg/l IAA. The elongated shoot buds on further culture in rooting media produced strong and stout root systems. Half strength MS media fortified with either 1.0 mg/l IAA or 2.0 mg/l IAA was most effective for induction and proliferation of roots. These complete plantlets were successfully acclimatized and established in outside pots through a successive phase of acclimatization. The Chittagong Univ. J. B. Sci.,Vol. 7(1 &2):79-89, 2012.

Adaptation and Growth Performance of Tea Plants (Camelia sinensis (L) O. Kuntze) in Obudu Hills, Cross River State

Young seedlings of five tea clones under cultivation (318, 236, 68, BB35, and 143) and five from the germplasm), were collected from the Kakara Highland tea Plantations, Mambila Plateau, Taraba State. Seedlings were planted in fifty sample boxes to enable the seedlings to be established first before transplanting to the field. After the establishment, they were transported to Obudu Hills for investigation. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RBCD) with 3 replications. Data collected on morphological traits were subjected to an analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. Multivariate analysis such as principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis and correlation analysis were used to estimate genetic diversity between the tea plant clones. The result showed that the tea clones survived the first two months after transplanting. However, subsequently, the percentage of survival was reduced. Results from the morphological studies revealed that the accessions differed significantly (p>0.001) in all evaluated traits except for leaf width and dry biomass. Three principal components were identified based on eigenvalues; the first principal component contributed 44.18% of the total variation with an eigenvalue of 3.977, the second principal component accounted for 24.36% with total eigenvalue of 2.193 while PC3 accounted for 15.345% of the total variation with eigenvalue of 1.381. Cluster analysis showed that the evaluated tea clones were grouped into two main clusters containing sub-clusters. The high genetic diversity identified in Camellia sinensis clone in the study will serve as a guide in breeding, genetic improvement, utilization and conservation of this important nutritional and medicinal plant species.

The genus Cochlospermum Kunth: a comprehensive review of key species with a focus on botanical, pharmacological, and chemical atributes

The Cochlospermum genus plant species are commonly used in traditional medicine for its antimicrobial, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, and hypoglycemic properties. The objective of this review is to describe the mainly important medicinal plant species of the genus Cochlospermum Kunth in terms of its botanical aspects, popular use, biological activity (pharmacology), and chemical compounds, intending to identify potential areas for innovative studies. The study considered literature published between 2010 - 2024 on the ethnobotany, pharmacology, botanical aspects, biological activity, and chemical compounds. Excluded from this study were eBooks, book chapters, patents, review articles, course completion articles, theses, and abstracts published in the proceedings of the event. Chem Draw software was used to draw a total of sixty-one bioactive compounds. The results show that six species of the Cochlospermum genus are documented as vital sources of traditional medicine. Ten species of this genus have been identified to contain secondary metabolites, including Cocholospermin A and B, polysaccharides, polyphenols (such as gallic and ellagic acids), flavonoids, and tannins. These compounds, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins, contribute to the pharmacological activities of this genus. The compounds in the Cochlospermum genus have demonstrated various biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and potential antidiabetic properties. The genus has demonstrated some of these activities both in vitro and in vivo, making it of great pharmacological importance. This work presents a comprehensive overview of the botanical aspects, ethnopharmacology, biological activities, and chemical properties of the Cochlospermum genus. Its abundant chemical molecules can serve as an alternative source for the treatment of various diseases. This work provides a new perspective for future studies.

Phenolic Compound Profiles, Cytotoxic, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial Potentials and Molecular Docking Studies of Astragalus gymnolobus Methanolic Extracts.

Since Astragalus is a genus with many important medicinal plant species, the present work aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition and some biological activities of Astragalus gymnolobus. The methanolic fractions of four organs (stems, flowers, leaves, root and whole plant) were quantified and identified by Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) analysis. Hesperidin, hyperoside, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, protocatechuic acid and p-coumaric acid were identified as main compounds among the extracts. Among all cells, leaf methanol (Lm) extract had the highest cytotoxic effect on HeLa cells (IC50 = 0.069 μg/mL). Hesperidin, the most abundant compound in A. gymnolobus extract, was found to show a strong negative correlation with the cytotoxic effect observed in HeLa cells according to Pearson correlation test results and to have the best binding affinity to targeted proteins by docking studies. The antimicrobial activity results indicated that the most susceptible bacterium against all extracts was identified as Streptococcus pyogenes with 9-11 mm inhibition zone and 8192 mg/mL MIC value. As a result of the research, it was suggested that A. gymnolobus could be considered as a promising source that contributes to the fight against cancer.

Pharmacognostical Standardization of Sida acuta Leaves (Malvaceae Family)

Sidaacuta burm.f.is an endemic and an important medicinal plant species of south India. Despite having immense medicinal importance, few information is available on the standardization parameters of the species. For this reason, present work was carried out for providing comprehensive report on the quality control and standardization parameters of Sidaacuta burm. f. In this connection leaves of the plant were examined. Methods like microscopy and macroscopy, physicochemical parameters, extractive values and fluorescence analysis were used to establish pharmacognostical standards. The macroscopic, microscopy and physicochemical parameters of leaves of Sidaacuta burm. f. revealed various diagnostic characteristic in the species. This is the first study providing complete pharmacognostic profile of Sidaacuta burm. f. and hence will be useful for correct identification and authentication of the species for future studies.

Seed, Germination, and Seed-Reserve Traits of Ephedra saxatilis Differ Along Different Altitudinal Gradients in Tibet, China

Ephedra saxatilis, an important medicinal plant species belonging to the genus Ephedra, grows at a wide range of altitudes in Tibet, China. Collect seeds with different altitude gradients at low altitude (3500–4000 m), medium altitude (4000–4500 m), and high altitude (4500–5000 m), and study the effects of different altitude gradients on seed morphological traits, germination parameters, Seedling morphology, the morphological changes in the process of seed germination and uncracked seeds, 11 biochemical variables related to seed storage. Use correlation analysis to test the relationship between these variables. The process of seed germination is divided into five stages. Seeds that did not change color in stage III did not continue to grow. Seeds from low altitudes had significantly higher percentage of germination, and water contents and reducing sugars contents, but longer germination time. Seeds from high altitudes, however, had higher Xanthophyll, soluble phenolic, and ash contents. Among the examined biochemical variables, the germination rate at different altitudes was positively correlated with vitamin E, water content, and total flavonoid and soluble protein contents. Seedling growth state is divided into five stages. Our results confirm that seed differed significantly across different altitudinal gradients. Seeds of E. saxatilis from low altitudes had a survival advantage over those from medium and high altitudes.

Incidence and frequency of desynapsis in Eremurus persicus (Jaub. & Spach) Boiss.(Asphodelaceae) – A native and important medicinal plant species of Western Himalaya

Eremurus persicus (Jaub. & Spach) Boiss. (Asphodelaceae); a little known species of genus Eremurus grows in arid and semi-arid regions, on rocky mountains in Central Asia and Middle East. The species is native and an important medicinal plant used to treat various diseases. In the current study, we examined male meiosis, karyotypic variability, pollen viability and reproductive output of three populations of the target species. All the studied populations have diploid chromosome count of 2n = 2x =14. Meiotic course in majority of the pollen mother cells (PMCs) in all the three populations is not normal due to the presence of desynapsis at diplotene and metaphase-I. Instead of 7IIs most of the PMCs examined reveal varying number of bivalents and univalents. Anaphasic segregation is also affected in few PMCs. Present study also revealed that the species has asymmetric karyotype of 10 long and 4 short chromosomes. Species exhibits fruit abortion that results in extremely low fruit/seed set. The meiotic abnormalities and low fruit/seed set may be attributed to restricted distribution of this important plant species. Present study may prove helpful in devising the conservation and management strategies for this prized plant species.

Effect of climate and habitat on morphological characteristics and fruit production of Picralima nitida (Stapf) in West Africa

Picralima nitida is an important African medicinal plant species used in pharmaceutical industries and traditional medicine to treat several diseases. Despite its importance, the species faces conservation problem. This study evaluated the effect of climate and habitat on morphological characteristics and fruit production of P. nitida. A total of 132 fruiting trees was randomly sampled from three habitat types (home gardens, botanical garden and natural forest) and three soils (Nitisols, Arenosols and Acrisols) in Dahomey Gap and Guineo-Congolese zone. A total of 5 morphological traits and fruit production were recorded per tree to describe the relationship between morphological determinism of the species and climate. Pearson correlation was performed to identify the suitable habitat type in each climatic zone. Harmonized World Soil Database was used to determine physicochemical characteristics of the soil types on which the species occurred. Results revealed that the climatic zones (p<0.001) and habitat types (p<0.0001) influenced significantly the morphological characteristics and fruit production of P. nitida. High trees with more number of fruits were observed in home gardens on acid soils (Nitisols (pH: 5) and Arenosols (pH: 5.3)) in Dahomey Gap. In Guineo-Congolese zone, the species was more present in natural forest on acid Acrisols (pH: 5).

Phytochemical Diversity, Classification and Antibacterial Activity of Some Medicinal Plant Species from Tabuk (Saudi Arabia).

The main objectives of this study were to investigate the intra-specific and inter-specific phytochemical diversity and classification of nine important medicinal plant species from Tabuk region (KSA), namely (Pulicaria undulata L., Pulicaria incisa Lam., Artemisia herba-alba Asso., Artemisia monosperma Delile, Artemisia judaica L. and Achillea fragrantissima Forssk. from Asteraceae family, Ducrosia flabellifolia Boiss. from Apiaceae family, Thymus vulgaris L. and Lavandula coronopifolia Poir. from Lamiaceae family); to evaluate the antibacterial potentials of the plant extracts, and to inspect the possible associations between phytochemical diversity and contents of different phytochemical classes with the antibacterial activities of plant extracts. GC/MS technique was used to identify phytochemicals in the plant extracts. The standard disk diffusion technique was used to conduct the antibiotic susceptibility against four pathogenic bacterial species (two Gram positive: Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis and two Gram negative species: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. A total of 160 different phytochemicals belonging to 30 compound classes were separated and identified. A. fragrantissima had the highest phytochemical diversity and P. incisa had the lowest one. Phytochemical beta diversity was 6.2362. Ethanol outperformed other extraction solvents in terms of antibacterial activity, while Pulicaria undulata and T. vulgaris ranked highest among plants in this regard. Gram positive bacterial species were more sensitive to plant extracts compared to Gram negative species. Phytochemical diversity and antibacterial activity of plant extracts against E. coli and P. aeruginosa were positively correlative, terpenoid and benzene & substituted derivative contents exhibited significant (p<0.05) positive correlations with the antibacterial activity against E. coli, terpenoid contents also showed positive correlation with activity against P. aeruginosa; benzene & derivative showed positive correlation with activity against the rest of bacterial species.

Diversity and traditional knowledge of medicinal plants used by Shui people in Southwest China

BackgroundThe Shui are a small Chinese sociolinguistic group living in Sandu Shui Autonomous County, south of Guizhou Province. The Shui people have accumulated and developed rich traditional medicinal knowledge, which has played a significant role in their healthcare. Traditional ethnic herbal medicines, like Shui ethnomedicine, have become an important resource of rural development in Guizhou Province. However, not much research has been conducted to document the medicinal plants traditionally used by the Shui people. This study’s aims are (1) to record the current use of medicinal plants in Sandu County and associated traditional knowledge, including the medicinal plant species used and the types of diseases treated by local healers and any unique aspects of their preparations; (2) to analyze the most important medicinal plant species using relative frequency of citation (RFC); and (3) to provide useful information and data for possible future development and application of ethnomedicine and promote the conservation and preservation of Shui traditional medicinal knowledge.MethodsField surveys were conducted between July 2015 and August 2022 in Sandu County. A total of 15 local healers as key informants were interviewed. An additional 132 informants from villages and local markets were also interviewed through semistructured interviews and focal group discussions. Local Shui healers were followed during their collection of medicinal plants in the fields and recorded the medicinal plants’ names, uses, and parts used. An ANOVA was used to evaluate the number of medicinal plants recognized by local healers across age-groups and townships, and relative frequencies of citation values were determined for the recorded medicinal plants.ResultsIn this study, data collected from 15 Shui healers and 132 other informants were analyzed. The healers used fresh or dried parts of 505 plant species as medicine to treat a wide range of conditions and diseases. These plants belong to 405 genera from 156 families, with Fabaceae being the highest represented plant family. The Jiuqian township had the highest distribution of per capita healers (pch); only one local healer was in Zhonghe. Of the 15 local healers, only two were younger than 40 years of age. There is a major concern that traditional medicinal knowledge may be lost if there are not sufficient trainees or suitable successors. Among the common medicinal plants, most are herbaceous and the Shui typically use the whole plant in their medicines. There are 85 different recorded diseases treated by Shui medicinal plants, and among them, rheumatism and bone fractures have the largest number of species used. Three medicinal plant species, Isodon amethystoides, Asarum insigne, and Acorus tatarinowii, are the most commonly used ethnomedicines by the Shui people.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that Shui people have extensive knowledge of a diverse range of medicinal plants, many of which had not been systematically recorded before the current study. Further research on the chemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity of Shui medicinal plants will be useful for developing functional foods or pharmaceutical products, particularly those of Isodon amethystoides, Asarum insigne, and Acorus tatarinowii. Additionally, as a result of rapid economic growth, fewer young people in Shui communities pursue traditional medicinal studies. Only 15 traditional Shui healers remain in the county, and only two of them are below the age of 40 years. Therefore, to conserve Shui’s traditional medicinal knowledge, initiatives and policies are required to regenerate, strengthen, and promote Shui medicinal knowledge.

Effects of pre-sowing treatments and seed sources on seed germination of Phytolacca acinosa Roxb.

Seed pre-treatments improve germination under diverse environmental conditions. The present study assessed the effects of pre-sowing treatments and various seed sources on seed germination of Phytolacca acinosa Roxb.- an important medicinal plant species growing in Kashmir Himalaya. Seeds were collected from five different sites of the Kashmir Himalaya, India, and were treated with 10 different pre-sowing treatments including control, gibberellic acid (GA3; 100 ppm), indole acetic acid (IAA; 50 ppm), indole butyric acid (IBA; 50 ppm), kinetin (150 ppm), potassium nitrate (KNO3; 150 ppm), thiourea (150 ppm), gibberellic acid plus scarification (GA3; 100 ppm+SC), mechanical scarification and sulphuric acid (H2SO4) treatment for 20 min. The highest seed germination (83.6%) along with the maximum seedling vigor index (SVI) of (7.92) was found in seeds treated with 150 ppm thiourea followed by scarified seeds treated with 100 ppm gibberellic acid (66.00%) and KNO3 (61.2%). The maximum germination index (GI) (0.70), mean daily germination (MDG) (6.69% seeds per day), and mean germination time (MGT) (6.58 days) were recorded for seeds treated with GA3 (100 ppm) plus scarification. Among the five seed sources, no significant differences were observed in the seed germination. However, pre-treatments, as well as the interaction effect of seed source variation and pre-treatments showed significant differences in the measured germination parameters (i.e., germination starting dates, closing dates, germination period, germination percentages, GI, and MGT). The treatment with thiourea (150 ppm), KNO3 (150 ppm), and a combination of scarification and 100 ppm GA3 are the most effective ways of enhancing the seed germination of P. acinosa. Present study will have significant implications for successful germination, large-scale cultivation, sustainable utilization, and conservation of P. acinosa by reducing its exploitation from natural wild populations.

Variability in morphology, phytochemicals and antioxidant activity in Bistorta amplexicaulis (D. Don) Greene populations under variable habitats and altitudes

Phytochemicals have become significantly important for scientific research since these possess incredibly remarkable health benefits, especially antioxidant potential to scavenge free radicals and combat the harmful effects of oxidative stress caused by adverse environmental factors. The efficacy and quantity of these phytochemicals relies upon numerous factors including the extraction method, solvent polarity and the habitat features in which the plant is growing. In this study we emphasized on phytochemical analysis and antioxidant activity of Bistorta amplexicaulis, an important medicinal plant species from Kashmir Himalaya. We evaluated antioxidant activity using different assays from all the selected sites to enumerate the impact of habitat. The sites were selected based on varying habitat features and altitude. Our results revealed that Ethyl acetate is the potent solvent for the extraction of phytochemicals. Below ground parts exhibited better scavenging activity than the above ground parts. Amongst the sites, we found the maximum antioxidant potential at Site I. A positive correlation was found between antioxidant activity and altitude while soil attributes (OC, OM, N, P, and K) and most of the morphological traits showed a negative correlation. Overall, our study identified the elite populations that could be utilized for mass propagation and harness the ultimate antioxidant potential of B. amplexicaulis.

Distribution of important medicinal plant species in Nepal under past, present, and future climatic conditions

Climate change is causing shifts in the habitat, distribution, ecology, and phenology of Himalayan plants. These changes are predicted to continue, jeopardizing the survival of medicinal plant species and local livelihoods that rely on them. We analyzed the present and future diversity and distribution of medicinal plant species influenced by different climate change scenarios, and calculated the climatic niche of the species using ensemble species distribution modeling (eSDM). We compiled 1041 (N) geospatial data of seven high-value medicinal plant species of Nepal: Aconitum spicatum (n = 100), Allium wallichii (n = 151), Bergenia ciliata (n = 48), Nardostachys jatamansi (n = 121), Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (n = 94), Paris polyphylla (n = 310) and Valeriana jatamansi (n = 217) including over 85 % from field surveys and the rest from literature and online database. We used bioclimatic variables from Models for Interdisciplinary Research on Climate (MIROC) of version MIROC6, and selected Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP)2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 for the year of 2050 and 2070 for modeling. We found elevation, mean diurnal and annual temperature ranges (BIO2 and BIO7), and precipitation of warmest and coldest quarters (BIO18 and BIO19) to be the most high weight cofactors for projecting the future potential distribution of high-value medicinal plants in Nepal. Results showed that the suitable range of distribution for high-value medicinal plants would increase and concentrate in mountainous areas of central Nepal, but decline in (sub)tropical and temperate areas, suggesting both in-situ and ex-situ conservation practices, respectively.

Assessment of morphological diversity in Acorus calamus L., an economically important endangered medicinal plant species of Kashmir valley

Assessment of morphological diversity in Acorus calamus L., an economically important endangered medicinal plant species of Kashmir valley

Heavy metals and proximate analysis of Sihar (Rhazya stricta Decne) collected from different sites of Warcha salt mine, Salt Range, Pakistan

Rhazya stricta is an important medicinal plant species distributed all over the Warcha salt mine in Pakistan. Analysis of proximate composition and metals is a commendable job to assess the suitability of the exploitation of medicinal plants on a large scale by ethnic communities. The proximate analyses (moisture, fiber, ash, crude fats, proteins and carbohydrates) of all the samples collected from five different sites (Table 1) were carried out. Moreover, different inorganic elements in the samples were also determined. The maximum and the minimum moisture content in Rhazya stricta was observed at Site 4 (31.21%) and Site 2 (29.14%), respectively. The maximum and the minimum ash concentrations were recorded in the populations collected from Site 2 (7.48%) and Site 5 (6.25%), respectively. The maximum fat content was found in the Site 3 (3.91%) population, whereas the minimum contents of crude fiber were observed in the population from Site 2 (12.2%). The maximum concentration of crude protein was observed in the plants from Site 5 (9.93%), whereas the minimum contents of carbohydrates were observed in the plants from Site 2 (48.4%). Essential and nonessential elements like potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) were analyzed in the roots, stem and leaves of Rhazya stricta. The maximum K content (6836.886 mg/kg) was found in the roots of plants collected from Site 5 and the minimum in the leaves (5528.795 mg/kg) collected from Site 3. The highest concentration of magnesium was found in the roots of plants from Site 3 (2414.46 mg/kg), whereas the lowest concentration of iron was recorded in the leaves of Site 4 (31.45 mg/kg) plants. The maximum and the minimum concentrations of cobalt were detected in the roots of plants from Site 1 (0.320 mg/kg) and in the leaves of plants from Site 4 (0.135 mg/kg), respectively. The minimum concentration of leaf cadmium was recorded in plant population from Site 4, whereas in the same population the maximum level of root nickel was recorded. The highest concentration of copper was observed in the stem of plant population from Site 2 (0.297 mg/kg). The concentrations of most of the elements appraised in the present study are well below the overall permissible limits of these elements in medicinal plants determined by WHO, so this plant from the Warcha mine can be utilized without harm by herbal practitioners and pharmaceutical industry.