Informant Consensus Factor Value Research Articles

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in the Hawassa Zuria District, Sidama zone, Southern Ethiopia

BackgroundEthiopia is one of the species-rich countries in the world and the center of origin with regard to the diversity of many plant species. Ethnobotanical studies are vital to investigate these diverse biological resources for medicinal purposes. The aim of this study was to document the indigenous knowledge of the Sidama people regarding the use of medicinal plants to treat human and livestock diseases in the Hawassa Zuria district of Southern Ethiopia.MethodsA total of 150 informants (118 men and 32 women) were selected to collect ethnobotanical information from ten kebeles by means of a stratified purposive sampling method. Among the informants, 30 key informants were selected purposefully. Ethnobotanical data were collected through semi-structured interviews and group discussions and were analyzed by descriptive statistics, informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), and ranking methods.ResultsA total of 105 medicinal plants distributed across 52 families and 96 genera were collected. Fabaceae (11 species) was represented by the highest number of plant species, followed by Lamiaceae (7 species). Herbs (34%) were the dominant growth habits, followed by trees (33%). Leaves (56%) were the dominant plant part used in the preparation of remedies, followed by fruit (15%). The most common method of remedy preparation was grinding (39%) followed by chewing and boiling (11% each). Oral (74%) was the major routes of administration, followed by dermal (20%). There was a significant knowledge difference (p < 0.05) between social groups regarding the use of traditional medicinal plants. Insects and ectoparasites disease category (0.95) had higher informant consensus factor value followed by fever disease category (0.91). Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (100%) had a higher fidelity level to treat stomachache, followed by Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman. (87.27%) to treat placenta delay. Ensete ventricosum (total score = 73) was ranked highest as the most preferable medicinal plant for various purposes by local people, followed by Olea welwitschii (Knobl.) Gilg (total score = 72).ConclusionThe present study revealed the existence of indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants to treat human and livestock ailments. However, agricultural expansion, firewood collection, environmental degradation, and deforestation are the main threats to medicinal plants. Therefore, there should be mentoring for the local people in the study area to conserve their indigenous knowledge resources and prevent the extinction of medicinal plants.

Diversity, Ethnobotanical Potential and Sustainability Assessment of Plants Used by Traditional Healers to Treat Cancer in Boyo Division, North-West Region, Cameroon

Aims: Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. Therefore, the knowledge on medicinal plants used to cure human cancer could be of great importance for their widespread use and scientific validation. The present study records information on anticancer plants in Boyo Division, in the western highland of Cameroon.&#x0D; Methods: Thirty traditional healers, were interviewed to document their know-how on the type of human cancer allegedly cured, the plant species used as well as their use pattern. Guided field walks were made to the collection sites for plant and its habitat characterization as well as herbarium voucher collection. Ethnobotanical quantitative tools were used to analyze and summarize collected data. Sustainability of harvest was assessed using a vulnerability index based on seven parameters. &#x0D; Results: A total of 25 medicinal plants cited were identified as belonging to 13 families and 23 genera. The most represented families were Asteraceae (28%), Lamiaceae (16%), Fabaceae (12%) and Acanthaceae (8%). Out of the seven categories of cancer diseases reported, the highest number of plants species were reported to treat stomach, pancreas, liver, skin and breast cancers, with informant consensus factor (ICF) ranging from 0.79 to 0.82. Leaves (60%) and bark (20%) were the major plant parts used mostly in form of decoction (45.45%) and concoction (38.18%). The result of Relative frequency citations (RFCs) revealed that 9 of the 25 plants species cited were the most frequently used with fidelity levels ranging from 92% (Geniosporum rotundifolium and Ocimum tenuiflorum Aframomum melegueta and Entada abyssinica) to 100% (Coleus blumei, Ocimum gratissimum, Eremomastax speciosa, and Dichrocephala integrifolia). Six species were assessed as vulnerable (Vi ≥ 2), while two species were rated as highly vulnerable namely G. rotundifolium (Vi = 2.71) and E. abyssinica (Vi = 2.85).&#x0D; Conclusion: New traditionally effective anticancer plants were identified in the present study, some of which were already vulnerable for exploitation in their actual habitat. Plants with high ICF, RFCs and FL values should be subjected to further phytochemical and pharmacological investigations for scientific validation while those with high Vulnerability index should be recommended for participatory domestication by the main users.

Traditional medicinal plants used to treat cancer, tumors and inflammatory ailments in Harari Region, Eastern Ethiopia

Global health reports indicated that cancer and inflammatory ailments are increasing and the highest cause of mortality. These health problems are alarmingly increasing and becoming the national health concern of Ethiopia. It is well recognized that the use of medicinal plants in the treatments of diseases, including cancer and inflammation, are common in traditional medicine. Therefore, this study explored age-old traditional practices of using medicinal plants used to treat cancer locally called gofla, tumor local called keledo, and inflammatory ailments by Harari and Oromo communities. Semi-structured interviews, discussions and guided field walks constituted the data collection methods from 72 (52 male and 20 female) systematically selected informants including 12 traditional herbalists (key informants). Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Fidelity Level (FL), Relative Importance Index (RI), Cultural Importance Index (CII), and binomial test were employed in data analysis. Thirty-nine traditional medicinal plant species in 38 genera and 29 families were used for cancer, tumor, and body inflammations treatments. Remedial preparations added to 50 formulations for the treatment of 17 different ailments listed under the three major categories. Preparation of paste from fresh parts accounts for 20% followed by concoctions of respective parts for internal application (18%) and crushed fresh parts for topical application (16%). There was no significant difference in ICF values of the three categories (p > .05), i.e. tumor (0.91), inflammations (0.89), and cancer (0.88). RFC values ranged from 0.79 to 0.06 and FL from 46.67 to 66.67%. The highest RFC was recorded for Cyphostemma adenocaule (0.79), followed by Hydnora abyssinica (0.75), Zanthoxylum usambarense (0.73), and Plumbago zeylanica (0.68). The study area harbored valuable traditional medicinal plant species used for the treatment of cancers, tumors, and inflammations and reputable indigenous knowledge, which attracted the phytochemical and pharmacological analyses as well as the conservation of species and associated ethnomedicinal knowledge.

Medicinal plants and their traditional uses in the highland region of Bordj Bou Arreridj (Northeast Algeria)

In the highlands of Bordj Bou Arreridj in Northeast Algeria, traditional knowledge about medicinal plants is still put to use, but has been poorly explored by researchers. In view of its natural and cultural richness and the socio-economic context, this area is an ideal location for the study of aromatic and medicinal plants and their traditional uses. The aim of this ethnobotanical study was to shed light on how medicinal plants are used in traditional phytotherapy in the region of Bordj Bou Arreridj. Over a two-year period (2014–2016), herbalists practicing phytotherapy in the region were surveyed, and asked to provide information about themselves and the plants they used (vernacular name, mode of preparation, parts used and toxicity). The data was analyzed in terms of the Use-Value of species (UV), Medicinal Informant Agreement Ratios (Med. IARs), Fidelity Level (FL) and the Informant Consensus Factor (ICF). Among the 51 herbalists interviewed, men dominated the practice of traditional phytotherapy. The majority of these herbalists, whose ages varied between 46 and 65, were illiterate. During the survey, 83 species of medicinal plants were identified. They belonged to 66 genera and 37 botanical families, among which Lamiaceae were the most used. The herbalists most commonly used plant leaves, and for the most part, preferred to prepare the remedy in the form of infusions. Origanum vulgare subsp. glandulosum (Desf.) Ietsw., Rosmarinus eriocalyx Jord.& Fourr. and Allium cepa L. were the plants with the most important UV. Thirty-eight species had maximum values for the Med IARs index and digestive diseases were those with the highest ICF value. Interviewees indicated 10 taxa possessing toxicity but did not indicate the toxicity limits of each plant. Taxonomic analysis allowed the authors to recognize several taxa having changed systematic positions and/or nomenclature. The chorological analysis led the authors to distinguish 6 endemic taxa and 13 taxa that were not native to the country. The importance of this study lies in the originality of the information obtained, which must be preserved and used by researchers in pharmacology and other fields. Particular interest should be devoted to the taxonomic and chorological aspects of medicinal plants in order to avoid common serious errors in this kind of research.

Ethnobotanical survey of invasive alien plant species used in the treatment of sexually transmitted infections in Waterberg District, South Africa

Ethnobotanical relevanceInvasive alien plant species are used individually or in combinations to treat sexually transmitted infections (STI's). However, ethnobotanical information of invasive alien species is scanty, especially on the treatment of STI's. The aim of the studyDocument ethnobotanical applications of invasive alien species in the treatment of STI's in the Waterberg District of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Materials and methodsAn ethnobotanical survey was conducted in the Waterberg District. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, 30 traditional health practitioners were selected via snowball sampling. Importance of medicinal plants was analysed using Fidelity Level (FL), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), and the Use Value (UV). ResultsFourteen invasive alien species belonging to ten families were documented for the treatment of seven STI's. Plant species were mostly utilised for their roots (58.8%) and leaves (23.6%). Up to 60% of the species were used individually, while combination therapy was also common (40%). A decoction was the preferred method of preparation. The administration mode was predominantly oral (92.7%). Important species with high FL and with high use-report were Opuntia ficus-indica (63.9) and Catharantheus roseus (57.3). The highest ICF values were cited for mokabe (testicular swelling) (1) and gonorrhoea (0.73), with Senna didymobotrya and C. roseus being the most frequently used species. Species with the highest UV values were C. roseus (0.65), Agave sisalana (0.41) and Solanum elaegnifolium (0.55). ConclusionAgave sisalana, Catharanthus roseus, Opuntia ficus-indica, Ricinus communis, Senna didymobotrya, and solanum species were the most commonly used species for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections in the Waterberg District. Further pharmacological studies are encouraged on the species with the highest FL, ICF and UV values.

Study of the Mandrillus sphinx (Cercopithecoidea) diet behaviour from the Lekedi Park (South-East, Gabon) as a valuable approach for drugs discovery

The last decades, various research approaches have been undertaken worldwide for drug discoveries. Our study aimed to investigate medicinal plants of the Lékédi Park through a zoopharmacological and ethnopharmacological surveys on mandrills and on human population respectively from the Department of Lékoko.Data on feeding behaviour were collected on 57 mandrills, from Lékédi Park, using a 5-min focal sampling method for 17 months. The ethnopharmacological uses were carried out on the human population using semi-structured questionnaires and scientific databases. Data were evaluated statistically by using the index of Use value (UV) and informant consensus factor (Fic).The results showed that studied mandrills used about 147 plant species belonging to 48 botanical families. The Rubiaceae and Euphorbiaceae families were the most representative in the mandrill diet. Among plant organs eaten, some organs of plants such as bark or roots rich in non-nutritional compounds were occasionally used by mandrills, suggesting the involvement of a self-medication behavior in mandrill. Also, it appears that the plant selection would be mainly due to the availability, protein and sugar contents. Ethnopharmacological surveys show that among the 147 consumed by mandrills, 33% were used for medicinal purposes only, 41% as food and 11% were used as food and as medicine. The informant consensus factor values indicate that the medicinal plants are effective in treating certain diseases.Thus, the study of mandrill diets behaviour would be a potential approach for the drugs discovery against bacterial and parasitic affections.

Medicinal Plants Used in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality, Southern Ghana: An Ethnobotanical Study.

Background: The in-depth traditional knowledge of medicinal plants is at risk of extinction due to the dependency on oral transmission, and as such, there is an urgent need to document such knowledge. This study aimed to document indigenous uses of medicinal plants among community members in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality. Methods: Data was collected in 2016 from community members and local herbalists in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality through a semi-structured questionnaire. Statistical tools and ethnobotanical indices, i.e., informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), and use value (UV) were used to analyse the data. Results: One hundred and six medicinal plants belonging to 45 families were reported to cure 68 different human diseases. The most frequently used plant part in this study was the leaves (52%). Decoction (57.5%) and oral administration (58.3%) were the most utilised herbal preparation and administration route respectively. Cleistopholis patens had the highest UV (0.54) with pain & fevers and skin diseases having the highest ICF values (0.88 and 0.85 respectively). Furthermore, new medicinal uses of Hilleria latifolia and ten other species were recorded for the treatment of the traditional local disease, aseram. Conclusions: The current knowledge and uses of medicinal plants are still high in the study area based on the high degree of consensus among informants. This study could allow for the preservation of knowledge and biodiversity of medicinal plants, both of which are threatened with extinction.

First ethnobotanical inventory and phytochemical analysis of plant species used by indigenous people living in the Maromizaha forest, Madagascar

Ethnopharmacological relevanceCharacterized by one of the highest rates of endemism and biodiversity in the world, Madagascar provides a wide variety of medicinal plants, that could represent a potential source of new drugs. The main aim of this study was to investigate the potential medicinal properties of the plant species used by indigenous people in Maromizaha forest and to provide the first ethnobotanical inventory of the area. Materials and methodsData were collected through open semi-structured interviews with local informants, the reported plants were collected and identified to create a specimen herbarium. Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) was calculated for each ailment category mentioned in the use-reports. A selection of seven medicinal plants was submitted to phytochemical and antimicrobial analysis. The results were discussed and compared with those described in ethnobotanical and pharmacological literature. ResultsOne hundred and three villagers were interviewed and a total of 509 use-reports were recorded. Information on 117 plant species belonging to 57 botanical families were provided. 12 categories of indigenous uses were recognized, among them the higher ICF values were recorded for cardiovascular complaints (0.75), general and unspecific diseases (0.74), digestive disorders (0.69), and diseases of the skin (0.55). The traditional medicinal uses of 18 species (15 endemic) were described for the first time. In total, 22 different bioactive compounds were identified; polyphenols, monoterpenes, organic acids, and vitamin C were observed in the chemical composition of all the analyzed samples. Macaranga perrieri showed the highest values of both total polyphenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Antimicrobial activity was observed in leaf and bark extracts of Dilobeia thouarsii. ConclusionThese results confirmed the importance of investigating the traditional use of plant species, suggesting the crucial role of ethnobotanical studies for rural development, biodiversity conservation, and the sustainable use of plant resources in the studied area.

Ethnomycology of Bracket Fungi in Baduy Tribe Indonesia

Inhabitants of the Kendeng mountain region depend on the biodiversity of the forest resources for their livelihood. Mushrooms are important resource that provide benefits to mankind. The aim on this research was to document traditional knowledge in bracket fungi utilization to treat health problems in Baduy tribe community. The results described in this paper were obtained through the exploration and identification of bracket fungi as well as the interview to determine their cultural significance for Baduy people. Quantitative approaches were used to determine the Use Values (UV), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) and Fidelity level (FL) values. A total of 6 species that were identified as bracket fungi were included to Basidiomycota. The Baduy community considers the main use of bracket fungi as a medicine for several ailments. The highest UV, ICF and FL value were obtained by Ganoderma lucidum. This study provides the information regarding bracket fungi species with the high use values that could be employed in pharmacological research and further biotechnological approaches in order to achieve an adequate revenue.

Integration of traditional herbal medicines among the indigenous communities in Thiruvarur District of Tamil Nadu, India

BackgroundEthnobotanical studies are recognized as effective methods of finding locally important plants for discovery of crude drugs. Siddha medicinal system is prevailed in south Indian states principally in Tamil Nadu and gaining recognition as alternative medicine among the indigenous communities for their primary healthcare needs. ObjectivesThe study was aimed to explore and document folk medicinal plant knowledge among the local people in Puliyankudi village of Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu, India. Materials and methodsAn ethnobotanical study was carried out during February 2016 to January 2017 among the local people in study area. Traditional healers, traders, local vendors and local people who are practicing herbal medicines were approached for documentation of folk medicinal uses. Acquired results were further analyzed with descriptive statistical methods such as use value (UV) and informant consensus factor (ICF). ResultsDuring the survey, a total 116 plant species from 49 families and 103 genera were recorded to treat 73 types of ailments. Among the plant parts used for preparation of medicine, leaves (73 reports) are often used and predominant method of preparation of medicine is paste (56 reports). Limonia acidissima was reported by all the interviewed informants with an UV of 0.98 and kidney problems have highest ICF value of 0.91. ConclusionPlants with highest use values in the study indicates possible occurrence of valuable metabolites and should be investigated for associated pharmacological activities which leads to development of potential new drugs to treat various ailments.

Assessing medicinal plants traditionally used in the Chirang Reserve Forest, Northeast India for antimicrobial activity

Ethnopharmacological relevanceKnowledge on the use of plants for different ailments by the tribals of the Chirang Reserve Forest (CRF, Northeast India) was used to assess the potential of these plants for treating viral, bacterial and fungal infections. Materials and methodsFieldwork in the CRF documented the use of plants for the treatment of various human ailments. The ethnobotanical data were analysed using different quantitative indices viz. Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), Relative Frequency Citation (RFC), Fidelity Level (FL), Relative Popularity Level (RPL) and Rank Order Priority (ROP). For each plant, four extracts were prepared with different solvents (water, ethanol, acetone and hexane) and tested for bioactivity such as antiviral (Enterovirus 71) and antimicrobial (E. coli, S. aureus, C. albicans) effects. To develop fingerprints, thin layer chromatography (TLC) was carried out with at least one extract of each active plant. ResultsThirty-seven plant species belonging to 26 families used frequently in the CRF were categorised into twenty disease(s) and markedly high ICF values (0.5–1) were found. The FL of the 19 most important plant species ranged from 10% to 100%. Aglaia spectabilis, Actinodaphne obovata, Bischofia javanica, Gmelina arborea, Hodgsonia macrocarpa and Mesua ferrea were the most popular plant species with RPL values > 0.4. The most commonly treated diseases were skin infections, worm infections, diarrhoea, dysentery, common cold and throat infections, cough and respiratory problems, fever, malaria, rheumatism, pain, stomach ache and gastric problems. Among the taxonomic families, the most represented are Lauraceae (4 species); Meliaceae (3 species), Euphorbiaceae, Elaecarpoceae, Magnoliaceae, Malvaceae, Moraceae and Myrtaceae (2 species each). Of these, 35 plants (95%) with 91 of their extracts were found to be active against S. aureus (inhibition > 50%). Similarly, over half of the tested plants inhibited growth of E. coli (19 plants with 31 extracts) while 9 plants with 14 extracts were active against C. albicans. Moreover, one-third (12) of the plants showed anti-enteroviral activity. TLC analysis of the extracts indicates the presence of different phytochemical classes such as alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids and saponins based on observing characteristic spots under visible or UV light (254 or 360 nm), with or without derivatisation. ConclusionsThirty-seven plants commonly used by the tribes of the CRF as anti-infective agents offer perspectives for further research, as the phytochemistry and phytopharmacology for most of these plants have not been published to date.

Ethnomedicinal knowledge among the tribes of the little Andaman Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

Background: In Little Andaman Island, Onges is one of the particularly vulnerable Tribal Groups settled in Dugong Creek, whereas the Nicobarese tribe resides at Harminder Bay village. Having abode in the vicinity of the forest, a strong ethnobotanical practice prevails in this Island since ancient time. Objectives: This study was an attempt to document the medicinal plants used in this Island, with a view to preserve the ethnobotanical knowledge and to protect the biodiversity of this area. Materials and Methods: Fieldwork was conducted during December 2012 and December 2014. Data were collected through interview, questionnaire, and group discussion with traditional knowledge practitioners residing in the study site. Data were analyzed to determine the informant consensus factor (ICF), family use value, and UV of the plants. Results: The study documented 42 medicinal plant species belonging to 26 families, which are used for the treatment of at least 25 different ailments. The highest ICF value (0.64) was observed for injuries and trauma. Euphorbiaceae family constituted the highest number of plant species. Plants with the highest UVs were Ocimum tenuiflorum L., Morinda citrifolia L., Zingiber squarrosum Roxb., and Eupatorium odoratum L. The most common growth form observed were shrubs (33.33%). Leaves were found to be the most frequently used plant part. Conclusions: The present study revealed the use of few endemic plants, extensively for medicinal preparation, demonstrating an effective ethnobotanical practice in the study area. In future, these plants can be subjected to bioassay-guided investigation, while other plants can be screened for their bioactivity, to determine their medicinal property. Abbreviations used: UV: Use value; FUV: Family use value; TKP: Traditional knowledge provider; ICF: Informant consent factor.

AN ETHNOZOOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF TRADITIONALLY USED ANIMAL-BASED THERAPIES IN ATTAPPADY OF PALAKKAD DISTRICT, KERALA, INDIA.

The present study is an attempt to collect and document the ethnozoological knowledge possessed by the traditional tribal people of Attappady hills of Western Ghats in Palakkad district. The study area consisted of three categories of tribes namely, Irula, Kurumba and Muduga. Irulas contribute the majority followed by Mudugas and Kurumbas respectively. The study involved collection of information regarding the topic from all the three categories of tribes. Informations were collected by direct personal interviews with traditional healers belonging to tribal community. The mentioned animals were identified by their local names and previous studies in ethnozoology and available biodiversity records of regions in and around Attappady which involves Silent Valley National Park. The lack of biodiversity records posed difficulty in identifying the animal mentioned by the healers. The collected data was analyzed mathematically by calculating Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) to know the category of ailment for which more treatment is available, Fidelity level of animal species to identify the most preferred species for zootherapeutics, andInformant Agreement Index (IAR) to determine the agreement between informants for the use of a particular animal species for the treatment of a particular ailment category. ICF value obtained is highest for orthopedic ailments, FL is highest for Varanus bengalensis and Rusa unicolor and IAR is highest for seven species. The reduction in number of animals, lack of efficiency in implementing forest laws and their cultural taboos regarding the interaction with the outside world have resulted in the deterioration of traditional knowledge among the tribal population itself and also, due to legal issues, they have switched over almost completely to floral medicine. Therefore, they have a very little knowledge on the practice of zootherapeutics and ethnozoology.

Ethnopharmacological implications of quantitative and network analysis for traditional knowledge regarding the medicinal use of animals by indigenous people in Wolchulsan National Park, Korea

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe purpose of this study was to record, analyze, and identify ethnopharmacological implications for oral traditional knowledge regarding the medicinal use of animals by indigenous people living in Wolchulsan National Park, Korea. Materials and methodsData were collected through interviews, informal meetings, open and group discussions, and observations guided by semi-structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed via quantitative analysis of informant consensus factor and fidelity level, and network analysis, including centrality and clustering analysis. ResultsA total of 46 families, 59 genera, and 60 species of animals, as well as 373 methods of usage, were recorded. Fish comprised 31.7% of the total animal species recorded, followed by mammals at 20.0%, arthropods at 18.3%, and mollusks at 11.7%. Of these animals, 48.0% were utilized as food and 46.1% for medicinal use. Quantitative analysis showed that the category with the highest degree of consensus from informants was veterinary ailments (informant consensus factor value, 0.96). This was followed by poisonings (0.93), pains (0.92), genitourinary system disorders (0.91), cuts and wounds (0.89), and other medical conditions. The lowest degree of consensus was for skin diseases and disorders (0.57). There were 8 species of animals with a fidelity level of 100%, after eliminating from the animals analyzed that were mentioned only once. Finally, using network analysis, Gallus gallus domesticus and Gloydius brevicaudus were defined as species with meaningful medicinal use, while lack of vigor and lung diseases were defined as significant ailments in the study area. ConclusionThis study validates that local communities use animals not only for food but also for medicinal purposes as crucial therapeutic measures. Therefore, the conservation of fauna and preservation of traditional knowledge need to be seriously considered to maintain the health and well-being of the local communities. Network analysis clarified the series of ailments for which each animal species is preferentially used and helped confirm the order of priority when prescribing animal components for medicinal use. The traditional knowledge recorded in the present study will provide the basic data to develop new medicines for the bioindustry.

Relative popularity level of medicinal plants in Talagang, Punjab Province, Pakistan

This is the first ethnobotanical exploration with the aim to document the traditional medicinal usage of plants with the therapeutic values in Tehsil Talagang of Punjab province, Pakistan. The study shows the dependence of local people on medicinal plants in their daily life and provides practical evidence regarding the traditional usage of medicinal plants in health care practices. A total of 196 respondents including residents of the study area with gender representation and traditional healers were interviewed by using visual appraisal approach and rapid rural appraisal methods along semi-structured interviews and open-ended questionnaire. The data was quantitatively analyzed by using quantitative indices like use value, the relative frequency of citation, informant consensus factor, fidelity level and relative importance. A comparison with 25 published ethnobotanical and pharmacological studies was carried out to authenticate the ethnomedicinal relevance of the data recorded. The ethnomedicinal practices of 101 medicinal plants belonging to 36 families were reported. The results indicated that the dominant family was Brassicaceae (nine species). Herbs (57%) were the most dominant life form and leaves (29%) were the frequently used plant part with 45 reports. Mentha arvensis was found as highly cited plant species by respondents. The highest informant consensus factor value (0.65) was found for gastrointestinal disease category. There are 25 plant species having 100% fidelity level value. Use value and relative frequency of citation ranges from 0.04 to 0.16 and 0.15 to 0.36, respectively. The majority of the plant species were found to have strong pharmacological evidence. The current study will provide the basis for the preservation of ethnomedicinal heritage, knowledge and practices as well as for the further scientific investigations regarding the development of new herbal drugs.

Ethnomedicinal plants used by local inhabitants of Jakholi block, Rudraprayag district, western Himalaya, India

BackgroundEthnomedicinal knowledge of the Indian Himalayas is very interesting because of the wide range of medicinal plants used in traditional medical practice. However, there is a danger of knowledge being lost because the knowledge sharing is very limited and passed on orally. The present study is the first ethnomedicinal study in Jakholi area of Rudraprayag district of Northwestern India. The aim of present study was to identify traditional medicinal plants used by the inhabitants to treat different ailments and document the associated knowledge of these medicinal plants.MethodsAn ethnomedicinal survey was carried out in 72 of 133 villages and alpine pastures of Jakholi block (800–4000 m asl). Door to door surveys and group discussions, applying semi-structured questionnaires were conducted with traditional healers and villagers in local language (Garhwali). Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) was computed to analyse collected ethnomedicinal data.ResultsA total of 78 species (Gymnosperms 3 species, Monocotyledons 12 and 63 Dicotyledons) belonging to 73 genera in 46 families were identified to treat 14 different ailments categories. Most dominant family is Asteraceae (5 species). In disease treated categories, Diseases of the skin (DE) have the highest proportion (29.55%) followed by Gastro- intestinal disorder (GA) (25.89%). The most life form of plants used was herb (56%) followed by tree (23%) while root was the most frequently used part of the plants and the traditional preparation was mainly applied in the form of paste (37%). The highest ICF value (0.99) was found for hair ailments (HA) followed ophthalmologic complaints (OP) and mental afflictions (MA) (0.98).ConclusionsThe present study provides valuable information about traditional knowledge of medicinal plants of Jakholi Block in the Northwestern Himalaya, India. Local communities still possess large traditional knowledge of plants and their therapeutic uses and that the link of that traditional knowledge to modern research could be of importance for the isolation of new phytotherapeutic compounds leading to the development of novel therapeutic active agents. Some of the ethnomedicinal plants are facing high threats and are becoming rare, and conservation initiatives are needed to conserve them for sustainable management in the region.

Indigenous knowledge of the use of medicinal plants in the North-West of Morocco and their biological activities

IntroductionThis study is the first ethnopharmacological survey that investigates the traditional uses of medicinal plants in the province of Ouezzane (North-West of Morocco) as well as the indigenous knowledge related to the use of this natural resource in healthcare by the local population in order to preserve and protect this invaluable inheritance. We aimed also to reveal the in vitro pharmacological activities of some reported medicinal plants in this study. MethodsIn the survey, 113 informants (local inhabitants and herbalists) were interviewed using the semistructured and unstructured methods and using a stratified sampling technique. Data collected were analyzed calculating three quantitative parameters: Use Value (UV), Fidelity Level (FL) and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF). Pharmacological properties of some reported medicinal plants were evaluated. The antioxidant activity was estimated by the DPPH radical scavenging assay and the antibacterial activity was evaluated using agar well diffusion assay and microtitration method. ResultsThe results showed that 11% of the local population use traditional medicine, against 67% who use both traditional and modern medicine. The ethnomedicinal uses of 44 medicinal species representing 28 families were reported on. Lamiaceae were the most representative and include 32% of the identified species. The medicinal use revealed that leaves are the most used part of plants to prepare drugs, the decoction is the most widely used preparation method and remedies are often administered orally. The highest value of MUV was obtained for Origanum compactum Benth. (MUV=0.62) and Myrtus communis L. (MUV=0.52). In addition, In addition, the highest value of FL was recorded for Origanum compactum Benth. (100%), Myrtus communis L. (93.50%) and Arbutus unedo L. (93.50%). While, while the highest value of ICF was mentioned for respiratory system diseases (ICF=0.69), dermocosmetology (ICF=0.68), digestive system problems (ICF=0.63) and nervous system disorders (ICF=0.69). Plant extracts and essential oils showed important antibacterial properties against pathogenic strains and significant antioxidant capacities. ConclusionsThe ethnopharmacological data documented in this work revealed the use of medicinal plants in North-West of Morocco to fight against diseases. Therefore, efforts are needed for improving the level of the documentation, the conservation and standardisation of these species, and to preserve the transmission of traditional healing knowledge. Also, further studies testing other plant extracts in other pharmacological systems are needed to explore the scientific biological potential of these plants.

An ethnobotanical survey of indigenous medicinal plants in Hafizabad district, Punjab-Pakistan.

Present paper offers considerable information on traditional uses of medicinal plants by the inhabitants of Hafizabad district, Punjab-Pakistan. This is the first quantitative ethnobotanical study from the area comprising popularity level of medicinal plant species intendedby using relative popularity level (RPL) and rank order priority (ROP) indices.Ethnobotanical data were collected by interviewing 166 local informants and 35 traditional health practioners (THPs) from different localities of Hafizabad district. Demographic features of informants; life form, part used, methods of preparation, modes of application and ethnomedicinal uses were documented. Ethnobotanical data were analyzed using quantitative tools, i.e. Relative frequency citation (RFC), use value (UV), informant consensus factor (ICF) fidelity level (FL), RPL and ROP indices. A total of 85 species belonging to 71 genera and 34 families were documented along with ethnomedicinal uses. Solanum surattense, Withania somnifera, Cyperus rotundus, Solanum nigrum and Melia azedarach were the most utilized medicinal plant species with highest used value. The reported ailments were classified into 11 disease categories based on ICF values and highest number of plant species was reported to treat dermatological and gastrointestinal disorders. Withania somnifera and Ranunculus sceleratus with maximum FL (100%), were used against gastrointestinal and urinary disorders, respectively. The RPL and ROP values were calculated to recognize the folk medicinal plant wealth; six out of 32 plant species (19%) were found popular, based on citation by more than half of the maximum number of informant viz. 26. Consequently, the ROP value for these species was more than 75. The comparative assessment with reported literature revealed 15% resemblance and 6% variation to previous data;however79% uses of the reported species were recorded for the first time. The diversity of medicinal plant species and associated traditional knowledge is significant in primary health care system. Medicinal plant species with high RPL values should be screened for comprehensive phytochemical and pharmacological studies. This could be useful in novel drug discovery and to validate the ethomendicinal knowledge.

English

In developing countries, traditional medicines occupy a central place among rural communities since they contribute to provide health care to them. However, studies on the identification and documentation of medicinal plant (MP) species used for treatment of various ailments, plants parts used, remedies, preparation and administration of herbal drugs have been scarce, especially to determine the consensus factor among local communities and evaluate the potential for new drugs of herbal origin. This paper aims to determine informant consensus factor and fidelity level of ethnomedicinal plants used in Misha Woreda, Southern Ethiopia. A total of 200 informants were selected randomly for the study. Data were collected through semi-structured interview, focus group discussions, observation and guided field walks with informants. The secondary source data were collected from previous annual reports, documented information and relevant literatures. Data were analyzed by using suitable statistical tools such as correlation coefficient, Mann-Whitney U test, informant consensus factor (ICF), Fidelity Level (FL), and various ranking methods. A total of 126MP species belonging to 110 genera and 50 families were recorded. Of the total identified species, 66 were used to treat 34 human ailment, 13 MPs to treat 28 livestock ailments, and 47 MP species were common for both human and livestock treatment. Leaves forming 41% and herbs making 52% of the total identified MPs were dominantly harvested plant parts and plant growth forms, respectively. The dominant mode of remedial preparation was crushing (44%), and most MPs (61%) were administered orally. The highest ICF values were recorded for oral & pharyngeal, and respiratory (0.95 each), depicting the agreement among informants knowledge on MPs used to treat these aliments categories. Medicinal plans species such as Datura stramonium, Prunus africana, and Ruta chalepensis had the highest fidelity level (100% each) indicating the concordance of knowledge on species of best healing potential. Preference ranking indicated that Allium sativum was ranked first and found most effective MP to cure Pneumonia. Therefore, the documented MPs can be used for future pharmacological research, and awareness creation among the traditional healers and community at large becomes vital so as to preserve the indigenous knowledge associated with MP species. Key words: Ethnobotany, Indigenous knowledge, Medicinal plant, Misha, Informant consensus.

A survey of herbal weeds for treating skin disorders from Southern Thailand: Songkhla and Krabi Province

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSkin diseases are common health problems which affecting to all ages. In Thailand, the number of patients diagnosed with skin diseases is increasing every year. Nowadays, The Ministry of Public Health is supporting and promoting herbs for treating various disorders, including disorders of the skin to reduce the problem of antibiotic resistance and adverse drug reactions. This study aimed to: (1) enumerate the herbal weeds for treating skin disorders; (2) study local knowledge of weed utilization for treating skin disorders according to the folk healers in Songkhla and Krabi province; and (3) study quantitative data by Informant consensus factor (ICF), Use value (UV) and Fidelity level (FL) value. Materials and methodsField surveys and Semi-structured interviews about the local names, parts of plants used, preparation and use method, as well as local properties were done. The data were further analyzed by descriptive statistics, interpretation and quantitative indexes (ICF, UV as well as FL). ResultsThe results discovered 44 herbal species of weeds belonging to 41 genera in 25 families. The most used plant families were Amaranthaceae (6 species). Most plants were used to treat abscess (18 species; 40.91%). The highest UV was recorded for Commelina benghalensis (0.65). The highest ICF values were found in vitiligo, ringworm, tinea versicolor and burns (1.00 each). The highest FL values were recorded for Cleome gynandra, Cleome viscosa, Sphenoclea zeylanica, Acmella oleracea, Leersia hexandra, Cyperus involucratus, Phyllanthus urinaria and Iresine herbstii (100.00 each). A review of the literatures revealed that 34 plant species had already been tested for their pharmacological activities. The biological activities associated with treatment of skin diseases can be divided into four categories: antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, wound healing and antioxidant activity. ConclusionThe information indicates that herbal weedy utilization is still importance to the treatment of traditional healers through accumulated experience for a long time. Therefore, this study is a guide to the conservation of folk medicinal knowledge. It might be implied as the basis for drug development and application of herbal weeds to treat skin disorders along with promoting sustainable use of natural resource.