Diversity Of Medicinal Plants Research Articles

Systematic review of ethnomedicinal knowledge: Documentation, evaluation, and conservation of medicinal plants and their therapeutic applications

This study shows that ethnomedicine and ethnobotany have gained great relevance for their role in preserving ancestral knowledge about the use of medicinal plants. Despite the benefits, such as cultural preservation and biodiversity, new challenges arise, such as the lack of standardization and scientific validation, which limits their integration into modern medicine. Therefore, this systematic review aims to assess the documentation, evaluation, and conservation of medicinal plants and their therapeutic applications across different cultures, using the systematic literature review (SLR) methodology. The searches were conducted in electronic databases, such as Scopus, EBSCO, and Web of Science, following PRISMA protocol guidelines and focusing on studies published between 2007 and 2024. Research gaps were identified, and questions were developed to better understand ethnomedicinal practices, their validation, and conservation. A total of seventy studies were selected, documenting a wide diversity of medicinal plants, with a significant focus on the conservation of traditional knowledge. However, critical gaps were identified in the scientific validation and integration of this knowledge into conservation policies. The results of the thematic analysis highlight the need for standardized protocols and a multidisciplinary approach to validate and preserve ethnomedicinal knowledge, ensuring its relevance in modern medicine and its transmission to future generations.

Diversity and Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants in Thai Phuan Ethnic Group in Ban Phue District, Udon Thani Province, Thailand

Diversity and Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants in Thai Phuan Ethnic Group in Ban Phue District, Udon Thani Province, Thailand

Biogenic synthesis and physicochemical characterization of metal nanoparticles based on Calotropis procera as promising sustainable materials against skin cancer

The UAE harbors a rich diversity of wild medicinal plants, such as Calotropis procera (CP), that are renowned for their extensive use in traditional medicine due to their abundance of bioactive phytochemicals. Zinc and iron metals possess significant pharmacological effects including antioxidant and anticancer properties. In this study, nanoparticles (NPs) containing zinc and iron were green synthesized utilizing ethanolic and aqueous extracts of CP aerial parts. UV-Vis spectra revealed absorption peaks around 270–275 nm, while FT-IR analysis confirmed successful coating of the NPs with plant’s phytochemicals. SEM/EDX analysis indicated a more potent reducing effect of the aqueous extract, whereas the alcoholic extract demonstrated more effective coating of the NPs. DLS showed monodispersed NPs with average sizes of 32.67–202 nm. The alcoholic extract-based zinc and iron NPs exhibited the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents (51.06 ± 2.82 µg of GAE/mg of DW and 66.26 ± 1.12 µg of Qu/mg of DW, respectively) and the strongest antioxidant effect against ABTS and DPPH radicals (IC50 = 52.81 and 148.46 µg/mL, respectively). The aqueous extract-based zinc NPs demonstrated the greatest cytotoxicity against A-431 cell lines (IC50 = 188.97 µg/mL). The findings highlight promising potential of these sustainable materials for therapeutic applications, indicating a need for continued research and development in this area.

Ethnobotanical and Ethnopharmacological Study of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis in Yunnan Province, China

The traditional medicinal knowledge in the northwest of Yunnan Province, China have been poorly studied. Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis (PPvY) is widely cultivated and used as indigenous traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat cancer in northwest Yunnan. This study aims to reveal the traditional medicinal knowledge of PPvY and folk formulas related to PPvY through literature research and ethnobotanical investigation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 highly regarded folk doctors in the northwest of Yunnan, China, based on relevant data collected in the initial phase of the research. We identified twenty-three traditional treatments, thirty pairing herbs used with PPvY in therapy, and eight processing methods of PPvY. The results indicated that PPvY and its associated formulas containing PPvY were primarily used for treating cancer and inflammation and for clearing heat and detoxifying. The TCM herbs most frequently used alongside PPvY included Engleromyces sinensis and Glycyrrhiza yunnanensis. The commonly employed processing methods primarily involved using PPvY in both its dry and fresh forms, while special processing methods, such as processing in wine and honey, steaming, and foil-packet boiling, were worth further research. Our results highlight the diversity of medicinal plants and the richness of traditional medical knowledge in northwest Yunnan, China. This study may offer clues for the development and research of indigenous medicinal plants. Additionally, a collective effort is needed to create a plan for the sustainable use of indigenous medicinal plants, enhancing local economic development while safeguarding biodiversity and traditional medicinal knowledge.

Ethnopharmacological Insights into the Use of Chenopodium ambrosioides for Cough Treatment among Togolese Traditional Healers

Togo has an ethnobotanical potential with a great diversity of medicinal plants widely used to treat human diseases. Cough associated with respiratory diseases is one of the pathologies traditionally treated with medicinal plants in Togo. Chenopodium ambrosioides (L.) is a species used in the traditional treatment of cough in Togo. The aim of this study was to document the ethnopharmacological uses of Chenopodium ambrosioides in Togolese traditional medicine for treatment of cough. An ethnopharmacological survey was conducted using the semi-structured interview method among Traditional Medicine Practitioners (TMPs) from six health districts spread across four health regions. The ethnopharmacological and ethnobotanical data collected were analyzed using the User Value (UV) and Frequency of Citation (FC) of medicinal plants associated with the species. A total of 127 TMPs participated in this study and 96 (76%) of them were male and 31 (34%) were female. 73% of the informants claimed usually use Chenopodium ambrosioides in the cough treatment compared to 27% who claimed to not use it to treat cough. Chenopodium ambrosioides was used in combination with fifty-two (52) other botanical species in the treatment of cough and in the study area, Abrus precatorius Linn. (13.59%) followed by Ocimum gratissimum Linn. (11.58%), Zingiber officinale Rosc. Trans. Linn. (9.73%), Mangifera indica Linn. (6.21%), Eucalyptus citriodora Hooker (4.87%), Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich. (4.36%) and Eugenia caryophyllata Thunb. (4.19%) were the most popular plants used for cough treatment among the plants recorded. Sixteen (16) other pathologies including pulmonary infections are also treated by Chenopodium ambrosioides (L.). Abscesses, intestinal parasitic diseases, incurable wounds, stomach aches and headaches are the most pathologies commonly treated by this plant. The whole plant (72%) and leaves (22%) are the primary parts utilized for medicinal purposes. Decoction (77.50%) is the main preparation method, with oral (80.83%) and cutaneous (10.83%) routes being the most common modes of administration. The findings from this study provide a solid ethnopharmacological foundation for future pharmacological and toxicological investigations into Chenopodium ambrosioides (L.).

Trade-off between herbal and allopathic treatments: An ethnopharmacological case study in Rema-kalenga wildlife sanctuary, Bangladesh

The Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary (RKWS) is a protected forest in Bangladesh that houses a variety of rare flora and fauna and supports the sustenance of 13 ethnic communities. This forest's indigenous and other inhabitants traditionally have a strong cultural connection to the plants, particularly medicinal plants. Due to modern allopathic medicine's rapid growth and commercial tree species prioritization, many medicinal plants are now on the verge of endangerment. Under such circumstances, it is crucial to explore how the local community perceives the importance of herbal treatments in contrast to allopathy, the underlying reasons for their perceptions, and the specific ailments for which they use the plants. The main objectives are: 1) to evaluate the perceptions of the local community towards allopathy and herbal medicine using Nussbaum's central capabilities approach, 2) to identify medicinal plant diversity, therapeutic usages, and quantitative indices, 3) to determine the factors that influence the use of medicinal plants. Repeated interviews and field surveys were conducted at the RKWS, interviewing 145 people, including the indigenous community (72.42 %) and traditional healers (8.27 %) from the surrounding seven villages. The study identified 51 medicinal plant species belonging to 39 families for their potent medicinal properties in treating various ailments. The predominant parts of the plants used in the treatments were leaves and roots. The uses were classified into 12 categories according to Nussbaum's central capabilities. The findings identified Aloe vera, Phyllanthus emblica, and Azadirachta indica as highly culturally important species. In contrast, Terminalia arjuna, Swertia chirata, and Azadirachta indica were found to have the highest relative importance. The underlying determinants influencing the preferences of individual users towards herbal medicine were income from agroforestry, beliefs, knowledge, and ethnicity, as revealed by the analysis of the ordinal logit model. The respondents viewed their strong inclination toward herbal medicine with many positive attitudes. Herbal medicine users held a negative perception of allopathy except for affiliation and practical reasons being viewed as the positive outcomes. Conversely, allopathic medicine users expressed mixed perceptions towards the treatment, with both positive and negative aspects being identified. Promoting the sustainable use of medicinal plants and their conservation efforts is imperative for the benefit of present and future generations in this region.

Inventarisasi dan Pemetaan Keberagaman Tanaman Obat Keluarga di Desa Rambipuji, Kabupaten Jember: Upaya Pelestarian Pengetahuan Lokal

This study aims to map the diversity of family medicinal plants (TOGA) in Rambipuji Village, Rambipuji District, Jember Regency, East Java. TOGA is an important component in the lives of Indonesian people as an affordable and easily accessible alternative to traditional medicine. Nonetheless, in Rambipuji Village, the potential of TOGA has not been optimally utilized, and information regarding its geographical distribution is still limited. Therefore, accurate mapping is needed to support the utilization and preservation of TOGA. The research method involved three main stages: preparation, implementation, and map-making. In the preparation stage, the research team consulted with village officials to acquire permission and support. The implementation stage involved collecting coordinate point data of various medicinal plant species in the three main hamlets, namely Gudang Karang, Krajan, and Curah Ancar, utilizing the GPS Map Camera application. This data was later analyzed and imported into the QGIS application for the creation of an interactive map. The resulting map shows that there are 126 coordinate points in Gudang Karang Hamlet, 41 points in Krajan Hamlet, and 32 points in Curah Ancar Hamlet, with a total of 48 different medicinal plant species. The resulting TOGA diversity map provides a clear visual picture of the distribution of medicinal plants in Rambipuji Village, whereby it is expected to become a learning tool for the community and support the preservation and sustainable use of TOGA. This mapping is designed to improve the welfare of the community through a more targeted and coordinated utilization of medicinal plants.

Medicinal plants diversity among the oromo community in heban-arsi district of Ethiopia used to manage human and livestock ailments.

Medicinal plants are commonly employed mainly due their accessibility, affordability and potency. However, medicinal plants and the associated knowledge are disappearing at an alarming rate due to natural and anthropogenic causes and thus a need for their proper documentation conservation. This study was performed to document traditional knowledge related to use of medicinal plants in Heban-Arsi district, West-Arsi Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Interviews were conducted with 185 informants to identify medicinal plants used in traditional therapies in the study area. Informant consensus factor (ICF), rank order priority (ROP) values were computed, and preference ranking exercises were performed to assess the relative importance of medicinal plants. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to measure and compare medicinal plants knowledge between social groups. A total of 120 medicinal plants were identified for being used to treat different human and animal illnesses in the study area. Most of the medicinal plants (76.4%) were uncultivated ones obtained from different habitats. Leaf was the most frequently used plant part constituting 62.6% of preparations. Oral was the most commonly used route of remedy administration (46%) in treating diseases. Gastrointestinal ailments category had the highest ICF value (0.83). In the study area, the highest rank order priority (ROP) values were recorded for Dombeya torrida (J.F. Gmel.), Artemisia absinthium L., Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del., Combretum pisoniiflorum Klotzsch) Engl., Celtis africana Burm. f, Ocimum gratissimum L. and Lagenaria sp. for their uses against snake poison, tuberculosis, liver disorder, stomachache, tuberculosis, febrile illness and liver disorder, respectively, each scoring a value of 100. Significant differences in medicinal plant use knowledge were recorded between male and female informants of different educational level, age and experience. Anthropogenic factors were the primary threats to medicinal plants in the area. The study area was found to be rich in medicinal plants that are useful in treating a wide range of human and animal illnesses. In future pharmacological and phytochemical investigations, priority needs to be given to medicinal plants of the highest ROP values and those that were reported against ailment categories scoring the highest ICF values.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in Dibatie district, Metekel zone, Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, western Ethiopia

BackgroundHerbal medicine has been used for the treatment of human and livestock ailments since ancient times. Numerous rural and urban communities in Ethiopia practice traditional medicine and transfer the knowledge verbally from generation to generation. Thus, this study was conducted to document the traditional medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge in Dibatie district, Metekel zone, Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, western Ethiopia.MethodsThree hundred seventy-four (374) informants from 11 kebeles (the smallest administrative units) were selected and participated in the data delivery. The ethnobotanical data collection was carried out using semi-structured interviews, preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, field observation, market surveys, and focus group discussions, including voucher specimen collections. The ethnobotanical data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage), ranking, comparison, and quantitative ethnobotanical techniques such as informant consensus factor, fidelity level index, Jaccard’s coefficient of similarity, and use value index.ResultsA total of 170 plant species were recorded to treat 79 human and 29 livestock ailments. Fabaceae (with 20 species) and Asteraceae (with 18 species) were the most dominant medicinal plant families in the area. Most remedial plants were herbs (61 species, 35.88%), followed by shrubs (39 species, 22.94%). The majority (135 species, 79.41%) of medicinal plants were harvested from wild sources and mainly possessed multiple remedy parts (41.17%) that are usually prescribed in fresh form (60.13%). The most commonly reported human ailment was snake venom, while blackleg was mostly reported among livestock diseases. The herbal medicines were mostly administered orally (52.20%), followed by dermal (17.62%) application. Embelia schimperi Vatke, Glinus lotoides L., Haplosciadium abyssinicum Hochst., Mucuna melanocarpa Hochst. ex A. Rich., and Phragmanthera macrosolen (Steud. ex A. Rich.) M.G.Gilbert had the highest fidelity level values (100%) against the corresponding ailments.ConclusionThe study area is rich in a diversity of potential medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge. Thus, appropriate conservation actions and careful utilization are essential to counteract the rise of anthropogenic threats and to ensure the continuity of plants with the related indigenous knowledge. Additionally, the medicinal plants should be validated through experimentation to integrate local knowledge with modern medications.

Ethnobotanical survey and scientific validation of liver-healing plants in northeastern Morocco.

Liver diseases represent a significant global health challenge, with primary causes including excessive alcohol consumption, infections, chemotherapy, and autoimmune disorders. Medicinal plants, due to their natural bioactive compounds, hold promise for developing effective treatments and preventive measures against liver ailments. This study aimed to document the use of herbal remedies in northeastern Morocco for liver diseases and correlate these uses with scientific evidence through a bibliometric analysis. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in remote communities of northeastern Morocco from October 2020 to January 2022. A total of 189 informants were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires to gather information on local medicinal plants used for liver ailments. The data were analyzed using four ethnobotanical quantitative indices: use value (UV), familial use value (FUV), informant consensus factor (ICF), and fidelity level (FL). Additionally, a bibliometric analysis was performed to evaluate the scientific support for the ethnopharmacological uses documented. The survey identified 45 plant species from 26 different families used in the treatment of liver diseases. The most frequently utilized species were Cuminum cyminum L. (UV = 0.1065), Allium sativum L. (UV = 0.1015), Salvia officinalis L. (UV = 0.0761), Asparagus officinalis L. (UV = 0.0558), and Ziziphus lotus (L.) Lam. (UV = 0.0457). The Apiaceae family showed the highest familial use value (FUV = 0.1066), followed by Alliaceae (FUV = 0.1015). Liver congestion had the highest informant consensus factor (ICF = 0.83), followed by hepatic colic (ICF = 0.80). Bibliometric analysis revealed that 61% of the plants identified had documented pharmacological effects related to liver health. The study demonstrates that traditional knowledge in northeastern Morocco encompasses a rich diversity of medicinal plants used to treat liver diseases. The high ICF values indicate a strong consensus among informants on the efficacy of these remedies. The correlation between ethnopharmacological use and scientific validation for a significant portion of these plants suggests their potential as reliable therapeutic agents for liver conditions. However, further scientific investigations are necessary to confirm their efficacy and safety in clinical settings. This research contributes valuable information for future studies on the therapeutic potential of these plants. This ethnobotanical survey provides a comprehensive database of medicinal plants used in northeastern Morocco for liver diseases. The findings highlight the potential of these plants in developing novel treatments for hepatic conditions, although further research is essential to substantiate their therapeutic claims.

Phylogeny and bioprospecting: The diversity of medicinal plants used in cancer management

Societal Impact StatementAs the second‐leading cause of mortality worldwide, cancer is a major focus of drug discovery research. Traditional plant knowledge can guide the search for undiscovered compounds, but the efficacy of this approach for cancer, a highly complex disease affecting diverse tissues, is unknown. We investigated the patterns underlying plant selection for cancer treatment globally, finding certain lineages are repeatedly targeted. While this indicates therapeutic value, their relatedness with plants used for unrelated ethnobotanical uses suggests that plants are probably selected to treat cancer‐associated symptoms, rather than addressing tumour growth. Careful re‐examination and scoring of ethnobotanical reports may make the prediction of lineages for drug discovery more informative.Summary Cancer is a highly diverse disease and as the second‐leading cause of death worldwide is a focus of drug discovery research. Natural products have been shown to be a useful source of novel molecules for treating cancer. It is likely there are many plants with undiscovered molecules of therapeutic value, however identifying new leads from the vast diversity of plants is very challenging. Traditional knowledge might inform bioprospecting by predicting lineages of plants rich in therapeutically useful molecules. We characterise the phylogenetic diversity of plants used in traditional cancer management using a comprehensive genus‐level phylogeny of angiosperms, and a list of 597 genera used globally to treat different cancers. We phylogenetically predict which lineages may have elevated potential for drug discovery and assess the quality of the prediction. We demonstrate the independent and repeated targeting of specific lineages of plants by different peoples in different parts of the world. However, the lineages we report here as rich in plants used in traditional cancer management coincide with those for other ethnobotanical applications and contain few plants with proven anti‐cancer activity. That the same lineages are used to treat different cancers is suggestive of independent discovery of therapeutic value. However, it is likely that the traditional knowledge explored here is shaped by the selection of plants conferring milder effects for treating wider symptoms, such as tiredness or nausea, rather than for halting tumour growth. Accurate prediction of useful plant lineages for cancer management requires more nuanced information than is commonly provided in ethnobotanical records.

Documentation On Medicinal Plants of Khanapur Forest Bidar District, Karnataka

The present study was undertaken to document medicinal plants of Khanapur forest Bidar district, karnataka the documentation of medicinal plants helps to recognize the overall ecological conditions and gives profound understanding of the economic medicinal and traditional importance of medicinal plants diversity. The present research documentation work was started in November 2023 and completed in February 2024. The present study reported that 119 Medicinal plant species belongs to 54 families distributed in Khanapur forest Bidar included angiosperms Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms. Abrus precatorius, Ephedra, Withania sominifera, Catharanthus roseus, Tinospora cardifolia, Andrographis paniculata, Phyllanthus amarus, allium sativum, Cocos nucifera, Coleus aromaticus, Curcuma longa, Martynia annua, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Tamarindus indica, Terminalia chebula,Tithonia diversifolia, Acalypha indica, Brassica juncea, Clitoria ternatea, Datura metal, Delonix elata, Euphorbia antiquorum, Luffa acutangula, Madhuca longifolia, Myristica fragrans, Santalum album and Vitex negundo are some of the important medicinal plants of Khanapur forest Bidar district of karnataka.

Kazakhstan Has an Unexpected Diversity of Medicinal Plants of the Genus Acorus (Acoraceae) and Could Be a Cradle of the Triploid Species A. calamus.

The Acorus calamus group, or sweet flag, includes important medicinal plants and is classified into three species: A. americanus (diploid), A. verus (tetraploid), and A. calamus (sterile triploid of hybrid origin). Members of the group are famous as components of traditional Indian medicine, and early researchers suggested the origin of the sweet flag in tropical Asia. Subsequent research led to an idea of the origin of the triploid A. calamus in the Amur River basin in temperate Asia, because this was the only region where both diploids and tetraploids were known to co-occur and be capable of sexual reproduction. Contrary to this hypothesis, triploids are currently very rare in the Amur basin. Here, we provide the first evidence that all three species occur in Kazakhstan. The new records extend earlier data on the range of A. verus for c. 1800 km. Along the valley of the Irtysh River in Kazakhstan and the adjacent Omsk Oblast of Russia, A. verus is recorded in the south, A. americanus in the north, and A. calamus is common in between. We propose the Irtysh River valley as another candidate for a cradle of the triploid species A. calamus. It is possible that the range of at least one parent species (A. americanus) has contracted through competition with its triploid derivative species, for which the Irtysh River floods provide a tool for downstream range expansion. We refine our earlier data and show that the two parent species have non-overlapping ranges of variation in a quantitative metric of leaf aerenchyma structure.

Documentation On Medicinal Plants of Deva Deva Vana Botanical Garden of Bidar District, Karnataka

The present study was undertaken to document medicinal plants of Deva Deva vana Botanical garden of Bidar district, karnataka. Deva Deva vana literally means ‘Forest of divine/celestial beings’ A Botanical garden maintained by the Forest department around 6 km from Bidar – Hyderabad Highway. It is home to around 200 medicinal plants and trees, and considered sacred. It is divided into around 10 gardens and a nursery which is classified according to a particular theme like Nandana vana, Ashoka vana, Navagraha vana, Rock Garden, shiva panchayath vana, Phala pushpa vana,..etc the documentation of medicinal plants helps to recognize the overall ecological conditions, conservation and gives profound understanding of the economic medicinal and traditional importance of medicinal plants diversity. The present research documentation work was started in February 2023 and completed in June 2024. The present study reported that 147 Medicinal plant species belongs to 64 families distributed and conserved in Deva Deva vana Botanical garden Bidar included angiosperms Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms. Abrus precatorius, Ephedra, Withania sominifera, Catharanthus roseus, Tinospora cardifolia, Andrographis paniculata, Phyllanthus amarus, allium sativum, Cocos nucifera, Coleus aromaticus, Curcuma longa, Martynia annua, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Tamarindus indica, Terminalia chebula,Tithonia diversifolia, Acalypha indica, Brassica juncea, Clitoria ternatea, Datura metal, Delonix elata, Euphorbia antiquorum, Luffa acutangula, Madhuca longifolia, Myristica fragrans, Santalum album and Vitex negundo are some of the important medicinal plants of Deva Deva vana Botanical garden Bidar district of karnataka.

Assessment of the prospects for using pharmacopoeial plants of the Trans-Baikal territory

The work represents a preliminary stage of resource studies of the Daurian part of the Trans-Baikal Territory. The XIVth edition of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation (2018) includes 102 species of medicinal plants, of which 30 species are found in the Trans-Baikal Territory. Using methods of approximate evaluation of the stocks of medicinal raw materials, we tentatively divided pharmacopeial species into three utilization groups: ten species can be harvested for the needs of the regional pharmacies, eight species can be collected for domestic use by local population, and only five widespread species (Pinus sylvestris L., Betula pendula Roth, Padus avium Mill., Vaccinium vitis-idaea L., Ledum palustre L.) can be used as a resource for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry of the Russian Federation. The remaining species Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Sprengel, Vaccinium myrtillus L., Carum carvi L., Dryopteris filix-mas (L.) Schott are found in sporadic locations, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., Rhodiola rosea L., Convallaria keiskei Miq. is included in the 2017 Red Data Book of the Trans-Baikal Territory. Harvesting of these species is prohibited. It has been established that for the resource studies the most promising are 15 medicinal plant species, and the most promising locations are Yablonovay Range and Argun Dauria floristic regions due to the greatest diversity of pharmacopoeial medicinal plants there.

Title of the article: Diversity of medicinal plant and their conservation Status of West Tripura District, Tripura, India

Title of the article: Diversity of medicinal plant and their conservation Status of West Tripura District, Tripura, India

Exploration of medicinal plants diversity of Ri-Bhoi district, Meghalaya

Abstract BACKGROUND: Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The district’s varied habitats create a multitude of niches for plant species to thrive, resulting in a rich array of flora that includes endemic, rare, endangered, and economically important medicinal plants. The purpose of the present study was to explore and document the medicinal plant diversity in the specific area of Ri-Bhoi district, Meghalaya. METHODS: For the exploration, the Medico Ethno-Botanical Survey (MEBS) team of Regional Ayurveda Research Institute (RARI), Itanagar, surveyed reserve forest ranges and nearby forest areas of Ri-Bhoi district, Meghalaya, following the guidelines of Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush, New Delhi. RESULTS: The study documented a total of 184 vascular plant species belonging to 161 genera in 72 families. Among all the collections, angiospermic families were dominant, comprising 65 of the total number. The family Fabaceae represented the highest number of plants (19), while the genus Solanum exhibited the highest number of species (6). Herbs accounted for the majority (51%) of the plants’ habits compared to other plant habits. The enlisted plants were cross-verified with Ayurvedic texts, revealing that 67 plant species were indexed in the Ayurvedic literature with their therapeutic effect, disease indication, and respective formulations. The IUCN status of the explored plants was also evaluated and presented in tabulated form. CONCLUSION: The floristic studies conducted in the study area provided valuable insights into the botanical wealth and species richness of the region, including medicinal plants of ayurvedic importance. The results and findings of this study can serve as baseline data for future research in the fields of ecological habitat analysis, phytochemical analysis, conservation, and cultivation of medicinal plants.

Assessing the Impact of Urbanization on Medicinal Plant Diversity and Conservation Strategies in Delhi NCR

This study investigates the impact of urbanization on medicinal plant diversity and conservation strategies in Delhi NCR. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 419 households through a structured questionnaire. Statistical analyses, including correlation and regression, revealed a significant negative relationship between urbanization and both medicinal plant diversity and conservation efforts. Urban expansion was found to reduce biodiversity and hinder the effectiveness of conservation strategies. The study concludes that urbanization poses a serious threat to the preservation of medicinal plants and recommends strengthening urban planning to incorporate biodiversity measures, raising public awareness, and enhancing green infrastructure. The findings underscore the need for immediate action to mitigate the negative effects of urbanization on medicinal plant diversity.

Medicinal Plant Diversity and Indigenous Knowledge in Gishie Rabel District, North Shewa, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge was surveyed in Gishe Rabel District, Ethiopia, from 60 informants using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and guided field walks. Preference rankings, paired comparisons, direct matrix rankings, and informant consensus factors (ICFs) were calculated. Ninety-five medicinal plants from 82 genera and 47 families were identified, five of which were unique to Ethiopia. Sixty-nine species were being used in treating human diseases. The leaves were the most commonly used plant part, followed by the roots. Fibril disease had the highest ICF value (0.84) and Echinops kebericho was the most preferred plant for treating this condition.

Computational Screening of Some Phytochemicals to Identify Best Modulators for Ligand Binding Domain of Estrogen Receptor Alpha.

The peculiar aim of this study is to discover and identify the most effective and potential inhibitors against the most influential target ERα receptor by in silico studies of 45 phytochemicals from six diverse ayurvedic medicinal plants. The molecular docking investigation was carried out by the genetic algorithm program of AutoDock Vina. The molecular dynamic (MD) simulation investigations were conducted using the Desmond tool of Schrödinger molecular modelling. This study identified the top ten highest binding energy phytochemicals that were taken for drug-likeness test and ADMET profile prediction with the help of the web-based server QikpropADME. Molecular docking study revealed that ellagic acid (-9.3 kcal/mol), emodin (-9.1 kcal/mol), rhein (-9.1 kcal/mol), andquercetin (-9.0 kcal/mol) phytochemicals showed similar binding affinity as standard tamoxifen towards the target protein ERα. MD studies showed that all four compounds possess comparatively stable ligand-protein complexes with ERα target compared to the tamoxifen-ERα complex. Among the four compounds, phytochemical rhein formed a more stable complex than standard tamoxifen. ADMET studies for the top ten highest binding energy phytochemicals showed a better safety profile. Additionally, these compounds are being reported for the first time in this study as possible inhibitors of ERα for treating breast cancer, according to the notion of drug repurposing. Hence, these phytochemicals can be further studied and used as a parent core molecule to develop innovative lead molecules for breast cancer therapy.