Medicinal Plant Species Research Articles

Ethno-Botanical Survey: Exploring Indigenous Remedies for African Animal Trypanosomosis in Nigeria

The Fulani pastoralist of Nigeria and other indigenous livestock farmers have used medicinal plants to treat various animal diseases for centuries, amongst which include the African animal trypanosomosis (AAT). It is a severe debilitating parasitic disease of livestock and some wild animal species. It is caused by pathogenic Trypanosomes and transmitted by Tsetse flies. It causes severe economic losses to livestock farmers in Africa. In this study, an ethno-botanical survey was conducted in the Tsetse-endemic areas of Bauchi, Plateau and Kaduna States of Nigeria to identify medicinal plants used traditionally to treat AAT. During the study, eighty questionnaires were administered to the respondents who were predominantly Fulani pastoralists, and other indigenous livestock farmers. seventy-eight questioners were fully completed and retrieved. The study revealed that that most of the respondents have retained the tradition knowledge system of medicinal plants passed down to them for generations. The study revealed various herbal preparation methods employed by indigenous Nigerian livestock farmers, including decoctions, infusions, and incorporating plant material into feed. Fifteen medicinal plants species belonging to 13 families were identified to be used by Nigerian pastoralist for the treatment AAT. These included Khaya senegalensis (28.2%), Azadirachta indica (25.6%), Boswellia dalziellii (23%), Prosopis africana (23%), Anogeisus leocarpus and Terminalia avicennioides (21.8%), Adansonia digitata and Annona senegalensis (19.2%), Pilostigma thoningii (16.7%), Nauclea latifolia (15.0%). Balanites aegyptiaca (12.5%). Eucalyptus torelliana (11.5%), Tamarindus indica (10.3%), Ximenia americana (9%) and Guiera senegalensis 7.7%).
 Conclusions: The information obtained from this study and the medicinal plants identified can be harnessed for the development of plant-based medicaments for the treatment of AAT.

Traditional remedies for diabetes used by the Ao (Naga) tribe in Mokokchung district, Nagaland, India

Diabetes, a metabolic disorder, poses a significant global health challenge and is recognized as a major non-communicable disease. This widespread issue not only impacts the well-being of individuals but also poses economic burdens, particularly on developing nations. Consequently, there is a pressing need for appropriate solutions and effective medicines, making it a focal point of research globally. Despite remarkable progress in modern allopathic medicine, there exists no definitive cure for diabetes within this system. Additionally, allopathic drugs, while beneficial, often come with severe side effects that can lead to various physiological disorders. In the light of these challenges, ethnobotanical exploration emerges as a viable alternative, providing an avenue to identify potential folk medicines for treating metabolic disorders.The current study aimed to investigate the diversity of medicinal plants traditionally used by the Ao (Naga) tribe in Mokokchung for diabetes treatment and to document these folk remedies. Mokokchung district, Nagaland, is home to the Ao (Naga) tribe, a community reliant on ethnomedicinal herbs for their daily needs and healthcare. The study, conducted between September 2021 and March 2022, involved structured interviews with traditional healers to collect information on their use of medicinal plants in managing various ailments. The study findings underscored the richness of medicinal plants and folk formulations employed in diabetes treatment within the Mokokchung district of Nagaland. A total of 32 medicinal plant species from 26 families were documented. Despite the advancements in modern medicine, traditional ethnomedicinal practices are gradually losing favor, particularly among younger generations, leading to the erosion of this invaluable knowledge. Hence, there is an urgent need for further scientific investigation to validate the claims and efficacy of folk medicines used for diabetes treatment. Inthis background, there is a critical requirement for inventory, documentation and scientific validation of these practices and folk medicines. Immediate attention to these efforts is crucial to preserve this invaluable knowledge and facilitate its integration with modern medical practices, ensuring the preservation and effective utilization of this traditional wisdom.

Influence of Traditional Medicine as Initiative for Rural Tourism and Poverty Reduction Strategy Tanzania: A Case of Kisarawe District

Despite recent scientific advancement and globalization, traditional medicines and complementary/alternative medicine are still primary sources of health care, livelihoods and income generation among local communities falling under Rural Tourism (RT). This study assessed the influence of traditional medicine initiative as a rural tourism strategy inter alia for poverty reduction in Kisarawe district in Tanzania. The main objective was to examine the local community perception on traditional medicine administered by traditional healers whether it has impact in promoting community health compared to modern medicines; but also, as eco-tourism strategy for poverty reduction; while sustaining environmental protection and conservation of various bio-diversities. The study employed mixed methods included structured questionnaires, key informants’ interviews, application of Likert scale range from 1 to 7 in data collection from a sample size of 100 respondents. Other methods entailed direct field observation and reviews of relevant literature. SPSS software version 20 was used to analyze multivariate analysis. Results showed willingness of community members to undergo training on improvement of knowledge on traditional medicines supported by tourism programmes, government policies and regulations for sustainable RT, poverty reduction, environmental protection and conservation. The study concluded that, community perception on traditional medicine positively moderates the relationship between rural tourism development and poverty reduction; however, there was limited co-ordination of tourism activities; and insufficient collaboration between the public and private sector. It recommended that; future research should network with traditional healers in order to know more indigenous medicinal plant species in order to formalize their application in public health while promoting eco-tourism for social economic development of local communities in Kisarawe district.

Sustainable approach for the collection and processing of medicinal and aromatic plants in Hungary

AbstractHungary is a Central European country that is rich in medicinal and aromatic wild plant species; in rural livelihoods, the collection, use, process, and trade of these plants are traditionally important contributors. However, due to several recent changes touching the sector, the natural ecosystems, biodiversity, and collectors - who generally belong to poorer social groups – are affected negatively.The paper aims to introduce the Hungarian herbal sector from a holistic perspective, including its economic, environmental, and human dimensions, with a particular focus on sustainability. In this context, the purpose of the article is to discover this field as comprehensibly as possible and present it from both theoretical and practical aspects. Another objective is to collect the best practices and feasible solutions from the field in connection with promoting a harmonious, as well as economically prosperous relationship between nature and local people. This integrated approach helps show the industry's strengths and advantages, as well as its weaknesses and challenges. Based on the findings, the paper attempts also to propose some recommendations for the future.

Chemotaxonomy, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of selected aromatic plants from Tabuk region-KSA

Chemotaxonomy is a valuable tool for obtaining taxonomic insights, which are most effectively employed in combination with other forms of data to establish a system of classification that closely reflects natural connections. The utilization of plant secondary metabolites possessing diverse therapeutic qualities signifies the growing exploitation of natural products in the medical discipline. The objectives of the current study encompassed the identification of phytochemicals in the extracts of nine species of medicinal plants, the examination of their chemotaxonomic properties, and the assessment of the antibacterial and antioxidant capabilities exhibited by the extracts. GC-MS technology was employed for the identification of phytochemical compounds. The study utilized ClassyFire, an automated chemical classification system that incorporates an extensive and computable classification, to categorize chemicals. The chemical classification of plants was examined by the application of principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA). The bactericidal properties of plants were assessed against four harmful bacterial species using the disc diffusion technique. The antioxidant properties of plant extracts were assessed employing the DPPH free radical scavenging methodology, and the half maximal effective concentration (EC50) was determined using dose response models. The calculator being referred to is the Quest Graph™ EC50 Calculator. In the plant extracts, the analysis disclosed the occurrence of 160 phytochemicals, classified into 36 phytochemical classes. The results of CA and PCA demonstrated the proximity and associations among Asteraceae species, while indicating the divergence of the two Lamiaceae species. Achillea fragrantissima and Ducrosia flabellifolia demonstrated the most diversity in phytochemical classes, while Thymus vulgaris displayed the highest level of dominance. Pulicaria undulata and T. vulgaris had the most notable antibacterial activity. D. flabellifolia and P. incisa demonstrated the highest levels of antioxidant activity. Ethanol exhibited superior antibacterial efficacy compared to other solvents. The remarkable biological activities exhibited by these plant extracts can be ascribed to the copious presence of certain chemicals, predominantly sesquiterpenoids, monoterpenoids, benzene and its derivatives, naphthalenes, fatty acyls, and phenols. The susceptibility of Gram-positive bacterial species to plant extracts was shown to be higher in comparison to Gram-negative bacterial species.

Effect of salinity stress and its potential application in enhancing phytochemical content of medicinal plants

Abstract Medicinal plants are considered as high-value crops, particularly in the medicinal and pharmaceutical fields. The phytochemical constituents found in medicinal plants that possess therapeutic effects have henceforth driven continuous demand for the manufacturing of healthcare products that include these compounds as the main ingredients. Various agronomic practices in the cultivation of medicinal plants aim to increase the yield and phytochemical content. A thorough review on the implication of salinity stress on the growth and yield of medicinal plants were provided. The increased level of phytochemicals as a common physiological response to salinity stress was reported in various species of medicinal plants. The potential application of a tolerable level of salinity in the cultivation of medicinal plants as a strategy to increase the production of phytochemical compounds is also highlighted.

Biosafety Evaluation of Methanol Extract of Stem Bark of Lonchocarpus griffonianus (Baill.) Dunn (Fabaceae) in Sprague-Dawley Rats

Aim: Due to hazards associated with specific medicinal plant species, the biosafety evaluation of medicinal plants is crucial for guaranteeing both their safe use and regulatory compliance. Assessing the biosafety profile of the methanol extract of L. griffonianus stem bark (LGME) is imperative. This research seeks to preserve both the environment and public health by filling in the gaps in the biosafety reports regarding the plant's stem bark's safety for possible usage. 
 Methodology: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 180 ± 1.63 g were given oral doses of LGME at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg daily for 28 days. Hematological parameters such as hemoglobin (Hb), pack cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), hematocrit (Hct), lymphocytes (Lym) and granulocytes (Gran) were measured. Biochemical parameters such as kidney function tests (urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate), and liver function tests (alkaline phosphate (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBil), conjugated bilirubin (CB), total protein (TP) and albumin (Alb) were examined. Kidney and liver histological investigations were performed to evaluate any indications of organ damage.
 Results: No significant (p˂0.05) alterations in the hematological markers in rats were
 observed. There were no discernible alterations in the liver and kidney function markers. Liver and kidney histological architecture revealed no severe injuries. 
 Conclusion: The current data indicate that the toxicity of the L. griffonianus methanol extract is low in Sprague-Dawley rats. These results offer crucial details regarding the toxicity and safety profile of L. griffonianus, a plant used in traditional medicine for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Assessing deep convolutional neural network models and their comparative performance for automated medicinal plant identification from leaf images

Medicinal plants have got notable attention in recent years in the field of pharmaceutical and drug research. The high demand of herbal medicine in the rural areas of developing countries and drug industries necessitates correct identification of the medicinal plant species which is challenging in absence of expert taxonomic knowledge. Against this backdrop, we attempted to assess the performance of seven advanced deep learning algorithms in the automated identification of the plants from their leaf images and to suggest the best model from a comparative study of the models. We meticulously trained VGG16, VGG19, DenseNet201, ResNet50V2, Xception, InceptionResNetV2, and InceptionV3 deep neural network models. This training utilized a dataset comprising 5878 images encompassing 30 medicinal species distributed among 20 families. Our approach involved two avenues: the utilization of public data (PI) and a blend of public and field data (PFI), the latter featuring intricate backgrounds. Our study elucidates the robustness of these models in accurately identifying and classifying both interfamily and interspecies variations. Despite variations in accuracy across diverse families and species, the models demonstrated adeptness in these classifications. Comparing the models, we unearthed a crucial insight: the Normalized leverage factor (γω) for DenseNet201 stands at 0.19, elevating it to the pinnacle position for PI with a remarkable 99.64 % accuracy and 98.31 % precision. In the PFI scenario, the same model achieves a γω of 0.15 with a commendable 97 % accuracy. These findings serve as a guiding beacon for shaping future application tools designed to automate medicinal plant identification at the user level.

Comparative study of bioactive compound content and antioxidant activity in different extraction methods of Syzygium Polyanthum leaves

Link of Video Abstract: https://youtu.be/VtCPJX9TPg4 Background : Syzygium Polyanthum is classified among the 5,000 medicinal plant species documented in the Indonesian Medicinal Herb Index. It is utilised for a variety of purposes in traditional medicine and has potential health benefits. Extraction of medicinal plants is crucial to separate active plant materials or secondary metabolites. The aim of the study was to compare extracts of Syzygium Polyanthum Leaves using different methods: maceration and UAE in extracting flavonoids, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Methods: the bioactive component content and antioxidant activity of Syzygium polyanthum leaves extracted using two different methods—maceration and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE)—are compared. 96% ethanol was employed as the extracting solvent in the maceration and UAE extraction processes for S. polyanthum.The bioactive substances in both extracts were determined using Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Result: The amount of total phenolic, flavonoid, and IC50 in S. polyanthum leaves was evaluated between the maceration extraction method and UAE. Liquid chromatography-high Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS) analysis was utilized to detect the presence of bioactive compounds, then classified according to the PubChem database's taxonomy. There were comparable amounts of flavonoids in both extracts (60.194 mg QE/g and 60.074 mg QE/g). According to the DPPH assay, the total phenol for the extracts obtained by maceration and UAE was 94.63 ± 2.18 mg GAE/g and 122.87 ± 5.99 mg GAE/g extracts respectively, and the IC50 for the extracts obtained by maceration and UAE were 88.21 ± 1.38 μg/mL and 41.23 ± 6.11 μg/mL. Conclusion: The findings of the study indicated that the ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) approach yielded significantly greater quantities of total phenolic and flavonoid compounds, as well as exhibited stronger antioxidant activity, when compared to the maceration extraction method. The utilisation of the UAE approach resulted in a significant rise in the antioxidant activity of S. polyanthum leaves.

Ethnomedicinal plants in Champadevi rural municipality, Okhaldhunga district, Nepal

BackgroundOkhaldhunga is a hilly district with fragile socioeconomic conditions, limited access to health care, social stigma, and poor resource management, where most people rely on medicinal plants for primary health care. The use of medicinal plants for primary health care varies with socioeconomic attributes. Following the intra-cultural analysis, we documented and tested the hypothesis that use of medicinal plants in Champadevi, Okhaldhunga, Nepal, depends on socioeconomic variables.MethodsWe interviewed 224 respondents, 53.12% female and 46.88% male, including 31 Brahmin, 157 Chhetri, 13 Dalit, and 23 Janajati, and conducted three focused group discussions and seven key informant interviews to record the ethnomedicinal plants used in Champadevi rural municipality, Okhaldhunga District. The relative frequency of citation (RFC) was computed to know the importance of the species. A generalized linear model (GLM) was used to see the relationship between medicinal plants reported with the sociocultural variables, which include age, gender, occupation, education, ethnicity, and religion.ResultsWe documented 149 medicinal plants, including 69 herbs, 22 shrubs, nine climbers, 48 trees, and one parasitic plant, belonging to 68 families and 130 genera, and used to treat 48 distinct diseases and ailments. Plant parts, leaf, and digestive disorders were frequently treated during healing. Curcuma angustifolia was the most cited species with RFC 0.9554. The respondents' knowledge of medicinal plant use varied significantly with age (p = 0.0001) and occupation (p = 0.003). Changes in land use, population decline of medicinal plant species, and unsustainable harvesting practices constituted the local threats to medicinal plants and associated knowledge. Elders died without passing on their knowledge to the younger generations during sociocultural transformation, and youth disinterest coupled with the free availability of allopathic medicine led to knowledge erosion.ConclusionsThe use of medicinal plants in Champadevi, Okhaldhunga, was significantly depended on two socioeconomic variables age and occupation. Ethnomedicinal plants are essential in the primary healthcare system in Nepal; however, their availability and practices are declining. Thus, plans regulating land use change and human migration, acknowledging traditional healthcare practices, and raising awareness of the significance of traditional medical practices as complementary healthcare practices should be strengthened.

Exploring the Antioxidant Potential of Medicinal Plant Species: A Comprehensive Investigative Review

Medicinal plants are esteemed for their therapeutic attributes, including their emerging role as potent antioxidants. This review consolidates contemporary research on the antioxidant capacities inherent in various medicinal plant species. Through meticulous scrutiny of scientific literature, the review elucidates the mechanisms that underpin the antioxidant activities of these plants and investigates their potential applications in healthcare and disease prevention. Key revelations encompass the diverse antioxidant compounds present in medicinal plants, their modes of action, and their ramifications for human health. Moreover, the review identifies gaps in current understanding and recommends future research directions to advance the field of botanical medicine. In the realm of natural remedies, medicinal plants have garnered attention not only for their therapeutic properties but also for their antioxidant potential. This review offers a comprehensive synthesis of contemporary research on the antioxidant capacities exhibited by various medicinal plant species. Through an exhaustive analysis of scientific literature, it delves into the mechanisms underpinning the antioxidant activities of these plants while exploring their prospective applications in healthcare and disease prevention. Key insights highlight the diverse antioxidant compounds found within medicinal plants, their intricate modes of action, and their implications for human health. Furthermore, the review underscores existing knowledge gaps and proposes avenues for future research to propel advancements in botanical medicine.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infection in the Tiaret region (Algeria)

The Corona Virus disease has spread widely over the world with a high mortality rate. This spread has prompted people to look for other ways to treator minimize the negative impact of this out break. During the pandemic, the Algerian population used medicinal plants for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. The present work was carried out to identify the medicinal plants used during COVID-19 by the population of Tiaret region (Algeria). An ethnobotanical survey was conducted to collect data on the medicinal plants used, including the socio demographic parameters of the users and floristic characteristics of the plants. Information was obtained from 428 participants, of which 67.05% were women, aged between 16 and 88 years old. Most plant users were between 41 and 64 years old. The majority of participants have a high level of education (55.14% university and 20.32% secondary). Quantitative indices, namely, Frequency of Citation (FC), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) and Family Importance Value (FIV) were used to analyze the data. 27 species of medicinal plants belonging to 15 botanical families used during the COVID - 19 pandemic in our region. The most used species were Syzygium aromaticum, Zingiber officinale, Citrus limon and Aloysia citriodora.

Stages of Development and Solvents Determine the Anticancer Potential of Mountain Arnica (Arnica montana L.) Inflorescence Extracts

In recent years, new sources of secondary metabolites (SMs) in medicinal plants have been identified, and the introduction of these plants into field conditions has been carried out to obtain chemically diverse standardized raw material (RM). An example is mountain arnica Arnica montana L., one of Europe’s endemic endangered medicinal plant species, commonly used in pharmacy, cosmetics, and medicine. Its inflorescences (Arnicae flos) are characterized by anti-inflammatory, antiradical, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and antitumor properties. The main goals of the present research included: (i) characterization of the chemical composition of the inflorescences of A. montana harvested in different development stages; and (ii) presentation of the role of the development stage and different extraction methods in the antitumor activity of extracts through analyses of apoptosis, autophagy, and necrosis induction in human cervical carcinoma HeLa, human colon carcinoma HT29, and human colon metastatic carcinoma SW620 cell lines. The development stage was found to modify the composition of pharmacologically active substances, e.g., sesquiterpene lactones (SLs), flavonoids (Fs), and essential oil (EO), in arnica inflorescences. The content of Fs and EO increased during flowering to the full flowering phase; however, the highest content of SLs was noted in the full flowering phase and at the end of flowering. More promising results, i.e., a relatively high level of apoptosis and a low level of necrosis induced by the arnica extracts, were demonstrated in the HeLa cell line (full flowering; concentration: 0.5 µL/mL), the HT29 cell line (beginning of flowering; concentration: 0.5 µL/mL), and the SW620 cell line (stage of yellow buds; concentration: 1 µL/mL). This extremely valuable medicinal plant species provides a very broad range of RMs (e.g., inflorescences, rhizomes, roots, achenes, and all plant); therefore, attention should be paid to the more frequent use of water as a solvent in studies on the biological activity of mountain arnica extracts.

An ethnobotanical study of aromatic medicinal plants of Swat Valley, Pakistan

Abstract. Ali S, Munazir M, Sher H, Qureshi R, Akram M. 2023. An ethnobotanical study of aromatic medicinal plants of Swat Valley, Pakistan. Asian J Ethnobiol 6: 163-172. Plants play a key role in local medicines and are a source of income, as in the case of Swat, Pakistan, which is rich in medicinal plants coupled with rich in the practice of traditional knowledge and diverse cultures. So, the present study aimed to record the cultural uses of aromatic medicinal plants commonly used as medicines by herbalists from remote areas in Swat Valley. The survey was carried out in 2021 and 2023 using a semi-structured questionnaire with a total of 106 people were interviewed. A total of 33 aromatic medicinal plant species belonging to 30 genera and 14 families were identified and recorded. Lamiaceae was the most commonly used plant family (33%), followed by Apiaceae (18%), Rutaceae (9%), Zingiberaceae (6%), and Myrtaceae (6%). Herbs were commonly used for herbal recipes with 23 species (69%), followed by shrubs (12%), trees (15%), and climbers (3%). Shoots and leaves (30%) were the most commonly used parts of the plants, followed by fruits (18%), seeds (15%), bulbs (6%), rhizomes, bark, and needles (3%). In terms of mode of application, powder was the most common mode (42%), followed by dried (30%), infusions (27%), decoctions (24%), crushing (6%), and heating (3%). The highest Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) was Skimmia laureola with 0.84, while Anisomeles indica had the lowest RFC (0.13). In terms of Fidelity Level (FL), Zingiber officinale had the highest FL (83%), while Sium latifolium had the lowest FL (13%). The recorded aromatic medicinal plants are mostly used to treat stomach problems. It has also been observed that elderly people are more knowledgeable than younger ones. Therefore, the present study suggests that these plants should be screened for new compounds linked to their reported use in the development of new therapeutics.

Characteristics of the complete chloroplast genome of Saxifragaceae species Bergenia purpurascens (Hook. f. et Thoms.) Engl

Bergenia purpurascens (Hook. f. et Thoms.) Engl. is one species of traditional Chinese medicinal plant. This is the first publication of its complete chloroplast (cp) genome. The whole cp genome has 157,246 base pairs in length with 132 annotated genes, of which were 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNAs, and 8 rRNAs. According to the phylogenetic study, B. purpurascens and Bergenia scopulosa T. P. Wang. 1974 had a sister relationship. This genomic data and conclusions from B. purpurascens phylogenetic research will provide useful information and throw light on more in-depth investigations of the systematics and evolutionary patterns of Saxifragaceae.

Geographical Study of Medicinal Plants Using GIS and GPS Tools in Some Villages, Barzan Sub-District, Mergasor Districts Iraqi Kurdistan Region

A geographical study and mapping for the distribution of medicinal plants within some villages around the Mergasor district which have long used the plant for medicine are Esomara, Alka, Shanadar, and Hassani cheaye sherene Villages have been done. These villages are located in Iraqi Kurdistan Region Barzan Sub-District, Mergasor District at Erbil Province, Iraqi Kurdistan Region. This study aimed to identify the medicinal plants (herbs) in agroforestry in four Villages. The survey method was used by making four plots in the field. The coordinate positions of medicinal plants were recorded using a global positioning system (GPS), and their distribution was examined using a geographic information system (GIS). The results showed that there were twenty-one families, species with a total of forty -four individuals plant found. Liliaceae family was the dominant found with seven species of plants followed by Lamiaceae (species of plants) and Asteraceae (four species of plants). The information about medicinal plant species is essential. Therefore, it is necessary to develop information about the medicinal plant so as to preserve the existing species of plants and to enrich the species of medicinal plants which are not found in these Villages due to the importance of these plants in Kurdish folk medicine.

English

Salinity and drought are among the major abiotic stresses, leading to decreased crop productivity. Fungi are notorious for their detrimental effects on crop growth and development. In light of these circumstances, the primary objective of this project is to assemble a collection of endophytic fungi to develop new organic bio-stimulants that can effectively combat salinity and drought. To achieve this goal, diverse soil types, including cultivated, desert, and salt marshes, were sampled (five samples each) from different habitats and locations in the southern part of Sinai, the Saint Katherine Protectorate (SKP) is part of the upper Sinai massif, spanning specific coordinates (33°550 to 34°300 E and 28°300 to 28°350 N). Additionally, 80 samples of the predominant medicinal plant species from ten localities in the SKP were collected. The results of survey showed that the highest abundance of endophytic fungi was observed in Artemisia judaica L. and Alkanna orientalis (L.) Boiss., with both species exhibiting 61.1 % endophytic fungi. Five isolates of fungi labeled as SAF41, SAF46, SAF51, SAF57, and SAF63, were assessed for their tolerance to salinity stress by exposing them to different NaCl concentrations. Isolate SAF63 had the most substantial negative and significant correlation with salinity stress (R2=0.9565; p<0.001), followed by SAF51 (R2=0.9432; p<0.001) and SAF41 (R2=0.9351; p<0.001). The results indicate that different fungi isolates exhibited distinct responses to varying salinity levels and drought stress, as measured by their growth in different NaCl concentrations. Isolate SAF63 demonstrated the most significant negative correlation with salinity stress, followed by SAF51 and SAF41. These findings suggest that specific endophytic fungi isolates exhibit enhanced tolerance to both salinity and drought stress, underscoring their promising potential in mitigating metabolic and physiological damage in date palm plants, ultimately leading to increased growth and yields

Composition and diversity of medicinal plant species and their utilization on agroforestry land at community forest bangkeng buki' in Bukit Harapan village Bulukumba regency

Medicinal plants and their utilization have long been known by the people of Bukit Harapan village and their use is increasing along with the difficulty of accessing modern medicine. This study aims to determine the composition and diversity of medicinal plant species and their utilization by the community. This research uses direct observation methods in the field and interviews with respondents with the determination of respondents using snowball sampling in communities that implement agroforestry systems in the Bangkeng Buki’ Community Forest area. The research was conducted from December 2022 to March 2023. The results showed that the composition of plant species on land that applied the agroforestry system found in Bukit Harapan Village amounted to 77 species of plants and 40 of them were medicinal plants consisting of 28 types of cultivated plants and 12 types of plants that grew wildly. The plant species diversity index obtained is 2.72 with the criteria H’ classified as moderate. The percentage of plant parts that are most utilized by the community is the leaves by 53% and most people use medicinal plants in single form and the rest in mixed form. Based on this, it is necessary to preserve medicinal plants in Bukit Harapan village so that they can be utilized by the community in a sustainable manner.

“Advanced Deep Learning Techniques for Plant Disease Diagnosis and Treatment”

Abstract: The pivotal role of agriculture in shaping people’s lives and economies is evident, with a substantial contribution to GSP and employment. The prevalence of diseases poses a major challenge. Novel system is introduced for the early detection of leaf diseases using Deep Learning and Tensorflow technology. The model analyses pictures from plant village, focusing on bell pepper, tomato and potato plants. Climate change soil erosion and difficulty in detecting pathogens underscore the need for early disease recognition to minimize pesticide use. The system demonstrates a remarkable 95.80% correctness in disease identification, benefiting cultivators by recommending appropriate measures in a separate context. The recognition of medicinal plant gains importance for various stakeholders. A fully automated approach combining computer vision and machine learning achieves an accuracy of 90.1% in detecting 24 different medicinal plant species, outperforming other methods.

Exploring bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties of twenty-six Indian medicinal plant extracts: A correlative analysis for potential therapeutic insights

The aim of the present study was to analyse the bioactive constituents and antioxidant potential of twenty-six medicinal plant extracts and their correlation for potential therapeutic insights. The total phenolic contents (TPC) and total flavonoid (TF) of plant extracts were determined by Folin–Ciocalteau reagent and aluminum chloride calorimetric assay, respectively. The extract was used to determine the antioxidant potential using different assay including total antioxidant activity, DPPH, and FRAP. The methanolic Terminalia chebula, Aloe vera, and Curcuma longa extracts showed the highest (p < 0.05) values of total phenolic content being 39.11, 38.80 and 38.14 mgGAE/g dw, respectively. The Ocimum tenuiflorum and Aloe vera extract had the highest (8.12 mg/g) total antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05) as compared to other extracts. The higher FRAP value (mMFe+2/g) was observed in methanolic extracts of Cinnamomum cassia, Moringa oleifera, and Withania somnifera and lowest was in water extract of Zizyphus zuzube. Correlation study indicated that TPC was found correlated with antioxidant capacity of plant extracts (TAC, r = 0.670, p < 0.01; FRAP, r = 0.501, p < 0.01; DPPH-IC50, r = −0.664, p < 0.01). The methanolic extracts from most of the plants had much higher TPC and antioxidant activities. The phenolic compounds are a primary contributor to the antioxidant efficacy among the medicinal plant species under investigation for potential therapeutic application. Overall, the current investigation demonstrated that the selected plants are potential sources for producing bioactive principles capable of scavenging free radicals.