Usage Of Medicinal Plants Research Articles

Phytochemical and Antioxidant Analysis of Artocarpus heterophyllus Peel Extracts

BACKGROUND: Plants have a diverse variety of bioactive compounds such as tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates and steroids among many others that can offer significant physiological actions in the human body. Phytochemicals are naturally occurring chemical, biological and active compounds found in plants that are of benefit to human health apart from those that act as macronutrients and micronutrients. A. heterophyllus (Jackfruit) belongs to the family Moraceae. Jackfruit tree is native to India and is popular in several tropical and sub-tropical Countries. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the phytochemical constituents, antioxidant properties and gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) of the fruit peel of A. heterophyllus extracts using three different solvents. METHODS: Artocarpus heterophyllus fruits were collected from University of Ibadan botanical garden, identified at the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Oyo State. The peel was extracted and dried at 35 ℃. Qualitative method and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy were used to determine the phytochemical and bioactive compounds present in the plant, whereas¬¬¬¬¬¬ 2, 2, Diphenylpicryl-1-hydrazyl (DPPH) was used for the antioxidant analysis. RESULTS: Secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, tannins, steroids, and Terpenoids were present based on the solvents while anthraquinnes were absent. Flavonoid and phenol were abundant in the three extracts while saponin was moderate. Eight chemical compounds were observed in the plant extracts. Major bioactive components with highest and lowest retention peak were (65.55 %) bis(2- ethyl hexyl) phthalate and (6.06 %) Cis- 13(2- ethylhexyl)phthalate respectively. Antioxidant activity increased with increase in concentration of which acetone extract had the highest DPPH (75.00 %) at 100 μg/ml. CONCLUSION: The fundamental means of the usage of medicinal plants for medicine is due to their bioactive properties which are used as substrates for biochemical and enzymatic reactions. Phytochemical derivatives have antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, immunomodulatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, antitumor, analgesic and many other properties harbor in them.

The Frequency of Medicinal Plant Usage during Pregnancy and possible Related Factors; A Cross-Sectional Study from Tehran, Iran

Taking medicinal plants during pregnancy may be associated with geographical, socioeconomic, cultural, and individual factors. The present study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of medicinal plant usage and its influencing factors among pregnant mothers living in Tehran, Iran. A cross-sectional study was conducted (Tehran, Iran; 2019-2020). All pregnant women who attended the prenatal clinic were invited. A written consent was obtained from all subjects before enrolment. Data regarding medicinal plant consumption, the reasons for usage, the cause of preference, the source of advice, and the preparation route were gathered through an interview and the completion of a questionnaire. The recorded data were analyzed to assess the prevalence, indications, and factors influencing medicinal plant usage during pregnancy. Of 326 pregnant women, 105 (32.2%) used at least one, and 221 (67.8%) used no medicinal plant. The most consumed medicinal plant was ginger, followed by peppermint, thyme, frankincense, chicory, and saffron. The main reasons for usage were digestive disease and cold symptoms. The place of receiving prenatal care was the only significant factor affecting herbal medicine consumption (p=0.01). More analyses showed a relatively significant correlation between the participant’s age and medicinal plants usage (p=0.05). The results also showed that belief in low adverse effects and high effectiveness of medicinal plants were the reasons for preference of herbal medicine usage. Furthermore, 37 subjects (35.0%) informed by their family or friends, and 15 (14.3%) consumed medicinal plants on their data. Plants were mainly provided by herbal stores. The results showed a relatively frequent use of medicinal plants. The plants were mostly recommended by families and friends. Future studies with larger sample sizes are suggested to determine possible teratogenicity and safe doses.

The importance of application of medicinal plants and natural products in poultry health management

Application of herbs and natural medicines have shown to have no negative side effects, with high effectiveness to improve productivity. Usage of medicinal plants can increase gut function, improve hepatic function, inhibition of prooxidant enzymes, enhance antioxidant content, improve shelf life, enhance sensorial value, better nutritive value, improve both health and consumers preference, enhance calcium and other minerals, increase vitamin B and folate, and enhance immunity. The most important medicinal plants with antiparasitic activities are green tea, guar bean, pine bark, grape seed, barberry root bark, Rangoon creeper, olive tree, and wormwood. Some other important medicinal plants in poultry industry are black pepper, nettle, shrubby sophora, Aleppo oak, garlic, red cedar, ginger, mint, tobacco, turmeric, aloe vera, etc. The application of herbal medicines can be considered as an important alternative to treating parasitic infections. In organic broiler production with application of medicinal plants, decreasing hormones, growth promoters and antibiotics should be considered as well as paying more attention to selection of appropriate organic feed management with considering higher production. This article aims to survey on the importance of application of natural products and medicinal plants in poultry industry by considering secondary metabolites such as triterpenoids, coumarins, alkaloids, tannins, and flavonoids due to their anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and astringent properties.

Medicinal plants used in multiple sclerosis patients, prevalence and associated factors: a descriptive cross-sectional study

IntroductionMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and debilitating disease that not only leads to disability and associated condition but also impacts one’s ability to maintain a professional life. People’s acceptance and utilization of medicinal plants (MPs) play an important role in managing their treatment process. As a result, this study aims to investigate the use of medicinal herbs among patients with MS.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 MS patients who visited a private clinic and the MS Association in Kerman, Iran in 2021. A questionnaire comprising questions about sociodemographic information, disease variables, and aspects of MPs usage was utilized for data collection. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). The Chi-square test was employed to identify any association between demographic characteristics and MPs usage. To determine the prevalence of plant use in a specific area and the consensus among informants, the use value (UV) and Informant consensus factor (Fic) were calculated.ResultsThe study revealed a high prevalence of MPs usage among MS patients. Chamomile (66.6%) and golegavzaban (62.0%) were the most commonly used plants with the highest UV indices (0.88 and 0.82 respectively), while St. John’s wort and licorice were rarely used (0.67% and 4% respectively). Participants cited pursuing a healthier lifestyle as the primary reason for using MPs (24%). St. John’s wort, lavender, and chamomile were the most satisfying plants (100%, 100%, and 53.0% respectively). Chamomile had the highest Fic too. Most patients were motivated to get MPs from their relatives.ConclusionsGiven the widespread use of MPs among MS patients, neurologists should enhance their knowledge in this area to guide patients away from seeking advice from non-professionals. Providing standardized formulations can help prevent potential interactions between MPs and mainstream drugs, thereby improving patients safety and outcomes.

Medicinal Plants Used for Postpartum Recuperation in an Upland Community in Leon, Iloilo, the Philippines

The utilization of medicinal plants has been a longstanding tradition – providing natural remedies with cultural and therapeutic significance, especially in the context of postpartum care. Thus, this study aims to document the usage of medicinal plants in postpartum recuperation, specifically in herbal steaming and bathing in the upland community of Leon, Iloilo, the Philippines. Semi- structured interviews were conducted with 34 key informants using a snowball sampling method from October–November 2022 and in March 2024, thereby resulting in the documentation of 70 medicinal plant species distributed in 64 genera and 35 families. The Fabaceae family was most represented with seven species, followed by Poaceae with six species, and Lamiaceae with five species. Most of the documented species are non-native (51%) and cosmopolitan, categorized as “least concern” (50%) in the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. A variety of medicinal plants were documented – including trees (57%), herbs (20%), shrubs (17%), and climbers (6%). Roots (64%) and leaves (24%) were the plant parts used most often, and decoction was the primary form of preparation. These medicinal plants can be found growing within the community's vicinity, with most of them (51%) found in forested areas and the rest (49%) being cultivated. The use value (UV) and family use value (FUV) indices were calculated to evaluate the plant’s importance. Pittosporum pentandrum (Blanco) Merr. had the highest (0.91) UV, followed by Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr. and Justicia gendarussa Burm.f. (0.88), and Bambusa spinosa Roxb. (0.85). Pittosporaceae (0.91) and Hypericaceae (0.62) had the highest FUVs. The findings of this study will provide a foundation for additional scientific validation of the biological properties of the documented plants, specifically focusing on the most valued species, and raise awareness for the preservation of cultural practices and beliefs regarding postpartum care for women.

Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used by various ethnic tribes of Mizoram, India.

Mizoram has a diverse range of ethnic and cultural groups, including the Lushai, Mara, Lai, Bawm, Hmar, Chakma, and Bru. Through practice and experience in their protracted battles with disease and the harsh natural environment, they have amassed rich folk medicine knowledge. The preservation of indigenous knowledge, identification of bioactive compounds, and the eventual discovery of novel medicinal plant species all depend on the documentation of the traditional uses of medicinal plants. Therefore, the present study was designed to document the ethnomedicinal knowledge related to the usage of medicinal plants in Mizoram, India. An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants was carried out in 17 villages of 5 districts in Mizoram between September 2022 and January 2023. A total of 128 informants (77 males and 51 females) were interviewed. Information was gathered through field observations, group discussions, and semistructured interviews. The data were presented using descriptive statistics. To assess the importance of medicinal plant species, quantitative indices such as the informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), use value (UV), and cultural index (CI) was used. In our ethnobotanical investigation, 102 medicinal plant species from 95 genera and 58 families were recorded and documented. The majority of them (90 species) were obtained from wild habitats. The majority of the documented species were trees (48), followed by herbs (23 species) and shrubs (21 species). The most common method of preparation was decoction (67 species). Diabetes had the highest ICF value (0.81), followed by cancer, liver problems, and hypertension (0.8). The fidelity level (FL) of indigenous communities in the study area was evaluated to determine the dependability and consistency of herbal drug use. Indigenous knowledge and the variety of medicinal plant species that are used are of great values. The therapeutic applications of documented plants provide fundamental information for additional studies centered on pharmacological investigations and the preservation of the most significant species.

Herbal Healing Traditions: A Study of Folk Medicines Used by Traditional Healers of Sonamukhi Block, Bankura District, West Bengal, India

This ethnobotanical study aims to dive into the traditional medicinal practices used by tribals in Sonamukhi Block, Bankura district, West Bengal, India. Focusing on the use of medicinal herbs, the study carefully investigates the intergenerational wisdom kept by traditional healers, who play an important role in healthcare administration. Through conversations with traditional healers and patients, a thorough list of medicinal plants used to treat various diseases has been developed. The study demonstrates that traditional healers successfully use these medicinal plants to produce herbal medications, offering insights into the painstaking process of herbal medicine preparation that was explored in depth during the investigation. These findings highlight the significance of joint efforts to preserve indigenous knowledge and encourage the incorporation of traditional healing techniques into contemporary healthcare. The research study focused on the complicated junction of scientific methodologies and traditional beliefs, indicating the possibility for effective collaboration between scientific institutions and indigenous populations to improve healthcare practices. The studies' thorough examination of medicinal plant usage and herbal medication manufacturing emphasizes the importance of preserving, recording, and using this unique traditional knowledge for the benefit of world healthcare.

Plants from Arid and Semi-Arid Zones of Mexico Used to Treat Respiratory Diseases: A Review.

Medicinal plants have been a traditional remedy for numerous ailments for centuries. However, their usage is limited due to a lack of evidence-based studies elucidating their mechanisms of action. In some countries, they are still considered the first treatment due to their low cost, accessibility, and minor adverse effects. Mexico is in second place, after China, in inventoried plants for medicinal use. It has around 4000 species of medicinal plants; however, pharmacological studies have only been carried out in 5% of its entirety. The species of the Mexican arid zones, particularly in semi-desert areas, exhibit outstanding characteristics, as their adverse growing conditions (e.g., low rainfall and high temperatures) prompt these plants to produce interesting metabolites with diverse biological activities. This review explores medicinal plants belonging to the arid and semi-arid zones of Mexico, focusing on those that have stood out for their bioactive potential, such as Jatropha dioica, Turnera diffusa, Larrea tridentata, Opuntia ficus-indica, Flourensia cernua, Fouquieria splendes, and Prosopis glandulosa. Their extraction conditions, bioactive compounds, mechanisms of action, and biological efficacy are presented, with emphasis on their role in the treatment of respiratory diseases. Additionally, current research, novel applications, and perspectives concerning medicinal plants from these zones are also discussed.

The Mien people's ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plant use in Thailand and Vietnam

Abstract. Panyadee P, Pongamornkul W, Van On T, Trong ND, Giang PTL, Kim LT, Inta A, Sirisa-Ard P, Chansakaow S. 2024. The Mien people's ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plant use in Thailand and Vietnam. Biodiversitas 25: 79-96. This study investigates the ethnomedicinal practices of the Mien people in Thailand and Vietnam, focusing on the diversity of medicinal plant usage and its implications for healthcare and traditional knowledge conservation. Through semi-structured interviews with key informants during transect walks in local forests and home gardens, data on 199 medicinal plant species were gathered, including vernacular names, plant parts used, preparation, and usage methods. Analysis revealed a significant use of these species, with 41 utilized for various health purposes in both countries, treating ailments related to reproductive systems (45 species), body strengthening (29 species), and the digestive system (21 species). In ethnobotanical practices, there were distinct preferences for plant parts. In Thailand, stems (29%), leaves (26%), whole plants (18%), and roots (14%) were predominantly used, while in Vietnam, leaves (29%), stems (24%), whole plants (19%), and roots (11%) were more common. A Spearman's rank correlation showed a strong positive correlation (0.77, p <0.001) between these preferences in both countries. The study documented 81 ailments across 23 health categories. Thailand reported 45 ailments in 20 categories, and Vietnam 67 in 19 categories. Reproductive health, musculoskeletal health, and body wellness strengthening were pivotal, with strong correlations in healthcare practices between the countries (correlation 0.75, p <0.001). Reproductive Health mainly involved postpartum treatment, Musculoskeletal Health focused on pain relief and rheumatism treatments, and Body Wellness Strengthening used plants as tonics and for relaxation. This research underscores the importance of preserving traditional knowledge and the potential of traditional medicine in rural healthcare. It also highlights the scope and focus of the Mien communities' healthcare practices, providing valuable insights for future research and drug development.

Anti H. pylori, anti-secretory and gastroprotective effects of Thymus vulgaris on ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in Sprague Dawley rats.

The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the acute toxicity, gastroprotective, therapeutic, anti-inflammatory and anti H. pylori activities of T. vulgaris total plant extract against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in Sprague Dawley rats. Animals were divided into five groups i.e G-1 (Normal Control), Group 2 (ulcer control) were administered orally with 0.5% Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), Group 3 (omeprazole treated) was administered orally with 20 mg/kg of omeprazole and Groups 4 and 5 (Low dose and High dose of the extract) were administered orally with 250, and 500 mg/ kg of Thymus vulgaris extract, respectively. After 1 hour, the normal group was orally administered with 0.5% CMC (5 ml/kg), whereas absolute alcohol (5ml/ kg) was orally administered to the ulcer control group, omeprazole group, and experimental groups. Stomachs were examined macroscopically and microscopically. Grossly, rats pre-treated with T. vulgaris demonstrated significantly decreased ulcer area and an increase in mucus secretion and pH of gastric content compared with the ulcer control group. Microscopy of gastric mucosa in the ulcer control group showed severe damage to gastric mucosa with edema and leukocytes infiltration of the submucosal layer. However, rats pretreated with omeprazole or Thyme vulgaris exhibited a mild to moderate disruption of the surface epithelium and lower level of edema and leukocyte infiltration of the submucosal layer. The T. vulgaris extract caused up-regulation of Hsp70 protein, down-regulation of Bax protein, and intense periodic acid Schiff uptake of the glandular portion of the stomach. Gastric mucosal homogenate of rats pre-treated with T. vulgaris exhibited significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities while malondialdehyde (MDA) level was significantly decreased. Based on the results showed in this study, Thymus vulgaris extract can be proposed as the safe medicinal plants for use and it has considerable gastroprotective potential via stomach epithelium protection against gastric ulcers and stomach lesions.

Ethnobotanical study on medicinal plants used by the Yi people in Xiaoliangshan, Yunnan Province, SW China

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe Yi people in the Xiaoliangshan region in southwest China have a unique practice of combining ritual treatment and traditional medicine to care for patients. Despite increasing urbanization in the area, they have managed to preserve their distinctive lifestyle and extensive knowledge of traditional medicinal plants, setting them apart from other regions. However, there is a lack of systematic documentation on the knowledge of traditional medicinal plants used by the Yi people in Xiaoliangshan. Aim of the studyThis research aims to achieve the following objectives: 1. Document the diversity of medicinal plants used by the Yi people and explore their therapeutic usages. 2. Evaluate and analyze the main types of diseases with a high incidence in the local area and identify the types of medicinal plants used to treat these diseases. 3. Explore the underlying geographical and human factors influencing both disease prevalence and medicinal plant usage. MethodsEthnobotanical research methods were used to record and analyze the medicinal plants used by the Yi in Xiaoliangshan. Experts identified all plant specimens collected during ethnobotanical field surveys. The types of diseases treated by medicinal plants were classified according to the International Classification of Primary Care -2nd. ResultsA total of 125 medicinal plants were recorded after interviewing 193 participants. Of the medicinal plants identified, those with over 100 use reports were Paris polyphylla (202 use reports), Taxillus sutchuenensis (183), Artemisia indica (149), and Papaver somniferum (113). A total of 14 disease categories were recorded, with those related to the following categories having higher Informant Consensus factor values (ICF ≥0.85): Pregnancy, Childbearing, Family Planning, General and Unspecified, Urological, Respiratory, Musculoskeletal, and Skin. The highest quantity of medicinal plants is utilized to improve specific diseases and health problems, namely those related to Digestion, Skin, and Musculoskeletal. Fewer plant species were utilized for diseases or health issues associated with Eyes, Psychological, or Pregnancy, Childbearing, and Family Planning. The use reports from the informants also revealed how some medicinal plants are used to treat a variety of diseases or health issues. For instance, Malva pusilla is used for inducing abortion, treating postpartum hemorrhage, and joint sprains; Artemisia indica is used for treating malaria; Argentina lineata is used to remedy tuberculosis and malaria. Taxillus sutchuenensis is used for dealing with cold, pneumonia, and other ailments. ConclusionsThe Yi people in Xiaoliangshan have a rich knowledge of traditional medicinal plants. Decoction and wine brewing are the most common processing methods used for these plants, which are utilized to treat a wide range of diseases. The characteristics of the medicinal use of the Yi people reflects the alpine mountainous environment in which they live, and their medical practices are closely related to traditional healing culture. This study enhances our understanding of the Yi traditional medicine via documentation and offers a valuable reference for future research and the development of new drugs.

Recent advancements in the role of phytochemicals and medicinal plants in prophylaxis and management of Alzheimer's disease.

Medicinal plants and phytochemicals are some of the major sources in the treatment of various neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD). There is no FDA-approved drug to target AD pathology directly. Full cognitive restoration and management of psychosis-like symptoms are still to be achieved. Being comparatively safer with fewer side effects, medicinal plants have been among the major areas of interest to be researched. Several mechanistic pathways are involved in AD including anticholinesterase activity, glutamate toxicity, free radicals generation, Amyloid β (Aβ) toxicity, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Various phytochemicals such as paenol, andrographolide, isoquercitrin, flavonoids, and saponins obtained from different plant sources, various medicinal plants like Spirulina maxima, Salicornia europaea, Curcuma longa, Citrus Junos Tanaka, Cassiae semen, Centella asiatica as well as various traditional medicinal plants of China, Asia, Europe, Turkey, and Iran have been found effective against one or more of these targets. Large numbers of clinical trials are under process to evaluate the role of different phytoconstituents in AD management. Out of 143 agents under clinical trials, 119 have been categorized as disease-modifying agents. The present review extensively covers the recent advancements in the usage of phytochemicals and medicinal plants in various experimental AD models. It involves clinical trials and other research works divided into three sections, including those performed in vitro, in vivo, and in humans mainly from the last five years along with disease markers and mechanistic pathways involved. However, phytochemicals should be explored further in order to achieve neurorestoration in AD.

An ethnobotanical investigation of medicinal and aromatic plants used in Al Hoceima National Park

In the northern region of Morocco, specifically in the Province of Al Hoceima, the establishment of the Al Hoceima National Park (ANP) serves as a designated protected area. The primary purpose of this park is to promote the conservation, protection, and sustainable development of the diverse natural resources present. The ANP boasts a significant variety of flora, particularly medicinal and aromatic plants (AMP). This research aimed to identify and highlight the AMP the local rural population utilizes. Conducted between August 2020 and March 2021, an ethnobotanical survey engaged herbalists, traditional healers, and rural residents through structured questionnaires. These surveys elicited specific information about the informants and details regarding the plants in use. This survey revealed the identification of 47 taxa based on vernacular names, which were subsequently matched with their scientific names according to available literature. These taxa are distributed among 29 botanical families, with notable prevalence in Lamiaceae, comprising 8 species, followed by Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Rosaceae, and Solanaceae, each with 3 species. The study further indicates that the most utilized parts of these plants are the foliage and leafy stems, with decoctions being the predominant method of preparation for remedies. The investigation into the diseases treated revealed that digestive infections rank highest, followed by respiratory infections. Sociodemographic characteristics analysis indicated a slightly higher usage of medicinal plants by women than men. The insights gleaned from this research offer valuable information for the studied region and contribute to the broader understanding of the national medicinal flora.

Assessment of traditional ethnomedicinal plants species in Coimbatore region – a short review

Since ancient times, medicinal plants have been widely employed worldwide to treat medical conditions in humans. Knowledge of ethnobotany can provide a great deal of information about plants and their traditional uses. This study discusses the ethnobotanical survey of plants undertaken in the Coimbatore district. For this study, information on plants was gathered, including their scientific name, family name, habit, parts used and medicinal characteristics. 402 plant species from 93 families and 282 genera were studied during the review. Euphorbiaceae and Fabaceae are the families with the most species, each having twenty. Asclepdiaceae is next with seventeen species, followed by Poaceae and Leguminaceae with sixteen each, Asteraceae with fourteen species and Rubiaceae with thirteen species. With 140 species, herbs constitute the largest portion of the habit, followed by shrubs (111 species), trees (98 species) and climbers (50 species), in that order. For sustainable development, it is crucial to record traditional knowledge. It also makes it easier for researchers to obtain plant samples for additional study. Adopting appropriate conservation tactics, including managed grazing and community replanting, can support the long-term usage of medicinal plants.

Ten Putative Dysregulated Genes and Potential Mechanism Pathways in Breast Cancer Cell Line Treated with Epigallogatechin Gallate from Prismatomeris Glabra

World Health Organization estimates that around 48,000 new instances of cancer were diagnosed in Malaysia every year and 17.3% of it is breast cancer. Some treatments such as surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy are frequently used with their side effects. Therefore, using natural products from the Prismatomeris genus such as P.glabra to treat breast cancer is safer and has been the subject of much inquiry as it is believed to have anticancer substances. This study was conducted to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying the action of the Epigallogatechin gallate (EGCG) identified from P. glabra on MCF-7 the cell line. The ten most significant associated expressed genes with their expression level were identified based on Transcriptomic Profile in EGCG-treated MCF-7. Based on these data, the mechanism of the signalling pathway and the role of the putative genes were evaluated using the Reactome database. Then, the protein interaction was determined using STRING software. The associated genes with their expression level and the mechanism of the signalling pathway were determined based on the p-value. The result from the Transcriptomic Profile in EGCG-treated MCF-7 showed differentially expressed aberrant genes with significant association (p-value < 0.05). The dysregulated expressed genes were classified according to upregulated and downregulated (volcano plot) genes including the ASS1 (2.75E-23), ID1 (9.70E-18), LCP1 (3.20E-15), TAGLN (1.14E-14), ELOVL6 (2.70E-13), ID2 (1.20E-12), DDIT3 (3.76E-12), ACSL3 (5.05E-11), SREBF1 (1.70E-09) and SNORA109 (2.24E-08). The study revealed the molecular mechanism of differentially expressed genes in EGCG from P.glabra in treating breast cancer such as the MAPK signalling pathway and interaction among the proteins which provide insight into the potential usage of medicinal plants in developing personalized medicine for better treatment for the patient with breast cancer in ensuring better patient healthcare.

An Effective Ensemble Convolutional Learning Model with Fine-Tuning for Medicinal Plant Leaf Identification

Accurate and efficient medicinal plant image classification is of utmost importance as these plants produce a wide variety of bioactive compounds that offer therapeutic benefits. With a long history of medicinal plant usage, different parts of plants, such as flowers, leaves, and roots, have been recognized for their medicinal properties and are used for plant identification. However, leaf images are extensively used due to their convenient accessibility and are a major source of information. In recent years, transfer learning and fine-tuning, which use pre-trained deep convolutional networks to extract pertinent features, have emerged as an extremely effective approach for image-identification problems. This study leveraged the power by three-component deep convolutional neural networks, namely VGG16, VGG19, and DenseNet201, to derive features from the input images of the medicinal plant dataset, containing leaf images of 30 classes. The models were compared and ensembled to make four hybrid models to enhance the predictive performance by utilizing the averaging and weighted averaging strategies. Quantitative experiments were carried out to evaluate the models on the Mendeley Medicinal Leaf Dataset. The resultant ensemble of VGG19+DensNet201 with fine-tuning showcased an enhanced capability in identifying medicinal plant images with an improvement of 7.43% and 5.8% compared with VGG19 and VGG16. Furthermore, VGG19+DensNet201 can outperform its standalone counterparts by achieving an accuracy of 99.12% on the test set. A thorough assessment with metrics such as accuracy, recall, precision, and the F1-score firmly established the effectiveness of the ensemble strategy.

A Comparative Evaluation and Understanding of the Taxonomical Characteristics, Pharmacological Attributes, and Therapeutical Potential of Tulasi (Ocimum sanctum Linn. Linn.) and Bhustrina (Hyptis sauveolans (Linn.) Poit.)

Usage of medicinal plants as a source for medicine has been the base of Ayurveda and has been in practice since the Vedic period. This has been a driving force for exponential growth and globalization of the science through ages into what we face in the current generation. Increased demand of a drug ultimately leads to over exploitation of the drug and brings forward the risk of shortage, abuse, and unavailability of the drug. The issue of unavailability of a drug has been prevailing since the 16th century AD and to overcome these issues, various classical literatures like Yoga ratnakara have stressed on the concept of Abhava pratinidhi Dravya or substitutes. With each passing day, newer and newer pharmaceutical products are being introduced into the market utilizing the available resources, hence the necessity of introducing and replacing endangered and risky medicinal plants have become inevitable to balance out the ecosystem. Tulasi (Ocimum sanctum Linn. Linn.) is an Ayurvedic drug used in clinical practice, pharmaceutical industries, and clinical applications for their diverse and potent pharmacological activities. Even though Tulasi naturally grows as a weed, excessive usage, Harsh climatic conditions, and demand for its antimicrobial activity has put Tulasi at risk for its availability. This study is focused on another drug “Bhustrina”- Hyptis sauveolans Poit which also belongs to Lamiaceae family and is a common weed. The study mainly emphasizes to evaluate and understand and compare the similarity in taxonomical characteristics, Pharmacological attributes, and therapeutical potential of Tulasi and Bhustrina and thereby include Bhustrina as a potential replacement for Tulasi.

Plants and their Bioactive Compounds as a Possible Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury-Induced Multi-Organ Dysfunction Syndrome.

Traumatic brain injury is an outcome of the physical or mechanical impact of external forces on the brain. Thus, the silent epidemic has complex pathophysiology affecting the brain along with extracranial or systemic complications in more than one organ system, including the heart, lungs, liver, kidney, gastrointestinal and endocrine system. which is referred to as Multi-Organ Dysfunction Syndrome. It is driven by three interconnected mechanisms such as systemic hyperinflammation, paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity, and immunosuppression-induced sepsis. These multifaceted pathologies accelerate the risk of mortality in clinical settings by interfering with the functions of distant organs through hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, acute lung injury, neurogenic pulmonary edema, reduced gastrointestinal motility, Cushing ulcers, acute liver failure, acute kidney injury, coagulopathy, endocrine dysfunction, and many other impairments. The pharmaceutical treatment approach for this is highly specific in its mode of action and linked to a variety of side effects, including hallucinations, seizures, anaphylaxis, teeth, bone staining, etc. Therefore, alternative natural medicine treatments are widely accepted due to their broad complementary or synergistic effects on the physiological system with minor side effects. This review is a compilation of the possible mechanisms behind the occurrence of multiorgan dysfunction and reported medicinal plants with organoprotective activity that have not been yet explored against traumatic brain injury and thereby, highlighting the marked possibilities of their effectiveness in the management of multiorgan dysfunction. As a result, we attempted to respond to the hypothesis against the usage of medicinal plants to treat neurodegenerative diseases.

Health Education in preventing stunting and utilizing family medicinal plants in Gebang Ilir Village

Gebang Ilir Village is one of the villages in the Gebang District, situated on the northern coast of Java. The community faces several issues, including high stunting rates and a lack of understanding about the usage of family medicinal plants. The method employed in this program involves socialization through presentations and training. As a result of these activities, the community now has a better understanding of stunting and its prevention, as well as knowledge about family medicinal plants and their proper usage. Additionally, our partners have enhanced their skills in using emprit ginger and cardamom to create instant granules.

Identification of medicinal plant using hybrid transfer learning technique

Ayurveda is one of the oldest holistic treatment systems in the world. Finding an accurate and correct plant is the key to the working of Ayurvedic treatment. Identification of medicinal plants is a tedious job due to the look-alike feature and availability issue of medicinal plants with other plants. This paper emphases on the ideal identification and classification of plants of medicinal use using deep learning approaches. Previously researchers have used traditional machine learning techniques to identify medicinal plants, which lead to mixed results. Such results are good but not enough as the identification of medicinal plants may lead to a worsening situation for patients. This research is conducted to get results closer to an ayurvedic expert. The dataset used for this research has been taken from Mendeley Data. The dataset comprises 30 different species of medicinal plants. Hybrid transfer learning has been applied to this dataset. The model has generated a test accuracy of 95.25% which is better than the other popular transfer learning techniques.