Modern Medical Facilities Research Articles

Ethno-Medicinal Uses of Dongoria Kandha of Niyamgiri Hill, Odisha, India

Background: In the current study, the Ethnomedicinal data have been collected from tribal people of Niyamgiri hill region of Kalahandi district, Odisha, India. The tribals of this region have been using the medicinal plants to treat various diseases since the time immemorial. Objective: The main objective is to find out the mostly used plant parts and their Ethnomedicinal values used to cure different diseases by tribal people of Niyamgiri hill region of Kalahandi district, Odisha, India. Methods: It includes to record the information on medicinal uses of plant by leading healers by taking interviews and recording the comprehensive knowledge about the medicinal properties of different plants with the snow ball technique and sampling method. Plants are recognized by the local practitioner also known as Kabiraja or Vaidya in forest floor and were classified botanically. Results: The present study records the use of different parts of 50 plant species which belongs to 47 genera of 35 families, against 48 human diseases, with special reference to diarrhoea, dysentery, cold, cough, piles and fever. The practitioners use these plants to treat kinds of ailments like asthma, skin diseases, constipation, diabetes, toothache, wound healing, headache, infertility in women, mouth ulcer, insect bites, ring worms, thirst and eczema. All these medicinal plants are used as healing sources as there is not modern medical facilities available nearby. The collected data are analysed through use value (UV). Bacopa monnieri (UV of 1.50), Bryonia laciniosa (UV of 1.33), Andrographis paniculata (UV of 1.0), Bryophyllum pinnatum (UV of 0.83) and Celastrus paniculalus (UV of 0.83) are the most frequently and popularly used medicinal plant species in the study area. Conclusion: 50 plant species that were collected from Niyamgiri hill region. It is found that still a large number of tribal people use their traditional knowledge and culture and have adopted herbal therapy for most of the diseases because of the strong belief of the local practitioners.

Integrating Traditional Medicine with Modern Healthcare: Addressing Maternal and Mental Health in Uganda

Traditional medicine in Uganda, deeply rooted in cultural and historical practices, plays a significant role in addressing maternal and mental health challenges. This review explores the integration of traditional medicine with modern healthcare systems, aiming to enhance maternal and mental health outcomes while preserving cultural heritage. Traditional practices, including herbal remedies, spiritual healing, and the role of traditional birth attendants (TBAs), provide crucial support, particularly in rural areas with limited access to modern medical facilities. The review examines the contributions of traditional medicine to maternal health, including prenatal, labor, and postnatal care, and its role in mental health through spiritual and community-based practices. Despite the valuable contributions, integrating traditional and modern healthcare presents challenges such as cultural barriers, regulatory issues, and the need for standardization. Efforts to integrate these approaches include policy development, educational initiatives, and collaborative health programs. The National Drug Authority (NDA) plays a pivotal role in regulating and standardizing traditional medicine practices, ensuring safety and efficacy through research and quality control measures. Economic impacts of traditional medicine include income generation, local trade, and affordable healthcare options, although practitioners face challenges like lack of formal recognition and regulatory issues. Public perception is influenced by cultural beliefs and trust in traditional practices, with increasing acceptance of integrated approaches in urban areas. In conclusion, integrating traditional medicine with modern healthcare in Uganda offers a promising path towards a more inclusive and culturally sensitive healthcare system. By addressing challenges through mutual respect, collaboration, and evidence-based practices, Uganda can enhance maternal and mental health outcomes and build a more comprehensive healthcare system. Keywords: Traditional Medicine, Modern Healthcare, Maternal, Mental Health in Uganda

Ethnozoological study of medicinal animals used by the inhabitants of the Kucha District, Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

BackgroundAn ethnozoological study of medicinal animals in the Kucha district, Gamo zone, Southern Ethiopia, was conducted to investigate and document the use of traditional medicinal animals and the associated indigenous knowledge. Tribal people still make abundant use of animals and their parts to manage diseases in humans and even livestock.MethodA cross sectional study design and purposively sampling techniques were used. Data were collected from 132 respondents based on semi structured questionnaires. Focus group discussions (FGD) and Key informant interviews (KII) were conducted; Fidelity level (FL), Relative frequency of citation (RFC) and Informants’ consensus factor (ICF) were used to analyze species preference and importance.ResultsA total of 24 medicinal animals were identified with 13 species (54.2%) being mammals of which 5 species (20.8%) dominated. They were followed by arthropods, reptiles and fishes. Seven out of the total were domestic species (29%) and 17 (70%) were wild animals. The majority of these animals, i.e. 22 (91.7%), were used to treat human ailments; whereas 2 (8.3%) were used to treat livestock ailments. The ICF values varied from 0.8 to 1.The highest FL value (98%) was linked to the cow (cattle), the lowest (1.5%) to the scorpion. The RFC value (1.0) was highest for the cow and lowest (0.02) for the scorpion. Honey, milk, and butter were the most commonly used therapeutic animal products, but regarding direct uses, fresh/raw meat dominated. Out of ten ailment categories, headaches had the lowest ICF value (0.8). All others scored at least 0.9.ConclusionsIn rural areas, sick people often do not only have limited access to modern medical facilities, they actually prefer traditional treatments considering them to be more reliable and effective. It is therefore important to focus on documenting, conserving, and safeguarding the indigenous knowledge so that strategies to manage the traditional wisdom can be implemented in the future. To achieve these goals, it is important to make sure that medicinal animal species are available in sufficient numbers and neither threatened by habitat changes or overexploitation.

Impact of oral administration of bromelain-derived bitter gourd seed protein hydrolysate on some Hematological parameters in healthy Wister albino rats

Momordica charantia has long been abused in northern Nigeria for treating diabetes mellitus, cancer, irregular stomach, fever, and birth control. It has been noted that the majority of those affected are those living in rural areas where access to modern medical facilities is limited, with 80% of them depending on traditional medicine. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of oral administration of bromelain-derived better gourd seed protein hydrolysate on some hematological parameters in healthy wister albino rats. Bromelain-derived better gourd seed protein hydrolysate was produced by hydrolysis of better gourd seed using bromelain enzyme. Fifty (50) healthy wister albino rats were grouped according to their body weights. Normal control group was administered orally with distilled water daily for twenty-eight (28) days. Test groups T100, T200, T400 and T800 were administered orally with 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight of bromelain-derived better gourd seed protein hydrolysate for twenty-eight (28) days respectively. The rats were humanely sacrificed, blood samples were collected through cervical dislocation, for evaluation of some hematological parameters (red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), hemoglobin (HB), packed cell volume (PCV), platelet (PLT), cholesterol (CHOL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG), urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferases (ALAT) and aspartate aminotransferases (ASAT). One-way ANOVA was used to compare the mean of some of the hematological parameters. It was observed that bromelain-derived better gourd seed protein hydrolysate elevates the white blood cell (WBC) count and packed cell volume (PCV) when compared to the normal control group at doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight. There was an increase in the value of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases (ALAT and ASAT respectively) in groups treated with higher dose of 800 mg/kg body weight bromelain-derived bitter gourd seed protein hydrolysate when compared to the normal control group. It was also observed that the red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (HB), platelet (PLT), cholesterol (CHOL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG), urea, and creatinine of the groups treated with bromelain-derived better gourd seed protein hydrolysate showed no significant changes in values when compared to the normal control group. The bromelain-derived better gourd seed protein hydrolysate at high dose has potential in elevating some of the hematological parameters (WBC, PCV, ALAT, and ASAT) which might have toxic effect on the liver and hematopoietic system.

Quantitative analysis of medicinal plants used by traditional healers of the Khasi tribe in East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya, India

Traditional healers in India hold a prominent place within the country’s healthcare landscape due to their deep-rooted cultural heritage and holistic approaches to well-being spanning diverse systems such as Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and indigenous tribal practices. These healers offer natural remedies and personalized care, often in rural or remote areas of the state of Meghalaya where traditional healers play a highly significant role in rural health care since access to modern medical facilities are limited or non-existent. The study was carried out in selected villages across East Khasi Hills district, Meghalaya to quantitatively analyze the medicinal plants used by the traditional healers. Field surveys were carried out during the year 2021–2022 in order to document the medicinal plants used by the traditional healers in the selected villages. A total of 4 villages were selected i.e. Mawlyngbna, Lawbah, Thyllaw and Sohbar village. Of the selected villages, 10 traditional healers were interviewed and a structured questionnaire was used to collect data on local plant names, uses, parts used, and modes of preparation and administration; the collected data was analyzed through informant consensus factor (Fic), use value (UV), Informant agreement ratio (IAR) and fidelity level (FL).

Ethnomedicinal Study of Plants Used by Newar Community in Sindhupalchowk District, Nepal

The information presented in this paper was gathered by field visits in the study area, key informant interview, informal interviews and group discussion with traditional healers and person from different age having knowledge about the plant and plant based remedies. From the study area, it was found that Newar community uses 32 species of plants belonging to 25 families for treating 13 types of ailments. Leaves and roots were the top priority plant part used for different ailments treatments. The Newar community has used plant resources for centuries and is still reliant on them for a living. The study area was discovered to be rich in plant resources and the elderly have extensive knowledge of the use of medicinal plants. However, due to the ease of access to hospitals and modern medical facilities, the younger generation is uninterested in herbal medicine. Many useful plant species are at risk of extinction in this area due to a lack of proper documentation, conservation and cultivation practices. With the introduction of modern and alternative treatment facilities in the district, indigenous traditional knowledge that has been transmitted orally for years is becoming extinct. Because of the preference of peoples of Newar communities for modern medicine and hospital facilities, indigenous knowledge and skills in medicine have become less focused as a result of modernization. As a result, documentation of such knowledge has become an urgent requirement. The documentation of this research is critical for the enhancement and preservation of local people’s traditional knowledge in Indrawati Rural Municipality.

Medicinal plants traditionally used in the health care practices by the indigenous communities of the Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh, India

Ethnopharmacological relevanceLadakh, “the land of high-rising passes,” is a cold arid desert located in the India's northernmost part of the Trans-Himalayan region. Traditional knowledge of medicinal plants in this fragile ecosystem is an important part of the primary healthcare system, particularly in remote areas where modern medical facilities are not fully operational. There is a need to update the traditional information on medicinal plants from time to time to understand any addition of plants or uses to assist in developing new drugs through pharmacological and phytochemical studies. Aim of the studyThe study was conducted to document the traditional knowledge and current therapeutic practices of the indigenous communities of Ladakh. Besides, the study strives to evaluate previous studies from Ladakh to identify plants that have not been previously reported for medicinal use. Material and methodsEthnomedicinal information was collected from 350 local informants through open and semi-structured questionnaires and field surveys in 35 villages of 8 regions of Ladakh. The primary data were analyzed for use reports (UR) and the informant consensus factor (ICF). The reported diseases were classified according to the International Classification of Primary Care-2 (ICPC-2). New reported medicinal plants and unreported medicinal uses in this study were identified and compared to 36 prior studies conducted in Ladakh. ResultsIn the study, 176 medicinal plants belonging to 45 families and 131 genera were reported to treat 116 diseases of 16 (ICPC-2) groups with a total of 4841 use reports. Based on the highest use reports (UR), the most utilized species were Thymus linearis Benth. (134), followed by Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. (127) The highest informant consensus factor (ICF) was reported for Pregnancy, Childbearing, and Family Planning (ICF = 1) followed by respiratory (ICF = 0.91), and digestive (ICF = 0.90) disorders. Based on the comparative literature review, a total of 518 plant species (502 previously reported plus 16 newly cited) are being used in the Ladakh region. A total of 133 use reports for 16 newly cited plants using 30 diseases were recorded. The highest degree of overlapping of medicinal plants and uses for medicines was recorded in regions with comparable ethnicity, and shorter geographical distances. Based on the IUCN Red List, recorded medicinal plants include 7 critically endangered, 9 endangered, and 13 vulnerable species. ConclusionLadakh's indigenous populations use a diverse range of medicinal plants to treat a variety of illnesses. The introduction of species and medicinal uses not previously cited in the primary health care system demonstrates that shared knowledge of traditional medicine among Ladakhi is still rich. The medicinal value of preferred medicinal plants has already been validated, but some medicinal plants lack scientific validation. We recommend further scientific studies on Aconitum violaceum Jacquem. ex Stapf,Anaphalis nepalensis var. monocephala (DC.) Hand.-Mazz., Allardia nivea Hook. f. & Thomson ex C.B. Clarke, Atriplex hortensis L., Eriophyton tibeticum (Vatke) Ryding, Iris lactea Pall. and Rheum webbianum Royle.

Pharmacological and clinical approach to plant based complementary health products in lower urinary system diseases in cats and dogs

Medicinal plants, which are widely used in the treatment of many diseases in folk medicine, are alternative treatment approaches that allow to overcome the limitations of modern treatments such as high treatment costs and difficulty in accessing health services. In addition to their traditional uses, the World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends the use of medicinal plants as alternative applications, especially in countries where have limited access to modern medical facilities. Limitations on the methods used in the treatment of lower urinary tract diseases such as urinary tract infection and urolithiasis in both human and veterinary practice (high treatment cost, low tolerability, development of antibacterial resistance, etc.) have brought the use of natural products of herbal origin within the scope of supportive/complementary treatment approaches. Although the mechanism of action of medicinal plants in the treatment of lower urinary tract diseases is not clearly known, studies have shown that they increase the glomerular filtration rate; and they can be complementary alternatives to conventional treatment due to their anti-lithogenic, antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Patients that referred to with one or more of the symptoms of urinary system diseases such as polyuria, pollakiuria, dysuria, stranguria, anuria, hematuria, urinary incontinence constitute the case group of one of the first three systemic diseases most frequently brought to the clinic. Failure to intervene in the diseases shaped in the lower urinary system in a timely manner causes negative consequences such as the disease becoming chronic, the progression of the disease to the upper urinary system in progressive cases, and a decrease in the quality of life. Complementary products used in addition to medical treatment are sometimes used for prophylactic purposes. In this context, many supplements have been prescribed for different diseases in small animal practice in recent years. In this review, it is aimed to convey current developments about medicinal plants, which are used effectively within the scope of supportive treatment practices in lower urinary system diseases of cats and dogs, to veterinary clinical practice.

Aetiopathologiacl Pattern of Intestinal Obstruction among Different Age Group

Background: Intestinal obstruction demands early diagnosis and proper management to reduce morbidity and mortality. The morbidity and mortality is still high despite modern medical and technical facilities. This study was undertaken to highlight the aetiopathological pattern of intestinal obstruction among different age group for early diagnosis and management. Thus reducing the fatal outcome by preventing complications. Objective: To evaluate aetiopathological pattern of intestinal obstruction among different age group. Methods: This cross sectional observation study was done in the Surgery Department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, from July 2008 to 2009. Total 150 cases of clinically diagnosed obstruction were included in this study. All cases were clinically evaluated followed by thorough investigations and their causes were established. The final diagnoses were based on preoperative findings and in some cases histopathological findings of the respected specimen. Result: 150 Patients were included in this study with the median age 34.5+10.9 years. Male to Female ratio3:1.Clinical diagnosis demonstrates that nearly half(48%) of the patients had inguinal hernia,13.3% had post operative bands and adhesions,12.5% had intestinal; tuberculosis,12.7% had intestinal maligacy, 6.7% had volvulus of sigmoid colon. In this study of association of causes of intestinal obstruction in relation to age showed that young adults (Age-35 or below) had higher frequency of inguinial hernia (55.2%) compared to those that were middle aged or elderly (more than 35 years of age) P<0.05 indicating significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: This study showed inguinal hernia to be significant cause of intestinal obstruction in young adults compared to those who were middle-aged or elderly. Inguinal hernia though always not complicates but it should be taken seriously as a potential cause of intestinal obstruction and elective operation should be advocated whenever .......

Fish biodiversity and livelihood of fishermen at an Oxbow lake of South-West Bangladesh

The present study was conducted to know the biodiversity status and assess the existing livelihood conditions of the fishers of Habullah Baor at Bagherpara upazila, Jashore district from November 2017 to April 2018. Sixty fishermen were randomly selected for collecting data through a semi structured questionnaire. The current study discovered that there were 11 different fish species from six orders and seven families in the Habullah baor. All of the sampled fishermen were Hindu. About 25% of the fishermen was young aged, majority was middle aged and 25% was old aged group. A total of 75% of the fishermen had nuclear family and 25% families lived in joint family. Among the fishermen 85% had a few decimal of cultivable land and 15% were truly landless. Annual income of the respondents varied from 30,000 to 70,000 BDT with an average of 42,833 BDT. All fishers had access to drinking water from tube wells. Most of the fishers lived in katcha houses. About 15% of the fishers enjoyed electricity facilities in their home. Among the fishermen investigated, majority had earthen latrine, 20% used tin shed latrine, 8% used concrete latrine and a few of them 10% had no latrine. There were no modern medical facilities in the villages. The respondents had no alternate income sources during the dry season and at the time of ban period. The fishers as a whole are leading measurable life due to great financial hardship. Proper conservation and management measures can be taken to enhance the availability of fish fauna in Habullah baor, so that, the fishermen can harvest ample fish on sustainable basis. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2022, 8 (3), 165-180

Oral glucose tolerance test with methanol extract of leaves of Ocimum minimum L. (Lamiaceae) in Swiss albino mice

Background: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar caused due to either insufficient production of insulin from the pancreas or development of insulin resistance, which causes polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia. In recent years, the disorder is increasing at a rapid rate in virtually all countries of the world. Existing conventional drugs suffer from problems of non-affordability, adverse effects, and non-availability in particularly rural and remote areas of developing countries like Bangladesh. As a result scientists are continually striving for discovery of new anti-diabetic drugs, which can fulfill the needs of all diabetic patients. Methods and Findings: The Ocimum genera within the Lamiaceae family contains a number of plants reported to possess anti-diabetic properties. However, very little is known about the pharmacological including anti-diabetic properties of Ocimum minimum L., the leaves of which are chewed by the indigenous people in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region in the south-eastern part of Bangladesh to control diabetes. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was conducted with Swiss albino mice and methanol extract of Ocimum minimum, using glibenclamide (a standard anti-diabetic drug) as the comparison drug. The methanolic extract of Ocimum minimum (MEOM) showed only significant anti-hyperglycemic activity at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight; at that dose blood glucose was lowered by nearly 19%. By comparison, glibenclamide at a dose of 10 mg/kg lowered blood glucose by 37%.Conclusions: Methanol extract of Ocimum minimum leaves did not show any remarkable lowering of blood glucose in OGTT except at high doses. However, the plant has an advantage of growing profusely in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region, which is mountainous, forested, and inhabited by a number of indigenous communities with little contact with modern medical facilities. As such, the inhabitants of this region can chew, if necessary, as much as possible of the leaves of Ocimum minimum and bring their blood glucose under control.

Importance of Hospital Furniture in Modern Medical Facilities

Hospital furniture is an essential part of medical care for hospitals. It includes trolleys, side screens and beds to name just a few. Medical devices alongside modern furnishings have played an important role within health care ever since its inception. Hospital Furniture is one thing that every hospital must possess. The hospitals are committed to ensuring that patients feel comfortable and safe during their treatments, which is why they use advanced furniture technology in all their clinical settings. Medical examination of patients is a crucial part in diagnosing them, and ICU hospital furniture helps to ensure the safety for critical ill people. Clinical furnishings thus have immense variety applications which can be found at any medical facility. Hospital furniture is a necessary and important part of any healthcare system. It can make or break the quality care patients receive while hospitalized, so its design must be top notch. From beds to stretchers, even medical carts, there are numerous types that each has their own specific purpose in mind for hospital use which will help you provide comfort as well maintain safety on both sides with ease. Furniture is essential for creating a comfortable and welcoming environment. It’s also necessary to ensure that furniture can be easily maintained, as well as being durable enough so it lasts through years of use without showing too much wear or tear from normal usage by patients in your hospital facility. The right medical supplier will help to me et al. these needs with their wide variety products available on the market today including: office chairs (especially those designed specifically towards hospitals), tables made especially low height spaces like examining rooms where people may want extra space around them when sitting down but not folded up completely against wall.

Design of outdoor recreational hospital spaces: creating architectural objects in the natural environment

The purpose of the paper is to identify the features of the design of outdoor recreational hospital spaces in the framework of the design of modern healthcare facilities. The architectural practices of design reveal the need to incorporate outdoor recreational spaces in the architectural designs for modern medical facilities, A detailed analysis of such open spaces is conducted on the examples of design projects for the Shenzhen Children’s Hospital (China), Seijo Kinoshita Hospital (Japan), Narita Rehabilitation Hospital (Japan), Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (China), and the hospital complex of the Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and the Jurong Community Hospital (NTFGH, Singapore). The authors argue for the need to devote more effort to the analysis of open recreational hospital spaces because the latter are both a component of the design of modern medical institutions and an important element of the concept of “healthcare architecture”.

Obstacles to Acquire Modern Medical Institutional Facility with Special Reference to Maternal Health Care among Tribals of South Bastar in Chhattisgarh

Introduction: The Maternal Mortality Ratio of Chhattisgarh is 269 (SRS 2010-11) which are higher than the National average (178). If we analyze the state wise data of MMR we found that Chhattisgarh is fourth in position amongst all states of India. Maternal and child health care is an important aspect of health seeking behaviour which is largely neglected among the tribal groups (Basu et al., 1990). It has been seen that inspite of a lot of government incentive programmes for women health care and development, some obstacles create obstruction to acquire modern medical institutional facilities. It is a burning concern for the development because the problems of tribal women differ from a particular area to another area owing to their geographical location, historical background and the processes of social change (Chauhan, A., 1990). Objectives: The study concerned with the objective of understanding the gap between government modern health facilities and tribal women with special reference to maternal health care. Study Area: For the study purpose tribal dominating villages of south Bastar, Chhattisgarh was selected. Chhattisgarh is known as 10th largest state of India where Bastar is known as its rich and uniqueness of bio-cultural diversity in the whole world. Methodology: Random sampling technique was the key instrument for selecting sample as well as Snowball sampling is also used to identify a few households where maternal and infant related problems occurred through some key informants in the village and ask each of them to identify households where maternal problems have occurred. Questionnaire on different variables of knowledge, attitudes, belief and opinion about government health institution were organised by direct interview. Along with above semi participatory observation was strength for the data collection. Result: The findings stated that the acceptance of modern institutional health facilities is poor amongst tribal people. In addition, a lot of females suffered from ill health due to pregnancy and childbirth in the absence of a well defined concept of health consciousness. Conclusion: The health problems of mothers arise as a result of synergistic effects of malnutrition, poverty, illiteracy, unhygienic living conditions, infections and unregulated fertility. Apart from that superstitious beliefs play an essential obstruction to acquire modern medical facilities. At the same time, poor infrastructure and ineffective public health services is also responsible for low inadequate obstetric care. Keywords: Maternal mortality; Seeking behavior; Modern medical institutional; Tribal women; Superstitious beliefs.

The Expansion of Turkey’s Medical Tourism Industry

The Expansion of Turkey’s Medical Tourism Industry

Encountering Illness: Local Knowledge, Institutions and the Science of Healthcare Practices among the Chuktia Bhunjia Tribe of Odisha, India

This paper documents local knowledge-based healthcare practices of Chuktia Bhunjia tribe of Odisha, India, and attempts to ascertain the socio-cultural rationale explaining its persistence against escalating modern healthcare facilities. Focusing on the coexistence of culture, ecology and healthcare, it describes the associated beliefs, rituals, institutions and practices concerning the healthcare. Data, collected using formal interview, observation and case study, reveal that the healthcare practices of Chuktia Bhunjia revolve around the customary beliefs, ecology and laws governing the access to healthcare services. Despite provision of modern medical facilities in their locality, their submission to culture, backed by purity-pollution, customary laws and absence of resource to afford modern medicine, continues to become determinant forces towards relying on traditional healthcare. With malfunctioning of the conventional healthcare institutions, coupled with communication constraint and lack of capability, ethno-ecological and community-based knowledge healthcare fill the gap between demand and supply of their healthcare services. Nevertheless, owing to the declining pathways of transmission of those knowledge bases due to state intervention, forest policies, migration of younger generation, socio-cultural transformation and disassociation of people with plant resources because of tiger project, healthcare knowledge and institutions are under threat. Therefore, given the implication of knowledge-based healthcare and possible threats to its existence, documentation of such practices would sustainably offer a solution to their healthcare, provided cultural diversity upholding those practices are preserved. Alternatively, owing to threats over cultural reproduction knowledge, any integration of their knowledge base with modern healthcare system can best just their healthcare practices in sustainable way.

Intra-regional Development Disparities: Virtual Regions Strategy for Development of Tribal Communities and Water-stressed Regions in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

Intra-regional Development Disparities: Virtual Regions Strategy for Development of Tribal Communities and Water-stressed Regions in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

INDIGENOUS PLANTS OF PAKISTAN FOR THE TREATMENT OF DIABETES: A REVIEW

Diabetes is the most growing disease and becoming the third ‘killer’ of mankind, after cancer and cardiovascular diseases due to its high prevalence, morbidity, and mortality. According to the Diabetes Prevalence Survey of Pakistan (2017), approximately 21.9 million adult population of Pakistan is suffering from diabetes mellitus. Pakistan’s National Diabetes Survey stated that 26 percent of Pakistanis are victims of diabetes. According to a fresh survey (2017) conducted by Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar “One in every six persons is diabetic in Pakistan”. The severity of this disease is increasing day by day in the world as well as in Pakistan. As Pakistan is a developing country, it is impossible to provide modern medical facilities for the treatment of diabetes to every person. But indigenous medicinal plants are the potential candidates to cure this disease. A variety of chemical compounds (i.e. polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolic content, tannins, saponin and glycoside) present in the various parts of the indigenous plants e.g. leaves, roots, stem, wood, fruit, seeds, flowers etc which alone or with the combination of other compounds gives superior effects in the management of this disease. This review will provide information about the antidiabetic potential of indigenous plants of Pakistan along with the local names, there region of availability in Pakistan, and there antidiabetic bioactive compounds which are reported in research studies.

Medicinal Plants and Their Traditional Uses in Ramkot Village, Kathmandu Nepal

This study aimed to document the traditional medicinal knowledge of local people of Ramkot village about plants to cure various diseases. Primary data were collected from old aged people of village by using semi structured interview of Key informants. A total of 51 medicinal plants belonging to 38families and 51 genera were documented to treat different diseases and injuries. The highest (29) number of medicinal plants were herbs and lowest (2) were climbers. Majority of them were used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. The study area was found to be rich in plant resources and the old aged people have ample knowledge on the use of medicinal plants. But young generation is not interested about herbal medicine due to easy access of hospitals and modern medical facilities. Due to lack of proper documentation, conservation and cultivation practices, many useful plant species are at risk of extinction in this village.

Diversity of ethnomedicinal plants in Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary of district Sirmour of Himachal Pradesh, India

ABSTRACT Himachal Pradesh has a great altitudinal range (300-7,000m asl), with varied species, habitats, communities, populations and ecosystems. There are more than 3,400 different species of plants are reported to be found in Himachal Pradesh. More than 1,000 plant species have been known as aromatic and medicinal for the states occurring in temperate forests, Shiwalik ranges, alpine and sub-alpine pastures. Majority of the inhabitants in Himachal Pradesh belong to different communities and cultures, with specific traditional knowledge. In the remote areas, especially high altitude region of the state is devoid of modern medical facilities and therefore tribal and rural society mainly depend on native medicinal plants. Herein we compiled 41 medicinal plant species belonging to same or different families used by migratory shepherds in Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary of district Sirmour in Himachal Pradesh. This survey will help the medicos, forest, pharmaceutical firm and wild life manager in their efforts for improving the public health service and conservation of wild medicinal plant wealth of the study area.