Neopicrorhiza Scrophulariiflora Research Articles

Traditional medicinal knowledge of Sherpa people: Assessment in Xizang, China

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe people of the Pan-Himalayan region are among the most isolated and economically disadvantaged populations worldwide. The Sherpa people, located along the China and Nepal border, rely largely on the natural environment to access essential healthcare services. The region's ongoing economic and social developments threaten indigenous medicinal practices and biodiversity. However, there has been limited comprehensive investigation and documentation of traditional medicine and its associated knowledge in this region. Aim of the studyThe aims are to document the traditional medicinal knowledge of the Sherpa community, assess the conservation status of medicinal plants, and explore the historical factors that have influenced their traditional medicine practices. Material and methodsSemi-structured interviews with 78 Sherpa people were conducted in Chenthang Town, Xizang, China. Use reports (URs) was used to determine the most frequently mentioned medicinal plants or a specific ailment or disease category. The International Classification of Primary Care-2nd edition (ICPC-2) was used to transform the original records into an internationally unified classification. ResultsA total of 51 plant species, one fungus (Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Berk.) G.H.Sung, J.M.Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora), two lichens (Flavopunctelia soredica (Nyl.) Hale and Parmotrema cetratum (Ach.) Hale), and four minerals were documented, resulting in 824 URs. Ranunculaceae had the most species (5 spp.). The most commonly used method for preparing medicinal substances was decoction (23 species, 40%). Oral application was the preferred route of administration for 81% (41 medicinal substances). Forty-four ailments across 14 ICPC-2 disease categories were documented. Respiratory (320 URs) and digestive (122 URs) categories are among the most common diseases. The top-five ailments were influenza (18 substances; URs = 227), injury blood/lymph/spleen other (11 substances; URs = 66), cough (10 substances; URs = 62), headache (7 substances; URs = 63), and abdominal pain/cramps general (6 substances; URs = 37). The most frequently reported medicinal substances were Panax pseudoginseng Wall. (URs = 128) and Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (Pennell) D. Y. Hong (URs = 79). Two special therapies (hot spring therapy and dietary therapy) were described. In-depth ethnographic information on the livelihood and exchange history of Sherpa people were documented. A total of 25 species were sold, of which four species were listed as VU in the IUCN Red List (2023–1), six species were listed as VU, four species were NT, and one species was EN in the China Biodiversity Red list 2021. ConclusionThis study provides the first comprehensive documentation of the 58 traditional medicine substances and two special therapies (hot spring therapy and dietary therapy) used by the Sherpa people in Chenthang. Sherpa's medicinal knowledge has been shaped by historical interactions and contemporary trade practices. To better protect the biocultural diversity of the Himalayan region, priority should be given to the rapid assessment of medicinal plants, knowledge, and use status in this area.

Assessing the risks to valuable medicinal plants in Nepal from human activities and environmental factors

The demand for trade has led to unsustainable harvesting of medicinal plants, causing a decline in their population in natural habitats. This presents a notable problem, however, there is a lack of information regarding the severity of the threat to these resources. To address this, a study was conducted to identify high-value medicinal plants in the Annapurna Conservation Area in Nepal and evaluate their potential endangerment by using the Rapid Vulnerability Assessment method (RVA). The study also calculated the distribution of these plants in different habitats and their population size. Results showed that there were 19 threatened, high-value medicinal plants in the region frequently used by local communities and with high trade values. Rhizome/roots were the most commonly used plant parts (58%), followed by whole plants (37%). The wild population of these plants was found to be low, with varying abundance among different habitats. Overexploitation driven by high trade demand, low population density, and critical life forms were identified as the main threats to these plants. The study placed Dactylorhiza hatagirea and Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora in the highest threat category. Effective conservation and management measures, both in-situ and ex-situ, were suggested based on the population and threat status of these high-value medicinal plants.

Effect of plant based diets and GK3 decoction in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Numerous interventional studies have indicated that plant-based diets offer medical advantages, particularly in regulating glycemic levels, for individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Nonetheless, there have been no clinical trials conducted in context of Nepal, where reliance on plant-based foods is more common than in Western societies. This study aims to compare the impact of plant-based diets along with decoction of Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Katuki (Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora), Khadira (Acacia catechu) and Kakamachi (Solanum nigrum), termed as GK3 decoction in patients diagnosed with T2DM among Nepalese population. Materials and methods: Participants diagnosed with T2DM were intervened with plant based diets and GK3 decoction (n = 36) for a duration of 12 weeks. Glycosylated hemoglobulin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FBG), 2-h post-prandinal glucose (2-h PPG), complete blood count, lipid profile, renal function test, liver function test, c-reactive protein levels were measured at days 0, 30, and 120, with the primary study endpoint being the change in HbA1c levels over the 120 days. Results: There was a statistically significant decrease of HbA1C levels of the participants by 9.0 % after intervention of plant based diets with GK3 decoction at week 12. Likewise, there was a statistically significant decrease in FBG, 2-h PPG, diastolic blood pressure and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, hemoglobulin and red blood cell counts, but increase in triglyceride levels in the participants after the intervention at day 120 when compared with day 0. Conclusion: Plant based diets with GK3 decoction was found to be effective for glycemic control among T2DM patients. However, there was onset of anemia in the participants after the intervention. Hence, the plant based diets with GK3 decoction to manage T2DM could not be recommended and further randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm the study findings.

Traditional socio-cultural utilization and harvesting practices of an alpine medicinal herb, Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora in Khumbu Valley, Nepal

Traditional socio-cultural utilization and harvesting practices of an alpine medicinal herb, Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora in Khumbu Valley, Nepal

Study of Phytochemical Constituent and Biological Activities of Methanolic Extract of Rhizomes of Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora and Roots of Rheum australe collected from the Alpine Region of Nepal

Rhizomes of Neopicrorhiza scrophularii flora and roots of Rheum australe were collected from the alpine regions of the Jumla district of Nepal. The phytochemical analysis of the methanolic extract of these plants revealed the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, quinones, saponins, and tannins. The total phenolic and flavonoid content in the extracts of N. scrophulariiflora were estimated to be 141.27±1.414 mg GAE/gm and 43.48±5.476 QE/gm respectively and that in the extracts of R. austral were estimated to be 101.54±4.061 mg GAE/gm and 24.97±2.857 mg QE/gm respectively. A brine shrimp lethality test was performed with the extracts of N. scrophulariiflora and R. austral against brine shrimp nauplii and results revealed high toxicity of the extracts towards nauplii with LC50 values 173.78μg/mL and 257.03μg/mL respectively. N. scrophulariiflora showed the strongest DPPH radical scavenging activity with IC50 value of 57.49 μg/mL in comparison to R. austral whose IC50 was determined to be 68.91μg/mL, ascorbic acid taken as standard with IC50 value 49.05μg/ml. In α-amylase inhibition assay, N. scrophulariiflora extract exhibited strong activity with IC50 value 140.67μg/mL while that of R. austral extract showed mild activity with IC50 value 192.88μg/mL. All the biological studies revealed that N. scrophulariiflora extract is more active than that R. austral extract. Column chromatography of the extract of N. scrophulariiflora was performed and 50 % methanolic fraction was further subjected to FTIR and GC-MS analysis. The GC-MS analysis showed various compounds and among them, 13 major compounds were identified.

Distribution of important medicinal plant species in Nepal under past, present, and future climatic conditions

Climate change is causing shifts in the habitat, distribution, ecology, and phenology of Himalayan plants. These changes are predicted to continue, jeopardizing the survival of medicinal plant species and local livelihoods that rely on them. We analyzed the present and future diversity and distribution of medicinal plant species influenced by different climate change scenarios, and calculated the climatic niche of the species using ensemble species distribution modeling (eSDM). We compiled 1041 (N) geospatial data of seven high-value medicinal plant species of Nepal: Aconitum spicatum (n = 100), Allium wallichii (n = 151), Bergenia ciliata (n = 48), Nardostachys jatamansi (n = 121), Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (n = 94), Paris polyphylla (n = 310) and Valeriana jatamansi (n = 217) including over 85 % from field surveys and the rest from literature and online database. We used bioclimatic variables from Models for Interdisciplinary Research on Climate (MIROC) of version MIROC6, and selected Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP)2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 for the year of 2050 and 2070 for modeling. We found elevation, mean diurnal and annual temperature ranges (BIO2 and BIO7), and precipitation of warmest and coldest quarters (BIO18 and BIO19) to be the most high weight cofactors for projecting the future potential distribution of high-value medicinal plants in Nepal. Results showed that the suitable range of distribution for high-value medicinal plants would increase and concentrate in mountainous areas of central Nepal, but decline in (sub)tropical and temperate areas, suggesting both in-situ and ex-situ conservation practices, respectively.

Diversity, distribution, and sustainability of traditional medicinal plants in Kaski district, western Nepal.

Medicinal plants are the primary source of traditional healthcare systems in many rural areas mostly in developing countries. This study aimed to document and analyze the diversity, distribution, and sustainability of the traditional medicinal plants used by the Gurung people of the Sikles region in western Nepal. Ethnobotanical data were collected through focus group discussions and individual interviews, and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Prior informed consent was obtained before each interview. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices such as informant consensus factor, relative frequency of citation, and use values were also calculated. A possible association among these indices was tested using correlation analysis. A total of 115 wild medicinal plant species belonging to 106 genera and 71 families were documented. Asteraceae and Rosaceae were the dominant families whereas herbs were the most dominant life form. Roots were the most used plant part, paste was the most common method of preparation, and most of the medical formulations were taken orally. The highest number of medicinal plants were used to treat stomach disorders. The average informant consensus value of 0.79 indicates a high consensus among respondents in selecting medicinal plants. Lindera neesiana, Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora, Paris polyphylla, and Bergenia ciliata were found to be high-ranking medicinal plants based on the relative frequency of citation and use value. The genders did not affect medicinal plants' knowledge but age had a significant correlation. Most of the informants agreed that medicinal plants are under pressure due to overharvesting and a lack of proper forest management practices. The number of medicinal plants reported from the study area indicates that the Gurung people possess rich traditional knowledge, and the vegetation of the Sikles region constitutes rich diversity of medicinal plants.

An ethnobotanical study on wild plants used by Tibetan people in Gyirong Valley, Tibet, China

BackgroundGyirong Valley known as the “Back Garden of the Himalayas” is located in the core area of the Everest National Nature Reserve. It is also one of the important ports from ancient Tibet to Kathmandu, Nepal, since ancient times. Over the years, the Tibetans of Gyirong had accumulated sufficient traditional knowledge about local plant resources. However, there is almost no comprehensive report available on ethnobotanical knowledge about the local people. The purposes of this study were to (1) conduct a comprehensive study of wild plants used by Tibetan people in Gyirong Valley and record the traditional knowledge associated with wild useful plants, (2) explore the influence of Tibetan traditional culture and economic development on the use of wild plants by local people, and (3) explore the characteristics of traditional knowledge about wild plants of Tibetans in Gyirong.MethodsEthnobotanical data were documented through free listings, key informant interviews and semi-structured interviews during fieldwork. The culture importance index and the informant consensus factor index were used as quantitative indices.ResultsIn total, 120 informants (61 women and 59 men) and 3333 use reports and 111 wild plant species belonging to 39 families and 81 genera were included. These use reports were then classified into 27 categories belonging to three major categories. The use category that contained the most plant species was edible plants (62), followed by medicinal plants (32) and economic plants (22), and other uses (71). Plants with high CI included Allium prattii, Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora, Gymnadenia orchidis, Rhododendron anthopogon and Fritillaria cirrhosa. Thirty-six species of plants in the catalog of Gyirong and Yadong were the same, but only 17 species were the same in Gyirong and Burang. There were only 11 overlapping species between all the three regions.ConclusionTibetans of Gyirong have rich and unique knowledge about plant use, and wild edible and medicinal plants play an important role in the nutrition and health protection of local people. However, traditional knowledge is slowly being lost and is being hit by modern tourism. In the future, more attention needs to be paid to the important role of traditional knowledge in biodiversity conservation.

Antibacterial and antioxidant activity of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles from the high-altitude medicinal plants Rhododendron anthopogen, Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora and Rheum australe of Nepal

Silver nanoparticles have been massively applied in the medical field including microbial population controls. Green synthesis of AgNPs is more intriguing domain due to possessing environmentally and economically friendly properties. For this experiment, we prepared AgNPs taking the methanolic extract of high altitude medicinal plants namely Rhododendron anthopogen, Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora and Rheum australe and antibacterial and antioxidant activity were observed. The biosynthesized AgNPs was confirmed using techniques UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR and XRD. Thus, prepared AgNPs demonstrated surface plasmon peak at wavelength nearly 430 nm in UV-Vis spectroscopy. FTIR spectroscopy date explained the role of functional groups in forming stable AgNPs and XRD pattern revealed that the silver nanoparticles were face-centered, cubic and crystalline in nature. The green synthesis of AgNPs working as an antibacterial agent was assessed by zone of inhibition against four readily available bacterial strain Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and DPPH method is used to calculate antioxidant activity. Taken all together, the highest antioxidant activity IC50 69.84±0.03 μg/mL was exhibited by the silver nanoparticles of R. australe and the highest inhibition zone measuring16 mm was calculated by N. scrophulariiflora against S. aureus. BIBECHANA 19 (2022) 133-141

An ethnobotany survey of wild plants used by the Tibetan people of the Yadong River Valley, Tibet, China

IntroductionPlant resources gathered from the wild are important sources of livelihood needs, especially for low-income populations living in remote areas, who rely on these plants for food, fuelwood, medicine and building materials. Yadong County is a valley at the border between the China, India and Bhutan in southern Tibet. Yadong is rich in biodiversity and culture, but ethnobotanical knowledge has not been systematically studied. This study aimed to document the ethnobotanical knowledge of Tibetans in Yadong County.MethodsEthnobotanical data were documented through free listings, key informant interviews, and semi-structured interviews during fieldwork. The culture importance index (CI) and informant consensus factor index (FIC) were used as the quantitative indices.ResultsIn total, 163 informants (46 women and 117 men). A total of 3,031 use reports and 121 plant species belonging to 52 families and 91 genera were included. These use reports were then classified into 20 categories belonging to 9 major categories. The utilisation category that containing the most plant species was food, followed by economic, medicine, animal feed, social uses, other uses, environmental uses, materials and fuels. Among the economic plants, 32 medicinal plants are traditionally used in the local region. Plants with high CI included Fritillaria cirrhosa, Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora, Betula utilis, Rheum nobile, and Urtica hyperborean.ConclusionThis research demonstrates the diversity of the types and functions of Yadong Tibetan traditional plant knowledge. Knowledge of edible and medicinal plants in this area is prominent, reflecting the ability to cope with the lack of fruits and vegetables and basic family medical care. There were exchanges between the traditional plant culture in the study area and its surroundings. With socioeconomic development, the commercial value of medicinal plants has increased, and locals are also seeking ways to adoptsustainable development to cope with the excessive consumption of plant resources.

Does resource availability coincide with exploitation patterns? Inference from distribution and trade of Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (Pennell) D.Y. Hong in the Nepalese Himalayas

Despite the widespread use and trade of the highly valued Himalayan medicinal plant, Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora, there is still inadequate information on its distribution and on the environmental factors that define suitable habitats. Such information is needed to identify suitable areas for sustainable resource extraction. We hypothesize that there is a discrepancy between the geographical distribution of trade and climatically suitable areas and suggest that this could lead to a risk of local depletion of the species, which could seriously affect rural livelihoods. To address this hypothesis, we conducted species distribution modeling of N. scrophulariiflora using Maximum Entropy with ten environmental variables and 63 species occurrence records (after rarefaction) from Nepal and related the resulting distribution model to trade assessment statistics from 12 fiscal years (2004–2016). The predicted area of suitable habitat in Nepal was estimated at 11,617 km2, and highly suitable areas were located in a narrow elevational range (4000–4400 m), with a predicted area of 386 km2 (0.3 %). Suitable and highly suitable areas were mostly located in the eastern mountains, probably due to mild temperatures and adequate precipitation around the peak of the plants’ growing season. Available official trade records indicated that Nepal exported only 372 tons of N. scrophulariiflora rhizomes in 2004–2016 (average: 31 tons/annum), mostly from the western mountains where predicted habitats were classified as less suitable. Discordant geographical patterns of habitat suitability, extraction from habitats of low suitability, and increasing trade indicate that the current resource exploitation is likely to be unsustainable. We suggest formulating management strategies for locations with heavy collection and trade, conducting cultivation trials in suitable patches, and identifying sustainable annual harvest limits.

In vitro antifungal activity of 163 extracts from traditional Chinese medicine herbs

IntroductionDifferent extraction, screening and testing methods have made it difficult to compare the antifungal activities of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) extracts. In this study, the antifungal activities of TCM herbs recorded in the Chinese Materia Medica were evaluated using consistent methods and standards. MethodsA total of 163 TCM herbs were tested for antifungal activity against four strains of fungi using a broth microdilution assay and a hyphal growth inhibition assay was performed against Candida albicans. The antifungal activities of the most biologically active herbs were evaluated against six other fungal strains. They were also tested in combination with fluconazole against a fungicide-resistant Candida albicans strain. The main chemical constituents of Rosa chinensis were evaluated for their antifungal activity and mode of action. ResultsA total of 52 herb extracts exhibited inhibitory effects against Cryptococcus neoformans, 22 worked against Candida albicans and six acted against Aspergillus fumigatus. Syzygium aromaticum, Phellodendron chinense, Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora, Curcuma longa and Rosa chinensis exerted potent and broad-spectrum antifungal activities. The hyphal growth inhibition assay demonstrated that extracts of six herbs completely inhibited hyphal growth. The main antifungal constituents of Rosa chinensis were gallic acid and flavonoids. These compounds exhibited synergistic and additive antifungal effects. ConclusionRosa chinensis, Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora, Phellodendron chinense and Syzygium aromaticum displayed the strongest antifungal effects. The antifungal effects of the main chemical constituents of Rosa chinensis provide a basis for further studies on their biological activities.

Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (Pennell) Hong: A comprehensive review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and safety.

Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (Pennell) Hong is important medicinal plant that is native to the eastern Himalayas and Hengduan mountains in China. It is also distributed in Nepal, north east India, Bhutan and northern Myanmar. Plant parts are traditionally used against different kinds of diseases and various compounds present in different plant parts are also effective against many diseases. Thus, N. scrophulariiflora has a high potential to maintain human health. Although N. scrophulariiflora is very important and widely studied plant species but there is no comprehensive up-to-date review of published and unpublished literature. So, in the present article we have compiled and critically commented on the botanical characteristics, traditional uses, plant growth and cultivation, micropropagation, conservation status, secondary metabolites, pharmacology and toxicity of the plant. Extensive literature searches both electronic online databases (Google Scholar, Scopus, Springer Link, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, ResearchGate, PubMed, ChemSpider, USPTO, Google patents and Espacenet) and library visits in Nepal were carried out to collect the literature on information published prior to April 2019. N. scrophulariiflora was traditionally used for 82 ailments/diseases. There are 124 major phytochemicals extracted from the plant. Several compounds are effective in bioactivity. Pharmacologically, the plant is proved to be anti-atherosclerotic, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory in-vivo studies, and antimicrobial, antimalarial, antioxidative, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory and nerve growth factor potentiating from in-vitro studies. Renal improvement activities were confirmed from both in-vivo and in-vitro studies. Toxicological tests and a single clinical trial in human beings have supported the notion that the plant is not poisonous but beneficial for curing wide ranges of diseases. N. scrophulariiflora is valuable medicinal plant that can serve as promising source of non-harmful and potential medicinal herbal remedies for human beings.

The complete plastid genome sequence of Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (Plantaginaceae): an endangered species endemic to The Himalayas regions

Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (Pennell) Hong, an endangered perennial species, is endemic to the Eastern Himalayas and Hengduan Mountains. In this study, we have sequenced the complete chloroplast genome of N. scrophulariiflora, which is 152,643 bp in length, including two inverted repeat (IR, 25,829 bp) regions, one large single copy region (LSC) and one small single copy region (SSC) of 83,191 bp and 17,794 bp, respectively. The cp genome has 131 annotated genes, including 86 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. The overall GC content of it is 38.1%. Phylogenetic analysis using total chloroplast genome DNA sequence of 14 species revealed that N. scrophulariiflora was closely relates to two species of Veronica with 100% bootstrap value.

Harvest effects on density and biomass of Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora vary along environmental gradients in the Nepalese Himalayas.

A surprisingly large number of species potentially threatened by human harvest lack quantitative ecological studies incorporating harvest effects, especially clonal species in the alpine Himalayas. We studied density and biomass variation of a threatened medicinal herb, Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora, to examine the effect of harvest on plant performance. The study covered two regions with contrasting harvest situations—one with open‐access and another protected from commercial harvesting. Four populations from each region were compared along an elevation gradient (3,800–4,800 m). Also, we conducted in situ interviews with 165 and 38 medicinal and aromatic plant users in open‐access and protected regions, respectively, to assess the collection and use patterns of the target species. The quantity harvested per household for traditional healthcare use was similar in both regions. We found no evidence of trade‐driven collection in the protected region but in the open‐access region a trade‐based annual collection of 35–465 kg dried rhizomes per household had a strong negative effect on both density and biomass. In the protected region, the effect of harvest intensity on plant density was positive for vegetative and negative for reproductive individuals, whereas in the open‐access region, the effect was negative for both vegetative and reproductive individuals. The results indicated that a low harvest intensity had no adverse impact on N. scrophulariiflora populations; however, quantification of the optimum level of harvest remains to be explored. Shrub vegetation appeared to buffer the harvest impact on plant density, possibly through the retention of additional moisture. To maintain population viability, we suggest regulating harvest, for example, by introducing rotational harvest systems, ensuring that a sufficient number of reproductive individuals are left as a source of propagules in each harvested population and that populations are given time to recover between harvests.

Do patients choose to consume Ayurvedic Medicines in Nepal? An exploratory study

Ayurvedic medicines are believed to bring harmony and balance in mind, body, spiritual well-being and social welfare of human. The reasons for preference for these medicines are of great interest for exploration. This study was carried out in Nepal in 2017 to explore the reasons for choosing to consume Ayurvedic medicines, with support of a separate survey focusing on these medicines containing Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora. An online survey (n=58) and face to face interviews (n=406) were administered using structured questionnaires to explore those reasons for choice. Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (Pennell) D. Y. Hong (Scrophulariaceae) is a perennial alpine herb found in the subalpine as well as alpine zone of the eastern Himalayas comprising Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan and China. Its rhizomes are medicinally important and in trade. Fewer or no side effects, preference to natural way of healing, belief regarding healing of disease, ease of access (availability and cost), and advertisement and recommendation from others were the major reasons that the patients chose to consume Ayurvedic medicines for own's healing. In case of Ayurvedic medicines containing Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora, majority of the patients believed that these medicines have fewer or no side effects, can cure illness particularly for long run of chronic diseases, were cheaper than allopathic medicines, were easily available to purchase and were recommended by family members. Healing was not successful in past from allopathic and other types of medicines of majority of the patients who preferred to consume Ayurvedic medicines containing Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora. Further scientific studies and interventions are recommended for concerned health authorities and nursing practitioners of Nepal to test and validate the safety and effectiveness of the consumption of Ayurvedic medicines.

Consumers Caring Health with End Products (Ayurvedic Medicines) Containing Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora in Nepal

Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (Pennell) D. Y. Hong is an endangered herbaceous medicinal plant found in subalpine and alpine zone of eastern Himalayas comprising Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan and China. Rhizomes of Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (hereinafter referred to as Neopicrorhiza) have medicinal properties and are highly traded in Nepal, India and China. Information on driving factors for demand of Neopicrorhiza from consumer perspective is unknown, knowledge of which is important because it can allow insights into future demand and sustainability of future trade. In this context, a survey was conducted among purchasers and consumers (patients) of end products (Ayurvedic medicines) containing Neopicrorhiza (n=513) in five different cities of Nepal from March to July 2017 using structured questionnaire to explore characteristics of consumers and consumption of end products of Neopicrorhiza. The utilization of Ayurvedic medicines containing Neopicrorhiza for treatment of health disorders of human is prevalent in Nepal. Men and women patients of diverse ages and with different socio-economic profiles were found to consume Ayurvedic medicines containing Neopicrorhiza to treat health disorders associated with different organ systems of body. The patients receiving Ayurvedic medicines containing Neopicrorhiza were children, adults and elders ranging from 1 to 98 years old (av. 37.6 years). Employed and unemployed, educated and illiterate consumers were found to consume Ayurvedic medicines containing Neopicrorhiza to treat their health disorders in Nepal. Patients receiving those medicines were from households having diverse annual cash income levels. The purchase and consumption of Ayurvedic medicine containing Neopicrorhiza was most often guided by a doctor’s prescription. Most of the respondents believed that the prices of those Ayurvedic medicines were fairer than other types of medicines. Similar studies are recommended in other countries like India and China where the Neopicrorhiza is exported from Nepal.

Demand, End-Uses, and Conservation of Alpine Medicinal Plant Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (Pennell) D. Y. Hong in Central Himalaya.

Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (Pennell) D. Y. Hong of Scrophulariaceae family (hereinafter referred to as Neopicrorhiza) has medicinally important rhizomes with high levels of trade. What factors drive demand for Neopicrorhiza in Central Himalaya is unknown. In this context, a nationwide comprehensive survey was conducted from September 2016 to March 2017 to assess demand, end-uses, and conservation of dry Neopicrorhiza rhizomes in Nepal. A total of 2313 herbal products were surveyed for Neopicrorhiza as an ingredient in 38 retailer shops. Processing industries of Neopicrorhiza in Nepal were interviewed using structured questionnaire. There were 23 herbal industries manufacturing 45 types of ayurvedic medicines as end-products containing Neopicrorhiza. The volume and value of annual demand for dry rhizomes of Neopicrorhiza in Nepal were found as 6076 kg and NRs 8573236 (USD 83235.30), respectively, in 2015/016 with average 264.17 kg/industry and NRs 1410.87 (USD 13.69) per kg. The major uses of ayurvedic medicines containing Neopicrorhiza were to treat a number of disease categories: cardiovascular system/liver (17), cardiovascular system/blood (6), nervous system (6), dermatological system (4), musculoskeletal system (3), digestive system (2), respiratory system (2), genitourinal system (4), and others (1). Despite changing legal regulation, trade and consumption of Neopicrorhiza exist in Nepal. It can be concluded that domestic consumption is not the major cause of resource depletion of Neopicrorhiza in Nepal.

Medicinal plant diversity and traditional healing practices in eastern Nepal

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe rich floral and ethnic composition of eastern Nepal and the widespread utilization of locally available medicinal plants offer remarkable opportunity for ethnomedicinal research. The present paper aims to explore medicinal plant diversity and use in the remote villages of eastern Nepal. It also aims to evaluate ethnopharmacological significance of the documented use reports and identify species of high indigenous priority. Materials and methodsThe study was undertaken in four villages located in the Sankhuwasabha district in eastern Nepal. Ethnomedicinal information was collected through structured interviews. The homogeneity of informant's knowledge and the relative importance of documented medicinal plants were validated by informant consensus factor and use value, respectively. Species preference for treatment of particular diseases was evaluated through fidelity level. ResultsWe reported medicinal properties of 48 species belonging to 33 families and 40 genera, for the treatment of 37 human ailments. The uses of 10 medicinal plants were previously undocumented. The informant consensus factor (FIC) ranged between 0.38 and 1 with about 50% of values greater than 0.80 and over 75% of values greater than 0.70, indicating moderate to high consensus among the informants on the use of medicinal plants in the region. Swertia chirayita was the most preferred species with significantly high use values, followed by Paris polyphylla and Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora. ConclusionsThe remote villages in eastern Nepal possess rich floral and cultural diversity with strong consensus among informants on utilization of plants for local healthcare. The direct pharmacological evidence for medicinal properties of most species indicates high reliability of documented information. Careful and systematic screening of compounds isolated from these plants could possibly provide good opportunity for the discovery of novel medicines to treat life-threatening human diseases. We recommend prioritization of medicinal plants and reinforcement of existing cultivation practices for sustainable management of high-priority species.

Vulnerability assessment of high-valued medicinal plants in Langtang National Park, Central Nepal

Langtang National Park (LNP, Nepal) is a unique habitat for a number of highly valuable medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). The medicinal plants have intense local utilisation as well as high trade demand. Due to increased collection pressure on available resources and unsustainable harvesting methods, many wild medicinal herbs have become vulnerable. In this study, an attempt has been made to identify high-valued medicinal plants of LNP and evaluate their potential endangerment by using a method called rapid vulnerability assessment (RVA). It was found that the vulnerability of medicinal plants was due to high utilisation of plant parts, habitat specificity, life forms, high trade demand, excessive local utilisation and unsustainable harvesting practices. Of the 51 species of MAPs prioritised by the Conservation Assessment and Management Planning (CAMP) workshop for the prioritisation of threatened medicinal plants in the Himalayas, 20 species were identified as high-valued medicinal plants in LNP. Aconitum spicatum, Nardostachys grandiflora and Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora were identified as the most vulnerable species followed by Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Swertia chirayita, Delphinium himalayai, Rheum nobile and Asparagus racemosus.