Traditional Herbal Plant Research Articles

Production of Secondary Metabolite Compounds of Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) Under Salinity and Drought Stress

Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is a traditional herbal plant that has been reported have a variety of pharmacological activities. The compounds of gotu kola that play a role on pharmacological activities are triterpene group compounds, namely madecasosside (MD), asiaticoside (AS), madecassic acid (AM), and asiatic acid (AA). Stress can affect the production of biomass and secondary metabolite compounds in plants. The aims of the study is to analyze the effect of salinity and drought stress on biomass and 4 compounds of triterpene in gotu kola. Harvesting is done when the plant is 8 weeks old. The yield of the biomass was analyzed and then extracted using methanol solvent to be analyzed secondary metabolite levels using the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The lowest crop biomass was obtained at 50% of field capacity and 3,000 ppm salt content. The highest levels of MD and AS were established in conditions of 100% field capacity and 1,000 ppm salt content. The 50 and 100% field capacity and 1,000-3,000 ppm salt content did not affect the levels of AM and AA.

Bio-actives of betel leaf (Piper betle L.): A comprehensive review on extraction, isolation, characterization, and biological activity.

Piper betle L., belonging to Piperaceae family, known as a traditional herbal medicinal plant and used for several health benefits in Asian countries. Currently, demand for its products such as herbal drugs, medicines, and natural herbal formulations has increased. The beneficial effects of betel leaves and its products have traditionally exploited for the treatment of several diseases like bad breath, cuts, injuries, inflammations, cold cough, indigestion, etc. Till now, a broad range of bioactive compounds including polyphenols, terpenes, etc., has been identified from the extracts and essential oil (EO) of betel leaves. The structural and functional characterization of the extract and EO bio-actives has been derived by various advanced standard methods. Most of the health-related benefits of betel leaves have been associated with their bioactive phenolic compounds. The extract of this highly perishable product can be used in organic synthesis, food, and beverage industry, pharmaceuticals, etc., to the environmental issues. The present review provides information on extraction techniques, identification of bioactive compounds, and their biological activities. That apart, information on processing, preservation, and health benefits along with their mechanisms has also been added.

In-vitro antibiofilm activity of selected medicinal plants against Staphylococcus aureus biofilm on chitin flakes as substrate

The aim of the study is to assess the antibiofilm activity of ethanolic extracts of few Indian traditional herbal plants against Staphylococcus aureus biofilm along with phytochemical analysis of plant extracts and identification of active compounds. Broth micro-dilution method was followed for minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) study of the plants against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. Chitin was used as a substrate for biofilm formation and antibiofilm activity of plant extract was investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) of the chitin flakes were analysed to determine the inhibitory effect of the plant extract on Staphylococcus aureus biofilm. Curcuma longa showed the best antibacterial activities where MIC and MBC were 0.4 mg/ml and 1.60 mg/ml respectively. Viability cell counts of both planktonic and sessile condition of Staphylococcus aureus showed that C.longa ethanolic extract have an antibiofilm activity. The major compounds of C.longa extract was found to be curcumin, which responded for antibiofilm activity against S. aureus. Curcuma longa rhizome and its active compound curcumin can be a potential natural source of antibiofilm agents against infectious biofilm forming Staphylococcus aureus.

Phosphoproteome Analysis Reveals Dynamic Heat Shock Protein 27 Phosphorylation in Tanshinone IIA-Induced Cell Death.

Gastric cancer is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. Nevertheless, effective therapeutic strategies have not yet been discovered. Several studies have shown that tanshinone IIA (TIIA), which is extracted from the traditional herbal medicine plant Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), has potential activity against many kinds of cancer. Our previous research demonstrated that TIIA can induce cell death in gastric cancer. However, the exact signaling pathway response is still unclear. Post-translational modification (PTM) plays a significant role in a wide range of physiological processes in cancer, via regulation of both signal transduction cascades and many cellular pathways. Here, we integrated multilayer omics-transcriptomics and dynamic phosphoproteomics-to elucidate the regulatory networks triggered by TIIA in gastric cancer. We identified the phosphorylation of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) at serine 82 in response to TIIA, which caused reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and unfolded protein response (UPR). Moreover, the accumulation of cellular stress increased the expression of heat shock factor 1 (HSF1). In addition, the downstream targets of HSF1, which were involved in heat shock stress and apoptosis, were also activated in TIIA-treated cells. In conclusion, this study performs a multiomic approach to clarify a comprehensive TIIA-responsive network leading to cell death in gastric cancer.

The complete chloroplast genome of Caryopteris incana (Lamiaceae) and phylogenetic analysis

The species Caryopteris incana is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine and ornamental plant. The first complete plastid genome sequences of C. incana reported here was 151,687 bp long, with the large single copy (LSC) region of 83,178 bp, the small single copy (SSC) region of 17,225 bp and two inverted repeats (IRa and IRb) of 25,642 bp. The plastome contained 114 genes, including four ribosomal RNA genes, 30 transfer RNA genes, and 80 protein coding genes. The overall GC content was 38.2%. Result from phylogenetic analysis suggests that C. incana is a member of subfamily Ajugoideae, which is in turn sister to Scutellarioideae and Lamioideae.

Two new phenolic glycosides with anti-complementary activity from the roots of Sanguisorba officinalis L

Sanguisorba officinalis L. is a traditional herbal plant that belongs to the genus Sanguisorba and the family Rosaceae. Two new phenolic glycosides (1–2), ten known phenolics (3–12), and six known monoterpenoid glycosides (13–18) were isolated from the roots of S. officinalis using silica gel column and preparative middle pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC). The chemical structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic experiments, including 1D and 2D NMR as well as HR-ESI-MS, and comparison with those reported in the literature. Compounds 3–5, and 13 were isolated from the Rosaceae family and compound 7 was obtained from the genus Sanguisorba for the first time. Additionally, all compounds were evaluated for their anti-complementary activities against the classical pathway. Furthermore, compounds 1, 5, 9, and 14 showed significant anti-complementary activities with the 50% haemolytic inhibition concentrations (CH50) values of 0.40 ± 0.03, 0.57 ± 0.01, 0.51 ± 0.07, and 0.53 ± 0.05 mM, respectively.

A critical review on traditional herbal plant ‘tulsi’

The medicinal value of Tulsi is fantastic. Studies have also found that Tulsi has been beneficial in lowering blood glucose levels in diabetes. In the same analysis, overall cholesterol levels with Tulsi were greatly decreased. Another research found that its antioxidant effects had a positive effect on blood glucose. The Rama Tulsi is the powerful treatment for extreme acute airborne syndrome. Juice from her leaves provides frost, flu, bronchitis and cough relief. As an ear drop, tulsi oil is used too. In cure of malaria, Tulsi aids. It is particularly effective against indigestion, fever, hysteria, sleeplessness, cholera. Millions of people each day taking the new leaves of Tulsi. Tulsi, the medicinal queen, is renowned for its excellent healing properties for many generations. Modern science study has demonstrably demonstrated the reduction and resilience of stress, inflammation reduce, cholesterol reduction, contaminants removal, radiation safety, gastric ulcers avoidance, fevers reduction, metabolism and a high degree of antioxidant and other nutrients. This research often offers remarkable outcomes. Tulsis protects the heart, blood vessels, liver and lungs in particular and controls blood pressure and blood sugar. Recent studies indicate that Tulsi, like many modern painkillers, may be a COX-2 inhibitor due to its strong eugenol concentration (1-hydroxy-2methoxy-4-allylbenzene). Tulsi is also promising to guard against toxicity and cataracts. The oil from the Karpoora Tulsi is used primarily for herbal washing. It also uses the oil against bacteria and insects. Tulsi can keep the dreaded swine or H1N1 flu in the background, but can also lead to rapid recovery of a person suffering from Ayurvedic practises. “Medical researchers worldwide have recently uncovered Tulsi's anti-flu property. Tulsi strengthens the global system of defence, including its capacity to suppress infectious disease.

Effect of Solanum torvum Swartz on diabetic neuropathy in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Solanum torvum Swartz is a well-known traditional herbal medicinal plant used in diabetes and diabetes-related complications. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of S. torvum on diabetic neuropathy in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats by using a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg; i.p.). After confirmation of diabetes, rats received metformin (120 mg/kg, p.o.) and STME (30 and 100 mg/kg, p.o) for 5 weeks. Diabetic rats showed significant (P <0.05) behavioural changes, increase in blood glucose levels, decrease in relative organ weight of pancreas, significant (P <0.05) decrease in reduced glutathione (RGSH) and significant (P <0.05) increase in TBARS levels. While STME (100 mg/kg) treated diabetic rats significantly (P <0.05) reversed the above parameters as compared to diabetic rats. Treatment with STME (100 mg/kg) has also reversed histopathological changes as observed in diabetic control rats. The study suggests that methanolic extract of S. torvum ameliorates diabetic neuropathy in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

BMP9 mediates the anticancer activity of evodiamine through HIF‑1α/p53 in human colon cancer cells.

Colon cancer is one of the most common malignancies. Although there has been great development in treatment regimens over the last few decades, its prognosis remains poor. There is still a clinical need to find new drugs for colon cancer. Evodiamine (Evo) is a quinolone alkaloid extracted from the traditional herbal medicine plant Evodia rutaecarpa. In the present study, CCK-8, flow cytometry, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blot analysis and a xenograft tumor model were used to evaluate the anti-cancer activity of Evo in human colon cancer cells and determine the possible mechanism underlying this process. It was revealed that Evo exhibited prominent anti-proliferation and apoptosis-inducing effects in HCT116 cells. Bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) was notably upregulated by Evo in HCT116 cells. Exogenous BMP9 potentiated the anti-cancer activity of Evo, and BMP9 silencing reduced this effect. In addition, HIF-1α was also upregulated by Evo. The anticancer activity of Evo was enhanced by HIF-1α, but was reduced by HIF-1α silencing. BMP9 potentiated the effect of Evo on the upregulation of HIF-1α, and enhanced the antitumor effect of Evo in colon cancer, which was clearly reduced by HIF-1α silencing. In HCT116 cells, Evo increased the phosphorylation of p53, which was enhanced by BMP9 but reduced by BMP9 silencing. Furthermore, the effect of Evo on p53 was potentiated by HIF-1α and reduced by HIF-1α silencing. The present findings therefore strongly indicated that the anticancer activity of Evo may be partly mediated by BMP9 upregulation, which can activate p53 through upregulation of HIF-1α, at least in human colon cancer.

A new triterpenoid and other constituents with cytotoxic activity from the roots of Sanguisorba officinalis L

Sanguisorba officinalis L. is a traditional herbal plant that belongs to the genus Sanguisorba and the family Rosaceae. A new ursane-type triterpenoid, 3-oxo-urs-11, 13(18)-dien-19, 28-olide (1), two known ursane-type triterpenoids (3 − 4) and three known oleanane-type triterpenoids (2, 5 − 6) were isolated from the roots of S. officinalis by silica gel column and MPLC. Their structures were identified by interpretation of spectroscopic data (1 D NMR, 2 D NMR, HR-ESI-MS) and comparison with those reported in the literature. Compound 2 was isolated from the Rosaceae family, compounds 3–5 were obtained from the genus Sanguisorba, and compound 6 was obtained from the S. officinalis for the first time. Additionally, all of the isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against three human cancer cells. Compound 3 showed better cytotoxic activity against A549, HeLa, SK-Hep1 cells than the other compounds with IC50 values of 48.58 ± 1.88, 47.84 ± 2.01, 42.31 ± 2.43 μM, respectively.

Gastrodin Alleviates Vascular Dementia in a 2-VO-Vascular Dementia Rat Model by Altering Amyloid and Tau Levels

Vascular dementia (VaD) is the second most common type of dementia and has become a major public health challenge as the global population ages. VaD is caused by cerebrovascular disease, and most patients with VaD have been reported to also have Alzheimer’s pathologies, which is the formation of neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques that are mainly composed of hyperphosphorylated Tau and amyloid β (Aβ) respectively. However, the mechanisms of VaD are not completely understood, and very few drugs are available to treat this condition. Gastrodin (Gas) is the main bioactive component of the traditional Chinese herbal plant named Tian Ma (Gastrodia elata), and it has been used to treat neurasthenia in the clinical practice of Chinese Medicine for many years. Here, we hypothesize that Gas alleviates VaD in a rat model of permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (2-VO)-induced VaD. Based on the results of the Morris water maze test and attention set shift test, either 22.5 or 90 mg/kg/day Gas improved the executive dysfunction and memory impairment of 2-VO rats following an intragastric administration for 4 weeks. Both 22.5 and 90 mg/kg/day Gas reduced Aβ_1–40 and Aβ_1–42 plaques in plasma and hippocampus of 2-VO rats. Mechanistically, in 2-VO rats, treatment with Gas (90 mg/kg/day) suppressed Aβ plaque deposition by decreasing the hippocampus levels of phosphorylated Tau. Thus, Gas ameliorated the cognitive deficits of 2-VO rats by inhibiting the abnormal phosphorylation of Aβ and Tau.

Inunicosides A−K, rare polyacylated ent-kaurane diterpenoid glycosides from the flowers of Inula japonica

Inunicosides A−K (1–11), eleven unusual polyacylated ent-kaurane diterpenoid glycosides, were isolated from the flowers of a traditional Chinese herbal plant Inula japonica. Their structures with absolute configurations were determined on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, chemical degradation, enzymatic hydrolysis and ECD experiments. Among these isolates, inunicoside K (11) showed mild antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. Diterpene constituents have been rarely reported in the Inula species, and thus the discovery of this panel of compounds greatly enriches the chemical diversity of metabolites from the genus Inula.

Hair Growth Promoting Effect of Hottuynia cordata Extract in Cultured Human Hair Follicle Dermal Papilla Cells.

Houttuynia cordata (HC) is a traditional oriental herbal medicinal plant widely used as a component of complex prescriptions in Asia for alopecia treatment. The effect of HC on hair growth and its underlying mechanism, however, have not been demonstrated or clarified. In this study, we investigated the hair growth promoting effect of HC in cultured human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs). HC extract was found to stimulate the proliferation of hDPCs and this stimulation might be in part a consequence of activated cellular energy metabolism, because treatment of HC extract increased the generation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and ATP through increasing the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ). In the context of cell cycle, HC extract increased the expression of CDK4 and decreased the expression of CCNA2 and CCNB1, implying that HC extract might induce G1 phase progression of DPCs which resulted in enhanced proliferation. HC extract increased the expression of Bcl2 essential for maintaining hair follicle anagen stage and cell survival. On the contrary, the expression of p16 and p21 was down-regulated by HC extract. In addition, HC extract enhanced the secretion of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-aa and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and AKT. Furthermore, HC extract prolonged anagen stage in organ cultured human hair follicles. Our data strongly suggest that HC extract could support hair growth by stimulating proliferation of DPCs and elongating anagen stage, resulted from enhanced cellular energy metabolism and modulation of gene expression related to cell cycle, apoptosis, and growth factors.

In vitro propagation of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. through nodal segment shoot proliferation

Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. is a vital traditional herbal medicinal plant found in northeastern Asia. Its roots, fruits, and seeds are used as food and medicine. Roots harvested for medicinal use take over 3 yr to mature when the plant is grown in a traditional way through cultivation in the field. This coupled with uncertainty in identification of the plant when collected from the wild calls for a standard in vitro propagation system to meet the increasing demand for it. The purpose of this study was to develop a standard protocol for the in vitro micropropagation of T. kirilowii. Ten different media supplemented with different concentrations of plant growth regulators were evaluated. At 5 wk, De Greef and Jacobs medium supplemented with 0.1 mg L−1 kinetin led to optimal shoot growth, while the same medium supplemented with 0.5 mg L−1 indole 3-butyric acid induced optimal root growth, also at 5 wk. The micropropagated plants that were acclimatized for 8 wk in the greenhouse produced mature root tubers after planted in the field for 3 mo. Therefore, these findings provide a basis for future large-scale in vitro propagation of T. kirilowii.

Overexpression of AaPIF3 promotes artemisinin production in Artemisia annua

Artemisia annua is a Chinese traditional herbal plant that produces artemisinin, the potent anti-malarial drug. It is a common goal for the artemisinin industry to develop plants of A. annua with high yields of artemisinin. In this study, a bHLH transcription factor of A. annua (AaPIF3) was characterized and used to promote the production of artemisinin. AaPIF3 was highly expressed in flower buds and glandular secretory trichomes and its coding protein was localized to the nucleus. Dual-luciferase assays indicated that AaPIF3 was able to significantly enhance the promoter activities of artemisinin biosynthesis genes, including ADS, CYP71AV1, DBR2, and ALDH1, suggesting that AaPIF3 positively regulated artemisinin biosynthesis. Overexpression of AaPIF3 markedly upregulated artemisinin biosynthesis genes at the transcriptional level, and consequently the production of artemisinin was significantly promoted in transgenic A. annua plants. On the contrary, suppression of AaPIF3 led to significantly decreased transcript levels of artemisinin biosynthesis genes, with overall production of artemisinin significantly reduced. In summary, AaPIF3 plays a positive role in regulating artemisinin biosynthesis and transgenic plants of A. annua with high yields of artemisinin have been successfully developed through overexpression of AaPIF3.

Antiphotoaging and Antimelanogenic Effects of Penthorum chinense Pursh Ethanol Extract due to Antioxidant- and Autophagy-Inducing Properties.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance. Penthorum chinense Pursh (Penthoraceae) is a traditional herbal plant that has been used in China for the treatment of jaundice, cholecystitis, edema, and infectious hepatitis. In addition, the Korea Medicinal Plant Dictionary states that Penthorum chinense Pursh can be used to treat contusions and skin bruises by improving blood flow. Recent studies have shown that Penthorum chinense Pursh ethanol extract (Pc-EE) exhibits strong antioxidant effects. In this study, we examined the effects of Pc-EE on UVB-induced or H2O2-induced oxidative stress, as well as its antimelanogenic properties. Cell viability, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, cyclooxygenease-2 (COX-2), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression and moisturizing factors were investigated in keratinocytes. Collagen synthesis induction was measured in HEK293T cells. For melanogenesis, the effects of Pc-EE on melanin content and tyrosinase activity were measured. Additionally, the antimelanogenic- and autophagy-inducing activities of Pc-EE were examined using immunoblotting and confocal microscopy. Pc-EE protected HaCaT cells against death from UVB irradiation- or H2O2-induced oxidative stress. Pc-EE increased the promoter activity of the type 1 procollagen gene Col1A1 and decreased the expression of MMPs, COX-2, IL-6, and hyaluronidase induced by UVB irradiation- or H2O2-induced oxidative stress. Pc-EE showed a strong antioxidant effect in the DPPH assay. In α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone- (α-MSH-) stimulated B16F10 cells, Pc-EE reduced melanin production, decreased tyrosinase expression and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) protein levels, and decreased the phosphorylation levels of p38 and JNK. In HEK293T cells, Pc-EE promoted the expression of GFP-LC3B. In B16F10 cells, the LC3B and melanin contents were reduced by Pc-EE and were restored by the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA). These results suggest that Pc-EE can be used as a skin protection agent due to its antiapoptotic, antiaging, anti-inflammatory, and antimelanogenic properties.

A comparison of the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicines in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea: A network meta-analysis protocol.

Introduction:Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) have been commonly used in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea in East Asia. Several systematic reviews have been conducted to assess the clinical efficacy of CHM in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. However, their comparative efficacy is still unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to conduct a network meta-analysis (NMA) to systematically compare the advantages of different CHM in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.Methods and analysis:The following electronic databases will be searched in this study: Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, and Wan-fang Database. Search terms include (Chinese herbal medicine or Chinese patent medicine or medicinal plants or phytotherapy or traditional medicine or Chinese herbal drugs or plant extracts or herbal medicine or herbal extract or herb or traditional Chinese medicine) and (primary dysmenorrhea or dysmenorrhea or painful menstruation) and (randomized controlled trial). The language will be limited to Chinese and English, and the search date will be up to May 2019. The included studies must be randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with patients diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea. CHM must be used as interventions in the experimental group. While in the control group, studies that used a different herbal medicine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or placebo will be included. The primary outcomes include clinical efficacy and visual analog scale (VAS), and the secondary outcomes include adverse events and quality of life. Four reviewers will independently extract the data and assess the qualities of the studies. Statistical analysis will be conducted with R package for each outcome.Ethics and dissemination:Ethical approval is not required as this NMA is based on published studies. The completed NMA will be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.Trial registration number:PROSPERO CRD42018095254.

Iranian traditional medicine and Medicinal plants

Traditional medicine is a general word referring to both tradiotional medicine systems and to Native medicine. Iranian traditional medicine is a great history of medicine and pharmacy.to inform the importance of Iranian traditional medicine we may state great evidences such as: Makhzan-ol-advie by Aghili (18th century, Tehran University of Medical Science Press), canon of medicine by Avicenna (10th and 11th centuries, Beirut publication) and Al-shamel by Gharashi (13th century, Caltural foundation Publication) etc. this valuable books and manuscripts refers us the great position of research,science and expertise in the Iranian traditional medicine.medicinal plants so far have been more noticed due to their desirable therapeutic properties and also the lesser rate of adverse effects. The importance of medicinal plants is highlighted in traditional medicine too. despite all evaluations on the herbal plants and their pharmacologic effects more investigations is needed to inform the world about this valuable topic of micine and pharmacy. The importance of iranian traditional medicine and herbal plants made us to make an interview on these pure and precious fields of medicine.

Antibacterial activity of traditional herbal medicine

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is becoming the biggest substantial threat for public health and societal implications worldwide. Coincidentally, the development of new antibiotics has decreased and downsized by the pharmaceutical companies for the last 40 years. The past decade has witnessed an increasing effort worldwide on exploration of plant-based natural products for new antimicrobial agents. The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential antibacterial activity of traditional herbal medicinal plant against resistant pathogens of public health and economic importance such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Acine to bacter Baumannii. The broth microdilution method was used to determine the susceptibility of resistant pathogenic strains selected from WHO priority list. A total of 57 plants were chosen based on traditional knowledge and current scientific information that has been claimed to have antimicrobial activity. Preliminary results showed 75 % of screened plants inhibited the growth MRSA (NCTC 12493) some of which exhibited similarantibacterial efficiency compared to the vancomycin (positive antibiotic control), while 21 % shows an inhibitory effect against Acinetobacter Baumannii (NCTC 12156). In addition, significant synergy was observed between some of the plant extracts and vancomycin against MRSA. Further studies are needed for the warrant of these plant candidates to be further developed into therapeutic antimicrobial agents of required efficacy and safety.

Ethnobotanical study of traditional herbal plants used by local people of Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve in Eastern Ghats, India

Summary Introduction: Ethnobotany is the study of medicinal plants used by local people, with particular importance of old-styled tribal beliefs and information. Ethnobotanical studies focus on ethnic knowledge of Adivasi people and development of data bases on ethnic knowledge but also focuses on preservation and regeneration of traditional beliefs and maintenance of traditional knowledge. Objective: The aim of present study is to highlight the traditional actions of herbal plants used by inborn Yanadi community of Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve, Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, India. Methods: The ethnobotanical field survey was conducted according to the methods adopted by some authors. In-depth interviews, interactions were conducted with tribal physicians of Yanadi, Nakkala and Irula as well as other tribes practicing and experiencing the use of plant-based medicine. A normal inquiry form was used to gather the appropriate data on herbal plants and their usage of inborn people’s lifestyle. Extensive consultations among local people and detailed documentation of the usage of plants were carried out Results: A total of 266 medicinally used plant species belonging to 216 genera and 88 families were recognized with help of inborn herbal healers. The study also chronicled the mode of herbal arrangements, mode of the use of herbal plants in various disorders. The study exposed that native people of Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve have good medicinal information and also have preserved plant-based medicinal system of their ascendants used all their diseases. Most of medicinal plants are used in the treatment of indigestion, snake bite and skin diseases. The authors feel that this type of study certainly helps identify ethnic leads for drug development in future. Conclusions: The ethnobotanical investigation of Seshalam Biosphere area has revealed that the tribes possess good knowledge on plant-based medicine but as they are towards in advanced exposure to transformation, their information on traditional uses of plants is slowly getting eroded. The authors plead for intensive crosscultural studies involving all ethnic tribes in the country for prioritizing or short listing of ethnic leads for various disorders for ultimately developing global level drugs for human welfare and economy development.