Use Of Plants Research Articles

Food Plant Shifts Drive the Diversification of Sack-Bearer Moths.

AbstractLepidoptera are a highly diverse group of herbivorous insects; however, some superfamilies have relatively few species. Two alternative hypotheses for drivers of Lepidoptera diversity are shifts in food plant use or shifts from concealed to external feeding as larvae. Many studies address the former hypothesis but with bias toward externally feeding taxa. One of the most striking examples of species disparity between sister lineages in Lepidoptera is between the concealed-feeding sack-bearer moths (Mimallonoidea), which contain about 300 species, and externally feeding Macroheterocera, which have over 74,000 species. We provide the first dated tree of Mimallonidae to understand the diversification dynamics of these moths in order to fill a knowledge gap pertaining to drivers of diversity within an important concealed-feeding clade. We find that Mimallonidae is an ancient Lepidoptera lineage that originated in the Cretaceous ∼105 million years ago and has had a close association with the plant order Myrtales for the past 40 million years. Diversification dynamics are tightly linked with food plant usage in this group. Reliance on Myrtales may have influenced diversification of Mimallonidae because clades that shifted away from the ancestral condition of feeding on Myrtales have the highest speciation rates in the family.

Exploration of ethnomedicinal plants and their practices in human and livestock healthcare in Haripur District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

BackgroundThe utilization of plants and plant resources for various ethnobotanical purposes is a common practice in local towns and villages of developing countries, especially in regard to human and veterinary healthcare. For this reason, it is important to unveil and document ethnomedicinal plants and their traditional/folk usage for human and livestock healthcare from unexplored areas. Here we advance our findings on ethnomedicinal plants from Haripur District, Pakistan, not only for conservation purposes, but also for further pharmacological screenings and applied research.MethodologyInformation of ethnomedicinal plants was obtained using a carefully planned questionnaire and interviews from 80 local people and traditional healers (Hakims) in Haripur District, Pakistan, from 2015 to 2017. Informed consent was obtained from each participant before conducting the interview process. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices, such as relative frequency of citation (RFC), use value (UV) and Jaccard index (JI), were calculated for each recorded species. Correlation analysis between the RFC and UV was tested by Pearson’s correlation, SPSS (ver. 16).ResultsA total of 80 plant species (33 herbs, 24 trees, 21 shrubs and 2 climbers) belonging to 50 families were being used in the study area to treat livestock and human diseases. Lamiaceae was the most dominant family with 7 species (8.7%), followed by Fabaceae with 6 species (7.5%), and Moraceae with 5 species (6.2%). Local people used different methods of preparation for different plant parts; among them, decoction/tea (22 species) was the popular method, followed by powder/grained (20 species) and paste/poultice (14 species). It was observed that most of the species (~ 12 to 16 species) were utilized to treat human and livestock digestive system-related problems, respectively. The Jaccard index found that plant usage in two studies (District Abbottabad and Sulaiman Range) was more comparable. Local people mainly relied on folk medicines due to their rich accessibility, low cost and higher efficacy against diseases. Unfortunately, this important traditional knowledge is vanishing fast, and many medicinal plants are under severe threat. The most threats associated to species observed in the study area include Dehri, Garmthun, Baghpur, Najafpur and Pharala.ConclusionThe study has indicated that local people have higher confidence in the usage of ethnomedicinal plants and are still using them for the treatment of various ailments. Comparative analysis with other studies may strongly reflected the novel use of these plants, which may be due to the deep-rooted and unique socio-cultural setup of the study area. However, awareness campaigns, conservation efforts and pharmacological and applied research are required for further exploration and may be a step in the right direction to unveil prospective pharmaceuticals.

Ethnobotanical and agronomical survey of Brocchia cinerea (Delile) Vis. plant used by people in the Figuig and Draa-Tafilalet regions, Morocco

Context: As part of the development of the natural heritage of Morocco, an ethnobotanical and agronomic study was conducted in the regions of Figuig and Draa- Tafilalet. Aims: To collect detailed information about the usage of Brocchia cinerea plant in human therapy and its incorporation into the feed system of livestock. Methods: The survey was carried out over five months, using semi-structured and structured interviews. A total of 197 interviews with traditional health practitioners and educated villagers were conducted. Results: Interview results showed that Brocchia cinerea is used in indigenous pharmacopeia to alleviate common diseases symptoms of the digestive system (36%), nervous system (19%), respiratory system (17%), ear, nose and throat (ENT) disorders (8%), and rheumatism (7%). The aerial parts of this plant were the most commonly used (36%), and the most preferred method for the preparation of traditional drugs was a decoction (33%). The results obtained from the agronomical survey show that the milk yield and meat production in ruminants noticeably increase after consumption of this plant. Conclusions: The data collected may help prevent the loss of traditional knowledge on the use of plants characterizing the ecosystem of these study areas and may constitute preliminary information required for a future phytochemical study on the plants most frequently used. The agronomic survey carried out can help the range managers improve the forage quality by using Brocchia cinerea for the betterment of animal health and productivity.

Study on Prevalence of Ixodid Ticks of Goats and Acaricide Utilization Practices of Herd Owners in Benatsemay District, South Omo Zone, South-Western Ethiopia.

IntroductionTicks are major health problems of goats that contribute to a significant economic loss in Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study using a systematic random sampling technique was conducted to determine the prevalence, potential risk factors of hard ticks (Acarina: Ixodidae) of goats, and the acaricide utilization practice of herd owners in the Benatsemay district.ResultsOut of 285 examined goats, 85.26% of goats were found infested by Rhipicephalus and Amblyomma tick genera. The body condition score of goats was the only factor that was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with tick infestations. The frequently identified tick species were Rhipicephalus pulchellus (14.38%), Rh. decoloratus (11.22%), A. cohaerens (5.26%) and A. variegatum (4.21%), and mixed infestation (38.59%). Herd owner’s questionnaire survey revealed that 100% of interviewees responded that tick infestations were frequently encountered throughout the year and prevailed on aged goats (90%) and dry season (60%). Concurrent usage of ethnomedicinal plants and conventional acaricides were dominant practices to control tick infestation as responded by 60% of interviewees. Among the conventional acaricides, Diazinon and Ivermectin were the most practiced acaricides as replied by 90% of the respondents. Moreover, community animal health workers (CAHWs) (43.33%) and owners themselves (33.33%) were primarily responsible for acaricide application to tick-infested animals. About 66.67% of the livestock owner’s responses also disclosed that diazinon was the most effective acaricide followed by ivermectin (16.67%) and amitraz (6.67%). Finally, 56.57% of the respondents replied that acaricidal drugs from private veterinary drug shops were overpriced than the same acaricides from government veterinary clinics.ConclusionIn this study, there was a high prevalence of hard ticks in goats, and irrational application of acaricides was noted in the Benatsemay district; thus, appropriate tick control measures should be taken to minimize tick burden through using acaricides.

Common plants used in the treatment of typhoid fever, their active components and toxicity related issues: A review

Plants and their extracts are a primary source of health care in most communities. The usage of plants in the treatment of diseases has been observed in ancient times and still applicable in the present. Plants extracts are used due to their easy availability and affordability. Some of these extracts are being sold locally in markets while others manufactured and used in household settings. Most often, the producers of these extracts do not show proof of safety and efficacy before marketing these products. Consequently, the negative effects and the downside following the consumption of these products remain unknown. Moreover, the plant extracts are not regulated for purity and potency. Impurities present and the potency of the plant products might also contribute significantly to adverse effects following consumption. Typhoid fever has been one of the disease in which most developing countries especially in Africa, resort to the usage of traditional methods involving plant extracts in its treatment. Various research carried out have documented the anti-typhoid activity of these extracts on the basis of zone of inhibition against the pathogen. There is however scarcity of information on the bioactive components possessed by these plants. This paper reviews the common plants used in the treatment of typhoid fever, active components and risk following their indiscriminate usage. The review is composed by literature search on herbal plants for typhoid fever obtained from PubMed and Google Scholar. Knowledge of these active components will help effectively standardize the safe dose needed in the disease treatment

Is traditional agroforestry system of Nagaland bountiful for indigenous and traditional crops species diversity?

Sustaining natural resource base and augmenting productivity of tropical systems necessitate developing comprehensive understanding on the complex crop species diversity and their potential uses in traditional agroforestry systems. The present study attempts to quantify indigenous and traditional crop species diversity and extent of usage of wild edible plants in a traditional agro forestry (TAF) system using primary data from 90 households of Konyak Naga tribe spread across six villages of a remote district, i.e., Mon, Nagaland, North-East India. Findings reveal that the TAF system is much diversified as compared to the settled cultivation system. Apart from cereals, millets and pulses, the upland tribes grow a variety of horticultural crops on shifting cultivation (SC) land. At the aggregate level, the horticultural crops in the sampled states were observed to be much diversified and the mean diversification index value was found to be 0.79 (SID) on TAF land. The present study documented 30 indigenous and traditional crops species being cultivated and used by the Konyak Naga tribe. Their food system is further complemented with wild edible plants collected from fallow land and secondary forest. The existing diversity managed with traditional wisdom in the TAF system need to be preserved and disseminated in order to ensure the sustainability of the natural resource base.

Plants with benefits: Ethnomedicinal plants used by the Talaandig tribe in Portulin, Pangantucan, Bukidnon, Philippines

With respect to the diversity of many plant taxa the Philippines is one of the world’s most species-rich countries. However, the use of plants by indigenous people in the archipelago has been underreported. Nowadays, indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants is increasingly declining and as more plants are lost and so is the awareness of their importance to humanity. Ethnobotanical studies are therefore important to explore these diverse biological tools for medicinal purposes. The purpose of this study was to record the traditional knowledge of the Talaandig tribe in Portulin, Pangantucan, Bukidnon, Philippines, with regard to the usage of medicinal plants to cure human illnesses and diseases. A total of 19 respondents including 8 men and 11 women were selected through semi-structured interviews and group discussions to gather ethnobotanical information by means of a stratified purposive sampling system and they were evaluated by descriptive statistics, use value (UV) and ranking methods. In total, 97 medicinal plants belonging to 46 families and 86 genera were recorded. The most numerous plant species were Poaceae (7 species), followed by Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Lamiaceae (6 species each). The dominant growth habit was herbs (40%), followed by trees (27%) with leaves (41%) as the most frequently used plant part which are commonly prepared as a decoction (45%), with internal (65%) as the main route of administration. Most of the documented ethnomedicinal plants were used to treat diseases of the respiratory system (16%), followed by diseases of the circulatory system (13%). Vitex negundo (0.7895) was considered as the most important medicinal plant in the community, followed by Psidium guajava (0.7368). This ethnobotanical study shows that many plant species play an important role in local healing practices and that in the Talaandig tribe of Portulin, Pangantucan, Bukidnon, knowledge of traditional medicine is still used and plays a significant role.

Medicinal plants in mitigating electromagnetic radiation-induced neuronal damage: a concise review

ABSTRACT Although the evidence is inconclusive, epidemiological studies strongly suggest that increased exposure to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) increases the risk of brain tumors, parotid gland tumors, and seminoma. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified mobile phone radiofrequency radiation as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). Humans being are inadvertently being exposed to EMR as its prevalence increases, mainly through mobile phones. Radiation exposure is unavoidable in the current context, with mobile phones being an inevitable necessity. Prudent usage of medicinal plants with a long history of mention in traditional and folklore medicine and, more importantly, are safe, inexpensive, and easily acceptable for long-term human use would be an appealing and viable option for mitigating the deleterious effects of EMR. Plants with free radical scavenging, anti-oxidant and immunomodulatory properties are beneficial in maintaining salubrious health. Green tea polyphenols, Ginkgo biloba, lotus seedpod procyanidins, garlic extract, Loranthus longiflorus, Curcuma amada, and Rosmarinus officinalis have all been shown to confer neuroprotective effects in validated experimental models of study. The purpose of this review is to compile for the first time the protective effects of these plants against mobile phone-induced neuronal damage, as well as to highlight the various mechanisms of action that are elicited to invoke the beneficial effects.

Phytochemical and pharmacological uses of medicinal plants to treat cancer: A case study from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, North Pakistan

Ethnopharmacological relevanceCancer is the top death causing disease in the world, due to its occurrence through various mechanism and form. Medicinal plants have been extensively used for the purifications and isolations of phytochemicals for the treatment and prevention of cancer. ObjectivesConsequently, this research was designed to document the traditional practices of anti-cancer plants and its phytochemical essay across the districts of KP, Pakistan. Materials and methodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted in 24 districts from the informants mostly the traditional herbalists (key informants). The information were compared with the publish data using various authentic search engines including, google, researchgate, google scholar and NCBI. ResultsOne hundred and fifty-four (154) anti-cancer plants were recognized belonging to 69 families among all, Lamiaceae (13 sp.), Asteraceae (12 sp.) and Solanaceae (9 sp.) were the preferred families. The local inhabitants in the area typically prepare ethnomedicinal recipes from leaves (33.70%) and whole plants (23.37%) in the form of decoction and powder (24.67%), respectively. Herbs stayed the most preferred life form (61.68%) followed by shrub (21.4%). Similarly, breast (29.22%) and lung cancer (14.83%) was the common disease type. Literature study also authorize that, the medicinal plants of the research area were rich in phytochemical like quercetin, coumarine, kaempferol, apigenin, colchicine, alliin, rutin, lupeol, allicin, berbarine, lutolin, vanilic acid, urocilic acid and solamargine have revealed significant activates concerning the cancer diseases, that replicating the efficacy of these plants as medicines. ConclusionThe Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is rural area and the local inhabitants have very strong traditional knowledge about the medicinal plants for different diseases like cancer. The medicinal plants for significant ranked disorder might be pharmacologically and phtyochemicaly explored to demonstrate their efficacy. Moreover, the local flora especially medicinal plants facing overgrazing, overexploitation and inappropriate way of collection, however, proper management strategies like reforestation, controlled grazing, proper permission from concerned department and rangeland strategies among others may be assumed to enhance the proper usage of medicinal plants.

Effect and impact of indigenous knowledge on local biodiversity and social resilience in Pamir region of Tajik and Afghan Badakhshan

Background: Pamir mountain communities hold vast knowledge of plants important for health and food security. However, little research is conducted on this topic. Methods: This study explores the contribution of indigenous knowledge of mountain dwellers and assesses how it contributes to biodiversity conservation, adaptation, and social/community resilience in the Pamir region of Tajik and Afghan Badakhshans. Secondary sources on medicinal plants were reviewed and then, 280 individual interviews and three focus group discussions were conducted in four border districts of Afghan and Tajik Badakhshans respectively during 2017-18. Using a multi-stage random sampling technique, first, research districts, then, villages/valleys and last, households were selected, limiting the sample size to 20% in all stages due to vast study area. Results: Pamir mountain communities depend on natural environment for their livelihood needs, particularly using plants for remedies and food. Respondents used 128 plant species belonging to 63 families and 81 genera. The most marketable medicinal plants grew far away from settlements indicating pressure and over-harvesting of plants. Local communities’ knowledge of plant usage for food, therapeutics and traditional rituals is key to community/social resilience and conservation of plants within farmlands and natural environment. Conclusion: Medicinal plants decreased substantially in their natural habitats over the past 15 years, which may negatively impact people’s traditional health systems and food security. However, knowledge about biodiversity and importance of plants has increased. Participatory conservation strategies for medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge is necessary for the benefits of present and future generations of Pamir mountain communities. Key words: Indigenous knowledge, conservation, biodiversity, social resilience, medicinal plants, food security, Pamir, Badakhshan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan

Biophilic design patterns and local knowledge of plants application in Baba-Nyonya heritage shophouses’ courtyard

Biophilic design is a well-known design philosophy based on human-nature relationships. However, it has not been explored extensively in the Malaysian context and most of the previous studies were based on plants which were not suitable for tropical climate. This paper analyses the application of biophilic design and the usage of local edible and medicinal plants in Baba-Nyonya heritage shophouses’ courtyards in George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site, Penang, Malaysia. The aim of this research is to enhance the human quality of life through biophilic design with local knowledge application in the urban setting. Qualitative method strategies were applied to collect the data: photographic survey, plant inventory and building observation. Three heritage shophouses that had been adaptively reused into contemporary cafes were selected for this study. Significant results showed that Biophilic Design Pattern under the ‘visual connection with nature (P1)’ has been achieved through the application of edible and medicinal plants. Unfortunately, the local knowledge for applying edible and medicinal plants for achieving biophilic design compliance is weak. In the future, a further study is needed to identify the species of local edible and medicinal plants which can be applied in the Baba-Nyonya heritage shophouses courtyards. &#x0D;

Effect of Ethanol Extracts of Musa paradisiaca Fruit Pulp and Peels on Haematological Indices and Liver Enzymes of Experimental Rats

Medicinal plants usage in traditional medicine has risen over the years. Musa paradisiaca has been reported that it possesses various therapeutic efficacies. This study is aimed at evaluating the effect of parts of the ethanol fruit extracts of Musa paradisiaca on haematological indices and serum liver enzymes. Thirty Wistar rats were grouped into five groups of six animals each which were administered 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of Musa paradisiac fruit (MPF) pulp extract or peel extract. Haematological indices and liver enzymes were assayed for at the end of the 14-days experimental period. MPF pulp and MPF peel at 400 mg/kg showed a significant (P&lt;0.05) increase in red cell count and haematocrit level as compared to the control. There was a non-significant (P&gt;0.05) increase in haemoglobin concentration in the treated rats as compared to the control. There was also a non-significant (P&gt;0.05) change in AST, ALT, and ALP level of the treated rats as compared to the control. Fruit pulp and peel of Musa paradisiaca improve erythrocytes count and haematocrit level, and they may not be associated with liver toxicity.

Ethnoveterinary botanical survey of medicinal plants used in Pashto, Punjabi and Saraiki communities of Southwest Pakistan.

Medicinal plants are highly used in the ethnoveterinary practice as considerable livestock resources in remote areas. The aim of the present study is to explore the ethnoveterinary medicinal practices in three different communities and discuss the cross‐cultural consensus on the usage of medicinal plants for the treatment of animals. The field survey was conducted by the animal healers of the area during the different seasons of plant growth. A total of 83 informants were interviewed through Semi‐structured interview involving experts of traditional knowledge in 21 localities of the three regions (Zhob, D. I. Khan and Mianwali) were conducted. Findings of the study were quantitatively analyzed through the informant consensus factors to identify the homogeneity information provided by the informants. Furthermore, cross‐culture consensuses were analyzed and recorded data were represented in a tabulated and Venn diagrams. In particularly, 59 species of plants were documented in the comparative analysis. Among them, 32 plant species were recorded in Pashto community, while Punjabi and Sarakai communities exhibited nine and four plant species, respectively. Whereas cross‐cultural analysis showed 14 medicinal plants that were commonly utilized by three different ethnic communities, that indicated low interregional consensus in regard to ethnoveterinary practices of medicinal plants. The current study showed that different communities and ethnic groups sharing some traditional knowledge and cross‐culturally approaches have been reported from traditional uses of plants against livestock's diseases. Therefore, current findings are the opportunities to scrutinize the plants for the discovery of new drug sources for humans and animals.

Antioxidant and Anti-atherogenic Properties of Prosopis strombulifera and Tessaria absinthioides Aqueous Extracts: Modulation of NADPH Oxidase-Derived Reactive Oxygen Species.

Despite popular usage of medicinal plants, their effects as cardiovascular protective agents have not been totally elucidated. We hypothesized that treatment with aqueous extract from Prosopis strombulifera (AEPs) and Tessaria absinthioides (AETa), Argentinian native plants, produces antioxidant effects on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and attenuates atherogenesis on apolipoprotein E-knockout (ApoE-KO) mice. In VSMCs, both extracts (5–40 μg/ml) inhibited 10% fetal calf serum-induced cell proliferation, arrested cell in G2/M phase, reduced angiotensin II-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and decreased NADPH oxidase subunit expression. In ApoE-KO mice, extracts significantly reduced triglycerides and lipid peroxidation [plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)], increased plasma total antioxidant status (TAS), and improved glutathione peroxidase activity in the liver. Under high-fat diet (HFD), both extracts were able to inhibit O2– generation in the aortic tissue and caused a significant regression of atheroma plaques (21.4 ± 1.6% HFD group vs. 10.2 ± 1.2%∗ AEPs group and 14.3 ± 1.0%∗ AETa group; ∗p < 0.01). Consumption of AEPs and AETa produces antioxidant/antimitogenic/anti-atherosclerotic effects, and their use may be beneficial as a complementary strategy regarding cardiovascular disease therapies.

Ethanol extract of Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb. (rhizome) impedes the propagation of the malaria parasite

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe increasing resistant cases even against artemisinin-based combination therapy have necessitated the need to develop new antimalarials. Phytomedicinal therapy is a benchmark for malaria in the Himalayan region. As the dialect and traditional variations have been seen along with this, usage of medicinal plant, its portion (shoot and root system) and mode of preparation also varies. There is no scientific evidence available for illustrating the antiplasmodial activity of the rhizomes of Bergenia ciliata (Saxifragaceae), which is known to be an antipyretic (fever akin to malaria), hepato-protective, and also for spleen enlargement. Aim of the studyThe present study evaluates the antimalarial activity of ethanol extract of B. ciliata rhizomes (EREBC). Materials and methodsHPTLC was performed to identify and quantify three marker compounds in EREBC. The in vitro antimalarial activity was evaluated by schizont maturation inhibition assay. MTT assay was employed to test the cytotoxicity of EREBC. Peter's 4-day test and Peters method was employed to discern the suppressive and preventive activity of the extract respectively. ResultsHPTLC analysis revealed the presence of bergenin, epicatechin and gallic acid in the extract. EREBC exhibited considerable inhibition (IC50 < 5 μg/mL) of schizont maturation of both RKL-9 and MRC-2 strains of P. falciparum. EREBC was non-toxic to both HeLa cells and normal dermal fibroblasts (CC50 > 1000 μg/mL). The selectivity index was > 200 for both strains. Acute toxicity of EREBC was > 4 g/kg. EREBC exhibited considerable in vivo suppressive activity with 96.48% inhibition at 500 mg/kg in comparison to chloroquine (96.08%). The ED50 of the extract was < 50 mg/kg. No mortality was evident in mice administered with different doses of EREBC (50–500 mg/kg) throughout the follow up period of 28 days. EREBC exhibited safety to liver and kidney function of mice as observed from biochemical analysis. ConclusionOverall, the study illustrates the marked efficacy and potential of EREBC as an antimalarial agent with bergenin, epicatechin and gallic acid its major constituents, which played a pivotal role in the generation of the immune response.

Prospective Plants with Corroborated Antimalarial Actions: A Review

Malaria is a serious illness resulted from parasites that are communicated to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Malaria is still in a worrying trend, particularly in tropical and subtropical climates although it is curable and preventable. In spite of a noteworthy abetment in incidence and death rates caused by malaria, even in 2017, a big number of people (219 million) have been affected by it along with 435 thousand confirmed death cases. Though a lot of synthetic drugs have been commercialized to treat malaria, those are compromised with some serious side effects. On the contrary, plant sources are always getting a big focus to develop novel and effective therapeutics in the treatment of different ailments i.e. quinine and artemisinin to treat malarial complications. The usage of herbal plants against malaria has also a very ancient root. Several families of plant species have showed potential antimalarial activities in previous research works. In this review work, families of these plants have been compiled so that prospective researchers can find a hint to discover more effective and safer plant-derived therapeutic options against malaria. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 24(2): 180-193, 2021

Evaluation of vitamin C of ethno-wild edible plants in Northeast India

Ethnobotany deals with the usage of plants by different ethnic communities throughout the world for various purposes such as food, shelter, clothing, medicine, tools etc. North East India region is a part of eastern Himalayas with rich plant diversity. About 250 ethnic tribes inhabit the region with diverse cultures and traditional practices. Most of the ethnic communities in the region depend on natural resources directly for their daily needs and wild edible plants are one of them as they live in the vicinity of forests. This study deals with 20 wild edible plants, traditionally used by indigenous people. 18 genera belonging to 15 families with 3 species represented by family Lamiaceae. Different parts of plants are traditionally consumed as vegetables, of which 19 species represented with leaves as edible part. Berry, petiole and rootstalk constitute other edible parts. Most of the plant species were found to be rich source of vitamin C. Vitamin C content ranges from 6.24±0.34 mg to 79.91±1.52 mg/100 g fresh weight and maximum was recorded in Alocasia indica (leaves) and Oxalis corniculata and the least in Tamarindus indica. The findings indicated that these ethno-botanicals can be grown in homestead as sources of vitamin C in regular diet.

Use of herbal formulations for the treatment of circumcision wounds in Eastern and Southern Africa

Medicinal plants used to treat and manage circumcision wounds have remained an integral part of traditional practice in Eastern and Southern Africa. This study reviews the traditional usage of medicinal plants to treat and manage circumcision wounds in Eastern and Southern Africa. Drawing on data from Kenya, Namibia, South Africa and Tanzania, information was collected from different sources including books, theses and electronic scientific search engines such as Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed, SciFinder and Google Scholar. A literature search was also undertaken focusing on medicinal plants used against circumcision wounds that demonstrated antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities in in vitro studies. Twenty-eight medicinal plants from 15 families are recorded as traditional therapies for circumcision wounds following an extensive literature search. These species used to treat and manage circumcision wounds, and as dressing after circumcision to prevent serious inflammation are mainly (64.3%) members of Amaryllidaceae, Asparagaceae, Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae and Fabaceae families. Three quarters (75.0%) of these species including Acalypha ornata, Achyranthes aspera, Asparagus africanus, Boophone disticha, Brunsvigia grandiflora, Burkea africana, Colophospermum mopane, Datura stramonium, Dichrostachys cinerea, Helichrysum appendiculatum, H. foetidum, H. longifolium, H. nudifolium, H. pedunculatum, Lippia javanica, Maesa lanceolata, Ptaeroxylon obliquum, Ricinus communis, Searsia natalensis, Triumfetta rhomboidea and Vachellia nilotica have shown antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects in a set of in vitro models. Further studies are needed such as isolation of phytochemical compounds, in vivo activities, clinical and toxicological studies.

The use of pumice amended with sand media for domestic wastewater treatment in vertical flow constructed wetlands planted with lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)

The performance efficiency in constructed wetlands (CWs) technology is primarily affected by the media material and the types of plants used. Recently, investigations into the usage of local materials and plants in CWs has increased. Pumice is a material which is potential used as a media. However, research on amendment of pumice with other media in CWs is still limited. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the potential of pumice amended with sand media and planted with lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) in CWs to remove organic matter, suspended solids, nutrients, and coliform. The adsorbents were characterized using X-ray diffraction, FTIR and XRF followed by adsorption experiments for PO4–P. Furthermore, Six vertical flow (VF) mesocosms with a diameter of 10.2cm and 55cm depth were established over six months. The treatments were based on percentage of sand media amended with pumice and planted with lemongrass. Furthermore, the barren media were applied to investigate the effect of lemongrass. The loading rate of domestic wastewater into the VF mesocosms was 2 L/day while inflows and outflows were determined for nutrients, organic matter, suspended solids and coliform. The adsorption of PO4–P followed the Langmuir model with adsorption capacity was 0.089 and 0.067 mol/g for pumice and sand, respectively. The results also showed that the removal efficiency of TSS, COD, NO3–N, NO2–N, PO4–P and total coliforms were in the range of 93.7–97.3 %, 52–83 %, 63–86 %, 51–74%, 81–88 % and 92–97 %, respectively. Based on the results, the highest removal efficiency was observed in the sand media amended with 50 % pumice and planted with lemongrass, while the lowest was found in the barren sand media.

ბიოლოგიურად აქტიური ნაერთებით გამდიდრებული არომატიზებული ღვინოების წარმოების პერსპექტივები

Within the experiment, for preparation of the aromatized wines, enriched with biologically active compounds, were used the endemic medicinal plants and fruits. In the control and trial samples, by application of high performance liquid chromatography, were determined the content of total phenols, resveratrol, quercetin, myricetin and micronutrients. Compared to the corresponding control samples – sweet fortified wine, Saperavi and Hawthorn Red Aromatized Wine contents 21%, and Rkatsiteli, Kiwi and Elecampane White Aromatized Wine, 18.25% more total phenols. Based on conducted analyses, the trial samples contain twice more antioxidants, than they are typically identified in wines: Saperavi, Blackberry, Plum and Leonurus Red Aromatized Wine is characterized with the rich content of resveratrol, while, Rkatsiteli, buckthorn and balm with - quercetin and myricetin. These compounds are widely used in pharmaceutical industry. The enrichment of wines with these antioxidant is achieved by the usage of plants and herbs. Besides, the selected materials influenced on micronutrients, their content is also significantly increased. The obtained results confirm, that the selected materials and worked out recipes are effective for the production of beverages that have a positive effect on the human health.