Use Of Plants Research Articles

Exploring the Value and Potential to Commercialize Underutilized Leafy Vegetables Found in Karbi Anglong District, Assam, India

The present paper deals with the identification, documentation and exploration of diverse underutilized leafy vegetables consumed by the Karbi tribes of Karbi Anglong District, Assam. The NE region of India is the Gateway to India’s richest biodiversity zones important for the genetic resources’ world over. Genetic diversity of such underutilized leafy vegetables is concentrated or common in Northeast India more particularly in Karbi Anglong Hill District of Assam, which is considered to be one of the hotspots of the biodiversity in the world. The Indigenous and underutilized leafy vegetables are a source of livelihood for the local/ethnic communities of the district. In addition to food security these are also a part of culture and tradition for most of the hill tribes. These underutilized leafy vegetables are mostly found in wild forms as non-timber forest products and other natural habitats though some are domesticated and cultivated. The richness of plant diversity is largely due to ecological diversity superimposed with tribal and ethnic diversification, plant usage and religious rituals. The present paper deals with some of the common underutilized leafy vegetables used by the karbi communities. From the survey conducted in different local markets/weekly markets altogether 30 species belonging to 23 families were reported from the study area. These plant species were found to be morphologically different from each other and were found to important in the Karbi Anglong District of Assam because of their medicinal values and provide economic benefit for the rural poor people. Tabulation has been done according to their Scientific name with families, vernacular name(karbi), plant parts used, common uses, mode of propagation, ITK’s. etc. These plant species are used as vegetables which are having higher nutritional properties than commonly cultivated vegetables. Underutilized leafy vegetables and wild edible plants constitute an essential part in variation of diet and bring nutritional security and act as cheap source of healthcare component among ethnic communities. Therefore, there is a need for conducting systematic studies and research-based information on these plant species so as to establish them as economically viable crop. Domestication and bringing into cultivation is the need of the hour for promotion of these herbs beyond their confined locality. Studies on adaptability of these plant species in different environment are also important for their promotion as commercial crop.

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

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

Diversity of Plant Colorant Species in a Biodiversity Hotspot in Northern Thailand

Growing concerns regarding health and eco-safety have led to a resurgence in the recognition of natural products. Although plant colorants are often mentioned in ethnobotanical studies in northern Thailand, they have not been comprehensively examined. This study aims to (i) investigate the colorant plants used by ethnic minorities in northern Thailand and (ii) compare colorant plants used among the groups in northern Thailand with other regions worldwide. Data on colorant plants used by ten ethnic groups across 142 villages in northern Thailand were extracted in a systematic review of 42 published references. The importance of the colorant plant species was evaluated using the ethnobotanical index “use value” (UV), and the homogeneity of knowledge was assessed using the “information consensus factor” (ICF). The similarity of colorant plants used among the ethnic minority groups and beyond was evaluated using Jaccard’s index. The 42 published references included information about 104 colorant plant species belonging to 85 genera and 43 families from seven provinces in northern Thailand. This represents nearly half of the 212 colorant plant species reported across all 72 provinces in Thailand. The most important species were Strobilanthes cusia and Morinda angustifolia, which are sources of blue and red colors. Fabaceae, Rubiaceae, and Lamiaceae were the plant families with most species used as colorants. The colorant plant species yielded ten different color shades, with blue being the most prevalent. The Jaccard’s index varied from 0 to 0.27 among the northern Thai ethnic minorities and from 0 to 0.13 for regions outside of northern Thailand. The regions located closest to northern Thailand exhibited the highest degree of similarity. This study provides valuable insights into the traditional knowledge and usage of dye plants in northern Thailand, contributing to preserving the cultural heritage and providing basic knowledge for the sustainable use of natural colorants for modern applications.

Ethnobotanical study and vulnerability of medicinal plants used against the symptoms of COVID-19 in the Lomié subdivision, East Region of Cameroon

Science has advanced to the point that traditional medicine is now a useful instrument for treating a wide range of human ailments. Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) do not, however, have access to the contemporary healthcare system. As a result, they turn to biological resources, which are the only readily available and accessible means of treating diseases like COVID-19 and flu outbreaks. In response to worldwide illnesses, this study aligns with the perspectives of traditional knowledge of biological resources, particularly therapeutic plants. Therefore, this study was aimed to document the use of the potential of medicinal plants by IPLCs in the Lomié subdivision to manage COVID-19 symptoms. In four villages in the Lomié subdivision Ekom, Payo, Eschiambor, and Kongo, ethnobotanical surveys, including semi-structured interviews on traditional usage of plants against Covid-19 symptoms, were carried out with 80 participants in order to meet all of the study specific objectives. For every species, a vulnerability index was established in order to evaluate the species fragility. To analyze the data, both descriptive and inferential statistics were applied. The findings show that the respondents are well aware of the symptoms of the COVID-19 and that gave them the ability to provide timely and efficient responses. The survey identified 43 species from 39 genera grouped in 28 families were used to treat COVID-19 symptoms, with bark being the most commonly used plant part (43.8%). Decoction was the most frequently used method of preparation (50%), and oral administration was the main route of administration (56.3%). Most of the plant species were harvested from secondary forests (44.2%), of which trees formed 48.8%. A total of 30 species were recorded to be vulnerable, with Entandrophragma cylindricum (Sprague) Sprague, Milicia excelsa (Welw.) Benth, Myrianthus arboreus P. Beauv., and Trichoscypha aborea (A. Chev.) A. Chev being the most vulnerable, with vulnerability index of 2.4. The results showed a strong non-causal relationship between vulnerability and the continuous and discontinuous explanatory parameters. The susceptibility of medicinal plants used to treat COVID-19 symptoms and the explanatory parameters had a statistically significant causal association, according to the binomial logistic regression model. In light of novel diseases like COVID-19, this study finds that traditional knowledge of medicinal plants is still widely held, especially among the indigenous and local population. It can also be very beneficial in the development of new medications for a variety of illnesses.

Harmony in nature: understanding the cultural and ecological aspects of plant use in Ladakh

BackgroundTraditional knowledge (TK) in Ladakh encapsulates a repository of experimental wisdom cultivated over millennia. Despite this cultural wealth, dwindling interest among the younger generations in the region’s age-old practices underscores the urgency to document TK. The current study investigates the diverse usage of plants in Surru, Wakha and Lower Indus valleys of Western Ladakh exploring the influence of socioeconomic and ecological factors.MethodsA stratified random sample approach was adopted to select 540 respondents for gathering information of useful plants through interviews and questionnaires. Participant observation, questionnaires, open-ended and semi-structured interviews were conducted for data collection. Free listing was done to create an extensive list of plants and their uses. Ethnobotanical metrics such as relative frequency of citation (RFC), relative importance index (RI), cultural value (CV) index and cultural importance (CI) index were computed to assess species applicability. Additionally, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was utilized to discern significant differences in knowledge levels based on valleys, gender, education and religion using TK as a response variable.ResultsAltogether, we recorded 246 plant species under various ethnobotanical uses from Western Ladakh. These include medicinal (126), fodder (124), wild ornamentals (86), food (81), fuel wood (54), dye (20), religious (31) and others (34). Novel plant reports include Berberis brandisiana Ahrendt and Dactylorhiza kafiriana Renz. The dominant plant family is Asteraceae with 35 species. Suru valley exhibits the highest number of cited plants followed by Wakha-chu and Lower Indus valleys (192, 168 and 152 species, respectively).ConclusionDisparities in plant use understanding are evident among different groups, prompting further investigation through intercultural comparisons. Plants such as Arnebia euchroma, Juniperus semiglobosa, and Artemisia species emerge with cultural importance. Gender, valley affiliation, religious background and the remoteness of a village all influence local plant knowledge. These variations are linked to socioeconomic disparities among communities.

Modulatory potential of Bacopa monnieri against aflatoxin B1 induced biochemical, molecular and histological alterations in rats.

Oxidative injury is concerned with the pathogenesis of several liver injuries, including those from acute liver failure to cirrhosis. This study was designed to explore the antioxidant activity of Bacopa monnieri (BM) on Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) induced oxidative damage in Wistar albino rats. Aflatoxin B1 treatment (200μg/kg/day, p.o.) for 28days induced oxidative injury by a significant alteration in serum liver function test marker enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, albumin and bilirubin), inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) along with reduction of antioxidant enzymes (GSH, SOD, CAT), GSH cycle enzymes and drug-metabolizing enzymes (AH and AND). Treatment of rats with B. monnieri (20, 30 and 40mg/kg for 5days, p.o.) after 28days of AFB1 intoxication significantly restored these parameters near control in a dose-dependent way. Histopathological examination disclosed extensive hepatic injuries, characterized by cellular necrosis, infiltration, congestion and sinusoidal dilatation in the AFB1-treated group. Treatment with B. monnieri significantly reduced these toxic effects resulting from AFB1. B. monnieriper se group (40 mg/kg) did not show any significant change and proved safe. The cytotoxic activity of B. monnieri was also evaluated on HepG2 cells and showed a good percentage of cytotoxic activity. This finding suggests that B. monnieri protects the liver against oxidative damage caused by AFB1, which aids in the evaluation of the traditional usage of this medicinal plant.

Traditional ethnobotanical knowledge and ethnomedicinal use of plants in the Tropical Rift Valley of Ethiopia

IntroductionA wide range of floral resources are used in Ethiopia for primary healthcare. Unfortunately, due to inadequate documentation and the fact that they were verbally passed down from one generation to the next, these indigenous medicinal practices are being forgotten. The study's goal was to identify and record indigenous peoples' traditional knowledge of plant usage in the Abala Abaya District of Wolaita, Ethiopia. MethodsThe collection of ethnobotanical data used a cross-sectional research design involving focus group discussions and semistructured questionnaires between January 2021 and April 2022. From each selected kebele (ward; smallest administrative unit), 50 informants (a total of 200) were selected as representative sample using a systematic random sampling technique. ResultsMore than 50 different human and animal illnesses have been documented to be treated by seventy-two species of plants grouped in thirty-two families. The most abundant families were Poaceae and Asteraceae (8 taxa in each). The two most often used plant parts were leaf (29%) and herbs (54%), respectively. Oral administration was the most typical mode of delivery (75%). For treating stomachache in the category of gastrointestinal illnesses, Hagenia abyssinica (Bruce) J.F.Gmel got the greatest fidelity level scores (FL = 100%). ConclusionsIn Abala Abaya District, there is broad access to traditional medicinal plants that can treat ailments in both humans and animals. This study, therefore, might be a baseline piece of information for further botanical related studies in the region. Plants with the highest FL values are highly recommended for novel drug discovery.

Plant use and perceptions in the context of sexual health among people of Congolese descent in Belgium

BackgroundThe use of medicinal plants is integral to global healthcare systems, with Sub-Saharan Africa maintaining a robust tradition of herbal medicine alongside Western-oriented healthcare. As migrant communities tend to continue traditional herbal practices after migration, documenting this use is vital to develop culturally sensitive healthcare. This study investigates plant usage and perspectives in the context of sexual and reproductive health among the Congolese community in Belgium, particularly in the Matongé quarter of Brussels. Our research questions were: (1) What is the current knowledge of medicinal plants among the Congolese community in Belgium in the context of sexual health, and what are the applications and commonly employed administration methods of these plants? (2) What role does herbal medicine play in the context of sexual health for people of Congolese descent in Belgium and how this is influenced by perceptions of sexuality? and (3) Is there a gender bias in the use of medicinal plants, and if so, can this be related to perceived gender norms?MethodsWe conducted 22 semi-structured interviews with people of Congolese descent currently living in Belgium. Participants were selected using both snowball sampling and purposive sampling. Plant use in the context of sexual health was recorded through freelisting. Data on narratives, ideas, and perceptions of this plant use in the context of sexual health were collected. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsWe identified 17 plant species used for sexual health. Three overarching themes emerged from our data. Plants were used with a notable gender bias favoring male sexual potency enhancement. Men used these plants for both remedying potency issues and enhancing sexual prowess. In contrast, knowledge about plants for female sexual health was limited. Gender norms reinforced the importance of male sexual potency, while stigmatizing open discussions of female sexuality.ConclusionsThe use of medicinal plants for sexual health raises health, social, and conservation concerns, underscoring the need for further research in this area. This study contributes to understanding medicinal plant use within the Congolese community in Belgium and highlights the necessity for future research on herbal practices for female sexual health in this context.

Eco-efficiency analysis and intensification of the monochlorobenzene separation process through double-effect strategy

Distillation is an energy-intensive operation with high capital and operational costs. For this reason, intensification technologies have been developed to significantly reduce the energy usage, utility costs, and carbon footprint of modern chemical plants. In this work, a double-effect intensification strategy with heat integration was proposed for an industrial-scale monochlorobenzene separation process that can be used in a retrofit design. The conventional process and the intensification configurations were designed by simulation in UniSim software. A utility plant with cooling water and steam generation sections was also considered for realistic results regarding water consumption, CO2 emissions, and utility costs. Additionally, in order to establish a qualitative and quantitative overall analysis, such indicators were grouped in a joint evaluation method using the Comparative Eco-Efficiency Index. The proposed configuration provides savings of 60.15 % and 61.79 % in energy and water consumption, respectively; therefore, savings of 60.15 % and 60.20 % in CO2 emissions and utility costs were achieved, respectively, which increased the process's eco-efficiency by 84.57 % and decreased the TAC criterion by 29.65 %. Thus, the new design prove to be a convenient strategy since it significantly improved the original process performance in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Quantitative Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Species With Dermatological Relevance Used in Traditional Mayan Medicine

This ethnobotanical study highlights the significant knowledge of the Maya Yucatecan healers about medicinal plants used to treat skin diseases and the importance of studying the ancient knowledge inherited from generation to generation. Historically, the Maya people have relied on the use of medicinal plants to treat various ailments, including skin diseases. The study focuses on identifying the plants that have been traditionally employed for these purposes. By comparing historical sources with contemporary ethnobotanical data gathered from the field, this research uncovers the evolving patterns of plant usage over time. It also underscores the significance of considering sociopolitical circumstances in understanding changes in local knowledge. The data indicated that Rutaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae, and Asteraceae were the most represented families. The ethnohistoric record also showed gaps linked to the local knowledge developed by the Mayans over time. The principal component analysis technique applied to our ethnobotanical data simplifies the complexity of information on the use of medicinal flora to treat skin conditions, resulting in a new predictive model for pooling herbal knowledge. Correlations indicated that more than 50% of the listed species are used to treat fungal infections. This historical perspective enriches our understanding of the dynamic relationship between the Maya people and their use of medicinal plants for skin-related ailments.

THE ROLE OF SOLAR AND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY IN DIRECTING OF THE BIOECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS, CONSERVATION AND USE OF ESSENTIAL OIL PLANTS

The main purpose of the research is to study the role of solar and alternativ energu in the direction of bioecelogical characteristics, protection and usage of essential oil plants. The huge food and technical importance of oil and essential plants are given in the article. The vegetable oils obtained from them are used in the food industry, in baking, in the preparation of various preserves, confectionery, margarines and oils, and from essential oils in the field of medicine, in the perfumery and cosmetics industry, etc. widely used. At the same time, it is used in the production of linoleum and stearic acids, lacquer-paint, weaving, soap-making, leather tanning, etc. these oils are used in industries. Oil crops include sunflower, soybean, sesame, groundnut (araxis), safflower, castor, poppy, white mustard, blue mustard, winter and spring rape, oilseed rape, lallemantia, perilla (sudza), oil tulip, radish, flax, etc. includes plant species. Among the vegetable oils produced for edible oil on a global scale, the first place is soybean, the second place is sunflower, and then peanut, cotton, rapeseed, olive, sesame, corn and safflower oils. Most essential oils are found in free form in plants. Their amount in different types of plants varies greatly, from 0.001% to 22%. There may be a type of plant in which the amount and composition of the essential oil is negligible. This may mainly depend on the cultivated region, the age of the plant, the phase of development and other conditions. It has been determined that plants accumulate more essential oil in dry and hot weather than in cold and humid conditions. The amount of essential oil in the plant is greater during the flowering and ripening period. A group of plants cultivated to produce essential oil are called essential oil plants. They contain volatile aromatic substances with different chemical composition. The amount of these oils in the seeds, flowers, leaves, branches and other organs of the plant varies depending on cultivation technology and soil-climate conditions. Essential oil plants include coriander, mint, cumin, basil, cloves, myrtle, etc. belong to plants. Essential oils are widely used in the food, medicine and perfume-cosmetics industry. The waste obtained after the processing of fruits and seeds is used as feed in livestock and poultry farming. Solar energy from alternative energy sources is used in many countries of the world. In the process, solar energy is converted into useful energy and replaced by other forms of energy, such as biomass, wind or hydropower, and "drives" the weather on Earth. Most of the solar radiation is absorbed by the oceans and seas, as a result of which their water heats up, evaporates and falls to the Earth in the form of rain, "feeding" hydroelectric power plants. Solar energy affects to the plants mainle the essentional oil plants, either. Most plants admit solar energy during the drying or feeding process. Thus, we considered both the essential oil plants, especially the flax plant, and learned the advantages and disadvantages of alternative energy. We came to the conclusion that alternative energy has a role in the process of cultivation and protection of essential oil plants. Approaches and results can be different in the analysis of positive and negative sides in the fast developing era. Keywords: essential oil, plants, solar energy, ecology, industry, flax, linseed

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

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

A Review of Ethnomedicinal Plants as Potential Anthelmintic Agents to Alternatively Control Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Ruminants in South Africa.

Small ruminant production is one of the most important animal productions for food security in the world, especially in the developing world. Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection is a threat to this animal's production. Conventional drugs that are used to control these parasites are losing their efficacy due to the development of resistant parasites. These drugs are not biologically degradable, taint meat products and are also expensive for communal farmers. Hence, research is now exploring ethnomedicinal anthelmintic plants for an alternative remedy. The objective of this paper was to review ethnomedicinal plants as a potential alternative to unsustainable commercial anthelmintics. This review sought to understand common GINs infecting ruminants, resistance manifestation in GINs to conventional treatment, reasons communal farmers choose ethnomedicine, and modes of action in anthelmintic plants. It also examined the usage of plants and plant parts, dosage forms, methods for improving bioactivity, convectional validation procedures, and restrictions on ethnomedicinal plant use as anthelmintics in ethnomedicine. Such insight is essential, as it highlights the importance of ethnoveterinary medicine and ways to adopt or improve it as a potential alternative to conventional anthelmintics.

Orphan crops of archaeology‐based crop history research

Societal Impact StatementAgrobiodiversity is central to sustainable farming worldwide. Cultivation, conservation and reintroduction of diverse plant species, including ‘forgotten’ and ‘underutilized’ crops, contribute to global agrobiodiversity, living ecosystems and sustainable food production. Such efforts benefit from traditional and historical knowledge of crop plants' evolutionary and cultural trajectories. This review is a first attempt at systematically gauging species representativeness in studies of archaeological plant remains. Results indicate that, in addition to discipline‐specific methodological sources of bias, modern agricultural biases may replicate themselves in crop history research and influence understandings of ‘forgotten crops’. Recognizing these biases is an initial stride towards rectifying them and promoting agrobiodiversity in both research and practical applications.SummarySo‐called ‘forgotten’ or ‘orphan’ crops are an important component of strategies aimed at preserving and promoting biodiversity. Knowledge of historical cultivation, usage, and geographic and evolutionary trajectories of plants, that is, crop history research, is important for the long‐term success of such efforts. However, research biases in the crops chosen for study may present hurdles. This review attempts to systematically identify patterns in crop species representativeness within archaeology‐based crop history research. A meta‐analysis and synthesis of archaeobotanical evidence (and lack thereof) is presented for 268 species known to have been cultivated for food prior to 1492 CE from the Mediterranean region to South Asia. We identified 39 genera with known crop plants in this geographical and historical context that are currently absent from its archaeobotanical record, constituting ‘orphan’ crops of archaeobotany. In addition, a worldwide synthesis of crop species studied using geometric morphometric, archaeogenetic and stable isotope analyses of archaeological plant remains is presented, and biases in the species represented in these disciplines are discussed. Both disciplinary methodological biases and economic agenda‐based biases affecting species representativeness in crop history research are apparent. This study also highlights the limited geographic diffusion of most crops and the potential for deeper historical perspectives on how crops become marginalized and ‘forgotten’.

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

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

An ethnobotanical study on the usage of wild plants from Tara Mountain (Western Serbia)

In this study an ethnobotanical survey was conducted in western Serbia (Mt. Tara) with the aim of collecting and preserving the traditional botanical knowledge. A group of local inhabitants (56) was interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. The Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) and Jaccard Index (JI) were calculated. There are 78 wild plant species recorded. The reported plant species belong to 34 families, where the families Rosaceae (41.18%), Asteraceae (23.53%) and Lamiaceae (20.59%) were dominant. Out of 78 documented plants, 70 plants (89.74%) are used in folk medicine, 42 (53.85%) in human nutrition, 22 (28.20%) in animal nutrition, 14 (17.95%) plants are used for miscellaneous purposes, while two plants (2.56%) are used in ethnoveterinary medicine. The highest RFC was recorded for Vaccinium myrtillus (0.38), followed by Urtica dioica (0.34), and Hypericum perforatum (0.25) and Fragaria vesca (0.25). The most frequently used mode of preparation was as an infusion (70.51%), while the most used plant part was the leaf (56.41%) followed by the flower/inflorescences (37.18%) and aboveground parts (28.21%). The highest degree of similarity was determined with studies conducted in close proximity (Mt. Zlatibor, JI 33.04). Local recipes and new usage of some well-known traditional plants in Serbia and the Balkans were documented.

A checklist of European butterfly larval foodplants.

Butterflies are charismatic insects and have been well studied, particularly in Europe. They are disproportionately used in generating and testing hypotheses; on everything from general evolutionary processes, such as speciation or host association dynamics; to conservation-related studies, such as climate change or habitat loss. Accurate lists of the larval foodplants for European butterflies are not readily available. Mistakes are propagated and information cannot be checked for accuracy. The level of evidence is unknown, and how usage varies between countries is poorly understood. The study consulted 1119 references to produce 19,488 records of larval foodplants for European butterflies. This resulted in 5589 larval host plant records for 464 European butterfly species, with multiple references, enabling information to be checked. Information was unavailable for 59 species. The level of evidence for each relationship shows the current state of knowledge. Significant issues were identified for 3.9% of records extracted from references due to mistakes, ambiguous or unknown plant names, distribution issues, resulting in information being lost. Plants with questionable distributions suggest either mis-identification or species that have been split. Little is known about plant usage in Eastern Europe. The larval foodplants of many monophagous and Satyrinae butterflies are poorly studied. Only 63% of threatened 2010 Red Listed butterflies have reliable host plant records. The study has provided ecologists with a valuable resource, of a more accurate checklist of the larval foodplants for each European country. Why plant usage varies over a butterfly's distribution opens up some interesting research questions.

Effects of Lotus Flower Extract on Cotton Fabric and Its Antimicrobial Activity against Wound Causing Pathogens

Abstract Background: Hemp that belongs to the cannabis plant has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries due to the purposes that contained natural plant products. Of all these types, lotus flower extract obtained from the Nelumbo nucifera has been considered to possess some antibacterial activity. This study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of bacteriostatic activity of lotus flower extract incorporated into fabrics used in coating the dressing. Methods: Leaves of lotus were used and subjected to extraction using methanol and diethyl ether solvents. These extracts were then practiced in a Petri dish plate against the specific pathogens of wound infections obtained from Microbial Type Culture Collection (MTCC). According to the type of cell wall, the pathogens were divided into Gram-positive cocci: Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes, and Gram-negative: Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antimicrobial effectiveness was tested by means of the disc diffusion method. The phytochemical component was also screened as a way of determining the secondary metabolites present in the extracts. Results: Alkaloids, anthraquinone, flavone, saponin, glycoside, tannin, phenol and cardiac glycoside were present in the Phytochemical analysis of extracts of O.moschata. The antibacterial tests on bacterial species’ growth revealed that all the extracts were moderately effective against S. aureus, showing the zone of inhibition between 5 – 10 mm, whereas against P. aeruginosa and E. coli the extracts were highly effective with a zone of inhibition between 7 – 15 mm. Conclusion: In the case of this research, it is clearly depicted that lotus flower extracts have strong antibacterial properties especially against the Gram-negative bacteria namely P. aeruginosa and E. coli. These findings are in concordance with the ethno medial usage of lotus plant in treating infected wounds and opens up applications in using the extracts to develop antibacterial fabric scarf solutions. More related works should be conducted to investigate the clinical utility and effectiveness of the above extracts in wound healing and their safety.

On the usage of animals and plants as measure units in Turkic culture through its historical development

On the usage of animals and plants as measure units in Turkic culture through its historical development

Ethnomedicinal uses of plants for various diseases in the remote areas of Changa Manga Forest, Pakistan.

This study aims at reporting the indigenous knowledge of the medicinal flora from the inhabitants of surroundings of the World's largest artificial planted forest "Changa Manga", Pakistan. Data were collected by direct interviews and group meetings from 81 inhabitants including 32 local healers having information regarding the use of indigenous medicinal plants over a period of one year. Different statistical tools were applied to analyze the data including Frequency citation (FC), Relative frequency citation (RFC), Use Value, Factor of informants consensus and fidelity level. This study reported 73 plant species belonging to 37 plant families and 46 genera. The majority of plant species belong to compositae family. The most commonly used medicinal plants were P. hysterophorus L., P. dactylifera L., S. indicum L, P. harmala L., P. emblica L., and A. indica A.Juss. The greatest number of species was used to cure gastrointestinal disorders. The highest fidelity level (68.18%) was of E. helioscopia to cure gastrointestinal disorders. Maximum fresh uses (17) were reported by C. dactylon (L.) Pars. While the highest number of species reporting fresh uses in similar number was 13. In this study, five novel plants are being reported for the first time in Pakistan for their ethnomedicinal worth. Our data reflect unique usage of the medicinal plants in the study area. The statistical tools used in the study proved useful in pointing the most important and disease category specific plants. High use value plant and the new reported medicinal plants might prove an important source of the isolation of pharmacologically active compounds.