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Petran M, Dragoș D, Stoian I, Vlad A, Gilca M. Current use of medicinal plants for children's diseases among mothers in Southern Romania. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1377341. [PMID: 38841372 PMCID: PMC11150775 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1377341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
There is a limited number of studies focusing on ethnomedical practices in children, particularly in Eastern Europe. Romania has a rich history of using medicinal plants in ethnopediatric care, and our objective was to identify the medicinal plants currently employed in treating childhood illnesses in the southern region of the country. Material and methods Our investigation used structured interviews, focusing on respondent demographics, local names of therapeutically employed herbs, the specific plant part(s) utilized, methods of preparation and administration, and local folk indications of taxa. A total of 326 mothers with children aged 0 to 18, hospitalized in the "Grigore Alexandrescu" Children Emergency Hospital Bucharest and residing in Southern Romania, were enrolled in the study. Use Value Citation Index (UVc), Informant Consensus Factor (Fic), and Fidelity Level (FL) were calculated. Results Twenty-five plants were identified for treating children's diseases in Southern Romania. The majority of informants resided in urban areas, and mothers primarily acquired knowledge from family members and healthcare professionals. The herbs most frequently employed were Mentha spp. (UV = 0.509) for diarrhea, Matricaria spp. (UV = 0.301) for skin infections (Fic = 0.99) and digestive diseases (Fic = 0.98), and Calendula officinalis L. (UV = 0.365) for skin diseases (Fic = 0.99). Less utilized were Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus (L.) Domin in respiratory diseases, Prunus avium (L.) L. stalks in urinary tract ailments, Helianthus annuus L. in ear infections, Allium sativum L. in intestinal parasitosis, Viola tricolor L. in hives, Triticum aestivum L. in dermatitis and Allium ursinum L. as a tonic. In 184 cases herbal treatment was used in conjunction with conventional medications. Education level correlated with the number of employed plants and the variety of treated ailments, while residency (rural vs. urban) did not. Both residency and education influenced plant procurement methods: rural background and, surprisingly, higher education were linked to a preference for harvesting rather than purchasing plants. Conclusion Botanical remedies are still commonly used in the treatment of pediatric diseases in Southern Romania, although the variety of taxa seems reduced compared to the past. Further exploration is essential to unlock the maximum benefits of ethnopediatric practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madalina Petran
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Dorin Dragoș
- Department of Medical Semiology, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- First Internal Medicine Clinic, University Emergency Hospital Bucharest, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Irina Stoian
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Adelina Vlad
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Marilena Gilca
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
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Jakabfi-Csepregi R, Alberti Á, Felegyi-Tóth CA, Kőszegi T, Czigle S, Papp N. A Comprehensive Study on Lathyrus tuberosus L.: Insights into Phytochemical Composition, Antimicrobial Activity, Antioxidant Capacity, Cytotoxic, and Cell Migration Effects. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:232. [PMID: 38256785 PMCID: PMC10821300 DOI: 10.3390/plants13020232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
In this study, in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and cell migration effects of phenolic compounds of Lathyrus tuberosus leaves, known in the Transylvanian ethnomedicine, were investigated. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was employed for the analysis of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts. The antimicrobial properties were determined using a conventional microdilution technique. Total antioxidant capacity techniques were used using cell-free methods and cell-based investigations. Cytotoxic effects were conducted on 3T3 mouse fibroblasts and HaCaT human keratinocytes using a multiparametric method, assessing intracellular ATP, total nucleic acid, and protein levels. Cell migration was visualized by phase-contrast microscopy, employing conventional culture inserts to make cell-free areas. Together, 93 polyphenolic and monoterpenoid compounds were characterized, including flavonoid glycosides, lignans, hydroxycinnamic acid, and hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives, as well as iridoids and secoiridoids. The ethanolic extract showed high antioxidant capacity and strong antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis (MIC80 value: 354.37 ± 4.58 µg/mL) and Streptococcus pyogenes (MIC80 value: 488.89 ± 4.75 µg/mL). The abundance of phenolic compounds and the results of biological tests indicate the potential for L. tuberosus to serve as reservoirs of bioactive compounds and to be used in the development of novel nutraceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Jakabfi-Csepregi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Ifjúság u. 13, HU-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (R.J.-C.); (T.K.)
- János Szentágothai Research Center, University of Pécs, Ifjúság u. 20, HU-7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Alberti
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, Üllői út 26, HU-1085 Budapest, Hungary; (Á.A.); (C.A.F.-T.)
| | - Csenge Anna Felegyi-Tóth
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, Üllői út 26, HU-1085 Budapest, Hungary; (Á.A.); (C.A.F.-T.)
| | - Tamás Kőszegi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Ifjúság u. 13, HU-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (R.J.-C.); (T.K.)
- János Szentágothai Research Center, University of Pécs, Ifjúság u. 20, HU-7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Szilvia Czigle
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, SK-832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Nóra Papp
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Pécs, Rókus u. 2., HU-7624 Pécs, Hungary;
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Jarić S, Kostić O, Miletić Z, Marković M, Sekulić D, Mitrović M, Pavlović P. Ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal research into medicinal plants in the Mt Stara Planina region (south-eastern Serbia, Western Balkans). JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2024; 20:7. [PMID: 38200599 PMCID: PMC10782642 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-024-00647-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ethnobotanical research in Southeast Europe-one of the most important European hotspots for biocultural diversity-is significant for the acquisition of Traditional Ecological Knowledge related to plants as well as for encouraging the development of local environments. The current ethnobotanical research was conducted in the region of Mt Stara Planina (south-eastern Serbia), which is characterised by rich phytodiversity with a large number of endemic and relict plant species. The aim of the study was to document the diversity of uses of medicinal plants and of traditional knowledge on their therapeutic uses. METHODS Ethnobotanical data was collected through both open and semi-structured interviews with locals. Fifty-one inhabitants were interviewed (26 men and 25 women), aged 30-91, and data was analysed by means of use reports, citation frequency, use values (UV), and the informant consensus factor (ICF). RESULTS The study identified 136 vascular medicinal plant taxa and one lichen species belonging to 53 families and 116 genera. Lamiaceae (19), Rosaceae (18), and Asteraceae (17) had the highest species diversity. The plant parts most commonly used to make a variety of herbal preparations were the aerial parts (54 citations), leaves (35 citations), fruits (20 citations), flowers (18 citations), and roots (16 citations), while the most common forms of preparation were teas (60.78%), consumption of fresh tubers, leaves, roots, and fructus (6.86%), compresses (5.88%), juices (5.39%), decoctions (3.92%), 'travarica' brandy (3.92%), and syrups (2.45%). Of the recorded species, 102 were administered orally, 17 topically, and 18 both orally and topically. The plants with a maximum use value (UV = 1) were Allium sativum, Allium ursinum, Gentiana asclepiadea, Gentiana cruciata, Gentiana lutea, Hypericum perforatum, Thymus serpyllum and Urtica dioica. The highest ICF value (ICF = 0.95) was recorded in the categories of Skin and Blood, Blood Forming Organs, and Immune Mechanism. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that medicinal plants in the research area are an extremely important natural resource for the local population as they are an important component of their health culture and provide a better standard of living.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snežana Jarić
- Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research 'Siniša Stanković' - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11108, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Olga Kostić
- Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research 'Siniša Stanković' - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11108, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Zorana Miletić
- Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research 'Siniša Stanković' - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11108, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milica Marković
- Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research 'Siniša Stanković' - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11108, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dimitrije Sekulić
- Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research 'Siniša Stanković' - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11108, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Miroslava Mitrović
- Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research 'Siniša Stanković' - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11108, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Pavle Pavlović
- Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research 'Siniša Stanković' - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11108, Belgrade, Serbia
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Aćimović M, Stanković Jeremić J, Miljković A, Rat M, Lončar B. Screening of Volatile Compounds, Traditional and Modern Phytotherapy Approaches of Selected Non-Aromatic Medicinal Plants ( Lamiaceae, Lamioideae) from Rtanj Mountain, Eastern Serbia. Molecules 2023; 28:4611. [PMID: 37375165 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28124611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Ironwort (Sideritis montana L.), mountain germander (Teucrium montanum L.), wall germander (Teucrium chamaedrys L.), and horehound (Marrubium peregrinum L.) are species widely distributed across Europe and are also found in North Africa and West Asia. Because of their wide distribution they express significant chemical diversity. For generations, these plants have been used as medical herbs for treating different aliments. The aim of this paper is to analyze volatile compounds of four selected species that belong to the subfamily Lamioideae, family Lamiaceae, and inspect scientifically proven biological activities and potential uses in modern phytotherapy in relation to traditional medicine. Therefore, in this research, we analyze the volatile compounds from this plants, obtained in laboratory by a Clevenger-type apparatus, followed by liquid-liquid extraction with hexane as the solvent. The identification of volatile compounds is conducted by GC-FID and GC-MS. Although these plants are poor in essential oil, the most abundant class of volatile components are mainly sesquiterpenes: germacrene D (22.6%) in ironwort, 7-epi-trans-sesquisabinene hydrate (15.8%) in mountain germander, germacrene D (31.8%) and trans-caryophyllene (19.7%) in wall germander, and trans-caryophyllene (32.4%) and trans-thujone (25.1%) in horehound. Furthermore, many studies show that, in addition to the essential oil, these plants contain phenols, flavonoids, diterpenes and diterpenoids, iridoids and their glycosides, coumarins, terpenes, and sterols, among other active compounds, which affect biological activities. The other goal of this study is to review the literature that describes the traditional use of these plants in folk medicine in regions where they grow spontaneously and compare them with scientifically confirmed activities. Therefore, a bibliographic search is conducted on Science Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar to gather information related to the topic and recommend potential applications in modern phytotherapy. In conclusion, we can say that selected plants could be used as natural agents for promoting health, as a source of raw material in the food industry, and as supplements, as well as in the pharmaceutical industry for developing plant-based remedies for prevention and treatment of many diseases, especially cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milica Aćimović
- Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops Novi Sad-IFVCNS, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, Maksima Gorkog 30, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Jovana Stanković Jeremić
- Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy-ICTM, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Njegoševa 12, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ana Miljković
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Milica Rat
- Faculty of Science, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Biljana Lončar
- Faculty of Technology, University of Novi Sad, Bulevar Cara Lazara 1, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
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Pinke G, Kapcsándi V, Czúcz B. Iconic Arable Weeds: The Significance of Corn Poppy ( Papaver rhoeas), Cornflower ( Centaurea cyanus), and Field Larkspur ( Delphinium consolida) in Hungarian Ethnobotanical and Cultural Heritage. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:plants12010084. [PMID: 36616213 PMCID: PMC9824376 DOI: 10.3390/plants12010084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
There are an increasing number of initiatives that recognize arable weed species as an important component of agricultural biodiversity. Such initiatives often focus on declining species that were once abundant and are still well known, but the ethnographic relevance of such species receives little recognition. We carried out an extensive literature review on the medicinal, ornamental, and cultural applications of three selected species, Papaver rhoeas, Centaurea cyanus, and Delphinium consolida, in the relevant Hungarian literature published between 1578 and 2021. We found a great diversity of medicinal usages. While P. rhoeas stands out with its sedative influence, D. consolida was mainly employed to stop bleeding, and C. cyanus was most frequently used to cure eye inflammation. The buds of P. rhoeas were sporadically eaten and its petals were used as a food dye. All species fulfilled ornamental purposes, either as garden plants or gathered in the wild for bouquets. They were essential elements of harvest festivals and religious festivities, particularly in Corpus Christi processions. P. rhoeas was also a part of several children's games. These wildflowers were regularly depicted in traditional Hungarian folk art. In poetry, P. rhoeas was used as a symbol of burning love or impermanence; C. cyanus was frequently associated with tenderness and faithfulness; while D. consolida regularly emerged as a nostalgic remembrance of the disappearing rural lifestyle. These plants were also used as patriotic symbols in illustrations for faithfulness, loyalty, or homesickness. Our results highlight the deep and prevalent embeddedness of the three iconic weed species studied in the folk culture of the Carpathian Basin. The ethnobotanical and cultural embeddedness of arable weed species should also be considered when efforts and instruments for the conservation of arable weed communities are designed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyula Pinke
- Albert Kázmér Faculty of Mosomagyaróvár, Széchenyi István University, Vár 2., H-9200 Mosonmagyaróvár, Hungary
| | - Viktória Kapcsándi
- Albert Kázmér Faculty of Mosomagyaróvár, Széchenyi István University, Vár 2., H-9200 Mosonmagyaróvár, Hungary
| | - Bálint Czúcz
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Via Fermi 2749, 21027 Ispra, Italy
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Miletić S, Nikolić-Kokić A, Jovanović D, Žerađanin A, Joksimović K, Avdalović J, Spasić S. Investigation of the Antioxidant Role of Acidic and Alkaline Hydrolysates of Pectin Isolated from Quince (Cydonia oblonga). RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s1068162023010193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Janaćković P, Gavrilović M, Miletić M, Radulović M, Kolašinac S, Stevanović ZD. Small regions as key sources of traditional knowledge: a quantitative ethnobotanical survey in the central Balkans. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2022; 18:70. [PMID: 36471323 PMCID: PMC9720931 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-022-00566-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Starting from the idea that unexplored areas may yield new and different ethnobotanical information, we performed a survey of traditional uses of plants in two neighboring districts situated in east Serbia (Bor and Aleksinac), both lacking in previous ethnobotanical reports, but characterized by an interesting history and culture, together with some specific features. In this study, we hypothesized that such small and specific areas could be of high ethnobotanical importance. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were used with 155 informants. Relative cultural importance (RCI) indices, such as the frequency of citation (FC), relative frequency of citation (RFC), relative importance index (RI), informant consensus factor (ICF-FIC), use value (UV), fidelity level (FL) and Jaccard index (JI), were calculated, and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) was performed. RESULTS In this study, 2333 use-reports and 114 plants were recorded. Of the 101 medical herbs, 33 are included in the European Pharmacopoeia Edition 8.0. The most frequently used mode of preparation was as an infusion (50.0%), while leaf (44.7%) was the most used plant part. The highest FC and RFC values were recorded for Hypericum perforatum L. (13.1 and 0.2, respectively), while the highest RI was documented for Urtica dioica L. (1.0). ICF and FL indices showed important differences among selected groups of informants. The PCoA showed three homogeneous plant groups. Plants were mostly used for the treatment of digestive (49.1%), circulatory (41.2%) and respiratory system disorders (35.1%). Thirty-seven (32.5%) herbs were used for human nutrition, 14 (12.3%) in veterinary medicine, 17 (14.9%) in rituals and ethnoculture, while 24 (21.0%) for miscellaneous purposes. The highest degree of similarity was determined with studies conducted in close proximity. Four species are new to Balkan ethnobotany. New uses for some well-known plants are highlighted. CONCLUSION The study indicated that small and specific areas in the Balkans may be an important reservoir of ethnobotanical knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedja Janaćković
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Morphology and Systematics of Plants, University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 16, 11 000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milan Gavrilović
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Morphology and Systematics of Plants, University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 16, 11 000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milica Miletić
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Morphology and Systematics of Plants, University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 16, 11 000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Maja Radulović
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Morphology and Systematics of Plants, University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 16, 11 000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Stefan Kolašinac
- Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Botany, University of Belgrade, Nemanjina 6, 11 000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Zora Dajić Stevanović
- Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Botany, University of Belgrade, Nemanjina 6, 11 000 Belgrade, Serbia
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Vitasović-Kosić I, Hodak A, Łuczaj Ł, Marić M, Juračak J. Traditional Ethnobotanical Knowledge of the Central Lika Region (Continental Croatia)-First Record of Edible Use of Fungus Taphrina pruni. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:3133. [PMID: 36432861 PMCID: PMC9693171 DOI: 10.3390/plants11223133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study analyzed the use of plants and fungi, some wild and some cultivated, in three municipalities of Lika-Senj County (Perušić, Gospić and Lovinac). The range of the study area was about 60 km. Forty in-depth semi-structured interviews were performed. The use of 111 plant taxa from 50 plant families and five taxa of mushrooms and fungi belonging to five families was recorded (on average 27 taxa per interview). The results showed quite large differences between the three studied areas in terms of ethnobotanical and ecological knowledge. In the Perušić area, (101 taxa mentioned), some people still use wild plants on a daily basis for various purposes. The most commonly noted plants are Prunus spinosa, Taraxacum spp., Rosa canina, Urtica dioica, Juglans regia and Fragaria vesca. In the Lovinac region, people used fewer species of plants (76 species mentioned). The most common species used there are: Rosa canina, Achillea millefolium, Cornus mas, Crataegus monogyna, Sambucus nigra and Prunus domestica. In the town of Gospić, the collection and use of plants was not so widespread, with only 61 species mentioned, the most common being: Achillea millefolium, Cornus mas, Sambucus nigra, Viola sp., Prunus domestica and Rosa canina. The medicinal use of herbal tea Rubus caesius and Cydonia oblonga against diarrhea was well known in the study area and is used medicinally, mainly in the rural parts of the Gospić area. The consumption of the Sorbus species (S. aria, S. domestica and S. torminalis) is an interesting local tradition in Perušić and Lovinac. Species that are difficult to find in nature today and are no longer used include: Veratrum sp., Rhamnus alpinum ssp. fallax, Gentiana lutea and Ribes uva-crispa. The use of Chenopodium album has also died out. We can assume that the differences in ethnobotanical knowledge between the three studied areas are partly due to minor differences in climate and topography, while other causes lie in the higher degree of rurality and stronger ties to nature in the Lovinac and Perušić areas. The most important finding of the study is the use of the parasitic fungus Taphrina pruni (Fuckel) Tul. as a snack. The use of Helleborus dumetorum for ethnoveterinary practices is also worth noting. The traditional use of plants in the study area shows many signs of abandonment, and therefore efforts must be made to maintain the knowledge recorded in our study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antonija Hodak
- University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Łukasz Łuczaj
- Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Rzeszów, 36-100 Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Mara Marić
- Department for Mediterranean Plants, University of Dubrovnik, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia
| | - Josip Juračak
- University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Abstract
From the beginning of recorded history through the present day, dermatologic disorders have been treated with ethnomedicine remedies. We present the ethnodermatologic practices in Transylvania, Romania. We conducted ethnomedicine surveys in 35 villages in Transylvania (2007-2019). The 650 people interviewed were questioned about the treatment of dermatologic disorders by drugs derived from plant, animal, human, or other origins. Collected data were compared to earlier records of the regions and other European countries, completed with relevant pharmacologic studies of some plants. A total of 180 drugs were documented for 45 skin problems, including 112 plants, 1 fungus, 19 animals, 5 humans, and 43 other materials used in 11 preparation forms. Among these, 144 drugs were mentioned in humans, 10 in veterinary medicines, and 26 included in both therapies with overlapping human/animal (eg, Petroselinum crispum) and specific uses (eg, Daphne mezereum, Scrophularia nodosa). Compared to data from other countries, the local use of 32 plants and various animals and minerals was described only in the study area. The present study demonstrates that ethnomedicine practices are a valuable source of knowledge for skin diseases and highlight the relevance of fieldwork in the selected regions of Transylvania.
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Bussmann RW, Paniagua Zambrana NY, Ur Rahman I, Kikvidze Z, Sikharulidze S, Kikodze D, Tchelidze D, Khutsishvili M, Batsatsashvili K. Unity in diversity-food plants and fungi of Sakartvelo (Republic of Georgia), Caucasus. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2021; 17:72. [PMID: 34972527 PMCID: PMC8719402 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-021-00490-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Republic of Georgia is part of the Caucasus biodiversity hotspot, and human agricultural plant use dates back at least 6000 years. Over the last years, lots of ethnobotanical research on the area has been published. In this paper, we analyze the use of food plants in the 80% of Georgia not occupied by Russian forces. We hypothesized that (1) given the long tradition of plant use, and the isolation under Soviet rule, plant use both based on home gardens and wild harvesting would be more pronounced in Georgia than in the wider region, (2) food plant use knowledge would be widely and equally spread in most of Georgia, (3) there would still be incidence of knowledge loss despite wide plant use, especially in climatically favored agricultural regions in Western and Eastern Georgia. METHODS From 2013 to 2019, we interviewed over 380 participants in all regions of Georgia not occupied by Russian forces and recorded over 19,800 mentions of food plants. All interviews were carried out in the participants' homes and gardens by native speakers of Georgian and its dialects (Imeretian, Rachian, Lechkhumian, Tush, Khevsurian, Psavian, Kakhetian), other Kartvelian languages (Megrelian, Svan) and minority languages (Ossetian, Ude, Azeri, Armenian, Greek). RESULTS The regional division was based primarily on historic provinces of Georgia, which often coincides with the current administrative borders. The total number of taxa, mostly identified to species, including their varieties, was 527. Taxonomically, the difference between two food plant groups-garden versus wild-was strongly pronounced even at family level. The richness of plant families was 65 versus 97 families in garden versus wild plants, respectively, and the difference was highly significant. Other diversity indices also unequivocally pointed to considerably more diverse family composition of wild collected versus garden plants as the differences between all the tested diversity indices appeared to be highly significant. The wide use of leaves for herb pies and lactofermented is of particular interest. Some of the ingredients are toxic in larger quantities, and the participants pointed out that careful preparation was needed. The authors explicitly decided to not give any recipes, given that many of the species are widespread, and compound composition-and with it possible toxic effects-might vary across the distribution range, so that a preparation method that sufficiently reduces toxicity in the Caucasus might not necessary be applicable in other areas. CONCLUSIONS Relationships among the regions in the case of wild food plants show a different and clearer pattern. Adjacent regions cluster together (Kvemo Zemo Racha, and Zemo Imereti; Samegrelo, Guria, Adjara, Lechkhumi and Kvemo and Zemo Svaneti; Meskheti, Javakheti, Kvemo Kartli; Mtianeti, Kakheti, Khevsureti, Tusheti. Like in the case of the garden food plants, species diversity of wild food plants mentioned varied strongly. Climate severity and traditions of the use of wild food plants might play role in this variation. Overall food plant knowledge is widely spread all-across Georgia, and broadly maintained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rainer W. Bussmann
- Department of Ethnobotany, Institute of Botany and Bakuriani Alpine Botanical Garden, Ilia State University, Botanikuri St. 1, 0105 Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Narel Y. Paniagua Zambrana
- Department of Ethnobotany, Institute of Botany and Bakuriani Alpine Botanical Garden, Ilia State University, Botanikuri St. 1, 0105 Tbilisi, Georgia
- Herbario Nacional de Bolivia, Instituto de Ecología-UMSA, Campus Universitario, Cota Cota Calle 27, La Paz, Bolivia
| | - Inayat Ur Rahman
- Department of Botany, Hazara University, Mansehra, 21300 KP Pakistan
| | - Zaal Kikvidze
- Department of Ethnobotany, Institute of Botany and Bakuriani Alpine Botanical Garden, Ilia State University, Botanikuri St. 1, 0105 Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Shalva Sikharulidze
- Department of Ethnobotany, Institute of Botany and Bakuriani Alpine Botanical Garden, Ilia State University, Botanikuri St. 1, 0105 Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - David Kikodze
- Department of Ethnobotany, Institute of Botany and Bakuriani Alpine Botanical Garden, Ilia State University, Botanikuri St. 1, 0105 Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - David Tchelidze
- Department of Ethnobotany, Institute of Botany and Bakuriani Alpine Botanical Garden, Ilia State University, Botanikuri St. 1, 0105 Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Manana Khutsishvili
- Department of Ethnobotany, Institute of Botany and Bakuriani Alpine Botanical Garden, Ilia State University, Botanikuri St. 1, 0105 Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Ketevan Batsatsashvili
- Department of Ethnobotany, Institute of Botany and Bakuriani Alpine Botanical Garden, Ilia State University, Botanikuri St. 1, 0105 Tbilisi, Georgia
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11
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Davidović-Plavšić B, Kukavica B, Škondrić S, Jimenez-Gallardo C, Žabić M. Wild garlic extract reduces lipid peroxidation in terbuthylazine-treated human erythrocytes. Biomarkers 2021; 26:617-624. [PMID: 34253103 DOI: 10.1080/1354750x.2021.1953598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Background: Among other negative effects, herbicides induce oxidative stress, leading to lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation. Therefore, there is a growing need to identify natural compounds with sufficient antioxidant capacity and mitigate the negative effects of herbicides without side effects.Objective: Our study aimed to examine the protective effect of the phenolic extract of wild garlic (WG) leaves on terbuthylazine-treated erythrocytes.Material and methods: In human erythrocytes treated with the herbicide terbuthylazine (4.5 mg/L) alone and a combination of terbuthylazine and WG extract, we measured malondialdehyde (MDA) and haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations and the antioxidant activities of CuZn superoxide dismutase (SOD1; EC 1.15.1.1) and catalase (CAT; EC 1.11.1.6) in vitro.Results: In comparison with terbuthylazine, WG extract reduced the concentrations of MDA and Hb from 59.69 to 43.45 nmol/gHb (27%, p < 0.001) and 165.08 to 128.64 g/L (22%, p < 0.05), respectively. Catalase activity was induced for samples treated with both WG extract and terbuthylazine compared with terbuthylazine alone (p < 0.05).Conclusions: The results demonstrated that WG may reduce the toxicity of terbuthylazine, and the erythrocyte membrane may be the primary site of phenolic action. Therefore, the lipid peroxidation intensity could be a biomarker of oxidative damage caused by terbuthylazine and the protective effect of WG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biljana Davidović-Plavšić
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Biljana Kukavica
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Siniša Škondrić
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | | | - Mirjana Žabić
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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12
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Emre G, Dogan A, Haznedaroglu MZ, Senkardes I, Ulger M, Satiroglu A, Can Emmez B, Tugay O. An Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants in Mersin (Turkey). Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:664500. [PMID: 34305586 PMCID: PMC8294455 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.664500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This comprehensive ethnobotanical study carried out in Mersin province, which is located in the southern part of Anatolia, east of the Mediterranean Sea, compiles details on plants used in folk medicine and ethnopharmacological information obtained through face-to-face interviews. The aim was to collect and identify plants used for therapeutic purposes by local people and to record information on traditional herbal medicine. Plant specimens were collected in numerous excursions. Additionally, informant consensus factor and use value (UV) were calculated for information gathered. This study identifies 93 plant taxa belonging to 43 families and records their usage in folk medicine; 83 taxa are wild and the remaining 10 are cultivated. The most commonly used plants belong to Lamiaceae, representing 15.0% of the total, while the Rosaceae, Malvaceae, Hypericaceae, Asteraceae and Cupressaceae families each represented another 5.4%. As a result of this investigation, we determine 189 medicinal usages of 93 taxa. The UV values indicate that the most important medicine plants are Hypericum perforatum (0.80), Cedrus libani (0.78), Quercus coccifera (0.77), Arum dioscoridis (0.76) and Juniperus drupaceae (0.74). We observed that most of the drugs are prepared using the infusion method (27.6%). As a conclusion, the study finds that traditional folk medicine usage is still common, especially among the rural population of Mersin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gizem Emre
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marmara University, Basibuyuk-Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Dogan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marmara University, Basibuyuk-Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Zeki Haznedaroglu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Cigli-Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ismail Senkardes
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marmara University, Basibuyuk-Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mahmut Ulger
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mersin University, Yenisehir-Mersin, Turkey
| | - Aysen Satiroglu
- Department of Sociology, Faculty of Letters, Istanbul University, Fatih-Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Berivan Can Emmez
- Department of Turkish Language and Literature, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Adana Alparslan Turkes University, Adana, Turkey
| | - Osman Tugay
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Selcuk University, Selcuklu-Konya, Turkey
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Zhang L, Rocchetti G, Zengin G, Ak G, Saber FR, Montesano D, Lucini L. The UHPLC-QTOF-MS Phenolic Profiling and Activity of Cydonia oblonga Mill. Reveals a Promising Nutraceutical Potential. Foods 2021; 10:1230. [PMID: 34071443 PMCID: PMC8228880 DOI: 10.3390/foods10061230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cydonia oblonga Mill., normally known as the quince fruit, has been widely used in agro-food industries mainly to produce jams and jellies. However, other parts of the plants are still underutilized and not completely assessed for their nutraceutical profile. Therefore, in this work, the polyphenolic profile of C. oblonga was investigated using an untargeted metabolomics approach based on high-resolution mass spectrometry. Several compounds were identified in the different parts of the plants, including flavonoids (i.e., anthocyanins, flavones, flavan-3-ols, and flavonols), phenolic acids (both hydroxycinnamics and hydroxybenzoics), low-molecular-weight phenolics (tyrosol equivalents), lignans, and stilbenes. Overall, C. oblonga leaves showed the highest in vitro antioxidant potential, as revealed by 2,2-difenil-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) assays, being 189.5, 285.6, 158.9, and 348.8 mg Trolox Equivalent/g, respectively. The enzymes acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterases were both inhibited by the different plant parts of C. oblonga, with stems showing the higher inhibitory potential. Interestingly, the fruit extracts were the only parts inhibiting the α-glucosidase, with a value of 1.36 mmol acarbose equivalents (ACAE)/g. On the other hand, strong tyrosinase inhibition was found for stems and leaves, being 72.11 and 68.32 mg Kojic acid Equivalent/g, respectively. Finally, a high number of significant (0.05 < p < 0.01) correlations were outlined between phenolics (mainly anthocyanins, flava-3-ols, and tyrosol equivalents) and the different biological assays. Taken together, our findings suggest a potential exploitation of C. oblonga leaves and stems for the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leilei Zhang
- Department for Sustainable Food Process, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy; (L.Z.); (L.L.)
| | - Gabriele Rocchetti
- Department for Sustainable Food Process, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy; (L.Z.); (L.L.)
| | - Gökhan Zengin
- Department of Biology, Science Faculty, Selcuk University, Campus, Konya 42130, Turkey; (G.Z.); (G.A.)
| | - Gunes Ak
- Department of Biology, Science Faculty, Selcuk University, Campus, Konya 42130, Turkey; (G.Z.); (G.A.)
| | - Fatema R. Saber
- Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr el-Aini Street, Cairo 11562, Egypt;
| | - Domenico Montesano
- Department of Pharmacy, University Federico II of Naples, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Lucini
- Department for Sustainable Food Process, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy; (L.Z.); (L.L.)
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14
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Łuczaj Ł, Jug-Dujaković M, Dolina K, Jeričević M, Vitasović-Kosić I. Insular Pharmacopoeias: Ethnobotanical Characteristics of Medicinal Plants Used on the Adriatic Islands. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:623070. [PMID: 34025401 PMCID: PMC8138454 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.623070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The Adriatic islands in Croatia, usually divided into two archipelagos – the Kvarner and Dalmatian islands – is one of the largest groups of islands in Europe. Over 40 islands are still inhabited. Unfortunately the traditional use of medicinal plants was never properly documented there. Our data comes from 343 interviews carried out in 36 islands, including the 15 largest islands of the archipelago. The medicinal plants are mainly used to make herbal infusions or decoctions, occasionally medicinal liqueurs, syrups, compresses, or juices squeezed out of raw plants. We recorded the use of 146 taxa, among them 131 with at least one medicinal purpose and 15 only for tea. The frequency curve of use is relatively steep – several plants are used very frequently and most are reported only by one or two informants, which can be explained both by the large geographical spread of the area, and even more so by the devolution of local knowledge and disappearance of gathering practices due to specialization in tourism, modernization and depopulation. Most of the gathered plants already occur in ancient and medieval herbals and are a part of the pan-Mediterranean pharmacopoeia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Łuczaj
- Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland
| | | | - Katija Dolina
- Institute for Marine and Coastal Research, University of Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Croatia
| | | | - Ivana Vitasović-Kosić
- Department of Agricultural Botany, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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Mullalija B, Mustafa B, Hajdari A, Quave CL, Pieroni A. Ethnobotany of rural and urban Albanians and Serbs in the Anadrini region, Kosovo. GENETIC RESOURCES AND CROP EVOLUTION 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10722-020-01099-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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