Indigenous uses of ethnomedicinal plants among forest-dependent communities of Northern Bengal, India

Unveiling therapeutic efficacy of extract and multi-targeting phytocompounds from Christella dentata (Forssk.) Brownsey & Jermy against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Christella dentata (Forssk.) Brownsey & Jermy has been commonly used in traditional medicinal practices but its effects on multi-drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria have remained unexplored. We aimed to assess the in vitro antibacterial potential of the ethanol extract of Christella dentata (EECD) against MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa and to identify potential multi-targeting antibacterial phytocompounds through computer-aided drug design focusing on the LasR and LpxC proteins. PPS, FT-IR and GC-MS were used for profiling of the phytocompounds in EECD. The antimicrobial activity of EECD was assessed using in vitro agar well diffusion, disc diffusion, MIC and MBC. Computer-aided drug design was used to identify multi-targeting leads from GC-MS-annotated phytocompounds. EECD exhibited dose-dependent antibacterial activity and revealed the presence of 51 phytocompounds in GC-MS analysis. Among these, three phytocompounds; (2E,4E)-N-isobutylhexadeca-2,4-dienamide (CID 6442402), bicyclo[4.3.0]nonane, 2,2,6,7-tetramethyl-7-hydroxy- (CID 536446) and 1,4-diethylbenzene (CID 7734) were identified as promising antibacterial phytocompounds as they strongly bonded with LasR and LpxC. Of them, CID 536446 and CID 7734 exhibited multiple targeting abilities with LasR and LpxC. On further screening, both CID 536446 and CID 7734 exhibited favorable drug-able, pharmacokinetics and toxicity properties. Finally, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation proved the binding stability of bicyclo[4.3.0]nonane, 2,2,6,7-tetramethyl-7-hydroxy- and 1,4-diethylbenzene to active pockets of LasR and LpxC. The results of this study offer scientific validation for the traditional use of Christella dentata in bacterial infection-related diseases. It also suggests that bicyclo[4.3.0]nonane, 2,2,6,7-tetramethyl-7-hydroxy- and 1,4-diethylbenzene from Christella dentata might be responsible for the antibacterial activity and could act as phytopharmacological leads for the development of LasR and LpxC inhibitors against MDR P. aeruginosa.

Phytochemical Analysis and Demonstration of Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Antibiofilm Activities of Ethnomedicinal Plants of North East India

Ethnomedicinal plants are a rich reservoir of active compounds with potent pharmacological properties. Therefore, plants could serve as a source for the discovery of active antimicrobial and antioxidant agents and are focused because of their low toxicity, economic viability, easy availability, etc. In this regard, phytochemical analyses, viz. β-carotene, total sugar, reducing sugar, vitamin C, total carotenoids, protein, total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) of 20 ethnomedicinal plants of North East India (NEI) were evaluated in this study. The antibacterial activity against human pathogens and antioxidant potential of plant extracts was also demonstrated. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC₈₀), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and total antibacterial activity (TAA) of the active extracts were evaluated against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Chromobacterium violaceum. The active extracts were also examined for antibiofilm as well as anti-pyocyanin activities against P. aeruginosa and anti-QS activity against C. violaceum at sub-MICs. The study demonstrated variable concentration of phytochemicals of the extracts, viz. β-carotene (0.29-8.91 mg g^-1), total sugar (2.92-30.6 mM), reducing sugar (0.44-14.5 mM), vitamin C (8.41-31.3 mg g^-1), total carotenoids (14.9-267.0 mg g^-1), protein (5.65-283 mg g^-1), TPC (5.32-31.0 mg GAE/g DW), and TFC (1.74-68.2 mg QE/g DW). The plant extracts also exhibited potent antioxidant and antibacterial activities against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Some of the extracts also demonstrated significant biofilm inhibition and eradication, anti-pyocyanin, and anti-QS activities at sub-MICs. The selected ethnomedicinal plants are rich in phytochemicals and demonstrated potent antioxidant, antibacterial, and antibiofilm activities, thus could serve as the important source of novel antioxidant and antimicrobial agents.

Genus Rauvolfia: A review of its ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, quality control/quality assurance, pharmacological activities and clinical evidence

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The plants are from the genus Rauvolfia Plum. ex L. (Apocynaceae), which is represented by 74 species with many synonyms, and distributed worldwide, especially in the Asian, and African continents. Traditionally, some of them are used for the treatment of various disorders related to the central nervous system (CNS), cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and as an antidote due to the presence of monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs) such as ajmaline (144), ajmalicine (164) serpentine (182), yohimbine (190) and reserpine (214).

AIM

The present review provides comprehensive summarization and critical analysis of the traditional to modern applications of Rauvolfia species, and the major focus was to include traditional uses, phytochemistry, quality control, pharmacological properties, as well as clinical evidence that may be useful in the drug discovery process.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Information related to traditional uses, chemical constituents, separation techniques/analytical methods, and pharmacological properties of the genus Rauvolfia were obtained using electronic databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, SciFinder, PubMed, PubChem, ChemSpider, and Google Scholar between the years 1949-2021. The scientific name of the species and its synonyms were checked with the information of The Plant List.

RESULTS

A total of seventeen Rauvolfia species have been traditionally explored for various therapeutic applications, out of which the roots of R. serpentina and R. vomitoria are used most commonly for the treatment of many diseases. About 287 alkaloids, seven terpenoids, nine flavonoids, and four phenolic acids have been reported in different parts of the forty-three species. Quality control (QC)/quality assurance (QA) of extracts/herbal formulations of Rauvolfia species was analyzed by qualitative and quantitative methods based on the major MIAs such as compounds 144, 164, 182, 190, and 214 using HPTLC, HPLC, and HPLC-MS. The various extracts of different plant parts of thirteen Rauvolfia species are explored for their pharmacological properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiprotozoal, antitrypanosomal, antipsychotic, cardioprotective, cholinesterase inhibitory, and hepatoprotective. Of which, clinical trials of herbal formulations/extracts of R. serpentina and MIAs have been reported for CVD, CNS, antihypertensive therapy, antidiabetic effects, and psoriasis therapy, while the extracts and phytoconstituents of remaining Rauvolfia species are predominantly significant, owning them to be additional attention for further investigation under clinical trials and QC/QA.

CONCLUSION

The present communication has provided a comprehensive, systematic, and critically analyzed vision into the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and modern therapeutic applications of the genus Rauvolfia are validated by scientific evidence. In addition, different plant parts from this genus, especially raw and finished herbal products of the roots of R. serpentina have been demonstrated for the QC/QA.

A Cross-Cultural Analysis of Plant Resources among Five Ethnic Groups in the Western Himalayan Region of Jammu and Kashmir

Simple Summary

For generations, local ethnic communities have amassed a vast body of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) on the use of plant resources. Ethnobiologists have recently focused on cross-cultural studies in order to record and measure the processes guiding the evolution of TEK within a specific society; both to preserve it and use it sustainably in the future. The current study documents the TEK of plant resources from five ethnic communities of the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) region, Western Himalayas. Through semi-structured interviews and group discussions, we recorded a total of 127 plant species used by local ethnic groups for various provisioning services (i.e., medicine, food, fodder, fuelwood, herbal tea) and/or with spiritual significance. Across the ethnic groups, Gujjar reported the highest number of plants (25% species), followed by Pahari (24% species), and the lowest number of plants were reported by Dogra (12% species). Looking at plant uses among different cultural groups, we discovered that, especially, some ritual practices were associated with specific plants. We found a relatively high overlap in the use of specific plants among the ethnic groups, namely Gujjar, Bakarwal, and Pahari. Certain species were found to be common in all cultures due to their food value. The current study is a collaborative effort that includes not only documenting, but also cross-cultural comparisons of the documented species, in order to better understand the diverse traditional plant usage systems. This will not only increase regional understanding of cross-cultural ethnobotany, but it will also open opportunities for local people to be rewarded for promoting and celebrating their expertise and participating in future development activities.

Abstract

Plant resources have always been valuable in human life, and many plant species are used in medicine, food, and ritual, and resource utilization is closely related to cultural diversity. Our study was conducted from June 2019 to April 2021, during which we aimed to document the local knowledge of plant resources of five ethnic groups, i.e., the Gujjar, Bakarwal, Kashmiri, Pahari, and Dogra communities of the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) region, Western Himalayas. Through semi-structured interviews (N = 342) and group discussions (N = 38), we collected data on the ethnobotanical uses of plant resources. The data was subjected to hierarchical cluster analysis and ordination techniques (Principal Component Analysis) via, R software of version 4.0.0. Traditional uses were classified into three groups, i.e., single-, double-, and multi-use groups. The study recorded a total of 127 plant species, belonging to 113 genera and distributed among 64 botanical families. The dominant plant families were the Asteraceae, with 8% of all species, followed by Lamiaceae (6%), Polygonaceae (5%) and Ranunculaceae (4%). The recorded plant taxa were frequently used for medicine (51.4% responses), followed by food (14.9%), and fodder (9.5%). Principal component analysis (PCA) separated three groups of provisioning services depending on plant consumption preference levels. Comparative analysis showed remarkable similarities in plant uses (food, medicinal) among the Gujjar and Bakarwal ethnic groups, as both groups share a common culture. Some plants like Azadirachta indica, Brassica campestris, Ulmus wallichiana, Amaranthus blitum, and Celtis australis were also used for magico-religious purposes. We also recorded some medicinal uses that are new to the ethnobotanical literature of the J&K Himalayas, such as for Betula utilis, Sambucus wightiana, and Dolomiaea macrocephala, in our case for example local medicinal recipe, which is derived from Dolomiaea macrocephala, often known as Nashasta, used to treat weakness, back pain, and joint pain. Similarly, we also recorded new food uses for Eremurus himalaicus. Moreover, we also observed some plants for instance, Fragaria nubicola, Betula utilis and Juniperus communis have spiritual significance (i.e., amulets and scrolls) for this part of the Himalayan region. The present study provides a useful tool for resource management and can help in developing scientifically informed strategies for the conservation of plant resources.

Curcuma longa L. Prevents the Loss of β-Tubulin in the Brain and Maintains Healthy Aging in Drosophila melanogaster

Loss of tubulin is associated with neurodegeneration and brain aging. Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) has frequently been employed as a spice in curry and traditional medications in the Indian subcontinent to attain longevity and better cognitive performance. We aimed to evaluate the unelucidated mechanism of how turmeric protects the brain to be an anti-aging agent. D. melanogaster was cultured on a regular diet and turmeric-supplemented diet. β-tubulin level and physiological traits including survivability, locomotor activity, fertility, tolerance to oxidative stress, and eye health were analyzed. Turmeric showed a hormetic effect, and 0.5% turmeric was the optimal dose in preventing aging. β-tubulin protein level was decreased in the brain of D. melanogaster upon aging, while a 0.5% turmeric-supplemented diet predominantly prevented this aging-induced loss of β-tubulin and degeneration of physiological traits as well as improved β-tubulin synthesis in the brain of D. melanogaster early to mid-age. The higher concentration (≥ 1%) of turmeric-supplemented diet decreased the β-tubulin level and degenerated many of the physiological traits of D. melanogaster. The turmeric concentration-dependent increase and decrease of β-tubulin level were consistent with the increment and decrement data obtained from the evaluated physiological traits. This correlation demonstrated that turmeric targets β-tubulin and has both beneficial and detrimental effects that depend on the concentration of turmeric. The findings of this study concluded that an optimal dosage of turmeric could maintain a healthy neuron and thus healthy aging, by preventing the loss and increasing the level of β-tubulin in the brain.

Codiaeum variegatum (L.) Rumph. ex A. Juss. (Euphorbiaceae): An overview of its botanical diversity, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological effects and perspectives towards developing its plant-based products

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Codiaeum variegatum also called miracle shrub, is a plant species constituted of more than 300 cultivars which are mostly used as indoor plants for decoration. However, some of these varieties are used by indigenous populations for the treatment of diarrhoea, stomach ache, external wounds, intestinal worms and ulcers.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study describes an overview of the botanical diversity, medicinal uses, phytochemical composition of C. variegatum. Then it critically discusses its pharmacological activities versus toxic potential and new perspectives are suggested for the development of its plant-based products.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A bibliographic assessment of publications on C. variegatum indexed in Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Springer Link, and Web of Science online databases was conducted from 1970 to 2020, and 89 relevant articles related to the botanical diversity (17), traditional uses (22), phytochemical analysis (11), pharmacological activity (31) and toxicity profile (18) of C. variegatum were selected for this review.

RESULTS

Most commonly, it was found that aqueous leaf extracts or decoctions of C. variegatum are used in traditional medicine to treat amoebic dysentery and stomach ache while a bath with root decoction or sap is applied in small quantities on skin related infections. A total of 14 identified and 24 non-identified varieties of C. variegatum were reported for pharmacological activity, and prominent research topics include the anti-amoebic, antimicrobial, antiviral and cytotoxic activities. Alkaloids (3), terpenoids (5) and phenolics (15) were the major compounds identified, and a new antiviral cyanoglucoside was isolated from the sap of C. variegatum. Toxic substances (5-deoxyingenol and phorbol esters) were found in some varieties used as ornamental plants, but the Mollucanum variety used in traditional medicine was found to be safe.

CONCLUSION

The present review revealed that the native variety of C. variegatum (cv. Mollucanum) can be used to treat amoebic dysentery. Alkaloids, terpenoids and phenolic compounds have been characterized in this plant species while other classes of phytochemicals are not yet investigated. The development of new cultivars recommends an in-depth toxicological study before any use. No clinical trial has been reported to date, and further studies are needed to evaluate other claimed medicinal uses. Due to its efficacy and safety, the Mollucanum variety is most likely suitable for the development of a medicine against amoebiasis, which will surely lay the foundation for clinical studies.

Analysis of the physical properties of spindle seeds for seed sorting operations

The relationships between the basic physical properties of seeds of selected spindle species were evaluated for the needs of seed sorting operations. Physical properties were measured in the seeds of five spindle species, and the presence of relationships between these attributes was determined in correlation and regression analyses. The average values of the evaluated parameters were determined in the following range: terminal velocity-from 9.2 to 10.3 m s^-1, thickness-from 2.57 to 3.26 mm, width-from 2.87 to 3.74 mm, length-from 3.94 to 5.52 mm, angle of external friction-from 20.7° to 24.6°, mass-from 16.5 to 33.8 mg. Spindle seeds were arranged in the following ascending order based on their geometric mean diameter: winged spindle, Hamilton's spindle, large-winged spindle, broadleaf spindle and European spindle. Spindle seeds should be separated in a sieve equipped with at least two mesh screens with slotted apertures. Depending on the processed spindle species, aperture size should range from ≠ 2.7 to ≠ 3.5 mm in the top screen, and from ≠ 2.4 to ≠ 3.0 mm in the bottom screen.

Arundo donax L.: An overview on its traditional and ethnomedicinal importance, phytochemistry, and pharmacological aspects

Arundo donax L. (Giant reed) is a grass species belong to Poaceae family with a myriad of uses such as traditional and ethnomedicinal values, bioenergy, and socio-economic importance. The plant is used in conventional medicine to treat various disorders related to skin, gastrointestinal, skeletal, menstrual problems, respiratory and urinary diseases. The present review summarises the scattered information on socio-economic importance, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological aspects of this plant. We conducted a rigorous literature survey using databases such as Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PubMed entering keywords like A. donax, Giant reed, and Spanish reed, etc. Phytochemical investigations have identified several alkaloids, terpenoids, sterols, phenolics, and lignin derivatives. The isolated phytoconstituents are reported to exhibit multiple pharmacological activities such as anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-proliferative, anti-spasmolytic, and also used to treat helminthic infestations in cattle. However, the scientific validity of traditional practices to cure various diseases has not been correctly evaluated yet. Therefore, it is recommended to further investigate the plant for clinical trials to unleash its therapeutic importance towards chemical characterisation for drug discovery and development in the pharmacological field.

Diminishing traditional methods and inaccessible modern healthcare: the dilemma of tribal health in India

Purpose

This paper critically examines the state of tribal health in India by analyzing the accessibility and availability of traditional medicine and modern healthcare.

Design/methodology/approach

This essay is the product of an extensive review of the literature and authors' personal experience in working with the tribal communities.

Findings

The traditional medicinal practices once very prevalent among the tribal communities are diminishing due to various socio-economic, environmental and political factors. Modern healthcare in India's tribal region is characterized by a lack of availability, accessibility and affordability. As a result of the diminishing traditional practices and inaccessible modern healthcare provisions, tribal communities depend on quacks and magico-religious practices.

Originality/value

This essay advocates for urgent policy interventions to integrate traditional medicine and modern healthcare practices to address critical tribal health issues. Preservation of traditional medicinal knowledge-base and improving research in the field have the potential to address the health of tribal communities and of others. The accessibility and availability of modern healthcare facilities in tribal regions should be improved to ensure better health outcomes.

Ethnochemometric of plants traditionally utilised as local detergents in the forest dependent culture

The purpose of this study is to access the existing awareness of nearly forgotten Thai detergent plants by the use of chemometrics tool. A Northern Thai forest dependent community was chosen as it played vital role on knowledge retaining of plant utilisations. For initial perception, ethnobotanical survey was conducted to determine usage of plants by the community. Then the utilised plant parts were screened for phytochemicals and their relationships with the defined cleansing terms (viz., shampoo, scrub, detergent, soap, scent and spiritual) were analysed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). From the results, the most cited plants as known, used and found were Acacia concinna, Clitoria ternetea, Oryza sativa and Citrus hystrix. Biometric analyses advised that knowledge of detergent plant utilisation was well preserved at all age ranges and it was not variable with genders. Cluster analysis described that term 'spiritual' was not narrated with cleansing properties. For phytochemical analysis, plant extracts showed positive variable of bioactive ingredients and the main compounds in the extracts was saponins. These findings confirmed that the knowledge of indigenous plant utilisation was reserved by the forest dependent community and the information is beneficial toward local plant conservation movement.

In Silico Approach for Phytocompound-Based Drug Designing to Fight Efflux Pump-Mediated Multidrug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is one of the principal causes of death in the world despite the existence of a significant number of antibiotics aimed against it. This is mainly due to the drug resistance mechanisms present in the bacterium, which leads to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Additionally, the development of new antibiotics has become limited over the years. Although there are various drug resistance mechanisms present, efflux pumps are of utmost importance because they extrude out several dissimilar antitubercular drugs out of the cell. There are many efflux pump proteins present in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Therefore, blocking these efflux pumps by inhibitors can raise the efficacy of the existing antibiotics and may also pave the path for the discovery and synthesis of new drugs. Plant compounds can act as a resource for the development of efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs), which may eventually replace or augment the current therapeutic options. This is mainly because plants have been traditionally used for ages for food or treatment and are considered safe with little or no side effects. Various computational tools are available which are used for the virtual screening of a large number of phytocompounds within a short span of time. This review aims to highlight the mechanism and appearance of drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis with emphasis on efflux pumps along with the significance of phytochemicals as inhibitors of these pumps and their screening strategy by computational approaches.

Drupin, a thrombin-like protease prompts platelet activation and aggregation through protease-activated receptors

Hemostasis is a proteolytically regulated process that requires activation of platelets and the blood coagulation cascade upon vascular injury. Activated platelets create a thrombogenic environment and amplify the coagulation process. Plant latex proteases (PLPs) have been used as therapeutic components to treat various ailments by folk healers. One of the main applications of plant latices is to stop bleeding from minor injuries and to enhance wound healing activity. Although many studies have reported the pro-coagulant activities of PLPs, an in-depth investigation is required to understand the mechanism of action of PLPs on platelets. Here, the effect of PLPs on platelet aggregation was studied systematically to validate the observed pharmacological effect by folk healers. Among 29 latices from the Ficus genus tested, Ficus drupacea exhibited potent pro-coagulant and thrombin-like activity. Drupin, a thrombin-like cysteine protease responsible for platelet aggregation was purified from F. drupacea latex. Drupin exhibits pro-coagulant activity and reduces the bleeding time in mice tail. It induces platelet aggregation by activating mitogen-activated protein kinases and the nuclear factor-κB and PI3K/Akt signalling cascade, which, in turn, phosphorylats, cytosolic phospholipase A₂  leading to the release of thromboxane A₂ from the granules to activate the nearby platelets to aggregate. Furthermore, we investigated the involvement of protease-activated receptors in drupin-induced platelet aggregation using specific protease activated receptor 1 (PAR1) and PAR4 receptor antagonists. The results confirmed that the drupin-induced platelet aggregation was mediated by both PAR1 and PAR4, synergistically. Overall, drupin reduces the bleeding time by exerting pro-coagulant activity and induces platelet aggregation by activating the intracellular signalling cascade.

In-vitro antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory activities of selected medicinal plants from western Nepal

Background

This study was focused on the measurement of anticancer properties of six medicinal plants from western Nepal in three cell lines; HeLa, Hep3B, and HCT116, and anti-inflammatory properties in RAW 264.7 cell line through NO, PGE2, and TNF-α production. In addition, the phytochemical screening, total phenolic, flavonoid content, and antioxidant properties were evaluated.

Results

The qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of different secondary metabolite and range of total phenolic and total flavonoid content. The highest antioxidant activities were observed in Bergenia pacumbis against both DPPH (IC50 = 25.97 ± 0.19 μg/mL) and ABTS (IC50 = 14.49 ± 0.40 μg/mL). Furthermore, the highest antiproliferative effect against cervical, liver, and colon cancer cell lines were observed in Melia azedarach as IC50 values of 10.50, 5.30, and 1.57 μg/mL respectively, while the strongest anti-metastatic potential on liver cancer cell line was found in Pleurospermum benthamii. In addition, P. benthamii showed the most potent anti-inflammatory effect in RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells.

Conclusion

This study provided the evidence for M. azedarach and P. benthamii to have great anticancer potential and finding builds the enough scientific backgrounds in future to isolate and purify the bioactive compounds for further applications.

Cactus: Chemical, nutraceutical composition and potential bio-pharmacological properties

Cactus species are plants that grow in the arid and semiarid regions of the world. They have long fascinated the attention of the scientific community due to their unusual biology. Cactus species are used for a variety of purposes, such as food, fodder, ornamental, and as medicinal plants. In the last regard, they have been used in traditional medicine for eras by the ancient people to cure several diseases. Recent scientific investigations suggest that cactus materials may be used as a source of naturally-occurring products, such as mucilage, fiber, pigments, and antioxidants. For this reason, numerous species under this family are becoming endangered and extinct. This review provides an overview of the habitat, classification, phytochemistry, chemical constituents, extraction and isolation of bioactive compounds, nutritional and pharmacological potential with pre-clinical and clinical studies of different Cactus species. Furthermore, conservation strategies for the ornamental and endangered species have also been discussed.

Floristic composition and utilization of ethnomedicinal plant species in home gardens of the Eastern Himalaya

BACKGROUND

Home gardens are popular micro land-use system and are socioeconomically linked with people for their livelihood. In the foothill region of Eastern Himalaya, very less documentations are available on species richness of the home gardens, particularly on the ethnomedicinal plants. We assumed that the home garden owners of the study site are domesticating ethnomedicinal plants which are not easily accessible to them in the wild due to distant forest. This study was planned to explore and document the diversity and population status of ethnomedicinal plants in the home gardens along with its ethnomedicinal use.

METHODS

The present study was conducted in the home gardens of Cooch Behar district of West Bengal from May 2017 to May 2018. A multidisciplinary approach like collection of plant specimen, interview with structured questionnaire for documenting the utilization pattern, and quadrat methods for population study was applied. We selected 150 study sites randomly in the village cluster. The owners of the gardens were the respondents for the household survey. The study documented diversity, population size, and medicinal uses of ethnomedicinal plant species identified by the garden owners growing or being grown in their gardens.

RESULTS

A total of 260 plant species were reported, of which, 53 were utilized for different ethnomedicinal applications. These 53 species were represented by 35 families and 45 genera. Most of these ethnomedicinal species were woody perennials (37.73%). Cocus nucifera dominated the list with highest number of use followed by Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. The use value of the species varied from 0.006 to 0.53, while the fidelity value (%) ranged from 2.29 to 93.75%. The leaves of the plants were mostly used for ethnomedicinal applications (19 species) followed by fruits (12 species) and bark (9 species), and the least was the root (7 species). We documented 20 different ailments/diseases cured by using these plants. In some cases, more than one species are used to cure a disease or ailment. As many as 10 species were used to cure only stomach-related problems. Some more diseases like cough and cold and jaundice were treated using six and four species, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This documented list of 260 plant species including 53 ethnomedicinal ones from the home gardens of the study area indicates that these gardens are key in maintaining diversity and source of healthcare system in agricultural dominant landscape. Documenting such ecological status and traditional applications becomes a prerequisite for developing conservation and management strategies of home gardens to be included in the mainstream conservation processes.

Polyherbal dietary supplementation for prediabetic adults: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

Prediabetes describes a state of hyperglycemia outside of normal limits that does not meet the criteria for diabetes diagnosis, is generally symptomless, and affects an estimated 38% of adults in the United States. Prediabetes typically precedes the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, which accounts for increased morbidity and mortality. Although the use of dietary and herbal supplements is popular worldwide, and a variety of single herbal medicines have been examined for glycemic management, the potential of increasingly common polyherbal formulations to return glycemic parameters to normal ranges among adults with prediabetes remains largely unexplored. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a commercially available, polyherbal dietary supplement on glycemic and lipid parameters in prediabetic individuals.

Methods

In this multi-site, double-blinded, randomized controlled clinical trial, 40 participants with prediabetes will be randomized to either a daily oral polyherbal dietary supplement (GlucoSupreme™ Herbal; Designs for Health®, Suffield, CT, USA; containing cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum cassia), banaba leaf (Lagerstroemia speciosa standardized to 1% corosolic acid), kudzu root (Pueraria lobata standardized to 40% isoflavones), fenugreek seed (Trigonella foenum-graceum standardized to 60% saponins), gymnema leaf (Gymnema sylvestre standardized to 25% gymnemic acid), American ginseng root (Panax quinquefolius standardized to 5% ginsenosides), and berberine HCl derived from bark (Berberis aristata)) or placebo for 12 weeks. Short-, medium-, and comparatively long-term markers of glycemic control (blood glucose and fasting insulin, fructosamine, and glycated hemoglobin/A1c, respectively), and other glycemic parameters (GlycoMark, β-cell function, and insulin sensitivity/resistance) will be obtained. Lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides), inflammation (hs-CRP), progression to type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as safety indices (ALT, AST) will be obtained. An intention-to-treat analysis will be used to assess changes in study outcomes.

Discussion

Treatment options for adults with prediabetes are currently limited. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a commercially available dietary supplement in the popular, but as yet insufficiently studied, category of polyherbal formulas for the management of glycemic parameters and other biomarkers associated with prediabetes.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT03388762. Retrospectively registered on 4 January 2018.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-018-3032-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.