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Balasubramaniam M, Sapuan S, Hashim IF, Ismail NI, Yaakop AS, Kamaruzaman NA, Ahmad Mokhtar AM. The properties and mechanism of action of plant immunomodulators in regulation of immune response - A narrative review focusing on Curcuma longa L. , Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer and Moringa oleifera Lam. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28261. [PMID: 38586374 PMCID: PMC10998053 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28261] [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: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Herbal treatments have been utilized for millennia to cure a variety of ailments. There are over 20, 000 herbal remedies available to treat cancer and other disease in humans. In Ayurveda, traditional plants having revitalizing and nourishing characteristics are known as "Rasayanas." They have anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-microbicidal, antiviral, and immunomodulatory effects on the immune system. Immunomodulation is a mechanism through which the body stimulates, suppresses, or boosts the immune system to maintain homeostasis. Plant-derived immunomodulators are typically phytocompounds, including carbohydrates, phenolics, lipids, alkaloids, terpenoids, organosulfur, and nitrogen-containing chemicals. Immunomodulation activity of phytocompounds from traditional plants is primarily mediated through macrophage activation, phagocytosis stimulation, peritoneal macrophage stimulation, lymphoid cell stimulation, and suppression or enhancement of specific and non-specific cellular immune systems via numerous signalling pathways. Despite extensive research, the precise mechanism of immunomodulation of most traditional plants has not yet been fully elucidated, justifying the need for further experimentation. Therefore, this review describes the immunomodulatory agents from traditional plants such as Curcuma longa L., Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, and Moringa oleifera Lam, further highlighting the common molecular targets and immunomodulatory mechanism involved in eradicating diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muggunna Balasubramaniam
- Small G protein Research Group, Bioprocess Technology Division, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Sarah Sapuan
- Department of Toxicology, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 13200 Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Ilie Fadzilah Hashim
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 13200 Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Nurul Izza Ismail
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Amira Suriaty Yaakop
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia
| | | | - Ana Masara Ahmad Mokhtar
- Small G protein Research Group, Bioprocess Technology Division, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia
- Green Biopolymer Coating and Packaging Centre, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia
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Maiyo ZC, Njeru SN, Toroitich FJ, Indieka SA, Obonyo MA. Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by the people of Mosop, Nandi County in Kenya. Front Pharmacol 2024; 14:1328903. [PMID: 38313073 PMCID: PMC10834697 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1328903] [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: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Throughout the history, nature has provided mankind with most of their basic needs, which include food, shelter, medicine, clothes, flavours, scents as well as raw materials. Given that they are an integral part of cultural heritage, medicinal plants have played a significant role in human healthcare systems around the world. Investigating various biological resources for use as medicines requires ethnomedicinal studies. Methods: Data on utilization of ethnomedicinal plants from local healers in Kenya's Mosop Sub-County in Nandi County was documented through open-ended, semi-structured questionnaires. A number of quantitative indices, such as the Use Citation (UC), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), Use Value (UV), Frequency of Citation (FoC) and Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) were used to convey the potential medical benefits, vitality and variety of the ethnomedicine. Results: 102 informants provided information on 253 ethnomedicinal plant species, classified into 74 families. There were 249 native plant species identified, along with few exotic species: Senegalia senegal (L.) Britton, Persea americana Mill, Carica papaya L. and Solanum betaceum Cav. Of all recorded species, 32% and 27% were herbs and trees, respectively. Among plant parts, leaves were most frequently utilized (27%) and roots (26%), while decoctions (21%) were the most widely used formulations. The dominant family was Asteraceae, with 28 species, followed by Lamiaceae, with 19 species. The highest ICF value was 0.778 for a number of parasitic and infectious illnesses, including ringworms, athlete's foot rot, tetanus, typhoid, intestinal parasites, abscesses, malaria, and amoebiasis. The study's data validates the region's widespread use of traditional medicinal plant remedies. Conclusion: The current study will lay a foundation of knowledge for future research investigations. The abundance of knowledge regarding ethnomedicinal species and their medicinal applications will stimulate further phytochemical and pharmacological research, which could lead to the discovery of potentially significant pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z C Maiyo
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Njoro, Kenya
| | - S N Njeru
- Centre for Traditional Medicine and Drug Research (CTMDR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - F J Toroitich
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biological Sciences, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya
| | - S A Indieka
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Njoro, Kenya
| | - M A Obonyo
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Njoro, Kenya
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Asigbaase M, Adusu D, Musah AA, Anaba L, Nsor CA, Abugre S, Derkyi M. Ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal tree species used in the treatment of diseases by forest-fringe communities of Southwestern Ghana. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23645. [PMID: 38226220 PMCID: PMC10788458 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Demand for medicinal plant remedies is rising globally, while indigenous knowledge about medicinal plants is declining rapidly. The preservation of indigenous knowledge is critical in discovering and developing innovative drugs. The ongoing discussions on providing nature-based solutions to contemporary issues make it urgent to document indigenous knowledge about medicinal trees, especially in areas with limited or no studies such as our study area. Our study aimed to understand the use of medicinal trees among the communities fringing the Asukese and Amama Shelterbelt Forest Reserves. We administered structured questionnaires and interviewed 88 respondents who were selected using snowball and simple random techniques. The ethnobotanical survey data were processed and evaluated using parameters such as Indigenous Knowledge Index (IKI), Relative Citation Frequency (RCF), Species Use Value (SUV), Family Use Value (FUV), and Plant Part Value (PPV). We found that ethnobotanical knowledge about medicinal trees was higher in respondents who were widowed or had larger number of dependants. We found that the local communities used diverse medicinal trees (70 species belonging to 33 families) to treat 83 ailments. Azadirachta indica had the highest RCF (8.9) and SUV (23.4). The other top four species according to the SUV were Alstonia boonei (SUV = 11.1), Khaya senegalensis (SUV = 10.7), Moringa oleifera (SUV = 10.3) and Cocos nucifera (SUV = 10.2). The most-well represented and valuable families were Fabaceae, Anacardiaceae, Meliaceae, Arecaceae, Rubiaceae and Malvaceae. Medicinal trees had alternative uses such as food, fodder, fuelwood, and construction material. Indigenous knowledge about medicinal trees was transmitted to younger generations predominantly by parents. The results show that the most known botanical families and species with the most useful parts were the most useful plant families and species. Thus, the selection of medicinal trees was driven by their traits. Furthermore, results indicate that species diversity is critical to the healthcare needs of local communities and that their conservation and sustainable use and the preservation of indigenous knowledge are crucial to ensuring good health and the general well-being of local communities of all ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Asigbaase
- Department of Forest Sciences, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana
| | - Daniel Adusu
- Department of Environmental Management, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana
| | - Adisa Ayeley Musah
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana
| | - Linda Anaba
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Collins Ayine Nsor
- Department of Forest Resources Technology, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Simon Abugre
- Department of Forest Sciences, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana
| | - Mercy Derkyi
- Department of Forest Sciences, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana
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Shohani F, Hosseinin Sarghein S, Fazeli A. Simultaneous application of salicylic acid and silicon in aerial parts of Scrophularia striata L. in response to drought stress. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2023; 202:107936. [PMID: 37647821 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.107936] [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: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Plants respond to water shortage by regulating biochemical pathways which result in the biosynthesis of osmotic compounds. Active metabolites and compatible osmolytes control the inhibition of oxygen free radicals and dehydration. The physiological response of scrophularia striata to drought stress, a factorial completely randomized design (FCRD) experiment was conducted in three replication. Drought stress was induced at two levels (100% and 50% field capacity), and salicylic acid (SA) and silicon (Si) and Ecotype were also used at two levels of (0 and 100 PPM), (0 and 1 g/L) and (Ilam and Abdanan) respectively. Data analysis results indicated that the H2O2 content, Malondialdehyde (MDA), glycine betaine (GB) and the activity of the enzyme glutathione reductase (GR; EC 1.6.4.2) of aerial parts increased during the entire stress exposure period. Although the SA + Si + stress + ecotype interaction increased the content of soluble carbohydrate s and the GR activity in aerial parts of Ilam and Abdanan ecotypes, this interaction led to a decrease in MDA, H2O2 in Ilam ecotypes. The interaction between the stress + SA + Si + ecotype led to an increase in the phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL; EC 4.3.1.5) activity in the Abdanan ecotype, but no important difference was observed. As compared to the control treatment, the content of Polyphenol increased, The interaction between ecotype + stress + Si caused to increased the of proline content in the Abadanan ecotype. The results showed that the increase in antioxidant defense and compatible osmolytes due to the use of SA and Si can improve the drought tolerance in S.striata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fariba Shohani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.
| | | | - Arash Fazeli
- Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Ilam University, Ilam, 6939177111, Iran.
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Magtalas MC, Balbin PT, Cruz EC, Clemente RF, Buan AKG, Garcia JP, Lee KY, Tantengco OAG. Ethnomedicinal plants used for the prevention and treatment of anemia in the Philippines: a systematic review. Trop Med Health 2023; 51:27. [PMID: 37170350 PMCID: PMC10176884 DOI: 10.1186/s41182-023-00515-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medicinal plants are still used in developing countries, including the Philippines, to treat common diseases in the community. Anemia is a common disease encountered in the community. It is characterized by a lower-than-normal level of red blood cell count. This systematic review identified the medicinal plants used for anemia treatment in the Philippines. METHODS The study was conducted based on the PRISMA flow diagram, starting with a data search on electronic databases. The collected studies were screened based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The necessary information was extracted from the eligible research papers, and the studies' quality was assessed through a developed quality assessment tool. RESULTS A total of 20 ethnobotanical studies on medicinal plants used for anemia treatment were obtained from different provinces within the 12 regions of the Philippines. Most ethnobotanical studies were conducted in Region X (Northern Mindanao), CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region), and Region XIII (CARAGA), Philippines. The most common plant family is Convovulaceae, with nine records (21.95%), followed by Cucurbitaceae, with six records (14.63%), and Moringaceae, with five records (12.2%). The most common plant part used was the leaves. Others involved mixing different plant parts, with fruits and leaves being the most common combination. The most common route of administration utilized was drinking the decoction, followed by eating the plant. Most medicinal plants used to treat anemia in the Philippines had records of toxicologic (four species, 15.38%) or teratogenic (one species, 3.85%) properties. Eight plant species were reported as nontoxic (30.77%). In addition, ten plant species (38.46%) had no data on toxicity or teratogenicity. CONCLUSION There were only 20 ethnobotanical studies that documented the use of plants in treating anemia in the Philippines. This study listed several medicinal plants used in treating anemia in the Philippines. However, pharmacological and toxicological studies are still needed to determine their safety and efficacy in treating anemia in the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariel C Magtalas
- Biology Department, College of Science, Bulacan State University, Malolos, Bulacan, Philippines
| | - Patrick Tracy Balbin
- Biology Department, College of Science, Bulacan State University, Malolos, Bulacan, Philippines
| | - Elljhay C Cruz
- Biology Department, College of Science, Bulacan State University, Malolos, Bulacan, Philippines
| | - Richard F Clemente
- Biology Department, College of Science, Bulacan State University, Malolos, Bulacan, Philippines
| | - Ara Karizza G Buan
- College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Jervy P Garcia
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Eastern Visayas Medical Center, Tacloban City, Philippines
| | - Ka Yiu Lee
- Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden.
| | - Ourlad Alzeus G Tantengco
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines.
- Department of Biology, College of Science, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines.
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Haque E, Bari MS, Khandokar L, Anjum J, Jantan I, Seidel V, Haque MA. An updated and comprehensive review on the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activity and toxicological profile of Tinospora crispa (L.) Hook. f. & Thomson. PHYTOCHEMISTRY REVIEWS : PROCEEDINGS OF THE PHYTOCHEMICAL SOCIETY OF EUROPE 2022; 22:211-273. [PMID: 36345416 PMCID: PMC9630822 DOI: 10.1007/s11101-022-09843-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Tinospora crispa (L.) Hook. f. & Thomson (Menispermaceae) is a plant indigenous to Africa and South-East Asia. It is widely used in ethnomedicine to alleviate various diseases including hypertension, diabetes, rheumatism, jaundice, inflammation, fever, fractures, scabies, and urinary disorders. A total of 167 phytoconstituents, belonging to 12 different chemical categories, including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds have thus far been isolated from various parts of T. crispa. Numerous in vitro and in vivo investigations have already established the antidiabetic, anticancer, antiparasitic, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, analgesic, antipyretic, antihyperuricemic, and pesticidal activity of this plant, as well as its effects on the cardiac and the central nervous system. Most pharmacological investigations to date have been carried out on plant extracts and fractions. The exact identity of the phytoconstituents responsible for the observed biological effects and their mode of action at the molecular level are yet to be ascertained. Toxicological studies have demonstrated that T. crispa is relatively safe, although dose-dependent hepatotoxicity is a concern at high doses. This review presents a comprehensive update and analysis on studies related to the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activity and toxicological profile of T. crispa. It provides some critical insights into the current scientific knowledge on this plant and its future potential in pharmaceutical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehfazul Haque
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - Md. Sazzadul Bari
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
| | - Labony Khandokar
- Department of Pharmacy, East West University, Dhaka, 1212 Bangladesh
| | - Juhaer Anjum
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000 Bangladesh
| | - Ibrahim Jantan
- Institute of Systems Biology (INBIOSIS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, Bangi, Selangor Malaysia
| | - Veronique Seidel
- Natural Products Research Laboratory, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Md. Areeful Haque
- Department of Symptom Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030 USA
- Department of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Chittagong, Chittagong, 4318 Bangladesh
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Cordero CS, Meve U, Alejandro GJD. Ethnobotanical Documentation of Medicinal Plants Used by the Indigenous Panay Bukidnon in Lambunao, Iloilo, Philippines. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:790567. [PMID: 35082673 PMCID: PMC8784692 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.790567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Panay Bukidnon is a group of indigenous peoples living in the interior highlands of Panay Island in Western Visayas, Philippines. Little is known about their ethnobotanical knowledge due to limited written records, and no recent research has been conducted on the medicinal plants they used in ethnomedicine. This study aims to document the medicinal plants used by the indigenous Panay Bukidnon in Lambunao, Iloilo, Panay Island. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 75 key informants from June 2020 to September 2021 to determine the therapeutic use of medicinal plants in traditional medicine. A total of 131 medicinal plant species distributed in 121 genera and 57 families were used to address 91 diseases in 16 different uses or disease categories. The family Fabaceae was best represented with 13 species, followed by Lamiaceae with nine species and Poaceae with eight species. The leaf was the most frequently used plant part and decoction was the most preferred form of preparation. To evaluate the plant importance, use value (UV), relative frequency citation (RFC), relative important index (RI), informant consensus factor (ICF), and fidelity level (FL) were used. Curcuma longa L. had the highest UV (0.79), Artemisia vulgaris L. had the highest RFC value (0.57), and Annona muricata L. had the highest RI value (0.88). Diseases and symptoms or signs involving the respiratory system and injury, poisoning, and certain other consequences of external causes recorded the highest ICF value (0.80). Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC. and Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M. King & H. Rob were the most relevant and agreed species for the former and latter disease categories, respectively. C. odorata had the highest FL value (100%) and was the most preferred medicinal plant used for cuts and wounds. The results of this study serve as a medium for preserving cultural heritage, ethnopharmacological bases for further drug research and discovery, and preserving biological diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Salugta Cordero
- The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines.,Biology Department, School of Health Science Professions, St. Dominic College of Asia, City of Bacoor, Philippines
| | - Ulrich Meve
- Department of Plant Systematics, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Grecebio Jonathan Duran Alejandro
- The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines.,College of Science and Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
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Liu K, Liang X, Li C, Wang L, He X, Qin R, Li Y, Yu F. Hydrocotyle vulgaris L.: a new cadmium-tolerant landscape species and its physiological responses to cadmium exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:26045-26054. [PMID: 33483923 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-12511-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Landscape plants have both ecological and aesthetic value and may also represent ideal candidates for phytoremediation. In the present study, one round of hydroponic culture for 14 days with different cadmium (Cd) concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg L-1 Cd) was carried out to test whether Hydrocotyle vulgaris L. is a Cd-tolerant plant. Furthermore, physiological parameters, including pigment concentrations, photosynthesis, antioxidant enzyme activities (AEAs), and nutrient uptake, were also examined to determine the tolerance of H. vulgaris to Cd exposure. The results showed that H. vulgaris could grow normally under all Cd supply levels. The Cd removal efficiency reached 100% at Cd concentrations ≤1.0 mg L-1. The concentrations of Cd in roots and shoots increased (P < 0.05) with Cd supplementation. The maximum concentrations of Cd reached 26.4 and 118 mg kg-1 in shoots and roots, respectively. The translocation factor values were similar under all Cd treatments. The highest mean daily increase in biomass (MDIB) was obtained under 1 mg L-1 Cd exposure, which increased by 69.86% compared to that in the control, which may be due to the increased photosynthetic pigments, photosynthetic rate, and the consistent nutrient concentrations under this Cd level, as there were positive relationships between these parameters and MDIB. Moreover, the activities of AEA also generally explicated highest among all Cd levels. All these results indicate that the above physiological parameters play a positive role in promoting plant growth and alleviating Cd stress. In summary, H. vulgaris was verified as a potential Cd-tolerant plant, providing new information for Cd phytoremediation. Furthermore, given its extensive habitat distribution, this species might be tested for phytoremediation of contaminated soils in future work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kehui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guilin, China
- College of Life Science, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541004, China
| | - Xiaolu Liang
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guilin, China
- College of Life Science, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541004, China
| | - Chunming Li
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guilin, China
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Leyi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guilin, China
- College of Life Science, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541004, China
| | - Xiaoyu He
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guilin, China
- College of Life Science, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541004, China
| | - Rilan Qin
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guilin, China
- College of Life Science, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541004, China
| | - Yi Li
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guilin, China.
- College of Environment and Resources, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541004, People's Republic of China.
| | - Fangming Yu
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guilin, China.
- College of Environment and Resources, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541004, People's Republic of China.
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Pathy KK, Flavien NB, Honoré BK, Vanhove W, Van Damme P. Ethnobotanical characterization of medicinal plants used in Kisantu and Mbanza-Ngungu territories, Kongo-Central Province in DR Congo. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2021; 17:5. [PMID: 33485383 PMCID: PMC7824950 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-020-00428-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The phytotherapeutic knowledge of the Kongo people in the territories of Kisantu and Mbanza-Ngungu in Kongo-Central Province (DR Congo) is rapidly eroding. To document the remaining knowledge, we conducted an ethnobotanical survey on the most important medicinal plant species and diseases treated with them, as well as plants with therapeutic potential. We also checked for the cultural similarity in medicinal plant knowledge between the two territories and how knowledge about Kongo medicinal plants differs between different social groups. METHODS From June 2017 until February 2018 and from February 2019 until April 2019, we conducted a survey with 188 phytotherapists, selected using the snowball method and surveyed using semi-structured interviews. Voucher specimens were taken for identification. Ethnobotanical data were analyzed using medicinal use value (UVs), informant agreement ratio (IARs), informant consensus factor (ICF), and species therapeutic potential (STP). Rahman's similarity index was used for ethno-cultural comparison of medicinal plant knowledge between the two communities. Medicinal knowledge between different social groups was analyzed using non-parametric tests and Poisson regression. RESULTS A total of 231 plants (i.e., 227 botanical species, representing 192 genera and 79 families) were reportedly used to treat 103 diseases. Most abundant taxa were reported for the Fabaceae family (including 11.9% of species and 10.9% of genera). Most reported species (45.0%) were from anthropized areas. Leaves (39.4%), herbs (37.1%), decoction (41.7%), and oral ingestion (72%) were the most frequently cited plant part, botanical form, preparation, and administration method, respectively. Four of all inventoried species showed high UVS (> 0.05), whereas eight had an IAR of one. According to ICF, 31 diseases were mentioned. Highest ICF (≥ 0.4) was observed for hemorrhoids (0.44), amoebiasis (0.43), and itchy rash (0.42). Fifty-four plant species were identified as likely possessing an interesting therapeutic potential. Low ethno-cultural similarity in medicinal knowledge (RSI = 16.6%) was found between the two territories. Analysis of the Kongo medicinal plant knowledge showed that the mean number of reported species and diseases vary considerably depending on gender, type, and residence of therapists (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Results prove that the Kongo phytopharmacopeia makes use of interesting medicinal plant species that could be further studied for conservation and pharmacological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kibungu Kembelo Pathy
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Kinshasa University (UNIKIN), Kinshasa XI, BP 127, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture and Ethnobotany, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Nzuki Bakwaye Flavien
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Kinshasa University (UNIKIN), Kinshasa XI, BP 127, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Belesi Katula Honoré
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Kinshasa University (UNIKIN), Kinshasa XI, BP 127, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Wouter Vanhove
- Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture and Ethnobotany, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Patrick Van Damme
- Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture and Ethnobotany, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
- Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, Prague 6 - Suchdol, 165 21,, Prague, Czech Republic
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Exploring Plant-Based Ethnomedicine and Quantitative Ethnopharmacology: Medicinal Plants Utilized by the Population of Jasrota Hill in Western Himalaya. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12187526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Plants and natural products have played a significant role in curing and preventing a variety of ailments occurring in humans and animals, and continue to provide new bioactive leads for researchers in therapeutic discovery. This study was conducted with the aim to identify and document local healers’ practices of treating human diseases and quantitatively document indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants, as well as to highlight the species of public interest for bioprospecting potential. A total of 17 field tours were carried out in 12 regions of Jasrota hill and its adjoining areas of Himalaya. Informants (113) were interviewed using semi-structured interviews and discussions and local guided collections. The results were analyzed using ethnobotanical indices—use-reports (URs) and the informant consensus factor (ICF)—and the data were statistically analyzed. The ethnopharmacological uses of 121 plant species belonging to 105 genera and 53 families were reported for use as medicine for treating 93 types of ailments. A total of 4987 URs were mentioned by 113 informants. Fabaceae (90.09%) and Asteraceae (6.62%) were the most represented families. Herbs (46.28%) were the primary sources of medicine, decoction (33.88%) was the most common use method for utilization, and leaves (43.80%) were the most frequently used plant parts. The ICF values ranged from 0.667 to 0.974, with the highest number of species (1314UR, 55 species) being used for the treatment of gastrointestinal ailments (GIA), followed by dermatological disorders (38 species). This result showed that the exchange of knowledge could be evident among the different communities, and their medicinal uses and practices could be correlated.
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