Ethnobotany of the medicinal plants used by the ethnic communities of Kerman province, Southeast Iran

A comprehensive review of the botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of two Iranian Rydingia species (Lamiaceae)

Rydingia michauxii and R. persica, respectively, known as Kase Gol and Goldar in Persian, belong to the family Lamiaceae and they are well known herbal medicine in Iran for the treatment of various diseases, particularly diabetes. This review aims to appraise the phytochemistry, ethnopharmacology, and pharmacological activities of Rydingia species growing in Iran and assess their potential in clinical applications. Besides, it critically evaluates existing literature and looks into the perspective for further research and utilization. All available scientific literature was consulted using the database searches involving Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science applying the keyword Rydingia and its Syn; Otostegia. Only the search results that are associated with the Iranian species R. michauxii and R. persica are included in this review. α-pinene, carvacrol, caryophyllene oxide, diisooctyl phthalate, dillapiole, eugenol, hexadecanoic acid, and pentacosane are the major constituents of the essential oils of the Rydingia species. Additionally, these species produce bioactive flavonoids, phenolic acids, steroids, and terpenoids. Extracts and active compounds from Rydingia species have been reported to possess various pharmacological activities including antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and lipid-lowering properties. Based on the information available to date on the Iranian Rydingia species, it will be worth subjecting these species to further developmental work involving preclinical and clinical trials.

Ethnobotanical Survey of Culturally Important Plants and Mushrooms in North-Western Part of Croatia

The Republic of Croatia is spread in geographical and climatic conditions that support a great diversity of habitats and associated plant taxa, many of which can be used for food or medicine. However, urbanization, loss of natural habitats, as well as changes in people's dependence on the natural resources from the surrounding environment may lead to the loss of valuable knowledge about the use of plants and mushrooms. With the aim of studying and preserving this knowledge in the continental north-western part of Croatia, an ethnobotanical survey was undertaken at the two study areas-Valpovo and Đurđevac, which included a total of 17 settlements. A total of 103 informants, 65% female and 35% male, aged between 22 and 83 years, participated in an interview using pre-planned questionnaires. The informants reported 131 plants belonging to 55 families and 17 mushroom taxa. The largest number of plants belonged to the families of Rosaceae, Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, and Apiaceae. In both areas, the informants cultivate and also gather wild plants, but these practices are better preserved in the area of Đurđevac where 109 taxa from 47 families were recorded. In addition to cultivated and gathered plants, informants from the Valpovo area also reported the use of purchased plants. Plants and mushrooms are mostly used as food (21 plant taxa and 17 mushrooms), but plants also serve as medicine (68 taxa), as both food and medicine (35 taxa), feed for cattle (11 taxa), repellent (four taxa), and/or space freshener (two taxa). The most frequently used wild plants are Chamomilla recutita, Mentha x piperita, and Urtica dioica, while Boletus edulis, Agaricus campestris, and Macrolepiota procera are the most often used mushrooms. The results indicate that the local people in the studied north-western part of Croatia still nurture the practice of cultivating and gathering plants and that herbal remedies are considerably important among the informants. The study should be further extended to broaden and preserve valuable ethnobotanical knowledge and encourage the protection of culturally important plants of the studied area.

Ethnobotanical Study of Traditional Medicinal Plants Used for the Treatment of Infectious Diseases by Local Communities in Traditional Authority (T/A) Mbelwa, Mzimba District, Northern Region, Malawi

Local communities in Mzimba District, Malawi, have limited access to healthcare services and often rely on traditional medical practice and medicinal plants (MPs) for most of their medical care. However, phytomedicines’ use has not been well documented. This study aimed to identify and document medicinal plants and the associated ethnobotanical knowledge. Ethnobotanical data were collected in seven localities (19 villages) in the T/A Mbelwa, Mzimba, from May to June 2021. Forty traditional healers, herbalists, and farmers selected purposively and by snowball sampling were interviewed through semi-structured interviews, field observations, group discussions, and guided field walks. Quantitative indices, viz. relative frequency of citation (RFC), use value (UV), relative importance (RI) values, informant consensus factors (ICFs), and fidelity levels (FLs), were used to analyze the data. Eighty MPs belonging to 43 families and 77 genera were recorded. The Leguminosae family showed the highest number of species (16), followed by Solanaceae, Rubiaceae, and Phyllanthaceae. Trees (35 species) and roots (62%) accounted for the most significant habit and part, respectively. Washing (29%) was the most common preparation method. The most cited plant was Zanthoxylum chalybeum (RFC = 0.80, UV = 0.28, RI = 1.66), followed by Cassia abbreviata (RFC = 0.68, UV = 0.35, RI = 1.50). Respiratory disorders showed the highest ICF (0.53), followed by general and unspecified disorders (0.31). Z. chalybeum, C. abbreviata, and Oldfieldia dactylophylla showed maximum FLs (100%) for treating malaria and dysentery. Phytochemical, bioassay, toxicity, and conservation studies are needed to assess medicinal plants’ safety, efficacy, and quality as steps toward discovering new promising therapeutic leads without neglecting conservation programs for their sustainable utilization.

Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal wild plants in the Shouf Biosphere Reserve, Lebanon

BACKGROUND

Medicinal plants and associated traditional knowledge play a vital role in supporting the livelihoods and resilience of indigenous communities. This ethnobotanical survey aims to identify medicinal plants used by the local communities of the Shouf Biosphere Reserve of Lebanon (SBR) and document the associated traditional knowledge.

METHODOLOGY

Focus groups and personal interviews with 133 informants of community members of 22 villages of SBR were performed during 2019-2022. Informants were selected using purposive sampling techniques based on their knowledge of medicinal plants and experience in traditional herbal medicine. Interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire through field visits.

RESULTS

Informants were equally represented by females and males and had different demographic characteristics, and the main source of knowledge was ancestral. A total of 184 medicinal plant species belonging to 57 families were documented. The predominant families were Asteraceae (31 spp.), Lamiaceae (14 spp.), and Rosaceae (14 spp.). Leaves (23%) were the plant part most used. Decoction (45%) was the predominant preparation method, while internal (oral) use (47%) was the most frequent administration mean. Berberis libanotica, Dittrichia viscosa, and Daucus carota achieved the highest scores of frequency of citation (FC), relative frequency of citation (RFC), use value (UV), and fidelity level (FL). Furthermore, diseases and ailments of gastrointestinal tract were the category most treated.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings revealed a rich and diverse list of medicinal plants with associated traditional knowledge still actively used to treat a wide range of diseases. Future phytochemical and pharmacological studies are recommended to determine the efficacy and safety of plant species used. The management body of the SBR and all related authorities are invited to continue their conservation efforts to protect such rich biocultural heritage.

Diversity, distribution, and sustainability of traditional medicinal plants in Kaski district, western Nepal

Medicinal plants are the primary source of traditional healthcare systems in many rural areas mostly in developing countries. This study aimed to document and analyze the diversity, distribution, and sustainability of the traditional medicinal plants used by the Gurung people of the Sikles region in western Nepal. Ethnobotanical data were collected through focus group discussions and individual interviews, and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Prior informed consent was obtained before each interview. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices such as informant consensus factor, relative frequency of citation, and use values were also calculated. A possible association among these indices was tested using correlation analysis. A total of 115 wild medicinal plant species belonging to 106 genera and 71 families were documented. Asteraceae and Rosaceae were the dominant families whereas herbs were the most dominant life form. Roots were the most used plant part, paste was the most common method of preparation, and most of the medical formulations were taken orally. The highest number of medicinal plants were used to treat stomach disorders. The average informant consensus value of 0.79 indicates a high consensus among respondents in selecting medicinal plants. Lindera neesiana, Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora, Paris polyphylla, and Bergenia ciliata were found to be high-ranking medicinal plants based on the relative frequency of citation and use value. The genders did not affect medicinal plants' knowledge but age had a significant correlation. Most of the informants agreed that medicinal plants are under pressure due to overharvesting and a lack of proper forest management practices. The number of medicinal plants reported from the study area indicates that the Gurung people possess rich traditional knowledge, and the vegetation of the Sikles region constitutes rich diversity of medicinal plants.

An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in Güce district, north-eastern Turkey

This study aims to identify medicinal plants traditionally used to treat diseases by local people living in Güce district, north-eastern Turkey. The study was carried out between 2018 and 2021 using a two-part semi-structured, open-ended questionnaire with 165 local people. Data were analysed using use-report, frequency of citation, and informant consensus factor. Informants identified 128 vascular medicinal plant taxa belonging to 54 families and 106 genera. The most common plant taxa belong to Rosaceae (16 taxa/12.5%), Asteraceae (12 taxa/9.4%), and Lamiaceae (9 taxa/7%) families. The most frequently used preparation method reported was decoction (39.8%); the most commonly utilized plant parts were leaves (40.3%). Statistical analysis reveals that women in Güce district (df = 163, p = 0.043 < 0.05) possess the most traditional knowledge. The highest frequency of citation (61) and use report (92) were recorded for Tilia rubra subsp. caucasica, and the highest informant consensus factors were cited for respiratory system disorders (0.86), digestive system disorders (0.73), and skin disorders (0.71). This study reported nine plant taxa as medicinal plants for the first time, and documented a total of 293 new therapeutic uses. However, the study indicates that the transfer of traditional knowledge to future generations is limited (F = 3.355, p = 0.020). Action should be taken as soon as possible to preserve existing traditional knowledge and to ensure its transfer to future generations.

In Silico Pharmacokinetic Profiling of the Identified Bioactive Metabolites of Pergularia tomentosa L. Latex Extract and In Vitro Cytotoxic Activity via the Induction of Caspase-Dependent Apoptosis with S-Phase Arrest

The in vitro cytotoxic efficacy of plant latex from Pergularia tomentosa L. was studied using five human cancer cell lines: HeLa cells (cervical carcinoma cells), A-549 (lung carcinoma), Panc-1 (pancreatic carcinoma cells), MDA-MB-231 (metastatic mammary adenocarcinoma), and MRC-5 (lung fibroblast cell line) cells. The phytonutrient content of plant latex was identified using the liquid chromatography/mass spectra-quadrupole time of flight (LC/MS-QTOF) technique. In silico studies of polyphenols were carried out to clarify the potential mode of action of the plant latex’s constituents. The treatment of different tumor cell lines with different concentrations of plant latex revealed a potent efficacy on the human lung carcinoma cell line (A-549) (IC₅₀ = 3.89 µg/mL) compared with that with vinblastine as a positive control (IC₅₀ = 7.12 µg/mL). The effect of the potent concentration of plant latex on the A-549 cell line induced cell arrest, upregulated the expression of pre-apoptotic markers, and downregulated the expression of antiapoptotic markers. Seven identified polyphenols were selected for the in silico study. A docking assessment using the epidermal growth factor receptor kinase (EGFRk) and eltronib as a positive control showed a higher affinity for the enzyme receptor of the selected polyphenols, except for methyl orsellinate and ginkgotoxin. The ADMET assessment demonstrated the inhibitory effect of the polyphenols on CYP450, except for ouabagenin and xanthyletine. The selected polyphenols obey Lipinski’s drug-likeness with no significant toxicity effect. In conclusion, the plant latex of P. tomentosa L. showed cytotoxic activity on the A-549 cell line, and the selected polyphenols showed a promising prodrug agent with a low profile of toxicity in the study.

Anti-Toxoplasma Effects of Dracocephalum Polychaetum Essential Oil

Background

Toxoplasma gondii is a common parasitic disease with a cosmopolitan prevalence, causing severe health problems. Although chemotherapy for toxoplasmosis is readily available, most have side effects.

Objectives

This study assesses the Dracocephalum polychaetum essential oil against T. gondii activity. In vitro, the anti-Toxoplasma effects of D. polychaetum essential oils with different concentrations were evaluated.

Methods

In the present study, T. gondii RH strain tachyzoites were exposed to D. polychaetum essential oil, and their viability effect on the parasite was evaluated. The viability test of tachyzoites was performed by using the staining method trypan blue in vitro. The inhibitory effect of D. polychaetum extract on T. gondii RH strain tachyzoites in the Vero cell line was evaluated.

Results

D. polychaetum has valuable efficacy in vitro, outperforming pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine at 30 and 90 minutes after exposure (p < 0.05). D. polychaetum essential oil showed anti-Toxoplasma activity in the cell line (IC50: 241.7 μg/mL). After T. gondii-infected Vero cells had been incubated with different concentrations of the D. polychaetum essential oil, their viability decreased in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusions

In conclusion, D. polychaetum extract as an herbal medicine might be a valuable alternative to routine chemotherapy for toxoplasmosis.

A Review on Medicinal Plants Used in the Management of Respiratory Problems in Ethiopia over a Twenty-Year Period (2000–2021)

This review is aimed at assessing and compiling the different ethnomedicinal studies in different parts of Ethiopia used to treat respiratory diseases. The data were collected from different published research papers through searching the web sources such as PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and other related websites. The important search terminologies included ethnobotany, respiratory diseases, medicinal plants, and Ethiopia. For this, a total of 65 articles of recent publications (from 2000 to May 2021 years) that provided full information about the use of medicinal plant species to treat respiratory disorder diseases in Ethiopia were consulted. Based on this, a total of 96 medicinal plants belonging to 57 families were reviewed. The commonly recorded families used to manage respiratory problems were Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Solanaceae, and Fabaceae. Herbs and shrubs were the dominant plant growth forms. Due to the easiest form of their preparation for treating respiratory disorders, leaves are the most cited plant parts followed by roots. Crushing and pounding are useful methods of remedy preparation to treat respiratory diseases. This review concluded that different medicinal plants have a significant contribution in combating serious respiratory problems in Ethiopia. Hence, the complied review of medicinal plants on the treatment of respiratory problems would play a great role in further pharmacological and phytochemical investigations in developing new drugs used for the treatment of respiratory problems and in the conservation of these important medicinal plants.

Ethnopharmacological study of medicinal plants in Sarvabad, Kurdistan province, Iran

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Traditional medicine has a long history and plays an important role in the Kurdish community in Sarvabad county, Kurdistan province, Iran. Despite the great diversity of medicinal plants, cultural history, and variety of herbal medicine uses among Kurdish tribes, very few cohesive ethnopharmacological studies of this unique region are available in the scientific literature. Our study tried to gather medicinal plant species and document the associated indigenous knowledge of the ethnic groups in the Sarvabad district for the first time.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ethnobotanical data were collected from 92 local informants through semi-structured questionnaires, open interviews, and field surveys during a period of two years (2018-2020). The statistical analysis included use reports (UR) for each species, and informant consensus factor (FIC) to evaluate the data.

RESULTS

In the present study a total of 156 plant species belonging to 58 botanical families, were recorded for the treatment of 16 diseases categories. The most represented families were Lamiaceae, followed by Asteraceae, and Apiaceae. The most frequently cited plant species with the highest use report (UR) were Pistacia atlantica (161), Hymenocrater longiflorus (128), Melissa officinalis (124), Cyperus rotundus (114), Thymus transcaspicus (112), and Quercus brantii (109). Psychological (ICF = 0.96), musculoskeletal (ICF = 0.94), and digestive (ICF = 0.93), followed by respiratory problems (ICF = 0.92) showed the highest informant consensus factors among all ailment categories. Most herbal remedies were consumed as decoction. Leaves (28.5%) were the most widely used plant parts, followed by flowers (18.7%), aerial parts (14.5%), seeds (13.2%), and terrestrial parts (8.41%). Some interesting new medicinal uses for native and common species were reported. Species such as Cyperus rotundus, Hymenocrater longiflorus, Anthriscus nemorosa, Pistacia atlantica and Quercus brantii would be interesting targets for drug discovery and are suggested for further investigations.

CONCLUSION

The plant use reports, and quantitative data analyzed demonstrate that the relative importance of plant species and shared knowledge of herbal therapies among Kurdish communities of the Sarvabad county is still rich. A systematic study and evaluation of the biological activity of highly consumed plants, could identify the possible mechanism of action.

Medicinal Plants Used to Treat Human and Livestock Ailments in Basona Werana District, North Shewa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

This study was conducted on medicinal plants used for the treatment of human and livestock ailments in Basona Werana District, North Shewa Zone, Amhara Region. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, field walk observation, preference, and direct matrix ranking with randomly and purposefully selected informants. A total of 80 respondents (46 men and 14 women) and 20 (16 men and 4 women) traditional healers participated in this study. A total of 76 plant species distributed in 75 genera and 45 families were collected and identified. Of the 76 medicinal plants collected from the study area, 85.5% were used to treat human ailments. The Lamiaceae came out as a leading family with 8 (10.5%) species followed by Asteraceae and 7 (9%) medicinal plant species each, while Solanaceae followed with 6 (7.8%) species. The majority of medicinal plants were collected from wild habitat and accounted for 56 plant species (73.6%). The result of growth form analysis showed that herbs constituted the highest proportion of medicinal plants represented by 33 species (43.4%), followed by shrubs with 30 species (39.4%) and trees with 10 species (13.1%). The medicinal plants were administered through oral, which accounts for 54 species (48.1%), followed by dermal with 38 species (33.9%) and nasal with 9 species (8%), respectively. Leaves were the most frequently used plant parts for the preparation of traditional herbal medicines in the study area. Crushing was the widely used preparation method (33.9%) followed by pounding (16%). Cucumis ficifolius A. Rich. was the most preferred plant used to treat stomachache. Phytochemical and pharmacological studies of this type of plant are recommended to get the most out of the plant.