Ethnopharmacological studies of indigenous plants in Kel village,Neelum Valley,Azad Kashmir,Pakistan

Background

This explorative study was undertaken for the first time in Kel village located in the Upper Neelum Valley, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. The purpose was to document the indigenous knowledge of the native people used in the preparation of herbal medicines.

Methods

To get the data on traditional uses of medicinal plants, 20 informants were interviewed. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices, i.e., use value (UV), relative frequencies of citation (RFC), informant consensus factor (Fic), fidelity level (FL), data matrix ranking (DMR), preference ranking (PR), and jaccard index (JI), were calculated for the recorded medicinal plants.

Results

A total of 50 medicinal plants belonging to 33 families used in 13 disease categories were documented. Leaves were the frequently used plant parts, and decoction was the commonly used method for herbal medicine. Plants with high use value were Berberis lycium (2.05), Impatiens glandulifera (1.95), Artemisia scoparia (1.75), Ageratum conozoides (1.75), and Achillea millefolium (1.7). The highest RFC value was calculated for Berberis lycium (0.75), Cynoglossum lanceolatum (0.65), and Impatiens glandulifera and Achillea millefolium (0.60 each). The maximum informant consensus factor was for urinary system, cardiac diseases, baldness, and abortion and miscarriage (1.00). Berberis lyceum (95%) used in jaundice, hepatitis, typhoid, fever, and tuberculosis disorders. Plants with maximum fidelity level (FL) were Berberis lycium (95%) followed by Dioscorea bulbifera, Impatiens glandulifera, and Artemisia vulgaris (90%). Olea ferruginea was the most multipurpose plant and exports (21.2%) was the leading threat in the area. The pearson correlation coefficient (0.500) showed a positive correlation between the use value and relative frequency of citation.

Conclusion

The present study provides useful information about traditional uses of medicinal plants used by local communities in different ailments. The plants with the highest use values could be employed in pharmacological research and biotechnological approaches in order to achieve adequate revenue. Some of the plants in the study area are facing high threats of becoming rare, and conservation initiatives are needed to conserve them for sustainable management in the region.

     

Quantitative ethnobotany of medicinal plants uses in the Jhelum valley,Azad Kashmir,Pakistan

Indigenous knowledge provides information on phytotherapeutic potential of medicinal plants for basic health care mangements in local communinites. The present study was aimed to document folklore knowledge of ethnic communities, who are practicing the herbal medicines in the Jhelum valley (District Hattian), Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. The information regarding folklore use of plants was collected from local communities through informed consent semi- structured interviews from 152 key informants. The ethnobotanical data were quantitatively analyzed using indices of use value (UV), relative frequency citation (RFC) and Informant census factor (ICF). A total of 113 medicinal plant species belong to 52 families were documented in the local communites of Jhelum Valley. The Asteraceae and Polygonaceae were the dominant plant families. The plant species hold potential folklore uses against hepatitis, stomach and respiratory problems, tooth ache, skin ailments and tumor treatment. The whole plants (32.52%), leaves ((21.14%)) were highly consumed plant parts and decoction (22.99%), powder form (18.39%) and infusion (13.79%) was the commonly used method for herbal formulation. The species with maximum use value was Beberis lyceum (0.80) and Valeriana jatamansi (0.60). The highest ICF value was obtained for disease catergories that is ear pain (1.00) followed by heaptic disorder (0.94) and urinary system disorders (0.89). The lowest ICF value was recored for nervous system disorders (0.44). The present study disclosed that traditional knowledge of medicinal plants is still widespread in ethnic people, but gradually decline in youngers. Documentation of newly documented plant species with their folklore uses shall uphold further phytochemical and pharmacological studies.     

巴基斯坦穆扎法拉巴德市Pattika公园鸟类多样性

2006年6月—2007年5月年对位于巴基斯坦自由克什米尔省穆扎法拉巴德市帕蒂卡(Pattika)休闲公园(EW:73°34′,纬度:NS:34°27′)内的栖息鸟类进行了调查,共有73种,分属10目35科。其中雀型目占73.55%,非雀型目占45%。其分布的多寡随该地区的季节而变化。大量物种出现在迁移繁殖的雨季。该公园处于人口密集之郊外,其间家畜的放养、灌木的砍伐及生境的干扰等人为因素都会对鸟类的分布和数量造成影响。     

Genera Tylopilus,Suillus and Strobilomyces of Azad Jammu and Kashmir,Pakistan

Abstract

A total of four species of mushrooms are reported in this paper. These are Tylopilus shaukatii, Suillus bekhsus, S. shardasus and Strobilomyces reticulates. Their edibility, non-edibility, chemical composition as well as distribution, habitat and taxonomic position are clarified. They belong to families Boletaceae and Ganodermataceae.     

Notes on Scleroderma,Puff balls and Geastrum of Azad Jammu and Kashmir,Pakistan

Six species of mushrooms allied to the Family Sclerodermataceae, Lycoperdaceae and Geastraceae have been described for the first time from Azad Jammu and Kashmir. These are Scleroderma aurantium, Calvatia verrucosia sp. nov., Lycoperdon pedicellaton sp. nov. L. sphaericon sp. nov., L. echinulaton sp. nov., and Geastrum heptaplex sp. nov.     

Boron Contents of Some Wild-Growing Mushrooms Collected from the Vicinity of Boron Mines in Balikesir,Turkey

The aim of the study was to determine the boron contents of some wild-growing mushrooms collected from the vicinity of several boron mines located in Balikesir, Turkey and compare the boron contents of some mushroom and soil samples. The locations of the mushroom samples collected were within the distance of 0–100, 100–500, and 500–1,000 m to the mines. Soil samples were taken from beneath randomly selected fungal fruit bodies. A total of 40 mushroom samples were found in the study area and 37 different species were identified. Among the 40 samples analyzed, the highest boron content was detected to be 273 mg kg⁻¹ in Suillus collinitus. Also, Tricholoma terreum (69.52 mg kg⁻¹), Myxomphalia maura (36.52 mg kg⁻¹), Otidea concinna (30.70 mg kg⁻¹), Sepultaria arenosa (28.94 mg kg⁻¹), Melanoleuca paedida (28.33 mg kg⁻¹), and Lycoperdon lividum (28.31 mg kg⁻¹) relatively have high levels of boron and these species are proposed as candidates for boron accumulation. The boron contents of the other mushrooms varied and a pattern was observed where the boron content was found to be decreased as the distance from the mines increased.     

Comprehensive report on the prevalence of root-knot nematodes in the Poonch division of Azad Jammu and Kashmir,Pakistan

The present study documents the root-knot nematodes (RKN) fauna of the Poonch division in Azad Jammu and Kashmir infecting vegetables. An overall prevalence of 40% of RKN was recorded. Of the four districts investigated, maximum prevalence was recorded in district Poonch with 59%, followed by Sudhnuti with 58%. The lowest prevalence of RKN was found in districts Bagh (29%) and Haveli (33%). Out of 15 vegetables investigated, RKN was found on five crops. The highest prevalence of 37.8% was recorded on okra, followed by 31.3% on cucumber and 17.5% on tomato. RKN was less prevalent on eggplant (8.3%) and beans (7.7%). Three RKN species, that is Meloidogyne incognita, Meloidogyne javanica and Meloidogyne arenaria, were found infecting the hosts. M. javanica was found to be the most prevalent followed by M. incognita and M. arenaria. This trend was found in all the districts. Overall prevalence of M. javanica as sole population was 9% and that of M. incognita was 2%. Meloidogyne arenaria was not found in any of the fields as sole population. The prevalence of M. incognita with M. javanica or M. arenaria as mixed populations was 8% and 5%, respectively, and that of M. javanica with M. arenaria was 4%. Similarly, all the three species prevailed as mixed populations in 12% of the fields in the division. The severity of RKN infections, measured as galling index, was found to be variable within each infected field (GI 2–9). Identification of RKN species was based on the morphology of perineal patterns and confirmed by molecular SCAR and CO1 makers based identification. In conclusion, RKN were distributed in the Poonch division and M. javanica was predominant. Cucumber, okra, tomato and eggplant were severely attacked by these nematodes warranting the adoption of stringent control strategies for their management.     

Population survey and conservation assessment of the globally threatened cheer pheasant(Catreus wallichi) in Jhelum Valley,Azad Kashmir,Pakistan

The cheer pheasant Catreus wallichi is a globally threatened species that inhabits the western Himalayas. Though it is well established that the species is threatened and its numbers declining, updated definitive estimates are lacking, so in 2011, we conducted a survey to assess the density, population size, and threats to the species in Jhelum valley, Azad Kashmir, which holds the largest known population of cheer pheasants in Pakistan. We conducted dawn call count surveys at 17 points clustered in three survey zones of the valley, 11 of which had earlier been used for a 2002-2003 survey of the birds. Over the course of our survey, 113 birds were recorded. Mean density of cheer pheasant in the valley was estimated at 11.8±6.47 pairs per km2, with significant differences in terms of both counts and estimated density of cheer were significantly different across the three survey zones, with the highest in the Chinari region and the lowest, that is the area with no recorded sightings of the pheasants, in Gari Doppata. The total breeding population of cheer pheasants is estimated to be some 2 490 pairs, though this does not consider the actual area of occupancy in the study area. On the whole, more cheer pheasants were recorded in this survey than from the same points in 2002-2003, indicating some success in population growth. Unfortunately, increasing human settlement, fires, livestock grazing, hunting, and the collection of non-timber forest products continue to threaten the population of cheer in the Jhelum valley. To mitigate these potential impacts, some degree of site protection should be required for the conservation of cheer pheasants in Pakistan, and more effective monitoring of the species is clearly needed.     

喜马拉雅灰叶猴栖息地利用和食性生物学研究(英文）

2006年4月至2007年4月在巴基斯坦克什米尔地区马希亚拉国家公园（Machiara National Park）对喜马拉雅灰叶猴(Semnopithecus entellus ajex)的栖息地利用和食性生物学进行研究。结果表明,冬天,叶猴首选的栖息地多为温暖湿润的针叶林和落叶林混交地区;夏天,它们则迁移至高海拔的亚高山灌木丛林里。喜马拉雅灰叶猴主要以植物的叶子为食,研究期间在该地区共发现49种被采食过的植物（夏季27种,冬季22种）。通过观察它们的所有食物,发现老叶(36.12%)比嫩叶(27.27%)更受欢迎,随后依次为果实17.00%、树根9.45%、树皮6.69%、花2.19%和根茎1.28%。     

Intestinal helminths in a population of children from the Kashmir valley, India

In any geographical area, surveys of the prevalence of intestinal helminths are necessary to suggest appropriate control measures. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminth infections in children of the Kashmir valley and to identify the risk factors. Stool samples were collected from 2256 children from rural as well as urban areas of the Kashmir valley. The samples were examined by simple smear and zinc sulphate concentration methods. Intensity of the infection was quantified by Stoll's egg-counting technique. Infection by at least one intestinal helminth was found in 71.18% of the sampled population. The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides was highest (68.30%), followed by Trichuris trichiura (27.92%), Enterobius vermicularis (12.67%) and Taenia saginata (4.60%). Light (57.1%) to moderate (42.8%) intensity of infection was observed for A. lumbricoides, while the majority of the infected children (92.3%) harboured a light intensity of infection for T. trichiura. The age group, rural or urban residence, type of water source, boiled or unboiled water, type of defecation site, level of personal hygiene and maternal education were associated with helminth infection. Adequate control measures are urgently needed to combat the high prevalence of intestinal helminths and risk factors in the children of Kashmir valley.     

Food and feeding preferences of Himalayan gray goral (Naemorhedus goral bedfordi) in Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Himalayan gray goral is endemic to Himalayas and Hindukush ranges. Analysis of 15 fecal samples and field observations from different areas of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir suggest that goral consumes foliage of a minimum of 28 plant species. Trees, shrubs and grasses appear in the ratio of 1:36:63 and hence the species is a grazer, though may opt for browsing when forced. The species mainly subsists on six species of grasses (Chrysopogon aucheri=17.97%, Themeda anathera=13.03%, Poa pratensis=11.23%, Digitaria decumbens=9.30%, Apluda mutica=7.51%, Aristida cyanatha=3.15%), though leaves of shrubs (Myrsine africana=11.38%, Daphne oleoides=8.87%, Carissa opaca=5.94%, Dodonaea viscose=4.79%, Rubus ellipticus=2.93%, Gymnosporia royleana=1.29%) are also consumed. Food preference indices (consumed/availability) suggest that grasses are highly preferred (16.86 times of availability), followed by shrubs (3.3 times of availability), whereas trees and herbs are not preferred. Food plants contain water (77.9±0.56%), ash (8.6±0.38%), sugars (6.8±0.16%), proteins (5.6%±0.28%) and fats (1.3±0.08%). Food provides 4,440 kcal of energy and 5.45 L of water/day/adult goral, which is sufficient to meet the requirements of the species. Grasses need to be ensured in the protected area separated for management of goral population. Zoo Biol 27:371–380, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Morpho-anatomical and physiological adaptations to high altitude in some Aveneae grasses from Neelum Valley,Western Himalayan Kashmir

Five grasses of tribe Aveneae were collected from low (1100 m.a.s.l.) and highland (2300 m.a.s.l.) mountain range of Western Himalaya, Neelum Valley, to evaluate the physio-anatomical adaptations to altitudinal variability. An evidence to confirm the hypothesis that plants vegetating different altitudes must be different structurally (internal modifications) and functionally due to heterogeneity in environmental gradients. The general response of all grasses to high altitude was growth retardation in terms of total leaf area per plant and dry matter. With exception of Ca²⁺ content, most of the ionic and chlorophyll content were significantly low at high elevations. Anatomical alterations such as, leaf thickness, intensive sclerification around the vascular bundle and pith area, reduced metaxylem vessel area, high pubescence (increased microhair and trichome density) played an important role in high degree of tolerance of these grasses to cope with altitudinal stresses. The mechanical strength of leaf, which is critical for preventing damage under harsh climate and overall survival of high altitudinal populations, seems to be depended on intensity of sclerification and dense pubescence at abaxial and adaxial surfaces of the leaf. Increase in overall thickness of leaf in high altitude grasses in response to low temperature may protect metabolically active tissue like mesophyll. Also high density of trichomes may be involved in blocking transpiration water and internal heat. Differential response of low and high altitude grasses is highly related to air temperature, pattern of rainfall, and availability of nutrients.     

Toxicological Aspect of Some Selected Medicinal Plant Samples Collected from Djelfa,Algeria Region

Biological Trace Element Research - Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) has been used to determine the concentration of some toxic chemical elements in a variety of aromatic plants...     

Ethnobotany of the Balti community,Tormik valley,Karakorum range,Baltistan, Pakistan

Background

Limited health facilities and malnutrition are major problems in the Karakorum Range of Northern Pakistan, often resulting in various human disorders. Since centuries, however, local communities in these areas have developed traditional methods for treating various ailments and local foods capes that can be significant for devising public health and nutritional policies. This study was intended to document the ethnobotanical knowledge of the local peoples in the Tormik Valley, especially in the medical and food domains.

Methods

Field trips were undertaken in 14 different villages of the study area from 2010 to 2012. Ethnobotanical data were gathered using semi-structured interviews and group conversation with 69 informants. Details about local uses of plant species were recorded along with demographic characteristics of the visited communities. Relative frequency citation index (RFCi) and preference ranking index (PRi) tools were applied to determine the cultural significance of the reported species.

Results

Sixty-three plant species, with a predominance of Asteraceae and Fabaceae family members, as well as their detailed folk uses were documented. Forty-three percent of the species were used to treat various diseases, 21 % were consumed as wild fruits and vegetables and 53 % of the species had multipurpose applications. Thymus linearis Benth, Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. turkestanica L. and Convolvulus arvensis L. were found to be the most utilized medicinal plant species, i.e. those with significant RFCi values (0.54, 0.51 and 0.48, respectively). Betula utilis D. Don was the most versatile taxon (seven different ways of utilization); being this species a common and easily accessible subalpine tree and then under anthropogenic pressure, the implementation of concrete strategies aimed at its in-situ and ex-situ conservation is strongly recommended.

Conclusion

The valleys in the Karakorum Mountains in the Northern Pakistan host significant Traditional Knowledge on local food and medicinal plant species, which need to be reconsidered and cautiously re-evaluated by ethnopharmacologists, and public health/nutrition actors. Furthermore, germane trans-disciplinary investigations are suggested to ensure the dynamic conservation of precious local knowledge systems, as well as plant diversity in Pakistani mountain regions.

     

Traditional usage of medicinal plants among the local communities of Peshawar valley,Pakistan

Peshawar has a miscellaneous range of population that consequently brought their traditional knowledge of plants to the valley. Aims of the study were to report and document the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants resources of the Peshawar valley. The main objective of the study was to assess and document the ethnobotanical uses of medicinal plants in the study area. Data collection was carried out from March 2017 to December 2017. About 250 informants of different ages were interviewed; most of them were aged people between 60 and 70 years. The interviews were conducted using structured questioner composed of various questions about the ethnomedicinal uses of plants. The data was quantitatively analyzed using quantitative indices like frequency citation FC, use value (UV), use report (UR), relative frequency citation (RFC) Fidelity level (FL) and Jaccard index (JI). A comparison with previous ethnomedicinal studies in order to report some novel uses. A total of 71 plants species belonging to 59 genera and 31 families were being used for various ailment treatments. Out of 31 families, Asteraceae and Amaranthaceae (7 species each) were found the dominant families. Regarding plant habit, herbs 63% were the leading growth form. Leaves were the most frequently used part of the plant in the preparation of medicines. The most frequent mode of preparation was decoction while the oral route of administration was the preferred mode of administration. A review of the active compounds of the reported plants was also documented to authenticate the data. Medicinal plants for high ranked diseases to be to screen for further ethnopharmacological and phytochemical studies. The medicinal flora of the valley is facing improper collection, overgrazing, browsing, deforestation, industrialization, construction of roads and buildings. Therefore proper conservation strategies may be adapted to promote the sustainable use of medicinal plants.     

Identification and quantitative analyses of medicinal plants in Shahgram valley,district swat,Pakistan

The traditional use of medicinal plants used by the inhabitants of Shahgram Valley, District Swat, Northern Pakistan. A total of 90 plant species from 53 families were studied through questionnaire, interviews and group discussions. However, the family Asteraceae (10%) was the most important and dominant family. Plant habit wise percentage was observed as (herb 65.55%), (shrubs 20%) and (trees 14.44%) and part used as whole plant (42.22%) fruit (15.55%), leaves (7.77%), bark (7.77%), seed (6.66%), root (6.66%), stem (3.33%), flower (3.33%), rhizome (2.22%), tuber (1.11%), shoot (1.11%), corms (1.11%) and bulb (1.11%). For the preparation of ethnomedicines, the locals use decoction (43.33%), crushed (40%), extract (11.11%), paste (4.44%) and original (1.11%). Out of 18 disease categories diuretic (16.05%) was observed as high. Route of ethnomedicines was observed high oral as (88.88%). The dose was observed as once a day (41.11%), twice (53.33%), (5.55%) thrice. Informant consensus factor (ICF) was observed high for a diuretic (0.94). Highest plant species use citation was observed for a diuretic (187) and lowest (3) for Stimulant. High FL value (100) was observed for A. bracteosa, while lowest (50.0) for M. cummunis. Among trees, M. azedarach got a first rank (22) followed by shrubs, B. lyceum (16) and herbs, A. plantago (13). The research was carried out to identify and document traditional uses of medicinal plants in the locality for new drug discovery. Medicinal flora was found towards extinction due to overgrazing and unwise utilization.     

Occurrence of Microbial Indicators and Clostridium perfringens in Wastewater, Water Column Samples, Sediments, Drinking Water, and Weddell Seal Feces Collected at McMurdo Station, Antarctica

McMurdo Station, Antarctica, has discharged untreated sewage into McMurdo Sound for decades. Previous studies delineated the impacted area, which included the drinking water intake, by using total coliform and Clostridium perfringens concentrations. The estimation of risk to humans in contact with the impacted and potable waters may be greater than presumed, as these microbial indicators may not be the most appropriate for this environment. To address these concerns, concentrations of these and additional indicators (fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, enterococci, coliphage, and enteroviruses) in the untreated wastewater, water column, and sediments of the impacted area and drinking water treatment facility and distribution system at McMurdo Station were determined. Fecal samples from Weddell seals in this area were also collected and analyzed for indicators. All drinking water samples were negative for indicators except for a single total coliform-positive sample. Total coliforms were present in water column samples at higher concentrations than other indicators. Fecal coliform and enterococcus concentrations were similar to each other and greater than those of other indicators in sediment samples closer to the discharge site. C. perfringens concentrations were higher in sediments at greater distances from the discharge site. Seal fecal samples contained concentrations of fecal coliforms, E. coli, enterococci, and C. perfringens similar to those found in untreated sewage. All samples were negative for enteroviruses. A wastewater treatment facility at McMurdo Station has started operation, and these data provide a baseline data set for monitoring the recovery of the impacted area. The contribution of seal feces to indicator concentrations in this area should be considered.     

北海抹香鲸的年龄鉴定

将2001年5月在广西琼州海峡获得的一头体长约18．0m的特大型雄性抹香鲸(Physeter macrocephalus)遗骸的下颌齿,用自制的器械将齿沿着纵向锯成厚约1～5mm的10个薄片,用600目和2000目的金砂纸精磨和抛光至约150μm。由9位具有用耳石或鳞片鉴定鱼类年龄经验的学者,用肉眼和解剖镜观察齿纵切面的微观结构和轮纹特征。根据对牙齿磨片牙骨质和牙齿齿质上的生长层组判断,其年龄约为29龄。     

Magnetic Bead Capture Eliminates PCR Inhibitors in Samples Collected from the Airborne Environment, Permitting Detection of Pneumocystis carinii DNA

PCR detection methods are useful in studies of organisms not amenable to culture. Inhibitors in environmental samples can interfere with such assays. We describe a magnetic bead DNA capture protocol that removes inhibitors from outdoor air samples, maintaining the sensitivity of a 16S Pneumocystis carinii mitochondrial rRNA gene-based PCR.     

Ethnopharmacological Survey of Plants Used for the Treatment of Stomach, Diabetes, and Ophthalmic Diseases in Sudhan Gali, Kashmir, Pakistan

IntroductionSudhan Gali is situated at about2100mabovesea level andlies between latitude34°3′35″-34°6′35″andlongitude73°44′30″-70°48′15″.It is60kmawayfromState Capital Muzaffarabad,Kashmir,Pakistan.The highest point of Sudhan Gali is Ganga Choti.Itsheight is about3045m,whichis famous for its fasci-natinglandscape.The soil of Sudhan Gali varies fromclay loamtosandyloamand calcareousin nature.Itis veryshallowon slopes and deep in valley floors.The area has ex-treme climate with…