Ex-Situ Cultivation of Medicinal Plant Species in High Altitudes at Swat, Pakistan

IntroductionMan has long been using various plants to cure diseases and to provide relief fromhealth prob-lems.Primitive peoples fromall ages and in all locations had knowledge of medicinal plants,whichthey acquiredthroughlong experience of trial and error.The knowledge is still alive,for many plantsare still used in herbal remedies and in indigenous medicine systems all over the world(Khan,1985).A medicinal plant is any plant that contains chemical substances in one or more of its parts(root…     

Ex-Situ Cultivation of Medicinal Plant Species in High Altitudes at Swat,Pakistan

An ex-situ experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth performance of six medicinal species (Bergenia ciliata, Valeriana jatamansi, Dioscorea deltoidea, Paeonia emodi, Polygonum amplexicaule and Viola serpense) from upper Swat , Pakistan . Experiments were conducted at four different locations in the upper Swat valley at altitudes ranging from1200 to 1900 m. a. s. l . The objectives were : 1) to determine the suitability of ex-situ cultivation of different medicinal species, and; 2) to assess the economic geasibility of growing medicinal plants in the area . A highest mean survival of 80.7% across all locations was observed for Viola serpense, followed by 58.7% for Valeriana jatamansi. The remaining four species exhibited very poor survival rates , although Polygonum amplexicaule, did show encouraging signs of growth and flowered , before experiencing high mortality rates late in the trial . Altitude generally seemed to enhance the degree of sprouting for all species except Viola serpense. However, the productive yield of V. serpense was certainly not reduced, but rather slightly enhanced in the higher altitude sites. Overall, cultivation of only two of the investigated species, Valeriana jatamansi and Viola serpense, appearedsuccessful and potentially economically viable under farmland conditions at upper Swat .     

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…     

Sustainable Utilization and Economic Development of Some Plant Resources in Northern Pakistan

Overshadowed by the vast impact that habitat loss has on targeted plant species survival, it is easy to overlook the fact that utilization and harvesting of species can often result in their genetic depletion and in an often rapid downward trend of their population status. In this regard an ethnobotanical study on the medicinal plants of Shawar valley, District Swat was conducted with the aims to document medicinal plants and to examine the current status of the medicinal plants trade as well as the market chain starting from collectors to consumers. The survey reported 50 species of plants belonging to 33 families as ethnomedicinally important. These species were used as crud drugs by the local people and folk-lore for treating diseases in traditional system of medicine. The detailed local uses, recipe preparation along with their local names and diseases treated were recorded for each species.Market survey revealed that the structure of medicinal plant trade is complex and heterogeneous, involving many players. The collectors are often not aware of the high market prices and medicinal values, and most of the collected material is sold to local middlemen at a very low price. There was an increase of 3 to 5 folds in prices from collectors to the national market.Recommendations were given in the spheres of training sustainable harvesting and post harvesting of wild medicinal plant resources, trade monitoring, equitable sharing of benefits of wild resources, improved control on harvesting and trade for the conservation of resources, enhancement of cultivation efforts, future research into trade in wild harvested plants, community participation in natural resource management and value addition in the herbal products to maximize the benefits.     

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

The present paper represents the ethnopharmacological survey of Sudhan Gali, Kashmir, Pakistan. The study revealed that 12 plant species belonging to 11 families were used for the treatment of stomach, diabetes and ophthalmic diseases by the local people in Sudhan Gali. Achillea millefolium , Aconitum heterophyllum, Berberis lycium, Polygonum amplexicaule, Mentha longifolia, Paeonia emodi, Plantago lanceolata were locally used for stomach related problems treatment; Berberis lycium, Skimmia lareola, Solanum dulcamara for diabetes and Geranium wallichianum, Artemisia vulgaris, Solanum dulcamara, and Corydalis crassifolia used for the treatment of ophthalmic diseases. Two species Berberis lycium and Solanum dulcamara have multipurpose value. Former is used to treat stomach as well as diabetes while latter is used to treat not only to diabetes but also ophthalmic diseases. According to IUCN categories , out of these 12 plant species collected and marketed, Polygonum amplexicaule and Paeonia emodi are endangered, Aconitum heterophyllum; Berberis lycium species are vulnerable while Plantago lanceolata and Skimmia lareola species are rare.The availability of these medicinal plants has decreased during the past 20 years and these are facing a drastic biotic pressure due to their extensive usage and non-scientific methods of collection. It is quite evident that these valuable native medicinal plants species are going to decline in number and ultimately will become extinct if no timely proper conservation strategies are adopted.     

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

The present paper represents the ethnopharmacological survey of Sudhan Gali, Kashmir, Pakistan. The study revealed that 12 plant species belonging to 11 families were used for the treatment of stomach, diabetes and ophthalmic diseases by the local people in Sudhan Gali. Achillea millefolium , Aconitum heterophyllum, Berberis lycium, Polygonum amplexicaule, Mentha longifolia, Paeonia emodi, Plantago lanceolata were locally used for stomach related problems treatment; Berberis lycium, Skimmia lareola, Solanum dulcamara for diabetes and Geranium wallichianum, Artemisia vulgaris, Solanum dulcamara, and Corydalis crassifolia used for the treatment of ophthalmic diseases. Two species Berberis lycium and Solanum dulcamara have multipurpose value. Former is used to treat stomach as well as diabetes while latter is used to treat not only to diabetes but also ophthalmic diseases. According to IUCN categories , out of these 12 plant species collected and marketed, Polygonum amplexicaule and Paeonia emodi are endangered, Aconitum heterophyllum; Berberis lycium species are vulnerable while Plantago lanceolata and Skimmia lareola species are rare.The availability of these medicinal plants has decreased during the past 20 years and these are facing a drastic biotic pressure due to their extensive usage and non-scientific methods of collection. It is quite evident that these valuable native medicinal plants species are going to decline in number and ultimately will become extinct if no timely proper conservation strategies are adopted.     

Differential effects of interspecific interactions and water availability on survival, growth and fecundity of three congeneric grassland herbs

Fitness of individual plants and of populations depends on the rates of survival, growth and fecundity. This study tested whether vital rates were differentially affected by biotic interactions and water availability. The effects of manipulations of above-ground competition (through clipping) and water availability (through water addition) on the vital rates of seedlings of three species (Viola elatior Fries, Viola pumila Chaix and Viola stagnina Kit.) were analysed in dry, mesic and wet grasslands. Water addition and grassland type had the largest effects on survival (accounting for 41 and 24% of total variation, respectively) across species. Height growth rate was positively affected by grassland type (19%) and water addition (12%) and varied among species (8%), while leaf accumulation rates and reproduction were affected by grassland type and clipping. The data suggested facilitative effects of the canopy on seedling survival in the dry grassland. This study presents evidence that environmental conditions and biotic interactions may have differential effects on seedling survival, growth and reproduction. The findings highlight the complex interplay between spatial and temporal environmental variation and biotic interactions in structuring plant communities.     

Pollination Ecology and Endemic Trends in Pedicularis bracteosa var. atrosanguinea Pennell & Thompson (Scrophulariaceae) in North America

Abstract Pedicularis bracteosa var. atrosanguinea occurs locally in association with P. racemosa or P. groenlandica in the Olympic Mountains in Washington. Other plant species, e.g., Polygonum bistortoides, Lupinus argenteus var. parviflorus and Valeriana sitchensis compete for space and bumblebee pollinators within the study area. Pollinator sharing, resulting from such competition, may increase the frequency of unvisited flowers of P. bracteosa var. atrosanguinea. P. bracteosa var. atrosanguinea , with blood purple nectariferous flowers, is presumed to lack intense reflections of blue spectral components from its corollas in attracting bumblebees compared to those of P. racemosa and P. groenlandica . Six species of bumblebees ( Bombus ) and cuckoo bees ( Psithyrus ) pollinate P. bracteosa var. atrosanguinea . Of these, Bombus mixtus and B. occidentalis occur in higher frequencies and are the major pollinators of P. bracteosa var. atrosanguinea . Queen and larger worker bumblebees pollinate nototribically as they probe for nectar, while smaller worker bumblebees pollinate sternotribically while scraping pollen from anthers deeply hidden in the dome-shaped galea. Corbicular pollen loads of bumblebees collected in the study area contain Pedicularis pollen alone/in combination of Polygonum, Valeriana, Lupinus, Erigeron and Bidens , or exclusively of Polygonum or Valeriana. P. bracteosa var. atrosanguinea does not suffer seriously from deficient pollination but seedlings resulting from pollinated flowers may be subjected to natural selection pressure exerted by colonial plant species for space. P. bracteosa var. atrosanguinea does not propagate asexually but resumes aerial growth seasonally from the self-same underground root stocks. If seedlings are under continuous selection pressure for lack of space, P. bracteosa var. atrosanguinea is presumed to regenerate primarily by perennial root stocks. This behavior may favor endemism in P. bracteosa var. atrosanguinea .     

Chemical diversity in the essential oil of Indian valerian (Valeriana jatamansi Jones)

To explore the diversity in the essential oil yield and composition of Valeriana jatamansi Jones (syn. V. wallichii DC) growing wild in Uttarakhand (Western Himalaya), 17 populations were collected from different locations and grown under similar conditions. Comparative results showed considerable variations in the essential oil yield and composition. The essential oil yield varied from 0.21 to 0.46% in the fresh roots and rhizomes of different populations of V. jatamansi. Analysis of the essential oils by GC (RI) and GC/MS and the subsequent classification by principal component analysis (PCA) resulted in six clusters with significant variations in their terpenoid composition. Major components in the essential oils of the different populations were patchouli alcohol (1; 13.4-66.7%), α-bulnesene (3; <0.05-23.5%), α-guaiene (4; 0.2-13.3%), guaiol (5; <0.05-12.2%), seychellene (6; 0.2-9.9%) viridiflorol (<0.05-7.3%), and β-gurjunene (7; 0.0-7.1%). V. jatamansi populations with contents of 1 higher than 60% may be utilized commercially in perfumery.     

Genetic Structure of Indian Valerian (Valeriana jatamansi) Populations in Western Himalaya Revealed by AFLP

Valeriana jatamansi Jones is a natural tetraploid species indigenous to the Indian Himalaya. To assess its genetic diversity and population structure, we analyzed six natural populations from the western Himalayan region using amplified fragment length polymorphism. An analysis of molecular variance found that 93% of the genetic variation of V. jatamansi was within populations and 7% among populations. The correlation between genetic and geographic distances (r = 0.14) was not significant. Though the populations are well separated, the lack of distinct genetic variation between populations may be due to either recent rapid fragmentation from a wide and continuous area resulting in genetically similar populations or wide dispersal of seed by wind, since the follicles are feathery. Polyploidy may be the reason for the lack of genetic impoverishment due to fragmentation.     

Variation in penaeid shrimp growth rates along an estuarine salinity gradient: Implications for managing river diversions

Freshwater inflows from river diversions may affect nekton populations by altering the salinity and temperature of estuarine waters. To investigate the influence of these environmental variables on the growth and survival rates of brown shrimp Farfantepenaeus aztecus and white shrimp Litopenaeus setiferus, we conducted field experiments in May and September 2007 to expose experimental animals to the range of different combinations of salinity and water temperature that commonly occur in an estuarine environment. Growth rates for shrimp held in mesocosms for approximately 7 days were compared among four locations and three treatments; locations were identified by the dominant marsh vegetation and distance from the Gulf of Mexico (low to high salinity: Intermediate, Brackish, Saline UE = Saline Up Estuary, Saline DE = Saline Down Estuary). At each location, the treatments were replicated four times and included shallow water with additional food, shallow water without food added, and deeper water (an attempt to expose animals to lower temperatures). Our experiments were designed to test the null hypothesis that shrimp growth and survival rates did not differ by location or treatment. Both brown shrimp and white shrimp grew more slowly at the Intermediate than higher salinity locations. Potential prey (benthic infauna) biomass was relatively low at both the Intermediate and Brackish locations in May, and both shrimp species consistently grew faster in mesocosms where food was added. We conclude that reduced growth in low salinity environments is likely due to the combined effects of increased metabolic costs and less food in these areas. River diversions that reduce estuarine salinities over a large portion of available habitat during peak recruitment periods may reduce overall growth rates and shrimp productivity in the affected areas.     

蓼属植物的化学成分与生物活性研究进展

蓼属(Polygonum)是蓼科中的一个药用大属,我国约有120种,其中81种供药用,包括许多著名的中药和民间药。从上世纪80年代开始,对本属植物的化学成分及药理作用研究,逐渐受到了关注。本文对90年代以来,国内外对该属药用植物化学及药理活性的研究进行综述。     

中国药用植物可持续利用战略框架简述

China is the birth-place of Traditional Chines Medicine (TCM) and has a rich diversity of medicinal plant resources. With the rapid increase in consumer demands for crude drugs and natural health products, many medicinal plant species are threatened with extinction from overexploitation and habitat destruction. To ensure the sustainable use of medicinal plant resources, we discuss in this article, a conservation framework consisting of conservation strategies, cultivation practices and various technologies. Conservation strategies include establishing in-situ and ex-situ conservation centers, setting up government policies and regulations, establishing methods for resource surveying and trade monitoring and establishing and enforcing Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). In terms of technologies, we use a remote multi-level sensing system and DNA barcoding technologies as examples to demonstrate their roles in the conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plant resources in China.     

Assessment of local management practices on the population ecology of some medicinal plants in the coniferous forest of Northern Parts of Pakistan

A study on the assessment of local management practices on the population of three medicinal plants viz.: Persicaria amplexicaule. D. Don., Valeriana jatamansi Jones and Viola serpens Wall ex Roxb was conducted during 2002–2004 in the coniferous forest of Northern Parts of Pakistan. The objective of the study was to know the impact of current management practices on the population size of targeted plants. The study showed that the involvement of locals in the gathering of targeted plants varied with the change in elevation. Among the targeted plants V. serpens was collected by large majorities of people (83.3%) at 2700 m followed by 72% at 2300 m and 37% at 1900 m. V. jatamansi was harvested by a small number of people (18.1%) at 1900 and 2300 m each, followed by 8.3% at 2700 m. While P. amplexicaule was harvested by a few collectors (9.1%) at 1900 m and 9.6% at 2300 m followed by 8.3% at 2700 m. The study concluded that these species have been extracted so heavily in the past that they are found now sparsely in some sites of the study area. Secondly, due to loss of its habitat by deforestation and encroachment of land for cultivation its population is on the decline towards extinction. Therefore, the current study recommends the conservation of the remaining populations of targeted plants through active participation of local communities.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Kuth</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Saussurea lappa</Emphasis>) cultivation in the cold desert environment of the Lahaul valley,northwestern Himalaya,India: arising threats and need to revive socio-economic values

Surveys were conducted in the cold desert environment of the Lahaul valley in the northwestern Himalaya for assessing the past and present status of Kuth (Saussurea lappa) cultivation. The findings reveal that this age-old practice now is in bottleneck. Main factors responsible for this setback to the species were the lengthy cultivation cycle, small land holdings, and even fluctuating and relatively low market prices. Owing to these constraints farmers have now started replacing cultivation of this threatened herb with pea (Pisum sativum L.), potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and hop (Humulus lupulus L.). These crops obtained popularity due to comparatively more economic returns as well as their easy adaptability to the short growth season of the cold desert environment. Kuth cultivation in this region is among the interesting examples of domesticating wild medicinal herb by some innovative farmers during the 1920s. However, in the recent past farmers have been less interested to continue this practice due to its larger cultivation cycle, more profits with cash crops like pea and potato, and permit formalities at the time of export from the valley. In addition to being the oldest cash crop in the cold desert environment, Kuth is an endangered medicinal herb that has to be conserved on a priority basis. This study attempts to find out potential measures such as regular revision of market rates, development of existing uncultivable land under medicinal plant cultivation and strengthening the marketing network through establishment of federations of farmers at village level to revive cultivation of this important species.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ceratozamia zaragozae</Emphasis> Medellín-Leal (Zamiaceae), an endangered Mexican cycad: New information on population structure and spatial distribution

Ceratozamia zaragozae has been considered to be the most threatened cycad species in its genus since only 50 individuals were reported for the only known population in the state of San Luis Potosí, México. In this report we present information on newly discovered populations, as well as data on their population structure and spatial distribution. Six different populations were found, one of which is located in a Natural Protected Area. Population density was low (0.05 ± 0.038 ind/m²) and populations exhibited an unconventional ecological affinity for the genus, occurring on igneous soils in oak and pine-oak forests at elevations over 2000 m. Populations showed heterogeneous growth rates (λ = 0.89 ± 0.49). Spatial clustering patterns in all populations indicated adequate recruitment, low survival of juveniles, and spatial dependence between seedlings/juveniles and reproductive adults. We recommend the ex-situ cultivation of the species and the establishment of corridors between areas of habitat, in order to secure the preservation of the species.     

翼蓼和中华抱茎蓼挥发油化学成分分析

采用水蒸气蒸馏法分别从翼蓼和中华抱茎蓼中提取其挥发油,并用气相色谱-质谱联用技术(GC-MS)对挥发油中的化学成分进行分离和结构鉴定,运用气相色谱峰面积归一化法确定各成分的相对百分含量.结果表明:翼蓼中总共鉴定出31种成分,中华抱茎蓼中鉴定出21种成分,分别占到挥发油总含量的84.0%和93.8%,翼蓼挥发油中主要成分是表蓝桉醇(15.9%)、甲苯(8.6%)、反式橙花叔醇(6.9%);中华抱茎蓼挥发油主要成分为邻苯二甲酸二异丁酯(19.9%)、2,4-戊二酮(17.2%)、邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(11.7%)、3-甲基-2,3-二氢苯并呋喃(10.7%).     

Castles and Abbeys in Wales: Refugia for ‘Mediaeval’ Medicinal Plants

Summary

The restriction to the walls and immediate vicinity of Welsh castles, abbeys and other ancient settlement of a group of species known to have medicinal properties, coupled with the absence of these species from apparently suitable intervening terrain, suggests relict status from former cultivation. On site archaeological evidence of relevant seed or other macro-remains is sparse from these sites. Arguments in favour of such lengthy survival at these ‘ancient’ locations are discussed, as is the alternative view that only at such sites are suitable habitat requirements met. Species considered include Sambucus ebulus, Hyoscyamus niger, Verbena officinalis and Lamium album.     

A new species of Viola (Violaceae) from south-west Turkey

Viola dirimliensis Blaxland is described as a new annual species from south-west Turkey, belonging to section Melanium Gingins. It was found growing only on serpentinite, in two adjacent locations in Mula vilayet, west of Antalya, at altitudes of 1500–1690 m. The locations were typical serpentinite barrens, almost bare of vegetation, with some plants of Muscari macrocarpum , and a few trees of Pinus nigra var. caramanica . The Viola is named after the type location, the Dermil Pass or Dirimli Geçidi, where the tiny plants were growing between the rocks on south-facing slopes. Their distinct golden-yellow flowers are unlike any of the other small annual Viola species found in Turkey.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 145 , 505–509.