Ethno-medicinal plants of tribal people: A case study in Pakyong subdivision of East Sikkim,India

BackgroundTribal people of India still use ancient traditional health care practices, using available plants in their surroundings. Traditional knowledge of medicine is vanishing due to urbanization and outmigration thus its urgent need to preserve this valuable knowledge.MethodsThis recent study was carried out in Pakyong subdivision of East Sikkim during 2016–17, and information was collected interviewing 71 informants of the Lepcha, Bhotia, and Nepali tribes.ResultsPresent study documenting 60 useful plant species belonging to 38 families, used for local health care needs including ten veterinary useful species. Herbaceous plants were used in high proportion (32 species, 54%) followed by trees (20, 33%), shrubs (20, 8%) and climbers (3, 5%). Leaves were the most frequently used plant parts and decoction was the common drug formulation among the inhabitants. The Informant consensus factor (ICF) ranged between 0.88 and 0.97, and fidelity levels in the study region were varied from 11.53% to 100%.ConclusionDocumentation of local plant uses by tribal people will be helpful in sustainable use of indigenous practices of medicinal plants, and further information may be used for pharmacological investigation and novel phytoconstituents isolation.     

Ethnobotanical study and biodiversity of medicinal plants used in the Tarfaya Province,Morocco

BackgroundThis study was carried out among the inhabitants of the province of Tarfaya (Moroccan Center South), in order to make an inventory of the medicinal plants used in traditional herbal medicine by the local population.MethodsInformation was obtained by means of open interviews with local people using the questionnaires. The data was analyzed using Use Value (UV), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Fidelity Level (FL) and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF).ResultsThe analysis of the results allowed us to identify 130 vascular plant species in 57 families with a significant representativeness of Lamiaceae (10%), Asteraceae (9.23%), Fabaceae (8.46%), Apiaceae (6.15%), Poaceae (3.85%), Solanaceae (3.07%) and Amaranthaceae (3.07%). These species are mainly used in the care of the digestive and genito-urinary disorders. The UV ranged from 0.01 (Aframomum melegueta) to 0.34 (Maerua crassifolia). The RFC ranged from 0.01 (Aframomum melegueta) to 0.32 (Maerua crassifolia). The highest FL (100%) was found for 38 species, while the highest values of ICF were recorded for gastrointestinal pains (0.972).ConclusionThis study revealed rich ethnomedicinal knowledge in the Tarfaya province. Furthermore, ethnobotanical analysis will provide data for further pharmacological studies.     

Traditional knowledge and diversity of wild medicinal plants in El Kantara's area (Algerian Sahara gate): An ethnobotany survey

The following study is considered as the first ethnobotanical survey in El Kantara's area; the gateway to the Algerian Sahara. The main objective of this survey is to document the indigenous knowledge and to highlight the floristic diversity of this region in order to establish a catalog of traditional medicinal plants used in phytotherapy and the food field, It is useful for subsequent pharmacological research. Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted for two years (2017–2019). The surveys collected sociodemographic data (age, sex, education level) and traditional knowledge on medicinal plants (vernacular name, part used, method of use). The data collected throughout the structured interview was analyzed by using quantitative indices in terms of the value of the use of the species (UV), informant consensus factor (ICF), and fidelity level (FL). A total of 95 informants reported 60 medicinal plants belonging to 29 botanical families of which 11 species have food usage. Asteraceae was the most common family (21.66%), followed by the Lamiaceae family (15%). Results of sociodemographic data showed the predominance of female sex with (64.21%), the majority of surveyed people are aged between 40 and 50 years old, while (67.37%) of the informants were illiterate. Artemisia herba-alba Asso was the most frequently used by the local population, with the highest UV of 1.26 (120 usage reports). The leaves were most used, while infusion was the most preferred form of use. New usage of 28 species was documented. Gastrointestinal system disorders and cardiovascular system diseases had the highest ICF (0.94) with 451 and 261 use reports respectively. The most common species Paronychia argentea Lam. was used for kidney disorders with a degree of fidelity of 100%. This study has highlighted the importance of traditional medicine in the El Kantara area and revealed a wealth of ethnobotanical knowledge in phytotherapy and the food sector. Findings should be subjects of further pharmacological and food studies to isolate bioactive compounds and validate their use.     

Quantitative ethnobotanical study of therapeutic plants of Amarkantak hills in Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve,Central India

Amarkantak is a natural heritage site with luxuriant flora on the hilly terrain of Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve, Central India. The Gonds, Baigas, and other ethnic communities in the area have a wealth of traditional knowledge and practice phytotherapy as health practitioners. The study was undertaken to document the plants of ethnopharmacological significance and their quantitative analyses. The traditional knowledge was collected from informants using open interviews and semi-structured questionnaires. Including 42 health practitioners, a total of 286 respondents were interviewed. The data were analyzed through quantitative indices like Use value (UV), Family use-value (FUV), Relative Importance (RI), Fidelity level (FL), and Informant consensus factor (ICF). The findings on sociocultural demography and therapeutic utilization of plants were discussed in the context of previously published information. The report explained that 173 species belonging to 148 genera and 65 plant families were used against 17 disease categories. The highly mentioned families are Fabaceae (11.5%), Asteraceae (6.9%), Apocynaceae (5.7%), and Lamiaceae (5.7%). The most cited species are Andrographis paniculata, Ocimum sanctum, Tinospora sinensis, Holarrhena pubescens, Cyanoglossum lanceolatum, and Azadirachta indica, within 0.66–0.68 UV. Herbs (45.6%), leaves (17%), and hot infusion (22%) were the most preferred plant forms, employed parts, and recipes for the preparation of drugs. The gastrointestinal illness was the leading cause of concern in the area with 95 reports and a maximum ICF (0.71). The Hypoxidaceae family with a single highly used medicinal plant had the highest FUV (0.54). Curcuma longa (RI: 61.42) was found to be the most suitable species for treating a wide range of body systems. A. paniculata was the most chosen therapeutic plant with the highest FL (90.9). The findings look into a few key plant species with high use values that deserve special attention in drug development. The report recommends that ethnomedicinal plants be studied further for scientific validation after in vitro and in vivo investigations in disease-induced animal models, as well as safety assessments and clinical trials, to ensure safe therapy.     

Ethnomedicinal flora of Frontier Region Tank,Fata, Pakistan

Main objective of the study was to record the ethnobotanical uses of indigenous plants of the federally administered tribal area (FATA), Bhittani (Local Tribe). Total interviewed local informants of different ages through questionnaire were 212 (196 male and 16 female). Well-known statistical indices, Use Value (UVi) formula and Fidelity Level (FL%) were used for quantification of the recorded data. After identification, the collected specimens were deposited in the Herbarium of Botany Department, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Present findings reveal that 38 plants species belonging to 26 families were being used in the treatment of 31 different diseases. Regarding plant habit, herbs were the leading growth form (63%), followed by trees (24%) and shrubs (13%) respectively. Solanaceae (13.16%) was leading family used in curing various diseases, followed by Asteraceae and Moraceae (7.89% each). Most cited families by the informants were Solanaceae (5 species, 137 citations), Asteraceae (3 species, 81 citations), Moraceae (3 species, 69 citations) and Amaryllidaceae (2 species, 57 citations). Most of taxa were used in curing constipation and stomach problem (9.88% each), followed by pain and cough (7.41% each), digestive and fever (4.96% each). Most frequently used plant part for curing different diseases was leaves (33.33%), followed by fruits (21.67%) and roots (13.33%). Medicinal plants with most use values and high ranks were Withania coagulans (0.88) ranked 1^st and Cichorium intybus 2^nd (0.81) while Cichorium intybus also showed 100% FL value. Plants of study area provide most of the basic requirements for the survival of local communities. There is huge pressure exerted on the natural vegetation due to their overuse by the inhabitants of the area. If proper remedial measures are not taken soon, this process may lead to decline of the valuable plant species from the study area.     

Extracts from Field Margin Weeds Provide Economically Viable and Environmentally Benign Pest Control Compared to Synthetic Pesticides

Plants with pesticidal properties have been investigated for decades as alternatives to synthetics, but most progress has been shown in the laboratory. Consequently, research on pesticidal plants is failing to address gaps in our knowledge that constrain their uptake. Some of these gaps are their evaluation of their efficacy under field conditions, their economic viability and impact on beneficial organisms. Extracts made from four abundant weed species found in northern Tanzania, Tithonia diversifolia, Tephrosia vogelii, Vernonia amygdalina and Lippia javanica offered effective control of key pest species on common bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris) that was comparable to the pyrethroid synthetic, Karate. The plant pesticide treatments had significantly lower effects on natural enemies (lady beetles and spiders). Plant pesticide treatments were more cost effective to use than the synthetic pesticide where the marginal rate of return for the synthetic was no different from the untreated control, around 4USD/ha, compared to a rate of return of around 5.50USD/ha for plant pesticide treatments. Chemical analysis confirmed the presence of known insecticidal compounds in water extracts of T. vogelii (the rotenoid deguelin) and T. diversifolia (the sesquiterpene lactone tagitinin A). Sesquiterpene lactones and the saponin vernonioside C were also identified in organic extracts of V. amygdalina but only the saponin was recorded in water extracts which are similar to those used in the field trial. Pesticidal plants were better able to facilitate ecosystem services whilst effectively managing pests. The labour costs of collecting and processing abundant plants near farm land were less than the cost of purchasing synthetic pesticides.     

Children's traditional ecological knowledge of wild food resources: a case study in a rural village in Northeast Thailand

An ethnobotanical study was conducted from October 2005 to June 2006 to investigate the uses of medicinal plants by people in Zegie Peninsula, northwestern Ethiopia. Information was gathered from 200 people: 70 female and 130 males, using semistructured questionnaire. Of which, six were male local healers. The informants, except the healers, were selected randomly and no appointment was made prior to the visits. Informant consensus factor (ICF) for category of aliments and the fidelity level (FL) of the medicinal plants were determined. Sixty-seven medicinal plants used as a cure for 52 aliments were documented. They are distributed across 42 families and 64 genera. The most frequently utilized plant part was the underground part (root/rhizome/bulb) (42%). The largest number of remedies was used to treat gastrointestinal disorder and parasites infections (22.8%) followed by external injuries and parasites infections (22.1%). The administration routes are oral (51.4%), external (38.6%), nasal (7.9%), and ear (2.1%). The medicinal plants that were presumed to be effective in treating a certain category of disease, such as 'mich' and febrile diseases (0.80) had higher ICF values. This probably indicates a high incidence of these types of diseases in the region, possibly due to the poor socio-economic and sanitary conditions of this people. The medicinal plants that are widely used by the local people or used as a remedy for a specific aliment have higher FL values (Carissa spinarum, Clausena anisata, Acokanthera schimperi, Calpurnia aurea, Ficus thonningii, and Cyphostemma junceum) than those that are less popular or used to treat more than one type of aliments (Plumbago zeylanicum, Dorstenia barnimiana).     

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.     

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by the Kani tribes of Pechiparai Hills,Western Ghats,India

BackgroundThe present study was conducted among the Kani, a tribe settled in the Pechiparai hills of Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Ghats, to document and quantify their traditional knowledge on the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of various human ailments.MethodsEthnomedicinal data were collected from the Kani by using semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed by using use value (UV), informant consensus factor (F_ic), fidelity level (FL) and family use value (FUV).ResultsIn total, 138 species representing 126 genera belonging to 60 families were reported to have medicinal value and were extensively used by the tribe. Leguminosae was the most speciose family, including 14% (19 species) of identified species. Leaf (50%; 69 species) was found to be the part most used to prepare drugs; leaf extract in the form of juice (26%) was the most widely used preparation; and remedies were often administered orally (53%). The highest UV was recorded for Aristolochia indica (0.35) with 18 use reports, whereas the highest F_ic (0.09) was noted for the ailment category ‘fever’. The wide use of Curcuma longa has strong pharmacological evidence – that it is effective in treating various ailments.ConclusionThe present study was the first quantitative survey of the traditional use of medicinal plants by the Kani and will help in the conservation of this invaluable inheritance.     

Indigenous oral knowledge of wild medicinal plants from the Peren district of Nagaland,India in the Indo Burma hot-spot

The paper report the oral traditional knowledge of wild medicinal plants usage by the indigenous ethnic tribal community from the Peren district of Nagaland, India in the Indo-Burma Hotspot. The pioneer study was based on the semi-structured interview of locals (N = 240) in the 12 villages of the Peren District during 2014 ‐ 2018. In total, 179 ethnomedicinal plants from 140 genera and 72 families were documented and identified. The medicinal plants were used for the treatment of 96 different ailments grouped into 18 categories. The medicinal plants also showed high versatile nature with 85 species reported to treat five / eleven different ailments, respectively. The ethnobotanical information obtained from the field documentation will contribute in the development of potential drugs in the future from the diverse wild medicinal plants of the region and contribute towards the preservation of the oral tradition that is disappearing.     

Ethnomedicinal study of plants used for human ailments in Ankober District,North Shewa Zone,Amhara Region,Ethiopia

Background

Ankober District has long been inhabited by people who have a long tradition of using medicinal plants to treat human ailments. Overexploitation of medicinal plants coupled with an ever-increasing population growth, deforestation and agricultural land expansion threatens plants in the area. Hence, this study aimed at documenting and analyzing the plant-based ethnomedicinal knowledge of the people in order to preserve the dwindling indigenous knowledge.

Methods

Ethnobotanical data were collected using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, participant observation and walk-in-the-woods. Quantitative approaches were used to determine Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) and Fidelity level (FL) values. Statistical tests were used to compare the indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants among different informant categories.

Results

A total of 135 medicinal plant species belonging to 128 genera and 71 botanical families were reported to treat human diseases in the District. Families Asteraceae (12 species, 9%) and Fabaceae (10, 7.4%) were found to be best represented in the area. About 44% of preparations were reported to be obtained from roots. Significant difference (P?<?0.05) was observed on the mean number of medicinal plants reported by groups of respondents compared within age, literacy level and experience parameters. Highest ICF values were recorded for gastro-intestinal & parasitic and dermatological disease categories (0.70 each) indicating best agreement among informants knowledge on medicinal plants used to treat aliments in these categories. Highest fidelity level values were recorded for Zehneria scabra (95%) and Hagenia abyssinica (93.75%) showing conformity of knowledge on species of best healing potential. Podocarpus falcatus was ranked first in a direct matrix ranking exercise of multipurpose medicinal plants. The output of preference ranking exercise indicated that Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata was the most preferred species to treat atopic eczema.

Conclusion

The study revealed that Ankober District is rich in medicinal plant diversity and associated indigenous knowledge. However, anthropogenic factors coupled with acculturation and very poor conservation efforts threaten medicinal plant survival in the area. Promoting a complementary in situ and ex situ conservation strategy for medicinal plants of the District is highly recommended.

     

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in Ganta Afeshum District,Eastern Zone of Tigray,Northern Ethiopia

Background

Starting from the ancient time, the people of Ethiopia use medicinal plants as traditional medicine to heal different human and livestock ailments. This ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants was carried out in Ganta Afeshum District, Eastern Zone of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia, to identify medicinal plant species used by the local community to treat various human and livestock ailments.

Methods

A total of 78 informants (54 men and 24 women) were selected to collect ethnobotanical information from four study sites. Among the 78 informants, 20 key informants were selected purposefully; the other 58 informants were selected randomly by lottery method. Ethnobotanical data were collected using semi-structured interviews, field observations, guided field walks, and group discussions and were analyzed by preference ranking, paired comparison, direct matrix ranking, informant consensus factor, fidelity level (FL), use-value, independent samples t test, and Pearson correlation coefficients.

Results

A total of 173 medicinal plants were collected and identified that were distributed across 77 families and 156 genera. The family Fabaceae stood first by contributing 17 (9.8%) species followed by Lamiaceae and Solanaceae with 9 (5.2%) species each. Rhamnus prinoides was reported for the treatment of many of the described diseases. One hundred sixteen (67.1%) medicinal plant species were collected from natural vegetation, 34 (19.7) were from home gardens, 13 (7.5%) from farmland, and 10 (5.8%) were from natural vegetation and home gardens. The most widely used life form was herbs (69 species, 39.9%) followed by shrubs (58 species, 33.5%). The most commonly used part of the medicinal plants was the leaves followed by roots. The plants were prepared by grinding, powdering, squeezing, roasting, and burning and were administered through oral, dermal, nasal, anal, ocular, and vaginal, and on the surface of the teeth. The most commonly used applications were by drinking, smearing, eating, fumigation, and chewing. There was no difference between men and women informants, showing that the two sexes had similar knowledge in the use of traditional medicinal plants. Educational level and medicinal plant knowledge of informants were negatively correlated; whereas age and medicinal plant knowledge of informants were positively correlated.

Conclusions

Ganta Afeshum District is relatively rich in diversity of medicinal plant resources accompanied with a rich indigenous knowledge within the local communities to harvest and effectively use to prevent different human and livestock ailments. However, nowadays, deforestation, agricultural expansion, overgrazing, drought, and overexploitation are threatening these properties. Therefore, people of the study area should apply complementary conservation approaches (in situ and ex situ) for sustainable use of these resources and to prevent species extinction.

     

Phytochemical biopesticides: some recent developments

Synthetic pesticides in general, are highly toxic, persistent and their harmful residues contaminate crops, food commodities and pollute soils and groundwater. They adversely affect non-target organisms like pollinators, fish, birds, animals, and their excessive use results in increased resistance in pests. Phytochemical biopesticides on the other hand are less toxic, least persistent, environment friendly and safe to humans and non target organisms. Several phytochemical biopesticides like azadirachtin, nicotine, pyrethrins, rotenone, veratrum, annonins, rocaglamides, isobutylamides etc. have been successfully commercilalized in the past. In this review pesticidal products based on Madhuca indica (Mahua), Sapindus mukorossi (soapnut), Curcuma longa (turmeric), Pongamia glabra (karanja), Eupatorium adenophorum (Crofton weed), Tagetes erecta (marigold), Rheum emodi (Himalayan Rhubarb) and essential oil bearing plants have been discussed. Natural insecticide synergists derived from Anethum sowa and their semisynthetic derivatives have been used to prolong efficacy and counter resistance in insect pests.     

Documentation and quantitative analysis of the traditional knowledge on medicinal plants in Udumalpet Block,Tiruppur District,Tamil Nadu,India

IntroductionHerbal medicines have drawn a great attention Worldwide owing to their medicinal application without side effects. The present study aimed to document and quantitatively analyze the usage of medicinal plants in the Udumalpet Block, Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu by conducting medico-ethnobotanical survey as the existence of traditional knowledge on medicinal plants in the rural and urban areas are questionable and need the documentation work to conserve.MethodsFrequent surveys were carried out during the period of December 2017–December 2018 among the rural/urban communities of Udumalpet block. Data were collected by interviewing the informants. For each recorded species, quantitative data of Informant Consensus Factor (F_ic), Use value (UV), Family Use value (FUV), Relative Frequency Citation (RFC), Fidelity Level (FL) and Informants Agreement Ratio (IAR) have been analyzed using Chi-Square test and t-test.ResultsA total of 57 informants were interviewed to document the herbal preparation and 128 flowering plants belonging to 111 genera of 56 families were recorded. The results of Fic value showed that, Respiratory System Diseases (RSD) has the greatest agreement, followed by Dental Care (DC) and Skeleto-Muscular System Disorder (SMSD) etc. 62 species were recorded with highest Fidelity Level (FL) are Abrus precatorius, Gymnema sylvestre, Justicia tranquebarensis, Oxalis corniculata etc. for various ailments. Allium cepa var. aggregatum is recorded with highest UV in the treatment of RSD and DID. The Family Zingiberaceae having the highest FUV of 0.38 with 65 uses reports. As a result of the study Acalypha fruticosa, Azadirachta indica, Curcuma longa, Delonix elata, Kedrostis foetidissima, Senna auriculata, Withania somnifera and Zingiber officinale are used in the treatment of more than five ailment categories.ConclusionResults of the present study showed that the rural and urban inhabitants of the study areas are still considerably relying on the medicinal plants for the treatment of common ailments and diseases. However, urbanization due to the anthropogenic pressure is found to be the major threats for the medicinal flora of the study areas.     

Prevalence of clinical malaria and household characteristics of patients in tribal districts of Pakistan

BackgroundMalaria, disproportionately affects poor people more than any other disease of public health concern in developing countries. In resource-constrained environments, monitoring the occurrence of malaria is essential for the success of national malaria control programs. Militancy and military conflicts have been a major challenge in monitoring the incidence and controlling malaria and other emerging infectious diseases. The conflicts and instability in Afghanistan have resulted in the migration of refugees into the war-torn tribal districts of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province and the possible introduction of many contagious epidemics. Although malaria is very common in all tribal districts, molecular, clinical and epidemiological data are scarce in these high-burden districts. Therefore, for the proper surveillance, detection, and control of malaria, obtaining and analyzing reliable data in these districts is essential.Methodology/Principal findingsAll 1,127 malaria-suspected patients were sampled within the transmission season in the tribal districts of KPK province between March 2016 to December 2018. After a detailed demographic and clinical investigation of malaria-suspected patients, the data were recorded. The data of the control group was collected simultaneously at the same site. They were considered as uncomplicated cases for statistical analyses. Blood samples were collected from malaria-suspected patients for the detection of Plasmodium species using microscopy and nested PCR (nPCR). Microscopy and nPCR examination detected 78% (n = 882) and 38% (n = 429) Plasmodium-positive patients, respectively. Among1,127 of 429nPCR detected cases with both species of malaria, the frequency of complications was as follows: anemia (n = 71; 16.5%), decompensated shock (n = 40; 9%), hyperpyrexia (n = 117; 27%), hyperparasitaemia (n = 49; 11%) hypoglycemia (n = 45; 10.5%), jaundice (n = 54; 13%), multiple convulsions (n = 37; 9%), and petechia (n = 16; 4%). We observed that 37% (n = 157 out of 429) of those patients infected by both Plasmodium species were children between the ages of 1 and 15 years old. The results revealed that Bajaur (24%), Kurram (20%), and Khyber (18%) districtshada higher proportion of P. vivax than P. falciparum cases. Most of the malaria cases were males (74%). Patients infected by both Plasmodium species tended to less commonly have received formal education and ownership of wealth indicators (e.g., fridge, TV set) was lower.Conclusions/SignificanceMalaria in tribal districts of the KPK province largely affects young males. P. vivax is a major contributor to the spread of malaria in the area, including severe malaria. We observed a high prevalence of P. vivax in the Bajaur district. Children were the susceptible population to malaria infections whereas they were the least expected to use satisfactory prevention strategies. A higher level of education, a possession of TV sets, the use of bed nets, the use of repellent fluids, and fridges were all associated with protection from malaria. An increased investment in socio-economic development, a strong health infrastructure, and malaria education are key interventions to reduce malaria in the tribal districts.     

Ethnobotanical and antibacterial study of Primula plants traditionally used in the indigenous communities of Western Himalaya,Pakistan

BackgroundThe upper belt of Azad Kashmir is a hilly, mountainous, and remote area where the indigenous communities mainly believe in traditional medicines for the treatment of different ailments. This study aimed to conserve scientifically and culturally important medicinal knowledge of Primula species in Azad Kashmir, Western Himalaya, Pakistan. The additional objective was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of these plants against pathogenic bacteria.MethodsThe ethnomedicinal data of Primula species was explored by conducting structured interviews with 40 informants of the study area, especially asking about the medicinal uses of Primula species. The indigenously used Primula species were further analyzed for their antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria by using disc diffusion assay supplemented with a more robust minimum inhibitory concentration assay.ResultsEthnomedicinal data revealed that indigenous communities living in upper regions of Azad Kashmir use 5 Primula species for the treatment of various disorders. The highly cited disease category was ophthalmic disorders. P. denticulata and P. macrophylla were the most cited plant species with higher use reports such as 104 and 93, respectively. One or more extracts of different parts of Primula species showed a noteworthy antibacterial activity against one or more tested bacteria.ConclusionThis study provides novel information regarding several categories of traditional uses and antibacterial activity of Primula species in Azad Kashmir, Western Himalaya. The need for novel and more effective drugs derived from natural products is more important than ever, making future studies on herbal remedies both justified and urgently required.     

Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants used in Palestine (Northern West Bank): A comparative study

Background

A comparative food ethnobotanical study was carried out in fifteen local communities distributed in five districts in the Palestinian Authority, PA (northern West Bank), six of which were located in Nablus, two in Jenin, two in Salfit, three in Qalqilia, and two in Tulkarm. These are among the areas in the PA whose rural inhabitants primarily subsisted on agriculture and therefore still preserve the traditional knowledge on wild edible plants.

Methods

Data on the use of wild edible plants were collected for one-year period, through informed consent semi-structured interviews with 190 local informants. A semi-quantitative approach was used to document use diversity, and relative importance of each species.

Results and discussion

The study recorded 100 wild edible plant species, seventy six of which were mentioned by three informants and above and were distributed across 70 genera and 26 families. The most significant species include Majorana syriaca, Foeniculum vulgare, Malvasylvestris, Salvia fruticosa, Cyclamen persicum, Micromeria fruticosa, Arum palaestinum, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Gundelia tournefortii, and Matricaria aurea. All the ten species with the highest mean cultural importance values (mCI), were cited in all five areas. Moreover, most were important in every region. A common cultural background may explain these similarities. One taxon (Majoranasyriaca) in particular was found to be among the most quoted species in almost all areas surveyed. CI values, as a measure of traditional botanical knowledge, for edible species in relatively remote and isolated areas (Qalqilia, and Salfit) were generally higher than for the same species in other areas. This can be attributed to the fact that local knowledge of wild edible plants and plant gathering are more spread in remote or isolated areas.

Conclusion

Gathering, processing and consuming wild edible plants are still practiced in all the studied Palestinian areas. About 26 % (26/100) of the recorded wild botanicals including the most quoted and with highest mCI values, are currently gathered and utilized in all the areas, demonstrating that there are ethnobotanical contact points among the various Palestinian regions. The habit of using wild edible plants is still alive in the PA, but is disappearing. Therefore, the recording, preserving, and infusing of this knowledge to future generations is pressing and fundamental.     

Ethnomedicinal assessment of Irula tribes of Walayar valley of Southern Western Ghats,India

The present study was aimed to explore the traditional knowledge of Irula tribal people who are practicing herbal medicine in Walayar valley, the Southern Western Ghats, India. A total number of 146 species of plants distributed in 122 genera belonging to 58 families were identified as commonly used ethnomedicinal plants by them. Interestingly, 26 new claims were also made in the present study. Through the data obtained from Irula tribal healers, the herbs were mostly used for medicine (40.4%) followed by trees (26.7%) and climbers (18.5%). In addition leaves were highly used for medicinal purposes, collected from 55 species (38%) followed by multiple parts from 18 species (12%). Acorus calamus is the species of higher use value (1.80) assessed to be prescribed most commonly for the treatment of cough. High informant consensus factor (1.0) obtained for insecticidal uses and cooling agent indicates that the usage of Canarium strictum and Melia dubia, and Mimosa pudica and Sesamum indicum respectively for that purposes had obtained high degree of agreement among the healers in using these species for the respective purposes. The most commonly used method of preparation was decoction (63%) followed by raw form (23%), paste (12%) and powder (2%). Therefore, it is suggested to take-up pharmacological and phytochemical studies to evaluate the species to confirm the traditional knowledge of Irulas on medicinal plants.     

Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants in Thanjavur and its surrounding (Tamil Nadu - India)

The present study aims to document data about the traditional uses of plants in health-care trainers among the local peoples of areas which may lead to natural drug invention development. There is urgency in recording such data for ethnobotanical studies using many statistical calculations were applied. Totally, 137 informants were selected from 8 villages by their traditional knowledge about medicinal plants. The collected specimens were statistically analyzed by Frequency citation (FC), Relative frequency citation (RFC), Use values (UV), Relative importance (RI), Cultural index (CI), Frequency index (FI) and Pearson correlation Co-efficient. Totally, 85 medicinal plants belonging to 73 families were documented through traditional people of Thanjavur for the treatment of 17 different ailments in which paste based herbal medicine is highly used (30%). Among the families, Acanthaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Malvaceae are dominant species with each five, Solanaceae with four species, Amaranthaceae, Apiaceae, Convulcacaeae, Aizoaceae, Apocynaceae, Lamiaceae and Rubiaceae with each three species and Capparaceae, Lythraceae, Anacardiaceae are recorded each two species and remaining families were one species respectively. In this quantitative ethnobotanical analysis, the high use values were recorded as Solanum trilobatum (1.31), Thespesia populnea (1.30), Cissus quadrangularis (1.26), Trianthema portulacastrum (1.76), and Hygrophila auriculata. Phyllanthus niruri showed high RI values than other plants. Pearson correlation coefficient between RFC and UV was 0.802 with P-value <1%. From this study, we can recommend that statistically proved medicinal plants like Solanum trilobatum, Thespesia populnea, Cissus quadrangularis, Trianthema portulacastrum, Hygrophila auriculata, Phyllanthus niruri and Achyranthes aspera were also needed for further investigation on pharmacologically which leads to natural drug invention development.     

An ethnobotanical study of the indigenous knowledge by the Rajbangshi community of Raiganj Block,Uttar Dinajpur district,West Bengal,India

BackgroundThe present study deals with documentation of medicinal importance of plants and traditional knowledge set harboring among the ethnic communities to utilize various plant parts for various health care practices. Twelve villages were surveyed primarily targeting the Rajbangshi communities of Raiganj Block, Uttar Dinajpur district, West Bengal, India.MethodsThe ethnomedicinal information was gathered through interviews using semi- structured questionnaires among the traditional healers (Kabiraj) of the Rajbangshi community. Identification and documentation of all the plants species have been completed following standard taxonomic procedure. The collected data were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed through different ethnobotanical indices like, use report, informant consensus factor and relative importance.ResultsA total of 76 plant species belonging to 40 families and 72 genera were reported to have been utilized for the treatment of a total of 42 types of ailments. Herbs (43%) were the major source of medicine while roots (31%) were most frequently used plant parts. Preparation of juice (55%) from plant parts accounted as most preferred method. Achyranthes aspera L. has the highest calculated relative importance (100) value. The average informant consensus factor value for all ailments categories was 0.75, indicating a high level of consensus among the interviewed informants.ConclusionThe present study clearly demonstrates that huge diversity of medicinal plants reported in the study area may immensely help in the development of novel drugs of natural origin if the traditional knowledge set of the Rajbangshi community is adequately nurtured.