Medicinal plants used by traditional medicine practitioners in the treatment of tuberculosis and related ailments in Uganda

Aim of the study

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the most difficult ailments to control in the world today. The emergence of drug resistant strains has made previously effective and affordable remedies less effective. This has made the search for new medicines from local traditional medicines urgent. The specific objectives of this study were to (1) identify plant species used in the treatment of TB, their methods of preparation and administration, (2) document TB recognition, and (3) document medicine processing and packaging practices by traditional medicine practitioners (TMPs).

Methods

We interviewed 32 TMPs from the districts of Kamuli, Kisoro and Nakapiripirit using a guided questionnaire.

Results

We documented 88 plant species used to treat TB. Seven of these, Eucalyptus spp., Warburgia salutaris (G. Bertol.) Chiov., Ocimum suave Willd., Zanthoxylum chalybeum Engl., Momordica foetida Schum., Persea americana Mill. and Acacia hockii De Wild. were mentioned by three or more TMPs. Medicines were prepared mostly as mixtures or infrequently as mono-preparations in dosage forms of decoctions and infusions. They were administered orally in variable doses over varying periods of time. The TMPs did not know how to preserve the medicines and packaged them in used water bottles. Almost all TMPs mentioned the most important signs by which TB is recognised. They also knew that TB was a contagious disease spread through poor hygiene and crowding.

Conclusions

Local knowledge and practices of treating TB exist in the districts surveyed. This knowledge may be imperfect and TMPs appear to be still experimenting with which species to use to treat TB. There is need to screen among the species mentioned to determine those which are efficacious and safe. The technology of processing, packaging and preserving traditional medicines for the treatment of TB is very basic and needs improving. The TMPs appear to be playing a significant role in primary health care delivery and this lends further justification for the ongoing Uganda government efforts to integrate the allopathic and traditional medicine systems.     

Knowledge on plants used traditionally in the treatment of tuberculosis in Uganda

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally. The disease is especially important because of increasing drug resistant strains and co infection with human immune virus (HIV) and acquired immune disease syndrome (AIDS). Because of this there is need to identify new leads that can be developed into new drugs. The objectives of this study were to (1) document plant species commonly used by traditional medicine practitioners (TMPs) to treat TB, methods of preparation and administration of drugs (2) document disease recognition by TMPs and (3) document medicine preservation and packaging practices by TMPs.

Materials and methods

We interviewed 40 TMPs from Mpigi and Butambala districts using a guided questionnaire.

Results

A total of 90 plant species, distributed within 44 families were documented. Priority plants identified include Zanthoxylum leprieurii, Piptadeniastrum africanum, Albizia coriaria and Rubia cordifolia which were most mentioned by TMPs. TMPs had knowledge of how TB is transmitted and they admitted that it is closely associated with HIV. Decoctions of multiple plant species were commonly used. Plant parts frequently used were leaves followed by the stem bark and root bark. The TMPs had insufficient knowledge about packaging and preservation techniques.

Conclusion

Plant based therapies for treating TB have been identified in this study and further investigation of these plants is appropriate as these, may be developed into new drugs to curb the resistant strains of TB.     

Ethnobotanical study of indigenous knowledge on medicinal and nutritious plants used to manage opportunistic infections associated with HIV/AIDS in western Uganda

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Traditional medicine plays an important role in the daily lives of the people of Uganda to treat a wide range of health problems. Our study presents results of an ethnobotanical inventory conducted to identify and document medicinal and nutritional plants used in the management of opportunistic infections associated with human immunodeficiency virus / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), the plant parts used, preparation and administration methods of herbal remedies.

Materials and methods

We performed semi-structured interviews with 79 respondents (women 78%, men 22%), who included specialists in medicinal plants (such as traditional birth attendants and herbalists) and non specialists with general knowledge of plant use. Respondents answered a semi-structured questionnaire regarding their knowledge of plants and general treatment practices including management of HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections. The reported plants were collected and identified. Data were analyzed using factor informant consensus and fidelity level to determine homogeneity of informants? knowledge on medicinal and nutritional plants suitable for different ailment categories and the most preferred plant species used to treat each ailment category in the study areas.

Results

The study revealed 148 plant species belonging to 54 families, most of which were herbs (50.7%). Leaves (61.6%) were the most frequently used parts in remedy preparations which were mainly administered orally (72%). The majority of plants (62%) were harvested from wild habitats. The most important species according to fidelity values are Hibiscus sabdariffa L. for anaemia, Mangifera indica L. for cough, Zehneria scabra (L. F.) Sond. for skin infections, Rhus natalensis Bernh.ex.Krauss for diarrhoea and Tarenna pavettoides (Harv.) Sim for appetite boosting. The factor informant consensus highlighted the agreement in the use of plants and showed that the respiratory infections category had the greatest agreement (0.60). Family Asteraceae accounted for 15% of the total species recorded. Sixty plant species (40%) of the plants provide nutritional support.

Conclusion

The study revealed that folk medicine is still widely practised. Fidelity level values indicate that these plants are the most preferred species for particular ailments. The high consensus value (0.6) indicated that there was high agreement in the use of plants for respiratory ailments among others. These preferred plant species could be prioritized for conservation and subjected to chemical screening to ascertain their pharmacological activities.     

Ethnobotanical study of nutri-medicinal plants used for the management of HIV/AIDS opportunistic ailments among the local communities of western Uganda

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Herbal remedies are a source of therapeutics for nearly 80% of the population in Uganda. Poor health facilities and limited access to antiretroviral drugs have perpetuated and increased the use of traditional medicine especially in rural areas for the treatment of opportunistic ailments of HIV/AIDS. To document the traditional uses of nutri-medicinal plants in the management of immunocompromised ailments associated with HIV/AIDS. To document the parts and growth forms of plants used, methods of preparation and administration of the herbal remedies.

Materials and methods

The study was conducted in Mbarara and Isingiro districts of western Uganda between December 2010 and May 2011. Ethnobotanical information was collected from 64 respondents who were sampled based on recommendations of local elders and administrators. Ethnobotanical data on the use of nutri-medicinal plants for traditional treatment of HIV/AIDS opportunistic ailments were collected by employing semi-structured interviews with selected respondents, house hold visits and field observations as described by (Martin, 1995a). The respondents were mainly traditional medical practitioners who treat patients who are already receiving antiretroviral drugs. Fidelity levels of plant species and informant consensus factor were determined to show the percentage of informants claiming the use of certain plant species for the same major purpose and to analyse people's knowledge of plant use.

Results

The study revealed 81 plant species most of which were herbs (49%). Leaves (71%) were the most frequently used parts in remedy preparations which were mainly administered orally (85%). The majority of plants (54%) were harvested from wild populations. Hibiscus sabdariffa L., Plumeria obtusa L., and Abutilon guineense (Shumach.) Baker. F and Exell were the nutri-medicinal plants that scored the highest Fidelity level values. The informant's consensus about usages of plants ranged from 0.75 to 0.80. Plants that are presumed to be effective in treating a certain disease have higher informant consensus factor (ICF) values. Family Asteraceae accounted for 18% of the total species recorded. Thirteen species (16%) of the plants are edible and provide nutritional support.

Conclusion

The study recorded plant species with potential to treat ailments associated with immunocompromised people living with HIV/AIDS in western Uganda. Such studies can help stimulate confidence in traditional medicine and enhance appreciation of herbal medicine among the people and to appreciate the value of the plant resources and therefore enhance conservation efforts of the plant species. The high consensus means the majority of informants agree on the use of plant species and this reflects the intercultural relevance and the agreement in the use of the nutri-medicinal plants to the people. We recommend the documented plants for further Ethnopharmacological studies.     

Old plants newly discovered: Cassia sieberiana D.C. and Cassia abbreviata Oliv. Oliv. root extracts inhibit in vitro HIV-1c replication in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by different modes of action

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Despite advances in anti-retroviral therapy which has transformed HIV/AIDS from a fatal to a manageable chronic disease, increasing viral drug resistance, side effects and uneven access to anti-retroviral drugs remain considerable therapeutic challenges. Partly as a consequence of these shortcomings and partly based on the fact that HIV/AIDS gives rise to opportunistic infections whose symptoms have been managed in Africa in an HIV/AIDS-independent context by traditional healers for centuries, many HIV/AIDS patients use herbal medicines. The aim of this study was to screen selected medicinal plants from Botswana, used by traditional healers to treat/manage HIV/AIDS, for inhibitory activities on HIV replication.

Materials and methods

Based on an ethnomedical survey, ethanolic tannin-containing and tannin-free extracts from 10 medicinal plants were tested for inhibitory properties against a clone of HIV-1c (MJ₄) measuring cytopathic effect protection and levels of viral p24 antigen in infected PBMCs.

Results

Cassia sieberiana D.C., Cassia abbreviata Oliv. Oliv. and Plumbago zeylanica L. extracts showed significant inhibition of HIV-1c (MJ₄) replication. The inhibitory activity of the Plumbago zeylanica extract could be attributed to its tannin content. Anti-HIV activity of Cassia sieberiana root and bark extracts, and Cassia abbreviata root extracts occurred in a concentration-dependent manner with an effective concentration (EC₅₀) of 65.1 μg/ml, 85.3 μg/ml and 102.8 μg/ml, respectively. Experiments to elucidate possible mechanism(s) of action revealed that Cassia sieberiana root and bark extracts blocked HIV replication at its binding- (EC₅₀ = 70.2 μg/ml and 90.8 μg/ml, respectively) and entry stage (EC₅₀ = 88.9 μg/ml and 100.5 μg/ml, respectively) while Cassia abbreviata extracts did not.

Conclusions

We report here for the first time a direct inhibitory effect on HIV-1c replication of extracts from two extremely popular medicinal plants, Cassia sieberiana and Cassia abbreviata. Considering the traditional uses of both Cassia species, our findings strongly suggest pilot clinical observational studies involving traditional healers to further evaluate the therapeutic potential of the Cassia extracts.     

Medicinal plants used in malaria treatment by Prometra herbalists in Uganda

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The aim of the survey was to document medicinal plants used in malaria treatment by Prometra (Promocion de la medicina tradicional amazonica) Traditional Medical Practitioners (TMPs) of Uganda and for search of new antiplasmodial herbal medicines (HMs) for further phytochemical analysis.

Materials and methods

In this study, semi structured guided open and close ended questionnaires were used. Focus group discussions were conducted and key informants were chosen within the TMPs who helped in further discussions of how the herbal remedies where collected, prepared and administered.

Results

A sample size of 51 respondents was randomly selected among the TMPs with the help of their leader. 86 species distributed over 81 genera and 39 families were reportedly being used as herbal remedies in malaria treatment. The TMPs use symptoms like high temperature, shivering, among others in malaria diagnosis an indication that they understand malaria. They emphasized the use of leaves and bark in treatment because they can regenerate and therefore ensure sustainable use of plants rather than the use of roots which would be destructive. These TMPS treat and also advise their patients on preventive measures against malaria attacks like sleeping under mosquito nets, clearing bushes near homesteads, among others which is an indication that they help in the prevention and mitigation of malaria incidences and prevalence in the areas where they live. The Informant Consensus Factor (FIC) value of 0.8 demonstrated that the TMPs of Prometra-Uganda tend to agree with each other in terms of the plant species they use in malaria treatment an indication of quality control in as far as administration of the herbal remedies. Vernonia amygdalina Delile, Bidens pilosa L., Justicia betonica L. were highly cited as being used in malaria treatment with frequencies of mention of 38, 28 and 25, respectively.

Conclusion

TMPs of Prometra-Uganda understand and treat malaria using the available plant diversity from their huge forest and the herbal gardens within Buyija forest. The healers are very keen at plant conservation which is a good practice. Species like Justica betonica may be investigated further for antiplasmodial assays to justify its efficacy.     

Medical pluralism on Mfangano Island: use of medicinal plants among persons living with HIV/AIDS in Suba District, Kenya

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Given the increasing coverage of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV/AIDS treatment as well as the high utilization of herbal medicine, many persons living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa are thought to practice medical pluralism, or the adoption of more than one medical system for their care and treatment. Using a cross-sectional study we sought to document and identify the herbal medicines used by persons living with HIV/AIDS on Mfangano Island, Suba District, Nyanza Province, Kenya.

Materials and methods

We interviewed herbalists and knowledgeable mothers to obtain information regarding medicinal plants, particularly for HIV/AIDS-related symptoms, HIV/AIDS, and chira (an illness concept with similarities to HIV/AIDS regarding sexual transmission and wasting symptoms). Using systematic sampling, 67 persons living with HIV/AIDS (49 of whom were receiving ART) were selected from an Mfangano Island health clinic and participated in semi-structured interviews.

Results

Interviews with herbalists and mothers identified 40 plant species in 37 genera and 29 families that a person with HIV/AIDS or chira could use for herbal remedies. Overall, 70.1% of persons living with HIV/AIDS had used medicinal plants after HIV diagnosis, most commonly to treat symptoms related to HIV/AIDS. In addition to common vegetables and fruits that can serve medicinal purposes, Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Meliaceae), Carissa edulis (Forssk.) Vahl (Apocynaceae), and Ximenia americana L. (Olacaceae) were the most frequently cited medicinal plants used by persons living with HIV/AIDS.

Conclusions

Collaboration and communication between biomedical clinicians and herbalists should be encouraged given high rates of concomitant ART-herb usage. Pharmacological, toxicological, and ART-herb interaction studies based on the plants identified in this study and their constituent ingredients should be considered.     

In vitro inhibitory effect of West African medicinal and food plants on human cytochrome P450 3A subfamily

Aim of the study

In Africa, medicinal plants are used intensively and concomitantly with allopathic medicines in the treatment of opportunity diseases by many patients or by healthy person to prevent diseases. However, there is little information about the interactions between medicines and botanical products used currently in West Africa area. Therefore, the aim of the present investigation is to study the effect of some plant products on CYP3A4, CYP3A5 and CYP3A7, three individual enzymes of CYP3A subfamily, in vitro.

Materials and methods

Teas and ethanolic extracts of medicinal, food and co-administered plants were evaluated on CYP3A4, CYP3A5 and CYP3A7 individual enzymes in vitro using fluorometric assays.

Results

Extracts of adjuvant plants such as Aframomum cuspidatum, and Aframomum melegueta, as well as one medicinal plant (Harrisonia abyssinica) inhibited CYP3A4, CYP3A5 and CYP3A7 activity more than 90%. Phyllanthus amarus showed high inhibition of CYP3A5 and CYP3A7. Food plants (Solanum macrocarpon and Talinum triangulare) inhibited CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 less than 20%.

Conclusion

These results indicate that plants tested in this study affect in vitro the activity of the main three CYP3A subfamily enzymes. These active plants could interfere with the metabolism at phase I of conventional drugs in vivo as well act as pharmacoenhancers in herbal mixtures.     

Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used in the management of skin disorders among the Xhosa communities of the Amathole District,Eastern Cape,South Africa

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Skin diseases have been of major concern recently due to the association of skin opportunistic infections and HIV/AIDS, are usually the first sign of HIV infection and conversion to AIDS. More than 90% of HIV-infected individuals develop skin and mucosal complications at some stage during the disease. Although classical medicine is undoubtedly addressing these diseases, the people of the Eastern Cape, South Africa still depend, to a large extent on traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of various diseases. The current study was undertaken to investigate the local peoples characterisation of skin diseases/disorders and to document the medicinal plants used for various skin disorders among the Xhosa-speaking communities of the Amathole District, Eastern Cape.

Materials and methods

Information was obtained by interviewing 54 respondents in 7 locations. Collection of the reported medicinal plants from the wild was assisted by the informants and identification of the collected plants specimens was done with the help of floristic works of South Africa. Quantitative methods including the use-value and the informant consensus factor (ICF) were computed for determining the relative importance of species known locally and the homogeneity of the informants? knowledge respectively.

Results

Twenty five skin disorders, classified under 5 categories are being treated with the listed medicinal plants in the study area. The highest ICF (0.45) was linked to bacteria-related skin disorders. This category comprised of 57 use citations, 3 skin disorders; with sore throat being the most frequently mentioned (4.2%). In this study, 106 plant species distributed in 61 families and 107 genera were identified as being used to treat one or more of the skin disorders. The species with the highest use-value was Aloe ferox Mill. (Xanthorrhoeaceae) known locally as Umhlaba. The most representative families were Solanaceae and Asteraceae with 6 species each, followed by Fabaceae, Poaceae and Rutaceae (5 species each). The leaves were the most frequently used plant part, followed by the bark (10%) and fruits (7%). Administration of the different plant parts was mostly topical (77%) on the affected area.

Conclusion

A total of twenty five skin disorders/conditions, classified under 5 categories are being treated with the listed medicinal plants in the study area. 106 plant species distributed in 61 families and 107 genera were identified as being used to treat one or more of the skin disorders. The species with the highest use-value was Aloe ferox Mill. (Xanthorrhoeaceae) known locally as Umhlaba. The most representative families were Solanaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Poaceae, Rutaceae and Euphorbiaceae. Majority of the plant species were herbs and the leaves were the most frequently used, mostly applied topically as a paste, powder or sap on the affected skin area.     

Reliability and validity of dermatology life quality index: assessment of quality of life in human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients with pruritic papular eruption

Objective

To test the reliability and validity of dermatology life quality index (DLQI) in simplified Chinese language by assessing the quality of life (QoL) in HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)/AIDS (Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) patients with pruritic papular eruption (PPE).

Methods

A study of simplified-Chinese-version DLQI was carried out in Henan province, China. The reliability and validity were tested by means of statistical method. Data were processed with SPSS 19.0.

Results

One hundred and seven subjects participated in the study and 106 (99.07%) finished the questionnaire. Eighteen patients were mildly affected; 62 were moderately affected, 24 were highly affected, and 2 were extremely affected. Reliability analysis showed that the split-half reliability coefficient of questionnaire was 0.556 and the reliability of the full test estimated with Spearman-Brown. correction was 0.7146. The Cronbach alpha was 0.673. According to validity analysis, the correlation between the scores of items and the total scores ranged from 0.208 to 0.529 (P<0.05). Three factors were abstracted from10 questions with the principal component analysis and the contribution rate of the 3 common factors was 59.95%.

Conclusion

The simplified-Chinese-version DIQL is an acceptable and valid scale for HIV/AIDS patients with PPE. It can be used to evaluate the QoL of HIV/AIDS patients with PPE in China.     

Conservation strategy for Pelargonium sidoides DC: Phenolic profile and pharmacological activity of acclimatized plants derived from tissue culture

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Pelargonium sidoides DC (Geraniaceae), a popular medicinal plant used in folk medicine in the treatment of respiratory-related infections has gained international prominence due to its usage in several herbal formulations. This has led to high demand and the subsequent decimation of wild populations.

Aim of the study

Using plant tissue culture techniques, Pelargonium sidoides plants were cloned in vitro, acclimatized under greenhouse conditions and evaluated for their phytochemical content and pharmacological activity.

Methods

Phenolic content in extracts of in vitro-derived, greenhouse-acclimatized and wild Pelargonium sidoides plants were analyzed using UPLC-MS/MS. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracts against bacterial and fungal strains were evaluated.

Results

Similarities in phenolic profiles were identified confirming the chemical signatures that characterize Pelargonium sidoides plants. Extracts of greenhouse-acclimatized and wild plants exhibited comparable antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

Conclusions

Overall, the study highlights the potential of integrating plant tissue culture technologies in conservation strategies of medicinal plants. In particular, the results strongly suggest the feasibility of both large-scale cultivation and plant part substitution as alternative solutions to the current destructive overharvesting practices of wild Pelargonium sidoides populations.     

Anti-plasmodial activity of the extracts of some Kenyan medicinal plants

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The spread of drug resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains necessitates search for alternative newer drugs for use against malaria. Medicinal plants used traditionally in preparation of herbal medicines for malaria are potential source of new anti-malarial drugs.

Aim of the Study

To identify the anti-plasmodial potential of twelve plants used in preparing herbal remedies for malaria in Kilifi and Tharaka districts of Kenya.

Materials and Methods

Twelve plants used traditionally for anti-malarial therapy in Kilifi and Tharaka districts were extracted with water/methanol yielding twenty-three extracts. The extracts were tested against chloroquine sensitive (NF54) and resistant (ENT30) P. falciparum strains in vitro using ³Hypoxanthine assay.

Results

Seven (30%) extracts showed activity against P. falciparum with IC₅₀ values below 20 μg/ml. The remaining 16 extracts showed low or no activity. The most active extracts were from Zanthoxylum chalybeum (Rutaceae) with an IC₅₀ value of 3.65 μg/ml, Cyperus articulatus (Cyperaceae) with 4.84 μg/ml, and Cissampelos pareira (Menispermaceae) with 5.85 μg/ml.

Conclusions

This study revealed plants, that are potential sources of anti-malarial compounds. Anti-plasmodial activities of extracts of T. simplicifolia, C. pareira, and C. articulatus are reported for the first time.     

Herbal medicines for the prevention of alcoholic liver disease: A review

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Long-term excess alcohol exposure leads to alcoholic liver disease (ALD)—a global health problem without effective therapeutic approach. ALD is increasingly considered as a complex and multifaceted pathological process, involving oxidative stress, inflammation and excessive fatty acid synthesis. Over the past decade, herbal medicines have attracted much attention as potential therapeutic agents in the prevention and treatment of ALD, due to their multiple targets and less toxic side effects. Several herbs, such as Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cusson (Apiaceae), Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae) and Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi (Leguminosae), etc., have been shown to be quite effective and are being widely used in China today for the treatment of ALD when used alone or in combination.

Aim of the review

To review current available knowledge on herbal medicines used to prevent or treat ALD and their underlying mechanisms.

Materials and methods

We used the pre-set searching syntax and inclusion criteria to retrieve available published literature from PUBMED and Web of Science databases, all herbal medicines and their active compounds tested on ALD induced by both acute and chronic alcohol ingestion were included.

Results

A total of 40 experimental studies involving 34 herbal medicines and (or) active compounds were retrieved and reviewed. We found that all reported extracts and individual compounds from herbal medicines/natural plants could be beneficial to ALD, which might be attributed to regulate multiple critical targets involved in the pathways of oxidation, inflammation and lipid metabolism.

Conclusions

Screening chemical candidate from herbal medicine might be a promising approach to drug discovery for the prevention or treatment of ALD. However, further studies remain to be done on the systematic assessment of herbal medicines against ALD and the underlying mechanisms, as well as their quality control studies.     

Ethnomedicinal knowledge and relative importance of indigenous medicinal plants of Cholistan desert,Punjab Province,Pakistan

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Ethnomedicinal studies are significant for the discovery of new crude drugs from indigenous reported medicinal plants. The current study aimed to report the indigenous medicinal knowledge of plants and herbal remedies used as folk medicines in Cholistan desert, Punjab Province, Pakistan.

Material and methods

Rapid appraisal approach (RAA), semi-structured interviews, group meetings with herbalists, landowners and local people having awareness about the medicinal action of plants were employed to collect the data.

Results and discussions

This study reports 70 medicinal plants belonging to 27 families that were disseminated among 60 different genera and Poaceae was the predominant family over others with 13 reported medicinal plants. Among plant parts, leaves were the dominant over others with 26.4% used in herbal preparations followed by the stem (25.2%), fruit (21.5%), flower (16.3%), seed (6.5%), bark and pod (02%). Haloxylon recurvum exhibited the highest use vale (UV) 0.83 while least UV was exhibited by Mollugo cerviana that was 0.16.

Conclusion

Important medicinal plants, reported in this study have been screened for phytochemical and pharmaceutical activities in different parts of the globe. It is recommended that reported medicinal plants having potent action for cancer and hepatitis must be screened for pharmacological activities.     

An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in Chandauli District of Uttar Pradesh,India

Aim of the study

Chandauli district is one of the less studied regions of India for its ethnobotanical values. The present paper synthesizes the first report related to the documentation and conservation of ethnomedicinal plants of Chandauli district and their socio-economic relationship with the forests and its resources.

Materials and methods

Ethnobotanical data were collected using semi-structured interviews, field observations, preference and direct matrix ranking with traditional medicine practitioners.

Results

The use of 40 medicinal plants belonging to 27 families was documented in the tribal communities of Chandauli district in India. These species were used in combination of some exotic species such as Foeniculum vulgare, Prosopis spicigera, Crataeva nurvala, Curcuma longa, Punica granatum, Aloe vera, Cocos nucifera, Ocimum sanctum and Allium cepa and some medicinal stones, minerals, salts, etc. Most of the plants (94.6%) were reportedly used to treat human diseases.

Conclusions

Documenting the eroding plants and associated indigenous knowledge can be used as a basis for developing management plans for conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants in the area. The principal threatening factors reported were deforestation (90%), agricultural expansion (85%) and overgrazing (53%).     

Screening of the topical anti-inflammatory activity of the bark of Acacia cornigera Willdenow, Byrsonima crassifolia Kunth, Sweetia panamensis Yakovlev and the leaves of Sphagneticola trilobata Hitchcock

Ethnopharmacological relevance

An investigation of topical anti-inflammatory activity was undertaken on plants used in Central America traditional medicine.

Aim of study

Four herbal drugs used in the folk medicine of Central America to treat inflammatory skin affections (Acacia cornigera bark, Byrsonima crassifolia bark, Sphagneticola trilobata leaves and Sweetia panamensis bark) were evaluated for their topical anti-inflammatory activity.

Materials and methods

Petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts were obtained for herbal medicines and then extracts were tested on Croton oil-induced ear dermatitis model in mice.

Results

Almost all the extracts reduced the Croton oil-induced ear dermatitis in mice and the chloroform ones showed the highest activity, with ID₅₀ (dose giving 50% oedema inhibition) values ranging from 112 μg/cm² (Byrsonima crassifolia) to 183 μg/cm² (Sphagneticola trilobata). As reference, ID₅₀ of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin was 93 μg/cm².

Conclusions

Lipophilic extracts from these species can be regarded as potential sources of anti-inflammatory principles.     

Ethno-veterinary survey of medicinal plants in Ruoergai region, Sichuan province, China

Aim of study

In this study we aimed to survey and investigate the medicinal plants which are used to treat the veterinary diseases in Ruoergai region, Sichuan province, China. Meanwhile, the important medicinal plants were collected and identified for the further study.

Materials and methods

Twenty folk veterinary practitioners from 8 township animal husbandry and veterinary stations in Ruoergai region were investigated and interviewed. The important local medicinal materials, including plants, animals and mineral drugs, were collected by scientific methods and identified by the pharmacognosist of Lanzhou University, China.

Results

According to the investigation, only 20 folk veterinary practitioners still used 129 species of traditional medicine to treat the livestock`s diseases. In these medicine, 93 species were native and Ranunculaceae (12, 12.90%), Compositae (11, 11.83%), Papaveraceae (7, 7.53%) were the predominant families. At the same time, herbs (36.56%) are the most widely used part of plant, and respiratory diseases (21.02%) and gastrointestinal diseases (19.89%) were the main animal’s diseases in this region.

Conclusion

Ethno-veterinary medicine made an extraordinary contribution to the sound development of animal husbandry in Ruoergai. But the inherit, protect and development should be paid more attentions in the future, and the species which have not been studied should be developed priority to find biological activities and new bioactive compounds further.     

An ethnobotanical survey of indigenous medicinal plants in Wana district south Waziristan agency,Pakistan

Ethnomedicinal relevance

Medicinal plants are treasure of any region for ailment treatment. The present research work was focused to document the indigenous knowledge of unexplored area of Wana, South Waziristan Agency, Pakistan. This was the very first study, to explore the potential ethno-medicinal plants of study area.

Materials and methods

Data was collected by opting people participation involving interviews, group meetings, semi structured discussions and filling of questionnaires.

Results and discussion

A total 50 wild medicinal plants belonging to 30 families were collected. Medicinal plants used against the stomach disorders were 10% followed by the cold/cough (8%), hepatitis (7%), diuretic (7%), sedative/narcotic (7%), tonic (6%), asthma (5%), cardiac problems (4%), jaundice (4%) and so on. Among plant parts used for indigenous medicines, leaves were (24%) followed by the fruit (15%), root (12%), seed (11%), whole plant (9%), arial parts (8%), flower (6%), rhizome, bark and stem (4%), bulbs (2%) and pods (1%). Xanthium strumarium reported the highest use value i.e. 0.95.

Conclusion

People of Wana still rely on indigenous plants for their basic healthcare needs. Harvesting of roots and whole plants is a big threat to conservation of medicinal plants diversity.     

An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by traditional healers in silent valley of Kerala,India

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Medicinal plants are treating and preventing a variety disease. There is urgency in recording such data. This is the first ethno botanical study in which statistical calculations about plants are done by ICF method. The present study was aimed to identify plants collected for medicinal purposes by the traditional healers of silent valley, located in Palakad district of Kerala, India and to document the traditional names, preparation and uses of these plants.

Materials and methods

Field study was carried out a period of 2 years in Kerala. The ethno medicinal information was collected through interviews among traditional healers. The collected data were analyzed through use value (UV) informant consensus factor (F_ic) and fidelity level (FL).

Results

A total of 102 species of plants distributed in 95 genera belonging to 53 families were identified as commonly used ethno medicinal plants by traditional healers in silent valley for the treatment of 19 ailment categories based on the body systems treated. Leaves were the most frequently used plant parts and most of the medicines were prepared in the form of paste and administrated orally. F_ic values of the present study indicated that dermatological infections/diseases and gastro-intestinal disorders had highest use reports and 7 species of plants has the highest fidelity level of 100%. The most important species according to their use value were Moringa oleifera (2.62), Curculigo orchioides (2.5) Amorphophallus paeoniifolius, Vitex negundo (each 2.37), Carica papaya (2.12), Annona squamosa (1.87).

Conclusion

Gathering the present study, we can recommended the plants Moringa oleifera, Curculigo orchioides, Amorphophallus paeoniifolius, Vitex negundo, Carica papaya, Citrus hystrix, and Tribulus terrestris (with high use values), Amorphophallus paeoniifolius, Aloe vera, Carum capticum and Discorea pentaphylla (newly reported claims with highest FL) for further scientific investigation based upon the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants can be an approach in the discovery and development of novel drug leads.     

Value of the ethnomedical information for the discovery of plants with antifungal properties. A survey among seven Latin American countries

Ethnopharmacological relevance

This study reports the antifungal evaluation of 327 plant species (92 families and 251 genera) from seven Latin American countries which were selected on the basis of their reported ethnomedical uses and compared them with plants selected at random.

Aim of the study

(a) The main aim of this study was to investigate whether the probability of detecting antifungal plants is higher when plants have reports of ethnopharmacological uses related to fungal infections (PAU group) than when they are selected at random (PNAU group). (b) The second objective was to determine, within the PAU group, whether the probability of obtaining a positive result will be higher when the plants are tested against dermatophytes, than against yeasts or Aspergillus spp. (c) The third goal was to investigate, within all MICs ≤ 1000 μg/mL, if the MICs displayed by the PAU group are comparatively lower than MIC values of the PNAU group; that is to say, if they can be expected more potent antifungal plants within the group of plants that have a history of traditional use related to fungal infections than when they do not have one.

Materials and methods

A five-stage process of documentation, evaluation and analysis of results was conducted: (1) selection of words that could describe the ethnopharmacological use related to fungal infections; (2) a survey of specialized literature in each country; (3) collection and preparation of an extract of each plant; (4) antifungal evaluation of the selected plants and (5) statistical analysis of the results. For the antifungal evaluation, the microbroth dilution assay recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI, formerly NCCLS) was used against a panel of eleven human opportunistic and pathogenic fungi. For the statistical analysis the Pearson's Chi Square test and the Score's test were used.

Results

(a) A significantly higher probability of detecting plants with antifungal activity against at least one fungus was found within the PAU (40.3%) than the PNAU group (21.3%) (p < 0.01). (b) A similar higher probability than in (a) (39.6% vs. 20.8%) was found when plants were tested against dermatophytes (p < 0.01) but not against yeasts or Aspergillus spp. (p > 0.05). (c) Within the detected antifungal plants from both groups, plants of the PAU group displayed higher activities (lower MICs) than those of PNAU group against dermatophytes (p < 0.05) but not against yeasts or Aspergillus spp.

Conclusions

Considering that dermatophytes are the cause of superficial fungal infections, which can be easily detected and followed by traditional healers, our findings suggest that the ethnopharmacological approach is useful in guiding the detection of antifungal plants in Latin America mainly for infections in which the pathological expression is obvious and, therefore, the cure can be clearly observed.