Ethnobotanical and phytomedicinal knowledge in a long-history protected area,the Abruzzo,Lazio and Molise National Park (Italian Apennines)

Aims of the study

This study reports on the ethnobotanical and phytomedical knowledge in one of the oldest European Parks, the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park (Central Italy). We selected this area because we judged the long history of nature preservation as an added value potentially encouraging the survival of uses possibly lost elsewhere.

Methodology

In all, we interviewed 60 key informants (30 men and 30 women) selected among those who, for their current or past occupation or specific interests, were most likely to report accurately on traditional use of plants. The average age of informants was 65 years (range 27–102 years).

Results

The ethnobotanical inventory we obtained included 145 taxa from 57 families, corresponding to 435 use-reports: 257 referred to medical applications, 112 to food, 29 to craft plants for domestic uses, 25 to veterinary applications, 6 to harvesting for trade and another 6 to animal food. The most common therapeutic uses in the folk tradition are those that are more easily prepared and/or administered such as external applications of fresh or dried plants, and decoctions. Of 90 species used for medical applications, key informants reported on 181 different uses, 136 of which known to have actual pharmacological properties. Of the uses recorded, 76 (42%) concern external applications, especially to treat wounds. Medical applications accounted for most current uses. Only 24% of the uses we recorded still occur in people's everyday life. Species no longer used include dye plants (Fraxinus ornus, Rubia tinctorum, Scabiosa purpurea, Rhus coriaria and Isatis tinctoria) and plants once employed during pregnancy, for parturition, nursing, abortion (Asplenium trichomanes, Ecballium elaterium, Juniperus sabina and Taxus baccata) or old magical practices (Rosa canina).

Conclusions

Our study remarked the relationship existing between the high plant diversity recorded in this biodiversity hotspot of central Apennines and the rich ethnobotanical knowledge. The presence of some very experienced young informants was related to the opportunities offered by living in a major protected area. However, to counter the disappearance of local ethnobotanical culture it would be important to incorporate its preservation among nature reserve activities.     

A randomized,open-label,multicenter, comparative study of therapeutic efficacy,safety and tolerability of BNO 1030 extract,containing marshmallow root,chamomile flowers,horsetail herb,walnut leaves,yarrow herb,oak bark,dandelion herb in the treatment of acute non-bacterial tonsillitis in children aged 6 to 18 years

Seventy to 95% of acute tonsillitis episodes are caused by viral infection, therefore why antibiotic therapy is not indicated in majority of cases. In such cases, acetaminophen or ibuprofen are used to alleviate the symptoms. The objective of this study was assessment of efficacy of phytoneering extract BNO 1030 (Imupret®) in patients with acute non-bacterial tonsillitis.

六味地黄丸治疗15例早期糖尿病肾病疗效观察

目的观察六味地黄丸治疗早期糖尿病肾病的疗效。方法将早期糖尿病肾病患者随机分为2组:治疗组15例予六味地黄丸和依那普利治疗,对照组10例予依那普利治疗,观察2组治疗前后各项指标(空腹血糖、餐后血糖、糖化血红蛋白、尿白蛋白排泄率、血肌酐)的变化。结果六味地黄丸能明显改善患者尿蛋白,降低血糖,与对照组比较差异有统计学意义。结论六味地黄丸治疗早期糖尿病肾病能取得较好的疗效。     

围绝经期综合征的植物疗法:兼论黑升麻的研究

妇女健康倡议(WHI)临床试验的结果提示,应着重关注传统的激素治疗围绝经期综合征的安全性。在围绝经期综合征治疗中,替代药物的地位可能会逐渐提升;大量设计良好的临床试验为其可信度提供支持性科学证据。传统医学史上长期应用的、具有药物特性的植物是治疗各种疾病的重要手段。以植物药为主的自然疗法也备受关注。如今,植物药应用于缓解围绝经期综合征已很普及,尤其是黑升麻已得到众多研究的认可。对缓解围绝经期综合征的植物药(主要是黑升麻)的安全性及有效性做文献综述。     

Antibacterial activity against cariogenic bacteria and cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of Anacardium occidentale L. and Anadenanthera macrocarpa (Benth.) Brenan extracts

ObjectivesThe present study aimed to assess the antibacterial activity against bacteria with cariogenic relevance, toxic and genotoxic potential of the plants Anacardium occidentale L. and Anadenanthera macrocarpa (Benth.) Bernam.DesignUsing a microdilution technique, the extracts were submitted to minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) testing against Streptococcus mitis (ATCC 903), Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175), Streptococcus oralis (ATCC 10557), Streptococcus salivarius (ATCC 7073), Streptococcus sanguinis (ATCC 15300) and Streptococcus sobrinus (ATCC 27609). The toxicity of the extracts was then verified against eukaryotic cells. Additionally, a micronucleus assay was performed to investigate the potential mutagenic effects of the extracts on rat erythrocytes. The Student’s t-test, Bonferroni test, and one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s tests were used for statistical analysis, at a significance level of 5%.ResultsWhile the A. occidentale extract was able to inhibit all of the tested strains, with S. mutans and S. mitis being the most susceptible to that extract́s action, the A. macrocarpa did not show antimicrobial activity. Interestingly, the hemolytic, oxidant and antioxidant activities were slightly observed for either extract, even at high concentrations (1000 mg/mL). The micronucleus assay showed no significant changes in the cells exposed to the extracts.ConclusionThe A. occidentale extract has potential as an antimicrobial agent with low eukaryotic cell toxicity or mutagenic activity. The A. macrocarpa extract, although absent of antibacterial activity might as well be a safe and effective phytotherapeutic alternative.     

围绝经期综合征的植物疗法：兼论黑升麻的研究

妇女健康倡议（WHI）临床试验的结果提示,应着重关注传统的激素治疗围绝经期综合征的安全性。在围绝经期综合征治疗中,替代药物的地位可能会逐渐提升;大量设计良好的临床试验为其可信度提供支持性科学证据。传统医学史上长期应用的、具有药物特性的植物是治疗各种疾病的重要手段。以植物药为主的自然疗法也备受关注。如今,植物药应用于缓解围绝经期综合征已很普及,尤其是黑升麻已得到众多研究的认可。对缓解围绝经期综合征的植物药（主要是黑升麻）的安全性及有效性做文献综述。     

The Influence of Phytotherapy on Macroprolactinoma Size

The study aims at demonstrating the efficiency of phytotherapy in macroprolactinoma downsizing. The comparison of phytotherapeutic (PT) efficiency leant on medical records submitted by the patients prior to the PT launch, indicating the diagnosis established based on the outcome of the nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI) and/or computed tomography (CT) of the affected site and bringing the results of field-of-vision examination and hormonal status determination. The insight into the documentation in reference provided the information on tumour size and prolactin levels. The data in reference were compared against medical records submitted following phytotherapy completion. This study brings the results of a five-year investigation into the influence of phytotherapy on the size of macroprolactinomas. In patients responsive to this kind of treatment, tumour regression was witnessed within 6 months of herbal remedy use. A substantial tumour downsizing was accompanied by vision restitution;namely, in a number of cases, sight impairments are the first indicators of tumour presence. The basic parameters used for phytotherapeutic efficiency estimation and follow-up were the size of the tumour and the state of the field-of-vision, established both prior to and following phytotherapy. The results of the study presented herein unequivocally demonstrated the efficiency of phytotherapy in macroprolactinoma tumour mass downsizing, providing therefore solid grounds for the implementation of phytotherapy as a novel treatment modality of this tumour cluster.