Ethnobotanical study on medicinal plants in Geçitli and its surrounding (Hakkari-Turkey)

A broad assessment of Eremurus spectabilis M. Bieb: chemical and elemental composition, total phenolic and antimicrobial activity analysis, and quantum chemical calculations of radical scavenging potential

Eremurus spectabilis M. Bieb was extensively investigated experimentally and theoretically, including the antioxidant properties of compounds such as flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives, and organic acids. Antioxidant activity was investigated using the Density Functional Theory (DFT) method based on three known mechanisms: hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), single electron transfer followed by proton transfer (SET-PT), and sequential proton loss electron transfer (SPLET). Subcritical water extraction (SWE), soxhlet extraction (SE), and solvent extraction (SOE) techniques were applied in the extraction process. Malic acid was the major compound with an extract concentration of 38,532.84 ± 1849.58 µg analyte/kg, total phenolics, and free radical scavenging activity were 10.67 mg gallic acid/mL extract and 73.89% per mg/mL extract, respectively. P, Fe, Na, Mg, K, and Ca were the main elements. The antibacterial activity of E. spectabilis against seven bacteria was evaluated, and it was found to be higher than the commercial antibiotics P10 and AMC30.

A review of the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and clinical evidence for the use of the genus Alchemilla (Rosaceae)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The genus Alchemilla L. (lady's mantle) comprises 1000 species, of which more than 300 have been characterized from Europe. Notably, as folk medicines, Alchemilla species have long been prescribed for the treatment of dysmenorrhea, pruritus vulvae, menopausal complaints, and related diseases in women. This review summarizes the traditional uses, highlights promising plant species, and focuses on phytochemical and biological studies to highlight future areas of research.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This literature review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Alchemilla species, covering their botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, and biological and pharmacological activities, and to summarize the current research status to better understand the application value of Alchemilla plants in modern phytotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The search strategy utilized the major thematic platforms Reaxys, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, the USDA Plant Database and Kew Science (Royal Botanic Gardens) and was performed with the term Alchemilla. These platforms were systematically searched for articles published from 1960 to 2023.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Alchemilla species, as members of the Rosaceae family, produce tannins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, coumarins, triterpenes and violet compounds. Effort has been made with this comprehensive review of Alchemilla plants to highlight the recent developments and milestones achieved in modern phytochemistry and phytotherapy, underlaying a broad spectrum of the activities of these plants, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, antiobesity, cardiovascular, anticancer, and wound healing effects.

CONCLUSIONS

An increasing number of studies on the plants in the Alchemilla genus have provided data about the main constituents and their importance in modern medicine. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have indicated that Alchemilla plants possess an extensive spectrum of biological activities. Regardless of the remarkable medical potential of Alchemilla extracts, clinical studies are limited and need to be performed to produce safer and less expensive plant-based drugs.

In-vivo anti-hyperglycemic effect of herbal extracts Tribulus terrestris (L) and Curcuma amada (R) on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and its associated histopathological studies

Dia/betes is a serious health concern in many countries with high blood glucose, obesity, and multiple organ failures in late stages. Treating diabetes with effective drugs is still a challenging issue since most of the available diabetic drugs are not effective in combating diabetes, especially in secondary disease complications like obesity, retinopathy, and nephropathy associated with diabetes. Hence search for effective antidiabetic medication, especially from natural sources is mandatory with no adverse side effects. In the present study, a combined herbal aqueous extract of Tribulus terrestris and Curcuma amada was administered to diabetic-induced rats for 37 days. During experimentation, the mean blood glucose level was estimated and at the end of the experiment on the 37th day, the animal was sacrificed and observed for weight gain, plasma insulin, glycogen, glycated hemoglobin, urea, and creatinine level. The results revealed that TT and CA extract-treated diabetic groups significantly lowered the mean blood glucose level followed by increased glycogen and insulin level. Urea, creatinine, and HbA1c levels were considerably reduced in TT and CA-treated diabetic animals as compared to that of antidiabetic drug Glibenclamide-treated groups. TT and CA-treated diabetic animals showed considerable net body weight gain at the end of the experimental day. A concluding remark of the study shows that TT and CA herbal extract is effective against diabetes and it can be considered as an antidiabetic agent in ayurvedic medicine practice.

Mechanisms of anti-ulcer actions of Prangos pabularia (L.) in ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats

Peptic ulcer disease is the greatest digestive disorder that has increased incidence and recurrence rates across all nations. Prangos pabularia (L.) has been well documented as a folkloric medicinal herb utilized for multiple disease conditions including gastric ulcers. Hence, the target study was investigation the gastro-protection effects of root extracts of Prangos pabularia (REPP) on ethanol-mediated stomach injury in rats. Sprague Dawley rats were clustered in 5 cages: A and B, normal and ulcer control rats pre-ingested with 1 % carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)); C, reference rats had 20 mg/kg omeprazole; D and E, rats pre-supplemented with 250 and 500 mg/kg of REPP, respectively. After one hour, group A was given orally 1 % CMC, and groups B-E were given 100 % ethanol. The ulcer area, gastric acidity, and gastric wall mucus of all stomachs were determined. The gastric tissue homogenates were examined for antioxidant and MDA contents. Moreover, the gastric tissues were analyzed by histopathological and immunohistochemically assays. Acute toxicity results showed lack of any toxic effects or histological changes in rats exposed to 2 and 5 g/kg of REPP ingestion. The ulcer controls had extensive gastric mucosal damage with lower gastric juice and a reduced gastric pH. REPP treatment caused a significant reduction of the ethanol-induced gastric lacerations represented by an upsurge in gastric mucus and gastric wall glycoproteins (increased PAS), a decrease in the gastric acidity, leukocyte infiltration, positively modulated Bax and HSP 70 proteins, consequently lowered ulcer areas. REPP supplementation positively modulated oxidative stress (increased SOD, CAT, PGE2, and reduced MDA) and inflammatory cytokines (decreased serum TNF-α, IL-6, and increased IL-10) levels. The outcomes could be scientific evidence to back-up the folkloric use of A. Judaica as a medicinal remedy for oxidative stress-related disorders (gastric ulcer).

Genus Equisetum L: Taxonomy, toxicology, phytochemistry and pharmacology

INTRODUCTION

The genus Equisetum (Equisetaceae) is cosmopolitan in distribution, with 41 recognized species. Several species of Equisetum are widely used in treating genitourinary and related diseases, inflammatory and rheumatic problems, hypertension, and wound healing in traditional medicine practices worldwide. This review intends to present information on the traditional uses, phytochemical components, pharmacological activities, and toxicity of Equisetum spp. and to analyze the new insights for further study.

METHODS

Relevant literature has been scanned and collected via various electronic repositories, including PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Springer Connect, and Science Online, from 1960 to 2022.

RESULTS

Sixteen Equisetum spp. were documented as widely used in traditional medicine practices by different ethnic groups throughout the world. A total of 229 chemical compounds were identified from Equisetum spp. with the major group of constituents being flavonol glycosides and flavonoids. The crude extracts and phytochemicals of Equisetum spp. exhibited significant antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiulcerogenic, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and diuretic properties. A wide range of studies have also demonstrated the safety of Equisetum spp.

CONCLUSION

The reported pharmacological properties of Equisetum spp. support its use in traditional medicine, though there are gaps in understanding the traditional usage of these plants for clinical experiments. The documented information revealed that the genus is not only a great herbal remedy but also has several bioactives with the potential to be discovered as novel drugs. Detailed scientific investigation is still needed to fully understand the efficacy of this genus; hence, very few Equisetum spp. were studied in detail for phytochemical and pharmacological investigation. Moreover, its bioactives, structure-activity connection, in vivo activity, and associated mechanism of action ought to be explored further.

Ethnobotanical and Ethnopharmacological Study in the Bulgarian Mountain Rhodopes: Part II—Contemporary Use of Medicinal Plants

Rhodopes Mountain is ethnobotanically poorly studied, but our preliminary observation in a number of settlements revealed that even nowadays, the local population relies solely on previously collected medicinal plants. We aimed to assess the contemporary use of medicinal plants in the Central and East Rhodopes and the health conditions that local communities address with them. The ethnobotanical field data were collected through an in-depth method in combination with semi-structured face-to-face interviews, adapted with modifications to the objectives of this study. The following quantitative ethnobotanical indices were used in this study: informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), and Jaccard similarity coefficient or Jaccard index (JI). Data analyses from our field research showed that 92 informants mentioned the utilization of a total of 114 plant species. The results of this study reveal that in both regions of the Rhodopes, medicinal plants are mentioned most often in relation to diseases affecting nervous, respiratory, digestive, and cardiovascular systems, followed by reproductive, urinary, immune, and musculoskeletal. The risk of disruption or loss of traditional knowledge of medicinal plants is expected in the condition of cultural globalization. However, there is no metrified data about the use of medicinal plants in the Rhodopes from the past. The application of statistical indices in this research will make such assessment and monitoring possible in the future.

New coumarin glycosides from endemic Prangos heyniae H. Duman & M.F. Watson

Two new coumarin glycosides, named 7-methoxy isoarnottinin 4'-O-β-ᴅ-glucopyranoside and 7-methoxy isoarnottinin 4'-O-rutinoside (1 and 2) along with six known compounds (3-8) were isolated from the roots of Prangos heyniae, an endemic plant of Turkey. 1-methylethyl 6-O-D-apio-β-ᴅ-furanosyl-β-ᴅ-glucopyranoside (7) and cnidioside A (8) have been obtained from the genus Prangos for the first time. Structures of isolated compounds were established using spectroscopic methods (1 D and 2 D NMR, HR-MS, UV and IR). Moreover, all extracts and isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against NIH/3T3, HK-2, A-549, MCF-7, PC-3 and SH-SY5Y cell lines by WST-1 method. One of the new coumarin glycosides, 7-methoxy isoarnottinin 4'-O-β-ᴅ-glucopyranoside (1) exhibited selective cytotoxic activity against SH-SY5Y cells with IC₅₀ value of 31.41 ± 1.04 μM.

Wound healing acceleration and anti-inflammatory potential of Prunella vulgaris L.: From conventional use to preclinical scientific verification

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The genus Prunella L. (Lamiaceae) is represented by nine species in the world and four species in Turkey. The infusion prepared from the aerial parts of Prunella vulgaris L. is used internally for abdominal pain and as an expectorant, the decoction prepared from all parts is used internally or externally as a wound healing.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to investigate the wound healing potential of Prunella vulgaris L. on the scientific platform.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The aerial parts of the plant were extracted with 80% methanol. The resulting aqueous methanol extract was partitioned with n-hexane and ethyl acetate, and sub-extracts were obtained. The wound healing effects of the methanol extract and sub-extracts were studied in mice and rats using linear incision and circular excision wound models, and the anti-inflammatory effect was investigated using acetic acid-induced capillary permeability test. Isolation studies were performed using the ethyl acetate sub-extract, which exhibited the highest activity.

RESULTS

Using various chromatographic methods, 6 compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate sub-extract. The structures of the compounds were identified as methyl arginolate, ursolic acid, chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, methyl 3-epimaclinate, and ethyl rosmarinate by spectroscopic techniques (UV, IR, 13C-NMR, 1H-NMR, 2D-NMR, MS). The wound healing mechanisms of the pure compounds were investigated by performing assays to inhibit the enzymes hyaluronidase, collagenase, and elastase. Ursolic acid, chlorogenic acid, and rosmarinic acid were found to be responsible for the anti-inflammatory and wound healing effects.

CONCLUSION

The experimental study revealed that Prunella vulgaris showed significant wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities.

Ethnopharmacological study of medicinal plants in Kastamonu province (Türkiye)

This study is aimed at determining some of the plants traditionally used in the treatment of diseases by the local people living in Kastamonu province center and surrounding villages. A face-to-face questionnaire was applied and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 52 informants, 34 women and 18 men. Identification of 92 plants belonging to 41 families has been confirmed and their medicinal uses have been recorded. The most used families were Rosaceae (13 taxa), Asteraceae (11), and Lamiaceae (11). The most preferred folk recipes of medicinal plants was decoction (55 taxa) and in preparations and applications, the most used were the leaves (45 taxa). According to the International Classification of Primary Care categories, plants were the most used for digestive disorders (37 taxa), respiratory disorders (27 taxa), and urological disorders (24 taxa). The highest use-value was recorded for Urtica dioica (0.519), and highest relative frequency citation was recorded for Tilia rubra subsp. caucasica (0.231). Male genital diseases had the highest informant consensus factor value (0.83). New areas of use were also determined for Pilosella leucopsilon subsp. pilisquama, Galium palustre, and Astragalus nitens. With this study, new information for folkloric medicines is presented and the usage of herbal drugs in the study area are enhanced.

Sium sisarum

Traditionally consumed food and spices are significant sources in the daily life diet and constitute a large portion of the cuisine in Eastern Anatolia in Turkey. However, limited data available necessitate further analysis of their chemical composition and health attributing properties. This study aims to present phytochemical composition and biological activities of Sium sisarum var. lancifolium, a commonly consumed spice and food species in the region. Analytical studies to date have revealed the presence of high levels of phenolics (chlorogenic acid and isoquercetin) and volatiles (α-terpinene, camphene, cyclohexene, carene and p-cymene), which exhibits significant potential of digestive enzyme suppressive and antioxidant abilities. Data collected in this study suggest the use of Sium sisarum plant to obtain nutraceuticals and/or biotherapeutic agents that are able to regulate oxidative stress and enzyme activities.

Olgunlaşma Döneminin Rheum ribes L.’nin Potansiyel Besleme Değerine Etkisi

Bu çalışmanın amacı Rheum ribes L. ‘nin farklı olgunlaşma dönemlerinin kimyasal bileşiminine, kondanse tanen (KT) içeriğine, gaz ve metan üretimine, metabolik enerji (ME) ve organik madde sindirim derecesine (OMSD) etkisinin belirlenmesidir. Olgunlaşma dönemi kimyasal bileşimi, KT içeriğini, gaz ve metan üretimini, ME ve OMSD önemli derecede etkilemiştir (P<0.05). Rheum ribes L.’nin kuru madde (KM), ham kül (HK), ham protein (HP), ham yağ (HY), KT, asit çözücülerde çözünmeyen lifli bileşikler (ADF), nötr çözücülerde çözünmeyen lifli bileşikleri (NDF) sırasıyla 92.73-98.64%, 6.11-14.15%, 8.81-19.12%, 1.94-3.04%, 10.47-14.72%, 36.99-53.98% and 24.88-37.63% aralıklarında belirlenmiştir. Rheum ribes L.’nin 24 saatlik gaz üretimi, metan üretimi 29.73-40.60 ml ve 2.63-5.50 ml aralığında belirlenmiştir. ME ve OMSD 6.97-9.87 MJ kg-1 KM ve 45.68-60.02% aralığında belirlenmiştir. Özet olarak olgunlaşma dönemi Rheum ribes L.’nin besleme değerini önemli ölçide etkilemiştir. Rheum ribes L. ‘nin özellikle HP, ME, OMSD olgunlaşma dönemi ilerledikçe azalmıştır. Rheum ribes L.’nin gaz üretimi, ME ve OMSD, ADF ve NDF içeriği ile önemli ve negatif korelasyon göstermiş, ham protein içeriği ile pozitif korelasyon sergilemiştir. Ek olarak Rheum ribes L.’nin ruminant hayvanların performansı ve besleme değerinin belirlenebilmesi için in vivo çalışmalara da ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır.

An Ethnobotanical Study Of Medicinal Plants In Savaştepe (Balıkesir-Turkey)

Objective: This research planned to record traditional uses and preparations of herbal medicines in Savaştepe, Balıkesir. The study was conducted between the years 2012-2016. The Savaştepe district is located on the borders of Balıkesir province. Methods: 44 villages connected to Savaştepe were visited during the research. With the help of the local people, the collected plants were diagnosed and converted into herbarium specimens. All herbarium samples are stored in the Herbarium of Istanbul University Faculty of Pharmacy (ISTE). Information about the use of plants were collected by the help of interviews with 205 people (107 men, 98 women). Results: As a result of this study, there were 163 medicinal plant taxa belonging to 53 families. Mostly used medicinal plant species families are Lamiaceae (22 taxa), Asteraceae (20 taxa), Rosaceae (16 taxa), Fabaceae (6 taxa), Brassicaceae (7 taxa), Apiaceae (4 taxa), Poaceae (4 taxa), Scrophulariaceae (4 taxa) respectively. According to the informations, the most common diseases were categozied into 12 group and their FIC values are calculated. The highest FIC value (0.852) for hemorrhoids. Having high use value represents that this taxa is commonly used in Savaştepe. The highest use value is 0.93 for Urtica dioica Conclusion: This study documented the medicinal plants used by local people of Savaştepe and also the uses, preparations and vernacular names of medicinal plant species. This study will help to concerve valuable informations of the medicinal plants of Savaştepe.

Traditonal Uses, Pharmacological, and Phytochemical Studies of Euphorbia: a Review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Plants of the genus Euphorbia have long been used as traditional medicine in China, Europe, America, Turkey, India, Africa, Iran, and Pakistan for their great medicinal value and health benefits. Their stems, leaves, roots, latex are widely used to treat respiratory infections, body and skin irritations, digestive disorders, inflammatory infections, body pain, snake or scorpion bites, pregnancy, sensory disturbances, microbial and anti-cancer diseases.

OBJECTIVE

This review aimed to provide updated information on the genus Euphorbia, including traditional medicinal uses, valuation and exploitation of medicinal plants, phytochemistry, botanical characterization, pharmacological and toxicological research focused on the medicinal properties of several Euphorbias in particular their antibacterial, anti-tumor, and cell manifestations, in addition to the effect of each isolated bioactive molecule from these species and their pharmacological use including preclinical evaluation of new drugs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This work was conducted using scientific databases such as: PubMed, Google scholar, Scopus, Science Direct, etc. In addition, ChemDraw software has been used for the drawing of chemical molecules. The correct names of the plants were confirmed from plantlist.org. The results of this review research were interpreted, analyzed and documented based on the bibliographical information obtained.

RESULTS

Among all the species of the Euphorbiaceae family, 15 species have been demonstrated to exhibit anticancer activity, 21 species have antibacterial activity and 10 species have cytotoxic activity. The majority of the chemical constituents of this plant include triterpenoid glycosides, diterpenoids, flavonoids, and the 4α-methyl steroids. Among them, the main bioactive constituents are present in the diterpenoid fraction. The study of more than 33 steroid plants identified more than 104 compounds. Pharmacological research proved that the crude extracts and some pure compounds obtained from Euphorbia had activities for the treatment of different diseases. The objective of the present study was focused on cytotoxic, antibacterial and antitumor diseases. The study of the phytochemistry of the Euphorbia families led to the conclusion that all the plants studied had active compounds, of which 27 plants characterized by their cytotoxic effects, 7 had antibacterial effects and 10 plants had anti-tumor activities. Therefore, the safety of Euphorbia herbal medicine should be considered a top priority in the early stages of development and clinical trials.

CONCLUSIONS

Many previous studies have validated many traditional uses of Euphorbia species. The latex of some Euphorbia species seems to be toxic however studies dealing with safety and quality of these species are still incomplete. Extensive studies are needed on the Euphorbia plants before it can be fully used in clinics as a potent drug candidate, as researchers are focusing mainly on diterpenoids and triterpenoids, while there are many other types of compounds that may possess new biological activities.

Medicinal Plants Used Traditionally for Skin Related Problems in the South Balkan and East Mediterranean Region—A Review

A review research was conducted to provide an overview of the ethnobotanical knowledge of medicinal plants and traditional medical practices for the treatment of skin disorders in Albania, Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey. The geographical and ecological characteristics of the Balkan Peninsula and Mediterranean Sea, along with the historical connection among those countries, gave rise to the development of a distinct flora and to the uses of common medicinal plants against various skin ailments, respectively. The review focuses on the detailed study of 128 ethnobotanical surveys conducted in these areas and the species used for skin ailments were singled out. The analysis showed that 967 taxa belonging to 418 different genera and 111 different families are used in the treatment of skin related problems. The majority of the plants belong to the families of Asteraceae (11.7%), Lamiaceae (7.4%), Rosaceae (6.7%), Plantaginaceae (5.4%), and Malvaceae (3.8%). Their usage is internal or external to treat ailments such as wounds and burns (22.1%), hemorrhoids (14.7%), boils, abscesses, and furuncles (8.2%). Beside specific skin disorders, numerous species appeared to be used for their antifungal, antimicrobial, and antiseptic activity (9.1%). Literature evaluation highlighted that, the most commonly used species are Plantago major L. (Albania, Turkey), Hypericum perforatum L. (Greece, Turkey), Sambucus nigra L. (Cyprus, Greece), Ficus carica L. (Cyprus, Turkey), Matricaria chamomilla L. (Cyprus, Greece), and Urtica dioica L. (Albania, Turkey), while many medicinal plants reported by interviewees were common in all four countries. Finally, to relate this ethnopharmacological knowledge and trace its expansion and diversification through centuries, a comparison of findings was made with the use of the species mentioned in Dioscorides’ “De Materia Medica” for skin disorders. This work constitutes the first comparative study performed with ethnobotanical data for skin ailments gathered in the South Balkan and East Mediterranean areas. Results confirm the primary hypothesis that people in Albania, Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey are closely related in terms of traditionally using folk medicinal practices. Nevertheless, more field studies conducted, especially in remote places of these regions, can help preserve the traditional medical knowledge, aiming at the discovery of new phytotherapeutics against dermatological diseases.

Evaluation of anti-proliferative activity of Eryngium caucasicum on melanoma cancer cells

Background

The genus Eryngium is a member of the Apiaceae family that has shown different pharmacological effects mainly including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-cancer, hepatoprotective, and anti-oxidant. Previous research on the anti-cancer activity of Eryngium in some cancer cell lines has led us to explore the anti-proliferative activity of E. caucasicum in the B16F10 cell line.

Objective

In this study, the antiproliferative activity of E. caucasicum on melanoma cancer cells (B16F10) and non-cancerous cells (HFFF2) were evaluated in vitro.

Methods

The dried plant sample of E. caucasicum was extracted by Soxhlet apparatus with n-Hexane, dichloromethane, and methanol solvents. The effects of cytotoxicity of the extracts by the MTT method on melanoma cancer cells (B16F10) and noncancerous cells (HFFF2) was investigated for 24 and 48 hours. Then, the cytotoxicity of different fractions of the strong extract against normal and cancer cells was evaluated by this method. Annexin V/PI assay was used to study the induction apoptosis via the fractions in cancer cells.

Findings

According to the results of the MTT test, n-Hexane extract is the most effective extract against the B16F10 cell line and is a candidate for fractionation with VLC. Among the fractions, 40 and 60% VLC fractions of n-Hexan extract inhibited the growth of B16F10 cells at 24 and 48 hours while, these fractions at IC₅₀ concentration had no cytotoxic effects on normal cells. Treatment of cancer cells with effective extract caused apoptosis and necrosis and 40 and 60% more fractions induced apoptosis in these cells.

Conclusion

The n-Hexane extract of E. caucasicum and its 40 and 60% fractions showed the highest cytotoxic effect against the B16F10 cell line compared to other extracts and control groups. This inhibition was made through induction of apoptosis.

Comparative evaluation of relaxant effects of three prangos species on mouse corpus cavernosum: Chemical characterization and the relaxant mechanisms of action of P. pabularia and (+)-oxypeucedanin

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the most common form of sexual dysfunction which has been the topic of great interest through the history by all cultures. It is now among the most treated health problems in men of all ages that develop under the influence of lifestyle factors and some diseases. Plants are extensively used to cure sexual dysfunction for centuries. Roots of Prangos sp. have been used to improve sexual performance in Anatolian traditional medicine and are rich of coumarin, furanocoumarin and their derivatives. Scientific research is necessary to support and validate the ethno-traditional uses of these plants.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the root extracts of P. pabularia, P. uechtritzii and P. heyniae on erectile function and to isolate and identify the chemical compounds of the most active extract and reveal possible pharmacological mechanism of the major compound of the extract with the strongest relaxant effect in mouse corpus cavernosum (MCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The roots of plants were extracted with chloroform, n-hexane and methanol. The compounds were isolated from the extract by column chromatography and structures were identified by NMR and MS. The relaxant effects of extracts (10^-7-10^-4 g/mL), (+)-oxypeucedanin (10^-7-10^-4 M) and Na₂S (10^-7-3 × 10^-3 M) were tested in MCC strips by DMT myograph. To investigate the mechanism, the synthesis inhibitors of aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA, 10^-2 M) and nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10^-4 M) were used, respectively. H₂S formation was evaluated basal and L-cysteine (L-cyst)-stimulated conditions by H₂S microsensor.

RESULTS

All extracts relaxed MCC in a concentration dependent manner. The maximum relaxing effects were achieved with chloroform extracts. Chloroform extract of P. pabularia (Pp-CE) was more potent than the others. Pp-CE-induced relaxations were significantly decreased by AOAA and L-NAME. (+)-Oxypeucedanin, the major compound of Pp-CE, induced relaxant responses and this effect was inhibited by AOAA, but not L-NAME. The relaxation of (+)-oxypeucedanin was found to be similar in view of E_max to positive control H₂S donor Na₂S. (+)-Oxypeucedanin increased L-cyst-stimulated H₂S formation. Augmentation of H₂S synthesis with (+)-oxypeucedanin was inhibited by AOAA.

CONCLUSIONS

Pp-CE has the strongest effect on relaxation of MCC and this result supports the traditional aphrodisiac use of P. pabularia root extract in Anatolia. The pharmacological mechanisms of Pp-CE to relax MCC involve NO and H₂S formation. (+)-Oxypeucedanin could be responsible for the H₂S-mediated relaxations of Pp-CE in MCC.

Induction of Apoptosis by Isoalantolactone in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Hep3B Cells through Activation of the ROS-Dependent JNK Signaling Pathway

Isoalantolactone (IALT) is one of the isomeric sesquiterpene lactones isolated from the roots of Inula helenium L. IALT is known to possess various biological and pharmacological activities, but its anti-cancer mechanisms are not well understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-proliferative effects of IALT in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and to evaluate the potential anti-cancer mechanisms. Our results demonstrated that IALT treatment concentration-dependently suppressed the cell survival of HCC Hep3B cells, which was associated with the induction of apoptosis. IALT increased the expression of death-receptor-related proteins, activated caspases, and induced Bid truncation, subsequently leading to cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. In addition, IALT contributed to the cytosolic release of cytochrome c by destroying mitochondrial integrity, following an increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 expression ratio. However, IALT-mediated growth inhibition and apoptosis were significantly attenuated in the presence of a pan-caspase inhibitor, suggesting that IALT induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in Hep3B cells. Moreover, IALT activated the mitogen-activated protein kinases signaling pathway, and the anti-cancer effect of IALT was significantly diminished in the presence of a potent c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor. IALT also improved the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), whereas the ROS inhibitor significantly abrogated IALT-induced growth reduction, apoptosis, and JNK activation. Furthermore, ROS-dependent apoptosis was revealed as a mechanism involved in the anti-cancer activity of IALT in a 3D multicellular tumor spheroid model of Hep3B cells. Taken together, our findings indicate that IALT exhibited anti-cancer activity in HCC Hep3B cells by inducing ROS-dependent activation of the JNK signaling pathway.

Glycyrrhiza Genus: Enlightening Phytochemical Components for Pharmacological and Health-Promoting Abilities

The Glycyrrhiza genus, generally well-known as licorice, is broadly used for food and medicinal purposes around the globe. The genus encompasses a rich pool of bioactive molecules including triterpene saponins (e.g., glycyrrhizin) and flavonoids (e.g., liquiritigenin, liquiritin). This genus is being increasingly exploited for its biological effects such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and cytotoxic activities. The species Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and the compound glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic acid) have been studied immensely for their effect on humans. The efficacy of the compound has been reported to be significantly higher on viral hepatitis and immune deficiency syndrome. This review provides up-to-date data on the most widely investigated Glycyrrhiza species for food and medicinal purposes, with special emphasis on secondary metabolites' composition and bioactive effects.

Ethnomedicinal Plants of Hasankeyf (Batman-Turkey)

Hasankeyf is an ancient city, dating back to more than 10,000 years, in the Southeast Anatolia Region of Turkey. The area is separated by the Tigris River on both sides and located in the Batman province. However, as a result of a dam project, in February 2020, this ancient city and some of its surrounding villages were totally flooded. The residents were moved to new settlements. This study aimed to prevent the possible loss of ethnomedicinal knowledge of plants due to migration as well as to pass on this knowledge to the future generations. The field studies were conducted between March 2017 and November 2019 in the city center and 22 rural settlements of Hasankeyf. Also, the areas where intensive migration was experienced were visited frequently. Interviews were conducted with a total of 131 participants (76 women and 55 men) while gathering plants with them. Information was collected through interviews and questionnaires. The results were analyzed by quantitative indices of information consensus factor (FIC) and use value (UV). A total of 94 plant taxa belonging to 40 families were identified in the study area. The most common medicinal plant families are Lamiaceae (13), Asteraceae (8), Rosaceae (6), Malvaceae (6), Amaryllidaceae (5), Brassicaceae (4), and Solanaceae (4). The most common preparations were infusion, fresh application, and crushing. The taxa having the highest count of use value (UV) were Teucrium polium, Matricaria aurea, Urtica dioica, Mentha longifolia, and Quercus brantii. Besides, the recorded ailments were grouped into categories based on information provided by the interviewees. The most important use categories among the informants were diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory disorders, and dermatological disorders. The present study represents the first medical-ethnobotanical documentation and analysis of the traditional use of medicinal plants in Hasankeyf.

Traditional medicinal knowledge of woody species across climatic zones in Benin (West Africa)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Plant parts are often used by local people to treat their affections. This study addressed the Traditional Medicinal Knowledge of woody species in Benin and the dependence of medicinal use of woody species on climatic zones.

AIM OF THE STUDY

It reports (i) the main diseases categories treated with medicinal use of woody species in Benin and changes across climatic zones by inferring their epidemiological status, and (ii) the woody species involved and their distribution according to climate conditions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ethnobotanical interviews were undertaken using a semi-structured questionnaire. Five hundred and ninety medicinal plant professionals (healers, traders …) were interviewed in the whole country. Frequency of citation and informant consensus factor were calculated to highlight the main human diseases categories and woody species used for their treatment. A principal component analysis was performed to determine the occurrence of diseases categories in different climatic zones.

RESULTS

About 94% of international diseases categories were treated using medicinal woody species in Benin. Nighty-seven ailments in 16 diseases categories were identified. Among them, 5 diseases categories (General and unspecified, Digestive, Skin, Neurological, and Musculoskeletal) were highlighted as important. The Sudano-Guinean zone showed the highest diseases frequencies, whereas the Sudanian zone showed the lowest. The epidemiological status of some phytodistricts was worrisome. In our study, 123 woody species belonging to 93 genera and 35 families were reported, and among them, 16 were the most used as treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a lack of consensus among traditional healers about which woody species to use. Many different species were used to treat a given diseases category. Also, information concerning their organ composition was not available in the literature, for the majority of species. Biological and chemical investigations are thus needed for a better valorization of the most frequently used plants in the future.

Potential anti-influenza effective plants used in Turkish folk medicine: A review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Due to the outbreaks such as SARS, bird flu and swine flu, which we frequently encounter in our century, we need fast solutions with no side effects today more than ever. Due to having vast ethnomedical experience and the richest flora (34% endemic) of Europe and the Middle East, Turkey has a high potential for research on this topic. Plants that locals have been using for centuries for the prevention and treatment of influenza can offer effective alternatives to combat this problem. In this context, 224 herbal taxa belonging to 45 families were identified among the selected 81 studies conducted in the seven regions of Turkey. However, only 35 (15.6%) of them were found to be subjected to worldwide in vitro and in vivo research conducted on anti-influenza activity. Quercetin and chlorogenic acid, the effectiveness of which has been proven many times in this context, have been recorded as the most common (7.1%) active ingredients among the other 56 active substances identified.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study has been carried out to reveal the inventory of plant species that have been used in flu treatment for centuries in Turkish folk medicine, which could be used in the treatment of flu or flu-like pandemics, such as COVID 19, that humanity has been suffering with, and also compare them with experimental studies in the literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The investigation was conducted in two stages on the subject above by using electronic databases, such as Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, ProQuest, Medline, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, HighWire Press, PubMed and Google Scholar. The results of both scans are presented in separate tables, together with their regional comparative analysis.

RESULTS

Data obtained on taxa are presented in a table, including anti-influenza mechanism of actions and the active substances. Rosa canina (58.7%) and Mentha x piperita (22.2%) were identified as the most common plants used in Turkey. Also, Sambucus nigra (11.6%), Olea europaea (9.3%), Eucalyptus spp., Melissa officinalis, and Origanum vulgare (7.0%) emerged as the most investigated taxa.

CONCLUSION

This is the first nationwide ethnomedical screening work conducted on flu treatment with plants in Turkey. Thirty-nine plants have been confirmed in the recent experimental anti-influenza research, which strongly shows that these plants are a rich pharmacological source. Also, with 189 (84.4%) taxa, detections that have not been investigated yet, they are an essential resource for both national and international pharmacological researchers in terms of new natural medicine searches. Considering that the production of antimalarial drugs and their successful use against COVID-19 has begun, this correlation was actually a positive and remarkable piece of data, since there are 15 plants, including Centaurea drabifolia subsp. Phlocosa (an endemic taxon), that were found to be used in the treatment of both flu and malaria.

Ethnomedicinal and folklore inventory of wild plants used by rural communities of valley Samahni, District Bhimber Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

The current study describes ethnobotanical (EB) and traditional ethnomedicinal (TEMs) uses of medicinal plants (MPs) of Tehsil Samahni area of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Indigenous inhabitants of the area mostly reside in remote mountainous areas and depend on wild plants for life necessities and treatment of different diseases. This paper presents first quantitative ethnobotanical study describing the popularity level of MPs in indigenous communities by using relative popularity level (RPL) and rank order of priority (ROP) indices. The data of TEMs and EB uses were collected from 200 interviewees consisting of traditional herbal practioners (110) and farmers (90) from study area using structured and semi-structured interview methodology during year 2019. It was found that illiterate peasants have more knowledge and practice of TEMs than other people. A total of 150 plant species belonging to 58 families with botanical and local names, parts used, mode of recipes preparation, administration mechanism and TEMs uses were documented in systematic manner. It was explored that highest number (7.69%) of plants of Moraceae were used in TEMs and followed by species of Asteraceae (6.29%). The ethnobotanical data was analyzed by using quantitative ethnobotanical tools viz: informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), relative frequency of citation (RFC), use value index (UVI), relative importance of plants (RIP), relative populatiry level (RPL) and rank order of popularity (ROP). The leaf ranked first (36.49%) and fruit 2nd (12.07%) being used in TEMs while prevalent use-form was decoction (29.28%), followed by tea (23.05%) and preferably taken as oral (46.66%). ICF analysis proved that diabetes, hypertension, rabies, snake sting and joint pains were the most prevalent occurring infirmities. The highest RFC (0.95) was found for Acacia modesta, followed by Boerhavia procumbens (RFC:0.87) and Berberis lycium (RFC:0.85). The relative importance of MPs was calculated by using UVI and Moringa oleifera showed highest (1.38), followed by Zanthoxylum armatum (1.25) and Withania somnifera (1.24) use-values. High UVI of plants depicts that these species are predominantly used in local health care system. The plants Phyllanthus emblica, Morus macruora, Justicia adhatoda and Melia azedarach depicted high values (1.00) of FL and RPL proving that these taxa are commonly used in indigenous medicines by local inhabitants and have better potential for drug discovery by ethnopharmacological analysis. Out of total, 26 species had more than 50% ROP index and Phyllanthus emblica and Flacourtia indica (ROP = 100) followed by Morus macruora (ROP: 97) were used to cure 'hypertension and hyperlipidemia' and 'cough, chest infection', respectively. It was found that 30% of total species were previously reported as medicinal while 70% plants were first time reported to be used in TEMs and authenticated by using of quantitative ethnobotanical tools. Ethnopharmacological potential of indigenous plants was confirmed by RIP and RPL indices which had been used to cure one or more body systems and were promulgated in the local herbal medicine system. The research provides clues to screen these plant species by using latest phytochemical and pharmacological analysis for novel drug discovery. This study will also be useful for conservation of bioculture traditional knowledge of indigenous communities and the most important is to conserve medicinal plants of the study area for future generations.

Genus Rosas : A Review of Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry and Traditional Aspects According to Islamic Traditional Medicine (ITM)

Rosa spp. is an important genus in the Rosaceae family which is a source of medicinal natural products, particularly polyphenolic and terpenoid compounds and is used in several traditional medicines such as Islamic Traditional Medicine (ITM) to cure various diseases. Plants in this genus are known to possess anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anti-constipation, cardioprotective and neuroprotective activities. Furthermore, phytochemical investigations have reported Rosa species to contain a wide range of chemical compounds including quercetin, kaempferol, catechin, citronellol, limonene, lycopene, carvacrol, thymol, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), rosmarinic acid, etc. The current review is an attempt to cover the available findings on the ethnobotany and photochemistry of this genus as well as its medicinal aspects in ITM.

Ethnomedicinal Plants Used for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases by Healers in the Southwestern State of Paraná, Brazil, and Their Validation Based on Scientific Pharmacological Data

Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Among treatment options, medicinal plants are frequently used, especially in developing countries, such as Brazil. Despite social development that has been observed in the last decades, the use of medicinal plants is still driven by popular knowledge, especially by healers. The present study sought to identify medicinal species that are used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases by healers in the microregion of Francisco Beltrão, Paraná, Brazil. The snowball technique was used to select informants, and data were collected through interviews. The research was performed in two stages: (1) a structured interview and (2) the collection and botanical identification of the species that were mentioned by the healers. Medicinal plants were classified into the following categories of cardiovascular agents: hypotensive and antihypertensive agents, lipid-lowering agents, diuretic agents, and cardiotonic agents. To analyze the data, the frequency was determined, Spearman correlations were calculated, and the informant consensus factor (ICF) and use value were obtained. Some characteristics, such as female gender and old age, were associated with knowledge about medicinal plants. Overall, 77 different species and 149 medicinal uses were cited by the healers. With regard to categories of use, the highest number of species was found among lipid-lowering plants, and the highest ICF was found for species that are used as cardiotonics. Moreover, a literature review indicated that among the cited species, several still lack studies that have proven their effects on the cardiovascular system. The traditional use of medicinal plants for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases is broad in the study regions. The present results are important for clarifying popular knowledge in this region and providing a framework for selecting species with potential for the development of new pharmacological studies.

HPLC–MS/MS profiling of wild-growing scentless chamomile

Scentless chamomile (Tripleurospermum inodorum = M. inodora) is a plant belonging to Anthemideae tribe of Asteraceae family, with phenotype similar to the common chamomile, a plant used in human consumption in the form of herbal tea infusion. In order to be able to understand possible health-promoting properties and adverse effects of the scentless chamomile's consumption, it is of essence to examine its chemical composition. The aim of the study was to perform phenolic profiling using high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectroscopy (HPLC–MS/MS), in comparison to the common chamomile. In the investigated extracts, qualitative and quantitative analyses enabled the identification of 66 compounds based on their retention times, mass (MS/MS) spectra, and analysis of their characteristic fragmentation patterns in MS/MS Product Ion Scan experiments. A new HPLC–MS/MS method for quantitation of common plant metabolites was hereby developed, enabling quantitation of 47 compounds. All examined M. inodora samples have relatively high combined phenolic and flavonoid contents (25.2–51.9 mg/g). Apigenin, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, luteolin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, quinic acid, and 5-O-caffeoyl quinic acid were the compounds with highest concentration in both inodorous and common chamomile. The results obtained hereby represent the first and most detailed chemical profile of scentless chamomile so far.

Evaluation of the Antidiabetic Activity of Alchemilla persica Rothm. in Mice with Diabetes Induced by Alloxan

OBJECTIVES

Alchemilla species are used in Turkish folk medicine for the treatment of many diseases together with diabetes. Alchemilla persica, belonging to this genus, is widely distributed in Eastern Anatolia as well as in Caucasia, northern and northeastern Iran, and northern Iraq.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Methanolic-water extracts of the aerial parts and roots of A. persica were evaluated for their hypoglycemic activities in mice with alloxan-induced diabetes in order to verify its usage in folk medicine.

RESULTS

None of the tested extracts exhibited a significant lowering effect on blood glucose levels. However, the aerial parts notably increased blood glucose levels at doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg.

CONCLUSION

A. persica usage as an antidiabetic is not confirmed in the present study.

Euphorbia-Derived Natural Products with Potential for Use in Health Maintenance

Euphorbia genus (Euphorbiaceae family), which is the third largest genus of angiosperm plants comprising ca. 2000 recognized species, is used all over the world in traditional medicine, especially in the traditional Chinese medicine. Members of this taxa are promptly recognizable by their specialized inflorescences and latex. In this review, an overview of Euphorbia-derived natural products such as essential oils, extracts, and pure compounds, active in a broad range of biological activities, and with potential usages in health maintenance, is described. The chemical composition of essential oils from Euphorbia species revealed the presence of more than 80 phytochemicals, mainly oxygenated sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpenes hydrocarbons, while Euphorbia extracts contain secondary metabolites such as sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, sterols, flavonoids, and other polyphenols. The extracts and secondary metabolites from Euphorbia plants may act as active principles of medicines for the treatment of many human ailments, mainly inflammation, cancer, and microbial infections. Besides, Euphorbia-derived products have great potential as a source of bioactive extracts and pure compounds, which can be used to promote longevity with more health.

Promising activity of Anthemis austriaca Jacq. on the endometriosis rat model and isolation of its active constituents

Anthemis austriaca Jacq. flowers are traditionally used to alleviate abdominal pain, hemorrhoids, ovary diseases and pneumonia. This study aimed to investigate the effects of A. austriaca flowers, which are frequently used in gynecological disorders, on the rat endometriosis model. The rat endometriosis model was used to evaluate the potential activity of the plant in endometriosis. The dried plant material was extracted with n-hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and methanol (MeOH), successively. The obtained extracts from A. austriaca flowers were applied to the rats. The adhesion scores, endometrial foci areas, and cytokine levels of the peritoneal fluids were measured on surgical induction of endometriosis in rats. The adhesion scores, endometriotic volume, and cytokine levels of the peritoneal fluids were reduced in the EtOAc, MeOH, and buserelin acetate-treated (reference) groups. The MeOH extract reduced the adhesion scores and endometrial foci areas from 3.1 to 1.1 (p < 0.01) and from 86.4 to 40.5 (p < 0.01), respectively and also the MeOH extract reduced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and interleukin (IL)-6 levels of the peritoneal fluids from 13.7 to 3.8 (p < 0.01), from 28.4 to 16.3 (p < 0.05) and from 50.2 to 24.3 (p < 0.01), respectively. Therefore, isolation studies were conducted on the EtOAc and MeOH extracts. After the MeOH extract was fractionated using RP-18 column, the obtained subfractions were evaluated again on the endometriosis rat model. Subfractions A and C of the MeOH extract displayed statistically significant activity on the endometriosis rat model. Phytochemical investigation resulted in the isolation of 4-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2-one (1) from Fr. A and quercetin (2), apigenin-7-O-(3″-O-acetyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), apigenin-7-O-(6″-O-acetyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), quercetin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6) from Fr. C. Moreover, β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7) was isolated from the EtOAc extract. As a conclusion, the MeOH extract obtained from A. austriaca flowers contributed to the regression of endometriosis. In addition, flavonoids and sterols of the plant were detected as the possible compounds responsible for the activity.

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive features of Bryonia alba L.: As a possible alternative in treating rheumatism

Bryonia species have traditionally been used as a diuretic and laxative, to reduce edema and relieve joint pain. B. alba roots are used especially to treat rheumatic pain and applied to painful joints in Turkish folk medicine. B. alba roots were extracted with n-hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and methanol, successively. The carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model and the Whittle method were used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts in mice. The p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction test and tail flick test were used to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of the extracts in mice. DPPH-radical-scavenging activity, ABTS radical–scavenging activity, total antioxidant activity, and hydroxyl radical– scavenging activity were assessed. Furthermore, the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were calculated for all the extracts. The EtOAc extract prepared from B. alba roots had the most promising anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antioxidant activities. Moreover, it had high phenolic and flavonoid contents. Therefore, B. alba roots could be alternative treatment method for rheumatic disorders.

Traditional medicinal plants of Ağrı Province, Turkey

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

This study serves as the first investigation of the knowledge of traditional medicinal plants used in Ağrı Province. The mountainous and strongly fragmented area, diversity of local flora, limited access to modern medicines because of the people's seminomadic lifestyle, and harsh climatic conditions have prompted the locals to benefit from natural resources, principally plants.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Although the use of medicinal plant is common in the area, documentation and inventory analysis are not available on the plant taxa used in traditional medicine in Ağrı Province. This study focused on the answer of the following question: What are the most medicinally valuable plant taxa in the province? Therefore, this study aimed to (i) document medicinal plant taxa used in Ağrı Province; (ii) determine the endemic plant species and their risk categories; (iii) determine the most widely used plant taxa for specific ailments to further contribute to drug discovery; (iv) determine the local names, plant part(s) used, preparation, and utilization methods of these local plant medicines to assist with pharmaceutical studies; and (v) reveal the origin(s) of traditional medicinal knowledge of Ağrı Province.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ethnopharmacological field studies were conducted between 2014 and 2016 in 638 locations within Ağrı Province. Plant samples used in folk medicine were determined through face-to-face interviews with 120 local healers. Traditional medicinal plant samples were collected from wild areas with the help of the local healers and transported to Van Pharmaceutical Herbarium (Van, Turkey) for botanical identification. The statistical analyses of data were conducted using the informant consensus factor (ICF) method.

RESULTS

In this study, 118 medicinal taxa belonging to 35 families of plants were determined to be used in Ağrı Province. Ninety-three different local names were recorded, which mainly described the plant's morphological characteristics. Data analysis (ICF) revealed that the traditional medicinal plants used in Ağrı Province might offer promising information for new pharmaceuticals.

CONCLUSIONS

The local population in the study area has a preserved and comprehensive knowledge of traditional medicine because of its limited access to modern medicine, seminomadic lifestyle, isolated geographical position, traditional taste habits, climatic conditions, diversity of local flora, and mountainous and rugged geography. The medicinal plants presented in this study might provide valuable leads for the identification of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical use and represent a vast and underutilized resource for the development of newer and more efficient pharmacological treatments.

Isolation of eudesmane type sesquiterpene ketone from Prangos heyniae H.Duman & M.F.Watson essential oil and mosquitocidal activity of the essential oils

In the present work, an endemic species Prangos heyniae collected in four locations from Turkey was subjected to hydrodistillation in Clevenger type apparatus to obtain the essential oils (EO1-4). The gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and gas-chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC/FID) analyses showed that the EOs were rich in sesquiterpenes, germacrene D (10.3-12.1%), β-bisabolene (14.4%), kessane (26.9%), germacrene B (8.2%), elemol (3.4-46.9%), β-bisabolenal (1.4-70.7%), β-bisabolenol (8.4%) and an eudesmane type sesquiterpene (1) (16.1%) with [M+218]. This unidentified compound (1) was isolated in a rapid one-step manner with >95.0% purity using Preparative Capillary Gas Chromatography (PCGC) with an HP Innowax column connected to a Preparative Fraction Collector (PFC) system. Structure determination was accomplished from 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic data which determined a new eudesmane type sesquiterpene, 3,7(11)-eudesmadien-2-one (1). Using a biting deterrent bioassay, the mean proportion not biting (PNB) values of the P. heyniae EO1-4 were 0.88 for EO1 and 0.80 for EO2 which were similar to the positive control DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide). The EO3 and EO4 had lower PNB values of 0.64 and 0.44, respectively. P. heyniae EO1-4 showed good larvicidal activity at 125 and 62.5 ppm whereas EO1-3 were slightly less effective at the dose of 31.25 ppm and EO4 was not active at 31.25 ppm against 1st instar Aedes aegypti.

An ethnobotanical study in Midyat (Turkey), a city on the silk road where cultures meet

BACKGROUND

Studies of ethnobotanical usages in south-eastern Turkey are rare. To widen this field of knowledge, we conducted an ethnobotanical study in Midyat (Mardin Province), Turkey.

METHODS

The field study was completed during three years (2007-2010). Our aim was to document the ethnobotanical uses of local plants and to make an ethnobotanical inventory of uncommon plants using qualitative interviews.

RESULTS

During field studies, 368 voucher specimens were collected in the investigated area. Ninety-two traditionally used plant species were reported from Midyat and surrounding vicinities in Turkey. Among the 92 taxa (129 usages), 35% were used for medical purposes, 22% for food, 13% for animal fodder, 7% as ornamental plants and dyes, 6% as brooms, 4% for latex and as fragrance, 4% for herbal tea, molasses and wine preparation, 3% for agricultural purposes, and 6% for other purposes. Comparative assessment showed that Teucrium polium (0.51), Matricaria aurea (0.26), Alcea setosa (0.21), and Malva neglecta (0.21) have the highest recorded UVs, and the following taxa had UVs between 0.10-0.20: Anthemis cotula (0.12), Allium cepa (0.13), Alcea striata subsp. striata (0.14), Crupina crupinastrum (0.12), Papaver rhoeas (0.13), Salvia multicaulis (0.14), Thymbra spicata (0.11), and Vicia pannonica subsp. striata (0.15). We reported the ethnobotanical usages of 21 taxa for the first time, in addition to indicating usages previously recorded in the literature. We also recorded four endemic plant usages in the area: Alkanna trichophila var. mardinensis, Centaurea kurdica, Centaurea stapfiana, and Sideritis libanotica subsp. linearis. They have variable leaf and flower morphology that are used traditionally. They are present as well-developed populations and thus their conservation status is not compromised. Additionally, Thymbra sintenisii is a recorded species that is classified as a rare and extensively used species in the region.

CONCLUSIONS

These results contribute to the fundamental knowledge of ethnobotanical usages in Midyat. To date, ethnobotanical studies have not been carried out in this region. This investigation uncovered usages of endemic medicinal plant species and traditional knowledge of Midyat communities living in a mixed culture. The people of Midyat, Batman, and Şırnak are Turkish citizens from various ethnic backgrounds, such as Kurdish, Arabic, and Syriac. We compared our data with results from other studies conducted in Turkey, particularly in south-eastern and eastern regions, as well as with studies from bordering countries, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, and Iran. Nonetheless, more work needs to be conducted to extend the present knowledge for locals to contribute to and evaluate economic potential in the region.

Preserving Traditional Botanical Knowledge: The Importance of Phytogeographic and Ethnobotanical Inventory of Peruvian Dye Plants

Abstract: Peru is a megadiverse country with native species of all kinds, including dye plants, which have been used for hundreds of years by the local population. Despite the fact that many of these natural dyes are of a superior quality compared to synthetic ones and do not have the harmful effects that the latter may cause to human health, due to the lack of documentation and dissemination, ethnobotanical knowledge is unfortunately being lost with the passing of generations. In order to preserve and spread such valuable knowledge, this study conducted a comprehensive taxonomic, phytogeographic, and ethnobotanical inventory of dye plants based on periodical botanical explorations in selected locations of Northern Peru during the span of two decades. A critical review of the specialized bibliography was then carried out and the findings were verified with the personal knowledge and experience of both the researchers and the local and regional people. The results of the inventory record 32 species of dye plants from Northern Peru distributed in 22 families, of which the following stand out due to the number of species: Fabaceae (5), Anacardiaceae (2), Annonaceae (2), Asteraceae (2), Berberidaceae (2), Rosaceae (2), and Solanaceae (2). Of the 32 dye species identified, four are considered endemic from Peru: Berberisbuceronis J.F. Macbr., Caesalpiniapaipai Ruiz & Pav., Coreopsissenaria S.F. Blake & Sherf., and Lomatiahirsuta (Lam.) Diels. The study also found that species such as Bixaorellana L., Indigoferasuffruticosa Mill., Sambucusperuviana, and the lichen Usneabaileyi (Stirton) Zahlbr have not been commercially exploited in Peru despite the fact that they already constitute a great economic source for several countries.

An ethnobotanical survey of indigenous medicinal plants in Hafizabad district, Punjab-Pakistan

Present paper offers considerable information on traditional uses of medicinal plants by the inhabitants of Hafizabad district, Punjab-Pakistan. This is the first quantitative ethnobotanical study from the area comprising popularity level of medicinal plant species intendedby using relative popularity level (RPL) and rank order priority (ROP) indices.Ethnobotanical data were collected by interviewing 166 local informants and 35 traditional health practioners (THPs) from different localities of Hafizabad district. Demographic features of informants; life form, part used, methods of preparation, modes of application and ethnomedicinal uses were documented. Ethnobotanical data were analyzed using quantitative tools, i.e. Relative frequency citation (RFC), use value (UV), informant consensus factor (ICF) fidelity level (FL), RPL and ROP indices. A total of 85 species belonging to 71 genera and 34 families were documented along with ethnomedicinal uses. Solanum surattense, Withania somnifera, Cyperus rotundus, Solanum nigrum and Melia azedarach were the most utilized medicinal plant species with highest used value. The reported ailments were classified into 11 disease categories based on ICF values and highest number of plant species was reported to treat dermatological and gastrointestinal disorders. Withania somnifera and Ranunculus sceleratus with maximum FL (100%), were used against gastrointestinal and urinary disorders, respectively. The RPL and ROP values were calculated to recognize the folk medicinal plant wealth; six out of 32 plant species (19%) were found popular, based on citation by more than half of the maximum number of informant viz. 26. Consequently, the ROP value for these species was more than 75. The comparative assessment with reported literature revealed 15% resemblance and 6% variation to previous data;however79% uses of the reported species were recorded for the first time. The diversity of medicinal plant species and associated traditional knowledge is significant in primary health care system. Medicinal plant species with high RPL values should be screened for comprehensive phytochemical and pharmacological studies. This could be useful in novel drug discovery and to validate the ethomendicinal knowledge.

Evaluation of hepatoprotective and antidiabetic activity of Alchemilla mollis

Alchemilla mollis (Buser) Rothm aerial part and root methanolic-water extracts were evaluated for their hepatoprotective activity on carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity and hypoglycemic activity on alloxan-induced diabetic mice. None of the tested extracts exhibited effects on blood glucose levels. However hepatoprotective activity results have revealed that serum ALT levels were significantly lowered by both the aerial part and root extracts at doses of 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg. Histopathological examination showed that A. mollis aerial parts and roots induced significant recovery from cellular damage; when compared to the carbon tetrachloride group, the most significant activity was observed with A. mollis aerial part extracts at a dose of 200mg/kg. There is evidence of a hepatoprotective activity of A. mollis on the phenolic content of the plant, especially in the case of flavonoids, which have potent antioxidant properties.

Ethnobotanical investigation on medicinal plants in the Vesuvio National Park (Campania, Southern Italy)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

This paper illustrates the results of an ethnobotanical study carried out in the Vesuvio National Park (VNP) (Campania, Southern Italy). It describes the medicinal uses of the plants in an ancient area rich in ethnobiodiversity investigated for the first time.

AIM FOR THE STUDY

The main aim of the study was to understand at what extent current knowledge on medicinal plant uses is still alive in VNP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The informations were collected using semi-structured and unstructured interviews performed on 136 persons living in the investigated area from March to November 2014 and from April to October 2015. The age of the informants ranged from 47 to 85 years old; more than half of the informants aged between 61 and 70. Local plant uses were listed and analyzed in a table and compared with uses in other localities in Italy and in other regions of the Mediterranean basin.

RESULTS

In VNP were recorded a total number of 132 plant species, belonging to 110 genera and 51 families mentioned for medicinal purposes. Among the recorded 132 plant species, 70 are spontaneous or subspontaneous and 62 are cultivated above all in the kitchen gardens or in the apartments, as food or as ornamental. Herbs represent the majority, followed by trees and shrubs or subshrubs. The investigated plants were used to cure 116 different human health diseases and 4 veterinary problems. The majority of plants are used in the treatment of gastrointestinal, skin and respiratory problems.

CONCLUSION

The number of medicinal plants reported in this paper reflects a well-preserved traditional popular knowledge (TPK) of the elderly people living in the rural areas and in the small villages of VNP. The conservation of TPK is owed to the persistence of an oral tradition that safeguard the use of plants as herbal medicine. We realized that while the use of some wild plants is decreasing, people continue to gather some cultivated and invasive plants for preparing remedies. Researches like this are necessary to protect ancient memories, to promote the transfer of information to the younger generations, to preserve ethno-biodiversity and to provide a starting point fur further biochemical investigations on medicinal entities.