Ethnomedicinal plant species used against jaundice in Dr kohistan valley [Khyber Pukhtunkhwa] Pakistan

The paper enumerates the traditional uses of 54 plant species belonging to 34 families, which are used by the village communities of Dir Kohistan Valley [Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, Pakistan] for the treatment of jaundice. Some of these useful species are under serious threat due to unsustainable activities. Hence, a proper documentation of useful plants with their present status and local traditional knowledge as well as practices is urgently needed. Efforts should also be made to implement appropriate conservation measures for preservation and sustainable use of useful medicinal plant species

Ethnobotanical survey of Lora valley district Abbottabad [Khyber Pakhtunkhwa], Pakistan

The present paper is based on an ethnobotanical research project conducted in Lora Valley and its allied areas. District Abbottabad [Khyber Pakhtunkhwa] Pakistan. The inhabitants of the area used plant species for various purposes such as health care, food, fodder, fuel and shelter. A total of 57 plant species belonging to 35 families were recorded for their ehtnobotanical uses. The ethnomedicinal inventory was developed by botanical name, family name, local name, flowering period, conservation status, part used, and ethnobotanical uses. Plant specimens were collected, identified, preserved, mounted and vouchers were deposited in the Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, for future reference

Ethnobotanical studies of some useful shrubs of dir kohistan valley, NWFP, Pakistan

Field studies were carried out on the shrubs of Dir Kohistan valley, NWFP, Pakistan. Local medicinal uses of shrubs in this valley have helped people prevent and treat various diseases such as to purify blood, jaundice, internal wounds, and as diaphoretic, purgative, poisonous and cardiac, circulatory stimulant, febrifuge and for fuel wood, fodder, ornamental, agricultural tools, thatching, fencing, naming [folk lore] and fruit yielding purposes. In the present paper 41 shrubby plant species are reported on the basis of information gathered from local peoples of Kohistan Valley. Several species like Berberis iycium, Indigofera heterantha, Skimmia laureola, and Daphne oleoides are under severe pressure from local population and require protection, conservation strategies

Aerobiology and pollen allergy in Islamabad

Pollen allergies affect a significant proportion of Islamabad residents. Many patients with pollen allergy are hospitalised in Islamabad in spring [February to April], fall seasons [July to September], and after monsoons. To determine the type and concentration of airborne pollens causing allergic diseases in the susceptible patients in Islamabad. The study was conducted from January 2005 to December 2006 and 'Burkard Volumetric Spore Trap' provided by the World Allergy Organization was used. This spore trap was placed in the F-10 area of Islamabad and samples were collected on weekly basis during the whole study period. To obtain the sample, the spore trap drum was loaded with a strip of sticky tape every week. The sampled sticky tape was then collected each week at a specified time and replaced with a fresh strip of, sticky tape, which was then collected next week. This cycle continued for whole study period. From each sample seven permanent slides were made and mounted with gelevitol mounting media. The slides were then examined microscopically, A total of 702 individuals irrespective of age or gender were included in the study. Skin prick tests were performed for pollens using allergen extracts of Hollister-Steir, USA and the results were recorded. The two flowering seasons in Islamabad i.e., spring and fall caused maximum pollen allergies. The Broussonetia papyrifera [paper mulberry] tree in spring, and the Cannabis saliva [bhang] weed in the fall season, produced the highest seasonal pollen counts. In the spring season of 2005, Broussonetia papyrifera produced the highest pollen count, [73%] of the total pollen count, with a maximum count of 1390 pollen/cu meter of air/hour on 20th of March, while in 2006, it accounted for 75% of the total pollen count, with a maximum count of 1430 pollen/cu meter of air/hour on 10th of March. In fall season of 2005, Cannabis saliva produced maximum pollen counts of 85 pollens/cu meter of air/hr on 18th of August, while in 2006, it achieved maximum counts of only 40 pollens/cu meter of air/hr on 27th of August. Skin prick tests demonstrated that out of 702 individuals selected irrespectivc of age or gender, 338 [48%] exhibited positive results in response to Broussonetia papyrifera pollen extracts, 207 [29%] were positive to grass pollen extracts, and 137 [20%] were positive to Cannabis sativa pollen extracts. The Broussonetia papyrifera has the highest pollen count in the spring, [February to April], and is the main cause of allergic diseases like allergic rhinitis and asthma among the residents of Islamabad, while the Cannabis sativa pollen count peaks in the fall season, causing allergic symptoms from July to September. Skin prick tests confirmed the findings. Regular awareness campaigns for seasonal pollen allergy should be launched before the beginning of the seasons

Palynological studies of some medicinal plants from Margallah Hills, Islamabad

The present research work is confined to the palynological studies of some selected medicinal plants of Margallah hills Islamabad, Research work was conducted in Plant Taxonomy Lab of Quaid-i-Azam University during the year 2004 to 2005. Frequent trips were arranged to collect fresh plant specimens from different locallties of lower Margallah hills. 17 plant species belonging to 7 genera and 15 families were studied. Pollen fertility of 17 plants from Margallah hills ranges from 2-100%. Higher pollen fertility [100%] is of Erigeron conyzanthus, Indigofera iinifolia and Verbena officinale, Partiulaca grandiflora and Digera muricata [4%, 2%] have lowest percentage of pollen fertility. Pollen size of selected plants ranges from 20-90 micro m in size. All pollen is monad, and pollen shape ranges from obovate spheroidal to prolate spheroidal. Exine surface is smooth except Ipomoea carnea, Boerhaavia procumbens, Portulaca grandiflora which have echinulate exine surface. It is concluded from: the study carried out that these information about pollen characteristics in relative taxa were found to be useful or correct identification and future research in respective lipids

Medico-botanical investigation of medicinal plant zanthoxylum alatum roxb

Medicinal plants constitute an effective source of traditional and modern medicines. The plant is a biosynthetic laboratory, not only for chemical compounds but also a multitude of bioactive constituents. The proposed research work was confined to the medico-botanical investigation of Zanthoxylum alatum Roxb. The study was carried out in Botany Laboratory of the University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi. The study was confined to solubility test, colour test, leaf anatomy and powder microscopy. The medicinal importance was also considered. This species is used as [chewing stick] Miswak by local people of Pakistan in different areas. Anatomical features such as fibers, parenchyma cells, vessels and pith were identified in Z. alatum. Powdered Ai'iswak of Z. alatum was soluble in sulphuric acid only while insoluble in other solvents. Powdered drug of these species did not retain their original colour in hot and cold tests, on dry filter paper and after one hour; when mixed in various solvents. The abaxial and adaxial surface of leaf epidermis has diacytic stomata. The cells were of different shapes that is, trigonal tetragonal and pentagonal. The purpose of research was to know the morphological features, botanical identity and medicinal importance of the plant

Study of pollen fertility of the hieraciuni and scorzonera [asteraceae] from pakistan

Pollen fertility of nine different species, Hieracium umbellatum L., H. virosum Pall., H. vulgatum Fries., Scorzonera ummophila Bunge, S.fusca Kitam., 5. hondae Kitam., 5. laciniate L., S. picridioides Boiss. and S. virgata DC. belonging to family Asteraceae was studied from Pakistan. Morphology of pollen grains of each species is based on specimens selected at random. At species level, micro-morphological characters like pollen fertility differences, distribution of surface pattern, shape and size of pollens have been found to exist. Pollen fertility data shows that Hieraciuni vulgatum and Scorzonera ammophila have highest value i.e. 92.33% and 97.66% respectively. The least value was found in Hieracium virosum [67.66%] and Scorzonera picridioides [79%]. Further cytological studies are required in taxonomy to determine the fertility status in different species. Study f demonstrates the potential of pollen studies in distinguishing some taxonomic groups in the family Asteraceae

Pollen fertility of the Islamabad flora

Pollen fertility of the flora of Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, has been studied. Observations revealed that the highest value of pollen fertility was found in Cynoglossum lanceolatum as 99.9% and the lowest value was noted in Boerhaavia diffusa as 51.85%. Most of the flora of the area is genetically stable having the range of pollen fertility as 81 to 86%

Pollen morphology as an aid to the identification of medicinal plants: Trianthema portulacastrum L., Boerhaavia procumbens banks ex Roxb., and alternanthera pungens Kunth

Trianthema portulacastrum, Boerhaavia procumbens and Alternanthera pungens have similarity in their leaf morphology. Pollen morphology has proved useful to distinguish all the three species. The pollen of Trianthema portulacastrum is 3-colpate, Boerhaavia procumbens is 5-colpate and Alternanthera pungens is fenestrate. Pore length, polar and equatorial diameter and P/E ratio are the main characters to help in the identification of these species

Bibliography of the genus Rosa l.

Rosa is a very important and complicated genus of the family Rosaceae. The species of this genus are very variable and hybridize easily. In this paper Rosa is reviewed on account of its classification, floristic literature, palynology, cytology, evolution and phytochemistry

Ethnobotanical study of some cultivated plants of Chhuchh region [District Attock]

The paper is based on the results of an ethnobotanical research project conducted in the area of Chhuchh, district Attock [Pakistan] during March-May 2000. The region is the most fertile area of Attock district with very gentle slope. There is no mountain range in this area. The remote villages of the area have been rarely visited by the botanists, hence ethnobotanical information is quite meagre. The inhabitants of the area have always used cultivated plants for various medicinal purposes and have for a long time been dependent on the surrounding plant resources for their food, shelter, fodder, ornamental, fuel, health care etc. This study mainly focuses on the information regarding traditional uses of plants for medicinal as well as other purposes by the local inhabitants. A total number of 30 cultivated plant species belonging to 26 genera of 17 Angiospermic families are used by local inhabitants for medicinal, shelter, food, ornamental, fuel and fodder purposes

Palynological studies of some problematical medicinal plants of Pakistan

Morphology of pollen grains of each species is based on specimens selected at random. Proposed characters i.e. grain, shape of pollen grain, equatorial view, polar view, equatorial diameter [E], polar diameter [P], P/E ratio, length of colpus, exine surface, exine thickness, number of spines between colpi in each species were recorded for comparison. At species level, micro-morphological differences and distribution of surface pattern, shape and size of pollen have been found to exist. The pollen grains are consistently echinate, trizonocolporate. This study demonstrates the potential of pollen studies in distinguishing some taxonomic groups in the Asteraceae. The present research project is confined to the palynological studies of some of the problematical medicinal plants of Pakistan. Sixteen different genera: acacia, Agrimonia, Allium, Anthemis, Asparagus, Berberis, Centella, Colchicum, Cotula, Delphinium, Gentiana, Lactuca, Matricaria, Nigella, Phyllenthus, Viola have been examined in this study. Matricaria chamomilla, Anthemis nobilis, and Cotula aurea have been differentiated with the help of palynology. The palynological studies of Lactuca dissecta [with white flowers] and Lactuca dissecta [with purple flowers] showed many characteristic differences

Ethnobotanical and taxonomic studies of trianthema portulacastrum L. [Itsit, Biskhapra] and boerhavia procumbens banks ex roxb. [Punarnava] from Potwar region of Pakistan

Potwar has long been remained a source of medicinal plants from its hills and mountains, located in different parts of this region. Trianthema portulacastrum [Itsit, Biskhapra] has a lot of confusion in its common name with superficially similar plant species such as Boerhavia procumbens [Punarnava] and Alternanthera pungens Kunth. T. portulacastrum and B. procumbens have been described as two different species with their separate identities by the users of herbal medicine. Both the species are traditionally used for the treatment of jaundice and dropsy. However, the root of T. portulacastrum is abortifacient and is used to treat amenorrhoea. B. procumbens [Punarnava] is recommended in gonorrhoea, anaemia and asthma. The vernacular names Itsit and Biskhapra for Trianthema portulacastrum and punarnava for Boerhavia procumbens have been suggested as the correct names. White flowered form of T. portulacastrum has been reported from Bhait village of Jhelum