ABSTRACT
Abstract Plants from genus Ephedra are commonly used by the Chinese people as folk medicine for treatment of various diseases. The current study was designed to explore the ethno-pharmacological based pharmacological potentials of Ephedra intermedia Schrenk & C.A. Mey. (E. intermedia). Plant aerial parts were extracted using ten solvent systems with increasing order of polarity. Samples were analyzed for total phenolic and flavonoid contents, HPLC-DAD analysis, antibacterial, antifungal, HepG2 cell line cytotoxicity, hemolysis and antioxidant potentials following standard procedures. Highest percent extract recovery was observed in Eth+WT (25.55 % w/w) solvent system. Flavonoid and phenolic contents were higher in chloroform and Met+WT fractions respectively. Considerable antibacterial activity was shown by Eth+Met extract against B. subtilis and K. pneumonia (MIC of 11.1μg/mL for each). Eth extract exhibited high antifungal activity against A. fumigates (15±0.31 mm DIZ). Met+WT extract showed significant cytotoxicity against HepG2 cell lines with IC50 of 13.51+0.69 μg/mL. Substantial free radical scavenging activity (74.9%) was observed for Met+Eth extract. In the current study, several solvent systems were used for more effective extraction of fractions and can be useful in the isolation of phytochemicals. Various fractions exhibited considerable antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic potentials. Biological potentials of E. intermedia signify its potential uses in microbial, cancer and degenerative disorders and thus warrant further detailed studies.
ABSTRACT
This study is carried out to identify the folk knowledge medicinal plants of Tahsil Barawal Bandi, District, and Dir Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. Various field trips were made to collect medicinal plants and ethno botanical information. A total of 62 species belonging to 36 families have been found to be used by the local people for curing various diseases. This efforts includes the local name, family name, flowering season, part used and folk knowledge of medicinal plants.
ABSTRACT
The Present studies were carried out to identify the medicinal plants, folk knowledge of medicinal plants and to motivate the inhabitants of Kurram Agency to use their knowledge in a better way. The area has high potential regarding its biodiversity as well as valuable medicinal plants. The Information was collected from traditional experts regarding 26 medicinally important species belonging to 17 families. Asparagus officinalis Royal is used for constipation, Berberis lyceum Royal is used for urine and chest problems, Cichorium intybus Linn is used as antipyretic, Foeniculum vulgare Millis is used for stomach problems, blood purifier & intestinal diseases, Fumaria indica Haussk is used as a drug for blood purification and as antipyretic, Quercus ilex Rox is used in diabetes, Seriphidium kurramensis L is being used as a good anti-malarial drug and a vermifuge and Ziziphora teniour Linn is used as carminative and for colic pain. These specimens were deposited in the herbarium at plant sciences department, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Pakistan for further medicinal investigation.
ABSTRACT
Aims: The present study aimed to assess the nutritional significance of some of the economically important medicinal plants species collected from Pakistan. Study Design: The study was designed in randomized block design and each analysis was performed with three replicates. Place and Duration of Study: Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat and duration of the study was ten months. Methodology: Present study was conducted to determine the nutritional importance of medicinal plants viz. Achyranthes aspera, Xanthium strumarium, Albizzia lebbeck, Amaranthus cruentus and Calotropis procera. Proximate compositions of these plant species (moisture, ash, fats, fiber, alcohol soluble extractive (ASE), proteins,carbohydrates and energy value) were carried out using standard methods of food analysis. Results: The mean moisture content ranged from 0.334% for X. strumarium to 8.18% for A. cruentus. X. strumarium was found highest in fats, fibers and ASE. Highest percentage of moisture (8.2%) and ash (15.9%) was found in A. cruentus. C. procera was identified as a good source of carbohydrates (67.3%) and energy value (301.9 kcal/100g). The ICPOES analysis of the medicinal plants showed that A. lebbeck had significant concentrations of calcium while A. cruentus had highest concentration of iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese and phosphorous as compared to other medicinal plants. The heavy metals contents were either absent or negligible. Conclusion: The present finding suggests that the selected medicinal plants have a promising potential to not only cure ailments but to maintain a healthy life.
ABSTRACT
The present studies were aimed to identify medicinal plants, folk knowledge and to use local recipe for different diseases in the study area of kurram agency. The questionnaire method was adopted for documentation of folk indigenous knowledge. The Preliminary data were collected from the local community, experts, knowledgeable person, Herdsmen and main users of medicinal plants such as Hakims, old wise woman etc. The ethno medicinal data on 21 plants species belonging to 19 families were properly identified i.e. their vernacular names, chemical constituents, scientific names, families, part used, habitat conservative status and locality during the research work. The plants were collected, pressed dried, preserved, mounted and identified through the literature and were confirmed by the experts in plants sciences department, Kohat university of Science and Technology, Pakistan. The specimens were deposited in the herbarium at plant sciences department, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Pakistan.
ABSTRACT
Present study was carried out to find the conservation status, explore the channels for tradable medicinal plants and motivate the inhabitants to use their knowledge in a better way. Several study trips were made to the study area. Kurram agency is one of the seven tribal areas in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Present study revealed that 37 % of the total utility plants are critically endangered, 20 % are endangered, 35% are vulnerable and only 8% are secured. Several drug dealers were interviewed by filling 70 questionnaires to confirm the local names, estimated price, and quantity of the drugs available.