Medicinal plants in the Mediterranean area: synthesis of the results of the project Rubia.

AIM OF STUDY: Within the scope of the European project RUBIA (ICA3-2002-10023), research has been performed on the traditional use and handling of plant species in several Mediterranean countries, Albania, Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, Italy, Morocco, and Spain. This paper synthesises the chief results related to the medicinal utilization of those plants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The information has been gathered by means of semi-structured interviews (1256) and techniques of participant observation with 803 informants. In each of the participating countries the study areas were selected by means of uniform criteria defined at the beginning of the study. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: A total of 985 species have been catalogued, of which 406 have medicinal use. This work constitutes the first comparative study performed with ethnobotanical data gathered by a coordinated methodology in the Mediterranean area. An exhaustive list is provided for the species catalogued, indicating the regions where each plant was mentioned. ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: This information underlines the ethnobotanical richness of the region and the need to broaden this study to other areas of the Mediterranean. Furthermore, this constitutes a base for future phytochemical and pharmacological studies which could lead to new therapeutic products.

Toxoplasma IgG. & IgM. antibodies. A case control study.

This study includes 62 cases of spontaneous abortions and 75 cross matched non pregnant multiparous women as controls. Micro-ELISA test was done to measure Toxoplasma IgM & IgG antibodies. Out of 62 aborting women, 26 gave positive anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies, more than 45 Eu/ml and 28 gave positive anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibodies, more than 40 Eu/ml without statistical significant difference. There was a significant difference between aborting women and the controls as regards IgG & IgM antibodies. IgG antibodies, showed statistical significant difference between those with no history of abortions or I-2 abortions versus those with 3 or more abortions. The infection was more among aborting women in rural than urban areas whom suffered poor hygienic measures and awareness about the mode of transmission of Toxoplasma infection. The results were discussed.

Transplacental transfer of schistosomal antigens and antibodies.

Circulating S. mansoni soluble antigens (CSA) and antibodies (CAB) were investigated in sera of 32 S. mansoni-infected pregnant mothers, their 32 newborns and 26 non-pregnant infected women. CSA levels in pregnant mothers and their newborns were significantly higher than in the 3rd group. Also, a significant positive correlation was detected between the CSA levels in sera from infected mothers and the cord blood of their newborns proving the transplacental transfer of these antigens. On the other hand, CAB levels were significantly higher in the 3rd group than in the mothers and their newborns and this could be explained by the immune complexes formation. No schistosome eggs or worms were detected in placentas and the possibility of congenital schistosomiasis was eliminated.

Effect of juvenile hormone on Musca domestica vicina Macq. II. The gonotrophic cycle.

The effect of the topical application of the synthetic juvenile hormone JH-I on adult specimens of Musca domestica vicina Macq was studied. The adult stage responded to different JH-I concentrations in different ways. The gonotrophic cycle was shortened, the number of eggs decreased and the hatching rate was reduced. The adults of the next generation displayed a number of anomalies. The ovarian amino acid concentrations varied considerably according to the dose of JH-I and the stage of maturation of the relevant ovary.