ABSTRACT
In Jordan, large numbers of wild edible plants are widely distributed throughout the country and consumed in various ways. In this study 56 wild edible plants used in local meals were surveyed to determine the plant parts used, the detailed methods of their preparation and preservation as well as their uses. The study showed that the plants used are either eaten raw, cooked by boiling in water, frying in fat or baking to be served as dishes such as stew, turnovers, stuffed and rolled vegetable foods or as cold or hot drinks for certain occasions and seasons. The study also showed that some of these plants are preserved by sun drying to be used out of season for cooking in main dishes, or as spices and appetizers.
Subject(s)
Developing Countries , Diet , Feeding Behavior , Plants, Edible , Food Handling , Food Preservation , Humans , Jordan , Nutritive Value , YogurtABSTRACT
The effects of an ethanol extract of Ferula sinaica roots on the smooth muscles of rabbit and guinea pig were tested in vitro using isolated segments of intestine, trachea and aorta. The extract inhibited the spontaneous movements of rabbit jejunum and guinea pig ileum and acetylcholine-induced contractions. The extract also inhibited the contractions of rabbit tracheal smooth muscle induced by acetylcholine stimulation and the contractions of guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle induced by histamine stimulation. Furthermore, the extract inhibited the contractions of rabbit aorta induced by norepinephrine stimulation. These inhibitions were concentration-dependent and reversible.
Subject(s)
Muscle, Smooth/drug effects , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Animals , Aorta, Thoracic/drug effects , Female , Guinea Pigs , In Vitro Techniques , Intestines/drug effects , Male , Muscle Relaxation/drug effects , Norepinephrine/pharmacology , Rabbits , Trachea/drug effectsABSTRACT
The effects of an aqueous extract of Ferula ovina were tested in vitro using isolated segments of rabbit and guinea pig intestine, trachea and aorta. The extract inhibited the spontaneous movements of rabbit jejunum and guinea pig ileum and the contractions induced by acetylcholine. The aqueous extract also inhibited the contractions of rabbit trachealis muscle induced by acetylcholine and the contractions of guinea pig trachealis muscle induced by histamine. These inhibitions were dose-dependent and reversible. However, the aqueous extract did not inhibit the contractions of rabbit and guinea pig aortic rings induced by norepinephrine. These data suggest that this plant has non-specific anticholinergic and antihistaminic antispasmodic effects.