The ethnobotanical heritage of Lotkuh, a high-altitude tribal haven of Chitral, the Eastern Hindu Kush, Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: In northwestern Pakistan, Lotkuh is a high-altitude terrain nestled within the eastern Hindu Kush region. Enclaved by towering peaks and harboring a unique culture, the region mirrors the geographical and cultural diversity of Pakistan. In this geographically isolated region, a treasure trove of ethnobotanical knowledge unfolds through generations of interaction between the inhabitants and indigenous plants, resulting in a profound understanding of the plant uses in nutritional, medicinal, cultural, and ritual contexts. Thus, the study seeks to gather, analyze, and document the indigenous knowledge of plant utilization of the distinct tribal culture. METHODS: Through semi-structured questionnaires, inventory interviews, and participatory workshops, data were collected by engaging a cohort of 120 local respondents. The collected data were then classified into nine distinct use categories, following which quantitative indices were calculated. RESULTS: The research identified a total of 150 plant species spanning across 59 different families and categorized them into 9 distinct usage groups. Among these, Astragalus oihorensis, Astragalus owirensis, Cicer nuristanicum, Geranium parmiricum, and Rochelia chitralensis stand out as novel species with distinctive applications. Notably, medicinal use garnered 600 reports, while animal feed, veterinary applications, human consumption, and toxicity recorded 500, 450, 425, and 104 reports, respectively. Informant consensus was high ranging between 0.8 and 0.9 with most agreement on human food and animal feed category. Platanus orientalis and Juglans regia, with RFC 0.91, were the most cited. The Family Importance Value (FIV) of Juglandaceae and Platanaceae, each with an FIV of 0.91, and Capparidaceae with an FIV of 0.83 indicate the intricate role the families play. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we explore 150 ethnobotanical species, uncovering novel entries within ethnobotanical literature. Among these, several species showcase unique uses previously undocumented in Pakistani literature. Our research sheds light on the intricate interaction between plants and the distinct cultural landscape of the Lotkuh region.

Diversity and biological characteristics of macrofungi of district Bajaur, a remote area of Pakistan in the Hindu Kush range.

The present study was carried out to document the diversity and ecological characteristics of macrofungi of Bajaur, Pakistan. The diversity of macrofungi comprised 51 species belonging to 22 families and 37 genera. The families Agaricaceae (7 species) and Psathyrellaceae (7 species) were found dominant followed by Tricholomataceae (4 species), Fomitopsidaceae and Polyporaceae (4 species each) and Amanitaceae (3 species). White (23 species), brown (11 species), and yellow were the most prevalent morphological colours in basidiocarps (8 species). Among the identified species, 32 were saprophytic in nutrition followed by 7 parasitic, 6 saprophytic and parasitic both, while 6 mycorrhizal that make association with higher plants. The distribution of macrofungal species in the three tehsils of Bajaur was also evaluated based on Shannon diversity index, Simpson diversity index and evenness. The highest Shannon diversity index and Simpson diversity index were found for tehsil Utman Kheil at 3.73 and 0.97, while the maximum value of evenness for tehsil Khar with 0.92 value. The results indicate a very high species richness of the study site. Four species out of the total were identified to be new reports from Pakistan. This survey's findings suggested that there is a wide variety of macrofungi that might be used as food and alternative medications if further research is carried out.

Nutritional and mineral analysis of the ultimate wild food plants of Lotkuh, Chitral, the Eastern Hindukush Pakistan.

Wild food plants (WFPs) are designated as functional foods owing to their nutritional potential and as a source of bioactive compounds vital for human health. In times of geopolitical upheaval and nutritional imbalance in mountainous areas of the world, the contribution of WFPs is extraordinary. Lotkuh is a remote mountainous region in the Eastern Hindukush that supports distinctive global plant biodiversity. The documentation and nutritional analysis of the wild edible plants have not yet been subjected to scientific investigation, even though WFPs make up a significant component of the inhabitant's diet. The current study is the first scientific investigation of the nutritional profile of 16 WFPs in the Hindukush region of Pakistan. Plants were collected from different parts of the study area and were subjected to proximate analysis adhering to the standard protocols of AOAC international. Proximate analysis revealed higher moisture in Rheum webbianum (91.5 g/100 g FW) and Oxyria digyna (90.5 g/100 g FW), while Elaeagnus angustifolia had the lowest (25.4 g/100 g FW). Mentha longifolia and Pinus gerardiana had (23.2 g/100 g) and (14.0 g/100 g) protein, whereas Berberis lyceum contained (3.6 g/100 g). Pinus gerardiana had the highest lipid (56.50 g/100 g), followed by Hippophae rhamnoides (45.50 g/100 g), and Berberis lyceum (0.91 g/100 g). Crataegus songarica with high carbohydrate (87.50 g/100 g) was followed by Eremurus stenophyllus (80.83 g/100 g), whereas Berberis lyceum had the least (18.51 g/100 g). High crude fiber (19.33 g/100 g) was found in Ziziphora clinopodiodes followed by Cotoneaster nummularia with (15.50 g/100 g). Pinus gerardiana and Prunus prostrata had low fiber of 1.387 and 1.377 g/100 g. Vitamin C was high in Mentha longifolia (90.63 mg/100 g), Eremurus stenophyllus (86.96 mg/100 g), and Ziziphora clinopodiodes (90.45 mg/100 g). Ca concentration was (948.33 mg/100 g) in Oxyria digyna followed by Cotoneaster nummularia whereas the lowest Ca (20.03 mg/100 g) was recorded in Diospyros lotus. Mg was high in Oxyria digyna (994.00 mg/100 g) and lowest (10.01 mg/100 g) in Diospyros lotus. Berberis lyceum (54.30 mg/100 g), Oxyria digyna (34.33 mg/100 g), and Rheum webbianum (26.04 mg/100 g) had the maximum iron. Mn was high in Berberis lyceum (14.33 mg/100 g), Pinus gerardiana (6.33 mg/100 g), and Elaeagnus angustifolia (4.60 mg/100 g). Prunus prostrata (12.16 mg/100 g), Oxyria digyna (10.30 mg/100 g), and Pinus gerardiana (4.16 mg/100 g) were the leading in Zn concentration whereas Ziziphora clinopodiodes (0.22 mg/100 g). The current study establishes the hitherto unidentified nutritional profile of the WFPs in the area. The prospect of nutritional research on WFPs in the Eastern Hindukush is established by this study.

Disadvantaged Economic Conditions and Stricter Border Rules Shape Afghan Refugees' Ethnobotany: Insights from Kohat District, NW Pakistan.

The study of migrants' ethnobotany can help to address the diverse socio-ecological factors affecting temporal and spatial changes in local ecological knowledge (LEK). Through semi-structured and in-depth conversations with ninety interviewees among local Pathans and Afghan refugees in Kohat District, NW Pakistan, one hundred and forty-five wild plant and mushroom folk taxa were recorded. The plants quoted by Afghan refugees living inside and outside the camps tend to converge, while the Afghan data showed significant differences with those collected by local Pakistani Pathans. Interviewees mentioned two main driving factors potentially eroding folk plant knowledge: (a) recent stricter border policies have made it more difficult for refugees to visit their home regions in Afghanistan and therefore to also procure plants in their native country; (b) their disadvantaged economic conditions have forced them to engage more and more in urban activities in the host country, leaving little time for farming and foraging practices. Stakeholders should foster the exposure that refugee communities have to their plant resources, try to increase their socio-economic status, and facilitate both their settling outside the camps and their transnational movement for enhancing their use of wild plants, ultimately leading to improvements in their food security and health status.

Dysbiosis in salivary bacterial diversity of postpartum females and its association with oral health problems and APOs.

The present study investigates the dysbiosis in salivary bacterial diversity by culture-dependent and independent methods. Culturable aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacterial diversity was studied in saliva collected from 267 postpartum and 54 nonpregnant females by using standard microbiological methods. For unculturable bacterial diversity, DNA from saliva samples of four selected females was sequenced by targeting V4 region of 16S rRNA. In postpartum females, S. mutans was significantly more prevalent. Its colonization was also seen significant among females having gingivitis (P < 0.01), dental caries (P < 0.01), and in those giving birth to low weight baby. In postpartum group, 65.16% females were culture positive for Staphylococcus, 12.73% Gram positive rods, 10.48% N. meningitides, 6.36% K. pneumoniae, 5.61% Enterobacter species and 2.62% E. coli. Isolates showed high biofilm forming ability and antibiotic resistance. Upon analysis of unculturable bacterial diversity, a total of 16 phyla and 156 genera were observed. Alpha diversity was decrease in postpartum female having oral health issues with pre-term low weight birth, compared to females with full term birth. Bray-Curtis dissimilarity was highest between female with dental issues and different pregnancy outcomes. Bacterial diversity and abundance altered among females with different oral health conditions and pregnancy outcomes, and also have pathogenic potential.

The In Vitro Antibacterial and Antioxidant Potentials of Helvetia bachu (Ascomycetes): A Newly Recorded Species from Pakistan.

A combination of micromorphology and phylogenetic analysis based on translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF-1α) revealed these specimens as Helvella bachu, the first record of this species in Pakistan after China. Moreover, the material was evaluated for antibacterial and antioxidant activities. Four strains of bacteria, i.e., Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella aerogenes, K. pneumonia, and Staphylococcus aureus were used for antibacterial activity following Soxhlet extraction. The maximum zone of inhibition of methanolic extract of H. bachu at 30 mg/mL against B. .subtilis was 31.9 ± 1.735 mm, followed by K. aerogenes (29.33 ± 2.19 mm), K. pneumoniae (27.08 ± 4.6 mm), and S. aureus (24 ± 1.53 mm), respectively. The methanolic extract, in free radical scavenging assay, of H. bachu has shown antioxidant potential with an IC50 value of 0.4047 µg/mL while that of ascorbic acid was 0.374 µg/mL. Hence, H. bachu can serve as a source of mushroom-based nutraceuticals.

Isolation of pathogenic Candida species from oral cavity of postpartum females, and its association with obstetric and dental problems.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to investigate pathogenic Candida spp. Colonization in oral cavity of postpartum females and its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) and dental issues. METHODS: Saliva samples and clinico-demographic data were collected from 267 postpartum females along with 54 non-pregnant females (Jan 2016-March 2018). Isolation of Candida was carried out by using standard microbiological methods and different virulence factors (Esterase activity, phospholipase activity and biofilm formation) were evaluated. RESULTS: Candidacolonization was high in postpartum females (p<0.001, OR = 4.28). This colonization was not significant among females with APOs, however, one to three folds risk was seen with different obstetric and dental factors. High esterase activity was seen among Candida isolates from postpartum females in comparison to control group (p = 0.01). Phospholipase activity of C.albicans isolates from this group was also high (p = 0.001). Majority of the Candida isolates (66.87%) from postpartum females were biofilm formers. Increase in antifungal activity was seen among isolates from postpartum females, with 85% isolates resistant to Fluconazole and Voriconazole (p<0.001) and Amphotericin B resistance was present in 64.38% isolates (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Postpartum females are more susceptible to oral Candida colonization, which exhibit enhanced virulence characteristics and its carriage are associated with increased risk for development of APOs and dental problems.

Quantitative ethnobotanical appraisal of medicinal plants used by inhabitants of lower Kurram, Kurram agency, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: Medicinal plants are used for treatment of ailments throughout rural and urban areas of the world. Such use of plants varies from one region to another and is measured using quantitative techniques. The current research which was conducted from March to October 2015, is the first explorative study of medicinal plants used by inhabitants of lower Kurram, Kurram agency, Pakistan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Field trips were done to 20 location of lower Kurram and information regarding medicinal use of plants was collected from the locals through semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: A total of 52 plant species that were reported by the people from the region, to have medicinal value, fall within 48 genera and 35 families. The family Asteraceae comprised most of these herbs (6 species) followed by the family Lamiaceae (4 species) and Solanaceae (3 species). Leaves (24.3%) and fruits (21.6%) were the frequently used parts in preparation of remedies. The reported plants were used for treatment of 50 ailments with most of these plants (35 species; 30.97%) being used for treatment of digestive problems. Seriphidium kurramensis had the highest relative frequency of citation (66.18) and use value (1.10). Fidelity level of Caralluma tuberculata and Artemisia scoparia for diabetes was (61.22) and (55.56), respectively. The highest fidelity level for malaria was reported for Artemisia absinthium (43.66) and S. kurramensis (40.00). CONCLUSION: The inhabitants of lower Kurram still practice medicinal plants and few of the plants were used for treatment of fatal diseases like malaria, hepatitis and blood cancer. Haphazard cutting of plants and overgrazing are major threats that can affect plants biodiversity.

Quantitative study of medicinal plants used by the communities residing in Koh-e-Safaid Range, northern Pakistani-Afghan borders.

BACKGROUND: The residents of remote areas mostly depend on folk knowledge of medicinal plants to cure different ailments. The present study was carried out to document and analyze traditional use regarding the medicinal plants among communities residing in Koh-e-Safaid Range northern Pakistani-Afghan border. METHODS: A purposive sampling method was used for the selection of informants, and information regarding the ethnomedicinal use of plants was collected through semi-structured interviews. The collected data was analyzed through quantitative indices viz. relative frequency citation, use value, and family use value. The conservation status of medicinal plants was enumerated with the help of International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List Categories and Criteria (2001). Plant samples were deposited at the Herbarium of Botany Department, University of Peshawar for future reference. RESULTS: One hundred eight informants including 72 male and 36 female were interviewed. The informants provided information about 92 plants species used in the treatment of 53 ailments. The informant reported maximum number of species used for the treatment of diabetes (16 species), followed by carminatives (12 species), laxatives (11 species), antiseptics (11 species), for cough (10 species), to treat hepatitis (9 species), for curing diarrhea (7 species), and to cure ulcers (7 species), etc. Decoction (37 species, i.e., 40%) was the common method of recipe preparation. Most familiar medicinal plants were Withania coagulans, Caralluma tuberculata, and Artemisia absinthium with relative frequency (0.96), (0.90), and (0.86), respectively. The relative importance of Withania coagulans was highest (1.63) followed by Artemisia absinthium (1.34), Caralluma tuberculata (1.20), Cassia fistula (1.10), Thymus linearis (1.06), etc. This study allows identification of novel uses of plants. Abies pindrow, Artemisia scoparia, Nannorrhops ritchiana, Salvia reflexa, and Vincetoxicum cardiostephanum have not been reported previously for their medicinal importance. The study also highlights many medicinal plants used to treat chronic metabolic conditions in patients with diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: The folk knowledge of medicinal plants species of Koh-e-Safaid Range was unexplored. We, for the first time, conducted this quantitative study in the area to document medicinal plants uses, to preserve traditional knowledge, and also to motivate the local residents against the vanishing wealth of traditional knowledge of medicinal flora. The vast use of medicinal plants reported shows the significance of traditional herbal preparations among tribal people of the area for their health care. Knowledge about the medicinal use of plants is rapidly disappearing in the area as a new generation is unwilling to take interest in medicinal plant use, and the knowledgeable persons keep their knowledge a secret. Thus, the indigenous use of plants needs conservational strategies and further investigation for better utilization of natural resources.