A comprehensive review on ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of genus Bistorta (L.) scop.

The genus Bistorta comprises about 43 accepted species that are widely used by local people and medicinal practitioners for the treatment of rheumatism, tuberculosis, inflammation, respiratory infection, and other diseases. The objective of this review is to present up-to-date information from the scientific literature about the phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of Bistorta. At present, there is a lack of a comprehensive review that consolidates the various scientific studies conducted on the genus Bistorta. To address this knowledge gap, a global review has been compiled on the genus Bistorta, which emphasizes ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology. To gather information about Bistorta, relevant keywords were used to search internet databases including Google scholar, PubMed, ResearchGate, Web of Science, Europe PMC, CNKI, and Wiley Online Library. Additionally, published books that provided an overview of existing literature studies were consulted for reference purposes. Chemical structures and formulas of compounds were verified using the PubChem database and drawn using Chem Draw Ultra 6.0. The scientific nomenclature utilized in this review follows The World Flora Online and The Plant of the World Online (PoWo). A comprehensive evaluation of literature sources revealed that the genus Bistorta has been recognized for its ethnomedical properties and has been used in traditional healthcare for several millennia. Chemical analysis has identified various compounds such as phenolics, flavonoids saponins, terpenes, sterols, and coumarins which have been shown to have significant pharmacological effects such as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant anti-rheumatic and anti-microbial properties. The pharmacological research has only partially validated the traditional and local uses of Bistorta species. Further research is required to investigate the mechanisms of the plant's active compounds, as well as its potential therapeutic applications in treating conditions like diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, there is no clinical evidence to provide the health benefits of these plants. To confirm the pharmacological activities, clinical efficacy, and non-toxicity of Bistorta species, more comprehensive and systematic preclinical studies, and clinical trials are needed.

Exploring morphological variability, in vitro antioxidant potential, and HR-LCMS phytochemical profiling of Phlomis cashmeriana Royle ex Benth. across different habitats of Kashmir Himalaya.

Phytochemicals are broadly acknowledged for their health-promoting effects owing to the fact of their capacity to counteract free radicals (e.g., superoxide anion radical, hydroxyl radical, hydroperoxyl radical, singlet oxygen, hypochlorite, and nitric oxide) and shield against oxidative stress induced by environmental factors. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between altitude, morphology, soil parameters, in vitro antioxidant potential and phytochemical composition of Phlomis cashmeriana collected from four different locations of Kashmir Himalaya characterized by diverse habitats and elevations. Various factors, such as extraction method, solvent polarity, and habitat conditions, can impact the quantity and efficacy of phytochemicals in plants. The aim of current study was to analyze phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of P. cashmeriana, an important medicinal plant found in the Kashmir Himalaya region. The antioxidant activity was accessed using several assays and the plant populations were selected based on their diverse habitat features and altitudes. HR-LCMS was conducted for both below-ground and above-ground parts. Some important compounds such as, catechin, vinainsenoside, acutilobin, and kaempferol were reported for the first time from P. cashmeriana. Results showed that methanol was the most efficient solvent for extracting phytochemicals. During the current study, it was also found that the below-ground parts exhibited superior antioxidant activity compared to the above-ground parts. Notably, Site IV demonstrated the highest antioxidant potential; a positive correlation between altitude and antioxidant activity was also found. In conclusion, present research identified specific elite populations having highest antioxidant potential and are well-suited for large-scale cultivation of P. cashmeriana.

Habitat suitability, range dynamics, and threat assessment of Swertia petiolata D. Don: a Himalayan endemic medicinally important plant under climate change.

In the current era of the anthropocene, climate change is one of the main determinants of species redistribution and biodiversity loss. Worryingly, the situation is alarming for endemic and medicinally important plant species with a narrow distributional range. Therefore, it is pivotal to inspect the influence of accelerated climate change on medicinally important threatened and endemic plant species. Using an ensemble approach, the current study aims at modelling the present distribution and predicting the future potential distribution coupled with the threat assessment of Swertia petiolata-a medicinally important endemic plant species in the Himalayan biodiversity hotspot. Our study revealed that under current climatic scenarios, the suitable habitats for the species occur across the western Himalayan region which includes the north-western Indian states (Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and southern Uttarakhand), northern Pakistan, and north-western Nepal. Also, temperature seasonality (BIO4) and precipitation seasonality (BIO15) are the most significant bioclimatic variables determining the distribution of S. petiolata. Furthermore, the study projected a reduction in the suitable habitats for the species under future changing climatic scenarios with a reduction ranging from - 40.298% under RCP4.5 2050 to - 83.421% under RCP8.5 2070. Most of the habitat reduction will occur in the western Himalayan region. In contrast, some of the currently unsuitable Himalayan regions like northern Uttarakhand will show increasing suitability under climate change scenarios. The current study also revealed that S. petiolata is classified as Near Threatened (NT) following the IUCN criterion B. Hopefully, the present study will provide a robust tool for predicting the cultivation hotspots and devising scientifically effective conservation strategies for this medicinally important plant species in the Himalaya and similar environments elsewhere in the world.

Association of IFN-gamma and IL-10 gene variants with the risk of extrapulmonary tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is a chronic infectious disease. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is an important cytokine imparting resistance to mycobacterial diseases. It is believed that IFN-γ and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) play divergent roles in the host immune system against MTB infection. IL-10 is an important inhibitory cytokine and helps balancing the inflammatory and immune responses. IL-10 is involved in down regulation of Th1 cytokines, MHC class II antigen and co-stimulatory molecular expression on macrophages, while IFN-γ results in macrophage activation allowing them to exert the microbicidal role. The objectives were to find out the association of IL-10 (-1082 A/G) and IFN-γ (+874 A/T) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with extrapulmonary tuberculosis in ethnic Kashmiri population. A total of 100 extrapulmonary tuberculosis cases and 102 healthy controls were analyzed for IL-10 (-1082 A/G) and IFN- γ (+874 A/T) SNPs using Allele-Specific PCR. We found a significant association of IFN-γ + 874 'TT' genotype with extrapulmonary tuberculosis (p = 0.006) and in case of IL-10 (-1082 A/G) we found a significant association with extrapulmonary tuberculosis under recessive model (GG vs GA + AA) (p = 0.03) in Kashmiri population. IL-10 (-1082 A/G) and IFN-γ (+874 A/T) have a significant association with extrapulmonary tuberculosis in ethnic Kashmiri population.

Role of genetic variants of Vitamin D receptor, Toll-like receptor 2 and Toll-like receptor 4 in extrapulmonary tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). Vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene abnormalities confer susceptibility to tuberculosis. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), such as TLR-2, are also important mediators of inflammatory response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We evaluated VDR, TLR-2 and TLR-4 gene polymorphisms in patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB). OBJECTIVES: To find out a possible association of Vitamin D receptor (VDR) (rs731236), TLR-2 (196-174 Ins > Del) and TLR-4 (Thr399Ile) gene polymorphisms with extrapulmonary tuberculosis in ethnic Kashmiri population. METHODS: A total of 100 extrapulmunary tuberculosis cases and 102 healthy controls were analyzed for Vitamin D receptor (VDR) (rs731236), TLR-2 (196-174 ins > del) and TLR-4 (Thr399Ile) gene polymorphisms using PCR-RFLP and Allele-Specific PCR methods. RESULTS: We found increased frequency of TLR-4 Thr/Ile heterozygous genotype in cases as compared with healthy controls (22% vs 5.8%). Thus acting as a risk factor for extrapulmonary tuberculosis, as was elucidated from statistical analysis [OR, 4.5; 95% CI (1.74-11.68); P < 0.001]. In case of TLR-2 (196-174 ins > del) we observed significant differences in the homozygous variant (Del/Del) genotype of cases and controls (28% in cases & 2.94% in controls). Thus, TLR-2 (Del/Del) genotype acts as a strong risk factor for extrapulmonary tuberculosis predisposition [OR, 12.2; 95% CI (3.5-42.69); P < 0.001]. We did not find any significant differences in the genotypic distribution of (VDR) (rs731236) T > C SNP between cases and controls (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: TLR-4 (Thr/Ile) and TLR-2 (Del/Del) act as significant risk factors for extrapulmonary tuberculosis predisposition in ethnic Kashmiri population.

Wood specific gravity variation among five important hardwood species of Kashmir Himalaya.

Wood Specific Gravity (SG) is a measure of the amount of structural material a tree species allocates to support and strength. In the present study, specific gravity varied among the five different woods at three different sites from 0.40 in Populus nigra at site III (Shopian) to 0.80 in Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana at site II (Surasyar). Among the three different sites, specific gravity varied from 0.73 to 0.80 in Parroptiosis jacquemontiana; in Robinia pseudoacacia it varied from 0.71 to 0.79; in Salix alba, it varied from 0.42 to 0.48; In Populus nigra it varied from 0.40 to 0.48 and in Juglans regia it varied from 0.59 to 0.66. On the basis of the specific gravity variation patterns these woods were categorized as light (Salix alba, Populus nigra) moderately heavy (Juglans regia) and moderately heavy to heavy (Robinia pseudoacacia, Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana) which predicts their properties like strength, dimensional stability with moisture content change, ability to retain paint, fiber yield per unit volume, suitability for making particleboard and related wood composite materials and suitability as a raw material for making paper.

Nutritional values and antioxidant potential of some edible mushrooms of Kashmir valley.

Mushrooms are considered rich in proteins, carbohydrates and other nutrients. The present study was carried out to evaluate some edible mushrooms of Kashmir valley for their protein, carbohydrate and lipid contents. The highest protein content was found in Boletus edulis (2.20g) followed by Agaricus bisporus (1.80g), Pleurotus ostreatus (1.68g), Morchella esculenta (1.62g) and Pleurotus sajor caju (1.6g). Carbohydrate content also showed variation in all the five tested edible mushroom species, the highest carbohydrate content observed in Boletus edulis (6.0g) followed by Agaricus bisporus (4.85g), Pleurotus ostreatus (4.30g), Morchella esculenta (4.25g) and Pleurotus sajor caju (3.35g) respectively. Similar results were observed for lipid content. The present study was also investigated for the antioxidant potential of aqueous extract of mushroom species by the methods of DPPH radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and superoxide radical scavenging activity. All these in vitro antioxidant activities were concentration dependent, which were compared with standard antioxidant Catechin.