The Genetic Diversity of Enset (Ensete ventricosum) Landraces Used in Traditional Medicine Is Similar to the Diversity Found in Non-medicinal Landraces

Enset (Ensete ventricosum) is a multipurpose crop extensively cultivated in southern and southwestern Ethiopia for human food, animal feed, and fiber. It has immense contributions to the food security and rural livelihoods of 20 million people. Several distinct enset landraces are cultivated for their uses in traditional medicine. These landraces are vulnerable to various human-related activities and environmental constraints. The genetic diversity among the landraces is not verified to plan conservation strategy. Moreover, it is currently unknown whether medicinal landraces are genetically differentiated from other landraces. Here, we characterize the genetic diversity of medicinal enset landraces to support effective conservation and utilization of their diversity. We evaluated the genetic diversity of 51 enset landraces, of which 38 have reported medicinal value. A total of 38 alleles across the 15 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci and a moderate level of genetic diversity (He = 0.47) were detected. Analysis of molecular variation (AMOVA) revealed that only 2.4% of the total genetic variation was contributed by variation among the medicinal and non-medicinal groups of landraces, with an FST of 0.024. A neighbor-joining tree showed four separate clusters with no correlation to the use-values of the landraces. Except for two, all “medicinal” landraces with distinct vernacular names were found to be genetically different, showing that vernacular names are a good indicator of genetic distinctiveness in these specific groups of landraces. The discriminant analysis of the principal components also confirmed the absence of distinct clustering between the two groups. We found that enset landraces were clustered irrespective of their use-value, showing no evidence for genetic differentiation between the enset grown for ‘medicinal’ uses and non-medicinal landraces. This suggests that enset medicinal properties may be restricted to a more limited number of genotypes, might have resulted from the interaction of genotype with the environment or management practice, or partly misreported. The study provides baseline information that promotes further investigations in exploiting the medicinal value of these specific landraces.

Diagnostic Characterization of Powdered Herbal Drugs for their Identification & Authentification in Classical Unani Formulations

Diagnostic characters of seven powdered herbal drugs namely Anab-us Salab (fruit), Bekh-e-Sausan (root), Kaifal (stem bark), Kalijiri (fruit), Nankhwah (fruit), Tukhm-e-Khurfa (seed) and Turbud (Root) have been discussed in detail for their identification and authentification in classical unani formulations. The investigation includes correct botanical and vernacular names, family name, organoleptic studies, therapeutic uses, unani formulations containing these drugs, besides their microscopical studies that includes identification of various cells/tissues/cell contents along with their measurements. All these studies will serve as a reference standard to the academicians, researchers, plant chemists, TM students, health professionals and plant base pharmaceutical industries. Keywords: Diagnostic characterization, identification, authentification, powdered herbal drugs.

Comparative Pharmaceutical and Analytical Study of Chapal Shodhan (Purification Process) with Special Reference to Bismuth and Selenium

Rasashastra is the branch of science which deals with alchemic preparation or metal and mineral medicinal formulation explained in ancient texts of Ayurved. Rasashastra explained group of drugs in different names on the basis their therapeutic application and binding capacity of drug with Mercury. Chapal one among the group of Maharasa which is having potent therapeutic properties like immune modulator, analgesic, rejuvenator and aphrodisiac. Due to lack of identification, difficulty in procurement and confusion in synonyms and vernacular names, Chapal placed in controversial drugs. Some opines Chapal as Bismuth and some says Selenium. To overcome from these controversies to confirm the type of drug this comparative study is undertaken. Comparative study given nearer conclusion that Chapal can be Selenium, after observing organoleptic properties and symptoms experienced by the person during the purificatory process.

In search of traces of the mandrake myth: the historical, and ethnobotanical roots of its vernacular names

Background Mandrake (Mandragora spp.) is one of the most famous medicinal plant in western cultures since Biblical times and throughout written history. In many cultures, mandrake is related to magic and witchcraft, which is said to have a psychosomatic effect (especially when mandrake contains narcotic compounds) in addition to the pharmacological influence, as occurs with other narcotic magical plants. Due to its unique properties and related myths, it is not surprising that this plant has many names in many languages. Methods This paper presents an attempt to reconstruct the historical, ethnobotanical, and folkloristic roots of 292 vernacular names of Mandragora spp. in forty-one languages. We used the plant’s morphological data, philology, myths and legends, medicinal properties and uses, as well as historical evidence and folkloric data, to explain meaning, origin, migration, and history of the plant’s names. Results The names were classified into the following main categories: Derivatives of mandragora (19 languages), alraun (7) and of yabroukh (5). The salient groups of the plant’s vernacular names are related to: Anthropomorphism (33 names in 13 languages); Similarity to other plants (28/9); Supernatural agents (28/9); Narcotic effects (21/8); Leaves, fruits, and seeds (21/8); Aphrodisiac properties (17/10); Use of a dog (15/9); Gallows (14/5); Black magic, sorcery, witchcraft (13/8), and Medicinal use (11/7). Conclusions This frequency distribution of the mandrake’s vernacular names reflects its widespread reputation as related to the doctrine of signatures, beliefs in its supernatural, natural, and mythic powers, and to a lesser extent, its uses in magic and medicine. A spatiotemporal analysis of the mandrake’s names supports the old idea that the pulling ceremonies for this plant originated in the Near East and that various other myths related to this plant may have originated in different places and periods.

Phyto-Pharmacological Profile of Wrightia tinctoria

Wrightia tinctoria is a medium sized ever green tree grows up to 18 m tall and to 20 cm which produces milky white latex from the leaves which is directly applied on inflammation. Since from ancient period this plant constantly been used as a source of medicine. This plant shows a very important component of the health care system in India. In ayurvedic system the drug activity of W.tinctoria is defined as titka, kashaya, rooksha, sita and katu. Various parts of this plant such as stem bark, leaves, flowers also seed have been known to have medicinal assets. Phytochemical studies have shown that it contains alkaloids, triterpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, phenolics, carbohydrates, lipids etc. Wrightia tinctoria has been allotted to have good analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, antiulcer, antidysentric, antidiabetic, anticancer, antipyretic activities as well as active in the treatment of psoriasis. The present review primed to describe the botanical classification, vernacular names, species, Pharmacognostical and Phytochemical Properties and pharmacological activities of the plant Wrightia tinctoria.

Description of five new species of the Madagascan flagship plant genus Ravenala (Strelitziaceae)

Madagascar’s emblematic traveller’s tree is a monospecific genus within Strelitziaceae, the family of the South African bird of paradise. Until now, this endemic genus consisted of a single species: Ravenala madagascariensis Sonn., which is grown everywhere in the tropics as an ornamental plant. The plant is immediately recognizable for its huge fan-forming banana-like leaves and is locally referred to in Magagascar by several vernacular names. “Variants” have been mentioned in the literature, but without any attempt to recognize formal taxa based on diagnostic features. In this paper, we formally describe five new species and fix the application of the name R. madagascariensis to the populations growing on the eastern coast of Madagascar, with the epitype growing in the marshy Fort-Dauphin area in the south. This paper has numerous implications for conservation biology and other domains of life sciences, due to the importance of this genus for the conservation of Madagascan ecosystems, the ornamental plant trade, as well as for its invasive status in several tropical areas.

Product Authentication Using Two Mitochondrial Markers Reveals Inconsistent Labeling and Substitution of Canned Tuna Products in the Taiwanese Market

Fish of the tribe Thunnini represent a significant proportion of the stock caught by the fishing industry, with many of these fishes being collectively called tuna. However, only certain species can be used legally as an ingredient in canned tuna products, depending on regional food regulations. In Taiwan, only Thunnus species or Katsuwonus pelamis can be used as canned tuna. Here, we authenticated 90 canned tuna products, including 25 cat food samples, by sequencing two mitochondrial regions, 16S rRNA (16S) and the control region (CR). BLAST analysis revealed that Sarda orientalis, Euthynnus affinis, Auxis rochei, and Auxis thazard are all used as substitutes for legitimate tuna products. We found that 63.33% of investigated samples are true canned tuna, i.e., contain Thunnus species or skipjack tuna. We advocate that the Taiwanese government publishes an official standardized list of fishes, especially so that scientific, Chinese and vernacular names can be assigned unambiguously based on a “one species-one name policy”, thereby clarifying which species can be used in seafood products such as tuna. Furthermore, we feel that the large-scale and long-term monitoring of canned tuna products is warranted to fully assess the extent of tuna product adulteration in Taiwan.

Landrace Diversity and Production Systems of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) in Southern Chad

In Chad, cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.), is increasingly becoming a cash crop. The objective of this work is to assess the varietal diversity, analyze the traditional management of landraces and the production systems of cowpea in southern part of Chad. An inventory and an ethnobotanical survey was conducted through a participatory approach in 17 villages corresponding to two agro ecological zones. Thirty-four vernacular names and 45 landraces are inventoried. On average, 2 names are assigned per village. The number of landraces varies from 4 to 13 with an average of 9.00 per region and 2.70 per village. The highest diversity is observed in Mayo Kebbi. Sixteen morphotypes have been identified and their distribution varies according to the agro ecological zones. Productivity (31.10 %), taste (25.92 %) and grain size (18.34 %) are the farmer main preferred criteria. Farmers use leaves (47 %), pods (29.50 %) and seeds (14.75 %) to identify landraces. Cowpea cultivation is practiced on small areas and in intercropping system (78.60 %). Conservation of seeds (36.07 %), low fertility of the soils (27.85 %) and drought (17.77 %) were the main production constraints. Cowpea is stored mainly in traditional granaries (34.96 %) and on racks (22.93 %). For seeds treatment, farmers use mainly traditional means (32.37 %) and chemical products (6.67 %). Several cowpea-based dishes are identified. Cowpea has also therapeutic virtues. To improve cowpea production, appropriate actions must be considered against the constraints inventoried. The interesting landraces should also be used in a breeding program. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 9(3): 176-186.

Taxonomic Revision of the Genus Podagrostis (Poaceae, Pooideae, Poeae)

A taxonomic revision of the genus Podagrostis (Griseb.) Scribn. & Merr. is presented, including two new combinations: P. meridensis (Luces) A. M. Molina & Rúgolo and P. novogaliciana (McVaugh) A. M. Molina & Rúgolo. Podagrostis bacillata (Hack.) Sylvester & Soreng constitutes a new report for Colombia. Information regarding synonymy, geographical distribution, habitat, iconography, and vernacular names is provided along with complete illustrations and a list of additional specimens examined. A key for the identification of the species is included as well as a comparative table based on macro- and micromorphological data. The anatomical character of Trichodium net on lemma epidermis, as well as its diagnostic value, is discussed in species of Podagrostis and most related genera (e.g., Agrostis L., Chaetotropis Kunth, and Polypogon Desf., among others).

Catalogue of Rose Gall, Herb Gall, and Inquiline Gall Wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) of the United States, Canada and Mexico

Cynipidae (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea) is a diverse group of wasps, many of which are capable of inducing plants to make galls, novel structures that protect and nourish the wasps' larvae. Other cynipids, especially those species in Ceroptresini and Synergini, are understood to be usurpers of galls made by other cynipids. The North American cynipid fauna has not been fully catalogued since 1979, but there is renewed interest in revising the taxonomy and in doing research that sheds light on the mechanisms of gall induction, the evolution of this life history, and their ecological interactions more broadly. Significant taxonomic changes have impacted the group since 1979, thereby warranting a new catalogue. The current state of knowledge of species classified in Aulacideini, Ceroptresini, Diastrophini, Diplolepidini, Phanacidini and Synergini in the United States, Canada, and Mexico is summarised in catalogue format. We report 323 names, including 170 valid species of rose gall wasps, herb gall wasps, and inquiline gall wasps, classified in 12 genera, from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Current taxonomic status, distribution, host associations, and vernacular names are listed for each species. The catalogue also includes the original description of galls for many species of gall-inducer, as well as atomised characterisations of different gall traits as key-value pairs. For most galling species without existing vernacular names, new vernacular names are proposed.