Pharmacognostical Profile of Gymnema sylvestre and its Anti-Hyperglycemic Activity

In this paper explored the pharmacognostical profile of gymnema sylvestre and its anti-hyperglycemic activity has been documented well with references. The importance of the species in Ayurveda has been highlighted. The bioactive components like gymnema sylvestre has a variety of secondary metabolites, including oleanane, gymnemic acid, gymnemasides (A-F), gymnemic acid (IXVIII) homologue, gymnemic acid A1 and its derivatives, triterpenoidsaponin, al has been clearly includedin the review kaloid (Conduritol-A), polypeptide (Gurmarin), and gymnemasaponins. This study has provided the groundwork for developing a pharmacognostical profile of medicinal plant growers and collectors. The goal of this review study is to provide a regional profile of the indigenous knowledge system for medicinal plant usage and cultural behaviors related to healing. This study aids in the identification of novel ethnomedicinal plant species in the study region, which may lead to the development of new medicines. The plant toxicity test results indicated that it may be used as an alternative to diabetes therapy with no or little adverse effects. This study confirms the conventional use of indigenous plant-derived natural medicine for treating diabetes mellitus. The study also highlighted the efficacy of "Ayurveda" which is an ancient tradition, used in some parts of India. This ancient concept should be carefully evaluated in the light of modern medical science and can be utilized partially if found suitable. I hope that this kind of research will be useful to future researchers as per their needs.

Phytochemical constituents, Ethno medicinal properties and Applications of Plant: Litsea glutinosa (Lour.) C.B. Robinson (Lauraceae)

Litsea glutinosa is popular in tropical and subtropical regions around the world such as India, Japan, Taiwan and many parts of China. Litsea glutinosa plant has many important medicinal properties and it is traditionally used for many gastrointestinal ailments and diseases like abdominal pain, indigestion, diarrhea as well as gastroenteritis and diabetes, edema, traumatic injuries colds, arthritis and asthma. Litsea plant is also known for its essential oil, which provides protective action against so many different types of bacteria. This plant has antioxidant and anti-parasitic properties and eliminates acute and genetic toxicity and cytotoxicity, thereby helping to prevent many cancers. This review captures the ethnographic properties, phytochemical components, uses, medicinal applications and health benefits of very important Indian indigenous plant “Litsia glutinosa” and emphasizes in-depth review to highlight the major and enormous potential found in this traditional medicine. Due to non-domestic and dioecious nature of plant immediate attention to the conservation strategies of the plant is required. It aims to provide insights into our Knowledge gaps that are very necessary for this type of medicinal important plants. It can be a very viable approach and in-depth research for the long-term benefits of society.

Influence of Plant Origins and Seasonal Variations on Nutritive Values, Phenolics and Antioxidant Activities of Adenia viridiflora Craib., an Endangered Species from Thailand

Adenia viridiflora Craib. is an indigenous plant found in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam that has become threatened owing to lack of knowledge about its agricultural management. This plant is now rare in the wild and was registered in the Plant Genetic Conservation Project under the initiation of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (RSPG) to promote sustainable conservation and optimally beneficial utilization. A. viridiflora has a long history of utilization as a nutrient-rich source with medicinal properties but scientific evidence of the veracity of these claims is limited. Here, the nutritional compositions, phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of different plant parts (young shoots and old leaves) of A. viridiflora were investigated using plants collected from four areas of Thailand as Kamphaeng Phet (KP), Muang Nakhon Ratchasima (MN), Pakchong Nakhon Ratchasima (PN) and Uthai Thani (UT) at different harvesting periods (March-April, May–June and July–August). Results indicated that young shoots provided higher energy, protein, fat, dietary fiber, phosphorus, sodium, and zinc than old leaves. By contrast, nutrients such as total sugar, vitamin C, carotenoids, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron contents were higher in old leaves that also exhibited higher phenolic contents and most antioxidant activities than young shoots. Generally, most nutrients, phenolic contents, and antioxidant activities exhibited no clear trend among different plant origins. The harvesting period of July–August provided a suitable climate for biosynthesis of most nutrients, while high phenolics were mainly found in samples harvested in March–April. No clear trend was observed in the prevalence of antioxidant activities that varied according to assay techniques.

Importance of the Indigenous Plant Knowledge: Study of Selected Plant Species Culturally Used by the Karbi Community of Karbi Anglong District, North-East India

The North-East region in India is recognized as a major hotspot of biodiversity with a vast range of flora and fauna. The region extends from the plain areas such as the Barak-Brahmaputra Valley of Assam to the mountainous regions of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. The population in the region is just as diverse as its biodiversity with people residing in plain areas as well as in the hilly and mountainous areas. The vast forest area and availability of forest resources provide food, medicine, and, to some extent, livelihood for the different Indigenous people residing in the region; and hence their dependency and relationship with forest resources are tight knitted. The Karbi tribe is an ethnic community residing in the Karbi Anglong district in Assam state of the NE region. Their knowledge of forest resources, familiarity with the intricacies associated with it, utilization of various plants is found in the natural habitats for everyday purposes along with owning small and micro-farms have made them quite adaptable to the hilly environment. In the past, the Karbis mainly resided in the mountainous and hilly areas; but to access better facilities, most of the people have migrated and settled in the plains. The era of connectivity and urbanization has affected the forest areas that have gradually led to the loss of plants in their wild natural habitat, some of which hold a significant cultural identity and religious beliefs. In the present day, the younger generation has shifted from old ties and traditions, which might have contributed to the loss of knowledge about plants used for various purposes and certain Indigenous practices.

Exploring indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants used to treat COVID-19 related symptoms

The purpose of this study was to describe the indigenous plant-derived medicine used to treat symptoms related to four of the most common symptoms of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data presented in this study form part of a medical ethnobotanical study conducted in Limpopo Province, South Africa between 2012 and 2019. The study recorded 89 plant species identified as sources of medicine. Of these plants, 13 species belonging to 9 botanical families were used as sources of medicine to cure influenza, cough, sore throat and fever, while 5 species belonging to 5 botanical families were sources of preventive medicine. The treatment of the four symptoms is accomplished through the administration of oral decoctions, steaming and infusions, while preventive medicine is in the form of infusion, decoction, chew or charm, which is used to prevent susceptibility to infectious diseases such as influenza and cough. Knowledge of these medicines rests with ordinary community members who offer treatment after observations of the symptoms on their family members. The indigenous plant-derived medicines identified in this study may be tested for their safety and efficacy to discover new local, affordable and culture-specific drugs that could be used in the modern phytotherapy for conditions such as COVID-19.

Examining the current value of indigenous plant material culture in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Indigenous plant-derived material culture dominates many of the tools and utensils manufactured and used by communities that depended on the natural resources for their livelihoods. Endemic plants provide humans with essential materials for construction purposes and for the design of household utensils. The goal of this study was to describe the current value of indigenous plant material culture. Semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 127 respondents provide 13 native plants as sources of fibre, timber, culms, oil and dye used to make household utensils, huts, brooms, mats and baskets. The cultural significance of these materials includes the production, preparation, serving and storage of food; house construction; protection of courtyards; and cleaning. These materials are still valued in the culture of the studied community, and represent the tangible heritage of the community.