Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants Used to Treat Degenerative Disease in East Lombok

Degenerative diseases have become a complex problem around the world. Until now, degenerative diseases have become the biggest cause of death in the world. Approximately, 17 million people die early each year due to the global epidemic of degenerative diseases. Peoples in developing countries still rely on medicinal plants for primary health care. The knowledge for medicinal plant were passed down through generation with little written documentation. This study aimed to document the indigenous medicinal plants used for the treatment for degenerative diseases in East Lombok, Indonesia and to find leads on prospective plants for further ethnopharmacology research based on quantitative ethnobotany index. The ethnomedicinal data were collected through interview and discussion among local healers and plant collected with the help of local guide also herbarium was made to aid specimen confirmation. Ethnomedicinal data was analyzed using use value (UV) along with fidelity level (FL). A total of 20 informants (traditional healers) were interviewed and from the study we can documented the use of 63 plants for the treatment of degenerative diseases. The UV ranged from 0,05 (Sesbania grandiflora) to 0,35 (Carica papaya), while the highest FL (100%) was found for 29 species. Based on the ethnobotanical index (UV and FL) from each plant we can recommend 15 species for further ethnopharmacological study to determine their therapeutic effects and mechanism of action. This study revealed rich ethnomedicinal knowledge from the community in East Lombok for the treatment of degenerative disease.

The uses of fig (Ficus) by five ethnic minority communities in Southern Shan State, Myanmar

Background Most regions of Myanmar fall within the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot and are threatened with biodiversity loss. Development of a comprehensive framework for sustainable development is crucial. Figs are ecological keystone species within these regions and are also important for traditional spiritual food and health uses, which often have accompanying conservation practices. The traditional use and management of figs may offer clues to help guide the development of national policies for sustainable development. In this study, we showcase the rich ethnobotanical knowledge as well as the variety of collection and conservation practices of figs among five ethnic groups in Southern Shan State. Methods We performed both key informant and semi-structured interviews with 114 informants from five ethnic groups. Their uses for figs were categorized according to local practices and recipes. Informants were asked about trends in conservation status over the past 10 years and any conservation-related customs and practices. Data were analyzed quantitatively with common quantitative ethnobotany indices, the use report (UR) and use value (UV). Results Informants reported the uses of eight fig species (Ficus auricularta, F. concinna, F. geniculata, F. hispida, F. racemosa, F. religiosa, F. semicordata, and F. virens). F. geniculata and F. virens were most useful (UR = 228) and were used by all five ethnic groups, corresponding to a high use value (UV = 2). Treatments for 16 diseases were reported from seven species. Household consumption, economic and sacred uses were accompanied by sustainable practices of harvest and protection. Traditional taboos, in situ and ex situ conservation were common especially for highly demanded species (F. geniculata and F. virens) and the sacred fig F. religiosa. Conclusion Findings suggest that figs are useful for food (all informants) and medicine (13.16% of the informants) in the study area. Traditional taboos, in situ and ex situ conservation practices help to maintain sustainable utilization of locally important figs. This is an early contribution to the traditional knowledge of edible figs. Although similar uses have been reported in neighboring countries for seven of the fig species, the ethnobotanical use of F. concinna is novel.

The uses of fig (Ficus) by five ethnic minority communities in Southern Shan State, Myanmar

Background: Most regions of Myanmar fall within the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot and are threatened of biodiversity loss. Development of a comprehensive framework for sustainable development is crucial. Figs are ecological keystone species within these regions and are also important for their traditional spiritual, food and health uses, which often have accompanying conservation practices. These may offer clues to help guide the development of national policies for sustainable development. In this study we showcase the rich ethnobotanical knowledge as well as the variety of collection and conservation practices of figs among five ethnic groups in Southern Shan State.Methods: We performed both key informant and semi-structured interviews with 114 informants from five ethnic groups. Their uses for figs were categorized according to local practices and recipes. Informants were asked about trends in conservation status over the past 10 years and any conservation related customs and practices. Data were analyzed quantitatively with common quantitative ethnobotany indices, the use report (UR) and use value (UV). Results: Informants reported the uses of eight fig species (Ficus auricularta，F. concinna, F. geniculata，F. hispida, F. racemosa, F. religiosa，F. semicordata, and F. virens). F. geniculata and F. virens were most useful (UR = 228) and were used by all five ethnic groups, corresponding to a high use value (UV = 2). Treatments for 16 diseases were reported from seven species. Household consumption, economic, and sacred uses were accompanied by sustainable practices of harvest and protection. Traditional taboos, in situ and ex situ conservation were practiced especially for highly demanded species (F. geniculata and F. virens), and the sacred fig F. religiosa.Conclusion: Findings suggest that figs are useful for food (all informants) and medicine (13.16% of the informants) in the study area. Traditional taboos, in situ and ex situ conservation practices help to maintain sustainable utilization of locally important figs. This is an early contribution to the traditional knowledge of edible figs. Although similar uses have been reported in neighboring countries for seven of the fig species, the ethnobotanical use of F. concinna is novel.

Traditional Knowledge of Forest Medicinal Plants of Munduruku Indigenous People - Ipaupixuna

Aims: The traditional knowledge about the use of typical flora of forests such as the Amazon rainforest, is undoubtedly an intangible richness of indigenous populations. Recording this knowledge to value it is essential in the construction of contemporary history, especially in the present times of invasion of the Indigenous Territories. Thus, the objective of this research was to elucidate from ethnobotanical diagnoses the useful flora of Munduruku indigenous families, as a renewable and exploitable natural resource. The working hypothesis was to confirm the dependency of these local communities on the forests, while medicinal environments. Study Design: The structure of the research was based on three moments: 1. Intervention with the human component (conducting interviews with indigenous families); 2. Intervention with the plant component (preparation of the excicatas of the cited plants and taxonomic identification); 3. Analysis of human and plant components (ethnobotanical study). Place and Duration of Study: The research developed in a village called Ipaupixuna, whose indigenous families are from Munduruku ethnic group. The duration of the research was six (6) months. Methodology: The analysis was characterized by Quantitative ethnobotany whose variables analyzed were Relative Frequency of Citation, Use Valour, Level of Fidelity, Relative Popularity and Rank Order Priority. The statistical analysis comprised a Linear Pearson Correlation Matrix for dimensioning the correlation between the ethnobotanical variables. Results: The results showed rich diversity of species, with 110 plants being raised used by indigenous families in five categories: medicinal, food, crafts, construction and cosmetics. Arecaceae was the botanical family with the highest number of medicinal species. Dipteryx odorata was the specie with the highest Relative Frequency, while Plectranthus amboinicus and Caesalpinia ferrea as well as Fredericia chica presented high Use Value for the indigenous. Conclusions: The indigenous families of Munduruku ethnic group of Tapajós river Basin studied in this research, have in the Forest and in its backyards, sources of plants for multiple uses, thus evidencing the high dependence between indigenous people and Forests. The creation of new spaces called Medicinal Forests and Ethnogardens is essential to contributing to the health safety of indigenous families.

The uses of fig (Ficus) by five ethnic minority communities in Southern Shan State, Myanmar

Background: Most regions of Myanmar fall within the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot and are threatened of biodiversity loss. Development of a comprehensive framework for sustainable development is crucial. Figs are ecological keystone species within these regions and are also important for their traditional spiritual, food and health uses, which often have accompanying conservation practices. These may offer clues to help guide the development of national policies for sustainable development. In this study we showcase the rich ethnobotanical knowledge as well as the variety of collection and conservation practices of figs among five ethnic groups in Southern Shan State.Methods: We performed both key informant and semi-structured interviews with 114 informants from five ethnic groups. Their uses for figs were categorized according to local practices and recipes. Informants were asked about trends in conservation status over the past 10 years and any conservation related customs and practices. Data were analyzed quantitatively with common quantitative ethnobotany indices, the use report (UR) and use value (UV). Results: Informants reported the uses of eight fig species (Ficus auricularta，F. concinna, F. geniculata，F. hispida, F. racemosa, F. religiosa，F. semicordata, and F. virens). F. geniculata and F. virens were most useful (UR = 228) and were used by all five ethnic groups, corresponding to a high use value (UV = 2). Treatments for 16 diseases were reported from seven species. Household consumption, economic, and sacred uses were accompanied by sustainable practices of harvest and protection. Traditional taboos, in situ and ex situ conservation were practiced especially for highly demanded species (F. geniculata and F. virens), and the sacred fig F. religiosa.Conclusion: Findings suggest that figs are useful for food (all informants) and medicine (13.16% of the informants) in the study area. Traditional taboos, in situ and ex situ conservation practices help to maintain sustainable utilization of locally important figs. This is an early contribution to the traditional knowledge of edible figs. Although similar uses have been reported in neighboring countries for seven of the fig species, the ethnobotanical use of F. concinna is novel.

Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants Used in the Management of Diabetes in Ibadan North-East and Ibadan South-East, Oyo State, Nigeria

Background: Diabetes mellitus, which is described to be a lifestyle disease, affects about 8.3% of the adult population of the world. Due to its alarming rate, it is one of the most common non-communicable diseases of current era. The burden of this disease is immense owing to transition in lifestyle and dietary habits, ageing of the population and urbanization in the setting of a genetically predisposed environment.Methodology: The study was aimed at documenting the knowledge of Traditional Medical Practitioners (TMPs) in Ibadan on ethnomedicinal plants used in the management of diabetes. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from 100 TMPs and herb sellers within the study area. Data obtained was analysed using both descriptive statistics as well as quantitative ethnobotany including Use Mention Index, Use Value index and Fidelity level. Results:The total number of respondents from both study areas were 100, which were mainly females (94%) and most of them had no formal education. All respondents were Yoruba speaking. Results revealed 60 plants species belonging to 35 different families and 57 genera were cited by the respondents which they use in the management of diabetes. Hunteria umbellata is the most prominent plant species having the highest UMI reflecting it popularity and efficacy in the management of diabetes in both areas. Fabaceae (23%) has the highest number of plants species followed by Apocynaceae (17%), Annonaceae (11%), Curcurbitaceae (11%) and Liliaceae (8%). The leaves (25%) were the most commonly used plant parts for the management of diabetes followed by fruits (22%) and Bark (13%).in that order.Conclusion: The Southwest part of Nigeria is rich with unexplored plants useful in management of Diabetes and these documented traditional uses require scientific exploration and exploitation for drug discovery in diabetes therapy. Further studies are therefore encouraged in order to isolate, chemically elucidate and characterize the hypoglycaemic bioactive component which could serve as chemical lead for the development of novel antidiabetic drugs with desirable efficacy and safety profiles.