International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research

International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN 2169-303X Vol. 4 (8), pp. 157-167, November, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Ethnobotanical and vegetation survey of kiango’mbe and Kianjiru Hill Forests In Embu County, Kenya

*Waiganjo, B.W^{1, 4}., Githae, E.W²., Warui, C.M¹., Opiyo, E.A³

¹School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Mount Kenya University.

²Department of Biological Sciences, Chuka University.

³Institute of Research and Graduate studies, Gulu University.

⁴Faculty of Science Gulu University.

Corresponding author. E-mail: *E-mail address: [email protected]; [email protected] Tel: +254 722 338 708

Accepted November, 10, 2015

Abstract

Ethnobotanical study and vegetation survey was carried out in Kiang’ombe and Kianjiru hill forests of Embu County to evaluate the indigenous knowledge relevant to malaria cause, diagnosis, treatment and prevention as well as to establish the hills’ medicinal plants species diversity. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to gather ethnobotanical information while trees with diameter at breast height ≥5 cm, shrubs and herbs were sampled by use of 20×20, 5×5 and 1×1 m plots respectively. Malaria symptoms mentioned in this study were in concurrent with the widely acceptable ones and they included: headache, vomiting, loss of appetite, joint pains and fever. Mosquito was recognized as the main malaria vector. Fifty six species belonging to 31 families were documented from the ethnobotanical study. Achyrothalamus marginatus, Dombeya rotundifolia, Monanthotaxis schweinfurthii and Premna resinosa were documented for the first time in this study indicating high endemism. Barks, roots, trees and shrubs were the most commonly harvested parts and growth forms respectively. Charcoal burning, timber harvesting, grazing and forest fires were observed. Kianjiru had significantly (P≤0.001) higher diversity index (H’=2.92) than Kiango’mbe (H’=2.63). The two hill forests are major sources of medicinal plants and therefore the need to conserve them.                                   

Key words: Malaria, Ethnobotanical, Knowledge, Vegetative, Embu. 

Full Length Research Paper

Identification and differentiation of Leaf epidermal obtained from Species of Setaria weeds in Pakistan

*Ishfaq Kamran, Mujahid Ahmed and Muhammed Hashmi

Department of Biological Sciences, Allama Iqbal Open University, Pakistan.

E-mail: kamran_faq@ aiou.edu.pk

Accepted 19 July, 2015

Abstract

Leaf epidermal anatomy of 5 species of Setaria weeds collected from salt range was carried out to identify and differentiate these species, as there is confusion in identification of these species on the basis of morphology. Variations in different leaf epidermal characters are observed in different Setaria species. Setaria glauca is identified by the absence of prickles on the abaxial side, while prickles are present on both abaxial and adaxial side of Setaria viridis, Setaria intermedia, Setaria italica and Setaria verticillata. Two types of silica bodies are observed in Setaria species. Cross shaped silica bodies are observed in S. verticillata, while in other Setaria species dumb bell shaped silica bodies are found. Microhairs were present only on the abaxial side of S. glauca, while absent in other species, so this character also distinguishes it from other species. Largest stomatal complex is found in S. glauca, while in S. intermedia, stomatal complex is smaller as compared to other species. It is observed that different leaf anatomical characters assist in identification and differentiation of different Setaria species.

Key words: Leaf epidermal, Setaria, poaceae, salt range.

International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN: 2169-303X Vol. 4 (5), pp. 243-244, July, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effectiveness of dry Moringa oleifera leaf powder in treatment of anaemia

Madukwe E. U.* Ugwuoke A. L. and Ezeugwu J. O.

Department of Home Science, Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 20 March, 2013

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of dry Moringa oleifera leaf powder in the management of anaemia in adult albino rats. The proximate, mineral, vitamin and phytochemical composition of dry M. oleifera leaf powder were analysed. Twelve adult albino rats grouped into three were used. Cyclophosphamide was used to induce anaemia into them. The percentage proximate values were protein (26.28%), ash (7.69%), carbohydrate (49.35%), crude fibre (7.48%) and moisture (7.05%). The rats whose feed were supplemented with M. oleifera leaf powder showed superior attributes to the unsupplemented group. The study showed dry M. oleifera leaf powder is promising in the management of anaemia.

Key words: Effectiveness, anaemia, treatment, Moringa oleifera leaf powder.

International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN: 2169-303X Vol. 4 (4), pp. 338-242, June, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Influence of witches' broom disease on catechin, epicatechin and their enantiomers concentrations in Citrus aurantifolia

Saeed Mollayi ¹, Alireza Ghassempour^1,*, Hassan Y. Aboul-Enein^2,*

¹Phytochemistry Department, Medicinal Plant and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, G. C. Evin, Tehran, Iran.

²Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Department, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Division, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo 12311, Egypt.

*Corresponding author. E-mail:[email protected]. Tel. +982129904070; Fax: +982122431598.

Accepted 14 June, 2015

Abstract

Recently, witches' broom disease causes a large problem for Citrus aurantifolia in a few countries such as Oman and Iran. The results show that the metabolism of plant cells are greatly changed due to biotic stresses leading plant to an optimized metabolic response for defense. Herein, we showed that the infection of Citrus aurantifolia to Witches' broom disease has a close relation with the content of catechin and epicatechin metabolites which are well known for their biological properties. These changes in the metabolites levels were in proper agreement with the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase(PAL) and chalcone synthase (CHS) as the key enzymes of the biosynthesis of catechin and epicatechin. Infection of the plant resulted in the higher levels of both the metabolites with up regulated activities of PAL and CHS. Enantiomeric analysis of the metabolites revealed that infection of the Citrus aurantifolia cause to change the enantiomeric composition of catechin and caused accumulation of the (+)-enantiomer, which is a known antibacterial agent compared to (-)-catechin. Results of this study showed that plant is able to regulate the chirality of necessary metabolites when acquired in the stress conditions.

Key words: Citrus aurantifolia, witches' broom disease, catechin, epicatechin, PAL, CHS, enantiomers. 

International Journal of Medicinal Plant Research ISSN: 2169-303X Vol. 4 (3), pp. 330-337, May, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Utilization and conservation of medicinal plants and their associated Indigenous Knowledge (IK) in Dawuro Zone: An ethnobotanical approach

Engedasew Andarge¹, Abraham Shonga¹, Mathewos Agize¹* and Asfaw Tora¹

¹Wolaita Sodo University, Biology Department, P.O.Box: 138, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia.

Accepted 10 October, 2014

Abstract

This research work was aimed at documenting the traditional management and conservation of indigenous knowledge associated with the use of plant diversity for treatment of human and livestock diseases and medicinal plants found in Dawuro Zone, Southern Ethiopia. A total of 216 medicinal plants distributed in 69 families were documented through semi-structured interview conducted on 91 traditional healers in this study.  The data were analyzed using excel spread sheet and data matrix procedure for preference ranking. Asteraceae was the most frequently used plant family which accounted to 44.93%, followed by Fabaceae and Lamiaceae which were 39.13% and 26.06%, respectively. Most of the traditional healers of the area collect their medicinal plants, about 169 species (78.24%) from the wild and predominantly use herbs 91(42.13%) and  leaves account for 89 (41.20%) for medicinal purpose. There was poor utilization and conservation of medicinal plants in the study area. Indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants was gradually disappearing due to secrecy, unwillingness of the young generation to gain the knowledge, and other activities. Initiating pharmacological and biological activity testing of most popularly used traditional medicinal plants, establishing botanical gardens and protected areas with community-based conservation and encouraging the use of home gardens for cultivation of multipurpose plants were needed.

Key words: Conservation, Dawuro, ethnobotany, indigenous knowledge, medicinal plants, traditional healer. 

International Journal of Medicinal Plant Research  ISSN: 2169-303X  Vol. 4 (2), pp. 324-329, April, 2015. © International Scholars  Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Tribal way to treat diabetes: Potentials of traditional phytotherapy in the ethnic belts of purulia district, India and socio-economic relevance

Amrita Dey¹and Abhijit Dey^2*

¹Research Scholar, Department of Museology, University of Calcutta

²Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Presidency University (Formerly Presidency College), 86/1, College Street, Kolkata-700073, West Bengal, India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract

Plants have been used by human beings since time immemorial. Purulia, a district located at the western part of the state of West Bengal, India is known for its aboriginal elements with diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. In surveys conducted among the tribal villagers, it was found that, a strong ethnobotanical system prevails in the area for the treatment of various ailments of humans and livestock. Diabetes mellitus is not a very common threat to the people residing here but the increasing tendency to westernization and ever changing food habit may contribute to the disease in the near future. The present survey enlists a number of 32 medicinal plants belonging to 18 plant families with potentials to be used as anti-diabetics. These plants are used in the treatment of other ailments and the knowledge regarding the anti-diabetic principles of certain herbal preparations may be incorporated in the age old tribal practices.

Key words: Diabetes mellitus, ethnobotany, pharmacology, antidiabetic, socio-economic.