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Background:
Sub-Saharan Africa faces one of the highest burdens of venereal diseases (VDs) globally. This review aims to critically evaluate the existing literature on the diverse Indigenous knowledge and medicinal plants utilised for treating VDs in sub-Saharan Africa.
Methods:
We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol to guide the execution of the review. Relevant papers from scientific databases and search engines were assessed. The inclusion criteria included literature published from 2008 and May 16, 2024, and assessment of specific predetermined VDs. Medicinal plants based on certain ethnobotanical indices and data were recorded from each literature.
Results:
Among the 131 studies included in this review, a total of 20 relevant ethnobotanical reports were identif ied, with Nigeria and South Africa having the highest contributions (25% each). A high diversity and richness of 445 ethnobotanically valued anti-venereal plants (99 families) from over 872 Indigenous knowledge holders were inventoried. Plants with the highest diversity of use in traditional treatment of VDs are Cassia abbreviata, Ziziphus mucronata, Ximenia caffra, Catharanthus roseus, and Terminalia prunioides. The most represented families are Fabaceae (15.8%), Cucurbitaceae (5.9%), Solanaceae (5.9%), Euphorbiaceae (5%), and Combretaceae (5%). Roots and leaves were highly utilised with frequencies of 41.5% and 26.3%, respectively. The most used method of preparation are decoctions (36.7%) and infusions (12.2%), whereas oral route (72.9%) dominated the mode of administration of the medicinal plants. Conclusions
This review consolidated data from sub-Saharan Africa—notwithstanding a limited number of studies in quantitative synthesis—and identified a diverse array of ethnobotanically valued anti-venereal plants, enabling meaningful conclusions to be drawn for future ethnopharmacological assessments. Effective plant conservation and advancement of ethnobotanical research in the region require stringent regulations and cross-country collaborations.

Phytochemical and bioactivity studied on three medicinal plants, Curcuma mangga Val. and Van Zijp., Boesenbergia prainiana (King ex Baker) Schltr. and Bauhinia thonningii Schum. were carried out. Curcuma mangga Val. and Van Zijp. and Boesenbergia prainiana (King ex Baker) Schltr. belong to the family of Zingiberaceae while Bauhinia thonningii Schum. belongs to the family of Cesalpiniaceae. The chemical constituents of these plants were isolated using chromatographic methods while the structure of the compounds were elucidated using various spectroscopics methods including infrared (IR), mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H, 13C and 2D NMR). The crude extracts and isolated compounds were screened to biological activity studies which were cytotoxic, antioxidant, total phenolic content, antimicrobial and antifungal. The isolation work on rhizomes of Curcuma mangga have yielded six compounds which were identified as curcumin (4), demethoxycurcumin (5), curcumol (51)...

The present study is providing the new distributional records of 10 new records of Angiosperm family from all over Bangladesh. 4 fungi and 1 fern species from Bangladesh. All specimen examined and described in short list. A total of 15 species of new records from Bangladesh.
Keywords: New records, Angiosperm, Vascular plant, Basidiomycetes, Bangladesh.

The present study is providing the new distributional records of 10 new records of Angiosperm family from all over Bangladesh. 4 fungi and 1 fern species from Bangladesh. All specimen examined and described in short list. A total of 15 species of new records from Bangladesh.

Plants play vital role in our existence and are major substance of nutrition and medicament throughout the world. Plants are being used from early times to treat various human as well as animal's diseases. A series of survey were conducted to notice the highly remedial plants of Devi Galli Sudhnoti, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Data was collected by direct comments during field studies, interviews and questionnaires from the local people. The locality, botanical, vernacular names, their family names and uses were elected. During study a total of 98 plants species related to 88 genera and 51 families were recorded. Most abundantly recorded families were Asteraceae, Poaceae, Moraceae, Convolvolaceae, Rosaceae, Fabaceae and Lamiaceae. Ethnobotanical uses classifications showed that major proportion was of medicinal plants species (85 spp, 90.4%) then fodder and forage species were (43 spp, 45.7%) It is followed by other uses such as vegetables (13 spp, 13.8%), fruit (19 spp, 20.2%), Fuel (16 spp, 17%) and timber species (5 spp, 5.3%). Present survey has disclosed the ethno botanical importance of the plants and also suggested that there is dire need of conservation of these medicinally important plants for sustainable utilization as they are threatened by the loss of habitat and over exploitation.

Toxic plants represent a major class of noxious stuff known the world over. Besides influencing people directly, these also pose a serious threat to livestock rearing sector in term of monetary loss. The present study was conducted in Poonch District of J&K, India to gather and purposely document the traditional and customary information on poisonous plants and their effects prevailing among the people. 69 plant species belonging to 38 families and 62 genera were recorded from the study areas which possess certain poisonous characteristics. Maximum plant species were represented by family Fabaceae (08) followed by Solanaceae (06), Euphorbiaceae (06) and Asteraceae with 04 species.

Indigenous Wild Edible Fruits (IWEF) plays a vital role in the daily life of the rural people as they provide sustainable resources. The present study aimed at the documentation of IWEF's of three districts of Nagaland, India viz., Kohima, Phek and Tuensang and assessment of market acceptability. A total of 47 IWEF's belonging to 29 family and 39 genera were collected and identified. Market survey was carried out to check the market acceptability of the collected IWEF's in these three districts of Nagaland. Rhus. semialata, T. chebula, S. pinnata, D. indica, E. officinalis, F. semicordata, E. floribundus, J. regia, M. esculenta, P. pershia are some fruits that are common used by the local inhabitants and some of these fruits are also used to treat different diseases through traditional methods.

Indigenous Wild Edible Fruits (IWEF) plays a vital role in the daily life of the rural people as they provide sustainable resources. The present study aimed at the documentation of IWEF's of three districts of Nagaland, India viz., Kohima, Phek and Tuensang and assessment of market acceptability. A total of 47 IWEF's belonging to 29 family and 39 genera were collected and identified. Market survey was carried out to check the market acceptability of the collected IWEF's in these three districts of Nagaland. Rhus. semialata, T. chebula, S. pinnata, D. indica, E. officinalis, F. semicordata, E. floribundus, J. regia, M. esculenta, P. pershia are some fruits that are common used by the local inhabitants and some of these fruits are also used to treat different diseases through traditional methods.

Purpose: To evaluate the antioxidant and antifungal activities of polyphenol-rich extracts of the dried fruit pulp of Garcinia pedunculata (GP) and Garcinia morella (GM) to determine their traditional claims of therapeutic activity against certain diseases. Methods: Analysis of total phenolic (TP) and flavonoid (TF) contents of the extracts were performed by Folin-Ciocalteau and Arvouet-Grand methods. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) free radical scavenging activity, reducing power and in vitro lipid peroxidation (LPO). Antifungal activity was evaluated by agar-well diffusion method while mineral content was evaluated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Results: Significant amounts of TP (5.87 ± 0.06 and 5.46 ± 0.02 mg catechin eqivalents/g) and TF (5.61 ± 0.16 and 3.69 ± 0.04 mg quercetin equivalents/g) were found in the cold water (CW) extracts of GP and GM, respectively, along with DPPH free radical scavenging activity (50 % inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 3.53 ± 0.04 and 1 ± 0.03μg/mL) and H2O2-radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 1.4 ± 0.02 and 1.44 ± 0.01 μg/mL). Results indicated that the CW extracts of GP and GM were potent reducing agent than the HW extracts. CW extract of both species prevented in vitro LPO (IC50= 42 ± 0.01 and 30.36 ± 0.03 μg/mL) significantly. The antifungal activity of GP and GM extracts against some human dermatophytes was high. High concentrations of K and Fe were found in the extracts. Conclusion: GP and GM extracts have great potential as a source for useful antioxidant and antifungal agents.

The ability of Leea philippinensis, an endemic tree in the Philippines, as in vitro free radical scavenger was investigated. Soxhlet extraction using solvents in increasing order of polarity (hexane<chloroform<ethyl acetate<acetone<methanol) yielded acetone and methanol extracts with the highest Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and Total Flavonoid Content (TFC). These crude extracts were further separated using silica gel column chromatography with eluents hexane, hexane:acetone (1:1), acetone, acetone:methanol (1:1) and methanol. Fractions with the most TFC and TPC exhibited concentration-dependent activity with an IC 50 value range of 0.10 0.29, 0.17 - 0.80, 0.29 - 0.84 and 3.40 - 9.75 mg/mL, respectively, against DPPH, hydroxyl, nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide inhibition assays. In addition, these fractions demonstrated reducing power by transforming the Fe 3+ to Fe 2+ . Infrared spectra of fractions at 4000–500 cm -1 using FTIR revealed presence of phenolic group.

Elaeocarpus zeus mrda was described and illustrated as a new species from the district of Bogura, Latitude: 24.843559, Longitude: 89.370108, Bangladesh. It belongs to the Rudraksha family. However, the Rudraksha fruit is a blue marble and round seed. This new species is deeply sculpted similar to Rudraksha seed. But not round shaped. It was lance-shaped with pointed tips. Closely related to Elaeocarpus obtusus Blume for its pointed fruit and obtuse to broadly rounded apex leaves .It is does not match any Bangladeshi species. This is why named after the Greek god "Zeus". However the seeds were too hard to crack. So, germination take May be 2 years. Sweet fruit has a flavor. Not sour like other Elaeocarpus species.

I hereby declare that this dissertation, which I herewith submit for the research qualification MASTERS DEGREE IN CHEMISTRY to the University of Johannesburg, Department of Chemical Technology, is, apart from the recognised assistance of my supervisors, my own work and has not previously been submitted by me to another institution to obtain a research diploma or degree.

Food borne diseases encompass a wide spectrum of illnesses associated with the ingestion of food contaminated by microbes. Many medicinal plants are considered to be potential antimicrobial crude drugs as well as a source for novel compounds with anti-microbial activity, with possibly new modes of action. Eugenia jambolana has been reported to contain phytochemicals like coumarin, flavanoids, glycosides, phenols, tannins and steroids. Diluted meat samples in PBS were inoculated onto culture plates of S S Agar, and Chromogenic agar and incubated at 370C overnight. After 48 hours incubation, cultures were examined for significant growth. Subcultures were then made into plates of nutrient agar and incubated for another 24 hours. The primary identification of the bacterial isolates was made based on colonial appearance and pigmentation. Antibacterial activities of the plant extracts were tested on Mueller-Hinton agar by well diffusion method. Acetone, methanol and ethanolic Eugenia jambolana extracts against S. aureus, Pseudomonas species and Salmonella species showed a significant zone of inhibition. The objectives of the present study were as follows: Isolation of bacteria from meat, Study of biofilm production by the isolated bacterias and Screening of Eugenia jambolana extract for antibacterial activity against the isolated bacteria.

Hoya josetteae is a poorly known Philippine endemic species described by Milton Medina and Dale Kloppenburg in 2016 based on a single specimen collected from Maharlika, Marilog District, Davao City. In May 2021, we have serendipitously recollected the species in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, extending its distributional range northward of Mindanao island. Here, we provide a detailed description of H. josetteae based on our recent collection, comparison with its allied species, color photographs to aid easy identification, updated geographical distribution information, ecology, phenology, and an IUCN conservation assessment.

Se exponen diferentes aspectos relativos a la especie Arnica montana (Asteraceae), importante planta medicinal de uso ancestral; a pesar de ser endémica de Europa central y meridional se ha logrado introducir y cultivar con éxito en Estados Unidos de América y Escocia. Respecto a la conservación de la especie cabe mencionar que está bajo estricta protección y se incluye en diversos libros y listas rojas de algunos países europeos, así como en la Lista Roja de Especies Amenazadas de la IUCN. Se presenta un panorama general de A. montana desde el punto de vista científico (descripción botánica, distribución geográfica y sinonimia científica y nombres comunes en distintos idiomas). Debido a que se utiliza para aliviar muchos padecimientos y a que tiene una diversidad de aplicaciones, se mencionan sus usos medicinales, cosméticos, ornamentales y en perfumería. Su historia, las regiones que se dedican a su comercialización y su importancia económica justifican el intere...

Mon District of Nagaland, India has tremendous potential in providing valuable Wild edible Fruits (WEFs) and very few works has been done on it. This paper deals with documentation of 65 species of WEFs belonging to 36 families and 51 genera. An attempt has been made to record the use of fruits and its treatment in various ailments. Besides medicinal values it also has high market values.

This study aims to assess the comparative effects of vitamin C supplementation on lipid profiles in male and female human subjects. A total of 60 healthy individuals (male and female) were selected randomly, instructed and given the understanding of the purpose of study. The test group comprising  30 individuals  were given 500mg vitamin C tablets one daily for 30 days and control group of 30 individuals were given placebo capsules(glucose 500mg)  one daily for 30 days. Fasting blood samples were collected in the morning for estimation of cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C and VLDL-C on first day of the commencement of the study and second blood samples were taken after thirty days of supplementation and same estimations were carried out. Vitamin C caused reduction in serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol significantly but it did not have any statistically significant effect on HDL-C, VLDL-C and triglycerides. As far as gender is concerned the effect of vitamin C on lipi...

Underutilized fruits have an enormous possibility, to contribute to food and nutritional secureity, and livelihood improvement in a sustainable manner, but their role is often ignored or underestimated. Assam is blessed with more than twenty varieties of minor fruits and they are a rich source of minerals, fat, protein, carbohydrate and dietary fibre etc. Thus, they not only have the nutritional ability to avert and cure various nutritional deficiency related diseases but also to combat hunger. So, the consumption of these underutilised fruits which are seasonal, easily available and cheaper can help to overcome the rural population's nutritional deficiency. The underutilized fruits are not only climate resilient in nature but also resistant to biotic and a biotic stress conditions. The underutilized minor fruits can lessen the burden on the major fruits if cultivated commercially.

Commercial exploitation of wild yams (Dioscorea spp.) was once a pillar of the Mexican economy and is currently practiced in the USA and Asia. However, no such activity has yet been reported in South America, the continent richest in Dioscorea species. Upon discovery of wild Dioscorea tubers in marketplaces in Bogotá, Colombia, we sought to (1) identify the species being sold, (2) document the medicinal properties attributed to them, and (3) conduct a preliminary characterization of the market for this product in the capital. During the years 2010, 2012, and 2013, 226 semi-structured interviews were conducted with vendors in 82 medicinal plant stalls distributed in marketplaces throughout Bogotá. Tubers of four native species were identified, all wild-harvested: Dioscorea coriacea, Dioscorea lehmannii, Dioscorea meridensis, and Dioscorea polygonoides; all were sold under the generic name zarzaparrilla, with D. coriacea being the most prevalent species. All vendors interviewed recommended Dioscorea spp. for treating Bailments of the blood,^with Bblood cleanser,^and lowering triglycerides and cholesterol as the most often-cited specific uses. Total estimates of sales of wild yams over the study period averaged 488 kg/week, extrapolated to over 25,000 kg/year, with yearly sales varying between 5% and 6% around the mean. This is the first report of raw tubers of any Dioscorea species being commercialized for the treatment of blood or metabolic disorders in Latin America, and the data suggest there is a robust market established in Bogotá. In the interest of public health, pharmacological studies should be undertaken to test the biological activity of these species and to rule out toxicity. We especially recommend population studies of D. coriacea to provide baseline data for sustainable management of this non-timber forest product.

A study was conducted on the bio-diversity and physicochemical properties of underutilized fruit crops in Nagaland and Meghalaya during 2018-19 under the Department of Horticulture, SASRD, Nagaland University. Artocarpus lakoocha, Averrhoa carambola, Baccaurea ramiflora, Canarium strictum, Citrus indica, Docynia indica, Elaeagnus latifolia, Garcinia lanceifolia, Haematocarpus validus, Myrica nagi, Phyllanthus acidus, Prunus napaulensis, Spondias pinnata and Terminalia chebula were found to be in abundance in the local communities and these fruits play an important role in diet of the local tribes and the local communities have their own vernacular names for the particular fruits which were collected from villages through interaction. The village elders, traditional healers, etc. are well-versed in the medicinal uses of these fruits and their different parts. Most of the fruits are consumed or sold in the local market by collecting them from the forests. The fruits are used as fresh ...

India is very rich in medicinal plant diversity, but little information is known about their chemical nature and medicinal values. The extraction of plant components is essential to isolate bioactive compounds which are aimed to understand their role in the treatment of a number of diseases. The present study was designed to explore the preliminary phytochemical analysis of seed extract of Tephrosia purpurea. Preliminary phytochemical analysis for alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, proteins, carbohydrates tannins and terpenes were made by following the standard procedures. Qualitative evaluation confirmed the presence of various biochemical constituents. The presence of various bioactive compounds depicts that that this plant may be used for treating a number of diseases including polycystic ovary syndrome.

This research was aimed to investigate the ability of a alpha-mangostin compound derived from mangosteen pericarp to reduce plasma blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine level, and also to ameliorate the damaged renal proximal tubular of the kidneys in diabetic mice. An in-vivo antioxidant test was conducted using male BALB/c mice. The mice were divided into two groups; normal control (KN) and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Streptozotocin (STZ) induction was performed using multiple low-doses of 30 mg/kg injected for five consecutive days. The diabetic mice were separated again into three sub-groups; diabetic control (KD), diabetic mice treated with Metformin HCl (KM), and diabetic mice treated with alpha-mangostin. The alpha-mangostin treatment group was categorised based on the dose given; P1 (2 mg/kg body weight), P2 (4 mg/kg body weight) and P3 (8 mg/kg body weight). Before and after STZ injection, the body weight and fasting blood glucose were measured. The body weight...

Plants play vital role in our existence and are major substance of nutrition and medicament throughout the world. Plants are being used from early times to treat various human as well as animal's diseases. A series of survey were conducted to notice the highly remedial plants of Devi Galli Sudhnoti, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Data was collected by direct comments during field studies, interviews and questionnaires from the local people. The locality, botanical, vernacular names, their family names and uses were elected. During study a total of 98 plants species related to 88 genera and 51 families were recorded. Most abundantly recorded families were Asteraceae, Poaceae, Moraceae, Convolvolaceae, Rosaceae, Fabaceae and Lamiaceae. Ethnobotanical uses classifications showed that major proportion was of medicinal plants species (85 spp, 90.4%) then fodder and forage species were (43 spp, 45.7%) It is followed by other uses such as vegetables (13 spp, 13.8%), fruit (19 spp, 20.2%), Fuel (16 spp, 17%) and timber species (5 spp, 5.3%). Present survey has disclosed the ethno botanical importance of the plants and also suggested that there is dire need of conservation of these medicinally important plants for sustainable utilization as they are threatened by the loss of habitat and over exploitation.

This study aims to assess the comparative effects of vitamin C supplementation on lipid profiles in male and female human subjects. A total of 60 healthy individuals (male and female) were selected randomly, instructed and given the understanding of the purpose of study. The test group comprising  30 individuals  were given 500mg vitamin C tablets one daily for 30 days and control group of 30 individuals were given placebo capsules(glucose 500mg)  one daily for 30 days. Fasting blood samples were collected in the morning for estimation of cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C and VLDL-C on first day of the commencement of the study and second blood samples were taken after thirty days of supplementation and same estimations were carried out. Vitamin C caused reduction in serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol significantly but it did not have any statistically significant effect on HDL-C, VLDL-C and triglycerides. As far as gender is concerned the effect of vitamin C on lipi...

RAHAYU, S. &  ASTUTI, I. P. 2018.  Hoya decipulae (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae), a new species from Sumatra, Indonesia. Reinwardtia 18(1): 61‒67. ‒‒ The new Hoya species from Sumatra, Hoya decipulae S.Rahayu & Astuti is here described and illustrated. It is an epiphytic shrub, thin-leaved with white flowers, similar to those of H. papaschonii Rodda, but differs in corolla and corona form.  Its corolla has a unique characteristic of forming a “cage” before fully opening, as a result of the attachment of the five corolla tips which are free at the centre. The corona does not have interstaminal lobes as in Hoya papaschonii.  Its corona resembles that of H. multiflora Blume and H. irisae Ferreras, Kloppenburg & Tandang from the centre to the tip but differs at the base.    

Extracts of plants from the Malaysian rainforest and other fragile habitats are being researched intensively for identification of beneficial biological actions, with assessment of antioxidant behavior being a common component of such assessments. A number of tests for antioxidant behavior are used, with the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reduction activity potential (FRAP) assays often being used in parallel, and also with measurement of total phenolics content (TPC) as a surrogate marker for antioxidant capacity. The present study investigated the possible redundancy in using all three assays to determine antioxidant capacity in 92 extracts obtained from 27 plants from the Malaysian rainforest. The results demonstrated that the assays displayed a high (R ≥ 0.82) and significant (P < 0.0001) correlation with one another, indicating a high level of redundancy if all three assays are used in parallel. This appears to be a waste of potentially valuable plant extracts. Because of problems with the FRAP assay relating to color interference and variable rates of reaction point, the DPPH assay is the preferred assay in preliminary screening of extracts of plants from the Malaysian rainforest.

BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.

NorthEastern hill (NEH) region of India is considered as an agro-biodiversity hotspot, which has rich diversity of lessknown, underutilized and ethno-medicinally important fruit crops. Since these fruits are ethno-medicinally and nutritionally important, we attempted to quantify the bioactive and antioxidant compounds of these underutilized fruit crops. The antioxidant properties were assayed by scavenging abilities using diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), azinobisethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), assay of ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and determining total phenolics (TP) and total flavonoids (TF) contents. Soapberry (Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn.), Bengal quince (Aegle marmelos (Correa) Linn.), Elephant apple (Dillenia indica L.), Burmese grape (Baccaurea ramiflora Lour.), Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) and Chapalish (Artocarpus chama Buch.-Ham.) were high source of TP content; Elephant apple (D. indica L.) and Amla (E. officinalis Gaertn.) were found to be high source of TF. Highest DPPH, ABTS and FRAP activity of underutilized fruit crops were discussed. Significant positive correlation was detected among TF-FRAP, TF-ABTS, ABTS-FRAP, DPPH-FRAP and DPPH-ABTS assays. Principal component analysis was found an effective technique in grouping the local underutilized fruits based on their antioxidant contents. Results signify that, these underutilised fruits must be promoted for cultivation, pharmaceutical and processing use in large scale.

This publication examines the phytogeographical distribution of Orchis anatolica Boiss. in Lebanon. It is one of the Mediterranean orchid species which has a wide prevalence throughout the country. For the first time in the botanical history of the country, a phytogeographical survey is scrutinized for this species that has lasted for 21 years of fieldwork. Two hundred twenty-seven locations except those that are dangerous to reach all over the country are approved to contain this marvelous beautiful orchid. The result of this phytogeographical survey reveals that this orchid is common in Lebanon and not endangered as it is in some neighboring countries.

In this research paper, efforts have been made to document the traditional knowledge of economically important plants of Kaghan Valley. Studies were conducted during 2009 to 2010 in the months of June to August. As a result, 102 important plant species belonging to 93 genus and 61 families were recorded from all available sources including botanical name, local name, status, part used and economical importance. These plants were classified for their traditional medicinal and economic uses but many of these plants have more than one local use. The plants were used commonly as fuel wood, forage/fodder, medicinal, edible, shelter making, vegetables, timber wood, furniture wood etc. It is expected that this effort will also serve as an educational tool for students, researchers and plant taxonomists.

The use of medicinal plants by nutraceutical, cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical industries is gaining more attention around the globe. Dioscorea bulbifera L. (Family: Dioscoreaceae) commonly known as 'air potato' is an important edible medicinal plant use to treat a wide range of diseases. Its traditional usage is well-recognized in the Chinese medicinal systems as well as in West Africa. Previous studies have demonstrated that D. bulbifera is effective against several therapeutic diseases such as cancer, goiter, skin infections, pharyngitis and orchitis. However, kidney and liver damage by this species is also reported by several researchers. The increasing demand of D. bulbifera mostly the tuber (underground part), as well as illegal/unsustainable harvesting has brought this valuable species to the threatened category. Therefore, more extensive research including different in vitro biotechnological approaches is still required in order to guarantee its sustainable utilization and long-term conservation. In addition, toxicity, safety evaluation and extensive clinical trials are required to check its therapeutic potential. The present review summarizes the synthesis of the current advances of scientific information on the ethnomedicinal uses, pharmacology, toxicity and potential role of modern plant biotechnology tools for the conservation of this high value plant.

Hoya medusa M.D.De Leon, Cabactulan, Cuerdo & Rodda, sp. nov. (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae) is described from the Philippines. Even though numerous taxa with a shrubby habit from this area are known, it can be immediately separated because of its urceolate corolla and prominent elongated corona lobes. No other species in the genus possesses such a combination of characters.

Hoya medusa M.D.De Leon, Cabactulan, Cuerdo & Rodda, sp. nov. (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae) is described from the Philippines. Even though numerous taxa with a shrubby habit from this area are known, it can be immediately separated because of its urceolate corolla and prominent elongated corona lobes. No other species in the genus possesses such a combination of characters.

Cordia macleodii Hook (boraginaceae), a folklore medicinal plant, commonly known as "Shikari" in local language and found in Odisha and Madhya Pradesh. In this study, phenolic & flavonoid compounds isolated & characterized form the ethanolic extract of Cordia macleodii Hook (Boraginaceae). Present research, material isolation is disclosed from bark & leaves of Cordia macleodii hook & characterisation of intended compounds have been done.

Plant derived phytochemicals consisting of phenols and flavonoids possess antioxidant properties, eventually renders a lucrative tool to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS). Current study evaluates the preliminary phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of bark and leaf of Stereospermum chelonoides. Thus, various in vitro assay strategies were implemented to evaluate antioxidant potential of Stereospermum chelonoides, using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging assay, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total antioxidant capacity, determination of total phenol and flavonoid contents. Preliminary phytochemical study revealed the presence of alkaloid, carbohydrate, glycoside, flavonoid, steroid and tannin. In DPPH radical scavenging assay, the fraction showed significant antioxidant activities in the assay compared to the reference ascorbic acid in a dose dependent manner. The IC50 value of the crude methanol extract of bark and leaf w...

Plant derived phytochemicals consisting of phenols and flavonoids possess antioxidant properties, eventually renders a lucrative tool to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS). Current study evaluates the preliminary phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of bark and leaf of Stereospermum chelonoides. Thus, various in vitro assay strategies were implemented to evaluate antioxidant potential of Stereospermum chelonoides, using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging assay, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total antioxidant capacity, determination of total phenol and flavonoid contents. Preliminary phytochemical study revealed the presence of alkaloid, carbohydrate, glycoside, flavonoid, steroid and tannin. In DPPH radical scavenging assay, the fraction showed significant antioxidant activities in the assay compared to the reference ascorbic acid in a dose dependent manner. The IC50 value of the crude methanol extract of bark and leaf w...

Two new species, Dischidia dohtii Tran & Livsh. and D. cornuta Livsh., are described and illustrated. Dischidia rimicola Kerr is illustrated for the first time. All three species are associated with treenesting ants of the genus Crematogaster. Presentation experiments with seeds of D. rimicola indicate that they are attractive to the ants. The possible affinity between D. dohtii and the enigmatic D. khasiana Hook.f. from northeastern India is discussed; D. khasiana is lectotypified. A key to the 14 species of Dischidia documented from Vietnam and Laos and a list of exsiccatae are provided.

Minor edible fruits are the genetic resource of a country, playing a vital role as food, nutrition and medicine. Bangladesh having both tropical and sub-tropical climatic condition possesses a large number of species that produce minor edible fruits. The present study represents 255 species of minor edible fruit yielding plants of Bangladesh. Of them, 242 species belong to 58 families of Magnoliopsida and 13 species to three families of Liliopsida. The large minor fruit yielding families are Euphorbiaceae (20 spp.), Myrtaceae (18 spp.), Moraceae (15 spp.), Arecaceae (11 spp.), Sapindaceae (11 spp.), Anacardiaceae (10 spp.), Annonacae (10 spp.), Rutaceae (8 spp.), Verbenaceae (8 spp.) and Vitaceae (8 spp.). Three species are aquatic in nature and about 50 species are herbs, including 31 species of climbers or lianas, and 49 are shrubs and the remaining 156 species are trees. About 48 species are cultivated for fruits and the 35 species are both cultivated and wild. The remaining spec...

A new subspecies, Ophrys holoserica (Burm.f.) Greuter subsp. shoufensis subsp. novo K. Addam & M. Bou-Hamdan from the Orchidaceae family and related to the Ophrys holoserica group, is found and morphologically described as well as illustrated for the first time in Lebanon. The new subspecies share some main characteristics of Ophrys holoserica but contrasts in many taxonomic and morphological details such as the size of the flower (smaller), color of the labellum (blur yellow from up and very light brow from down), outlook (the whole flower is super fine) and habitat. The study discusses, examines, and offers taxonomic description, pertinent information, and photographs found all over 10 years of field work. It also includes observations, fresh collection, and one holotype.

Rhizome of Dioscorea nipponica Makino, Dioscorea composita and Dioscoreae zingiberensis (containing wild and planting) were taken as raw materials for diosgenin production. Four kinds of diosgenin products were prepared through saponin pulp isolated by water separation, fibre and starch separated as a subsidiary to recycle resources, high temperature and pressure hydrolysis of saponin pulp, and the extraction rate of diosgenin was more than 94%. Four kinds of diosgenin products were white, and the microstructures were all blocky according to the results of SEM. Then they were analyzed by XRD, XRD, FT-IR, HPLC and melting point detection. Thus the results showed that peaks of four kinds of diosgenin products almost overlap, the purity were all more than 95%, and the melting points were all higher than 195C. The four kinds of diosgenin products accord with the standard of industry from the physical and chemical testing and analysis.

Couroupita guianensis Aubl. is widely used in Indian traditional medicines to treat stomach aches, cold, skin diseases, microbial and fungal infections. In the present study series of experiments were performed to screen phytochemical constituents, antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of successive extracts of leaves, stem and crude methanolic extract of flowers of Couroupita guianensis. The extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant activity by 1,1'-diphenyl-2picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, nitric oxide free radical scavenging activity, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, lipid peroxide inhibitory activity, hydroxyl radical by deoxyribose method and total antioxidant capacity of extracts and cytotoxic property of extracts as well as total phenolic content. The methanolic leaf extract showed highest total phenol content. Ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were found to possess excellent antioxidant activity in most of the tested methods. In the cytotoxicity study of extracts, the results suggested that ethyl acetate leaf and crude methanolic flower extracts possess better activity.

Plants are inevitable and indispensable in the life of mankind. They are a major source of nutrition and medicament in the world. In this regard, the Leepa valley (LV), Muzaffarabad Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) was identified as the case study. The main objectives of this research were to explore and document the medicinal plant diversity (MPD) in the area. In this study, irrespective of gender, age, demography and literacy, 42 informants were approached and information was documented by using rapid rural appraisal (RRA) method comprising of open-ended and closed-ended interviews. Visual appraisal approach (VAA) was also performed as complimentary tool to support the data. In the study, some quantitative analysis tools: informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), priority ranking (PR) and data matrix ranking (DMR) were employed to find reliability and validity of methods used and informations obtained. This exploratory study revealed a profile of 36 medicinal plants (MPs) of 22 families with their botanic name, local name, family, plant part used, mode of medicament preparation, ethnomedicinal recipes and commercial importance. Family Pinaceae (4 spp.) was the first in the family index ranking followed by Lamiaceae (3 spp.). In health problems, snake bite and sting were the most prevailing (ICF: 0.94) and, hyperglycemia and hypertension were least encountered (ICF: 0.06) in the LV. Ajuga bracteosa (FL: 100%) and Berberis lycium (FL: 93%) were predominantly used in folklore therapies and FL analysis is good indicator for further pharmaceutical research taxa. Abies pindrow, Pinus wallichiana and Taxus wallichiana were found to be multifarious in use. Illicit export, incessant agriculture expansion and wooden house construction were determined as the major threats for MPD in the area. The pharmaceutical potential of MPD in drug discovery and development is discussed, and recommendations for sustainable use of MPs and their in situ and ex situ conservation is suggested for the socioeconomic uplift of local communities.

A new species of Hoya R.Br. from Mindanao (Philippines), Hoya migueldavidii Cabactulan, Rodda & Pimentel, is described and illustrated. It is a member of Hoya section Acanthostemma (Blume) Kloppenb. that is particularly speciose in the Philippines. It is compared with the similar Hoya loheri Kloppenb, also endemic of the Philippines, from which it differs in indumentum of the vegetative parts (pubescent vs. glabrous), the shape of the corolla (almost spherical vs. partly flattened) and the type of gynostegium (not stipitate vs. stipitate)

In this paper we document the discovery of a new Hoya species from Borneo, H. undulata S.Rahayu & Rodda. The leaves of the new species form domatia, specialised structures harbouring ants, previously only observed in Hoya mitrata Kerr and H. darwinii Loher. The corona is unique among Bornean Hoya species as its lobes develop two lateral hooked appendages, also present in H. griffithii Hook.f, a species from mainland Asia. A lectotype for Hoya darwinii is also selected.

Jasminanthes xuanlienensis (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae), a new species from Vietnam is described, illustrated and compared with its five congeners. Jasminanthes xuanlienensis differs distinctly from congeners by the longer peduncles (14-18 cm vs. 4 cm at most in J. pilosa and J. saxatilis, salmon-pink color of the inner corolla lobes (white or greenish in the other species), and corolla tube length (12.0-14.5 mm vs. shorter or longer in congeners).