Mir Ajab Khan

FOLK USE OF MEDICINAL HERBS OF MARGALLA HILLS NATIONAL PARK, ISLAMABAD

This paper is based on the results of an ethnobotanical research project conducted in Margalla Hills National Park. The inhabitants of the park have always used medicinal herbs for various ailments and have for a long time been dependent on surrounding plant resources for their food, shelter, fodder, health care, and other cultural purposes. However, encroaching industrialisation and the accompanying changes in their life styles are responsible for the decrease of practice in the local use of herbs for medicine. It is, therefore, felt worthwhile to record the native uses of these herbs before the information is lost. About 100 informants were interviewed in this regard. In total 50 species of herbs belonging to 27 families were recorded as used medicinally by inhabitants of the park, among which ten species are being sold in the local market. Asparagus adescendens Roxb., and Viola canesence Wall. ex Roxb. are found vulnerable to harvesting.

Ethnopharmacological application of medicinal plants to cure skin diseases and in folk cosmetics among the tribal communities of North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan

AIM OF THE STUDY The present investigation is an attempt to find out ethnopharmacological application of medicinal plants to cure skin diseases and in folk cosmetics. METHOD We interviewed respondents in 30 remote sites of North-West Frontier Province by a structured interview form in the local language and respondents were queried for the type of herbal cure known to him. RESULTS A total of 66 plant species belonging to 45 families have been recorded. Seventy-five medications for 15 skin diseases and cosmetics were documented. The mode of application was topical as well as oral administration. Water, milk, ghee, oil, eggs, sulphur and butter are used during administration of herbal remedies. About 15 plant species are known for their use to cure multiple skin diseases. Among these Berberis lyceum, Bergenia ciliata, Melia azedarach, Otostegia limbata, Phyla nodiflora, Prunus persica and Zingiber officinale constitutes major plants. The herbal cosmetics products range from face freshness, removal of ugly spots, hair care, and colouring of palm, feet, gums, and teeth. CONCLUSION Most of the reported species are wild and rare; this demands an urgent attention to conserve such vital resources so as to optimize their use in the primary health care system. Since most of the skin diseases are caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi in this context, phytochemical screening for active constituents, biological activities and clinical studies is of global importance.

An Ethnobotanical study of Medicinal Plants in high mountainous region of Chail valley (District Swat- Pakistan)

BackgroundThis paper represents the first ethnobotanical study in Chail valley of district Swat-Pakistan and provides significant information on medicinal plants use among the tribal people of the area. The aim of this study was to document the medicinal uses of local plants and to develop an ethnobotanical inventory of the species diversity.MethodsIn present study, semi-structured interviews with 142 inhabitants (age range between 31–75 years) were conducted. Ethnobotanical data was analyzed using relative frequency of citation (RFC) to determine the well-known and most useful species in the area.ResultsCurrent research work reports total of 50 plant species belonging to 48 genera of 35 families from Chail valley. Origanum vulgare, Geranium wallichianum and Skimmia laureola have the highest values of relative frequency of citation (RFC) and are widely known by the inhabitants of the valley. The majority of the documented plants were herbs (58%) followed by shrubs (28%), trees (12%) and then climbers (2%). The part of the plant most frequently used was the leaves (33%) followed by roots (17%), fruits (14%), whole plant (12%), rhizomes (9%), stems (6%), barks (5%) and seeds (4%). Decoction was the most common preparation method use in herbal recipes. The most frequently treated diseases in the valley were urinary disorders, skin infections, digestive disorders, asthma, jaundice, angina, chronic dysentery and diarrhea.ConclusionThis study contributes an ethnobotanical inventory of medicinal plants with their frequency of citations together with the part used, disease treated and methods of application among the tribal communities of Chail valley. The present survey has documented from this valley considerable indigenous knowledge about the local medicinal plants for treating number of common diseases that is ready to be further investigated for biological, pharmacological and toxicological screening. This study also provides some socio-economic aspects which are associated to the local tribal communities.

Ethnobotanical appraisal and cultural values of medicinally important wild edible vegetables of Lesser Himalayas-Pakistan.

BackgroundThe association among food and health is momentous as consumers now demand healthy, tasty and natural functional foods. Knowledge of such food is mainly transmitted through the contribution of individuals of households. Throughout the world the traditions of using wild edible plants as food and medicine are at risk of disappearing, hence present appraisal was conducted to explore ethnomedicinal and cultural importance of wild edible vegetables used by the populace of Lesser Himalayas-Pakistan.MethodsData was collected through informed consent semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, market survey and focus group conversation with key respondents of the study sites including 45 female, 30 children and 25 males. Cultural significance of each species was calculated based on use report.ResultsA total of 45 wild edible vegetables belonging to 38 genera and 24 families were used for the treatment of various diseases and consumed. Asteraceae and Papilionoideae were found dominating families with (6 spp. each), followed by Amaranthaceae and Polygonaceae. Vegetables were cooked in water (51%) followed by diluted milk (42%) and both in water and diluted milk (7%). Leaves were among highly utilized plant parts (70%) in medicines followed by seeds (10%), roots (6%), latex (4%), bark, bulb, flowers, tubers and rhizomes (2% each). Modes of preparation fall into seven categories like paste (29%), decoction (24%), powder (14%), eaten fresh (12%), extract (10%), cooked vegetable (8%) and juice (4%). Ficus carica was found most cited species with in top ten vegetables followed by Ficus palmata, Bauhinia variegata, Solanum nigrum, Amaranthus viridis, Medicago polymorpha, Chenopodium album, Cichorium intybus, Amaranthus hybridus and Vicia faba.ConclusionsPatterns of wild edible plant usage depend mainly on socio-economic factors compare to climatic conditions or wealth of flora but during past few decades have harshly eroded due to change in the life style of the inhabitants. Use reports verified common cultural heritage and cultural worth of quoted taxa is analogous. Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant activities, pharmacological applications; skill training in farming and biotechnological techniques to improve the yield are important feature prospective regarding of wild edible vegetables.

Botanical ethnoveterinary therapies in three districts of the Lesser Himalayas of Pakistan.

BackgroundEthnoveterinary knowledge is highly significant for persistence of traditional community-based approaches to veterinary care. This is of particular importance in the context of developing and emerging countries, where animal health (that of livestock, especially) is crucial to local economies and food security. The current survey documents the traditional veterinary uses of medicinal plants in the Lesser Himalayas-Pakistan.MethodsData were collected through interviews, focus groups, participant observation, and by administering questionnaires. A total of 105 informants aged between 20–75 years old who were familiar with livestock health issues (i.e. farmers, shepherds, housewives and herbalists) participated in the study.ResultsA total of 89 botanical taxa, belonging to 46 families, were reported to have ethnoveterinary applications. The most quoted families were Poaceae (6 taxa), Fabaceae (6), Asteraceae (5), and Polygonaceae (5). Adhatoda vasica was the most cited species (43%), followed by Trachyspermum ammi (37%), and Zanthoxylum armatum var. armatum (36%). About 126 medications were recorded against more than 50 veterinary conditions grouped into seven categories. The highest cultural index values were recorded for Trachyspermum ammi, Curcuma longa, Melia azedarach, Zanthoxylum armatum var. armatum and Adhatoda vasica. The highest informant consensus factor was found for pathologies related to respiratory and reproductive disorders. Comparison with the local plant-based remedies used in human folk medicine revealed that many of remedies were used in similar ways in local human phytotherapy. Comparison with other field surveys conducted in surrounding areas demonstrated that approximately one-half of the recorded plants uses are novel to the ethnoveterinary literature of the Himalayas.ConclusionThe current survey shows a remarkable resilience of ethnoveterinary botanical knowledge in the study area. Most of the species reported for ethnoveterinary applications are wild and under threat. Thus, not only is it imperative to conserve traditional local knowledge of folk veterinary therapies for bio-cultural conservation motives, but also to assist with in-situ and ex-situ environmental conservation initiatives, which are urgently needed. Future studies that focus on the validation of efficacy of these ethnoveterinary remedies can help to substantiate emic concepts regarding the management of animal health care and for rural development programs.

Health risk assessment and multivariate apportionment of trace metals in wild leafy vegetables from Lesser Himalayas, Pakistan.

Fresh wild leafy vegetables and related soil samples were collected from Lesser Himalayas, Pakistan to evaluate the trace metal levels and related health risk to the consumers. The samples were prepared by acid digestion, followed by quantification of selected trace metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Cr, Cd and Pb) on atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Generally, in the vegetables highest concentrations were detected for Fe, followed by Zn, Mn and Pb. Among the vegetables, highest concentrations of Zn, Cu and Cr were found in Solanum nigrum, while Stellaria media showed the elevated levels of Fe and Cd. Nevertheless, maximum concentrations of Mn and Pb were found in Convolvulus arvensis and Amaranthus viridis, respectively. In the case of soil, highest levels were observed for Fe, followed by Mn, Zn, Pb, Cr and Cu. Translocation of trace metals from soil to the vegetables exhibited highest values for Cd, followed by Zn. Multivariate principal component analysis showed significant anthropogenic contributions of the Pb, Cr, Zn, Cd and Fe in the vegetables. Health risk assessment was evaluated in terms of health risk index, target hazard quotient and hazard index which showed that the intake of some trace metals through vegetables was higher than the recommended values, consequently consumption of the vegetables may be associated with non-carcinogenic health risks. Nonetheless, elevated levels of Cr and Pb were also found to be associated with lifetime carcinogenic risk to the consumers.

Medicinal Plant Biodiversity of Lesser Himalayas-Pakistan

The Himalayan region is among the largest mountains systems of the world with uncounted unique medicinal plants resources. The lesser Himalayas ranges are the extension of Greater Himalayas. They have unique ecology, vegetation and diversity of medicinal flora due to tremendous variation in the altitude, climate and associated wildlife. The utilization of medicinal plants in medicine suffers from the fact that although plants are used to treat diseases, scientific evidence is lacking in many cases. Different societies of the world use the plants according to their own beliefs and knowledge and previous experiences. Their knowledge about the use of the plants is usually not known to the other world or science. This book provides a brief introduction of Lesser Himalayas, ethnobotanical aspects, marketing and anthropogenic pressure on medicinal flora. It comprises one hundred medicinal plant species including Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms and Angiosperms (Monocots and Dicots) along with their scientific description and traditional uses.

Use of chemotaxonomic markers for misidentified medicinal plants used in traditional medicines

Onosma hispida Wall. and G. Don. (Boraginaceae) is an important medicinal plant used in Unani system of medicine as cardiac drug. In Unani, Ayurvedic and traditional system of medicines, the drug is marketed under the trade name rattan jot. In herbal market, this drug is misidentified, confused and adulterer with local available drug obtained from another species, Geranium wallichianum D. Don. ex Sweet. In order to ensure the use of only genuine and uniform material of such herbal drug, work on chemotaxonomic authentication assumes vital significance. Chemotaxonomic study has been carried out covering detailed morpho-anatomical, palynological (SEM), features of crude drug (roots) include organoleptic tests, response to UV and IR light exposure and results of TLC fingerprinting (flvonoids) evaluated in this work would serve as standard reference for correct identification in commercialization at global trade.

Environment-friendly Renewable Energy from Sesame Biodiesel

Abstract Biodiesel was prepared by transesterification of sesame seed oil with methanol in the presence of NaOH as catalyst. The optimization of this base catalyzed at 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, and 1:10 molar ratio (oil:methanol) yield maximum biodiesel 86, 88, 90, and 92%, respectively at 60°C. The fuel properties of sesame biodiesel (100%) such as specific gravity @ 60/60°F was 0.887, flash point 110°C, pour point −18°C, kinematic viscosity @ 40°C 5.77, cetane number 53, and sulfur contents 0.0083. All these fuel properties meet the specification of ASTM. Engine fueling with sesame biodiesel and its blends (B20%, B10%, and B5%) in terms of fuel consumption, efficiency, and power outputs appeared to have equal performance compared to mineral diesel. There is no obvious change in engine power output even at 100% biodiesel. Furthermore, it was noted that the environmental performance of sesame biodiesel was superior to that of mineral diesel.

Use, exploitation and prospects for conservation: people and plant biodiversity of Naltar Valley, northwestern Karakorums, Pakistan

Very little research has been conducted in the Himalayan and Karakorum Highlands of northern Pakistan on the aspects of biodiversity and conservation. The present research was carried out within the scope of the Pakistan–German Research Project, ‘Culture Area Karakorum’ which aims to highlight the ‘Problems and Prospects of High-Mountain Research’ in northern Pakistan. Naltar Valley, IUCN Management Category no. 4, located in the western Karakorums, is a remote area with difficult access. The current venture is two-fold; first, it describes the floral biodiversity of this remote area in northern Pakistan and second, discusses its exploitation by various entities with certain management implications to follow. Collection of species, their preservation and dialogue with the local, rural communities offered information on the plant biodiversity, providing the first extensive list of flora at the primary-valley level including their altitude range, habit and month of occurrence. In total, 153 plant species belonging to 38 families and 113 genera have been recorded after extensive field research in the area. Dominance has been observed for Asteraceae, Polygonaceae, Saxifragaceae and Rosaceae. Twenty-four plant species from Naltar emerged as ethnobotanically important for local medicinal uses and some commercial uses. Indeed, Thymus serpyllum, Gentiana tianshanica, Stellaria graminea, Geranium wallichianum and Capparris spinosa are the most important medicinal plants and their demand has increased, leading to over-exploitation. Cedrus deodara has completely disappeared from Naltar and Willow Salix sp. has almost been eradicated, except in the sub-alpine belts. The diversity of plant species within this remote area is very important for its obvious contribution to a sound mountain ecosystem. Prior to the present venture, not much was known about the floral aspects of this mountainous region of northern Pakistan. Many species are new additions to the plant list in this area. The species are distributed within the altitude range of 1,700–4,000 m and above, and are further explored for their ethnobotanical uses. It is recorded that some species are extensively used by the indigenous communities, some plant collectors from the lowlands and foreigners as well. Extensive grazing, uprooting of plants and soil-slope erosion intensify the environmental problems. A few species are further used for curing diseases through direct usage or marketing in the lowlands. Unfortunately, due to minor local conflicts, the area has been given low priority for its inclusion in the development and conservation programmes going on in other parts of these mountains. On the other hand, hospitable populations have a greater potential for the success of conservation and the wise usage of programmes. Concerted efforts are required to broaden our understanding of the dynamics of floral values as well as local concepts in this remote part of the world, and to check species decline. For sustainable use, in situ and ex situ conservation, controlled harvesting and aforestation may be the solution. Further extensive field conservation/management research is needed.