Salma N. Talhouk

Using indigenous knowledge in land use investigations: a participatory study in a semi-arid mountainous region of Lebanon

The implementation of land use studies in most developing nations is often faced with the lack of data. Participatory studies offer the possibility of complementing data sets by tapping into indigenous knowledge. They also encourage the adoption of sustainable land management practices by establishing partnership and dialogue among stakeholders. This paper reports on a study in Aarsal, a semi-arid mountainous locality (36,000 ha) in Lebanon where conflicts in land use have recently emerged between pastoralists and growers. The study aimed at supporting sustainable land management in Aarsal by carrying out a land capability classification and a land use analysis. Indigenous knowledge was used as one of the information sources for the land capability classification. Participatory rural appraisal was used to describe the indigenous agroecological zoning and local soil classification. Geographic information system (GIS) technology was used to produce a land capability map and to analyze the current land use. Most of the land area was found to be too marginal for conventional farming, and nearly 5000 ha are in serious danger of land degradation. Moreover, the shrinkage of the grazing lands caused by the expansion of orchards partly explains the reduction in the size of small ruminant flocks. The combination of participatory approach, land capability evaluation and GIS provided a satisfactory understanding of the physical and biological land management constraints in Aarsal, fostered dialogue between the different stakeholders, and created opportunities for the identification of sustainable land management options.

Phenotypic diversity and morphological characterization of Amygdalus L. species in Lebanon.

In this paper, we report on morphological diversity of Amygdalus L. species native to Lebanon, following a countrywide survey of almond germplasm whereby a total of 149 accessions were collected throughout the country and characterized by thirteen quantitative and four qualitative traits. The results indicated that the genetic diversity of Amygdalus communis L., Amygdalus korshinskyi Hand.-Mazz., and Amygdalus orientalis Duh. in Lebanon is high. Principal component analysis revealed that nut weight, nut volume, nut width, kernel volume and shell strength had highest loading in the first component that accounted for 38.7% and 46.7% of total variation in A. communis and A. orientalis, respectively. In contrast, leaf traits were present in the second component which accounted for 18% and 23.2% of total variation in each species, respectively. No significant correlations were detected between leaf parameters and fruit traits in both species. The results indicated that quantitative leaf characters for all three species were determined by rainfall and not altitude whereby adjacent accessions located in drier areas had smaller leaf sizes than those located in more humid regions. Quantitative fruit characters did not seem to vary accordingly. Qualitative leaf traits in all three species reflected a variability which was independent of rainfall. A. communis populations showed high variability, suggesting that they could be a valuable source in almond improvement programs.

Salinity-heavy metal interactions in four salt-tolerant plant species

The concurrent effect of NaCl salinity and heavy metals [cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni)] on growth, sodium (Na), and heavy metal accumulation was assessed in four salt tolerant plant species. These were: barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.), Inula crithmoides L., and Plantago coronopus L., all of which have documented potential for use in saline agriculture. Plants were grown in perlite and irrigated with salinized and non-salinized nutrient solutions (9 dS m−1 and 18 dS m−1) containing 2 ppm Cd, 4 ppm Cr, 10 ppm Ni, and a non-metal control. Salinity, Cd, and Ni caused a significant decrease in the dry biomass accumulation of P. oleracea, but had no effects on other plant species. Sodium accumulation was highest in P. coronopus and I. crithmoides, indicating pronounced halophytic properties. The presence of heavy metals reduced Na accumulation in H. vulgare and P. oleracea, but had no effect on P. coronopus and I. crithmoides, indicating that the Na-heavy metal interaction is plant-specific. Metal accumulation in the four plant species was generally enhanced by the 9 dS m−1 treatment, but not by the 18 dS m−1 treatment. This could indicate the presence of an ionic exclusion mechanism operating at high salinity levels that would operate indiscriminately on Na as well as on Cd, Cr, and Ni

Perceived health and medicinal properties of six species of wild edible plants in north-east Lebanon

OBJECTIVES Wild edible plants (WEP) play the dual role of securing food diversity and promoting health in traditional societies. Current simplified dietary habits contribute to increasing population health risks. Since WEP are integral to the diet of traditional communities, identifying their significance as foods to people provides further evidence to conserve them and promote their consumption. Six species of WEP were identified as integral to the diet of rural Lebanese communities. We investigated their patterns of consumption and knowledge regarding their health and medicinal properties. DESIGN An ethnobotanical survey, employing a qualitative questionnaire, was conducted among thirty informants. The identified species were Cichorium intybus, Eryngium creticum, Foeniculum vulgare, Malva sylvestris, Thymus syriacus and Gundelia tournifortii. RESULTS Most informants consumed the six plants as a regular part of their diet. Seasonal variability in consumption was evident. C. intybus was renowned for its digestive and blood strengthening properties. F. vulgare was used as a digestive stimulant. M. sylvestris was distinguished for its anti-inflammatory qualities. T. syriacus was popular for its digestive and anti-poisonous properties. E. creticum was attributed less pronounced health benefits. G. tournifortii was considered a nutritious food. CONCLUSIONS All six species were popular for their edible uses as well as their health and/or medicinal benefits. These properties are supported by scientific evidence. Our results highlight the importance of these plants for local people and support efforts for their conservation. However, we noticed a decline in indigenous knowledge. We encourage efforts to record it for other plants and in other communities.

Conservation of the Cedrus libani populations in Lebanon: history, current status and experimental application of somatic embryogenesis.

Cedrus libani, the cedar of Lebanon, is a threatened conifer native to the Levant. Over 4000 years of exploitation have resulted in the fragmentation and degradation of the Lebanese cedar populations. Continued urban and agricultural development in Lebanon adds to the difficulty of effective conservation. Two protected areas have recently been established which contain two of the more important forests: a cedar dominated forest in the Shouf region and a mixed forest at Ehden. A number of other populations are protected by ministerial decrees, and there is a need for rigorous management of all the remaining populations. The application of in vitro techniques such as somatic embryogenesis may assist in the conservation of this species. We have produced somatic pro-embryos using immature zygotic tissue as explants cultured on half-strength MS medium containing an auxin and a cytokinin (10 μM 2,4-D and 5 μM BAP). The application of somatic embryogenesis to the Lebanese cedar would be in the propagation and preservation of selected genotypes, either those from old growth provenance for use in restoration, or those with desirable commercial or horticultural characteristics.

Bio-guided identification of an anti-inflammatory guaianolide from Centaurea ainetensis

Inflammatory processes are characterized by the stimulation of humoral and cellular mediator systems resulting in increased levels of mediators of inflammation such as interleukins (ILs) and prostaglandins (PGs), which play central roles in regulating the inflammatory response and inflammation-mediated damage. The aim of the study was to develop natural therapeutics for the interventions and/or prevention of inflammatory disorders. A methanol plant extract of Centaurea ainetensis Boiss. (Asteraceae) was tested for its anti-inflammatory potential activity in two cell models of inflammation, which served as the basis for the bio-guided fractionation of the extract and the identification of its active ingredient salograviolide A. The guaianolide salograviolide inhibited endotoxin (ET)-induced IL-6 levels in SCp2 mammary epithelial cells and decreased the levels of IL-1-induced cyclooxygenase enzyme levels in intestinal epithelial cells. The results provide evidence for the anti-inflammatory activities of the sesquiterpene agent salograviolide A and the biochemical basis for further studies on salograviolide A mechanism of action.

Sesquiterpene lactones isolated from indigenous Middle Eastern plants inhibit tumor promoter-induced transformation of JB6 cells

BackgroundSesquiterpene lactones (SL) are plant secondary metabolites that are known for their anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties. Considering that several SL-derived drugs are currently in cancer clinical trials, we have tested two SL molecules, 3-β-methoxy-iso-seco-tanapartholide (β-tan) isolated from Achillea falcata and salograviolide A (Sal A) isolated from Centaurea ainetensis, for their anti-tumor properties. We used the mouse epidermal JB6P + cells as a model for tumor promotion and cellular transformation. Key players that are involved in cellular transformation and tumorigenesis are the AP-1 and NF-κB transcription factors; therefore, we assessed how β-tan and Sal A modulate their signaling pathways in JB6P + cells.MethodsThe effects of β-tan and Sal A on the growth of normal and neoplastic keratinocytes and on the tumor promotion-responsive JB6P + cells were determined using the MTT assay. Anchorage-independent cell growth transformation assays were used to evaluate the anti-tumor promoting properties of these SL molecules in JB6P + cells and dual luciferase reporter assays and western blot analysis were used to investigate their effects on tumor promoter-induced AP-1 and NF-κB activities and protein levels of key AP-1 and NF-кB target genes.Resultsβ-tan and Sal A selectively inhibited tumor promoter-induced cell growth and transformation of JB6P + cells at concentrations that do not affect JB6P + and primary keratinocytes basal cell growth. In addition, both molecules reduced basal and tumor promoter-induced NF-κB transcriptional activities, differentially regulated basal and tumor promoter-induced AP-1 transcriptional activities, and modulated key players of the AP-1 and NF-κB signaling pathways.ConclusionsThese results highlight the anti-tumor promoting properties of β-tan and Sal A. These SL molecules isolated from two plant species native to the Middle East may provide opportunities for complementary medicine practices.

Bioactivity of Origanum syriacum Essential Oil against Candida albicans

ABSTRACT The susceptibility of 14 human isolates of Candida albicans to commercially available vaginal douche materials and to the essential oil of Origanum syriacum was investigated in hamsters. The essential oil of O. syriacum reduced the colonization and adaptability of the C. albicans more than the commercial douche materials (p < 0.05). In addition, a dilution of the Origanum syriacum essential oil in a water solution of dimethyl sulfoxide resulted in complete elimination of C. albicans from hamsters vagina in comparison to untreated controls (p < 0.05).

Bioactivity of origanum syriacum essential oil against candida albicans

ABSTRACT The susceptibility of 14 human isolates of Candida albicans to commercially available vaginal douche materials and to the essential oil of Origanum syriacum was investigated in hamsters. The essential oil of O. syriacum reduced the colonization and adaptability of the C. albicans more than the commercial douche materials (p < 0.05). In addition, a dilution of the Origanum syriacum essential oil in a water solution of dimethyl sulfoxide resulted in complete elimination of C. albicans from hamsters vagina in comparison to untreated controls (p < 0.05).

Decline of endemic Oncocyclus irises (Iridaceae) of Lebanon: survey and conservation needs

The endemic Oncocyclus irises of Lebanon are rare and threatened. Their historical locations (based on information from herbaria and the available literature) were co mpared to an update of their current distribution. Only 50% of the previously known populations were confirmed extant, indicating a considerable decline in the range of these taxa. The populations that were relocated were either small r emnants of once larger populations or highly fragme nted. The main threats identified were urbanization, agriculture a nd grazing. No specific habitat preferences could b e identified other than an association with open rocky slopes with a s outh-west exposure. Based on our findings, we propose that Iris cedretii and Iris sofarana subsp. sofarana should be categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and I. sofarana subsp. kasruwana as Vulnerable. There is an urgent need to develop n ational conservation measures for these species, especially in regards to land ownership.