Selima Khatun

Ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal plants in Maden (Elazig-Turkey).

AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to identify wild plants collected for medical purposes by the local people of Maden County, located in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey, and to establish the uses and local names of these plants. MATERIALS AND METHODS Field study was carried out over a period of approximately 2 years (2008-2010). During this period, 131 vascular plant specimens were collected. Demographic characteristics of participants, local plant names, utilized parts and preparation methods of the plants were investigated and recorded. In the scope of the study, the plant species were collected; herbarium materials were prepared; and the specimens were entitled. The Zazas are of the major ethnic group in the region. In addition, the relative importance value of the species was determined and informant consensus factor (FIC) was calculated for the medicinal plants included in the study. RESULTS A total of 88 medical plants belonging to 41 families were identified in the region. 4 plants out of 88 were recorded to be used for curative purposes for the first time. It was determined that the local names of four different kinds of plants used in Maden were same as the different kinds of plants used in different regions. The most encountered medicinal plant families were Urticaceae (>21%), Rosaceae and Lamiaceae (>17% of use-reports), Asteraceae (>13%), Fabaceae (>8%), Brassicaceae (>7%), Poaceae (>4%); the most common preparations were decoction and infusion. Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata, Rosa canina L. and Urtica dioica L. was the plants most used by the local people. Anthemis wiedemanniana Fisch. and Mey., Bunium paucifolium DC. var. brevipes (Freyn & Sint.) Hedge & Lam., Tchihatchewia isatidea Boiss., Thymus haussknechtii Velen. were found to be the endemic plants used for medical purposes in Maden, Turkey. The medicinal uses of Bunium paucifolium DC. var. brevipes (Freyn & Sint.) Hedge & Lam., Hippophae rhamnoides L. subsp. caucasica Roussi, Gladiolus atroviolaceus Boiss., Ixiolirion tataricum (Pallas) Herbert subsp. montanum (Labill.) Takht. were recorded for the first time. CONCLUSION Herbal treatment has become a tradition for the residents of the study region. These plants, which are used in the treatment of many diseases. Comparison of the data obtained in this study from the plants growing in Maden with the experimental data obtained in the previous laboratory studies proved most of the ethnobotanical usages. Literature review showed that curative plants of Maden are used in different parts of the world in the treatment of the same or similar diseases. If a plant is used to treat the same disease in different places across the world then its pharmacologic effect could be accepted. It would be beneficial to conduct pharmacologic studies on such plants. These plants, used in the treatment of many different diseases, are in this region at abundant amounts. Drying enabled local people to use medicinal plants during all seasons of the year. This study identified not only the wild plants collected for medical purposes by local people of Maden County in the Eastern Anatolia Region, but also the uses and local names of these plants. It is tried to generate a source for persons studying in ethnobotany, pharmacology and chemistry sciences by comparing knowledge gained from traditionally used herbs with previous laboratory studies.

Research on Mushroom as a Potential Source of Nutraceuticals: A Review on Indian Perspective

Mushrooms are highly nutritive, low-calorie food with good quality proteins, vitamins and minerals. Mushrooms are an important natural source of foods and medicines. Traditional aboriginals knew the medicinal importance of edible and wild mushrooms and these are now being screened for their bioactivity in various ailments. Mushroom represents a major and untapped source of potent new pharmaceutical products. A wide range of activities including antitumour, cardiovascular and antimicrobial are reported in mushrooms. In developing countries like India mushroom progress is a boon in the field of food, medicine, and in generating employment. The alternative systems of medicine utilize the curative properties of mushrooms. By virtue of having high fibre, low fat and low starch, edible mushrooms have been considered to be ideal food for obese persons and for diabetics to prevent hyperglycaemia. They are also known to possess promising antioxidative, cardiovascular, hypercholesterolemia, antimicrobial, hepato-protective and anticancer effects. The present review aimed to discuss on mushroom cultivation as well as medicinal importance as nutraceuticals, antioxidatives, cardiovascular, hypercholesterolemia, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, anticancer, clinical trials and availability of mushroom medicines from Indian context.

Biochemical Defense against Die-Back Disease of a Traditional Medicinal Plant Mimusops elengi Linn.

Mimusops elengi (Linn.) commonly known as Bakul is one such tree native to the Western Ghat region of the peninsular India. However, today this tree is also found growing in other parts of the tropical and sub tropical regions of the world. The stem, barks, leaves and fruits are used in various Ayurvedic and folk medications to treat various ailments. Die-back disease caused by Alternaria lunata severely affects the plants grown in and around Burdwan, West Bengal, India. An investigation was carried out to study the phenolics along with their oxidizing enzymes that involve in defense against the activity of the pathogen. Peroxidase activity reached its peak on 14 th day after infection whereas polyphenol oxidase mediated phenol oxidation was increased upto 21 st day in the infected tissues. The enhancement of phenols and their oxidizing enzymes in infected plants affords resistance of the host against die-back.

Detection of Edible Mushroom Species by Using Molecular Markers

Since ancient time, mushrooms have been cultivated and used as food owing to their nutritive and medicinal value. They are very popular, especially in the eastern countries where they are recognized as natural and healthy food. The advances in research on mushroom breeding and production are highly constrained compared to other crops due to our lack of previous knowledge in mushroom genetics. Proper knowledge of the identification of edible mushrooms is essential for effective exploration of human benefits. Identification of wild mushrooms is difficult considering visual and/or metabolic approaches. Molecular markers, especially DNA markers, are quick and reliable resources to establish the identities of wild mushroom as well as in mushroom taxonomy. Present study makes an attempt to establish a phylogenetic relationship among the edible mushrooms using RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) markers, AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphic) markers, RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphic) markers, ISSR (Inter Sample Sequence Repeat) markers, ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer), nLSU (nuclear Large Subunit), SV (Structural Variation) markers, and REMAP (Retrotransposon Microsatellite Amplified Polymorphism) fingerprinting markers that will be instrumental in mushroom identification and characterization.