Marketing of Medicinal Plants of Utror-Gabral Valleys, Swat, Pakistan

This paper is based on the results of an ethnobotanical project carried out in the area comprising Utror-Gabral Valleys of upper Swat. The residents of the area use indigenous medicinal plants for curing diseases and also sell some of them in the local market for earning their livelihood. About 44 medicinal plants are collected in the area during the months of May, June, July and August. Out of these 44 species collected and marketed, 8 species of medicinal plants are endangered, 8 species are vulnerable and 8 species are rare. Bulk of these medicinal plants are used locally and only Berberis lycium, Bergenia ciliata, Podophyllum hexandrum, Colchicum luteum, Dioscoria deltoides, Viola spp., Pistacia integrimma, Morchella esculenta, Paeonia emodi, Rheum australe, Aconitum hetrophyllum, Valeriana jatamansi, Acorus calamus, Juglans regia, Diospyrus lotus and Bistorta amplexicaulis make their way to national and international markets. A survey conducted shows that medicinal plants collectors include womenfolk (48.26%), menfolk (27.0%) and children (24.74%). Almost 90% of these medicinal plants are sold in the local market in fresh form as the collectors are poor and needy. Some species are cleaned, dried in the sun and stored in plastic bags. The percentage of losses is much higher in the storage because the collectors are unaware about the proper storage methods of these plants. The availability of medicinal plants decreased during the past 20 years. According to aged villagers, medicinal plants were abundant in the vicinities of human settlements some 20 years back. However, the population of medicinal plants drastically decreased due to increased marketing pressure on medicinal plants, lack of job opportunities in the area, non sustainable harvesting methods like digging of whole plant and increased population of the area. The medicinal plants are now collected in large volumes from remote areas of Desan, Ghos, Ladhu, Pala-Shair, Sind, Molat, Gozba, Deej, Tosi and Kagishdin

Potential and Market Status of Mushrooms as Non-Timber Forest Products in Pakistan

The total area covered by forest in Pakistan is 4.8%. Forest resources directly contribute to 80% of livelihood of people living in extreme poverty. Important NTFPs are; morels, honey, fruits and nuts, vegetable, condiments and spices, mazri palm, silk cocoon, and many other. 17 species of mushrooms are reported during the study and about 34% of local people are dependent on NTFPs for income generation from these products. Local people rely on their indigenous knowledge for collection, processing, packing, drying, marketing and consumption of various Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) especially mushrooms. Mushrooms, after collection and processing are sold to the middleman who then sells into main market. More than 65% of the product is lost during the way to main market with finished product. About 532280 kg were produced in 1997-98. There are problems like lack of awareness about collection and processing of various products and knowledge about marketing among local collectors. Extensive research is needed to study market trends and monopolies, wastage and unsustainability during different steps of processing, and govt. attitude toward NTFPs etc. Studies to be conducted through bottom-up approach for proper planning, better levels of production, sustainable income through sustainable utilization, training and capacity building of related personals, sustainable marketing and community for conservation

Potential and Market Status of Mushrooms as Non-Timber Forest Products in Pakistan

The total area covered by forest in Pakistan is 4.8%. Forest resources directly contribute to 80% of livelihood of people living in extreme poverty. Important Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) are: morels, honey, fruits and nuts, vegetable, condiments and spices, mazri palm, silk cocoon, and many other. 17 species of mushrooms are reported during the study and about 34% of local people are dependent on NTFPs for income generation from these products. Local people rely on their indigenous knowledge for collection, processing, packing, drying, marketing and consumption of various NTFPs, especially mushrooms. Mushrooms, after collection and processing, are sold to the middleman who then sells into main market. More than 65% of the product is lost during the way to main market with finished product. About 532,280 kg were produced in 1997-98. There are problems like lack of awareness about collection and processing of various products and knowledge about marketing among local collectors. Extensive research is needed to study market trends and monopolies, wastage and unsustainability during different steps of processing, and govt. attitude toward NTFPs, etc. Studies to be conducted through bottom-up approach for proper planning, better levels of production, sustainable income through sustainable utilization, training and capacity building of related personnel, sustainable marketing and community for conservation

Marketing of Medicinal Plants of Utror-Gabral Valleys, Swat, Pakistan

This paper is based on the results of an ethnobotanical project carried out in the area comprising Utror-Gabral Valleys of upper Swat. The residents of the area use indigenous medicinal plants for curing diseases and also sell some of them in the local market for earning their live hood. About 44 medicinal plants are collected in the area during the months of May, June, July and August. Out of these 44 species collected and marketed, 8 species of medicinal plants are endangered, 8 species are vulnerable and 8 species are rare. Bulk of these medicinal plants are used locally and only Berberis lycium, Bergenia ciliata, Podophyllum hexandrum, Colchicum luteum, Dioscoria deltoides, Viola spp., Pistacia integrimma, Morchella esculenta, Paeonia emodi, Rheum australe, Aconitum hetrophyllum, Valeriana jatamansi, Acorus calamus, Juglans regia, Diospyrus lotus and Bistorta amplexicaulis makes their way to national and international markets. A survey conducted shows that medicinal plants collectors include womenfolk (48.26%), men folk (27.0%) and children (24.74%). Almost 90% of these medicinal plants are sold in the local market in fresh form as the collectors are poor and needy. Some species are cleaned, dried in the sun and stored in plastic bags. The percentage of losses is much higher in the storage because the collectors are unaware about the proper storage methods of these plants. The availability of medicinal plants decreased during the past 20 years. According to aged villagers, medicinal plants were abundant in the vicinities of human settlements some 20 years back. However, the population of medicinal plants drastically decreased due to increased marketing pressure on medicinal plants, lack of job opportunities in the area, non sustainable harvesting methods like digging of whole plant and increased population of the area. The medicinal plants are now collected in large volumes from remote areas of Desan, Ghos, Ladhu, Pala-Shair, Sind, Molat, Gozba, Deej, Tosi and Kagishdin

Challenges Faced to Mazri Palm (Nannorhops ritchieana): A Case Study of Jhandey, District Mardan-Pakistan

Mazri is the local name for dwarf palm (Nannorhops ritchieana). About 65,000 people are involved in processing of Mazri leaves- 78% of them are women, in Pakistan. Average annual production of raw Mazri leaves in the country is 37,315 tones. Jhandey (Kalpani) is small town famous for its various products made from Mazri palm. 90% of the people of the area are dependent on Mazri products business. Price of the raw material (leaves) used in product preparation is Rs. 200-220 per 50 kg. Various products are prepared by the local people, which are really attractive to the domestic and international tourists. The number of products prepared per shop is 10-14. Various challenges are faced to the business of Mazri products like unsustainable processing of raw material, higher rates of raw material compared to prices of the products, lack of advertisement, improper marketing and substitution of Mazri products by polythene products etc. The study aimed at addressing issues and challenges faced to marketing and processing of Mazri in the area

SYNTHESIS, IN SILICO STUDIES AND EVALUATION OF ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF 4-SUBSTITUTED BENZYLIDENE-2-(PHENOXYMETHYL) OXAZOL-5(4H)-ONES

Objective: Arylidene-1, 3-oxazol-5-ones represent potential antibacterial agents. In the present work, a series of 4-substituted benzylidene-2- (phenoxymethyl) oxazol-5(4H)-ones were synthesized and screened for antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli. To explore plausible mechanisms, synthesized compounds were docked with DNA-Gyrase enzyme. Methods: All the reactants, phenoxy acetyl chloride, acetic anhydride, sodium acetate, substituted aromatic aldehydes, and glycine were triturated in a mortar by mechanical stirring. The antibacterial potentiality of the compounds was screened against E. coli using the disk diffusion method and the activity was recorded as a zone of inhibition. Results: Compound 2d, possessing 3, 4, 5-trimethoxy functionality on benzylidene ring exhibited the highest activity with 19 mm of the zone of inhibition which might be due to its higher interactions with DNA-Gyrase enzyme (ΔG-8.41 kcal/mol). Compounds 2a, 2b, and 2c exhibited moderate activity in the antimicrobial assay as well as in docking study indicating the positive contribution of substitution on benzylidene ring. Conclusion: A series of 4-substituted benzylidene-2-(phenoxymethyl) oxazol-5(4H)-ones were synthesized and evaluated for antibacterial activity. Compounds 2a, 2b, and 2c displayed moderate activity whereas 2d showed maximum zone of inhibition (19 mm). The good activity of these derivatives presumed to be due to the conformational flexibility of phenoxy methylene moiety which can be well accommodated in the target binding site

Use of ebastine a mast cell blocker for treatment of oligozoospermia

Background: Global infertility prevalence rates are difficult to determine, due to the presence of both male and female factors which complicate any estimate which may only address the woman and an outcome of a pregnancy diagnosis or live birth. Although overall male fertility does not appear to have declined, there is evidence for decline in sperm quality. Sperm count below 15×106 sperm/ml is called oligozoospermia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ebastine on sperm count of oligospermic infertile men.Methods: This was a longitudinal clinical trial study and was conducted in the infertility unit outdoor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka. Bangladesh during the period from January 2015 to December 2015. This study was conducted among the male patients and followed purposive sampling technique. Finally, 334 cases were enrolled in this study.Results: From the total 334 patients in group I, mean sperm count was 10.32±2.71 million/ml in pretreatment and 18.87±9.56 million/ml in post treatment. The difference was statistically significant (p0.05). 63.9% oligospermic male showed improvement in sperm count in ebastin group and 18.1% in placebo group.Conclusions: Sperm count had significantly improved after three months’ treatment period with ebastin than placebo. Therefore, this study suggested that mast cell blocker ebastine can be helpful than placebo to improve the patients’ sperm count with oligospermia

STABILITY ENHANCEMENT OF DISTRIBUTED MICROGRIDS BY ADAPTIVE DROOP CONTROL

Having the ability to precisely regulate the unbalance power, this process realizes self-discipline parallel operation of micro sources. In addition, an adaptive inverse control strategy put on modified power conditioning is developed. Different micro sources have different frequency regulation functions and abilities. The droop control can allocate power one of the micro sources based on the operation demand during system dynamics however, the steady-condition frequency frequently deviates in the rated value due to the droop characteristics. To guarantee the precise condition of power and also the stability of frequency even just in a minimal-current network, this paper puts forward a better droop control formula according to coordinate rotational transformation. The simulation is a result of a multibus microgrid show the validity and practicality from the suggested control plan. By having an online adjustment of modified droop coefficient for that frequency of microgrid to trace the rated frequency, the process guarantees maintaining the regularity of microgrid in the rated value and meeting the key customers' frequency needs

Laparoscopic ovarian drilling in clomiphene resistant polycystic ovarian syndrome: clinical response and outcome

Background: Laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) is an alternative method for ovulation induction in clomiphene citrate (CC) resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients instead of gonadotropins. Objective were to identify the changes in clinical and biochemical profiles and the ovulation and pregnancy rate following LOD in CC resistant PCOS patients.Methods: It was an interventional study infertility unit, department of obstetrics and gynecology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib medical university, Dhaka, between from July 2014 to June 2015. Changes of the above-mentioned parameters were recorded during follow up of patients after LOD. The information is collected and recorded in the preset questionnaire.Results: The characteristics of study population were same before LOD and following LOD. Before LOD, infrequent menstruation was present in 83.3% patients whereas regular menstruation was found in 58.3% patients after 6 months following LOD. Endometrial thickness ≤8 was found in 100.0% in before LOD and endometrial thickness >8 was found in 70.0% after 6 month following LOD. Ovulation was found in 25.0% in after 3-month LOD and was found in 70.0% after 6 months following LOD. Pregnancy was found in 20.0% after 3 months following LOD and 50.0% in after 6 months following LOD. Ovulation and pregnancy outcome was significantly higher in after 6 months following LOD.Conclusions: LOD produces long-term improvement in menstrual regularity and reproductive performance. A sustained improvement observed in acne and BMI. Ovulation and pregnancy were found in 70% and 50.0% respectively after 6 months following LOD

Intrauterine instillation of granulocyte colony stimulating factor for infertile women with thin endometrium in intrauterine insemination cycle: a non-randomized clinical trial

Background: Endometrial thickness is one of the major factors for a receptive endometrium and successful implantation. Thin endometrium, generally measuring <7 mm are thought to be less able to support implantation and pregnancy. Several adjuvants have been investigated for their efficacy on thin endometrium in assisted reproductive technology. Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a glycoprotein that promotes endometrial stromal cell decidualization via cyclic adenosine monophosphate mediator and induces endometrial proliferation and differentiation. This study was done to evaluate the effect of G-CSF in improving endometrial thickness and pregnancy rate in infertile patients undergoing stimulated IUI (intrauterine instillation) having thin endometrium.Methods: This was a non-randomized clinical trial done among 40 infertile patients with thin endometrium (<7 mm) on the day of ovulation trigger in stimulated IUI patients. Study subjects were non randomly allocated into 2 groups. In group A 20 patients received intrauterine instillation of G-CSF (300 mcg/0.5 ml) via intrauterine catheter on triggering day and in group B another 20 patients received intrauterine instillation of 0.5 ml normal saline in the same procedure. After 48 hours endometrial thickness was measured in both groups. IUI was done on the same day. Pregnancy was detected by serum beta hCG level after 14 days of IUI.Results: In both groups most of the respondents were aged between 30-34 years, 14 (70%) in group A and 11 (55%) in group B. The mean±SD of age 32.4±3.1 in group A, 32.2±3.4 in group B and P value was 0.9. In group A the minimum endometrial thickness on day of ovulation trigger was 4.4 mm and after 48 hours of treatment with G-CSF, it was found 6.3 mm. The maximum endometrial thickness recorded in group A was 6.9 mm and it also increased to 8.7 mm after G-CSF treatment and followed by in group B min thickness 4.8 mm increase to 5.2 mm and max thickness 6.8 mm increased to 8.7 mm. The mean±SD of ET (mm) on the day of ovarian trigger was 5.8±0.8 which increased to 7.4±0.8 in group A and followed by 5.9±0.6 to 7.1±0.9 in group B. ET mean change (mean±SD) for group A was 1.6±0.7 which was greater than the group B 1.3±0.8. Pregnancy rate was 2 (10%) in group A and 1(5%) in group B.Conclusions: Mean increase in endometrial thickness and pregnancy rate was higher in G-CSF group than normal saline group, but the difference was not statistically significant