The Mediterranean Botany section on ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology: required standards for articles based on field research

In this new era of Mediterranean Botany, the editorial team opened the possibility of submitting manuscripts for evaluation to the ethnobotany/ethnopharmacology section of the journal. We present a compendium of the minimum standards that manuscripts based in field research should comply in order to positively pass to the review process, as a minimum quality requirement. We pay special attention to the contents that should be included in the method and results sections, which are often the ones that present problems of format, style or content. Without being in any way exhaustive in the listed standards, we believe that these recommendations will help authors to present their texts and reviewers to evaluate them

Cultural importance, availability and conservation status of Spanish wild medicinal plants: Implications for sustainability

Fundación Biodiversidad, Grant/Award Number: CA2015; H2020 European Research Council, Grant/Award Number: FP7-771056-LICCI; Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, Grant/Award Number: TEC0003351 and TEC0004583; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Grant/Award Number: CEX2019- 000940-M; Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Grant/Award Number: CSO2014-59704-PThe harvest of wild plants with medicinal uses is increasing globally, both for self-treatment and as a source of income. The increasing demand for these remedies could lead to the over-harvest of some species. Despite a recent surge in the number of studies analysing wild medicinal plants management, little is known about the effects of non-commercial harvesting on the conservation status of medicinal plants. We explore the connection between the cultural importance (CI) of medicinal vascular plants traditionally used in Spain for self-treatment and their availability, conservation and legal protection status, and discuss the implications of our results for sustainability. We focus on Spain, located in one of the world's 25 biodiversity hotspots and the most diverse country in Europe regarding vascular plants (7071 species, 1357 endemic), while also being culturally and linguistically diverse. Spain has a rich body of traditional knowledge referring to wild medicinal plants, with 1376 species with medicinal uses, which represents nearly a fourth (22%) of the total autochthonous vascular flora of the country (16% endemic). Species CI is positively correlated with abundance (ρ = 0.466) and occupancy area (ρ = 0.495). Only 8% of the wild medicinal plants traditionally used in Spain have an endangered conservation status and just 6% are fully or largely affected by protection measures. Most species used for self-treatment in Spain are common, highly available and not threatened. This suggests that domestic use alone does not result in overexploitation and that traditional knowledge systems of plant management might ensure their sustainability.Fundación Biodiversidad CA2015H2020 European Research Council FP7-771056-LICCIMinisterio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación TEC0003351, TEC0004583Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación CEX2019- 000940-MMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad CSO2014-59704-

Evaluation of Anticancer Activity of 76 Plant Species Collected in Andalusia (Spain) against Lung Cancer Cells

Every year, cancer kills millions of people around the world. Finding more selective anticancer agents is essential to improve the low survival rates of patients with metastatic cancers. Since the research of natural products is a valuable approach to the discovery of new compounds and the Iberian flora offers a rich source of unstudied plants, we have carried out a random screening of 76 plant species from 43 families collected in Andalusia (South of Spain). Using nonmalignant cells (HaCaT) and lung cancer cells (A549), we found that the extract from Arum italicum Mill. subsp. italicum (Araceae), Mandragora autumnalis Bertol. (Solanaceae), Rhamnus alaternus L. (Rhamnaceae), and Lomelosia simplex (Desf.) Raf. subsp. dentata (Jord. & Fourr.) Greuter & Burdet (Dipsacaceae) showed selective cytotoxicity against lung cancer cells. Extracts of plant species belonging to the Iridaceae family showed high selective activity against cancer cells, highlighting that the Xiphion xiphium (L.) M.B. Crespo, Mart.-Azorín & Mavrodiev flower extract was more selective against lung cancer cells than the standard anticancer drugs, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. This extract also showed modest selective cytotoxicity against bladder carcinoma cells (T24). The number of cells in the G1 phase increased after treatment with the extract from Xiphion xiphium. Our research indicates that various plants are potential sources for the isolation and development of new anticancer drugs.Junta de Andalucía (grant numbers 2017/CTS-657; 2019/CTS-657; and 2021/CTS-657)University of Seville through the “VI Plan Propio de Investigación y Transferencia” (grant numbers VIPPIT-2019-I.5, VIPPIT-2020-I.5, and VIPPIT-2021-I

Xerophytic Lichens from Gypsiferous Outcrops of Arid Areas of Andalusia as a Source of Anti-Phytopathogenic Depsides

In a survey to evaluate the potential of lichens associated with gypsum areas as sources of new antifungal metabolites, six species of lichens were collected in the gypsum outcrops of the Sorbas Desert (Diploschistes ocellatus and Seirophora lacunosa) and the Tabernas Desert (Cladonia foliacea, Acarospora placodiformis, Squamarina lentigera and Xanthoparmelia pokornyi) in southern Spain. Raw lichen acetone extracts were tested against a panel of seven phytopathogenic fungi, including Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum acutatum, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp cubense TR4, Fusarium ploriferaum, Magnaporthe grisea, Verticillium dahliae and Zymoseptoria tritici. Active extracts of Cladonia foliacea, Xanthoparmelia pokornyi and Squamarina lentigera were analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS and Molecular Networking to identify possible metabolites responsible for the antifungal activity. A total of ten depside-like metabolites were identified by MS/MS dereplication and NMR experiments, of which one was a new derivative of fumaroprotocetraric acid. The compounds without previously described biological activity were purified and tested against the panel of fungal phytopathogens. Herein, the antifungal activity against fungal phytopathogens of 40-O-methylpaludosic acid, divaricatic acid and stenosporic acid is reported for the first time. Stenosporic and divaricatic acids displayed a broad antifungal spectrum against seven relevant fungal phytopathogens in a micromolar range, including the extremely resistant fungus F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (TR4). 40-Omethylpaludosic acid exhibited specific antifungal activity against the wheat pathogen Z. tritici, with an IC50 of 38.87 g/mL (87.1 M) in the absorbance-based assay and 24.88 g/mL (55.52 M) in the fluorescence-based assa

Wild Edible Plants of Andalusia: Traditional Uses and Potential of Eating Wild in a Highly Diverse Region

A review of ethnobotanical sources focused on traditionally-used wild food plants in Andalusia (southern Spain), one of the most biodiverse regions in Europe, is carried out. With 21 original sources plus some previously unpublished data, the dataset shows a high diversity of these traditional resources, reaching 336 species or c. 7% of the total wild flora. Cultural aspects related to the use of some species are discussed and data are compared with similar works. The results are discussed through the lens of conservation and bromatology. For 24% of the edible plants, informants also mentioned a medicinal use (achieved by consuming the same part of the plant). In addition, a list of 166 potentially edible species is provided based on a review of data from other Spanish territorie

Nuevas citas de Pilularia minuta Durieu (Marsileaceae) en Sevilla, Andalucía Occidental

New records of Pilularia minuta Durieui (Marsileaceae) in Sevilla, western AndalusiaPalabras clave. Pilularia, Marsileaceae, Península Ibérica, Andalucía.Key words. Pilularia, Marsilea, Iberian Peninsula, Andalusia

Aumento de peso después de soporte nutricional en una unidad de cuidado intensivo neonatal

Introducción: El ayuno provoca en el recién nacido (RN), deterioro de su estado nutricional y crecimiento a corto y largo plazo. Objetivo: Determinar la ganancia de peso en RN críticamente enfermos (CE) luego de nutrición parenteral (NP). Materiales  y  métodos: Estudio descriptivo observacional de tipo transversal, en 110 RNCE de ambos sexos, a término (RNAT) y pretérmino (RNPreT), del Seguro Social de Bucaramanga, Colombia, que recibieron NP central o periférica. Se obtuvieron datos como sexo, edad gestacional, peso, gramos/kg/día de carbohidratos, proteínas y grasas, kcal/kg/día basales y finales, días de NP y patología subyacente. El análisis estadístico incluyó medidas de tendencia central y de posición, frecuencias, análisis uni y bivariado, pruebas de comparación de promedios y medianas, Chi cuadrado y Fisher, siendo el nivel de significancia de 0,05.Resultados: Fueron incluidos 63 RNPreT y 47 RNAT, con principal diagnóstico enterocolitis necrosante en 40 (36,4%). El promedio al final de la NP de proteínas y grasas fue 1,3 g/kg/día y 2,5 g/kg/día, respectivamente. Hubo incremento del peso basal y final de 14,2 g/día y diferencias significativas en cuanto a la progresión del peso basal y final, en los RNAT (p=0.015) y RNPreT (p=0.000), incluso con peso Conclusiones: Todos los RNCE que recibieron NP desde el primer día de vida, a dosis más bajas que las actualmente recomendadas, presentaron mejoría nutricional medible con la variación de peso diari

Modelo de negocio de servicios de entrega a domicilio

The present research work was carried out in a company that emerged at the beginning of the pandemic of the SARS-Co-V-2 virus that causes the COVID-19 disease since they saw the business opportunity due to immobility and lack of employment took the initiative to offer home services. The objective of the research work is to present a Business Model that helps companies that are dedicated to this turn visualize in a global way the main factors involved for a company to be successful, which is why it was decided to use the CANVAS model since this tool involves nine basic aspects that must be considered to create a successful Business Model. The main result is the design of the Canvas Model identifying the aspects involved in a home service company.El presente trabajo de investigación se realizo en una empresa que surgió en los inicios de la  pandemia del virus SARS-Co-V-2 causante de la enfermedad COVID-19 ya que vieron la oportunidad de negocio debido a la inmovilidad y la falta de empleo tomo la iniciativa de ofrecer servicios a domicilio. El objetivo del trabajo de investigación es presentar un Modelo de Negocio que ayude a las empresas que se dediquen a este giro visualizar de manera global los principales factores involucrados para que una empresa sea exitosa es por ello que se decidió utilizar el modelo CANVAS ya que esta herramienta involucra nueve aspectos básicos que se debe de considerar para crear un Modelo de Negocio exitoso. Como principal resultado es el diseño del Modelo Canvas identificando los aspectos involucrados en una empresa de servicio a domicilio

Phytotoponymy and Synphytotoponymy in Western Granada Province (Andalusia, Spain)

En el marco de la investigación etnobotánica desarrollada en el poniente granadino, se ha realizado un estudio sobre la toponimia de la comarca con atención a los apelativos de origen vegetal (fitotopónimos y sinfitotopónimos). La información —obtenida de la Gerencia Territorial del Catastro de Granada, de la Junta de Andalucía y de nuestro trabajo de campo— se ha incluido en una base de datos con el programa Microsoft Excell®. Un total de 98 especies vegetales se encuentran representadas en la toponimia local, dando nombre a 593 lugares del territorio. Se aportan comentarios sobre el significado ecológico, paleofitogeográfico y etnobotánico de las especies reflejadas en la toponimia.Within the framework of a research project on the ethnobotany of the western section of the province of Granada, in southern Spain, a detailed study was made of place names derived from names related to plants (phytotoponyms and synphytotoponyms). The information —gathered from the Territorial Land Registry of Granada, the Regional Government of Andalusia and field work— has been included in a database written with the Microsoft Excel program. References to a total of 98 plant species were found in as many as 593 place names of the area. The authors comment on the environmental, paleophytogeographic and ethnobotanical significance of the species represented in the place names

Factores que limitan la producción de carne vacuna en el suroeste de la provincia Holguín, Cuba

In the Cauto valley, technological factors influence the productivity of cattle herds, also affected by the lack of rain and the physical properties of the soils. In order to determine the factors that limit the production of beef in the southwest of Holguín, Cuba, a questionnaire was applied to selected producers to collect data from the farms. The quantitative variables with the greatest variability were selected from this to perform principal component analysis and descriptive statistics were used to support the examination of the information. Beef production is limited by the farm's infrastructure, the level of degradation, milk production and attention to the replacement female, which explain 60.9 % of the variability in its deterioration. Indicators such as areas of compensacion, weeds and shade, as well as the body condition of the breeder and milk production require differentiated attention due to their contribution to face the degradation of the livestock ecosystem. Limiting factors of beef production, as well as indicators associated with them, constitutes a step to outline the innovations that in natural resources, productivity and institutional framework, are required in the region.En el valle del Cauto los aspectos tecnológicos afectan la productividad de los rebaños vacunos tanto como la escasez de lluvia y las propiedades físicas de los suelos. Con el objetivo de determinar los factores que limitan la producción de carne vacuna en el suroeste de Holguín, Cuba, se aplicó un cuestionario a productores seleccionados para colectar datos de las fincas. Se eligieron de este los indicadores cuantitativos de mayor variabilidad para efectuar análisis de componentes principales y se utilizó estadística descriptiva para apoyar el examen de la información. La producción de carne vacuna está limitada por la infraestructura de la finca, el nivel de degradación, la producción de leche y la atención a la hembra de remplazo, los cuales explican 60,9 % de la variabilidad en su deterioro. Indicadores como las áreas de compensación, malezas y sombra, así como la condición corporal de la reproductora y la producción de leche requieren una atención diferenciada porque contribuyen a enfrentar la degradación del ecosistema pecuario. Los factores limitantes de la producción de carne vacuna, así como los indicadores que se le asocian, constituyen pautas para delinear las innovaciones que, en recursos naturales, productividad e institucionalidad requiere la región