AN ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF WILD MEDICINAL PLANTS USED BY MIGRATORY SHEPHERDS – A TRIBAL COMMUNITY OF WESTERN HIMALAYAS

Objectives: Migratory shepherds of Kinnaur, Shimla, and Sirmaur districts in Himachal Pradesh of the western Himalayas have rich traditional knowledge of medicinal plants and its uses, in this respect; an ethnobotanical survey was carried out from 2017 to 2018. Methods: The required information on ethnomedicines used by tribal migratory shepherds was collected through personal field visits, interview method and using a pretested questionnaire. Results: It was observed that in all 78 species were used by shepherds en route from high hills to low hills. In high hills 35 species, in mid hills 20 species, and low hills 23 species were found to be used as ethnomedicine source. Conclusion: This study shows that shepherds in tribal areas are highly dependent on ethnobotanical remedies, which evolved over generations of experience and practices, for health care. The common diseases were treated by ethnomedicinal plants such as cough, cold, body pain, Skin infection, wounds, diarrhea, respiratory problems, and sunburn. The collected detailed information on the list of plants and their therapeutic practices among tribal migratory shepherds may be helpful to improve the future pharmaceutical applications

Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus infection causes modulation of inflammatory and immune response genes in mouse brain

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Neurovirulent Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) causes lethal encephalitis in equines and is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. VEEV is highly infectious when transmitted by aerosol and has been developed as a bio-warfare agent, making it an important pathogen to study from a military and civilian standpoint. Molecular mechanisms of VEE pathogenesis are poorly understood. To study these, the gene expression profile of VEEV infected mouse brains was investigated. Changes in gene expression were correlated with histological changes in the brain. In addition, a molecular framework of changes in gene expression associated with progression of the disease was studied.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our results demonstrate that genes related to important immune pathways such as antigen presentation, inflammation, apoptosis and response to virus (<it>Cxcl10</it>, <it>CxCl11</it>, <it>Ccl5</it>, <it>Ifr7</it>, <it>Ifi27 Oas1b</it>, <it>Fcerg1</it>,<it>Mif</it>, <it>Clusterin and MHC class II) </it>were upregulated as a result of virus infection. The number of over-expressed genes (>1.5-fold level) increased as the disease progressed (from 197, 296, 400, to 1086 at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours post infection, respectively).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Identification of differentially expressed genes in brain will help in the understanding of VEEV-induced pathogenesis and selection of biomarkers for diagnosis and targeted therapy of VEEV-induced neurodegeneration.</p

Análise comparativa das atividades antioxidantes e anti-inflamatórias dos chás vermelho, azul e preto para benefícios à saúde

The current COVID-19 predicament necessitates a greater emphasis on developing immunity. Herbal teas are abundant in antioxidants which are important for strengthening the immune system. Hot water decoction of Hibiscus rosa sinensis flowers (red tea), Clitoria ternatea flowers (blue tea) and commercially available black tea were evaluated by comparing for in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Anthocyanin pigment in red, blue, and black tea demonstrated Rf values of 0.52, 0.86 and 0.78 respectively. Blue and black teas exhibited dominance of polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, terpenoids, saponins as compared to red tea. The highest total phenolic (12.25 ± 0.245 mg GAE/gm extract-1) and flavonoid (15.84 ± 0.268mg QE/gm extract-1) content were observed with black and blue tea respectively. Blue tea, and black tea extracts exhibited FRPA values of 1.81 ± 0.413 mg and 1.93 ± 0.178 mg AAE per gram extract-1 respectively. Black tea exhibits the highest antioxidant capacity in reducing molybdate ions (1.94 ± 0.354 mg AAE per gram extract-1) followed by blue tea (1.56 ± 0.199 mg AAE per gram extract-1). Blue tea extract at a very low concentration showed highest percentage hemolytic inhibition (57.14 ± 0.567%). According to the study, blue tea is a rich source of antioxidants with significant anti-inflammatory properties. The research may offer a valuable supplementary strategyfor its therapeutic applications.La situación actual de COVID-19 requiere un mayor énfasis en desarrollar inmunidad. Los tés de hierbas son ricos en antioxidantes, que son importantes para fortalecer el sistema inmunológico. Se evaluó la decocción en agua caliente de flores de Hibiscus rosa sinensis (té rojo), flores de Clitoria ternatea (té azul) y té negro comercialmente disponible para determinar sus propiedades antioxidantes y antiinflamatorias in vitro. El pigmento de antocianina en el té rojo, azul y negro demostró valores de Rf de 0,52, 0,86 y 0,78, respectivamente. Los tés azul y negro exhibieron un predominio de polifenoles, flavonoides, taninos, glucósidos, terpenoides y saponinas en comparación con el té rojo. Los niveles más altos de fenoles totales (12,25 ± 0,245 mg EAG/g de extracto-1) y flavonoides (15,84 ± 0,268 mg QE/g de extracto-1) se observaron en los tés negro y azul, respectivamente. Los extractos de té azul y té negro exhibieron valores de FRPA de 1,81 ± 0,413 mg y 1,93 ± 0,178 mg de AAE por gramo de extracto-1, respectivamente. El té negro tiene la mayor capacidad antioxidante en la reducción de iones molibdato (1,94 ± 0,354 mg AAE por gramo de extracto-1), seguido del té azul (1,56 ± 0,199 mg AAE por gramo de extracto-1). El extracto de té azul a muy baja concentración presentó el mayor porcentaje de inhibición hemolítica (57,14 ± 0,567%). Según el estudio, el té azul es una rica fuente de antioxidantes con importantes propiedades antiinflamatorias. La investigación puede ofrecer una valiosa estrategia complementaria para sus aplicaciones terapéuticas.A situação atual do COVID-19 exige uma maior ênfase no desenvolvimento da imunidade. Os chás de ervas são abundantes em antioxidantes, importantes para fortalecer o sistema imunológico. A decocção de água quente de flores de Hibiscus rosa sinensis (chá vermelho), flores de Clitoria ternatea (chá azul) e chá preto comercialmente disponível, foi avaliada comparando as propriedades antioxidantes e anti-inflamatórias in vitro. O pigmento antocianina no chá vermelho, azul e preto, demonstrou valores de Rf de 0,52, 0,86 e 0,78, respectivamente. Os chás azul e preto, exibiram predominância de polifenóis, flavonoides, taninos, glicosídeos, terpenoides e saponinas em comparação com o chá vermelho. Os maiores teores de fenólicos totais (12,25 ± 0,245 mg EAG/gm extrato-1) e flavonoides (15,84 ± 0,268 mg QE/gm extrato-1) foram observados nos chás preto e azul, respectivamente. Os extratos de chá azul e chá preto exibiram valores de FRPA de 1,81 ± 0,413 mg e 1,93 ± 0,178 mg de AAE por grama de extrato-1, respectivamente. O chá preto apresenta a maior capacidade antioxidante na redução de íons molibdato (1,94 ± 0,354 mg AAE por grama de extrato-1), seguido pelo chá azul (1,56 ± 0,199 mg AAE por grama de extrato-1). O extrato de chá azul em concentração muito baixa, apresentou a maior porcentagem de inibição hemolítica (57,14 ± 0,567%). De acordo com o estudo, o chá azul é uma rica fonte de antioxidantes com propriedades anti-inflamatórias significativas. A pesquisa pode oferecer uma valiosa estratégia complementar para suas aplicações terapêuticas

Evaluation of Nutritional, Phytochemical, and Mineral Composition of Selected Medicinal Plants for Therapeutic Uses from Cold Desert of Western Himalaya

The aim of this study was to determine the elemental and nutritive values of leaf parts of 10 selected wild medicinal plants, Acer pictum, Acer caecium, Betula utilis, Oxalis corniculata, Euphorbia pilosa, Heracleum lanatum, Urtica dioica, Berberis lycium, Berberis asiaticaand, and Quercus ilex, collected from the high hills of the Chitkul range in district Kinnaur, Western Himalaya. The nutritional characteristics of medicinal plant species were analyzed by using muffle furnace and micro-Kjeldahl methods, and the mineral content in plants was analyzed through atomic absorption spectrometry. The highest percentage of used value was reported in Betula utilis (0.42) and the lowest in Quercus ilex (0.17). In this study, it was found that new generations are not much interested in traditional knowledge of ethnomedicinal plants due to modernization in society. Therefore, there is an urgent need to document ethnomedicinal plants along with their phytochemical and minerals analysis in study sites. It was found that rural people in western Himalaya are dependent on wild medicinal plants, and certain steps must be taken to conserve these plants from extinction in the cold desert of Himalayan region. They are an alternative source of medicine because they contain saponin, alkaloid, and flavonoid etc. as well as minerals. The leaves used for analysis possesses good mineral content, such as Na, N, K, P, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Ca, Mg, and S. Hence, in the current study it was observed that medicinal plants are not only used for therapeutic purposes, but they can also be used as nutritional supplements

Plant-Based Antioxidant Extracts and Compounds in the Management of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer continues to be a leading cause of death worldwide, and its prevalence is particularly high in developing countries, where people chew tobacco and betel nut on a regular basis. Radiation-, chemo-, targeted-, immuno-, and hormone-based therapies along with surgery are commonly used as part of a treatment plan. However, these treatments frequently result in various unwanted short- to long-term side effects. As a result, there is an urgent need to develop treatment options for oral cancer that have little or no adverse effects. Numerous bioactive compounds derived from various plants have recently attracted attention as therapeutic options for cancer treatment. Antioxidants found in medicinal plants, such as vitamins E, C, and A, reduce damage to the mucosa by neutralizing free radicals found in various oral mucosal lesions. Phytochemicals found in medicinal plants have the potential to modulate cellular signalling pathways that alter the cellular defence mechanisms to protect normal cells from reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of various medicinal plants and phytoconstituents that have shown the potential to be used as oral cancer therapeutics

Therapeutic Uses of Wild Plants by Rural Inhabitants of Maraog Region in District Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India

The main aim of this study is to document important ethnomedicinal plants from the Maraog region, located in the district of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, India. A total of 110 medicinal plant species belonging to 102 genera and 57 families were reported from the study site. All of the species were collected from wild habitats. The rural people of the Maraog region were surveyed through interview methods, group discussions, and participatory observations. In the current study, data were collected from 88 informants through the snowball method. A total of 110 plant species were collected from the study area, including 64 herbs, 24 shrubs, 9 trees, 5 climbers, 3 grasses, and 5 ferns. Most of the plant species, reported from the study area, belong to the Rosaceae and Asteraceae families, each contributing 12 plant species, followed by the Lamiaceae family with 6 plant species. The most used part of the plant in the preparation of herbal medications is the leaves, which have been reported in 62 plants, followed by roots in 14 plants, and flowers and other aerial parts in 9 plants. The ethnomedicinal data were analyzed using “Use Value,” a statistical quantitative method, with Artemisia vestita having the highest use value (1.00), followed by Cannabis sativa (0.79), Rhododendron arboreum (0.79), and Datura stramonium (0.71). Older people were found to have a vast knowledge of wild medicinal plants, while the younger generation’s knowledge was lacking. As a result, traditional knowledge about the use of plants as a source of medicine has decreased day-by-day.Therefore, there is a need to document traditional ethnobotanical knowledge. The data could serve as a basis for research by pharmacological and nutraceutical industries for the development of novel drugs

Myosin VI small insert isoform maintains exocytosis by tethering secretory granules to the cortical actin.

Before undergoing neuroexocytosis, secretory granules (SGs) are mobilized and tethered to the cortical actin network by an unknown mechanism. Using an SG pull-down assay and mass spectrometry, we found that myosin VI was recruited to SGs in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. Interfering with myosin VI function in PC12 cells reduced the density of SGs near the plasma membrane without affecting their biogenesis. Myosin VI knockdown selectively impaired a late phase of exocytosis, consistent with a replenishment defect. This exocytic defect was selectively rescued by expression of the myosin VI small insert (SI) isoform, which efficiently tethered SGs to the cortical actin network. These myosin VI SI-specific effects were prevented by deletion of a c-Src kinase phosphorylation DYD motif, identified in silico. Myosin VI SI thus recruits SGs to the cortical actin network, potentially via c-Src phosphorylation, thereby maintaining an active pool of SGs near the plasma membrane

PRESERVASI PENGETAHUAN DALAM SENI KRIYA BATIK TANAH LIEK, SUMATERA BARAT (SEBUAH KAJIAN KASUS)

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui proses pembuatan batik tanah liek dalam rangka preservasi pengetahuan seni kriya batik tanah liek Sumatera Barat. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif field research dengan pendekatan studi kasus, teknik pemilihan informan yang dilakukan adalah purposive sampling dengan memilih informan kunci dan beberapa informan yang ahli dibidangnya. Pengumpulan data yang dilakukan pada penelitian ini adalah observasi, wawancara dokumentasi dan materi audio visual. Dari hasil penelitian dapat diketahui, (1) identifikasi pengetahuan dilakukan untuk mengetahui tentang aktivitas budaya setempat, fungsi batik tanah liek dalam upacara adat, keberadaan batik tanah liek dan proses pembuatan batik tanah liek dengan cara tanya-jawab dan validasi melalui wawancara mendalam. (2) penyimpanan pengetahuan dan temu kembali dilakukan dengan mendokumentasikan pengetahuan secara visual, menyalin kembali motif-motif yang sudah ada sebelumnya dan mengembangkan bentuk motif, eksternalisasi yang dilakukan adalah dengan mengumpulkan salinan motif menjadi buku motif, dan buku tentang pewarnaan. Temu kembali pengetahuan melibatkan perpustakaan daerah dalam memudahkan temu kembali pengetahuan lokal. (3) transfer pengetahuan dengan cara sosialization, job shadowing, dan penyebaran pengetahuan yang dilakukan melalui penerimaan karyawan baru, pelatihan, penjualan dan pameran-pameran