Floristic novelties in the context of interdisciplinary studies

Nowa days, interdisciplinary studies are increasingly important. Integration of botany with humanities, particularly with archaeology and ethnology, is amongst these studies. It is noteworthy that, as a result of such surveys, not only “synthetic” new data could be obtained, but also data in the specific fields of knowledge that compose these multidisciplinary complexes. Thus, during the archaeo- and ethnobotanical studies in Armenia in 2017–2021, along with the data on plant resources, little-known phytonyms, etc., some new floristic data were also recorded regarding the following species: Amaranthus graecizans L., A. hybridus L., Chamaenerion angustifolium (L.) Scop., Diospyros lotus L., Eleocharis palustris (L.) Roem. & Schult., Heracleum trachyloma Fisch. & C.A. Mey., Humulus lupulus L., Hippophae rhamnoides L., Polygonatum orientale Desf., and Ranunculus lateriflorus DC. Earlier, we also procured new data on the phytogeography for such species as Crataegus × armena Pojark., Ephedra procera Fisch. & C.A. Mey., Erodium ciconium (L.) L’Hér., Leonurus cardiaca L., Leucanthemum vulgare L., Matricaria matricarioides (Less.) Porter ex Britt., Neslia paniculata (L.) Desv., Origanum vulgare L., Salvia nemorosa L., Thymus eriophorus Ronn., Th. transcaucasicus Ronn., Tripleurospermum caucasicum (Willd.) Hayek, and T. parviflorum (Willd.) Pobed. Among the species, for which phytogeographic and floristic novelties were recorded, are crop wild relatives, endemics, and rare species, included in the IUCN list. Summarizing the findings, it can be stated that archaeo- and ethnobotany are productive not only in their interdisciplinary, “hybrid” results but also in the disciplines they both synthesize. This is the evidence that interdisciplinary approaches are highly efficient for research, demonstrating a mutually enhanced, i.e., synergistic effect in complex studies

Composition and Potential Health Benefits of Pomegranate: A Review

Background: Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruits are widely consumed and used as preventive and therapeutic agents since ancient times. Pomegranate is a rich source of a variety of phytochemicals, which are responsible for its strong antioxidative and anti-inflammatory potential. Objective: The aim of this review is to provide an up-to-date overview of the current knowledge of chemical structure and potential health benefits of pomegranate. Methods: A comprehensive search of available literature. Results: The review of the literature confirms that juice and extracts obtained from different parts of this plant, including fruit peel, seeds, and leaves exert health benefits in both in vitro and in vivo studies. The antidiabetic, antihypertensive, antimicrobial and anti-tumour effects of pomegranate fruit are of particular scientific and clinical interest. Conclusion: Further investigations are required to clarify the mechanism of action of the bioactive ingredients and to reveal full potential of pomegranate as both preventive and therapeutic agent