The sustainable use of diverse plants accustomed by different ethnic groups in Sibi District, Balochistan, Pakistan.

The present study was conducted to analyze the utilization of medicinal plants (traditional as well as cultivated) and there recipes accustomed by different ethnic groups of Sibi District (SD), Balochistan, Pakistan. The study was carried out between 2018 and 2021 by using semi-structured and open-ended questionnaire.. The randomly selected methods applied for this study were mainly based on household surveys walk through and interview with indigenous communityage 40 to 80, a total of 75 plants, belonging to 63 genera and distributed among 33 plant families were recorded. The dominant Plant families were the Fabaceae (12%) of all studied taxa, followed by the Amaranthaceae (7%), Asteraceae (6%), Cucurbitaceae, Solanaceae, Poaceae (4% each), Rhamnaceae and Zygophyllaceae (3%). Thirty traditional Food Recipes (TFR) and Traditional Medicinal Recipes (TMR) were novel being first time reported from SD., which are utilized by the local communities in their daily routine. These ethnic TFR and TMR have a tremendous role in preservation and sustainable use of traditional food habits and culture. It was also documented that along with cultivated, the wild edible and medicinal plant preparations play a significant role in in the economic potential and primary health care system of the local communities. The study recommends the specific measures, such as small industries, improved export means, tourism and educational activities, to protect the traditional knowledge and biocultural heritage of the region before its erosion.

Bio-Functional Potential and Biochemical Properties of Propolis Collected from Different Regions of Balochistan Province of Pakistan.

Propolis is a well-known resinous natural substance collected by honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) from plants exudations. Variations in chemical composition of propolis are due to different sources from which it is collected and change in climate and geographical location. In this study, different propolis samples were collected from different regions of Balochistan and examined for its chemical composition, total phenolics and total flavonoid contents, and antioxidant potential by using DPPH radical scavenging assay and antimicrobial activity. Bioactive components analysis revealed the presence of steroids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, coumarins, cardiac glycosides, quinones, anthraquinones, terpenoids, tannins, and phlobatannins at different levels. The total phenolics contents were ranged from 2.9343 ± 1.247 to 6.0216 ± 2.873 mg GAE g-1, and flavonoid contents were found to be 0.1546 ± 0.087 to 0.6586 ± 0.329 mg QE g-1, respectively. The antioxidant ability of each extract was analyzed by their concentration having 50% inhibition (IC 50). The propolis sample P3 possessed lower IC 5027.07 ± 0.73 mg mL-1 with higher % inhibition of DPPH radical, and P8 showed lower % inhibition by having IC 5084.43 ± 2.07 mg mL-1. The antibacterial activity of all samples was analyzed against a wide group of bacteria including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumonia and propolis extract (P4) was highly active against Klebsiella pneumoniae with the maximum diameter of zone of inhibition 20.33 ± 1.52 mm, and propolis extract (P3) showed maximum zone of inhibition against Escherichia coli19.06 ± 1.90, while propolis extract (P2) was found less active with minimum diameter of zone of inhibition 7.46 ± 1.50 mm. The antifungal activity of extract was considered as active against the fungal species. Propolis extract (P3) showed 82% of zone of inhibition against Aspergillus Niger, and propolis extract (P1) was highly active against Aspergillus parasiticus with 80% of zone of inhibition. By comparing the vibration frequencies in wave numbers of the sample spectrograph acquired from an FTIR spectrophotometer, the functional groups present in the extracts were identified. The presence of seven elements (Fe, Zn, Mn, Ni, Pb, Cd, and Cr) was analyzed through atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The obtained concentrations were within the permissible ranges established by the World Health Organization. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 80 different compounds belonged to different classes. The obtained results confirmed the imperative potential of propolis which can be used in various biological applications.

Biochemical profile and bioactive potential of thirteen wild folk medicinal plants from Balochistan, Pakistan.

The recent focus is on the analysis of biological activities of extracts from thirteen folk medicinal plants from arid and semi-arid zones of Balochistan, Pakistan. Only a small proportion of them have been scientifically analyzed. Therefore the present investigation explores the biochemical and bioactive potential of different plant parts. Superoxide dismutase was detected maximum in Fagonia indica, (184.7±5.17 units/g), ascorbate peroxidase in Tribulus pentandrus (947.5±12.5 units/g), catalase and peroxidase were higher in Peganum harmala (555.0±5.0 and 2597.8±0.4 units/g, respectively). Maximum esterase and α-amylase activity was found in Zygophyllum fabago (14.3±0.44 and 140±18.8 mg/g, respectively). Flavonoid content was high in T. pentandrus (666.1±49 µg/ml). The highest total phenolic content and tannin was revealed in F. olivieri (72125±425 and 37050±1900 µM/g, respectively). The highest value of ascorbic acid was depicted in F. bruguieri (F.b.N) (448±1.5 µg/g). Total soluble proteins and reducing sugars were detected higher in P. harmala (372.3±54 and 5.9±0.1 mg/g, respectively). The maximum total antioxidant capacity was depicted in Tetraena simplex (16.9±0.01 µM/g). The highest value of lycopene and total carotenoids exhibited in T. terrestris (7.44±0.2 and 35.5±0.0 mg/g, respectively). Chlorophyll contents were found maximum in T. pentandrus var. pterophorus (549.1±9.9, 154.3±10, and 703.4±20.2 ug/g, respectively). All taxa exhibited anti-inflammatory activity and anti-diabetic potential. Z. eurypterum seeds exhibited the highest anti-inflammatory potential (96%), along with other taxa indicated (96-76%) activity when compared with the standard drug diclofenac sodium (79%). Seeds of T. pentandrus (85%) exhibited the highest anti-diabetic activity. The other taxa also exhibited inhibitory activity of α-amylase ranging from (85-69%) compared with Metformin (67%) standard drug. Phytochemical screening revealed that selected taxa proved to be the potential source of natural antioxidants and could further be explored for in-vivo studies and utilized in pharmaceutical industries as potent therapeutic agents validating their ethno-pharmacological uses.

Labour induction with randomized comparison of oral and intravaginal misoprostol in post date multigravida women.

The efficacy and safety of oral versus vaginal misoprostol for elective induction of labor in post date multigravida with an unfavourable cervix was compared over a period of one year in the Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Eightyeight multigravida post date women were divided into two groups and given 50 mg misoprostol orally and 50 mg intravaginally, respectively. The induction to onset of significant uterine contractions and delivery intervals were lower in the first group (7.8 h vs. 8.9 h) when compared to (10.4 h vs. 12 h). The first group had a higher rate of Caesarean section (7% vs. 4%; p>0.05), uterine hyperstimulation (9% vs. 5%; p>0.05), uterine tachysystole (23% vs. 14%; p>0.05) and neonatal admissions to intensive care unit (12% vs. 4%; p>0.05) when compared to second group. Fifty mg oral misoprostol has the potential to induce labor as safely and effectively as the intravaginal route.

Pre-labor rupture of membranes at term in patients with an unfavorable cervix: active versus conservative management.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy of conservative management of pre-labor rupture of membranes (PROM) at term in patients with an unfavorable cervix, with active treatment using oral misoprostol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted between June 1, 2004 and November 30, 2004 at Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Eighty-four multigravid women (parity, < 5) at > or = 37 weeks' gestation and with unfavorable cervices were divided equally between group S (study) and group C (conservative). Group S was given 50 micrograms of oral misoprostol every 4 hours for a maximum of four doses, while group C was managed conservatively. The intervals between PROM and significant uterine contractions and delivery, the mode of delivery, and maternal and fetal/neonatal complications were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: The intervals between PROM and the onset of uterine contractions and delivery were lower in group S than group C (9.6 vs. 14.8 hours; p < 0.001) and (11.6 vs. 17 hours; p < 0.001), respectively. Fewer women delivered abdominally within 24 hours of PROM in group S than in group C (5% vs. 24%; p < 0.05). Induction failure in group S was less than conservative management failure in group C (10% vs. 60%; p < 0.001). The maternal complication rate was less in group S than in group C (7% vs. 14%; p > 0.05), but the fetal/neonatal complication rate was similar in both groups (5%). CONCLUSION: Oral misoprostol (50 micrograms) is safe and effective for cervical ripening and labor induction in patients with PROM and an unfavorable cervix.