Chemical composition and biological activities of Lonicera caprifolium L. (Caprifoliaceae) essential oil.

This work aimed to investigate the chemical composition, antioxidant activity, antinociceptive effect, and wound healing activity of the Lonicera caprifolium L. flower essential oil (LCEO). Linalool (16.42%), d-limonene (9.99%), and α-cadinol (10.65%) were the most prevalent components of the LCEO. The LCEO revealed moderate DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging activity. LCEO exhibited potent antinociceptive activity in acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate-induced pain model; LCEO reduced 73.88 ± 2.78% of writhing and significantly increased pain withdrawal latency in the mice, respectively. The LCEO also presented a potent wound healing effect, with 98.08 ± 1.37% wound closure on the 12th day of treatment. The results of the study demonstrate antioxidant and wound healing potential with antinociceptive effect. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the bioactivities of L. caprifolium L. essential oil.

Genus Equisetum L: Taxonomy, toxicology, phytochemistry and pharmacology.

INTRODUCTION: The genus Equisetum (Equisetaceae) is cosmopolitan in distribution, with 41 recognized species. Several species of Equisetum are widely used in treating genitourinary and related diseases, inflammatory and rheumatic problems, hypertension, and wound healing in traditional medicine practices worldwide. This review intends to present information on the traditional uses, phytochemical components, pharmacological activities, and toxicity of Equisetum spp. and to analyze the new insights for further study. METHODS: Relevant literature has been scanned and collected via various electronic repositories, including PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Springer Connect, and Science Online, from 1960 to 2022. RESULTS: Sixteen Equisetum spp. were documented as widely used in traditional medicine practices by different ethnic groups throughout the world. A total of 229 chemical compounds were identified from Equisetum spp. with the major group of constituents being flavonol glycosides and flavonoids. The crude extracts and phytochemicals of Equisetum spp. exhibited significant antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiulcerogenic, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and diuretic properties. A wide range of studies have also demonstrated the safety of Equisetum spp. CONCLUSION: The reported pharmacological properties of Equisetum spp. support its use in traditional medicine, though there are gaps in understanding the traditional usage of these plants for clinical experiments. The documented information revealed that the genus is not only a great herbal remedy but also has several bioactives with the potential to be discovered as novel drugs. Detailed scientific investigation is still needed to fully understand the efficacy of this genus; hence, very few Equisetum spp. were studied in detail for phytochemical and pharmacological investigation. Moreover, its bioactives, structure-activity connection, in vivo activity, and associated mechanism of action ought to be explored further.

Improved photocatalytic dye degradation and seed germination through enzyme-coupled titanium oxide nanopowder - A cost-effective approach.

Enzyme-coupled titanium oxide nanopowder samples were prepared usingdifferent volumes of vermiwash using a cost-effective soft chemical method and their photocatalytic efficiency was studied against Methylene Blue (MB) dye decomposition. The volume of vermiwash used in the starting solution was varied from 50 to 200 mL in steps of 50 mL and the effect of enzymes prevalent in the vermiwash on the photocatalytic activity of titanium oxide (TiO2) was studied. The resultant water obtained after the photocatalytic dye degradation was found to inherit the enzymes from the nanoproduct. This enzyme-activated treated water showed effective seed germination of black gram (Vigna mungo L.). The results suggested that the enzyme-coupled TiO2 can be used as an effective and eco-friendly material for the treatment of contaminated water and consequently the treated water can also be utilized for enhanced seed germination.

Ethnozoological study of animals used by traditional healers in Silent Valley of Kerala, India.

AIM OF STUDY: India has great biodiversity of fauna. The use of fauna with medicinal properties is a common practice since pre-hispanic times. In the last decade, there has been an interest in ethnozoological studies in India. Ethnozoological studies are necessary in order to discover new medications for human health. There is urgency in recording such data. This is the first ethnozoological study in which statistical calculations about animals are done by the ICF method in Kerala, India. The purpose of this study is to analyze and record traditional knowledge of animals utilized by the indigenous people living on Silent Valley, located in Palakkad district of Kerala, India and to document the traditional names, preparation and uses of these animals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Field study was carried out for a period of September 2011 to August 2012 years in Kerala. The ethnomedicinal information was collected through interviews, informal meetings, open and group discussions and overt observations with semi-structured questionnaires among traditional healers. The collected data were analyzed through informant consensus factor (ICF) and fidelity level (FL). RESULTS: This study recorded a total of 57 families, 66 genera, and 69 species of animals that produced 163 methods for usages. Mammalian occupied 29% of the total animals listed, followed by aves (28%), insects (17%), reptiles (10%), actinopterygii (4%), malacostraca, amphibians and clitellata (each 3%), chilopoda (2%) and gastropoda (1%) of the whole, respectively. In regards to usage, 68 species utilized as food products and medicinal uses, totaled 98.55% followed by one species for cosmetics (1.45%). CONCLUSION: This study indicated that the animals are still being used by the local healers of Palakkad district, to treat various illnesses. The empirical knowledge reported in this study will provide outstanding possibilities for the discovery of new sources of medicine for the drug industry.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by Paliyar tribals in Theni district of Tamil Nadu, India.

An ethnobotanical survey was carried out among the Paliyar tribals in various tribal villages of Theni district, Tamil Nadu, India during December 2004 to January 2006. A total of 101 species of ethnomedicinal plants belonging to 90 genera and 48 families were reported with the help of standardized questionnaires among 15 tribal informants between the ages of 26 to 82. The study shows a high degree of ethnobotanical novelty and the use of plants among the Paliyars reflects the revival of interest in traditional folk medicine.

Ethnobotanical investigations among tribes in Madurai District of Tamil Nadu (India).

BACKGROUND: An ethnobotanical survey was carried out to collect information on the use of medicinal plants in Southern Western Ghats of India (Madurai district, Tamil Nadu). Information presented in this paper was gathered from the paliyar tribes using an integrated approach of botanical collections, group discussions and interviews with questionnaires in the years 1998 - 1999. The informants interviewed were 12 among whom 4 were tribal practitioners. RESULTS: A total of 60 ethnomedicinal plant species distributed in 32 families are documented in this study. The medicinal plants used by paliyars are listed with Latin name, family, local name, parts used, mode of preparation and medicinal uses. Generally, fresh part of the plant was used for the preparation of medicine. CONCLUSION: We observed that the documented ethnomedicinal plants were mostly used to cure skin diseases, poison bites, stomachache and nervous disorders. The results of this study showed that these tribal people still depend on medicinal plants in Madurai district forest areas.

Traditional knowledge of Kani tribals in Kouthalai of Tirunelveli hills, Tamil Nadu, India.

An ethnobotanical survey was carried out among the ethnic groups (Kani/Kanikaran) in Southern Western Ghats of India. Traditional uses of 54 plant species belonging to 26 families are described under this study. In this communication, the information got from the tribals were compared with the already existing literature on ethnobotany of India. The documented ethnomedicinal plants were mostly used to cure skin diseases, poison bites, wounds and rheumatism. The medicinal plants used by kanis are arranged alphabetically followed by family name, local name, major chemical constituents, parts used, mode of preparation and medicinal uses.